Recommend Me a Perfume : May

Today we have our “Recommend Me a Perfume” thread. Bois de Jasmin will return with its regular schedule on Tuesday, June 3rd. You can use this space to ask any questions about perfume, including fragrance recommendations.

blue-flowers

How does it work:

1. Please post your requests or questions as comments here. You can also use this space to ask any fragrance related questions. To receive recommendations that are better tailored to your tastes, you can include details on what you like and don’t like, your signature perfumes, and your budget. And please let us know how your search goes and what you end up sampling.

2. Then please check the thread to see if there are other requests you can answer. Your responses are really valuable for navigating the big and sometimes confusing world of perfume, so let’s help each other!

To make this thread easier to read, when you reply to someone, please click on the blue “reply” link under their comment.

Photography by Bois de Jasmin

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279 Comments

  • sandra: YAY!
    I love the recommend me a perfume thread. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone.
    I am getting married in less then a month and found a great recommendation of Nahema to wear. Though someone also recommended Mohur, that I am slowly leaning towards.
    Have a great weeekend everyone! can’t wait to read everyone’s posts! May 30, 2014 at 7:56am Reply

    • Deborah Anne Oney (Annie): Sandra,
      Congratulations and Happy wedding!
      All the best to both of you! May 30, 2014 at 10:59am Reply

    • Margie: I also love Carnal Flower by Frederick Malle May 30, 2014 at 12:31pm Reply

    • missyl: Congratulations on your coming celebrations! May 30, 2014 at 3:26pm Reply

    • Nora Szekely: Congratulations! Thumbs up for Nahema but I’m yet to try Mohur May 31, 2014 at 5:48am Reply

    • Michaela: Congratulations! May 31, 2014 at 2:50pm Reply

    • spe: Nahema is a beautiful choice! Congratulations and best wishes to you and you fiance! June 1, 2014 at 5:11pm Reply

  • Riya: Hi,
    I’ll be very glad to receive recommendations. My favourite scent is Dior pure Poison, also I like bvlgari mon jasmin noir elixir. But pure poison I love the most because of its sillage and very long lasting power. Could u people help with any scent that could make my days… Thanks. May 30, 2014 at 9:34am Reply

    • Bastet: I can think of a number of perfumes that I particularly like because of their unusual strength and lasting sillage: Amouage Gold and Jubilation 25, Guerlain Shalimar and Insolence, Sonoma Scent Studio Joire Ensollie (SP?) and Tom Ford Sahara Noir. May 30, 2014 at 12:12pm Reply

    • Theresa: Just about any fragrance from Andy Tauer has superhuman powers of persistence! And his little discovery sets (5 vials in an aluminum case the size of an old cigarette case) are so darling! Besides his best-seller L’Air du desert marocain, I especially like Rose Vermeille and Rose Chypree. I also have a fondness for Verdant, but I know a lot of people don’t like that one. May 30, 2014 at 3:37pm Reply

    • crikey: seconding Tauer’s L’air ddm if you want to go big because it’s a sillage/projection MONSTER. When I tried it, within five my husband called out from two rooms away “is that a new perfume?” Rose chypree made it about ten feet out… May 30, 2014 at 5:20pm Reply

    • Poodle: I’ve had good luck with Sonoma Scent Studio. Quite a few perfumes in that line have great lasting power on me like Jour Ensoleille and Champagne de Bois. May 31, 2014 at 6:57am Reply

    • jirish: I’m thirding anything by Andy Tauer. His scents last forever and waft wonderfully. Because you like jasmine, I suggest you add La Maroc Pour Elle to your sample package. May 31, 2014 at 2:03pm Reply

    • AnnieA: In a different direction there’s ELO’s Rien, a leather perfume. Can last through a wash. Not necessarily a sillage monster, though. June 3, 2014 at 1:57pm Reply

  • zari: Hi All,
    I’m looking for a summer scent that is floral without being too predictable (i.e. the marc jacobs scents), too flowery (i.e. young girl/teenage girl), too shrill (j’adore, marc jacobs original which I love but bc of its water like base I get a headache and smells linear to me). I am more recently starting to love rose, and do love gardenia, jasmine, hyacinth, violet. The fragrance I’m thinking of needs to have a darkness element to it as well probably in the drydown, so something with wood or spice. Thank you! May 30, 2014 at 9:35am Reply

    • Heather H: Hi Zari,

      Try rose cut by Ann gerard,Serge Lutans Bois de Violette, Sonoma Scent Studio makes some good roses and violets. May 30, 2014 at 9:48am Reply

      • zari: Hi Heather, thanks! I have been meaning to try the SL Bois de Violette. Good to know it seems like something I’d like. May 30, 2014 at 8:28pm Reply

    • Nikki: Hello Zazie!

      I like Gouttes de Rose by Cartier as a rose scent for summer, Lumiere by Rochas is flowery with a soft sandalwood base, Paris by YSL is a great rose but very heavy in hot weather. First by Van Cleef and Arpels is a wonderful floral with divine basenotes.
      The new Panthere by Cartier is lovely and easy to wear as well, it is a very elegant scent. May 30, 2014 at 9:50am Reply

      • zari: Hi Nikki,
        I am going to try your suggestions of Lumiere and First by VC&A. My mom has the new Panthere and its nice, but smells too elegant and too “something” for me. May 30, 2014 at 8:30pm Reply

        • Cornelia Blimber: Maybe First is in your opinion too elegant as well? You could try Lipstick Rose (Malle) or Tom Ford Black Orchid. May 31, 2014 at 6:23am Reply

      • Tijana: Second Panthere de Cartier. June 4, 2014 at 9:48am Reply

    • Danaki: Can I suggest also YSL Paris Premiere Rose Eau de Toilette. It is a issue for the summer and a lighter version as the original Paris might be too strong for warm weather. May 30, 2014 at 10:08am Reply

      • zari: Thanks Danaki! May 30, 2014 at 9:37pm Reply

    • Jillie: Hi, Zari. Have you tried Songes by Annick Goutal? It’s a very unexpected white floral – mainly jasmine, I think, but it smells like a tropical frangipani or tiare. It has a base that is almost sweet (vanilla), but more like amber or sandalwood. As I said, it is unusual and wears very well in the heat without being fresh and girlie! May 30, 2014 at 10:10am Reply

      • SophieC: Hi – I found (to my surprise) that the original Agent Provocateur wore well in the heat and is one the fwe fragrances that gets me compliments. May 30, 2014 at 10:26am Reply

        • Michaela: Very interesting! I’m going to give it a try. May 31, 2014 at 2:53pm Reply

      • zari: Jillie, the reviews for Songes sound wonderful, and right up my alley. Thanks for the rec.; I’m going to try this one for sure! May 30, 2014 at 8:33pm Reply

    • Elisa: I find the newish Roses de Chloe to be a really nice, fresh rose scent for summer. Rose Splendide from Annick Goutal or Rose d’Ete from Parfums Rosine are also lovely. May 30, 2014 at 11:28am Reply

      • Victoria E: I will try and locate your rose suggestions. Thank you. May 30, 2014 at 2:23pm Reply

        • Alice: L’eau Chloe is also good, roses and patchouli, fresh but turns a bit darker over time June 2, 2014 at 1:06pm Reply

    • Nina Zolotow: Paestum Rose by Eau d’Italie is a rose and incense cologne that is both refreshing and very unusual. It’s got spices, wood and incense. Top: Davana, Black And Pink Pepper, Coriander Grains. Middle: Turkish Rose, Incense, Osmanthus. Base, Myrrh, Opoponax, Papyrus
      Wenghe May 30, 2014 at 11:55am Reply

    • nemo: I have only tried it once so far, but jardins d ecrivains la dame aux camelias is a beautiful and subtle wood-y musky floral! May 30, 2014 at 1:26pm Reply

    • Ballet student: Love: chanel no 5, shelimar, infusion d’iris, diptyque vetyverio. Looking for summer scents that are interesting but wearable. New to the blog so also want to let you know that I love your writing and this community. May 30, 2014 at 9:53pm Reply

      • Tomate Farcie: Parfum DelRae Wit, Hiram Green Moon Bloom, Hermes Eau de Narcisse Bleu May 31, 2014 at 4:06pm Reply

    • Cybele: Comme des Garcons Stephen Jones is fresh and spicy with a super sensual drydown May 31, 2014 at 9:14am Reply

      • Cybele: this suggestion was for Zari! May 31, 2014 at 9:16am Reply

    • Duval: I really like Etat Libre D’Orange Rossy de Palma for a dry, spicy rose. May 31, 2014 at 10:56am Reply

      • Courant: This is also called Eaui de Protection and is very very lovely in my opinion June 1, 2014 at 2:29am Reply

      • zari: Thanks Cornelia and Duval – the reviews for this sound promising. I will try it! June 1, 2014 at 7:33pm Reply

  • Anne of Green Gables: Hello zari, here are a few ideas: Balmain Ivoire, Jour d’Hermes, Chanel Beige, Eau d’Italie Paestum Rose, Diptyque L’Ombre Dans l’Eau. May 30, 2014 at 10:00am Reply

    • Cornelia Blimber: Hi Zari, i second all Nikki’s choices and add Knowing by Estee Lauder: chypre rose, with dark undertone. I think you could also like Une Rose from the Malle collection. May 30, 2014 at 11:43am Reply

      • zari: Thank you both! May 30, 2014 at 9:22pm Reply

  • Janet: First, many thanks for this wonderful site. It’s my go-to for perfume research and recommendations.

