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Post by Azar
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Hedonist by Viktoria Minya – 2013 – The Power of the Peach III + a Give-away
Hello Perfume Pals,
Have you ever coveted a perfume for years, made short work of several carded samples but couldn’t quite bring yourself to purchase a full bottle? Did you finally give in to temptation only to abandon your pricy love, leaving her to gather dust on the dressing table? It is sad but true that for many of us, in this realm of desire, obsession fades quickly with acquisition and the full bottle of our dreams will, sooner or later, be tucked back into its original box to join an ever growing collection of ignored and forgotten fragrances. I don’t know about you, but it seems I’m always craving a new scent experience, no matter that I haven’t completely explored what I already own.
A perfect example of my problem with acquisition and abandonment is my recent purchase of the original Hedonist by Viktoria Minya.
Hedonist by Viktoria Minya 2013
The Power of the Peach III
Fragrantica lists these featured accords:
Top: Rum CO2, bergamot, peach
Heart: Jasmine absolute, orange flower absolute, osmanthus absolute, tobacco
Base: Vetiver, cedar wood, vanilla
Viktoria Minya’s Hedonist made a big splash when introduced in 2013 and no wonder! The fragrance is the quintessential peach – warm, fuzzy, decadent, juicy, oozing with nectar and what I perceive to be honey. It smells, at once, edible, elegant and sexual with a hot, ripe, buttery opening, a cool, citric, floral heart and an earthy, woody dry down. The addition of lime keeps this big, boozy fruit from spoiling. The osmanthus and vetiver ground the white florals and the lavish use of absolutes creates an expensive smelling, rich and vibrant scent trail that lasts for hours on skin and clothing. This fragrance is so long-lived that, when I drained my first group of samples, I simply added perfumers alcohol to the empties and was able to eek out a recognizable ghost of Hedonist from the thin film of EdP left on the inside of the vials.
So why is my beautiful cut glass bottle of this perfume (complete with sparking crystals sloshing in the jus) nearly as full as it was the day it arrived on my doorstep? I find myself wondering if my craving for novel olfactory experiences eclipses the beauties I already own and if the unknown (or unattainable) is more intriguing and desirable to me than the familiar.
Further reading: Perfume Shrine and Candy Perfume Boy
LuckyScent has $200/45ml
Victoria Minya has €145/45ml with FREE Sample Kit
We have a GIVEAWAY below!
Azar xx
Hedonist GIVEAWAY
WHAT CAN YOU WIN?
This week we will have 2 winners who will receive:
1 x .7ml decant of Viktoria Minya’s Hedonist
P&H Anywhere in the world
HOW DO YOU WIN?
Open to everyone worldwide who follows AustralianPerfumeJunkies via eMail, WordPress, Bloglovin or RSS. Please leave how you follow in the comments to be eligible. I must be able to check that you follow so if you have an email address on your gravatar that’s different to your follow address then please email me so I know. Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged.
You must tell me how you follow APJ
and
Please describe which beautiful full bottle are you ignoring or have you tried the Viktoria Minya Hedonist and what did you think?
HOUSEKEEPING
Entries Close Thursday 21st July 2016 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winner will be chosen by random.org
The winner will have till Sunday 24th July 2016 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.
I tried a small sample a while back and thought it was nice, but not nice enough to warrant the price tag.
Perhaps it’s weather-dependant and you’ll come to love it again – or maybe it wears better with a dab instead of spray? I’ve experienced the “loved the sample, FB was a let down” once with Atelier’s Rose Anonyme – method of application can change a lot about a fragrance.
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I had that same reaction with Rose Anonyme as well…sample sent me swooning, full bottle…meh. 🙂 Makes for good linen spray now and again in the winter 😛
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Hi Carolyn,
I occasionally use the early 90s Victoria’s Secret in the corrugated glass bottle as a room spray. I remember liking it in the store, buying it but never using it again on my skin. It works great as a room freshener!
Azar xx
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Yes, Morrigan!
I find a big difference between a spray and a dab. While writing this post I sprayed Hedonist several times and I do still love it, but I learned that I don’t want to wear it more than a day at time.
