Natural perfumer Ayala Sender of Ayala Moriel Parfums is offering The Non-Blonde readers the opportunity to win a mini bottle of Yasmin extrait (4ml). To participate in the draw, please leave a comment and tell us about natural perfumes you've tried so far, which ones are your favorites or if you haven't tried any, what makes you interested in natural perfumes.
Image: Winter Jasmine Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker, circa 1930-1940
I only tried those natural essential oils from Whole Foods but your reviews made me very curious about going to the next level. I love the smell of jasmine and would love to try this one.
ReplyDeleteMegan, NJ
To be honest, the only natural perfumes I've really tried are BPAL fragrances. I found many of them to be too simplistic, and I suspect thrown together in a hurry. As a semi-crunchy, makes-her-own-yogurt type, the idea of a natural perfume appeals to me, so I'd love to try one done with a bit more care.
ReplyDeleteI've been studying natural perfumery for over one and-a-half years now. I am almost finished with a natural perfumery course (unfortunately Ayala's classes are too far away) and I plan on continuing my education in this beautiful field. I've tried quite a few of Mandy Aftel's natural perfumes. The stand outs for me are Tango, Shiso, and Cepes & Tuberose. Contrary to critics' claims, they last quite a long time. I would love to try Ayala's perfume to get a different perfumer's perspective on this art.
ReplyDeleteI have several sample vials from semi-natural perfumers such as Sonoma Scented Studios and quite a few from Ayala Moriel such as Kinmokusei and Vetiver Racinettes, 2 of my favorites from her line. The problem most folks have is with longevity but for me I tend to wear perfumes for myself, so going to bed with a dab of Kinmokusei on my wrist is a luxury I enjoy immensely! Natural perfumery fascinates me as there are so many talented perfumers out there doing their magic on the most precious natural materials. Keep up the good work Ayala!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite natural perfume is Fire and Cream by Strange Invisible Perfumes. I find it refreshing and almost addictive -- I can't stop smelling my wrists after I put it on. Definitely saving up for a full bottle. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, a give-away! :)
ReplyDeleteSo far I tried only some of Ayala's work (very little and found some loves) and a bit more of DSH who seems to do no wrong when I'm concerned. Or I choose wisely because I really loved most of the things I tried.
Gaia, I really love the idea of natural perfumes. Synthetics are jarring to my nose now. :)
ReplyDeleteI have tried BPALs and love them (well, most of them). I'm trying to get around to the other natural lines.
xoxo
*jen
I think the closest to a natural perfume I've ever worn is BPAL's Snake Oil. Everything else has been EdTs. I've tried musk oil before, but I don't think that counts, since I doubt it's the straight up musk from an actual civet.
ReplyDelete...at least I hope not. *shudder*
I've tried a few natural perfumes, but I think I don't understand them completely yet. Most of my attempts have been from Sonoma Scent Studios or DSH. A few from Liz Zorn/Soivohle.
ReplyDeleteBut they evolve very differently from the classical style of perfume, and sometimes I don't quite get it. Incense Pure, for example, from SSS: good, but missing something to really hit it out of the park. Or Anya's Temple, which I find a little sour.
Maybe Underworld is the one that has come closest to fulfilling what I hope a perfume would do...
I haven't tried any natural perfumes yet, though Ayala Moriel is on my list. I guess I've been a synthetics girl since I read Burr's book early on in my perfume obsession. Just using naturals just seems unnecessarily restrictive in a perfume community where the IFRA is restricting the perfume palette left and right already.
ReplyDeleteTHAT SAID, I have heard such wonderful things about Ayala Moriel perfumes, and can't help but admit that restriction =/= creative stagnation. I'd love to try her work.
I haven't tried any natural perfumes before, but they certainly sound interesting! I've used essential oils, but never as perfumes since you shouldn't apply these undiluted to the skin. I just mixed them into non-scented body lotions and scrubs for a nice relaxing bit of aromatherapy.
ReplyDeleteCrystal from CA
I've never tried any natural perfumes but have been interested in Ayala Moriels creations. Please enter me into the draw. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDagney
The only natural perfume I have tried is DSH Dutch Blue Hyacinth, which I really liked. It got the hyacinth perfectly, without having that sour note it sometimes has in other perfumes, like Penhaligon's Bluebell and Diptyque's Jordin Clos. And it dried down to a sweet linden blossom on me. Much longer lasting than I expected too.
