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
57 Comments
Alessandra: Dear community,
Can you recommend a soft and original musk for spring? Bois et Musc and Musc Nomade are long-time favourites, but I am always looking for something even more peculiar, and non-obvious… sometimes even a bit smoky without being too overpoweringly so.
Thanks in advance! 😊 March 25, 2024 at 10:09am
Hana: I enjoyed Les Indemodables Musc des Sables. It has both facets I like about musky perfumes – airy and fluffy top notes and animalic, warm base. March 25, 2024 at 11:07am
Alessandra: Thank you 😊 March 26, 2024 at 4:57pm
Aurora: Hi Alessandra: Cacharel Noa is a lovely musk, it is very distinctive and cuddly. Bonus it is very affordable, Victoria has a review. I’m sure Musc des sables must be wonderful as Les Indémodables house rank so highly, also if you haven’t yet, try Frédéric Malle Musc Ravageur. March 27, 2024 at 11:00am
Alessandra: I do have musc ravageur and it is far from soft haha… it has a big presence, which I love but in winter.. I completely forgot about Noa, will check! Thank you 🙂 April 1, 2024 at 5:42am
cristina gradisteanu: Every year, in the first sunny days of spring I like to wear Carat by Cartier. March 25, 2024 at 11:43am
Aurora: I have tried Carat several times, I agree, perfect for spring. March 27, 2024 at 3:27pm
Anu: I am hoping you Perfumistas can suggest a perfume(s) that in your opinion are the most similar to Amouage Gold Woman pre-formulation. I have a sample of the original formula which is almost finished and and the consensus on all the fragrance websites is that the new formulation is a mere shadow of the original. Do you agree? I have tried vintage Madame Rochas and it smells more green to me. Plus it does not have the beautiful Civet, Ambergris and musk drydown that Gold Woman had. I did not find Hermes Caleche similar either. I would love to find something with the same magic that the Original Gold had. Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance for your time. March 25, 2024 at 2:49pm
Sebastian: Why not try Gold Man? It has withstood the whips and scorns of time rather better than Woman. March 25, 2024 at 6:01pm
Anu: Sebastian, thanks for that suggestion. I will get my hands on a sample of Gold Man. March 26, 2024 at 11:58am
Aurora: Hello Anu, I have an older formulation 30ml Gold (bought on Fragrancenet 10 years ago)and I understand your concerns as this version is so special. I haven’t smelled the version sold currently nor the true vintage, so can’t weigh in on the debate. My advice is to save a search on eBay for vintage or older Gold. March 27, 2024 at 11:12am
Anu: Thanks for that suggestion Aurora! March 28, 2024 at 1:40pm
Aire: I know exactly your dilemma. Had a “debate” at a Alexis Hotel perfumery as they sold me a post- reformulation Amouage Woman Gold bottle, but had me sample the pre-reformulation for testing.I contacted Amouage via email and never received a response.
Anyway, Caleche is horrible now, too, so we can’t go there. I shifted to extrait in Cuir de Russie and Mitsouko. They smell elegant and womanly and on an entirely different plane than most fragrances.That’s the vibe I wanted. No. 5 smells
sweet to me, so, no. Cartier La Panthere might be worth a try as well. March 27, 2024 at 3:31pm
Anu: Aire, I have a mini of Cartier la Panthere. I will give it a test. Thanks for your suggestions. March 28, 2024 at 1:43pm
Maureen A Slevin: I love Hermes Un Jardin sur Le Nil and the original Chanel Coco. Can’t understand the fuss over Coco Mademoiselle. And really wish Madame Rochas had never been discontinued, as well as Sortilege. Loved and wore them.
