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What’s That Smell?! What Are Your Go-To Perfumes?

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I’m on a quest for the perfect perfume that 1) does not give me a flaming headache right behind my left eye or 2) does not disappear one hour after I apply it and force me to carry it in my purse and contribute to my neck and shoulder pains.

Shop clerks run screaming when I show up at the the counter, because I buy something (most recently Chloe, well because…you know…) and while I like the smell, the throbbing in my head cut into my desire for a 5 ‘o clock cocktail, and that’s a no-no. I buy, try, take back, rinse and repeat. A few months ago I settled on Happy, White Shoulders (smells good, but is fleeting), and Joy (spray too much and you smell like the church lady’s grandma).

I was delighted when I stumbled upon a Crabtree and Evelyn store when we took a day trip to Boston, because I found a scent that I absolutely loved–“Lily.” I was smart about my perfume choice this time. I sprayed the tester on my wrist and walked out, right to The Hubster. He love Lily of the Valley flowers, so he was ’bout it ’bout it. So…I bought the perfume spray and the fancy powder with the powder puff–the kind you hardly find today.

Then I come home today and there’s a package at the door (one of the perks of running a blog is folks send you stuff to review), and low and behold I open it and it’s yet another Crabtree and Evelyn package with their new fragrance, Himalayn Blue, and also smells delicioso, but it more refined and suitable for the evening. It’s fresh, with a note of mandarin, orange leaf, and a hint of lemon, which is probably why I like it. I lean towards lemon-y, citrous-y smells because it feels “clean.”

What are all of you all wearing? What’s good?

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  • DeconteeLoveBorbor

    you should try kenzo its really nice

  • ncatina

    I have many favorites, but two that I absolutely love are Georgio Armani Diamonds and Angel.

  • dasdbobb

    I have no idea what to tell you about this.  If I think of anything, or can score some samples I’ll send them to you.   lemon-y, citrous-y smells huh?  I’ll see what I can do, I still know people in the business from my executive chef days.  I think I’ll give some of them a call.

    • MixedUpInVegas

       @dasdbobb
       Spoken like a true man!

  • Still working on finding a “signature” scent to wear all the time. One thing about perfumes, I have never liked anything “fruity”. Like strawberries or fruit punch. I just never liked the idea of leaving the house smelling like a gift basket. :S

    • Bren82

      @Toni_M I was more into those fruity sweet scents as a teenager trying to find my place in this wild world.

      • @Bren82@Toni_M  ” I was more into those fruity sweet scents as a teenager trying to find my place in this wild world.”
         
        Even as a tween-teen I always headed for the ‘hard stuff’ LOL some of the first I remember asking for were Opium, Rive Gauche & Shalimar(some of the SAs would exchange glances or look at my mom like she was nuts for buying perfume for me but thank G-d she didn’t care!) I also really liked the perfume oils I’d find at health food stores.

        •  @ElfeVerte  @Bren82  @Toni_M I used to like the “Hard stuff”, as you say when I was younger, but now I have switched to liking those flowery, fruity, candy smells… I wonder why!

        •  @TheFrocker  @ElfeVerte  @Bren82 Changing tastes, I imagine. It happens to all of us. In high school, I wouldn’t be caught dead leaving the house wearing any pink. XD

        •  @Toni_M  @TheFrocker  @Bren82  “Changing tastes…”
           
          I agree. I went through an Orientals only phase in my mid to late 20s so anything spicy and syrupy, i was all over it.  Now it’s mostly Chypres and some masculine-marketed frags.

    • ChristieRJohnson

       @Toni_M Same here.  I hate fruity, sweet, or citrus notes.  I love jasmine, ylang ylang, sandalwood and patchouli.  I like the exotic and mysterious. 

  • KfromVA

    My signature scent is the classic chanel #5(it reminds me of my mother), but I also enjoy Chanel Chance, Miss Dior, and Cashmere Mist.

    • grrlysquirrel75

       @KfromVA My mother adores Chanel #5!

