Since I posted lists of the top 20 fragrances preferred by US and French women (men’s lists will be coming soon as well) I decided to compile a list of Bois de Jasmin reader favorites. You might recall a post I ran a few weeks ago in which I asked readers for their top five favorite fragrances. While blog readers are not at all representative of the general perfume-wearing population, I thought it would be interesting to see what perfumistas prefer. Moreover, many answers were unusual, with selections that inspired me to explore new lines and new fragrances.
So if you have not had a chance to share your top 5 favorites with me either here or on Facebook, please do. I will include your answers when compiling the Bois de Jasmin list of reader favorites.
Image: Chanel Cuir de Russie, one of my top 5 favorites.
115 Comments
Uella: My (current) Top 5 fragrances:
Serge Lutens Feminite du Bois
Serge Lutens Tubereuse Criminelle
Parfum de Nicolai Le Temps d’une Fete
Guerlain Le Muguet 2011
Guerlain Apres l’Ondee
discontinued/vintage top 5:
Shiseido Feminite du Bois
Serge Lutens Fleurs d’Oranger (1995-2005)
Guerlain Apres l’Ondee parfum
Gobin Daude Seve Exquise
Gobin Daude Nuit au Desert April 22, 2011 at 4:56am
Samarkand: I list mine again…
Current Top 5 (not in order)
Le parfum de Thérèse
Cuir de Russie
Féminité du Bois (Shiseido & Lutens)
La Promise (Cartier)
Gold (Amouage)
Vintage and dicontinued :
Mitsouko (edt & extrait)
Vacances (Patou)
Jolie Madame (Balmain)
No 19 (extrait)
La Nuit (Paco Rabanne)
Curious too… April 22, 2011 at 6:09am
Zazie: As Ines said above, I am so curious to see the results! I’ve played in your previous post already, and of course, as today I must be in a different mood, I am complaining with myself about my previous choices… I would tweak my list here and there, but, for the sake of simplicity, I’ll stick to my desert island selection ;)…
The truth is that my top two (Shalimar and vintage Mitsouko, in no particular order) are the only fragrances that suit me whatever the mood, weather, or occasion!
The rest is highly desirable and much appreciated, but somehow replacable… I am wondering why I’ve put chanel n. 5 in my top 5, or how come that love and tears made it to my shortlist… My excuse is that I was having a jasmine craving at the time, while these last couple of weeks I was all about the sinful, joyful comforts of Montale Intense Tiaré and the cushiony oriental fantasy of l’air du desert… Come winter, I’m sure Attrape coeur and some rich sandalwood fragrance would have tossed some of the florals down the pedestal! April 22, 2011 at 6:09am
ines: I’m very interested to see the results. 🙂
I already listed my top 5 so I won’t list them here again. April 22, 2011 at 4:45am
Pklagrange: My top 5:
Serge Lutens Bas de Soie
L’Artisan D’Zing
Amouage Epic
Guerlain Mitsouko
Guerlain Chamade April 22, 2011 at 8:45am
Alexandra: -L’Ombre Dans L’Eau Diptyque
-Heure Exquise Annick Goutal
-Apres l’Ondee Guerlain
-Bois Farine L Artisan Parfumeur
-Eau De Charlotte Annick Goutal
and Petite Cherie (cheeky 😉 April 22, 2011 at 8:58am
Dani: Fun task, and almost impossible. I’m afraid mine are far less niche and a lot more mainstream. Here’s the list, not in order:
Joy
Beyond Paradise
Alien
Ophelia (Heeley) (recent fav)
Fancy Nights (even a celebrity fragrance! another new fav)
I’m trying to shoe-horn Parisienne and Paris too in there too, but just ran out of room… April 22, 2011 at 9:12am
Suzanna: Of my favorites, these are the ones I wear most.
Tubereuse Criminelle
No. 5
Cuir de Russie
Bois des Iles
Gardenia Passion April 22, 2011 at 9:52am
top5: Serge Lutens Chêne
Il Profumo Vanille Bourbon
Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque
Monyette Paris
Serge Lutens: Sarrasins April 22, 2011 at 10:25am
Elaine: Serge Lutens Sarrasins
Guerlain L’Heure Bleue
Chanel Cuir de Russie
L’Artisan Dzing!
Miller Harris L’Air de Rein April 22, 2011 at 10:40am
Hilary: I can’t remember what I put last time. Here’s what I think today:
Bois des Iles
Cuir de Russie
Mitsouko
Shalimar
OJ Frangipani
Surprisingly, the list doesn’t even feel that painful. These five are so great! Four classics, and a kick-ass joyous white floral. April 22, 2011 at 10:52am
Parfumista: Just FIVE, almost impossible to pick them out but I try. Here they are:
Fracas (Piguet) (will always be in top 5!)
