Most of the time, the samples I have on hand to test are 1 ml. ones. I usually dab the perfume on, and write impressions of it, or spend a little more time with the fragrance (a couple of days with the dab) and write a little more about it.
A recent episode with HdP Noir Patchouli made me question how I do things - my initial post about this scent was done after I had dabbed my sample on over a couple of days. Then I received a 10 ml decant of it and I was able to spray with abandon. I had to change my thoughts on this fragrance because with spraying, it became really loud (which I love) but that wasn't my initial take on it. In fact, yesterday I had to sample from both items (the 1 ml which I had a tiny bit left and the 10 ml decant) to see if the formula was different. No the formula didn't seem that much different, but now I don't even trust my nose anymore!
As this blog is more a journal for me as I weave through all the scent in my life, I do feel a bit guilty that perhaps I steer readers wrong. Well, I usually do link to other reviews, but still.
Hmmmm.
A recent episode with HdP Noir Patchouli made me question how I do things - my initial post about this scent was done after I had dabbed my sample on over a couple of days. Then I received a 10 ml decant of it and I was able to spray with abandon. I had to change my thoughts on this fragrance because with spraying, it became really loud (which I love) but that wasn't my initial take on it. In fact, yesterday I had to sample from both items (the 1 ml which I had a tiny bit left and the 10 ml decant) to see if the formula was different. No the formula didn't seem that much different, but now I don't even trust my nose anymore!
As this blog is more a journal for me as I weave through all the scent in my life, I do feel a bit guilty that perhaps I steer readers wrong. Well, I usually do link to other reviews, but still.
Hmmmm.
I wouldn't worry about it, amiga. I think it would be very shallow of me to judge your experience by how you arrived at it (via spraying, dabbing, or heck, full-body dunking ;D). It's the fact that you HAVE the experience, and that it's unique to you, and that you choose to share your honest perception of it with us, that interests me. If I decide to seek it for myself, then I'M responsible for for my own experience-- not you. :) I don't think there is one right way to do anything. And "individual results may vary". <3
ReplyDeletePS Did I ever tell you about the time I was expelled from art school painting class? The professor (an upper-crust society painter) insisted that the paint had to be applied to the palette in a very exact and inalterable order. I stated out loud that I thought it was more important how they went ON THE CANVAS. And then he showed me the door. So you might not want to listen to your ol' pal Meg.
Deletehahaa that's exactly what I should write at the end of every post "individual results may vary" I do prefer spraying, I must admit. XOXO
DeleteAnd I'll always listen to my ol' pal Meg who has much wisdom and wit! You go, gal!
Gearing up to mail you L'Aimant this weekend-- and you shall not have to dab, no sirree!
Deleteyou are too kind, but I have a FB of that beauty!! xoxox
DeleteI recently decided that spraying was almost always preferable to dabbing. Maybe aerating the perfume by spraying it does something akin to the way wine tasters suck air into their mouths with the first sample sip?
ReplyDeleteHello Queenie! I think you're absolutely right - I wish I could pour my little 1 ml samples into a spray vial but don't have the equipment/money plus I'd probably spill half of it in the process!
DeleteBeen there before...the subtle dabble which induces me to buy only to be overwhelmed with the fragrance upon spray. Ugggh... it's frustrating!
ReplyDeletehello S - I am surprised that I haven't noticed this before. But I'm thinking now that so many scents that I dismissed as too ethereal or light may be actually what I like in spray form. Arggh, I will go mad if I think about this because I'll be doubting every single sample I have ever sniffed!
DeleteI was wondering myself if there was a big difference between dabbing and spraying, so for a while bought my samples in the 1.5ml spray samples..... and within 6 months they'd all evaporated. I'm back to vials these days. Occasionally I'll move something I REALLY like to one of my 2.5ml sprayers, but I've decided the difference isn't big enough for me to transfer jus regularly.
ReplyDeletehello Dionne - now I'm doubting many of my sample tests, esp (like I mentioned to S above) the ones I dismissed as too light for my taste. I notice that too with small spray samples - the evaporation. I need to just sit tight and not fret about this too much!
DeleteThanks!
That's why I hate those tiny dab samples...
ReplyDeleteMany fragrances perform differently even on the level of note stratification when dabbed or sprayed. As a general rule I prefer to dab Serge Lutens fragrances and I try to experience with both ways of application where possible,
Hello C! Yes, the 1 ml samples are now my enemy. I am going to try to reconnect with some perfumes that didn't wow me by attempting to find a way to spray them on!
DeleteI'm not sure if you remember my stats post in May where I charted my satisfaction with the tested perfumes dependent on the application method. While I agree that dab vs spray is a different experience, I haven't noticed a huge connection between my liking/disliking a perfume and the application method. It might be a slight change (from "like" to "really like" or from "hate" to "meh") but not enough for me to be concerned with the test results (if not to count To Dream that I like more dabbed - but Laurie offers it in a splash bottle as well).
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I prefer to test perfumes in the same manner they will be used: dabbing for exstraits and spraying for EdP/EdT.
hello Undina - thank you - you have helped me to calm down and not freak too much! I'm going to be more aware of this though in the future, and if purchasing samples, I may just spring for the slightly larger spray vials.
DeleteI'm late to the party here but I wanted to cast my vote for spraying. I like the idea of dabbing but I generally need to spray to get any oomph out of a scent. I'm okay with dabbing on vials to try things but when it comes to really using a scent I'm a spray type of girl. I feel like I get more fragrance out of them when they cover more area on me. Dabbing just puts a bit here and there where spraying goes everywhere, kinda.
ReplyDeleteHello P! Yep, spraying is what I prefer, too. I'm thinking that from now on, when reviewing or giving my impressions of a scent, I'll mention if I sprayed or dabbed on my sample.
DeleteSpray away!
I'm late to the party, but it is interesting the difference in dabbing versus spraying. I review a lot from samples I get from places, but always try to apply the way it comes from the manufacturer. For instance JAR Fermez tea Yeux is almost demure when dabbed, when sprayed it's practially zombie apocalypse. In a way I love mind you.
ReplyDeleteLoving your blog!
thanks for stopping by tmp! In the future, I'll try to get more samples in atomizer form if possible. hahaa "practically zombie apocalypse"! love it!
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