2023 Smelly Games #2: "10 Materials or Fewer"

[AdamE]

How are everyone's efforts?

re: Judging

There has been some concern about international participation. It might not work out this round, but perhaps in the future, everyone in the states could send their samples to a single person who could then send a package of samples to a UK judge, who could then distribute them to other judges if needed? same for UK based participants sending to the states?

Just trying to think of ways to remove barriers to participation.

 

[enframing]

Well, I've given up worrying about IFRA compliance this round.

But it doesn't bother me, my wife, or the friend who has tried it...

 

[Solua Botanica]

To all the smelly games participants
I am a judge based in Canada. I can understand the hesitation to ship internationally.
Just letting you know that if you choose to send it my way, it doesn't have to be a package.
I've shipped slim sample vials (1-2ml) in a small bubble mailer with only a few stamps.
There's never been a breakage in all of the many padded envelopes I've sent across the world.
It's up to each of you to decide ultimately.
As long as I can apply a small amount on my skin, it's a valid entry to me !
Good luck to all.

 

[enframing]

How much finished fragrance are we to send to each judge?

 

[AdamE]

How much finished fragrance are we to send to each judge?

enough for them to get a good idea of what you've created. I try and be generous with what I send, but typically enough to apply once to the skin, and once to paper.

 

[enframing]

Well, batched it today, about 200 grams of amateur gourmand fragrance [hopefully] goodness. It will only have rested/macerated for about three weeks at time of shipping, but it is what it is. It's an EDT, 10% ACs, 90% ethanol.

 

[Norther]

This looks fun! I'm very new to perfumery (so still learning the ropes and not really formulating anything yet) but if this ever goes international in the future I would love to join as a judge or participant.

Shipping from my country to the rest of Europe is also reasonably inexpensive so I would certainly be down to be a middle man.

 

[xii]

How are everyone's efforts?

Even more sluggish than usual. I was obliviously certain we still had time until the end of July.
I should be ready by the deadline though. With a bit of luck tomorrow I might have the main theme of six ingredients blended and set aside for some maceration.

 

[AdamE]

My efforts have tanked and my submission sucks, so I am going to switch from submitting to offering feedback as a judge.

Only a few short weeks left!

If you're ready to submit, send me a message and I can get you the judges addresses.

 

[Pinkster]

I feel like I’m sliding across the finish line with seconds to spare on this challenge. I’ve got my samples prepared and ready to go out, hope to ship early next week.

Spoiler: “As Far As Florence”

As Far As Florence is a refreshing, clean cologne that won’t feel too heavy on a hot summer’s day. At 10% concentration it’s meant to be splashed on liberally and frequently, whenever you need a cooling break. I was inspired by the movie The English Patient and a recent watch of Season 2 of The White Lotus (I definitely need a vacation to Italy sometime soon). The ingredients used are:

1. Lemon oil, cold-pressed
2. Cedrat heart (Robertet)
3. Blue cypress oil
4. Iso E Super
5. Romandolide
6. Bois des Landes (Robertet)
7. Elemi oil
8. Petitgrain bigarade oil
9. Orange blossom absolute
10. Ambroxan

No bases used, though I might be cheating a little with Bois des Landes (co-distillation of pine and cedar). Hope you enjoy!

Link from QR code: musical accompaniment

 

[Marlaney]

I hope everyone’s creations have been a fun and interesting process! Mine is finished and ready to go, but I don’t have the judges’ addresses yet. Is someone able to DM that to me?

 

[enframing]

Read above:

DM AdamE, he's going to DM them to us after they are confirmed.

My samples are prepared. I've got 2ml roll-on bottles ready to be wrapped in bubbles...

I'm so excited to hear what everyone thinks!

If you are not a judge and want a sample anyway, DM me. I'm happy to hear some honest feedback.

Edit: The above offer is for people in the continental US.

 

[enframing]

My efforts have tanked and my submission sucks, so I am going to switch from submitting to offering feedback as a judge.

Only a few short weeks left!

If you're ready to submit, send me a message and I can get you the judges addresses.

You should submit anyway, maybe everyone's taste sucks and you'll win 1st place!

 

[AdamE]

Im sending everyone the addresses. I was out of town all week and had limited internet access

 

[enframing]

USA domestic packages are posted. International later this week.

 

[dreaming_jewels]

Had all my samples packed and ready to go. Unfortunately, the US Post Office wouldn't let me ship perfume to the UK. So I guess I won't be entering the contest.

 

[Pinkster]

Had all my samples packed and ready to go. Unfortunately, the US Post Office wouldn't let me ship perfume to the UK. So I guess I won't be entering the contest.

I’ve had the same issue before—my post office is very interrogative about any international package. This doesn’t necessarily prevent you from entering the contest though! You can always send samples just to the US judges. I’ve had to do that in past contests (sorry Yuri G!), but this time I’m going to try just slapping a bunch of global stamps on a small padded envelope and seeing if that works. Those usually get through to anywhere in the US okay, and I’ve heard that inspections on padded envelopes aren’t as stringent as those on packages. Fingers crossed!

 

[Solua Botanica]

I’ve heard that inspections on padded envelopes aren’t as stringent as those on packages.

True, I've never had any problem with padded envelopes sent to any country. It's funny how large companies can ship perfume all over the world, but when an individual wants to send perfume samples, they are interrogated. I understand the danger of ethanol in glass bottles, but a small vial is not likely to be a hazard. My local postmaster once told me (while winking excessively) to write 'body care products' on my customs form. She knows I'm a small artisan perfumer and she told me: If big companies are allowed to ship perfume with regular mail, why can't you ? I love her honesty...

 

[enframing]

International samples posted today. I wrapped them in bubble wrap, placed in a bubble envelope, and wrote "necklace" worth $5 on the customs form.

Dude just asked me to "answer the question" on the pad, so I did. I might have missed something, though.

 

[enframing]

Had all my samples packed and ready to go. Unfortunately, the US Post Office wouldn't let me ship perfume to the UK. So I guess I won't be entering the contest.

Go to a different post office and forget to mention its perfume?

Oh, and shipping to the UK was $19, Canada was $16, from Los Angeles anyway.