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
70 Comments
Elizabeth Jonca: Lovely photograph, Victoria. Thank you. July 14, 2025 at 9:09am
Victoria: Thank you! I love these flowers. July 14, 2025 at 4:38pm
Hamamelis: Today I put a blue hydrangea flower in a small vase bought at the Musubi Kiln…
I am wearing Sammarco Ariel, described as a green-floral-poudre. It reminds me of vintage Vol de Nuit, very beautiful, but more fitting autumn than the middle of summer.
Are you back in Brussels? July 14, 2025 at 9:47am
Victoria: Which Musubi Kiln vase did you buy? The one in the photo is also from them. July 14, 2025 at 4:38pm
Hamamelis: I recognised that in the pic, and thought about the coincedence. Because of you writing about it I bought two Musubi Kiln vases. Ginsai Camelia, beautiful blueish green and yellow (the blue hydrangea is in this vase) and a larger one, Golden Tree Kutani. In that one I kept a dried blue hydrangea the whole winter! July 15, 2025 at 12:00pm
Louisa: Please help me select a wedding perfume. July 14, 2025 at 4:49pm
Louisa: I hit the send button by mistake. So here it is. Could you help me choose a wedding perfume? 🌹 I love rose scents (especially Parfum de Rosine) but want something with better lasting power. I also like fruity notes. What are your favorite rose perfumes with good sillage and longevity? July 14, 2025 at 4:52pm
Amanda M: Louisa, sorry but my reply to you ended up further down the page…Paris by YSL. ☺️ July 14, 2025 at 9:03pm
Kit: I recommend Rose de Courrèges. Chloe also has a nice rose perfume. Of course, there is Sa Majeste la Rose by Serge Lutens. It lasts really well on me. July 15, 2025 at 3:27am
Carys: Lipstick Rose by Frederic Maille is my favourite rose perfume. It’s got a lot in common with old formulation YSL Paris (which was my perfume of choice in the 1980s), with a wonderful smell of vintage make up added in to the mix. It lasts for a decent amount of time on my skin. July 15, 2025 at 11:18am
Hamamelis: Goutal’s Rose Pompon might do it for you! I wanted to recommend Goutal’s Rose Absolue but I see it has been discontinued. July 15, 2025 at 12:03pm
carole: Hamamelis, I still see it on the Goutal site. I love this scent so I panicked when I read your comment 🙂 July 20, 2025 at 11:56am
Hamamelis: Hi Carole, did you visit the US site? On the Europe/Paris site it is no longer available, like Heure Exquise :(. It also says it will no longer sell online :((. You have to go to their shop in Paris or buy it from another stockist. No good signs I am afraid…. July 20, 2025 at 12:11pm
carole: Hello,
I am in Canada, and there are no stores here that stock Goutal anymore. It makes me feel ill because this is my favourite house. I did check the US site (which I think is slated to close down soon). I can’t believe how many scents they discontinued-it’s like they’re just keeping the past 8 years or so. I love HE and I can find it on a discount site here. Passion is gone, and Gardenia Passion, and piles of the other fragrances. I have to admit I bought quite a few backup bottles once things started to disappear. July 20, 2025 at 1:30pm
ChanteusedesIles: Hi Carol, if you’re in Canada you should try fragrancebuy.ca for the Goutals!! It looks like they still have Rose Pompon, you might also like Van Cleef Rose Rouge (it’s a little more robust than the Goutal, but still not as heavy as say a Frederic Malle rose, and of course if you haven’t already tried it Delina! It really does have beautiful sillage and good longevity! (On me it is lighter and fruitier than the Goutal and sweeter but with tartness from the rhubarb, and not nearly as sweet as a say Mancera/Montale type rose) August 22, 2025 at 6:25pm
carole: annnddd I just bought the last bottle of HE I could find, Hamamelis 🙂 July 20, 2025 at 2:07pm
Hamamelis: Yes, all the best Goutals gone! Including Songes, I never thought they would axe that beauty. I have backups of HE and fairly full bottled of the early ones in good condition (e.g. Eau.de Camille and Mon parfum cheri par Camille, Eau de Charlotte) but it is a sad goodbye to one of my favourite houses. July 20, 2025 at 3:52pm
