This week we're helping Katie, who comments here as Katich. Katie is a newbie perfumista looking for her ideal daytime spring / summer fragrance. She'd like something that evokes warmth and sun, has polite sillage so she can wear it to work, and isn't too perfume-y or artificial smelling. Ideally, it would cost around $50-70, but she's willing to buy a decant if it isn't outrageously priced. Here are a few details about Katie:
Katies is a "goofy extrovert" in her early 20s, and is a recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. She's working as a researcher in a children's hospital and planning to apply to grad school.
She describes her style as "funky and laid back"; she wears jeans during the day, loves dresses in summer, and likes "color and fun jewelry".
Katie likes the outdoors, water, music that makes her move, dry comedy. Her ideal day would involve "...a long hike near a beach, followed by a long swim at said beach, the whole day filled with good food and ending with some cold, hoppy beer while enjoying myself at an indie rock concert".
Katie's fall / winter favorites are Bvlgari Black & Omnia, Chanel Coco Madmoiselle, L'Artisan Tea for Two, Lolita Lempicka and Bond No. 9 Chinatown — she loves them all, but they're darker than she'd like for warmer weather.
Katie likes grapefruit, tea, coconut, orange blossom, anise, other citrus, jasmine, fig, vanilla, almond, sandalwood and patchouli, and she's open to fragrances in any fragrance family. Some perfumes that she has liked but that didn't quite fit include Hèrmes Un Jardin Sur le Nil (close, but slightly too woody in the drydown), L'Artisan The Pour Un Ete (love, but too short lived and expensive), L'Artisan La Chasse aux Papillons (love, but too girly for everyday and also shortlived), Guerlain Acqua Allegoria Pamplelune (not quite right on skin), Gwen Stefani Harajuku Lovers "G" (too sweet for daily wear, but she loves the beachy aspect), Ed Hardy Love and Luck Woman (too much red berry, but she loves the dry down), Tom Ford White Patchouli (love, but too much patchouli for a daily scent).
Katie doesn't like gardenia, saffron, peony, 'artificial' green scents, overly fruity or sweet scents, and powdery scents. Fragrances that didn't work at all include Marc Jacobs (gardenia, heady), Armani Code Woman (candy-like and perfume-y), Stella McCartney Stella (too much rose), Bvlgari Omnia Green Jade (she likes the nutty aspect, but it's too powdery in the drydown), Pacifica Mediterranean Fig (takes on a weird chemical-y quality), Narciso Rodriguez for Her (she thinks she might be anosmic to the musk, but it also gives her a headache).
What say you?
Note: image is ei, seu carteiro! by .mands. at flickr; some rights reserved.
How about Diptyque Philosykos? Un Jardin en Mediterranee? By the way, I find Omnia light enough for summer wear as well…
I second both of these, especially UJEM. It was one of my first thoughts as I find it bright and cheerful for spring/summer but not overwhelmingly so.
I haven’t gotten to try Philoskyos yet, but all of the reviews I have read of it sound highly appealing to me. The UJEM is something I tried long ago at Sephora on a cold day when Sephora was soaked with smells, so I think I need to revisit it. I think it will probably be a winner for me…
The drugstore by my house has a 15 ml bottle of Tommy Girl for 13 bucks, I keep considering it every time I go in. I just worry it might take me back to middle school a little too fast haha…
Hi Katie! I recommend the following for sunny summery frags:
YSL Cinema – which is very warm, vanilla, mimosa, and definitely “golden”. It is very easy to wear at work and has nice lasting power without being too strong. It is also very inexpensive at online discounters or stores like TJMaxx when its around.
Caron Nocturnes which is a very pretty orange blossom fragrance with a nice warm vanilla dry down. The orange blossom is just very happy at the opening, then it just warms up and gets soft and vanilla. Also very economical choice.
A little less economical is Chanel No 5 eau Premier – I think it smells like sunshine, citrus, and warm gardens! It is very pretty, very feminine, very easy to wear, very work friendly, and the lasting power is excellent w/o being too strong. There are a bit of aldehyhes left in it, but nothing like the original No 5. It’s not necessarily something you’d wear to the beach, but for all other occasions. It is really nice and the large bottle would last forever.
