Today's subject is Jenny. Jenny is a nurse in her early 30s and a mother to a busy toddler. She can't wear perfume to work, and she already has her perfect evening scent, Jean Paul Gaultier Classique. She's looking for a casual fall/winter scent that she can wear on days off. A cool bottle would be a plus, but it isn't a requirement. Staying under $75 is a requirement. Bear in mind that Jenny also has limited access to perfume stores. Macy's and Sephora are both nearby, and she is willing to buy some samples.
In addition to the Classique, Jenny's collection currently includes Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely and Origins Ginger. Notes she likes include musk, smoke, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon), eathy notes, citrus, herbal (rosemary and lavender are particular favorites), heliotrope, carnation, violet, lilac, rose. Jenny doesn't like berry-fruity notes, water scents or sticky-sweet smells, and she finds powdery fragrances beautiful, but generally not a good fit for her.
Here are some of the scents Jenny has tried:
Aquolina Pink Sugar: "too sweet, too young".
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb: too "sticky floral", not her style.
Juicy Couture: same as the Flowerbomb.
Guerlain Shalimar: "It made me wrinkle my nose, but at least it smelled complex which was cool".
Marc Jacobs Daisy: "didn't like the strawberry, and was there freesia there too? Don't like freesia."
Thierry Mugler Angel: "meh".
Scents Jenny would wear if she got them as gifts, but found too expensive for what they were:
L by Lolita Lempicka: Jenny loves this one, but finds that it "comes and goes" on her skin.
The Jardin series from Hermès: Jenny liked Nil but it's not going to work for fall/winter, and she also liked Mousson, but found it too close to Bath & Body Works Cucumber Melon for the price. (Méditerranée was "pleasant", but she didn't love it).
Chanel no. 19: Perhaps too much of a "dressy fragrance".
What say you?
I have a couple recommendations on the spicy front. First, Bvlgari Omnia is a wonderful casual spice fragrance and it's perfect for fall — if you can smell it. Many people seem to be anosmic to the musk notes, and find that it's gone in a few minutes. Givenchy Organza Indecence is another great cold-weather spice scent, and it can be had for less than $70, but I don't know if she'll be able to find a tester where she lives. She might consider buying a sample from a decanting service like The Perfumed Court.
Note: image is chiquitita by Bright Tal at flickr; some rights reserved.
Kenzo Jungle is one of the most beautiful spice-based perfumes to me. She could try that – but she would probably find it too heavy. CdG 2 is another stunningly beautiful fragrance to me, but don't forget! among with the spices, woods and exotic notes it has an ink undertone. In my opinion it compliments the scent just right, but some people might say it doesn't work for them. Lavande Velours or Herba Fresca from Aqua Allegorias?
Okay, so not under 75, but not $300 either…06130 Lierre Rose or Yuzu Rouge…found on luckyscent.com…can buy samples for $3 each. Yuzu Rouge is probably better in the summer, but I could see wearing the Lierre Rose year round. At least here in California.
Maybe try some of the Les Perfumes de Rosine? Many have musk and or amber. Ecume de Rose, La Rose de Rosine and Un Zest de Rose are my favorites, so far. You can buy samples from Beautyhabit.com through their sample program…link on home page. You can find some of them discounted at beautyencounter.com and 99percent.com.
Will try to think of more after coffee kicks in.
Also both lines can be found at aedes.com.
Definitely try free samples from Sephora of the Guerlain Aqua Allegorias. There may be an herbal floral mix among them that pleases.
Discontinued Guerlain AAs might be found on the discount sites. Current AAs are about $50 at Sephora, and I believe still exclusive to Sephora.
Hi,
Sienna Musk from Sonoma Scent Studio. You can order a sample and if you like it, the prices are very, very reasonable and you can order a 1/2 oz. or 1 oz. bottle. Laurie (the owner/creator) is wonderful. The site: http://www.sonomascentstudio.com
As for going into Sephora or a nearby Department store, I'm thinking Prada's Infusion d'Iris or even Prada Tendre. Two different scents but you never know. :))
Good luck and have fun sampling.
~~Dawn
I second the Sonoma Scent Studio recommendation. Rose Musk is also worth a sample.
