Mandy is a "huge perfume junkie" from Canada. She already owns a number of perfumes she likes, but she feels like she gravitates towards the same sort of perfumes over and over, and she'd love to find something different. She wants her new perfume to make her feel "pretty and special", and to "fit like a comfortable pair of shoes". She can pay up to $200. Here is what we know about Mandy:
Mandy is in her mid-30s but looks younger, and she works in a corporate environment.
She describes herself as "silly and sometimes immature" but also responsible.
She's nostalgic about her childhood, and a "fan of anything from the 1980s".
She loves pink and purple.
Mandy's favorite flower is lilac, but she can't get past the idea that lilac perfumes are too mature, and many that she has tried smell like "bathroom spray". She tends more towards fruity florals. She likes most floral notes, and most fruits except too much lemon, lime, or berry. She loves the smell of almonds, coconut, fresh rain, light vanilla. She doesn't like heavy spices, orientals, ginger, lavender, incense, powder, heavy musk, or anything that smells like lemon cleaner.
Her favorite perfumes are Christian Dior J'adore ("so pretty, the plum and floral notes are just so nice on me"), Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom and Honey ("so fresh and yummy", and she also likes Jo Malone Lime Blossom and Orange Blossom), Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll ("love the mix of grapefruit and roses, it seems to fit me, and I adore the bottle"). She recently purchased a bottle of Vera Wang Look.
Perfumes that didn't work for Mandy: Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir ("too spicy"), Jo Malone Vintage Gardenia (too floral), J Lo Miami Glow (she tired of it quickly), the Escada summer limited editions ("they all just smell the same after a while"), Stella McCartney Stella ("the amber just didn't work on me"), Bvlgari Jasmin Noir ("not me"), Versace Bright Crystal ("too sharp"), DKNY Delicious and Be Delicious ("boring too quickly"), Thierry Mugler Angel ("too much chocolate and just too heavy"), Hanae Mori Butterfly ("nice but a bit too sweet and not special enough"), Fresh Sugar Blossom ("a bit too young"), Creed line (her favorite was Spring Flower, but she found that they don't last long enough), Creed Virgin Island Water ("nice but I do not want to smell like a pina colada all year"), Frederic Malle Lys Mediterranee, ("so strong I couldn't wear it"), Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose ("did not suit me at all"), Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue ("somewhat sour on me"), Marc Jacobs Daisy (too young, too short-lived"), Christian Dior Diorissimo (too mature).
What say you?
Note: image is ei, seu carteiro! by .mands. at flickr; some rights reserved.
I cannot fundament my recommendation (I usually don't do this…), but here it goes nonetheless: I suggest you try Valentino's Rock'n'Rose or Moschino Cheap and Chic.
This is just a hunch and should be treated as such, with great caution!
What about Frederic Malle's En Passant- it is a very true to life, bright lilac scent?
Hi Mandy. Have you tried Juicy Couture? If the tacky sweatsuits associated with the company turn you off, ignore them. The perfume is wonderful, and it sounds like something you might like. Here are the notes:
Top notes: Watermelon, Mandarin, Passion Fruit, Marigold, Hyacinth
Middle notes: Tuberose, Wild Rose, Lily
Base notes: Caramel, Crème Brulee, Vanilla, Patchouli, Woods
Upon reading “pink/purple/floral/1980s,” I couldn't help but think PARIS! It's a big ol' rose-and-violet number that packs a wallop but is really lovely if you can pull it off. Another possibility might be Serge Lutens Datura Noir, a floral that's coconutty but not in a piña colada way.
Good luck, Mandy!
How about the ethereal Guerlain Apres' l'Ondee? No serious fruity notes, bar a tiny, tiny bit of citrus up top, and no lilac, but the light florals have a lilac-y, springy, feel.
Decants are available at perfumed court or posh peasant.
Hi Mandy, how about Chance by Chanel, Union Square, Bond #9. I think the Bond will def be something to explore with many options for frag you might enjoy. Your notes of preference are very special and I do think that Union Square will be nice…
Hi Mandy-I completely agee with dea and think you should try FM's En Passant. Sounds like it's right up your alley. Also try Eau d'Hiver for your almond fix.
More on almonds, what about SL's Louve? It does have some cherries there too. I love it.
Take care and have fun!
Simple, but worth a sniff- the Pacifica French Lilac. It's a very pretty, sweet, true-smelling lilac that isn't too overwhelming and may be good on those days you want a “less mature” lilac. And it's cheap. Worth a shot!
I will suggest the new Hermessences Vanille Galante which is a light fruity floral with a vanilla undertone. It also has a bit of an aquatic/watery vibe which you might enjoy!
