Bitter and Fresh : Citrus Colognes for Winter

In my new FT column, Sublime Citrus Scents, I talk of Napoleon, bitter oranges and an iconic fragrance family, colognes. Contrary to usual recommendations, I prefer colognes in the winter, and it’s not simply because I don’t believe that scents are seasonal. The freshness of colognes is uplifting on dark winter mornings.  The zesty aromas linger in the cool air and I start noticing new facets even in my summery staples. Finally, while I enjoy winter, even in its grey and rainy Belgian variant, cologne can bring a beguiling reminder of spring.

“Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have used litres of cologne, even when on his military campaigns. While my ambitions don’t reach as far as world domination, fragrances suffused with citrus nevertheless feature prominently in my perfume wardrobe. Few aromas are more uplifting and rejuvenating, and their versatility makes colognes an easy fragrance type to adapt to various moods and occasions. To continue, please click here.”

Please let me know what citrus fragrances you prefer and whether you have favorite winter colognes.

Image via FT

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100 Comments

  • solanace: Lovely read, as your articles always are. I agree, colognes are woderful year round. Perfect for perfuming the kids, too. My favorite are Eau d’Orange Verte, Eau de Pamplemousse Rose and Guerlain Impériale (the only Guerlain cologne I tried, must fix that, but they are not sold in my country, sigh…) The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit is nice, not as nice as the Hermès, but totally pleasant, and a it’s a steal. February 8, 2017 at 7:31am Reply

    • Victoria: Guerlain Cologne Impériale is one of their best, and it’s the one I gravitate to again and again. The rest are very good, but I don’t know if I’d pick them over Eau d’Orange Verte or Eau de Pamplemousse Rose.

      I love Pink Grapefruit shower gel. February 8, 2017 at 8:33am Reply

      • zephyr: Love Impériale! I have a bit, and my almost-seventeen-year-old son has been poaching it! February 9, 2017 at 12:36am Reply

        • Victoria: He has great taste, like his mom! February 9, 2017 at 10:20am Reply

  • Cornelia Blimber: Lovely article as always!
    I like colognes in the winter. Favourites are Eau du Coq,
    Eau de Cologne Impériale
    Eau de Rochas
    ô de Lancôme
    Déclaration (often combined with Féminité du Bois)
    Eau de Cartier
    Eau de Mûre (MPG, discontinued I fear)
    Gin Fizz
    I liked very much Fahrenheit 32, can’t find it anymore. February 8, 2017 at 7:57am Reply

    • Victoria: What a great list! Eau de Rochas is excellent and somewhat underrated. February 8, 2017 at 8:34am Reply

  • limegreen: Thank you for the great read!
    Funny that you wrote about this as I have been wearing Neroli Dore a lot and it really blooms and feels uplifting. February 8, 2017 at 9:06am Reply

    • limegreen: P.S. So interesting about Fleurs de Citronnier, I always thought it smelled like lemon tree with blossoms February 8, 2017 at 9:11am Reply

      • Victoria: I think that it’s one of the most underrated perfumes in Lutens’s collection. February 9, 2017 at 10:08am Reply

    • Victoria: Neroli Dore is one of my top favorites! February 9, 2017 at 10:07am Reply

  • Karen A: Wonderful article! Sometimes just reading the words is uplifting! This is one area lacking in my perfume wardrobe, must remedy that! (And honestly, uplifting words and fragrances are greatly needed right now) February 8, 2017 at 9:57am Reply

    • Victoria: Oh, I’m so glad to hear it! Colognes definitely give an instant boost. February 9, 2017 at 10:08am Reply

  • Phyllis Iervello: I have all of the citrus scents you mention and I always have worn them in all seasons.
    (I must be into citrus more than I realized.) February 8, 2017 at 10:17am Reply

    • Victoria: You really are! 🙂 February 9, 2017 at 10:09am Reply

  • Rebecca Colavin: Oh, I highly recommend Dior’s Escale a Portofino. I get so many compliments from both men and women and I have to keep re-buying it because my 25 year old son hijacks my bottle. Very reminiscent of O de Lancome but a little more complex. February 8, 2017 at 10:20am Reply

    • Victoria: Thank you very much for reminding me of it. Dior had other colognes, but Escale a Portofino is excellent. February 9, 2017 at 10:10am Reply

