Our “Recommend Me a Perfume” thread is open this week. You can use this space to find perfume recommendations, to share your discoveries and favorite scents, and to ask any questions about scents, aromas and flavors. Or you can just tell us what perfume you are wearing!
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, yarrow flowers
175 Comments
Susan: Good morning! I adore smelling so many scents but seem to be terribly picky about what I want to be regularly emanating from my own skin. The only bottles I love to wear are Maison Margiela Untitled and Diptyque Philosykos. I’d love to expand this duo into a wider constellation. Is there a theme that unites them? What should I test next? (Dislikes: dominant pine-y/cedary, dominant rose)
Thank you so much! October 25, 2021 at 8:43am
Safran: Hi Susan, to me they are both green-ish and fresh scents (I have/had both). For the bitter aspects of Untitled and the fig of Philosykos I think about Ninfeo Mio by Annick Goutal. Another one along the line would be Christalle by Chanel, rather the Eau de Toilette than the EdP. And you might like some tea scents as well, one of my favourite ones, that would fit in this group is Yu Son by Altaia. Good luck! October 25, 2021 at 11:11am
Cornelia Blimber: Excellent suggestions, Safran! I would like to add: edt No 19 Chanel, Y Yves StLaurent, and maybe a light lily of the valleys, like Muguet Porcelaine Hermes (expensive!) October 25, 2021 at 12:27pm
Susannah: And thank you Cornelia! Excited to try these! October 25, 2021 at 2:55pm
Susan: Thank you for these suggestions, Safran. I will try them out! October 25, 2021 at 2:54pm
Karina: Of those two I only know Philoykos. I looked at the pyramid for Untitled. Interestingly what both have in common is Cedarwood (which you might actually like) and a good bit of ‚greenery‘. Philosykos also has a milky thing going on. Assuming you like them both for similar reasons… some suggestions.
For woody scents (not a pine cone in sight! promise) I would suggest trying Parle Moi de Parfum Milky Musk or Philosykos Tam Dao. For green I think No19 is a great suggestion. Also perhaps Ichnusa (almost like philosykos but even more green), Diptyque Eau Lierre, Hermes Un Jardin Mediteranee.
Enjoy your scented journey October 25, 2021 at 3:30pm
Susan: Thank you for all of these non-piney woods, Karina. I will hunt them down, give them a whiff, and report back!
I loved Un Jardin Mediteranee on a blotter, but didn’t like it my skin the last time I tried it. But that was years ago, and you never know. Tastes change, and I also live somewhere warmer now.
Yes, I love Philosykos’ creaminess — and also its dry earth. Untitled is a mixture of bitter green and powdery sweetness. October 25, 2021 at 5:22pm
Nina Z: What those have in common to me is that they’re both green scents that are more about whole plants than flowers. Untitled uses galbanum for the green aspect, so you could explore other scents with galbanum. My favorite is vintage Chanel No. 19, the older the better, though that may have too much rose in it for you. Most the galbanum perfumes I can think of are vintage–it was the trend in the 70s–but a recent one I like is Lady Day from Maria Candida Gentile, a very green perfume with a soft gardenia in it.
It’s hard to find out what creates the green note in Philosykos, but it might be the fig leaf. So you could look for other perfumes with that note.
I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest you try some vetiver fragrances because those are green in a grassy way. So what about Sycomore by Chanel? That’s a well done vetiver. Frederic Malle has one, too, but there are many others. October 25, 2021 at 8:48pm
Susan: Thank you so much for your thoughtful recommendations, Nina. I will look into them! October 25, 2021 at 8:58pm
AnnieA: A friend just gave me a decant of Chantecaille Vetyver which is very elegant and green – probably almost as expensive as the Chanel, though. October 28, 2021 at 9:36am
James Drysdale: I would be interested in a violet perfume: more so the flower than the leaf. I like Amouage Opus III. Many thanks. October 25, 2021 at 9:19am
Shane: Have you tried Oriza Legrand’s Violette du Czar? Although it does feature the leaf, it is mainly the flower. Quite a grand violet. October 25, 2021 at 10:24am
James Drysdale: Thanks, I will investigate. October 25, 2021 at 10:34am
Zuzanna: 37 Veilchen by Frau Tonis. Violet with liquorice and raspberry. Powdery, not cloying, with a vintage vibe. October 25, 2021 at 3:29pm
James Drysdale: Thank you. I don’t know this brand so I’m intrigued. October 25, 2021 at 3:32pm
Karina: Try Vivacious by Hirsm Greene October 25, 2021 at 3:32pm
James Drysdale: Thanks. October 25, 2021 at 3:36pm
Aurora: Also Serge Lutens Bois de Violette comes to mind, just the right amount of sweetness on a woody base. October 25, 2021 at 4:21pm
James Drysdale: Thanks; I have tried this one and I do like it. October 25, 2021 at 4:31pm
Aly: Hello!
Chanel Misia comes to mind. October 26, 2021 at 2:50am
James Drysdale: Thank you. I will revisit this one. October 26, 2021 at 3:51am
Alityke: If you can find it Jolie Madame, a vintage Balmain. Famed for it’s leather I find it to have a violet flower that balances out bitter leather beautifully.
If released today it would be marketed as a masculine! October 28, 2021 at 6:24am
Tourmaline: Hi James,
I haven’t yet tried Amouage Opus III, but I love violet perfumes; they’re among my favourites. If you’re interested in reading more about violet fragrances, I can recommend three of Victoria’s previous posts, which all include scent suggestions.
The posts are:
– “Ionones: Sweet and Powdery Fragrance Ingredients” from 4 November 2005
– “Why Violet Perfumes Retain Their Timeless Appeal” from 15 March 2021
– “Fascinating Perfumery: What Do Modern Violets Smell Like” from 14 May, 2021.