Cuir d’Iris (PG)
Epic Woman (Amouage)
Portrait of A Lady (F.Malle)
Rose Oud (By Kilian) April 22, 2011 at 7:09am
scentsignals: wow, just five? as of today, this morning, this moment…
cartier l’heure promise (hour one)
hermes 24 faubourg
frederic malle une fleur de cassie
chanel bois des iles
femme de rochas
i think you’re right… looking at our lists, we are NOT the typical consumers! will be fun to see how this turns out… it promises to be eclectic from what i’m seeing so far!
cheers,
minette April 22, 2011 at 11:36am
scentsignals/minette: it’s funny, but i’m loving pretty much everything on everyone’s list! your readership has excellent taste in fragrance!
cheers,
minette April 22, 2011 at 11:37am
Justine Jones: FM Une Rose
OJ Frangipani
Hermes Osmanthus Yunnan
Diorissomo
Joy April 22, 2011 at 11:43am
Allison: Hi, my top five are…
Apres l’Ondee
L’eau d’hiver
Vicolo Fiori
Or et Noir
Nuit de Noel April 22, 2011 at 12:23pm
Brooke: Andy Tauer L’air du Desert Marocain
Amouage Jubilation XXV
Donna Karan Chaos
Chanel Coromandel
Hermes Bel Ami April 22, 2011 at 12:41pm
CindyN: Ormonde Woman
Songes EDP
10 Corso Como
Sacrebleu or No. 1 (PdN) can’t choose
Traversee du Bosphore April 22, 2011 at 12:43pm
key change: I’m so glad dani posted a mainstream-esque list before me! 🙂
1. The original coach perfume
2. Moonlight path by B and BW (don’t laugh!)
3. Chanel Chance au tender
4. NR Essence
5. Serge Lutins Fleurs de Citronnier.
Ok, bowing out! April 22, 2011 at 12:55pm
Delfina: My top 5 of all times…well, at least of today, is:
Frédéric Malle Le parfum de Thérèse
Chanel Coromandel
Guerlain Attrape-coeur
Frédéric Malle Musc ravageur
Vero Profumo Kiki April 22, 2011 at 2:04pm
MK: I’m really looking forward to the men’s lists! Here are my top 5, keeping in mind that I have so much more to smell.
Amouage Jubilation XXV
Chanel Pour Monsieur
By Kilian Straight to Heaven
Hermès Terre d’Hermès
Chanel Sycomore April 22, 2011 at 2:05pm
Victoria: The results are so interesting! I will post them next week. April 22, 2011 at 10:10am
Victoria: Felt like wearing Tubereuse Criminelle today, but was running late and could not find my bottle. I really had a craving for it. April 22, 2011 at 10:12am
Victoria: I love these choices, V! I need to revisit Gold. A grand parfum with few rivals. April 22, 2011 at 10:13am
Victoria: I smell No 5 on a friend recently, and it was so perfect, so elegant on her. Some fragrances are like that. For me though, Guerlain feel most like me. Apres L'Ondee, Shalimar, L'Heure Bleue, Samsara, Chamade… April 22, 2011 at 10:16am
Victoria: Five are tough to pick. Now, looking back at my own, I wish I could have added more! 🙂 April 22, 2011 at 10:17am
Victoria: Another vote for Epic! I definitely need to revisit it. April 22, 2011 at 10:17am
spooneb: Kouros
Eau d’Hermes
Vintage Bandit EDT
Oud 27
Bergamotto Marino April 22, 2011 at 10:24am
Tara: Great idea, very interesting and fun too! As others have said these are my top 5 as of right now –
Serge Lutens Sarrasins (nice to see it getting some love here)
Chanel Bois des Iles
Chanel 31 Rue Cambon
Guerlain Shalimar
Comme des Garcons Kyoto April 22, 2011 at 2:51pm
Elise: Bois de Iles
Coromandel
Muscs Khublai Khan
Ormonde Jayne Woman
Amaranthine… April 22, 2011 at 2:57pm
Tamara*J: Une Rose Chypree
OJ Woman
Amaranthine
Montale White Aoud
vtg. Miss Dior parfum
Tom Ford Noir de Noir
Oh my Gaawd that was so hard, bout’ had a conniption fit.