  • briony: I really love Orange Sanguine too – it’s such a happy fragrance. This morning I went for Fils de Dieu – another happy cologne-type perfume I often wear in winter along with Annick Goutal’s Eau du Sud. Another refreshing type scent I can’t get enough of lately is Miller Harris’s Fleurs de Sel. I wish I’d got a big bottle now as they’ve annoyingly discontinued it. February 8, 2017 at 10:36am Reply

    • SilverMoon: Briony, where did you hear about the MH Fleur de Sel being discontinued? Gosh, I wish I had bought the bigger bottle too. Do you know if it’s still possible to find it? February 8, 2017 at 12:44pm Reply

      • briony: Yes the Miller Harris store told me it was a limited edition and they’d run out. I think it’s still available online and I’ve seen it occasionally in TK Maxx. Shame I didn’t think to stock up then! February 8, 2017 at 12:47pm Reply

    • Victoria: I don’t understand why they would discontinue it, since so many people like it. February 9, 2017 at 10:10am Reply

  • Liliane: Today when I read this article, it was a wonderful up date moment for me so good of and embracing moment to read It .
    One off the best from this New year!. I have so many parfums but I gonna look after a citrus parfum.
    Soo good….
    It’s for a Long time so cold and grey so we are so needy from up- lifting parfums .
    Thank you for your articcle! February 8, 2017 at 10:40am Reply

    • Victoria: My pleasure! Colognes do uplift our grey winter days. February 9, 2017 at 10:11am Reply

  • Austenfan: I adore colognes even though I wear them a lot more in summer than in winter. If I had to pick just one, it would probably be Eau de Guerlain, but there are many excellent ones, and Eau d’Eté is a marvel!
    Lovely post. February 8, 2017 at 11:21am Reply

    • Victoria: Eau d’Eté is a marvel year round. Nicolai’s Cologne Sologne is also very good. February 9, 2017 at 10:12am Reply

      • Austenfan: Sologne is just irresistible. I’m so glad I stocked up on perfume when I did. I even managed to get a bottle of Cologne Haute Provence which is a very pleasant lavender cologne in true Nicolaï style.

        I’ve been meaning to ask you whether you like Eau de Guerlain as well? February 9, 2017 at 10:24am Reply

        • Victoria: Very much! I’ve been wearing less of it recently, but only because I went through a big bottle not long ago. I need to restock beyond my small sample that I keep among my “gold standard” colognes. Actually, in my classes when I want to show a well-crafted cologne, I either pick something from Guerlain or Hermes. February 9, 2017 at 10:29am Reply

          • Victoria: Or another beauty, Cologne de Chanel. February 9, 2017 at 10:29am Reply

            • Austenfan: Have you ever tried the Institut Très Bien colognes? February 9, 2017 at 10:51am Reply

              • Victoria: Oh, those were little marvels! I’m still disappointed that they were discontinued. February 9, 2017 at 12:47pm Reply

                • Austenfan: I think they are back in production. Jovoy lists them on their site. February 9, 2017 at 2:40pm Reply

                  • Lydia: LuckyScent does too.
                    They’re on my samples wishlist. February 10, 2017 at 4:58pm Reply

                    • Austenfan: I knew I had seen them somewhere else as well. Thanks for chiming in. February 10, 2017 at 6:37pm

                  • Victoria: Reformulated, though, from what I hear. February 12, 2017 at 2:50am Reply

                    • Austenfan: Yes, I was afraid that might be the case. No great surprise considering they are colognes and probably contained materials that are now more restricted. I wonder when they will start restricting the peeling of oranges and lemons 😉 February 12, 2017 at 4:58am

                    • Victoria: The way things are going, soon. Makes you think of some Huxleyian universe. February 13, 2017 at 1:40am

                    • Lydia: I’m really sorry to hear that. I never even got to try the line. I had heard it was really nice and had it on my samples wishlist.

                      Our perfume reality now seems to be:
                      “Hey, wonderful perfume! (Blink.) Oops, it’s gone.”