    These are the perfumes that I love in the order I currently prefer them: Frederic Malle’s Portrait of a Lady, Perfums de Nicolai’s Odalisque, L’Artisian’s Musk et Mure. I have a bottle of vintage Replique which I use sparingly in fear of running out. I’ve recently tried Cartier’s La Panthere, which I like but wish it didn’t have the bitter note (rhubarb?). To my nose, it has some similarity to PoaL,

    Any thoughts or recommendations?
    Thanks! May 30, 2014 at 10:01am Reply

    • Tomate Farcie: Annick Goutal Matin d’Orage, Ineke Hothouse Flower or Evening Edged in Gold, Hiram Green Moon Bloom May 30, 2014 at 10:13pm Reply

      • Janet: Thank you, Tomate Farcie. It have tried AG Matin d’Orage but it didn’t sit well w/ my stomach. I may have over applied. Can’t wait to try the rest. May 31, 2014 at 2:35pm Reply

    • Eleni: You might try Lumiere Noire by Francis Kurkdjian. It’s a very elegant and luminous rose- patchouli combination, like Portrait of a Lady’s blonde little sister.
      it’s you mentioning luminosity that reminded me of it! May 31, 2014 at 4:27pm Reply

      • Janet: Thank you, Eleni. This looks very promising. I’m ordering a sample! June 1, 2014 at 4:50pm Reply

  • Christine: Guerlain, L’Instant de Guerlain
    Guerlain, Aqua Allegoria Nympo Meo

    Chanel, Chance — eau Tendre

    Burberry, Body

    all complex florals that suggest what heaven must be like! May 30, 2014 at 10:09am Reply

    • Janet: Thank you, Christine. I haven’t tried any of these and I look forward to it. Heavenly is how I feel when I wear the scents I mentioned above and I find myself with a wrist to my nose throughout the day. IMO, I would describe the common thread between them as luminosity, except perhaps the Replique. Question: Have you ever been complimented on one of the scents I mentioned? I never have, even though I find them absolutely divine. Any thoughts? May 31, 2014 at 3:02pm Reply

  • Danaki: Hello everybody,

    Can you please recommend me a Oudh fragrance that is soft and rosy. I tried Juliette Has A Gun Midnight Oud which I love, but it comes in 100ml at least and I would prefer a smaller size (30 or 50 ml) so that the cost is cheaper, if that makes sense. I would not like to spend more that 60 GBP outright (approx $100), even if it means I end up with less. Does it make sense? Is that unrealistic? Should I bite the bullet (sorry for the pun) and invest? I worry that I might get bored of Oud and have it sit on my dresser for years half unused. May 30, 2014 at 10:14am Reply

    • Anne of Green Gables: Hello Danaki, I’m not an Oud expert but among the ones I tried, I liked By Kilian Rose Oud the best. However, this is by any means cheaper! 🙂 If you’re afraid of getting a big bottle, you could consider getting a decant of JHAGMO first and see how it goes. You could also try using perfume forums like Basenote to find others who might be interested in sharing a bottle. May 30, 2014 at 10:58am Reply

    • Elisa: Rose Anonyme is a soft version of the rose/oud idea and available in smaller bottles. May 30, 2014 at 11:30am Reply

    • Austenfan: The only one I can think of, off the top of my head, is the relatively recent Rose Oudh by Parfums de Nicolaï. I haven’t tried it myself though. She does small bottles! May 30, 2014 at 5:16pm Reply

      • Sandra: By killian rose oud ! May 30, 2014 at 6:28pm Reply

        • Sandra: Also for my old fix I like cruel intentions by killian as well- not as floral
          Usually if you stop by the counter they are generous with their samples and will let you try a lot. Rose oud is great as mentioned before May 30, 2014 at 7:40pm Reply

          • Sandra: Mohur is also wonderful – I would give that a sniff- but don’t fall in love- it’s very expensive 😉 May 30, 2014 at 7:44pm Reply

            • Danaki: Wow…thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I’ll be ordering AC Rose Anonyme online (non in Manchester UK) and walking up the the BK counter next time I’m in town. May 31, 2014 at 10:14am Reply

    • Jehane: Hello — if you are going to be in London, just across the rose from Selfridges is an Arabian oud perfume shop. Unusually for me, I bought a fruity floral from them — there was a density to the rose and almost medicinal pungency to the oud and yet the end effect was lastingly feminine. I overapplied the first time and gave myself a migraine. Now it is my go-to for perfume wafted in clothes (though not in my hair). The bottles look naff but the perfume is good. May 31, 2014 at 5:41pm Reply

      • Jehane: I mean, just across the *road from Selfridges…not across the *rose! (though that, too…) May 31, 2014 at 5:42pm Reply

        • Danaki: Thanks Jehane. I will be in London next week actually. Many thanks! June 1, 2014 at 5:36pm Reply

          • Austenfan: Should you wish to try the Nicolaïs they have a shop in London as well. It’s on the Fulham road. June 3, 2014 at 3:50pm Reply

  • Nora Szekely: Hi everyone, I recently fell in love with L’heure bleue reformulated Edt (I plan to to try the vintage version soon). I’m looking for other perfumes with a strong albeit melancholic or reflective atmosphere.Not neccesarily including similar notes. My favourite notes nowadays are iris, musk, violet, rose but I’ m open to smell any scent that is able to evoke deep emotions. Many thanks and nice weekend to all! May 30, 2014 at 10:23am Reply

    • Anne of Green Gables: Hi Nora, have you tried Kenzo Flower? I find it beautiful and melancholic. May 30, 2014 at 10:39am Reply

    • Lauren B: I find Mitsouko has a stoic melancholy. It’s very evocative of the story it’s based on – a Japanese woman waiting for her husband and her lover to come back from a battle. I also like La Fille de Berlin. It’s a dark, almost bloody, rose. May 30, 2014 at 10:42am Reply

      • maja: I replied below by mistake. Here it is again.

        I would second Kenzo Flower as it has everything you listed.
        I would also suggest Iris de Nuit by Heeley. It is a heavenly combination of iris and violet. Not very old style and pretty safe but it is beautiful. May 30, 2014 at 11:21am Reply

        • rainboweyes: Equistrius by Parfums d’Empire is a lovely iris and violet comination, too. May 30, 2014 at 12:59pm Reply

          • Sandra: I second La fille de berlin May 30, 2014 at 7:42pm Reply

    • Victoria E: I do like for summer Philosophy Violet fragrance. It is not expensive and I think it is a nice violet. May 30, 2014 at 2:30pm Reply

    • Foxbins: Have you tried Serge Luten’s De Profundis? I find it to be beautiful but somber. Notes are listed as chrysanthemum, violets, earth, and green notes. May 30, 2014 at 3:45pm Reply

    • jeanne: Apres L’Ondee by Guerlain May 30, 2014 at 5:45pm Reply

    • Tomate Farcie: Vero Kern Mito, try both extrait and edp, Neela Vermeire Trayee and of course Mohur May 30, 2014 at 10:48pm Reply

    • Indigo: If you like l’Heure Bleue, you will almost certainly like Après L’Ondée, so I second that choice. It is very fleeting, though, which is a pity. La Fille de Berlin is beautiful but I find it much cheerier than either of the two Guerlains.
      Gris Clair… for me has the same cool aloofness and I wear it when I’m studying, but it has none of the soft floral prettiness of l’HB. I’m interested in trying Bas de Soie to see how that compares… May 31, 2014 at 12:09pm Reply

  • Anne: I started wearing Eau La La by Edward Bess. It starts with bergamot and gardenia, followed by vanilla musk, finally settling into smoky frankincense. It is absolutely lovely and unique. May 30, 2014 at 10:33am Reply

  • Lauren B: What’s a good Arabian attar? I’m looking for something as authentic as possible. I tried Black Aoud, but I read a bunch of reviews from Midle Easterners who were saying what a cheap imitation it was. Does anyone know of something genuine that’s available in the US? May 30, 2014 at 10:37am Reply

    • Bastet: Amouage has fabulous attars, although very expensive. May 30, 2014 at 12:15pm Reply

    • Michaela: I love Al Haraiman Attar al Kaaba. Not really expensive, because a little goes a long way. Rose (imagine a crimson one), (it says oudh but I don’t get it), sandalwood, amber. I also get something like almonds and vanilla. I stays close to the skin. It’s a deep, intoxicating scent. I like it best during the summer. As all arabian perfumes, it’s unisex. It is changing a lot, give it about 3 days to test, don’t dismiss it too soon. May 31, 2014 at 3:03pm Reply