ReplyDeleteI would love to try this! I have not found many natural perfumes.
ReplyDeleteI have some trouble with the the generic department store perfumes, they tend to either make me nauseous or give me a headache.
Please enter me in this giveaway.
jarmgirl3(at)hotmail(dot)com
I'd love to be entered to win a mini of Yasmin. I've tried many natural perfumes from Ayala Moriel, Soivohle, Aftelier, Velvet and Sweet Pea, Roxana Illuminated, La Via del Profumo, Joanne Bassett, Strange Invisible Perfumes, Anya's Garden, and others. What I love best about natural perfumes is how the natural ingredients truly shine through. I love how the scent changes depending on the day, like it is still alive.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites of Ayala's line are her florals. They are infused with light.
I am familiar with the work of Dawn Spencer Hurwitz. I believe her Parfum de Grasse which I find quite lovely is 100% natural. I've never tried Ayala's work but would love to do so - and I love jasmin!
ReplyDeleteHi folks. I am drawn to natural perfumes as I sometimes feel I want to get a big hit of the real thing so I can revel in it undisturbed by distracting "airy" components. For example, Jasmine essential oil...is amazing (you can source it from the same places real perfumer-makers do). So I've explored some unusual essential oils, plus the easily attainable ones. I also have found some of Aveda's stuff to hit that spot..though they have discontinued some of my favourites. Darn. And every now and then I find someone fooling around with blends at a small scale does a great job. i wonder about the Arabian-style attars....are they natural? Some of those are INCREDIBLE.
ReplyDeleteCheryl
I have tried some natural oils before, and a few BPAL scents. Most oils are more singular than I like, but jasmine is my favorite note, so to wear just that would be wonderful. I would love to try this natural perfume. thanks for the opportunity and do pick me !!
ReplyDeleteJulie Ellen, NJ
Sadly I've never tried any natural fragrances except for maybe Musk oil and essential oils. This is mostly due to lack of access rather than desire. I would absolutely love to try natural fragrances created by master perfumers.
ReplyDeleteI have tried several from DSH, Sonoma Scent Studios and Espionage from Ayala Moriel. I would love to try another of hers.
ReplyDeleteSoivohle is the only natural line I think I've tried. I love her Jo Jo, Underworld, Purple Love Smoke, and Solstice and there's a lot more of hers I want to try. Yasmin sounds beautiful. I would love to entered to win it. I would like to try more naturals, thinking that they smell more real than synthetic.
ReplyDeleteAh, please put me in the draw!
ReplyDeleteI make no distinction between natural perfumes and other sorts --my judgments are made on art and pleasure, though I admit sometimes politics and bad behavior influence my non-buying (*cough*Bond*cough) and I do enjoy supporting small businesses, especially those run by women. I've tried quite of few of Ayala's things, and also perfumes from Anya Sender, Roxana Illuminated, Liz Zorn, and Sonoma Scent Studios.
For my future mommy-hood plans, I want to explore more natural products so my and baby's skin are exposed to a smaller set of natural variables. Most recently I tried a set of Tsi-La, 4 scents, and enjoyed them for the most part. The sweeter scented ones sometimes turn me off, and I found the citrus scented Kizes to be my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that natural perfumers are the saviors of the industry with all the restrictions that are out there that the big houses (well some) are using as excuses to cheapen their products
ReplyDeleteOooh, I hope it's not too late for me to enter this draw! (fingers tightly crossed). I have been wanting to tested Ayala's range for ages so I would be thrilled to win. However, in terms of other natural perfumers, I do love l'Invisible from SIP, Cimabue from DSH, and several Ajnes as well. In fact, being pregnant now, I've gone off so many fragrances but strangely am okay with the naturals. Very curious :-)
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ReplyDeleteI ordered a set of Ayala's samples after reading your blog about Yasmin. I love jasmine so of course I had to try Yasmin, but all of the other samples are beautiful as well. I don't know too much about perfume, but am interested in finding a scent I can wear - Yasmin seems like it might be the one.
ReplyDeleteI am so sad to say I have never tried a natural scent although I would love to. Why? I do love perfume and I understand the naturals evolve with your body chemistry so they smell different on everyone...the ultimate way to express your individuality! And I would assume that without the chemicals, the scent would last longer? I would love to begin my journey into the world of natural scents with Ayala's Jasmine. Pam [email protected]
ReplyDeleteHave sniffed some essential oils, but that's it unless Crazylibellule counts -- couldn't tell from their feverish About page...
