Perfumed Nightgown : What Do You Wear

Do you wear perfume to bed? What is your favorite scented nightgown?

When asked what she wore to bed, Marilyn Monroe answered, ” five drops of Chanel No 5.” The idea was so sultry and thrilling that the sales of Chanel No 5 skyrocketed in response. No 5 sounds interesting as a scented nightgown, but nothing beats a splash of rosewater or orange blossom water for me. Their delicate scent is soothing, and both waters are excellent for the skin.

I also love simple scents like Annick Goutal Rose Splendide or Le Muguet. Jo Malone Vintage Gardenia starts as spicy and sparkling, but the drydown of musk and vanilla is comforting.  While Penhaligon’s Violetta lacks the sensual twist of Marilyn’s favorite perfume, it helps me wind down after a long, stressful day.

Photography by Bois de Jasmin

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118 Comments

  • marsha: I wear different things, but my favorite is Spiriteuse Double Vanilla, because I can still smell it in the morning! My skin usually eats scents. September 22, 2012 at 9:01am Reply

    • Victoria: Vanilla is such a comforting scent. I can’t wear it on days when I need to concentrate or to be sharp and collected. But as a relaxing, warm perfume, it is perfect. 🙂 September 22, 2012 at 9:06am Reply

  • jillie: What a lovely idea for a post (and a beautiful photograph). I think my family and friends think I am rather odd for wanting to wear perfume to bed (“what a waste”), but I really believe that a comforting scent can help me sleep better, and some even give me wonderful dreams; on that basis, I also think that the wrong sort can keep me awake, give me nightmares or a thumping headache!

    Like Marsha, I think a soft vanilla is good; maybe this is related to the faint vanilla in baby powder that our mothers used to dust us in before bed? A little rose and violet added to the mix is rather good, and I was quite addicted to L’Occitane’s Delice des Fleurs for my night-time choice this year. I usually spritz my pillows with rosewater, V, because as you say, rose is so calming. September 22, 2012 at 9:36am Reply

    • Victoria: Jillie, that’s exactly how I feel about it–a right perfume can be relaxing and comforting, a wrong sort can prevent me from falling asleep. So, I’m generally very cautious about wearing something rich or heavy. But then again, when I had to do a duplication of Red Door (in my student days), I’ve gone to bed permeated with it. I was unable to wash it out of my skin with just one shower! So, I slept soundly anyway. 🙂 September 22, 2012 at 4:22pm Reply

  • maja: I sometimes put Chanel 5 Elixir Sensuel. Adds glamour to my pyjamas 🙂 September 22, 2012 at 9:36am Reply

    • Victoria: I can see how it would! 🙂 September 22, 2012 at 4:22pm Reply

  • Ariadne: When i get into bed I sit up and I apply Tresor lotion to my hands and arms before nestling in and lying down to sleep. Although it is not my favorite, it is my default perfume for certain times since I find this a very peaceful scent. September 22, 2012 at 9:44am Reply

    • Victoria: Tresor is one of my “hug me” perfumes! September 22, 2012 at 4:22pm Reply

  • Diane: Although I am a lifelong perfume wearer and addict, I’ve only recently taken to spraying scent before going to bed and after my evening bath. It does depend on the weather, but I like to wear Shalimar Eau Legere, Caldey Island Lavender and Nuxe Eau Prodigieuse – so less-perfumey fragrances than I wear during the day (I usually wear vintage – mostly Guerlains). September 22, 2012 at 9:50am Reply

    • Victoria: Those do sound very good as perfumed nightgowns. I’ve been splashing myself with lavender hydrosol recently, and it’s such a nice way to fall asleep. September 22, 2012 at 4:23pm Reply

  • Nick: Mitsouko or Dzongkha or L’Occitaine’s Immortelle de Corse, or Habanita – just a little though. On occasions Fresh’s Cannabis Santal.

    They seem a little odd when written out though!