    • Michaela: Given the price, these perfume oils are not natural, but they smell natural, rich and round.
      I also like Al Haraiman Marwah (for me, better in the cold wheather). Ajmal house seems to make well-done attars, but I couldn’t sample any. Stay away from their ‘modern’ lines, these are for tourists. Try to get what the producer calls ‘traditional’ line. I don’t like Al Rehab (too synthetic) and Rasasi (too commercial, I think). In the East there is no gender separation, so if it says ‘for women’ it’s also for tourists. June 2, 2014 at 8:13am Reply

  • maja: Hi, I would second this. Kenzo Flower has everything you listed.
    I would also suggest Iris de Nuit by Heeley. It is a heavenly combination of iris and violet. Not very old style and pretty safe but it is beautiful. May 30, 2014 at 11:01am Reply

  • Rose pepper: If like recommendations for an assertive, bracing vetiver that I can wear during hot humid summers. I own Terre d’Hermes, which I love but I find delicate. I drained a sample of Chanel Sycomore, and I liked the assertiveness. I am ok with wearing masculine or feminine fragrances. I also love fresh green fragrances. May 30, 2014 at 11:13am Reply

    • Cornelia Blimber: The Vetiver in the Malle collection is very layered and refreshing.
      Dior Eau Sauvage le Parfum has a very fine vetiver note, softened by citrus and myrrh.
      Route du Vetiver by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier is very dark. Racine MPG is fresher and softer.
      Etro Vetiver has many fans (on me it is like vegetable soup).
      Tom Ford Grey Vetiver is elegant and easy to wear.
      Etro Palais Jamais is pleasant, fresh. May 30, 2014 at 11:52am Reply

      • Cornelia Blimber: The most assertive is the Malle (imo). May 30, 2014 at 11:53am Reply

      • Raissa: I second Malle’s vetiver. May 30, 2014 at 4:46pm Reply

    • Bastet: My favorite summer vetiver is Guerlain Vetiver. I also like Lalique’s Encre Noir (my husband loves this one as well) but it is softer than the Guerlain. May 30, 2014 at 12:17pm Reply

      • Snowyowl: I second both the Guerlain, as well as Vetiver Extreme from Guerlain. Love Encre as well.
        One of my favorite vetivers is Montale Red Vetyver, especially nice in summer and very long-lasting. May 30, 2014 at 1:30pm Reply

    • rainboweyes: My favourite summer vetiver is TDC Sel de Vetiver but it might be too delicate to you.
      I also like Byredo Bal d’Afrique a lot. May 30, 2014 at 1:05pm Reply

    • Cybele: Lime Basil Mandarin Jo Malone, Vetiveru Comme des Garcons May 30, 2014 at 6:21pm Reply

    • Tomate Farcie: My favorites are Lalique Encre Noire and Atelier Cologne Vetiver Fatale May 30, 2014 at 10:20pm Reply

      • Tomate Farcie: sorry you already love Encre Noire. . .what about Annick Goutal Eau du Sud or Olfactive Studio Flashback? May 30, 2014 at 11:21pm Reply

    • Jennifer C: Have you tried L’Artisan Timbuktu? I find it works really well in the heat. June 3, 2014 at 4:17am Reply

  • Vanie: Hello everyone!
    I’m trying to learn to detect the notes in fragrances a bit more, since I realized that what I thought some of them smell like was actually wrong! I’d like your recommendations for straight up sandalwood fragrances, that are easily accessible if possible.
    Thanks! May 30, 2014 at 11:15am Reply

    • Nina Zolotow: Tam Dao by Diptyque is a quality, straightforward “sandalwood” scent. However, modern perfumes these days don’t contain real Mysore sandalwood. See if you can get your hands on an old mini of Guerlain Samsara for a strong does of real Indian sandalwood. May 30, 2014 at 11:58am Reply

      • Vanessa: Thanks for the recommendations! May 30, 2014 at 12:58pm Reply

    • Bastet: If you are in the US, Sonoma Scent Studio’s Champagne de Bois is an inexpensive, easily accessible sandalwood perfume (it smells wonderful, too). May 30, 2014 at 12:19pm Reply

      • Vanie: Unfortunately, I’m in Canada, but I’ll try to find it anyway. Thanks! May 30, 2014 at 12:59pm Reply

    • annemarie: To learn about individual scent notes I sometimes browse the testers of essential oils. Of course these vary in quality and the ones made for burners are not to be applied on skin. But just as a way of isolating individual notes – sandalwood, neroli, ylang ylang, whatever – it can be a useful starting point, especially for notes like ylang which often feature in blends but not as a major note and you just want to know what they smell like alone.

      Also, there’s an online retailer called the Perfumers Apprentice where you can buy all sorts of essential oils, bases and blends in small quantities. Just exploring their website is heaps of fun! May 30, 2014 at 6:51pm Reply

      • Vanie: Thanks! That is very helpul! May 30, 2014 at 8:44pm Reply

    • Vanie: Oh! As anyone tried the Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black? I smelled it quickly in the shop the other day, and it seemed to me like a simple sandalwood, but I could be mistaken… May 30, 2014 at 8:46pm Reply

    • Poodle: I like 10 Corso Como but it’s not completely straight up sandalwood. Another that comes to mind is Raw Spirit Wildfire by Nomad Two Worlds. They use a pretty hefty dose of Australian sandalwood. May 31, 2014 at 7:07am Reply

    • AnnieA: I think you can get SSS perfumes in Canada via Indiescents.com. June 3, 2014 at 2:02pm Reply

  • DDJ: Morning all;

    I’m building myself a small, separate meditation room at the back of my property this Spring.

    I’d be very pleased to receive your recommendations for US sources of good quality candels and incense.

    Many thanks in advance. May 30, 2014 at 11:26am Reply

    • Victoria E: As for quality candles I love BeanPod soy candles and the fragrance is amazing…..I also would suggest a Lamp Berger……they have many nice scents and you can find many places on line that sell Lamp Berger…….you can google Lamp Berger retail stores and find someone in Louisiana I think and they have all kinds of beautiful lamps……. May 30, 2014 at 2:21pm Reply

      • DDJ: Victoria, thank you so much.

        I’ve found both your suggestions on the Web and can’t wait to give them a try. May 31, 2014 at 10:39am Reply

    • missyl: Wow DDJ! I love the concept of a private meditation area away from the main house. I don’t know of any quality candles or incenses in the US…forgive me, but my thoughts did go to plantings… An aromatic herb and fragrant flower garden in wafting distance of your meditation spot would be heavenly! 🙂 May 30, 2014 at 3:25pm Reply

      • DDJ: Missyl, great minds think alike. Unfortunately my mind is combined with the gardening black-thumb of death.

        I do have a lot of Night Blooming Jasmine which I love… if only the blooms would last longer and I am going to try and add other things once the hut (and a new fence I’m also building myself) are up.

        Specific suggestions?

        New Orleans, Zone 9b : ) May 31, 2014 at 10:44am Reply

    • Sandra: I love to burn nag champa and also some Tibetian incense – some are very strong but good. You can get them here in the US- even Whole Foods sells nag champa

      My favorite candle is called common good candle – in bergamot oil May 30, 2014 at 7:31pm Reply

      • DDJ: Sandra, Thank you very much.

        I’ve found all three of your suggestions… that is if by “Tibetian incense” you mean the products of “www.tibetanincense.com” and not simply a generic ‘Tibetian’ type of incense.

        Thank you also for your pointer to Whole Foods. May 31, 2014 at 10:54am Reply

    • Liz K: Have you checked out Mermade Magickal Arts? I have heard very good things about them. June 2, 2014 at 4:13pm Reply

  • Savita: Hi everyone, I am in love with Guerlain Elixir Charnel Gourmand Coquin but I cannot afford to buy such an expensive fragrance.

    Can anyone suggest a cheaper substitute or perhaps suggest layering combos to achieve this scent?

    Thanks so much! May 30, 2014 at 12:49pm Reply

    • Elisa: I have not tried that recently but I remember it being mostly about the cocoa note. How about Angel Taste of Fragrance? May 30, 2014 at 5:22pm Reply

      • Savita: Hi thanks for your suggestion….I find Angel Tastes of Fragrance smells somewhat harsh compared to the Guerlain. Also the Guerlain is a bit sweeter?