carole: I just checked, and you’re right. That’s astonishing to me. also Eau de Sud-like what the heck. I also read another company bought Gutal Paris, and all its intellectual copyrights. I wonder if this is related to Camille Goutal and Isabelle Doyen starting their own all natural house? It’s easy for me to believe in conspiracy theories 🙂 But this was my favourite house and I tend to prefer its older scents rather than some of the newer scents. Guess I will have to enjoy what I have. I’m glad I have backups of a few favourites. July 20, 2025 at 4:22pm
Hamamelis: I read on Fragrantica it has been bought by Interparfums, a company that apparently looks after the brands in their portfolio well. This year the former owner still holds the rights, from 2026 onwards Interparfums will. Camille Goutal will still be involved. So it may be a good thing and hopefully the older ones will be re-released. July 21, 2025 at 3:31am
Anne Marie Papandrea: Oh my gosh, if Un Matin D’Orage becomes unavailable, I will be so sad!!! I have the EDP, a cherished souvenir of a visit to Paris a few years ago. I’ve been wanting to add the EDT at some point, so maybe I’d better do it soon! Does anyone know of a reliable source for a decant? My usual sources (Surrender to Chance and Perfumed Court) don’t carry Goutal. I’m in the U.S. Thanks! August 25, 2025 at 1:42pm
Aurora: Hi Louisa: Great answers already, I’ll add Perris Monte-Carlo Rose de Taif, the extrait version is especially luxurious, it’s rather expensive but your wedding would be the perfect moment to splurge. It’s a very pure red rose perfume, not dark at all, I really love it and treasure my sample. July 15, 2025 at 1:21pm
Valentina: FM Portrait of a lady!
But if you feel like wearing something more unusual and very special, Serge Lutens Rose de Nuit. July 15, 2025 at 6:28pm
Maya: Congratulations!
I suggest you try three of my favorite roses:
1. Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin (dark rose).
2. Dusita La Douceur de Siam (heaven!).
3. Hermes Rose Ikebana
All three are absolute masterpieces. July 15, 2025 at 6:56pm
Lynley: It’s not usually on my radar but I tried the new Creed, Eladaria, and it’s a beautiful warm weather rose. It has a freshness to begin with but with a slightly warmer base that emerges after a couple of hours. Out of all the sample cards I brought home, Eladaria had by far the nicest (and seemingly highest quality) dry down and the scent lasted for days. It was beautiful. July 19, 2025 at 8:22pm
carole: Louisa, best wishes for you for your wedding:) Have you tried Rose Tonnerre, by Frederic Malle? It comes in parfum fragrance and it’s beautiful. I also think Hammalis suggestion of Rose Absolue could be wonderful. I also like Creed Fleur de Tea scent, but I think it’s hard to find now. July 20, 2025 at 11:59am
Maria Perry: Hello! Congratulations!
I second the Rose Tonerre suggestion and also for fresh photorealistic rose try Rosa Damascena from Chloe Ateliers des Fleurs or Eau Rose by Diptyque.
Wishing you a wonderful day! July 21, 2025 at 5:45pm
Julie Spence: Please name me s strong gardenia scent. Liked white shoulders and my sister’s bridal bouquet. July 14, 2025 at 8:28pm
Sara: Hi Julie! I think Saskia by Grandiflora and Le Wild by Chantecaille are both very realistic, strong gardenia scents. Chantecaille’s version is especially spellbinding to me. July 14, 2025 at 11:32pm
Mela: I have also been looking for a really good gardenia scent, thanks for the suggestions July 15, 2025 at 10:13am
Maya: Mentioning Dusita again.
For the most realistic gardenia I’ve ever smelled, try Melodie De L’Amour. It lasts on my clothes for 2-3 days. July 15, 2025 at 7:00pm
Amanda M: The first perfume that comes to mind here is vintage ‘Paris’ by Yves Saint Laurent.
Such a classic & romantic beautiful powdery, woody floral with notes of rose, violets, orange blossom, hyacinth and real Mysore sandalwood. (in the vintage version) There are many other notes as well…The vintage is still easily found on eBay and all of my bottles have aged beautifully and notes very much intact. Lasting power is eternal. The reformulation is very different, still similar dna, but so watered down, so I will only wear the vintage, which is stunning.
It’s a huge floral bouquet and so unabashedly feminine! I wish I’d worn this on my wedding day but sadly didn’t have a bottle on hand then.
