I’m writing this from a perfumer’s studio in Ternopil. I’m reviving myself with coffee while Sofiya and I smell new indie launches from Shanghai. On my wrist is Lapot Studio’s Narcissus, a mosaic of white petals, cool earth, and green buds. In this dim light, it smells almost luminous. I’m in Ukraine for the rest of the year, working, researching, and writing. I’ll be documenting the journey on my Substack—quick dispatches from the road, and longer essays that weave together Ukraine’s everyday reality with the craft of perfumery.
For those following along, look for:
5 Fragrances to Understand Modern Perfumery
The First 50 Materials for Your Perfumer’s Palette
Guerlain Shalimar at 100: the anatomy of an icon
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. If you received recommendations from this thread, please let us know what you sampled.
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
86 Comments
Adam: How about a men’s chypre or fougere similarl to. Nocolai’s New York Intense (or a nostalgic one like Brut, or Rogue’s Bon Monsieur.
Also curious about a “men’s” (if that’s applicable) tuberose. I really like Rogues Tuberose and Moss. Thanks! November 24, 2025 at 12:52pm
John Luna: Hello Adam — please accept my apologies in advance if I’m restating things you already know… Have you tried Caron’s Le Troisième Homme? It’s not exactly like New York Intense by any means, but if you appreciate that composition, you might enjoy the Caron. It is a unique fragrance with an interesting history, and something I always find interesting objectively as well as appealing to wear. Victoria’s review of it on this site is a great place to start… Though I have not tried them, I’ve heard good things about a couple of Le Galion fragrances, specifically Special for Gentlemen and Whip, the latter being compared to Eau Sauvage… I wear Eau Sauvage regularly in all but the coldest weather (when it turns a little sour on me) and find the hype concerning reformulations or weak longevity to be mostly unfounded. Though it is in a different vein than the fragrances you mention, if it’s nostalgia you are after, I can’t recommend Hermès Equipage enough. I’ve been wearing it on cooler days and find the level of quality and complexity wonderfully buoying. It has both chypre and fougère elements, and a dark, warm, enveloping ‘pipe stem’ accord that takes some getting used to, but is very loveable. Anyway, good luck! November 25, 2025 at 11:53am
Adam Sultan: Thanks John! Those are all new to me, and I’m a big fan of Eau Sauvage as well.
I have Equipage, but frankly find it too agrestic/haylike for my liking, but I’ll give it another shot. November 25, 2025 at 11:58am
John Luna: Fair enough… The tobacco accord (or ‘cold pipe stem’, as Robert’s brief apparently dictated) is sometimes a little heavy for me. Speaking of agrestic, if you haven’t tried Yatagan, that is also essential to at least sample. I’m excited to think that the others will be new for you! November 25, 2025 at 11:26pm
Alessandra: If, by men’s tuberoses, you mean smoky/incensy tuberoses, your two most charming options are: Headspace’s Tuberose and Olfactive Studio’s Ombre Indigo. Both splendid and non-creamy, on men and women alike. 🙂 November 25, 2025 at 12:42pm
Sebastian: Whip (mentioned by John) is one of the most beautiful, elegant, lemony lemon fragrances. The citrus note lasts an incredibly long time; even after 6 hours, the fragrance still has a slight lemony scent. (And it really smells like limoncello lemon.) The leather is subtle and not too soft, with a hint of smoke. The whole thing is not so old-school, no soap, no super-green herb-moss combination. The sillage is subtle, the whole fragrance does not have much volume. Very nice! (On a friend’s skin, however, the fragrance surprisingly became harsh and dull.)
Special for Gentlemen, on the other hand, makes a stormy entrance with lavender galbanum. Then becomes too cinnamon-like for me, then too powdery, and finally too sweet.
A perfume that is somewhat similar to New York Intense is Bois du Portugal (Creed).
A modern fougère that I always recommend (no similarity at all to ES or NYT), is Sleight of Fern (silly name) by Masque Milano. It is quite simply the best fougère I have smelt since the original version of Rive gauche p. H. There is lavender, thyme geranium, moss. Slightly medicinal, soft, a hint of animalic notes—everything just right.
