Today's victim is Samantha. She's a stay-at-home mom during the day and a nurse at night. She's owned a number of perfumes that she's grown tired of (or just grown out of), including Ferragamo Incanto, Escada Rock 'n Rio and Fresh Sugar.
Samantha recently purchased By Kilian Love, and says she is "happy-ish with it", but not thrilled, and she's been spending too much money on samples looking for the perfect scent. She's hoping we can help narrow down her choices. She'd like to find the one (or maybe two) unique fragrance(s) that fit her personality, and her budget is $100 or less per bottle.
Here are some more details about Samantha:
Family is very important to her, as is feeling good and sexy.
She likes makeup, high heels, and jewelry.
She believes that "if you've got it then flaunt it, but flaunt it in a classy and sophisticated way".
She has a strong type A personality, but also believes in compromise.
Her interests include cooking, movies, travelling and music.
When it comes to fragrance, Samantha doesn't like...
Unisex perfumes.
Perfume oils.
Samantha does like warmth, but not too much amber or saffron. She also likes foody scents, and likes coconut notes in summer. Staying power is a very important issue (see below).
Fragrances that almost worked for Samantha:
Brandy. She likes "the crispness of apple and warmness of brandy and autumnal leaves", but found the staying power less than perfect. Other scents she's nixed due to staying power: Sage Onyx, L'Artisan Piment Brûlant. She'd like her fragrance to last at least 6 hours.
L'Artisan Bois Farine, but only in the winter, and Parfumerie Generale Crime Exotique, but it only smells "right" to her around the holidays.
Serge Lutens Louve is "love", but too expensive.
Amouage Jubilation 25 was also "love", but it gave her a migraine.
What say you?
I decided to concentrate on the Serge Lutens Louve angle. There are a number of similar fragrances — not exact dupes, mind you, but worth a shot — that cost less. Starting with the cheapest, there's Lady Evangeline, in the Heirloom Collection by Lagniappe Oaks, now sold by Bourbon French in New Orleans. You can get a travel spray for $6, which won't break the bank even if you don't like it. Moving up in terms of cost, Ava Luxe Loukhoum is $30 for 30 ml Eau de Parfum, and while I haven't tried that one, it does have fans at MakeupAlley, and in reviews there has been compared both to Serge Lutens Rahät Loukoum (Louve's older cousin, perhaps) and to Bois Farine. A sample can be had at The Posh Peasant for $3. Moving up in price, again, we've got Keiko Mecheri Loukhoum, $80 for 75 ml. Samples can be had at The Posh Peasant or Luckyscent.
Note: image is chiquitita by Bright Tal at flickr; some rights reserved.
My immediate thought is Jean Paul Gaultier Classique: warm, feminine, softly assertive, and lasts an awfully long time on my (perfume-eating) skin. Easy to get hold of, not too ambery, reasonable price.
Shall think some more.
I'm all about Estee Lauder's new Private Collection Amber and Ylang Ylang… that would certainly fit in her budget. The amber is not heavy at all, there is a warmth and slight sweetness that Samantha might find appealing. It's sexy, but refined and the lasting power is fabulous. I think it's going to cost $70.
I also second JPG Classique.
Samantha, have you tried Chanel? The Allure Sensuelle is also lovely.
Hi,
The first perfume to pop into my mind after reading this entry was Joy Comes From Within by Sarah Horowitz-Tran. Here are the notes: nutmeg, almond, orange blossom, vanilla, tonka bean, musk.
It sells for $95.00. Don't know if that will fit in the budget though. A sample can be bought at LuckyScent or BeautyHabit.
There also some great scents from Pacifica. Their prices are reasonable and the line was just reviewed in the latest Sniffapalooza magazine. http://www.pacificacandles.com/perfume.asp
Good luck with your search.
Can't wait to read the rest of the recs.
Dawn
I second the Allure Sensuelle. VERY sexy, my husband loves it and I've had many comments. Lasts and lasts and my skin also obliterates scent. Coco is also very lovely. Note of caution, Chanels can be absolute sillage bombs depending on body chemistry, stress, etc. I could care less myself being of the “more is better” ilk, but I noticed she works as a nurse. Lorenzo Villoresi Donna is also very feminine and worthy of donning high heels.
