Superstition has it that whatever you do on New Year's Day sets the tone for the year to come. It follows, then, that the perfume you wear tonight, New Year's Eve, will officially be the first perfume of the year as long as it persists through midnight. Now that's some pressure. Choose something too obvious — say, Beckham Signature for Her — and you might have a year without mystery. Choose something too complex and engulfing — for instance Frédéric Malle Une Fleur de Cassie — and you risk being misunderstood or even alienating for the entire year. Have you thought about which perfume you'll reach for tonight?
Before selecting a fragrance that just might set the year's agenda, maybe we should step back and look at some common goals for the year to come.
If your top goal for 2009 is to lose weight and get in shape, perhaps wearing a big, gourmand fragrance is not a good idea. Smelling of rich vanilla and almonds first thing the new year might lead to twelve months of taunting by delicious aromas. On the other hand, a sexy, taut vetiver like Chanel Sycomore might be just the ticket for getting you back to your fighting weight. Other fragrances I think of as lean and fresh but still festive enough for New Year's Eve are Yves Saint Laurent Y, Tauer Perfumes Vetiver Dance, and Donna Karan Gold.
With the economy tanking, your goal for 2009 might be, as one friend said, "to survive". If that's the case, smelling like money is your best bet for tonight. Hermès 24 Faubourg smells like fancy ladies with gumball-sized diamond rings. Along those lines, lots of jewelry houses have perfumes: Cartier Baiser du Dragon, Boucheron, Bvlgari Jasmin Noir, or Van Cleef & Arpels First are a few examples that might attract money this year if you aren't able to get your fill of black eyed peas on New Year's Day. Or, you might choose to wear a dizzyingly expensive scent, like a Clive Christian, an Indult, or an Amouage, where you are basically wearing hard cash on your skin every time you spray it on.
Of course, many of you have your sights set on romance this year. Wouldn't it be nice to avoid the hassle of internet dating sites just by choosing the right fragrance tonight? I'm enthusiastic about Amouage Jubilation 25 these days, but wearing it tonight might lead to dodging potential partners at every turn over the next year, and that could get tiresome. Maybe a lush rose scent like Yves Saint Laurent Paris or Guerlain Nahéma would draw true love. Guerlain Shalimar or Calvin Klein Secret Obsession might draw another kind of attention, but that's all right, too.
Beyond the obvious desires for health, money, and love, most people have more complex wishes for the coming year. One of my friends wants to be less serious and more playful — but not stupid — this year. She might like Comme des Garçons Stephen Jones tonight. Another friend is convinced that she needs to be more thoughtful in the coming year (she's already plenty thoughtful, by the way). Maybe a soft, friendly scent like Caron Fleurs de Narcisse or even Prince Matchabelli Windsong would be good.
As for me, I'm thinking about wearing Guerlain Vega tonight. Vega is luxuriant, old school, complex, and womanly, and a really lovely person gave me my decant, making it that much more wonderful. Of course, I might change course and go for an old favorite like L'Artisan Dzing! or Ormonde Jayne Ormonde Woman for a comforting new year. I'm not sure.
What will you be wearing tonight? What does it mean to you?
Note: image via Images de Parfums.
Ack! I didn't even consider my choice today to be so important. Currently, I'm at work and wearing Dior Eau Fraiche, but surely that will wear off by tonight. Still, it would be nice and lean. That first hope/resolution is big on list. I have a cruise coming up, and
Celebrity cruises are not world-renowned for helping with your weight-loss goals. I also got my new Azzaro Couture (wonderful, tropical fruity chypre) and Amouage Lyric samples in the mail yesterday, so maybe the Lyric will attract survival cash. Or maybe I'll just wear something I've been loving all year, like 31 Rue Cambon (appropriately boozy).
Hey, weird formatting! How did that happen? Didn't show up in my preview…
I will be wearing Ghost Serentity – which I've totally fallen in love with
Sometimes I think blogharbor is possessed…
And what better way to start the year than feeling in love?
I think Youth Dew is a lucky perfume. It shows independence, an appreciation of depth and character, and a reluctance to adhere to the mainstream. It should be a good year!