As for a msculine tuberose: Salvatore Ferragamo’s might be worth a try. This is a lovely combination of tuberose, lily, and green notes with a certain creaminess and moderate sweetness. The basil is also good, not too artificial. The tuberose is clean and unmistakably dominant. Then it soon becomes a little closer to the skin and pleasantly spicy (the pepper). After about 4 hours, there is a blast of ambroxan with a little green-woody vetiver and yet a hint of chewing gum. It’s immediately and elegantly balanced with iris butter, which has a very refined effect. What makes it special is its lightness. It is not pompous. – I also like the bottle: an elegant, gender-neutral bottle with a square base and round body. The cap has a ring of genuine leather with double tone-on-tone stitching, reminiscent of traditional Florentine craftsmanship.
Note: If anyone can procure for me a bottle of XPEC Original EdT (the most masculine of masculine tuberoses, but long gone), I’ll take it. November 29, 2025 at 2:57pm
Sebastian: Sorry, I meant to say: Salvatore Ferragamo’s Rinascimento. November 29, 2025 at 3:00pm
Kaisa: I’m not very familiar with fougeres, but Sleight of Fern is really nice. Also worth a try: Les Indemodables Fougere Emeraude, which has tuberose. December 3, 2025 at 2:45pm
Trudy: I’ve discovered some new perfumes recently by attending some fragrance events at my local Nordstrom. Perfume Head, Vilhelm, Parfums de Marley. Also on my own I discovered Discotech and Victoria Beckham. I quite liked Perfume Head’s Reign de Anges and I usually don’t care much for rose based fragrances. Didn’t really gravitate to any of de Marley. Some from Vilhelm were very nice. I did like Lola at Coat Check by Discothech especially the dry down. I liked 1997 and Room No from VB. I’m wondering if anyone has tried any of these perfumeries and what you think of them. I’m usually more a a fresh/floral perfume wearer such as Olene or Ilio from Diptique or Chloe Magnolia Alba. Diorisimo is an absolute all time favorite in vintage and current formulas. However, lately I’ve found I am also enjoying deeper fragrances such as Orpheon. Just some random thoughts. Based on my random perfume profile I’d love some suggestions for some deeper scents that I may not have considered or been aware of. November 24, 2025 at 2:04pm
Victoria: You have such diverse tastes, so it’s fun to think what to suggest. I immediately think of florals on richer bases, for something different. Kilian Sweet Love or Voulez-vous coucher avec moi. Byredo Gypsy. Atelier Cologne Tubéreuse Café. November 25, 2025 at 2:11pm
Marianne: Victoria, I honour your courage and deep love for Ukraine. How wonderfully authentic that you’re there and immediately experiencing beautiful perfumes! In the meantime my son continues to collaborate and create through art, film and music with his friend in Kyiv, even through my son’s brutal cancer surgery and treatment journey.
Re my latest perfume venture, I had sample ‘swatches’ of Guerlain perfumes brought to me from a large city where they’re available: L’Heure Bleu, Samsara, Jicky and Mitsouko. In the end I couldn’t wait until February to sample in-store and ordered L’Heure Bleu, which is soft, creamy and very typical of older Guerlain. Quite beautiful … but, as I’ll be able to buy another bottle in February I’m seeking views as to which one! Unfortunately Chamade and Nahema aren’t available in Australia. They were my much loved Guerlain favourites in years past. As I’ve grown older I’m veering back to the softer scents although ready to have my mind blown by something totally new! November 24, 2025 at 5:33pm
Deanna Wisbey: Goodness what a difficult one!
I think I must have most of the Guerlain perfumes, but which to recommend? ( that you didn’t mention)
Jardin des Bagatelles and Santal Royal I think are widely available, and are two that come to mind that I got recently.
And various Aqua Allegoria particularly Lys Soleia, but that’s hard to find, but is mind blowing! November 25, 2025 at 11:41am
Marianne: Thank you Deanna! I’ll look for these when next interstate. I feel lucky that I wore several Guerlain perfumes in years past, given that they’re no longer available in my home state November 26, 2025 at 3:02pm
Victoria: Thank you very much, Marianne.