Hi Mandy – have you sampled the Badgley Mischka Fleurs de Nuit? It is a very light tropical jasmine and white flowers with a very lightly sweet base. It is fresh and summery, and a little bit sophisticated rather than just girly or sweet.
A really pretty “adult” white/tropical flowers fragrance is the Givenchy Les Mythiques version of Le De. It is very pretty, soft, and has a wonderful tropical accord, I think due largely in part to the use of a nice sheer ylang-ylang note. You won't find yourself coming or going in this one, and it could just as easily be flip flops or summer cocktail party…
Also, the Guerlain Allegorica Vanille & Ylang is very sheer and pretty with white floral notes and a hint of tropics from the y-y. It smells like a way more sheer version of AG Songes.
Also, have you tried any of the Lavanilla's? Vanilla Blossom and Grapefruit are very pretty summery florals.
Hi Mandy
My very first thought was Ta'if by Ormonde Jayne. It's an arabian rose with date and saffron. It's not overly spicey. It feels young and flirty, but also beautifully feminine and elegant. It's extremely wearable. But it's more of a night-time scent, I feel.
Bond No9 also came to mind when I was reading about your likes/dislikes and personality. The two floral ones I would suggest are Chinatown and Andy Warhol Silver Factory. They have a few unusual fruity ones too – I think Coney Island and Fire Island?
Are you familiar with Annick Gotal's range? 'Pretty' and 'wearable' come to mind when I think of those perfumes. Their most recent release, Un Matin D'orage is exquisite – peachy, floral, delicate. really lovely. The lasting power is not great on me, but I did love it while it lasted. You should read the excellent reviews of her 'fumes on this website. That would guide you towards finding one that appealed to you.
Phew! That was a long one………hope it is helpful!
I second this one!
If you like lilac, this is a very interesting scent, and not demure.
I just remembered that you don't like orientals or incense! In which case, Chinatown may be too oriental, and Silver Factory too incensey! Perhaps Eau de New York would suit better?!!
How about Betsey Johnson's perfume? It's got a fun, sensual vibe to it. I think it might be up her alley.
Notes are: Grapefruit, Tangerine, Blackcurrant Berries, Pear, Freesia, Lily of the Valley, Apple, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Amber, Light Musk, & Praline.
It's very reasonably-priced at 31.50 for a 1 oz, and long lasting too.
Honing in on your love for the 80's decade, how about Diane Brill EdP? It's quirky, fun and a bit loud.
~Dawn
Hi all!
I second En passant and L'eau d'hiver both by Editions de parfums F.Malle,both wonderful and with notes that you like,Apres l'ondee by Guerlain is also beautiful but I find it too mature in some way,and finally any of the Ormonde Jayne's parfums,they are unique and very,very beautiful,especially Woman,Ta'if and Frangipani absolute.
I hope you find tons of nice scents,
Good luck ,Lole.
I know you don't like incense, but I would suggest trying “encense & bubblegum” (etat libre d'orange) anyway , it has a very quirky 80ies feeling to it and is one of the few wearable – and mentionable
– etat perfumes
If you can find it, Aqua Allegoria Lilia Bella by Guerlain is a youthful springtime floral, containing lily-of-the-valley and lilac.
Hi Mandy, something very easy to get, yet something I think you might like is, J.Lo's, Deseo or even Miami Glow. Maybe Hermes Jardin Sur Le Nil or CK Secret Obsession might be to your liking. Good luck and have fun smelling all the new suggestions!
Oops, I see you didn't like Miami Glow. Skip that one! H
Another vote for Olivia Giacobetti's gentle masterpiece for Frederic Malle, En Passant. A gentle lilac breeze in front of a fine patisserie: beautiful. AND, unlike mass-market options, Mandy, which you may smell in every other club in your city, this one will be virtually all yours, as distribution is much more limited. Enjoy!
Your post makes me think you might like Missoni – a Maurice Roucel composition. It's a gorgeous, polite but complex fruity-floral with a chocolate & nuts twist. A sample of it was given to my girlfriend by a saleswoman. The colorful wrapping made me totally sceptical. But I changed my mind on first sniff! Though I don't usually like fruity-florals, this one is just stunning! Good luck!!
Hello!
I'll 33rd the En Passent suggestion. It's amazing. I also want to throw out Bond #9 Bryant Park…and not just because the bottle is purple and pink and says “80s” to me. It's a different spin on fruity floral, interesting, and fun. I've gotten tons of compliments when I've worn it. I just love the Bond bottles too!
Hi Mandy! Do try the EN PASSANT. That fragrance was a revelation for me. SO beautiful! And I agree with the person who suggested that you try L'EAU D'HIVER too.
Just a hunch: You might like an osmanthus-based fragrance. OSMANTHE YUNNAN by Hermes is breathtaking.