                      (I’ll probably go ahead and order a sample of the Cologne à la Française just in case. If I’m not impressed at least now I’ll understand why.) February 13, 2017 at 11:24pm

                    • Austenfan: Even Monty Python seems more rational than most other things.
                      Enjoying Rien today. You and Denise inspired me to hunt this out, and what a success it has been. I adore it. February 14, 2017 at 12:33pm

  • SilverMoon: What a refreshing article (in more ways than one). It sort of made me feel ready for spring. I have and really love using Zagara on hot summer days, but the other SMN cologne that I find lovely all year round is Melegrano. I also like Arancia de Capri, but find the AdP Colonia Intense more enjoyable. And one of my favourite notes is orange blossom (especially fond of J Malone OB).

    I would never have thought to mix Declaration with FdB as Cornelia suggests above. What a great idea – will try it out. February 8, 2017 at 12:42pm Reply

    • Cornelia Blimber: Hi SilverMoon!
      I agree on Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa! One of my favourites and always in my collection. Bitter, leathery. Intriguing.
      Did you try Acqua di Parma Colonia Club? I tried it briefly and I think I will like it!

      I don’t mix, I apply Déclaration on one wrist and Féminité on the other. Both have that pleasant smell of shaved pencils! And go well together. February 8, 2017 at 3:38pm Reply

      • SilverMoon: Ah, I see that this would work very well (and better than mixing). That way each time you move your arms/wrists about, you catch a whiff of each in different proportions.

        I admit I have never planned this like you, but it happens inadvertently when I go out perfume testing. I will often end up with two perfumes being skin tested with one on each wrist. February 8, 2017 at 5:29pm Reply

      • Victoria: I also like this idea of wearing the two perfumes. February 9, 2017 at 10:17am Reply

    • Victoria: SMN also makes great soap scented with orange blossom. February 9, 2017 at 10:13am Reply

      • SilverMoon: Hello Victoria! thanks for the soap suggestions. I’m thinking of the R&G in your article as well as this one. Currently using the R&G Carnation soap.

        Long before the perfume interest came my love for beautiful scented soaps. Certainly they were more affordable for a student. I have tried many different ones over the years. From R&G to Crabtree &Evelyne to Nesti Dante to L’Occitane to SMN and many more. Nothing beats a beautiful smelling soap under a hot shower in the morning. Wakes me up, cheers me up! February 9, 2017 at 5:04pm Reply

        • Victoria: R&G is my favorite out of all that you’ve mentioned. The quality is excellent, and the scents are beautifully crafted. Even a bar of soap can be a special thing. February 12, 2017 at 2:52am Reply

  • Tiffanie: I enjoyed the wonderful FT article very much plus the comments here are always fascinating to read. Colognes are among my most often worn and most favorite fragrances.

    Today I spritzed on Guerlain Cologne du 68. Its wonderful orange top note reminds me of Orange Sanguine but I like it even better. I also adore Eau de Guerlain. Eau de Pamplemousse Rose has the most perfect pink grapefruit scent (but there is something in the base that I can’t wear). Several of the Couvent des Minimes scents are wonderfully satisfying when I want a citrus boost. I like their Eau des Minimes best in cold weather.

    I am so happy to learn Roger & Gallet Jean-Marie Farina Extra Vieille is available, it seemed to disappear for a time and I see it now for sale with new packaging. Great stuff. I loved R&G Lavande Royale, that was my go-to lavender cologne before it was reformulated. I completely agree that Roger & Gallet soaps are wonderful, especially Bois d’Orange. February 8, 2017 at 1:35pm Reply

    • Victoria: Roger & Gallet soaps make such good gifts too, since they’re beautifully packaged and you can find so many different perfumes. I’m addicted to their carnation soap, Oeillet Mignardise, but it’s a shame that it’s so hard to find. February 9, 2017 at 10:15am Reply

      • SilverMoon: Oh, just mentioned that in my comment above. Yes, the carnation one is really hard to find. Mine is the last one from the stash I bought last year when I went to Paris. Not sure if you remember all the excellent Parian perfume shopping tips you gave me. Still remember the trip with great pleasure. 😀 February 9, 2017 at 5:10pm Reply

        • Victoria: I also have one bar left from my recent trip. It’s scenting linens. February 12, 2017 at 2:53am Reply

