Ten Fragrances in Ten Minutes

What are the ultimate desert island perfumes? Patricia tests herself.

I’ve lived in my present dwelling for over thirty years, time enough to accumulate an unnecessary quantity of items. With the current trend towards minimalism, my various collections have started to weigh heavy on my conscience and I’ve enjoyed fantasizing about moving into much smaller quarters and having to downsize significantly. I thought about Victoria and her move to Brussels some years back when she was able to bring only a small portion of her perfume collection with her and how difficult that must have been. Doing a similar exercise is of course only that, an exercise, but I decided to set my kitchen timer for ten minutes and grab ten fragrances that would come with me—my desert island perfumes. A no-vintages rule made for easier decisions (although one of my choices has been discontinued).

perfume selection

It took me four minutes to go through my collection and make initial choices, then six additional minutes to pare down the edited collection to ten (actually eleven if you count the bottles in the picture). The buzzer went off with eleven bottles on my bureau, so I left it at that.

First I snatched No. 19 EDT from my Chanel tray because it is an iris, my favorite fragrance of all time, and my bottle of No. 19 EDP is vintage and therefore out of the running. No. 19 is also one I can wear for all occasions, in all seasons, and in other words a no-brainer. Chanel 31 Rue Cambon is also coming along to fill the chypre category and serve as an elegant ladies-who-lunch fragrance for those times that I need to appear more put together than I actually am. The Hermès tray provided L’Ambre des Merveilles for a spicy gourmand amber vanilla that is delightful to wear in fall and winter. Cuir de Lancôme, rich leather with floral undertones, also joins the group for its beauty and versatility in all seasons save the dog days of summer.

Another easy-to-wear choice is Diptyque Tam Dao, sandalwood, a much-loved note, in a bottle. Ormonde Jayne’s Woman is a mysterious fir-filled forest that is perfect for wearing on snowy days, and I have nothing else like it. Because it is my only bell jar and I bought it in Paris at the Palais Royale, Serge Lutens Boxeuses must also be included. A woodsy plum and leather concoction, Boxeuses is creamy, comforting, and another good all-rounder.

White flower fragrances need to come along as well, and I chose two very different ones: Parfums DelRae Wit and L’Artisan Seville à l’Aube. Where Wit is light, green, flowery, and perfect for spring, the orange blossom in Seville à l’Aube  is made deeper with the addition of beeswax and a faint incense note reminiscent of snuffed candles. As one of my favorite notes in perfume is rose, it is imperative that a rose-dominant fragrance be included in the ten.

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I dithered between Amouage Lyric Woman and Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin, both jammy, deep rich roses. Lyric won by a nose since I had already chosen Boxeuses from the Lutens line and Amouage had not yet been represented. Rounding out the group to provide citrus and fig is my summer favorite, Ninfeo Mio by Annick Goutal. Many spritzes of this one are necessary to keep cool in the burning summer sun, as it doesn’t last very long. Throw it in your beach bag for frequent reapplication.

Though I had to “leave” many of my favorites behind, this is a group of fragrances that I could happily live with for a long time. What category do you think I missed? What’s the first thing you would grab if you had only ten minutes to choose ten perfumes?

Extra : What’s the Most Versatile Perfume?

Image 1: Victoria’s 10 in 10 (4 decants of Serge Lutens Bois de Violette, Frédéric Malle Carnal Flower, Alaïa, and Guerlain Après L’Ondée are out of the frame). Image 2: Patricia’s 10 in 10.

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293 Comments

  • Elizabeth: Only ten! Well…after the panic subsided a bit, I would first choose Annick Goutal Rose Absolue, my signature rose. Then L’Eau d’Hiver, because it goes with everything. Misia has to come along too, of course. By Kilian Rose Oud for evenings. Seville a l’Aube because it’s the best orange blossom ever. That’s five, now five more! Apres l’Ondee because it’s Apres l’Ondee. Divine Spirituelle for a smooth, elegant rose. Passage d’Enfer, my first and still favorite incense. Chanel Cristalle for hot summers. And finally, Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule, because my husband loves it and we can share it. April 18, 2016 at 7:54am Reply

    • Tijana: Love this list!!! <3 April 18, 2016 at 9:27am Reply

    • OperaFan: AG Rose Absolue doesn’t get mentioned enough and it’s my favorite rose. I’d be lost without it. April 18, 2016 at 2:19pm Reply

    • Patricia: How nice of you to bring something you and your husband can share! Great list. I debated about Cristalle, but decided that No. 19 would have to fill that slot. April 18, 2016 at 5:58pm Reply

    • Natalie: Elizabeth I have an entire 100 ml bottle of Seville a l’Aube that I will never wear because it just really doesn’t work on me. I have never done trades as I am still very new to the whole online perfume world but would happily gift this to someone who would appreciate it as otherwise it will simply languish in my cupboard. Let me know if you want it and I’ll send it along to you. (it was a blind buy and now I know better than to do that!) April 18, 2016 at 6:59pm Reply

      • Jmarie: It is my favorite perfume I cannot afford. I’d give a kidney for it. April 18, 2016 at 11:31pm Reply

        • Natalie: Jmarie since you love it so much I’d love to send some to you as a gift. I honestly just don’t want to waste it and I am not on any trade boards as they overwhelm and confuse me. Send me an email at [email protected] and I’ll send you some. April 19, 2016 at 10:37am Reply

      • Surbhi: Hey Natalie,

        I hope you find the orange blossom scent that works for you. I am having a blast with blind buys (last 2 turned out great) and with so many people listing it in their top 10, I would like to trade /claim yours (It has made me curious) if no one has done that so far. April 19, 2016 at 12:06am Reply

        • Natalie: Hi Surbhi, send me an email at [email protected] and I will make you a 15 ml decant so you can try it out. Hopefully you like it better than I did. I really did want to like it as it sounded like many things I love (incense, orange blossom…) but it is not my scent. I’m just happy for it to get used. April 19, 2016 at 10:35am Reply

          • Surbhi: I received my gift today and it smells somewhat like ostara to me. Loving it. Thank you Natalie. April 28, 2016 at 12:46pm Reply

      • Natalie: I have some 15 ml bottles I use for my aromatherapy products so i”m happy to split up my unused 100 ml bottle of Seville a l’Aube to give to others who would appreciate it more than I do. Just get in touch with me privately at [email protected] ( I don’t want to clog up the comment thread!) April 19, 2016 at 10:39am Reply

        • Patricia: This is very generous of you, Natalie! April 19, 2016 at 7:25pm Reply

      • Elizabeth: That’s very generous, but no thank you. 🙂 Seems like you have a lot of other takers, though! April 19, 2016 at 7:30pm Reply

      • Lily: Natalie, i am curious what other orange blossoms you have tried? I always encourage the love for Houbigant’s Orangeurs en Fleur. If I had to pick only one scent, that would be the one. Orange, flower, spice, wood…everything I need, at any rate! 😉

        Good luck in your search, wherever it takes you! April 20, 2016 at 11:14am Reply

        • Natalie: Hi Lily, Houbigant’s Orange Flower is on my list to sample as soon as I can find some, I have heard such great things about it. I love my Serge Luten Fleur d’Oranger (though I wonder if it is the heavier white flowers I love about that one?). I have also sampled the Penhaliagon’s Orange Blossom and I did really like that one (very fresh orange), which was a surprise because I have not liked any other Penhaliagon’s I have tried yet.
          There was just something in the Seville a’Laube that did not work for me though I wanted to like it so badly, and I have liked many of the others in the L’Artisan line and others by Bertrand Duchaufour…I will keep searching for my perfect Orange Flower scent! April 20, 2016 at 11:59am Reply

          • Surbhi: I like the penhaligon’s Orange blossom to and I will try the SL one soon as well. Creed has a perfume with Grapefruit / orange zest .. its is very green and bitter. April 20, 2016 at 12:06pm Reply

            • Natalie: I adore the SL and spray it on like body spray! which is a bit ridiculous. will look out for the Creed one too as I do like bitter scents to on hot days… April 20, 2016 at 12:10pm Reply

          • Lily: I sampled the SL at the same time I sampled the Houbigant. SL was, to me, a very heavy white floral/jasmine scent, not particularly orange blossomy. I classed it as one that smelled nice but that I would not buy…just too heavy on the floral. I definitely get hints of jasmine in the Houbigant as well but it’s not as overwhelming. I know the review of it here discusses differences with SL and is pretty spot-on with my experience of both. April 20, 2016 at 1:03pm Reply

          • limegreen: Hi Natalie! I love both the Lutens and Houbigant orange blossom, they strike me as being very similar where I consider the Houbigant version the Lutens minus the cumin! So it’s more wearable in the warmer weather (for me).
            Not exactly orange blossom in the same fashion but if you get around to a Diptyque counter, the new Eau des Sens is one of the nicest I’ve tried in a long time. Longlasting, too.
            (I think it’s the beeswax in Seville a l’Aube that can be disagreeable on skin, for some people.) April 23, 2016 at 8:04pm Reply

            • Natalie: Hi Limegreen, Yes I agree I think it was the beeswax that was too heavy/oily scented for me…I will look out the Eau des Sens thank you! April 24, 2016 at 12:21pm Reply

      • Dorothy Van Daele: Hi Natalie, If you still have this, I would love to trade it. I bought a 2 mL sample of Seville a l’Aube from Surrender to Chance and love it. (I recently visited beautiful Granada, so it was an impulsive choice for me too.) I have a tiny (1/2 oz) bottle of vintage Guerlain Chant D’Aromes bath oil, a half-full bottle of vintage Chant D’Aromes eau de cologne and a 100 mL Chanel Cristalle eau de toilette (current), opened and used once or twice. Would you wear any of these? I’m new to blogs, so hope this is the right way to contact you. April 24, 2016 at 9:34am Reply

  • spe: Did you miss an aldehydic floral?
    I’ll bring it and we can share!