Another floral that I think you might enjoy is Bertrand Duchaufour's FLORA BELLA by Lalique. It is unusual, has a pink & purple vibe, and can be found online for a song.
Best wishes to you!
You sound a lot like me Mandy. I will try J.M. Orange Blossom and Honey!…Apricot?
I too think En Passant doesn't sound like old lady perfume. It is suppose to smell fresh.
I suggest:
Ormond Jaynes Frangipani
Le Artisans Le Chasse Aux Papillons (fresh flowers)
Cacherel's Anais Anais (pretty, soft, unique and very 80's)
Wish by Chopard
the new Liz by Liz Claiborne
Blush by Marc Jacobs
Estee Lauder's Private collection Tuberose-Gardenia, Pleasures Exotic, Beyond Paradise, (all have been praised by some harsh critics)
Please forgive my spelling on the names.
Black Orchid by Tom Ford-I like it and I don't generally like things that are dark, but it's a misnomer, I think.
Tender Touch by Burberry
Laura Mercier's Eau De Lune, her orange blossom one, and the one with Magjique in the name and her Exquisite Heure.
Darn, I love Cruel Gardenia from Guerlain, but it's hard to find excepting a boutique, and it's about $230.00 US. Also from
Guelain, Jardins De Bagatelle..white flowers and Champs Elysee's. (can't spell)
Versace's House Fragrance…there is a bit of black currant in the top notes but it fades away to a beautiful Wisteria mix.
31 Rue Cabon by Chanel..maybe too much, but beautiful.
Stella Sheer-more peonies than roses
Creed's Fleurissimo, 2000 fleurs..maybe Love In White although a lot of reviews aren't great.
Givenchy's Fleur De Privee, increedible bottle, fruity floral, but not overly so, and Givenchy III.
Benefit's Maybe Baby
I too Love Baby Doll, although I get Freesia instead of rose…interesting. So you might love
Live Lux by JLo,…pretty and fruity
Underrated but highly praised is Yves Rocher. They have some beautiful scents for a bargain and this is not just me speaking but the dreaded Noses of
Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez, who can make you shrivel if you like something they don't.
I find Guerlain's Apres Le Ondee a bit too melancholy for me, it's a truly beautiful floral, but to me something smells, I don't know, wet and burnt…But that's just me, I don't want everyone on the blog to hate me. That being said, other than a bigger appetite for fruit, I think I have a similar nose.
I know I could think of more, but I better stop for now.
Mandy, please come back and tell us if you find something. I would dig seeing some closure.
Joy and Luck,
Becca
Aqua e Zuchero by Profumum is what immediately came to mind as I read about you Mandy. It lasted 8+ hours on me today and I got quite a few compliments. My second is Love in White-it lasts a long time on me as well as I think it is beautiful.
The Ormond Jayne's are definitely worth exploring-there is so much depth.
Have fun!
Estee Lauder's Pleasures has a Lilac note and her Pleasures Intense has an even stronger Lilac note. Sung Sha is a wonderful Lilac soliflore.
I am liable to get hit with a volley of strawberries and caramel popcorn for saying so, guys, but I'm thinking that Mandy should try the much-maligned (on perfumista blogs, at any rate; but oodles of women I know adore it) Miss Dior Cherie. Young, pretty, great bottle, fruity-floral, lasts forever.
here are my suggestions
1-Flower by Kenzo, gorgeuos bottle and pleasant fragrance
2-Amarige by Givenchy, it has a 80's vibe to it , you should try the fankers too.
3-Joy by Patou you can find it at discounters
4-Cinema by YSL, floral and edgy
5-Ivoire by Balmain fresh and perfect for all seasons
6-L'Instant pour Homme by Guerlain, great feminine touches on this one
7-Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel, so sexy yet elegant
8-Fracas by Piguet, a young lwomanull this one off
9-Pour Femme by Bvlgari, very refined but youthful
10-L'Air du Temps by Nina Ricci, guilty pleasure at TJMaxx
pssst-don't tell anyone but I like Miss Dior Cheri too. It has so much warmth. Mandy will probably love it or hate it. Shrug.
Mandy, I ditto someone else's suggestion of Frederick Malle”s “En Passant.” I love Lilac, too, and this one is more contemporary than any I've tried and rejected. While you're at the FM counter, try “Un Perfum de Therese,” which is a light floral.
Mandy,
Bryant Park by Bond No. 9 will definitely make you feel pretty. It is an absolutely beautiful fragrance on. Many may not agree with me on this one, but I feel pretty and special when I wear Fleur de Liane by L'Artisan. The drydown is beautiful. Please do tell us what you finally decide.
hi everyone, I appreciate all the advice!! I was finally able to log in here and will update you with all my attempts at these suggestions soon!