  • SirLoinDeBeef

    A touch of sandalwood, in a aloe gel base … sort of like a moving, dark-glowing joss stick, ya know.

    •  @SirLoinDeBeef  I looove sandalwood too.

  • Brenda55

    I change fragrance with the seasons. Light stuff in the summer heavier stuff in the winter.
     
    I also switch up depending on activity. These are my all time go to fragrances.
     
     
    1. White Shoulders    wearing this since high school
    2. Givenchy d’interdit   I have been wearing this one for thirty years.
     
    3. Oscar dela Renta  another long time favorite
    4. Eternity.
    5. Chanel Allure

    •  @Brenda55  “3. Oscar dela Renta  another long time favorite”
       
      That’s one of my mom’s faves.  It’s super-feminine & she always gets compliments with that one. 

  • Bren82

    I have several eau de toilettes. Paco Rabanne, Chanel, Burberry, Thierry Mugler, etc. I lean more towards the fresh earthy scents and don’t care too much for the sweet citrusy scents. With that said I don’t care too much for Bond Number nines.

  • MixedUpInVegas

    I LOVE florals . . . I’m a gardening fool and grow many, many scented flowers in my yard.
     
    I tend to one note florals ; Tea Rose by Perfumers Workshop, White Shoulders (an old favorite from high school), but I’m stil looking for the right Violet (LOVE them and grow them) and have tried many.  Weak scents that don’t last.  An oldie from my youth has reappeared, Midnight in Paris, a powdery floral that is lovely.
     
    Don’t get me started on scents . . . I could write a book!

  • Asia

    I LOVE Coach Poppy and Marc Jacobs Daisy. Most people tend to love my MJ Daisy I always get compliments on it. Also it’s the newer one with the white and pink flowers. I do feel like it doesn’t last that long but it may just be that I’ve gotten used to the smell? Another scent I really liked was Couture Couture by Juicy Couture however much like Joy if you spray too much it will make you smell like a “church lady’s grandma” LOL

  • TJD

    My personal/signature fav: B&BW Sensual JasmIne Vanilla
     
    Also Estee Lauder’s Beautiful

  • grrlysquirrel75

    I had been wearing Miss Dior Cherie because I got a sample of it from Sephora. It’s a nice, soft scent with staying power. Unfortunately I’m all out of it. Not sure I want to buy a big bottle. Also, Bliss Spas has their own fragrance. It’s a light floral that lasts.

  • purplemoonflower123

    Right now my favorite is Vanilla Lavender by Lavanila Laboratories.  It is my summer fragrance and lavendar is my favorite scent and my husband loves the smell of vanilla, so it is a win-win.

  • GND

    My fave I’ve been using for about 3 or 4 years is Declaration by Cartier

  • VintageNarcissa

    I used to love Chanel Chance – Eau de Friase (the green one) and Rihanna’s scent Reb’l Fleur, but since becoming vegan I’m wanting to change my fragrances to some that are both vegan and not tested on animals. I’ve researched  a bit that Chanel does not test on animals. But I’ve seen a few sources that say they do, so I’m unsure about that one. My best bet would be to contact the company, but that’s work. I think I’d much prefer to spend my time just looking for a vegan fragrance. Reb’l Fleur I haven’t found any info on weather they test on animals so again, unsure. 
     
    But my favorite scent in general is vanilla. I’m tempted to go to one of those places where you can mix your own fragrance. I always pass one in Union Square.

  • Pearl Rose

    I like the “spice” scents. Pumpkin. Cinnamon, Vanilla, “Chocolate” or Lavender… I could really go on all day.. but I don’t like all the chemicals because they make me dizzy, same thing with perm, even my Olay lotion is starting to make me dizzy! I have to start wearing natural organic.. or just smell freshly natural “Pearl” scent.