    I would grab:

    Chanel 22 first because it holds many happy memories.
    Caleche
    No. 5 and Eau Premier
    No. 19
    O de Lancome
    L’ Heure de Nuit
    Dans Tes Bras
    A Las Nuit
    Eau de Merveilles

    I struggled not to take:
    Mandragore
    19 poudre
    Eau de Magnolia
    L’Heure Bleue
    Kelly Caleche
    Cristalle

    Chanel and Hermes with the occasional Malle and rare Serge, Goutal, Guerlain, and Lancome. Interesting test, Patricia! Thank you! April 18, 2016 at 8:59am Reply

    • Patricia: Thank you, spe, for sharing your aldehydic florals! I completely agree that the perfume that holds the most happy memories needs to be first on the list. I like No. 22 very much as well. 🙂 April 18, 2016 at 6:02pm Reply

  • mayfly: My ten would be;
    portrait of a lady, cuir de Lancôme, Songes,
    Heure Exquise, fille de Berlin, Journey woman, Mitsouko, Eau de Merveilles & Ambre des Merveilles & L’Air de Rien. Phew, that’s hard! April 18, 2016 at 9:18am Reply

  • Briony hey: The second I hit the ‘send’ button I know I’ll change my mind. But right now my top 10 would be:
    Iris Silver Mist
    Shalimar
    Bois des Iles
    Seville a l’Aube
    Divine L’Infante
    Amouage Lyric
    Grossmith Shem el Nessim
    Bulgari Black
    Patricia de Nicolai Sacrebleu
    Hermes Cuir d’Ange April 18, 2016 at 9:19am Reply

    • Patricia: So hard! I had a difficult time choosing between Eau des Merveilles and L’Ambre des Merveilles but felt I needed an amber in the mix even though I wear the Eau more often. April 18, 2016 at 6:21pm Reply

      • Patricia: Whoops! This was intended for mayfly. April 18, 2016 at 6:31pm Reply

    • Patricia: Briony, I’m surprised at how many lists (mine included) mention Seville a l’Aube. Sacrebleu made my short list…such a beautiful fragrance! April 18, 2016 at 6:36pm Reply

  • Tijana: Such a great article and exercise! This will be really tough, but… I would love to have one from each of my favourite houses represented, granted Guerlain had to take up two spots as pairing down Guerlains I love it just impossible given I love most of their creations. With that said… I also only managed to pair down to 11 🙂

    1) Guerlain – Mon Precieux Nectar
    2) Le Labo – Rose 31
    3) MFK – Oud Satin Mood
    4) Byredo – Seven Veils
    5) Hermes – Vetiver Tonka
    6) Guerlain – Insolence EDP
    7) Chanel – Coromandel
    8) Frederic Malle – L’Eau d’ Hiver
    9) Bond no 9 – West Side
    10) ELDO – Putain des Palaces
    11) Atelier Cologne – Silver Iris April 18, 2016 at 9:26am Reply

    • Patricia: My ten was eleven, too (needed two leathers in the mix). I just realized that I forgot to bring a Vetiver, unless I can count the No. 19. I probably should have decided to leave Boxeuses at home and bring Encre Noir or Vetyverio. I’m glad you enjoyed the exercise :-). April 18, 2016 at 6:29pm Reply

    • spe: That’s great how you went by house! April 18, 2016 at 8:08pm Reply

  • Michaela: Great choices! I don’t know if you missed anything essential, but you should be happy with your small selection.

    Mine would probably be:
    1. Eau Parfumee au The Vert, for versatility;
    2. Private Collection and
    3. Silences, for the green;
    4. Tocade, for the sweet feminine rose;
    4. Shalimar (EDT);
    5. Encre Noire for Him for the refreshing dry vetiver that I find addictive;
    6. Kenzo Jungle, for the hot and boozy feeling
    7. Cuir de Lancome;
    8. Pour un Homme de Caron, for the excellent lavender;
    9. Ostara, for the sunny spring feeling;
    10. Eau des Merveilles, for the brilliant salt, another addictive and versatile perfume for me.

    If I had Le Temps d’Une Fete, it would be on the list for sure. Another green is never too much. April 18, 2016 at 9:58am Reply

    • Patricia: Nice list! Silences is a great one for green. I debated adding Debut to my list, but I already had a selection from Parfums DelRae (Wit), so decided that No. 19 would have to fill the green slot. April 18, 2016 at 6:41pm Reply

  • Areej: Wonderful choices Patricia. You covered all olfactory bases. I choose the following ;

    *Chanel Beige
    *Amouage Journey
    *Prada infusion diris
    *Chanel no 5 Eau Premiere
    *Diptyque Eau Duelle
    *Elie Saab Le Parfum
    *L’Ambre Des Merveilles
    *Thierry Mugler Angel edp
    *Annick Goutal Songes
    *Jo Malone Dark Amber and Ginger Lily April 18, 2016 at 10:22am Reply

    • Patricia: Eau Duelle is one of my favorites and a staple in my collection. I forgot to bring a vanilla, and this would be perfect. 🙂 April 18, 2016 at 6:46pm Reply

  • Cries and whispers: Caron Narcisse Noir
    Guerlain Nahema
    Guerlain Chamade
    CHANEL No.5
    Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose
    Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin
    Serge Lutens La vierge de fer
    Hermes 24 Faubourg
    Patou JOY
    Goutal Grand Amour April 18, 2016 at 10:29am Reply

    • Patricia: That is a very classy group of fragrances, Cries and whispers! I haven’t tried La Vierge de Fer, but the others are all gorgeous. April 18, 2016 at 6:52pm Reply

    • Notturno7: I love your list!😄 April 20, 2016 at 4:18am Reply

  • Carolyn Middleton: Is that the original Bulgari green tea perfume on the right of the first pic I wonder? April 18, 2016 at 10:40am Reply

    • Patricia: It looks like it but I’m not sure since it is Victoria’s photo. April 18, 2016 at 6:54pm Reply

  • SublimiSomnium: Wow! Starting the week off with a challenge! I can’t bear to not bring my vintages, though…

    1) Guerlain Shalimar parfum – unreservedly my all-time favorite
    2) Guerlain Shalimar EDT – so I can spritz with abandon 😉
    3) Chanel Cuir de Russie EDT – a classic, and always chic
    4) Chanel No. 19 EDC – animalic, green, and iris!!!
    5) L’Artisan Timbuktu – refreshing but with a warm twist
    6) Terre d’Hermes – elegantly refreshing
    7) Bulgari Black – why did they discontinue this!?
    8) Chanel Coromandel – green gourmand oriental so cozy and so well done
    9) Chanel Coco EDP – beautiful woodsy floral
    10) Lush Lust – addictive dirty jasmine

    I didn’t count samples and decants, so there’s no Serge Lutens Iris Poudre, Frederic Malle Carnal Flower, L’Artisan Seville a L’Aube, Guerlain Mitsouko, or Dior Eau Sauvage. April 18, 2016 at 10:41am Reply

    • Patricia: My third Chanel would have been Coco, my signature scent in the nineties. Thank you for sharing your favorites, SublimiSomnium, and my apologies about having to leave your vintages behind! April 18, 2016 at 7:01pm Reply

    • Surbhi: Some day I will buy that lush lust 😉 Enjoy ! April 19, 2016 at 12:10am Reply

    • Jacquie: Is there much difference between SHalimar EDP & EDT. October 1, 2016 at 11:10pm Reply

  • Therése: Oh, difficult!

    Chanel Cuir de Russie (for elegant evenings out)
    Chanel Beige
    The Different Company Sel De Vetiver (For the days of sun and warm winds)
    Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady (for when I want to seduce someone 😉 )
    Two from L’Artisan: Nuit de Tubereuse and Premier Figuer.
    My newest love: Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule
    Commes de Garcons Zagorsk (for the chill)
    And something light and bright: Les Parfums de Rosine Ecume de Rose. April 18, 2016 at 10:45am Reply

    • Patricia: I like your reasons for bringing along the various perfumes, Therese, especially for POAL! April 18, 2016 at 7:03pm Reply

  • Bastet: This is so hard (but fun) – I had to cheat a little in some cases and let myself count two from the same house as one:

    1. Amouage Jubilation 25

    2. Annick Goutal Mon Parfum Chéri par Camille and Songes

    3. Cartier L’Essence de Déclaration

    4. Chanel No. 19

    5. Diptyque L’Ombre dans L’Eau

    6. Guerlain Mitsouko and Shalimar

    7. L’Artisan Séville à l’Aube and Traversée du Bosphore

    8. Piguet Fracas

    9. Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin and Bois et Fruits

    10. Sonoma Scent Studio Jour Ensoleillé April 18, 2016 at 10:50am Reply

    • Patricia: Oh, these are so nice, Bastet! I think I will miss not having a Guerlain in my collection. April 18, 2016 at 7:09pm Reply

  • Lynley: Ok. No cheating, 10 is 10 as hard a decision as it is:
    Profumi del Forte Roma Imperiale
    Amouage Lyric
    Piguet Fracas
    Lalique Encre Noire
    Vero Profumo Mito voile d’extrait
    Delrae Wit
    LesNez Manoumalia
    Givenchy Organza Indecence
    SHL777 Khol de Bahrein
    Penhaligon’s Amaranthine April 18, 2016 at 11:18am Reply

    • Patricia: I could live with those ten, Lynley. And I’m surprised that Amaranthine didn’t make it onto my list, since I own a backup bottle of it. April 18, 2016 at 7:11pm Reply

      • Notturno7: Amaranthine is discontinued😐. I love Ostara so much that I tried to make a blind purchase of A (same creator) but alas. Description sounded like something I’d love. Nice to see it on your lists. April 20, 2016 at 4:24am Reply

  • marini: Set the timer:

    Bellodgia, Caron

    L’Air du Desert Marocain, Tauer

    Le Temps d’Une Fete, P. de Nicolai

    Un Fleur de Cassie, F. Malle

    Eau de Te Bleu, Bulgari

    Beloved, Amouage

    Maai, Bogue

    Habanita, Molinard

    Bal a Versailles, Jean Despres

    Diagilev, Roja Dove

    Phew. I wanted to put in Fracas, but that would take me to 11. They did it in Spinal Tap! He turned it all the way to 11. So, hell yeah, I’m putting in Fracas!

    Clearly, I like ’em big and loud. Even in the desert! Great question for the day, thanks! April 18, 2016 at 11:27am Reply

    • Patricia: Nothing wrong with big and loud! Bellodgia is so beautiful, but mine is vintage and therefore out of the running. Love carnations! April 18, 2016 at 7:16pm Reply

    • Surbhi: Hey Fracas is “break the rules” kind of perfume. April 21, 2016 at 1:27pm Reply

  • Anita T.: Dear Girl, why not give up something else, like furniture. Your fragrances are so personal and connected to many memories that leaving any of them is something that you shouldn’t require of yourself… April 18, 2016 at 11:29am Reply

    • Tara C: I agree! I would get rid of furniture and household appliances rather than my perfumes. April 18, 2016 at 1:04pm Reply

      • Patricia: I do have too much furniture, but fortunately my adult daughters are helping with this. 😉 April 18, 2016 at 7:19pm Reply

    • Patricia: Haha! I only give them up in my imagination. 🙂 April 18, 2016 at 7:17pm Reply

      • Surbhi: I like this response. April 19, 2016 at 12:14am Reply

  • parker scout: More difficult than I thought but, this is my top ten:
    1. Fracas
    2. Une fleur de cassie
    3. Nahéma
    4. L’air du desert marocain
    5. Portrait of a lady
    6. Neroli (the one from Yves Rocher)
    7. Scherrer
    8. Yvresse
    9. Dune
    10. Monsieur Balmain

    As “hard” as it was, just an exercise, I know I will not follow that minimalism trend in a million years. April 18, 2016 at 11:49am Reply

    • Patricia: As much as I admire those who aspire to a minimalistic life, I know that it just isn’t who I am.