I currently have 19 violet perfumes. You might be interested in trying one or more of those that are still available.
1. Violet (The California Perfume Company / Avon, early 1900s)
2. Devon Violets (Aidee Bovey Tracey – year?)
3. April Violets (Yardley, 1913)
4. Violettes de Toulouse (Henri Berdoues, 1936)
5. African Violet (Spiritual Sky, 1970s)
6. Violetta (Penhaligon’s, 1976)
7. Violet (The Perfect Potion, 1990s)
8. Violet (Woods of Windsor, 1998)
9. Violet (Paris, 1990s))
10. Les Météorites (Guerlain, 2000)
11. Somersby Violets (Frostbland, found 2011)
12. Violette (Molinard, 2016)
13. Delice des Fleurs Rose et Violette (2011, L’Occitane)
14. Le Dix (Balenciaga, 1947)
15. Après L’Ondée (Guerlain, 1906)
16. Insolence (Guerlain, 2006)
17. L’Heure Bleue (Guerlain, 1912)
18. Lipstick Rose (Frédérick Malle, 2000)
19. Jolie Madame (Balmain, 1953)
With kind regards,
Tourmaline October 26, 2021 at 9:04am
carole macleod: TOurmaline, what an awesome list! Here’s two more for James to try: The Different Company’s I miss Violet, which is violet over suede. The other is Frederic Malle’s Dans Tes Bras which is violets and clean earth-love it! October 26, 2021 at 9:42am
James Drysdale: Thank you both for all of these suggestions. That’s an amazing list, Tourmaline. October 26, 2021 at 11:09am
Cornelia Blimber: Amazing indeed, Tourmaline! I wish I could find again April Violets, Yardley.
Lipstick Rose is charming, but I prefer Paris edp. When I said this, the SA of the Malle department was severely schocked… October 26, 2021 at 12:47pm
Tourmaline: Hi Cornelia,
Oh, that’s a shame that you can’t find April Violets there. It’s still freely available from just about every perfume store and pharmacy here in Brisbane. Also, eBay probably has new, unopened stock, if you care to buy on that site.
That’s rather funny. I do love Paris as well! October 27, 2021 at 7:21pm
Cornelia Blimber: Hi Tourmaline,
The only Yardley here in Amsterdam is Lavender, nowadays. In the fifties Red Roses, April Violets, Bond Street were available in the Netherlands. April Violets Bath Salts was wonderful. Also the soap.
We agree about Paris! beautiful roses and violets. October 28, 2021 at 4:26am
Tourmaline: I would have loved to try April Violets Bath Salts! About ten years ago, I found an April Violets deodorant in a glass bottle for about $2.00, so I bought a few! October 31, 2021 at 3:47am
Tourmaline: Thanks, James. I’m glad you enjoyed reading it. October 27, 2021 at 7:18pm
Tourmaline: Thanks, Carole. I want to try all of the more recent violet scents. October 26, 2021 at 10:40pm
AnnieA: I miss I Miss Violet! It seems to have disappeared and generally head to fond DC at all in my neck of the woods. October 28, 2021 at 8:45am
Matty: thank you so much for this fabulous list, L’Heure Bleu is one of my all time favorites. October 26, 2021 at 5:38pm
Tourmaline: Hi Matty,
You’re welcome.
L’Heure Bleue is my favourite perfume! October 26, 2021 at 10:42pm
Frances: Hello Tourmaline,
L’Heure Bleue is also my favourite fragrance! Actually it was my mother’signature perfume, the one and only, and it smelled so beautiful on her. It is a very special scent to me.
I also wear Insolence and Après L’Ondée…they are all relatives after all, aren’t they? October 27, 2021 at 2:56pm
Tourmaline: That’s true, those fragrances are all like family members!
It’s lovely that you have L’Heure Bleue to remind you of your dear mother. October 27, 2021 at 7:23pm
Frances: Yes it is. When I became an adult, she encouraged me to wear it saying it was a “scented heirloom”. I like this idea very much. October 28, 2021 at 11:35am
Tourmaline: It’s a wonderful notion! October 31, 2021 at 3:49am
Martina: Mine too, the best perfume ever. Simply wonderful. November 1, 2021 at 7:20am
Tourmaline: Simply divine. November 10, 2021 at 6:57am
perstare: With Fall season upon us I’ve become entranced with fragrances that combine cognac or whiskey notes with a light handed tobacco pipe rather than an off putting cigar (though a good cigar smoke might exist I haven’t found one). Toward that end I found Killian’s Angel’s Share and Dior’s Tobacolor nicely addictive with lasting power. Are there others worthy of consideration? October 25, 2021 at 10:25am
James Drysdale: Tonka Imperiale by Guerlain. It has a slight brandy note. It has a slight hay/tobacco vibe to it. October 25, 2021 at 10:35am
perstare: Thank you for the suggestion. I will try this later when I visit Saks. October 25, 2021 at 10:38am
Aurora: Hello Perstare: Martin Margiela Jazz Club has a clean, unlit cigar note imo, with rum😃 October 25, 2021 at 4:29pm
perstare: I will revisit this scent. Time has a way of making me forget what I tried 9 months ago. October 27, 2021 at 8:44pm
Karen: Bois d’Ombrie by L’eau D’Italie comes to mind. It has cognac, tobacco, leather… I find it very unique and almost addictive. I had a sample and was constantly sniffing my wrist! October 27, 2021 at 2:59pm
Frances: Hello Perstare,
Velours Boisé by Fath meets your description. In their own words it is “a woody amber whisky fragrance. A rich and warm fragrance, a creation like a soft embrace”. The good thing with Fath is you can order samples, they will send you the whole collection for free but you still have to pay for the delivrery. I gave it a try this summer and they arrived beautifully wrapped with cute little blotting papers. They ship to Europe, USA, Canada, Japan and Singapore. October 27, 2021 at 3:06pm
perstare: Many thanks for bringing my attention to the house of Fath. I don’t know how they are able to offer their samples without the usual charges, but it would be wonderful if other houses did the same, allowing us to further explore what most of us find inaccessible. So far the community has recommended a fair number of boozy fragrances that will expand my horizons. Thank you for suggesting Velours Boise. October 27, 2021 at 8:51pm
Frances: I didn’t smell Velours Boisé since July so I sampled it again tonight since I recommended it to you. It is very classic (in a nice way) and very warm indeed. It is very woody, very spicy and yes it smells of whisky, especially in the first stages then, in the drydown, the woods and the spices overpower this facet. To my surprise, the description lists notes of mate, immortelle and carrot seeds I cannot easily perceive but I have to say my nose is not well trained. October 27, 2021 at 4:28pm
Sebastian: For the best of malt whisky (though without a pipe) I heartily recommend both Spirit of the Glen (D. S. & Durga) and, in a more refined way, Hiram Green’s “Vetiver”, which recalls a very fine Northern Highland malt smelling of orange peel and raisins, ginger, smoke, peat, and wood, with a light sweetness. I just love it. October 27, 2021 at 5:08pm
perstare: I will be very curious how DS & Druga approached this note.