  • Tiamaria: Lovely article as always Victoria. I’m afraid I’m not familiar with a lot of the fragrances you mention. I do know Orange Sanguine and I am in a minority of people who don’t like it. The first few minutes are lovely, very realistic orange scent, but then on me it becomes something that turns my stomach and I have to scrub it off. I’ve tried it several times as it is so loved by so many but it remains one of the few fragrances that I always have to wash off.
    I don’t tend to wear colognes in the autumn and winter but as the days are getting longer I’m starting to pick them up again. Among my favourites are Atelier Colognes’ Sous le Toit de Paris, Chanel Exclusifs Cologne and Jo Malones’ Blackberry and Bay. February 8, 2017 at 2:33pm Reply

    • Victoria: I heard the same comments about Orange Sanguine from other people, so you’re not alone. It also seems to turn metallic on some people.

      Jo Malone’s Blackberry and Bay is another favorite. February 9, 2017 at 10:16am Reply

    • OnWingsofSaffron: I fully agree: the first moments are overwhelming – pure delight. But then, all too soon, it veers into mosquito repelent territory which I find hugely dissapointing (and a bit expensive!). Is there any repeat button as the first few moments are truely sublime? February 9, 2017 at 12:48pm Reply

      • Victoria: Acqua di Parma Arancia is another great orange cologne. Have you tried it? February 12, 2017 at 2:47am Reply

        • Cornelia Blimber: Maybe Eau de Fleurs de Cedrat is a good cologne for orange lovers. February 12, 2017 at 9:52am Reply

          • Victoria: A good option. I think when people want an orange cologne, they’re searching for something that really smells of freshly peeled oranges, and Guerlain is too abstract. Although still wonderful. February 13, 2017 at 1:42am Reply

  • Neva: Funny, I’m using colognes only in warm/hot weather. Never felt the need to apply a cologne in winter…until now! I think I’ll go to sleep tonight in a citrus cloud. I’m a fan of Patricia de Nicolai and I love her Eau Mixte with its slight bitterness. Other colognes I have bought more than once are Acqua di Parma’s Colonia Essenza and Atelier Cologne’s Pomelo Paradis. February 8, 2017 at 4:41pm Reply

    • Victoria: Atelier Cologne certainly cornered the market with their clever cologne interpretations. I also like Grand Neroli from them. February 9, 2017 at 10:18am Reply

  • Patricia: Oh, you are speaking my language! My favorite citrus colognes are:

    06130 Yuzu Rouge
    Acqua di Parma Colonia
    Annick Goutal Eau d’Hadrien
    Guerlain Eau de Guerlain and Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune
    Nicolai Eau d’Eté
    Eau de Rochas February 8, 2017 at 5:42pm Reply

    • Victoria: What a terrific list, Pat! February 9, 2017 at 10:19am Reply

  • Aurora: What an uplifting lighthearted article, wonderful. I wear Eau de Rochas in the summer – modern and vintage – both very good with the vintage being more mineral in the drydown and I have a newly acquired vintage Dior Eau Fraiche. I was planning to wait until summer to open it (it is sealed in its ribbed/woven box) but you inspire me to consider wearing it sooner. February 8, 2017 at 5:43pm Reply

    • Victoria: Oh, that Dior will be such a treat. I also wouldn’t be able to wait till the summer to wear it. February 9, 2017 at 10:19am Reply

  • Labro: Mugler Cologne or Tom Ford Neroli? The first is light as soap and too expensive for just this, and the other one lasts on you for days getting better and better but also expensive. Here in Greece you can buy local labels or fine citrus cologne in pharmacies and lthen keep looking in the parfumeries for something closer to your ..dreams!! February 9, 2017 at 2:36am Reply

    • Victoria: What are some local Greek cologne brands? I’m now very curious. February 9, 2017 at 10:20am Reply

  • Inma: Hello! I’ve never really enjoyed the citrus colognes. Although these days I am wearing, and enjoying a lot, Annick Goutal Eau d’Hadrien. It goes very well with the cool days, it doesn´t want to fight against the freshness, so to speak. And I can get more details in it. During the summer it is so extremely hot here in Seville that I can only smell de citrus notes in it.

    Azahar, orange blossoms, will be “out” in one month or so here. I prefer perfumes, soaps and everything around this, of things that I haven´t had such a direct experience. Until know I keep comparig which is not the point at all, of course.