That was mean. 😉
I feel drained just picking 5!!!! LOL April 22, 2011 at 3:11pm
bloody frida: MH L’air de Rien
Shalimar
Diptyque L’ombre dans l’eau
Mitsouko
Creed Fleurs de Bulgarie April 22, 2011 at 11:17am
dee: Fun!I look forward to seeing the results! 🙂 April 22, 2011 at 11:25am
Geordan: 1. Xerjoff Richwood: I would become a fragrance monogomist for this (if forced)
2. Malle Carnal Flower: Pure, glorious, makes me want to dance on an island somewhere
3. Spiriteuse Double Vanille: Sexy, boozy, yum
4. Malle Musc Ravageur: First fragrance that I bought before I got through a sample (not a decant, a sample). Sex-kitten sexy
5. MKK – “wanna get naughty, baby”?
Geordan April 22, 2011 at 3:30pm
Melina: 5! How very difficult!
Right now, those 5 would be:
– Balenciaga Paris
– Narciso Rodriguez For Her EDT
– SJP Covet
– Gucci II (and I, if my may)
– Kenzo Amour Indian Holi
I feel these may sound very commercial, but I adore them. I’m dying to try so many niche perfumes I can’t get in Argentina: Serge, Tom Ford, Etat Libre D’Orange, Comme Des Garcons, Ormond Jayne, Frederic Malle, les Exclusifs de Chanel, etc! Oh well…hopefully “if the mountain won’t come to Muhammad”… 🙂
P.S. love your blog and your Orange Blossom article, which I just read! April 22, 2011 at 3:40pm
axum: Not sure I am a perfumista, but here goes:
1. Chanel No 19
2. EL Private Collection
3. l’Artisan Tea for Two
4. YSL Cinema
5. >Tie<: Bvlgari Rose Essentielle (guilty secret love) + Caron Yatagan (latest weird love) April 22, 2011 at 11:41am
axum: …typepad cut off my no. 5 picks – a tie between Bvlgari Rose essentielle (guilty secret love) + Caron Yatagan (latest weird love). April 22, 2011 at 11:43am
LadyShine: It is so hard to pinpoint 5 top favourites, but these are the scents I currently grab most often (not in any particular order):
Jean Patou Sira Des Indes (daytime, Joy at night… sorry for 2)
Christian Dior Diorissimo
Tova Signature (original, not the new reformulated scent)
Jessica McClintock
Burberry Brit April 22, 2011 at 4:49pm
Moochebo: Hard…
Bois des iles
L’air du desert moroccan
L’air de rien
Heely Cardinal
SL Bais du Soie
Mainly because I have been wearing those a lot lately. April 22, 2011 at 5:08pm
Anne: Oh nice to see Heure Exquise get a mention. Wish I’d put it on my list now. (Bit what would I remove?) April 22, 2011 at 5:42pm
Kit: Current top 5 loves:
L’Artisan Passage d’Enfer
Francis Kurkdjian Lumiere Noire
Serge Lutens Douce Amere
Tauer Eau d’Epices
MDCI La Belle Helene April 22, 2011 at 6:13pm
Kate: I love these polls! My current favourites are:
1. L’air du desert marocain (definitely #1)
2. Dzongkha
3. L’heure bleue
4. Apres l’ondee
5. FM Bois d’orage (like French lover name much better…) April 22, 2011 at 6:17pm
Marion: I tried for the last post…but todays made me remember that my perfume loves are arranged in a sort of pyramid…with Mits at the top, and L H Bl and Criminelle on the next tier…after that there would be a couple of dozen or *more* that are sort of ‘equal’ in their indispensability…
Its torture now to think I might have to choose five! And yet until a few years ago I only had Mits and L H Bl and a few others that I had picked up for whatever reason. April 22, 2011 at 6:23pm
Carter: This is just cruel. And I’m basically lying because I could have easily picked a completely different line-up, but here goes:
Current:
IUNX L’Ether
Carnal Flower
Iris Silver Mist
Bois de Violette
Homage
Vintage:
Apres l’Ondee (extrait)
Bandit (extrait)
Rumeur
Vent Vert
ADP Profumo April 22, 2011 at 6:26pm
Musette: Griefus! Five, huh? Well, I’ll do like others and list contemp and then vintage, ok? Otherwise it’s a skewed list.
Current (contemp) top 5 (not in order)
Cartier Fouguese
Amouage Jube 25
Malle Carnal Flower
Liz Zorn Love Speaks Primeval
LeLabo Iris 39
(mind you – this is the list TODAY, based on what I’ve been wearing/loving on a regular basis for the past year)
Vintage
great gravy! ONLY FIVE?
well…
Mitsouko, of course. My favorite edp and a wonderful edt and a parfum (that’s ONE! LOL!)
Coty Chypre
Roja Dove Diaghilev (not actually vintage but not available anymore)
Rochas Femme
Guerlain Parure
I can’t wait to read the final list!
xo April 22, 2011 at 2:27pm
Nina Z: It is ridiculously painful to pick, but I feel compelled to contribute since I enjoy reading others’ picks so much.