    Nevermind September 22, 2012 at 9:59am Reply

    • Victoria: 🙂 They sound great to me! September 22, 2012 at 4:24pm Reply

  • solanace: I love wearing Amouage Gold after my evening shower. It lasts all night, and I feel uber glamourous! 🙂

    Must try Rose Splendide! September 22, 2012 at 9:59am Reply

    • Victoria: That’s what I call high glamour and you’re a woman who knows how to achieve it. 🙂 September 22, 2012 at 4:24pm Reply

  • Blacknall Allen: What glamourous choices, I feel a bit tatty by comparison, but I wear Cotys lately myself to sleep, they are so soft. September 22, 2012 at 10:01am Reply

    • solanace: Well, the nightime is when I’m with my husband, so that’s when I go for my best decants. 😉 September 22, 2012 at 2:43pm Reply

    • Victoria: Sometimes one simply wants a pair of comfy jammies, right? September 22, 2012 at 4:25pm Reply

  • Penelope: I never miss an opportunity to wear scent, so definitely like to use some at bedtime. I like to spray my pillows with a lavender linen spray, and if I am very tired or have a headache use a little pure lavender oil on my wrists and temples. Hermes Vetiver Tonka also has a healing freshness. A jasmine perfume is gentle and feminine for summer, but it must be light and green, such as Miller Harris jasmine vert ( although I think this is no longer made, and must search for something similar.) In winter Hermes Ambre Narguile is soft and comforting, like a cashmere blanket. September 22, 2012 at 10:16am Reply

    • jillie: Oh no, Penelope, don’t say that they’ve discontinued Jasmin Vert – I really love it! Oh dear, it must be my kiss of death again, as nearly everything I like gets struck off in the end …. Now we’ll both have to find a substitute. September 22, 2012 at 11:27am Reply

      • Penelope: Jillie. Sorry to alarm you. Jasmine Vert seems to be still available on the MH website, but, alas, my beloved Terre d’Iris has disappeared. I hope it is still in the stores. September 24, 2012 at 10:32am Reply

    • Victoria: I feel that jasmine is another relaxing, comforting scent, and it’s also considered aphrodisiac. I used to have a Red Flower jasmine candle that I burned for romantic occasions. And nothing elicits more compliments from my husband than Serge Lutens A la Nuit! September 22, 2012 at 4:27pm Reply

      • Kellz: Yes, I’ve recently switched from Rosewater to Jasmine water for bed time. I love it! It’s so blatant yet gentle. November 27, 2012 at 2:32pm Reply

  • Arkady Darell: My recipe for cosmic dreams: A light spritz on the the bottom sheet with Lorenzo Villoresi Teint de Neige. Body heat warms the molecules to create a sweet heavenly scent. September 22, 2012 at 11:45am Reply

    • Victoria: That’s one of my favorites from LV, sweet, warm, comforting is a perfect way to describe it. September 22, 2012 at 4:28pm Reply

  • Lucas: I don’t wear perfume to bed but months ago I had few times when I sprayed Pour un Homme de Caron before jumping to bed, it was when I still liked that Caron…

    I also had one or two summer days when I was falling asleep in Grand Neroli from Atelier Cologne.

    But generally I don’t wear perfume to bed. September 22, 2012 at 12:08pm Reply

    • Victoria: My Grand Neroli decant was used up this way. September 22, 2012 at 4:30pm Reply

  • Claudia: I like rub Jo Malone’s Blue Cacao and Agave cream into my hands. I can smell that wonderful scent all night and the cream makes my skin so soft! September 22, 2012 at 12:28pm Reply

    • Victoria: I need to revisit Blue Cacao and Agave. I recall liking it a lot the first time I’ve tried it. September 22, 2012 at 4:31pm Reply

  • Céline Verleure: I am wearing Lumière Blanche to sleep, as it is a reaxing cocoon, I could not sleep with any other of my fragrances… September 22, 2012 at 12:39pm Reply

    • Victoria: I can see why Lumiere Blanche would work as a soft wrap. It’s so tender when it dries down. September 22, 2012 at 4:32pm Reply

  • Anna: My favourites are Fragonard’s Grain de Soleil, Guerlain’s SDV, Tonka Imperiale and Angelique Noire. But I add those just a little bit and only in one hand… If I pray with my hands near my face, I can sniff my wrist at the same time, it’s even more relaxing =)

