Huge thanks to everyone who chimed in last week to help Tracey find a new perfume. Hopefully she'll get back to us and let us know if she found a winner; meanwhile, we've an even tougher challenge this week: Lavonne, who admits that she is "completely ignorant about perfume".
Here is what we know about Lavonne:
She is a 50 year old recently divorced mother of 3, and describes herself as "professional, well-organized, somewhat conservative".
She has purchased fewer than half a dozen bottles of perfume in her entire life.
Lavonne has two daytime perfumes: Guerlain's Champs Elysées, which she has been wearing for most of the past decade, and her more recent discovery, Vera Wang Truly Pink. She is now looking for a sexy evening scent. She likes musky scents, but not too much patchouli. She has done some perfume shopping recently, and here is what she found:
She very much liked Narciso Rodriguez for her ("I love the honey, flower and musky scent of it.")
She kind of liked Thierry Mugler Angel but it didn't seem to last (she did have a cold when she tried it). But it was "nice, not earth-shattering".
She did not like Estee Lauder Private Collection ("sour weeds"), or Agent Provocateur ("a floral scent mixed with something else that I don't like"). She also did not like Guerlain Shalimar ("makes me think of cookies, which seems non-sexy, and not a smell I would want to dominate in any perfume I wore").
Lavonne would like us to restrict our suggestions to fragrances that can be found at Sephora, Macy's and Neiman Marcus.
The Narciso Rodriguez sounds like our best clue, but Narciso Rodriguez is about the only fragrance on earth that I literally cannot smell at all — one spritz of Narciso Rodriguez and my throat closes up and I can't smell anything else for the rest of the day. So I'm counting on all of you, what would you suggest?
The obvious suggestion is SJP Lovely, which is similar to NR and widely available.
Or possibly Flowerbomb, which is another sweetish musk (I think; I never really get close enough to work it out!) On the other hand, that does have patchouli, I think?
Perhaps Hypnotic Poison?
SJP's “Lovely” springs immediately to mind as being in the NR ball park and it is a great scent at the price and easily available. Striking out a bit, how about Gucci Rush. Being UK based I don't know if Neiman's carry the Frederic Malle line but she might like L'Eau d'Hiver. This is such a fun exercise! I hope the ladies find something suitable.
Great recs! I wouldn't have thought of Hypnotic Poison, but that might be perfect.
Lavonne, the Frederic Malle is at Barneys, and would be a bit pricier than the others you've tried.
helmut lang? or l'artisan mimosa pour moi? even possibly philosophy amazing grace (not a top choice but it is available at sephora). hope this helps. cheers.
I too would suggest trying Gucci Rush and what about Moschino (the first one)? I also thought about Féminité du bois but I'm not sure it's easily available in the US.
Lavonne, I've no idea where to find Helmut Lang. L'Artisan might require a trip to Barneys, or you can see if they've a boutique in your city.
Unfortunately no, not easily available — you'd about have to buy it unsniffed
YSL Paris? Or maybe Omnia Amethyst.
Would the Jo Malone Dark Amber & Ginger Lily qualilfy as sexy? Tried it this weekend and it's not my thing, because I'm not a big musk fan, but I can see how a musk lover would enjoy it.
I forgot to include Caron Parfum sacré and, since she likes Angel, maybe Lolita Lempicka could be a nice variation. Gucci by Gucci too could be interesting if Lavonne likes Narciso Rodriguez: i prefer the latter, but I find them someway similar.
I suggest Champs-Elysees in extrait form–it's different enough from other versions and would be great for evening. Herve Leger, YSL Cinema (or summer versions), and Gucci Eau de Parfum (the one with the hefty bottle/amber juice) might also work.
Lavonne, extrait means the pure Parfum — I know you have the Eau de Parfum, this would be even stronger, and often the Parfum has slightly different notes and higher quality ingredients. Not sure if you'd be able to find it “in person” — you might have to buy online.
Lavonne, YSL Paris & should be at Sephora, and so should the Omnia Amethyste, which is by Bvlgari. And it occurs to me that if you see the Stella Rose Absolute at Sephora, you might try that too.
Ah, the new Gucci is an interesting idea. Lavonne, that will be at Neiman Marcus. Lolita Lempicka should be at Sephora, I think. Not sure if you'll see Caron Parfum Sacre at any of those 3 stores though.
