Wishing you a joyful New Year filled with peace, happiness, and prosperity. May the coming year be a time of tranquility, bringing you comfort and harmony in every moment. Here’s to fresh beginnings and the promise of a brighter tomorrow!
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.
Above all, I would like to know what perfumes stood out to you in 2024. What fragrances did you wear the most? What do you still want to try? My fragrance of the day today is Dominique Ropion’s A Rose is A Rose, a composition that hides rose petals in layers of soft amber and dark woods.
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
65 Comments
MmkinPA: This year I did a “366” project wearing a different perfume each day, posting on my Instagram. I had done this once before but the goal this time was to really evaluate the perfume and whether or not I want to keep it in my collection. I think I was somewhat successful- my “out box” has quite a few items. I also realized which perfumes need to be worn more, either due to being a decant in danger of evaporation or because I forgot how much I love it. But I still have FAR too many options to be able to ever make a dent (I have only finished one bottle in the perhaps 12 years I have been dedicated to perfume). Today I’ll wear Kenzo Jungle l’Elephant for a “New Year’s Eve Eve” party (sprayed judiciously!). My only real newness was from Nicolaï, one of my favorite houses. I purchased Victoire and a travel set of the new gourmands. I can’t say that I have given any of them a real workout due to wearing something different each day but look forward to doing so in 2025. Happy New Year to all. December 30, 2024 at 9:19am
Old Herbaceous: Ooh, you smell great in L’Elephant! But I agree, judicious spraying is the way to go with that. Happy New Year to you too! December 30, 2024 at 12:00pm
Jo Ann Herbert: Thank you for offering this. I haven’t worn perfume for about 30 yrs. I became too sensitive. But now I really would like to find a nice one (thanks for your directions how to sample). I love the smell of rose, jasmine…i’m a novice. I will say I really dislike pachouli (overdosed from peers ~hippie days!) I have an old empty bottle of Joy that seems to smells good to me….Thankyou to everyone. Jo Ann December 31, 2024 at 11:56pm
Alityke: Welcome
I think you meant to start a new conversation with this question, reading your other post.
No you don’t have to pay to comment, just scroll to the end of all the comments. There is a box there to open a new comment rather than use the reply function on conversations already going on. Hope that helps.
In answer to your question, I suggest initially you check what is in your local department store for the classics such as Chanel’s, Guerlains & Lauder’s, do a search for reviews & notes. Then try them on a paper spill in the department store. Remember to write what the perfume is on the paper.
From these you will find out your likes & dislikes.
Sadly, Patou’s Joy is no longer made. Though if you like Joy maybe start with other Jasmine/Rose florals such as Chanel No5
Hope this helps January 7, 2025 at 12:20pm
Aurora: Hello everyone, what perfume are you going to wear for New Year’s Eve? Do you have a tradition or do you base your choice on the weather or something else? December 30, 2024 at 9:30am
Hollis Sherman: Mostly based on weather…or mood! Its unseasonably warm but I’ll still probably go with a cold weather fragrance like Jungle. December 30, 2024 at 9:53am
Aurora: Hello Hollis, thank you very much for your answer, I used to wear No 5 vintage EDT over the past few years and once Baghari, I think like you I’ll see what the weather and my mood are. Best wishes for a happy New Year. December 30, 2024 at 1:15pm
Maggiecat: A tradition would be nice, but I don’t have one. I will base my choice on my mood, planned activity, weather, and/or meaningful nature of the scent. I recently returned from a lovely almost three week cruise in the Mediterranean with three new, locally made perfumes, each somewhat different from what I usually wear. Each will remind me of a special part of my trip, so I’ll probably choose one of them for NYE.
No parties for us this year – just a quiet evening at home, comforting our pup who is terrified of the inevitable fireworks. There will be champagne though!