  • I’m a perfume-obsessed fool but I’ll try my best to be brief. LOL! My signature & love of my perfumed life is Chanel No. 19 esp the vintage and pre-reformulation versions. I also love Calandre(P. Rabanne), Bandit(R. Piguet), Jil Sander Woman II, and Iris Silver Mist (S. Lutens). My most recent buy was vintage Joy (J. Patou) extrait and I’m really enjoying it. I had it years ago in eau de toilette but the pure perfume has a soapiness & depth that I like much more.
     
    For notes, I love iris, bergamot, rose, jasmine, vetiver, amber, ambergris, sandalwood and leather. I usually dislike most non-citrus fruit notes esp prominent peach & plum and loud berry notes. My favorite genres are: Chypre, Green Florals, Leather/Smoky, & a few Classic Orientals. I also like a lot of guy’s fragrances and I’ll wear them happily. Faves are: Vetiver(Guerlain),  Encre Noir (Lalique) and Chanel Pour Monsieur. I like Old Spice too. lolz  … I also dabble in making my own fragrances using essential oils,absolutes,resins, synthetic fragrance oils and perfumer’s alcohol or vodka. I’m always sampling new frags., watching or reading reviews, articles, books and blogs about the subject.

    • HR Professional

       @ElfeVerte 
       
      OMGoodness!  I am so excited someone else knows about Calandre!  My mom wore that fragrance when I was a baby (it gets weird here), I remember the scent of her.  I can smell it now.  When she bought it when I was teenager, after year’s of her not wearing it, I can not explain it, I just knew I had smelled it before. It was like coming home to something familiar.   Most recently, I bought it for her again earlier this year.  Very hard to find in department stores.  I associate that fragrance with my mother, with my childhood, with all things good in life.

  • Karla

    I also am a perfume addict like @ElfeVerte .  My signature changes with my mood but the three that always work for me, in terms of loveliness and positive comment-gathering are Chanel Allure, Dior Addict and my current, self-made mixture (patchouli, sandalwood, frankincense and vanilla, among other things).  I have quite a collection so can change with the wind if I want to.  Perfume is difficult to suggest to another because, IMO, it’s very personal.  It all depends on body pheromones, attitude, personality and preference.  I would not buy a perfume for a friend unless I felt I truly knew her; I’ve only done it once and with success.  I chose the perfume “Paris” by Yves St. Laurent for my best friend based on the characteristics listed above and it is now her signature scent.

    •  @Karla  I wore YSL’s Paris for awhile too it’s super-pretty& Oh yah, I *finally* finished my collection pix. It’s not *nearly* as serious as I feared. whew! I’m years away from Pfalzg(sp?) & yourself. lol
       
      I still have this romantic ideal of a hardcore signature(like The One..a kind of minimalist thing, hahah!) but I want it to be something easily available and not so dependent on vintage(fear of buying/receiving the ‘wrong’ one etc.) so with No. 19 i feel i’m setting myself up for too much hunting, hoarding & heartbreak.
       
      It seems like everything I loooove is discontinued or there’s a catch.
       
      Calandre=disc’d
       
      Iris SIlver Mist  currently not part of the Lutens’ export line….I have to have dh’s family or friends bring/send it or pay a markup online
       
      JIL Sander W2=disc’d arrgggh it’s really lovely too. :/
       
      Bandit is the most available but there are several different versions and it’s a bit too edgy  for my eternal signature. lolz. i don’t want to smell/feel like (I imagine) Asia Argento every single day. I think? …some days i’m reeeeally into Bandit(The black cap ones, not so much the weird gold cap version), we’ll see.
       
      http://www.basenotes.net/threads/246980-Bandit-Which-version-should-I-avoid
      http://goo.gl/zVOTt
       
      #1stWorldProblems
       
       
       

      • Karla

         @ElfeVerte I loved Calandre.  The first perfume I ever bought myself was Rive Gauche by YSL.  I was in college, I scrimped and saved and went to the Bon Marché in Tacoma, WA and bought a bottle.  That summer, my mom gave me Calandre so I had two scents to play with.  I wore those all through college and when I got in the Navy and had a respectable salary, I bought a new perfume every month for a while.  I wore Aliage while sweating through Officers Candidate School.  Each of my perfumes has a memory so it sucks when it’s discontinued.  There was a perfume I was mad for called J’ai Osé.  They still have it but changed the formulation.  That’s another thing I dislike.  I’ve been wearing Chanel Cristalle for the summer along with Eau de Ciel.  They are light florals that don’t make people gag so I can wear them to work.  Today, I mixed Chanel No. 19 with Cristalle just for a change.  It was very nice!