        Can you think of anything else? May 31, 2014 at 9:22am Reply

    • Safran: Hi, I love Gourmand Coquin too. It’s one of a kind imo – I don’t mean to discourage you, but it’s tender and mellow chocolate-y sweetness which is airy at the same time, is hard to find elsewhere. A little goes a long way, at least on my skin, so maybe you can afford a decant?
      Good luck
      Safran June 1, 2014 at 10:59am Reply

      • Savita: Thank you for the suggestion, I think I may very well buy a decant 🙂 June 2, 2014 at 9:30am Reply

    • Snowyowl: I agree, this is quite yumm if I’m in the mood for that. I have a decant, I would recommend that above layering two others that might not cut it for you.
      However, some combinations that could work possibly might be the Pacifica Mexico Cocoa combined with L’instant from Guerlain? Or another less intense vanilla from anywhere. Guerlain’s new Terracotta has a gorgeous vanilla layered with gardenia that could be beautiful with the base of the mexico cocoa. But there is the rum note in coquin that just blossoms like nothing else.
      Sorry, it is quite nice as is, I think I’m leaning toward decant as my final decision:) June 1, 2014 at 2:14pm Reply

      • Savita: Thanks for the suggestions. It seems as though this scent is one of a kind so maybe rather than trying to come up with something close by layering, I should just buy a decant 🙂 June 2, 2014 at 9:34am Reply

  • rainboweyes: Although I have iris scents of all varieties in my collection, I still haven’t found the perfect summer iris – except for Ramon Monegal Impossible Iris. I have many delicate or green iris perfumes in my collection – like Hiris, Heure Exquise, La Pausa, Mythique, Cuir de Nacré, No. 19, 1932, which I wear a lot in the spring but they are not really “summery” for me.
    Thanks for your recommendations!
    Btw, I cannot stand No. 19 Poudré, Infusion d’Iris and Iris Nobile. It must be the overload of white musks that gives me a headache. May 30, 2014 at 1:18pm Reply

    • Victoria E: I love your nic Rainbow Eyes. May 30, 2014 at 2:22pm Reply

      • rainboweyes: Thank you! That’s how my husband sometimes calls me – my eyes are of a greenish grey with a ring of amber around the pupil 🙂 May 31, 2014 at 5:07am Reply

        • Patricia: My eyes are the same color! I never know what color to call them: green, hazel….? Sometimes the color depends on what I wear :). June 1, 2014 at 7:18pm Reply

          • rainboweyes: Yes, mine can change their colour depending on what I’m wearing too! And when I’m angry, they become bright green… June 2, 2014 at 4:55am Reply

    • Tomate Farcie: Atelier Cologne Silver Iris, Van Cleef & Arpels Bois d’Iris, Chanel La Pausa, Botega Vanetta Eau Legere May 30, 2014 at 10:57pm Reply

    • Maren: Have you tried Hermes Hermessence Iris Ukiyoe? I tired it awhile back and don’t remember exactly but it seems like it was a lighter iris. Victoria has a review. I also remember reading somewhere that it was close to the scent of the flower, but I didn’t think. Oh boy, now if someone could bottle that for me I’d be happy! May 31, 2014 at 1:54am Reply

      • rainboweyes: Yes, the scent of iris flowers is just heaven! I need to try Iris Ukiyoe! I’m using a body lotion which smells like iris flowers a bit now. It contains a mixture of rose, vanilla and iris which comes quite close to the lemon and caramel note of the fragrant irises in my garden. May 31, 2014 at 4:58am Reply

        • Maren: Oh please tell what lotion this is. I would love to try it! June 2, 2014 at 10:52pm Reply

          • rainboweyes: It’s a German brand, I’m not sure about the availability outside Germany. The name is Martina Gebhardt Happy Aging Body Lotion. It’s based on natural oils, so the scent is very subtle and volatile. But often I can smell it again in the evening during workout. I also use their cleanser and it’s a great feeling to have this smell in my face 🙂 June 3, 2014 at 3:55am Reply

            • Maren: Ah, well It sounds wonderful, anything called “happy aging” and smells like an iris! But doesn’t sound likely to be found outside of Germany. Thanks for sharing though! June 4, 2014 at 12:06am Reply

              • rainboweyes: Maren, are you based in the US? I think they have an online-store there. June 4, 2014 at 5:36am Reply

                • Maren: Yes, I am in the U.S. and I did some looking and I found it! Thank you! June 4, 2014 at 11:55pm Reply

    • Lynley: It’s not cheap but Armani Prive Pierre de Lune is a very well done iris. May 31, 2014 at 10:11am Reply

      • rainboweyes: They also have Femme Bleue which must be great but unfortunately I have no access to the Privé line 🙁 June 3, 2014 at 3:59am Reply

    • Anka: What about L’Homme de Cour Divine, it’s not a powdery iris, rather subtle and refined which makes it perfect for summer in my opinion. It has some musk, but not too much. Victoria wrote a nice review on it.
      (Btw, iris is said to be the goddess of the rainbow – so your name is really perfect for an iris lover…). May 31, 2014 at 1:13pm Reply

      • rainboweyes: Homme de Coeur is a wonderful iris scent, I have to give it another try. Last time I tested it, I found it a bit masculine. I know, it’s a very refined scent but there was one note which gave it a slightly masculine feel. June 3, 2014 at 4:29am Reply

    • Jehane: It’s comparatively cheap but Crabtree & Evelyn’s iris is a lovely everyday spritz. May 31, 2014 at 5:57pm Reply

    • AnnieA: SL Bas de Soie is a pretty, warm weather scent. June 3, 2014 at 2:06pm Reply

  • Teddee Grace: Does anyone know what might most closely resemble Youth Dew Amber Nude, one of the Tom Ford Estee Lauder Collection fragrances no longer being made? May 30, 2014 at 1:24pm Reply

    • Jillie: This probably sounds silly, Teddee, but what about plain old Youth Dew layered with an amber (maybe Prada)? The Nude definitely smells a lot like the original Youth Dew to me, perhaps a little lighter, so less of that and more of Amber might approximate? May 31, 2014 at 4:59am Reply

      • Michaela: It’s a bright idea! Not silly at all. May 31, 2014 at 3:11pm Reply

        • Jillie: Thank you, Michaela! June 1, 2014 at 10:48am Reply

  • Lee: I’ll be so glad to get some advices about Frapin perfume. I read about Paradis Perdu by Frapin, it’s woody with vetiver and bergamot notes. My only chance to try it is to order it online. Is there anyone who know it and could tell me if is’t worth a hundred pounds? Thanks! May 30, 2014 at 1:46pm Reply

    • Victoria: I haven’t tried Paradis Perdu, but other Frapin perfumes are very interesting and well-done. Of course, to know if they’re worth the $$$, you really have to try them on your skin. They are real shape shifters!
      Maybe, get a sample via surrendertochance.com? Better than making an expensive mistake. June 3, 2014 at 2:46pm Reply

  • Nancy A.: Sandra, happy forthcoming marriage! Your fragrance should reflect memories that you share on your special day. Christian Dior’s Prive Collection has recently introduced Cuir Cannage, a leather accord combined with notes of rose and violet creating an aura of elegance May 30, 2014 at 1:47pm Reply

  • Victoria E: So excited for those getting married and that have special events to attend. I am so in the mood for roses……so I need some suggestions for Rose fragrance. Right now I am using L’Occitane Roses et Reines……I really like it……..I have never been a rose fragrance person but now I can’t wait to wear a rose scent. Thank you so much. Happiness to all. Victoria E. aka Bella May 30, 2014 at 2:18pm Reply

    • missyl: Hi Victoria! I love a rose note too. I found Velvet Rose (SSS) to very nice in the summer, and it lasted well. I know it doesn’t get a lot of ‘love’ from some, but I found Stella to be wonderful in the summer! It stays fresh, light, and lasts well. They are both affordable too. Some of the Rosines are great summer fragrances but they didn’t have any lasting power at all on me- so try a sample before you invest. I seriously loved the Parfums de Rosine Un Zest de Rose – but it was pretty much totally gone in an hour at most..Blessings and Happy smelling! May 30, 2014 at 3:42pm Reply

      • Heather H: I am going to second Velvet Rose. Just sooo gorgeous, and my husband loves it too which is sooo rare! May 30, 2014 at 5:58pm Reply

      • Vanie: I find Stella very nice, easy to wear, without being boring, and quite long lasting as well. May 30, 2014 at 8:48pm Reply

        • Michaela: I second Stella. Such a treat in the hot days. May 31, 2014 at 3:13pm Reply

    • Merlin: Just wanted to add Jo Malone’s Red Rose to the list:) May 30, 2014 at 4:28pm Reply

    • rainboweyes: Have you tried Coup de Foudre by Parfums del Rae? It’s my favourite rose. Hermessence Rose Ikebana and Diptyque Ombre dans l’Eau are great too. May 31, 2014 at 5:13am Reply

      • Patricia: Second Coup de Foudre. June 1, 2014 at 7:20pm Reply

    • Indigo: I can really recommend La Fille de Berlin by Serge Lutens – it is a juicy, slightly peppery, lightly musky rose. It would be ideal for spring and summer. May 31, 2014 at 11:56am Reply

  • Merlin: I have a theoretical question to ask, given that there are some very knowledgeable folk about here:)

    I’m a little confused about two notes, amber and incense. A fragrance often has notes like the following listed: amber, labdanum, vanilla etc. But, it turns out that ‘amber’ just is a combination of labdanum and vanilla. Why then is amber listed as an additional note.

    I was wondering the same about incense because an incense perfume will have a list like: frankincense, myrrh, resins, etc. But, it would seem that the incense is in fact the frankincense, myrrh and resins. So again, why is it listed as an additional note?

