Iris samples as unisex

Listed as unisex and with iris on record: 40 of our samples. Here are 8 of them, each with the data that is on record for it. The order is not a ranking; it is a way to choose where to begin.

The selection

Street Origins It's Vegas, Baby

Street Origins It's Vegas, Baby, an Extrait de Parfum from Street Origins, has Cognac, Cinnamon, Plum, Cashmeran, Iris, Myrrh and others on record. Its family tags read gourmand, oriental and woody. For season the tags say autumn and winter. Smell it right after applying and again later in the day, because the first minutes rarely tell the whole story.

Argos Love Triumphs Over War

From Argos comes Argos Love Triumphs Over War, an Eau de Parfum. On paper it lists Bergamot, Lemon, Orange Blossom, Tuberose, Rose Petals, Raspberry and others. It is tagged floral, oriental and woody. The listing names spring and autumn as its season. Wear it on more than one day before you make up your mind.

Tiziana Terenzi Delox

From Tiziana Terenzi comes Tiziana Terenzi Delox, an Extrait de Parfum. On paper it lists White Hyacinth, Royal Iris, Coffee, Turkish Rose, Vanilla, Sweet Myrrh and others. It is tagged oriental, floral and gourmand. For season the tags say spring and summer. Your own nose gets used to a scent quickly, so ask someone near you what they notice.

Sospiro Erba Pura Magica

Sospiro Erba Pura Magica is an Eau de Parfum by Sospiro. The notes on record are Jasmine, Bergamot, Lemon, Fruity Notes, Balsamic Notes, Orris and others. It is tagged floral, citrus and amber. The listing names spring and autumn as its season. Notice how close it stays to the skin and how much of it others pick up.

Les Eaux Primordiales Musk Superfluide

Les Eaux Primordiales Musk Superfluide by Les Eaux Primordiales is an Eau de Parfum with these recorded notes: Aldehydes, Neroli, Ambrette, Rose, Iris, Violet and others. By family it is filed as musky, floral and fresh. The listing names spring, summer and winter as its season. A paper strip shows the outline, skin shows the detail.

Goldfield & Banks Silky Woods Elixir

Goldfield & Banks Silky Woods Elixir is an Extrait de Parfum by Goldfield & Banks. The notes on record are Fig, Saffron, Orris, Guaiac wood, Vanilla, Oud Assafi and Australian agarwood. By family it is filed as woody and aromatic. It is listed for autumn and winter. Do not judge it next to other perfumes on the same arm, as they blur each other.

Frederic Malle L'Eau d'Hiver

With Frederic Malle L'Eau d'Hiver, Frederic Malle has an Eau de Toilette for which Bergamot, Iris, Hawthorn and Heliotrope are on record. The scent families on record: floral, woody and fresh. Season on record: autumn and winter. Notes on a list are a map, and what you notice on your own skin is the territory.

Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning

Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning is an Eau de Toilette by Maison Margiela. The notes on record are Pear accord, Lily of the valley accord, Aldehydes, Iris accord, Rose absolute, Orange flower accord and others. Its family tags read floral, musky and fresh. It is listed for spring and summer. Give it time to settle before you judge it.

Also in this selection: Diptyque Ilio, BORNTOSTANDOUT Dirty Milk, Reinvented Aether Aura, BORNTOSTANDOUT Black Crème, Maison Crivelli Iris Malikhân, Matière Première Santal Austral, Mind Games Gardez, Ex Nihilo Santal Calling, Jo Milano Paris Game of Spades No Limit, Stéphane Humbert Lucas Soleil de Jeddah.

How to test them

Ask someone you trust what they notice, because your own nose adapts quickly. Note what you think each time, and read your notes back at the end of the week. Apply one or two sprays to clean skin, without other scented products nearby. Start light; you can always add a spray on the next wearing.

A decant of 2, 5 or 10 ml lets you wear it on several days before you decide about a full bottle. A sample earns its place when you reach for it again without planning to. Skin, weather and habit change how any perfume comes across, and a sample shows you your version of it.

Where to go next

• Iris samples
• Unisex
• all samples
• find your scent
• how we fill your sample
• all brands
• how to store perfume samples
• how to use a sample vial
• how to build a sample set

Questions

How were these samples chosen?

By the tags and note lists on record for each perfume. Nothing was added from memory, the order is not a ranking, and perfumes without recorded notes are described without notes.

How many samples should I try at once?

Two or three is a good number. Wear one per day, on clean skin, and write down what you notice in the morning and in the evening before you move to the next.

Why do some perfumes show no notes?

Because we only print notes we can trace to a source. Where no note list is on record, the page says so and leaves the judging to your own skin.