We have our “Recommend Me a Perfume” thread this week. You can use this space to ask any questions about perfume, including fragrance recommendations.
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 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, all rights reserved
421 Comments
Nora Szekely: Hi Victoria and perfume lovers,
I mentioned earlier in another topic: I’m going to a Jane Austen (1790-1820 era) ball in June.
What scent do you recommend that captures those times for you?
I love many notes: jasmine, tuberose, rose, violet, iris, musk, oud, incense.
i’m so curious what you will recommend. 🙂
Thank you. February 24, 2016 at 7:14am
Nora Szekely: My favourite perfumes are Coco extrait by Chanel, Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle and la Chasse aux papillons by L’Artisan Parfumeur. February 24, 2016 at 7:16am
Nora Szekely: My ball gown will look something like trhis
http://sensibility.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/photo-3.jpg February 24, 2016 at 7:46am
Michaela: Beautiful!!! I was just going to ask.
I hope you’ll enjoy many dances at the ball!
Please share your experience in June. February 24, 2016 at 8:09am
Aurora: Lovely! Like Cornelia I thought about Penhaligon’s Violetta or less retro and simply perfect Serge Lutens Bois de Violette. February 24, 2016 at 12:45pm
Aurora: And enjoy your special evening, you will look stunning to be sure. February 24, 2016 at 12:49pm
Nora Szekely: I will share my memories, if you’re interested. 🙂 February 25, 2016 at 11:01am
katherine X: Would love to hear them! February 26, 2016 at 8:19pm
Alicia: Lovely dress! February 24, 2016 at 8:20am
Victoria: Beautiful! February 24, 2016 at 5:56pm
Raquel: So beautiful. February 27, 2016 at 2:04pm
Michael: If you wanted something lighter, then I would go for Chanel No 22, which I can only describe as radiant, especially in the extrait de parfum.
If you wanted something more mysterious and exotic, the first fragrance that comes to mind is Frederic Malle’s Une Fleur de Cassie. Or Carnal Flower.
For something in between the two … how about Misia? February 24, 2016 at 7:26am
Cornelia Blimber: Lovely! a real Jane Austen lady.
I would say:
Diorissimo
Stella mc Cartney’s Lily
Quelques Fleurs, Houbigant
Florabotanica, Balenciaga
La Violetta, penhaligon
Un Zest de Rose, Rosine
Rose Splendide, Goutal February 24, 2016 at 7:52am
Cornelia Blimber: Your fav. perfumes are great for you, in the 21th century, but for an Austenlady? February 24, 2016 at 7:54am
spe: Perhaps a soliflore of orange blossom or jasmine? A La Nuit comes to mind or Houbigant Fleurs de Oranger. February 24, 2016 at 8:12am
Alicia: Cornelia, both of us must have been writing our recommendations at the same time. We agree in a couple of them. Not surprising. February 24, 2016 at 8:21am
Notturno7: I thought Misia ,too!
Beautiful photo ? February 24, 2016 at 3:00pm
Alicia: Nora, if you want to smell like a lady of Austen’s days, I think you might want to go towards a soliflore. In England, of course, lavender was much favored, and rose through all of Europe. If you were to favor rose, it should not be a dark one, but a pure rose, such as the scent of Serge Lutens Sa Majesté la Rose, or perhaps a light one such as Stella. If you like lily of the valley you can’t do much better than Diorissimo despite its reformulations. Perhaps a lily? Cartier Baiser Volé is a very nice lily. Personally, I might go with a violet, such as Penhaligon Violetta, or Annick Goutal La Violette. I don’t know why but often I think of some Austen’s young ladies as smelling of violets. In the end I know that my choice would be Guerlain, Apres L’Ondée (forgive me, I don’t have l’accent grave in my computer). That is a fragrance for dreams. Michael’s suggestions of Chanel 22 and Misia are both good. Victoria certainly knows the most proper one. How charming your Austen ball! I envy you. February 24, 2016 at 8:15am
Cornelia Blimber: No, not surprising, Alicia!
I agree with all your suggestions, save for Après L’Ondée. Soft en lovely, but imo. too typical Guerlain, too typical French. What about Yardley English Lavender?
Or Caron Pour Un Homme, sweet enough for a young Austen lady.
Don’t forget to perfume your gloves and handkerchief and ballbook, Nora! February 24, 2016 at 9:00am
Cornelia Blimber: Other ideas:
White Linen, Lauder.
Cologne, Thierry Mugler. Amazing longevity.
Both clean, crisp, innocent but not childish, fresh, but full of character, as Austen women are! February 24, 2016 at 9:21am
Isabel: Nora, how wonderful to go to a Jane Austen ball – hope you get to dance with Mr Darcy 🙂 I agree with Alicia and Cornelia, you should go with something light, romantic, subdued. Diorissimo is wonderful, and violets seem very appropriate. How about Parfum de Therese (like Diorissimo it is created by Roudnitska) or En passant, both from Editions de Frederic Malle? February 24, 2016 at 9:33am
Alicia: Very good recommendations< Cornelia. I thought of Yardleys's, but there are other good soliflores like Penhaligon's Lavandula. I love Caron's, but I don't think that in Austen's time they would have combined amber with lavender. Apres l'Ondée is what I myself would wear because it is one of the few fragrances thar take me to a forever land, but you might be quite right. Historically speaking I suspect that a soliflore is the most appropriate. No oud, please.
Nora, Cornelia's advice is important: gloves, handkerchief and carnet de ball should be perfumed. By June you will be the flower of the ball, flos florum. February 24, 2016 at 9:33am
George: By commenting, I would mainly just be doubling up Alicia’s recommendations. But at the risk of doing so, I also suggest a Rose, Violet of Jasmine soliflore, in line with the development of Grasse at this time. Rose of No Man’s land Byredo, Rose Spirituelle by Divine, Violetta or Violette, or a simple jasmine. These also seem in line with what are reported as the taste of Empress Josephine, with both her rose garden and also her reportedly making violet perfumes all the rage (even if she is on the wrong side of Le Manche) I would also suggest Apres L’ondee as right for mood and feel, even if a hundred years out. February 24, 2016 at 9:02am
Elizabeth: Sounds wonderful! I think a light floral blend or soliflore would be most authentic. You can’t go wrong with rose. I would choose Annick Goutal Rose Absolue.
Hope you have a magical evening! February 24, 2016 at 9:46am
limegreen: I replied to your previous thread in the beautiful prose post and thought, Nora should ask everyone on a Recommend thread! So glad you did.
I suggested in that thread an English aesthetic like Jo Malone or Penhaligons, and actually thought about just lavender water which Alicia suggested.
But you want something more alluring, perhaps. February 24, 2016 at 10:05am
Michael: I second your recommendation of Jo Malone – Red Roses, Orange Blossom and Wild Bluebell would come the closest to a soliflore, and there is a certain (simplistic) delicacy about those colognes that works for the period. February 24, 2016 at 10:25am
limegreen: Red Roses would be lovely for a ball! February 24, 2016 at 10:42am
limegreen: And have fun, Nora! February 24, 2016 at 10:44am
SilverMoon: Oh, the ball sounds like great fun! I think soliflores would be most authentic, and roses, violettes, lavender, Lily of the valley, orange blossom would all suit perfectly. I agree with limegreen’s and michael’s suggestions and was going to recommend the same: Red Roses or Orange Blossom (both Jo Malone). The flowery Houbigant perfumes would also be a great option. FM En Passant would also be a lovely option, although I see it more as a day perfume suiting an Austen lady. And finally a more bold and daring Regency lady might wear something like Songes. February 24, 2016 at 5:07pm
Jillie: So many great suggestions already, and I would definitely agree with those that go for rose and violet. When I used to act in costume plays, I would wear Yves St Laurent’s Paris and I always felt it suited the period.
If you could get hold of it (it’s been discontinued) L’Artisan Parfumeur’s La Haie Fleurie would be just perfect – it was inspired by Marie Antoinette’s garden at Versailles and smells just like honeysuckle and jasmine blooming in the sun. February 24, 2016 at 11:49am
Cornelia Blimber: Speaking of Marie Antoinette: Lubin pretends that Black Jade was her last perfume. (nobody beliefs it).
Roses and violets are beautiful of course, but maybe lavender is more English after all.
By the way, Alicia, when i mentioned Yardley and Caron I did not realize that you dropped ”lavender” already.
A beautiful lavender: A Taste of Heaven.
I would go for a lavender, but I am a lavenderlover. Yardley was my signature scent for years. February 24, 2016 at 12:11pm
George: I think we need to know Nora’s character for the ball’s backstory. Does she have a lover who was at Waterloo, who picked her something up in Brussels? Or was she given a bottle by Seymour Fleming, which she got from the Chevalier De Saint Georges when she was in France, but which she didn’t like? Or is she a homegrown girl who wears Lavender? Or an aristocrat’s daughter living in a Piccadilly townhouse, who has her pick of London Stores! February 24, 2016 at 2:05pm
George: That said! A lavender based scent does seem the most Austenesque option. http://janitesonthejames.blogspot.co.uk/2009/08/floris-and-scents-of-times-past.html
🙂 February 24, 2016 at 2:18pm
Cornelia Blimber: Hahaha, right, George!
Curious what Nora will say to that. February 24, 2016 at 3:23pm
limegreen: I vote for the lover who dared to bring something back from Brussels! 🙂 February 24, 2016 at 8:13pm
Jillie: C.ornelia, one of my first perfumes was Yardley’s Lavender – I wore it for years too and I think it was a lovely, complex soliflore (if that makes sense. February 25, 2016 at 1:25am
Jillie: I’ve just done a very quick, not in depth, bit of research and have discovered that violets, especially Parma violets, were so prized for their scent in the 1800s and 1900s that special greenhouses were built in England in which to grow them – mainly for selling in bunches, and it was the French extract that was popular for wearing in those early days. February 25, 2016 at 1:30am
Karen (A): I’m reading Alive, Alive Oh!, a memoir by Diana Athill and she mentions Parma violets being grown by/for her grandmother. Since Diana is 97, that would put her grandmother in that time period. Her description of the gardens where she grew up is wonderful. February 26, 2016 at 5:56am
Karen (A): How fun! (going to the ball and reading suggestions!).
I recently got a sample of Aroma M Geisha Violet Oil and it is a wonderful, pretty Violet.
Going with something simple would be my choice, as it seems in keeping with Austen’s time. Will echo for a rose or lavender – even though it isn’t long lasting, a high quality rose water that you topped off with a rose Perfume. February 24, 2016 at 5:46pm
Victoria: You had so many recommendations already that I imagine you have plenty.
Another idea of a perfume women would have worn at the time is a cologne. But I imagine that you want something more festive. I would have gone for something like Guerlain Apres L’Ondee or its variation, Frederic Malle L’Eau d’Hiver. February 24, 2016 at 5:55pm
Amy: Austen makes me think natural and, depending on the character you play, as others have said, perhaps green. Providence Perfume Company Branch and Vine comes to mind. Fresh, green, somewhat demure, and lovely. February 24, 2016 at 6:21pm
Amy: and someone just mentions A la rose elsewhere which would be good for Austen too! February 24, 2016 at 6:25pm
Cornelia Blimber: Yes, a cologne; I already suggested Thierry Mugler: amazingly strong and long lasting. February 25, 2016 at 3:58am
Austenfan: As many have suggested already I would also associate Austen’s world with soliflores. Goutal has a few pretty ones, and I think a fragrance from the older range of L’Artisan would fit the bill really well. February 25, 2016 at 6:58am
Nora Szekely: Dear All,
I cannot figure out how this reply section works, one of my reply disappeared and another got to the wrong place. I’m lame. 🙁
I got so many great recommendations, some of them are already in my perfume wardrobe (Diorissimo, Carnal Flower, Sa majeste La Rose, Stella), some of them I will try (more roses and all the violets if possible).
I think I will opt for a soliflore then, violet, lily-of-the-valley and orange blossom are the most probable at the moment.
We are not required to personify any characters but I would go for an elegant lady who picks her own perfume in London who is kind, witty and speaks her mind freely.
As for the dances, alas my dear Mr. Darcy is not fond of it at all, so I go on my own. However, there’s hope of being saved by a Mr. Knightley from the shame of sitting down the whole evening. This gentleman-friend asked me to be his partner last week when we practiced the dances, he might be kind enough to do so at the ball. We’ll see.
(By the way, no one will be sitting on their own, ladies will dance together if they must, just they did during the Napoleonic wars due to the lack of gentlemen.)
If you’re interested, I will let you know in June recommendations thread, which scent I chose and how the ball went. February 25, 2016 at 11:20am
Victoria: It sounds wonderful! I would love to read all about the ball, and also to see the photos. Can’t wait. February 25, 2016 at 11:52am
Mendokuse: Oh, brilliant! That seems like so much fun! I would go with a simple and clean soliflore – that would be most accurate, since those were the only perfumes considered suitable for a young lady. Chanel’s Gardenia would be a nice one if an actual soliflore feels a bit boring. February 26, 2016 at 12:58am
SophieC: For some reason the first fragrance that came into my mind was Josephine by Rance. Entirely appropriate and delightful. February 27, 2016 at 4:57pm
Michael: Can anyone recommend perfumes similar to Versace Pour Homme and its flanker Versace Eau Fraiche?