Mitsouko is one of my top favorites. It’s so beautiful to wear. November 25, 2025 at 2:14pm
Marianne: Thank you Victoria, I’m delighted to read your advice re Mitsouko. I’ll accept a lesson in patience through waiting until flying to Melbourne in February. November 26, 2025 at 2:58pm
Kaisa: Marianne, how lovely that you discovered the Guerlain classics! What a pity Chamade isn’t available where you are it’s a gorgeous perfume I particularly enjoy in Spring. I second Mitsouko (edp rather than edt, I’d say), but have you tried Après L’Ondée? I find it absolutely beautiful. Vol de Nuit (as edt only) is wonderful, too. Chant d’Arômes is an aldehydic floral, a little soapy but very pretty (though on me it’s quite timid). November 26, 2025 at 2:34pm
Marianne: Thank you Kaisa for your kind response. I’d absolutely love to try, and would be open to buy, the perfumes you mentioned but they aren’t available in Australia unless mail ordered from elsewhere and I’d prefer to try before buying as stated above. I lean towards an affinity with the brand, its sense of composure, its expertise based on grounded history, its deliciousness due to flirtation with gourmand that yet manages to be airy and delicate, in spite of plenty of sillage. Please, Guerlain, expand your availability in Australia, back to how it was years ago. November 26, 2025 at 2:54pm
Lynley: Have you considered a sample/decant supplier like Surrender to Chance or The Perfumed Court? They’re based in the US but ship to Aus and often have a selection of vintage or hard-to-find fragrances. November 26, 2025 at 6:58pm
Marianne: Thank you Linley 💐 December 4, 2025 at 8:23pm
Alityke: If you enjoy L’Heure Bleue you might also enjoy Apres L’Ondee. It plays purple to LHBs blue.
The latest Shalimar L’Essence, released to celebrate Shalimar reaching her 100th birthday. Smooth vanilla without the challenging baby poop note of Shalimar EdP. The Shalimar Millesimes are worth a sniff too. If you enjoy florals the Iris & Jasmine Millesimes may be for you November 27, 2025 at 3:19pm
Federica: What are some really good violet perfumes – the violet could of course be combined with iris – that are really creamy, almost buttery? But no leather undertone, please. I’m thinking Heure bleue but I sense the quality in Guerlain is plummeting… With the reformulated LHB, I get a nasty, def synthetic odor when the juice is sprayed on skin (not on paper though…). So, any suggestions? November 24, 2025 at 7:02pm
Marianne: Your comment re LHB has brought up an appraisal of my choice … it’s lovely, but I realise there’s a small but significant reservation in me … as you noted, the paper sample, delivered in a waxy little cover, was exquisite. On my skin, a wee bit clunky? Before committing to buying I read every post-2021 perfume review I could find, they gave me confidence. My partner’s not too keen but being diplomatic. As for me, the drydown is soft and delicate, lovely. Thankfully! Until it gets there I’m not yet convinced. I won’t spend considerable money on a blind buy again. And, having now read Victoria’s Shalimar review I’ll seek it out. I’m not planning to purchase LHB again. November 25, 2025 at 1:19am
Aurora: Hello Federica, my absolute favorite violet is Serge Lutens Bois de Violette, Chanel Misia which smells like make-up but is not as complex as the Lutens, many people like Frédéric Malle Dans tes bras, so do I but not as much as the SL and the Chanel, also I’ve heard good things about Hermes Violette Volynka and Chloe’s Violette but they are newer and I haven’t tried them yet. November 25, 2025 at 12:29pm
Alessandra: Violette Volynka is sublime, but definitely not creamy, sorry. November 25, 2025 at 12:44pm
Alessandra: Oh and Chloe’s Violette is powedery, thin and relatively banal. Unworthy of the price tag, I am afraid. Buttery violets seem currently unexplored, which is a shame! However, I personally do love leathery undertones in violets… even better, leafy/greeny undertones. Misia is powdery but also leathery, let’s not forget. I really wouldn’t call it creamy/buttery, rather powdery/leathery. November 25, 2025 at 12:50pm
Aurora: Thank you for the mini review of the Chloe Alessandra, I may not be in a hurry to try it then. November 25, 2025 at 2:23pm
Alessandra: My pleasure, Aurora! It’s pretty, but nothing special, certainly not the best of the line and, to me, unjustified for the price tag. That said, do test it! Mine is merely an opinion 😉 November 27, 2025 at 3:55pm
Aurora: It occurs to me that if you haven’t done so already, try Kenzo Flower, it’s definitely not leathery at least and about the SL, not leathery either, woody sweet rather. November 25, 2025 at 2:41pm
Federica: Thank you so much Marianne, Aurora, and Alessandra for the insights. I reckon the brand Tonatto also has a few violet perfumes I have not tried. And I will wait for the buttery violets to come about… November 26, 2025 at 8:38am
Kaisa: Sorry if these aren’t really in the creamy/buttery ballpark, but throwing a few violet suggestions your way anyway.