    Oh, and the newest one is Shalimar Ode á la Vanille. But it’s not good for good night praying, it’s a little bit naughty, lol September 22, 2012 at 1:53pm Reply

    • Victoria: Anna, I sometimes mix a touch of vanilla essence into the almond oil I rub into my skin after the shower, and it’s so good to wear to bed. Not a very strong scent, but it never fails to relax me. September 22, 2012 at 4:35pm Reply

  • behemot: Ambre Sultan or TF Amber Absolute, September 22, 2012 at 2:01pm Reply

    • Victoria: And another amber fan! I love reading through all of these lists to get more ideas of what to try next. September 22, 2012 at 4:35pm Reply

      • behemot: 🙂 September 22, 2012 at 9:47pm Reply

  • Judith Marianne Taufan: Lutens’ Ambre Sultane & Mugler’s Angel for me as I love their warmth & sensuality. On hot & humid nights I’d go for Fragonard’s Belle de Nuit. September 22, 2012 at 2:03pm Reply

    • Victoria: Fragonard’s Belle de Nuit is probably one of the best scents. I also liked the body products in that range. September 22, 2012 at 4:36pm Reply

  • pam: I have found a few tried and true fragrances to wear at night. Experimenting can be dangerous–sometimes a scent jolts me awake and I can NOT go to sleep! Habanita is good, Cinema, and Nuit de Noel. September 22, 2012 at 2:05pm Reply

    • Victoria: I remember that the worst nightmare I had was when I fell asleep in a room with a big bouquet of lilies. Their perfume was just too heady. September 22, 2012 at 4:37pm Reply

  • Erica: I wear Caron’s Pour Un Homme to bed fairly frequently, if I am looking for soothing. If I want something a little sexier I go for an amber fragrance. But the Pour Un Homme is actually *only* for bedtime, I purchased it for that purpose. It puts me to sleep LOL! September 22, 2012 at 2:29pm Reply

    • Victoria: I can see why! It has so much lavender in it, and this can be very soothing. September 22, 2012 at 4:38pm Reply

  • Alityke: My favourite isn’t really a scent but it is scented with Tiare allegedly. To my nose though it is clean green sappy jasmine and sooo relaxing it guarantees a deep, restful night. I’m talking about Guerlain’s Terracotta Eau Sous le Nes. Not only does it smell amazing it softens skin and prolongs a tan. I use it all over….. Bliss in a bottle September 22, 2012 at 2:35pm Reply

    • solanace: Sounds so good, gonna look for it! September 22, 2012 at 2:46pm Reply

    • Victoria: Mmm, I really need to try it! It does sound very good. September 22, 2012 at 4:38pm Reply

  • bluegardenia: I love night scents, whether spritzed above my bed like a roomspray or on my pajamas or nightgown. Too often we spray perfume on before leaving the house and then forget about it. In the evening we can really enjoy it for a while. I love Malle fleur de Cassie on my skin at night. It’s bewitching but relaxing. I’ve had sweet dreams after spraying youth dew in the air in my bedroom – its such a sweet cola scent, retro and comforting. I haven’t used it in years but I imagine frangipane by chantecaille would be a lovely bedtime scent. Very soft. And finally, my favorite candle to light in the evening is astier de vilatte’s opera. It smells of beeswax and vanilla, maybe even a touch of cocoa. Not my style for a personal scent but in a room it’s delicious! Just remember to blow it out before falling asleep. September 22, 2012 at 3:05pm Reply

    • Victoria: The Opera candle sounds wonderful. I recently sniffed Frederic Malle’s Notre Dame and I loved it–a true incense scent. But it’s far too expensive for me. So, instead I just burn real frankincense. September 22, 2012 at 4:40pm Reply

      • bluegardenia: I know, these candle prices are getting astronomical. For years I was used to Diptyque, which were 45 dollars when I started buying them (now 60). But these days, with my favorite Malle gardenia candle at 140 dollars each, I’m tempted to give up!
        Astier de Villate is another expensive line, but I find the packaging so beautiful I can almost justify it…I also saw recently they sell perfumed incense which I imagine would strongly scent a room without even being burned… September 24, 2012 at 3:36am Reply