Michael: According to Fragrantica, here are the scent pyramids –
VERSACE POUR HOMME
Top notes: lemon, neroli, bergamot, rose de mai
Middle notes: hyacinth, cedar, clary sage, geranium
Base notes: tonka bean, musk, amber
VERSACE EAU FRAICHE
Top notes: lemon, bergamot, rosewood, rose
Middle notes: cedar, tarragon, sage, pepper
Base notes: amber, musk, saffron, woody notes
Tania Sanchez describes Versace Pour Homme as a woody amber (“a dry, woody, peppery oriental, confused and bare”). Luca Turin describes Versace Eau Fraiche as a screechy citrus.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance! February 24, 2016 at 7:20am
Isabel: Have you tried Chanel Allure Homme Sport? That seems to be the obvious way to go for someone who likes Versace pour homme 🙂 February 24, 2016 at 11:23am
Michael: Thanks Isabel, will check it out. The person who likes Versace Pour Homme is a bit of a perfume newbie so I’m trying to introduce him to brands that are not so mainstream. I was thinking maybe something from Hermes? February 25, 2016 at 12:55am
Isabel: In that case, whatever he is in to now, introduce him to Terre d’Hermes 🙂 February 25, 2016 at 5:06am
limegreen: I’m not familiar with the ones you’ve mentioned but I’m glad you weren’t actually looking for recommendations for a “screechy citrus” 🙂
The Acqua di Parma colognes are very nice. February 25, 2016 at 9:51am
Michael: limegreen you always crack me up! LOL Thanks for the heads up on Acqua di Parma, I had totally forgotten about that brand until you mentioned it. I was thinking Chanel Allure Homme might be an option, what do you think? I’m trying to introduce him to stuff that can’t be found in every departmental store or shopping mall. Maybe Frederic Malle’s Eau de Magnolia? Just throwing some idea around … February 25, 2016 at 12:08pm
limegreen: Well, Michael, it was not clear from your original post that you were looking for a friend, and not yourself. 🙂 It would be fun, though, to compile a list of what we all would consider a screechy citrus! (I myself had a bad experience with Eau de Rochas, in spite of the fact that it’s so well-loved by many, so skin chemistry is so important.)
Acqua di Parma is not that common on the dept store circuit, but depends on where you are, I suppose. I’m not a good judge about Chanel, as I can only wear no. 19 with any consistency.
I think Malle’s Eau de Magnolia is divine — it really is a wonderful fragrance and longer lasting than your average cologne. I believe some male readers on this blog have chimed in on how much they enjoy EdM.
Another Malle to consider would be Bois d’Orage, very nicely woody.
Or you could get him the Atelier sample box and have him explore the different colognes.
Don’t know how you feel about Tom Ford (is it too dept store?) but I REALLY like Grey Vetiver in the EDP.
TF’s Rive d’Ambre is charming and a wonderfully sparkling citrus and amber.
Are you surprising him with a gift, or just making a list of suggestions for him? Or just steering him away from Versace because you don’t like how it smells on him? (It’s okay, you can tell us, we won’t tell him!) 🙂 February 25, 2016 at 7:53pm
Michael: Oops sorry – mea culpa! Basically, his tastes excludes anything that is “too floral or spicy”. The Versace Pour Homme smells surprisingly good on him, despite Tania’s 2 star rating. I’d not thought about French Lover until you mentioned it. Will need to dig out my sample and have a sniff again. I’ve not explored the Atelier range. I love Tom Ford Grey Vetiver but I can’t wear it (any vetiver based perfume turns sour on me ?). I recently let him smell Jo Malone’s Wood Sage and Sea Salt but he found it too strong.
He’s used very mainstream fragrances in the past so I want to find him something more unusual, that could possibly become his signature scent. Of course, I have to like it on him too … ? February 25, 2016 at 9:00pm
Karen (A): Bois D’Orange/French Lover is a great choice, as is EdM. February 26, 2016 at 6:00am
Michael: Oh, and if we are talking about screechy circuses, I think Dior Sauvage would qualify, based entirely on its top note. ? I tested this on cardboard at Sephora recently and fled before the SA could inflict that grotesque horror on my arm … ??? February 25, 2016 at 9:05pm
Katy: I have recently fallen in love with Chanel Pour Monsieur and feel I have lost years of pleasure I could have had wearing it. A perfect, classic masculine for a perfume newbie that will elevate their game. Modestly priced too. February 25, 2016 at 6:20pm
Michael: Thanks Katy, I will have to check that out at the Chanel counter as I’ve never worn before. My friend (well, Valentine ?) used CK One and CK Be before moving on to Versace Eau Fraiche, so I’m glad I met him after his “screechy citrus” phase. He seems to adore both Iris Poudre and Carnal Flower on me though, so I think we’ll get along fine. ? February 25, 2016 at 9:10pm
Sandra: I really love 31 Rue Cambon but don’t want to shell out the money. Any fragrances that are similar that won’t break the bank? February 24, 2016 at 8:08am
Nina Z: This is a very difficult request, as finding a beautiful chypre at a low cost is rather impossible. Chypres just aren’t mainstream any more, and the few inexpensive ones that go in that direction tend to use a lot of synthetic patchouli and in my opinion just don’t cut it.
One thing you might not realize is that the Chanel web site has smaller sized bottles so it is not necessary to shell out for the huge bottle. The smaller size of 31 Rue Cambon is actually not (comparatively) so expensive ($160.00 on the web site).
Another strategy would be to try to find vintage chypres, not by bidding online but by going to estate sales or just telling everyone you know that you love “old lady” perfume and see what they come up from their own families (that has worked for me!). February 24, 2016 at 11:01am
Sandra: Thanks! I think I found a way! February 24, 2016 at 11:32am
Nina Z: After more thought, I had the idea you could try Rochas Femme. While the modern version doesn’t smell the same as the vintage, it is quite decent and somewhere in the same ballpark as 31 Rue Cambon. February 24, 2016 at 11:55am
Hildegerd: Hmm, thank you. I might order a bottle. February 24, 2016 at 1:52pm
Lora: I also Love 31 Rue Cambon and have been impatiently waiting for a bottle, but I’ll recommend a hidden gem-Lanvin Rumeur.
Victoria also has a review of it, so check it out.
I purchased a sample a couple of years ago and until recently had forgotten about it. Online discounters usually carry it, of course it’s no Chanel but still lovely!
Good luck! February 24, 2016 at 11:56pm
André Gooren: Mitsouko, specifically the EdP. The modern refomulations are closer to 31 Rue Cambon. February 25, 2016 at 1:10pm
spe: I’m considering a test of Costume National Scent or Scent Gloss. Does anyone wear these and have a preference?
Thank you! February 24, 2016 at 8:14am
Julie: Hi Spe,
I tried Costume National “Scent” it is a light floral, a very soft touch of amber towards the dry down. I would wear it in the summer months. I like the fragrance on me and haven’t tried Scent Gloss yet. I understand it has a touch of rose. If you try Scent Gloss please let me know what you think. 🙂
Scent to me is different because of its lightness. The hibiscus and jasmine tea is what stood out in the description. I would also say it is contemporary. February 26, 2016 at 10:26am
spe: Thank you for the excellent description, Julie. I may have an opportunity to try both this weekend and will report back! February 27, 2016 at 9:02am
Julie: You are welcome! Thank you…
Enjoy your weekend Spe 🙂 February 27, 2016 at 9:52am
spe: Scent really does have a light, sparkling quality! I was surprised. Scent Gloss has a “plastic diaper” note on my skin. Scent is quite lovely. I’m looking forward to using my sample. Scent Gloss is not something I’m going to wear. It doesn’t suit my chemistry. March 5, 2016 at 1:32am
Irina: I love burning rose and myrrh candles together, but is there a perfume with those notes? February 24, 2016 at 8:53am
Austenfan: Off the top of my head Eau d’Italie’s Paestum Rose. February 24, 2016 at 8:55am
Austenfan: https://boisdejasmin.com/2006/05/paestum_rose.html February 24, 2016 at 9:49am
Irina: I happen to have an untried tester of this. Serendipity! Thank you 🙂 February 24, 2016 at 10:05am
Allison C.: Caron makes a scent called Parfum Sacre with those notes among others. February 24, 2016 at 9:12am
Irina: What a wonderful name for a perfume. Will try, thank you 🙂 February 24, 2016 at 10:05am
Sandra: Incense Rose by Tauer Perfumes February 24, 2016 at 9:15am
Irina: Thank you 🙂 I’ve never tried the Tauers, so this could be a great introduction to the brand. February 24, 2016 at 10:07am
Karen (A): Regina Harris Frankincense Myrhh Rose is incredible. A sample of the oil has lasted a long time. It’s rich and captures the magical/transformative aspects of each note, combining them in to something greater than each separate element. February 24, 2016 at 5:50pm
Surbhi: Sounds incredibly interesting. February 24, 2016 at 7:04pm
Karen (A): It’s a really interesting fragrance. Well worth the price of a sample (got mine from Luckyscent). Really good for meditation/contemplation. February 25, 2016 at 7:17am
Irina: I’m very intrigued, Karen! Thank you for this idea. I will be definitely getting a sample as soon as Luckyscent gets it back in stock. February 25, 2016 at 7:55am
Karen (A): I hope it works for you! February 25, 2016 at 5:29pm
Lauren: I would love some recommendations for powdery fragrances. And baby powder specifically. I love the scent of old school baby powder (particularly diaparene corn starch baby powder). I am getting my fix from the dry down of vintage chanel 19 parfum. It’s gorgeous, but the powder is pretty subtle. I’m wondering if there’s a perfume that really focuses on that facet?
I have tried, and love, Chanel 19 poudre and Dans tes bras. I don’t think there are any powdery perfumes I have tried and disliked actually, but those are my two favorites so far.
Thanks in advance! February 24, 2016 at 9:28am
Nora Szekely: HI Lauren,
Have you tried Lorenzo Villoresi Teint de neige? I happened to wear it yesterday, it is such a delicate, powdery, innocent scent.
Iris poudré by Frederic Malle comes to mind but that one is drier. February 24, 2016 at 9:40am
SilverMoon: Hi Lauren, I second Nora’s suggestions. Iris Poudre is one of the loveliest powdery perfumes because it comes with the added benefit of iris. However, the most obvious baby powder smell (thinking of Johnson’s here) was inspired by/based on Shalimar – or so I have been told. Once one gets past the top notes, I think later in the drydown this powdery part really comes through. February 24, 2016 at 5:17pm
Lauren: Oh, I have never even heard of that company. It sounds amazing – I will have to hunt down a sample! Thank you. February 24, 2016 at 10:30pm
silvermoon: Lauren, Johnson’s baby powder is exactly that – here in the UK it is the most standard baby products brand (kind of like Kleenex for paper tissues). I somehow took it for granted and notice that my comment could be interpreted as you did (if one did not know what Johnson’s was). Sorry for the confusion – Johnson’s is not a perfume brand. However, the smell of the powder is really soothing and lovely. February 25, 2016 at 1:27pm
André Gooren: It’s worth mentioning Ferré EdP by Gianfranco Ferré if you’re considering Iris Poudre. Same perfumer (Pierre Bourdon), but it was produced after Iris Poudre and improved upon the idea. It is also a fraction of the cost of Iris Poudre. February 25, 2016 at 1:21pm
silvermoon: Andre, just saw your comment. Thanks for bringing my notice to this. I shall certainly check out the new improved version of Iris Poudre. Hope I can track it down. February 25, 2016 at 1:29pm
Lauren: Oh, interesting! Thanks for the heads up. Hopefully I can find this. February 29, 2016 at 12:34pm
Michaela: Lauren, have you tried Kenzo Flower? February 24, 2016 at 9:48am
Elisa: Seconding Kenzo Flower! Also Mona di Orio Musc. February 24, 2016 at 3:58pm
kpaint: Thirding Flower and seconding Ombre Rose and Love, Chloe. These are all about powder for me.
Vintage Chanel No 5 EDC is particularly powdery and easy to find; I’d also add Shalimar to the list of classic powdery scents.
Tauer PHI PHI Une Rose de Kandahar has a cozy powdery waft to it, as does Lutens Datura Noir.
If you’re up for powdery-floral leathers, both
Cuir de Lancome, Cuir Ottoman fall into that category for me. February 24, 2016 at 6:18pm
mayfly: Adding Putain de Palace to that powdery leathers list! February 26, 2016 at 2:48pm
Lauren: I tried it years ago and dismissed it, but I should revisit with powder on my mind. Thanks for the encouragement! Luckily this one is easy to find. February 24, 2016 at 10:32pm
Lauren: I just dug up my sample of flower and you were spot on! definitely baby powder. Funny how I never thought of it that way before. February 29, 2016 at 12:36pm
Michaela: So true! Suddenly, a perfume starts to sing a new tune for you. Great part of this hobby 🙂 March 1, 2016 at 4:09am
Sandra: Fate and Beloved by Amouage are soft powdery scents-but they will break the piggy bank for a FB.
The dry down in Back to Black by Killian is soft and powdery February 24, 2016 at 9:50am
Lauren: Ohh, this makes me realize why I love Fate and Beloved so much. I never recognized the powder, I just knew I was swooning. I don’t know if I could ever go full bottle, but I will enjoy my decants. Thanks! February 24, 2016 at 10:33pm
Anne: Hello,
Have you tried Kenzo Amour.
To me the ultimate poudre has to be Jean Charles Broseau, Ombre Rose. It is definitely all powder.
Anne February 24, 2016 at 9:50am
Lauren: I love Ombre Rose! I bought it for the bottle and then was happily surprised to find I loved the juice just as much. Thanks for reminding me of this one.
I did try Amour a while back, but didn’t enjoy it that much. Maybe too synthetic? I’m not sure. I will have to revisit.. February 24, 2016 at 10:35pm
Sylviane: Hi Lauren, I second Teint de Neige recommended by Nora and I would add Truly by Maria Lux and Amouage Gold MAN which are both very powdery. February 24, 2016 at 9:57am
Lauren: I’d never heard of Maria Lux – what fantastic bottles! I am intrigued. I’ll have to try and hunt down a sample. Thanks! February 24, 2016 at 10:37pm
Irina: I know that baby powder is scented differently depending on where you’re from, but in case powder means heliotrope (it does to me), I would heartily recommend Kiss Me Tender or Intense by de Nicolaï.