    Willing to try Acqua di Parma Colonia and Guerlain Imperiale.

    Thank you, as always, for your article! February 9, 2017 at 8:15am Reply

    • Victoria: Thank you, Inma. How wonderful it would be to be in a place where oranges bloom…

      By the way, can you find in Seville jam made with orange blossom petals? February 9, 2017 at 10:26am Reply

      • Inma: Hello!

        You can´t usually find it. The truth is that I´ve never tried it.

        I am sure it is sold in “gourmet shops”. Now you have asked I am curious and I would like to try it, so thank you!

        If you want you I can let you know about my exploration.

        Have a nive weekend!! February 10, 2017 at 6:20am Reply

        • SilverMoon: Hello Inma,
          one of my favourite perfumes is Seville a l’Aube. Do you know it? Does it remind you of Seville at Easter time? I believe this was the inspiration behind the perfume and there is even a book about how it came about. Anyway it has made me very curious about visiting Seville. And this year I am finally going to be able to do it. Really looking forward to visiting Seville over the Easter week.
          I shall also now look out for the rose petal jam that Victoria has mentioned. February 11, 2017 at 4:52am Reply

          • Lydia: SilverMoon, I just tried Seville a l’Aube for the first time. (I’ve wanted to ever since reading The Perfume Lover.)

            I have to wear it more before deciding about a bottle (it’s a little heavier on white florals than I usually wear), but I love the idea of it so much. It made me really want to visit Seville, too.

            I never heard of orange petal jam, but I love tea rose petal jam, so I’ll definitely have to seek it out. Floral edibles are wonderful! February 11, 2017 at 12:25pm Reply

          • Inma: Hello SilverMoon!
            I haven´t had the opportunity to try Seville a L’Aube yet, so I can´t tell you, sorry.

            I hope you enjoy your stay here. It is usually an experience. All your senses will probably wake up. And, also, the expression of the religous side of Easter is sooo strong here. Most people love it or hate it. Although, for myself, I like taking it in little doses, then I can enjoy it. I guess it is like wearing an extremely opulent perfume.

            Anyway, you will be able to let me know if the perfume reminded you of your time here, enjoy your stay! February 14, 2017 at 7:23am Reply

        • Victoria: I’d love to hear of your explorations! 🙂 February 12, 2017 at 2:59am Reply

          • Inma: Dear Victoria,

            I´ve had no sucess in finding a jam made with orange blossom – azahar, in spanish – petals.

            I´ve asked in some gourmet shops that have the best brands and they don´t have it. In fact, one of them is going to propose to one of the brands to make it, so they should thank you for the idea!

            It is true we don´t usually eat jam very much. For breakfast, for example, we prefer salty flavours. And we often use olive oil instead of butter, it tastes nicer with salty things.

            Who knows how this jam story will go on! It´s been very nice the research so thank you for asking. February 15, 2017 at 9:03am Reply

            • Victoria: Thank you so much for your update! Now I’m curious, what is the traditional breakfast in your region? I also prefer salty tastes for breakfast. February 15, 2017 at 9:09am Reply

              • Inma: We usually eat toasts with olive oil and add some “chacina”, cold meats.

                I suppose most people would agree that a “mollete” (a type of bread) with extra virgin olive oil and some slices of good “jamón serrano” (dry-cured ham) and, of course, a nive coffee with milk, is our favourite breakfast.

                If you have never tried “jamón serrano” I recommend it to you, it is absolutely delicious.

                I’ve already had my breakfast but I´m feeling hungry again!

                Have a nice weekend! February 17, 2017 at 5:22am Reply

  • Toni: I enjoyed your post, Victoria. At this time of the year, it is very welcome. I recently purchased Atelier Clementine California because I needed something bright and uplifting to face the remaining winter months. I wish it could also help with my outlook against the political climate in the US. Who knows?
    Best, Toni February 9, 2017 at 12:18pm Reply

    • Victoria: I so wish it did, Toni. At the same time, as I’ve discovered three years ago, it is important to have a private space into which you can retreat to recharge, to gather strength. It’s essential, and if a bit of something beautiful helps to keep your spirits up, it’s already good. February 9, 2017 at 12:58pm Reply

  • sunnlitt: Thanks for this wonderful article and everyone’s suggestions.
    Fresh and bright scents are my favorites. I will be trying and re-trying many of the ones that people have mentioned.

