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The Monday Mail ~ help Tracey find a new perfume

Posted by Robin on 5 May 2008 97 Comments

R2D2 USPS mailboxI don't get a ton of reader email, but most of what I do get goes along the lines of "I like (fill in blank) and (fill in blank), can you recommend a few perfumes I might like..."

I always answer, but I'm not sure recommending perfumes is a particular skill of mine, so today we're going to try out a new semi-regular feature: I'm going to post some information about Tracey, my latest correspondent, and I'm asking everyone to please chime in with some recommendations. Plus, this gives me an excuse to post a picture of the newish R2D2 mailbox from the United States Postal Service, which I have been hunting for but have not yet seen in person*.

Here is what we know about Tracey:

She is a professional with a post-graduate degree in business.

She is in her late 40s.

She describes herself as a "hip suburbanite" and "fashion-forward" but not a "slave to fashion".

She works part-time and doesn't dress up as much as she used to.

And her fragrance preferences:

She likes lighter, cleaner scents, not too heavy, not too musky.

She does not like heavy florals, and especially dislikes rose. She does like lime and verbena, almond, and spicy nutmeg.

Perfumes she has liked in the past include Oscar de la Renta (the first perfume she ever owned), Heavenly by Victoria's Secret, Donna Karan Cashmere Mist, Flower by Kenzo, Perfect Veil by Sarah Horowitz, Guerlain Insolence. But at the moment, she does not adore any of these, and she is looking for a perfume to adore.

She'd like to have something a little unusual, or at least not widely worn.

So, what say you? Do bear in mind that Tracey is not looking to become a perfumista, she just wants to find a nice perfume.

My recommendations:

L'Artisan L'Ete en Douce ~ a clean, light, summery floral. It does have some rose, and lots of musk, but it's so clean (it isn't skanky musk) that I still think it will fit the bill. Tracey could get a sample directly from artisanparfumeur.us, and while she was at it, she could also try a few of their other lighter, cleaner scents. Maybe Jatamansi? Perhaps even La Chasse aux Papillons, although that might be more of a stretch.

Carthusia Mediterraneo ~ going for the "lime and verbena" angle, this is one of my all-time favorite summer citrus scents. Not long lasting, but everyone needs a nice summer citrus, right? Samples can be found at aedes or beautyhabit. Another, easier-to-find option would be Hermès Jardin Sur Le Nil, which is carried at Neiman Marcus, and if Tracey makes it to Neiman Marcus, she might also try a quick sniff of Prada Infusion d'Iris, Acqua di Parma Iris Nobile (in the Eau de Toilette, not the Eau de Parfum) and Jo Malone Lotus Blossom & Water Lily.

On the spicy but still clean front, I had more trouble. I thought perhaps Bvlgari Omnia or Nanadebary Classic Pink, but I'm hoping you guys will chime in.

* Image of R2D2 mailbox via Zeetz Jones at Flickr, some rights reserved.

Filed Under: perfume talk
Tagged With: monday mail

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97 Comments

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  1. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 11:10 am

    To Tracy I would recommend “Le Maroc pour elle” by Andy Tauer.

    Since she wants something a bit unusual, a not so heavy bright oriental fragrance might be something she will like.

    This is the first fragrance that comes to my mind.

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  2. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 11:24 am

    And I know that she does not like a rose scent, but this has lemon, lavender, cedarwood, jasmine with the rose, and the cedarwood leads the rose, accompanies the rose so well that it becomes almost impossible to distinguish rose as a flower on itself.

    It is not a heavy fragrance as the cedarwood may make it seem, that is just the surprise of Le Maroc pour elle: it is too lively and too sensual to smell heavy.

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  3. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 11:26 am

    I saw R2D2 mailbox near Princeton campus.

    I think that Aqua Allegoris Figue Iris would be a good choice, given that she likes fragrances in that vein (classical florientals), this one is lighter and more modern. I would also recommend iris fragrances as well, Paprika Brasil (Hermessence), Dzongka by L'Artisan (may be more niche, but very good and different.)

