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
51 Comments
ClareObscure: Hello to my fellow fragrance friends, fans of Victoria’s Bois de Jasmin. I’ve always loved this forum for talking about perfume.
The pandemic took a toll on my sense of smell. I got it back but with a marked intolerance for a strong accord in many perfumes, possibly oud, agar wood or ??. All I know is if it’s present in the blend, it’s not pleasant & can be sickening in large hits.
Has anyone here had a similar issue?
Even perfumes I used to like can have this ‘hard to identify’ note & are no longer wearable. It’s mostly in perfumes described as exotic or sensual boudoir types. An example is Boucheron Paris, EDP in the blue box. I now use it as a room freshener & love the cola with flowers 💐 aspect but only after the offending strong fixative smell dispels. On my skin it lingers and is offensive to my post-Covid nose.
Has anyone had this type of sudden change to their tolerance for a perfume component?
At least blind buying is now out of the question. 👛 April 14, 2025 at 10:06am
Aurora: Hi ClareObscure: First I’m sorry covid left you with this issue. The culprit might also be ambroxan, cachalox and other synthetic ambergris, I am very sensitive to it and it is present in so many perfumes these days unfortunately. April 14, 2025 at 2:30pm
Nina Z: I agree about ambroxan but it also could be any number of other modern aroma chemicals, including synthetic wood notes of all kinds. I myself have had this sensitivity for years, not caused by Covid. It does mean no blind buys but also learning which brands work for me and which don’t. Also I have better luck with some perfumers and bad luck with others. Interestingly I have no problems with vintage perfumes. I may not love a vintage perfume, but I never get any of those harsh synthetic notes from them. April 14, 2025 at 7:21pm
Kristin Moore: I’m curious, do you know if you have this sensitivity to natural/real Ambergris? I know it is now restricted from fragrances now, I thought perhaps you’d encountered authentic Ambergris from a vintage fragrance for example. April 14, 2025 at 8:08pm
Aurora: Hi Kristin, good question, a while back I tested Ambre Suprême by Les Indémodables which contains real ambergris and my reaction to it was less strong, not as much scratchiness at the back of my throat but still a pass, the other experiment was with a vintage Dioressence from the 70’s and that one passed with flying colors, no gagging or any allergic reaction. April 15, 2025 at 3:51am
Kristin Moore: That is so fascinating. I didn’t know that any perfumers were still using/allowed to use real Ambergris. I guess I need to look that up. I’m based in the states, so I think it is generally restricted here. And who knows, since authentic Ambergris is always potentially from a different animal, there’s likely no way to actually guarantee a specific chemical profile to it, ie, different bodies might produce different levels of this byproduct, if that makes sense? So, one whale might make a more potent product than another? Or, aging perhaps mellows the potency, therefore the vintage Dioressence wasn’t as irritating to you. Quite interesting! April 15, 2025 at 8:51am
Aurora: Yes, Kristin, I agree quality will vary, how long the ambergris stays in the ocean too, the health of the animal as you note.
Getting Les Indémodables discovery set even though it was mainly for checking on the ambergris question was such a positive experience as so many perfumes turned out to be beautiful and classically inspired with high quality materials. April 15, 2025 at 12:52pm
Kristin: Over the weekend I sampled the new(er) line from Louboutin, and I am so curious to see if you have sampled/reviewed this line yet (I haven’t seen anything when searching the site) and what others might think of the line, very particularly the L’Ambre, Le Cuir, and the L’Encens. I have to say, I am a bit blown away by the L’Ambre. Please know, I am just beginning my fragrance/Perfumer’s journey, I am in the process of developing a nose, discerning scent profiles, etc. I recently smelt some real Ambergris, and this Louboutin L’Ambre is SO, So very close! I do not detect a whiff of synthetic anything, but again, I am a newbie, I’d just love to get your take. This L’Ambre is forward, challenging, and seemingly not cut, diluted, or watered down with almost any other notes.
Another fragrance I’d love for you to review is by a very small house, Imaginary Authors, and the scent is, Bull’s Blood. This is an intriguing line, with such a charming pretext for their quite full lineup of imaginative fragrances. This one, Bull’s Blood in particular has quite honestly captivated me. I actually get the obvious note of Leather, as you’d expect, however it isn’t overly-dominant, and I’m able to pick up Sand, maybe a little Smoke, and yes, a strong iron/blood note! I think this one could be a unisex scent, too.
