Being an indoor sort of person, I appreciate winter only inasmuch as I can glance out the frost-feathered windows and admire the perfect pillowed hummocks of snow I won’t have to shovel. (We rent.) To heartier types I leave the joys of those first cleansing breaths of cold air, the silvery light and quiet walks in forest wonderlands. I shall stay right here, thank you, with my double scotch, my copy of A Child’s Christmas in Wales and my winter fragrance favorites, dug from the back of the perfume closet.
Serge Lutens Arabie: Say you made a Christmas pudding from dates, sugared citrus peel, cardamom, bay, a spike of cumin and some exotic, thick liquor that tastes like flowers and looks like Mountain Dew. You’d have: a) Christmas pudding I’d actually eat; and b) something darn close to Arabie. Winter is the only time it is even remotely polite to wear this scent. If the sweetness of Arabie bothers you, then, heaven help you, Diptyque’s L’Autre or Clinique’s Aromatics Elixir might be good choices.
CB I Hate Perfume Gingerbread: Bless Christopher Brosius. He writes that the 2007 version of his holiday fragrance, re-released last year, is an olfactory interpretation of “the slightly burnt edges” of gingerbread, and by Zeus, he is exactly right! Like many of his creations, this is more a fantastic smell than a perfume, so if you’re uptight about literalism, try Bois 1920 Sushi Imperiale.
Pacifica Tibetan Mountain Temple: Add clove to the listed notes — vetiver root, patchouli, ginger and orange rinds — found on the back of the tin for this solid perfume. It costs $8.95, it smells great and Robin picked it for fall, too.
Heeley Spirit of the Tiger: Inspired by Tiger Balm, this fragrance is carefully balanced between airy, gentle cool (mint, camphor) and unrepentantly cozy spices (clove, cardamom and cinnamon). It is hushed and weightless, with none of the oily burn of traditional potpourri perfumes. If you want to clear your sinuses out instead, then I recommend starting with Santa Maria Potpourri.
Parfumerie Generale Aomassaï: Normally, the sticky toffee opening of this makes me feel like one of those stiff-armed gingerbread people, haplessly stuck in the Candy Land swamp. But after weeks of holiday shortbread and cashew brittle, I’ve worn Aomassaï several times this week, each time with less alarm. The light sweetness of the wicker-furniture heart and base is as lovely as ever, and the start is beginning to seem almost restrained.
Guerlain Attrape-Coeur (Guet-Apens): Like Aomassaï, this is a scent to be tested in winter. The first time I sampled it, I thought: Oh, a nice, honest amber that is definitely not ‘me’ and is almost a little bit… well, yes, old-fashioned in the way of some Guerlains. (There, I said it!) Having loved some other scents from the venerable house, I should have known to wait until an hour into the development, when a rich cloud of floral, woody and citrus notes magically and irresistibly begins to follow me around.
JAR Golconda: An oddly seamless carnation oriental — and yet startling notes pop forward when you focus on them. Here is the briny lily, some wax, cinnamon, a note like holiday ribbon candy and a weird umami smell that I interpret as shitake mushrooms (Patty at Perfume Posse got stewed tomatoes.) Yes, it’s terribly expensive, even to sample, but you bought the Pacifica solid, right? There you go, it all balances out.
Chanel Bois des Iles: Hey, I wasn’t going to forget! Warming, soothing sandalwood perfection.
Burberry Brit Red: I’m irritated this oddity is so hard to find, when Burberry is still flogging and flankerizing London. The rhubarb and mandarin top notes of Brit Red are just fun (if occasionally a little skunky — what is that, anyway? Blackcurrant buds?) An enveloping jasmine and gingerbread notes are the perfect accents to the patchouli, a note I normally feel torn about. Like Dior Hypnotic Poison, a strong contender for the cozy crown.
Frédéric Malle Noir Epices: This is the orange-pomander scent, all grown-up and supported by a rose that glows like stained glass. Sillage warning: my husband begs me not to put this on in the car. If you’re feeling less elegant and more whimsical, you could try Soivohle’ (formerly Liz Zorn) Blood Orange and Vetiver, which smells rather like a Terry’s Dark Chocolate Orange, charred black.
For more winter favorites, check out Lee & Nava's lists at Perfume Posse.
Note: image is Armonia architettonica by milca65 at flickr; some rights reserved.
To this wonderful list I would add Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille, Ormonde Jayne Man, Serge Lutens Chergui, Diptyque Eau Lente, Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur. All wonderfully warm and comforting scents! Hard to think about this in sweltering Sydney at the moment….
Great list! I love my Arabie, but only in winter. It doesn't care. I like DSH's Cafe Noir for winter, the deep fragrance smells like it should linger on the collar of a coat.