They are very creative and aren’t afraid to approach niche in an audacious manner. October 27, 2021 at 8:55pm
Matty: I’m not familiar with scents using cognac or whiskey, but Penhaligon’s Clandestine Clara has a wonderful rum (rhum) scent along with vanilla, cinnamon, musk & ambery pachouli.
You might want to try a decant to see how you like it. I find it very sexy. October 27, 2021 at 7:49pm
perstare: I’ll check it out later today at Bloomingdales.
6 suggestions from this group! Plus I’ll revisit Herod. Thank you. October 28, 2021 at 6:53am
Maria Stepanov: I love a vanilla scent in my perfume. I am looking for some wonderful fragrances with a vanilla note. I would love some recommendations! October 25, 2021 at 10:28am
Allison C.: Hi Maria,
I just recently discovered Vanilj by Maya Njie, and it’s perfect for autumn/winter. Notes include vanilla, cardamom, patchouli, musk, cedarwood and amber. It has a strong wood/vanilla scent, and I can smell the cardamom which I love. October 25, 2021 at 12:50pm
Karina: Depends how vanilla you want to get… I love some that don’t remind me of baking
Diptyque Eau Duelle (spicy),
L‘Artisan Couleur Vanille (salty)
Kenzo Jungle L‘Elephant (fruity spicy)
Led Indemodables Vanille Havane (boozy) October 25, 2021 at 3:37pm
Cornelia Blimber: Hi Maria,
There are so many vanillas on the market, but the best vanilla of all vanillas: Shalimar edp!
You may like:
Hypnotic Poison, Dior. Vanilla and almonds.
Un Bois Vanille, Lutens. Sweet Vanilla, but the drydown is surprisingly fresh. October 25, 2021 at 4:28pm
Maria: Thank you for the recommendations! I will try and get some decants of those. I love Dior’s Vanilla Diorama but it’s so expensive i would like to find some in a more midrange price point. October 25, 2021 at 6:47pm
Kimberly: Maria, I have been wearing Guerlain’s Shalimar Millésime Vanilla Planifolia. It smells as if I had just cut open a vanilla pod. The floral notes are faint to my nose. This one is all about the vanilla. The heart is a softer leathery vanilla with a hint of powder and possibly the lightest touch of caramel. The dry down – soft vanilla spice and all things nice. I too was looking for a favorite vanilla forward fragrance. I need look no further. Unfortunately, this perfume sells out quickly and has been hard to find. I found it on Guerlain’s US website. I hope you are able to find it and try it. October 26, 2021 at 9:22am
Maria: Thank you Kimberly! I have heard this is a lovely fragrance and I believe I have a decant coming in a few weeks! I am really excited to try it! October 26, 2021 at 11:36am
perstare: You might want to consider Xerjoff’s Alexandria ll (not 3) as it is a sumptuous non-linear multi-faceted elegant fragrance. I consider it a masterpiece. If you would indicate what you enjoy now, I can better suggest others as well. October 25, 2021 at 10:37am
Trudy: Has anyone tried any of the fragrances by strangelove? I know very little about the perfumer or the company but from what I have read I’m interested in trying Lost in Flowers, Dead of Night and Melt My Heart. The descriptions sound gorgeous but I’m wondering about quality, sillage and longevity. Just curious how the fragrances are perceived in the perfume world. October 25, 2021 at 11:15am
irem: Hello Trudy, Strangelove is on my list of want to try perfume houses too. The perfumer is Christophe Laudamiel and he seems to be a guy who has his heart and brains in perfumery. Given quite lavish budgets I do not doubt quality, but sillage and longevity are not necessarily technical merits, they depend a lot on the type of scent (not sure I would want a indelible citrus, for example) and formulation too (oil based formulations dampen the sillage and Strangelove has some oil based scents). Anyway, there is a sample set of all fragrances in the line for $75 in the US. Depending on the feedback here, I might ask Santa 😉 October 25, 2021 at 9:21pm
Trudy: Thank you for responding. Good information that I wasn’t aware of. I was able to order a small samples of the three I mentioned from Lucky Scents so we will see how it goes. FB’s are are a bit pricey but if its something I truly love I don’t mind. October 26, 2021 at 12:00pm
Annique: Cherries – the scent of the berry itself, not blossom. This summer I passed a woman who had a wonderfully clear, almost provocative, scent. Since then, I have tested embarrassingly many fragrances – I’ve sniffed all the way from Britney Spears to Tom Ford. Any suggestions? And please, only currently existing fragrances. October 25, 2021 at 11:26am
johaboha: La petite robe noire by Guerlain has a mouthwatering cherry note. October 25, 2021 at 5:48pm
Annique: Thanks, I’ll try it! October 27, 2021 at 7:07am
kpaint: There are dozens of flankers of this one. I’d recommend seeking out Black Perfecto, as well as the original EDP. October 31, 2021 at 9:34am
Anastasia: Hi Annique! A nice cherry fragrance is smoking rouge by BDK. It is a sweet cherry fragrance. What I like about it is the peppery note it has, more prominent for the first hour, then gradually dissipates. I don’t like sweet fragrances at all, so I would rather it was less sweet. But I still enjoy it, the sweetness is not cloying. October 26, 2021 at 8:37am
annique: Thank you, Anastasia, I have ordered a sample now. Excited! October 27, 2021 at 7:27am
Anastasia: Great!!! October 27, 2021 at 10:53am
Robin: Delices by Cartier is a beautiful cherry scent October 26, 2021 at 11:46am
OnWingsofSaffron: „Louve“ by Serge Lutens & Tom Ford‘s „Lost Cherry“. October 28, 2021 at 11:44am
Kaushal Patel: I loved Antonias Flowers and am desperately looking for a replacement. It was such a unique scent – often got stopped by people who wanted to know what I was wearing. I loved the scent. Please help. Any recommendations?? October 25, 2021 at 12:25pm
Robin Gibbs: I had asked that same question maybe a year ago. None of the suggestions (which I was grateful for) worked.
