Fragrance Reformulation

[Gavin R]

Hello, this is my first proper post and thank you for having me in your amazing community, I am looking for some information on reformulation. How do we tell if a fragrance has been or is about to be reformulated? Apart from comparing two bottles (1 x Old vs 1 x New).

Are there any websites or ways to access lists of what has been or what will be reformulated in the future? or is it just the case that's something we need to work out for ourselves?

I have recently purchased a bottle of Bvlgari - Wood Neroli about a week ago, batch code states it was manufactured Nov 2019 making it nearly 3 years old. although I know fragrance can expire between 3-5 years. Research has also told me that depending on how we store our fragrances they can last for over 10 years+.
My fragrances are always kept out of their boxes in a drawer in my wardrobe. I do have a led light in the drawer which only comes on when I open the wardrobe door to illuminate the drawer has its glass-fronted, I believe this to be suitable for fragrance storage.

Whilst looking for info about Bvlgari Wood Neroli I see threads on here saying it's been reformulated, this info stopped me from returning my 2019 bottle I just purchased as originally I was going to return it for a newer bottle. I haven't returned it as I wanted the original version as it only came out in 2019. Do you agree that was the correct decision to keep the original 2019 bottle even tho it's 3 years old?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Nom de Guerre]

Keep it if you like the way it smells, send it back if you don't. If properly stored, fragrances can last for decades. I would keep the one you have on hand.

 

[Nom de Guerre]

Are there any websites or ways to access lists of what has been or what will be reformulated in the future? or is it just the case that's something we need to work out for ourselves?

Not really, there is a website called Raiders of the Lost Scent that covers some reformulations to cult classics. There is very little transparency from brands in regard to reformulations and I can understand that. People tend to go apeshit when they hear that a brand has tinkered with the formula, why would a brand advertise it?

 

[kosui no kaori]

I have bottles of Bvlgari that date back to 2006, and one that is as recent as 2020. Both old and new smell fantastic - the older ones have changed color a bit, but are otherwise completely intact.

I agree with Nom de Guerre - if it smells good and you like it, keep it.

 

[Gavin R]

Not really, there is a website called Raiders of the Lost Scent that covers some reformulations to cult classics. There is very little transparency from brands in regard to reformulations and I can understand that. People tend to go apeshit when they hear that a brand has tinkered with the formula, why would a brand advertise it?

Yeah, that's what I thought that the brands wouldn't want to openly admit to reformulation just wasn't sure if there was any third-party type of websites they might list any known ones.

Also, I do like the smell of the Bvlgari bottle I've got which is why I did decide to keep it.

 

[Gavin R]

I have bottles of Bvlgari that date back to 2006, and one that is as recent as 2020. Both old and new smell fantastic - the older ones have changed color a bit, but are otherwise completely intact.

I agree with Nom de Guerre - if it smells good and you like it, keep it.

Thanks, I do remember buying a 10-year-old Prada from eBay it was brand new which I had to return as the juice was so weak but other than that I don't really have mu experience with older juices.

Although regards to the Bvlgari I am keeping it has it still smells great.

 

[kosui no kaori]

Thanks, I do remember buying a 10-year-old Prada from eBay it was brand new which I had to return as the juice was so weak but other than that I don't really have mu experience with older juices.

Although regards to the Bvlgari I am keeping it has it still smells great.

I’ve had both bad and excellent experiences with the same scent produced in the same year. I think a lot of it has to do with how the bottle was stored before it gets to you, although I’ve read that citrus scents do tend to degrade faster (though many Basenoters here have vintage citrus frags).

I’m learning right along with you 👍🏻

 

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

Hello, this is my first proper post and thank you for having me in your amazing community, I am looking for some information on reformulation. How do we tell if a fragrance has been or is about to be reformulated? Apart from comparing two bottles (1 x Old vs 1 x New).

Sometimes the house will show signs, like new bottle or box presentation even slight differences. Then there are times when there aren't any and it's up to the individuals nose to detect them which could be subjective by the individuals

 

[hednic]

How do we tell if a fragrance has been or is about to be reformulated? Apart from comparing two bottles (1 x Old vs 1 x New).