Fun list! I have a sample of Arabie, and I guess I'd best try it soon! This winter I've especially enjoyed Aomassai and Dzonghka. Just tried Sienne l'Hiver yesterday, and I think that one's very special, too.
We're in an unusual warm spell in Santa Barbara as well, but I want cold winter rain, darn it! I spent ten days in New Jersey for the holidays, but no snow there either. I have many scents that are only at their best in cool weather.
Erin, big thanks for showing love to Noir Epices: it's my big discovery this season and you're exactly right that it's a spiced orange pomander around a heart of deep rose. Mouthwatering and elegant – I had to have a bottle.
Speaking of orange, I've found that Concentre d'Orange Verte is too much except for very crisp days, when it's perfect. Zagorsk takes me to a Dr Zhivago ice palace rising out of a fragrant pine forest. Ava Luxe Sweet Patchouli is another recent discovery and has plenty of warm, cozy amber and vanilla. Tuscany Uomo and Burberry Brit Men also warm me in different ways.
Love your list; I really need to get some Arabie (or El Attarine) & Sienne l'Hiver, and I've been wanting to sample Attrape Coeur for some time.
Great List: I have enjoyed wearing Molinard Habanita, Anna Pliska, Escada Collaction, M. Miccalef's Guaiac, Histoires de Parfums Noir Patchouli and Hermessence's Amber Narguile and Vanilla Tonka. I also think Rossy de Palma eau de protection is great year round, but I reach for it more duirng winter. For some reason, Arabie, Rousse and even Ambre Sultan aren't working well with my chemistry. I have been wearing Aomassi alot lately too. Its such a peculiar scent, but I like it!
Great topic; I've been putting together a shortlist of must-buys in the next few weeks. Sadly I also live in balmy SoCal, so I definitely need something rather 'chilly' to create a winter effect, rather than something to warm (when it was cold, I busted out L'air du desert marocain). I have a sample of Sienne L'Hiver I am using up, and I have to put in a third vote for that as an addition to the above list: its mix of cool stone and sweet earthiness is bracing and soothing in turns. A perfect excuse to drive down to Scent Bar this weekend! 😉
Wonderful topic! In this first winter of full-blown perfumania, I've tried to stave off the seasonal mood disorder with lovely smellies. Can't declare it an all-round success, but I *have* found enough loves to actually look forward to cooler weather now!
Diptyque Tam Dao, Ava Luxe Opoponax Intense, Jo Malone Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, Hermessence Ambre Narguilé and PG Aomassai 10 are topping the list. I love how they cover all bases: from meditative to cuddly to edible to intensely sensual (the Jo Malone! Why did no-one warn me? Sex in a bottle), they form a perfect shield from the seasonal nastiness.
Happen to be sampling Bois des îles today. Warm it is, but probably a bit “Chanel” for my tastes, a.k.a. soapy chic. I'll stick to Tam Dao for my sandalwood fix. 🙂
Great list! That pacific mountain Temple is amazing for the price (I have the soap, too, which is wonderful). I am always happy to see Noir Epices on someone's list, although I understand the Car Concern 🙂 , one of the few perfume situations I've learned irritates my family (no giant sillage immediately before the car). Finally, I will have to track down Brit Red, it must have gotten lost in the others.
What fabulous additions! Ormonde Jayne was one of the first lines I sampled when I got into perfume in 2005 (Holy Cats! It's 2009 – hard to believe…) and I didn't give OJ Man enough of a chance then. Thanks for reminding me to re-order a sample/decant.
It's -20 C with heavy wind chill here the last week. We were all saying at work that we wanted to move to Austrailia. Remind me of that during my summer, though 🙂
I keep forgetting and giving myself a little squirt of Arabie in the warmer weather and sorely regretting it. I want to try that DSH (and Cimabue… oh, and also the after-sun coffee lotion Jessica and Robin have mentioned.) Almost added A*Men Pure Coffee to the list for a good shot of joe.
Sienne l'Hiver is very interesting. Bois D'Ombrie, from the same line, is an excellent winter scent, too.
What a lovely list! Thank you for sharing. Three of yours are in mine as well, actually they're in my all time top ten anyway, Noir Epices, BdI, and AC. I am now intrigued by Burberry Brit Red (love a gingerbread note) and will track it down. I've also enjoyed New Haarlem, Un Bois Vanille, Sacrebleu, Vanille 44, Nuits Enchantees, 5 o'clock and because I'm a bit scared of Arabie (love to sniff a tester bottle) I prefer it's solar and lighter cousin, El Attarine. A couple of days ago I wore some Chamade parfum – that was lovely – the greeness was a herald of the next season whilst the Guerlain vanilla in the base kept it from being too chilly.