Looking forward to hearing what others will be doing and wearing. December 30, 2024 at 9:57am
Samantha: What a lovely idea! Will you please share? Thank you! December 30, 2024 at 12:34pm
Aurora: Hi Samantha: Your cruise sounds heavenly, and wonderful that you will be able to connect scents and places. I sort of had a tradition No 5 vintage EDT but this year may go with something else. Your planning to be home is definitely reassuring for your pet. Happy New Year! December 30, 2024 at 1:21pm
Aurora: Sorry Samantha, this was meant as an answer to Maggiecat. December 30, 2024 at 5:04pm
Aurora: *Sorry Maggiecat, I had replied to Samantha instead. December 30, 2024 at 5:02pm
Maggiecat: I was only momentarily confused! 🙂 December 30, 2024 at 10:01pm
Jo Ann Herbert: I tried to ask a question here. Must you have to be a paid subscriber? When I tried to post they system said I already asked the question. maybe you can let me know. Thankyou Maggiecal. December 31, 2024 at 11:59pm
Aurora: Jumping in here, all questions, comments… etc are free on Bois de Jasmin, it must have been a glitch, don’t give up Jo Ann😀 January 7, 2025 at 3:20pm
Emily: My tradition is to wear Parfum d’Empire’s exquisite Le Cri de la Lumière. Not at all an aldehydic floral girl as a rule, & don’t wear it a lot throughout the rest of the year, but there’s something so wintery & hopeful about this masterpiece. It’s smells how crystal pinging sounds. December 30, 2024 at 10:21am
Aurora: Hi Emily, Parfum d’Empire is such a great brand. I bet you’ll smell lovely. I don’t know Le Cri but have two others from this house which I treasure. December 30, 2024 at 1:25pm
Lynley: I usually wear Yvresse/Champagne on NYE December 30, 2024 at 2:24pm
Aurora: That’s such a great choice, Linley! December 30, 2024 at 4:02pm
nozknoz: New Years Eve is a great time to wear something rich, festive and classical, so I like to wear Amouage Gold, Dia, or Beloved.
I don’t wear Chanel No. 5 myself, but it would also fit the occasion. December 30, 2024 at 8:27pm
Aurora: Oh, lovely choices! January 7, 2025 at 3:15pm
Aliya: Wishing all of you fellow readers and perfume lovers a bright new year, I’d like to share a beautiful discovery of mine. I was in Rome just recently and found a local brand and shop called Essenzialmente Laura nestled in a historical neighborhood. I’ve become very hard to please over time; to my surprise, every fragrance of theirs felt excellently crafted and pleasing to my nose. I came back the day after. I have a feeling the materials were so well combined, in a way I rarely have experienced before (I don’t want to say never, but rarely, yes.) their style being refined and apothecarial both at the same time. They do have a website, also. There, here’s my little “present”. December 30, 2024 at 9:44am
Aurora: Rome at the beginning of the Jubilee! How wonderful to discover a new perfume house too. I’m making a note of it. Happy New Year Aliya. December 30, 2024 at 1:29pm
Hollis Sherman: Nothing beats Kenzo’s Jungle l’Elephant for this time of year. The fruit and clove combination is so delicious without being overly sweet. Also, a great go-to is Winter Woods from Sonoma Scent Studio. Warm, kinda boozy, and very cozy!
Earlier this year we traveled to the Andalusia region of Spain, and I went orange and orange blossom all the way! I found myself reaching for Tocca Stella almost every day, as well as the very straightforward Orange Blossom from Jo Malone.
Unfortunately I didn’t try any new (released in 2024) fragrances this year. Victoria, what were a few of your favorites? December 30, 2024 at 9:44am
Aliya: I see my comment got deleted. Again now, let me share with you all a beautiful discovery of mine. I was in Rome just recently and found a local brand/shop called Essenzialmente Laura. I loved their perfumes so much I came back two days in a row. The materials were so well combined, in a way I rarely have experienced before (I don’t want to say never, but rarely, yes.) their style being refined and apothecarial at the same time. Do check them out. There, my little “present”. December 30, 2024 at 10:57am
Aliya: Oh, okay sorry for posting twice. December 30, 2024 at 1:20pm
Lee: I’m interested in trying Phlur’s Father Figure. Kind of a trendy brand in the US at the moment, but this particular fig-based fragrance gets rave reviews and really intrigues me. Any experiences with this one? Please share! December 30, 2024 at 11:40am
Old Herbaceous: My true 2024 love is Nicolai’s Une Fleur en Mai, a beautiful muguet fragrance, but I also bought Lá Bealtaine by Cloon Keen and Hiram Green’s Arbolé (not 2024 launches). Most of what I bought this year were discovery sets or travel sizes, as I have way too many full bottles. I’ve been very impressed by Parfums Dusita’s Pelagos and Hermès’ Barénia. December 30, 2024 at 11:59am