Have fun on your cruise, Erin.
I will be wearing Chanel No. 5, both for the money vibes and the romance (it catches more compliments from men than any other scent I own) vibes.
Plus the aldehydes remind me of champagne bubbles.
Happy New Year, Angela!
Thank you, and Happy New Year to you, too!
No. 5 does seem celebratory and seems to pave the way for lots of Dupioni silk, roses, and champagne in the New Year.
I think…I'll ring in the new year wearing Narciso Rodriguez for him. It was my Christmas gift and still deeply loved and adored this side. Happy New Year to my FAVOURITE blog in christendom!
Great idea for a topic, Angela!
I will be having a quiet New Years Eve alone tonight, and I won't be feeling sorry for myself! In fact, I am going to be in the “company” of, I think, all my Montale Aouds!!!! Black on one wrist, White on the other, Aoud Blossom on my right forearm, Velvet Aoud on the back of my left hand, Red Aoud somewhere else, Aoud Queen Roses, Royal Oudh — it'll be a one-woman oudh fest!!! It's the one note that I'm a little shy to wear sometimes, because I always think of our blogmistress Robin's husband's not-so-happy reaction to the smell of the house when she's sampling oudhs. . .
I want to thank you so much, because I wouldn't have really thought about a special fragrance for tonight — and for the coming year. I wonder what my desire to drench myself in strong agarwood scents portends? Any ideas?
I think all that marvelous agarwood will lead to a year where you make bold, exotic statements. Maybe you'll decide on the spur of the moment to fly to Morocco! Or you'll meet a handsome Irish man and end up spending the summer with him on a ship guarding against pirates off the coast of Africa!
Happy New Year to you, too! There's nothing like wearing something you love and sailing into the new year feeling content and fragrant.
Oooh oooh I hadn't even thought about this challenge. (I was more concerned over what to make for dinner, ha ha.)
I'm anticipating a year of changes – not sure if I should go with one of those scents that 'define my core' (Paloma Picasso or Feminite du Bois), let me roll with it in relative grace (Tocca Brigitte or Jasmin Noir) or go for a big declaration (Madness! Kingdom! DIIIIIVAAAA!).
Oooh, Angela!!! ALL of the above!!!!
Hope you have an exceptionally rewarding and joyous 2009 yourself. . .
Thank you!
I know already: Tubereuse Criminelle!!!
sexy and in control kind of fragrance…
Happy New Year
The big declaration would be so tempting–maybe it would lead to being whisked to Hollywood to catalog Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry (and listen to stories about her lovelife–going with the librarian theme here) or finding out you're a direct descendant of the Mad King of Bavaria and hosting wild fetes in your new castle.
Then again, there's something to be said for rolling in with relative grace, as you put it so well…
Yes! The perfect scent for spies and romantics.
I had to think about this for a while. I decided to wear Andy Tauer's new Rose Chypree. I need a completely fresh start this year, so a completely new-to-the-point-of-not-being-out-yet scent should be a good way to start it. It smells a bit moneyed, but like a rich woman who is not afraid to get a on a Harley, is not gourmand, so I can have my diet plans, and makes me feel smart and elegant – maybe I'll go to more cultural events this year!
I am on my own for NYE, too, and am very happy for it. I just spent a week with hard drinkers, and since I don't drink that all got a little tedious. I am back home with my kitty, some non-alcoholic champagne, and truffles, along with comfy clothes and hopefully something fun on the TV.
sounds like a perfect choice!
I second helenviolette's comment–it sounds like a terrific choice. Plus, Andy Tauer seems like such a great guy that wearing anything by him to bring in the new year will surely bring you lots of happiness!
There's something so celebratory about aldehydes! Vega has some of those, too.
What a fabulous gift! Does your husband have a brother?
Wearing Joy, I bet you'll find you're able to handle any situation with grace and equanimity this year.
Well, I'll be in bed when the ball drops, with my husband of 25 years and undoubtably sound asleep. Yeah, we're some partyers all right, lol! I've been wearing Les Nereides Patchouli Antique all day, one of my late year discoveries that I love. It makes me feel peaceful and comforted, and that's not a bad way to usher in a new year. Have fun, everyone :).