      Scherrer is a lovely one, as is Scherrer II, which I own. It’s so interesting reading every one’s lists. Perhaps I should do summation of sorts once everyone who wants to has had a chance to participate. April 18, 2016 at 7:24pm Reply

      • Mia: Only came in late and I would love to read a summary! I’ll do my exercise after getting some sleep after hectic work phase. Thanks for an inspiring post Patricia! April 19, 2016 at 3:11pm Reply

        • Patricia: Thank you, Mia! I will play with the numbers once everyone who wants to posts. April 19, 2016 at 7:28pm Reply

  • Gretchen: Geez, I don’t know if I could make it with only ten! Here’s my initial culling:
    1. Shalimar
    2. Trayee
    3. Ormande Jayne Woman
    4. Arpege
    5. Perle de Mousse
    6. 24 Rue de Faubourg
    7. Sonoma Scent Studio Incense Pure
    8. Nahema
    9. Un Matin d’Orage
    10. Debut April 18, 2016 at 11:50am Reply

    • Gretchen: ALready I’m switching! I’d remove (under protest) the Annick Goutal and substitute Encre Noir (the “mens” version). I can’t get enough of it! April 18, 2016 at 11:53am Reply

      • Patricia: Hi Gretchen! I toyed with swapping Boxeuses and Encre Noir in one of the comments above. It is addictive! April 18, 2016 at 7:27pm Reply

  • limegreen: Thanks for the concept! Curiosity question, why no vintage?
    Good thing I only have 10 perfumes! (Wink!)
    Fun reading the lists. I’d start with no. 19, too, Iris Silver Mist, Dans tes Bras. …. April 18, 2016 at 12:01pm Reply

    • Patricia: I thought no vintage would make it simpler. I also chose full bottles only, again to simplify the process. Plus, I wanted readers to be able to sample and purchase any perfume mentioned in the comments. April 18, 2016 at 7:34pm Reply

  • Cornelia Blimber: Not an easy task, to select 10 perfumes!

    1: Mitsouko. Best chypre ever,
    2: L’Heure Bleue, vintage in winter, current version spring/summer
    3Liù: rather than the current No,5. My fav. jasmine.
    4: Ambre Sultan.
    5 Iris Silver Mist.
    6Joy
    7 Femme, Rochas
    8 Eau de Rochas, for summer days
    9 Opium, current version, edp
    10 Sì (Armani), a recent love.

    But I would miss so many of my dear perfumes…Ysatis, for a festive mood…Iwould smuggle that one. April 18, 2016 at 12:16pm Reply

    • Patricia: Oh, I do like that Eau de Rochas, even though I generally don’t care for licorice or anise in perfume. My bottle is a big splash bottle, and I frequently take the top off for a big inhale!

      Yes, take that Ysatis…I won’t tell. April 18, 2016 at 7:37pm Reply

  • Raquel: 1. Shalimar
    2. TM Angel
    3. Chanel No. 5
    4. Clinique Aromatic Elixir
    5. Chanel Coco
    6. Guerlain Habit Rouge
    7. Dior Poison
    8. Loewe Aura Original Formula
    9. Must de Cartier vintage
    10. Opium vintage April 18, 2016 at 12:41pm Reply

    • Patricia: I don’t believe I know Loewe Aura. What is it like? April 18, 2016 at 7:40pm Reply

      • Raquel: I don’t feel I can properly describe a fragrance. I found the notes on Fragantica: Original Aura fragrance by Loewe was launched in 1994 (its new version was released in 2013). Top notes: mandarin, melon, freesia, white peach and bergamot. Heart: iris, May rose, gardenia and Parma violet. Base: sandalwood, tonka bean, vanilla, ambergris, musk, benzoin and Peru balsam.
        The new one doesn’t have to do anything with the original. The original is a warm elegant perfume and I haven’t smelled anything similar. I don’t know if it’s the melon note that makes it so delicious. I associate this fragrance with Christmas time, maybe because it was giving to me around those days. I hope someone else in the BdJ community, maybe someone from Spain, has tried it so it might give a better description. April 23, 2016 at 10:34am Reply

        • Patricia: It’s too bad that the new version doesn’t bear any resemblance to the original. I hope you stocked up! April 23, 2016 at 3:09pm Reply

    • Surbhi: Ohh someone mentioned poison. I am in look out for original poison. I have heard so many stories that I am keen to smell it. If you don’t mind can you share your perception of that perfume. April 19, 2016 at 12:17am Reply

      • Raquel: I love Poison! a powerful 80’s fragrance. I remember almost everyone smelling like Poison around that time, no matter what time of the day… it was like Calvin Klein Obssesion time. Nowadays I don’t smell people wearing perfumes like around the 80’s which it’s a shame in mho…
        Poison is a very strong fragrance, for me it’s addictive, dark, rich, like a very dense velvety syrup a femme fatale perfume, if I imagine a witch hidden in a dark mysterious candlelight place cooking a magic potion to seduce someone the result would be Poison. I love it, bought a vintage bottle on ebay last year. April 23, 2016 at 11:33am Reply

    • Tati: A Must de Cartier fan! Only in vintage. Never smelled anything like it. April 19, 2016 at 9:15pm Reply

      • Raquel: Me too!! I love this perfume since the first time I smelled on a classmate when I was just fifteen. I own the vintage parfum. April 23, 2016 at 10:45am Reply

  • Alvaro: Victoria, where did you get that wonderful tray ? April 18, 2016 at 12:45pm Reply

    • Victoria: If you mean my photo, the first one, it’s from a Japanese store in NYC called Korin. April 18, 2016 at 12:55pm Reply

  • Phyllis Iervello: Chanel Misia
    Hermes Hiris
    Vero Profumo Rubj
    Le Labo Rose 31
    Serge Lutens Chergui
    Chanel No. 19 Poudre
    Tauer Un Rose Chypre
    Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
    Mai
    Dans to Bras April 18, 2016 at 12:51pm Reply

    • Patricia: Who produces Mai, Phyllis? April 18, 2016 at 7:45pm Reply

      • Phyllis Iervello: Patricia, Maai (I left out one “a” in my post, is made by Bogue. April 18, 2016 at 10:59pm Reply

        • Patricia: Thank you! April 19, 2016 at 10:48am Reply

  • Phyllis Iervello: That was supposed to be Dans tes Bras April 18, 2016 at 12:52pm Reply

    • limegreen: at least you didn’t write Dante’s Bra! 🙂 April 18, 2016 at 3:17pm Reply

  • sandra: 1. Alahiine
    2. No 19 Poudre
    3. Samsara
    4. Angelique Noir
    5. Journey Woman
    6. Divine Divine

    6 for my isand April 18, 2016 at 1:10pm Reply

    • sandra: oh and 31 RC April 18, 2016 at 2:49pm Reply

    • Patricia: Love your choices! April 19, 2016 at 10:49am Reply

  • Judith Attar: My Cuir de Lancome is languishing in a box on the closet floor – I will get it out and see how it feels on this Spring.

    I agree with Chanel No.19 as the most versatile fragrance, good for interviews, dates and weddings.

    But I’m not going to pick one from every genre in my stash, it’s too hard. April 18, 2016 at 1:11pm Reply

    • Patricia: I think Cuir de Lancôme is floral enough to wear during spring. At least it’s worth a try! April 18, 2016 at 7:48pm Reply

      • spe: Where is Cuir de Lancome sold, please? I’ve never seen it here. Thank you! April 19, 2016 at 1:27am Reply

        • MrsDalloway: Sadly it’s discontinued but I got mine for a reasonable price on ebay – worth a go. April 19, 2016 at 3:42am Reply

        • Patricia: Fragrancenet and some of the other discount perfume sellers also carry it. April 19, 2016 at 7:59am Reply

  • Christine: Vero Profumo Mito edp
    Vero Profumo Rubj edp
    Vero Profumo Rozy edp
    Ormonde Jayne Ta’if
    Tauer Phi
    Tauer Carillon Pour un Ange
    FM En Passant
    FM Lys Mediterranee
    SL A la Nuit
    Parfums de Nicolai L’Eau Chic
    Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine April 18, 2016 at 2:00pm Reply

    • Patricia: Nice list! En Passant is one of my all-time favorites. And thank you for reminding me about my bottle of L’Eau Chic, which my younger daughter gave to me one Mother’s Day and is perfect for this time of year. April 18, 2016 at 7:53pm Reply

      • Christine: It’s the only perfume I’ve used a whole bottle of! If I can’t figure out what I’m in the mood for, that’s what I wear. 🙂 April 19, 2016 at 2:22pm Reply

        • Patricia: It’s quite an accomplishment to drain a bottle and important to have a few “go-to” perfumes in one’s collection. April 19, 2016 at 7:32pm Reply

  • Neva: Well, without vintage/discontinued perfume, I wouldn’t need more than 5 or 6 perfumes on my deserted island. I’d take with me:

    Amouage Epic
    Gucci Rush
    PdN Weekend (a Deauville)
    F.Malle Parfum de Therese
    Diptyque Philosykos
    Creed Imperial Millesime April 18, 2016 at 2:50pm Reply

    • Patricia: Is the PdN Weekend the same as the former Weekend a Deauville. Or is it a separate animal altogether? April 18, 2016 at 7:56pm Reply

      • Neva: On my first bottle it said Weekend a Deauville but I’ve read that they weren’t allowed to use the name of the town of Deauville anymore so they removed it. It’s supposed to be the same juice. I bought this bottle some three years ago so I don’t know how it compares to WaD before reformulation but I love it as it is. April 19, 2016 at 3:10am Reply

        • Patricia: Thank you, Neva. I can’t believe that the town of Deauville would object to its name being used for a perfume. Think of all the perfumes with “Paris” as part of the name! April 19, 2016 at 8:03am Reply

  • Abby: 10 ?!

    I would part with so many other items, and could never reduce to 10. I’m amazed so many are able to do this!

    I could potentially pare down to 30ish, but have never been able to make a list that’s much less than 30.

    I don’t view perfume as something practical, or worry that I have too much that I’ll ever wear it all, truthfully I don’t want to wear it all or deplete what I have; I like having a library of scents. Perfume isn’t even remotely practical for me, instead it’s emotional, it’s artistic, it’s a feeling. Perfume is not something I worry about having too much of or something I need to use up.