Old Herbaceous: Question for you, Victoria, and others here: I’m going to Vienna and Salzburg at the end of February. Do you recommend any particular perfumeries in either city? And whom would you identify as the most prominent Austrian perfumers? Thanks! December 30, 2024 at 12:02pm
nozknoz: Knize Ten originates with the tailor Knize in Vienna, and there are other variations that I’ve always wanted to sniff.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DDEWBgSMxEk/?hl=en
Also may I please have a pair of the blue leather gloves? 😉 December 30, 2024 at 8:34pm
Robyn: Hi all, A Rose is a Rose with rose, Amber and woods sounds right up my alley, so I’ll give that a try, thank you. My holy grail is Norma Kamali Incense, which I can’t find anywhere, if folks have suggestions for something close? I recently hunted down Eau Capitale (Dyptique – rose/patchouli) for my daughter, and I’ll be wearing Dominique Ropion/Frederic Malle/Albert Elbaz’s Superstitious on New Year’s Eve – applied v. sparingly. Bonne annee! December 30, 2024 at 12:04pm
Aurora: Bonne Année Robyn, I Hope you find your Kamali Incense next year. I like A Goutal Encens Flamboyant (a church in Provence), TF Sahara Noir (but very heavy), Etro Messe de Minuit, Babycat and Vanagloria which are both vanilla incense.. Comme des garçons Incense séries is also very good. December 30, 2024 at 1:39pm
Robyn: Great, thanks! Can’t wait to try these! January 2, 2025 at 9:44am
Mary: Wishing you all a Happy and Peaceful New Year! I have been wearing Tauer AU COEUR DU DÉSERT and Jorum Studios Arborist, and sometimes mixing the two, craving the warm woody resinous underpinnings. I think I will spend the winter exploring my accumulated samples for any hidden gems. Reading about then orange blossom above (and Andalusia) may be stirring my cravings for something new. December 30, 2024 at 12:10pm
Aurora: Mary, my bag of samples has become full, I think I’ll start the year by following your example. My favorite orange blossom is Devotion, it’s gourmand but with enough abstraction to make it interesting. December 30, 2024 at 1:45pm
Nina Zolotow: Happy New Year, Everyone! My favorite perfume purchase of 2024 year was a recommendation from Victoria: Jo Malone Mimosa & Cardamom. Mimosa/Acacia is a very nostalgic scent for me because I grew up around acacia trees. And this one does smell very much like the scent of acacia blossoms wafting on a warm breeze. It’s also rather low key so more wearable for me than Farnesiana (which I still love), but the scent is still very cheerful and uplifting.
I’ve been very lax about trying new releases. Partly that’s because I already have so many perfumes that shopping the closest makes more sense than buying new perfumes. But also it is because so many of the new releases have such harsh synthetics in them that my perfume friends and I have become very discouraged (not to mention getting headaches). I’m sure there are still treasures to be found, though. December 30, 2024 at 2:53pm
Aurora: Happy New Year Nina. You make Mimosa& Cardamom very tempting. So far Mimosa Tanneron is my best mimosa. I don’t know if you’ve heard of Une Fleur de Cassie, I’ve always wanted to try it but because it has cumin it’s probably a no-go for me. December 31, 2024 at 10:37am
Nina Z: I have never tried Mimosa Tanneron and now I must! You must at least sniff Une Fleur de Cassie. It’s extraordinary because it has both mimosa and acacia and smells just like acacia blossoms up close. I find it hard to wear, though. I don’t believe it has cumin in it. See https://boisdejasmin.com/2007/01/frederic-malle-une-fleur-de-cassie-perfume-review.html December 31, 2024 at 10:49am
Nancy: 2024 Flew by. Wishing everyone a joyful 2025 and that we pick up what we learned this year. In 2024 I made a dramatic lifestyle change by cutting out most fragrance-related social media sites from my life. It truly made me appreciate my mere 40-ish bottle collection. Hiram Green’s Lustre has quietly become my “signature” – the ever-fresh rose (no musk!) is such an easy pick-me-up. New Year’s Eve I will probably be wearing Fueguia 1833’s Caoba. The chocolatey patchouli with its subtle spiciness just seems right to conclude this year. December 31, 2024 at 1:52am
Carys: I was also toying with Jungle L’Elephant, but I’ve worn that a fair few times over December. I may go for Amouage Jubilation 25 – I don’t get much chance to wear it and a NY Party for 2025 seems the perfect opportunity. December 31, 2024 at 4:51am
Alityke: Wishing the whole world a peaceful, happy & healthy 2025!
I will probably wear my new bottle of Sarrasins today. No parties or pubs for us, just cuddling Mr Jarvis Cockapoo during the inevitable fireworks. He is so afraid of them.
I might wear something other than jeans though December 31, 2024 at 7:19am
Aurora: New Year’s Eve is the perfect occasion to wear a new bottle. December 31, 2024 at 1:54pm
Alityke: I’ve worn a knitted dress & chunky boots & have broken open the new Sarracins.