Great article, thanks!
If recently and unexpectedly found that Infusion'd Iris is a wonderful winter scent, it somehow beatifully resonates with crisp winter air.
Not an unusual warm spell in Toronto! Sorry, I took a while to answer you, but I was headed into work – except my quarter of the city is shut down. A water mane broke in the cold last night and has taken out all public transport and my daughter's daycare. So I'm at home and it's definitely a Noire Epices day here! I think some sniffers are not bothered so much by the cloves, but by the geranium. I have lots of samples of NE, but no full bottle – would love to own it and Une Rose. Great other choices, too.
Thanks! I think I must be anosmiac to something in Habanita, since I love the *idea* of the scent, but it doesn't smell of much to me. Lovely other choices you've made lately…
You know, I was thinking that the thing I'm missing in the list is a great powdery white scent. I picked all warming scents – which doesn't work well for those of you in or close to the Southern hemisphere. A very urban scent might suit a SoCal winter – can you wear Bulgari Black?
Love the article!! I just rediscovered Cristobal, the Best vanilla winter scent! Comfy and warm! I do love Jasmin Noir and Patchouli Patch !
I'm wearing Sisley's Eau du Soir at work today in combination with a deep, tomato-red cashmire sweater and olive wool slacks. I reached for it after not being to locate my Rouge Hermes. Although I know it's been categorized as “green,” the rich depth of the scent seemed rather comforting to me on a cold winter day.
Although I classify very few of my fragrances as “seasonal,” scents that come to mind for me would include the likes of Mahora, Nahema, L'Heure Bleu (yes, I'm a Guerlain Girl), and the 2 above. I would think that Tauer fragrances such as L'Air du Desert Maroc would also work nicely for its warm smoothness.
Really? I don't find Bois des Iles particularly soapy. (No. 5 and No. 22 are, of course.) Aldehydes in BdI, though, that's true. I find the Dark Amber & Ginger Lily (somewhat suspiciously) similar to Kenzo's Jungle Pour Homme, which would be great in the winter – and is very sexy, yes! It is important to have some meditative fragrances, also, especially if you aren't going to take those clarifiying walks through the winter woods.
The Pacifica really smells very nichey, doesn't it? Great value. Haven't smelled the soap or liquid yet. Noir Epices was the one recommended to me after I took the online FM quiz. It is beautiful, but very potent and therefore not suitable for just before bed. (I've had to stop that putting on scents then, too – activates hubby's asthma.) I think you'd really be interested by the Brit Red…
From your other choices, I think you'd enjoy Brit Red. El Attarine is a beautiful alternative to Arabie – such golden, smooth scent. And I agree that even the lighter Guerlains have the perfect richness and opaque quality for the season…
Sometimes it's great to have something that matches the crystalline quality of the winter air…
Forgot about Cristobal! The beginning of Patchouli Patch is too much patch for me, but a couple minutes in, it's just perfect.
Man, I covet your outfit! (You must have very similar colouring to me – olive and tomato-red are two of my best colours.) Your mention of Mahora reminds me that I didn't put a tropical scent on the list; I was going to include PdN Juste un Reve, but wondered if I was just thinking too much about my upcoming Caribbean vacation.
Thanks for your list, Erin- and what a treat to have a surprise “ice day” with the baby…I have been back and forth about ordering a sample of the tiger balm scent, but now it is a must try. How do you think it wears in the heat?
It is very cold today for south Texas (not supposed to get out of the 40's) and I am wearing Tea for Two with one squirt of Tabac Blond extrait between the girls (lovely lady lumps)- ever since I read Angela's review “creme brulee in a smoky dirty brazier”- it has seemed the apropriate area to perfume w/ TB 😉
Ouch! There went a boatload of money – it started with a quest to find the Brit Red (Scentiments 3.4 EDP $32.99) and ended with me buying the Brit Red, Kenzo Flower 20ml, Voile de Jasmin (on clearance) and a few other minis.
My husband thinks that I've gone insane with all the sampling, testing, and reading about perfume. I'm definitely in full-blown Stage Two of my perfume mania!
I wish we could get that Pacifica over here. Hey, I've finally warmed up to Noir Epices after some years of trying. And if I'd have had ten rather than five on my list, there'd've been an overlap of 3 with you…
Yes, she's my little ice princess today – she insisted on wearing a sparkly silver dress when she woke up 🙂 I really like a few of the Heeleys: Verveine, Tiger and Cuir Pleine Fleur particularly. Cardinal is very nice indeed, but I think I prefer Avignon (and maybe Bois d'Encens – which I should, for the price!) Tiger is cool and hushed enough to wear in heat, I should think.