I just adore this and has been an enduring love of mine since its release in 1983. (I discovered it in 1988) 💖🌹💐 July 14, 2025 at 9:02pm
Trudy: I also love vintage Paris. I wore it exclusively in my mid to late 20’s. Just the most beautiful scent. Recently I was reminded of it when my son (who was very young when I wore the fragrance) mentioned he remembers the bottle on my dresser and described it perfectly. I was surprised and quite touched. Since then I’ve been thinking of revisiting the fragrance but I’ve heard that the reformulation is not the same as the original. I am going to try to find a vintage bottle:) Thank you for your comments on YSL Paris. July 17, 2025 at 11:25am
Mandy: I adore everything about Hermes Eau des Merveilles’ Elixir, but it doesn’t seem to last on my skin (or my clothes). Does anyone have any suggestions for a similar scent or other ideas to make it last? I tried layering with the body lotion, but it doesn’t smell nearly the same. July 14, 2025 at 11:36pm
Kit: Is there a perfume that smells like pure wood, like wood shavings? Thank you! July 15, 2025 at 3:24am
Hamamelis: You could try April Aromatics Precious Woods, available in 10 ml travelspray. July 15, 2025 at 12:06pm
Alityke: 10 Como Corso is pure pencil shavings/wood yard sawdust. Not sure if it is still in production but eBay UK has some partials available July 22, 2025 at 12:22pm
Lorna Roberts: Autoportrait by Olfactive Studio is dry pencil shavings July 26, 2025 at 8:33pm
Colleen Geary: Hello all, I would like a recommendation for an elegant, sophisticated perfume for many summer parties in the heat outdoors. I work at a summer music festival with high end donors. One of my donors just gifted me a beautiful Mikimoto perfume. Some perfumes that I have are Une Rose and Iris Poudre by Frederic Malle, Oud Immortel by Byredo, La Vie Est Belle by Lancôme and Coco by Chanel, I have a very poor sense of smell so my husband selects most of my perfumes. All suggestions greatly appreciated. I do not feel dressed without perfume. Thank you! July 15, 2025 at 7:20am
Hamamelis: You could try Perfume d’Empire’s Trois Fleurs or its le Cri de la Lumiere. Beautiful perfumes, elegant and sophisticated without breaking the bank too much! July 15, 2025 at 12:09pm
Aurora: Hello Colleen:In summer the Hermès Jardins séries is a really great option, m’y favorite is sur le Nil, green Mango and light Incense, it’s a bestseller for a reason. July 15, 2025 at 1:27pm
Mela: That is a difficult one. It’s such a unique combination. I thought through all of my fragrances (quite a few) and the only one that comes close in feeling, is Creed Himalaya. However, that is a cooler sent whereas the Hermes Eau des Merveilles’ Elixir as warmer. Both of them get the same kind of compliments. (Positive ones). July 15, 2025 at 10:19am
helena: Hello, I need help finding a realistic fresh floral perfume with strong lasting power ? Nothing sweet, powdery or ambery though. I’ll appreciate any help ! Thanks 🙂 July 15, 2025 at 1:13pm
Aurora: Hi Helena:. Jour d’Hermes is fresh with grapefruit on top and a bouquet of white flowers and lasts very well on me, if you like lily, Cartier Baiser Volé is excellent, the base is vanilla, also Annick Goutal perfumes might suit, for example Un Matin d’orage in EDP, the EDT is slightly different, my favorite but it doesn’t last as long as the edp. I can’t help but list La chasse aux papillons, it’s rather light and airy, doesn’t last long but such a pretty linden. July 15, 2025 at 4:55pm
Miche: I appreciate your creativity and the price is right! How long does it keep?