Of course, I’d love recommendations! For years I have considered Chanel 22 a signature scent, but I also love many of their Les Exclusives, I also wear from time-to-time Coromandel, and Beige. I have recently been on a mission to discover the vintage icons, what famous bygone movie stars wore, and am kind of obsessed with trying to smell either decants of the original fragrances, or authentic (as possible) recreations/dupes of them. It goes without saying, Guerlain dominates my “must try” list, and I’m working through those. Recent Love with a capital “L” are: Vol de Nuit, Shalimar, Habanita, Arpege, and yes, the old stalwart, Youth Dew. I love challenging and do not shy away from wearing them unapologetically. Anything smoky, woodsy, spicy, warm, and fougere/green is singing to me! Thanks for your consideration! April 14, 2025 at 10:12am
Aurora: Hi Kristin: FM Noir épices is spicy, woody and pretty unique, a classic in the making, a beautiful smoky incense like Comme des garçons Avignon, also the very affordable Coty l’Aimant especially vintage, quite plentiful on eBay I believe and Coty Emeraude which was the prototype of Shalimar and maybe you would like a chypre like Cartier La Panthère? April 14, 2025 at 6:58pm
Kristin Moore: Thank you so much for the recommendations! I remember smelling Emeraude as a child, so will definitely revisit, and I have read about L’Aimant, so will also explore there. Do you know, I completely forgot to mention that I actually already do wear La Panthere (how funny is that?), for the past seven-ish years, or so; I can’t believe I left that one out. It definitely is very animalic to my perception; I think they manage to trap quite a bit of wild cat in each bottle, haha. Again, thank you so much! April 14, 2025 at 8:04pm
connie loynd hill: Is there a perfume that smells of Peony flowers?
Thanks,
Connie Hill April 14, 2025 at 11:23am
Aurora: Hi: Armani Pivoine Suzhou is quite pretty, most of the Time peony is paired with rose. Yves Rocher Pivoine and Désir de Pivoine were lovely and a bargain but it’s discontinued, so only if you can get a good deal on eBay or Mercari. April 14, 2025 at 2:41pm
Aurora: Connie: Also, check out Victoria’s post recently, Sofya Dolna White Peony. April 14, 2025 at 2:48pm
ITK: If you like peony’s, try “Miss Dior”-“Blooming bouquet” by CD. You will be very pleased with it. Recently my friend discovered “Glass Blooms” by Regime des Fleurs and she gave me 4 ml to try. I was so surprised how well it is composed. Peony accord is very hard to do it well, but these two are masterpiece’s. April 14, 2025 at 4:26pm
Melinda Petersen: You should try Peonia Nobile by Acqua di Parma April 15, 2025 at 3:59am
Aire: Hello,
Please help me find a fragrance that is:
Understated, or even delicate, and serious.
Prefer greens, floral, soft woods, and aquatics.
Prefer classic style, currently enjoying Parfums de Nicolai.
Thanks so much! April 14, 2025 at 2:05pm
Kaisa: Not sure what you mean by serious, but then we all interpret these things differently. Have you tried Après l’Ondée by Guerlain? It is delicate and beautiful in a classic way having violet, iris and a bit of sweet guerlinade. Vol de Nuit is another wonderful Guerlain, kind of a green-oriental and you could say indeed a bit serious. Chant d’Arômes is a light, green aldehydic floral that isn’t serious but pretty and summery. All of them are not expensive in the Les Legendaires versions and well worth trying if you can.
From Chanel, La Pausa (iris) is beautiful though expensive. I also enjoy the current edp version of Chanel No.19 quite a bit, more than the current edt. It’s a green floral.
Since you like Nicolai, have you tried Iris Medicis Intense?