    • Andrea: The Frangipane by Chantecaille is my bedtime scent! I thought it was my secret, but I guess I’m not alone. I wear it for comfort. I also wear copious amounts of lotion: Elemis Frangipani Monoi Moisture Melt, Caudalie Divine Oil (as I may have mentioned) or Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion. V, what IS the smell of the lotion (the one with Shea Butter)? I was once stopped in a store and asked what perfume I had on when I had just applied it.

      For winter, I also use Kiehl’s Creme de Corps; it is soy milk and honey but smells of vanilla.

      The other day I scented my heavier robe with Keiko Mecheri Attar de Roses. It stayed for days! It’s a warm and rich fragrance, sweet and rosy. And I spray the Heritage Rosewater, which I bought because of V’s recommendation. September 23, 2012 at 12:13am Reply

      • Victoria: Isn’t Heritage Rosewater fantastic? I even asked my mom to buy a couple of bottles for me, when she was preparing to visit me.

        Now, I really want to smell Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion, Andrea. I haven’t tried it, so I’m very curious. September 23, 2012 at 4:08pm Reply

        • Andrea: It is definitely a staple for me. I’m anxious to hear what you “detect” as far a scent goes, it is unlike anything I have smelled and is yet familiar. I think the site says it is a “woody floral” scent, which I tend to love.

          I like the Heritage in a spray bottle. I’d seen you mention it before, and this summer it was in the fridge of the house we stayed in. As the owner graciously allowed us to stay in her home, I didn’t dare try it. But I WAS tempted! No more perfume thievery for me, after the Grandmother’s strawberry perfume fiasco! September 24, 2012 at 12:48am Reply

      • bluegardenia: Another one I LOVE at night and forgot to mention: Donna Karan Gold. Similar to chantecaille frangipane, it is so soft and smooth and delicately sweet, I practically can’t wait for bedtime just thinking about it… It’s a lily scent, but it’s much more quiet and soothing than sleeping in a room with real flowers, which can be so strong (lilies, gardenias, tuberoses) that I wake up gasping for air and with my throat burning! September 24, 2012 at 3:43am Reply

  • Daisy: A long, long time ago I used to use Caswell Massey’s Elixir of Love body lotion. I loved it, but then several years later I found that it was much sharper and not as sultry as I remembered it. Did it get reformulated? September 22, 2012 at 3:05pm Reply

    • Victoria: Sigh… pretty much everything gets reformulated these days, and if not that, then the quality of materials might change. I haven’t smelled it though. September 22, 2012 at 4:41pm Reply

  • Cyn: What a beautiful idea! Although I often spray lavender, I have never worn a scent to bed. I can’t wait to try this. I have trouble sleeping, so maybe this will help. September 22, 2012 at 3:08pm Reply

    • Victoria: Try something very light like orange blossom water sprayed on your pillow (or stick sachets of lavender under the sheets.) I have trouble sleeping time to time, and light scents like these always do the trick. September 22, 2012 at 4:42pm Reply

      • Cyn: Thank you, Victoria. That sounds like good advice and I will try that. I am at the Lake with only some of my fragrances, but I do have some Lavender in the garden. I think the Orange water sounds lovely. I will have to stock up! September 22, 2012 at 5:24pm Reply

        • Victoria: Lavender flowers are even better! If you cut a few branches and put them under your pillow, you can enjoy the scent and its effects.
          And just call me Miss Orange Blossom Water (and Rosewater, for that matter). I’m a die-hard enthusiast, and I use these two products widely in cooking and beauty preparations. 🙂 September 22, 2012 at 5:32pm Reply

    • Andrea: Cyn, as a fellow insomniac may I recommend something? It may not be a scent, but it does use one of your senses; your sense of hearing! I use a sound machine by Brookstone which affects brainwaves for deeper sleep and it is the only thing that works. (Even my son uses it occasionally, but I have to wait up until it puts him to sleep for MY turn to sleep!). Add a sleep mask, soft sheets and recommendations from BdJ and you have covered 4 of 5 senses! September 23, 2012 at 12:22am Reply