Current:
OJ Woman
OJ Tolu
Chanel Coromandel
Serge Lutens Rahat Loukoum
Parfum Sacre
(really, I wanted to add OJ Champaca and put Parfum Sacre under vintage–that’s what I actually have–but three from OJ seems over the top)
Vintage:
Bellodgia (extrait)
Cabochard
L’Heure Bleue April 22, 2011 at 6:48pm
caro78: Where did my previous post go?
Anyway, my top 5 already changed since last time I posted
Niche:
Carnal Flower
Saks for Her
Child
Havana Vanille
La chasse aux papillons
Mainstream:
Narciso Rodriguez EDT
J´adore pre- reformulation
Rochas Poupee
Light Blue
O de Lancome April 22, 2011 at 7:07pm
caro78: ok, I trade La chasse for Tom Ford Velvet Gardenia 🙂
I will. stop. now. April 22, 2011 at 7:17pm
Lavanya: My favorites:
SL Tubereuse Criminelle
Caron Poivre (might be the older version)
Amouage Epic though I loved Jub XXV too (which has a saltiness that reminds me of Bond no. 9 silver factory which I also love..arghhh- this is too hard)
FM Iris Poudre/SL Un Lys (my ‘pretty’ perfume choices)
Montale Black Oud/ White Oud/Oud Rose petals (They all serve the same ‘olfactory function’ for me- so can’t choose one)
I am tempted to include the JARS even though I’ll probably never buy them- they are soo lovely!! April 22, 2011 at 3:34pm
Aimiliona: At the moment, the list is:
Après l’Ondée
Jicky
Cristalle
Mitsouko
Lolita Lempicka (might as well have one you can get at Marshall’s) April 22, 2011 at 7:41pm
Victoria: I love all of your choices, mainstream, niche–none of it matters, only what makes us feel great is of any value! Amour Indian Holi is my own recent discovery, very beautiful sparkling rose on an oriental base. April 22, 2011 at 3:50pm
Anita: Puredistance 1; Sarrasins; Joy; l’Heure Bleue; Jicky; April 22, 2011 at 10:12pm
Victoria: Dani, non-niche choices are great too! A perfume lover cannot live by niche alone. Plus, I do not know what I would do without Hermes 24, Faubourg, No 5, Prada Infusion d’Iris, Dior J’Adore and Kenzo Flower–all of which can be easily found at Sephora. And they are fantastic! April 22, 2011 at 6:29pm
Lavanya: ooh- sparkling rose on oriental base!- I need to try!! April 22, 2011 at 6:32pm
Victoria: While the original Amour is more unique, Indian Holi is simply lovely. If you like the combination of rose and rhubarb (Rose Ikebana, YSL In Love Again, etc.,) you will enjoy it. April 22, 2011 at 6:38pm
EponyMowse: Etienne Aigner – Black for Women
Tokyo Milk – Let Them Eat Cake
Thierry Mugler – Angel
and that’s it … no fourth or fifth. April 22, 2011 at 7:12pm
Janice: Le Labo Vanille 44
Amouage Lyric Woman
Miller Harris L’Air de Rien
Guerlain Bois d’Armenie
Chanel Bois des Iles April 23, 2011 at 1:06am
k-amber: My favorites (seasonal):
L’Artisan Traversee du Besphore
By Kilian A Taste of Heaven (green!)
Guerlain Tonka Imperiale (a bit sweet for my taste..)
Chanel 31 Rue Cambon
CD Mitzah
I guess I need something greener for this season…
Kaori April 22, 2011 at 9:10pm
Juno: Fracas
l’air du desert marocain
black cashmere
sel de vetiver
lyric woman
Diorella, black tourmaline, Fendi, Nu all make the Top 5 too. It’s an EXPANSIVE five. April 22, 2011 at 9:48pm
Madelyn E: Hi Victoria, What a difficult task ….
Here Goes ~
Vintage :Farouche – Nina Ricci Now: Eau De Circe – Parf. Generale
Miss Dior Chanel No. 22 extrait
Diorissimo Bois Des Iles
Calandre Opium
Norell FM – Musc Ravageur
So hard to choose. Also doesn’t it make you realize how mant of our precious fragrances are no longer ? April 23, 2011 at 1:55am
Natalia: thinking too hard wont help this,
so off the top of my head 5 i cant live without
– AP Passage d’Enfer
– FM Carnal Flower
– Puredictance Antonia
– Frapin l’Humaniste
– Gucci Envy April 23, 2011 at 2:48am
steff: Eau d’Italie – Paestum Rose
Creed – Bois du Portugal
Arabian Oud – Mokhalat Ghoroob
Acqua di Genova – Colonia
Diptyque – Philosykos April 23, 2011 at 3:00am
DianaWR: Top 5, wow:
Guerlain Shamilar
Robert Piguet Fracas
Chanel No. 5 EDT
Bond No. 9 New Haarlem
Annick Goutal Songes
THIS WAS SO HARD! And it could be an entirely different list tomorrow. April 23, 2011 at 2:18am
Sherri: Lady Primrose Tryst
Lady Primrose Royal Extract
Guerlain Iris Ganache
Guerlain Cuir Beluga
Jubilation 25
Vintage:
Balmain Jolie Madame
Balmain Vent Vert
Mitsouko
Miss Balmain
Vol de Nuit April 23, 2011 at 7:17am
hongkongmom: i am going to try to do this!