    Today, I am wearing Olfactive Studio Flashback. It starts with a burst of rhubarb that wakes me up, it gentles a bit, and ends with a warm soft vetiver.
    It skews masculine, but it is so fresh and comforting, both, at the same times. February 9, 2017 at 12:57pm Reply

    • Victoria: I love Flashback. It’s such a curious blend of fresh, crisp and buttery. February 12, 2017 at 2:48am Reply

  • john: What a great topic. I recall once having an arduous travel schedule involving a 4AM wake up, several buses and a ferry in winter weather… I was away from home, but had an old bottle of Eau Sauvage in my shaving kit, which I rubbed liberally into my limbs to try to stimulate myself into wakefulness, and it was the loveliest form of insulation imaginable…
    Funnily enough I had an almost identical experience once with a sample of Declaration. Both worked wonders, and both seemed to work well massaged into the skin a little (I know we hear about ‘bruised molecules’ from SA’s, but this just seems like the thing to do with these cologne-related fragrances.) February 9, 2017 at 1:20pm Reply

    • Victoria: I remember sampling different grapefruit oils one day when I had a terrible headache (but still had to be at work), and within moments I felt more uplifted. Since then I began to enjoy colognes even more. February 12, 2017 at 2:50am Reply

  • Alexa: Cristalle February 9, 2017 at 1:56pm Reply

  • Labro: I mean Korres known from his cosmetic line with wild rose who has some nice colognes with natural ingredients like the new one BELLFLOWER TANGERINE PINK PEPPER or Avra for women. Also Apivita makes colognes smelling bergamot, lime or orange . There is an old very popular cologne , you find it in every greek house cheap and not very good named MYRTO . TOSKA also not greek , but I remember it in my mother”s house since I was borned.
    I live in western Greece in Ioannina town. Near by there is the most ancient table -oracle with an ancient theater,DODONI sacred place and in the valley there is a small businees making cosmetics inspired from the ancient godesses with a spiritual air, named AGEMA but I have never tried their products.
    Greetings from Greece, Victoria, I remember once you wrote about your grand mother from my country. I read you since a long time and you always make me feel better. Sorry for my mistakes.. February 9, 2017 at 2:52pm Reply

    • Victoria: Thank you very much for this explanation, Labro! I love learning about different countries and their scents. I really hope I can visit and experience it all myself. 🙂 February 12, 2017 at 2:51am Reply

  • Surbhi: I did lot of road trips in India this time. Every time someone will peel an orange, the smell will feel the car and it was such uplifting smell.

    My first perfume.. light blue.. very fresh and uplifting scent. Used up the whole bottle.

    Current go to is eau de magnolia not exactly cologne. I also like creed’s grapefruit perfume..it smells bitter like grapefruit skin. February 9, 2017 at 7:36pm Reply

    • Victoria: I very much like Eau de Magnolia! A blend of chypre and cologne. February 12, 2017 at 2:54am Reply

  • Brett: I absolutely love the cologne style of perfume…Even though its summer here in Australia…Here are my favourites

    Eau Neroli Dore
    Eau de Pamplemousse Rose
    Pampelune
    Mugler Cologne
    Eau de Cologne Impériale
    Biggarade Cologne

    Thanks for a great article Victoria
    Brett – Melbourne , Australia February 9, 2017 at 8:26pm Reply

    • Victoria: I love your list! So inspiring. Thank you for mentioning Pamplelune, another cologne gold standard. February 12, 2017 at 2:56am Reply

  • Jake: Dior Homme Cologne February 10, 2017 at 10:34am Reply

    • Victoria: Another excellent cologne. February 12, 2017 at 3:00am Reply

  • Lydia: What a great idea! I always crave citrus cologne in the summer, but I never thought about using it to cheer up winter days.