It’s all heliotrope and powdered sugar, but so light and not cloying. February 24, 2016 at 10:15am
Lauren: Mm, I love heliotrope so this sounds lovely. Fragrantica is telling me there’s a prominent anise note. Does this come across as very licorice-like? I can’t stand the scent of licorice for some reason. February 24, 2016 at 10:56pm
Irina: I get more of a whiff of anise cookies than a blast of black licorice, but then I love both 🙂 That said, I read licorice as dark, and this one is light, a perfume equivalent of a piece of Turkish delight. February 25, 2016 at 8:03am
Isabel: I too love powdery perfumes, but I find that it is hard to pinpoint what one actually means by “powdery”. The ultimate powder house to me is Chanel no 5, and also Dior Diorama. February 24, 2016 at 10:35am
Isabel: Also, vintage Chanel Bois des Iles EdT has a drydown with good sillage and is powder heaven. February 24, 2016 at 10:58am
Lauren: Chanel 5 and Bois des Iles are among my favorites as well (I much prefer the vintage versions of both). So beautiful.
I’m not familiar with Diorama. Is there a big difference between the modern and vintage version? February 24, 2016 at 11:01pm
Isabel: Yes, I absolutely agree with you about vintage. In the case of Diorama I have not had the chance to smell any of the vintage formulations, so it is the “Creations de Monsieur Dior” I’m referring to.
Unfortunately it is about to become “vintage” as well, since they have decided to have it discontinued. It is still available at department stores and some online vendors though – try to check it out before it is gone. It has been one of my staples since it came out, so easy to wear and a lovely sense of powder, lipstick and “the inside of mom’s purse” 🙂 February 25, 2016 at 5:02am
Nina Z: Keiko Mecheri Loukhoum or Loukhoum eau Poudree. Very, very American style baby power (I believe baby products smell different in France). Very comforting. February 24, 2016 at 10:50am
Lauren: These have been on my to-try list for years – I’m going to have to bump them to the top now. I can’t wait, they sound perfect! February 24, 2016 at 11:02pm
Claire: Frau Tonis Sminta and also Veilchen (Violet) to a lesser extent, though the latter does not have powder listed, and it is more of a pastry accord, like En Passant. The baby powder note is very distinctive in Sminta, and it’s a beautiful scent. Unfortunately not distributed in the U.S. February 24, 2016 at 11:12am
Claire: The notes for Sminta are Rose, lily, aldehydes, powder, iris. February 24, 2016 at 11:14am
Lauren: Oh wow, these sound delicious! Another company that’s entirely new to me. I wish they were readily available in the states. February 24, 2016 at 11:08pm
Claire: One might think they’re paying me, since I have been raving about them of late, but they are lovely, IMHO. On the plus side, all of the EDPs and colognes from Frau Tonis are available in 8 ml (a lovely refillable purse atomizer) 15, 50 and 100 ml ranging in price from 22-90€, so you don’t have to purchase large quantities to try them. They also have have scent boxes (3 x 7.5 ml for 36€ or 3 x 15 ml for 75€) which you can customize. They ship to the U.S. and since you don’t pay the VAT, the price is even less than it first appears, and they ship free on purchases over $65. Of course you want to pay attention to the exchange rate😉. February 26, 2016 at 4:40am
Hamamelis: Annick Goutal’s Eau de Charlotte. Real baby powder to my nose, not ‘lipstick/make-up’ powder. For lipstick powder you can try Misia, Love, Chloe (discontinued but you can find it), Histoires de Parfum Moulin Rouge and then there is the boudoir powder of Goutal’s Mon Parfum Cherie par Camille. February 24, 2016 at 11:28am
Caroline: Agree with Eau de Charlotte–to me, the powder is, for lack of a better word, mimosa-y in that scent.
Another powdery scent that’s mimosa-y is Oriza LeGrand’s Heliotrope Blanc.
A word of caution about Mon Parfum Cherie par Camille: one must be very comfortable with patchouli to wear it. It’s really lovely, but I can only appreciate it on someone else! February 24, 2016 at 4:37pm
Lauren: Oh wow, a quick search had me adding a sample of Heliotrope Blanc to my cart. Sounds so good and the bottle has that vintage-y feel I’ve got a weak spot for. Thanks for the rec! February 24, 2016 at 11:15pm
Lauren: Interesting. I am definitely attracted to the comforting, soft *baby* baby powder right now and not the more elegant make-up powder scent. I am a little afraid of the blackberry note in Eau de Charlotte. I don’t tend to enjoy fruit in my fragrance, but this does sound enticing.. February 24, 2016 at 11:12pm
Danaki: I went through a power phase recently, luckily for me, Etat Libre d’Orange Putain des Palaces is one powder bomb. Try it. February 24, 2016 at 1:50pm
Lauren: I know it’s silly, but I’ve been scared off from ELdO since sniffing secretions magnifiques years ago, lol. Putain sounds quite accessible though – I am excited to try it. Thanks! February 24, 2016 at 11:17pm
madtowngirl: Have you tried Le Labo’s Labdanum 18? I love it and ironically it is what I’m wearing today.
I have read many online reviewers who actually compare it to baby powder, and while it is powdery, I also find it quite sexy without being in your face about it. It’s lovely? February 24, 2016 at 2:36pm
limegreen: In the same vein as Lab 18 and also by Roucel is Helmut Lang EDP, recently reissued. I love both — the HL is softer than Lab 18 but still powdery. February 24, 2016 at 9:26pm
Lauren: Mmm, you’ve reminded me to dig out an old neglected sample of Helmut Lang EDP. The poor thing’s almost completely evaporated, but I got a drop out. You’re right, it’s a wonderful powdery amber. I love it. Thanks! February 24, 2016 at 11:24pm
madtowngirl: Ah yes, Helmut Lang! I’ve been meaning to try that one along with Musc Ravageur also by Maurice Roucel. I’ve read good things about both. February 24, 2016 at 11:51pm
limegreen: Roucel fans unite!
If I were to put these 3 in a row from heavy to light, it would be Musc Ravageur at one end, Lab 18 in the middle and Helmut Lang EDP bringing up the soft end. February 25, 2016 at 12:25am
Lauren: I tried Labdanum 18 on a Barney’s sniffing trip once and got a strange off-putting note on my skin. It smelled wonderful on my friend though. Maybe I’ll have better luck with it now. It sounds so good on paper, it’s worth a try! February 24, 2016 at 11:20pm
limegreen: I’m tempted to try the Lab 18 massage/body oil. I have a small sample of Lab 18 and love it but would want something like the oil, to meld with my skin more, or something. That might work for you. I have Iris 39 massage/body oil and just can’t get enough of it. February 25, 2016 at 9:48am
Aurora: Lots of great recommendations already, I would add Infusion d’Iris Absolue which smells very powdery to me. February 24, 2016 at 2:48pm
Lauren: I love getting easy to find recs! I have seen this at the mall, so I will definitely try it next time. Love that gilded bottle. Thanks! February 24, 2016 at 11:26pm
Tomate Farcie: for a “cheap thrill” try Stella Cadente Miss Me, a powder bomb February 24, 2016 at 4:15pm
Lauren: You had me at “cheap thrill”! I will definitely check this out. Thanks! February 24, 2016 at 11:28pm
Lilly: One of the loveliest powdery fragrances that I know of is Farnesiana by Caron, it’s soft with something almost maternal about it. February 24, 2016 at 4:53pm
Lauren: Lilly, this sounds perfect – adding to my luckyscent wishlist! That bottle is quite special as well. February 24, 2016 at 11:30pm
Karen (A): An unknown brand to me that I picked up at a perfume store at the mall, Signature by S.T. DuPont is a lovely light floral with a very powdery dry down. February 24, 2016 at 5:53pm
Lauren: Karen, That brand is new to me as well. It sounds very intriguing – especially with Bertrand Duchaufour behind it. I will keep my eye out. Thanks! February 24, 2016 at 11:33pm
Karen (A): A while ago another person commented about one of their perfumes, it was the only time I’ve seen it mentioned here on BdJ. In the spirit of full disclosure, it was a blind buy for me, I bought it because I liked the box and bottle! And I had no idea
Duchaufour was behind it! February 25, 2016 at 6:50am
limegreen: Hi Lauren — lots of suggestions already! I had to chime in because I adore Dans tes Bras, and because of that, I was given a sample of Lipstick Rose to try as something in the same vein. It’s powdery and lovely.
Don’t know if you are interested in testing the Mona di Orio line but Musc is heliotrope and powder, and different than other “musk” fragrances I have tried. It’s really wonderful. February 24, 2016 at 9:55pm
Lauren: Hi limegreen, Thanks for the recs! I do have a small decant of lipstick rose, which I love, but it’s a bit sophisticated for this particular craving.
MdO’s Vanille is one of my all time favorites, so I am very interested in sniffing more of her line. Musc sounds like a great place to start. The luckyscent reviews are making me chuckle – the only negative one I see complains that it smells too much like baby powder. Sounds like a winner! February 24, 2016 at 11:37pm
limegreen: I love Vanille! I’m nursing a small decant of it, it’s my kind of vanilla, unsweet and smoky. My favorite is the Oudh, renamed Osmanthus Oudh. If Musc were not called Musc, I would not have associated it at all with musk, which is probably why people have a negative response to Musc. I would have called it Heliotrope or something in keeping with some of her line (Tubereuse, Vetyver). The Ambre and the Cuir are very powdery, too, but not as puffy as Musc. Be curious to hear how you fare! 🙂
(You’ve probably tried it already but I like Lutens Clair de Musc for a powder fix. I can’t wear Iris Poudre, but CdM is a lighter twin of IP, to my nose.) February 25, 2016 at 9:45am
Mia: Hi Limegreen! Just jumping in here to thank you for your January recommendations for me. MdO Vanille is extremely beautiful. After a couple decades of avoiding vanille, I am afraid – and thrilled – of falling in love with it.
But especially thanks for suggesting Adam Levine For Women, it is lovely. I have applied it more often than I would have expected and helps me in saving my more treasured sandals. February 29, 2016 at 7:04pm
limegreen: Hi Mia! I’m so glad to hear from you and that the blind buy of Adam Levine was NOT a mistake. 🙂
I know what you mean about Vanille — it’s so wonderful and I’ll have a decision to make when my decant runs out. Maybe I won’t want it so much by then. 🙂 February 29, 2016 at 10:16pm
Mia: Maybe :), even though that rarely happens (to me) with that great scents. I don’t know either how it will end up with me when mine runs out… February 29, 2016 at 11:21pm
limegreen: 🙂 Well, on the upside, the MdO line is less there in Europe than here in the US. March 1, 2016 at 12:15am
Raquel: Prada Candy? February 27, 2016 at 1:24pm
Isabel: Hello perfume lovers 🙂 Last week I bought a bouquet of tulips and Spanish broom, and the broom filled the house with the most glorious scent. Now I am desperate for a broom scented perfume. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance 🙂 February 24, 2016 at 9:47am
Sylviane: There is a broom note in the lovely Ormonde Jayne’s Ta’if. February 24, 2016 at 10:00am
Isabel: Thanks, I will dig up my sample and try it as soon as I get home! February 24, 2016 at 10:59am
Nina Z: The Gorilla perfume Furze at Lush is actually a gorse fragrance, but that is botanically related to broom and may smell similar. February 24, 2016 at 10:54am
Isabel: Great recommendation, thanks! We have a Lush boutique at our Central station, I will try it next time I’m there! (There is always such a lovely cloud of fragrance surrounding their shops, and I know they have great bath products, but it isn’t until recently I realised that they have really good perfumes as well.) February 24, 2016 at 11:05am
MrsDalloway: Broom and gorse bushes have quite a coconut smell – do you like that note too? Heeley Coccobello is nice. February 24, 2016 at 3:42pm
Isabel: I do like coconut, even though I don’t detect that note in Spanish broom (to me coconut is “round” and sweet, whereas broom is fresh and crisp). I will try Cocobello for summer though! February 24, 2016 at 7:55pm
SilverMoon: Isabel, I can certainly help on this one – an unusual note for sure. Santa Maria Novella makes an excellent broom soliflore. It is called Ginestra, the Italian word for broom. It is absolutely gorgeous. I especially love spraying some on in the evening before going to bed. So soothing, fresh, calm and beautiful. It is also a very refreshing late spring-early summer scent. February 24, 2016 at 5:25pm
Isabel: Thank you so much SilverMoon for this recommendation! The way you describe Ginestra, I am sure it is just what I’m looking for! I was looking for a word to describe Spanish broom, and fresh is exactly right. I did some research, and it seems it is difficult to get Santa Maria Novella perfumes in Europe though – unless one happens to pass through Italy…. So that’s what I’ll have to do now… 🙂 February 24, 2016 at 7:27pm
silvermoon: Isabel, I am not sure where you live, but Santa Maria Novella is an Italian house, so most easily available in Italy. However, there is SMN shop in London Piccadilly and I am sure it is sold in other larger capitals around Europe. No idea about its availability in the US, Canada or elsewhere in the world. Also, they may be able to ship. Not sure where you might be able to get decants/samples for testing. February 25, 2016 at 6:27am
Isabel: I live in Stockholm, Sweden and I haven’t been able to locate it here yet. I will try and get in touch with the SMN store in London and see if they will ship to Sweden. (My husband got back from Sicily just a couple of weeks ago – wish I had known about Ginestra then… 🙂 ) February 25, 2016 at 7:13am
Karen (A): For those in the US interested in the line, I know of a shop in Chevy Chase, Md so there probably are others. I’m sure they ship throughout the US if there isn’t a shop nearby.
(I haven’t been in it in a few years, but you’ve piqued my curiously with this fragrance, Silvermoon!) February 25, 2016 at 7:26am
silvermoon: Karen (A), as I mentioned, SMN Ginestra is a really soothing, fresh and pretty smell. The closest familiar perfume that I can think of is White Linen (in terms of the mood, rather than the smell specifically).