Second the SJP Lovely suggestion
My mom also likes NR and Champs Elysees 
I would venture to suggest a variety of frags: Chanel Coco, YSL Cinema, Donna Karan Cahmere Mist, Dior Addict, J'Adore & Hypnotic Poison, Guerlain Samsara, YSL Paris, Stella Mc Cartney Stella & Stella In Two Amber, Valentino V & Rock'n'Rose, Gucci EDP I ( the square heavy bottle, brown juice) , Paul Smith Rose, Versace Woman, Dolce & Gabbana By & Feminine.
Lavonne, I am not sure the Paul Smith Rose is in the US yet, but the rest of those you should be able to find.
I'd have to go with the SJP recommendation, too. Something tells me she might like lilies. How about Donna Karan Gold?
Well maybe if she is recently divorced she might like a change of style?
If not, how about some of the goldies – Opium, Obsession, or Cinnabar?
When you're done you may help me select a new perfume, am in a Hypnotic Poison trap LOL
A, have you seen it recently? I'm hearing rumors it isn't at Macy's any longer, so assuming it might be another goner. But haven't looked for it myself.
It's still at my Macy's in Central IL, but down at the bottom of the shelves that face away from heavy traffic areas.
I would suggest Prada and Prada Tendre, both availbale at Sephora USA.
NG, maybe you would like Dolce & Gabbana Classique, it somehow reminds me of Poeme. Have you tried Boucherons fragrances and Rochas for as far as Rochas is available?
Estee Lauder has some good ones like Pleasures or one of the flankers of Pleasures.
Guerlain's L'Instant, for the “honey, flower and musky scent”. Should be available at Sephora and some dept stores. Has a wonderful sillage but not overpowering.
If Sephora is still carrying the Fresh line, Cannabis Rose might work – it is floral and musky with a little bit of chocolate and patchouli.
I saw a set at TJ Maxx recently.
If FdB is a no-go, try Dior's Dolce Vita – they're sisters.
perhaps Quelques Fleurs by Houbigant, or L'Artisan Drole de Rose
I'll second Sariah's suggestion of L'Instant. It's not challenging but it is grown up and it has some honey in it. There's also L'Instant Magic, which is a slight variation on the theme with a touch more woods in it. Both are beautiful. And while you're at the Guerlain counter, why not sniff some of the classics like Mitsouko, L'Heure Bleu and Vol de Nuit? (Just for the hell of it!)(They'll be tucked away somewhere but just ask to smell them. It'll impress the hell out of the SA.)
As well as Dolce Vita, other Diors that might work would be Dune and Pure Poison, if the Hypnotic is too vanillic. (Again, once you're at the counter you might as well have a good sniff.)
But it sounds very much as if SJP's Lovely is a must-buy! Tell the kids you want a belated Mother's Day present!
Hi, Robin and all the commenters,
Thanks so much for all your suggestions. I plan to make a list of these and keep it in my purse for when I am out shopping. I will make a real effort to try them all.
After years of ignoring how wonderful fragrances can make me feel, I am like a new convert–I can't get enough of it. But it is discouraging when you try two or three and they all smell wrong, you get to the point where you feel incompetent. I will feel empowered with a list of names to look for.
I also appreciate the suggestion for the Extrait of Perfum for Champs Elysees. I saw one for sale on Ebay and let it get away. If I see another I will buy it. I already took this site's suggestion to try the EDP strength of Champs Elysees for the first time, instead of the EDT. I like the more intense smell quite a bit.
Thanks so much~!
Lavonne
Uh oh.
And double uh oh.
Hey, that could be perfect. And worth trying that one in Parfum as well.
Lavonne, if it isn't at Sephora, Neiman Marcus should have it.
Nile Goddess, that's not such a bad trap to be in! But if you're serious, shoot me an email.
Lavonne, the Houbigant will be at Neiman Marcus, the L'Artisan at Barneys.
It might! I like it. Lavonne, the Jo Malone line can be found at Neiman Marcus.
Suddenly wondering what L'Instant layered over Lovely would be like? Might deepen the L'Instant nicely. Or not, of course
Gucci by Gucci was one of my thoughts, or maybe CK Euphoria or YSL Cinema. A more obscure possibility might be Jo Malone Blue Agava & Cacao. I think they have all got musks, and I reckon they are nice for evening wear!
Lavonne, good luck, you're quite a list to take shopping now! Do come back and tell us if you find something great.
Lavonne, YSL Cinema has several votes now, so I'd say that's a must try!