(I just realised that virtually all my recommendations have iris!) April 14, 2025 at 3:19pm
Kristin Moore: Wonderful recommendations! I love Chanel 19 and Vol de Nuit, and Apres L’Ondee is high on my Guerlain list to try. In your opinion, how would you say the Les Legendaires compare to their original, vintage formulations? Do they pale in comparison, or…? April 14, 2025 at 8:24pm
Kaisa: Well you know I don’t like to compare because vintage is so often unobtainable and/or expensive. I think the LL line is excellent and very good value for money. April 15, 2025 at 3:30am
Alityke: Apols for interrupting but the current Legendaires are better formulations, nearer to vintage than they have been in decades. That is just my opinion but I’ve worn various classic Guerlains since 1979. April 15, 2025 at 7:13am
Kristin Moore: Never interrupting and great to know! I’m trying to develop a sense of what the originals smelled like compared to what is available now, and have particularly noted some of Victoria’s articles where she discusses comparing originals to reformulations, and then sometimes she revisits when a reformulation has again been re-tooled. And yes, this can be quite the endeavour with so many vintage fragrances are quite hard to get/expensive. I suppose I just want to have that base knowledge, original vs, reformulation in order to deepen my knowledge/experience. April 15, 2025 at 8:43am
Kaisa: How interesting, and nice to hear from a long-time Guerlain fan! I’m so glad the LL line still exists. Have bought several, because you never know. April 15, 2025 at 3:27pm
allo: Hi Alityke, Would you say this about the current LL Jicky? I love the little bit of vintage Jicky I have but the version I bought 6 or 7 years ago in a Bee Bottle (not the nice ones) had a synthetic funk I couldn’t handle. Thank you! April 15, 2025 at 7:11pm
Alityke: As Jicky was my gateway into fine perfumery back in ‘79 I’m delighted to say Jicky is back on form, better than the last two formulations at least. So much so I bought a bottle! And I wear it regularly!
It isn’t what I fell in love with but that itself wasn’t the original formulation.
Still not a safe buy if you struggle with aromachemicals, but original Jicky was based on vanillin with the funky bits still in rather than vanilla.
If you can get a sample of the current version do, if not & you’re near a counter do ask if they stock Jicky, not all do.
I bought mine online after a recommendation from a blogger I trust for under €75 April 16, 2025 at 2:50am
allo: Thank you so much, Alityke. That’s very good news and I have found a bottle under $75 that I’m going to try. It’s worth it to me to see if there’s a current Jicky I like, before it disappears altogether. Thanks again. April 16, 2025 at 10:56am
rickyrebarco: I was going to recommend Parfums de Nicolai’s Iris de Medicis as well. It’s serious and seriously good, classic style and understated. Another one that I think you will like very much is Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist. Not sure if it’s readily available anymore, but if you find it buy it. It’s a gem!
A good green fragrance that is not overpowering and classic style is Eau d’Italie’s Jardin du Poete, with nice herb notes. April 14, 2025 at 3:35pm
Aurora: Hi Aire: And I’ll add to those, Goutal Le Chèvrefeuille, a green floral, I find it contemplative, also Diptyque l’Ombre Dans l’Eau, the EDT is more delicate than the EDP, Eau de Lierre from the same house, and only if you like or don’t mind a cardamom note Hermès Voyage edt might be a contender too, there is also the parfum version but it’s spicier and less transparent than the EDT. April 14, 2025 at 4:05pm
Kelly O’Neill: Highly recommend, please try Angeliques Sous La Pluie created by Jean-Claude Ellena for Frederic Malle. A soft, clean skin scent that transports me into nature and a state of calm. I pick up gentle notes of cedar and clouds and spring rain. Soft enough to wear anywhere and in all seasons. Would love to hear your thoughts and others. April 14, 2025 at 11:37pm
Ugo Criscuolo: I need a CARNATION fragrance! I already love Bellodgia, L’Oeillet by Angelos, L’Air du Temps, vintage Opium, Royal Oeillet by Oriza. I’d love something spicy, vintagy, realistic. Something not discontinued. Thanks April 14, 2025 at 2:14pm
Kaisa: Have you tried Philtre by Hiram Green, Garofano or Donna by Lorenzo Villoresi? I too enjoy L’Oeillet (it’s nicer on me than Philtre) and I love Opium! April 14, 2025 at 3:06pm
Ugo: Yeah I tried them but I find Garofano and Philltre too heavy and strong, somewhat unbalanced. April 14, 2025 at 3:13pm
Kelly O’Neill: I am in love with my sample of Guerlain Musc Outreblanc but it is beyond my budget. Are there any musks that are comparable? I love the fresh cleanness of it. I would splurge on a smaller bottle but can’t find anything. April 14, 2025 at 4:13pm
Kaisa: I also did not really like Philtre, but many love it. I do like Garofano. April 15, 2025 at 3:35am
Aurora: Hi Ugo: I too love carnation, I’ll add four, Etro Dianthus is often forgotten in lists for carnation, if you haven’t tried them yet FM Heaven can wait is suitably retro and even Noir épices with its clove might suit, I own it, and I can’t help mentioning the discontinued Floris Malmaison, it is lovely, I’m in the UK the home of Floris so I’m lucky. April 14, 2025 at 4:20pm
Kaisa: Heaven Can Wait was surprisingly nice. I’ll have to try Dianthus! April 15, 2025 at 3:28pm
Adam: Maybe Ivoire de Balmain (not to be confused with Ivoire, by Balmain). There are a ton of notes listed, but the carnation, along with a spicy rich, vintage chypre structure, is noticeable to my nose. April 14, 2025 at 5:07pm
Alityke: It’s getting hard to find but my most loved carnation is Guerlain Terracotta Voile d’Ete. It bears no relation to the modern Terracotta. It is dry red earth & spicy floral. Mesmerising!