Shout out to the girls! 😉 They smell great… (I shall always remember Angela's reference to snickerdoodles in ashtrays.)
Well, just tell him you got a great haul for a bargin price! Yikes, I hope you like the Brit Red now. My mom asked for some gift suggestions recently and I suggested Red, but she couldn't find it. (Got Kenzo Amour instead – also nice.) Good work on the clearance Bulgari, it's pretty new…
We almost had some further overlap, since I cut Eau Noire at the last minute. (Why?! Love that one…)
You should send me your address and I'll send you some goodies!
I am 2 blocks away from that nightmare… on the good side of the track I guess?
Ambre Sultan and Pacifica's Spanish Amber are my winter warm up scents…. as well as Baltic Amber from Voluspa (room and body spray) Can you tell I like amber?
Heros from Didier Calvo and Macassar by Rochas are 2 of my other (hard to find) favorite. Dior Homme, and M7 complete my winter collection of regular.
I have not tried Bulgari Black yet, though I've been wanting to for a while, but it wasn't on the shelves at the local Sephora when I checked last weekend so I might have to drive to another one at some point.
Or… it's probably at Macy's, isn't it? I'll give that a shot.
Any other 'cool but warm' recommendations? I am especially fond of earth or leather notes.
Ooh, Jungle pour Homme! I gotta track that down. I have the women's version and I love it — just about the only gourmandy thing I like. And I'm a sucker for anything with a 'tropical jungle' narrative.
I was about to recommend DSH Cimabue as another winter choice, when I saw that you added it in a comment. I love the spicy choices when it's cold, and Cimabue and Serge Lutens Five O'Clock & Rousse are my favorite winter cinnamon fragrances.
For sweet orangy comfort scents: Fendi Theorema…
Enjoyed the Golconda too, but don't think I'll be springing for a FB, just hoarding my sample. I tried Santa Maria Novella's Garofano (Carnation) as a budget-friendly alternative. Not the same. Hmmmm.. maybe I need to try layering the SMN with something…
I'm always trying to convince him that I just saved money, but he doesn't seem to fall for it too often. I'll just tell him that I'm trying to smell good for him. 😉
I tried a sample of Brit Red when it came out and loved it – I just never went back and bought it. It being marked down so much was my perfect excuse for picking it up. I was shocked by the price on the Bulgari, so I couldn't resist – then, I just had to add a few things to qualify for free shipping, and well…. you know how that goes.
We,, I never thought of the west end as “the wrong side of the tracks” but I guess it is today 🙂
Macassar! Nobody ever mentions that one around here. (Some talk of it on Basenotes, though, I guess.) A scent with cajones if ever there was one…
Um, that was supposed to be “Well,” 🙂
Platinum, if you like Amber, have you tried Cote Bastide's Amber Line? Really lovely stuff.
Ice princess! Love it!
yes they do smell great and I pulled up Angela's Tabac Blond quote for everyone's pleasure (and b/c I sort of misquoted!)
“a buttery leather ashtray full of cigarette butts and snickerdoodles, or maybe a leather-vanilla soufflé in a smoky brasserie”
Gosh, I don't know about Macy's, but most Sephoras don't carry it, no. Often, you'll find Black in the men's section, even though it's a feminine, or at least unisex, perfume. Plain genius.
Patchouli Patch, mentioned, down below, might be a good earthy “cool but warm”, if you can get through the opening.
Oh, and this is a weird one, but if you like leather, another very urban one is S-ex by S-perfumes.
It is, of course, a warm day here, and has been warm all week. Yesterday I wore Avon's Tahitian Holiday. I've mostly been wearing the scents I got for Christmas – Maroc pour Elle, l'Air du Desert Marocain and l'Heure Bleue. The one I have been sampling and want before it gets too warm is Farmacia ss Annunziata's Aurora, which is spice without the vanilla sweetness (Ginger, coriander, cinnamon, pepper, patchouli, nutmeg) and has a wonderful sandalwood-ish sillage.
I tend to wear scents like Black Cashmere, Bulgari Black, and Perlier Caribbean Vanilla Coffee more in the winter, but also like to wear a tropical scent now and again to create a dichotomy. The Opus Oils Island line is not too boingy for winter wear. Oh, CB's Fire from Heaven is a good winter, too,as is Opus's Voodoo.
My to-try list is getting longer from this post!
