What are the fragrances you reach for in the winter for a comforting, enveloping, cashmere wrap-like scent?
Today’s topic comes from a Bois de Jasmin reader, Anne, who is looking for your suggestions on winter fragrances. Please share your favorites, and also, any ideas of what fragrances Anne might like; she usually wears Prada Infusion d’Iris and almond scented body oils (Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, Roger & Gallet Huile Amande Persane). She is looking for something more substantial for the colder months.
My own thoughts were: Flower by Kenzo, Frédéric Malle Iris Poudré, Guerlain Iris Ganache, Christian Dior Hypnotic Poison, or for something classical, Guerlain L’Heure Bleue. My favorite comforting winter scents are usually warm amber or incense based, such as any fragrance from Annick Goutal Les Orientalistes: Ambre Fétiche, Myrrhe Ardente or Encens Flamboyant. I also enjoy Christian Dior Mitzah.
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52 Comments
Lorna in Scotland: Can I suggest that Anne might like Ferre by Gianfranco Ferre for a more powerful iris. I am wearing it today (a crisp bright winter’s day in Scotland) and am getting that cashmere-wrap like vibe from it that you describe. I find this scent similar to Iris Poudre but considerably cheaper!
I too tend to reach for ambery, spicy or incence scents in cold weather – my current favorites are Ormonde Jayne Tolu and Anne Pliska. November 30, 2011 at 5:34am
Sherri: How about Heure Exquise, or L’heure Promise for warmer, weightier irises?
Some of my “cashmere” favorites are Alessandro, Confetto (Anne might like this one also if she likes almond), Guerlain Cuir Beluga, Guerlain Bois d’Armenie, Amouage Lyric and J-25. November 30, 2011 at 6:15am
karin: Attrape Coeur! November 30, 2011 at 7:08am
[email protected]: I second Attrape Coeur! For an elegant and warm iris I’m very partial to Van Cleef and Arpels Bois d’Iris. I’m fond of tea notes which can be comforting so some of my favourite comfort scents include it such as L’AP Tea for Two and Bulgari Black. I very much enjoyed the tea note in Huitieme Art Myrrhiad when I sampled it at the weeknd. And then there is Le Labo Poivre 23 and gorgeous Guerlain Tonka Imperial. It seems there is an upside to winter after all!
Nicola November 30, 2011 at 8:52am
Margot: Bois des Iles! November 30, 2011 at 9:02am
Katya: May I suggest Sinfonia di Note Coeur de Noisette
I received a sample of it when ordering a decant from the wiki splits page and have fallen in love with it, waiting for my decant now, smells very delicious , warm and is very comforting. It smells exactly like prianiki- russina cookie made with spices and thinly sugar glazed- to my nose anyway.
I too like Iris Poudre for this time of year, must try Ferre
Currently I am enjoying layering Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille with SSS Incense Pure
I love your blog! November 30, 2011 at 9:20am
Sandra Levine: I like Ambre Extreme for this purpose. It’s warm and enveloping, without any sharp edges. November 30, 2011 at 9:32am
Elizabeth: My favorite warming winter scent is Parfums de Nicolai Sacrebleu: Jasmine, incense smoke, and vanilla cream, mmmmmmm! November 30, 2011 at 9:32am
Emma: Jean Patou Sublime and YSL Rive Gauche pre-reformulation, Serge Lutens Datura Noir. November 30, 2011 at 9:50am
pam: I agree with the Ferre suggestions. And L’Heure Bleue is at the top of my list. Also YSL Nu edp (not the edt). November 30, 2011 at 9:54am
noisome: Agree with Sacrebleu! It was made for this. L’Heure Bleue as well.
I’d add the original 3 Divines, Profumum Alba, and SL Cedre. November 30, 2011 at 10:16am
Anne: Oh Hello!!!!!!!! Bonjour!!!!!!!! It’s me ANNE!!!! I have spent 1/2 hour constructing an answer to thank you all….and I am not sure if I deleted it, posted it….it’s gone!