    So, sorry, but I can’t entertain this….I’m a collector and I always want to have far more than 10. April 18, 2016 at 2:55pm Reply

    • Malmaison: Yes! Maximalism always and forever with the things you love. April 18, 2016 at 4:20pm Reply

      • Cornelia Blimber: I agree! April 18, 2016 at 4:43pm Reply

    • Patricia: I like that you refer to your collection as “a library of scents.” As someone who has more books than shelves, I can relate to this. So far I’ve been able to adequately store my perfumes, but the day is coming when alternate measures will have to be taken. 🙂

      Enjoy your collection! April 18, 2016 at 8:03pm Reply

      • spe: Just remember that fragrances don’t keep forever! April 18, 2016 at 8:15pm Reply

        • Abby: that’s true, of course, but I have been mostly very lucky with only 2-3 that I recall actually going off. April 19, 2016 at 9:03am Reply

    • Christine: Post your list of 30, then, if you have time! I think I snuck in an extra 😉 April 18, 2016 at 8:52pm Reply

      • Abby: Here’s a stream of consciousness list of perfumes I cannot live without:
        Teo Cabanel Alahine
        Balmain Jolie Madame (somewhat vintage)
        Lancome Mille & Une Roses
        Guerlain Chamade
        Guerlain Vol de Nuit
        Dior Mitzah (discontinued)
        Canturi
        TDC Oriental Lounge
        SL Fumerie Turque
        L’Artisan Mimosa Pour Moi (only because PdN Mimosaique is discontinued but the PdN is best and I have 1 bottle left)
        Love, Chloe (discontinued)
        Dior Gris Montaigne
        AG Eau du Ciel
        AG Heure Exquise
        AG Le Chevrefeuille
        AG Tubereuse (discontinued so I need to find my other Holy Grail Tubey soliflore type)
        AG Un Matin d’Orage
        AG Gardenia Passion
        Houbigant Oranger en Fleurs
        Profumi del Forte Roma Imperiale
        Lalique Le Parfum
        PdE Musc Tonkin
        Roja Dove Diaghilev
        Kenzo Jungle L’Elephant
        D’Orsay Tilleul
        Micallef Gaiac
        Fendi Theorema (discontinued)
        PG L’Ombre Fauve
        Divine L’Inspiritrice
        Hermes Merveilles & L’Ambre
        Mariella Burani (another discontinued)
        SSS Champagne de Bois
        Parfums MDCI Un Coeur en Mai

        For reference, to sniff but not really to wear:
        Chanel Coco
        Givenchy Amarige
        Givenchy Ysatis
        Cacharel Lou Lou
        Fracas
        Jean Patou Vacances
        Jean Patou 1000
        Jean Patou Joy

        So about 40 and I definitely could add a few more! April 19, 2016 at 9:16am Reply

        • Patricia: That’s a beautiful list! April 19, 2016 at 10:51am Reply

        • Christine: Ooh! _Gorgeous_ list! Thank you! April 19, 2016 at 2:12pm Reply

        • Indigo: Wow! I panic whenever my fragrance wardrobe creeps into double digits – it feels as though my personality is splintering and falling through my fingers. So I’m going for a list of 5:
          1) Portrait of a Lady – winter power
          2) Santal Majuscule – cool transition seasons
          3) Bois des Iles – warm transition seasons
          4) Eau des Merveilles – summer
          5) Lolita Lempicka – something sweet & spicy for holidays
          Clearly, wood is my vibe. April 19, 2016 at 3:14pm Reply

          • Patricia: Lovely choices, all of them. April 19, 2016 at 7:02pm Reply

          • spe: Indigo – I salute you. Fabulous. Your approach is what I aspire to. April 21, 2016 at 1:22am Reply

    • Mia: None of us could really live with ten, I’m quite sure! It is “easy” (actually not) only because you know it is just a game. I love the scent shelf idea of yours and do join the club :). April 20, 2016 at 3:09pm Reply

      • Mia: Was meant to respond to Abby’s post. April 20, 2016 at 10:20pm Reply

  • PrincessTonk: On Victoria’s tray, what is between Eau Sauvage and Lempicka? April 18, 2016 at 3:07pm Reply

  • Wilma: I would pick:
    1. Shalimar Parfum Initial because it always makes my heart jump with joy
    2. Ormond Jayne Woman, one of a kind
    3. Atelier Cologne Vanille insensee, a smoky, warm vanilla which reminds me of paper and libraries
    4. Diptyque Philosykos, I can wallow in its green creaminess
    5. Chanel No. 5 Eau premiere, old and yet new, stylish and classy
    6. Aquolina Pink Sugar, once in a while we all need some candy
    7. Le labo patchouli 24, Call 112 the house is on fire, and so am I
    8. Diptyque L’eau rose, I love a light rose
    9. Guerlain Apres l’ondee, because of its fragility
    10. Heeley Sel marin because I grew up near the North Sea April 18, 2016 at 3:18pm Reply

    • Patricia: I think for my sugar fix I would bring Keiko Mecheri Loukhoum Eau Poudree. And Sel Marin, Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel, or Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt are all perfect for remembering a childhood at the seashore. April 18, 2016 at 8:13pm Reply

      • Wilma: Fleurs de Sel is already on my test list, but I will certainely try Loukhoum Eau poudree en Wood Sage & Sea salt. Thanks, Patricia April 19, 2016 at 8:13am Reply

        • Patricia: 🙂 April 19, 2016 at 10:52am Reply

  • Mariann: Hhm I don’t have many bottles yet. But right now I would take
    1. Passage d’Enfer
    2. Mimosa & Cardamon
    3. Cuir de Lancome
    4. Infusion d’Iris
    5. Seville a l’aube
    6. My partners Guerlain Vetiver
    7. Alahine
    8. A decant of Avignon
    9. A decant of Lyric or Parfum sacre
    10. Whatever lavender is my favorite at that point (still working on this) April 18, 2016 at 3:23pm Reply

    • Patricia: When you find that perfect lavender, let us know! April 18, 2016 at 8:14pm Reply

    • Tati: You are my scent twin! I love them all and my next purchase is a FB of Avignon. April 19, 2016 at 11:59pm Reply

  • Hera: This is a difficult task. Here we go:
    1. Chanel Beige perfume
    2. Chanel bois des iles edt
    3. Guerlain L’Heure Bleue perfume
    4. FM Eau de Magnolia
    5. FM Une Rose
    6. AG Eau d’Hadrien
    7. Chanel Cologne
    8. Serge Lutens encens et lavande
    9. SL Santal blanc
    10. NR musc oil April 18, 2016 at 4:33pm Reply

    • Patricia: I love Une Rose, though own only a decant since it is so potent! April 18, 2016 at 8:16pm Reply

  • MrsDalloway: Hmmm. On my island I will have:

    1. Cuir Pleine Fleur
    2. Cuir d’Ange
    3. Sycomore
    4. L’Eau d’Hiver
    5. Jicky EDP
    6. Timbuktu
    7. Sel de Vetiver
    8. Iris de Nuit
    9. Tam Dao EDP
    10. Whip by Le Galion

    No particular order. Relatively easy to choose but I ‘only’ have 30-odd bottles. April 18, 2016 at 4:44pm Reply

    • Patricia: Oh, these are some nice ones! I can see that you are a fellow leather-lover. I’ve used up my decant of Cuir Pleine Fleur and am debating whether or not to purchase a bottle. April 18, 2016 at 8:19pm Reply

      • MrsDalloway: Oh do, it’s one of my very favourites. I loved your list too. I’m trying to resist the temptation to blind buy Ninfeo Mio at the moment – maybe I shouldn’t! April 19, 2016 at 3:49am Reply

        • Patricia: We seem to like many of the same things, but Ninfeo Mio is not universally loved, so please do sample before buying. 🙂 April 19, 2016 at 10:54am Reply

          • MrsDalloway: I have a spray on my wrist now – I was at a work awayday on the other side of London and came back via Oxford St. It is very beautiful! April 19, 2016 at 1:20pm Reply

            • Patricia: 🙂 April 19, 2016 at 7:34pm Reply

      • Malmaison: I totally would – went through the same agonising decision-making prior to FB purchase, and have not regretted for a moment. It is simply beautiful! April 19, 2016 at 6:41am Reply

      • Surbhi: If you are a leather lover, I suggest you try odin no 12. April 19, 2016 at 1:26pm Reply

        • MrsDalloway: Thanks, that sounds good – I’ll look out for it. After wearing it for a few hours I think Ninfeo Mio is probably too green for me, so I’m glad I tested. I love the smell of crushed leaves, fig, boxwood, but more to smell than wear. And I do already have enough perfume for 30 years of daily use. It was just seeing 100ml for £47 on the UK Beautyspin site… April 19, 2016 at 2:53pm Reply

  • Hamamelis: Hi Patricia, you asked what category you may have missed, and I would suggest a good natural, like one of my (today’s 😉 ) 10 minutes perfumes: Hiram Green’s Voyage. It may be imagination, but to me this fragrance seems to contain nuances or a spectrum I don’t smell in many others. It makes it so interesting and lively.
    1. Heure Exquise
    2. No 5 extrait
    3. Voyage
    4. Trayee
    5. OJ’s Woman
    6. Journey
    7. Cuir de Lancome
    8. Dzongkha
    9. Lyric
    10.Cristalle
    But…that is today!
    Nice to see everyone’s list, and will possibly lead to more, not less perfumes 🙂 April 18, 2016 at 5:25pm Reply

    • Hamamelis: And like Cornelia, I would smuggle one, Une Fleur de Cassie. April 18, 2016 at 5:26pm Reply

      • Patricia: Smuggle away! April 18, 2016 at 8:20pm Reply

      • Notturno7: Thanks for reminding me of that one! Une Fleur de Cassie. I neglected it but it’s perfect for this weather now. Mmmm😊 April 20, 2016 at 4:32am Reply

    • Patricia: Ha! And that’s the whole point of an exercise such as this 😉 . April 18, 2016 at 8:20pm Reply

    • Patricia: PS. I think I have a sample of Voyage, and will test it in the next day or two. Thanks for the suggestion! April 18, 2016 at 8:21pm Reply

    • Mia: Hiram Green’s other beauty, Shangri La was about to get on my list. It is gorgeous. April 20, 2016 at 3:26pm Reply

  • Mary: So difficult but here goes:
    L’Air du Désert Marocain
    L’Ombre dans l’Eau (just discovered and in love)
    Cuir Ottoman
    La Chasse aux Papillons
    Cédrat Énivrant
    Un Jardin sur le Nil
    Vanille Insensée (because it layers so well to create new scents)
    Tam Dao
    Rhinoceros (by Zoologist)
    Bois des Îles

    I think I’ve covered all seasons and occasions! April 18, 2016 at 5:43pm Reply

    • Patricia: You’ve got it covered! April 18, 2016 at 8:22pm Reply

  • Becky: 1. Cuir de Russie Parfum
    2. Coromandel
    3. Profumum Roma Patchouly
    4. Ambre Sultan
    5. Olympic Orchids Woodcut
    6. Portrait of a Lady
    7. Aromatics Elixir
    8. Odd Fellow’s Bouquet
    9. Philosykos
    10. Escale a Portofino

    Not the most versitile wardrobe, but the heart wants what it wants! April 18, 2016 at 5:50pm Reply

    • Patricia: Your choices are quite varied, though, and have given me some new testing options. 🙂 April 18, 2016 at 8:24pm Reply

  • Tricia: Of the perfumes on my dresser, I would grab:
    1) Caron Parfum Sacre Intense (discontinued)
    2) Billet Doux
    3) L’Air du Temp
    4) Penhaligon Artemisia
    5) Clean Provence (discontinued)
    6) Highland Lilac
    7) Chanel No. 19
    8) Replica Lazy Sunday Morning
    9) Chanel Mademoiselle
    10) Bottega Veneta April 18, 2016 at 6:23pm Reply

    • Patricia: I like seeing some new contenders in your list, Tricia. Parfum Sacre is one of my favorites, too. 🙂 April 19, 2016 at 8:15am Reply

  • Dusan: Ask me tomorrow and you might get a different ten, but here goes today, in no particular order:

    Chanel pour Monsieur
    A*Men
    Guerlain Vetiver
    Habit Rouge
    Azzaro pour Homme
    L’Eau Bleue d’Issey Miyake
    Chêne
    Rose de Nuit/Tubereuse Criminelle (can’t make up my mind just yet)
    Aramis/Havana (see, the nearer the end I’m inching, the harder it gets)
    Mugler Cologne

    Honorable mentions, which I’lldo my best to smuggle onto the island, are Au The Verte, Bel Ami, Fahrenheit, Jazz, Rive Gauche, M7, Fumerie Turque, Bois de Violette, Fourreau Noir and Declaration. April 18, 2016 at 8:14pm Reply