Me too, weirdly! Maybe I was an Amazon in a previous life 🙂
Are there any Whole Foods stores where you are? They sometimes carry some of the Pacifica line
Great list! I love Attrape-Coeur (call me old fashioned, I don't mind). Right now I am feeling sort of paralyzed by all the things I want to try – so many choices, no idea where to start, and these lists don't make things any easier. But I enjoy them nonetheless.
Arabie is a gorgeous must-have and a beautiful scent for the winter season. All the yummi spices and pudding-like ingredients… mmm… I am loving Bois Oriental too, another perfect winter scent. I will mention Guerlain's Winter Delice once again even though Christimas is over now. I
Today I am wearing Kenzo flower Oriental and I love it. It is so nice and perfect for a cool day like today, my bf loves it too.
Oh me tooo!! My husband sees me in the morning and at night reading and looking for perfumes I see on NST. Ha Ha I am so happy I am not alone! Burberry Brit Red is great! good price at scentiments!
Well… I think I mentally file a lot of notes under “soapy” that other people wouldn't necessarily. Orange blossom and indolic flowers, for example. It's just my way of describing a certain “feel” to a fragrance – one I don't particularly enjoy, so I'm not that invested in analyzing what it is, I guess.
Never tried Jungle Pour Homme, but you've got my interest now. 🙂
That Voluspa Baltic Amber is heavenly stuff — I love the candle, but wouldn't mind having some of the room/body spray, which costs practically nothing.
Yeah, I do know. I think I've spent hundreds of dollars on the free shipping of books. Whew, at least you know you like the Brit Red – hope you enjoy all of your purchases!
You see, this pricks up my ears. Practically nothing, you say? Why, I'm actually *saving* money…. 🙂
Well, I interpret orange blossom as very soapy, too. Not generally my fave scent, but, like anything, lovely if done right.
Thanks, I appreciate your commitment to accurate representation!
I've got to get to Whole Foods – they apparently have some of the hand creams and lotions Jessica has been mentioning.
If it comforts him, you can tell him that there are plenty of us who are probably even crazier than you 🙂
Ah, the never-ending search to replace something that is too expensive! I've never had much luck with that. I think I've found an acceptable substitute until I re-smell the expensive one and then the cheaper one just doesn't smell right :)…
Well, Maroc Pour Elle and L'Heure Bleue are certainly brave choices if it's warm where you are. I'm currently working on the dichotomy as well, since my brain is already down south on my vacation.
I know! I love lists but I sort of dread reading them, too. I've been seriously jonesing for a rather unseasonable sample of Humiecki & Graef Eau Radieuse since March at Posse and Kevin both mentioned it.
I like Flower Oriental, too. I can appreciate how the new flanker, Winter Flowers, is a more “true” flanker and I admire how they riffed on the original Flower's structure. Still, I find it has a slightly sour, flat cast. It just isn't me, even if it's very clever. I prefer Oriental.
I haven't tried Winter Delice since very early in my perfume education and all I remember is a lot of pine…. Must re-try, of course.
Great conversational gambit, Erin!
I love what Laurie is doing at Sonoma Scent Studios, and she's got a nice handful of frosty-weather scents. Even the names are cozy!!!! Fireside Intense, Ambre Noir. . .and the newest, Winter Woods. It's a lovely, warm, round, cozy, ambery thing. Notes are: Guaiacwood, cedar, sandalwood, birch tar, cade, oakmoss absolute, castoreum, amber, vetiver, ambergris. I like her prices, too. I've bought online on her website and have nothing but good things to say.
Ojeda and Erin T., have you tried Fleur de Liane? I just sampled it for the first time today, and I just love it! To me, it contains all that is good about a tropical jungle, lush watery greenness, mysterious flowers, and an earthy-woody base. Exotic plant life and fragrant mud – I am hooked!
P.S. WHEN I get my bottle, I will probably wear FdL in the warm months. Sorry for the off-topic comment, but “jungle” caught my eye! 🙂
I actually liked Fleur de Liane much more than many others in the blogging community. I dont have a phobia of melon or aquatics, and I like many aqueous florals. Like so many other L'Artisan scents, though, that I'll never end up with a bottle. Agree it would be best in warm weather…
I haven't tried enough SSS scents, though I've enjoyed the ones I've tried. The Winter Woods sounds lovely. An little niche line I've recently had a chance to try of few of is La Via del Profumo (profumo.it), the one LT has reviewed favourably. Wonderful stuff and great for winter – Tabac and Hindu Kush are keeping me warm the last few days.
Erin, it's so nice to read your writing today of all days, when there is a thick white blanket of icy fog covering Vancouver. The flying seagulls by the ocean disappear into it in seconds. It is muffled and frigid and your article really warmed me up. I'm sure readers all over the world are feeling the same!!! Thanks so much.