I am very VERY touched with your suggestions. I am all blushing…hehehehe
I like the idea of Sacrebleu, and also I should definitely revisit L’heure bleue.
My best friend wears Mitsouko! It is DEVINE on her, but on me it nevers “rounds up” (if this make any sense), it stays too spicy, as does Ambre extreme. I never get to the Vanilla.
I love Almond, so was thinking maybe also Premier Figuier??? I have never tried it??? What do you think? Maybe it’s not warm???
I love Idylle de Guerlain too, but it absolutely doesn’t last on me. after 1 hour and I can’t hardly smell it.
I have just sampled today Baise Vole de Cartier. The Iris is far too vivid on me, and it never really goes to the soft vanilla.
Will try Hypnotic poisson too. I have aways been a bit scared with the Dior Poisson fragrances. I wish for a fragrance that is conforting to me….not necesseraly to the rest of the world…..
Also, any of you tried FM L’eau D’hiver??
Again, thank you so so much for all this!!!! I am loving feeling the interest around my desperate search for a winter scent…..And Victoria!!! What to say!!!! Thank you!! You are AMAZING!
Anne November 30, 2011 at 10:40am
ixot: I love Infusion d’Iris! I also love Feminité du Bois by Shiseido/Serge Lutens for when it gets really cold. I wear L’Heure Bleue all year round, wouldn’t single it out for winter, because it’s one of my favourites. November 30, 2011 at 10:44am
ixot: I must add though that I haven’t even tried the Serge Lutens formula, I have the old Shiseido version. And hi, Anne! 🙂 November 30, 2011 at 10:52am
Anne: Hello Carro!
Tell me Teint de Neige, is it very powdery? Like Ombre Rose from Jean Charles Brosseau?
Also do you know of Eau D’hiver FM?
Hugs and thank you! XX
Anne November 30, 2011 at 10:58am
Isabeau: Anne if you like almond you got to try amandes orientales by Montale..I love it!
The pure parfum by Idylle smells also fantastic and has good lasting power.
My favorites are Vanille 44 Le Labo, Vanille Absolu Montale, Oriental Brulant, Tonka Imperiale and ambre precieux and angelique enscens..unfortunately I like almost all amber and vanille fragrances 😉 November 30, 2011 at 11:14am
Anne: Hi Raluca!
Thanks for this, Will try Iris Poudre definitely. I must admit, I have not tried Shalimar Parfum Initial because I have a problem with the color…..WEIRD I KNOW!!!! I am finding it very chemical, not natural for a perfum to be pink??!!!! I should maybe try it.
Have you tried Idylle? It is lovely in my opinion, Unfortunately it doesn’t stay on me……
THanks,
Anne November 30, 2011 at 11:15am
Matt: Someone previously mentioned Annick Goutal’s Heure Exquise, which is the first fragrance that came to mind for me. Its rich, comfortable iris note and easy-going floral composition make it one of my favorites! November 30, 2011 at 11:48am
Nina Z: Mazzolari by Alessandro is a very rich almond scent that could work for her. November 30, 2011 at 11:53am
Nikki: Shalimar extrait is a favorite, Musc Ravageur, Coconut Almond by Laura Mercier, both MItsouko and L’Heure Bleue extrait are all nice, comfy fragrances for cashmere/fireplace/winter moods. November 30, 2011 at 1:07pm
Ann C.: You’re getting a lot of lovely recommendations. Another one that I like is Van Cleef & Arpels Orchidee Vanille. It dries down to a lovely, soft vanilla. November 30, 2011 at 1:10pm
Victoria: Lorna, great idea about Ferre! You are right, it is beautiful and even more comforting and easier to wear than Iris Poudre. And it is by the same perfumer too. November 30, 2011 at 8:29am
Victoria: Confetto is very pretty!