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  4. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 11:28 am

    SH's Joy comes from within. It's got a citrus opening with a spicy nutmegy vanilla-musk thingy in the end…. which lasts 12 hours on me. Unique and devastatingly beautiful. Sweet but haunting.

    Get thee a sample!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 11:33 am

    I'd recommend:

    – Annick Goutal Eau d'Hadrien. (Or is that considered too common these days?) It's fresh citrus and light with a touch of woods.

    – Creed Virgin Island Water with bergamot, mandarin orange, lime, herbs, ylang-ylang, jasmine, coconut, wood, tonkin musk.

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  6. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 11:33 am

    Tracey, if you want a sample of this one, try Luckyscent.com.

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  7. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 11:34 am

    Why can't I find one? And why do I want to, LOL?

    All good recs. Tracey, you should be able to find the Guerlain at Sephora, and I've already posted the link to L'Artisan. The Paprika Brasil is harder to come by — larger Hermes boutiques should have it.

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  8. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 11:34 am

    Victoria, could you tell me more about Dzongka? I haven't had the chance to smell it but the incense and flowers combination intrigues me.

    Thank you!

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  9. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 11:35 am

    Ding ding ding! You hit it on the nail — I thought I'd included every scent Tracey told me she liked, but somehow I left out that one. She has tried it and liked it.

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  10. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 11:36 am

    I don't know, there can't be *that* many people wearing Hadrien, can there? Tracey, Annick Goutal can also be found at Neiman Marcus, and at Bloomingdales & Nordstrom. I was also wondering about Goutal's Petite Cherie, or even Mandragore?

    The Creeds can also be found at Neiman Marcus.

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  11. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 11:43 am

    Perhaps she could try estee lauder beyond paradise for men. It feels fresh and peaceful without being shallow, very approachable while still being complex… Plus it's very easy to find, and the fact that it's marketed towards men (which should by no means scare her) might suffice to make it an unusual wear for women…

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  12. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 11:53 am

    Hi,

    I would like to suggest Frederic Malle's *** L'eau d'Hiver***. Here's the 411 on it from Barney's:

    “Winter Water” combines the clear freshness of water with the softness of white heliotrope, iris and honey, creating a clean crisp fragrance that warms the skin.

    Dawn :)

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  13. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 12:02 pm

    She might like to try the new Hermes Un jardin apres la mousson.

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  14. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 12:05 pm

    Champs Elysees… has mimosa but is not too sweet. And almond…

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  15. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 12:11 pm

    Citrus? How about my New Best Friend Acqua Colonia Arancia. Fresh, citrusy (orange) a bit spicy but not too much – just enough to hold up the orange and keep it interesting.
    Ditto Sur le Nil. LOVE it for summer.
    Dzonghka is Dza Bomb! I love that fragrance – clean, spicy, peppery, incensy but not overly so. Such an interesting scent and one I return to constantly. Also L'eau d'Artisan, which is fresh and bright and green to me.
    Hermessence Poive Samarcande. Maybe a tad sharp but just lovely!
    These are reasonably easy to come by (well, easier than JAR:-)
    that post-box looks like a Dalek from Dr Who. Scary.

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  16. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 12:12 pm

    Thanks, and double thanks for an “easy to find” rec — we're not good at that, apparently!

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  17. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 12:13 pm

    Hey, that's an interesting choice! Wouldn't have thought of it but might be perfect. Tracey, Frederic Malle is at Barneys, if you happen to have one nearby.

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  18. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 12:13 pm

    For Tracy I also thought of Frederic Malle “En Passant”, a very happy light perfume with lilacs in the air. It is not widely available but very beautiful and wearable for daytime and evening.

    No nutmeg in there or spices but it is light, feminine and special.

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  19. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 12:14 pm

    Thanks Tussah. Tracey, that will be at Neiman Marcus eventually — worth checking if you go, but it's pretty new.

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  20. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 12:15 pm

    Tracey, Champs Elysees is by Guerlain, and honestly don't know how widely carried it is at Guerlain counters.

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  21. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 12:16 pm

    Tracey, the Arancia is by Acqua di Parma's Blue Mediterraneo line, and is also at Neiman Marcus. They have an almond one too, if I remember correctly?