I'm glad I'm not alone in liking some aquatics and melons. I like aqueous florals very much. Wateriness seems to soften the edges of a lot of floral notes, making them more appealing and wearable to me. I wonder if I'm the only person on the planet who really goes for Do Son, for example? I think it was Robin who described it as “tuberoses submerged in water.”
MMmmm… I have yet to try about 3/4 of this list. Something to look forward to as winter soldiers on in these parts!
I would add EL Cinnabar and Caron Nuit de Noël. When I was younger, I used to really like Aspen for winter, too, it had a terrific cedar note, but it's been discontinued for some time now. I'm not sure my grown-up self would like it, anyway.
Hi Erin,
Love this post! It's fureeeezing in Tokyo right now… I'm usually one for lighter, spring/summer scents but this list makes me braver in marching out my ambers and patchoulis….
I wish I had more foody scents to wear now!!
I recieved a bath set of Brit Red (lotion + shower gel) indirectly and, let me tell you, the lotion knocks my socks off. In a weird twist, I think it smells better than the actual eau de toilette. I own four bottles. =P
I haven't tried that! Though if it turns out to be better (i.e. more vegetal) than my once-loved Mousson, I'm going to be really annoyed at Mousson! Gonna add it to the list.
(Sorry if this is a double-comment; something weird happened with my browser last time I replied.)
I managed to get the Sephora SA to dig out an old tester bottle of Black and while I was only able to try it on a strip (vaporizer was broken and drippy), I am intrigued. I've always turned my nose up at vanilla, but apparently vanilla + bike tire is AWESOME. Not sure how to wear it, though.
And I've never heard of S-Perfumes but S-ex sounds like it is totally my thing. Gonna have to track that down!
I agree about the wateriness softening the florals; I think it makes florals/fruits seem more modern, or at least less constructed. Not that I mind a complicated fragrance, but somehow complexity and florals turns me off — maybe I associate it with 'old lady perfumes'.
Oh, that's something I should have warned you – the squirter seems always to break on the Black hockey puck. A shame, as the bottle's kind of fun. Love that “apparently vanilla + bike tire is AWESOME” – so true!
P.S. I dug out my bottle of Brit Red from the back of my fridge, thanks to you, and . . .how COULD I have forgotten about this one??? It's sweet and warm and spicy and delicious (that rhubarb and ginger) and really quite magnificent — a fuzzy carmine wrap of a winter scent. Thanks for reminding me!
Yes, maybe they appeal to people who don't normally like straight-forward florals. A couple of my fave scents are florals – Apres L'Ondee and Odalisque – but they're crisp, fresh florals.
Don't really think it's particularly vegetal… You might like it, though.
Ah, the dreaded fogs of the Lower Mainland, I remember them well! (Used to live there.) Hope the trees bloom in February to compensate you…
Glad you rediscovered it! Thanks very much, by the way, for the kind words…
Yeah, what ever happened to Aspen?
I've heard Cinnabar in parfum is heavenly, but have never tried it.
Four bottles! Now, that's ringing endorsement. How is it different from the EdT? More base?
Omigosh! “Lower Mainland.” You're One of Us!!! Hope the winter in T.O. ain't too bad this year. We're already getting tulips pushing up through the soil — they're showing a good inch of green now!
How's the retail niche fragrance situation in Toronto, Erin? Are you blessed with something like Ontario's version of Nasrin and The Perfume Shoppe?
Erin, the picture is gorgeous!!! Love it!
Nasrin's shop is probably the best in Canada right now. She's great, I've chatted on the phone a lot with her. But we have a relatively new shop that's showing a lot of promise: Noor. The owners, Nahla and Fred, are *fabulous* and they sell SMN, Diptyque, L'Artisan, Eau D'Italie, Penhaglions and I think now TDC. We have Holts like you, but no FM. 🙁
Oh, I can't take credit for it, it was Robin's pick. But it's perfect, I was thrilled when I saw it!
Thanks! Do you get any feedback on ambers and patch in Tokyo? I'm just thinking about all those articles that say these scents aren't appreciated in the Asian market. Hope things warm up for you soon…
You have inspired me to spritz Attrape Coeur today – I have to prime the bedroom and was looking for a scent to see me through (we have to talk about Maharani, btw – I think I'm in LOVE:-)
As I mentioned on the Posse, stress has shut down my ability to appreciate most of my winter standbys but the stress is now easing – Attrape will be my first attempt……
……then I will go to Eau d'Hiver – I will wear that when I go down to take photographs of the creek, with its silver water and icy eddies. I'm trying to get the right photos for my next painting (no pleine aire in this weather, LOL!)
xoxoxoxo – hope your water main issues are fixed!
a.