Hmm, sexy, possibly foody scents?
Staying with the PG line, which nearly worked, what about Brulure de Rose, which is a sexy rose with a gourmand turkish delight twist, or Ilang Ivohibe, which isn't foody particularly, but pretty and sexy from that range.
Otherwise, there's Gucci by Gucci EDP, J-Lo Deseo perhaps for the summer coconut vibe, or Virgin Island Water. I find EL Intuiition has a quite sensual amber drydown, if Samantha weren't put off by the initial grapefruity opening.
Hi Samantha,
Based on what seems to float your boat, I am going to suggest you try Cimabue by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz- warm sweet/milky/cinamon-y smelling perfume- (selling for $80 at The Posh Peasant but I am not sure the size of the bottle- can also order samples)
Also, Coco Chanel for a great day to night choice. sexy, amber-y, great lasting power, and very
affordable, especially on the web.
good luck
I'll second Donna by Lorenzo Villoresi, but this doesn't always work with everyone's skin chemistry. On me it smells like floral heaven, on others, not so much. I think of this as a summer frag, but definitely as womanly as it gets.
I second with spades Coco Chanel – one of my long time favorites. This also lasts for a long time on the skin if you can't reapply. There is a bit of a difference between edp and edt, so you should sniff them out and test them on your skin. The edp is very rich, warm, and lasts FOREVER. You need to apply this with caution if you're wearing it to work. The edt is a little lighter, but still has a reasonable soft sillage. I get a lot of compliments on this, even at work, so it can be crowd friendly if applied correctly.
How about Caron Nuit de Noel if you're looking for something foody – not sweet? Very reasonably priced on-line, the dry down is amazingly warm, nutty, light amber-vanilla-y, and it is not something that you will smell coming or going. The top burns of pretty quickly on me, but the warm dry down lasts a pretty long while. Don't be put off by the name. I don't specifically associate this with Xmas, even though that's what it was meant to be a reminder of. It just smells warm and nutty to me the ylang-ylang). If you don't like y-y, avoid.
Lastly, how about any of these Annick Goutal — Mandragore, Duel, Sables (if you can pull it off will last FOREVER and one more day), and Heure Exquise?? All rich, warm, zesty, or romantic, or definitely major cuddly (Sables — applied with extreme delicacy). A bottle of Sables would literally last the rest of your life.
Hi, this is Samantha. I have tried JPG Classique. It's something my mother wears all the time so I feel it's too old for me. I agree that it's assertive. I think I like something a bit more unusual. Thank you for the excellent comment, though.
Interesting idea. Unfortunately, Estee's Private Collection will not be available in my area until Christmas time. I'll keep my eyes, and nose, open for those!
I agree that Allure Sensuelle is lovely. It gives me a bit of a headache though.
I really don't like Coco on myself. It's strong and invasive, I find. I think I prefer something softer.
I have never heard of Lorenzo Villoresi Donna. I'll have to search for an online sample.
I don't know how Samantha feels about vanilla, but I wonder if L from Lolita Lempicka would fit the bill? Also in the foody family and reasonably priced are the various vanillas from the Poule de Luxe Collection/Crazylibellule & The Poppies.
I have never smelled Brulure de Rose, but I forgot to note that I have tried Kacheri's Loukhoum and the powdery sweetness of it on me is not sophisticated enough for me.
Deseo smells nice in the opening, with the noted coconut, but the dry down on me is Pine-Sol-esque. Must be my chemistry….
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for the interesting ideas. Joy Comes from Within sounds wonderful! Is it VERY sweet? cuz that wouldn't really be my bag. I should try the sample.
I have never tried anything by Pacifica because their products are still not available in my country and shipping is outrageous. I'll keep them in mind, though!
A few more ideas:
Chinatown – (over the budget, but can often find on ebay)
Etro Shaal Nur
Christian la Croix Tumulte – discontinued, but can still find on the web
I'm so grateful for all these wonderful suggestions and comments! I've never heard of Cimabue. Sounds delicious but is it very sweet? The really sweet scents induce headaches for me, I'm afraid!