    Or have I just thought myself into this particular hole? lol! May 30, 2014 at 3:01pm Reply

    • Elisa: Well, you can never trust note lists. 🙂 Probably the marketers are just covering their bases (no pun intended) May 30, 2014 at 5:25pm Reply

      • Merlin: lol! I’m aware that they are largely imaginary, but it does make me wonder why people talk of incense perfumes rather than frankincense ones, or amber scents rather than labdanum ones, etc… Or is ‘amber’ and ‘incense’ actually category terms (like types of orientals) rather than actual notes. May 30, 2014 at 6:14pm Reply

        • leathermountain: I don’t know anything about the incense question. But I think that there are aromachemicals that are associated with the marketing idea of amber notes, and these are not necessarily related in any fundamental way to the labdanum + vanilla combo. I feel like maybe the amber idea started out as labdanum + vanilla, but now it encompasses a wider range of smells. Caveat: I do tend to think myself into holes as well. 🙂 May 30, 2014 at 9:25pm Reply

    • Poodle: I think of incense and amber as both notes and categories. When I smell incense I think there’s a difference between frankincense, myrrh, etc., and when I smell ambers they have different qualities as well. I find the same with rose scents. Some smell like tea roses, others are metallic or sour. Some are powdery, etc. it’s possible that in some instances the perfumer is using an aroma chemical that approximates frankincense, labdanum or amber or that the combination of notes ends up smelling like that and they just list it that way on the notes. Also, when I smell something like Avignon the incense note is completely different to my nose than the one in Tauer’s Incense Rose. Note lists are weird like that. In white florals you’ll see gardenia listed but we all know there’s no true gardenia note and it’s a combination of other things that’s makes it smell like gardenia. I look at note list more as a list of what my nose will detect as opposed to what’s actually in there. I’m writing this before the morning caffeine has kicked in so forgive me if I’ve rambled on and made no sense. 🙂 May 31, 2014 at 7:24am Reply

      • leathermountain: no coffee yet for me either, but I’m following along 🙂 May 31, 2014 at 8:28am Reply

      • Merlin: Thanks both of you! I agree that notes have little to do with actual ingredients. And with any particular note there are going to be variants (different types of roses etc)

        But interesting that there may now be amber notes that are not chemical replications of the labdanum-vanilla combo. In that case the labd and vanilla may actually be additional notes. Scratches head :s

        I had to get coffee just to get this far, lol! May 31, 2014 at 9:40am Reply

      • Victoria: I agree. I also think of them as both notes and fragrance categories, particularly amber. Amber can be labdanum:
        https://boisdejasmin.com/2011/09/amber-sweet-labdanum-perfume-notes-and-fragrance-materials.html

        or ambergris and related ambery materials:
        https://boisdejasmin.com/note/ambergris-animalic-amber

        It can also mean accords that have an ambery character. Many woody synthetics have ambery nuances, for instance. June 3, 2014 at 3:01pm Reply

  • Isis: Yoehoe!
    I have a question:
    Does anyone have an opinion about Majda Bekkali as a brand? I am thinking about ordering a sample of Tendre Est La Nuit, and I need to decide if I want to explore her other perfumes too… If you’d like to share wether you have a favorite from this line or how the line as a whole strikes you, do let me know!
    Thanks! May 30, 2014 at 3:15pm Reply

    • maja: I was quite impressed by Majda Bekkali line I tried some months ago. But I tried them only on paper (feathers actually) I liked Fusion Sacree. (both versions) May 31, 2014 at 8:27am Reply

      • leathermountain: bird feathers? May 31, 2014 at 8:28am Reply

        • maja: Yes although I am not sure what kind of bird. It was a very pleasant feeling. May 31, 2014 at 2:13pm Reply

          • leathermountain: Wow. Were they at the shop, or did you bring your own, or did a mysterious bird drop its feather into your mist, just as you were spritzing…? May 31, 2014 at 4:52pm Reply

    • Lynley: I’ve only tried tendre est un nuit and thought it was wonderful, sorry I cant help with the others.. May 31, 2014 at 10:16am Reply

  • missyl: Good afternoon! I love this topic and learning from you all! I have two questions:
    1. I get to go to Malaysia this summer ( squeeel!!!! :)))!) and I want to know what to wear in that beautiful hot, humidity..
    2. Is there something I shouldn’t miss smelling while I’m in Kuala Lumpur? A local perfume, a flower, a brand that’s in the area and not easily found in the US?
    Thank you perfumistas! You’re the best!!! May 30, 2014 at 3:20pm Reply

    • Cybele: what kind of notes/freagrances do you like? May 30, 2014 at 6:27pm Reply

    • Sandra: Maybe if it’s too hot , wearing a nice light cologne might work. atelier makes great colognes that are light and fab.
      Also Hermes garden collection
      annick goutal un matin d’orage is nice and light
      By killian water calligraphy – I have depleted my sample of that this week alone

      I am not sure what you like- so I am not sure what notes appeal to you May 30, 2014 at 7:37pm Reply

      • missyl: Thank you Cybele and Sandra- I love rose, tuberose, incense, ambergris, and carnation. My most worn fragrances are Stella, tuberose and Gardinia( estee) and Hermes Eau de Merivilles. I really dislike melon and big aldehydes. May 31, 2014 at 1:45pm Reply

        • Cybele: Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia works well in humid weather especially for evenings. Also LILY by Stella McCartney or one of these by Hermes: Osmanthe Yunnan, Vanille Galante and Rose Ikebana. If you want something truly tropical try Manoumalia. May 31, 2014 at 6:28pm Reply

          • missyl: I agree on the Tuberose Gardenia- I was planning on taking it with me. It blooms in the heat without strangling me :).
            I haven’t tried the Lily by McCartney..I’ll go try that today.
            We don’t have the Manoumalia here…what is your impression of it on skin? I guess I am worried about a fragrance getting too strong in the heat and humidity combo. But if its light like the Estee Tuberose and Gardenia it would be perfect! Thanks for any info you can lend me! June 1, 2014 at 1:58pm Reply

            • Cybele: Manoumalia is very soft but not as fresh or green as the EL. I guess I would only wear it at night. Generally, humidity+heat allows for wearing strong perfumes because they evaporate faster. But it depends a little on the notes. I personally don’t enjoy anything patchouli, ambery or aldehydic in this type of climate but florals, woods, incense and attars can be great. Now I am thinking of one you might like as a lighter alternative to your EL: Ormond Jayne Frangipani. It would be perfect for daytime! June 1, 2014 at 10:05pm Reply

  • Raissa: I am also looking for a summer fragrance. I have been wearing Bois des Iles edt obsessively for months, and am looking for something with a similar “feel” for warmer weather that does not veer too sweet or gourmand. Thanks! May 30, 2014 at 4:39pm Reply

    • Elisa: Try Sonoma Scent Studio’s Jour Ensolleile — it’s got a woody base but with summery florals on top. May 30, 2014 at 5:26pm Reply

      • Raissa: Thanks so much, this sounds interesting! May 30, 2014 at 8:48pm Reply

    • Tomate Farcie: Ava Luxe No 23 May 30, 2014 at 11:04pm Reply

      • Raissa: Thank you. Tam Dao is awful on me….Maybe this would be better. June 1, 2014 at 12:05am Reply

  • S: I love Balenciaga Paris, Cartier Baiser Vole, and Cartier Baiser Vole Essence. What others would you recommend? May 31, 2014 at 2:10am Reply

    • S: Any other powdery type of scents? May 31, 2014 at 2:21am Reply

      • Cornelia Blimber: You could try Love Chloe and love, Chloe Intense. May 31, 2014 at 4:30am Reply

    • maja: Love, Chloe maybe. And also Histoires de Parfums Violette Blanc. May 31, 2014 at 8:28am Reply

    • rainboweyes: Patricia de Nicolai Violette in Love, Jovoy Rouge Assassin, Frederic Malle Iris Poudré and Lipstick Rose… June 1, 2014 at 12:31pm Reply

    • Karin: Dior New Look 1947! June 2, 2014 at 9:27am Reply

  • Cottonmouth: Hello everyone! My favourite fragrances (right now at least 🙂 ) are Diptyque’s Ombre dans l’eau and Philosykos and Annick Goutal’s Le Chèvrefeuille, I am looking forward to expand my little collection with new scents which are fresh but not necessarily just citric and that’s all. Incense and iris give me headache, as well as “intoxicating” perfumes, any ideas? Thank you very much!! May 31, 2014 at 3:26am Reply

    • leathermountain: Maybe Nicolai’s L’Eau MiXte. It is citric, but a whole lot more than that, definitely fresh, and sharing some quality I can’t name with the three you mentioned. May 31, 2014 at 8:30am Reply

      • Cottonmouth: That one is already on my “to try” list, so now I am even more eager to get a sample, thank you! May 31, 2014 at 12:46pm Reply

        • leathermountain: Do you want a sample from me? My hawtmayle addy is alederberg. (Victoria, do you mind this?) May 31, 2014 at 4:54pm Reply

          • Cottonmouth: I already ordered it from The perfumed court but thank you so much!! June 1, 2014 at 3:23pm Reply

    • Cybele: try Hermes Rose Ikebana May 31, 2014 at 8:37am Reply

      • Cottonmouth: Haven’t heard about this one, definitely interesting, thank you very much! May 31, 2014 at 12:49pm Reply

    • Merlin: All 3 scents in the Hermes Jardin collection would seem to fit the bill! May 31, 2014 at 9:44am Reply