Well, I probably won't go through two (That's what happens when you buy a lot of something in panic, right?) It's a weird citrus with a really nice gingerbread. I say weird because the citrus isn't one I've identified elsewhere. It's lighter than orange, though. And thank God, because I really don't have an affinity for orange, especially with spices. And it's a much richer scent than in most designer lotions, which usually smell like lotion.
I checked in with Noor today – no TDC, but they're on the verge of launching their website and some awesome new lines. Look to them soon!
No FMs at Toronto Holts??? Shocking!!! I am surprised, at that rate, that our little burg has them. Glad we do; I love SO many of them. Happy for you that you have Noor.
The thing about The Perfume Shoppe is that Nasrin is great about shipping and her prices are quite astonishingly good. Glad you've met her acquaintance on the phone. Her website's very useful and easy to navigate as well.
I love this whole global fragrance network we've had access to for a few years now, and it just keeps getting better. Makes it seem like one big happy, close-knit family! Swapping, too, really brings us perfumistas together; I've had swaps now from Dublin, from Greece, from the Netherlands and from all over the US!! SO much fun. . .
Great fun – agreed!
I think I initially misunderstood the “prime the bedroom” comment. Clearly, I am a pervert. Maharanih is fabulous and should be on this list. (It is turning into a Top 15…) I cannot believe they make a Maharanih Intense, though. The idea terrifies me. And good luck with the painting! I once saw a very stark winter river painting that I was mad for, but it cost way more than my student budget allowed for and now I've even forgotten the artist. He was a student of Colville's I believe…
Mandarin, maybe? A light one? Mandarin is one of my fave notes when done right. So much nicer than the fakey orange so many scents use lately…
My great powdery white scent (with a barely discernible hint of rose, and a smattering of spices) is Rose Kashmirie. Love, love, love it, in winter especially!
I like it – indeed I you kindly gave me the tip off about it!
LOL!!! yes, you definitely misunderstood that comment. We're in renovation hell, with shoes all over the living room floor, etc because we totally redid the bedroom (great time of year for drywall dust:-p – but after weeks of setbacks, etc it looks as if I can paint it today – then the carpet guy comes in and then we can get back to a more normal life.
One hopes.
I saw that MIntense and I wondered. Maharani isn't that strong on me but it's beautiful. Because my sinuses are so wonky I can't tell if I'm a scent-eater or if I just can't smell it. I wore Shocking to bed last night, though – now THAT I can smell as if I just spritzed it!!!
xoxoox
ps: 20 degrees here today – a veritable heat wave!!!
Me, too, Vanessa. Love that RK.
Another full-throttle powdery-white winter scent that's worth trying is Parfumerie Generale's Louanges Profanes. Imagine a loukhoum fragrance shot with incense and benzoin. Mmmm. . .
When I bought my bottle of Black this summer it had a regular sprayer on it and not the weird one. Maybe they figured it out. So far so good.
Still need to experience that Eau d'Hiver…
What me uptight? (You talking to ME???) Naw…but when it comes to CB and winter, I'm currently digging his “November.” Kind of a Gingerbread Plus.
You know I'm Bois des Isles with you all the way…I STILL am happy, happy when I see that big honking box with the big honking bottle inside. 🙂 I'd put my DK Black Cashmere right up there in the cold, cold weather…it seems so warm…
Been having fun with sodden fruits in the bitter cold. Who knew? I don't generally like fruit in my perfume. But I've been playing with samples, and cheap fb's; L'Or Torrente and Manakara got into the recent rotation that way.
Florals, not generally my thing either, but have as of late found satisfaction in Arpege, which seemed “well done but fusty/not me” in the past. Might be the cold.
The biggest happy of all in this cold cold, though, has been a couple of leathers: Liz Zorn's Journeyman–no longer available, alas, but an incredibly plush ambery leather. L'Ombre Fauve, Jolie Madam, Lancome Cuir…depending on the vagaries of my mood, my commitments, and the style of snow outside. 🙂
rrazzell on MUA – I was scrolling down and wondering when SSS would show up! I swear by Rose Musc on the coldest dreariest days – it is a wonderful rich rose and intensely warm labdanum….also her Vintage Rose and Champagne de Bois would do the trick! Laurie has many fragrances that just seem poised to ward off the chill! I also like Prada, Coco, and Bal a Versailles for really cold winter weather. Hello – it was negative 18 F here yesterday!
