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
79 Comments
Cyndi: I was wondering if anyone can give me some new recommendations for Spring. Most of my warmer weather fragrances tend to be floral such as Dior Pure Poison, Chanel No. 5 eau premiere, soft florals. I do not like extra soapy or what I call screechy perfumes. Any recommendations? Thanks! February 26, 2024 at 9:18am
Sandra: En passant by F Malle is a nice spring scent February 26, 2024 at 9:58am
AndreaR: Jasmins Marzipane by Lancome (Dominic Ropion) might fit the bill. February 26, 2024 at 10:32am
Anu: Hi Cyndi, Rogue Perfumery’s Champs Lunaires is another tuberose I highly recommend. Chanel No 19 edt, Heure Excuise by Goutal, Esprit D’Oscar by Oscar de la Renta, Divine by Divine, Fleur de Lalita by Parfums Dusita, Gucci Bloom Gucci are some other florals that I enjoy in Spring. Have fun with your search. 🙂 February 26, 2024 at 12:41pm
Cyndi: They all sound good! Thank you! February 26, 2024 at 2:55pm
Aurora: Hi Cindy, I second En Passant for a beautiful lilac,also, Guerlain Chamade might suit you, it has spring flowers, hyacinth mainly, and is also quite green at the top. It is complex and lasts a long time on my skin, I don’t find it soapy. Mimosa and violet are my favorites for spring. Just in case you like these flowers too you could try Serge Lutens Bois de Violette and for mimosa Le Couvent, Mimosa and Perris Monte Carlo, Mimosa Tanneron. February 26, 2024 at 1:13pm
Cyndi: Thank you! I’ll look for them and try them out February 26, 2024 at 2:57pm
Kathy: I happen to be wearing No. 19 Poudre today, and it fits our Spring weather very well! February 26, 2024 at 3:10pm
Caitlenn: Maybe try the subtle yet upbeat freshness of Maison Crivelli’s Osmanthe Kodoshan.
Or a spring freshness that hints at mystery in Hermessence’s Iris Ukiyoe – Jean Claude Ellena’s fragrant poem reflecting the geisha/waterworlds of Japan. February 26, 2024 at 5:28pm
Hilde: Hi Cyndi.
If you like the style of Chanel n° 5 Eau Première, I would recommend You l’Âme Soeur from Parfums Divine. It reminds me of Chanel n° 22 which I owned in the eightees. Recently I discovered Guerlain Liu. Both are gorgeous aldehydes.
You should also try l’Être Aimé femme, also from Parfums Divine. It has that typical burned character from the immortelle flower. Not everyone’s style I think, but I find it ideal for summer.
By the way, this small perfume house has excellent perfumes. There iris scent, l’Esprit Libre, is also stunning.
Aurora already suggested Le Couvent Mimosa and Perris Monte Carlo Mimosa Tanneron. They are indeed beautiful.
Le Couvent has also a soft and a bit powdery neroli fragrance: Acqua Palmaris.
Sylvaine Delacourte’s Olyssia and Oranzo are both very nice orange flower compositions.
Tendresse Cruelle by Oxymore, a small brand, is an explosion of powdery florals. February 27, 2024 at 9:36am
JillS: I like Diptyque Do Son, a beautiful tuberose. February 26, 2024 at 10:12am
Kamila: Cartier Baiser Vole, Hermes Hiris, Oscar de la Renta Esprit d Oscar, Abercrombie&Fitch First Instinct Sheer, Guerlain Terracotta, Gucci Bloom, Sara Jessica Parker Lovely 🤍 February 27, 2024 at 1:07am
Jeannie Psomas: I would love a spring perfume that energizes and uplifts me but is also complex and surprising. I have been enjoying citrus notes as well as woody scents and botanical scents. I tend to be attracted to things like bergamont and tomato vine, although I’m *really sad how fast a lot of those scents tend to fade on my skin*
My go-to summer scent last year was Nomenclature fluo_ral, which I will often layer over other things. For many years I wore Molecule 01 which I adored for the way it would stick onto my clothes 😛 I’ve also enjoyed Aedes de Venustas’ Signature and right now LeLabo’s Bergamont has been wonderful, but also, I’m running out of my sample!