Another really good one to try from SMN is Melograno (Pomegranate). It has a really powdery and summery smell to me. I did not like it first time I smelled it, but subsequently enjoyed smelling it so much that I actually have a FB now. February 25, 2016 at 1:39pm
mayfly: Ooh, I live in Sussex, and am very excited to hear SMN shop in Central London, Thanks! February 26, 2016 at 3:20pm
kpaint: Broom is listed as a note in Goutal Grand Amour and L’Artisan Premier Figuier Extreme. Can’t vouch for either as broom isn’t a note I’d be able to recognize. February 24, 2016 at 6:10pm
Isabel: Thanks, I’ll have to try them! February 24, 2016 at 7:28pm
George: Don’t know what Broom or gorse smells like, don’t know what this perfume smells like, but I do know that Laboratory Perfumes does a Gorse scent. Maybe worth looking up/trying? February 25, 2016 at 7:52am
Isabel: Thanks George! These references to gorse have forced me to look it up: seems to be a lovely flower, edible, to use in salads, tea and to make fruitwine – and due to its being non toxic and highly flammable, also well suited for wood fires…. Must try. February 25, 2016 at 9:12am
George: Dolce and Gabbana have also just brought out a fragrance called Velvet Ginestra. It looks pretty exclusive, but it’s based on broom. March 9, 2016 at 2:56pm
Isabel: Wow, that one goes straight to the top of my “must-sniff-list”! I had to look it up immediately and it seems to be exactely what I am looking for, but at £165 for 50 ml it really is a must-sniff-before-buy-perfume 🙂 I have been known to take the plunge and go for a FB before testing, not always with happy results… But when I do get to try it (right now it seems to be only available at Harrods) I will report back! March 9, 2016 at 4:51pm
Victoria: It’s like linden (lime blossoms) with more honey, but the absolutes I’ve smelled are heavier and greener. One of the most fragrant plants. February 25, 2016 at 5:50pm
Morelle: Dior Dune has broom listed as one of the notes, among many others. Certainly a perfume worth trying, not just for the broom. February 27, 2016 at 6:58pm
Barbara: I was thrilled to discover your blog and to learn that there was a reason I fell out of love with Mitsuoko. And even more excited to learn that Mitsuoko has been recently been reformulated. I will be looking for the new version and am hoping to fall in love all over again. But I would also like something new for the summer and am open to moving outside of my comfort zone. Perfumes that have worked well for me in the past have included Ninfeo Mio, Dior Addict, Chanel No. 19, Aliage and Ivoire. Any recommendations? February 24, 2016 at 10:10am
Nina Z: If you love Guerlain, try the beautiful classic Apres l’Ondee, which I love in summer because it is cooling at the same time it has a fascinating character (as opposed to a simplistic cologne or citrus). February 24, 2016 at 10:51am
Barbara: Thank you for the recommendation. I do love Guerlain and for whatever reason have never tried Apres l’Ondee (perhaps because I don’t seem to do as well with EDTs) It sounds like it has the character and complexity that I like. Looking forward to trying it. February 25, 2016 at 7:14am
maggiecat: If you;re in the US… Hove’ Parfumeurs in New Orleans has a lovely scent called Rue Royale – it’s a green chypre with a musk drydown. Given your love of green scents, I think you’d like it a lot. I do! February 24, 2016 at 2:11pm
Barbara: Thank you! I checked out their website – the French Creole history and entrepreneurial spirit of Mrs. Alvin Hovey-King was interesting. Making the perfumes available in affordable ‘drams’ is great as it means I can try the Rue Royale “scent unsmelled” without the risk of too much buyer’s remorse. February 27, 2016 at 8:52am
Aurora: A small summery selection: if you like fig, I think it’s yes as you list Ninfeo Mio: Hermes Un Jardin en Mediterranee, or for a green mango Un Jardin sur le Nil; Annick Goutal has an excellent line of eaux: Eau d’Hadrien, Eau du Sud, Eau du Ciel or her cologne: Neroli or Heure Exquise which is often compared to vintage Ivoire and No 19; Jacomo Silences, an intensely green perfume; Hermes Voyage a light spicy scent; Dior Escale a Portofino (or others in the Escale series) Eau de Rochas, they are both longer lasting citrus; lastly the classic Guerlains: Eau Imperiale and Eau de Guerlain. February 24, 2016 at 3:27pm
Barbara: Thank you Aurora for some lovely sounding recommendations. I will have to revisit the Annick Goutal eaux and also try the colognes. The others are new to me, so I am looking forward to experiencing them. February 27, 2016 at 8:58am
Solanace: I think you might really enjoy Guerlain Chamade, with your classical leaning taste. It shares something with Chanel 19, but is softer and rounder. As a classical Guerlain it is greener, ‘fresher’ and much lighter than Mitsouko, thus good for summer, but it still has presence, none of those nasty chemical notes people sell as fresh these days and you keep getting a nicer plot the longer you get to know it, instead of getting bored. (You can see I’m in love, but Victoria gave it 5 stars too, lol.) February 27, 2016 at 8:22am
Barbara: Another Guerlain to try, thank you for the recommendation! I adore the Guerlain layers and complexity, and the romance of the names just adds to the charm. (I wore L’Heure Bleue for a while because the romantic name outweighed the fact that I didn’t quite love the powder.) February 27, 2016 at 9:08am
Barbara: Quick follow up question – which do you like better – the parfum or the EDT? February 27, 2016 at 9:26am
Karen A: A fellow Chamade lover here – it’s all I’ve really been wearing lately. It only comes in EdT and parfum extrait. I bit the bullet and bought the parfum (wallet is going to be not seeing much use after that) to layer over the EdT. Despite the hefty price tag, I don’t regret buying both as it is such a beautiful fragrance. February 27, 2016 at 1:45pm
Hamamelis: Karen is the Chamade parfum extrait in a spray botte or does it need dabbing? February 27, 2016 at 2:55pm
Karen A: You have to dab it. The EdT is in a spray. February 27, 2016 at 5:53pm
Hamamelis: Thank you! Gorgeous bottle… February 28, 2016 at 4:56am
Karen A: I know, so pretty! It’s interesting to me that Guerlain has so many different bottles – but they are all beautiful. February 28, 2016 at 6:49am
limegreen: I loved Samsara for its ruby red bottle, more than for its juice. 🙂 March 1, 2016 at 12:09am
Barbara: Thank you! Will try this. February 28, 2016 at 10:01am
Tiamaria: Hi, I’m not looking for a perfume recommendation but more information on a note. In the last year that I’ve become interested in perfume I’ve discovered, after smelling molecule 01 that my least favourite note is ISO e super. I can’t stand the smell of it but it is in so many perfumes. I’ve been trying to figure out what note would indicate its presence and I think it might be cedar but I’m not sure. Would anyone know if this is the case? Thank you in advance for any information! February 24, 2016 at 11:02am
Claire: I’m right with you. It’s the kiss of death for me and headache inducing. Unfortunately it seems to be in many Tauer perfumes which I might otherwise like. I don’t believe it is p a particular note, but is used to enhance or clarify the existing notes, though that is not how I experience it. Robin at Now Smell This wrote an explanation of it, and there are a few lists out there if you Google it, but they are not comprehensive.
I will be looking at the replies here, as well, since I experience it negatively as well. February 24, 2016 at 11:23am
Tiamaria: Thanks very much Claire. Ill have a look at what Robin says. So many perfumes I am enjoying until I get a whiff of that and it makes me slightly nauseous. I think it might stems from the early stages of pregnancy (11 years ago) when I was sick all day and sharing a house with my sister who wore Light Blue, applied with a very heavy hand! February 24, 2016 at 11:35am
kpaint: I’ll add that I’ve not noticed Iso E Super in the Tauers I’ve tried but it has killed my ability to enjoy almost the entire line of Ormonde Jayne for me. February 24, 2016 at 6:28pm
Clair: That’s interesting. I tried about 6 samples of Ormonde Jayne and either couldn’t tolerate them or was entirely unable to smell them (anosmia)? It was strange, as I actually poured an entire sample of several onto my skin, and could not detect any scent, and I’m generally very scent sensitive. I have no idea if this was Iso E Super, but I’d heard so many good things about them that I was quite disappointed. February 24, 2016 at 10:22pm
Victoria: Yes, it is usually listed as cedar or cedarwood. February 24, 2016 at 11:45am
Tiamaria: Thank you very much Victoria, much appreciated. I will give anything with this note a wide birth from now on! February 24, 2016 at 11:52am
Jean: Are all cedars ISO e super? I like a touch of cedar. February 26, 2016 at 8:14am
Victoria: In note listings, Iso E Super is often mentioned as “cedar,” but cedar can also be juniper, any number of other synthetics or natural cedar. In other words, you can’t make out anything specific from the note descriptions. Alas. February 26, 2016 at 8:23am
Hamamelis: You can also have a look at Kafkaesque’s blog as she is very sensitive to ISO super and will always mention its presence in fragrances she reviews. February 24, 2016 at 11:59am
Tiamaria: Thank you Hamamelis, I’ll do that. That’s my reading sorted for the evening! February 24, 2016 at 1:21pm
Caroline: Not to send you down another rabbithole, but my recommendation is vintage! Back when the notes themselves were allowed to have some heft without that particular piercing aromachemical. Even the early 2000s have scents that don’t feature it so prominently. February 24, 2016 at 4:22pm
Clair: I couldn’t agree more, and that used to be my strategy, but as years pass and vintage perfumes become less available, unaffordable, or are reformulated, this becomes a more limited option. I do find that many niche brands use better ingredients and are less prone to headache inducing aroma-chemicals present in many mainstream corporate fragrances. February 24, 2016 at 10:27pm
Nina Z: I have a couple of comments on this, as I have the same problem with ISO e super and other modern synthetics (including whatever it is that they do to “clean up” patchouli). First of all I agree with the commentator who recommended vintage perfumes. At least with those, you can decide whether you like them on their own merits (and not experience that unpleasant spike up the nose!).
But also some brands don’t seem to use these as much (or at all?). For example, I never have problems with modern Chanels or Guerlains. However, I do have problems with some quite expensive lines (many By Killians, for example). So once you find a line that works for you in general, you can have fun exploring it.
So I don’t think it’s just a matter of how the “note” is expressed in the ads. I have met other women who have these problems, including a perfume shop owner, who was very relieved to meet a kindred perfume spirit. February 24, 2016 at 8:38pm
Clair: Thank you for your comments. I also find that Most Chanel fragrances (with the exception of the Chance range and a few other newer fragrances) don’t have this effect, and I know they have high standards of quality control, as does Guerlain. I have had good luck with the Niche German perfume line Frau Tonis, and though it took me awhile to find my favorites, a am smitten with those I currently wear. I’ve also been happy with Sonoma Scent Studio, as long as I avoid the woody scents…..because she uses Iso E Super in some of these. It is so helpful to read about others experiences, and not to feel “is it just me?”. February 24, 2016 at 10:35pm
spe: There is a common note that gets me right behind the eyes after a few inhalations – perhaps it’s this one? Balenciaga Paris and T Ford Grey Vetiver have it. Also D&G Light Blue. I want to run away just thinking about it! Thank you for the tip about Kafkaesque! February 24, 2016 at 10:49pm
Tiamaria: Thanks very much for the feedback. Caroline and Clair, I’ve been avoiding the vintage rabbit hole so far as I feel I have enough to be getting on with in what’s around today but maybe this is the excuse I need to take the plunge! Nina, thankfully so far my favourite house is Chanel and I love Shalimar though I haven’t tried many Geurlains because of availability where I live. Am going to check out Frau Tonis now. Spe, I don’t know about Paris or Grey Vetiver but I smell loads of in Light Blue. I only recently made the connection when I smelled Molecule 01. February 25, 2016 at 3:48am
Katy: This can be a sensitivity that develops over time as it did in my case. It has all but ruined Terre D’Hermes and Encre Noir for me. I have had some success squelching it’s ridiculously loud radiance and raspy cedar by layering Encre Noir with Haitian vetiver essential oil and the Hermes with Virginia cedar essential oil. If I could open the bottles, without destroying the seals, and doctor them both with the essential oils I would! February 25, 2016 at 6:34pm
Nina Z: Yes, for me it developed over time. So some modern fragrances I once loved no longer work for me. February 25, 2016 at 8:12pm
Steph: Best orange blossom? February 24, 2016 at 11:26am
Sandra: oh boy..that is a tough one!
Depends on how you like your orange blossom.
2 that come to mind are Houbigant Oranger en Fluers and SL Fleurs d’oranger.