Guerlain Bois d’Armenie is other favorite “cashmere” fragrance. November 30, 2011 at 8:29am
Victoria: Mmmm, it is so good! November 30, 2011 at 8:30am
Anne: Hmmmmm…thanks ladies! I am feeling all warmed up and comforted by all those idea. Will start sampling tomorrow! And then bring on winter!!! XXOOXXOO November 30, 2011 at 1:58pm
Victoria: You mean L'Artisan Parfumeur's Ambre Extreme? Yes, I love it too. November 30, 2011 at 9:40am
paeonia9: Oh, I’m late to the party, but how about Ormonde Jayne Orris Noir?
I also must say that FM Iris Poudre is wonderful. I’m wearing it today. November 30, 2011 at 2:44pm
Kichevrefeuille: Hello V!
I Love your blog, thank you for an read every day!
Anne:
I second VCA orchidée vanille & OJ Orris Noir+ Tolu -and I’d like to recommend By Kilian “Back to Black”(Cherry/Rose/jammy/almond perfection) and “Love” (vanilla marshmallow but somehow more than that, vert comforting even in the nastiest November weather). November 30, 2011 at 3:38pm
Caro: My favorite “cashmere blanket” scents are Myrrhe Ardente, Teint de Neige, Sublime and Bois des Iles November 30, 2011 at 10:49am
Elisa: I love to wear Belle en Rykiel when it’s cold out (I just sprung for a backup bottle in the Parfum1 sale), and it has a beautiful, almond-y heliotrope heart, so Anne might like it too. The drydown is a completely addictive blend of patchouli, vanilla, and incense. Mmmmmm November 30, 2011 at 10:49am
Raluca: I love, love, love Iris Poudre!! I almost bought it. In the winter I also like the classic D&G but mostly to go out. I find it very comforting. I know it has no relation to Iris but may be worth a try. I recently saw it at Saks. Have you tried Shalimar Parfum Initial? Might be worth a try. Organza by Givenchy is also nice.
I’m also looking for winter fragrances so enjoying this post. I tend to go for flowery fragrances and have a hard time finding heavier scents appealing. November 30, 2011 at 10:55am
Flora: I would say that for a “cashmere wrap feeling, Natori is hard to beat. I have been wearing it a lot since the weather turned. And Rosine’s Rose Kashmirie is like a feather bed of perfume, warm and enveloping. November 30, 2011 at 4:25pm
Raluca: Anne, I tried Idylle and I really liked it even though I’m not big on Guerlain. The reason I suggested Shalimar Parfum Initial is because someone compared it to Idylle. I also just thought of Tresor and Poeme. I know Poeme is v. strong but I do like it. Recently I started to like Chanel No 5 (perfume) and I find it suitable for the winter. November 30, 2011 at 11:29am
Sombreuil: Hello Anne – good luck! Habanita and Dzing! for me are two great winter scents, soft vanillary warmth plus a slightly dischordant note to keep interest going (vetiver in Habanita’s case, leathery cardboard in Dzing!’s). Comme des Garcons Avignon is also truly wonderful in the cold, when I wear it I can’t stop inhaling big lungfuls of its pure incense and the chill air. November 30, 2011 at 4:43pm
Sandra Levine: Yes, that’s the one! November 30, 2011 at 5:06pm
Victoria: L'Artisan Premier Figuier would be nice, but it is green and milky, not sweet.
L'eau d'Hiver is pretty, but many complain that it is too faint. Do try it though as it might be different on you.
Glad that you are enjoying the responses! 🙂 November 30, 2011 at 12:10pm
behemot: I like SL Ambre Sultan, II Profumo Macadam and Patchuli Noir. Fendi Theorema really warms me up, too November 30, 2011 at 5:27pm
lulllull: Leau d hiver is all flowers on me and no almond, it is also very pungent on me. Mazzolaro Allesandro is the best almond fragrance in my opinion, also Louve by Serge Lutens.
I would also recommend Iris ganache, chanel no 22 (love) chanel no 19 eau poudre, samsara, bois des illes.
Personal winter favorites:
Coromandel, fumerie turque, l heure bleue, no 22, spiritueuse double vanille, cuir de russie, Mitsy, shalimar, 10 corso como.