(Speaking of graciousness, I didn't even wish you a most Happy New Year. Making up for that now – sending many bubbles of happiness your way!)
I'm not even that sure that “librarian” will fit into my new year – maybe I should wear Tumulte?? Is there a scent named “Identity Crisis in Progress”? Oh well.
Happy New Year to you, too!
Tumulte sounds fitting. Or maybe Chaos? Yikes. How about Toujours Moi?
Tonight I'm thing of starting this year with a chic and energic fragrance, with a perfect name to the occasion: Midnight Poison, Dior.
You're right–that's a perfect name for tonight. You'll smell marvelous. Happy New Year!
You cracked me up with Beckham. That's not the way to ring in the new year! Hmmm. I can't decide. If I wear more than one does it count? I'm trying to think of something that combines old-school attitude and new-school joy (as opposed to Joy).
Youth Dew and Stephen Jones? It seems … so wrong.
Happy New Year, hon. I applaud the choice of Vega.
Aldehydes! Reading the comments above. DUH. Baghari?
Ooh, fun idea!
I think I'll go with an old classic- Guerlain's Jicky. I got married this year and so much happened at work that I feel a little frazzled and crazy happy too. I suppose that I'd like to enter the New Year with class and clarity, a confidence about what I would like to achieve as well as a satisfaction and contentment with how far I've come and all that I have. Does that make sense?
I confess that when i receveid the sample I thought exactly by the name that it'd be a perfect scent for this night. To me, it has something that i can smell on gucci by gucci, but to me midnight poison is stronger and a little bit more complex.
Well, to me Musc Ravageur have this old-school attitude with a new-school joy. It really makes me think of shalimar, but a sexy, without being dark, shalimar.
“Strong and a bit complex”–sounds like what a man should be, if you ask me…
March, I'd like to see Youth Dew and Stephen Jones in a wrestling match. Not such a great way to ring in the New Year, but very entertaining.
How about Yvresse? Or Apercu? Or, you've been doing so well with vintage Femme (delicious), maybe some of that on one arm, and some of the new on the other.
I'm waffling now between Vega and vintage Dioressence.
Happy New Year to you, too!
Yes! A winner for sure!
So true. For a sultry New Year, it would be hard to beat.
Well, if this makes me a little bit more strong and complex this year, it'll be great to me. 2009 is a key year to me, specially because is the last year from university. So, being stronger would be great.
Well, then, it will definitely be a big year for you. I'll have a sip of Champagne to your strength tonight.
Dewey… When you said “Identity Crisis in Progress” one perfume came to mind… The original Joop for Men.
It reminds me of my late adolescence, when I was having the identity crisis, but will do the work at any age… plus you'll smell great.
I know you may not have it at hand tonight, but give it a chance perhaps later!!!
Thank you
Have a Happy New Year and thank you also for your writing. I always very much enjoy it.
Nice and well thought out choices! I'd love to smell them all on you–too bad the night only lasts so long.
Happy New Year to you, too!
Nice suggestion! Maybe we should all have a few mls of identity crisis fragrance on hand for emergencies.
Thank you!
Happy New Year, Angela and everyone! It's our anniversary (married 24 years ago tonight!). We are on vacation, but will stay “in” off the roads for a special meal and good things to drink. I brought several fragrance samples with me, and have chosen Carnal Flower for tonight! Not sure what that says about my year, except that Frederic Malle is overdue for some business from me (I desire full bottles of Une Rose, En Passant, Dans Tes Bras, and now probably CF too!). Will have to pick just one to start with, perhaps for Valentines' Day???
I want to start traveling again next year, so let's think of something that conjures up images of exotic places. Hmmmm….Timbuktu? L'air du Desert Marocain? Shalimar? Maybe I'll cross my fingers, and spritz myself with Safari and find myself back in South Africa next year!
Oooh. Apercu. I have some of that. Did you do a post on Perfumes for a Dame? We should do one together. I am on a serious red-lipped, red-nailed dame bender.
Vintage Dioressence would be pretty wonderful.