I’m a little sad at the diminution of the leather in the latest batch. Maybe a little oxidisation/ maceration is needed December 31, 2024 at 2:15pm
Aurora: Hope maturation will make Sarrasins all you want it to be. January 1, 2025 at 5:16am
Sarah: Hoping this great community can broaden my horizons for 2025. My most frequently worn fragrances this year were Hiram Green’s Shangri La, Vivacious, and Moon Bloom; DSH Perfume’s Vers la Voute Etoilée, Comme des Garçons Carnation, and Elizabeth and James Nirvana Rose. I spent the year sampling Guerlain, and my favorites were “pre-reformulation” Mitsouko (from Perfumed Court), though I know reformations have been quietly going on for decades, Jicky, and Chant d’Arômes. December 31, 2024 at 8:44am
Aurora: Thank you Nina! I’ll put Ufdc on my list to try for 2025. December 31, 2024 at 11:46am
Emi: Hello and happy new year !!
I am currently in a Vol de Nuit phase but after à while i can’t smell it on myself and i wish it would project more and have more sillage. I already layer the edt with the extrait for more longevity, and i am wondering if i could add Bergamot body lotion or maybe Shalimar body lotion to amp it up some more. What do you think ?
Thanks ! January 1, 2025 at 6:06am
Aurora: Hi Emi, another solution might be to take a break from VdN for a while, you may have become too used to it, I was wearing VdN extrait recently and it lasted until I washed it off. For the experiment with body lotion, Vanicream is very good because it’s unscented and you could use any essential oil to it, yes Bergamote or galbanum too. January 2, 2025 at 12:46pm
Lydia: Initio’s Atomic Rose seems perfect for a romantic NYE January 1, 2025 at 6:40pm
Aurora: Thank you for your answer Lydia, hope you had a great NYE. January 7, 2025 at 3:14pm
Aire: Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2025.
I really enjoy Hermes Caleche. However, the new formulation has a vetiver note that no longer works for me. (the drydown is like marijuana on me, a scent I detest). I’m wondering if there is any fragrance out there that could be a Caleche dupe? Thanks for any help! January 1, 2025 at 7:03pm
Alityke: Do you wear Caleche or Caleche Soie de Parfum. Or do both smell of Vetiver/cannabis on you? January 2, 2025 at 4:07am
Aire: About 3.5 to 4 hours after 3 light sprays, the sweet vetiver?/cedar? note appears and persists, far worse in the soir de parfum than the edt. Bummer. January 3, 2025 at 1:48pm
Alityke: Drat, a bummer indeed, but at least now you know.
Do feed back on the Gold & get a sample of Dia. Do feedback on your thoughts January 4, 2025 at 6:27am
Aurora: Hello Aire: Happy New Year, like Alityke I’m curious about which one of the two Calèches you were used to. I want to add, save a search for older Calèche bottles on Mercari and eBay, prices are very reasonable in the UK where I am, I even bought extrait in good condition for £41 for 50ml IIRC. Another aldehydic, symphonic perfume might be Arpège but nothing really replaces Calèche. January 2, 2025 at 12:38pm
Aire: The extrait is the best formulation, but I am running out and it is impossible to find here in U.S. (thanks for suggesting ebay).
I will wear the edt and sdp tomorrow and see if I can tell a difference between the formulations with that note. Will report back.
I am hoping one of the niche brands has a Caleche substitute. January 2, 2025 at 7:42pm
Aire: I am not able to wear the edt nor the sdp. These are new bottles. I have edt, soir de parfum / sdp, and bottles labeled eau de parfum, also new (confirmed authentic by a major, reliable department store- bottle is odd as it has a brown plastic cap, not gold, and I hadn’t seen “edp” formulation previously). I don’t care for sweet scents. Am interested in recommendations for a sophisticated, woodsy, citrus, floral. I know this is a difficult ask. The Hermes “lagune” smells a lot like Caleche Eau Delicate, but I’m hoping for more complexity and sophistication. Thank you! January 2, 2025 at 7:38pm
Alityke: If the edt/sdp don’t work do explore Amouage Dia & Gold.
Gold was the work Guy Robert, the same perfumer as Caleche Parfum.
I agree with Aurora, Arpege is a beautiful woody aldihydic fragrance but it is different to Caleche.
L’Aimant & No 5 are Arpege’s sisters but again much more floral than Caleche January 3, 2025 at 8:38am
Aire: Today, the edt smells much thinner than the sdp and I am not getting the dope smell yet from either one yet. It’s 43 degrees farengheit and raining. I wonder if that impacts the drydown? The problem is either vetiver or cedar or the combination of the two and it happens with the late drydown – the basenotes. Will report back.
I have a nice stockpile of Amouage Gold, some older, one bottle recent. Thank you so much for all of the suggestions! January 3, 2025 at 10:56am
Jo Ann Herbert:
To you My Dear Bois de Jasmin and to Alityke ~
So happy to receive this kindness.