Give me a surprising, long lasting, slightly punk rock scent for spring and I will be so happy. February 26, 2024 at 10:32am
Cheryl: “slightly punk rock”. I love this madly. February 26, 2024 at 11:06am
Christine Nashat Kalleeny: L’Ombre dans L’eau by Diptyique is a gorgeous photorealistic summer garden that undercores the tomato vine! February 26, 2024 at 11:56am
Jeannie Psomas: Yummy! February 26, 2024 at 4:10pm
Viktoriya: Hi,
Ex Nihilo – Blue Talisman
Olfactive Studio – Flash back (but honestly this one can be not really long lasting)
Alex Simone – Encore Un Peu February 26, 2024 at 12:42pm
Aurora: Hi Jeannie, Hermès Un Jardin sur le Nil has grapefruit, quite citrussy on top, green mango and tomato and lasts a good while, I’m not sure it’s punk rock though😃 February 26, 2024 at 1:17pm
Jeannie: Sounds delicious! February 26, 2024 at 4:08pm
Jeannie Psomas: Sounds delicious either way! February 26, 2024 at 4:11pm
Emily: Fun challenge! My suggestion would be Parfum d’Empire’s Corsica Furiosa. Bracing & beautifully crafted. The greenest green that ever greened? Takes me right back to childhood, riding dirt bikes down California canyons, crushed flora in our wake. Smells like freedom. Exhilarating. February 26, 2024 at 1:32pm
Jeannie Psomas: I cannot WAIT to try this! thank u! February 27, 2024 at 12:01am
Ashley Tacub: I have this and do love it. So very green but also so unique March 1, 2024 at 9:24am
Alityke: Jacomo Silences an astringent green. Cacharel Eden is the forerunner to Mugler Aura & Malle’s Synthetic Jungle. The last three are certainly punk rock fragrances. Not suitable for blind buys though February 26, 2024 at 2:24pm
Klaas: Hey there Jeannie, I second Corsica Curiosa, it’s a super green and super fun fragrance. And natural smelling yet very bold……
There’s a lot of tomato leaf, basil and citrus in Sisleys Eau de Campagne. Its a summer holiday in a bottle, a joy to wear, but rather short lived……
And as for punk rock……you MUST try Enscelade by Marc Antoine Barrois. Rhubarb on Vetiver on steroids…….it’s a love or hate kind of fragrance, but punk rock it is!!
Enjoy sampling! March 9, 2024 at 11:06am
Cris: Hello, if someone is familiar with Moroccanoil hair treatment, the oil, maybe can help me find a perfume close to it. I am looking for a complex perfume and something long lasting… thanks! February 26, 2024 at 11:00am
Viktoriya: Hi, did you try their own fragrance mist, Brumes du Maroc? The most similar to it is Prada – Candy Kiss February 26, 2024 at 12:10pm
Patricia Anne Bryan: All my buys have to be “budget”..would like recommendations for Freesia,jasmine or ylang-ylang scents please. February 26, 2024 at 11:02am
Emily: The Solinotes line is well-crafted, from Paris, & available (in the States at least) at Target & Walmart for affordable prices ($24 for 50ml, though smaller sizes also exist). Jasmine, Freesia, & Ylang-slang scents all exist in that line.