Or. You know what I've been wearing that feels both old and new? 31 Rue Cambon. I always forget how pretty it is.
My husband is very fond of Musc Rav on me, so that might be a good choice ;-P
Congratulations! Carnal Flower will be terrific tonight, I bet. It should lead to a new year lush with bottles of top flight Sancerre and rendezvous in fancy hotels.
All fabulous choices! Vol de Nuit might be nice, too, or Songes for a tropical vacation.
…Leading to a year of unselfishness plus fun in the sack.
Perfumes for a Dame! Let's do it! We could even select a few classic dames, dig into some Ross MacDonald dime store novels and films noir, and choose perfume for them. After all, “Dame” is my middle name, lady. (Or if it's not, it should be.)
31 Rue Cambon is a great old-new perfume. I wouldn't mind a bottle of that.
Now I am waffling too! Yvresse would be so charming and I am also eyeing Vol de Nuit…
You will have to come back tomorrow and let us know what won!
Happy New Year All! (xxoo and a cup of kindness)
For me it will be a different YSL tonight — YSL Elle.
Nothing better to bring in the New Year (along with a beautiful Alsace Cremant Rose!).
It makes me feel HAPPY + RICH.
Can't beat that
How about Yvresse tonight and Vol de Nuit tomorrow? That way the evening is about gratitude and celebration for the past year, and the day is about starting off on an adventure.
Now I'm wondering if I should squander my last few drops of Lyric tonight. Decisions!
Lovely article. I will be wearing vintage En Avion in the hope that next year will take me places!
Have a wonderful and happy new year!
Lots of Irish hunks in SF, that's for sure…
I'll be wearing Chanel No 5 tonight and plan on a prosperity meal tomorrow, black eyed peas, collard greens (seasoned with smoked ham) and corn bread.
My team won't be playing until January 8th,but I hope to catch some football anyway.
WOW, you lucky girl. What a nice gift!
Well, I showered and lotioned and fragranced up before reading this – gosh darn it. lol I put on a Christmas gift from my husband – a Donna Karan Delicious Night gift set. I can't believe how much I love the way this smells. Didn't expect to like it at all – I don't care for the other 'Delicious' scents. 'Night' is wonderful tho. Now what this portends for the new year, I have no idea and wish I knew!
Happy New Year everyone!
No. 5! I just found that my bottle has gone bad! This is a good one for New Years. So instead tonight, Shiseido relaxing, the name says it all. By the way, just found this blog, thank you, it is AMAZING. I'm a budding perfumista, all of the info is great! Keep it up.
Tonight I will be wearing Fleurs de Sel, my husband is in Vetiver, and my son sports Jo Malone's Sweet Lime and Cedar. We're actually pretty coordinated so I hope that means we have harmony this new year. Happy New Year to everyone!
Chanel no. 5 Eau Premiére for me. I wonder what this will mean for the new year?
Happy New Year! I'm torn between Amouage Lyric and Nanadeberry Pink. What to do? What to do?
I'll be spritzing on some Le Dix. It's not really my usual thing (I've been wearing sweet, “spring-y” florals like Kai and Un Lys lately), but I never smell it on anyone else, and I like that.
Perfect! I love that perfume.
There you go, R.
Perfect! No. 5 class, down home chow, spiriting football.
I haven't tried Delicious, but now I will for sure. Happy New Year!
Oh no! I'm so sorry about your No. 5. I'm glad you like the blog, though, and I look forward to hearing more about your perfume adventures.
Enjoy those luxuries, and I share your wishes that we do all remain that fortunate.
Remarkably coordinated! Happy New Year to you, too.
Hey, they might blend o.k.–maybe one on each wrist? But if it were me, I wouldn't be able to stay away from the Lyric.
I think it means you'll be extra charming this year, and people will have a hard time saying no to you.
Happy New Year to you, too!
I put Eau Lente on just because I was in the mood for it
I'm welcoming the new year with spanakopita and mulled sparkling cider yumyumyumyum
Caron Royal Bain De Champagne for me!
Lucky Duck!! Joy always lives up to its name for me – I adore it.
A great reason!