        •  @Karla  C19 and Cristalle are really good together. …also c19 with a dilution of that Essential Trading Post leather frag. oil.
           
          I’d be all over Cristalle if it weren’t for the melon-y aspect. What I love about it (w/ the last bottle of EdT I had…i don’t know the vintage but it was probably a 90ish bottle from a swap)  there was what ppl call a smoky or ‘ashtray’ cigarette-y bitter thing (gee i’m really articulate today llol… not!) that i couldn’t get enough of. I’m not sure if it’s still in there or what. The melon ran me away. lolz
           
          ….I actually finished the bottle by layering it w/C19  or Jicky PdT!

        • Karla

          @ElfeVerte Hmm, I don’t smell the melon in Cristalle.  On me, it smells a little peppery, very green (oakmoss-y, basil-y) with a slight exotic floral undertone.  I use the EDT not the EDP.  The EDP is definitely more fruity and has my most dreaded essence, peaches (gag!). 
           
          From Fragrantica: “Eau de toilette Cristalle was created in 1974, by the famous Chanel perfume creator Henri Robert. A perfect and pure fragrance composition reminds of an ideally lined crystal. Clear green notes reveal a wide spectrum: from green spicy basil to sweet petitgrain, a perfect beginning followed by exuberant eruption of lemon and bergamot freshness. The green note of galbanum unites the citrus notes and extends their glorious melody. The heart is composed of hyacinth and jasmine, but their luxuriance is subordinate to the perfect lines of the entire composition. The base includes oak moss and wood.
           
          The perfume belongs to the floral-chypre olfactive group. Eau de parfum Cristalle was created by Jacques Polge in 1993. While EDT is mysterious and astringent ‘chypre’, eau de parfum is sweeter and richer. The verdure of the top notes is significantly moderated, and bergamot is replaced by sweet mandarin. Juicy peach and melon repel the dark notes characteristic for EDT, and bring out the whole composition to the daylight. Exotic luxury of ylang-ylang and jasmine contrasts the soily nuance of vetiver and oak moss.”
           
          So, I was right.  EDT –  greener; EDP – fruitier.

    • MZ Elf

       @Karla Your homemade scent sounds right up my alley! I  used to wear Paris years ago.

  • ” …Joy (spray too much and you smell like the church lady’s grandma)…”
     
    LOL! I never cared much for Joy (i think i’d tried the EDT and EDP) but I recently scored some vintage pure parfum and it’s afreakinmazing. Yes, it starts out prim enough so the opening/top notes are kinda CL’s Grandma but the mid-notes are a jazz chanteuse in a slinky dress… and omg, the drydown/base notes are the church lady’s scandalous-hellbound-backslider-whorish-ex-auntie-by-marriage.

    • Christelyn

       @ElfeVerte Yes! It’s just like that, @ElfeVerte !
       

      •  @Christelyn   lolz..that’s the cool thing, IMO about a lot of the older classic(untampered with or at least well-reformulated) fragrances..they’re like a complete song/story/film.  To my nose, a lot of the new ones are really linear, or a one mood fog w/ very little drama. Which is fine but not usually my thing. If I want one ( or like 2 or 3 ) note(s) then I’ll just go for an essential or fragrance oil dilution.
         