      • Cottonmouth: Sur le toit and En mediterranee do look like posdible winners, thank you! May 31, 2014 at 12:55pm Reply

    • Lynley: Eau d’Italie Jardin de Poete May 31, 2014 at 10:18am Reply

      • Cottonmouth: Lovely notes, definitely worth to try, thank yo very much! May 31, 2014 at 12:58pm Reply

    • Indigo: I can think of several Annick Goutal’s that would fit this bill – either Nuit Etoilée, which has a fresh bright start softening and warming, or Mandragore, which is more bright and citrus ginger spicy. June 1, 2014 at 11:17am Reply

      • Cottonmouth: I find Nuit etoilee a bit too masculine for me, but I thought it would be perfect for my husband (unfortunately he didn’t think the same), thank you! June 1, 2014 at 3:26pm Reply

        • Indigo: Ah, well in that case, Mandragore will probably seem too masculine too!
          What about fresh in a floral way, like Après L’Ondée? June 2, 2014 at 3:06pm Reply

    • rainboweyes: What about Olfactive Studio Still Life or Flashback? Or maybe Marni? June 1, 2014 at 1:05pm Reply

      • Cottonmouth: Still life is one of my “I like it a lot, still…”, Flashback yet again too masculine for me, thanks so much! June 1, 2014 at 3:28pm Reply

  • nemo: I have been doing some imaginary shopping recently, and I am looking for Tauer perfume #3 to fill out my Explorer set. So far I have tried four Tauer perfumes, and I loved two of them (Lonestar Memories and L’Air du Desert Marocain), and strongely disliked the other two (Eau d’Epices and Orange Star-way way way too citrus bathroom cleaner-y). Based on this, if I were to seek out samples of some of his other perfumes, do people have any recommendations? I am especially curious about some of his rose perfumes, but chypres don’t always work well on my skin for reasons I haven’t figured out yet. Also, I am undecided about how I feel on lily of the valley notes. Thanks in advance! May 31, 2014 at 10:00am Reply

    • Lynley: Those are my 2 favorites also. I haven’t tried them all, but didn’t like Auburn or Rose Vermeille, which found sickeningly sweet. Incense Rose, Zeta and Phi (currently out of stock) are the others I’d choose from personally. May 31, 2014 at 10:22am Reply

      • nemo: Thank you! That is very helpful 🙂 Those were already near the top of my list! May 31, 2014 at 10:27am Reply

    • jirish: Seconding the suggestion of Incense Rose, and think you might also like Incense Extreme. May 31, 2014 at 2:30pm Reply

  • Indigo: Hello everyone. I am trying to track down a good signature – good sillage and lasting power but not overwhelming for everyday.
    I want something kind of bright and cool but dark and mysterious. I love the idea (or should I say marketing?) of Guerlain’s Vol de Nuit, Goutal’s Nuit Etoilée and Luten’s Feminité du Bois, but they don’t smell the way I expect (too powdery, too fresh and light, and too pencil shaving-y respectively). Longevity is also a problem with the last 2…
    I have been doing lots of research and getting through loads of testers: I like Après L’Ondée and La Fille de Berlin, though find them too pretty; as well as Santal Majuscule and Black Orchid…
    Ladies and Gentlemen, any advice would be so gratefully received! May 31, 2014 at 11:52am Reply

    • nemo: I don’t know if this counts as “dark and mysterious,” but have you tried Marni? Also perhaps Montale Intense Cafe (I haven’t tried most of the perfumes you mentioned, but since you liked Santal Majuscule). Then again, these might be too pretty… May 31, 2014 at 1:09pm Reply

    • maja: I find Timbuktu both bright and mysterious at the same time. May 31, 2014 at 2:15pm Reply

    • jirish: If La Fille de Berlin was too pretty, maybe try Paestum Rose, which is more unisex to my nose. You might also like L’Ombre Dans L’eau – the name alone (Shadow in the Water) sounds like the kind of bright/cool/dark you are looking for. May 31, 2014 at 2:33pm Reply

    • Cybele: Timbuktu came to my mind too and I think CDG Avignon would be perfect.
      Another idea is Chanel 19 May 31, 2014 at 6:40pm Reply

      • Cybele: some more thoughts – try Dior Bois D’Argent May 31, 2014 at 6:56pm Reply

      • Sheri: Seconding Chanel 19! May 31, 2014 at 7:38pm Reply

    • Indigo: Thanks everyone. I know I am asking for a lot with my dark/bright thing! I’m afraid to say I really dislike Chanel 19 (all Chanels smell too alike and too powdery to me), which makes me seem very inculte, I know. Also, despite my allegiance to French perfume, half of France smells like Chanel, so maybe that has done it for me!
      I think I’ll give Timbuktu and L’Ombre dans l’Eau a try, Avignon has been on my horizons for a little while, so I’ll also test that. And whilst checking out Marni and Paestum Rose, I saw Une Rose by Malle, which might work…? June 1, 2014 at 4:01am Reply

      • rainboweyes: Have you tried Byredo 1996 or Iris Silver Mist? June 1, 2014 at 12:36pm Reply

        • Indigo: Would love to try ISM… Getting hold of a sample in Europe is not easy, though. I haven’t looked into Byredo before, although I do have a bit of a thing for violet. Thanks for the suggestions! June 1, 2014 at 2:08pm Reply

  • Julie: Such a fun post!

    I’m interested in seeing if anyone can recommend a scent or two with a coffee note. I don’t want to smell like coffee but I do love the smell, and would be interested in trying any scents that incorporate this note nicely.

    Thanks! May 31, 2014 at 4:45pm Reply

    • Jehane: Jo Malone Black Vetyver Café – it can come up a little like syrupy coffee if your skin is like mine, but it came up very differently, darker and almost Annie Lennox androgynously-tuxedoed, on my friend’s skin. May 31, 2014 at 6:02pm Reply

      • Julie: Thanks!
        I’m going to try this but everything that I’ve read thus far tells me it’s a waste of time because the lasting power is so poor. May 31, 2014 at 8:58pm Reply

    • Courant: Noa by Cacharel releases a whiff of Cafe au Lait during the dry down but it is a capricious pixie, not constant. I believe the new Habanita l’esprit might appeal to you and its a great price online. June 1, 2014 at 2:37am Reply

      • Julie: Noa I’ve been meaning to try! Thanks! I’ve never see it in stores, will have to go online. June 1, 2014 at 2:33pm Reply

    • Jillie: Like Courant, I was going to suggest Noa – not overwhelmingly coffee, just a hint. A nice cuddly scent, with a soft woody drydown and a nice (non laundry) musk. The edp is better than the edt, but I think it’s been discontinued (of course). June 1, 2014 at 10:53am Reply

      • Julie: I’ll keep an eye out for edp 😉 June 1, 2014 at 2:35pm Reply

    • Tomate Farcie: Comme des Garcons Kyoto, Ineke Field Notes From Paris, Dawn Spencer Horowitz Cafe Noir,
      Popy Moreni Perfume June 1, 2014 at 11:47am Reply

      • Julie: Thanks! I have Field Notes and love it, but not sure I’ve ever recognized a coffee note.

        The others I need to look into. June 1, 2014 at 2:32pm Reply

    • Maggie: La Via del Profumo Milano Caffe June 1, 2014 at 6:55pm Reply

      • Julie: Going on the list! June 2, 2014 at 11:08am Reply

    • Anne of Green Gables: Hello Julie, have you tried Hermessence Vetiver Tonka? I get earthy, nutty, toasted, sweet and slightly burnt nuances of coffee from this perfume. It’s not literal smell of coffee but it acheives a similar effect for me. June 2, 2014 at 8:47am Reply

      • Julie: I’ve got a sample of this I should try again – thanks! June 2, 2014 at 11:08am Reply

    • Savita: What about Tom Ford Cafe Rose? I think this is gorgeous. June 2, 2014 at 9:39am Reply

      • Julie: Yes! I’m definitely ordering a sample of this one. I read a bit on it and it sounds like what I’m looking for. I’m not a rose lover, but this seems like a spicy rose which I love. June 2, 2014 at 11:09am Reply

        • Savitanaraine: I had a sample of Cafe Rose before and I’m thinking to order another 🙂 June 2, 2014 at 10:49pm Reply

    • Liz K: Have you tried Olympic Orchids Cave V? It is one of the few I haven’t sampled but if it is anything like as good as her chocolate fragrances (which I didn’t think I would like) it would be worth trying. June 2, 2014 at 10:34am Reply

      • Julie: Will check this out! I’ve not heard of this brand before. Thanks! June 2, 2014 at 11:11am Reply

    • Nina Zolotow: New Haarlem by Bond No 9. I like very few from that line, but this one is a very interesting coffee fragrance. June 2, 2014 at 11:06am Reply

      • Julie: I’ve read a bit on this.. seems like its quite sweet which could be a deal breaker for me. But definitely an easy one to try out here in NYC. June 2, 2014 at 11:12am Reply

  • Alexia: Love the this thread!! It is nice to learn about new perfumes and hear different recomendations:)
    I like Brazil by Estee Lauder, Classique, Red Jeans by Versace, Coco Mademoiselle, Coco Noir, the escada line, Babydoll by Yves Saint Laurent, Musc Monoi by Parfums de Nicolai, Versus by Versace, Scarlett by Cacharel and I love the smells of Syrens, lilies and Oranges.
    I would like to find a unique perfume which stands out, especially around the crowd of sixteen-year olds that I hang out with.
    Looking forward to reading the recomendations!!! May 31, 2014 at 5:40pm Reply

    • Cybele: Try Lily and Rhubarb by Comme des Garcons. June 1, 2014 at 2:48am Reply

    • Jillie: Alexia, I think that Tocca’s Stella would be perfect for you! Immediate citrus burst of blood orange and then spicy lily. And different! June 1, 2014 at 10:56am Reply

    • Victoria: Have you tried Gucci Guilty for Her? It has a blend of lilac, mandarin and patchouli, and I really think that it’s beautifully done.