Again, not a fan of Coco Chanel on myself
Thanks!
So many excellent comments! Again, I'm not crazy about Coco on myself…I've never heard of Caron Nuit de Noel. I must look for it. Unfortunately, Annick Goutals are available about 2 hours driving distance from where I live and they are all over $150/bottle. Maybe I should resniff??
Vanilla is alright to add softness or creaminess, however, I don't like it to be too strong or obvious. Montale's Vanilla Extacy is nice but not something I would purchase.
Thank you!
Hi, I haven't tried Keiko Mecheri's Loukhoum myself, but have read a review by Perfumesmellingthings and Brulure de Rose came out on top in a three way comparison:
“In a way, the scent makes me think of Turkish Delight with its honeyed, rosy smokiness …however Brulure de Rose is less sweet, more smoky and dark than Lutens’s Rahat Loukoum or the powdery-saccharine Keiko Mecheri’s version of the delicacy. Full bottle worthy? Definitely!”
Also, how about Jo Malone Kohdo Woods Night – that doesn't technically have coconut, but some people who have tried it have thought it did! it is sultry and has amber in it.
I strongly second Gucci by Gucci as well.
And I promise not to suggest Coco – lol.
Another idea is Delices de Cartier.
I would put it in a similar “sweet category” as Louve.
I second Joy Comes from Within, very nice scent. Or perhaps Lea Extreme by Calypso St Barth, soft foody/musk scent with nice staying power, or the exact friction of stars by Pilar and Lucy?
If she really wants to she can get the Serge @ 20% off right now via phone at beautyhabit I believe using coupon code TOUTIEFALL but only through today! It would be a little over $100.
Well, I do appreciate your apprehension b/c of distance, expense, etc. I don't live anywhere near a reasonable perfume counter, so I spend a lot on samples too. In that case, you will probably have problems finding LV Donna, and it's not so spectacular a floral that you should go out of your way to get it if money is an issue. If, however, you are tempted, you can get a number of Goutal's from on-line vendors in the $75 range.
Nuit de Noel is very smooth – starts out with a wonderful nutty blast of y-y…then melts down to a smooth milky creamy nutty something or other. Sorry– you probably won't find this at any stores – its online for about $36 edt.
If we're talking regular department stores?….hmm….how about Magie Noir from Lancome – a dark “dirty” rose that always comes off a little cinnamony on me, and definitely warm, sensuous, and inexpensive. It has great sillage and lasts a long time. It's a little in the same style as Coco, but not as flowery or refined.
Lolita Lempika as suggested above is good.
Estee Lauder, obviously has a number of reasonable frags. Youth Dew Amber Nude may be a good choice.
You may also like Gucci by Gucci as suggested above.
Molinard Habinita
Annick goutal eau de charlotte or petite cherie
Lea St Barth
and or all glam- and forget the budget- Guerlain iris ganache
How about the Bon-Bon $45. size of Chinatown that you can order directly from the store in NYC?
Also, YSL Elle will be coming out with an intense version, Elle Intense later this month, beginning of next. Maybe Samantha would like to try that one?
Ambre Gris can be found at Parfum 1 for $35.
I agree on the Keiko Mecheri fragrances, R. Some of them may work for her, too.
I hope I gave Samantha some good suggestions.
I love Lexington Avenue, but Bond No. 9 does not sell it in the Bon-Bon size.
If Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess comes back next summer, that would be a nice warm beachy scent for summertime.
EL doesn't still make Amber Nude, do they? I loved it! But I thought when Tom Ford left, YD Amber Nude was discontinued. I hope I'm mistaken!
I'll add another vote for Chanel Allure Sensuelle. I'll also suggest Coco Mademoiselle. It's a lot of the spirit of Coco, but much softer.
For foody scents: EL Pleasures Delight and TM Angel are two of the best I've ever smelled. Chopard Casmir is also a good gourmand, IMO. Coconut, vanilla, a light touch of amber… and it's a steal if you buy online.
Nope, it's gone.
After reading bartamy's mention of EL PC Amber & Ylang Ylang, I checked it out at my local Nordie's and it is wonderful.
It might be a nice pick for Samantha? Tasteful, soft warmth, very light amber and a touch of sweet musk, at least that's what my skin is picking up.