    The Dzongka & L'Eau de L'Artisan — link above, in the article. The Poivre Samarcande is only at larger Hermes boutiques.

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  22. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 12:38 pm

    hm, maybe Balmain- either Vent Vert or Ivoire? classic, elegant and not common at all :)

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  23. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 1:13 pm

    You know, I'm not super great with the perfume recs either, but I just recently spent some time with this awesome woman at Nordstroms who recommended to me, based on my fragrance likes (which sound a lot like Tracey's) a variety of fragrances, including the new Splashes from Marc Jacobs – particularly Grapefruit and Pear. I ended up selecting Pear, which is fresh and clean and light, and could almost be a unisex scent. I love it. (I tend to gravitate towards citrus scents)

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  24. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 1:39 pm

    I would suggest Hermes Eau de Merveilles, Helmut Lang, Etro Heliotrope. Good luck!

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  25. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 1:45 pm

    I second dawnkana's recommendation of L'Eau D'Hiver for a light fragrance that is not too floral – it is a little bit sweet and slightly musky, so I don't know if I can say that it falls in the “fresh” category, but something makes me think Tracey would like this milky almond fragrance. I feel like there's also a hint of nutmeg there, although it might just be the angelica note.

    Also, I am in love right now with Calyx – it's such a great, fresh green perfume, with a really nice, sophisticated drydown. Perfect for summer, and almost any occasion.

    Others: Jo Malone lime basil and mandarin – kind of an unusual fragrance, but a really good one – or, maybe even better, Jo Malone white jasmine and mint, which is summery and refreshing – it is floral, but not at all heavy, and I think the mint note makes it nicely distinctive (my only complaint is that, as others have noted, the lasting power is not so good).

    Also, I second your recommendation of Prada Infusion D'Iris.

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  26. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 1:50 pm

    I second the Ivoire de B. She might find it for cheap at a Marshalls or TJ Maxx, and can pick up a bottle of Jolie Madame while she's there (even though that does not really fit in with her tastes as described). I was also thinking that she might like to try Manifesto, which I found at one of those outlet mall perfume shop.

    What a fun project! Tracey, I hope you're inspired to try at least some of our suggestions, and report back on your impressions.

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  27. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 1:54 pm

    If Tracey isn't opposed to wearing fragrances that are “marketed to men”, I would suggest Anvers 2. It has lime and lemon and a little black pepper in the top and a lot of mimosa in the middle, and a little rhubarb to shake things up. It's really quite charming and, I think, quite unisex.

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  28. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 1:55 pm

    Ok, that's 2 votes for Ivoire. Wish I could think of where Tracey might find a tester. Possibly in a place like Perfumania? Don't know.

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  29. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 1:56 pm

    Tracey, you can find the MJ Splash scents at Sephora or Macy's, or anywhere.

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  30. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 1:57 pm

    You know, I thought about EdM but couldn't decide. Tracey, you'll find that at Neiman Marcus as well, and they sometimes have a limited selection of Etro.

    Helmut Lang — not sure where to find that. You'll have to google.

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  31. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 1:58 pm

    Hey, the JM White Jasmine might be perfect, I didn't think of that! Easy enough to find, too.

    Calyx is so wonderful! I need a bottle myself, and if it had a longer shelf life, I'd own one. Tracey, you can find it at any Prescriptives counter.

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  32. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 1:59 pm

    I didn't get to try #2, only the original Anvers. Must do that.

    Tracey, Anvers 2 is by Ulrich Lang, and you can order samples at aedes.com or luckyscent.com.

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  33. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 2:33 pm

    She sounds like a CdG girl to me. What about the new citrus scents they just released? Or even Rhubarb or Peppermint from the Sherbet series?

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  34. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 2:48 pm

    Oh, heck! Calyx! How perfect. Forgot all about that. Agree that is one of summer's perfect scents – my bottle is in the freezer awaiting release!

    Alas, I cannot second the Malone LBM – that stuff gives me a headache, it's so strong. I do think the Jasmine/Mint might be a nice entree into Malone territory….obviously these are just my suggestions.