      • Cyn: Andrea, what an excellent suggestion! I used one of those years and years and years go and had forgotten all about them. Thanks so much for the suggestion. I am definitely going to try this again. 4 out of 5 will do it! September 24, 2012 at 12:47pm Reply

  • Ajda: I see that I am in the minority here, but I never wear perfume to bed, I find even scented lotions are too much. As much as I love perfume, I only need fresh air and some crisp sheets to help me sleep (washed with unscented detergent). September 22, 2012 at 3:15pm Reply

    • Victoria: Ajda, I completely understand where you’re coming from. I’m not as sensitive as you, but I also have to be careful not to wear anything overly heavy. September 22, 2012 at 4:43pm Reply

  • Dubaiscents: I love a good amber for bed, SL Ambre Sultan or Armani Prive Ambre Orient are great ones that last all night. I also really love Lolita Lempicka’s L which is quite strong at first but has tons of vanilla and I love the immortelle. I actually tend to wear stronger scents to bed since it is a great chance to apply when nobody will be offended and it doesn’t negatively affect my sleep. Oh, and I had a funny dream about becoming the next princess of England (I am not even British) when I wore Frederic Malle’s Lipstick Rose to bed one time…coincidence? It does make me feel very feminine and elegant! September 22, 2012 at 4:20pm Reply

    • Victoria: I love your dream! 🙂 Come to think of it, wouldn’t Lipstick Rose make such a great royal wedding perfume? September 22, 2012 at 4:45pm Reply

  • k: For sheets and pillowcases and bare skin I love L’Occitane Pivoine Flora edp or a simple lavender essential oil. September 22, 2012 at 4:29pm Reply

    • Victoria: I used to love L’Occitane’s lavender linen spray, but they haven’t been making it in years. So, I make my own by mixing lavender oil in a little alcohol and then in water. September 22, 2012 at 4:46pm Reply

  • rosarita: Great topic! I like a simple musk, usually vintage Coty Wild Musk or Les Nereides Musc Samarkind. Shalimar Eau de Cologne is a perennial favorite, and in the winter I enjoy a spritz or two of Dior Hypnotic Poison. Oh, and CJScents Vanilla Autumn Nights, an oil w/vanilla and frankincense, is what I’ve been enjoying lately as the weather turns cool at night. September 22, 2012 at 4:43pm Reply

    • Victoria: Jotting down some more new scents to try. Is there anything else from Les Nereides worth sampling? I found a store here in Brussels and they seem to carry the whole range. I might have to check it out one day. September 22, 2012 at 4:47pm Reply

  • Poodle: I often use bedtime to wear things that don’t last on me. There are far too many scents that are gone in less than 2 hours on me so I feel like once I fall asleep I’m not missing anything. If I’ve had a bad day I might wear one of my comfort scents to end the day on a happy note. Habanita is a good one for that. September 22, 2012 at 4:47pm Reply

    • Victoria: I love your idea of creating a perfect scented finish to a day, especially if it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Another way I do it is by reading a passage from a favorite book or watching just a short scene from a favorite movie (Dear Diary/Caro Diario is one of my favorite “erase the stress” movies). September 22, 2012 at 4:53pm Reply

      • maja: I LOVE Caro Diario, too! 🙂 September 23, 2012 at 4:26am Reply

        • Victoria: I’ve watched that movie I don’t know how many times! I remember the dialogue/monologue by heart. 🙂 September 23, 2012 at 4:12pm Reply

          • maja: Chapter III (Doctors) is both hilarious and utterly thought provoking. Have you watched Moretti’s Bianca? There is a scene involving insomnia and Nutella that is just perfect 🙂 September 24, 2012 at 5:48am Reply

            • Victoria: I remember that scene! 🙂
              In Caro Diario, I also love their island hopping. I will never think of Stromboli the same way. September 24, 2012 at 9:28am Reply