Indigo has lemon, bergamot and fig dancing around with the tea note July 18, 2025 at 9:25pm
Lynley: The whole range of Chloe Atelier des Fleurs! Every one I’ve tried is amazing. They are soliflores though not floral blends. July 19, 2025 at 8:28pm
Joel: I’m seeking an alternative for Serge Lutens’ A La Nuit as, sadly, the fragrance is not available in my country after being transitioned to the bell jar which is exclusive to the Parisian boutique and the US website. Which jasmine comes the closest and is the most redolent of A La Nuit? July 15, 2025 at 6:42pm
Aurora: It’s not exactly the same but a very good jasmine too, Diptyque Olène and my very favorite of the moment is Dior Jasmin des anges, a sunny, fruity jasmine like a ray of sunshine. July 16, 2025 at 1:29pm
Kayliz: Hiram Green’s Moon Bloom occupies a similar space for me. July 16, 2025 at 4:47pm
carole: Joel, A La Nuit is so gorgeous, isn’t it? I have half a bottle plus a backup bottle-it’s always a beautiful choice. July 20, 2025 at 12:02pm
Sam: I was looking for a modestly priced fragrance and ‘discovered’ Lolita Lempicka, (The first one ) never having heard of it until I started reading this blog. And I really like it. I’d also forgotten about Paris until I saw it mentioned above. Love that too. Any other similar suggestions welcome. July 17, 2025 at 10:35am
Julie Spence: There is a Jo Malone Darjeeling bur I have not smelled it. I di see a few black tea scents out there. I get hold od Darjeeling loose tea from India which I keep in an Indian wooden carved box, that is how it was shipped. I distill a tea brew, bottle it up keep refrigerated, take out 2 hours before going out and add blend it with a suitable carrier perfume on my pulse points and hair. I do this with earl grey to get a hit of bergamot. Anyway, also I love Paris and the lolita… July 18, 2025 at 7:31pm
Julie: Love lolita l where did you source it i used to buy it at Eaton’s in Vancouver 15 years ago. Walking through the Eaton’s perfume isle and same at hudson’s bay was my pay day treatI miss Ombre Rose and Safari by Ralf Lauren allthe young women in the office stepped off the elevator in a fog of Lauren by Lauren. July 18, 2025 at 7:39pm
Sam: I’m in the UK so purchased in a UK store. They only stock the one though so I may order from the official website but I think they only ship in Europe and UK. July 19, 2025 at 4:57am
Aurora: Hi Sam: Cacharel Noa is so affordable and lovely. You can read Victoria’s review to get a more detailed account. July 19, 2025 at 10:37am
Miche: Last week I picked up a travel size Nest Indigo and I am a bit swoony over the black tea note in it. The tea brings a calming coolness which I especially appreciate during East Coast U.S. summer humidity. Wondering what folks might recommend that has a strong, clear black tea heart note, if that’s the right term. With less citrus or other brightness around it. And if there is a Darjeeling scent out there, oh yes please. I am new to the world of fragrance, and really so appreciate this blog. July 17, 2025 at 1:05pm
Julie Spence: There is a Jo Malone Darjeeling bur I have not smelled it. I di see a few black tea scents out there. I get hold od Darjeeling loose tea from India which I keep in an Indian wooden carved box, that is how it was shipped. I distill a tea brew, bottle it up keep refrigerated, take out 2 hours before going out and add blend it with a suitable carrier perfume on my pulse points and hair. I do this with earl grey to get a hit of bergamot. July 18, 2025 at 7:27pm
Aurora: Hi Miche: Hermès Osmanthe Yunnan is beautiful but rather expensive, for a smoky, spicy tea, l’Artisan Parfumeur Tea for two, for a chai tea the original Bvlgari Omnia in the brown bottle was perfect but probably difficult to sample and get as it’s discontinued, for mint tea, Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Herba Fresca. July 19, 2025 at 10:32am
Julie: Love lolita l where did you source it i used to buy it at Eaton’s in Vancouver 15 years ago. Walking through the Eaton’s perfume isle and same at hudson’s bay was my pay day treatI miss Ombre Rose and Safari by Ralf Lauren all the young women in the office stepped off the elevator in a fog
of Lauren by Lauren. Also reply to gardenia suggestions.
