MACY'S FRAGRANCE SAMPLES

While I was in China, I requested samples several times. I came back to three boxes of assorted samples, along with samples directly requested from brands. 

VALENTINO DONNA BORN IN ROMA EDP INTENSE

Vanilla Bourbon, Bergamot, Blackcurrant

Trio of Jasmine

Benzoin

I smelled Donna Born in Roma in the past, but don't remember much, nor do I have a sample to compare with this flanker. The card describes it as a floral-ambery fragrance born from the intense fusion of jasmine and vanilla. There's a lot of vanilla and berries among the samples, so everything smells the same. Perfumerism was right, berries are definitely trending. 

You smell the warm vanilla from the get-go with this Lily musk. The initial spray is a little tart and tangy due to the blackcurrant. A thick, heady amber. Where is the trio of jasmine? I smelled fresh jasmine and drank jasmine tea in China, so I can, in theory, confidently distinguish that flower now. I mainly get Lily, which is one of my least favorite flowers, and it's not even listed as a note. Overall, quite mature-smelling because of the musky Lily and thick resins. Lastly, the juice is dark, so be careful. 

VALENTINO UOMO BORN IN ROMA EDP INTENSE

Vanilla Bourbon, Ginger

Lavandin, Nutmeg

Vetiver

The card describes it as a fougère ambery fragrance combining the intensity of lavandin with an addictive vanilla. 

To be expected, hit with lavender. A little warm-spicy, but it doesn't smell like ginger and nutmeg, which the Valentino website claims. I also don't smell "This [the vanilla infusion?] unsweetened and leathery note." (There is a sample in one of the sets that unintentionally smells leathery, scroll down to see which sample.) For a note that's listed at the top, I don't smell vanilla at all, even when freshly sprayed on the skin or after several hours of wear. The lavender is very overpowering. There is a dry, smoky, grassy base from the vetiver. It's still challenging for me to review colognes because they all smell similar and leave a menthol-y perk. If I were to smell this on a guy, I wouldn't be driven absolutely wild or go, "Damn, you smell good!" Not the best longevity; there was a moment where it went silent.

CAROLINA HERRERA GOOD GIRL JASMINE ABSOLUTE EDP ABSOLUTE

Mandarin, Blackcurrant Accord

Jasmine, Bitter Almond

Toffee, Roasted Tonka Bean

The card doesn't say much, no sentences, more so, attention-grabbing phrases: hypnotic, striking, edible, rich. 

I'm getting toffee, slightly nutty, jasmine/floral note (more so than the Valentino sample above, but it's also very weak), it's slightly citrus-y, but toffee is the most prominent smell. The top notes don't stand out much, even at initial spray. If you like toffee and tonka, this is definitely for you, though there are lots of similar perfumes out there. Even if you are looking for a gourmand perfume, this wouldn't be the first on your list, as there are more popular ones to try, such as Kayali Vanilla and Giardini Di Toscana Bianco Latte. Not the best release for Spring/Summer because it's too toasty and cozy. The perfect storm of a poorly timed release and an unexceptional gourmand in an oversaturated market. 

Lastly, the lingering smell reminds me of an ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine (I don't know the name), so I do not consider it a delectable scent. Is this the bitter almond coming back? Maybe it's the toffee getting burnt. The hot sun and sweat will not mix with the fragrance. 

CAROLINA HERRERA LA BOMBA EDP

Pitaya
Cherry Peony, Red Frangipani 
Solar Vanilla

When I saw this fragrance as a sample option, I signed up expeditiously. Look at that bottle! Carolina Herrera loves a novelty bottle. I've ranted about novelty bottles in the past, but this one, somehow, will get a pass. It's so fun! If she does flankers, an army of different colored butterfly wings, very Winx Club-coded. It will be immensely disappointing if it's difficult to spray. Opens slightly anise or basil-like, but quickly becomes a little leathery and reminiscent of Room 1015's Cherry Punk. Most likely because I already associate this perfume with Cherry Punk, but there is a viscous cherry note. Pitaya, at least in my experience, doesn't really have a taste or smell, so she's nowhere to be found. It smells like cherry (not much the peony), leather, and rich vanilla. 

Some might find leather as playful as the butterfly bottle, but I find it really unexpected for the note listing. The fragrance softens a lot with wear and becomes more floral and slightly tropical. Baddie in a leather jacket goes to the Bahamas? Some users on Fragrantica say it smells like B&BW Cherry Blossom/realistic Cherry Blossom, but I, ever the contrarian, disagree.