  • Patt: Nothing too scented for bed, perhaps a dry oil such as Premier Figueur, or a mini spritz of VC&A Gardenia Petale. September 22, 2012 at 5:44pm Reply

    • Victoria: Premier Figuier dry oil is excellent. I prefer it to the perfume, and I can see, Patt, why you would enjoy it in the evening. It’s light, but gentle and enveloping. September 23, 2012 at 9:11am Reply

  • Rowanhill: Matanzas Creek lavender spray for the pillows, Jo Malone Ginger and Nutmeg for me 🙂 September 22, 2012 at 6:41pm Reply

    • Victoria: I’m not familiar with Matanzas Creek, so that’s something new to try it.

      By the way, I found argan oil at the bio store called Saga (near Parc du Cinquantenaire). September 23, 2012 at 9:12am Reply

  • annemariec: My 10 y.o. daughter loves lavender linen spray before bed. What started out as a casual ‘let’s try this’ has turned into an unshakeable bed time ritual (among other rituals, such as the heating of her hot water bottle and the mini hot water bottle for her toy koala … ). Even her koala gets a little spritz of lavender in her (Koala’s) little sleeping bag.

    What is interesting is that we have set up a scent memory for my daughter, perhaps for life: the scent of lavender will remind her of her childhood and of me. It’s funny to see a future memory becoming established. September 22, 2012 at 6:43pm Reply

    • solanace: Oh, that’s really cute! It is so nice to think how lavender will bring back to her all these memories of a happy childhood! I’ll ‘try this’, hope the habit sticks here as well… September 23, 2012 at 7:32am Reply

      • annemariec: Good luck! Nothing is more evocative than the scents of childhood. September 23, 2012 at 7:53am Reply

    • Victoria: That’s so cute! I can just imagine how sweetly she tucks her koala into bed, along with its mini hot water bottle.

      These early scent memories are among the strongest, and I’m sure she will always associate lavender with her childhood. There is something so beautiful about this idea. September 23, 2012 at 9:20am Reply

  • CM: I’m a big fan of light clean scents for bedtime. A new favorite is arquiste infanta en flora with its big hit of orange flower water and flowers. It’s clean and dirty at the same time. Along the same line is L’Artisan lete en douce.

    My other favorites for bed time include soft musks like SL Louve, or a combo of mimosa pour moi over dzing.

    Finally, for coziness, I turn to heliotrope scents. Yum! September 22, 2012 at 8:16pm Reply

    • Victoria: You’ve reminded me that I haven’t worn Infanta en Flor in a while, so I found my decant last night and wore it to bed. Perfect! 🙂 September 23, 2012 at 4:04pm Reply

  • Lynne Marie: Lovely idea for a post! Lately I’ve been wearing just a tiny dab of Tonka Imperiale on my wrists at bedtime. On me, it never really gets too tobacco-y and the vanilla dominates – I love vanilla at bedtime! It’s rich, sensual and very comforting all at the same time. September 22, 2012 at 9:09pm Reply

    • Victoria: That’s why I love it too. A bit of comforting sweetness is always a good thing to wind down. September 23, 2012 at 4:04pm Reply

  • Furriner: The only scent I feel comfortable wearing to bed, and then only in the winter, for some reason, is Annick Goutal Mandragore. September 22, 2012 at 10:17pm Reply

    • Victoria: The story behind Mandragore is so dark and brooding, but the perfume is anything but. Still, I like it very much, and I can imagine how it would be a nice, relaxing perfume. September 23, 2012 at 4:05pm Reply

  • Wesley Hall Parker: Great post! I wear L’eau d’hiver when I need comforting, and Lyric when I’m feeling a little more decadent (but still, I find Lyric very comforting – even if big). Love hearing what everyone else wears 🙂

    In the US – what’s the best source for classic orange flower water and lavender water? Have been wondering. I have an ancient (and PERFECT bottle if Crabtree & Evelyn Orange Flower Water from my 80s girlhood that I am still hoarding – silliness must stop! Need another source!) September 23, 2012 at 12:04am Reply

