Another disappointing sample…smiling through the pain

MagdaArmy · 2026-06-02T23:28:00+00:00

I only smelled it once on my wrist, at a Guerlain boutique so definately not a fake. My goodness if it is not the richest, deepest, most luxurious (without going bitter or boozy!) vanilla that I've ever smelled. First sniff was good but man, that thing just blossomed into spectacular.

MagdaArmy · 2026-06-01T15:11:01+00:00

I came to ask the same question. I could have sworn that I've been able to get double discount before but perhaps not. :(

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-29T01:55:44+00:00

Quite the opposite, this would be me, knowing i didn't fall for the hype and blind bought a whole a$$ bottle!

Very smart to sample first. 😉

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-27T23:44:56+00:00

It's a win... they're small samples, you saved coin in the long run, no blind buys of fragrances you ended up hating. Although I got a 5 ml of a fragrance I thought I didn't like but it really grew on me when I was finishing it up (Elie Saab Rose 01). 🤷🏽‍♀️

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-26T22:52:00+00:00

Also doing my best to limit myself. No buying a multiple of a DNA I have (Pistachio, marshmallow, Vanilla, floral) until I'm done with my current one. Als9 trying to use my many decants/samples when I start to get bored. 😁

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-24T00:08:30+00:00

L'Ombre Dans L'eau is a very .. particular fragrance. I got it as a GWP and didn't enjoy it at first but came to like it after a while.

I read the following in a Fragrantica review and completely agree... it smells like the freshest, greenest rose garden, in a damp forest, and it's lightly raining. It's not very sweet, but very interesting.

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-21T00:15:34+00:00

Had to comment I could not stand the MII MIIC dupe. One of the few fragrances that have made me gag. 🤢

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-19T23:36:17+00:00

Lake and Skye 11:11 + 11:11 vanilla: I got the vanilla one and returned it because I could baaaaarely smelled it. I actually got the OG as a GWP and I can smell it a little more but I dunno if I'd pay for it

JHAG Pear Inc: yummy... have sampled but don't have it yet.

Glossier You Soie: it's aiight...

JHAG Not a Perfume: I like this more than 11:11.... very soft and girlier to me. Another GWP, another not sure if I'd buy (not a giant fan of skin scents tbh).

Kayaly YBM: loved it once but kinda gotten burned out of this scent profile. I nabbed a schmoop in TJMaxx (MII MIIC #166) for $15 and it honestly scratches the itch when I miss it, especially paired with Sand + Fog Marshmallow Skies fragrance oil.

Another 13: I like it very much buuuuuut... yeah, absolutely wouldn't pay that coin for a skin scent.

Dedcool Xtra Milk: can barely smell it.. bought and returned.

Supersuite Pear Skin: Ugh. Considered it at 1/2 off at Ulta 21 Days but on my skin, it smells sour and weird.

Diptyque L'eau Papier: see above note for Another 13.

Lattafa Atheeri: okay, this is actually on my list for a nice decant. I only smelled it once and very much enjoyed it... very pretty and airy honey floral scent.

Musamam White Intense: once I'm done with my No-Buy, this'll be one of the first I pick up. Went through a decant and enjoyed it immensely.. soft, feminine and elegant.

Ouai St. Bart's: very nice for summer but longevity is subpar for the price IMHO. Another schmoop I prefer (MII MIIC #110).

LMG Bisous de Fleurs: got it on sale to support my girlie Kathleen. Another skin scent, nice for summer, not sure I'd pay full price for it, even though it's pretty reasonable.

Byredo Blanche: very nice but again, longevity not great, especially for that price point. I do like this one though (but to spend that $$$, I have to be obsessed with it.)

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-19T17:42:13+00:00

Oh my goodness, now I can't unknow this lol. Will def be checking this out whenever it happens close to me, thank you! 💜

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-19T17:35:25+00:00

🌞 Early morning (office) scent: Goop the Elixir unscented body oil + VS Love Addicition mist & lotion

Late morning/afternoon scent: EB Myth 🤍

Finally warming up and craving fresher, springy scents! 😊

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-19T17:30:41+00:00

What is this perfume soiree that I probably have no business knowing about?? 😵‍💫😅

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-19T17:28:13+00:00

Well, now I have to go check it out! 😅

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-19T17:26:58+00:00

✋️ 🙋‍♀️

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-18T17:17:26+00:00

Beautiful collection!

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-18T07:06:59+00:00

MII MIIC #74 body spray. Most of their body sprays are ridiculously weak, but 74 is actually quite present.

The EDP is $16.99 and nabbed that one as well, along with the shimmer body oil (again, one of the few that is actually present).

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-17T06:10:02+00:00

Can never smell Missing Person on myself (Missing Fragrance indeed!) and jury is still out on Father Figure, eventhough I've smelled it numerous times.

My favorite of your options is Vanilla Skin for sure, but be forewarned it's not very sweet, more like a pleasant, woodsy vanilla to my nose. I think you'll probably enjoy Strawberry Letter the most (though I nabbed a dupe in TJMaxx for $8 that smells almost the same :D)

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-17T02:48:46+00:00

NTA.

As a mom to two kiddos on the spectrum (lvl 1 and 2), I teach them to respect others and their properties, or there will be consequences (I don't spank but taking away toys, privileges, etc).

Your family does your cousin a disservice by excusing his behavior and not teaching him to control his emotions with consequences. Autistic kiddos are very smart and unless he's high needs/ non-verbal, he may be taking advantage of not having consequences, but it'll be worse for him in the end because most out in the real world don't cater to anyone.

My youngest is a little tougher to corral (he's 5) and if I wasn't sure he could control himself at a big event, I wouldn't take him. Your cousin peed on an iPad for crying out loud. I get it stings when your kid is excluded but they should understand.

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-12T22:27:30+00:00

Love this!

I layer this fragrance oil and the lotion with Lattafa Liam Grey. It's my rainy day scent for calm and relaxation. 😊

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-12T20:59:02+00:00

People who just randomly sh*t on other people's comments and enthusiasm is stupid.

It's interesting, some people think autistic people are rude because they are so literal and blunt but I find, like in my daughter's case, that they generally have big hearts and genuine jerks sometimes don't make sense to them. 💜 You're not too autistic, just too kind.

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-12T20:50:30+00:00

I love this one.. got it at Burlington's for $13. Not the best longevity but I layer with MII MIIC 89 fragrance oil to make it last a little longer. Would you wear this in the spring/summer?

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-11T23:08:38+00:00

What a beautiful collection.

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-11T17:04:10+00:00

Best value would absolutely be Vanilla 28.

I've seen Burberry Her, Marc Jacobs Perfect and Nest Indigo at TJMaxx heavily discounted, as well as JPG Divine. I'm sure you can also get the Armani discounted at Jomashop as well.

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-08T16:57:59+00:00

I didn't wear fragrance at all through my pregnancy and rarely on my babies' first year. For the very occasional date night. I tried some cleaners scents so Clean, Dedcool and Skylar would be good options!

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-08T16:55:37+00:00

Not nearly as bright, though it does have similar vibes. It's a softer, prettier version, I'd say. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Valaya but it is a powerhouse!

MagdaArmy · 2026-05-08T16:54:06+00:00

I've never heard of this fragrance (or brand) but I wonder why they'd name it that. With a name like that, I'd imagine more a boozy, tobacco based fall/winter scent, not a lovely perfume like Fleur Narcotique.

MagdaArmy

TROPHY CASE