Two interesting warm and lightly gourmand fragrances that I think Samantha might consider are Kenzo Amour and Keiko Mecheri Ume. Both have some sweetness, but in both cases the sweetness is counterbalanced by other elements.
I don't know if Samantha has tried all the Estee Lauders, but I would suggest checking them out if she has not. There is a range of fragrance types to choose from, and they are definitely affordable. I find they have good staying power on me, and also remain “true” all day.
I absolutely agree that Estee Lauder's Pleasures delight is a good choice. Very foody, yummi, nice and yumi again! Also how about Lilita Lempicka eau de parfum? Long lasting, woody and rooty but has sweet amarena cherries mixed with chocolate and aniseed/licorice accord. So it's a little gourmand but not too foody.
Good call on the bon-bon!
Will also throw in one more- Organza Indecence- warm, sexy, spicy, a bit gourmand- not sure where you are but we have it at Dillard's in the South…
Someone recommended JPG Classique: I think it's worth a shot too. I used to swim in this stuff a few years ago. EDP is very nice but the nicest is the pure parfum. Oh I fell in love with that pure parfum, I still remember it! Very unique and unusual orange, or like chocolaty orange opening, then not only did it last for several hours (of course it's a parfum) but it dried down into something so beautiful, that I was addicted. It developed into something that reminded me of coconuty rum (I'm not saying that this parfum smells of alcohol particularly but just of a tasty, coconuty drink served in some beautiful glasses:)) with a bourbon vanilla and some stunning florals. Great fragrance!
Hi, Samantha! I don't really have a perfume idea, although Estee Lauder made me think of Sensuous, which smells gourmand-y to my nose. My suggestion is to try swapping on MUA for samples as a way to try scents that aren't available to you in person, and to cut costs. You may already be doing this, but if you haven't tried swapping it's a great way to try lots of things at a low cost, and to meet some cool perfume people, too. Happy sniffing!
Samantha,
I must say: “You are the most sophisticated Nurse I have ever encountered” and god knows I've known many nurses in my life (I am a physician although I moved away from the practice of Medicine now. If I had met a nurse who knew the name Serge Lutens, I would have been a married man and she would have been a “Doctor's Wife” by now!!)
If I may give you a piece of advice that you can take or leave: Fragrance is such a personal pleasure and can either make us feel elated or miserable (and here I quote Robin's mention of Louve and Amouage respectively)
I think one should try to save money and wait to buy one's absolute favorite. Even if it takes waiting 2-3 months. In the meantime, a drugstore body spray will keep you feeling good and your patients can still compliment you (Any good scent even room spray takes on another dimension and becomes very well-appreciated in a clinical setting, believe me!)
So go for your LOUVE my dear, even if you have to wait 2 more months to buy it. Don't waste money on “unknowns”. Also, from personal experience, luxury fragrances are better purchased at luxury stores instead of lower-end ones because the sales associates there work on commission and want you coming back, so they'll usually throw in multiple small samples of the same line for you to try. That way, you'll leave with your favorite Louve and possibly a bait for “Chergui” to dream and obsess about for the next 3 months ! So forget Macy's and Sephora and go to Neiman's, Saks or even better: Aedes De Venustas if you're in NYC. A trip there will lift your spirits and make you feel like a million instead of one to Sephora where you'll be waiting in line get checked out by a zit-faced high school boy. And the prices are the same!
That's my two-cents anyway. NOT A GOOD COMMENT ON A DAY LIKE TODAY ON WALL STREET THOUGH…Save your money ladies!
My first thought was Coco by Chanel.
How about Gucci Rush?
It seems to last a looong time. It's foody, not too spicy and sexy.
It's easy to find and inexpensive.
thank you for that description…I must find that Brulure de Rose. I like the smokiness in its description
For some reason, Lea becomes very soapy smelling on me after about 1/2 hour. Have yet to try the Exact Friction because it seems veryyyyy sweet. Am I right?
Delices de Cartier is way too fruity sweet for me. Irony here is that Louve isn't too sweet on my skin…
I must check out that Bon bon of Chinatown…great idea! Hopefully the shipping isn't outrageous.