Gail, I still need to samples of the Prada's at Sephora. I have heard/read good things about them. So many samples at Sephora, so little time. I really just want to say, “I'll take one of each, please”. '~)
Jenny, CdG is Comme des Garcons, the Aqua Allegorias are by Guerlain.
Bulgari Omnia was the first scent to come to my mind, too. For something a bit more exotic in the spice range, perhaps Parfums de Nicolai New York. It's very affordable at Beautyhabit, and samples are available. At the Macy's counter, try Estee Lauder Sensuous and Donna Karan Cashmere Mist.
Hi,
Bulgari Omnia is a great idea! Have you tried Bvlgari Notte? It's spicy and smooth at the same time. Worth a go if you can get a sample of it at your Macy's.
Also, try a sample of Parfumerie General's Un Crime exotique with it's rich cinnamon, anise and sandalwood, available at Luckyscent or The Perfumed Court.
Good luck!
Jenny –
Burberry Gold is nice and spicy and inexpensive – I think it can still be found at some online discounters. Also, Donna Karen Black Cashmere might work for you – the rerelease bottles are still @ Bergdorf Goodman for $85. You might also want to try indie perfumer Ava Luxe – she's quite good and relatively inexpensive – try Sweet Absinthe and No. 23 – both are excellent. One last REALLY spicy suggestion – “Black Widow” – it's available @ Henri Bendel's in NY, but it can also be ordered online for a mere $25 (lottsa nutmeg, clove and musky goodness).
Good Luck,
Marko
How about Laura Mercier Nuits Enchantées, or Le Baiser du Dragon by Cartier.
For some reason L'Artisan Parfumeur is the brand I can think of. Dzonghka or Tea for Two or Passage D'Enfer – the good thing is they can be layered.
Also given the price range I'd recommend Yves Rocher The Amber perfume is not bad and Neonatura Coccoon is quite intriguing.
If Jenny does not mind giving an older scent a try, l Calvin Klein's Contradiction is a great casual fragrance and can probably be found at discounters. Armani Code is also casual-spicy.
Cinnamon-wise all I can think of is EL's Cinnabar.
For a young carefree lightly spicy scent, Elle by YSL can be a good choice. Good luck!
Bulgari Omnia is a great rec, adding Narciso Rodriguez For Her, Kenzo Flower, Boucheron Trouble, YSL Cinema, Lancome Tresor.
Bulgari Red Tea (citrus, red tea, vanilla, musk)
Demeter This is Not a Pipe (smokey and spicy)
Shalimar Light (lemon, vanilla, and musk…….similar to shalimar but sweeter and without the weirdness – discontinued, but easy to find online)
Guerlian Jicky – awesome herbal lavendar and vanilla – a little bit over the budget
If you like patchouli – Prada original, and Tom Ford Black Orchid (fruity open may scare you, but I think you would like the drydown)
Bulgari Omnia came to mind for me, too!
Also:
Lancome Magie Noire
Jo Malone Amber & Lavender
Jo Malone 154 (lavender & basil)
Estee Lauder Sensuous
Estee Lauder Cinnabar (may be too much for the day)
Clinique Wrappings (avail. only at the Holidays)
Black Cashmere was going to be my first recommendation, along with Organza Indecence, which came up in the initial post.
3d the sienna musk- Also worth a shot from SSS- Fireside, Champagne de Bois, and Wood Violet. Fireside is a great winter fragrance and Wood Violet is great for fall…Champagne de Bois is just a beautiful sparkling scent…
Organza Indecence is a great pick from Robin…
And how about Dune by Dior? Beautiful, affordable, and should be free to sniff at macy/sephora
good luck :-0
Narciso Rodriguez in EDT – the small is around $60.
I also second Omnia.
Sienna Musk was my first thought when I saw that list of spicy notes Jenny likes – so I will 4th it, if that is the correct number!
How about Tocca Cleopatra – amber/patchouli/vanilla musk and hints of tuberose and grapefruit, less than $70. Sephora has it (& I think all the other Toccas, they are probably all worth a quick sniff). Lovely bottles.
Also if Jenny lives near an Anthropologie, try Crazy Libellule & The Poppies solids. They are all worth a try, but particularly the Incense & maybe Musk & Patchouli. They are only $16 so maybe even just order a couple from their website to try. Great to slip in a bag for touch ups during the day.