    I’ve enjoyed:
    Citrico – Comme des Garcons
    Acqua di Colonia – Lorenzo Villoresi
    Aqua di Sicilia – Santa Maria Novella
    Limone di Sicilia – Profumi di Firenze
    Lime Basil & Mandarin – Jo Malone

    The women in my family always end up using Jean Nate at some point. You can’t get more affordable than that! My mother now combines it with whatever perfume she’s using, and it usually makes a nice combination. It’s surprisingly spicy and subtle for a drugstore scent. February 10, 2017 at 5:27pm Reply

    • Victoria: Jean Nate is an excellent cologne! Some of the drugstore classics are really icons in their own right.

      Love your whole list. February 12, 2017 at 3:08am Reply

  • Lydia: P.S. I got a little insecure about having mentioned Jean Nate in such illustrious company (I imagine Guerlain and Dior looking down their noses at her, eyebrows raised – “Who is this cheap interloper dressed in garish yellow?”) I stole a spritz from my mother’s bottle to remind myself of the scent. It is awfully powdery and sweet for a citrus, although that does fade in time.

    (Interestingly, it acted as a scent palate-cleaner. After a whiff of the Jean Nate, I could suddenly smell all sorts of subtleties – like my natural skin scent behind my daily perfume.) February 10, 2017 at 5:46pm Reply

    • SilverMoon: Hi Lydia,
      I don’t think there is any reason to be insecure about mentioning it. I think most of us would agree that good perfumes come in all shapes and price points – main thing is that the wearer thinks it is beautiful and brings delight to them (and maybe those close by!). I don’t know the one you mention, but all the women in your family can’t be wrong! 😀 February 11, 2017 at 5:01am Reply

      • Lydia: Thanks, SilverMoon.

        I know I’m really talking about nostalgia, rather than great perfumery. I have fond memories of going to the drugstore with my grandmother, hunting for a new bottle of Jean Nate. (Her other favorite was Je Reviens, back before it got reformulated, so it wasn’t all drugstore brands. 🙂 ) February 11, 2017 at 12:10pm Reply

        • Victoria: Je Reviens in its original version was one of the most elegant perfumes. February 15, 2017 at 9:09am Reply

        • Katherine x: Lydia, Our grandmothers were scent sisters. Jean Nate (in copious amount) and Je Reviens (splash form from huge bottles – also in copious quantity) were her main staples. I miss her gorgeous scent. February 26, 2017 at 10:12am Reply

        • Katherine x: Alibi: As I recall it was Jean Nate body splash – not a perfume/cologne per se. February 26, 2017 at 10:14am Reply

  • Sofie: I love colognes! I use them to cool off, calm down when I’m anxious, as a wake up in the morning, as a mosquito repellant. Honestly, if I would take baths I would make them cologne baths… i just opt to douse myself in them.
    I like Ô de Lancôme, Guerlain Imperiale, Hermes Eau d’Orange Vert and Tarocco Orange Eucalypt and Sage from Crabtree and Evelyn. I’ve also bought a big bottle of 4711 to splash liberally when I need an energy fix…
    I’m definitely going to try some of the mentioned suggestions! February 26, 2017 at 7:21am Reply

    • Victoria: Your Crabtree & Evelyn recommendation is so good! February 26, 2017 at 7:45am Reply

      • Sofie: Ha! And in the perfume world an absolute bargain! I am never without it. The body cream is good too for a citrus fix in winter (can’t stand body cream in summer).
        It seems to be a bit of a hidden gem though… even C&E sales people often don’t know of it. Only the brand own store in the CBD carries it now. February 28, 2017 at 6:51am Reply

        • Victoria: Their creams in general are among the best! February 28, 2017 at 9:58am Reply

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  • Hilde in Recommend Me a Perfume March 2024: Hi Aurora. Also many thanks for Your suggestions. The only one I have tried was Donna Karan Gold, but I wasn’t fond of it. But I must definitely try the… March 28, 2024 at 4:37am

  • Hilde in Recommend Me a Perfume March 2024: Thank You Sebastian for your suggestions. I own Lily Ambre myself (I like it), but I don’t know the other ones. I am very curious to try Rinascimento. March 28, 2024 at 4:26am

  • 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

  • Aire in Recommend Me a Perfume March 2024: I know exactly your dilemma. Had a “debate” at a Alexis Hotel perfumery as they sold me a post- reformulation Amouage Woman Gold bottle, but had me sample the pre-reformulation… March 27, 2024 at 3:31pm

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