ScentXplore Box 2023

I stumbled upon ScentXplore by pure luck, through @oliviaolfactory 's excitement about the event. After checking out the website, I discovered the ScentXplore discovery kit that could be purchased alongside a ticket to the virtual event. At 80$CAN, I figured I'd get my hands on a nice box of niche fragrances I would otherwise never get to smell and get to attend a virtual event that would help me understand perfumes even more, so I though to myself, why not? After a small delay, I finally got my ScentXplore box and my, oh my, am I pleasantly surprised and, to be honest, in shock. 2 perfume magazines (one from Nez Culture and the other from Le Parfum Magazine) and 39 samples (one being a travel size) make up this box. For someone who's starting out in niche perfumes, who has limited access to niche brands (seems not a lot of niche brands want to ship to Canada) and who wants to start exploring the niche side of things, this box was perfect for me. Longtime amateurs and experts might find this box boring as there aren't many 2023 releases in there, but to me, it was an amazing gift before Christmas.

Before I continue, you can see the total content of the box here, where I made a list using the new feature, Top Picks, that has recently been released on Parfumo. If I decide to attend the event next year, I'll be able to add the 2024 box in this list.

There are a few fragrances I'm eager to try out first. Here are those I've spotted:
- La Tacita de Café
- No. 57
- Blooming Amber
- Chocolate Makes Me Happy
- London
- Sunday Brunch

Here are the fragrances I have a feeling will surprise me:
- Dark Orchid
- Desir Infini
- Rosario
- Annacamento
- Otello
- Peregrina

Tobacco, oud and leather seem to be notes that come back quite often in this box and in niche perfumes in general. I've only recently started liking tobacco (during cold weather) as for the two other notes I've had ambiguous feelings about them. I've had the chance to smell oud during a Ruby Brown perfume workshop (you can read all about my experience here) and I smelled leather through a few fragrances I've had the chance to sample such as Vanilla Royale Sugared Patchouli | 64. Now that I've grown tired of designer perfumes, I'm curious to see if my nose has evolved into accepting those notes, may they be the star of a perfume or an accompanying accord.

Anyways, I'm quite excited to attend the ScentXplore virtual event that will be held on Friday, December 1st through Saturday, December 2nd. Stay tuned: I'll be writing articles about this event for those who are curious about it and for those who didn't get their hands on a ticket (be it virtual or in-person). I hope you enjoyed discovering this box with me. If you have tried a perfume in this box, don't forget to leave a comment about it, I'm curious to know what y'all think about the fragrances or the box in general. Thanks for reading my article and I'll see you in the next one. Don't forget to like, comment and subscribe!