Any ideas or suggestions? So many current scents just smell like chemicals to me. March 25, 2024 at 4:47pm
Hamamelis: Sortilege is still available on the Galion site. They sell 10 ml for 30 euro’s. You also could try Goutal’s Heure Exquise, or as you love Un Jardin sur le Nil, Neela Vermeire’s Bombay Bling. March 26, 2024 at 11:10am
Aurora: Hi Maureen, also, check eBay for your favorites, I bought vintage Sortilège for much cheaper than the current one and it is well preserved, go with a bottle with its box from a reputable seller to avoid disappointment. If you like a light leather the recently discontinued Bottega Veneta gives me that classic vibe. March 27, 2024 at 11:20am
Kiwi: Would anyone be able to recommend a replacement for Fleur de Louis? It’s not listed on Arquiste’s website anymore and upon enquiring I found it was replaced with the similarly-named but entirely unrelated l’Or de Louis (a smoky sticky orange blossom) 🙁 Fleur to me smells of pine, neroli, iris (orris root), rose (the rosewater note that Victoria has written an article on) and cedar. It’s been described as an aldehydic floral, though the aromatic/woody notes are a bit atypical for the genre. March 25, 2024 at 7:58pm
Michele O. brown: Hello Ladies. I’m wondering what everyone thinks about the hair perfume sprays. I love the Amika Hair products one, but they discontinued it. Not sure why. It was very lovely in the dry down. A soft floral and with a wisp of vanilla. I did spray a bit on my wrists and it lasted all day and into the night. Just love the whole hair perfume thingy. Please let me know your opinions. Michele March 25, 2024 at 9:52pm
Ai-Ling: I am a fan! I have a couple perfumed hair sprays, but I use them both in my hair and as a body spray. I first got them because I was looking for more lightweight versions of my favorite perfumes and realize the hair perfumes might just do the trick (FM Musc Ravageur, BDK Gris Charnel). I tend to wear them in the summer when the EDPs can sometimes feel a bit too much in the heat. The Frederic Malle hair sprays are beautiful and substantial enough to last all day. Diptyque and Nishane also has some lovely hair perfumes I would love to try. March 30, 2024 at 10:50am
Alessandra: I love hair perfumes, but I still have to find THE one. I mean: Kurkdjan’s baccarat rouge would be, I adore it and I adore the perfume, but it is so specific and precipus that it is far from the idea of uncomplicated, everyday hair scent I would look for.. also, it would clash with most other perfumes.. perhaps no.5 by chanel and diptyque’s eau rose hair scents are the best options… but since the ideal still doesn’t exist imo, I wonder what the best way is to, say, have some light musk or amber scent in one’s hair… April 1, 2024 at 5:48am
Navneet Raghuraman: Hi guys, I am 26 year old male from India. It’s going to be summer here, high humidity. Can you suggest me some stunning perfumes for this weather? I have loved dior sauvage, BDC, YSL Y, I am looking for something that’s just gets me compliments and lasts long thanks. March 26, 2024 at 1:47am
Victoria: Have you tried Paco Rabanne One Million or Black XS? One Million the original might be a bit on the sweet side, but it’s still worth trying, because it has a great sillage and longevity. Chanel Egoiste Platinum is more along the lines of Dior Sauvage. March 27, 2024 at 11:34am
Navneet Raghuraman: Thank you, any other brands you would suggest Paco Rabbane is too common, Chanel Egoiste Platinum gotta try, anything else that will help me stand out? Thanks March 29, 2024 at 6:44am
Hilde: I have always been obsessed by the intoxicating smell of white lilies with their orange-brown stamen and I am looking for a perfume that smells exactly like that or almost nearby. March 26, 2024 at 12:09pm
Sebastian: My favorite lily perfume is Lys Méditerranée (Malle). It’s very elegant and serious and a bit aqueous. I also like Rinascimento (Ferragamo), a pretty, white-green lily-tuberose combination with a bit of creaminess and moderate sweetness. The tuberose somewhat dominates the lily, though. In the sweet, warm and oriental direction there would be Lily Ambre (Aimée de Mars), which I find lighthearted and not cloying. March 26, 2024 at 6:11pm
Hilde: Thank You Sebastian for your suggestions. I own Lily Ambre myself (I like it), but I don’t know the other ones. I am very curious to try Rinascimento. March 28, 2024 at 4:26am
Sebastian: See below, my reply to you ended up in the wrong conversation. March 28, 2024 at 5:28am
Hilde: How kind of You Sebastian trying to help me with a sample. Alas, I live in Belgium.
But I don’t mind if Victoria gives you my e-mail adress. March 28, 2024 at 6:47am
Aurora: Hi Hilde: It’s Sebastian who made me discover Lys Méditerranée and I have especially enjoyed my sample in the summer. Donna Karan Gold is often described as very realistic, I find it a little heavy-sweet, it is also discontinued but still plentiful and inexpensive on eBay.uk (I reside in the UK). Also try Serge Lutens Un Lys, very majestic and expensive I think, and not a soliflore lily but I adore Pierre Guillaume/Parfumerie Générale Louanges Profanes. March 27, 2024 at 11:35am
Hilde: Hi Aurora. Also many thanks for Your suggestions.