I'm waiting to smell Elle Intense. The original Elle was nice for about an hour but the drydown smelled masculine on me, and lasted for ages. It's all in the chemistry, i guess!
I really did like Bronze Goddess when I tried it. The lasting power was terrible; about 2 hours. I understand there's an oil as well. Maybe I should test that even though oils aren't my bag.
I used to wear Coco Mademoiselle a couple of years ago, but grew tired of that…as I have so many scents. Pleasures Delight is too florally for me. Dries down to an Anais scent on me. As for Angel, I'm not too wild about that, but thank you for the suggestions!
I don't know Casmir. Sounds great! I must try it.
Lilita does have good staying power but there's a muskiness in the opening that lasts forever and doesn't smell good on me at all. Again, Pleasures delight is too floral for me.
Thank you for the thoughtful and creative idea! I must try that!
thanks for that little push to splurge. My country has no Neiman's or Saks or Macy's, etc. Sephora just opened up and is the only place to buy Serge Lutens locally (meaning don't have to drive for an hour in traffic for the only other location in the city). I'm rather limited around here!
As for the body sprays, many of them are headache-inducing as most of our patients are comatose…(ICU).
Thanks again for all the wonderful suggestions!
it is definitely discontinued but available online. Look on ebay and you will pick it up mega cheap!
What country is that? Because the only Sephora that carries Lutens is the flagship store on the Champs Elysees in Paris I believe…
Byzance by Rochas? Foody, sexy, woody, oriental. Heavy, a bit too heavy for me except on certain unpredictable occasions, usually late at night in the winter. Very feminine and I find it rather sultry, although LT and TS think it would be nice on a man, as well. Dunno what that says about my personal sultriness factor… Not pricey at all, comes in a lovely blue bottle.
How about Frapin 1270? It's a beuatiful cognac-based scent that has a wonderful boozy-leatherish-tobaccoish opening that melts into a mildly vanilla-ish base. Very good staying power too….
Similar but slightly less sweet is CdG's Pallisander, which never fails to knock me out. Slightly less staying power than the 1270, but good nonetheless.
Also in the same league is Escada Pour Homme (sweet and warm) and Nicole Miller for Me (ditto). Both can be found easily on-line for not too much money. Despite the reputation of Nicole Miller for Men, I prefer the Escada.
Any of these fragrances would be fabulous on a woman…
I second Amour and also the flanker Amour Indian Holi, which has more pepper and less vanilla – both have a sexy powdery woodsy drydown.
And Sensuous might work too, as someone (further down?) suggested. Or these might serve as interims if Samantha's heart is set on acquiring Louve one day!
The Perfumed Court does a 1ml vial for $3 – I wore mine all yesterday evening vs Ilang Ivohibe to test their respective merits and I think you might prefer the dusty dry yet sweet(!) Brulure over Ilang Ivohibe, which comes across as a more conventional powdery oriental floral.
I 4th the Gucci Gucci suggestion.
Also, a little different–have you tried Le Baiser de Dragon? That's also a little foody (ameretto) imo, sophisticated, sexy–and available and discount outlets. Oh–and it lasts. Good luck!
I second Le Baiser du Dragon, and have another idea I am testing for the first time today – Bvlgari Jasmin Noir. It is dark and smoochy, soft, not OTT, fairly widely available I would have though – I love it!!
Oh, Indian Holi! I smelled that once at a duty free in Heathrow and really liked it. Can't seem to find it in my city. Is it limited edition?
Canada. I live near Montreal. Ogilvy's carries the Lutens line but that means the long drive in traffic. Otherwise, Sephora carries 4 of Lutens's scents, including Louve.
I remember Byzance. I wore it a lot in high school. It's still nice but too syrupy for me now. And yes, the bottle is lovely.
After trying the Frapin a few times, I decided I wasn't too keen on the leatheriness of it against my skin. The cognac is really soothing though. I've never smelled the Escada pour Homme because I don't like to wear masculine scents. Perhaps should try it out!
I don't know le Baiser de Dragon…sounds vulgar, though, when translated! Anyway, I should try and find a sample. The amaretto part is intriguing.
