Looking to expand your perfume collection, but don’t know where to start? I was too until I found LuckyScent. What’s great about LuckyScent is they offer affordable samples of a wide variety of beautiful niche fragrances. This is great if you don’t want to waste a bunch of money on fragrances that you end up hating.
They do have a brick and mortar location called Scent Bar at 7405 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036. But if you don’t live in Southern CA or simply don’t feel like driving you can give them a call or shoot them a quick email. I had some questions before I ordered so I gave them a call and found them to be very helpful. And after I ordered I sent a follow-up email and they responded back quickly and courteously. No customer service complaints for me.
Because LuckyScent offers so many fragrances it’s super easy to get overwhelmed if you don’t already know what you want to try. If that’s you, I suggest you try one of their Essential 13 Sample Packs. They offer three different packs – masculine, feminine, and unisex. Each pack contains 13 preselected fragrances – all for only $45.00USD.
They also offer custom fragrance fittings for $35.00 USD. After you answer a few questions on their site their team will customer select 5 perfumes they think you will enjoy. I love perfumes that lean masculine, so I chose the Essential 13 Unisex Sample Pack.
The Unisex Essential 13 Collection Includes:
1. 10 Corso Como – Eau de Parfum
2. Atelier Cologne – Orange Sanguine
3. Bruno Acampora – Musc EDP
4. By Kilian – Straight to Heaven
5. Byredo – Gypsy Water
6. Comme des Garcons – Kyoto
7. Escentric Molecules – Molecule 01
8. Heeley – Sel Marin
9. Diptyque – Tam Dao EDT
10. Lubin – Idole
11. Montale – Intense Cafe
12. Andree Putman – L’Original
13. Tauer Perfumes – L’air du desert marocain
My order shipped promptly. And when it arrived it was nicely packaged.
All LuckyScent samples came in small vials – except the Molecule 01 sample. That one came with a sprayer that was, unfortunately, difficult to use. The good thing is the vials do contain multiple uses so you do get a good amount for a sample.
Below are the perfume details, as well as my first impression of each.
Psst…The unisex pack is a great buy for couples. It’s affordable, and you both get to indulge in a little bit of luxury together. My husband and I did this and tried a different fragrance every day. It was fun to see how each scent evolved on ourselves and each other. And it also makes great excuse to get a little closer.
1. 10 Corso Como – Eau de Parfum
Perfumer – Olivier Gillotin
Released – 1999
Country – Italy
Fragrance Family – Woody
10 Corso Como Notes
Sandalwood, Frankincense, Musk, Rose, Geranium, Vetiver and rare Malay Oud Wood Oil
First Impressions
This is a clean warm sandalwood. I can feel the incense. It smells peppery. It takes hold of you and makes you want to keep smelling. This is a true unisex, and it evolves like a dance. It’s long lasting and wears close to the skin. It’s your own private mystery – shapeshifting and omnipresent. This is the scent my husband keeps dipping into.
It reminds me of the promise and exploratory nature of college draped in wisdom and sophistication. Wear 10 Corso Como EDP when you don’t want want to be forgotten.
Will I buy? Yes.
2. Atelier Cologne – Orange Sanguine
Perfumer – Ralf Schwieger
Released – 2010
Translation – “Blood Orange”
Country – France
Fragrance Family – Citrus
Orange Sanguine Notes
Blood orange, bitter orange, jasmine, geranium from South Africa, amber woods, tonka beans, sandalwood
Cologne Absolute concentrated at 15%.
First Impression –
I love orange and citrus scents, but this was just okay for me. It’s nice, but I’m underwhelmed. It’s a spiky citrus that didn’t develop into much of anything. I would wear this in the mornings or on a really hot day. You could get more enjoyment from Pacifica’s Tuscan Blood Orange. But if you’re in the mood for a more unique citrus scent, give Guaiac by Red Flower a try. A full review for this will be coming soon.
Would I buy? No.