Perfect! A real celebration.
I figured it out! I'm wearing a sample of Nu. Transformation, now spritzable.
No big meaning behind my choice…but I'm going with Parfum d'Empire Ambre Russe. Big, Bold and Boozy Amber. Cheers~!
PS- Thanks for my new buddy Dzing! Angela (wink wink).
Yes! And it has all those spiritual incense qualities, too. Perfect.
Does that mean you'll be big, bold, and boozy (at least tonight) too?
Love that Dzing!
What a wonderful phrase of optimism and glee..,”feeling in love”.
If it was a typo it was a Freudian one. One should feel in love everyday, in love with life and the imagining of love. It's now my resolution-to feel in love everyday.
I wish I could wear Apres L'Ondee today, so could attract beauty and love. But I will settle on Stella Peony In Two: A lovely feminine flower and deep dark amber-for, I think becoming stronger without compromising my femininity.
Joy and feeling in love to all,
Becca
Thank you Elizabeth! I couldn't put my finger on it, but that is exactly what I'm smelling in #5…champagne bubbles. It's perfect for a New Year and a new era politically.
It's a combo of SSS Encens Tranquille with a shot of Esteban Sensuelle Russie, and a pomegranate martini at home for me, while my BF paints the kitchen.
Ooops it's after midnight here!!!
You got me scared for a second because today I didn't feel like wearing anything particular, so I just used some Euphoria Blossom by Calvin Klein. I got it for Christmas and it's ok, of course not very complex but it's ok. Then i read Your post and was like …. ohhhhh no I don't wanna smell like it in the year of '09!!
Well I forgot that I took a shower, about 2 hours ago, and then decided to use my sample of Serge Lutens Arabie, to see how it smells on me. Now we're talkin! I like Arabie very much, it's milky, soft and has a touch of incense mmmm very rich and sexy. As I was wearing it, I kept thinking whether I should get a bottle of this, now I think I will! My 2009 perfume will be sweet, sexy and rich. Love it!
That sounds like a wonderful choice and a wonderful balance for the new year.
Oh my, that does sound ideal! I have got to smell the SSS scents. Everyone has such great things to say about them.
I hope the kitchen turns out welll.
Arabie is so exotic and rich. It certainly points to an exciting new year, I think…Happy New Year!
HAPPY and RICH seems apropos to the times…. so in those lines, I will wear my true and tested happy and rich fragrances – E Coudray Esperys which I always pick up whenever I am in Paris- sensuous, complex, beautiful, classy. old school and finishes off to a powdery vetiver scent………. when I wear it I forget recession, economy, and bankruptcy whatever !
I would have to think of something DEMURE but SEXY for my husband to sniff…………… any suggestions ?
'Course, I see this on Jan 1st, and have now doomed my new year with my choices, lol!
I'll fess up anyway: Dark Amber & Ginger Lily for yesterday's celebrations, layered over BBW Blackcurrant Vanilla lotion. Sounds odd, but works! A new-found love, so maybe it indicates more discoveries and openness of mind? Let's interpret favourably, hm?
The new year kicks off luxuriously in the velvety smooth L'A Jour de Fête, very apt of course. When it wears off or when I go out I may change into AL Moroccan Mint Tea for an energizing boost.
A very happy NY to all!
Like Zoe, I only saw this thread today and was testing a couple of things last night (while watching the DVD of the SATC movie in my PJs with a medicinal glass of sherry!). So YSL Cinema EDP and Passage d'Enfer don't really count, I am afraid. I would have worn something like Roja Dove Scandal or L'Ombre Fauve if I had seen this in time, if I may play the game retrospectively and hypothetically, that is…! : – )
Since I'm just seeing this on 1-1 in the am….I'll tell you I wore Badgley Mischka last night – goes great with Glenlivet, my choice over champagne….I wanted to wear something exuberant & elegant & yet cozy, and it really fit the bill! (Also worked well for a nice party at home…)
Perhaps you should run a post on the best frag to go with a hangover! I'm not hungover, but this morning, I'm wearing Montale Powder Flowers – soft and cozy for a cold January morning!