Azar xx
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Hi Azar! I’m guilty of always wanting to try the new, always seeking a new love. I have a FB of La Fille de Berlin and I need to wear it, rather than hoard it while I buy new samples! Hedonist sounds delicious though. Heh. Follow by email. 🙂
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Hi Jaybee,
It seems we have the same perfume M.O. Novelty, hoarding and the fear of running out are all a part of this picture. Just tonight I found an FB back-up of M. Micallef Jewel for Her. I better start using that one before it is too late!
Azar xx
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email and FB
I ignore all of my fragrances because I have too many, but I have never tried peach!!!! I don’t often foray into fruit but I have been wearing Tauer’s Fruitchouli Flash lots lately.
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Hi Gina,
Check what you’ve got laying around. I wouldn’t be surprised if at least a couple of them are part peach!
Azar xx
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I did try a sample of this a while ago, the notes sounded full and sumptuous. But it was very ‘I am wearing Perfume’ and tended to wear me instead.
Love that bottle though. Slaps own wrist.
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Hello Jackie b,
You are right about Hedonist – the wearer becomes ancillary to the fragrance. Writing this post I found I was OK with that, but only for a day at a time. And yes, the bottle is beautiful.
Azar xx
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For me it’s the backup bottle when I decide enough is enough e.g. Kenzie Flower Oriental. (Reading blog)
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Yes, AnnieA!
There CAN be too much of a good thing, especially in perfume-land!
Azar xx
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Hi Azar! I tried this fragrance and loved it, but I didn’t have the same experience you did. Within a very short time, I couldn’t smell it all anymore. I wan’t about to spend money on something my skin ate in no time. I would love to have another small sample of this to try though. Maybe if I used the whole thing at once, or reapplied often, I’d have a different experience. Seems like a lot of work though 🙂 I follow via email.
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Hi Kandice,
I would love to know why and how certain fragrances are lost on some and not on others! A single spritz of Youth Dew Amber Nude stays with me for days but I can repeatedly spray The Different Company’s Tokyo Bloom and sense nothing more than a minute of lightly scent air. Go figure! 🙂
Azar xx
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Hi Azar!
I’m currently happy surfing my Sample Sea, but I have also recently bought two bottles (L’Attesa and Romanza) and will (probably) use them. I am trying to let go of any
self-judging when it comes to something I truly enjoy. I rarely buy full bottles these days, as I simply don’t like having loads of stuff around. Also, at my age I keep in mind the acronym SABLE: stash acquisition beyond life expectancy (the S could be for samples.) 😀
I haven’t tried Hedonist – possibly I looked at the price and decided I’d best avoid it? Nah … probably not.
I follow by email.
Holly xo
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Hi Holly,
I WILL remember SABLE but I am already well beyond that point. So I suppose I should stop beating myself up over it? I do long for an uncluttered life, though. That would be lovely!
Azar xx
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Hello Azar, I’m so trying to stick to samples and decants these days. I want to build up my absolute favourites and then use them every day. Exceptionally beautiful bottles are wonderful but not in my price range and i’m afraid i will become fickle and not use up the scent. I am currently coveting the Nettuno Mendittorosa bottles. Hedonist bottles are so cute as well… I follow by FB and ebay.
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Hello Pats,
I MUST organize my samples! I know I have a lot of treasures, as Holly says, floating in the “sample sea”. I also have a number of beautiful hand blown perfume bottles that have also been neglected and would make perfect permanent homes for larger samples and decants – yet another worthwhile project! Maybe next week? 🙂
Azar xx
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I follow by email. I haven’t tried any of her scents at this point. It’s perfect synchronicity that I should receive this email today as I am planning to order peach isolate from Perfumer’s Apprentice to design a fragrance. I would love to win this fragrance!!!
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Hi Susan,
I’ve tried a lot of peach fragrances and the really good ones are few and far between. The big problem with peach seems to be its tendency to revert to sticky fruit cocktail or a too peachy kind of pie. That being said, there is nothing quite like a wonderful peach perfume! What a fabulous fragrant project!
Azar xx
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I follow via email! I have not tried this, nor do I have any perfume I am ignoring (gasp)! But I would LOVE to win this. I am a board member in the city where I live of a festival called The Johnson County Peach Festival. Our festival is this week and we are celebrating 75 years! This would so fitting to win!
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Hi Angela,
I remember from your comment on a precious post that you are involved in this festival. You obviously know about peaches and I think you would really like this one!