    • Patricia: I agree that the “ten” is a moving target. Fortunately for us, our choices don’t limit us in the slightest! April 18, 2016 at 8:28pm Reply

  • Petunia: Chanel Bois des Iles
    Vintage Guerlain Samsara
    Amouage Beloved
    Amouage Lyric
    Bruno Acampora Sballo
    Tauer L’Air du Desert Marocain
    Rochas Eau de Rochas
    Balmain Vintage Jolie Madame
    Bruno Fazzolari Au Dela
    Lubin Black Jade April 18, 2016 at 8:55pm Reply

    • Patricia: Such a beautiful list, Petunia! I’ve never tried the Lubin Black Jade, but the bottle is stunning. April 19, 2016 at 8:19am Reply

      • Petunia: Great topic Patricia! It’s an interesting theory which I hope I never have to test! 🙂 April 19, 2016 at 11:45am Reply

  • Wara: Patricia, thank you for a beautiful post!!! My country (Ecuador) was hit with a 7.8 earthquake, although my family members are fine because they live in Quito and the earthquake was in the coast……it is still heartbreaking for all of us…..i have been crying since it happened on Saturday night……desperate to help from outside, since I don’t live in Ecuador……trying to connect people…..reading the news non-stop……finally, I just needed to breath and thought of Bois…….thank you everyone, what great therapy reading all the posts!!!beauty is soothing… April 18, 2016 at 9:05pm Reply

    • Victoria: I’m sorry to hear these terrible news, Wara. I’m thinking of all of you. April 19, 2016 at 3:27am Reply

    • Michaela: Oh, terrible! I’m so sorry for you, yet happy your family is all right. It’s a tragedy you can’t forget in a lifetime.
      You are right, beauty is soothing, and warm people can help, even if they can’t heal. April 19, 2016 at 7:46am Reply

    • Patricia: Oh, Wara, my heart breaks for you and the people of Equador (and Japan). It must be so frustrating to be on the outside, but at least you know that your family is safe. I’m glad that this article provided a needed respite. April 19, 2016 at 8:11am Reply

    • Petunia: So sorry that you are dealing with such a horrible tragedy. I hope that you can be reunited with your family soon! Thank goodness that you are all okay. Be well. April 19, 2016 at 11:49am Reply

    • Hamamelis: All the best Wara, hope you find strength. April 19, 2016 at 4:25pm Reply

    • Notturno7: Thinking of you Wara. Hope your friends are ok. Thank God your family is safe! April 20, 2016 at 4:37am Reply

  • Wara: Patricia, thank you for a beautiful post!!! My country (Ecuador) was hit with a 7.8 earthquake, although my family members are fine because they live in Quito and the earthquake was in the coast……it is still heartbreaking for all of us…..i have been crying since it happened on Saturday night……desperate to help from outside, since I don’t live in Ecuador……trying to connect people…..reading the news non-stop……finally, I just needed to breathe and thought of Bois…….thank you everyone, what great therapy reading all the posts!!!beauty is soothing… April 18, 2016 at 9:07pm Reply

    • spe: Terrible tragedy, Wara. I’m relieved that your family is okay. April 19, 2016 at 1:34am Reply

  • Crazycrooner: I love on a desert island.
    These are the perfumes I wear:
    1. Neela Vermeire Mohur
    2. Guerlain Samsara
    3. grossmith Shem-el-nessim
    4. YSL Tuxedo
    5. Roja Dove Diaghilev
    6. Frederic Malle Une Rose
    7. Heeley Bubblegum Chic
    8. Serge Lutens Gris Clair
    9. Tom Ford Neroli Portifino
    10. Serge Lutens Tubereuse
    I hope you metropolitan socialites can appreciate the aesthetic of one cave-dwelling fakir at the edge of civilization like me. April 18, 2016 at 11:12pm Reply

    • MrsDalloway: Brilliant, actual desert island fragrances. Very elegant ones too! April 19, 2016 at 3:53am Reply

    • Patricia: You put us all to shame with your well-edited list, Crazycrooner! One doesn’t hear much about Bubblegum Chic, but I own a treasured small decant of the extrait and enjoy it every time I use it. April 19, 2016 at 8:28am Reply

  • Crazycrooner: Live (and love) on a desert island. Yet no man is an island… Hehehe but I am of the twilight feminine underground half-Neanderthal species. April 18, 2016 at 11:15pm Reply

  • Surbhi: So far its easy for me:

    1) Musc Ravageur – This one got it all started.
    2) Fracas – Reminds me of so many childhood memories.
    3) Eau de magnolia – Where everywhere scent
    4) LE fille de berlin – make me feel lady like, put together
    5) Odin no 12 – dark, leathery but comforting
    6) Ostara – Almost wants me to eat it. Delicate floral but dessert like
    7) Sycomore – Its a new love. sandalwood also echoed in head from childhood, soothing in summer. First Chanel fragrance that I have liked. April 18, 2016 at 11:58pm Reply

    • Surbhi: wear everywhere scent. Auto correct has a mind of its own. April 18, 2016 at 11:58pm Reply

    • Patricia: These are so lovely, Surbhi! I remember when you bought your bottle of Fracas 🙂 . April 19, 2016 at 8:36am Reply

    • Lily: RE Ostara – what sold me on the fragrance was a chef friend saying “I wish I knew how to make something that tastes like that smells. Vanilla custard with that hint of flower?…” Said in that masculine appreciative way. LOL April 20, 2016 at 11:55am Reply

      • Surbhi: Maybe something with hint of cardamom. I was wearing it yesterday and all day I kept thinking some indian milk dessert with cardamom might be closest to this smell. Can’t thank Victoria enough for her review. April 21, 2016 at 1:23pm Reply

  • Michelle: I’ve been a long time Bois reader, but this is my first comment. I don’t know what’s taken me so long. his list could be different tomorrow, but I would take on a desert island:

    Silver Iris by Atelier Cologne
    Narcisco Rodriguez Narcisco
    Alaia Paris by Azzedine Alaia
    Fire Island by Bond No. 9
    No. 19 by Chanel
    Mitsuko EDT by Guerlain
    La Fille de Berlin by Serge Lutens
    Une Rose by Frederic Malle
    Folle de Joie by Joie
    Blackberry and Bay OR Blue Agave and Cacao by Jo Malone, depending on whether my boyfriend is on the desert island with me. If he is, then Blue Agave since he likes it. Otherwise, Blackberry and Bay to remind me of Massachusetts in the Fall.

    And now the more I think about it, I should include Chinatown by Bond No. 9 too….

    I applaud those who could choose exactly 10. This is a tough exercise! April 19, 2016 at 12:22am Reply

    • Patricia: Hi Michelle, I hope you become a frequent commenter! Your narrowing down process sounds just like mine. Thanks for sharing the subtext 🙂 . April 19, 2016 at 8:41am Reply

    • Notturno7: I love your list. Narcisso is my latest love. Same ‘dude’ designed that and Chinatown, both on your list. Beautiful scents! April 20, 2016 at 4:42am Reply

      • Michelle: Notturno7 Really? I didn’t know that. Thanks for that tidbit. 🙂 Narcisco is also my current love.

        Patricia, thanks! I think I will. I really love this site and have learned so much. April 20, 2016 at 9:57pm Reply

  • kayliz: Your article comes at a good time for me, Patricia: I don’t feel comfortable with an increasingly large collection. Mind you, ten only… I’m going to make it easier and take inspiration from your categories:
    — Iris: Iris Silver Mist.
    — Rose: La Fille de Berlin.
    — White floral: Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia.
    — Leather: Cuir Amethyste.
    — Vanilla: Cuir Beluga.
    — Spring: Mito (Voile d’Extrait).
    — Summer: The pour un Ete.
    (Aargh Mandragore Pourpre! Aargh Rubj!)
    — Autumn: Mohur.
    — Winter: Myrrhiad.
    — Just because: Misia. April 19, 2016 at 5:15am Reply

    • Patricia: I like how you managed to include three rose fragrances, kayliz! Quite a feat in a list of only ten items. Mohur extrait is so gorgeous, but since I only have a split, I didn’t include it in my list. Must-try is Myrrhiad, myrrhe being one of my favorite notes. Thank you for your elegant choices and participation in this impossible exercise! April 19, 2016 at 8:54am Reply

      • kayliz: Ha, rumbled! And I was being so careful to hide the other roses;)
        Patricia, I’ll happily send a sample of Myrrhiad — maybe Victoria can give you my email address? April 19, 2016 at 4:05pm Reply

        • Patricia: Thank you for your generous offer, Kayliz. 🙂 April 20, 2016 at 9:05am Reply

          • kayliz: You’re very welcome! April 20, 2016 at 11:58am Reply

  • Nora Szekely: I made a decision in 3 minutes but might regret later 🙂
    1. L’Heure Bleue EDT – it smells like my dreams
    2. Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle -my current signature scent
    3. Coco extrait vintage – plush, furlike winter scent
    4. Coco extrait current version : becausr I only own one bottle of the vintage
    5. Carnal Flower by Frederick Malle – my summer staple
    6. 1000 EDP by Jean Patou – recommended by Victoria, a beautiful vintage feeling chypre
    7. Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel dry oil – its the best version and you can use it in full sunlight too
    8. Vintage EDT of no. 5 by Chanel – present from my granny
    9. Ce soir ou jamais EDP by Annick Goutal – a recent purchase, I adore this full bodied, boozy rose
    10. Lavandula EDP by Penhaligon’s – an adorable lavender scent for warmer days, belive me, it converted me to be a lavender fan in minutes April 19, 2016 at 6:36am Reply

    • Nora Szekely: Respecting the no-vintage rule I swap Coco and Chanel no. 5 to La chasse aux papillons by L’Artisan -it’s the scent of happiness indeed and Angel EDP by Thierry Mugler – a gourmand with a twist April 19, 2016 at 6:54am Reply

      • Patricia: I own La Chasse too. So pretty, if fleeting. April 19, 2016 at 9:03am Reply

        • Nora Szekely: Yes, I have to chase that one 😉 after an hour. April 19, 2016 at 9:06am Reply

    • Patricia: You must have some beautiful dreams, Nora! And one can never go wrong with a full-bodied boozy rose. April 19, 2016 at 9:01am Reply

      • Nora Szekely: I’m lucky that indeed I have beautiful dreams.
        First I wanted to write that if I were a perfume I would be L’Heure Bleue, but I didn’t dare 🙂
        Roses are my favourite, I love them all from delicate like A la rose by Francis Kurkdjian or Roses musk by Montale to dark like Nahéma or Une rose. April 19, 2016 at 9:10am Reply

  • Malmaison: In no particular order, my ten-in-ten list, with hastily-invented rationales:
    * Cuir de Lancôme, obviously I am not alone here!
    *TF Shanghai Lily, more Opium than Opium itself
    *Hermes Ambre Narguilé because I never get tired of its apple-cinnamon-golden goodness
    *FM L’Eau d’Hiver, the most pale and beautiful of fragrances
    * Byredo Gypsy Water, which keeps surprising me throughout the day; each time it takes me a minute to remember that I’m the one who smells so good
    * FM Carnal Flower, I am just helplessly in love with its weird combination of camphor and tuberose
    *Eau des Merveilles, for when I just want to smell like salty skin, sun and oranges
    *Paco Rabanne Mētal, not only for its gorgeous green floral-aldehyde blend but also because my mother wore it constantly during my childhood, so it brings very happy memories
    *La Fille de Berlin, because I have to have a rose and this is my favorite.
    *Yves Rocher Ispahan, a lovely – now discontinued – Oriental. It has the distinction of starting my great perfume trip down the rabbit hole as I started searching the Internet to satisfy my curiosity about a not particularly well-known scent, and ended up on marvelous blogs like this one!

