I’ve been a member of Scentbird, a subscription service that started out as a monthly fragrance subscription, since its inception at least 5 years ago. I have written about Scentbird and some of the fragrances I’ve purchased. For $14.95, I can select a 30 day purse size 8 ml atomizer of the fragrance of my choice. For new subscribers, the first month is on sale for $11.21. Over the years, I have discovered a number of fragrances that have become favorites, where I have purchased full size bottles. Others didn’t work out, but at least I got to try them at an affordable price. As time has gone on, I have been glad to see that Scentbird carries more indie and niche fragrances in addition to designer, celebrity and popular scents. What’s great about Scentbird is that you put together a queue of fragrances that you want to try. You can skip months or schedule your fragrances to arrive every month, every other month, every 3 months, whatever. Mine come every 3 months, so I usually get 4 fragrances a year.
Over the past year, Scentbird started selling skincare products and maybe even makeup. Though I haven’t ordered those since I already own so much makeup and skincare, they are trying to become a one stop shop.
Even though I am only a 4 times a year purchaser, I was selected to participate in a market research study called Scentbird Tastemakers for the launch of a new fine fragrance from Scentbird under the brand name, Sanctuary.
Sanctuary will be a clean fragrance brand. The new scent will launch in September of this year. The mission of the new brand, Sanctuary, will be to raise awareness of endangered species. The new launch will be a women’s fragrance, and the inspiration is the endangered red panda and what Scentbird describes as its unique personality traits. It certainly is adorable. A portion of the fragrance’s proceeds will be donated to an organization dedicated to saving the red panda.
I was happy to participate in the Scentbird Tastemaker event!
They sent me a classic black box containing 5 numbered sample size spray vials. I was supposed to try them out as well as spray them onto sample paper sticks that I numbered 1 to 5 so I could remember which was which. After trying them out, I am supposed to go to a website and log which number scent is my favorite. I am still trying to make up my mind.
I thought I would try to describe each scent for myself. I marvel at fragrance enthusiasts who can identify all the key notes of a fragrance just from sniffing it or trying it out. I regret that I am not that skilled. Nevertheless, I thought I’d give it a go to try to describe the impression that I get from each of the 5 scents.
- Scent 1: This scent was the easiest to describe. I smells light, clean and cottony. Perfect as a daytime spring and summer scent.
- Scent 2: I had a hard time describing this scent. The dry down smells almost soapy but in a good way. I would say that Scent 2 is sophisticated and classy. Although this is not my usual kind of scent, I really like it.
- Scent 3: Scent 3 is decidedly a floral. In fact, it smells like lily of the valley to me. Very pretty.
- Scent 4: I wish I could identify the key note in this scent. It’s on the tip of my tongue, but I just can’t think of it. I would describe this fragrance as feminine, adult, voluptuous, and timeless. Lovely.
- Scent 5: Scent 5 is a gourmand fragrance: definitely sweet and dessert-like. I get notes of melon and caramel.
Scents 2 and 4 are my favorites, and I’m having a tough time decided which one of the two I will register with Scentbird. Neither is my typical heavy oriental fragrance, although Scent 4 is closer than Scent 2. I’m so curious to find out which scent will win!
Do any of these scents, per my descriptions, appeal to you?
What a fun experience, and definitely a challenge to do!
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How wonderful that you were chosen to test these. I think 4 sounds great but you know I’m clueless when it comes to fragrance. I hope you like the one that gets chosen.
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It looks like #2 got chosen as red panda when comparing notes
Thank you, Kandi, for the info! I got an email yesterday from Scentbird about the Red Panda launch, but I hadn’t had a chance to read it. I went back and read my post, and I was glad to see that #2 was my second choice. Did you participate in the research? Do you plan to try Red Panda?
No sadly I didn’t get sent the sample box…I am new to scentbird in the last couple months..I was just intrigued by the scent notes and let’s be honest the advertising pictures…and was trying to find the sanctuary brand website to compare scent notes and see reviews and stumbled upon the realization that it was scentbird’s new brand..and that they had sent out these samplers to help decide which scent to offer..very cool….I also noticed they are claiming to be a “clean” brand…I like several of the Sephora clean fragrance brands…biggest reason is I don’t seem to get sinus headaches from them by midday…
Anyway I too was debating putting it in my queue…
When I googled it scentbird still had a link to the survey you must have filled out to pick your favorite…
That’s really interesting, Kandi. I have to go to the website and see how Scentbird describes the fragrance. If they are offering it in the one month purse spray size, I think I will add it to my queue. I don’t think it is so much my kind of scent that I would like a full bottle, but sometimes scents grow on me. I’m glad that as a “clean” scent it may not give you headaches. I have heard a number of women say that clean scents are easier to wear. Sadly on me, they don’t usually last, so if I do get Red Panda, it will be interesting to monitor the village and lastingness. Thanks again for taking the time to comment and fill me in xo