Azar xx
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I meant to write previous – not precious. Does this make more sense now? 🙂
Azar xx
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I’d love to try anything from Sultan Pasha but it’s pretty dear! Oh well. Follow by email. Thanks
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Hi Claudia,
Are you ignoring Sultan Pasha?:) I just have to ignore the priciest perfumes!
Azar xx
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I haven’t tried Hedonist. From the description I wonder how much it resembles or feels like Guerlain Mitsouko with that upfront peachy note. I got multiple samples of Amouage Lyric Woman. I pined and yearned and ached for a full bottle of it. I bought it while on a trip to NYC and have probably worn it three times since. The first time it was still this glorious thing. The second time I recoiled in horror at the power of it. Since then I’ve been spraying it on a cotton bud and dabbing it on. Some days I love it and some I don’t. So I can relate to your story. I do find with some powerhouse perfumes that it is best to dab them on, instead of doing full sprays.
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Hi Tatiana,
Almost every Amouage I’ve tried is really powerful! As the old ad slogan advises “a little dab’ll do ya”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6F4GtyRfto
Azar xx
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I don’t think I ignore any of my full bottles. I try to always make conscientious purchases, of only things I absolutely love. I usually start with samples, then decants, and if I still like it after several months, then it’s upgraded to a full size. Samples on the other hand.. there’s definitely a plethora of unloved samples stashed away somewhere, haha! Following via email 🙂
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You are very conscientious, Tarena! I tried to be with Hedonist. I sampled for three years, to no avail. Sigh!
Azar xx
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Your post is so timely! I have been ordering niche and sample indie fumes for a year now, and have had to organize the samples….which I have barely begun to tap.Years ago, in search of a perfume like my Vallee des Rois, I started purchasing full bottles of mainstream mish mesh. Then I started selling them, but have kept many and kept my Serge Lutens collection. But after reading your blog and others, off I go to STC, or Posh, or Perfumed Ct, falling in love with yet another new love. And this time we’re staying together…sigh. Right now my heart belongs to Salome Papillon, since last night. I’m going to keep “STABLE” below in my mind though I love peach and find a bit of that on my Coco C.(I follow by email).
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Hi Shiva-woman!
Hmmm – Since last night? Will you still love Salome Papillon tomorrow?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnPlJxet_ac
I just couldn’t resist another You tube!
Azar xx
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I am ignoring ALL bottles, as I am currently on a no-buy 🙂 You made this sound absolutely amazing. Perhaps a FB wouldn’t sit well with me, but I’d love to compare your description to a sample of this! I follow by e-mail!
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Koyel,
I wish I had your resolve! I’ve made some progress, though, as I almost never buy blind anymore.
Azar xx
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One of the earliest bottles that caught my fancy were those Agonist bottles. Now I am not sure whether I want to acquire them because what I have read about perfumes, they don’t seem very impressive. Perfume always take preference over bottle as far as I am concerned even though I certainly appreciate when the bottle is well-done, too. I follow APJ through email and FB.
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Wow! I just checked out these bottles, Fazal!
There were fabulous to look at. Does Agonist still offer them? No…I won’t buy one, but I can admire them from afar. 🙂
Azar xx
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DNEM I just wanted to say hi. I have a sample of this. I like it and the peach smells good on me but then it’s gone way too fast. I wish it lasted longer because I love bottles with bling.
Xoxo
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HI Poodle!
Thank you for stopping by. I just love the bling in the bottle too! I’m still wondering about the skin thing, though – why perfume disappears so fast on some people and not on others. I wonder if anosmia to certain ingredients has anything to do with it? If so, I am anosmic to a lot of what is in Tokyo Bloom. That one last only moments for me, no matter how much of it I use.
Azar xxx
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I check the anosmic thing by asking my hubby if he can smell anything as well. Usually he can’t either so either we’re both anosmic or it’s just gone.
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I follow by e-mail. I love honey in perfume and perfumes which leave a scent trail. I find I ignore some bottles bought years ago when I just started collecting perfume (having had only 2-3 on rotation for years), mainly floral scents on the cheaper side have been ignored. Then there is a Tauer and Chanel Coromandel which I love, but cannot often find the right occations to wear. I never buy a perfume based only on the look of the bottle or for the bottle design alone, but I wouldn’t mind finding a favourite perfume in a dark blue bottle.