        ….and don’t get me started on the whole trend of what I think of as “pinkness”..cotton candy, berries, pink pepper, pink graperuit, melons, peaches, pink roses, those warm soft cottony musks(reads ‘pink’ for me) …pink vanilla(ok I haven’t seen that one yet, LOL…but i’m sure it’s coming or i missed it).
         
        i guess I just dig the ‘old lady’ & ‘old hippie’ stuff. in fact when I read reviews somewhere like Makeupalley and someone says a perfume smells ‘too old ladyish’ or ‘like a headshop’..or ‘too masculline’ , my ears perk up. LOL
         
         

  • I wish I could wear perfume but my allergies will kick up tough. I usually just wear smelly lotion, I like anything that smells like grapefruit and ocean smell.

    • MZ Elf

      @eugeniaberg I love smelling like Citrus. When I use Shampoo, it is the Trader Joes brand with a citrus smell. My body wash has the same smell.

  • MZ Elf

    I used to love a couple of Crabtree and Evelyn scents. One they may still have but the other I believe was discontinued. Haven’t tried anything from them in years.
     
    I love more earthy and natural scents as opposed to flowery scents. I do like a scent from Bath and Body works that surprised me since it is so sweet smelling. I generally don’t buy their stuff since it is laced with “poison” but i was gift buying and found a few lotion scents that were perfect for summer. I can cheat with poisonous lotions every now and then since I dilute them with my unscented one and don’t wear them everyday.
     
    I had a man tell me as respectfully and in a non flirtatious way he could that I smelled so sweet. It was pretty powerful diluted because this was his experience from the whiff he got from the wind blowing his way while we fueled. He was about 10 ft way.
     
    I also love things with citrus especially orange since it has more depth in it. I actually used to wear Paris and noticed without trying that most of my scents over the years were from French companies. With the exception of my Burberry, I absolutely love the lighter french scents. I did like Opium and scents like that during the winter. Not sure how heavy I can go nowadays but will have to experiment a bit with my old bottles packed away.

    •  @MZ Elf  Opium is grrrreat in cold weather. It’s like a portable heater. lolz
       
      What’s the thing with Bath & Body Works and the “poison”? I haven’t tried their stuff yet.
      If you prefer light then maybe try Annick Goutal or L’Artisan Parfumeur?
       
      http://www.artisanparfumeur.com/shop/home-us.html
       
      http://www.annickgoutal.com/en/home.aspx
       
       Both companies have a lot of great-smelling fragrances that aren’t  at all overwhelming IMO. In fact, I’ve been ‘heartbroken’ because they don’t last/project much on my super-dry skin. I even tried buying all of the layering products and after 15 minutes still got a light veil of scent at best. lol.
       
      On normal-to-oily skin, they could be a great choice for close-quarters..like wearing to class/lecture, the movies, work ..anywhere that you don’t want to be tooo scented.

      • MZ Elf

        @ElfeVerte AG Hadrien and another I cant remember are on my list. Three YSL mens fragrance for winter. A few Jo Malones. I also have a few bottles of Tres Bien Francaise that I would like to mix with a heavier scent for winter. I still have Amarige from eons ago, a bottle of Paris and a few others. Such meager amounts compared to you two.

        I had stopped doing BBW with the thought that I wanted to decrease exposure to chemicals from cosmetics and beauty products. I am not a nazi about it but I am cautious. I am oily but the light stuff still goes quickly.

    • Karla

       @MZ Elf What were the Crabtree and Evelyn scents you liked?  I have two and am rationing them because they have been discontinued.

      • MZ Elf

        @Karla Original Gardenia and the Freesia

        • Karla

           @MZ Elf  Mine are Jamin de Provence and Nantucket Briar.  Sigh.  The jasmine was perfect.  Tom Ford has a jasmine that’s beautiful but much more expensive.

        • MZ Elf

          @Karla I had considered getting Jasmine to replace the Freesia.I never got around to it. I would love a Jasmine. I loved when my vines bloomed.