I still have a bottle which I use sparingly. It seems that every perfume that I have really loved is no longer made or has changed so much that it is not recognizable.
I feel you on this one. October 25, 2021 at 4:03pm
Kaushal Patel: Thank you. Nothing compares to it😩😩😩 October 25, 2021 at 6:25pm
Aurora: Sorry Kaushal for having typed two h in my previous post. October 25, 2021 at 7:18pm
Aurora: Hello Kaushhal: It’s difficult indeed to come up with a good replacement. If you’re not too disheartened maybe sometime you could sample l’Artisan Parfumeur La Chasse aux Papillons (not the extreme version), it is a linden mainly fragrance with some white flowers, not the florist freesia of Antonia’s flowers but is also light and airy, the way I remember it. Also the Annick Goutal eaux de toilette,for example Un Matin d’Orage edt (gardenia and jasmine), not the edp which is different and heftier. There is also Eau du Ciel, recently reissued but it seems already out of stock at the moment on the Goutal website. that is if you are in Europe, I’m not sure how easy it is to get in the US these days, it used to be available at the discounter Fragrancenet. October 25, 2021 at 7:15pm
faith nelson: I tried finding something similar for my sister, with no luck. I actually have a bottle of Flowers Antonias she returned to me. She thought it didn’t smell enough like freesia. I think the closest I came was the one by Demeter, for one note freesia. October 26, 2021 at 10:06pm
annique: https://www.tradera.com/item/341490/507678536/rare-antonias-flowers-floret-edt-sealed-antonia-s-50-ml
I have this sealed Antonia’s Flowers Floret… November 1, 2021 at 9:22am
Jamie Kroul: I too am a very sad Antonias flowers devotee. I’ve tried everything and it all seems too sweet– Antonias flowers had this sharp light freshness upon spraying and the lingering scent stayed light, never sweetened, never smelled like cheap perfume. So I’m writing, two years after your post to ask for any updates. Have you found a good replacement? April 6, 2023 at 5:03pm
Jessica: I’m looking for something spicy and autumnal (groundbreaking, I know!). Have sampled a lot of lovely scents that are very sumptuous and heady but what I’m really craving is something that feels both spicy and clean/crisp… October 25, 2021 at 3:28pm
Aurora: Hello Jessica: Do you know Hermes Voyage, both the edt and the parfum version? The main spice is cardamom, so you have to like that, it is not heavy, some citrus too, it dries down to wood and musk (clean, not animalic), another idea might be Frederic Malle Noir Epices which is sweeter than the Hermes with cinnamon but light. October 25, 2021 at 4:59pm
Susan: Aurora got me thinking about cardamom. Remarkable People by Etat Libre d’Orange is another cardamom one. Quite citrusy and sweet. Very uplifting. October 25, 2021 at 5:29pm
Jessica: Thanks, Susan! I’ve often wondered where to start with ELDO, this sounds very promising! October 26, 2021 at 12:41pm
Jessica: Thank you so much Aurora, both sound lovely! I’m looking forward to sampling these October 26, 2021 at 12:39pm
Nikos: If you don’t have a problem wearing a fragrance marketed to men I would suggest you try Guerlain’s L’instant pour homme EDT. It’s a spicy cacao and patchouli fragrance that is perfect for the season and despite the notes is very shear and truly unisex. October 26, 2021 at 4:34am
Jessica: No problem at all! I will seek it out – thank you! October 26, 2021 at 12:42pm
Morelle: Please give Tilda Swinton Like This (ELDO) a try. You can find an extensive review in Victoria’s archives. I’m wearing it today, and it seems a perfect match for my current vista: the neighbour’s staghorn sumach, bathed in bright sunlight, an explosion of reds and yellows. October 29, 2021 at 5:03am
annique: https://www.tradera.com/item/341490/507678536/rare-antonias-flowers-floret-edt-sealed-antonia-s-50-ml
I have this sealed Antonia’s Flowers Floret… November 1, 2021 at 9:23am
Kitty: I know that there were several additions to the List of substances that were banned in 2020 and 2021. I would to love see updated recommendations of favorites that survived the latest round of restrictions. If possible 😊 October 25, 2021 at 6:18pm
irem: Hello Kitty, what a great idea to make a list like this. Unfortunately, I have not much to contribute. Worse, I fear that my beloved Cristalle EdT did not survive the latest round of restrictions – or is in a vegetative state awaiting a wonder to happen. It has been listed as backordered for months now. First, I thought supply chains, but lately I have been suspecting IFRA. Oh well. October 26, 2021 at 12:51pm
Kitty: I know- that is what I am afraid has happened to Nahema! October 27, 2021 at 4:13pm
Alityke: It is back on the Chanel website in the U.K. but not general release. Not tried it as I bought every bottle I could find when it was d/ced. October 28, 2021 at 6:37am
Kitty: Oh I didn’t realize it was discontinued 😔. I live in the US. Any idea where I can find it here? October 29, 2021 at 7:28am
Linda: Hello everyone,
This is not a question, but a thank you message. Last month I asked you to recommend me perfumes for my outdoor activities, such as hiking, running, etc. I have received so many wonderful recommendations, and I have succeeded to find a scent which is very much in accordance with my wishes: Annick Goutal Nuit Etoilee is the scant which gives me energy, resonates with nature, and I think it transcends the seasons. I love to spray it before my runs.