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Hello Ingeborg,
I read somewhere that storing perfume in certain types of very dark blue/violet glass (Miron glass?) helps to protect the jus from the effects of light. I don’t know if that is true but your comment reminded me of that glass.
Azar xx
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I did this with Carnal Flower. I loved the sample so much and used it up quickly, but once I bought the full bottle I just didn’t love it so much – there was note in there that has been putting me off. I need to come back to it and give it another go.
I follow via email
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Greetings Bec!
There has been some discussion about the quality of samples vs what is in the full bottles. Some people swear that the good stuff goes into the samples and a cheaper version into the FBs. I don’t see how any company can do business that way – but who knows these days…I just blame it on my nose, my fickle nature or my craving for novelty.
Azar xx
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Huge fan of peach – thank you for the drawing! I have to admit to enjoying the thrill of the hunt and there are many times I have to remind myself to enjoy what I have! Just wore Santa Maria Novella Zagara, so beautiful and I’d completely forgotten that I had it.
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Hi Elizabeth C,
Yes! The thrill of the hunt – and it is especially thrilling to find a new love for a reasonable price or better yet, re-discover an old one in the stash. 🙂
Azar xx
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I think I own too much perfume to give any full bottle the attention it deserves 😦 I think many of my warm weather prefumes are especially neglected after I moved to a warmer climate (Northern California). The bottles of Chergui, Vetiver Tonka, and Bvlgari Black particularly weight on my conscience 😦 I follow by email.
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Nemo,
Don’t be afraid to use those neglected fragrances in the heat. Some of them might bloom in amazing ways when the temperature soars…if you can stand the density on a warm day, that is! That being said, I have been overwhelmed by my chosen frag on a hot day!
Azar xx
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havent tried it but yes i love the design of the bottle .
i follow via email . tumblemumbo at gmail dot com
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Hi va,
This bottle has a very nice heft too! The cap is rather lightweight, though.
Azar xx
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I also seem to have too many bottles…some get badly neglected, although sometimes that’snot a bad thing, you suddenly “discover” a scent again!!:) I adored my Hedonist samples, I would like to think that this particular bottle wouldn’t sit at he back of the cupboard…..
Following via Bloglovin’ and email….
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Hello Susanne,
I have to remember to “shop” my stash before I go out looking for a new love. Thank you for the reminder!
Azar xx
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I don’t ignore any of my fragrances! I don’t have that many yet and am going with smaller samples now. I haven’t tried any on her fragrances either- would love to.
I follow by email 🙂
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Hello Jyotsna,
I’ve tried samples of the rest of the Viktoria Minya line and this first one is still my favorite.
Azar xx
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I follow by email. I ignore most of my many many bottles and decants and gravitate to just a few. Don’t know why!
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We are on the same page, Charlene! I am trying to figure out why I do this. For those bottles that are tucked away it might just be as simple as “out of sight out of mind”. 🙂
Azar xx
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This scent is one I would love to sample as I have never tried it before! I follow by email 🙂
I have been ignoring the red cap Dolce & Gabbana D&G this entire winter. I was obsessed with the idea of wearing it in the cold during the warmer months (for some reason I am convinced it would be best then) and now it’s winter I haven’t even reached for it once… don’t know why! Haha
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Hi Rachel,
It sounds like time for a purposeful sniff! Just grab the D&G – grab it now! – and spritz! 🙂
Thank you for joining the draw!
Azar xx
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Aaah this stuff sounds heavenly… I finally got my hands on a big bottle of pricey Rochas Alchimie after trying a sample… It’s arrived, I’ve sniffed the nozzle several times a day but I still haven’t worn it…. I do this all the time. I think it’s an illness. I follow via email. Thanks for the chance!
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Hi Bianca,
Alchimie is a yet another peach that I could fall for! And, like you, I will just sniff the nozzle of certain frags for a long time. Perhaps I am afraid to waste a drop or I want the frag to be “forever new”? Eventually, though, I gather my courage and spray. The above mentioned acronyms SABLE and STABLE come to mind!
Azar xx
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Hedonist sounds lovely, Azar. Peach can sometimes be overwhelming, but done right it’s extraordinary 🙂
Thanks so much for the draw, I follow by email.
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Hi lena!
You made it in to the drawing! And you are quite right, peach can be overwhelming at times.
Azar xx
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