Vintage Bellodgia extrait
Vintage Shalimar extrait and edt
Vintage L’heure bleue extrait and edp
Vintage no 5
vintage chamade
Champagne de bois
attrape coer
philosykos
fumerie turque(and all serges fro artistic neccesity)
jubilation 25…oh no what about bois de isle, and all my other chanels and guerlains and hermes and… April 23, 2011 at 8:40am
Christine Lee: FM Une Rose
Stella McCartney Stella
Tocca Stella
Feu d’Issy light
Hermes Eau d’mervilles April 23, 2011 at 9:22am
Bora: These type of lists always seem to be agony at first, to limit a choice from hundreds (actually thousands!) into only five. However I rise to the challence and say…
-Fracas (Robert Piguet)
-Iris Silver Mist (Serge Lutens)
-Aromatics Elixir (Clinique)
-Musc Ravageur (Frederic Malles)
-Songes (Annick Goutal) April 23, 2011 at 5:28am
Adrienne Wilson: Perfume to me is one of the garments I put on every day, as I have for the last 42 years!! An oldie but a goodie.! A mainstream list, partly due to geography.
Caron ‘Bellodgia’ bury me in carnations and send me to heaven
Rochas ‘Femme’ like a midnight dance in a Persian market
Dior ‘Diorissimo’ Spring all year round
Thierry Mugler ‘A Men’ a step away from my usual
Lagerfeld ‘Sun, Moon and Stars’ light, but like a Spring morning April 23, 2011 at 9:31am
Nicolibba: Attrape coeur
Parfum de Therese
Bois de paradis
En passant
Alahine April 23, 2011 at 10:38am
Alice C: My list is forever changing, but if I’m pinned down right now…here it is:
Ambre Sultan
24 Faubourg
Lonestar Memories
Alahine (Teo Cabanel)
Chergui April 23, 2011 at 10:41am
london: I can’t remember if I posted my choices before but if not they are:
1. Vol de Nuit
2. Iris Nobile
3. Baghari
4. 31, Rue Cambon
5. Promesse de l’Aube
I had expected some of these, particularly Cambon, to be much more popular. April 23, 2011 at 10:42am
Furriner: Not in any order…..
Zino Davidoff — Davidoff
Eau d’Hermes — Hermes
Muscs Koublai Khan — Serge Lutens
Dzongkha — L’Artisan Parfumeur
Idole — Lubin April 23, 2011 at 7:38am
Mila K: My current top5s are:
Hermes – Un Jardin Sur Le Nil
Shiseido- Feminite du Bois
TDC – Bois d’Iris
Penhaligon’s – Amaranthine
L’Artisan – Traversee du Bosphore April 23, 2011 at 1:06pm
Skilletlicker: Frederic Malle – Lys Mediterranee
L’Artisan – Dzongkha
Bond #9 – Chinatown
Issey Miyake – L’eau D’Issey
L’Artisan – Timbuktu April 23, 2011 at 1:41pm
mary ter heege: bois blond – Parfumerie Generale
extreme figuier – l’artisan Parfumeur
chembur – Byredo
Musc – Mona di orio
hesperia – Sigilli April 23, 2011 at 3:40pm
Ann C: La Belle Helene is one of my new loves. I think DH needs to give this to me for our next anniversary. It’s extravagant, but after all, it’s a 30th anniversary. Of course, to keep him from complete sticker shock, I might have to buy it myself. 🙂 April 23, 2011 at 3:49pm
Vinery: Parfums de Nicolai Sacrebleu
Caron Infini
Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque
Divine L’ eternel feminin
POTL Luctor et Emergo
For discontinued scents Balenciaga Le Dix April 23, 2011 at 6:54pm
Kit: I know! I once told myself with great superiority that I would never spend that much on a perfume. I am now sorely tempted . . . April 23, 2011 at 7:25pm
Megan: Diorissimo
L’Heure Bleue
Pamplelune
Prada- L’infusion d’iris
Shalimar April 23, 2011 at 10:46pm
Thierry: I’m a little bit late… but here’s mine :
Vétiver Extraordinaire (Frédéric Malle)
L’Heure Fougueuse (Cartier) : a “new classic” for me
JIcky (Guerlain)
Mitsouko (Guerlain) of course, I prefer the “vintage” formula
Habit rouge (Guerlain) April 24, 2011 at 3:36am
Arianna: 31,Rue Cambon
Alahine
Carnal Flower
Roja Dove Diaghilev
Shalimar April 24, 2011 at 4:54am
Bulldoggirl: Only five is tough, but here goes:
Balenciaga Michelle
Chanel No. 19