Guerlain Après L’Ondée has iris and violet and is just so pretty! Meo Fuscioni Viole Nere is nice, though I wasn’t completely convinced by the drydown (no leather though). Violette Volynka was pleasant when I tried it, I didn’t think the leather was very prominent but ymmv. Guerlain Insolence is another possibility, the edp and edt smell different from each other so each is worth a sniff. November 26, 2025 at 2:44pm
Neva: Hello Federica, a nice one that could fit is mb02 by Biehls Parfumkunstwerke. It’s dry and powdery. November 27, 2025 at 6:51am
Sebastian: Federica, You Doux (Glossier) is a perfume that is sometimes described as creamy, and has Viola odorata listed as the headnote. But I have never tested it myself. November 29, 2025 at 3:25pm
Federica: Wow, thank you all! November 29, 2025 at 4:17pm
Cassandra: For the sake of a fun exercise, does anyone ever “match” a perfume to a work of art or an era of art history?
I spent this past weekend at the Met perusing the Divine Egypt and Man Ray exhibitions. Seeing different artifacts dating from Hatshepsut’s reign reminded me of an offhand piece of trivia that apparently she was quite a lover of frankincense, which sent me digging through my stores for an old sample vial of Myrrh-Frankincence-Rose Maroc by Regina Harris. And the sea of black and white rayographs in Man Ray’s exhibition made me a bit wistful for my loved and lost Bulgari Black. November 24, 2025 at 7:22pm
Aurora: That’s an interesting question,. Cassandra, one thing I do regularly is wear specific perfumes when I read a new book for the duration it takes me until I finish it. November 25, 2025 at 4:58pm
Sebastian: Aurora, how charming! How do you choose the perfumes – anything to do with the content of the book? Or maybe bought on the same day? Or just a random choice that you stick with until you’re finished reading? Do you have a set of “reading perfumes” that you reuse? When you later re-read some passage, do you think of the smell? And vice versa, when you wear that perfume again, does a quote come to your mind?
I can imagine expecting to experience certain emotions from reading a specific book, and wearing a perfume to strengthen or counteract that effect. But I never did. Perhaps I shall.
So fascinating, when wearing perfume interacts with one’s daily activities. November 29, 2025 at 3:55pm
Aurora: Hello Sebastian,
Good to see you here. Yes, I wear the same perfume (in the evening) for the duration. I recall Jolie Madame for Anna Karenina and Habit rouge pour Du côté de chez Swan, if I possessed Mouchoir de Monsieur I would have worn that. December 1, 2025 at 12:27am
Kaisa: Not really, but (and this may be blindingly obvious) L’Heure Bleue really does make me think of the Belle Epoque – and in particular the wonderful film, The Age of Innocence based on Edith Wharton’s wonderful novel. I imagine Ellen Olenska would have worn it. (May might have worn Après L’Ondèe or a simple soliflore). November 26, 2025 at 2:48pm
Sebastian: Cassandra: Many people do that. You can google some of those connections. For example, in the German perfume community there is a forum thread with just this topic. (Or was, it petered out about 9 months ago, unless someone posts again). It’s all in German of course, but you can see the associations without understanding the reasons given, and then there is automatic translation in every browser nowadays:
https://www.parfumo.de/forums/topic/duftgemalde/1 November 29, 2025 at 3:39pm
John Luna: Does anyone have favourite perfumes featuring a prominent pear note? My wife asked me this recently, and my immediate reaction was to think of cheap fragrances (some celebrity scents, several Zara fragrances, and a Burberry EDT) that used a pear note a few years back in a sort of contagious way that suggests a fad for a novelty material has arrived. I’d much rather hear from this community! Julie is somewhat of a minimalist with a preference for modern compositions and light musks — her favourites are things by Diptyque and Le Labo, though she regularly wear Encre Noire (the original), which I surprised her with after reading Victoria’s great review of it several years ago. Thanks! November 25, 2025 at 12:06pm