You can check with the manufacturer and see what they say about it having happened.

 

[Nom de Guerre]

From what I hear, Chanel has done what usually isn't the case, they have reformulated a fragrance for the best. Supposedly, the most recent version of Sycomore EDP has been tinkered with and now is much closer to the old EDT, which a lot of people loved – it's smokier and much more vetiver-forward. I have the old EDT and the pre-reformulated EDP and I love both but naturally, I'm very curious to try the reformulated EDP as well.

 

[FiveoaksBouquet]

From what I hear, Chanel has done what usually isn't the case, they have reformulated a fragrance for the best. Supposedly, the most recent version of Sycomore EDP has been tinkered with and now is much closer to the old EDT, which a lot of people loved – it's smokier and much more vetiver-forward. I have the old EDT and the pre-reformulated EDP and I love both but naturally, I'm very curious to try the reformulated EDP as well.

Where did you hear it, Nom de Guerre? I’m with you in liking both the edt and edp and am easy on which concentration but reformulation of Sycomore would be big news to a lot of people.

 

[Nom de Guerre]

Where did you hear it, Nom de Guerre? I’m with you in liking both the edt and edp and am easy on which concentration but reformulation of Sycomore would be big news to a lot of people.

On Dacob's Top 10 Perfumes in 2022 video:

I find the EDP much more versatile, I love it in any season. The EDT on the other hand (IMHO) is moodier and somehow feels like a fall-only scent. I still haven't tried the Parfum, he covers that one in the same video.

 

[FiveoaksBouquet]

On Dacob's Top 10 Perfumes in 2022 video:

I find the EDP much more versatile, I love it in any season. The EDT on the other hand (IMHO) is moodier and somehow feels like a fall-only scent. I still haven't tried the Parfum, he covers that one in the same video.

Thank you, NdG. Very, very interesting. I wonder if he found out through information or just from buying a new bottle. I guess the latter is how I will find out because Sycomore is in my Permanent Collection. I agree with him the parfum is lovely too.

And couldn’t agree with you more about the versatility of the edp, such an easy and joyful wear!

To answer his question as to how Chanel can top this year’s output, they can make Le Lion in parfum, that’s how!

 

[Nom de Guerre]

To answer his question as to how Chanel can top this year’s output, they can make Le Lion in parfum, that’s how!

Don't do this to me! 🤤

 

[CeeTee]

Not really, there is a website called Raiders of the Lost Scent that covers some reformulations to cult classics. There is very little transparency from brands in regard to reformulations and I can understand that. People tend to go apeshit when they hear that a brand has tinkered with the formula, why would a brand advertise it?

Thanks for the resource! It would be cool if you could go to the brand website and see some footnote. Something like, “To improve the formula, we…” or “As part of our commitment to safety, we have..” Or some such. But, yes, I agree the reforms must create big headaches for them. Maybe they could head them off at the pass, instead of handling the complaints. But, I guess that’s up to L’Oréal and LVHM.

 

[cheapimitation]

From what I hear, Chanel has done what usually isn't the case, they have reformulated a fragrance for the best. Supposedly, the most recent version of Sycomore EDP has been tinkered with and now is much closer to the old EDT, which a lot of people loved – it's smokier and much more vetiver-forward. I have the old EDT and the pre-reformulated EDP and I love both but naturally, I'm very curious to try the reformulated EDP as well.

Yea I saw that too and have been contemplating finally picking up Sycomore. Dacob is a very bad influence!

As far as reformulation, I highly recommend not worrying about it. In some ways ignorance is bliss , if a fragrance smells good to you now, go for it and don't worry about if it smelled better at some point in the past. I also tend to think we favor the first version of a scent we encounter, so often times people swear earlier versions of things are soooo much better, when objectively maybe they aren't but they are partial to the way they first experienced it. You don't want to become one of those crack heads endlessly scrolling ebay for your fix of a specific vintage/batch of a fragrance. (just teasing vintage heads don't kill me!)