Reply: thanks for the recommendations
Re gardenia. I will source the suggestions! Saskia le wild by chant July 18, 2025 at 8:04pm
Madeleine: I just love musk, with a touch of sweetness or powder. My collection is currently made up of: Diptyque Fleur de Peau, Guerlain l’Heure Bleue, Glossier You Doux (the white one), Le Labo Matcha 23 and Goutal Chevrefeuille. Only the first three are full bottles. I have built this collection really carefully over many years and am usually very picky when it comes to splurging – even on a 15ml! Any recommendations that are either similar or differ slightly to diversify the mix would so greatly appreciated. 🙂 July 20, 2025 at 2:58pm
Caroline: You might like Nicolai’s Poudre de Musc, which is conveniently available in a 30 ml size. You have to like aldehydes to appreciate it–I see the notes also include raspberry, which I don’t notice at all. July 21, 2025 at 4:52pm
Aurora: Hi Madeleine: Serge Lutens Clair de Musc is my easy, go to musk. July 22, 2025 at 2:39pm
Sara: Seeking recommendations for your favorite French style with a capital F perfumes. As a long term perfume enthusiast, I’ve gone through a lot of phases, from loving the mainstream designer launches to the early Tom Ford releases to the nichest niche perfumes and back again. I also went through a phase of enjoying very simple, easy to read perfumes (I count Tam Dao, Philosykos, La Chasse Aux Papillons, and En Passant among these, which I realize may not be simple to create but read as simple to my nose, and I like that just fine). But now, I realize my favorite perfumes are actually somewhat old school with a modern twist. These days, my favorites in my collection are Malle’s Iris Poudre, Chanel no 5 l’Eau, and Hermes Eau des Merveilles. A new favorite is Diptyque’s Eau Nabati, which is very reminiscent of Dune. What do you all recommend based on my current taste, which isn’t easily defined by notes? July 21, 2025 at 7:10am
Lynley: Astier de Villatte Les Nuits perhaps? July 21, 2025 at 7:59pm
Alityke: I always think of old school “French” perfumery as having a rather dirty, well worn bases. Not really easy to read.
Old school French makes me think of Jean Desprez Bal a Versailles, vintage Guerlain Shalimar, Salome by Papillon Artisan Perfumes & Voleur de Roses by L’Artisan Perfumeur. These are all complex & womanly.
The other school of classical French perfumery is the Chypres. Deep, mossy concoctions in the base but with many different top & mid notes.
Here I suggest Guerlain Mitsouko, current formulation is good, Dryad by Papillon Artisan Perfumes, Azuree from Estée Lauder, Chanel Pour Monsieur are my go tos, but search chypres & you’ll find rose chypres, citrus chypres, leather chypres, floral chypres & green chypres. Of course oak moss is only allowed in homeopathic quantities now & current formulations are dependant on how good the aromachemicals available are.
Good luck with your search July 22, 2025 at 12:52pm
Gisele: Non capisco perché FM sia appropriato per un matrimonio. Penso che debba essere chic, sexy e memorabile. L’ho comprato basandomi sulle recensioni. Non lo indosserò mai. Ha un odore da museo. Certo, alcuni lo considerano un’opera d’arte, ma per me, appeso al muro, è fantastico. Non riesco a immaginare una sposa che lo indossa. July 27, 2025 at 6:20am
Gisele: I don’t understand why FM is appropriate for a wedding. I think it should be chic, sexy, and memorable. I bought it based on reviews. I’ll never wear it. It smells like a museum. Sure, some consider it a work of art, but for me, hanging on the wall, it looks great. I can’t imagine a bride wearing it. July 27, 2025 at 6:23am
Gisele: I’m looking for a women’s rice powder oil perfume—subtle, elegant, chic, and very seductive. A powder that evokes stories dreamed of but never lived, and even those so well lived that they leave eternal memories. A powder that’s alive, new, so even if I remember yesterday, the clothes are new. Timeless. Whoever finds it, share it. It transforms lives. July 27, 2025 at 6:32am
Valentina: If anyone could recommend a perfume close to The Zoo Tubereuse Organique, that would be a dream!
My favourite things about this perfume was it’s promiment lime (chalk?) accent (white floral) and bitter scent of artemisia. I have and love Bandit Piguet and was thinking about Lutens Douce Amere, both of them however miss the lime. I encountered lime like TO in Tauer Sotto de Lune Tuberose, but it was discontinued. Also there is plenty of such lime in Tauer Golestan, but it is too sweet for me.
Thank you for the recs. July 29, 2025 at 4:28am
Stefan: Hi everyone
Since nobody answered to my request last time (I was a bit late) I will try again. 🙏🏼
I was wondering if you can recommend a perfume with realistic smell of Black Locust flowers and also Lemon blossom? (separate ones)
I tried several perfumes like Fleur d’Citronnier by Serge Lutens but to my nose it doesn’t smell like lemon blossom. Also I tried Sensi by Armani which is beloved by many people in fragrance community and also it’s not anywhere near black locust bloom smell.
Thank you 🙏🏼 July 30, 2025 at 4:01pm
AnnieA: Hello, I can’t promise it’s realistic, but Pacifica’s Malibu Lemon Blossom is quite pretty October 20, 2025 at 9:15am