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  35. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 2:53 pm

    LBM slays me too, but gosh, I think it is one of their top sellers. So who knows!

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  36. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 2:54 pm

    Tracey, the Comme des Garcons line is at Barneys, or you can order samples from luckyscent.com.

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  37. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 3:10 pm

    I've lost track – has anyone suggested Thierry Mugler Cologne for a bright, citrussy summer scent?

    Tracey sounds like she likes powdery scents (like me!). Gaultier Squared, or whatever it's called, should be fairly easy to find?

    Ninia Ricci's Premier Jour is based around almond, and is much underrated, I think.

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  38. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 3:13 pm

    Tracy, I hope that you will let us know what you like and what your purchase will be :-)

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  39. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 3:48 pm

    A couple of mainstream options for Tracey, Robin, might be Estee Lauder Pure White Linen (not the original) — its got citrus, prettiness and some white ginger and cardamom, which gets her closer to her nutmeg than many similar fresh floral scents — and Burberry Brit, with lime, pear and almond; perhaps the EdT as opposed to the richer, sweeter EdPwould be the better choice. Brit Sheer, if she can track it down, is beautifully fresh and clean, with echoes of the orginal. . .Good luck, Tracey! Lots of great ideas here, I see.

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  40. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 3:54 pm

    P.S. They may not be as unusual as some of the niche scents, granted, but I don't think they're as widely worn as many, and, considering her previous purchases, I don't think she'd find them too objectionably mainstream. Love conquers all, don't you think?

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  41. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 3:55 pm

    i am going to have to reccomend the original Issey Miyake, L'ea de Issey and Fresh's Bergamot Citrus.

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  42. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 4:06 pm

    It is a dry iris, almost earthy and mineral, but with a beautiful floral note that ties the entire composition. On the blotter, it is rather cold, but on the skin, it blooms. What I love about it is that it is very unique. It is somewhat between a flower and a stone. Very special.

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  43. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 4:06 pm

    I really don't have any particular advice for Tracey, except maybe to echo the votes for Sur le Nil — and might be worth sampling some Jo Malone scents.

    However, I must comment on that mailbox! I hope I never see one — the old blue ones have a classic look about them (though nothing like the beautiful red ones you see in some places in Europe). That Star Wars motif is just tacky to me. Sorry!

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  44. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 4:14 pm

    Or how about Nanadebary Green?

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  45. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 5:33 pm

    Ooh, yeah, Pure White Linen – seconded. GREAT-smelling perfume.

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  46. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 6:29 pm

    issey miyake is an excellent choice. i also think many women smell wonderful in aqua di gio for men. they are both clean, crisp and green. wierdly, unforgivable for men smells good on women as well.

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  47. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 6:31 pm

    I see our Tracey has like a little powder and a little violet in her perfume past. I wonder if she might like Caron's Aimez-Moi?? It also has some spice and some almondy heliotrope, and a touch of mint for greenness.

    Another — it may be easy enough to get online — is Oscar Bamboo. That LE has lime, vetiver and bamboo leaves for a green sparkle, cardamom for spice (her VS has it, too), some grean tea and some pretty water lily for the floral factor. . .

    I've actually got a grid printout with fragrance components listed, and nutmeg is very, very rare, Tracey. As Robin says, Therese Light would be just the thing for you. What I'm dying to know is where did YOU find this lovely nutmeg note you love???? I want some of it! (Or is it just a thing you've liked from your fave breakfast muffin???)

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  48. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 6:50 pm

    Hey Robin (and maybe Tracey too): You may want to try a spritz of Burberry Brit for Men next time you're in your local department store. To my nose, it has a good kick of NUTMEG along with other spices. Check it out.

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  49. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 7:24 pm

    En Passant is so pretty :-)

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  50. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 7:26 pm

    TM Cologne is another favorite of mine. Tracey, it's unisex but is often found at the men's counter. Macy's & Bloomies both have it.

    Jean Paul Gaultier's Gualtier Squared is at Bloomies too, I think (?) The Nina Ricci might be harder to find — maybe someplace like Perfumania.