Like smokey orange blossom? Séville à l’aube
Grand Neroli by Atelier February 24, 2016 at 11:38am
Steph: I’ll take orange blossom any way I can get it! I do have Seville a l’aube and I love it. I need to try the others you mentioned. Thanks for the recommendations! February 24, 2016 at 11:41am
Elisa: If you like Seville a L’aube I recommend Sweet Redemption from By Kilian, similar and really good. February 24, 2016 at 4:02pm
Steph: I have yet to smell any By Kilian but it’s a brand I’ve been meaning to try! Thank you, I’ll be adding this to my list! February 24, 2016 at 4:21pm
Elisa: They have some really beautiful florals. I wore Sweet Redemption the day I got married 🙂 February 24, 2016 at 4:38pm
Steph: Sounds lovely! Thanks again! February 24, 2016 at 6:34pm
Solanace: Wow, you really nailed it, didn’t you? February 27, 2016 at 8:24am
Surbhi: le labo jasmine can be very intersesting. It smells much more orange to me. February 24, 2016 at 1:34pm
Steph: I have heard someone else mention that as well. I will seek it out. Thanks! February 24, 2016 at 1:40pm
Elizabeth: I second Serge Lutens – Fleurs d’oranger. Big white flowers but then so much more, later on. February 24, 2016 at 2:55pm
Steph: Thank you! February 24, 2016 at 3:26pm
Aurora: Like you I love this note and so far the best I have discovered is Au Pays de la Fleur d’Oranger Neroli Blanc. February 24, 2016 at 1:24pm
Steph: Ooh, I have been curious about this perfume! Thanks for the rec! February 24, 2016 at 1:41pm
Tomate Farcie: Another great one to try is Parfum d’Empire
Azemour les Orangers February 24, 2016 at 4:21pm
Steph: Thanks a bunch! I’ve tried a few scents from this brand but didn’t know about this one. February 24, 2016 at 4:25pm
Pixel: 7 Virtues Afghanistan Orange Blossom is just gorgeous. February 24, 2016 at 6:17pm
Steph: I just received the rose one today! The orange blossom one is definitely on my list to buy! What a great brand! Thank you! February 24, 2016 at 6:31pm
kpaint: Andy Tauer Orange Star might be worth a try along with Fendi Theorema. The latter is long-discontinued but I’ve heard it’s become fairly easy to find again. February 24, 2016 at 6:31pm
Steph: That’s good to hear! Thank you very much! February 24, 2016 at 6:36pm
Isabel: Cologne Bigarade by Frederic Malle is absolutely wonderful. Victoria has described it poetically: It “traces the life cycle of an orange in reverse—at first, it reveals the aromatic brightness of ripe bitter orange, then it transforms into a pearly white orange blossom before finally melting into a whisper of green leaves and twigs.” February 24, 2016 at 8:01pm
Katie: There’s supposed to be a new Diptyque, Eau des Sens, with orange blossom if you’re willing to wait to try that. Otherwise, I second Fleurs d’Oranger. February 24, 2016 at 8:27pm
limegreen: I won’t repeat what others have suggested but:
If you ever want an orange blossom cologne that is really lovely, Parfums de Nicolai Cologne Solonge hits the spot. A relative bargain, too, (around $40 for 100 ml), so you can spritz away lavishly in the warm weather. It’s a little more lasting than a lot of colognes, at least on me. February 24, 2016 at 9:23pm
Clair: I think Sonoma Scent Studio’s Jour Ensoleille is a gorgeous orange blossom scent as well. (other notes include Jasmine, tuberose, sandalwood, oak moss …) I find it sexy, uplifting and also find I can wear it year round.
An entirely different approach is Frau Tonis No. 41 Orange: straight up juicy orange, like the droplets that burst forth as you peel the fresh fruit. No pith or stems or pettigrain. No floral nuances! But utterly refreshing and unisex. February 24, 2016 at 10:14pm
limegreen: Oh you make it sound so refreshing! February 25, 2016 at 8:02pm
Clair: Hi lime green. It really is very uncomplicated, but that is also what makes it so delicious. It is not long lasting (best treated as an Eau de Cologne, spritzed liberally).
The scent of real orange blossoms is so intoxicating, but my search for that piquant fragrance is elusive. I once purchased Laura Mercier Neroli untested, and there was something in it that left me nauseous, so I’ve been wary ever since. I adore SSS Jour Ensoleille, but would like to try many of the fragrance suggestions above from you, as well as other experienced perfumistas. February 29, 2016 at 6:09pm
limegreen: It’s virtually impossible to capture the scent of a fresh blossom. I’ve tried with osmanthus and while many perfumes have been beautiful, they are not the fresh blossom, but I’ve made my peace with it! I think the quest has been the key.
Hate to ask but I gather you’ve already smelled Jo Malone Orange Blossom? My Taiwanese friends adore OB and they all say it smells like the tangerine blossoms in Taiwan. March 1, 2016 at 12:07am
Clair: I will have to give the JM Orange Blossom a try! I understand, now that you just never know! I also hope to try so many other fragrances mentioned. As much as I adore fragrance, I am also easily overwhelmed, and sometimes need to withdraw a bit. I understand what you mean by making peace with scent translations. I feel that way about rose scents, yet, just as I begin to think it’s impossible I discover something truly beautiful. Really it’s so subjective, and very much about what resonates personally. March 4, 2016 at 10:41pm
Neva: Have you tried Entre Naranjos by Ramon Monegal? I’ve tried it once and it was pure orange for a few hours, and sweet too. February 25, 2016 at 8:42am
Katy: My favorite orange blossom is John Varvatos Artisan. February 25, 2016 at 6:36pm
Theresa: I have two questions of a different nature.
One is with regards to different bottles of Youth Dew by Estee Lauder. I have a bottle which is glass with a golden cap. But recently I have been seeing a lot of bottles of Youth Dew with a golden rim around the glass on the upper part of the bottle. Also the concentrations differ between 65 and 67 ml. I wonder which is the older and which is the newer bottle? Would any of you know? Also on the website of Estee Lauder, they offer Youth Dew in a pretty “retro” blue bottle, but they don’t sell this or ship this to where I live. Do you know whether this bottle is widely available in the US? My parents will visit there shortly, and if it is, I might ask them to bring me a bottle.
My second question is on green leather perfumes. I have been courting (recent) Bandit by Robert Piguet and Gres Cabochard for a while, and though I like both, both have something which makes me hesitate buying a full bottle. I find the green start of Bandit more polished and nice than that of Cabochard, but in Bandit it evolves sooner in the next stages, which are pleasant, but I would like the greenness lasting longer. For Cabochard, it remains green longer, but when it reaches its drydown, it loses all appeal to me. I was wondering which other perfumes would fit in this category? I was wondering whether Asuree by Estee Lauder would fit my cravings better, but I can only buy a full bottle, no samples of this perfume, so I would like your opinion on this. When this is not fitting, I wonder whether maybe of the current formulation Dior Diorling or another of this collection would fit my cravings. I have some local shops which carry this line, so I will be able to sample this. Other suggestions on green leather perfumes are also welcome. February 24, 2016 at 11:48am
Cornelia Blimber: Amouage Memoir Man is a beautiful green leather perfume, but rather expensive. February 24, 2016 at 11:59am
Nina Z: I recommend that you try to find a sample of vintage Cabochard, as you might find it much more appealing. And there was a ton of it back in the day so it’s not particularly expensive now. February 24, 2016 at 12:51pm
Aurora: Yes, warmly endorsing Diorling which I always call a leatherette to Bandit leather. I should mention though that the dry-down has incense so I recommend it only if you like that note. If you like fruity leather there is also Bottega Veneta for a floral leather and for a fruity one Serge Lutens Daim Blond. February 24, 2016 at 2:41pm
Aurora: I realize I had veered off a bit from your brief of green leather, it occurs to me that trying Aramis Aramis is a must, it’s for men but no matter and it shares a lot of DNA with Cabochard as they are from the same perfumer. February 24, 2016 at 2:53pm
Nancy A.: La Rose, a newly created fragrance by Kurkjian Perfumes that at my first sniff was total femininity. Soft, but effective and elegant. I was in an apothecary where they carry many niche brands, actually mostly niche when a rep from a non-fragrance company introduced me to this. Despite our laments that it was prohibitive price-wise we spritz away when frequenting the store. February 24, 2016 at 2:23pm
Surbhi: Lumere noir is another one from the same designer. This one is little less sweet. I like both just that I can wear the less sweet version for longer period. February 24, 2016 at 3:02pm
Katherine: I love the smell of Nivea cream, but would like it in a perfume. Does anyone know of a perfume that smells like Nivea cream in the US. Thanks! February 24, 2016 at 2:33pm
maja: Nivea has actually launched a perfume with the same name and smell. You should check out if it’s available in the US. It’s a round white bottle and it comes in 30ml size.
Otherwise you could try Jaipur Saphir by Boucheron or Lalique Encre Noir Pour Femme. To my nose, they both smell like Nivea. 🙂 February 24, 2016 at 3:45pm
maja: It’s Pour Elle and not Pour Femme. 🙂 February 24, 2016 at 3:46pm
Aurora: Sorry Maja our answers must have been writing at the same time so I hadn’t seen your answer. February 24, 2016 at 3:58pm
maja: Great minds write simultaneously. 😀 February 24, 2016 at 4:01pm
Katherine: Thank you for your suggestions! February 26, 2016 at 8:05pm
Aurora: Recently there was a launch of a Nivea eau de toilette in Germany; I don’t think it’s available in the US yet but you could probably order it online. February 24, 2016 at 3:46pm
Clair: Has anyone had the opportunity to smell this yet? February 24, 2016 at 9:58pm
Kat: I don’t live in Germany – no luck. But I’ve read the reviews on parfumo.de and the majority were favorable – longevity seems not to be too strong but otherwise people were quite happy (8/10). There are also a couple of reviews on fragrantica.com by people who managed to grab a bottle on ebay. February 25, 2016 at 5:16am
Elizabeth: Vanilla….. I have a love affair with Guerlains Cuir Beluga and SDV. Unfortunately, I am not having a love affair with a bank manager. Any suggestions for something that may fulfil this need of mine, would be greatly appreciated. Ideally, fragrances that I can purchase in Canada or thru a site that deals with customs when they ship. February 24, 2016 at 3:01pm
Aurora: A cheap alternative might be Le Couvent des Minimes Eau de Cologne des Missions, it is vanilla centered, I know they have a US distributor, not sure about Canada; also, a favorite line of mine, a bit more expensive but still way cheaper than Guerlain is La Maison de la Vanille which has 5 perfumes, their vanilla is of excellent quality, it’s a French House, not sure about the availability in Canada though. February 24, 2016 at 3:38pm
Patricia: Seconding La Maison de la Vanille. Their five perfumes are available in a gift set of darling little 15 ml bottles. February 24, 2016 at 7:49pm
Patricia: Available on Luckyscent for $50 US.
https://www.luckyscent.com/product/16510/5-pack-sampler-by-la-maison-de-la-vanille February 24, 2016 at 7:54pm
Patricia: (Canadians prepay for duties at Luckyscent.) February 24, 2016 at 8:00pm
Elizabeth: Thank you for the suggestions. I am definitely going to have to order a few samples from Luckyscent.
Dame perfumes led me to another site Etikit, which I believe is in Ontario or Quebec, I had not heard of them before. Looks like they offer a variety of niche frags again.
Again, many thanks. February 25, 2016 at 5:40pm
Tara C: Also have a look at the Perfume Shoppe website in Vancouver, they have lots of nice stuff. February 27, 2016 at 11:10pm
Pixel: Dame Perfumery (in the US) has several vanilla-based scents. His website has info on how to buy them in Canada. February 24, 2016 at 6:22pm
Caitlin: Can anyone recommend a good spring perfume for a total newbie? I like woods and spices; dislike anything too flowery or powdery. I recently sampled Roja Dove’s Vetiver and I loved it, but it’s way out of my price range. Anything similar (or other good spring scents) that you can recommend for, say, half the price?
And in a different vein, can anyone recommend any good perfumes with a strong cardamom note? I love the smell of cardamom but haven’t been able to find any perfumes that really smell like it… February 24, 2016 at 11:58pm
Michael: Jo Malone’s Mimosa and Cardamom is the first fragrance that comes to mind. February 25, 2016 at 3:05am
Isabel: To me, nothing says spring like Chanel Cristalle! February 25, 2016 at 5:39am
Ida: Caitlin, re: cardamom, you could try Jungle L’Elephant, YSL Nu and perhaps Escale a Pondichery by Dior. February 25, 2016 at 5:43am
mj: I second Ida’s rec on Kenzo L’Elephant for cardamom perfumes. February 25, 2016 at 6:26am
Mia: Thirding Jungle! It’s wonderful. February 28, 2016 at 12:29pm
maja: Caitlin: Eau Duelle is a beautiful vanilla/cardamom scent, quite discreet and might be also appropriate for early spring. February 25, 2016 at 9:10am
Irina: For cardamom, I like Escale à Pondichéry by Dior and Jacomo No. 8 – this last one is such an unsung gem! February 25, 2016 at 10:33am
Bastet: My favorite vetivers for spring/summer are Lalique Encre Noir and Guerlain Vetiver (both marketed to men but good for anyone, and available for a reasonable price online). February 25, 2016 at 12:07pm
silvermoon: Hello Caitlin, I second Mimosa and Cardamom, and Jungle L’Elephant; and I would add Perfume’s d’Empire Fougere Bengal. All on the more affordable end of the spectrum. I agree that the Roja Dove perfumes are simply too expensive – even if some are really lovely and certainly long-lasting.
I second Chanel Cristalle for a fresh springlike scent that is not overtly floral. However, since you liked the Vetiver, you should try out the many vetiver perfumes around. Almost every perfume house/brand has its own version, and so available in every price range. I am sure Victoria has listings of perfumes by note (and with vetiver the perfumes themselves almost always seem to include it in their name!). February 25, 2016 at 1:52pm
Isabel: A gorgeous vetiver is Vetiver Tonka (Jean Claude Ellena for Hermès) February 25, 2016 at 5:10pm
Nina Z: Indochine by Parfumerie Generale is a beautiful benzoin fragrance with cardamom. But I also second Jungle L’Elephant for cardamom.
For spicy perfumes that you could wear in spring, I recommend Eau Lente by Diptyque. Very uplifting & unusual. If you can get to a Diptyque store, also check out their original two fragrances that are also spicy, L’Eau and L’Autre. For wood and spice, I also recommend Chanel Bois des Ilse, which is a gentle & slightly spicy sandalwood. (Wood and spice don’t typically make one think of spring, so I’m thinking of more sheer spicy and/or wood.) February 25, 2016 at 3:33pm
Aurora: Also, Hermes Voyage has a lot of cardamom and is very fit for spring and especially summer. February 26, 2016 at 5:53am
mayfly: Marin has cardamom, and is light and sheer enough for spring- rosy- cardamom, yum! February 26, 2016 at 3:38pm
mayfly: Whoops!- that suggestion should be Marni February 26, 2016 at 3:41pm
Ida: It is.