    • Victoria: If you click on the orange blossom tag, there are some links and suggestions. Generally, look for it in Whole Foods. If you are in NYC or if you can find Mymoune brand, go for it. It’s excellent. September 23, 2012 at 4:07pm Reply

  • Eric: That’s so funny! Tonight I was looking into my cabinet before bed and sprayed on some of my vintage Shalimar parfum. Sure, I could save it for a date or fancy outing (I haven’t much left) but right now, I smell awesome. 🙂

    Usually, though, I wear things I generally wouldn’t in public. SJP’s Covet, for example. September 23, 2012 at 3:43am Reply

    • Victoria: Good idea, I think! I’m also occasionally tempted to wear some of my rare vintages in the evening, especially when it’s an evening I spend reading and just relaxing. Then I can enjoy my perfume and observe its transformations without being distracted by anything else. September 23, 2012 at 4:10pm Reply

  • Ferris@DKchocoMan: I wear Le Mâle by Jean Paul Gaultier at night before retiring to bed. The lavender in it is very calming and puts me right to sleep. It is my sleep potion when I have trouble sleeping.LOL It works every time without fail. September 23, 2012 at 4:22am Reply

    • Victoria: You know, I was just talking about scents that help us sleep with a friend, and he mentioned Le Male as well. September 23, 2012 at 4:11pm Reply

  • Meg: I like a small amount of orange blossom water (Sanborns or Murray & Lanman Flor de Naranja) plus the scent of the pure coconut oil I use for my skin. The combination is extremely relaxing. If I’m having one of my frequent bouts of insomnia, a touch of Sleep by Essence of Vali (lavendar + wild thyme) on my pillow helps immensely. September 23, 2012 at 10:55am Reply

    • Victoria: Meg, the combination of coconut oil and orange blossom water was fantastic! I’ve tried it tonight and loved it. I usually use a combo of rosewater and coconut oil, but I will definitely be alternating with orange blossom water from now on. Thank you very much. September 23, 2012 at 4:14pm Reply

  • Sandra Levine: Musk Ravageur (the oil was wonderful, but ha been discontinued) or lavender-vanilla lotion. September 23, 2012 at 11:22am Reply

    • Victoria: I had a small sample of the oil, and I thought that it was amazing. Too bad it’s gone now. September 23, 2012 at 4:15pm Reply

  • D: I don’t think Marilyn Monroe claimed to wear Channel No. 5. to bed because it was “soothing.” September 23, 2012 at 5:43pm Reply

    • Victoria: Well, no, she certainly did not. September 23, 2012 at 6:01pm Reply

  • ShelleySmells: Anything with Jasmine seems to relax and lull me to sleep…SL A La Nuit is a favorite. September 23, 2012 at 6:29pm Reply

    • Victoria: Jasmine does have that effect, doesn’t it! I now miss my Red Flower jasmine candle, which I can’t find here. September 24, 2012 at 9:24am Reply

  • The Scented Hound: My sleep comfort perfume is Parfum d’Empire’s Eau Suave. It’s floral and feminine and makes me sleep like a baby! September 23, 2012 at 6:55pm Reply

    • Victoria: The name alone sounds relaxing! I also enjoy Eau Suave very much. September 24, 2012 at 9:25am Reply

  • Elena: I rarely use perfume before bed because I usually have just finished with my skin care. My evening face cream (Olay, not too fancy!) is fairly strongly scented, and I’ve been using it for quite a while so now that scent signals the end of the day and bedtime for me. It does feel so good to have a quiet, sweet smelling ritual to put yourself to bed, whether perfume or something else. Vanilla or amber always works too! September 23, 2012 at 9:06pm Reply

    • Victoria: Olay makes excellent skincare. I’m now using Professional Solutions products, but before I used Olay cleanser and I liked it. September 24, 2012 at 9:25am Reply

  • Lauren B: Right now, I’m wearing the always-affordable Tea Rose for bedtime. It’s the only way I’ll go through that huge 4oz bottle

    Also, I’ve enjoyed drifting off wearing Ineke’s Hothouse Flower, (though it smells so good, I want to wear it ALL the time!) September 23, 2012 at 11:43pm Reply