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  51. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 7:26 pm

    Love does conquer all, and those all have the advantage of easy to find and not too much $$$.

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  52. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 7:27 pm

    Hey, I sort of forgot about the Fresh line. They might have several Tracey would like. They're also at Neiman Marcus, and I think they're also at Sephora.

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  53. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 7:29 pm

    Joe, I'll take a tacky mailbox here & there, LOL…and don't worry, I think they're “limited edition” — certainly they're not going to re-do every mailbox in Star Wars.

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  54. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 7:29 pm

    Joe, Nanadebary Green might work.

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  55. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 7:30 pm

    Robin, all good recs. I've no idea where to tell Tracey to find Oscar Bamboo though, do you? Actually, not even sure where you can get a tester of the Caron outside of the Caron boutique…

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  56. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 7:33 pm

    How about Eau de Sud? That's certainly an interesting twist on Hadrien.

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  57. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 7:54 pm

    I can't do LBM either, but I did layer the tangerine one with the nutmeg one (sorry Tracey — I promise you'll be able to tell which ones I'm talking about at the boutique!) and it was delicious! That would cover both the spice and the citrus, and the tangerine has quite a bit of petitgrain in it, for the green…

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  58. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 7:57 pm

    The new one – Pure White Linen Light Breeze – might also work. I have many of the same tastes as Tracey and love this new one (thought I don't get along with EL scents as a rule…)

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  59. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 10:22 pm

    All good recs, and all easily found, thanks!

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  60. Anonymous says:
    5 May 2008 at 10:23 pm

    I adore Eau de Sud. Not sure I'd call it clean, but might be worth a shot!

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  61. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 3:44 am

    If Tracey doesn't like musk, she better steer clear of L'Artisan's L'ete en Douce, whose “clean' musk must have rolled in the armpit of a gym rat before it crawled into my bottle. After 10 minutes, I was soaked in musk that was as tenacious as a three-year old who's been promised ice cream. Unfortunately Creed's Virgin Island Water does the same thing on me. Jatamansi is gone before the spray dries, but L'Artisan's Pineapple Fizz is great if layered over the body cream.
    All available through Aedes.com
    My ever-favorite Mandragore by Annick Goutal is available at Nordstrom. It's lovely and not overdone.
    Some good summer scents she might enjoy: Jo Malone's Jasmine and Mint, Verbena des Provences, both scents that are best layered with something with a bit of oomph. Thierry Mugler has a crisp men's scent out that is short-lived but entertaining.
    And my latest favorite: Li Alterelli, from Stephanie de Saint-Aignan, a crisp start with a galbanum and galangal finish that has great sillage and stays for hours. Available from Luckyscent.com

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  62. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 5:01 am

    Seconding (Third'ing?) Annick Goutal's Mandragore – lovely fresh bergamot, violet and a light dusting of spice….. and also Eau du Sud too.

    I wonder if Diorella might be too fresh for what she is after, or something like Ormonde Jayne's Champaca (or indeed their men's Isfarkand with the lovely lime and pepper opening).

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  63. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 5:08 am

    Almond Perfumes :
    Artisan – Jours de fête (still in sale … for how long)
    SL – Louve
    Two composition with a strong Almond.
    (I can add CSP Vanille Amande … no I cant … :) )
    Citrus can be found in many fantastic flagrance. Verbena is another challenge (if you know good verbena … you are welcome, I am searching one too ;) )
    LostMarch Din Dan … is an interessant try around Verbena and citrus. I like it very much but you cant call it really a “Perfume”.

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  64. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 5:51 am

    After reading someone likes light, clean fragrances, I always brace myself for the surprise. My mom said the same thing, for example, but of the ones I samples with her, she ended up calling all the aquatic, citrus colognes I presented “strong” and chose White Linen (my personal pick for her) instead. Tracey doesn't like strong florals, but she's worn and liked Insolence and Oscar de la Renta! So let's concentrate.
    For the lime/verbena lover in her: Lime Basil & Mandarin (Jo Malone) or Eau de Guerlain.
    Flower, Cashmere Mist, Heavenly, and Insolence are very heliotropin/baby-powder scents…I suspect her idea of clean is a woody, almondy, talcum powder clean. Has she tried Après l'Ondée and L'Heure Bleue? For the HTF angle, there are L'Eau d'Hiver, Iris Poudre and Une Fleur de Cassie to try in the Frederic Malle line.
    I would also highly recommend the colognes of the Institut Tres Bien line, especially la Française.