Also Eau Parfumee au The Vert is great for spring and summer. February 27, 2016 at 7:32am
Raquel: Cartier Declaration and Hernes Apres la Mousson February 27, 2016 at 8:17pm
Mariann: Lumiere Blanche has a milky cardamom note thats really lovely. Another one from Hermes is Epice Marine, which has a nice toasted cardamom note to my nose. February 28, 2016 at 10:24am
Peppermoon: A perfect, complex vetiver for spring is L’Artisan Timbuktu. As far as cardamom goes, try Jacomo Art Series 08. March 3, 2016 at 5:56pm
Kari: Any suggestions for a newbie with a sweet (but spicy) tooth? I am quite new to this site and to perfume
Much more detail:
I adore Kenzo Jungle L’Elephant. This was the first really INTERESTING multilayered fragrance I tried, and it is still at the top of my list.
I am having a bit of a love affair in sampling Serge Lutens. I don’t really mean to, but darn it, all of these scents tug at my heartstrings and make my mouth water.
Un Bois Vanille: Caramelized and a little burnt, maturing to a sweet custardy center but with a deeper crisp shell.
Jeux de Peau: Toasty, salty, becoming more creamy and coconutty over time.
5 o’Clock au Gingembre: Like a hot from the oven gingersnap; nutmeg, cinnamon, honey, enveloping you like a hug.
A La Nuit: My ultimate jasmine. Smooth and lush, a slight kick of clove, but ultimately just letting the beauty of jasmine blossoms unfold.
Chergui: Spicy but sweet, honey, incense, amber, and smoke tied together in the prettiest package.
Arabie and Ambre Sultan are on my to-sample wish list.
I enjoyed sampling Imaginary Authors Memoirs of a Trespasser. It made me feel nostalgic. I like how the rush of vanilla opens to let tobacco and resin come through.
Etat Libre D’Orange Fils de Dieu: I like the combination of cream, rice, lime, and leather. I think I would like this better on my fiancee than on me – IF he would wear scents (he isn’t into wearing scented products whatsoever.)
Musc Ravageur: This is so luscious, keeps changing on me without the musk or vanilla being too heavy, catching whiffs of ginger and cinnamon. But a full bottle is SO expensive, so I’m cherishing my 10 ml decant.
Olfactive Studios Lumiere Blanche: I hoped to like this but it’s too subtle for me. I can barely smell it after 20 minutes even after pressing my nose into my wrist, and just get the faintest impression of sandalwood.
I’m also trying to get accustomed to Mitsouko, via a decant. I really like it but right now it feels like I’m trying out someone else’s clothes. I was surprised at how STUNNING it is, like something caught in sunlight and just this side of catching on fire. Maybe I need to revisit this in autumn. February 25, 2016 at 1:18am
maja: Lovely descriptions, Kari!
You could try Chopard Kasmir, the old Omnia by Bvlgari (brown bottle) , Coco, L de Lolita Lempicka, Diptyque Eau Duelle, Erbolario’s Meharees, Phaedon Tabac Rouge and Diptyque Volutes (the last two are beautiful sweet tobacco scents)
Pls do revisit Mitsouko, it is absolutely worth it. 🙂 February 25, 2016 at 9:05am
Sandra: I also love un bois vanilla by SL. You can also try Tonka Imperial, SDV and Angelique Noire from Guerlain. February 25, 2016 at 10:00am
Malmaison: Oh, we clearly overlap A LOT in perfume preferences! I spent most winters wrapping myself in sweet, spice-laden scents (often with a side order of incense) and heartily agree on your picks above. Thanks for the great descriptions.
I’d also add Tom Ford Tobacco Vanilla, which I want to bathe in, and TF Shanghai Lily which reminds me of when Opium was great. Tragically, they are both ridiculously expensive. I also love Lubin’s Idole and think you might too. Boozy, sweet, incense and spice. It is quite light unfortunately but while it lasts it is terrific.
Rather easier to find is Hermès L’Ambre des Merveilles, not quite so heavy on spice but overall just a creamy-soft warm veil of sweet amber with enough spice to keep things interesting. February 26, 2016 at 5:07pm
Peppermoon: You have a way with words. I enjoyed reading your descriptions and I hope you stick around the fragrance community!
We have similar tastes, I adore sweet/spicy scents. Here are my favorites in this category:
Serge Lutens Feminite du Bois (and its sister, Dior Dolce Vita, if you like the cedar base), Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, Jo Malone Vanilla and Anise, Jo Malone Nutmeg and Ginger, Etat Libre D’Orange Tilda Swinton Like This (great for fall, pumpkin note!), Jacomo Art Series #08 (smells like Chai), Givenchy Organza Indecence, 1000 Flowers Reglisse Noire (licorice, delicate spicy), Hermessence Ambre Narguile (apple pie spices!), Calvin Klein Reveal (kind of an offbeat suggestion, it’s salty/peppery/ambergris/cashmeran but quite cosy. It’s an odd combination but gets a lot of compliments), Worth Courtesan, Byredo Encens Chembur (incense + GINGER), Penhaligons Malabah (tea + lemon + spices), Parfumerie Generale Indochine (honey, pepper, cardamom), Bois 1920 Sushi Imperiale (a touch masculine on my skin but I like it, to me it smells like a sexy/sweet/spicy scent mixed with a traditional barbershoppy fougere), and L’Artisan Tea for Two.
If you like sweet/spicy, you should explore incense scents, tobacco scents and amber scents, because they tend to have sweet/spicy bases. March 3, 2016 at 5:52pm
Neva: For this spring/summer I’m looking for a fresh fig perfume.
Philosykos is always an option but maybe something more subtle where one can still smell the fig. For example in PdN’s Fig Tea I couldn’t smell the fig and that’s not the point.
Figue Amere by Miller Harris had a nice opening and then it became too waxy, more like an autumn scent. I’m the person who wears perfume according to seasons. February 25, 2016 at 9:13am
Jenny Katz: I bought a little solid of Pacifica’s Mediterranean Fig last year (comes in liquid, too)… it was so cheap—about ten bucks—that it felt more like buying an expensive sample. I find it very summery and very easy to wear—the kind of thing I dab on when I don’t have anything else particular in mind, and it always pleases. February 25, 2016 at 11:30am
Neva: Thanks a lot for the suggestion Jenny. I haven’t heard of Pacifica, but I live in Europe so maybe I won’t be able to find it around here. February 25, 2016 at 3:02pm
Patricia: Ninfeo Mio by Annick Goutal is one of my favorite fig fragrances for spring and summer. It is light, refreshing and easy to wear. February 25, 2016 at 12:04pm
Neva: Incredible, but I haven’t tried Ninfeo Mio so far. Thank you for the suggestion Patricia. Tomorrow I’ll go and try it and if it’s the right thing, I’ll report later in the evening. Does it last longer that a few hours or do you have to reapply it often? February 25, 2016 at 3:06pm
Patricia: It’s not the most long-lasting, but you should get three to four hours out of it if you apply generously to start with. Do let us know if it works for you! February 25, 2016 at 6:15pm
Neva: Hi again Patricia, something interesting happened today at a perfumery: I asked the SA to show me fig based scents and she immediately went to the Annick Goutal shelf spraying something on the blotter. Iwas sure it was Ninfeo Mio. It smelled lovely and I let her show me other scents. The next was Acqua di Parma’s Fico di Amalfi and I decided that NM was better. Now comes the surprise – she sprayed Nuit Etoilee first! Only then I realized that it smells like fig to me although I’ve tried NE when it came out and I didn’t get the fig back then. Now it was suddenly very prominent.
Then I asked for Ninfeo Mio. The opening is very fresh as you said but also very bitter/herbal and this impression lasted very long. Only after maybe 1-2 hours when the bitterness went away I could smell the fig. It’s rather shy but beautiful. I’m talking about the blotter, now I have to test them all on my skin. February 27, 2016 at 5:54am
Patricia: Now I’m going to have to try to find my Nuit Etoilee sample! I don’t remember a fig note in it, but haven’t tried it in years. It sounds like you’re having a good time with your fig search. 🙂 February 27, 2016 at 4:27pm
Neva: Hi Patricia, I just wanted to report back that I have found MY fig perfume 🙂 It’s Fig en Fleur by Andree Putman – a wonderful woody milky fig. I could even buy a 30 ml bottle. I’m so happy!!! March 12, 2016 at 4:25pm
Aurora: Very nice suggestions from Pat and Jenny, I’ll add Hermes Un Jardin en Mediterranee and the two l’Artisan Parfumeur: Premier Figuier and Premier Figuier Extreme, also Bulgari Eau Parfumee au The Rouge has a nice fig note. February 26, 2016 at 5:48am
Neva: Thank you very much Aurora. I’m looking forward to trying the L’Artisan’s figs. We have few perfumeries with niche scents and they have different brands so it takes time to try out everything I want… February 27, 2016 at 5:58am
Grey Gardens: Chanel Misia February 25, 2016 at 1:57pm
Tiffany: Since my stay in Paris last summer, I’ve searched in vain for a fragrance that so many Parisian women seemed to wear.While I was in Paris, I so wish that I’d had the nerve (and the language skills) to ask one of these women about the fragrance, but I didn’t.
Who wore it:
It seemed like I ran into the scent everywhere but particularly on the metro. I also noticed it when I’d be in line at a store to purchase something or when someone would walk past me as I sat at cafes.
Grown women wore the scent – maybe early 30s through mid 50s primarily.
Middle-class women – it wasn’t something very poor people were wearing, but it was a fragrance that I smelled often on the metro. It’s not like they were so wealthy they had private drivers or anything.
What did it smell like:
Baby powder + linen + sweet orange + something crisp and light like lemon or an herb even
It was a summer fragrance that enveloped the body and wafted into my awareness when the person would step by me while getting off the metro.It was fresh and warm smelling, light but definitely had a presence, pervasive but not overpowering. I have considered that it’s a lotion or a detergent or a body spray instead of an actual perfume, but I cannot figure out which one.
What it didn’t smell like:
No musk
No Grandma florals
No heavy citrus
No uni-sex woody scents
Not overly fruity
No rose or gardenia
Maybe a hint of lavendar, but it’s not overly laden with it
I’ve checked L’Occitane and bunches of perfumes at department stores here in the States, but I haven’t found much that’s close. I know it’s not any of the Philosophy scents at Ulta either. In fact, only two things have even been in the ballpark thus far.
Closest things I’ve found:
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse (It’s a dry oil sold in all the drugstores in France – its smell is similar, and the oil itself is fabulous as a moisturizer, but the fragrance isn’t exactly right nor is it as intense as what I smelled while I was in the city. At around $25 per bottle in Paris, it’s much more likely that many women could afford this, but the fragrance isn’t the same. I’ve even smelled the perfume version, and it’s just not the right thing.)
DeNoho by Bond (Amazing perfume I tried at Nordstrom’s after telling them this story – it’s fabulous but so pricey- $200 per bottle or more – that I don’t think it could possibly be the right fragrance. Plus, as an American brand, I find it unlikely that so many Parisians would be wearing it.)
Any ideas for me? Thanks in advance! February 25, 2016 at 2:40pm
Elizabeth: While I don’t have any answers for you myself, I am intrigued to see what others may suggest. February 25, 2016 at 5:42pm
George: I might be pointing out the obvious here, but…….was it Ambre Solaire or Eau Dynamisante? (neither of which is bang on for the notes you describe)
Kenzo Flower also isn’t bang on for the notes you describe but it is a popular fragrance in France and known for being powdery. February 25, 2016 at 5:44pm
Tiffany: I don’t know either of these fragrances but will seek out a sample asap. February 26, 2016 at 11:13am
Victoria: Have you tried Cacharel Noa? I don’t know if it’s that popular, but it sounds similar to what you’re describing. February 25, 2016 at 5:54pm
Tiffany: I’ll add this to my sample list. Thanks! February 26, 2016 at 11:14am
spe: Prada Infusion de Iris or Chanel 19 Poudre? It sounds like something that was newer if you smelled it everywhere. And very likely Department store / designer. Was there a new Prada Candy flanker this summer? Bottega Venetta (sp?) l’eau? Alien eau extraordinaire? February 26, 2016 at 1:21am
Tiffany: I’ll try to find these locally and check them out too. Thanks! February 26, 2016 at 11:16am
kayliz: Maybe Guerlain’s latest flanker to La Petite Robe Noire: La Petite Robe Noire Petales / Eau Fraiche — must have been one of last summer’s bestsellers? February 26, 2016 at 6:33am
Aurora: I would second this, Kayliz, the original Petite Robe Noire has been so popular, so I guess its flanker would have been too. I was thinking also, since it was summer and Nuxe was the closest smell so far, perhaps, Tiffany, did you try GuerlainTerracotta Le Parfum? quite similar but a also a bit different from Nuxe. February 26, 2016 at 7:04am
Aurora: Even though it’s Guerlain Terracotta is not expensive. February 26, 2016 at 7:06am
Tiffany: I haven’t tried the Guerlain but will definitely look for it locally. I’m excited that you think it is at least similar to the Nuxe – gives me hope! Thanks! February 26, 2016 at 11:18am
Raquel: Oh I’m curious about this, I think someone here wrote once that Paris smelled to Lancome La vie est belle. Please let us know if you find the fragrance you’re looking for. February 27, 2016 at 3:59am
George: I wondered this too. It doesn’t really fit the notes, but if you think of iris as being powder linen and herb, it might be, and in terms of it being an attention demanding fragrance, and the most popular fragrance in France, it is the most likely culprit. February 28, 2016 at 6:58am
Indigo: Definitely check the Clarins Eaux – they tend to be ‘go-to’ summer fragrances in France as they don’t stain your skin or create sun sensitivity. Hope you find it! February 27, 2016 at 12:59pm
Hamamelis: I wondered if it maybe one of the Yves Rocher fragrances. It seems to fit. The Nature ones or one of the Jardin ones. February 27, 2016 at 3:09pm
Indigo: I was inspired by people here to try some of the Exclusifs Chanel scents, and I really enjoyed Bois des Iles (not so much the staying power) and just loved Coromandel. This is perhaps not surprising given my love for Portrait of a Lady – both opulent but with a cold note of patchouli. But with the weather changing, I could do with something a bit more spring-like.