    (Decants of TF. Tobacco Vanille, Heeley Cuir Pleine Fleur, FM En Passant and Hermès Ambre des Merveilles are hidden in my boots along with a few other necessities. I’m not very good at this exercise, but I did enjoy at least making the attempt …) April 19, 2016 at 7:07am Reply

    • Patricia: Thank you for your lovely list, Malmaison, and especially for the rationales behind the perfume selections. I have a mini of Ispahan, and my own search for Nini Ricci’s Farouche led me to Bois de Jasmin! April 19, 2016 at 9:16am Reply

  • Bonnie S.: 1) Lady Gaga Fame
    2) Lancôme Poeme
    3) Eternity (original)
    4) Champs Elysees
    5) Bulgari The Bleu
    6) YSL Manifesto
    7) PINK SUGAR!!!!!
    8) Prada Candy
    9) Marc Jacobs LOLA
    10) Marc Jacobs LOLA (yes I need 2 bottles!) April 19, 2016 at 7:38am Reply

    • Patricia: Love your numbers 9 and 10, Bonnie!

      Because of Victoria’s positive review of it, I recently bought a travel size of The Bleu during the recent Sephora sale. This is so nice, and I’m going to enjoy wearing it this spring and summer. April 19, 2016 at 9:22am Reply

  • Vanie: Of my current full bottles, I would bring
    1. Bois des Iles parfum
    2. Tom Ford Fleur de Chine
    3. Stella McCartney
    4. Atelier Cologne Grand Neroli
    5. Cristalle EDP
    Then I would run to the shops and buy
    6. Malle Eau de Magnolia
    7. Jo Malone Blackberry and Bay
    8. Lutens La Fille de Berlin
    9. Hermes Rose Ikebana
    10. Chanel Beige EDT
    And I would cheat and bring Coco and Infusion d’Iris lotions. April 19, 2016 at 8:44am Reply

    • Patricia: Ah, the lotions! They don’t count, so I would bring my Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess creme, currently the only one I own. April 19, 2016 at 9:25am Reply

      • Vanie: Ooh! Mine is put away for Winter so I forgot about it, but I would definitely bring this one as well! (Specially on a desert island!) April 19, 2016 at 9:48am Reply

  • Aurora: What fun Pat! Congratulations on your experiment. I like your list, you cover a lot of ground

    Here is mine:
    Hermes Voyage for its cardamom

    L’Heure Bleue because it was my first perfume and makes me dream

    AG Encens Flamboyant my favorite incense

    Caron Rose my favourite rose

    Donna Karan Essence Jasmine a near perfect soliflore

    Cartier Baiser Vole to remember the compliments it gets me

    Un Jardin sur le Nil, yes, my desert island is hot and I love the green mango in it

    Badgley Mischka I need to have fun on my desert island

    Arpege you’ve got to have an aldehyde and will be a change from No 5

    SL Clair de Musc for layering with my soliflores

    I reluctanctly let go of Madly, Wenge, Caleche (which all served me so well this winter), of ELPC Jasmine White Moss and Cristalle, and of Ivoire and Crepe de Chine as they were vintage April 19, 2016 at 9:58am Reply

    • Patricia: Thanks, Aurora! I sadly let go of many of my Hermes, including Un Jardin sur le Nil, Un Jardin en Mediterranee, and especially Eau des Merveilles, probably the one I wear the most. April 19, 2016 at 11:03am Reply

  • Lily: Ha ha, this is easy for me to do today, since I am still building my wardrobe/library and only have to ditch 2-3 scents from the current bottles and to-buy list.

    1. Houbigant orangeurs en fleur
    2. Penhaligon’s Ostara
    3. Caron parfum sacre
    4. Bvlgari black
    5. Chloe l’eau de Chloe
    6. YSL Paris
    7. YSL Cinema
    8. Jacomo Silences
    9. Pacifica Mediterranean Fig
    10. Burberry London for Him

    Now ask again in a year and I might have more upset about this list, lol April 19, 2016 at 11:27am Reply

    • Patricia: You have a very nice collection, Lily! April 19, 2016 at 7:04pm Reply

      • Lily: Thank you! I could happily live with it as is if I had to. I have a long list of things I am curious to try and another 10 or so “slots” in my wardrobe where I could see a clear enough distinction between similar functions to justify additions, but my goal is to keep things manageable. 15-20 range.

        …posts like this do NOT help the to-try list stay manageable, though! 😉 April 20, 2016 at 12:01pm Reply

        • Patricia: My “to-try” list has more than tripled! April 20, 2016 at 1:51pm Reply

  • Anita T.: OK, I’m making a list, checking it twice, just in case of some national disaster and I have to leave home:
    1. Jicky
    2. Mitsouko
    3. L’Heure Bleue
    4. Coco
    5. Caleche
    6. Dune
    7. Ubar
    8. Dia
    9. 1000
    10. Niki de Saint Phalle
    (maybe Vol de Nuit for #10) April 19, 2016 at 12:46pm Reply

    • Patricia: You are clearly a Guerlain fan, Anita! April 19, 2016 at 7:06pm Reply

  • Marianna: This is fun. I would take the following
    1. Rozy
    2. PHI
    3. Mohur Extrait
    4. Ambre Loup
    5. Kohl de Bahrain
    6. hedonist
    7. Santal Majuscule
    8. Mitza
    9. Rose de Petra
    10. Ambra Nera
    But honestly 10 is not even close to being enough!!!’ April 19, 2016 at 1:49pm Reply

    • Patricia: No, ten isn’t enough. But I’ll share some of mine if you let me wear your roses now and then. 🙂 April 19, 2016 at 7:09pm Reply

  • Theresa: Ok, i’ve got to give this a try too! Here are 10 of my collection that jump to mind first:
    1) Chanel Coromandel
    2) Chanel Sycomore
    3) Chanel #22 (do you get the feeling I like Chanel?)
    4) Andy Tauer L’air du desert marocain
    5) Andy Tauer Verdant
    6) Guerlain Chamade – really this should go higher in the list, but we’re not ranking, right?
    7) ELDO – Fils de Dieu – a new love
    8) Blue Grass – for “scent”imental reasons
    9) Chanel Cristalle – will be refreshing on that hot desert island
    10) and finally Farnesiana – always delicious April 19, 2016 at 2:13pm Reply

    • Patricia: Wow! Four Chanels out of ten. And I thought I was a fan. 😉 April 19, 2016 at 7:11pm Reply

      • Theresa: Yes, there are a number of the Exclusives line that I just love. I would buy Bel Respiro if it had better longevity. Am strongly considering 31RC next year or the following (I do try to limit my big splurges – not always successfully!) April 19, 2016 at 7:18pm Reply

        • Patricia: Bel Respiro is so pretty, but it doesn’t last on me either. 🙁 April 19, 2016 at 7:41pm Reply

  • Jessica: So hard to pick only 10, but I love this idea!!

    Here would be my picks:

    1. Carnal Flower – my signature scent that always makes me feel feminine and sexy
    2. Cristalle EDP – Pure elegance!
    3. Eau de Magnolia – fresh and floral, and so easy to wear
    4. Eau du Soir – classic chypre
    5. La Fille de Berlin – jammy rose
    6. Chanel no 5 – soft, powdery and oh so classic
    7. SL Fleurs d’ Oranger – so sensual
    8. Bandit – when I need some strength
    9. Chergui – a little Moroccan desert sweetness
    10. A toss between Bronze Goddess because of it’s coconut comfort, or A la Nuit because of its ability to lift my mood April 19, 2016 at 2:26pm Reply

    • Patricia: Bring all eleven (I’m going to!). I like your mixture of soft and feminine and tough and structured. April 19, 2016 at 7:19pm Reply

  • Mendokuse: I would probably grab:

    Le Parfum de Thérèse
    Cuir de Russie (Chanel)
    Jardin en Méditerranée
    Carnal Flower
    De Profundis
    Géranium Pour Monsieur
    Chanel No 5 (parfum)
    Bois de Violette
    Bulgari Rose Essentielle (edp)
    Après l’Ondée April 19, 2016 at 3:23pm Reply

    • Patricia: Very thoughtful choices, Mendokuse. It would be easy to live with the perfumes on this list. April 19, 2016 at 7:23pm Reply

  • Caro: Hi, Patricia,
    I would definitely take Lyric too.
    I guess the other nine would be:

    Vero Profumo Kiki
    Vero Profumo Rozy
    Maria Candida Gentile Sideris
    Maria Candida Gentile Cinabre
    Divine L’Inspiratrice
    Neela Vermeire Mohur (preferably extrait)
    Chanel Misia
    Mona di Orio Ambre
    Oriza L. Legrand Heliotrope Blanc

    Hope my desert island is a cold one as I’m not taking anything too suitable for hot weather.

    Caro April 20, 2016 at 12:42am Reply

    • Patricia: Another fan of the rose, I see! Would the Heliotrope Blanc work in summer? (I’ve not tried it.) April 20, 2016 at 8:38am Reply

      • Caro: The Heliotrope is not fresh, but soft and innocent. I think it works lovely in warm weather, probably not in the dog days of summer. April 20, 2016 at 1:28pm Reply

        • Patricia: That sounds perfect for spring. April 20, 2016 at 1:58pm Reply

  • Tati: How fun! And difficult!

    Not balanced but my favorites:

    1) Une Fleur de Cassie
    2) La Fille de Berlin
    3) Malle’s Une Rose
    4) Tauer’s Zeta
    5) Ostara
    6) Reminiscence Patchouli
    7) Voleur de Roses
    8) 33 Ex Idolo
    9) Sisley Soir de Lune
    10) Luten’s Fleur d’Oranger April 20, 2016 at 1:26am Reply

    • Patricia: Balance can be overrated when it comes to what you love! April 20, 2016 at 8:40am Reply

    • Joana: I like this list! April 20, 2016 at 4:16pm Reply

  • Joana: What a nice experiment!

    I would take
    1) Boadicea the V. Mayfair
    (not yet bought and already on my list)
    2) Jasmin Hydrosol
    (best everyday splash, only thing I wear when going to the horse – horse loves it ;-))

    I am tempted to take all bottles from my SL corner, but that’s far too many – so I take the everyday-ones:
    3) Daim Blond
    4) A la Nuit

    About the following ones I am not so sure anymore. Somehow these were my initial thoughts, but now I feel like I am missing something: A lily, something woody and leathery, some spicy almond biscuit scent, a lavender…
    5) La Fille de Berlin or Parfums de Rosine Rosa Flamenca?
    6) F. Malle Iris Poudré
    7) Slava Zaitsev Nikita
    8) Korres Tonka Purple
    9) Berdoues Oud Al Sahraa
    10) Comme des G. Blue Santal April 20, 2016 at 1:49am Reply

    • Patricia: If Jasmin Hydrosol is easily available, I must give it a try. My horse has been very cranky lately…perhaps he doesn’t like my perfume!