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  65. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 7:55 am

    Issey Miyake was my first thought too, but it's everywhere now. Don't know how much Difference it makes. I researched some scents on a scientific basis–I entered the keynotes and variations on them. Hampton Sun! just came to me. Here is my *scientific* findings: Jo Malone's Verbena's of Provence and her new Divine Nectar

    Max Mara's Le Parfum

    D by Diane Von Furstenburg

    Eau Du Sud by Annick Goutal

    Balencia's Ho Hang

    Rochas-Eau De Rochas and

    Guerlain's Orange Magnifica

    And I guess Tracy doesn't care for Givenchy's Organza?

    I'm still new at this but I hope one of these sounds like a possible for Tracy.

    Joy,

    Becca

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  66. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 8:09 am

    What about Le Parfum de Therese? It has such a fabulous citrus hit in the opening notes, then dries down to a divine, clean, spicy warmth. Lasting power is good too. For a scent with a slightly intimidating provenance, it's very wearable. A classic, but about as far away from a department store as it's possible to get. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea though. I do agree that Un Fleur de Cassie is another lovely option, and perfect for spring/summer.

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  67. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 9:39 am

    Aha, Jour de Fete sounds perfect! Another L'Artisan, Tracey — sounds like you need to spend some time w/ the L'Artisan line.

    No, you can't add Comptoir Sud Pacifique (just kidding).

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  68. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 9:40 am

    Tracey, Apres l'Ondee & L'Heure Bleue are both by Guerlain. We've already mentioned that Frederic Malles is at Barneys, and Institut Tres Bien, unfortunately, is rather hard to find in the US.

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  69. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 9:40 am

    Tracey, Both of those are by Frederic Malle, which again, is at Barneys.

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  70. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 9:41 am

    Tracey, Diorella is (duh!) by Dior. Ormonde Jayne is a London-based line, and you can order samples from http://www.ormondejayne.com

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  71. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 9:45 am

    QC: “gym rat” — oh no, LOL!

    Not sure which Thierry Mugler you mean? Is that TM Cologne?

    Tracey, you can buy samples of Stephanie de Saint Aignan from luckyscent.com. The rest of those I think we've already covered.

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  72. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 9:46 am

    Tracey: Max Mara Le Parfum is musk + nutmeg, very light, and is at Bloomingdlaes. The Guerlain Orange Magnifica might be discontinued, not positive, but you could check Sephora. Dont' know where to find the DVF or the Ho Hang, unfortunately.

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  73. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 11:02 am

    Thanks, Joe805, for the steer to the guy's Brit!! Mmm, nutmeg. Sounds great. I've liked their London for men, too. (Even a year ago, I would have thought it a too-big stretch to explore masculines at all, and now — I think it was Robin and her recommendation for Gucci pour Homme that started it — I'm crazy for them. I think Andy Tauer's L'Air du Desert Marocain is pure genius: and hey, I guess we're all so evolved now that that can't even be called a masculine, since the gender lines are so blurred. Yippee!!)

    Robin and Tracey, I found my Oscar Bamboo on eBay. It's got a bit of a following so it's not super-cheap, but if you keep it in your Searches I think it's bound to pop up.

    As for Caron testers, I got all mine — I'm just finishing a big blitz of Carons, again, thanks to NST and colleagues for turning me on to this extraordinary house; they're just incredibly well-constructed — from the lovely Nancy at fishbonefragrances, who is right now (great timing, Trace!) liquidating out her inventory at very good prices indeed. A 1ml vial is $2.50 for most Carons — Nuit de Noel, Parfum Sacre among them — and a generous 8ml decant is all of ten bucks!!