As it happens – and before seeing your post! – I discovered Jolie Madame and Lancome Cuir this week and loved both, I now appreciate L'Ombre Fauve as you know, and I also retried Arpege last night, which seemed to me to suit the colder weather too and be sparkly/a bit dark/spicy. And I am a huge fan of Bois des Iles and Black Cashmere in winter. You may be the closest I am going to get to a fragrance twin – what fun!
Progress!
I have not tried the Rose Kashmirie, but keep meaning to order a sample. The Louanges Profanes I have missed, too.
Yikers! That's when you just stay in the house…
I have a prejudice against Eau D'Hiver, because it smells like a medicine I was forced to take tasted. The rest of you are free to enjoy it 🙂
Good luck to you with finishing the renovations and may your “heat” last.
Somehow I knew you would love Maharanih! Other people seem to think it's kind of quiet, too – Luca Turin, for one – but it's a big thunderclap to me. Wonder what is the ingredient that causes that difference in opinion?
I just saw DeNiro in Cape Fear on TV last weekend and I think every time I hear/see one of his iconic lines now, it's going to be mentally accompanied by that campy, over-egged Cape Fear music: bum bum BUM bum! (And the line from the Simpsons parody: “Use a pen, Sideshow Bob!”) Weird soundtrack when thinking of Chanel. Ah yes, the comfort of the honking big bottle, I know it well. Have you tried Fath de Fath? Great, big sodden fruit fragrance, it's wondeful, and with enough powdery-amber drydown to stay the course in winter. I wore Jolie Madam this week, too!
Always fun to find that person – and just as much fun to find your Evil-fragrance-twin 🙂
Yikes indeed! We had the coldest day here in Vancouver in 40 years: 17 below Celsius. Brrrrrrr. Yes, Ann, those are lovely SSS fragrances as well. I wore Ambre Noir today and I swear it kept my toes warm, even though I wore it on my wrists!
Vanessa! This is a double milestone for me…1) I now know enough about perfume to know what I like (well, what I like at this moment, at least), and 2) My first fragrance twin! Fun, fun! C'mon over and we'll spritz. 🙂
I have not tried Fath de Fath…must go find it before the arctic mass retreats back to the Great White North.
Oh, my, the second Cape Fear…remembering Juliette Lewis… in the series of overlaps in this thread within a thread, yesterday I had occasion to remember a descriptive phrase from an earlier phase of my life which applies to Ms. Lewis as well: there's a pretty mess. Love that Simpsons quote.
After reading so many comments about SSS, I decided to order some samples. Velvet Rose, Vintage Rose, Rose Musc, and Voile de Violette are on the way!
Haha, I just might take you up on that, if the economy ever bucks up and I get work assignments in the US again. Meanwhile, I will keep an eye out for your other recs…!
Good choices, SFLizbeth! Laurie does an amazing job on roses as well as resins. That Voile de Violette is a gorgeous rose-violet with iris. And if you like smoldering incense, you will swoon over Vintage Rose.
I'm so looking forward to trying them. And SSS isn't that far a ride away either. I think I read something about their opening the studio occasionally.
Oooh, I envy you! You live in a great part of the world. I'd love to just drop in on Laurie at SSS every now and then. Hope you'll get a chance to soon.
Cardamom has become one of my most treasured perfume notes, i realised recently. I just ordered Parfum Sacre and Nelli Rodi samples, as suggested by some people in the Lazy Friday Poll! I cannot wait! Shame winter is on its way out……but i'll wear them anyway, probably! I also ordered two Montale Oud samples, as i read so much about them and can't get my hands on them in the UK.
I am definitely a winter perfume gal. Always more attracted to the fragrances that suit the chilly months, as I tend towards dark, rich, enveloping odours as opposed to citrus/sharp/bright ones. But this summer I shall be in search of the summery scents I can love. The only citrus I am interested in is Eau du Sud, as it seems to have an 'edge'. Eau d'Hadrien was way too citrus for me – but maybe Les Nuits…..?? I reckon I would be more of a floral-summer gal, than a citrus-summer gal. So Annick Goutal will surely have some gorgeous florals for me to try. Maybe that's the way to go……..I'll have to read the summer fragrance articles on NST again, see if anything else takes my fancy.
Thanks for your great Top 10 Erin!
Thanks! Cardamom is a great note, although it sometimes gives me a kind of sweaty vibe (no bad thing neccessarily, since I like cumin and other sweaty spices.) And of course, I love food with cardamom…
I prefer Eau de Sud, too. Have you tried Eau de Rochas? (The women's version, I mean.) As a cologne, it has a similar 'edge' and feel to it and is one of my go-to scents any time of year. Angela turned me on to it. If you want to stick to AG and like green florals, Eau de Camille is a rather underrated scent for summer and one of the best AGs, in my opinion.