Alessandra: To my mind, nothing featuring pear can be minimal. However, it can be relatively airy, even though it remains juicy. With that in mind, Miller Harris’ Poirier d’un Soir is my personal favourite pear-centred fragrance. In theory, you could try Annick Goutal’s Petite Cherie, which is probably lighter (but also less perfect, imo). November 25, 2025 at 12:46pm
Aurora: Hi John, SL Lavierve de fer might be worth trying and I think it is Un Jardin sur le toit which has both pear and apple. November 25, 2025 at 2:29pm
Aurora: Sorry for the typo, it’s la vierge de fer of course. November 25, 2025 at 2:42pm
Neva: Hi John, a nice one is Angelys Pear by Patricia de Nicolai. She’s an expert in smooth compositions which do not feel cheap. November 27, 2025 at 6:54am
AndreaR: Second Angelys Pear. November 27, 2025 at 11:38pm
Alityke: Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia. Smells as it says with a touch of rhubarb to stop the pear going tinned fruit & held up by a wispy musk base November 27, 2025 at 3:27pm
Christine B Crabb: I’m looking for perfumes reminiscent of Vero Profumo Mito edp: ones with citrus (more lemon or lime than orange), galbanum, and white florals. Many thanks to anyone who has suggestions! November 26, 2025 at 3:13pm
Aurora: Hi Christine: You might try sampling Jean-Louis Scherrer, the original (not No2), it’s a green, somewhat underrated (and therefore quite affordable) green perfume, Victoria has a review on this blog. I got to know it through a friend, if you can try both the EDT and the EDP which is harder to come by in some countries, there are slight differences. Of course the king for an overdose of galbanum + citrus and flowers is No 19(but it’s the iris dominates the other flowers although it also has some white flowers), it comes in several concentrations too. The EDT is greener and EDP more floral, the extrait more velvety in the drydown. I was impressed by Mito but I don’t remember if it was the EDP or the Voile d’extrait I tried, very intriguing scent but a cumin note was too detectable for my nose in the end. The Italian company Campomarzio70 still makes Mito but the shipping is expensive IIRC. Hope it will help you a little bit. November 26, 2025 at 10:03pm
Christine: Thank you so much! I was wondering which version of no. 19 to try first, so your descriptions are incredibly helpful. I’ve signed up to be notified when Mito edp comes back in stock at Campomarzio70 as well–crossing my fingers! I can get the Voile d’Extrait where I live; I’ve ordered a sample and am hoping it’s pretty similar to the edp. I like cumin but _totally_ get why it doesn’t work for many people. I will try out the Jean-Louis Scherrer as well. I really appreciate your help. Thank you so much! November 27, 2025 at 12:28am
Neva: Hi Christine, I don’t remember Vero Profumo Mito. It’s been many years since I’ve had a sample but for perfumes with citus, galbanum and white florals you could check out Parfum d’Empire. Their perfumes Acqua di Scandola, Yuzu Fou, Azemour les Orangers have this herbal green citrusy feel. December 8, 2025 at 10:02am
Christine B Crabb: Thank you so much! I will definitely check those out–I really appreciate your recommendations! December 9, 2025 at 11:53pm
Andy: Hi, I loved the Marc Jacobs original perfume. It’s watery-ness, gentle but fresh tuberose and gardenia. I’ve tried so much – nothing else comes close. The idea of Un Matin d’Orage (edt), but not the scent. Something about L’Occitane’s Fleurs de Cherysia, but only when you first spray it. After that, it’s nothing like. Can anyone recommend a relaxed watery gardenia that feels similar to Marc Jacobs? November 26, 2025 at 5:02pm
Alessandra: Oh Andy, you’re so right. I miss Marc Jacobs so much. In fact, I still have it, and keep it aside religiously. I have yet to find an almost exact equivalent, but I am looking forward to it! I also miss Blush very much. November 27, 2025 at 3:57pm
Andy: I think sometimes it has to become ephemeral joy – memories of something beautiful (and the occasional skipping of the heart when you find an old bottle at trash ‘n’ treasure markets) and how you felt in that window of life. Good to commiserate! December 30, 2025 at 7:31pm
Aurora: Hi Andy, I liked it very much too, Victoria mentioned once it was a variation on Michael Kors the original but MK is far headier, also there is a thread on Reddit asking this very question. November 28, 2025 at 12:00am
