Sample Madness

So I have been testing and sampling stuff like crazy for the last couple of months. I have bought a few based on this testing and on reviews, mostly low to moderately priced classics with lots of good reviews (eg. Encre Noir, Terre d'Hermes, Rochas Man, etc). I tested a bunch of Creeds at the mall, and my fav at that moment was Royal Oud. I have been working through 10 samples of Creed, but the 1ml sample were not helping me, as dabbing it on just didn't give me a good feel for the scent. After I wasted a couple this way, I wised up and have been decanting the samples to spray bottles, which is MUCH better. Several of the Creeds seem a bit week/low longevity to me, although they smell great. A few have better longevity, like GIT and REL. I was getting tired of sampling and wanted a bottle, so I went with my initial test impression, and sprung for the Royal Oud. I was psyched when I received it and wore it a couple of times-- I love it. --However-- I just sampled Royal English Leather yesterday, and I like it at least as much! Not to say I made the wrong choice...but I may have. Not really, it's pretty close. Also, I have Dior's Leather Oud on the way, so that will probably cover my leather needs pretty well anyway, probably don't need LE and REL, both. (Or do I? LOL).

Long story short, the lesson for me is don't buy one until you are done sampling! (Within reason, of course, not gonna sample everything under the sun, and never buy anything for want of finishing that process).

Started sampling Montale's Oud line-- I will wait until I have tried most of those that interest me before I go for a FB, if I do. Tried Red Oud and Black Oud so far, don't think it'll be one of those. Dark Oud, Lime Oud, Cuir d'Arabie and Moon Oud next. I am thinking from reviews, Lime Oud may be the one that get me. But no jumping the gun.

Yes, I mail ordered most of them. I did get a few from Neimann Marcus and Sephora, but it is like blood from a stone with these guys-- they are only willing to make a few at a time at most (which is reasonable, but I need a LOT more then that, lol), and they will throw whatever card sample in they have on hand. These latter, however, are usually not scents I am interested in, although I discovered a couple of good ones-- F Pour Homme Black, and Halston Man Amber, neither of which I would have thought to test on my own. I think they are actually both bottle worthy, but not for me personally at this point, as there are several others I think will take precedance.

Bottom line, though, it just seems easier to order a bunch online, despite the somewhat painful expense. It's not too bad because you end up with enough samples to last awhile-- kind of like if you had bought a single expensive bottle of something.