Almost brings me to tears.
I just can’t really get around well on the internet
many times, not a lot of patience with it and myself…not doing social media or cell phone…now I can follow your direction!
It is very kind of you, very kind that you left this response for me.
I live on an island near Seattle where there is a Nordstrom and just the other day
I saw a small new shop in Seattle, a Fine Perfumery!
Thankyou for the reminder that I remembered reading from Bois de Jasmin
about testing perfumes.
You all are so helpful…hugs to you!
Love to you all and a Blessed New Year full of meaning and hope
Emoji EmojiEmojiEmojiEmoji
your new friend near Seattle, Wa. usa
Jo Ann Herbert RN, BSN (retired)
Vashon Is.
contact me if you come to the area! January 7, 2025 at 10:00pm
Alityke: Dear Jo Ann,
I’m also a retired nurse but in the UK.
Doing a quick search of perfumeries in Seattle, there is one in the Royal Sonesta Hotel called Parfumerie Nasreen. They appear to stock a wide range of brands & discovery sets.
There seem to be a few independant (indie) perfumers in Seattle too.
My advice though, start with what you can access in stores & visit Perfumerie Nasreen. Discovery sets are an excellent way to try a range of fragrances without spending $$$. Fragrance is a very expensive hobby! January 8, 2025 at 2:47am
Jo Ann Herbert: Hi Hamamelis, So fun to know you are in the Netherlands! I have never been but many oood thoughts for the people and beauty there. wow. I will look to sample those perfumes you mentioned. Thankyou for taking the time and ~ Come see me in the Pacific Northwest!! January 9, 2025 at 11:31pm
Caitlenn: Hi, Jo Ann. Wholeheartedly second Hamamelis recommendations re Perris Monte Carlo choices. I’ve come to rate Perris at the top of houses as their quality is always superb, far superior to many houses selling at twice the price. Both Rose de Mai & Jasmin de Pays are exquisite.
Two other roses, ones I suspect just might be particularly appealing to one who’s made the basin their home, are Maison Crivelli’s Rose Saltiflora and Frassai’s Rosa Sacra. Both Crevelli and Frassai are very good about rapid delivery of samples via mail.
Rose Saltiflora captures Crivelli’s own experience of unexpectedly finding fields of freshly blossomed roses, blown by sea winds amidst spindrift, during a stroll on the seaside.
Frassai’s Rosa Sacra marries a spicy/crystalline ottoman rose with the richly humid terroir of the Argentine Yungas – alongside a soft veil of palo santo & sandalwood in the base.
If you have any leanings towards oriental frags, looks like Parfumerie Nasreen carries one of the freshest oriental rose I’ve run across – Levant from Ormande Jayne. It blends peony/rose petals with jasmine/orange blossom mingled amidst amber & cedar. Nasreen also lists Balmain’s very unique rose, La Mome, a lovely rose-violet oriental amber. Should you have any interest in osmanthus’ florals, Perris Monte Carlo Absolue d’Osmanthe is truly quite special.
Fun to run across two more fans of Vashon and the Puget Sound basin at once – is a region up near the very top of my shortlist of most favorite places. I actually make it a habit to regularly visit, in spirit, visualizing the region when I get ready to meditate.
Sorry to say Hamamelis, I’ve never managed to visit the Netherlands despite much overseas travel – what’s it like this time of year? With what snow we’ve already gotten here at my home on the USA East Coast, must say I’m already pining for springtime on Vashon!
Sending hope and light with wishes for a joyful and prosperous New Year to all… January 14, 2025 at 10:58pm
Hamamelis: Hi Jo Ann,
I had a look at the brands that Perfumerie Nasreen sell, and for jasmin and rose you may wish to try Perris Monte Carlo. They do many what are called soliflores, e.g. Rose de Mai by Jean-Claude Ellena, a famous (and very good)
‘nose’ (a perfumer). They also sell a Jasmin soliflore, Jasmin de Pays, which you could sample. Some of these perfumes are sold on-line for a much lower price than in a store, but you may wish to support local businesses.
You live in an area I love very much! The Puguet Sound is so beautiful. I live in the Netherlands, very different. Good luck with finding a beautiful fragrance! January 8, 2025 at 5:22am
Jo Ann Herbert: Hi Hamamelis, So fun to know you are in the Netherlands! I have never been but many ood thoughts for the people and beauty there. wow. I will look to sample those perfumes you mentioned. Thankyou for taking the time and ~ Come see me in the Pacific Northwest!! January 9, 2025 at 11:28pm