The only one I have tried was Donna Karan Gold, but I wasn’t fond of it.
But I must definitely try the other ones.
And You are right, some perfumes are indeed quite expensive, but if the quality is worth it, I consider to afford myself one. March 28, 2024 at 4:37am
Sebastian: Dear Hilde, Ferragamo don’t do samples I believe, and Rinascimento is sort of hard to find in shops outside of Italy. ALzD and Ess. Nobile don’t list it, either. If you’re in Germany (as your name leads me to suspect), I might be able to help you. If you’re on parfumo.de, please ask Victoria to forward your nickname to me, otherwise your email, and I’ll be in touch. March 28, 2024 at 5:25am
Sebastian: Oh, did I? How nice of you to say so! And thank you for reminding me of Louanges Profanes – such a lovely scent. March 28, 2024 at 5:14am
Alessandra: Lys Méditerranée, Un Lys and Casablanca Lily April 1, 2024 at 5:49am
Sunny: Has anyone tried Carthusia fragrances? I was randomly given a sample of Gelsomini di Capri and it’s gorgeous. I have never heard of this house before, are there any other fragrances that I should try? March 27, 2024 at 2:54am
Aurora: Hi Sunny, I have Carthusia Mediterraneo, a lemon scent, very natural-smelling which I greatly enjoy in summer, it’s light so doesn’t care well in winter. The Carthusia line is long established, they also have Fiori Di Capri, a nice floral, the other ones I haven’t tried yet. March 27, 2024 at 11:48am
Aurora: *fare not care March 27, 2024 at 11:49am
Aire: Aria is a mature, nice fruity chypre.
Fiori is a gentle, soapy tuberose – old fashioned. I have it in parfum, edt, and edp. March 27, 2024 at 3:34pm
Shirley Adams: Please recommend me a perfume similar to Acqua di Parma Gelsimino Nobile — something very heavy on white flowers and the addition of patchouli and amber is fine. Lots of sillage and projection. Price under $75 . Thanks in advance March 27, 2024 at 11:22am
Aurora: Hi Shirley, I ran a search in Michael Edwards Match it Fragrance finder for you (check it out, it’s fun, maybe a little bit hit and miss), and it suggests Chloe Nomade Jasmin Naturel intense and Jacques Fath Jasmin de Toscane, oh and the 3rd one is Guerlain very expensive Jasmin Grandiflorum extrait. March 27, 2024 at 11:59am
Angela: I’m wondering if someone can recommend some “modern” chypres. I’m looking for a perfume that is reminiscent of the style, but lacking most of the qualities that might be considered old fashioned. Something like HDP’s 1969, but less synthetic-smelling, or Diptyque’s Eau Capitale, but sweeter, would be ideal. Preference is for the fragrance to veer slightly feminine. TIA! March 27, 2024 at 1:31pm
Hilde: Hi Angela. Chypres (especially green chypres) are amongst my favourite perfumes.
I would recommend You these ones (I own them all):
Jean-Louis Sherrer (I own a current version of both the edt and edp and I find them quite good)
Sisley Eau du Soir
Paloma Picasso (I don’t know if the current version is still as good as it was in the nineties)
Diva by Emanuel Ungaro
The Different Company Sublime Balkiss: they call it themselves a modern chypre March 28, 2024 at 7:31am
Angela: Wonderful, Hilde. Thank you! March 28, 2024 at 11:01am
Eric Brandon: Drat, I responded to you in a separate post, just below! 🥲 March 28, 2024 at 2:26pm
Eric Brandon: I love 31 Rue Cambon, famously billed as an oakmoss-less chypre. A bit grand for everyday but I never regret putting it on. You might like Odalisque from Parfum de Nicolai. Grandiflora Sandrine might also qualify, in the mold of Cristalle maybe. March 28, 2024 at 2:25pm
Amy: I have been obsessing over a much-missed perfume of my youth, KL by Lagerfeld. I bought a tiny decant last year and it made my longing for a real bottle worse, but I can’t afford one from eBay. I’m looking for a KL-esque scent to try, one that’s more readily available for closer to $100. Thank you! (A few of my other faves: vintage Shiseido Féminité du Bois, Hermes Elixir des Merveilles, Scherrer II. I recently blind bought Kenzo Jungle l’éléphant, too) March 29, 2024 at 12:29am
Aurora: Hi Amy: I’m sorry that your favorite is discontinued, a tip I want to share about eBay, patience is key, one day you might be able to get it for a good price. Meanwhile I think you might like Fragonard Grain de Soleil, it has the amber and spices of KL, I enjoy it and it is very affordable, and more expensive but still around $100 but you get only 35ml is Masque Milano Tango, again a really nice amber with spices. March 29, 2024 at 9:24am