Thank you. October 26, 2021 at 3:31am
Victoria: It’s so heartwarming to read such messages. Thank you very much for your comment, Linda. So glad that our community could help you. Enjoy your perfume and wear it in good health. October 26, 2021 at 3:45am
Nikos: Hello to everyone. I was wondering if someone could suggest a perfume with a prominent rice accord. I have tried Dojima by Mona di Orio which has a great rice note without being foodie at all but there is a resinous vibe that doesn’t quite agree with me. Also there is Talc by iunx but it’s so elusive to hold and so so frustratingly short lived on skin. Any suggestions are more than welcome. October 26, 2021 at 4:26am
Old Herbaceous: Hi! Farmacia SS Annunziata Regina has a prominent rice base note. It is a very lovely soft floral. October 26, 2021 at 8:42am
Morelle: From the same company there is also Fiore di Riso, another soft floral with prominent rice note. October 29, 2021 at 5:23pm
Old Herbaceous: P.S. You can read my thoughts on Regina here: https://scentsandsensibilities.co/2019/08/26/scent-sample-sunday-farmacia-ss-annunziata-dal-1561/ October 26, 2021 at 9:02am
Nikos: Thanks! I’m not sure I can find it where I live and I’m trying to cut my covid sample-buying addiction, but those photos of the Annunziata store in Florence made me want to visit! October 26, 2021 at 10:40am
carole macleod: Hi, Nikos! I love Dojima, too. What about L’artisan’s Safran Troublement? Not sure if it’s discontinued or not-I recently bought a bottle at a discount site. I really love it-saffron, rice, and roses. Def unisex. Good luck with the search:) October 26, 2021 at 10:05am
Nikos: Thanks! I’ll give it a try if I find it. Why all the good ones are getting discontinued btw?! October 26, 2021 at 10:41am
carole macleod: no idea-glad I bought a full bottle of D’zing, complete with the woman on a horse on the label-best bottle ever, in my opinion 🙂 October 26, 2021 at 12:17pm
Charlotte Barrow: I agree! Sadly I didn’t manage to get this bottle before the brilliant label disappeared… October 31, 2021 at 7:30am
Emily Rawlings: Heeley’s Blanc Poudre & Solinotes’ Cotton Flower have a powdery interpretation of rice at different price points if that piques your interest. A lovely fragrance that makes me think of rice without referencing it directly is Satori’s Hana Hiraku, an aquatic floral (I know, I know, but it’s delicate & complex & fascinating), which layers miso & shoyu with melon & magnolia & smells like eating a quiet, wholesome breakfast at dawn. It’s not too far from Zoologist’s Dragonfly, which does have a rice top note, but personally I prefer the serenity of the Satori. October 26, 2021 at 4:24pm
Nikos: Hana Hiraku is a very interesting fragrance indeed. Serene in such an unconventional way. Thanks for the recommendations! October 27, 2021 at 3:26am
Sebastian: Providence Perfume’s “Vientiane” has a most wonderful and realistic rice note. The fragrant rice combines with a little spice in a great way.. Unfortunately, the glory is over quickly, after 1.5 hours the perfume turns into something too sweet and pedestrian for my taste, but the beginning is truly captivating and well worth seeking out. October 27, 2021 at 5:33pm
Nikos: Thank you I’ll have to check it, I’m not familiar with this brand. October 28, 2021 at 5:24am
Meemo: Hi Nikos
Perhaps you could try Teo Cabanel’s Je Ne Sais Quoi. The notes list might suggest a foodie scent (sesame, hazelnut, rice, matcha tea) but it works, and lasts pretty well. I’m not widely travelled in perfumed lands, but I’ve never smelled anything like it. The company have an array of samples available and make some beautiful scents. October 27, 2021 at 5:37pm
Aurora: Hello Nikos: Etat Libre d’Orange Fils de Dieu du rid et des argues is an aromatic rice scent October 28, 2021 at 1:21am
Aurora: *it’s du riz et des agrumes sorry autocorrect didn’t like that 😃 October 28, 2021 at 3:36am
Nikos: Thank you! Luckily there is a store with etat here in Athens so I will be visiting soon and have a look. October 28, 2021 at 5:27am
Meemo: Maybe Teo Cabanel’s Je Ne Sais Quoi? Its notes make it sound more gourmand than it is, to me: hazelnut, sesame, rice, matcha tea. It’s warm and really unusual, and of course lovely. Teo Cabanel have many gorgeous scents. October 28, 2021 at 5:11am
Nikos: Thank you. Another one I’ve never heard of. I was hoping to cut down on my covid sample-buying addiction but I don’t see it happening now! October 28, 2021 at 5:25am
la_ninon: *following*
I’ve searched and searched and not found anything realistic. October 31, 2021 at 2:16pm
D Aktas: I already posted under its own review from many years back and wonder if I could find anything that gets close to Marc Jacobs for Woman which is sadly discontinued. October 26, 2021 at 6:08am
Aurora: Hello: The original Michael Kors is quite similar, slightly creamier and stronger. October 28, 2021 at 1:24am
Redhead: One day you meet a perfume which after the testing you wish you have never met. For me it’s Nasomatto Nuda. My heart is broken as this sexy jasmine is irreplaceable 🙁
If anyone knows anything close to it, please let me know. October 26, 2021 at 7:22am
Alityke: Sexy Jasmine finds me considering Lush’s Lust. It’s at the opposite end of the market to Nasomatto but in my opinion is well named. A carnal Jasmine soliflore October 28, 2021 at 6:45am
Redhead: Unfortunately I don’t smell any indols in lust, must admit only tested it once and it caused a funny reaction when i sprayed it on my skin: it made me burst out with laughter. It smelt jasminey, floral (!love this effect when you can almost feel crushed petals with your nostrils), only little camphoraceous, and nothing lustful in it at all. It made me think of being 16 again and going to disco, dancing and laughing my head off, happy and careless.. October 28, 2021 at 9:13am
Alityke: Glad I could make you smile even if Lust isn’t quite what you’re looking for😁
I’m guessing my other “sexy” jasmines might be the same. Both Lutens & now both limited none export. A La Nuit & Sarrasins.