According to the review on NST it is a “limited edition flanker”, but it is in wide distribution – at least if it is in the tinpot little department store in the small town where I live in England, I usually think it is fair to infer that something is in wide distribution. ; – ) There are minis on Ebay and samples via The Perfumed Court. I am sure somewhere not too far from you would have it.
I enjoy so much of the Bulgari line but have yet to smell Jasmin Noir. Must check it out!
Yes, not as much right out of the bottle, on my skin,it seems to get sweeet. It's been a while since I've tried it but that's what I remember.
It is okay – “baiser” also means just a kiss, though maybe not in French Canadian? LOL! The Jasmin Noir, whilst containing quite different notes to Indian Holi, has that soft woody, powdery vibe going on, so it might be worth a go. Robin said it has great lasting power – mine's only been on a few hours, so I can't comment, but I am smitten. And I like Indian Holi a lot.
Bisou is a kiss. Un baiser is something quite different! Anyhow, the Bvlgari sounds wonderful but I must try and acquire a sample of Holi to see if it matches my chemistry. As an aside, have you tried Kama by Farmacia Annunziata? Just curious about your thoughts on that…
Re Kama – how funny you should mention it as I have a sample on its way from Luckyscent as I type – three or four from that range in fact – their direct mail worked a dream! I have also ordered Regina, Perla and Soros, I think the name was – the autumnal one.
Re “bisou” – I understood that was the familiar form of the word “baiser”, meaning a kiss, like “bise” (eg “grosses bises” at the end of a letter), and “baiser” is certainly in my dictionary with that formal – and innocent! – meaning. I am familiar with the vulgar one too, but thought it was a double-edged sort of word, like the Spanish for “town hall” which also means the same word, a town hall being a civic form of people “joining together”. However, it is a long time since I lived in France, and the word's meaning of a mere kiss may have fallen into general disuse!, or possibly the French Canadian usage has always differed. Surely Cartier would be misguided to put out a perfume with such a vulgar meaning, were that the only one, rather than a titillating double entendre!
Well you're bang-on about Cartier…no pun intended. It is a double entendre and in Quebec, baiser has a variety of meanings. I do look forward to your thoughts on Kama. I've been obsessed with Luckyscent and this is why I've been trying to settle on one or two fragrances that are just 'me'. I am familiar with Cartier but haven't seen le dragon…
Am still particularly curious about your Bvlgari.
As for other interesting scents, although available online, the shipping charges can be outrageous. Luckyscent ships for $5 flat. Other sites are $10+ even on a $3 item…
I am chiming in to second the notion that you should buy what you truly love. You can order all the Lutens scents online in Canada from The Perfume Shoppe. Almost all of my perfume comes in the mail, so availability has never stopped me! LOL.
I would also recommend that you explore the world of decants given your tendency to get tired of perfumes. It may be that what you really need is 15 or even 5 ml of something you really love, knowing that by the time you drain it you'll be ready to move on.
Just wanted to say:
Baiser, as a noun, is an 'innocent' word that means a kiss. It has no 'double entendre' meaning in French.
Bises, bisous are just cute, colloquial versions of that noun.
However, baiser, as a verb (and only as a verb), is very rude and must not be used in polite company.
Simple! HTH
Back Again,
If Samanth doesn't have an aversion to “foody” scents she may like Montale's Red Aoud, very yummy cookies baking. Thought I posted this already, so if it shows up twice, please forgive. Montales Aromatic Lime is a real gem. Deep dark limes floating above a rich sexy spice made up of Mysore Sandalwood, galbanum and patchouli, very smooth, soothing and wears close to the body but has great lasting power. (don't be scared off by the patchouli, very creamy) DO try http://www.theperfumeshoppe.com. Their service is really fast, they offer 5 free samples of your choice with every purchase and best of all their prices are much more competitive than others I've looked at.
The Perfume Shoppe is new to me…Serge Lutens are $120 there, so rather out of my budget but something to consider, thank you for the suggestion!
As for decants, I've heard of that but have never done it and not sure where to purchase the 'equipment'…hmmm
Samantha – go for some overtime working and purchase “Louve”. Your kids might like “Stella in Two” during the day – warm, ambery and simple. Have they expressed any preferences ?