I hope you find a favorite winter fragrant wardrobe 🙂 November 30, 2011 at 5:27pm
sunsetsong: Love infusion D’Iris! Tend to prefer Eau Ambree in winter which is a light amber quite reminiscent of Infusion D’Iris. My winter heavy hitters for when the weather really is miserable are EL Amber Ylang Ylang, Sonoma Scent Studio Femme Jolie, L’Occitane Eau d’Iparie and Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir. Happy sniffing! November 30, 2011 at 6:37pm
Perfumista8: I love Hermes Ambre Naguille for snuggling up. It’s like snuggling in a cashmere wrap while eating a delicious scone. Yummy. Another nice one to try might be Bottega Venetta’s parfum. Warm and soft. November 30, 2011 at 6:40pm
Perfumista8: Oh yeah! I’m gonna go put some 10 Corso Como on right now. Nice November 30, 2011 at 6:42pm
bulldoggirl: I’ll second (and third) Ambre Narguile and Sacrebleu. I also think Estee Lauder Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang is another cozy-but-lush winter scent that doesn’t get enough love IMHO. November 30, 2011 at 8:48pm
silverdust: Winter fragrance? EL Youth Dew in bath-oil form for a refined presence without monster sillage. November 30, 2011 at 9:38pm
Mikeperez23: Definitely Hermessence Ambre Narguile! Wasn’t it inspired by cashmere, when JC Ellena created it and the first Hermessences all inspired by ‘fabric’? November 30, 2011 at 10:04pm
ewewhojane: Eau’ D’hiver is one of my favorites, and I also recommend Mythique and Cuir Plein Fleur. Infusion d”Iris was one of my earlier favorites, so maybe these will work for you. November 30, 2011 at 10:12pm
Marlene: I’m trying out Frederic Malle- Dans Tens Bras and I keep feeling very snuggly with it. Violets, earth, soft warm almond and heliotrope. It’s very comforting. November 30, 2011 at 11:33pm
Victoria: Great suggestions! Just to clarify for Anne, Mythique is by Parfums Del Rae and Cuir Plein Fleur is by Heeley.
November 30, 2011 at 10:22pm
Victoria: I think that you are right! I seem to recall that the fabric was the inspiration… November 30, 2011 at 10:24pm
Blimunda: My perfect cashmere scents are whopping orientals……..Coromandel and Musc Ravageur!! Smooth, deep, righ, soft and enveloping! I am also a sucker for Tolu in the winter months. December 1, 2011 at 5:31am
Anne: Waooooo THANK YOU SO MUCH! By the time I am finished sampling all those, it’ll be spring…..hehehehe!
I am loving all your suggestions! I will scent in the next few days, Iris Poudre, Dans tes Bras de FM, Mythique de Del Rae, VCA orchidée vanille & OJ Orris Noir+ Tolu, and also Mazzolari by Alessandro, and the rest…..waooo…..I am sure going to smell good.
Big Big WARMING HUGS to you all!
Anne December 1, 2011 at 6:10am
karin: I am a dolt!!! I didn’t read the article, and only thought we were naming our favorite winter comfort scents. Sorry, Anne, I now see that we are giving you suggestions!!!
I mentioned Attrape Coeur, but it’s discontinued and very hard to find. So…other suggestions, since you like Infusion d’Iris, what about Prada’s L’Eau Ambree, or the new Candy? Both are warm, comfort scents, good for winter. A good scent with almond in it – Parfums de Nicolai Kiss Me Tender. And Honore des Pres Sexy Angelic is fantastic, but fleeting. It comes in a large bottle, so I just douse myself and my clothes in it – seems to help it last longer. 🙂 December 1, 2011 at 11:41am
Andrea: I’m quite late to the party, so not sure you will see this Anne… but I didn’t notice anyone mention SL Louve. Perhaps I missed it in the comments, but if you love almond, this really is a must try. It’s not a heavy perfume, but if you do want something more substantial, it’s one of my favorite for layering. December 6, 2011 at 9:53am