I enjoy their Iris as a pillow scent nearly every evening. February 26, 2024 at 11:09am
Rene Saller: White Diamonds (the OG version) definitely has the jasmine and ylang-ylang covered–it reminds me a bit of the poor girl’s Ysatis. All the concentrations are quite nice, but I most enjoy the pure parfum, which you can usually buy online for a song–that one seems to have the strongest ylang-ylang note. February 26, 2024 at 1:43pm
Alityke: The Nuxe fragrances might suit February 26, 2024 at 2:26pm
Mariann: If you have access to the Body Shop Full Ylang Ylang is great as are the others of that line. March 4, 2024 at 6:42pm
Hecta: I am looking for a powdery clean perfume and I am in a budget. Would appreciate your ideas. February 26, 2024 at 11:03am
Sophia: Good Morning Hecta. Have you tried les parfums Bien Aimé? Jours Heureux and La Vie en Fleur. Distingué, powdery … what a scent I love them. February 26, 2024 at 11:29am
Rene Saller: I recommend Junoon (ultimate powder bomb) and Junoon Noir (only somewhat less powdery) by Al Haramain. Those are both beautiful powdery fragrances that evoke vintage cosmetics scents, in the way of Misia (not budget, never will be, sob) and Kenzo Flower (which isn’t exactly budget but can still be acquired relatively cheaply from the discount sites). February 26, 2024 at 1:48pm
Joyti: I’d love to find a creamy sandalwood scent. I used to love the almond milk and creamy sandalwood drydown in Neela Vermeire’s Mohur before it was reformulated – something along those lines…. February 26, 2024 at 11:38am
Viktoriya: Hi, Santal Carmin by Atelier Cologne is nice (and pretty much creamy) sandalwood February 26, 2024 at 12:17pm
joyti: thank you!! I’ll pick up a sample 🙂 February 26, 2024 at 2:22pm
Rene Saller: For me the ultimate creamy sandalwood fragrance is Samsara (vintage if you can find it, but the new formulations in the bouchon coeur bottles are still quite wonderful). That one probably already occurred to you, though. February 26, 2024 at 1:50pm
la_ninon: Oh no! I loved the Mohur extrait…what a shame (I just posted about another reformulation below). Have you tried the parfum formula of Bois des Iles? February 26, 2024 at 3:46pm
Susan Miller: Original Santal by Creed is truly sublime. Not inexpensive, but beautiful. Samples and decants? February 29, 2024 at 11:10am
Kaisa: Mohur was reformulated, when did that happen? 😟
I can recommend trying Piano Santal (L’Orchestre Parfum) for a pleasing “soliwood” and Loewe 001 woman for a light casual florally sandalwood. March 1, 2024 at 8:06am
Anu: Hello, I am hoping some of you can think of a perfume similar to Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Ciel de GUM. It is a spicy floral amber vanilla. It has been discontinued and I sorely miss it. TIA February 26, 2024 at 12:49pm
Aurora: Hello Anu:. I made a search on Bloom perfumery website for you, the first two listed as resembling Ciel de gum are Carner Barcelona Marbella and also Rima XI, Ormonde Jayne Ta’if, Atelier des ors Rose Omeyyade, 106 by Bon Parfumeur, 1000’1Night by Swedoft. Good luck with finding a replacement, it’s not easy. February 27, 2024 at 10:27am
Anu: Thank you so much! I will look into these recs. February 27, 2024 at 4:10pm
Kaisa: Hi there, not really come across anything very similar… personally I don’t connect Ta’if, Rima xi or Rose Omeyade with it at all.
Maybe ina similar vein, try Sogno Reale and Rituale by Mendittorosa. March 1, 2024 at 8:10am
Anu: Thank you Kaisa, I will look into these. March 1, 2024 at 12:32pm
Alexandra: If you could visit just one small perfume store in London, which would it be? February 26, 2024 at 2:12pm
Aurora: Hi Alexandra, I live in London and recommend Bloom in the Covent Garden area, they specialize in niche perfumes, it’s a welcoming place, you can try lots of perfumes. February 26, 2024 at 2:47pm
Alexandra: Thanks so much, Aurora. I believe I”ll go there. I’m especially keen to try Cloon Keen for the first time. I enjoy bracing, unisex scents and it seems like they might be up my alley… March 7, 2024 at 7:04pm
Aurora: Hi Alexandra, thank you for your answer. For Cloon Keen it’s at Les Senteurs, 71 Elizabeth Street in the Victoria station area. It’s a excellent perfumery too, many brands. Have a fantastic time. March 8, 2024 at 10:23am
Alexandra: Thanks, Aurora! I was mixing up my London niche perfume shops. Thanks for setting me straight. March 18, 2024 at 5:43pm