Too busy to read yesterday but I chose to wear nothing to signify my NOT finding my signature scent this year. The best is yet to come:-)
Zoe, I like your interpretation–discoveries and openness of mind, and I'd add creativity, too!
Demure but sexy, hmm. Maybe a sly floral with a barely leathery edge, like Kelly Caleche? I'd love to see a whole shelf of fragrances labeled “Demure but Sexy”.
V, today is New Year's Day proper, so I say bring on the Scandal! As for last night, there's something wonderfully symbolic about wearing Passage d'Enfer…
Now there's an approach: choose the fragrance to match the beverage! Sounds good to me. Montale Powder Flowers would be terrific here this morning, too. It's rainy and cold.
K, very symbolic! And I love the notion that the best is yet to come, too! Happy New Year.
What a great idea for a post! The responses are so evocative and exciting, I loved reading them. We are staying in tonight and I'm trying two Different Company fragrances–Aillerus et Flerus and Charmes et Feuilles. They each are crisp and profound with promise, and that's what I wish for everyone in 2009!
That's a wonderful wish. Happy New Year to you!
Barbara Stanwyck! My goodness, thank you, I wish I looked like her. (Although, weirdly, my brother has been known to do a credible Stanwyck impression.) And my husband would be all over those millionaires, quizzing them about investments and tastes in wine, watches, etc. – no trouble with using me as bait, I am sure.
MK, thanks! Hope you had a great holiday. Any scented swag?
Have you seen Lady Eve (the Preston Sturges movie)? It has everything: Barbara Stanwyck, millionaires, cruise ships, everything.
I wanted to wear something symbolic but got rushed while getting ready and fell back on Le Labo Patchouli 24. However, I can't really think of anything I would rather have worn…Maybe Amoureuse for the big exuberant floral? I ended up ditching out of a less-than-scintillating party and in bed with my sweetie at midnight, and I think the perfume and the choices for the evening ended up suiting me perfectly!
I wore Parfums de Nicolai Sacrebleu on both Christmas and New Years! Don't know what got into me, but it felt right. I only had a small sample, though, and now it's gone. I really, really want a bottle! It may need to be my first purchase of the year.
I've been in the Northeast (NJ & NYC) for the holidays and planned out my fragrances before I packed, out of necessity. It was Montale Red Aoud on Xmas Eve, FM Noir Epices on Xmas Day, and Timbuktu most of the rest of the time.
As planned, I wore Jubilation XXV to a party last night. I sneak a spritz or wear it to bed every now and then, but for the most part, it's my special-occasion scent. I've been in an existential rut, so I'm definitely looking for some ***JUBILATION*** — and maybe some big changes shaking things up — in 2009.
Happy New Year Angela and everyone else at NST, including commenters.
Sacrebleu is one of my favorites, and I can see why it would be wonderful for the holidays, too–something about that little kick of incense. You're lucky to fall in love with it, though, since it's one of the more affordable lines.
Happy New Year to you, too!
Jubilation is a great choice. It's so special and elegant that it will surely lead to a new year where you're frequently mistaken for Cary Grant.
HA! I'd better work on my smoooooth & refined personality, because that's the only hope a shortish, Italian guy with a buzzed head might have for being mistaken for Cary Grant! It's all about the attitude, right?
(I'm waiting…this ought to be fun posting [and commenting]…meanwhile, that's me you hear singing…”there is nothing like a Dame…”)
Well, I was “off the grid” for NYEve, but wore Bois des Isles because its something that to me bridges past, present, future, and always brings deep happiness/calm.
Wishing everybody a happy and rewarding 2009!!
Exactly!
You shouldn't have to wait too long…By February, it looks like.
Sounds like a perfect choice!
Does today count too? It's the first day of the new year:))
Today I wore Hermes Hiris – it just felt so good to wear hiris today. I love my Hiris. There's just nothing wrong in this scent, everything is just so perfectly right and beautiful in Hiris. After my afternoon shower, I wore my new wonderful discovery: Poivre Piquant. Am I like the only person who really loves Poivre Piquant??? This is my favorite from the spice trio, and one of my new HGs. I hope my new year will be like Arabie, Hiris and Poivre Piquant. Rich, exotic, spicy, milky or sweet-powdery!