Any ideas for something that might work, preferably picking up themes in POAL or Coromadel? February 25, 2016 at 4:09pm
Victoria: What about Sycomore? February 25, 2016 at 5:58pm
Indigo: Ooh, you’re good. I love Sycomore!
The only thing is, my husband wears Encre Noire and I worry we’d be too matchy-matchy. He has, however, developed a love for Seville à l’aube so maybe he’ll leave the vetiver to me! February 26, 2016 at 10:22am
Pixel: Bois des Iles extrait has a lot more staying power than the LE, you might want to try that.
For spring… how about Bel Respiro? February 25, 2016 at 7:20pm
Indigo: Oh, I didn’t know there was an extrait version. I’ll look into that – thank you! And I’ll try Bel Respiro too. February 26, 2016 at 10:23am
Hamamelis: If you like iris 28 La Pausa is good to try. It may not be around too long, always rumours about its discontinuation. 31 Rue Cambon is a beauty as well. February 28, 2016 at 4:54am
Indigo: I do like iris. I’ll add this to my list – thanks! February 28, 2016 at 7:58am
Surbhi: If you have to pick one Fracas or carnal flower which one will you pick? And if love any other tuberose scent please share that as well.
I didn’t really like TC so I Am not even considering that 🙂 But I will give it another try when I feel I Am ready. February 25, 2016 at 8:05pm
Aurora: Hello Surbhi: You will no doubt get answers from tubereuse lovers, I’m not one and will just say that I nevertheless fare well with Annick Goutal Gardenia Passion a mix of tuberose and other white flowers. I find it well balanced but perhaps you want recommendations for strong tuberose perfumes. February 26, 2016 at 7:27am
Surbhi: Yes, I am actually looking for tuberose note that stand out. I think I like all white florals. But tuberose holds a slightly bigger spot in my heart. February 26, 2016 at 9:45pm
George: I’m a great believer in shopping types of fragrance until you find the one that works best for me. But some types of fragrance have fragrances within them that are equally good and different enough, that I find justification for them both. Fracas and Carnal Flower are two such fragrances. I do realise that I am being no help here whatsoever! February 26, 2016 at 8:34am
Surbhi: I have a feeling I will end up with both. I was so sure on CF and then I smelled fracas for the first time and hence the second thoughts. February 26, 2016 at 9:42pm
katherine X: Surbhi,
They are both wonderful choices. Just beautiful. I wouldn’t know where to start choosing one over the other. February 27, 2016 at 10:38pm
Jean: I’m enjoying a sample of Nasomatto Narcotic V (or Venus). I swear I get an endorphine rush from this. February 26, 2016 at 8:48am
Surbhi: Enjoy ! I will see if my local barleys have it. February 26, 2016 at 9:41pm
spe: IF by Apothia.
I’ve owned CF and Fracas and sold them. I find tuberose heavy scents are “special occasion” for me and don’t generally suit my personality or lifestyle.
IF still becomes a bit sweet, but it feels cleaner to me initially.
Between Fracas and CF, I’d go with Fracas because for me it’s lighter and soapier than CF. If you like greener and soaring, then CF is the one you want. There is a CF hair mist that might be lovely. February 26, 2016 at 10:01am
Surbhi: I can understand. I grew up close to a flower market full of tuberose and various other flowers but tuberose took over the air. It smelled so nice to me for years that now tuberose doesn’t feel like over the top. To me it is like that is how air smells. This makes me think If I want air around me to smell like tuberose or want tuberose perfume on me. Fracas come much more closer to the way I Remember smelling the air. But I do know that tuberose perfume can annoy people and hence I wanted to hear what others think. February 26, 2016 at 9:38pm
Jean: I like to wear my Narcotic V at home for a pick-me-up, but would wear it in public in open spaces such as the mall or farmer’s market. I think it would be rather rude in a restaurant though. February 27, 2016 at 6:07am
Surbhi: I gave it a quick sniff yesterday. Nice tuberose. I will have to sniff it few more time and try on my skin. March 1, 2016 at 3:11pm
Indigo: I ordered samples of both recently. I was expecting to prefer Carnal Flower, as I love Ropion as a perfumer, but it turned a little stale on me in the dry down, which was a surprise and disappointment. Fracas was, as per the Luca Turin description, buttery tuberose. Really rather lovely. February 26, 2016 at 10:26am
spe: Ropion is my favorite living perfumer and I was also hoping for a great match between me and CF. Unfortunately it didn’t happen. It stayed persistent and high-pitched. I dabbed (literally a small dab on the back of my neck) with Caleche and it lent some brightness to the soapy, woodsy Caleche. February 26, 2016 at 6:55pm
Surbhi: I think the weather also plays a role. I didn’t like it first time in mall/store. And then I tried it on a hot humid day outdoors. Loved it. Seemed a different perfume. February 26, 2016 at 9:40pm
Hamamelis: Hiram Green’s Moon Bloom is a lovely tuberose. February 26, 2016 at 10:31am
Surbhi: I will try to locate it somewhere soon and sample it. February 26, 2016 at 12:48pm
kayliz: For me it’s definitely Carnal Flower — I like the greenness and find it more measured, more easily wearable than Fracas, although it’s still a big tuberose.
I was surprised to /really/ like Couture Tuberose by Versace — a cool, elegant tuberose, if that makes any sense at all.
My favourite so far is Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia by Estee Lauder, but it does have something of the menthol edge that is so extremely amplified in Tubereuse Criminelle… February 26, 2016 at 6:22pm
Karen A: My suggestion was going to be both, but I see CF didn’t work for you. Is your sample from FM? I ask only because when I tried a decant/sample of Parfum de Theresa (or whatever the name is, apologies) I did not care for it, however I received an “official” sample from a FM shop with an order and was very surprised at the difference (and the fact that I liked it). could have been reformulation, or who knows what, but it made me think about samples/decants differently.
For what it’s worth, I’ve got both – Fracas was a long-ago purchase – and I love both. Fracas feels more dressy/elegant and CF more intoxicating. February 27, 2016 at 1:55pm
Surbhi: Hi Karen,
Was this reply for me? TC from Serge didn’t work for me but these two are fine. I just wanted to pick one to get right now. Difficult choice 🙂 February 27, 2016 at 2:08pm
Karen A: Yup, posted incorrectly. TC has its challenges, at least for me. But both CF and Fracas are stunning. February 27, 2016 at 6:04pm
SilverMoon: Hello Surbhi, hello George,
I love both and ended up buying both. Like George says , they are sufficiently different to justify both. I guess, it would depend on what the idea is – do you plan it more for daily use or more for evening or special/glamorous outings? Also, what kind of weather/temperatures? I find Carnal Flower more versatile, but Fracas is really a hot “cool” perfume. I wear the former a lot in the summer, but I find Fracas a bit much when it is really warm outside.
Another really manageable tuberose (both to wear and for the wallet) is Estee Lauder Tuberose Gardenia. Really lovely too. Finally, I confess I love Tuberose Criminelle. 🙂
Do say what you decide to do! February 29, 2016 at 4:03pm
Surbhi: I have couple of months to make the decision. I have the 1 ml sample of both.I am hoping to come to a decision by the time they are over. Or I will flip a coin, buy one and then few days later buy the second as obviously I made a wrong decision. March 1, 2016 at 1:06am
SilverMoon: Npt to worry. Whatever you get, it certainly won’t be a “wrong” decision! Maybe an excuse for getting the other! 🙂 March 1, 2016 at 3:52am
Surbhi: That’s what I meant. 😀 March 1, 2016 at 10:05am
katherine x: Silvermoon, So funny! My take on Fracas vs. CF is opposite yours! I would have said exactly what you said about Fracas for CF and vice versa! I see that Surbhi chose Fracas. If she’s like me she’ll cave, and get the CF at some point… ! April 10, 2016 at 12:30am
Surbhi: Fracas it is !
I was smelling something nice all day today and I was like who is smelling so good today ( No one wears tuberose at my workplace) 7 hours later I realized its coming from my sweater and I have been giggling for 7 hours. And I had put that sweater on me with fracas for like 5 mins to try and it absorbed it March 1, 2016 at 3:10pm
Jennifer: Any suggestions for a lover of Caron’s En Avion? February 26, 2016 at 2:19am
Aurora: If it’s the drydown you like most in En Avion, perhaps another Caron might also be a hit with you. I am faithful to Bellodgia in particular which shares carnation with En Avion, and Victoria who has a lovely review of En Avion extrait was recently blown away by Tabac Blond extrait. February 26, 2016 at 7:19am
Aurora: But if Victoria were to chime in, she might give you other ideas as she is amazing. February 26, 2016 at 7:30am
Victoria: Too kind! 🙂
I’ve sworn my love to Malle’s Carnal Flower on many occasions, so I recommend it highly. A little less well-known but very good is Honore des Pres Vamp a NY. February 26, 2016 at 8:35am
Jennifer: I have the modern version of Tabac Blond’s EDP, and am lemming for the extrait. I’m not great at picking out notes, but I love the combination of less “pretty” scents (I think kerosene, rubber, leather like smells) with rich florals is what I like about it. February 27, 2016 at 1:46am
jen: I’d love some help picking a new perfume. I wore Tiffany from from jr high to my early 30’s. I switched to Jo Malone Blackberry Bay for a while, then nothing. I’d like to get a few fragrances for work, weekend, night. The Jo Malone was nice, but I want more complexity. More floral, more earth? I love herbal, green scents, but with a bit of darkness. Nothing too cloying or sweet. No patchouli or heavy musk. I tried Coco Noir yesterday, and it was suffocating on my skin. Any ideas would be so appreciated. February 26, 2016 at 3:06pm
Surbhi: You can try eau de magnolia from Malle. If you like leathery scents than odin no 12 is also a good option. It smells nutmeg and saffron to me. Nothing sweet or cloying about it. Serge lumens have a perfume which actually made me feel like I am standing in a spice market in India .. I don’t remember the name of the fragrance though.
Le Fille de berlin is rose with a dark side. Not sweet at all.
Le labo jasmine is also very interesting as this is the first jasmine that didn’t smell too sweet to me. Its citrusy and floral. February 26, 2016 at 9:27pm
kayliz: Herbal and green with a bit of darkness sounds to me like a description of Mandragore Pourpre by Annick Goutal. I find it very versatile — it’s one I reach for when I don’t want to think about what to wear. Patchouli is listed, admittedly, but not at all prominent. February 27, 2016 at 4:20am
Neva: I think you would like Vero Kern’s Mito. Maybe you should give it a try? February 27, 2016 at 6:15am
Hamamelis: Have you tried no 19? Goutal’s Eau de Camille is very green, but has no darkness. And what about Ormonde Jayne’s Woman? That has a darkgreen sense to it, and definitely some darkness but not cloying. Don’t apply too much. Victoria has written a beautiful review on BdJ. February 28, 2016 at 4:52am
Ariadne: Happy Spring everyone! I am obsessed with the discontinued L’Arte di Gucci and just bought another bottle of EDP. I am looking for your reviews and explanation of the elements this perfume to better understand my obsession. February 26, 2016 at 6:31pm
Mia: Hi Ariadne! Happy Spring to you too from still very wintery North. I don’t personally know the Gucci but here’s Angela’s review of it in NST: http://www.nstperfume.com/2011/05/16/gucci-larte-di-gucci-fragrance-review/.
Reading about it, it reminds me of Divine’s L’ame soeur, a beautiful, bit chypre-like aldehyde rose – but this is just a wild guess. In BdJ it has also been compared to Patou Eau de Joy. But you were more after knowing more about your “addiction” than getting new suggestions, if I got it right? However, here’s something for you to proceed from. February 28, 2016 at 1:13pm
Ariadne: Bingo Mia! It is the cardamon and of course the rose and oak moss. The review in the link you sent also mentions other scents I adore like Ungaro Diva and Agent P. I also really appreciate L’A di G’s longevity on my skin. February 28, 2016 at 1:21pm
spe: La Perla is in this category, to my nose. February 28, 2016 at 5:29pm
spe: Was there a fragrance similar to, but not identical to, China Rain oil around in 1981? It was softer and more floral. It was popular with college age women.
Thank you for any suggestions! February 27, 2016 at 12:55am
Nina Z: The women who developed the original China Rain now have a new company called Terra Nova. And Terra Nova carries what they say is the original China Rain. See: http://www.terranovabody.com/china-rain-s/44.htm February 27, 2016 at 7:38pm
Nina Z: Though perhaps you are looking for something not quite like China Rain? February 27, 2016 at 7:42pm
Clair: I worked for the women (a mother and two daughters) who developed that scent. They were the original Body Shop, but sold their name to the UK Body Shop in the 80’s. They still have shops called Bodytime in Berkeley, which conducts business online, Terra Nova is their wholesale line. Rain was the first wildly popular scent. I know the formula (notes) but was sworn to secrecy! China Rain, China Lily, and China Musk are flankers. They are all wonderful skin scents. I wore the body lotion for years and received countless compliments. You can purchase the Vitamin AD&E Body lotion and add your own scent. Their Pikake is a wonderful scent in shower gel form. February 29, 2016 at 5:38pm
Clair: spe: in answer to your question, it was probably China Lily or China Rain. I can’t remember which was less musky, but they were both softer and more floral. You can look them up and the oil is reasonably priced to try. I’m not sure if this is what you were looking for. February 29, 2016 at 5:43pm
spe: Thank you so much, Clair! China Rain was close, but not quite it.
Where do you suggest I find those? Tera Nova online?
Thanks again! March 4, 2016 at 9:51pm
Clair: Hi spe.