3. Bruno Acampora – Musc EDP
Perfumer – Bruno Acampora
Released – 1975
Country – Italy
Fragrance Family – Soft Floral / Floral Musk
Musc EDP Notes
Musk, Rose, Violet, Vanilla, Cloves, Amber, Sandalwood
First Impressions
In love. It’s so sexy. This is the most beautiful light, yet full-bodied musk I’ve ever smelled. It’s spicy and clean at the same time. It is a year-round scent. It reminds me of donning a white sheet in the summertime, and a warm blanket by firelight in the winter. This is my favorite scent of the bunch. It smells equally alluring on my husband and I. Musc EDP may be my new signature scent.
Will I buy? Yes.
4. By Kilian – Straight to Heaven
Perfumer – Sidonie Lancesseur
Released – 2007
Country – France
Fragrance Family – Woody
Straight to Heaven Notes
Martinican rum absolute, dried fruits accord, Javanese nutmeg oil, hedione, cedarwood, Indonesian patchouli oil, ambergris, vanilla absolute, white musk
First Impression
Did not receive. However, I received an extra Bruno Acampora Musc EDP (yay!). So I’m not complaining lol.
5. Byredo – Gypsy Water
Perfumer – Jérome Epinette
Country – France
Fragrance Family – Woody Aromatic
Gypsy Water Notes
Bergamot, lemon, pepper, juniper berries, incense, pine needles, orris, amber, vanilla, sandalwood
First Impression
Gorgeous and enigmatic fragrance. It’s noticeable in a coy kind of way. It projects so you definitely know you’re wearing it. But it smells strangely familiar and inviting. This fragrance is mind altering. It makes you feel like you’re floating in a lovely dream like trance. It is a warm creamy scent that evokes the sensation of powdery cashmere. Gypsy Water is long lasting and uniquely beautiful.
WilI I buy? Yes.
6. Comme des Garcons – Kyoto
Fragrance Family – Woody Chypre
Kyoto Notes
incense, cypress oil, coffee, teak wood, vetiver, patchouli, amber, everlasting flower, Virginian cedar
First Impression
This is a fresh clean scent with a very noticeable cedar note as it opens. As it wears, it reveals a calming smoking incense that sort of hovers over the cedarwood.
Would I buy? Maybe.
7. Escentric Molecules – Molecule 01
Perfumer – Geza Schoen
Released – 2006
Country – United Kingdom
Fragrance Family – Woody/Spicy
Molecule 01 Note
Iso E Super
First Impression
I don’t know what people mean when they say they can’t smell this on themselves. I smell this from the moment I spray it (and it doesn’t take a lot). I really like this fragrance. It is so versatile, and effortless to wear. Molecule 01 is perfect for a hot day when you don’t feel like being bothered with anything heavy.
It opens weird then cedarwood punches you in the nose lol. But it’s not in a bad way. Next, the cedarwood is joined by hints of lime and coriander. Then it becomes almost creamy with hints of leather. It’s the scent I tried to make as an essential oil roll on once (without the same success). You can scent your clothes with Molecule 01 and leave an unforgettable memento that says you were in the building. It’s super fresh, and it gets better and better as you wear it. Because Molecule 01 is an aroma chemical rather than a perfume, it behaves differently on everyone. But it is a true unisex and my husband loves this one as well. This one definitely projects, but not in an annoying way. And it lasts 8 hours plus.
Molecule 01 is the perfect everyday scent.
Will I buy? Yes.
8. Heeley – Sel Marin
Perfumer – James Heeley
Released – 2008
Translation – “Marine Salt”
Country – France
Fragrance Family – Aromatic Aquatic/Marine
Sel Marin Notes
lemon, Sicilian bergamot, sea salt, seaweed, vetiver, birch, cedar
First Impression
This is a refreshing aquatic citrus scent that is surprisingly effortless to wear. It would be great after a workout (showering first of course) or a stroll to the morning coffee shop. It elegantly captures the scent of lemon without smelling like Pinesol. It is as if you’re standing on an ocean bluff as the scent of cedarwood and lemon is gently being carried by a gentle breeze. Sel Marin is clean, long lasting and can easily transition from summer day to summer evening.