Andy: Thank you Aurora! Will check some of the threads out. Agree with you on the Michael Kors – it’s a little less watery. I’ve also recently discovered Jazmin Yucatan by D.S. & Durga which, while not really like Marc Jacobs, makes me feel just as good. December 30, 2025 at 7:37pm
Marianne: Several of you have offered helpful advice re my Guerlain journey, which an hour or so ago went in an entirely amazing direction. I called in to my little city’s only comprehensive perfume store where the owner and I lamented the almost-demise of Guerlain availability in Australia and his inability to get stock, when he said ‘hang on, I’ve got some old testers somewhere’ and among his collection, luckily kept in a dark cupboard, produced an almost full 30ml bottle of superb vintage Chamade extrait, sending me into perfume heaven. It’s now mine for a most reasonable sum, requiring a little tweaking of my budget. I never expected to be able to smell let alone wear this gorgeous scent. He said he’s very happy that it’s going to a good home where it’ll be appreciated. November 28, 2025 at 12:40am
Sebastian: Marianne, that’s wonderful! You are especially lucky, because it’s not just in Australia but world-wide that Chamade extrait is discontinued. (At least that’s what the nice people at the Guerlain counter in Paris said, and there’s no reason not to trust them.) I will treasure what remains of it. November 29, 2025 at 3:33pm
Marianne: Thank you Sebastian! It felt surreal actually, in a wonderful way 💐 December 4, 2025 at 8:27pm
Aurora: What a find, Marianne, enjoy. December 1, 2025 at 12:29am
Marianne: Thank you Aurora! Ah, he has more exquisite vintage, but my budget says wait! December 1, 2025 at 1:49am
Kaisa: Oh wow, what a lucky find! Chamade extrait is wonderful. It’s so sad it’s discontinued. Enjoy it 🙂 December 3, 2025 at 2:55pm
Karen A: Charade extra it is truly one of the most gorgeous perfumes made! I have an almost empty bottle that I take out and smell (and kick myself for not buying a bottle when it was available). Congratulations!! December 4, 2025 at 6:47pm
Theresa: Today I’m wearing Cocktails at Eight, made exclusively by Molly Ray Parfums for the Hillwood Estate in Washington D.C. it has a vintage vibe, with plenty of rose, iris, & a darker base. I bought it almost as a blind buy as i was visiting as a tourist and didn’t have the ability to sample & return later. I appreciate its longevity. Luckily it turns out I love wearing it! Has anyone heard of Molly Ray fragrances before? November 29, 2025 at 3:43pm
Sebastian: Theresa, no I haven’t. Thanks for drawing attention to Molly Ray perfumes. If you had time to sample some of them, could you describe them? There are practically no online reviews. They seem to be very minima, most note lists mention no more than four notes. The perfume for the Hillwood Museum seems by far the most complex one. But those lists are so often misleading! November 29, 2025 at 4:07pm
Theresa: I only tried the two custom fragrances they had at Hillwood Estate – and loved at first sniff Cocktails at Eight (and what a great name!!). It was a gamble to buy it with so short an introduction, but I’m loving it. I was wondering if anyone else had heard of her. From my internet search today, looks like she is rebranding as M.Ray. November 29, 2025 at 7:34pm
CristinaM: Traversee du Bosphore, one of my favorites, now sadly discountinued. Any suggestion on something that resembles its vibe and accord? Thank you so much for any clue!! (I am based in Europe) November 30, 2025 at 6:55am
Aurora: Jo Malone has Rosewater and vanilla, charming but not as complex as TdB. Do save a search on eBay to be alerted to listings of your favorite too, you never know. December 1, 2025 at 12:38am
Kaisa: I haven’t smelled Traversee, but I read a blog review of Neela Vermeire Niral that compared the two (both were composed by Bertrand Duchaufour) and Niral is indeed a very pretty scent. Spendy, though, so sample first. December 3, 2025 at 3:00pm
Stacy: It looks like my three long-time favorites — Chanel Cristalle EDT, White Linen, and Pure White Linen have either been reformulated or discontinued. Grateful for any suggestions you may have for fragrances with a clean, aldehyde feel. Many thanks! November 30, 2025 at 9:06am