  • smellslikeroses: My favorite evening perfume is L’Artisan La Chasse aux papillons, light, pretty, calming. September 24, 2012 at 8:28am Reply

    • Patt: That comes in a dry oil version as well. I highly recommend applying a dry oil after a shower and just before bed. It emits a light scent throughout the night 🙂 September 24, 2012 at 9:22am Reply

  • Joey R.: My wife and a drop of Olivia Giacobetti’s Eau Blanche between us, the perfect white linen symphony September 24, 2012 at 12:54pm Reply

  • Lynn Morgan: A nice lavander scent helps me fall asleep, so spraying a little on my pillow (from the vitamin store, sorry) and/or arouind the room is very soothing and comforting.

    I wear to bed whatever I am into wearing that day- lately, it’s been Loree Rodkin’s Goth III which she just introduced me to and I adore- it’s a gorgeous gardenia. I don’t have much of a social life but if I did, I think I’d wear Lutens A la Nuit for seduction purposes, although, a very cute guy I know (no names, please!) seems to like Must de Cartier. Vanilla is such a sexy fragrance. September 24, 2012 at 5:28pm Reply

  • Silvana: When something upsetting has happened at work (which is frequent these days, given our crazy administration) I wear my vintage Tabu to bed. It’s a strong warm hug, and makes me feel invincible. It’s not suitable for those times when I’m just tired. Then I spray on my vintage Emeraude or Crepe de Chine. I love both those scents so much that they make me breathe deeply, which is incredibly restful.

    I once found a wonderful bottle of Koelnisch Juchten, a leather cologne by Farina Gegenuber, which is fantastic when I want to contemplate the day’s events before I drop off. It’s just spicy enough to keep me thinking clearly but not so powerful or long-lasting as to keep me awake. September 24, 2012 at 6:03pm Reply

  • Natasha: I love wearing scent to bed. Just makes bedtime ever so glamorous. The scent I usually wear depends on my mood. I use Mitsouko parfum when I’m going to do some night time reading. I don’t know why but Mitsouko always felt like a thinking perfume to me. Shalimar is reserved for sexy times. 😉 And on those nights when I want to feel like a glamorous old Hollywood star ala Marilyn, I use Annick Goutal’s Mon parfum cheri. September 25, 2012 at 12:44pm Reply

  • Carla: Preparation Parfumee. Or, Giacobetti’s candle Dans l’Atelier de Cezanne. I love the driftwood in the former, cold incense in the latter. Preparation Parfumee is usually still there to greet me in the morning. It’s more tenacious than you would think. September 25, 2012 at 2:26pm Reply

  • Icetea: with no surprise I wear Chanel No.5 to bed. some times No.5 Eau Premiere.I have hard time to use other perfume other than No.5. Some perfume smells nice on blotter, once on my skin i started to feel uneasy…It felt like this is not me! I wanna take a shower! October 5, 2012 at 2:56am Reply

  • Roberta T.: I really like to spritz on Climat by Lancome. I have one bottle left that I purchased in Paris serveral years ago. It seems to work for me! November 5, 2012 at 4:41pm Reply

  • Nati: No 5, Hypnotic Poison and Roses by Chloe October 27, 2014 at 8:18pm Reply

  • Vetiver: I love wearing perfume to bed and have done for many years… whatever I had on hand. My first roommate in CA after I moved here from England was horrified that I did this with my Nahema by Guerlain. She was a notorious cheapskate. Her position was, it was utterly wasted since nobody else could smell it. She was also the person who bought 1 bottle of perfume and kept it unused for 20 years because she was too scared to “waste” it….consequently it was never worn. Coming from Europe I was shocked by the puritanical attitudes I encountered in the US. February 25, 2018 at 12:42pm Reply

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Latest Comments

  • Aire in Recommend Me a Perfume March 2024: Aria is a mature, nice fruity chypre. Fiori is a gentle, soapy tuberose – old fashioned. I have it in parfum, edt, and edp. March 27, 2024 at 3:34pm

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