Alexandra: Aurora, I wanted to give you a quick update on my perfume exploration in London. Thanks for recommending Bloom. The staff were fantastic and suggested some interesting fragrances with rhubarb notes. I was able to visit the new fragrance hall in the lower level of Liberty; what an elegant and relaxing place to enjoy scent. Les Senteurs was a bit of a disappointment; the Cloon Keen scents weren’t quite as I had imagined them. But I did enjoy Encelade by Marc-Antoine Barrois there, and then popped into Jo Loves to try Mango Thai Lime, which did not disappoint. Thanks again for the London recs! April 16, 2024 at 6:32pm
Aurora: Hello Alexandra: How kind to let me know. So pleased you found Bloom a welcoming place, yes I too find them knowledgeable and they’re not pushy, nothing is too much trouble. Thank you also for your feedback on Cloon Keen, I guess I will be in no hurry to try them now. Mango Thai Lime has been on my radar too, we may have similar taste. So glad you enjoyed London! I’ve really enjoyed our exchange😀 April 17, 2024 at 7:55pm
la_ninon: I always recommend Hiram Green Moon Bloom as a deep, radiant white floral, but I just got a fresh sample and, sadly, it is a whisper of its former self. Can anyone recommend another profound, non-vanillic/non-beachy tuberose, jasmine, lily, or gardenia? I recently tried Xinu OroNardo and it’s beautiful, but more than I want to spend on what is essentially a soliflore; same re. Dusita Melodie de l’Amour. Thank you! February 26, 2024 at 3:45pm
Sebastian: What? Incredible, I’d seriously thought Hiram Green wouldn’t do that. Well. What about (vintage) Boucheron, if you can get
it? Or Bandit? Or Ysatis? Or even Jil Sander No 4? February 26, 2024 at 5:39pm
la_ninon: Thank you so much–I absurdly haven’t tried any of these! I have so much respect for Hiram…maybe the accessibility of certain ingredients changed? I had the same experience testing the reformulated Shangri-La though 🙁 February 26, 2024 at 6:44pm
Klaas: Hey Ninon, Madagascan Jasmine by Grandiflora is a beautiful Jasmine soliflore. I never smelled their other fragrances, but lots of white florals there!
Drama Nuui by Pierre Guillaume is a very beautiful jasmine as well……
Hermes Cèdre Sambac?
Good luck with your search, it’s terrible when a favorite gets reformulated, especially by a trusted brand like Hiram Green…… March 9, 2024 at 10:55am
Jamal: I’m looking for a green, woody floral fragrance that is not particularly powdery nor aldehydic. Some examples of such fragrances I already own are: Vent Vert, N°19, Bel Respiro. Obviously galbanum is a trend there and while I enjoy the note, I like the green facet to have complexity and not be so legible. February 26, 2024 at 3:51pm
la_ninon: I adore green floral chypres and DSH Verte Pour Madame is my favorite example, but it’s d/c; Dawn has some other retro-ish offerings that are worth sampling. Vintage Niki de St Phalle is stunning, but hard to find these days (I just rolled the dice on a cheap bottle on ebay and it had turned). I also love Givenchy III, Aubade, and 70s era Miss Dior (earlier formulations are more citric/sunny). You might also like Puredistance Antonia. February 26, 2024 at 6:42pm
Aurora: Hi Jamal: You may have tried already Ralph Lauren Safari. Also Hermès Voyage, you have to like cardamom, it has two concentrations, parfum and EDT, the EDT is definitely greener and more transparent. February 26, 2024 at 7:33pm
Mari: Hi Jamal, I wonder if you’d like Bottega Veneta Illusione for Her (can’t vouch for the Him flanker), and Eris Parfums Green Spell? The former is a blend of fig leaf, citrus notes, jasmine, and cedar, and the latter is heavy on the galbanum, fig leaf, tomato leaf, and vetiver. February 27, 2024 at 7:16pm
Kaisa: Try Papillon perfumes’ Dryad. Also, vintage Givenchy III is a beauty as is Miss Dior. March 1, 2024 at 8:16am
Klaas: Hey Jamal, I second Dryad! It is green and complex, with many twists and turns. The opening is reminiscent of vintage Vol de Nuit (Guerlain), to give you an idea of how good it is 😉 March 9, 2024 at 11:15am
Jeannie Psomas: Wow what a description…!! Definitely need to try it based on what you’ve outlined! February 26, 2024 at 4:09pm
Shannon: It’s not a springtime scent; however, I am sadly reaching the end of my last bottle of Loewe Quizas, Quizas, Quizas Pasion, a now discontinued favorite.