Aurora: Hi Stacy,
It occurs to me that Philosophy Pure Grace is one of my cleanest scents, and it really sparkles, of course it is rather modern not a great classic like your three. I should mention that my recommendation is for the EDT, apparently there is now an EDP which I’ve never tried. You could also save a search on eBay for second-hand original version of Cristalle and White Linen, this is how I acquired mine, mine are older formulations but not true vintage, they are about 15 years old and still smell very fresh. December 5, 2025 at 11:47pm
Stacy: Thank you Aurora for your suggestions! Pure Grace is completely new for me, and will check it out. Agree, EDP deserves another look. December 8, 2025 at 9:02pm
Aurora: How nice of you to thank me Stacy, most welcome. I just remembered this evening that in the UK where I live there is Yardley Jade which is very much like Cristalle, they’ve changed the name to Flora Jade and I hope it’s still the same, I know Yardley is distributed in the US if that’s where you are, it’s very affordable too, about $6 I think, the longevity is a little lacking but for the price you can reapply once or twice. See the rating on Fragrantica, I am not the only one to like it😀 December 10, 2025 at 1:58pm
Karen A: Does anyone know of the Chanel extrait for Bois des Isles is still being sold anywhere? If it is available in Paris, that’s a good enough reason for a visit! I’m so sad it is discontinued here in the US. Thanks so much! December 4, 2025 at 3:56pm
Alessandra: Nope, extraits have all been discontinued December 5, 2025 at 6:23am
Karen A: Wow, that is really disappointing! The extra its are (were!!) so beautiful. Funny, it never occured to me they would stop being made! December 5, 2025 at 8:28am
la_ninon: Do you if this is true vs. the cyclical “disappearing” Chanel does of various scents and formulations from its site? December 27, 2025 at 1:44am
Marianne: I understand! There’s a fine line between judicious buying to stock up for the future, and creating a rather dismal budgetary ‘now’ in my experience! December 4, 2025 at 8:32pm
Karen A: I think for Bois des Iles extrait, a dismal budgetary now would have been worth it! December 5, 2025 at 8:29am
Gisele: I’m looking for a scent that’s uncomplicated, yet memorable. Powdery without being dusty, though reminiscent of the “golden years.” Something that evokes a Tuscan late afternoon as much as a French boudoir. December 12, 2025 at 9:13pm
Gisele: In short, it should be clean, vibrantly powdery, fresh, very feminine, and charming. I don’t like the talc scent of Guerlain. I gave Shalimar to my mother and she loved it. December 12, 2025 at 9:24pm
Gisele: Ah, I don’t like Frederik Malle’s talc either. I bought all the samples; the work is exquisite, but I prefer a clean, uncomplicated, and memorable perfume.
Could someone recommend? December 12, 2025 at 9:37pm
Aurora: Hi Gisele,
Might Nivea EDT be something that would suit you? The original cream’s scent was worked on by the great Jean-Claude Ellena who knows a thing or two about powdery fresh scents, I understand from Fragrantica it was reformulated in 2011, if you are in Europe it’s probably still possible to track the earlier version to compare. Another idea is Chanel No 19 Poudré, I like that one very much, it’s often forgotten, should let you know though that the longevity is definitely not the best. Hope you get more recommendations and best of luck in your search. December 13, 2025 at 3:45am
Esther Chn: I wore First by Van Cleef and Arpels for years. It no loner smells the same. Can you recommend a similar scent? February 2, 2026 at 3:48pm
Aurora: Hi Esther, have you considered saving a search for vintage First on eBay or Mercari? I have a vintage bottle which still smells fresh. For a modern jasminy floral maybe Diptyque Olene. February 20, 2026 at 2:42am
Suzanne Parr: Dear Perfume Lovers,
I am obsessed with Nina Ricci’s Fleur de Fleurs which was outrageously discontinued many years ago.
Is there anyone out there who knows where the formula transferred to or of a perfume that has the same richness, beairy and elegance ?
Best wishes
Suzanne March 25, 2026 at 12:38am