Aurora: I thought of another budget amber, really good, l’Erbolario Meharées. March 29, 2024 at 9:46am
Amy: Thank you so much—I don’t know any of these! And yes I’ll be patient and hope to get my KL some day. March 30, 2024 at 2:09pm
Aurora: How nice of you to thank me Amy😃, you’re most welcome and I just want to give a precision, Tango has cumin among the spices and many of us struggle with cumin, I find it interesting but a bit challenging while the two others definitely have the nice cinnamon of KL and are readily appealing. Happy Easter if you celebrate. March 30, 2024 at 5:42pm
Gwendolyn Lord: I love perfume. Prefer vanilla, oud, sandalwood and
Incense scents, this off-beat brands. March 29, 2024 at 2:19am
Navneet Raghuraman: Please suggest best summer masculine perfumes that stand out. I live in india and i’m 26, heavy beard, i workout so i look manly af just need a scent that suits. Currently using BDC March 29, 2024 at 6:47am
Aurora: Maybe the Hermès masculine scents would suit you. Terre is the most famous, a woody, mineral, vetiver, try the regular and also the parfum which is long-lasting. The other ones are Bel-Ami, a nice leather, there used to be a flanker Bel-Ami vetiver, it may have been recently discontinued but might be still available in stores in India, and Équipage, Équipage Geranium is especially good but again might be discontinued but may be available in shops. Also, if you like cardamom test Voyage parfum, I find it beautiful. March 29, 2024 at 11:10am
OnWingsofSaffron: Hello Navneet,
In principle, fragrances, like colours (say beige), tastes (say cumin) or scents (say tagetes), are completely genderless. That is also reflected in many fragrance companies — for instance Serge Lutens or the Hermès exclusives — where everyone can wear any perfume regardless of sex.
In that liberated spirit, go for what scent profile you like, whatever makes you feel confident!
You might want to ask yourself (a) whom you are wanting to express (b) what? Vis-à-vis your colleagues, do you want to come across as reliable and confident? Are you hanging out with friends and want to smell fun? Are you on holiday with a special person and want to project a somewhat different aura than say attending auntie Lakshmi’s 63rd birthday? Or do you want one perfume for all instances; then you just may want to tone down the volume a notch and just smell nice.
If you are interested in finding your personal scent, there are great websites likes Bois de Jasmin, and great books as well. Perhaps you‘d be interested in the website https://persolaise.com or a book like Neil Chapman‘s „Perfume: In Search of Your Signatur Scent“. March 31, 2024 at 6:16am
John Luna: I agree with the two posts below me — Terre d’Hermès is a great fragrance (especially I think as a bridge between youth and maturity), and of course there is no reason to limit yourself to fragrances only marketed to men. With that all said, here are a few of my recommendations:
CROWD-PLEASER: Guerlain Homme Eau de Parfum — a fresh hit of mint, lime and rum (the ‘mojito accord’) followed by a breezy woody (vetiver and cedar) base softened by a subtle floral accord. Simple and direct, but really quite pleasing to be around. My son wears this (29, also bearded) and the sillage is great on him.
COUNTER-INTUITIVE CHARMER: I love to wear Habit Rouge (again, Guerlain) in the spring/ summer…With its cinnamon and sandalwood notes, some think of it as a cool-weather scent, but it has a terrific freshness from citrus and carnation that wears well on the skin when the sun is out.
OLD-SCHOOL GRAVITAS: Lately I’ve rediscovered YSL’s Kouros, and really come to love its solid structure and soapy accords. It has a reputation for being challenging, but I find it quite wearable. I wore it through the later winter and plan to wear it right through the summer.
WEARABLE ‘FEMININE’: My son wears vintage YSL Opium for Women often and it smells great on him, and surprisingly ‘manly’ (Opium has a surprising amount of notes in common with Old Spice)… Wearing a spicy, smoky fragrance in high heat may sound crazy, like the English drinking hot tea in the desert, but it works.
Good luck! April 3, 2024 at 11:15pm
John Luna: [*two posts above me] April 3, 2024 at 11:16pm
Aurora: Hi John, what great titles and descriptions. April 5, 2024 at 3:30pm