Iris: I went to a perfume shop on Sunday and Poivre Piquant and Piment Brulant were high on my list of “must tries”. I did try them — but I sniffed SO many things that I can't remember Poivre (not to mention many others). I need to order a decant. Very much liked Piment also (and still have the test strip), but I think it might be a little too floral up top for me.
IrisN, I like Poivre Piquant, too, and you've encouraged me to dig it out of my spice trio and give it another try. It could be the perfect antidote to all this rain.
Piment sort of reminds me of a summer barbecue, but I like Safran Troublant a lot.
I accidentally got caught in the spray of my friend's Fresh Sugar Lychee while getting dressed, which is worlds away from my signature Chinatown. But maybe I need to be a little more optimistic and socialite-ish this year, and a little less odd and withdrawn. I'll make the most of it.
Thank you for this wonderfull blog entry!
I wore A LA NUIT – prediction for seduction. And so I did.
Dear Angela,
Kelly Caleche is too demure for me unfortunately (a bit stronger but never sweet would be great !) and Kelly doesnt leave any statement on me….. I did like Serge Lutens Un Lys and Bois de Iles and even Narciso Rodriguez for Her but it never stayed on my skin more than a minute or two !!! I also like Hermes Apres la Mousson and de Nil, as well as Prada Infusion dÍris. In my younger days, I used to wear Magie Noire and Silences, even Anais Anais (LOL !)
Would love to hear suggestions…. perhaps I should remove the demure and change to POWDERY, WOODSY and SEXY. the SEX part should stay without being loud.
Can you guys help me out please ? I am wasting money on bottles that I dont want to sniff after a week
Unfortunately Shiseido Relaxing was discontinued in Germany.. I almost cried …it was my bedtime scent :((( I think I should put up my last drop in a bottle and wear it around my neck like a dog collar. LOL !
A friend decided to get me a perfume for Christmas, so when we visited L'Artisan Parfumeur, I was presented with the challenge of selecting one fragrance. It was a difficult choice, as all their frags are to me incomplete and need to be worn layered over each other for a more sophisticated effect.
In the end I settled for “Voleur de Roses”, by far the driest fragrance I have ever worn.
I wore that on New Year's Eve and am wearing it today – layered with Very Irresistible from Givenchy. Sounds blasphemous, but it does need a bit of sweet rose to take the dryness out. It is a dark, mystical rose fragrance for a non-rose lover. I love it.
Now what does that say about 2009 for me?!
I wish I had read this post on New Year's Eve, to see that I'm not the only one having a hard time choosing a fragrance for the occasion! I ended up in Antico Caruso by Profumum, my new favourite. I chose it because I want my 2009 to be a year of luxury and quality! I only have a decant of it so far, but my new year's resolution is to only buy 4 full bottles this year, and I think this will be the first one.
I wore Feminité du Bois on New Year's Eve – an trusty old friend of a fragrance that always makes me feel comfortable and elegant at the same time. Maybe I'll reconnnect with other old friends this year?
2009 I want things easily and immediately.
(My patience has run out in so many ways during the last years. I've waited and I've been patient, but not anymore…)
Perfumewise, I also want things that are available easily and immediately. Here and now. If something good comes across, fine. But I won't persue anything or dream of anything that needs an extra effort this year.
Happy 2009 Everyone!
It sounds like fate is working for you!
It sounds like you need a year to relax. But maybe during the year you'll find things worth the extra effort…
Or even get to know current friends more deeply. I adore Feminite du Bois.
Luxury and quality! Nice. And you've got to love a resolution to buy perfume.
Hmm. Maybe it will be a year of new experiences–but experiences that you do YOUR way.
My best advice is to keep reading about perfumes that appeal to you, get samples, and enjoy the ride! I wish there was a magic test to find someone's perfect perfume (except that I know it would change for me by the minute, probably).
I better get me some of that A la Nuit right away!
NileGoddess
Voleur de Roses is a wonderful choice! Enjoy it.