Hi, and thank you for the suggestions. I'm not crazy about Aoud scents. Too strong and smoky for me. I do love the gourmand scents but not necessarily very sweet. Cookies baking sounds delicious to eat but I'm not sure if that's what I'd want to smell like. Aromatic Lime sounds very interesting and worth a try for sure!
thank you for the advice re: perfume shoppe!
Overtime??!! Spoken like a nurse! Are you one as well? As far as Stella in Two, it's a little too flowers and powder for me. My child can't express that well yet…he's only 1! Thanks for asking though…
I'm not a nurse but my occupation used to offer overtime – housing development – which is pretty much on hold at the moment here in the UK and the other side of the Atlantic.
My hormones would only allow me to wear vanilla type scents until my son was eighteen months. And I am not normally fond of vanilla. Sounds like your hormones are more liberal.
I used to sniff the bottle of Palmers Cocoa Butter and be happy. Can't believe that now of course!
Samantha, I'm from Vancouver, and I know that the amazing owner of The Perfume Shoppe, mentioned already several times here as a mail-order Canadian source of your much-adored Louve, has a few 15ml purse sprays available for a very good price. Then, take your time and save your $$$ for a full bottle — you know, it's very much worth it, and you'll find you actually get more bang for your buck if it's lovely and concentrated and has good staying power and sillage, as Louve does. Besides, you love it!!!!! A veritable bargain, in the grand scheme of things.
Strange Feelings
Congratulation first to know all these niche perfumes
When I read description of what you like … i can only think about 3 “Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier” : Soie Rouge, Vocalise and Fleurs des comores.
Unfortunately after a quick check they are not availlable in Canada and MPG only sell 100 ml bottle (with the Euro level I am quite sure to be above the good price) …
that s quite a shame because I dont consider MPG as an expensive niche brand
If you do find and like the Bvlgari, we would both have fellow member Farah to thank, who tipped me off as she had a hunch it would be my sort of thing. My near-anosmic other half has just this minute bought me a 30ml bottle in Germany – it is so hard for me to picture him in a perfume shop, I can't tell you!
Now that is true love! Enjoy your Bvlgari
So interesting how hormones affect everything, isn't it? I've never been a huge fan of vanilla but when I was pregnant I constantly wore my grandmother's 10 year+old bottle of Chanel 5. It's certainly not my thing now. Perhaps will keep it til next pregnancy. After giving birth, my olfactory sensibilities became nonsensical. What I had like previously has changed, and I tire quickly of the same scent. It's a wonder I still love what husband has been wearing all these years…
thank you so much for this information. I couldn't find that online so I've just emailed the shoppe, re: 15cc purse spray. I know I keep saying this, but I am so grateful to all of you wonderful people for giving me excellent advice, information and ideas. I've learned so much.
Hi there, firstly, what do you mean about 'strange feelings'?
Secondly, I am barely familiar with Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier, and have tried Vocalise, yet I find it too fruity for my nose. I have never tried Soie Rouge or Fleurs des comores, though. They are available by mail order in Canada, but of course, I would not buy a full bottle without trying it first.
Thank you for your thoughtful suggestions.
Samantha, no equipment needed for Decants. http://www.theperfumedcourt.com performs the service for you. Choose any size you want. Of course buying a reg. size this way would be prohibitively expensive, but 1 ml samples are the usual price of $3.00 and up. Huge selection and great way to try. Also a great way to get a small perfume that you want more than a sample, but not the full bottle. I did this with Creed's Fleur de The Rose Bulgare which only comes in 250 ml. (Way too much for me right now with my ever changing perfume tastes).
On the Aouds, don't be too quick to label woody and smokey, yes, with some of the Montales, the first spritz is a bit sharp, but it only lasts about 15 mins, then settles, sweetens and anchors the fragrance for endless hours. The only one of their Aouds I find a bit smokey and strong is the Black, all the others are very subtle. Away from their Aouds, consider a sample of Soleil de Capri (soft, subtle citrus and musk) and Oriental Flowers. I believe the 50 ml bottles of these run $80.00 at the Perfume Shoppe in Vancouver, much, much less than elsewhere. I have had great experiences ordering online with Naz at the Perfume Shoppe.
