Skip to main content

Searching for that perfect scent...

Perfume:parfum, eau de parfum or eau de toilette??

So many options.... how do you chose which is best for you?

Warning: Long post ahead....

I don't usually splurge on many things, since I consider myself a savvy shopper. However when I do splurge on a bottle of perfume, I usually have a coupon. Like Sephora's 15 off 50 for the beauty insiders. Last year I bought the Candy by Prada; Which I absolutely love!!! Unfortunately I only got that one bottle and I ran out before the next sale.
I was left with only a few bottles of fragrance mist sprays from Victoria's Secret & bath and body works.  Along a few sample sized bottles of eau de parfum and eau de toilette that came with my online purchase from Sephora.

I'm in desperate need for a nice scent.  A scent I can use daily and not get tired of.

& so, I decided I was going to go on a hunt for my new perfect scent. On this search, I came upon this guide (which I'll link here) for you lovely readers to read. It explains what the differences are between parfum, eau de parfum and eau de toilette.  ( Just in case you were unaware like me.)

First thing I did was go through magazines to smell the perfume inserts. Anyone else love smelling those inserts? I always rub them on myself, when I really like the scent.

Then I decided to check the perfume stores.
First stop was a local perfume shop. I remembered I had seen they sold pouches of perfume samples. I can't commit to a new scent without trying them on for a few days. Unfortunately this store no longer carried the sample sizes. They did carry the travel sized sets but I wanted the variety pouches.

Next stop was Sephora.  I'm not a makeup expert at all.  This store can be very overwhelming for those of us who are not make up gurus.  But very fun none the less.  The customer service there is superb!
Also, a side note----Just found out about Sephora's Play! box subscription. It's  $10/month. & although you can't skip a month. I signed up for it!!

According to Sephora's website, this is what comes in the subscription box.


  • "Five deluxe skin care, makeup, or hair care samples (plus a fragrance bonus!) that are curated by our experts. Since beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all, we send you a selection of products that we think are the best for you, based on the answers you provide in your PLAY! PROFILE
  • A collectible bag that changes with each month’s theme." -Play! By Sephora. Check the page here for faq.

  • As I'm currently searching for my new scent. I jumped on it. & will try for a few months. I will do a review once I get my first box. Although, like I mentioned already, I am not a makeup guru or skincare know it all.

    Unfortunately for my perfume search, I left empty handed from Sephora. Well almost.... I needed to restock my essentials.  Which include: Origins vitazing & naked color corrector. I don't wear foundation.

    I also snagged a free Women by Ralph Lauren sample  All you have to do is ask one of the employees for a sample. (It's a tiny bottle with a few spritz of the perfume.)

    The final stop was Dillard's. I hoped that the fragrance specialists would have samples or a sample bag for sale. Maybe.... hopefully... But again was incorrect. Apparently these samples are very coveted and are given to customers with purchases. Either that or sold on eBay. I say this because I found a ton, and I say A TON!!! Sold on eBay. Some lots sold in variety lots. Others in lots of the same scent.

    I was about to give up on buying the sample pouches, until I got the idea to search mercari for perfume sample lots. I'm so glad I did! For every new user, mercari gives a $10 credit when you spend $15. I found this lot for $16 & seller paid shipping. With my new user $10 credit, I only paid $6. Which made this savvy shopper very happy! Finally I was able to get my hands on a 12 piece variety perfume sample lot.



    If anyone wants my invite code for Mercari, just let me know in the comments. It's a very easy to use website & app.
    Thank you so much for reading this long post & reading my thoughts.
    Xoxo,
    Carla

    Comments

    Popular posts from this blog

    All I do is win, win, win no matter what....

    Last week I entered a super fun giveaway from Strut_official on instagram. It was a back to school giveaway.  As I've mentioned before, I'm currently completing my degree. First week of school was this past week & I'm behind already, thanks to my procrastination problem. Anyways.... Guess who won her giveaway?!?!?! Yuuuuupppp you guessed right...!!! Me.... This is what I won... How cute are these mules & backpack!?!?! The supplies will come in handy as well. Go follow her on instagram @Strut_official & poshmark. Her shoes are bomb & all brand spanking new! Her poshmark is here . Before winning these awesome goodies. I also won $4 from a lottery ticket I had in my purse from weeks ago. I just wish I won the 700 million dollars from last Wednesday's mega million lottery.  I'm not a big gambler. But a girl can dream! Share with me what you've won before. & What would you do if you won a big lottery win. Let's say 100 mill...

    Five nights at freddy's 5th birthday party....

    I know... I know... Five nights at freddy's aren't exactly the characters you'd expect a 4 or 5 year old would like. My son however is obsessed with these ugly looking characters. He has been watching their music videos and such for a couple months now. Therefore, his birthday party theme this year was obviously Five nights at freddy's. I opted to do it friendly and not scary with the "nightmare" version. For you mommas, who have kids obsessed with these characters. Here are some ideas for your theme party. We held the party at a local park. Set up tents, ice coolers, tables and chairs. Invitations... I like to be simple when it comes to invitations. I send out a custom made invitation through text messages or make an event on Facebook. (Most our family and friends are on there) When I say custom invitation, I mean custom made by me. 😁 Food... Since the characters like to eat pizza & Fred Bear Fazbear works at a pizzeria. (Or something) The ma...

    Getting comfortable in my own skin...

    This year I will be turning 30!!! Where and how that happened? I have no idea,,, What I do know, is that it has taken me a very long time to accept myself.  As a matter of fact, I'm currently still working on it.  Through the years I have struggled with learning to love myself.  Never completely content with my appearance.  Whether it was my teeth, face, features, body.  You name it!  In the past I have even contemplated getting surgery. What stopped me? The money of course! As well as the scary stories told by friends.  Which often times they hear from others.  Postpartum, I suffered from weight gain.  It took me years to loose the weight.  Even then, my body is not perfect.  Does that define me? Do my looks define me? Of course NOT! I know that; However that doesn't change the fact that I obsess over my weight, and constantly weigh myself. My point with all this rambling is, that it's never too late to learn to LOVE ...

    Poshmark Closet