A La Nuit is another straight up soliflore whereas Sarrasins is the most stunning Jasmine/leather which is an HG for many October 29, 2021 at 8:54am
Redhead: I’ve got both, Sarrasins and A la Nuit, they are not quite right though.. Nuda had that worn in warm skin smell, which I adore.. Never mind, I’ll find something similar or better one day! October 29, 2021 at 10:07am
Tourmaline: I had never tried a single perfume by Amouage until my birthday earlier this month. For that occasion, my generous Hawaiian pen-friend, Peter (whom I met on these pages), sent me a sample set of twelve 2ml vials of Amouage scents. So now I get to sample a whole batch of them! The set contains Gold, Reflection, Beach Hut, Honour, Dia, Bracken, Interlude, Beloved, Ubar, Jubilation 25, Portrayal and Sunshine.
So far, I have tried about half of them, and I am very impressed. Today I am wearing Dia Woman. It is such fun to smell the individual scent throughout the day and guess where it fits in Michael Edwards’ classification system. This one was easy – a floral aldehyde. Mr Edwards slots it into the Rich section. It was perfect for this very hot day in Brisbane.
Thanks again, Pekolo! October 26, 2021 at 9:55am
AnnieA: A lovely friend gave me a partial bottle of Dia and it definitely made me feel like a Rich Lady! October 28, 2021 at 9:32am
Tourmaline: I’m not surprised! Dia Woman reminds me a little of Rive Gauche, and Gold Woman does even more so. Suffice it to say that I am a fan of Rive Gauche! October 31, 2021 at 3:52am
Eudora: Hello! I have very few opportunities to test perfumes those days. When I go to the city for work I need to go to the point. I want to try again Shalimar but there are a lot of frankers. Which one is the least sweet of all. I like vanilla but dislike sweetness in general. I really appreciate your help. Thanks!
I loved loved loved a sample of Eau Duelle EDT. But there is also a EDP… October 26, 2021 at 10:53am
irem: Hi Eudora, I cannot claim to have tried all Shalimar flankers, I have worn all concentrations and tried some of the flankers. My choice for the least sweet would be the extrait or Shalimar Parfum. It is much more animalic and somewhat smokier than all the other Shalimar versions I have tried. Also, if you like the idea of Shalimar zero sugar, you might want to give Le Lion de Chanel a try. October 26, 2021 at 12:21pm
Eudora: Thanks irem! October 28, 2021 at 5:34pm
Julie: Hi Eudora,
I don’t wear Shalimar but I have tried it. Pretty but just not for me.
I prefer Anne Pliska and recently restocked. I do not find it to be sweet. It was released in the eighties. An elegant amber perfume also with a vanilla note. It’s a favorite of mine. 🙂 You may want to give it a try. It can be hard to find but usually, Luckyscent carries it. Bergamot takes the opening bow while a warm opulent amber envelopes orange, vanilla, and musk folding them into sheer amber perfection. Geranium & patchouli notes add to the mix of Anné Pliska’s classic perfume! I find it to be a comforting scent when the weather is cooler this time of year. Have fun and enjoy your perfume. I purchased Le Lion for my birthday last February. As “irem” commented 0 sweeteners in that perfume just gorgeous. October 27, 2021 at 1:22pm
Eudora: First time I hear about Anne Pliska, thanks. And I will try Le lion for sure. October 28, 2021 at 5:37pm
Frances: Hello Eudora,
I usually stick to classic Shalimar these days but in past, as an introduction to this impressive masterpiece, I used to wear and really like Shalimar Parfum Initial. They eventually discontinued it but last year they decided to bring it back, only now it is called L’Initial. Basically, it is Shalimar without the “edge” may I say (or rather the darkness)and with a lot of powdery iris. The base (tonka bean, caramel and white musk) is gourmand but not too much if my memory serves me well (Angel being the exception, I also dislike too gourmand a perfume).