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  74. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 11:18 am

    Tracey and Robin, someone had mentioned that verbena isn't easy to find, and it just twigged that I'd JUST sniffed a new sample from Fishbone that was loaded with it: here are my notes:

    Lostmarc’h Din Dan **

    Sweet orange and lemon jelly beans!!! Nice and casual and splash-y! Gets greener and greener on the drydown. Short and simple. I like it.

    Verbena, lemon, mint.

    Robin, I just love the idea of doing this regularly!! It really gets the ol' brain working hard and brings out the fragrance sleuth in all of us. Tracey, you've got some terrific suggestions; good luck on narrowing down the huge field all R's helpful posters have provided.

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  75. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 11:26 am

    Until the last two major releases (L'Instant de Guerlain & Insolence), Champs-Elysees was one of the three cornerstones of the company. With Samsara it has now been relegated to “boutique” status, meaning they join all the other great classics and are no longer “focus” fragrances. C-E should still be easy to find. It has almond blossom and almond wood.

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  76. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 11:34 am

    I think Pure White Linen and Pure White Linen Breeze are good choices as well as L'Eau D'Hiver. Tracey might also like Figue-Iris and Laurier-Reglisse (which is greener) because they both contain violets. These two also have only two floral notes each and are light and quite fresh.

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  77. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 11:53 am

    I had put “Din Dan” on my list for Tracey

    Even if for now it is very difficult to find …

    Have you tested all LostMarch ? There is a UFO inside them :)

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  78. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 12:01 pm

    Benoit: ?????????????????

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  79. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 12:22 pm

    I hope Tracy tries these:

    One of the fig frags of Diptyque or Jo Malone–not too sweet or cloying, free feeling which is great in summer IMHO.

    Monyette Paris–yes it's sweet but you never know, you might just like it enough to question your own taste. Great for summer party nights too.

    A sophisticated patchouli like Montale's Patchouli Leaves. Not sweet for sure and sort of unusual. I haven't sniffed many department store frags that smell like this. The patchouli might make Tracy a little nostalgic (talking 'bout my…generation) even if she doesn't recognize it, in a ancestral memory kinda way.

    To echo someone above, Tracy, I hope that you will let us know what you like and what your purchase will be :-)

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  80. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 1:06 pm

    Just wanted to pop back into this thread and say Good Luck to Tracey, who is now faced with a bewildering array of options. It is really fun to try to come up with perfumes for someone! And I've found that I can make five or six suggestions based on what I know of someone's taste, and the person in question may like one of those but may also end up settling on something I couldn't have predicted they would like. Which is one of the fun things about the whole exercise.

    I want a perfume with a UFO in it.

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  81. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 1:14 pm

    Another one comes to my mind for you Tracy, since you like nutmeg and want something different and not too heavy I suggest to you Feminite du Bois by Shiseido, lovely woods like white cedarwood and prunes, clove and nutmeg, I mean you almost smell the allmonds somewhere in between even if there no allmonds there.

    Then there is a lovely flower fragrance: Spring Flower by Creed.

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  82. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 1:17 pm

    UFO Benoit? I want one too'*'

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  83. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 2:17 pm

    Sorry :)

    I have translated something bad … in french we said that there is a UFO inside something when there is something unexpected inside something.

    One of the LostMarch is really unexpected … Lann Ael … it is Gourmand … but really different in my opinion. A futur Killer.

    It is their best seller.

    Sorry for the UFO … no green martian in Perfume :))

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  84. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 3:27 pm

    And my last but not my least: since you like cashmere mist I am somehow pretty sure that you will like Laura Biaggiotti Acqua di Roma.

    It is not exactly widely available but not a niche perfume either. It is not superduperdifferent but it is very feminine and very classy.

    Wearable for daytime at the office hours as well as evenings.