Any recommendations for something similar? A fruity and floral fragrance with woody amber fresh notes, a gourmand without being too heavy?
Merci beaucoup ! Thank you!! February 27, 2024 at 5:07am
Aurora: Hello Shannon, I read the description because I don’t know this perfume, it makes me think of Cacharel Amor Amor immediately, a perfume I used when I was younger, the best part of Amor Amor is the first hour. It may sound a bit too juvenile for you but might be worth a try? It’s not expensive but sample first. February 27, 2024 at 10:45am
saleel: Interesting article. Being from this industry i really appreciate your dedication towards scents and fragrances February 27, 2024 at 1:31pm
Julie: Please rec. perfume that smells of violets. Not just as scent containing violet. Like for me Chanel #5 smells like violets to me. February 28, 2024 at 2:12am
Cristina Mariani: Lipstick Rose by Malle February 28, 2024 at 3:00pm
ClareObscure: Hi Julie. I’m mad about violet perfumes, too. I recommend Balenciaga with the crackle glaze top. It’s a delightful violet fragrance. Hope you can get hold of some & try it. March 1, 2024 at 9:41pm
Almi: Hello to all! I am looking for a Spring violet/violet leaf scent. I adore Violet Blonde but it is sadly discontinued…I like a bit of powder but mostly green and with an edge. March 3, 2024 at 5:10am
Aurora: Hi Almi:
As above Balenciaga and l’Essence are very good but discontinued, I recommend Arquiste Aleksandr and Goutal La Violette to try and also check out Geoffrey Beene Grey Flannel for men, it’s not expensive and does have violet. My favorite violet is Serge Lutens Bois de Violette but it’s more woody than green. March 3, 2024 at 9:21am
Muireann: Hello all, I’m a little late to this post, but have a specific request. I love white florals, especially tuberose (Carnal Flower, Fracas, Honour 43, Estée Lauder Tuberose Gardenia) and I also love classic chypres (Mitsouko, Knowing, Jubilation 25 etc.)
I would love a tuberose scent with a prominent chypre base, mossy and earthy (oakmoss/patchouli). Thank you! March 4, 2024 at 9:55am
Aurora: Hello Muireann:. I think Divine by Divine Parfum might suit you, check their website Divine Parfum, they’re based in Western France. They have great deals on their discovery sets. March 4, 2024 at 6:45pm
Saleel: Hi. Although i am writing this comment in March i am still recommending Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey: Known for its timeless appeal, this fragrance has a blend of floral and aquatic notes, making it a refreshing option for the spring.
Hope you heard this perfume and will like it 🙂 March 8, 2024 at 3:46pm
Mari: Hello all. I hope I’m not too late for this thread. I am looking for a perfume that is a photorealistic take on spring blooming trees/shrubs/flowers. I love the scents of my region in spring. These include mountain laurel trees, anacua trees, persimmon trees, jasmine, southern magnolia, and orange and lemon blossoms, among many others.
I find that most of the fragrances I’ve encountered that feature those floral notes are smooth and refined. I’m looking for something that’s truer to nature; something that captures those dusty notes, the soil, the green notes of the leaves and stems, and the indolic aspects of these plants. March 17, 2024 at 1:07pm
Shannon: For an earthy musk, I recommend Encre Noire from Lalique. It’s a men’s fragrance, but it could work for a woman too. It makes me think of ferns, mossy hiking paths, new spring growth in the forest, almost a petrichor scent, though it’s not hitting those lighter orange blossom notes you mentioned. Good luck! March 25, 2024 at 9:16am
Mari: Thank you, Shannon! I have Encre Noire, but I haven’t used it in some time. Your comment has inspired me to wear it again. March 25, 2024 at 6:46pm