Would I buy? Yes.
9. Diptyque – Tam Dao EDT
Perfumer – Daniel Moliere
Released – 2013
Country – France
Fragrance Family – Woody
Tam Dao Eau de Parfum Notes
Lime, Coriander, ginger, sandalwood, cedarwood, musc, vanilla, amber wood
First Impression
Tam Dao EDT is an intriguing fragrance. It’s quite beautiful and takes you on a scented travel scape. It’s like a perfumed tapas adventure. It opens with cedarwood, that’s soon softened by coconut, and livened by lime. Next, comes a transition into coriander which announces the coming sweetness of amber. The amber is then embraced by a hint of musc warmed by vanilla. The act is then concluded by an exposed sandalwood that sits atop a throne as if it’s been there the whole time conducting this transfixing orchestra. Remarkable.
Would I buy? Yes.
10. Lubin – Idole
Perfumer – Olivia Giacobetti
Released – 2011
Country – France
Fragrance Family – Oriental Spicy
Idole Eau de Parfum Notes
Rum absolute, saffron, black cumin, bitter orange peel, Doum palm, rock rose, smoked ebony, frankincense, sugar cane, leather, red sandalwood, amber
First Impressions
This fragrance is very pretty. It’s warm, creamy, rich and smooth making it very easy to wear. Idole is long lasting and projects well. In fact, it is blended so well that it lacks uniqueness and complexity. Although I like this perfume it didn’t wow me. You will smell beautiful when you wear it, but it’s almost too perfect.
Would I buy? Maybe.
11. Montale – Intense Cafe
Perfumer – Pierre Montale
Released – 2013
Translation – “Intense Coffee”
Country – France
Fragrance Family – Gourmand
Intense Cafe Notes
Coffee, rose, amber, vanilla, white musk
First Impressions
This is a sophisticated interpretation of chocolate and coffee. It’s a gourmand fragrance that smells like Nutella (yum!) and is very comforting. I can’t stop smelling it. It’s a warm evening scent with a spike of rose and coffee at the end. It reminds me of sitting in a study and staring into blazing embers while drinking port and savoring a decadent square of salty Belgian dark chocolate. It’s very wearable and perfect for the fall.
Would I buy? Maybe.
12. Andree Putman – L’Original
Perfumer – Olivia Giacobetti
Country – France
Fragrance Family – Green / Fresh
L’Original Notes
driftwood, grey pepper, water lily and coriander leaves
First Impression
This fragrance is very fresh and clean. It’s easy to wear on a warm summer night. L’Orginial has an earthy serene quality that makes it classic and easy to wear. If you’re looking for an unassuming fragrance that won’t offend or attract too much attention then this is a nice choice.
Would I buy? Maybe.
13. Tauer Perfumes – L’air du desert marocain
Perfumer – Andy Tauer
Released – 2005
Translation – “Moroccan Desert Air”
Country – Switzerland
Fragrance Family – Oriental Spicy
L’Air du desert marocain Notes
Coriander, Petitgrain (Bitter Orange), Lemon, Bergamot, Jasmin, Cistus, Bourbon, Geranium, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Vanille, Patchouli, and Ambergris
First Impressions
This exotic perfume is beautiful from the first spray. It’s a lovely warm powdery fragrance. Perfect for fall and winter evenings. It is expertly blended, and I find it easy to wear. This is truly a less is more fragrance, and one spray is all you need. Although it can be a heavy fragrance, it wears well on the skin and feels very natural. It lasts over 8 hours, projects well, and has a moderate sillage.
Would I buy? Yes.
Well, there you have it. These are 13 niche unisex perfumes that you must try if you’re looking to up your fragrance game. So, head over to LuckyScent and grab your sample pack today.