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  85. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 5:53 pm

    Dior Cologne Blanche

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  86. Anonymous says:
    6 May 2008 at 11:46 pm

    What is her hair/eye/skin color and skin type, e.g. oily, dry? Here's my suggestions:

    Guerlain: Jicky, Eau de Cologne Imperiale,

    Roget & Gallet: Bouquet Imperiale or Extra Vielle

    Bulgari: Eau de Blanc

    Bond No 9: Coney Island

    Henry Jacques: Colibri (unique and very hard to find)

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  87. Anonymous says:
    7 May 2008 at 1:45 am

    Ah, thanks, Benoit! Now I get it. I like that. UFO. I wonder if the Quebecois here in Canada are hip to the same jargon? Green Martian: sounds like an Alien flanker!!!

    A generous swapper sent me a vial of Lann Ael. You're right, B., it's edible but very different, a real caramel popcorn honey bomb.

    And sorry, I completely missed your mention of Din Dan. Aren't we both rather clever??

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  88. Anonymous says:
    7 May 2008 at 4:03 am

    As soon as I saw the reference to Eau d'Hadrien, I immediately thought Eau du Sud, then saw you went on to suggest it, so I'd second that!

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  89. Anonymous says:
    7 May 2008 at 4:11 am

    I was surprised at how pleasant Burberry The Beat was – not overly fruity at all, and with a nice woody touch. Easy to find and a cute bottle.

    I also recently discovered Sensi by Armani – woody oriental. Turin described it as well cut “beige trousers”, but isn't there a place for beige trousers in every woman' wardrobe? And she did like Cashmere Mist, arguably another very pleasant beige trouser fragrance.

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  90. Anonymous says:
    7 May 2008 at 5:33 am

    Jour de Fête is near the graveyard …

    I am quite sure of it now … last year to be able to buy the flagrance I beleive.

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  91. Anonymous says:
    7 May 2008 at 6:26 am

    sorry

    Stupid translation :)

    UFO from “Parfums Martien” will be my line for the futur “Eau de Faux”

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  92. Anonymous says:
    7 May 2008 at 7:13 am

    That s funny Lann Ael was supposed to be the smell of a “Creperie”. (A britany restaurant where you can eat “crepes and galettes”)

    You transform it in “PopCorn Caramel Honey”.

    Din Dan is the only lostmarch' that I have bought (I am a fan of Verbena).

    But it is far from being something that can be called “Personal Perfume”.

    5 years ago Occitane has launched an all Verbena line. It smell quite good with a lasting power of a few millisecond.

    Other Verbena can be found at the very cheap “Molinard” house (dont know if you know it).

    After that nothing … I think that Verbena is too much green and bitter for a head. It is difficult to do something with it.

    Green Martian : A Galbanum Alien Flanker … why not … who send a mail to Mugler ?

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  93. Anonymous says:
    7 May 2008 at 11:52 am

    Benoit, Jour de Fete is near the graveyard…?? What do you mean by that? Litterally or by way of speaking?

    UFOs, 'near the graveyard' B. I'm only a very simple Dutch person, so please have some mercy..!!

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  94. Anonymous says:
    7 May 2008 at 12:52 pm

    Galbanum Alien Flanker: perfect, Benoit!

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  95. Anonymous says:
    9 May 2008 at 12:55 pm

    Tracey might like Guerlain Vol De Nuit, since she likes powdery scents like Cashmere Mist, Flower and Perfect veil.

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  96. Anonymous says:
    12 May 2008 at 5:13 pm

    Robin-

    the nutmeg is from Sarah Horowitz's “Joy Comes from Within”. This is a line she has at Barney's (what comes from within line) but I got a sample from her website for $2.50. It is described as “spicy nutmeg top note…accented with a hint of almond….middle note of orange blossom……base note of creamy vanilla, tonka bean, and musk”. I love the sample, and someone else recommended it to me on the blog. I may go ahead and buy a bottle for $95. The website for her company is creativescent.com and she just sent out an e-m to her customers that she is changing her company name to SH Parfums ……….anyway, she has very good descriptions of all of her fragrances on website, and they ship quickly and are great about samples. Thanks for your suggestions to me, this is like my new part-time job….following up on all of the great recommendations!

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  97. Anonymous says:
    13 May 2008 at 9:21 am

    Tracey, it will be a part time job — this is more recommendations than I expected! Do let us know if you find something wonderful.

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