      Your other selections are also out of the usual and very intriguing. I’m guessing you won’t tire easily of them. 🙂 April 20, 2016 at 8:47am Reply

      • Joana: I live in the EU and all kinds of hydrosols are easily available. My favourite brands are aromazone (France), Oshadhi (Germany) and biopark (Slovenia). Concerning the US, I’ve heard good things about Mountain Rose Herbs and Evan Healy (too expensive imo), but it seems they both don’t carry jasmin hydrosols (NO JASMIN!?!).
        Usually I avoided wearing a scent around my horse, but when I gave jasmin a try, it was pretty obvious that he liked it. He kept sniffing my shirt and does so ever since when I’m wearing it. April 20, 2016 at 10:50am Reply

        • Patricia: My horse has expensive taste: his preference is for vintage Cristalle!
          https://boisdejasmin.com/2013/11/of-horses-leather-and-perfume.html April 20, 2016 at 1:31pm Reply

          • Joana: That’s a great piece of information. Now I have to try it! I guess that speaks for the quality of the perfume, too. April 20, 2016 at 4:12pm Reply

            • Patricia: Modern Cristalle is excellent, too, and quite worthy of sampling. I was just lucky enough to score a vintage bottle from eBay a few years ago. April 20, 2016 at 8:40pm Reply

  • Mia: I just had to go respond to the challenge asap =). Difficult but therapeutic and interesting and I came up with only nine, the tenth turned out to be too difficult to choose. At the moment they are:

    Caron Nuit de Noel (just love)
    Frederic Malle En Passant (to fresh me up)
    Guy Laroche Fidji (reminder of a beloved person)
    Guerlain Chamade (well, yum)
    Guerlain Mitsouko (this would be The One if I had to choose…maybe)
    Ormonde Jayne Ormonde Woman (addictive)
    Serge Lutens Feminite du Bois (delicious)
    Tom Ford Fleur de Chine (surprises me every time)
    Vero Profumo Mito (weird but wonderful)

    Tomorrow they will probably be something else. Thanks again for the exercise Patricia! April 20, 2016 at 2:58am Reply

    • Patricia: What a nice list, Mia! I recently bought a bottle of Fidji and am enjoying it so much…the perfect scent for a desert island. April 20, 2016 at 8:51am Reply

  • Notturno7: So much fun reading your lists, everybody!
    Today my list is ( this is what I’ve been into lately):
    TF Fleur de Chine
    Narciso (new one in white cube bottle)
    Fracas
    No 5 parfum and body cream
    TF Shanghai Lily
    No 19
    No 22
    Hermes 22 Faubourg
    Mitsuko
    Caleche dab of vintage perfume with Caleche Soie de Perfume -feels fresh and clean in hot weather
    11th- I’m cheating with La Fille de Berlin, my recent discovery thanks to Victoria’s review.
    I was shocked to hear Nordstrom SA, sweet lady who’s a friend now, describe it as an old woman’s scent!! I brought her my new bottle to try and that was her comment right after spraying. Did any of you get this?
    I told her the dry down was gorgeous.
    So nice to see La Fille on few other lists😊 April 20, 2016 at 5:06am Reply

    • Notturno7: Oh no, I missed Carnal Flower 😍 April 20, 2016 at 5:10am Reply

    • Patricia: Two mentions in a row of Fleur de Chine! It’s hard to believe that this lovely has been discontinued.

      I haven’t tried the Caleche Soie de Parfum, but swapped a few years ago for the Eau Delicate, which is quite lovely. Has anyone out there tried both of them? Are they at all similar?

      To some people “Rose” is synonymous with “old lady.” We just have to feel sorry for them and move on. 😉 April 20, 2016 at 8:59am Reply

      • spe: Eau Delicate is a slightly oceanic woody floral. Nice, but smells like ?perhaps D squared for men? It’s timid. Soie de parfum is hefty and serious by comparison. They really don’t smell anything alike. I think Hermes was mistaken to call the “Eau Delicate” Caleche. It would not interest most Caleche wearers. However, it would make a wonderful Hermessence. I hope they reintroduce it. April 21, 2016 at 1:42am Reply

        • Patricia: Thank you, spe. I agree that Eau Delicate would fit better among the Hermessences. Perhaps Hermes will bring it back one of these days, preferably in the same beautiful iridescent bottle. April 21, 2016 at 8:44am Reply

      • Notturno7: Yes, some people have strange connotation of rose and yes, I also think they are missing out! I heard people say a similar thing about No 5 and that’s just ridiculous.
        I’m so glad people on this blog agree with us 😊. I was just taken back because this lady works in fragrance department and she is in her 50ties, so I thought she’d know better. April 23, 2016 at 5:24am Reply

    • Jean: It would be interesting to get your friend to narrow-down what she means by “old woman’s scent.” It could really expand her appreciation of perfume.
      It is interesting to search for conversations online regarding “old lady scent.”
      I have a decant of La Fille, I am an old lady and I love the complexity of this perfume. It is like an old woman’s wine. April 21, 2016 at 8:20am Reply

      • Patricia: Now I’m tempted to Google “old lady perfume,” but am afraid of the number of hits that would come up! April 21, 2016 at 8:51am Reply

        • Jean: I read the comments in perfume blogs. They talked about possible motivations for using this term and about how it was a derogatory way of dismissing a perfume. April 21, 2016 at 10:01am Reply

      • Notturno7: Thanks, Jean.
        I like La Fille too, and wear Nahema and Rive Gauche which I crave especially in hot weather 😊🌴 April 23, 2016 at 5:30am Reply

        • Jean: Are Nahema and Rive Gauche rose perfumes also? What do you like about them for summer?

          I’m an older woman, but somewhat new to perfume. Somehow I got away from it for a couple decades. I smelled another woman’s perfume in the mall recently and was reminded that I use to like perfumes. April 23, 2016 at 8:30am Reply

          • Patricia: Yes, they are both rose perfumes.

            It’s never to late to get into (or get back into) perfume. Sample as much as you can at perfume stores and department stores, and you will quickly become aware of which notes appeal to you. 🙂 April 24, 2016 at 7:26pm Reply

          • Notturno7: Hi Jean,
            I like that crisp feel of R Gauche in the summer. Aldehydes remind me a little of No 5.It feels very polished and it makes me feel like a lady 😊and dressed up.
            Nahema I have in pure perfume and I dab it on at night or even before going to sleep for sweet dreams💜
            I love the rose in Chamade perfume, too but it has many facets April 25, 2016 at 11:52pm Reply

    • Surbhi: I have heard from so many people that rose and florals (specially jasmine) as old lady perfume. And for a brief time I tried not to get or wear any rose or floral for that reason. My bad.

      But now I don’t care what anyone says ..if florals make me happy then so be it. They are missing out as far as I am concerned just to follow the trend. If people get headaches from floral perfumes then I don’t wear florals around them. April 21, 2016 at 1:20pm Reply

      • Notturno7: I totally agree with you Surbhi! Thank you guys for these replies. I’m really enjoying reading this blog and it’s so nice to feel like we’re on the same side here….
        The side where lovers of beauty reside😊 April 23, 2016 at 5:35am Reply

        • Notturno7: My friend loves beauty too, maybe just not rose perfumes and that’s fine 😄 April 23, 2016 at 5:55am Reply

  • Gabriela: My list:
    Cuir de Lancome
    Le temps d une fete
    Black
    N19
    Byzance
    Chamade
    Carnal Flower
    Perfume de Therese
    Jasmin by Provence et Nature
    Ostara April 20, 2016 at 9:41am Reply

    • Patricia: I don’t think Byzance has been previously mentioned, and it’s such a nice aldyhedic chypre! I have a mini in a cute little blue bottle. April 20, 2016 at 1:41pm Reply

      • Gabrieka: I love the bottle just as much as the fragrance! April 20, 2016 at 2:39pm Reply

      • Mia: Oh yes, Byzance is wonderful! April 20, 2016 at 3:50pm Reply

    • Notturno7: I love Byzance. Never owned a bottle… Maybe next time when I’m in a duty free, I’ll get my paws on that pretty bottle!! April 23, 2016 at 5:37am Reply

  • Danaki: Coming into it late, but here are my 10.
    1- Annick Goutal Un Matin d’Orage
    2- Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin
    3- Chanel No.19 Parfum (vintage)
    4- Shiseido Feminite du Bois (discont.)
    5- Dior Feve Deliceuse
    6- ELDO Putains des Palaces
    7- Parfum di Nicolai Week-End
    8- Serge Lutens Santal Majescule
    9- Bottega Veneta eau de parfum
    10- Balmain Jolie Madame (vintage parfum)
    11*…sorry, couldn’t resist, Marni edp…it is only a small 30ml bottle…please… April 20, 2016 at 5:29pm Reply

    • Patricia: Thanks for adding your list to the mix, Danaki! I’m not sure that we’ve had a mention of Feminite du Bois yet (either Shiseido or Lutens), but it definitely belongs on a top ten list. Feve Deliceuse is one that is high on my personal to-try list. April 20, 2016 at 8:32pm Reply

  • Figuier: I love *all* these lists! My ten in ten minutes isn’t too difficult if I stick to perfumes I already own FB of (I only have 15 or so), but I’m going to make this a fantasy top ten so I can add ones I wish I had…slightly more challenging:

    From my collection:

    Hermes Eau de Narcisse Bleue
    Nasomatto Nuda
    By Kilian Rose Oud
    Guerlain Lys Soleia
    Ostara
    Cristalle

    And my imaginary additions:

    Eau de Magnolia
    AP The pour un ete
    Guerlain Encens Mythique de L’Orient
    Lalique Encre Noir (For Him)

    There – took pretty much the full 10 minutes 🙂 April 20, 2016 at 5:58pm Reply

    • Patricia: I like the idea of having a fantasy top ten, Figuier! And I’m envious of your well-edited personal collection. 🙂 April 20, 2016 at 8:37pm Reply

  • Jo: Nice to read!
    For me, I ended up ‘grabbing’ a list of 10 reliables, most of which I’ve had and worn for years.
    Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise – long time signature, perfect fresh spicy all-rounder.
    Chanel Bois de Iles – another all-rounder, and just the easiest most beautiful thing to wear.
    Stella McCartney Rose Absolute – though dc’d, just a gorgeous lush rose scent, and I always need a rose.
    Van Cleef & Arpels California Reverie – for white flowers, this sunny composition just beat out Patou’s Joy for the spot.
    Diptyque Tam Dao – chilled out woods, again, so easy and versatile.
    Diptyque L’eau de Hesperides – crushed herbs,citrus and immortelle, the summer and early autumn staple.
    Lolita Lempicka Le Premier Parfum – this little gourmand is just a treat that I always like to keep.
    Hilary Duff With Love – the oldest keeper, a comfort scent of sweet woods and spice.
    Chanel Chance – what I think of as my ‘game face’ frag, energising and professional.
    Guerlain L’Instant EDP – honey dipped iris, the warm hug in winter. April 21, 2016 at 2:52pm Reply

    • Patricia: Nothing better than an old reliable with lots of accompanying memories.