Forgot – Belle en Rykiel, lavender, vanilla, a little red currant, frankincense, vanilla & some woods & I forget what else.
Really cheap online, Nordstrom carries it, not sure who else. Its one of my own autumn options, cute modern square bottle.
The other floral notes are heliotrope, & coffee blossom plus some patch in the dry down.
We should probably mention the relatively common experience of being anosmic to the Omnia…just in case Jenny tries it and thinks somebody is trying to pull her leg!
I mentioned it in the article itself
Caron's Narcisse Noir or Bellladogia are wonderful for fall.
Bvlgari Notte – slightly powdery, a lcross btwn spicy and fresh.
Sonia Rykiel Woman Not for Men- Love this one.
Kenzo Flower Oriental
YSL Nu – a personal fave.
SL Chegui if she does not mind splurging or getting a decant.
The Body Shop's White Musk Intrigue is a mildly spicy musk that I'm enjoying right now – and the price is right! A strong second to Shalimar Light – I love this for Fall/Winter. Finally, try Ava Lux'e scents – No. 23 is lavender and woodsy musk – yum! (The compnay has a website on Etsy and you can get samples from The Perfumed Court)
Seconding No. 23. Ava Luxe has another website: http://www.ava-luxe.com. I wonder if Midnight Violet might also suit. Notes from the website: Violet, Blue iris, Orris , Earth , Black hemlock, Galbanum, Pink pepper, Cinnamon, Cedar, Sandalwood, Incense , Wood balsam, Moss , Civet, Cashmere musk
Jenny might like Casmir by Chopard, very musky/ambery/vanilla-y. Quite lovely and a bargain at fragrancenet.com.
On the lighter side mayber Keiko Mecheri Hanae or Sanguine. Both very soft and warm but not sillage bombs.
Perhaps Soleil de Capri by Montale. A 50 ml. bottle can be had at http://www.theperfumeshoppe.com for about $80 I think. Although this is a fairly small size, Montale = pure perfume to me. VERY long lasting and intense fragrances. S d C a little softer than many of their offerings.
This is Jenny! Thanks everybody already. I've just sat down for the first time since 5am, desperate to read suggestions. Two comments in and I was already lost in abbreviations
Thanks for clarifying.
The Iris one had sounded interesting in earlier posts
Actually, they ALL sound interesting. Lots that I've never heard of. Did I mention that I'm a total beginner at this fragrance thing?
I just read the Kenzo Flower review by CB online, and my Mom used to wear Tresor, but I can't recall it in the moment. I have lots of homework to do.
I cannot thank you all enough. Now I'm just overwhelmed with the list. Very excited to try the Bvlgari Omnia especially, as it was mentioned by so many people. Hope I can smell it! And it will be interesting to look into some brands that I might never have picked up. I'm thinking samples…..lots of samples
Erm…apparently my brain is sometimes anosmic to intelligence??? :-/
Another Caron with a lot of spice is l'Anarchiste, which can be had fairly cheaply on the net.
And, again, I'll add one of my cheap and cheerful fav's – 'Potion' by Lush – small pot of solid perfume loaded with carnation and spice.
What about Comme des Garcons' incense Kyoto or Avignon? Spice in a relaxing way (not hot arabian spicy). Its Original and CdG2 is worth trying too.
and maybe Bvlgari Black? a comforting yet sophisticated scent.
If she likes earthy scent, Demeter got a HUGE collection she may want to try: Dirt, Thunderstorm, Snow etc. If she like Origins Ginger she may want to try Gingerale also?
For musk maybe you can try Kiehl's Original Musk? CB (nose of CB I hate perfume) once said in an interview that it was the musk he would recommend his clients to go for though he didn't care much about musk. and I guess it should be under $50
Also, Black March and Burning leaves of CB I hate perfume can be found on perfume court!
I second red tea. It is slightly spicy, slightly unusual and reasonably priced. What more could you want!
Rose Musc is beyond heavenly…it is gorgeous. Rich, warm & wonderful. And it truly lasts for many hours. I can even smell it on my neck, near my hairline, the next day. One of my top three fragrances, period. I highly recommend it. You may also seek a sample of the Vintage Rose which is similar, but with a wee bit of incense.