Aqua di Parma Iris Nobile
Parfums de Nicholai No. One
Caron Tabac Blond April 24, 2011 at 10:03am
Anita: Guerlain Shalimar
Chanel Bois des isle
Amouage Lyric
L’artisan Parfumer Traversee du bosphore
Penhaligans Amaranthine April 24, 2011 at 10:25am
Parfymerad: I’m sure I posted on the top-5 list the other week, but can’t find it now – in no particular order
AG Songes
Chanel Coromandel
Chanel Sycomore
Diptyque Philosykos
Cuir de Lancome April 24, 2011 at 10:32am
LS: That’s mine for now …
Guerlain Cruel Gardenia
Montale Full Jasmine
SL Tubereuse Criminelle
Rochas Mystery (old version in parfum)
A.Goutal Songes April 24, 2011 at 6:45pm
Dain: If I’m not too late to play:
1. Mitsouko
2. any great tuberose, as I love its fragrance, and cannot contemplate it intellectually as I might other soliflores: I’m hoarding some Tubereuse Criminelle
3. the original Private Collection, still pristine, still mean green, aggressive aldehydes, and snowy flowers
4. Apres L’Ondee
5. Whatever bottle obsesses me at the moment: it’s so easy to confuse something I love with something I’ll love forever. At the moment, it’s Dior Eau de Cologne Fraiche, the one that’s mandarins on a chypre base, in that beautiful picnic-basket bottle. April 24, 2011 at 10:16pm
Mapelina: This is so difficult, Victoria–what a cruel choice we have to make! Interesting priorities you set–scents that would hold your interest, as well as make you feel wonderful; I think I rather than remain interesting, I would say that they never annoy me or seem wrong. I have many perfumes that hit the spot every now and then and are exactly what I want, but seem wrong the rest of the time. And others that are the reverse, perhaps like one’s best friends–sometimes, you just need a change, something totally different and perhaps not really “you” to experience, like an outfit/look that works every few months, but is dynamite when it does. I don’t have the answer, but it’s a great challenge! (And I loved the Orange Blossom article–have to try the Hermes again.)
Dyptique Olene
A la Nuit
Tubereuse Criminelle/PG Tubereuse Couture (#17)/Fracas/Beyond Love (I’m cheating a bit here, but I love my tuberose)
FM Musc Ravageur
Bond No. 9, Nuits de Noho (Chergui? Back to Black?)
And fighting to get on are the happy scents: La Chasse aux Papillons; Trish McEvoy #4 Gardenia Sexy; Lipstick Rose, Love (By Killian); Hermes Eau d’Orange Verte.
And now there are so many more on my to-try list, from all the great lists above! April 25, 2011 at 2:53am
Mapelina: This comment got a bit mangled, as I am an electronic moron, but the idea was that sometimes I need to smell scents that are not really me, but that are so compelling, which I prefer to wear at home (or out walking my dog, so I smell them in fresh air), but they do not represent me as the list above does. The top five-ish just sort of mix with my skin and feel wonderful and natural, albeit in different ways.
This was a great idea–makes one think, and as you say, one could easily swap lists or make up new ones right away–just what the college admissions people say they could do with all the fabulous applicants! April 25, 2011 at 3:09am
sara: I will be very curious to see the poll’s results! Here are my top 5 (for today anyway)
Chergui, Mitsouko, L’Heure Bleue, Cuir de Russie, Shalimar April 25, 2011 at 7:32am
Isa: This is really difficult!
My current favorites without special order are:
– Lancôme Miracle (I own several bottles of it)
– Diptyque Tam Dao (I own full bottle of it)
– Lorenzo Villoresi Teint de Neige (I don’t own it, but I wear its twin brother L’Erbolario Iris)
– By Kilian Back to Black (It’s on my “to buy list”. I only have a vial).
– État libre d’Orange Nombril Immense (I own a full bottle).