      The L’Eau de Hesperides sounds fantastic. I will definitely try to find some to sample. That early autumn slot can be a hard one to fill, and this sounds perfect. April 21, 2016 at 8:00pm Reply

  • Megan: I think I could live on these:
    1. Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia – for when I am happy,
    2. Viktoria Minya Hedonist Iris – for when I want to feel beautiful,
    3. Tauer L’air Du Desert Marocain – for when I need to feel brave,
    4. Monsillage Eau de Celeri – for when I want to stand out,
    5. Chanel Coromandel – for the holidays. April 21, 2016 at 6:37pm Reply

    • Patricia: Lovely fragrances and accompanying sentiments! April 21, 2016 at 7:53pm Reply

      • Notturno7: Yes, I like the accompanying sentiments by Megan. I have some scents I wear when I need to feel strong.
        It would be an interesting list if others have fragrances that make us feel stronger or braver, too😊 April 22, 2016 at 10:05pm Reply

    • Notturno7: Now I want to find Tauer ADDM and try. What stores did you find it at? April 22, 2016 at 11:15pm Reply

      • Megan: I bought by Tauer from Indigo Perfumery. They will send samples as well as whole bottles. April 23, 2016 at 7:10am Reply

        • Notturno7: Thank you, Megan!😄 April 26, 2016 at 3:54am Reply

  • Austenfan: Even thinking about having to do this gives me a headache, so I’m not trying. Fun subject though, and a fun selection.

    I’m still very curious to read your post on your daughter’s wedding. I wonder what fragrance she chose in the end. April 22, 2016 at 11:06am Reply

    • Patricia: That will be my next article 🙂 April 22, 2016 at 6:13pm Reply

      • Austenfan: Good 😉 April 23, 2016 at 6:41pm Reply

  • Jean: I wish I could smell all of these perfumes everyone is talking about! April 23, 2016 at 8:49am Reply

  • Dorothy Van Daele: My 10, and you asked for reasons so I have done my best
    – Bois de Violette – for its sheer beauty.
    – Comme des Garçons 2 – to lift my mood anytime, and it lasts, so I can sniff to remind myself
    – Donna Karan Gold – green lily which lasts but doesn’t project far; an everyday choice
    – Cristalle – longtime favourite and I would wear it for courage
    – La Myrrhe – subtly surprises again and again
    – Odalisque, Parfums de Nicolai – always more to notice
    – Jour d’Hermes – a little start of surprise and wonder each time I spritz it on, a summer perfume for me
    – Tauer Incense Rose
    – Miroir des Vanites, Thierry Mugler reminds me that I don’t have to conform!
    – Amouage Jubilation 25 – so gorgeous, another chypre, especially in summer
    And I ran out of space for Chanel No 5 EdP for its amazing ability to encompass me in a cloud of well-being and happiness. Fun activity, thank you, Patricia. April 24, 2016 at 10:33am Reply

    • Patricia: Thank you, Dorothy. If Chanel No 5 EDP encompasses you in a cloud of well-being and happiness, it must come along too! The beauty of perfume is in its ability to make us happy. April 24, 2016 at 7:30pm Reply

  • SilverMoon: oh this is a difficult but fun exercise for a Sunday evening. bearing in mind I will be on a hopefully sunny warm island, My ten would be:

    L’Heure Bleue, prossibly my all time favourite so cannot be left behind
    Seville a l’Aube, a delightful combination of notes
    Maai, just a beautiful dark mysterious one that was love at first sniff
    Songes, wonderful on both hot and cool nights
    Une Rose or Peastum Rose, roses are a must
    Lys mediterranee, lovely summery floral
    Fleurs de Sel, a perfect beachy floral
    Tolu, my favourie Ormonde Jayne
    Chanel no. 22 or maybe Bois des Iles
    Lalibela, really enjoy wearing this one from Memo

    That was ten in less than ten, and gosh, there are so many others I would smuggle in as decants! April 24, 2016 at 1:29pm Reply

    • Patricia: Nice list, SilverMoon! I need to try both Maai and Lalibela. I checked the notes for Lalibela on Fragrantica, and it sounds perfect for a desert island. Though I’m going to bring Fidgi along for my next beach vacation. 🙂 April 24, 2016 at 7:49pm Reply

      • Patricia: Make that Fidji! April 26, 2016 at 10:16pm Reply

  • Reg: Lists are great. And so many nice ones here!
    Mine is easy as although I keep testing many fragrances I own very few bottles, the ones I love most and use often.

    Chanel – Bois des Iles
    Frederic Malle – Une Fleur de Cassie
    Tauer – Une Rose Chypree
    Odin NY – 10 Roam
    JF Schwarzlose – Treffpunkt 8 Uhr
    Guerlain – Apres l’Ondee
    Le Labo – Ylang 49
    Diptyque – Philosykos
    Tom Ford – Fleur de Chine
    and another Malle – Lipstick Rose April 26, 2016 at 5:16pm Reply

    • Patricia: I aspire to owning only those bottles that I love and wear the most. Bois des Iles and Fleur de Chine certainly are among my own most-loved.

      I’ve never tried either 10 Roam or Treffpunkt 8 Uhr. What are they like? April 26, 2016 at 10:23pm Reply

  • Reg: 10 Roam is a coconutmilk-francincense combination (not a sweet fragrance) and Treffpunkt is a vetiver mango. Even though they’re both very different from another and unsusual, they’re less subdued than most of my other favourites. More edgy and flirty perhaps. I’d be curious to hear what you think of them if you get to try them! April 27, 2016 at 8:06am Reply

    • Patricia: You had me at Vetiver mango, though the coconut milk/frankincense mixture sounds intriguing, too. I’m going to try to find some samples now. Thanks! April 27, 2016 at 3:33pm Reply

      • Reg: Awesome, please do try them! April 27, 2016 at 7:07pm Reply

  • Fernando: Excelente postagem…! muito bom! April 30, 2016 at 1:27pm Reply

    • Patricia: Thank you, Fernando. I’m glad you enjoyed it! April 30, 2016 at 4:39pm Reply

  • Kari: Boxeuses Sounds lovely (I live in the US so haven’t been able to try it, yet) and the snuffed candle note you mention in Séville à l’aube Sounds really intriguing.

    My 10 would be:
    1. Kenzo Jungle L’Elephant. (If I could only grab one perfume this would do it for me.)
    2. Serge Lutens 5 o’clock au gingembre
    3. Lush Lord of Misrule
    4. Etat Libre d’Orange Like This
    5. Imaginary Authors Memoirs of a Trespasser
    6. Jo Malone Mimosa and Cardamom

    I would actually be ok stopping there if needed, but since I get to pick another 4 (yay!) I’ll take:

    7. Serge Lutens Jeux de Peau
    8. Tauer Une Rose Chypree
    9. Lush Yog Nog
    10. Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur May 1, 2016 at 7:14pm Reply

    • Kari: I’ll admit that my list might be different if I wasn’t trying to balance things more evenly between perfume houses (and many of these are decants.) May 1, 2016 at 7:26pm Reply

    • Patricia: Hi Kari, These are very nice selections. I recently added 5 o’clock au gingembre to my collection and know I will get a lot of use out of it, especially in the cooler months. Although I only have a sample of Like This, it is so unusual, sometimes I just have to smell it (not necessarily wear it) just to get that pumpkin vibe! May 11, 2016 at 4:19pm Reply

  • Cybele: very delayed but here are my 10
    Gucci Envy
    Amouage Homage
    Chanel Cristalle
    By Kilian Love
    Chanel Bois des Iles
    Etat Libre d’Orange Rien
    Hermes Osmanthe Yunnan
    Frederic Malle Une Fleur de Cassie
    Hermes L’Eau d’Hermes
    Guerlain Vetiver Pour Elle May 9, 2016 at 6:42pm Reply

    • Patricia: Envy, Cristalle, and Bois des Iles would definitely be part of my top twenty list. I have trouble with Osmanthe Yunnan, for some reason I can barely smell it…must be nose blind to an ingredient in it.

      Thanks for participating in our desert island 10 fragrance poll! May 11, 2016 at 4:24pm Reply

  • Sheena: Better late than never! Here are my 10 in 10:

    Frederic Malle Carnal Flower
    Vero Profumo Rubj Voile d’extrait
    Chanel Cristalle
    Chanel Coromandel
    By Kilian A Taste of Heaven
    PdN Week-end in Normandy
    Marc Jacobs perfume
    Annick Goutal Un Matin d’Orage
    Estes Lauder Bronze Goddess
    Jo Malone Lime Basil Mandarin May 10, 2016 at 5:53pm Reply

    • Patricia: Never too late! Especially when you have such a good-looking list to add. 🙂

      I like many of the lighter PdN fragrances and will have to give Week-end in Normandy a try. L’eau Chic is perhaps my favorite of that genre, with its refreshing mint, lavender, and geranium. May 11, 2016 at 4:30pm Reply

      • Patricia: Did you perhaps mean Week End or Week End a Deauville? May 11, 2016 at 4:33pm Reply

        • Austenfan: It’s been renamed again! May 11, 2016 at 6:37pm Reply

        • Sheena: Yes, I think it has been renamed! I bought it from Lucky Scent last year and the website showed it to be renamed Week-end, but when I received the bottle, it was labeled Week-end in Normandy. Un petit mystère, nest pas? Nonetheless, it is divine whatever the name 🙂 May 12, 2016 at 8:37am Reply

        • Patricia: Not again! Well, in that case, I own the “Week-End” iteration and enjoy it very much. May 12, 2016 at 11:59am Reply

          • Sheena: I also enjoy Odalisque and Eau d’Ete from the PdN line. I must try L’eau Chic…it sounds delightful! Thanks Patricia 🙂 May 12, 2016 at 3:12pm Reply

  • Madaris: My 10: Piguet Fracas, Carnal Flower, Diptyque Tam Dao, Biehl eo01, Kenzo Jungle L’Elephant, Tom Ford Velvet Orchid, Etro Messe de Minuit, Aerin Lauder Honeysuckle, Anne Pliska, and Parfumerie Generale Cadjmere. August 3, 2016 at 12:52am Reply

  • Nora Szekely: Hah! Revisiting this thread. Okay, time is ticking
    1 Bois des iles pure perfume – ultimate comfort scent with glamour
    2 Portrait of a lady – my staple, never want to be without it
    3 Coco pure perfume – another gem that embodies my oriental dreams
    4 L’Heure Bleue vintage Edt – the daydreamer in me needs this
    5 Carnal Flower modern classic, unique Tuberose scent
    6 tubereuse Criminelle cannot get enough Tuberose scent
    7 a la nuit jasmine needed too
    8 Diorella vintage Edt sparkly, playful fruity chypre
    9 By Dolce gabbana – coffee, musk, sandalwood – my most versatile scent
    10 Chanel no 5 parfum – do not want to be without it January 5, 2019 at 11:40am Reply

    • Patricia: Wow, great choices! Other than Tubereuese Criminelle (can’t handle those mentholated opening notes), I’m totally on board with your choices. Happy 2019! January 5, 2019 at 6:27pm Reply

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