      Also, Cacharel Amor Amor has a fantastic orange note. June 3, 2014 at 3:21pm Reply

      • Alexia: Thanks!!! I will write down all of your recommendations down on my list:D
        Really appreciate it!!! June 5, 2014 at 3:17pm Reply

  • Laura: Hi All, I am looking for a summer fragrance that is what YSL Saharienne should have been. Saharienne is really weak but it has a wonderful tea note that seems hard to find.

    An elegant bergamot-citrus-vetiver-myrrh-incense (lightly done mind) it can be unisex but a little feminity wouldn’t go amiss.

    I’ve tried the usual Vetiver Pour Elle etc but they lack the casual elegance.

    Also I am in Prague and we are not so fortunate with niche shops here. Thank you! June 1, 2014 at 1:27pm Reply

  • Lora: I don’t know either of these fragrances but according to the notes you mentioned I did a little investigating and found two that might work for you. Chanel Sycomore from the Exculsive boutique line and Versilis Platinum by Profumi del Forte.
    Good luck! June 1, 2014 at 10:18pm Reply

  • Gabrielle: I am looking for a scent to conjure are warm dry gulf island forest. I spend lots of summers on these little coastal islands and the scent is intoxicating. The perfume should be warm and honeyed, with dry leaves, oak, fir, pine or cedar, sweet dry grassy notes. It would be amazing to find something balanced with a fresh, salty smell, like the sea breezes that waft through the trees, to keep it from becoming cloying or too heavy. I feel like there must be something out there that smells like this. Whenever I try to search for leaves/forest, however, I get green/wet/earthy/dirt descriptors, which are entirely different from the tinder dry forest smells I’m looking for. I know this is a needle in a haystack type request, even if you could suggest some base notes to look for that might evoke these scents would be helpful. June 2, 2014 at 12:13pm Reply

    • Cybele: try L’Artisan Cote D’Amour and Annick Goutal Sables and Chanel Bel Respiro June 2, 2014 at 2:03pm Reply

      • Gabrielle: Thank you! I will check these out. June 2, 2014 at 10:49pm Reply

    • Snowyowl: Your description of what you long for makes me long for it also!

      Jo Malone has a new fragrance coming out either this summer or fall called Wood Sage and Sea Salt which might be an option (haven’t smelled it myself, obviously). The description sounds similar to what you’re after.

      I’d love to know what you come up with, however. Keep us posted! June 2, 2014 at 2:27pm Reply

      • Gabrielle: That sounds amazing, I will try that out. Its been so hard to find something just right that I have very seriously been considering trying to make it myself. June 2, 2014 at 10:51pm Reply

        • Maggie: Have you tried any of the Juniper Ridge colognes? They are supposed to be very natural smelling. The new one, which I think is called Topango Canyon, is said to smell like the Californian coastal mountains in full springtime and they have a sample set of all the Backpackers Colognes available on their website. June 3, 2014 at 1:03am Reply

          • Gabrielle: No, I’ve never heard of these, but they sound pretty close to what I am hoping for, thank you for the suggestion, I’m going to go check these out right away! This is such a lovely thread, I’m just starting to learn about perfumes and reading all the advice on here is amazing. June 3, 2014 at 10:06am Reply

    • Indigo: Fille en Aiguilles smells like this to me. I was looking for a bright, wintry scent and someone recommended it, but it was conceived with hot, dry summers and pine trees near the beach, which is exactly what I get. It has plenty of pine needles and frankincense, which keeps things dry, then the honeyed warmth I think you are after. June 3, 2014 at 4:11am Reply

      • Gabrielle: Ooh! I’m going to have to track down a sample, that sounds great too June 3, 2014 at 10:07am Reply

    • rainboweyes: Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel is a great salty scent too. And Lorenzo Villoresi Aura Maris. June 3, 2014 at 11:14am Reply

  • Demetra: Help! I need a replacement for my favorite discontinued perfume, “Deneuve”. Does anyone remember this beautiful scent? Haven’t found anything like it. Thanks! June 2, 2014 at 12:24pm Reply

    • Patricia: Sadly, many of the ingredients that made Deneuve so beautiful, such as oakmoss, have since been banned, so you aren’t likely to find a close substitute.

      However, a modern chypre such as Chanel’s 31 Rue Cambon might give you the same kind of feeling that Deneuve diid. June 2, 2014 at 8:03pm Reply

    • maja: If you can find an older version of Y by YSL, it would be a decent replacement, I think. I am not sure the most recent version is good enough due to various restrictions. June 3, 2014 at 8:24am Reply

  • Karen: Any suggestions for a honeysuckle fragrance? Something like what A la Nuit does for jasmine. I’ve even clearing brush, pulling out brambles, dealing with poison ivy and the only thing keeping me sane is the fragrance of wild honeysuckle. June 3, 2014 at 5:38am Reply

    • Victoria: I’m looking for a good honeysuckle myself, but if you see Annick Goutal reissue Chevrefeuille (they do time to time,) I recommend trying it. It’s a great honeysuckle rendition! June 3, 2014 at 3:24pm Reply

      • Karen: Thanks! I will definitely look for it. It’s funny because honeysuckle really is an intoxicating fragrance and so connected to summer that it’s surprising there aren’t more beautiful honeysuckle perfumes! June 4, 2014 at 6:13am Reply

    • AnnieA: Demeter’s Honeysuckle is spot-on and cheap, but only lasts a few minutes. June 3, 2014 at 6:24pm Reply

      • Karen: You know, that may be perfect! If it doesn’t last I could use it after showering then when going out use something else. Thanks Annie! June 4, 2014 at 6:15am Reply

  • Patricia: Does anyone have a lilac soliflore that they can recommend (other than En Passant)?

    Thanks! June 3, 2014 at 7:13am Reply

    • Liz K: Have you tried Pacifica French Lilac? It is inexpensive and I find it very pleasant if not super exciting. It is one of my gym bag staples because it is a bit dryer sheet-y and clean. June 3, 2014 at 11:01am Reply

      • Patricia: Yes and I like that one quite a bit even if as you said it isn’t terribly exciting. June 3, 2014 at 11:25am Reply

    • rainboweyes: Have you checked Gaia’s recommendations on nonblonde? http://www.thenonblonde.com/2014/05/lilac-perfumes-my-top-picks.html#.U43m2y-PZY0 June 3, 2014 at 11:17am Reply

      • Patricia: Thanks, I will. June 3, 2014 at 11:26am Reply

    • Victoria: Jo Malone had a lilac perfume, which I think was pretty. June 3, 2014 at 3:25pm Reply

  • Tijana: Hi everyone – I recently discovered Mon Precieux Nectar from Guerlain, but even though it is in parfum form, I find issues with its longevity. Has anyone else experienced this and does anyone have any recommendations? June 4, 2014 at 9:52am Reply

  • Hannah: Just making perfume-related conversation; I have no questions.
    I ordered samples of Mohur, Trayee, and Ashoka (I didn’t want to pay to try Bombay Bling). The past two days I have checked the mail every 10 minutes for hours but they haven’t come yet. Hopefully they come tomorrow.
    I’m most excited about Trayee.
    PG Indochine will be in the package too. June 4, 2014 at 4:26pm Reply

    • Victoria: Great choices, especially Mohur and Trayee. I think that you will enjoy trying all four perfume you selected, and I can’t wait to hear what you think of Trayee. It’s probably the most surprising scent in the collection and the most unusual one. June 4, 2014 at 4:42pm Reply

      • Hannah: They came today.
        I tried them all at once so I can’t have any strong opinions yet. This is also my first time getting samples from a store in a long time. In the past year I have only gotten samples from my friend, who sends me 2ml spray vials.
        I decided to try Mohur thanks to the ”Indian pastry” accord and carrot being in the notes, but I think I overplayed my expectation of it smelling like an Indian dessert. It is a rose perfume and not a gourmand, after all.
        Trayee is definitely really unusual. I liked it better after 15 or so minutes. Am I insane or does the opening smell like blueberries? I’m probably just insane. I really thought I would be having a crisis over the possibility of having to spend $260, but I don’t think this is very me at all. I need to try it isolated but so far I think it is very interesting but not something I want to buy a full bottle of.
        Ashoka had a nice opening but then became really soapy. Maybe I applied it too lightly (I initially did that with Mohur because I’m not used to these tiny vials anymore), but I think it is my least favorite overall but with my favorite opening. Trayee is the opposite–least favorite opening, favorite of the 3 overall.
        My favorite of all the samples is Indochine, but it may only be interesting to me because I haven’t tried many honey perfumes. I wish it were spicier. June 6, 2014 at 5:46pm Reply