  • Oohhhh.. Hanae Mori, Tom Ford’s Vanilla and Tobacco, Dolce and Gabbana Velvet Collection–Patchouli and Sublime and Dior’s Dolce Vita

  •  
    The Art of Seducing Yourself : How to Select Perfume
    http://boisdejasmin.com/2007/02/perfume_seduce.html
     
    Do You Have Skin? On Skin Chemistry and Perfume
    http://boisdejasmin.com/2008/04/skin-chemistry.html
     
    A to Z Tips for Enjoyable, Affordable and Rewarding Perfume Hobby
    http://boisdejasmin.com/2012/04/a-to-z-tips-for-enjoyable-affordable-and-rewarding-perfume-hobby.html
     
    The Game of Love : Perfume, Food and Flirting
    http://boisdejasmin.com/2012/02/the-game-of-love-perfume-food-and-flirting.html
     
    Speaking Perfume : A-Z of Common Fragrance Descriptions
    http://boisdejasmin.com/2012/02/speaking-perfume-a-z-of-common-fragrance-descriptions.html
     
     

    • Karla

       @ElfeVerte Excellent references!  I like the Perfume, Food and Flirting. Maybe that’s why I’m such a perfume addict; it’s part of my flirting game. 

  • Another of my favorite blogs:
     
    http://yesterdaysperfume.typepad.com/
     

  • I currently wear Truth by Madonna. I was skeptical (but entranced by the bottle design), so I went in to Macy’s to give it a try… love at first smell! It’s very flowery, which I don’t usually buy, but it’s also quite sexy. I’ve gotten lots of compliments for it!
     
    Other perfumes I wear: Nina by Nina Ricci, Ed Hardy (ugh, can’t believe I’m saying that… but it smells SO GOOD). My absolute favorite perfume was Mentafolia by Guerlain, a lovely minty perfume that was discontinued many years ago.

  • Karla

    Got another convert to Tom Ford’s Tobacco and Vanille.  I went to get an organic facial this afternoon and my esthetician said it was the best smelling scent she’d ever inhaled.  She said she was going right to Neiman Marcus and getting it.  So far, I’ve managed to “encourage” four women without even opening my mouth except to answer the question, “What smells so good?”  I’m loving it!

  • Lady Arabella Victoria

    The two scents that I constantly receive compliments on are:
     
    (1) Elizabeth Taylor’s “White Diamonds” – my old faithful. I’ve been wearing it for 20 years.
     
    (2) Laura Mercier’s “Vanille Gourmande” – my man catching scent-they LOVE it!!!  http://www.lauramercier.com/store/shop/Eau-de-Toilette_Vanille-Gourmande-Eau-de-Toilette_prod230012
     
    I usually pair “Vanille Gourmande” with Laura Mercier’s “Almond Coconut” body cream but a new  body scent was just released called “Ambre Vanille.” I’m going to have to try it.

    • Karla

       @Lady Arabella Victoria Yes, Vanilla is a good scent for attracting men.  I used to wear Body Shop’s Pure Vanilla until they discontinued it.  I tested it once when I was with the inspector general’s office in the Navy.  Usually, when we showed up, people were scared, intimidated and angry; we were like internal affairs on the police force.  Although we were treated deferentially, the underlying emotions were fear and anger.  I started wearing my vanilla scent to these inspections and would see an immediate change in the commanding officer when he got a whiff.  It was almost like he was thinking, “If she smells like this, things can’t be all bad.”  I wore it on every trip we did from then on.  If you live near a Neiman-Marcus or a Saks Fifth, see if you like Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille.  It seems to have more of a devastating (in a good way) effect than just plain vanilla.  I went to get my facial the other day and my esthetician was going on and on about how wonderful I smelled.  She even sent me an email to thank me for giving her such a beautiful, scented experience!  This perfume is magical!

      • Lady Arabella Victoria

         @Karla
        Karla – Thanks for sharing your story and for the suggestion to try Tom Ford’s “Tobacco Vanille.” I will check it out when I’m in an area with a Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus store. I learned years ago that the scent of vanilla has a particularly powerful effect on men. It works in a subtle way. I usually only wear my Laura Mercier “Vanille Gourmande” on special occasions or on dates with gentlemen but based on your experience I will now wear it on an every day basis.

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