I’m looking forward to knowing the results of the poll 🙂 April 25, 2011 at 8:08am
Denise: I have trouble picking a Top Ten, so a Top Five was even harder. Here goes (though this is the list today; it could easily change by tomorrow!):
Chanel Coromandel
Tauer L’air du Desert Marocain
PdE Ambre Russe
Rochas Femme
PdN Le Temps d’une Fete April 25, 2011 at 11:59am
Fernando: Hmmm. Really, only five?
Ambre Sultan
Sycomore
L’Air du Desert Marrocain
Black Aoud
Derby
Not that any of them has much chance of competing against all the women’s perfumes… April 25, 2011 at 11:59am
Carla: Right now, I would say my top five are: Sarrasins, Knize Ten, Jubilation 25, Bois de Violette and, for a fun cheap one that I’ve always loved, Loulou. Or maybe I should be serious and say Mitsouko instead of Loulou. April 25, 2011 at 1:06pm
karin: My current top 5:
Attrape Coeur
Angel
Dzing!
Eau de Sisley 3
Love and Tears April 25, 2011 at 4:47pm
jirish: My top five (at the moment) include:
Lutens’ Chergui, Tauer’s Incense Rose, Miller & Bertaux’ Green, green, green & green, Sonoma Scent Studio’s Fireside Intense, and Parfum d’Empire’s Cuir Ottoman. April 25, 2011 at 4:56pm
CC: Thank you for conducting this poll – I’m really looking forward to the results! Is a consensus possible among the online crowd?
My top 5:
Chanel Sycomore
L’Artisan Parfumeur Tea for Two
Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur
Diptyque Tam Dao
Guerlain Mitsouko April 25, 2011 at 7:13pm
Lynn Morgan: Only Five! LOL! I am endlessly fascinated to read what hardcore perfume connoisseurs love, as opposed to the mass market; we really are a breed apart.
My fave five (at the moment) and not in any particular order:
Serge Lutens’ A la Nuit
Frederic Malle’s Musc Ravageur and Carnal Flower
Jean-Carles Brousseau’s Ombre Rose (which may be my all-time favorite perfume, and it is terribly hard to find)
Annick Goutal’s Heure Exquise
Honorable mentions to Oscar de la Renta (always and forever the scent of young love to me, for better or for worse… mostly worse), Kate Spade (can’t get enough white floral bouquets),Sage’s Moonstone (for my boho moments), Hermes’ 24 Faubourg and Kelly Caleche,the soft nostaligia of L’heure Bleu, the grown-up sexiness of Grand Amour,the dark glamour of Loree Rodkin’s Gothic II, Tom Ford in all his nasty Black orchid glory and Le Labo’s Musc 25, which contains something so naughty I shouldn’t even cop to wearing it. And a special tip of my hat to the original Marcj Jacobs… all those lovely, watery gardenias make me feel like Gigi, and that is a very good thing.
Do you think I might be a little obsessed? Cheers! April 25, 2011 at 7:17pm
Lynn Morgan: Now I am feeling guilty that I left off Tom Ford’s Velvet Gardenia- I want to start a movement to revive it! And show some love to all iris scents like Prada’s Infusion d’Iris and Iris Nobile, and its twin Magnolia Nobile, and has anybody else ever heard of Gem by Van Cleef and Arpels? Hard to find in the US. And I am still searching for a (reasonably priced) bottle of Kif by Lamborghini (vroom, vromm! I wore my very last drops to my ill-fated book launching party and I’d love to get some more!) April 25, 2011 at 7:26pm
Mapelina: Lynn, I feel the same way about Velvet Gardenia–I was so sad when I went to buy a second FB and found it had been discontinued. (Coincidentally, I’m wearing it right now!) The ladies at Bergdorfs generously gave me a mini-bottle from their sample, but I am hoping it will come back! Two of my top fives are also in yours, and I also miss the original MJ–and adored Ombre Rose, but unless you have a different formulation in mind, I think it is easy to find on line. I looked recently, and there were several discounters selling different size bottles at really good prices. Your wonderful description has made me want to try the Labo Musc 25 right away! April 25, 2011 at 10:33pm
novicesniffer: Just wonderful to read everyone’s choices. I’m not well versed in many niche, and definitely (sadly) not vintage. If I had to pick my most beloved from what I know well – and know that I can wear well – I think these might be the top for me:
Jean Patou Joy; La Rose de Rosine; Profumi di Pantelleria Dammuso; Chanel Sycomore; L’Artisan Tea for Two.