ReplyDeleteWhere do I start? :-)
ReplyDeleteNaturals are my favorite perfumes and Ayala is one of the best creators of naturals out there. I have not yet tried Yasmin, but would love to!
From her line, I adore Hanami, Fete d'Hiver, Palas Atena, White Potion....OK, I'll stop!
I haven't tried any natural perfumes (yet!) but am intrigued by the very interesting things perfumers do within the constraints of non-synthetic formulas.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you are hosting this Gaia. I had the pleasure of visiting Ayala a few years back in Vancouver. Her scents are delicious! The ones I have here which I love are: Espionage,BonZai, Caberet and my favorite Tamya. I love to try Yasmin!
ReplyDeleteI've tried a few DSH, most notably Vetyver which is 100% natural, only one SIP - Magazine St, tested M. Aftel's and make my own facial moisturizing oil with essential oils (frankincense, lavender, rose and orange) which I love. I am just generally much more interested in natural things, though not exclusively. But, if I can get something natural, it's what I lean to. That's where the miracle is for me. I haven't had the opportunity to try any of Ayala's stuff and have been longing to. Jasmine on the vine is exquisite, but, I've never come across a Jasmine fragrance that I love and would be very curious and delighted to try hers.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried natural perfumes so am very curious especially about sillage and longevity.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to enter the dtaw. I haven't tried any natural perfumes, they are just so hard to get in Iceland if you pay 50% on import duties you have to be really careful when ordering.
ReplyDeleteI love jasmine so it would be nice to smell the difference between a natural jasmine and all the other jasmines I have.
Oooh this sounds amazing. I've tried BPAL fragrances (many of them, and some are very good), and a few of the Possets fragrances (also good but Fabienne's base turns very sweet on me, I have to be in the mood for it). I also tried a couple by YOSH but for some reason the ones I tried left me cold. I should maybe give YOSH another chance. I also have Fire and Cream on my to-try list and some of the SOHVIOLE frags also.
ReplyDeleteI began my sojourn through natural perfume with samples from Ayala. My favorite (and it is SO hard to choose a favorite) is Schizm...or Moonbreath...or Coralle....I just can't decide! Please enter me in the draw. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I'd love to be included in the drawing. I check in with Ayala's blog but have yet to try one of her fragrances. They all sound very interesting, though!
ReplyDeleteMy only experience with natural perfume is with essential oils, but they absolutely have to be mixed together or they're a bit too simple. I'd love to try one that actually has a fancy schmancy formula.
ReplyDeleteI've only tried Acorelle, but unfortunrately there is no "staying power" in this natural perfume...you have to reapply every hour or so...is there a natural perfume that actually lasts...not that I mind reapplying!
ReplyDeleteI've owned a little bottle of Terra Nova China Lily for ages--my husband chose it for me--and love it, even though I don't often wear it. Just recently, have discovered the natural perfume oils at Aveda. Yes, they are a large-ish natural cosmetics, skin-care & hair care chain. Their pure-fume oil Yatra, is gorgeous--for patchouli lovers only.:-) I have also done a little bit of blending of essential oils, nothing fancy. I would love to try Yasmin by Ayala Moriel Parfums! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteForgot to say that I have some DSH fragrances, too! I especially love Ashram.
ReplyDeleteI have actually never tried a natural perfume so this sounds very interesting
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried any natural perfumes, but I love all-natural makeup and home scents so I'm very intrigued. Thank you!! :)
ReplyDeleteI've never tried a natural perfume. I'd love to see how they differ from the traditional synthetic perfumes I have tried.
ReplyDeleteI have tried Honore d Prez, DSH, and Red Flower. My favorite is Profumo.it. I have not tried Ayala Moriel yet. I love testing all perfumes, but attracted to the independent nature of natural perfumers.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried any natural perfumes yet as I've just started my perfume journey, but several lines are on my "must-sample" list - DSH, La Via Del Profumo, Soivohle, etc.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to support indie perfumers (just got Ineke's AMOH for Mother's Day), and I admit that part of my curiosity in trying Ayala's work is because she's a fellow Canadian.
I have yet to try a natural perfume that has left a lasting impression...Strange Invisible Perfumes and Honore de Pres left me yawning.
ReplyDeleteYasmin sounds like it has some heart & oomph. And even one of my most fickle perfumista friends has praised Ayala Moriel. As a fellow Canuck I should mos def explore her line.