Last year, Guerlain launched a flanker I definitely want to try, only I never found time to go to the perfumery and test it. It is called Shalimar Phildre de Parfum and a lot of Shalimar’s addicts seem to like it. If I trust the articles I read I don’t think it is too gourmand a fragrance but the almost medicinal bergamot of classic Shalimar has been rendered rather edible and evocative of lemon pie. It is obviously an easy to wear fragrance and some describe it as a perfect well balanced mix of Shalimar and Mon Guerlain (surely because of the powder and the touch of lavender). October 27, 2021 at 4:21pm
Frances: *Sorry, it is Shalimar PhilTre de Parfum and not PhilDre! October 27, 2021 at 4:30pm
Eudora: Thanks Frances, I’m taking note. October 28, 2021 at 5:40pm
Aurora: Hello Eudora: The way de cologne, recently discontinued I think is very bracing with plenty of bergamot. October 28, 2021 at 1:27am
Aurora: *Eau de cologne October 28, 2021 at 3:27am
Eudora: Thanks Aurora! October 28, 2021 at 5:40pm
kpaint: I am of the mind that there is a Shalimar for everyone. I’d start with the EDP, and then work your way through the EDT, extrait, and flankers. There is also a whole world of vintage Shalimar to discover.
Shalimar has never registered to me as sweet, but if that’s a concern, the Souffles and Initials are maybe not the place to start. October 31, 2021 at 9:59am
Eudora: There is a Shalimar for everyone is a very good sentence! In two days I will be discovering mine…? Interesting that you don’t thing it is sweet. I don’t know why I assumed it is. Thanks Kpaint. November 1, 2021 at 2:34pm
An: Hi everyone! Recently I sampled APOM pour Femme by MFK and I really liked it so I was wondering if anyone could recommend something similar? It’s a bright & warm ylang and orange blossom combo that I found very comforting. October 26, 2021 at 2:32pm
Emily Rawlings: Haven’t actually smelled APOM pour Femme so sorry if this is a reach, but I recently got a sample of Prosody London’s beguiling Jacinth Jonquil from Indigo Perfumery & fell for it so hard I now have a full bottle & have been spritzing it nearly every day, cannot get enough. It’s a warm & vibrant natural floral with sandalwood instead of APOM’s cedar & narcissus & jasmine instead of APOM’s orange blossom. Sounds like they could be kissing cousins. Lush & seductive. October 26, 2021 at 4:42pm
An: Thank you, I’ve never heard of this one! I’ll definitely check it out, even if not exactly the same things but maybe the “feel” of them is similar. 🙂 October 27, 2021 at 2:47pm
Aurora: Hello An: I’ll recommend Lush Orange Blossom, one of my favorites, I’ve just checked the notes and it does contain ylang-yang so maybe it would be worth trying. It may be sweeter than APOM, it really smells natural though with real essential oils. October 28, 2021 at 3:33am
Rakasa: Hi, An. Aurelien Guichard, one of my favorite artisanal perfumers, created a fabulous Comoros Ylang Ylang blended with Tunisian Orange Blossom that you may well enjoy. He blended it with Lebanese Neroli in his Matiere Premiere Neroli Oranger. Is always uplifting; and well worth every cent. I bought the full bottle immediately on trying the generous sized sample. Sorry so late. Have been away. Am fairly certain it’s only available via the Matiere Premiere website. November 8, 2021 at 3:39pm
Matty: Right now I’m wearing Nicolai Parfumeur Musc Intense and I’m loving the pear scent, very few ingredients but it lasts a really long time & I can’t stop sniffing my wrist. October 26, 2021 at 5:40pm
Frances: Yes it is. When I became an adult, she encouraged me to wear it saying it was a “scented heirloom”. I like this idea very much. October 28, 2021 at 11:33am
Frances: Sorry, the comment ended on the wrong place. October 28, 2021 at 11:34am
Johaboha: Hello everyone! I recently got a sample of Maison Crivelli’s Osmanthe Kodoshan. Unfortunately it has no lasting power at all on me, although I really liked it. I would say that the scent captures the image of foggy hills, that the brand gives as inspiration, very well. Notes include tea and leather, so it is not a bright cologne style osmanthus. Does anybody have an inspiration where to look for a similar scent profile? October 28, 2021 at 3:02pm
Sebastian: Perhaps Cuir Celeste by Ex Nihilo? I don’t know yet, but it’s on my to-try list for exactly the same reason. Would be glad to hear from anyone who can make an informed comparison. October 28, 2021 at 4:38pm
Johaboha: It sounds interesting! I will seek it out and woukd appreciaye to hear your thoughts if you try it! November 2, 2021 at 12:30pm
Karina: Les Indemodables Cuir de Chine is Osmanthus and leather (very soft – no barn in sight!!) but may be more in the direction of what you‘re looking for. October 31, 2021 at 4:07am
Johaboha: Thank you for the suggestion. The bottle is beautiful. November 2, 2021 at 12:31pm
la_ninon: Osmanthe Interdite and Osmanthe Yunnan both have leather and the former has tea, but they are also very gentle. October 31, 2021 at 3:56pm
Johaboha: Thank you! I will try to test them! November 2, 2021 at 12:33pm
Maria: Dear all,
I first wrote on the September RMAP thread and would like to thank you so much for the suggestions! This month was quite hectic so couldn’t really get to the store and try everything but I will in a near future, and obviously update you here and thank you again. I have now quite a specific question and would be immensely grateful if you could help. Have a 40th birthday of a friend coming up and would like to surprise her with a perfume. Her husband thinks it’s a good idea for her to have an alternative since she only wears Miss Dior EDP which I know was recently reformulated and is quite different – she has the 2018 version. He also says in the past she wore Flower by Kenzo – I suppose the normal EDP. Does any mainstream suggestions come to your mind? I wouldn’t dare to blind buy any niche perfumes. Thank you in advance for your kind thoughts. October 29, 2021 at 6:30am