Here is an update. The women I worked for sold the businesses to another family in 2011, but it seems to be continuing well. The Rain fragrances are still their most popular. Terra Nova is their wholesale division, selling only to businesses, resorts, etc. In the past there were local body care businesses that sold these products under their own label. Your best bet would be to browse their website, bodytime.com and or contact them ([email protected]). There may well be a business in your area, or you could purchase some samples ( free China Rain on your birthday)! There is quite a bit of information about Chna Rain and it’s accidental conception on their website. I am now nostalgic for the scent myself. Also, lotion is a wonderful vehicle for these fragrant oils, so you may want to try several added to their lotion or another unscented lotion for the full experience. Good luck! March 4, 2016 at 10:24pm
spe: Clair – which scented lotion do you recommend?
Thank you for the excellent information! March 5, 2016 at 1:44am
Claire: I haven’t used these lotions for years, so I’m not sure what to recommend. The Vitamin A D & E was very popular, and as I recall it was very emollient, but not greasy. A little goes a long way. I used to slather myself with it in my youth. Also, adding the scent yourself means that you can control the scent strength. I usually preferred less fragrance than the amounts in the scented options. I tend to gravitate towards more “natural” lotions now, like Weleda, Korres, Jurlique, EO, and others, but as I’ve mentioned, I enjoyed these lotions scented with members of the Rain family for many years and I am sorely tempted to revisit them! Also, the musk in some of these is much softer than the shrill contemporary laundry detergent musks found in so many ‘clean’ scents today. Good luck, and let me know what you think! March 5, 2016 at 3:43am
Alexia Portnova: Hello.
I’m a girl of 17 looking for a true rose perfume.
I’ m looking for something fitting a girl of my age, so perhaps something youthful.
I love Daisy Dream, lola, si by Armani, yellow Diamond by Versace, Black Orchid, lightblue by dolce gabbana and burberry brit rythm.
I love perfumes that are spicy, perhaps even oriental.
I love perfumes that are like a warm embrace, something subtly sexy. Yet at the same time, I want people (especially men) to say “gosh, you smell great, what are you wearing”.
I know, this may be hard to match.
If you have any suggestions which aren’t roses, I’d still love to hear them.
Greetings from Sweden February 27, 2016 at 3:51pm
Victoria: How about Stella MacCartney Stella, a rose with amber and mandarin? Also, you might like Marni by Marni. Yves Rocher has a terrific rose called Rose Absolue, and it’s worth trying. February 27, 2016 at 7:00pm
Alexia Portnova: Thank you!
I will definitely give it a go! February 28, 2016 at 8:07pm
Surbhi: Atelier cologne also has a rose cologne with citrus and sweet notes in it. If you like something on slightly sweet side this is worth trying. February 28, 2016 at 9:22pm
Victoria: Rose Anonyme, yes, a great suggestion. Alexia, Sephora carries the Atelier Cologne line. February 29, 2016 at 3:50am
Maryjane Morris: I realise that this question is a bit strange, but I would be interested in your views about perfumes that come to mind for art critics or academics. Female and middle aged, not fashion forward, but discreetly elegant, simply adorned and somewhat relaxed. My mind jumped to Caleche and Kelly Caleche for some reason, but would be interested in others’ impressions! February 27, 2016 at 9:20pm
Tara C: Have you tried Amouage Fate? That one came to mind as I read your description. February 27, 2016 at 11:18pm
Maryjane Morris: I have never tried Fate, but it is available at a boutique perfumery locally. It is VERY pricey : US$320 for 100ml!! February 28, 2016 at 2:48am
Tara C: You can get it for much less at the discounters. I paid $183 from Fragrancenet last month. February 28, 2016 at 9:28am
Hamamelis: Have you tried Chanel 5 Eau Premiere? or an iris perfume like Infusion d’iris? Or any of the Chanel Exclusifs? 31 Rue Cambon fits your description very well. February 28, 2016 at 4:48am
Maryjane Morris: Thanks you for this, I must dig out my Infusion d’iris and revisit its mood 🙂 February 28, 2016 at 5:44am
Karen A: Maybe Chanel’s Coromandel? Discretely elegant is a perfect description of Coromandel. February 28, 2016 at 7:02am
spe: Timbuktu by L’Artisan? Many offerings from L Artisan seem discrete and elegant and relaxed and simple.
Hermes gets slightly outside the elegant category with their newer offerings, but how about Vetiver Tonka by Hermes?
There are a couple of Van Cleefs that come to mind: Lys Carmin and Bois d’ Iris. They are elegant and simple and a couple of them read as “relaxed.”
La Pausa and Bel Respiro by Chanel. Maybe Cristalle EDT by Chanel. February 28, 2016 at 6:00pm
kayliz: Oh, a question after my middle-aged academic heart! Cuir Beluga and Mohur spring immediately to mind, and I’d second the Chanel exclusives (Bois des Iles?) and Eau Premiere. Iris Silver Mist is a beautiful iris, and Cuir de Nacre (Ann Gerard) is a very elegant iris and leather. Going a bit rougher, but not too much: Cuir Amethyste. On the offchance that elegant and cuddly is OK: Lei (Mazzolari). February 28, 2016 at 6:06pm
Maryjane Morris: Thank you everyone, there are so many suggestions here to explore. I am very appreciative of the time you have taken to respond xx February 28, 2016 at 7:20pm
katherine X: Maryjane, academin and elegant make me think of the Cartier les Heures line – discreet, persistent, elegant and very interesting! February 28, 2016 at 11:51pm
elizabeth: Hello – I am searching for a replacement for Gucci Envy, since it’s been discontinued. Any recommendations for a similar fragrance? February 27, 2016 at 9:22pm
Victoria: You might get other suggestions too, but take a look at this link. We have a whole thread on Envy:
https://boisdejasmin.com/2012/05/guerlain-attrape-coeur-alexander-mcqueen-kingdom-and-gucci-envy-long-lost-favorites.html February 28, 2016 at 4:28am
elizabeth: Thank you, Victoria! I will get samples of AG Eau de Camille and the Stella McCartney lily. February 28, 2016 at 8:39am
spe: I thought AScent smelled like Envy. February 28, 2016 at 1:06pm
Rachel: I have a bottle of Vero Onda EDP. It was given to me –lucky me! But, the passionfruit note in this one just doesn’t work on my skin. I’ve been trying to find a perfume to layer it with that will compliment and dampen the passionfruit a bit. Vitctoria earlier suggested Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom, and it works beautifully, yet, I’m still looking. I guess I want something a little deeper. I just got a sample of Rubj EFP and I do smell the passionfruit note, yet really like the perfume very much–however, I cannot afford a bottle. I’m hoping for some ideas of a perfume I could layer with Onda that would nudge it toward Rubj? Thank you! February 28, 2016 at 3:29pm
Aurora: It’s a little bit difficult. Oh, yes I think Victoria’s rec. was excellent to amp the orange blossom to dampen the passionfruit, now to nudge Onda in the direction of Rubj which is white flower especially tuberosem I think you might try layering with Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia or Annick Goutal Gardenia Passion, these perfumes both have tuberose, but I’m not entirely sure what the result would be. Hope it will work out. March 3, 2016 at 9:26am
Aurora: And perhaps also Van Cleef & Arpels First might suit for this layering. March 3, 2016 at 9:42am
Aurora: Now I suddenly wonder if it might be the pronounced cumin you enjoy in Rubj EDP? But that takes us on a different path March 3, 2016 at 9:58am
Rachel: Aurora; I think it’s both the cumin and white flowers. I’ll see if I can get samples of these and try them out. Thanks for your ideas! March 6, 2016 at 4:35pm
Peppermoon: I haven’t tried Onda (though it’s pretty high on my want-to-try list!) but I think Serge Lutens Fleurs D’Oranger would amp the orange blossom, and it has caraway which smells like cumin on most people’s skin. It might add some depth to Onda. March 3, 2016 at 2:39pm
Rachel: Good idea! I have some and I’ll try it. Thanks! March 6, 2016 at 4:36pm
Vera: Could you please recommend me a perfume with juicy citrus notes and fig in it? I am looking for something for warmer weather. So far I really enjoyed Sienne D’Orance from TDC, but it fades to a leather, I also quite like Premier Figuiere Extreme from AP in the fig category. My signature scent is Chanel 19, and I usually adore green transparent fragrances. March 3, 2016 at 6:46am
Aurora: Hello Vera: Have you tried Hermes Un Jardin en Mediterranee, it’s got the fig and citrus you require (plus wood) and I find it an excellent choice for warm weather. Also for a green, green, green wonderful scent in summer: Silences by Jacomo. March 3, 2016 at 8:16am
Peppermoon: I’m looking for a scent that has the note of milk or heavy cream.
Ones I’ve tried that weren’t quite right –
Malizia Bon Bons Milkshake – malted milk balls
DSH Au Lait – closest so far, smells caramelized and sweet like condensed milk, but not enough of a fatty smelling “cream” note.
Fresh Cream – smells like powdered milk somehow, not wet at all or fatty.
Milk and pepper scents (love these but not milky/fatty enough)-
Oxygene
Poivre Piquant – love this one, but the longevity of the milk note is like 5 mins
I may be on a futile quest…. but I love all of these listed so it has been helping me find great scents! March 3, 2016 at 6:27pm
Victoria: Olfactive Studio Lumiere Blanche? March 4, 2016 at 3:17am
Peppermoon: No milk in that one for me. It was more of a spiced powder, and had poor longevity on my skin despite having a good scent.
I think my skin may amp powdery textures over creamy ones…Lumiere Blanche is supposed to have creamy sandalwood. Booooo. Can I swap skin with someone? (haha that sounds very serial killer-y) March 4, 2016 at 11:26am
Victoria: Perhaps, the perfumery idea of milky notes simply doesn’t match with your own. Some of those fragrances you mentioned include lactones, which give milk its scent, but of course, perfume is rarely a photorealistic thing. Sandalwood often comes across as creamy, but today few fragrances contain real sandalwood, and sandalwood synthetics are on the sharp side. March 4, 2016 at 11:54am
Peppermoon: That might be the problem. I might just have to make it myself. Thanks for the information, Victoria! March 7, 2016 at 11:14pm
Clair: Someone once recommended Ava Luxe Milk to me, which sounded wonderful, and I was tempted by several others in that line. I haven’t tried it but you might look at the website, and I think Surrender to Chance may sell decants. March 4, 2016 at 10:47pm
StephanieJM: I am mostly new to the world of perfumes.
I’ve tried various types, but the two that I always come back to are Clinique Happy and L’eau D’Issey. I’m interested in some similar perfumes that work equally well on my skin but are perhaps more interesting or unique.
Do any of you have any recommendations?
I tend to like clean and citrus scents, but it just depends on the dry down on my skin.
Also, is there a scent similar to L’eau D’Issey that has a more green aspect to it? March 4, 2016 at 5:27pm
StephanieJM: And to be more clear, I’m 33 and have been searching for a scent that I smelled the summer after high school when I went on a trip to New Zealand. I stayed at a home that had a gorgeous scentof the dry down of L’eau D’Issey but was a little juicier, maybe a little more earthy and green. It’s been on my mind ever since and have not found anything closer than the Issey Miyake, which is more on the floral side.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. March 4, 2016 at 5:57pm
Victoria: Have you tried Prescriptives Calyx? Based on your description, it seemed that it might work.
Another option is Hermes Jardin Apres La Mousson. There is a review in my files here, so you can see if that’s something interesting. March 7, 2016 at 4:27am
StephanieJM: Hi Victoria,
Thank you for your reply! I do have a bottle of Calyx, which is sharper than what I hoped, but I do like it. I bought it in hopes it what I was looking for.
I will give the Hermes Jardin Apres La Mousson a try! Thank you! March 8, 2016 at 3:58pm
Clair: I just wanted to say thank you to you, Victoria, for providing such a rich resource. It is enhanced by so many other interests I share, and your beautiful and expressive writing.🌿 March 4, 2016 at 10:50pm
Victoria: Thank you so much, Claire. 🙂 I’m, of course, very happy to hear this. March 7, 2016 at 4:25am
Rachel: Could anyone suggest a realistic hyacinth soliflore? Thank you. March 6, 2016 at 4:37pm
Victoria: We had a request for something similar, and after a long discussion decided that there isn’t such a thing. I like the hyacinth note in Chanel Cristalle EDP, but of course, it’s part of a bouquet. March 7, 2016 at 4:45am
Rachel: Thank you, Victoria. I will look it up. March 7, 2016 at 2:56pm
Tara: Hello I wear Eau de Sisley 1, and love it,but am looking for something a bit different these days… In the past have worn Paloma Picasso, Fiji, Rive Gauche and Creed Royal Water but all have eventually ‘turned’ on me with my skin chemistry. These days my ‘nose’ is liking: orange, and orange blossom, yang, yang and Persian rose..any suggestions?
Would also be open to an older scent if you had any ideas…. March 18, 2016 at 1:35am
Victoria: Have you tried the new Soir de Sisley? March 21, 2016 at 10:44am
Tara: Thank u so much Victoria will definitely check it out. If you think of anything else please let me know! March 21, 2016 at 2:26pm
DeAnne: Can anyone recommend me a new night time scent? I used to wear Bulgari Jasmin Noir L’essence, or Estee Lauder Sensuous noir, want something similar but different. I go out dancing a lot, so it needs to be long lasting;) March 26, 2016 at 10:16am
Victoria: Yves Saint Laurent’s Black Opium might be an option if you wanted a gourmand. Or Lolita Lempicka Eau de Parfum. But if you’re after a more floral blend, then I recommend trying Estee Lauder Muse Rouge. March 26, 2016 at 1:31pm
Monica: Hello,
Can anyone recommend me a fresh scent. I love the smell of orange flowers – it reminds me of the nice vacation on the south of Spain, the smell of fresh air after the rain, the fresh cut grass, jasmine and honeysuckle. Thank you May 7, 2016 at 2:36pm
Surbhi: le labo jasmine 27 ? May 8, 2016 at 7:56pm