        • Hannah: Oh, the blueberry in Trayee is actually the cassis. I wasn’t expecting that to be so strong so it threw me off a bit. June 6, 2014 at 6:27pm Reply

        • Victoria: I had a similar reaction to them. Ashoka was my least favorite (it’s nicely done, but it’s too pale on me; Patricia, on the other hand, adored it), and Trayee was the one that caught my attention the most. June 7, 2014 at 9:24am Reply

  • Lilacs: Hi everyone! I’ve been wearing Serge Lutens’ Un Bois Vanille and Frederic Malle Une Rose throughout fall and winter and into spring. These 2 have kind of became my go to scents and signature. We’ve had a long winter here! It recently started to get hot and humid. Summer is finally coming! I’m searching for my signature go to summer scent. I would like something that will fair well in the hot weather. It’s very humid here so sweat included. Something light, fresh and crisp. Not sure if I want a floral or a citrus, maybe a bright floral or fresh citrus? I’m lost at the moment. I would love some suggestions! What are your summer favorites? June 5, 2014 at 11:02am Reply

    • Victoria: If I want something crisp for a hot day, I turn to L’Artisan Mimosa Pour Moi. It has a green violet and cucumber note that is refreshing, and since it’s not a heavy perfume, it doesn’t overwhelm me. I don’t tolerate heat well, so overly rich scents never work.

      Annick Goutal Un Matin d’Orange is a sheer gardenia/tiare blossom with citrus, and I wore it in India a lot. So, it passed the summer heat test with flying colors.

      Then, there are Hermes colognes–Eau de Narcisse Bleu, Eau de Gentiane Blanche, etc. Many of these are more than just simple colognes, and they’re really well-made.

      Christian Dior also has its Escale series available at Sephora and other big perfumeries, and all of the fragrances are colognes but with a twist of something else. I recommend testing them.

      And finally, Atelier Cologne (also at Sephora) has a big collection of cologne-like fragrances. Their floral+citrus one is Grand Neroli, based on orange blossom. June 5, 2014 at 1:16pm Reply

      • Lilacs: Thanks Victoria for your suggestions! I’m looking forward to checking them out!

        Have a great weekend!

        xo June 6, 2014 at 10:21pm Reply

  • Tara: I may be coming too late to the thread, but I just found this site (by way of searching for a particular tisane). I would *love* a recommendation for a summer perfume. Lately I had this realization that I’ve been working so much I’ve been forgetting to do all the little things for myself that help to make me happy. I like the idea of finding a new perfume that would be a little reminder of me being still being a person. In addition, I’m headed to France & Portugal for about 3.5 weeks in August (Portugal is actually for work, but I’ll be spending my evenings exploring) and I’m hoping to find a scent that will do well in the heat and that isn’t too overpowering. Something age-appropriate to a newly-minted thirty would also be good, although I’m willing to try anything provided it doesn’t scream teenager.

    Non-commercial scents I love: jasmine, black tea (especially ceylon, Earl Grey, and Irish Breakfast), white tea (especially jasmine), green tea (especially jasmine), honeysuckle, “amber” (provided it is very light and not too vanilla-y), roses/rose petals/rose water, rain, champagne, grapefruit, orange flower water. [I also like tuberose and gardenia flowers, but I’ve found that they can go badly wrong in commercial fragrances.] I also have favorable scent memories of some of the kinds of incense used in Southeast Asia — particularly in temples, but I haven’t the slightest clue what was in them.

    Commercial scents I currently love (unfortunately not perfumes):
    Om She Aromatherapy White Tea & Bergamot body butter/body wash [on the package: shea butter, sweet almond oil, cocoa seed butter, avocado oil, rosehip seed oil, aloe vera, and “fragrance”]
    Henri Bendel’s “Fig” candles/room scent [described as: the scent of the sun-ripened fruit with that of its woody leaves with a hint of sweet jasmine, spicy anise and sensual sandalwood]
    Alba Botanica very emollient body lotion [seems to have chamomile, green tea, aloe vera; the ‘parfum/fragrance’ is listed as “Linalool fragrance.” I’ve always assumed it had jasmine scent in it and I’m now suddenly wondering if it is actually something else?]

    Perfumes I have liked on myself in the past (where I can remember the names):
    Dior Addict Eau Sensuelle [I still have this, but it is too strong for summer; I briefly smelled the Eau Fraiche in store and it did seem more promising]
    Chanel – Coco Mademoiselle [in my later twenties]
    Cacharel – Amor Amor [in my mid twenties]
    Chanel – No. 5 – [in my mid twenties, but only in the evenings when it was cold out; too much of a “baby powdery” scent for me]
    Chanel – Chance [in my early twenties]
    Escada Tropical Punch [when I was about 16 or so]

    Perfume I thought I would love (but it didn’t smell good on me): Michael by Michael Kors

    I’m allergic to: tobacco (all nightshade plants), and whatever was in “Gap Heaven” back around 1999.

    Potential consideration: Some perfumes I’ve tried I thought smelled good on paper, but on me wound up smelling “sour.” I’m not sure if this has to do with the acidity/alkalinity of my skin, etc., or anything, but I thought it might be worth mentioning.

    I’m interested in recommendations of anything you all may have to recommend [this discussion seems to be a veritable treasure trove of perfume knowledge] that won’t terribly break the bank. I don’t need them to be designer [many of the designer perfumes I’ve had were either gifts or samples] — I’m happy with any recommendations from one-note sprays to Etsy sellers to department store perfumes. I’d also be quite open to going on a little perfume quest while I’m in Europe, but given that I won’t have a car and the only city I’ll really be in is Lisbon, it should hopefully be not-too-difficult to find.

    Thank you! June 14, 2014 at 11:44pm Reply

    • Victoria: You really might enjoy L’Occitane perfumes, many of which are light, single note and great for the summer. I don’t remember the specific names, since the line has changed recently and many perfumes were renamed, but I recommend stopping by the store to smell. Also, Roger & Gallet which is sold at every pharmacy in Europe (should be at Lisbon too). Their Green Tea (The Vert) and various colognes are terrific and would be great for the summer. June 16, 2014 at 7:42am Reply

      • Tara: Victoria, thank you! I’ll definitely check out both L’Occitane and Roger & Gallet. I’m so happy I found your site — it is very informative and is also an enjoyable and welcome break from the rest of the world . Although I must confess that I’m rather ignorant about perfume, I do love discovering new sensory pleasures that I can incorporate into my life as rituals (e.g., afternoon tea). I look forward to learning more by reading through your archives and hopefully even finding some other perfumes for different seasons and occasions! June 16, 2014 at 7:53pm Reply

        • Victoria: Anytime, Tara! And hey, all of us started out someplace, and there is still so much to learn. Please come back anytime, ask questions and all of us will try to help you (and anyone else!) to find the right fragrance. June 17, 2014 at 6:35am Reply

  • Gwen: Hi! I’m looking for a new summer scent, since Laura Mercier’s Almond Coconut has been badly reformulated. I wear Donna Karan Cashmere Mist in the fall/winter, and Eternity in the first 6 months of the year. I live in Southern CA, but I’m going to Chicago/Memphis/Nashville for 10 days next week. So I need something that won’t kill me or anyone else in extreme heat index/humidity conditions.

    This time of the year, I prefer florals with perhaps a touch of sweet fruit…yet something that seems mature (I’m 62)…perhaps with sandlewood, amber, or musk to deepen it. Patchouli makes me feel slightly allergic. I don’t like amber in my summer scent. I LOVE Michael Kors (signature) initial opening blast, but it becomes to mundane/blended in its dry down. I don’t like too much green. I’ve tried, unsuccessfully (in the past 3 weeks):

    J’Adore (parfum-no longevity, amazingly. EDT-too green)
    EL PC and PC Tuberose Gardenia. First too green, second too light. I like a little substance.

    A host of others…practically every other ‘white floral’ out there; either no staying power, or too green. I’m trying Marc Jacobs for Women tonight. Other thoughts that I can get quickly at a department store/don’t require shipping time that I’ve run out of before my trip?

    Thank you! June 26, 2014 at 11:41am Reply

  • Marlene: My signature scent has been Versace Au Fraiche Man for years. It’s the one fragrance I will NEVER tire of. However, it doesn’t have much lasting power ….tends to fade very early in the day, but I still adore it ! I would love a reccomendation of a similar fragrance , preferably an EDP.
    The description of Versace Au Fraiche is :
    Smooth fruits , spiced with green leaves and warm notes of musk, amber, and sycamore wood, make this a scent for today’s more introspective man.

    Notes:
    White Lemon, Rosewood, Carambola, Tarragon, Cedar Leaves, Clary Sage, Musk, Amber, Sycamore Wood. October 14, 2014 at 4:57am Reply

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