PolarBear,
If you want powdery, woodsy & sexy, the first scent that comes to mind is Daim Blond by Serge Lutens, it smells like a very expensive suede jacket. Creamy, spicy, musky, with Iris, Ceylonese cardamom, helitrope, abricot stone and hawthorn blossom.
Please make sure it's Delicious Night! The other ones are very sweet and cloying imo. This was such a cool topic. Chanel #5 seemed to be the popular choice.
I'll double check, thanks!
I hemmed and hawed and eventually decided to go old school with Fracas. My theme for 2009 is “Disciplined Splendor” and it seemed to fit just perfectly.
I have Tuberose Issues so I need to be in just the perfect mood, but when it's right, it's very very right.
“Disciplined Splendor”–fabulous theme!
To me Safran troublant is a very well-blended, full-bodied scent. I think it smells expensive, elegant but it's very quiet on me. Poivre Piquant smells unusual, different, milky, spicy, honeyed floral and suprising. This is the type of fragrance that keeps me entarntained every time I wear it on my skin. Poivre Piquant is sexy but also dreamy and I just love it. By reading all the reviews I thought, I'd be in love with Safran just like everyone is. Somehow all I want to keep smelling is Poivre – it is just so gorgeous on me!
I wore Anisia Bella yesterday, This way I can include some anise in my 2009 year:))
I wore Hiris again to work today, now I am about to go out for a while so I'm thinking what to wear. I think I'll wear some Piment Brulant or Safran troublant.
My first few purchases in 2009 will be: 5 o'clock au gingembre, definitely a bottle of Mandarine Mandarin (I am dying for it, seriously), Montale Ginger Musk, and I am going to think about Malabah.
Sounds great!
Thank you SF Lizbeth !
I ordered 30 samples yesterday. I had asthma for awhile but now that its in control, I´m back in perfume mode.
I tried a Montale yesterday..whew !
Happy New year Angela… thanks for the advice….. am waiting for the arrival of my 30 samples.
I am definitely looking for a BE WEAK IN THE KNEES AND TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES FOR ME when you smell me perfume ! :)))
I will make it a happy new year and hope it will be for you too !
Hmm… sounds like a good perfume for concentrating at work, might you say ? I better order a sample- quick.
Hey, we're all looking for that perfume!
Thanks, and happy new year to you, too.
I choose to wear DK Black Cashmere, as I spent my night tangoing, and it is my usual tango scent. I was told by a tall, dark and handsome man that I smelled beautiful, so I'm having some optimistic vibes for the new year!
If you enjoy vetiver, try Montale's Red Vetyver, amazing stuff, I couldn't stop smelling my arm.
Sounds very promising!
OK – am reading this blog rather late, but……it's a fun topic and i would like to join in! Thanks for proposing it Angela!
I went to a crazy, hedonistic party in the theme of 1920's Berlin. There were cabaret performers, burlesques, gambling tents, people in cross-dress, potatoe salad, sausages and sauerkraut, you get the vibe…….I was going to wear Tabac Blond, as it seemed suitably-sort-of-the-period and theme. However, I changed my mind last minute and doused myself in a sample of OJ's Ta'if. It symbolised an aspirational longing for something i don't have in my life yet, but soon will. It is also an exquisite, exotic & captivating smell that makes me feel like a Moroccan Princess in a Sinbad story. I feel irresistible in it.
Predictions ofr 2009?!?!?
It sounds like you've made your own prediction, really, and for you 2009 will be a year of breaking away from whatever rut you've been in and following your dreams. If they're anything like Ta'if, they should be terrific!
Okay, off to ordering Montale´s Red Vetiver. I have the Aoud stuff.
Thanks SF Lizbeth !
I like green, not fierce scents because they might scare the dudes and who knows I might catch the GREAT Dude one of these days and he´d better have strong knees.
I am going to follow everything Angela and SFLizbeth told me and I hope I will have my Last Tango in Paris again and again and never for the last time !
I am wearing Il Profumo today – mountains of snow outside, hope it cheers me up.
Good luck!
PolarBear,
One never knows about guys and the fierce stuff. I typically wear oriental or chypre scents and hubby adores them.