bh’s perfume knowledge put to the test
Isn’t it strange how our perceptions of something can alter, based on outside opinions? In the fashion world, brand names mean everything, but is it the same case for beauty?
Much like our ‘guess the gender’ perfume challenge, we took five perfumes, packaged them all to look the same, and filmed four bh beauty editors smell and review each of the scents. The results? Unexpected is an understatement.
Jo Malone London 154 Cologne
This strong-scented, citrus and woody composition was named after the street number of the first Jo Malone boutique in London and contains ingredients synonymous with the brand.
Top notes: bergamot, grapefruit and mandarin
Middle notes: lavender, basil and nutmeg
Base notes: patchouli, vetiver, musk and vanilla
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Nuit Blanche
This new interpretation of the classic Black Opium, Nuit Blanche is both spicy and floral, and explores modern femininity. Bold, unpredictable and sensual, it celebrates the dark and mysterious side of YSL.
Top notes: rice vapour and bourbon pepper
Middle notes: orange blossom absolute and peony accord
Base notes: coffee, vanilla, sandalwood and musk
David Beckham Urban Homme EDT, $19.95
A limited-edition scent, Urban Homme is a crisp, modern, aromatic fragrance for men.
Top notes: mandarin, thyme and green apple
Middle notes: lavender, violet leaves and pineapple
Base notes: cedarwood, suede and amber
Robert Piguet Petit Fracas, 100mL, $249
Available at David Jones
Fresh, youthful and feminine, this scent was designed for a younger market, those not ready for the heavier and classic Fracas fragrance.
Top notes: citrus and pear
Middle notes: tuberose, jasmine and gardenia
Base notes: cocoa, musk and sandalwood
BYREDO Gypsy Water EDP, 50mL, $167
Available at Mecca
One of BYREDO’s best-selling fragrances, Gypsy Water recalls the scent of fresh soil, deep forests and campfires.
Top notes: bergamot, juniper berries, lemon and pepper
Middle notes: incense, orris and pine needle
Base notes: amber, sandalwood and vanilla
Are you swayed by a brand when it comes to buying your beauty products? Are you surprised by what our editors thought of these fragrances?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
110 Member Comments
Great video, I love the YSL Black Opium
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Love this video! I really enjoy watching it! I love YSL opimum and the Robert Piguet Petit Fracas! So feminine, classy and sexy :)
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I love Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Nuit Blanche!
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Haha I loved this video!! Made me smile!! It reminded me of a sex and the city episode when they try different scents... They had apples and hay !! Haha - interested to smell the David Beckham one!
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I love the YSL Black Opium
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They did a great job at testing them all, Way to go. I could never do that simply I haven't had that many perfume's over the year's so I would be bad at this guessing.
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None for me, perfume does not agree with me.
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I think opium would be my sort of signature one, but Gypsy would suit my lifestyle atm =D
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I would love to try that Byredo perfume, but it is so expensive! :(
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The Gypsy water sounds amazing, I'll have to try and find that and the David Beckham one. I'm off to Myers to see if I can check them out. What a fun experiment, great to see your opinions and guesses.
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I'd love to try black opium, I agree with others in the comments though, my perfume choices are made by the scent not by marketing or brand names. Good video though, thanks BH
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Black Opium top note is rice vapour?
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so surprised! YSL is great though
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Does anyone make their own perfume using essential oils, just wondering?
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Fracas sounds lovely
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if bh wants to open a branch in adelaide i'm all in
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Working for BH would be the best job ever
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I'm really keen to smell the YSL black opium one, it looks so intriguing!
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YSL - love black opium
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I would have done so, so badly at this test/challenge... aha
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I find it very interesting how different a scent can smell on one person vs another.
I remember my mother telling me about a perfume that she said smelled like cat pee on her. I thought she was exaggerating, but then one day I tried the perfume Joy de Patou (at that time the most expensive perfume in the world) and phewee...cat pee was a kind description! I couldn't believe how bad it smelled, but clearly it either reacted badly with my body chemistry, or there is some genetic oddity about my sense of smell. I am certain that no matter what the reputation of a brand, nobody would be able to bring themselves to walk around smelling of cat urine, lol!
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Ooooh I just tried a new perfume today and it was really, really bad! It's not listed on bh yet but if it was I think it might get a 1 star rating from me. I have to be honest.
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It is sad when you apply perfume and you can't smell it on yourself
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I have a skin chemistry where many perfumes aren't strong enough. I need industrial strength perfume. Sometimes a cheap perfume works just as well with my skin as a very expensive one, regardless of the brand.
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Some of these responses are hilarious
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