Oh, now I want to add VC&A Bois d’Iris, too – the only iris so far that loves me back, and how beautiful it is! April 26, 2011 at 12:27am
bee: whew, this is tough, so here it goes
31, r. Cambon
Bulgari Black
a lily, probably Lys med
a tuberose, maybe beyond love
ormonde jayne woman April 26, 2011 at 7:56am
Adrienne Wilson: My brain hasn’t stopped trying to sort our my faves. Today they are: Jacomo — ‘Silences’
Kenzo — ‘Jungle le Tigre’
Kenzo — Parfumd^ete
Chanel — ‘No5’
Chanel — ‘Coco’ April 26, 2011 at 10:12am
sisty: Chanel No. 19
Chanel No. 22
Lutens Miel de Bois
Dior Diorella
YSL Opium April 26, 2011 at 1:53pm
Erin T: And you picked six! Imagine how draining 5 would be – LOL 😉 April 27, 2011 at 10:49am
Erin T: Blurg! This is tough – but thanks, and hope it won’t be too much trouble for you to tabulate. (Ask Patty and the ones who handled it at MUA – not easy, I think.) It’ll be interesting, anyway. I’m going to cut out all the vintages – Bye, Femme Rochas and Patou Moment Supreme! You are already missed – and do the list quickly, like a bandaid, so it doesn’t hurt too much.
1. Chanel 31 Rue Cambon
2. Guerlain Apres L’Ondee (wish there was still parfum – so almost put on either Jicky or l’Heure Bleue instead)
3. Parfums de Nicolai Odalisque (or PdN Pour Homme? Help!)
4. Hermessence Osmanthe Yunnan
5. Caron Pour Un Homme (need a lavender on there – tempted by Eau Noire, but must go classic)
No Ubar? No OJs? Bois des Iles? Christophe Laudamiel creations? I hate desert islands. I wasn’t meant to be a castaway, I guess. 😉 April 27, 2011 at 12:04pm
Flora: Impossible but I will try!
Current:
Serge Lutens Un Lys
Tauer Perfumes L’Air du Desert Marocain
Balmain Jolie Madame, current & vintage versions – ALL versions!
Lelong pour Femme
Frederic Malle Carnal Flower
Vintage/discontinued:
Jean Patou Vacances
Jean Patou Colony
Caron Parfum Sacre original formula
Amouage Ubar original formula
Jean-Louis Scherrer original formula April 27, 2011 at 4:28pm
Henriette Murray: Dominated by the thought of summer, favorites are:
Hermes Vanille Galante (this one is an addiction)
Hermes Osmanthe Yunnan
L’Artisan Passage d’Enfer
Carnal Flower by Frederic Malle
Invasion Barbare by Parfums MDCI (steal it from my boyfriend) April 28, 2011 at 7:47am
[email protected]: Top 5? Can’t do it. So the 5 below are in my Top 20 but either I would like to endorse what others have chosen or mention a couple of omissions
Kiki (extrait only)
Bulgari Black
L’Air de Rien/Un Petit Rien (what? Oh come on! the Petit is the same only summer/office friendly)
Fougueuse
Carnal Flower
And I can’t believe I left out Bois des Iles and Jubiliation 25.
Nicola April 28, 2011 at 9:24am
simon: right now:
L´Heure Fougueuse
Diorella
Puredistance M
Geranium pour Monsieur
Sycomore
… and Mitsouko! April 28, 2011 at 11:28am
Myra: I know its a little late but I had to share anyway. Picking is hard but here goes:
In no particular order (they are all favorites :))
Frapin 1697
Guerlain Tonka Imperiale
Guerlain SDV
bK Incense Oud
Annick Goutal Un Matin d’Orage
Can’t wait to see the results V! April 30, 2011 at 9:47pm
LuxuryObsessed: Carnal Flower
Coromandel
Eau Sauvage
Cuir de Russie
Sycomore May 2, 2011 at 10:37pm
Gala: Some great choices here!
Loved reading them, mine:
Ortigia Fico D’India
Creed Love in White
Pecksniffs Teal
Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel
Rose Oud
x May 8, 2011 at 6:59am
schagris: It’s late, I know, but I would really like to share mine as well)
Aromatics Elixir
Philtre d’Amour
Angel
31 Rue Cambon
Chanel 5 December 26, 2012 at 5:14am
Sandra: Thank you!?
I love reading this, the old and new posts.
You inspired me to get a Chanel Misia! I loved your review❤️. It’s so nice to be among other perfume lovers.
I have so many, it’s hard to choose.
At the moment: Carnal Flower, No 22, Misia, Bois des Iles, Mitsuko…. And just because it’s close to Christmas- Nuit de Noel ?
I’m looking for vintage Madame Jolie in pure perfume. Any websites aside from eBay? Any advice?! December 17, 2015 at 5:21am
Victoria: Wonderful choices, Sandra! 🙂
Nuit de Noel is also one of my favorites around this time for the reason you mentioned.
As for vintage perfumes, I’m afraid Ebay is the only one I know. December 17, 2015 at 8:39am