As the aromachemicals that create the carnation & clove accords are now banned or can only be used in homeopathic amounts the carnations of old are getting rarer April 15, 2025 at 7:19am
Ugo: That’s beacause I asked for something not discontinued 🤣 I know almost all old creations. I’m looking for something still in production…. April 15, 2025 at 8:30am
Alityke: Sorry. I hadn’t computed that bit. The original D&G red cap/box is still available. Might be worth a sample/decant if you can find one.
Otherwise as mentioned above Dianthus from Etro.
Along with Opium, Cinnebar from Lauder is less well balanced but more carnations. Rumours are rife of it’s demise along with other EL classics April 15, 2025 at 9:25am
allo: Hi Ugo, One of my favorite Carnations is Aedes de Venustas Oeillet Bengale. The floral and spice is such a lovely combo. April 15, 2025 at 8:17pm
Ugo: I know it but it’s discontinued…. April 16, 2025 at 1:28am
Kelly O’Neill: I am in love with my sample of Guerlain Musc Outreblanc but it is beyond my budget. Are there any musks that are comparable? I love the fresh cleanness of it. I would splurge on a smaller bottle but can’t find anything. April 14, 2025 at 4:13pm
Aurora: Hi Kelly: Serge Lutens Clair de Musc would be less expensive I’m almost sure, it’s a lovely, neither dirty nor too bland clean and Cacharel Noa is a little gem and very affordable, Victoria has a lovely post about it. April 14, 2025 at 4:28pm
Kelly O’Neill: Thank you so much Aurora! I appreciate you suggestions and will order some samples. I’m not familiar with Cacharel Noa. Can’t wait to learn more. April 14, 2025 at 11:27pm
Alityke: A couple of “clean musks” I recently discovered are by Maison Martin Margiela. Both Lazy Sunday Morning & Bubble Bath are enjoyable clean scents.
Bubble Bath is just that. The smell of Camay soap & vintage bubble bath.
Lazy Sunday Morning is bright white sheets billowing on the line in sunshine. In the mid & dry down it has more humanity, as if the sheets have been slept in for just one night. Available in 30mls which makes them affordable. Sample sets are available.
I’ll add EL White Linen. A classic. I prefer Lazy Sunday Morning, as White Linen has a hint of calone & I cannot tolerate calone. April 15, 2025 at 9:36am
Kelly: Thank you Alityke! I will put your suggestions on my list of fragrances to try. Appreciate it so much! April 15, 2025 at 11:28am
Aire: Good question – what is serious? Perhaps not youthful or sweet. Not too focused on seduction (amber, vanilla, musk). Doesn’t draw too much attention. Something appropriate for a job interview – or a funeral. But it still needs a glimmer of hope. Some folks might consider these types of fragrances “sad.”
Iris is a favorite note and thank you for the Iris Medicis rec! Very grateful. April 14, 2025 at 5:13pm
Beth: I am hoarding a small stash of Bois des Isle, a scent that I have loved for 50 years. Would love suggestion for other chyphres that may be less expensive. April 14, 2025 at 6:10pm
Alityke: I can’t think of anything that shares BdI beauty & balance despite being a self declared chyprefile. I’ll make a note to give this more thought & come back to you.
You might look for Mysore Sandalwood soaps, usually available in Asian supermarkets & Amazon. April 15, 2025 at 7:24am
Alityke: I have been wracking my brains, checking my collections & have checked websites that have encyclopaedia of fragrances. The stand out similar fragrance isn’t a chypre though. Samsara is a sandalwood bomb, currently in the Legendaires range & is still beautiful. Not as glorious as Bois des Iles though vastly more affordable.
Alahine by Teo Cabanel is similar in style to BdI & you may want to try a sample.
Many Chanel’s share DNA, I have worn Allure EdT in the past. Whilst it isn’t BdI I remember there is a family likeness, as do No5 & No5 Eau Premiere.
Enjoy your hunt April 15, 2025 at 9:58am
Beth: Thanks for your consideration, Alityke! I’d appreciate any suggestions as I, too, love chyphres. April 15, 2025 at 8:53am