Robin, I think that sounds like a great layering idea. Another womanly idea for Lavonne — I'm 50, too, L. — might be Palazzo by Fendi. I know you weren't crazy about it, R., but Lavonne might be. I just spritzed some on the other day from a store tester so it's fresh in my mind. It's also a little more unusual that Lovely or L'Instant, which seem to be everywhere. Cinema, mentioned by several, is a real contender, I think: it's golden like Champs but, I think, smoother and sleeker and beautifully seamless.
One last idea, but it may be harder to find: Guerlain's Angelique Noir. It's rich but not cookie-rich!
I am headed to TJ Maxx today!
. . .or Guerlain's Bois d'Armenie. Ah, that might be the one, Lavonne. Again, rich, dressy, special, a nice evening-out scent, but not too sweet. Good luck with your fragrance hunting and with your new status as a single woman. Your life can be full of freedom and joy and fulfillment. All the best
For evening? In the spring I'd say “Fracas” by Robert Piquet. For hot summer nights I'd say “Hadrien Absolu” by Annick Goutal.
Neither one is outlandishly expensive nor are they too hard to find. Both last well (on me at least) and both are extraordinary.
Palazzo might be worth a shot, and think Cinema too. You're cheating w/ the AN & the Armenie since they can't be found in those 3 stores
Lavonne, you might find Fracas at Sephora, but not sure — they used to carry it. Neiman Marcus might have the Annick Goutal.
Hi, My name is Jill and I read the articles on this web-site daily but often I don't have much to add to the comments, but I feel compelled to add to this one. I am 33 yrs old and divorced and I also wear Champs-Elysees during the day. When I dress up or am going out I wear Sabi by Henry Dunay and I am over-weight and men are constantly asking what I am wearing as they love the smell. I don't wear a lot but it radiates a lot of smell and when I get home at night I can still smell it. It is sold only at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman and isn't always in an area that is well advertised but it wonderful and can be used all year round.
hypnotic is great. Have you thought of Badgley Mischka? I am not sure if it is available at the stores you listed but I find it a little musky.
FDB is yummy and always reminds me of my other favourite, Black Cashmere. I suppose this is IMPOSSIBLE to get there though.
I am not sure how hard it is to find over in America, but Shocking by Schiarapelli has a decent honey note and is not a scent you see every day. Geeze it is hard when you don't know the availablity.
How can I e-mail you?
Marianne, there is NO perfume currently available in Prague that I could wear except my current favorites:
Winter
Hypnotic Poison
Narcisso Rodrigues
Chanel Allure Sensuelle
Summer
Azuree Soleil / Bronze Goddess
L'Eau Par Kenzo
Herba Fresca
In between
Gucci Envy
Obsession Night
Thanks Jill! I've smelled Sabi but not in a very long time, will have to give it another shot.
Not easy to find, no!
See the “About” page on top menu.
May i chime in on SJP's Lovely? Men love this scent – it garners more compliments than any other I've every worn. The musk is light but long lasting, and the body lotion is wonderful in every way, both in terms of scent and skin softening power! Dior's Dolce Vita is another one to try. BTW TJ Maxx recently had large bottles of SJP Lovely lotion on sale for 14.99!!
Oops. My mistake. Being from Vancouver, where we can't get a darn THING, pretty much, I always assume that you guys south of the 49th have absolutely everything at The Big Three. (I don't get out much. :-))
I think Lavonne might enjoy Versace signature, which just recently came into Macy's, and also J'Adore & Nina, both of which are available at Macy's & Sephora. DKNY Be Delcious Night is another sexier choice, but I believe this may still only be avaialble at Bloomingdales. I agree on Fracas, and this is definitely currently available at Sephora.
I would suggest Guess By marciano or Miss Dior Cherie. I also think she may enjoy Delicious nights and yes it is available in macy's now.
Wordbird, I like your recommendations-Pure Poison (very flirty) and Dune. Dune is so exquisite, it makes me cry. One of my all-time favorite perfumes.
I don't know about Hypnotic Poison, though. Lavonne says she doesn't like a “cookie element.” This frag is nice, but it does have that almond biscotti thing going on.
Following up on the honey and florals, and riffing off Angel, what about Missoni, or Serge Lutens' Chergui – I think both would make excellent evening scents, the Missoni in particular!
Santemon
Hi all, I'm late for comments, but if you like the incense scent why not SacreBleu by Parfums di Nicolai? (the review is on this site….) or Magie Noire by Lancome for a dryer woody chypre note?