I second Holly's point on decants – as well as the gazilions of 1ml samples I buy from TPC, Luckyscent et al, I too have a budding collection of 5ml and 8ml decants from around $8 and up. Why, I also have one of Creed's Fleur de The Rose Bulgare, as it happens, and got one for my friend! On my packages of samples, I only pay between $5 and $8 for International shipping, so I am sure it would be cheaper for North America, even if Canada is technically also abroad If you buy 10 or so of the things at once, which is very easy to do if you are in perfume hunting mode, for an outlay of $35 in total, you could have a selection of 10 new perfumes to try! Though I should warn you that you may find you get hooked and end up with hundreds of samples like me, not to mention several dozen latte candies from Patty & Diane at The Perfumed Court!
Thank you for the information on decants. I frequent Luckyscent nearly monthly but I will look into the Perfume Court as well. I didn't realize I could get a small bottle that way. As for Montale's Oriental flowers, I have tried it. I really don't like it on myself. It's a very strong scent that reminds me of Old Spice. I believe I have strange skin. I've read so many wonderful reviews about it. Oh well…
LIke you, I am quite addicted to these samples. Luckyscent charges $5 for shipping and so I use them often. Now that I've been introduced to the Perfumed court, I may have to take a look…
Someone suggested swapping. I looked into MUA to try swapping samples I don't like. I haven't done it yet but it sounds like a good way of getting rid of those samples that don't suit me.
Samantha, the SL is a little on the pricey side, but when I was in nursing, I never hesitated to pick up extra pool shifts here and there for extra cash. :~)
Sound advice, one must live life, but never forget to “pay yourself” first.
I second the Kenzo Amour and Gucci by Gucci recommendations. Samantha might also try Ava Luxe's Love's True Bluish Light – it's a sophisticated and sexy gourmand that always generates compliments and lasts well. It's also not terribly expensive! It's one of my favorites and can be worn to work very nicely.
Have had a chance to re-smell Louve and think Amour and Organza Indecence are definitely along similar lines, ditto Indian Holi as I said, also possibly even POTL Luctor & Emergo? My previous recs were not necessarily trying to replicate Louve, but that would be my shot at it! And although it would be similar money to Louve, Un Bois Vanille is also nice by SL – if you do end up buying a full bottle of it, they might chuck in a sample of it!
Hi Vanessa, I ended up ordering a decant of Louve as suggested by some on this site. I'm so excited. Also, I've had my eye out for Indian Holi. I have a sample of POTL Luctor & Emergo and really don't like it. It does this bizarre cherry-cigar-Playdoh thing on my which I'm not too keen on.
I haven't tried Un Bois Vanille. There's another to add to my list, and thank you again for your wonderful suggestions.
By the way, did you receive your Kama yet?
Great that you got your fave FB! My Kama should arrive any day now – will keep you posted…
I know I'm like a pit bull with the Montales', but http://www.theperfumeshoppe.com is $40 to $50 less for the Montales than elsewhere so anyone interested should check them out. I believe they are also approx. $15 less for the Loutens. Also too, if Samantha got any of the Loutens there (or any full bottle for that matter) they will include FIVE free samples of your choice. Ooooh perfume is like Christmas every day!!
I did get the Lutens from Perfume Shoppe but I am not sure if they'll send samples as I didn't buy the full bottle, just the purse spray. Hopefully they'll throw in one or two samples…we'll see!
I know this is a bit late but I know THE fragrance because I've just rediscovered it myself. Amarige by Givenchy has apples and warmth. I wore it today and the lasting power was amazing from an EDT, It will be brilliant for autumn or fall as you call it!!
Hi and thank you for the suggestion,
There's an underlying note in Amarige, an aldahyde????, that I don't really love. It's a sweet, synthetic-like scent that makes me wince. I'm sure it's my pheromones!
Well, if it is your pheromones, it is mine too – or our “skin physics”, to use LT's preferred term. I get a sweet, molten industrial plastic vibe in the drydown of Amarige, which is quite unique. Opening is fine, then it all goes to hell in a handcart for me, and leaves me scratching my head in bewilderment about what that weird note could be.