Aurora: Hello Maria: How kind to want to do this for your friend, maybe since she wore Kenzo Flower she might enjoy another powdery perfume like Narciso Poudré for eg, the Narcisos are quite mainstream but are very well done I think and quite universally appealing; another idea would be My Burberry Black, it has the patchouli of Miss Dior, and the link is that it reminds me of Miss Dior le Parfum which was a limited edition and such a lovely and elevated version but is long discontinued, the Burberry is on the sweet side with peach and amber too. Another possibility would be to offer your friend sample sets, it might be fun for her to test a bunch of new scents. October 29, 2021 at 12:15pm
Maria: Dear Aurora, thank you for your suggestions. Ended up buying YSL Mon Paris, which has some similar notes to Miss Dior 2012 (she also had that one before the 2017 version). My friend was extremely pleased with the perfume – she tried the sample I offered her with the bottle for a few days and decided to keep the perfume 🙂 so overall I was happy with my risk taking and very thankful for what this blog is teaching me everyday. Thank you all!!! November 4, 2021 at 9:29am
Aurora: Hello Maria: So pleased for you and your friend, thank you for your answer; yes, Mon Paris I can see how it is in the same vein as the Miss Dior in all its confusing versions. Very Good idea to have given her a sample to test first. I too enjoy RMAP thread every month. Maybe we’ll be in touch in the next one😃. November 5, 2021 at 3:43am
Sue Williames: L’Occitane used to have a wonderful scent called simply Amber. It was discontinued a few years ago. Does anyone know of anything similar? It was a warm and subtle scent. I haven’t found anything to replace it that is labelled Amber that hasn’t seemed harsh and in-your-face. Thanks in advance for any helpful comments. October 29, 2021 at 6:36pm
Karina: Im afraid I don’t know that Occitane one, but a subtle amber that I enjoy is the Hermessence Ambre Narguile. October 31, 2021 at 4:39am
Sue: Thanks, Karina! I will look for this. November 1, 2021 at 1:12pm
Charlotte Barrow: Hi Sue, I assume you are talking about the older version of L’Occitane’s Ambre, the eau de toilette, rather than the newer eau de parfum, which is still available? If you’re not familiar with the EDP, I find it quite similar, albeit sweeter and less woody, but still quite lovely.
If you’re not a fan of the EDP, I would suggest trying Eau des Merveilles by Hermes, which is a warm amber with a similar woodiness to the EDT plus an addictive dose of salt (see Victoria’s review on this website). Another good option might be Ambre Nue by Atelier Cologne, which is warm and full-bodied without being heavy. I’d be interested to know what you think! October 31, 2021 at 7:26am
Sue Williams: Thank you for the recommendations. I will look for both of these. November 1, 2021 at 1:10pm
la_ninon: Can anyone recommend a perfume with a clear, lasting black tea note? Lost Alice is nothing but synthetic sweets (Strawberry Shortcake doll) on my skin, unfortunately. I love Cartier La Treiziemme Heure XIII and get black tea along with the maté, but I can only find the reformulation, which is very faint. Tysm. October 31, 2021 at 2:24pm
Charlotte Barrow: Hi la_ninon, I’m not familiar with the fragrances you mentioned but I love Tea for Two by L’artisan, it’s very soft, sweet and spiced; perhaps more of a chai than a black tea. For something fresher, I quite like Penhaligon’s Malabah with lemon and ginger. November 7, 2021 at 5:58pm
Katherina: Bonjour! Je cherche quelque chose très sensuel et en même temps qui donnera la sensation d’un très grand air raffiné (j’ai un seul favoris imbattable Sarrasins SL). Sa temperature pour moi est magnifiquement froide…
J’aimerais connaître encore un aussi transparent et magésteux avec un côté indechiffrable voir illegal, noir, indicible. November 2, 2021 at 12:23pm
Aurora: Bonjour Katherina: C’est peut-être difficile de trouver un parfum qui rivalise pour toi avec Sarrasins, quelles fleurs à part le jasmin et quelles notes de base à part l’encens sont tes favorites? November 6, 2021 at 10:44am
Katherina: Iris et bois de santal. Un grand merci! November 6, 2021 at 11:24am
Aurora: Merci Katerina, je vois qu’un de mes parfums préférés l’Artisan Parfumeur Bois Farine a de l’iris et du bois de santal mais je ne le considère pas comme un parfum noir, plutôt gris perle😀 et un autre de mes préférés Annick Goutal Heure Exquise a ces même notes mais à nouveau pas vraiment noir, bleu à mon avis. Si je pense à des parfums riches et noirs c’est Amouage qui me vient à l’esprit, un favori est Gold Woman mais toute la collection est intéressante, peut-être aussi certains Tom Ford avec ‘noir’ dans leurs noms, j’aime Noir Extrême qui est unisex je trouve. November 6, 2021 at 1:52pm
Katherina: Quelle joie! Merci beaucoup, Aurore! J’essayerai Bois Farine car j’affectionne cette maison. Là je comprends que la facette noire n’est pas la première dans ma rechèrche mais plutôt la légèreté… November 6, 2021 at 2:06pm
Aurora: Je suis bien contente que les recommendations te soient utiles, bonne chance😃 November 6, 2021 at 2:33pm
Aurora: Aussi la note de rose avec de l’encens et/ou du patchouli comme Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady ou Terry de Gunzburg Rouge Nocturne don’t des parfums sombres mais je be said pas si tu aimes une note de Rose. Voilà, je n’ai pas d’autre idée pour le moment. November 6, 2021 at 2:30pm
Maria: Hi everyone! I’m very fond of Sisley Izia, but I thought something less sweet and flowery might be better for winter. I’ve tried their Izia la Nuit and I actually liked its light green scent with blackcurrant notes, but after two hours there was only a rather heavy base left. Could anyone recommend something fresh, light, maybe a bit flowery, and yet complex even after a couple of hours? November 2, 2021 at 2:21pm
Aurora: Hello Maria: I think Amouage perfumes are complex, they are mostly heavy hitters so would not fill you requirements but there is Dia beautifully rich in flowers but still light. Maybe also Serge Lutens Fleurs de Citronnier but only if you like white flowers, you didn’t specify what were your favorite flowers. November 3, 2021 at 9:03pm