If you like tea scents, there are a number of inexpensive choices, includng Tommy Girl, which is excellent for summer. If you want to splurge a litte at a discounter, Annick Goutal’s Mandragore is lovely bergamot, tea, and violets style cologne which is lovely in the summer.
Good luck!
Second those – all very nice! I was surprised at how much I actually liked Tommy Girl; wearing that one is like sipping lemon sun tea while sitting on the porch overlooking flower gardens. Light, breezy, and undemanding. (Also pretty darn cheap.)
No. 5 EP might be a more sophisticated choice for work situations. I couldn’t wear the original (too powdery), but EP has the right level of No. 5 floral-powdery sophistication, with a dash of citrus and a little more humor.
It’s funny because my mom actually has worn No. 5 her whole life and I can’t quite bring myself to wear it. The Eau Premiere, on the other hand, is lovely. I’m tempted to convince my mom to split a bottle with me- I bought her a small decant a while ago and she’s already used it up. It might be worth the investment.
I had the same experience. No. 5 is my mother’s scent, but because of the tiny twists on the formula, we can both wear EP.
I second (3rd? 4th?) Chanel no5 Eau Premiere it is a lovely scent and a lot less “stuffy” than the orginal no5, although I’ve worn both I’m loving the Eau Premiere quite a bit more. For a decent deal on a bottle check out Scentiments.com and I think there may be a free shipping code …I’d have to check. If you wanted to put a toe in the water first—there’s decants of Eau Premiere like crazy at scentsplits.
Haha, Try to be a little different from your mother? kawaii!
When you say you like grapefruit, the first idea come to my mind is Ferragamo Incanto Heaven!
2nd the Mandragore; I just found a 25 ml bottle on the bay for $24 including shipping, or for another tea scent (if you’re willing to try awhile on the bay, I’ve seen it go for around $50 for 4 oz, though I’ve also seen it go a lot higher), Creed’s Silver Mountain Water is a nice tea/currant scent. AG’s Le Chevrefeuille and Neroli are nice, lighter spring/summer scents. If UJEM is close but not perfect, one I find similar (and slightly less cedary) is Miller et Bertaux’s #3.
For beachy…CB I Hate Perfume’s Mr. Hulot’s Holiday is a fun one, and not likely to be everywhere. Good luck! I find spring/summer scents so much easier to choose.
Happy Monday everyone,
Great idea, I second the Caron Nocturnes, it’s a lovely scent and not too pricey.
I would also suggest Satellite Paris, A la Figue. It’s got a little bit of everything she’s looking for: Top note: Fig tree sap, Heart notes: Fig & lily of the valley, drydown: Patchouli, cedar & musk. The woods aren’t “dry”, or at least to me anyway. It’s one of my favorite go-to summer scents. It stays close to the skin, and it lasts about 6-7 hours. I think the 100 ml is 80.00 last time I checked on Beauty Habit.
Right off the top of my head, I say try 06130 Yuzu Rouge. Here are the notes from luckyscent.com…
yuzu, cassis, grapefruit, verbena, damascena rose, nutmeg, bergamot, cardamom, musk, moss, gray amber
A truly wonderful, light scent. A grapefruit fragrance with some interest and depth. Very nicely made, no artificial chemical smell and not too perfume-y. Definitely a ‘fun’ summer scent.
Robin has a good review here…
https://nstperfume.com/2005/05/20/fragrance-review-yuzu-rouge-by-parfums-06130/
and another good one from Bois de Jasmime…
http://boisdejasmin.typepad.com/_/2005/08/perfume_review__5.html
Don’t let the rose note scare you, as the grapefruit and other notes keep it from being a dominant rose fragrance. Try a sample from luckyscent, then if you like it offer some on splitscents…http://scentsplits.wikidot.com/… to offset the higher than your budget cost.
Good luck Katie!
Hi Katie 2nd Yuzu Rouge . Think you might love Bahiana by MPG and Copacabana by Parfums de nicolai. Possibly L’Artisan’s Jour de Fete and definitely ,Beth Terry Vita
I heard about the Yuzu Rouge for the first time the other day and it sounds right up my alley. Cococabana has been calling my name for a while, I think that and some other PdN will be added to my sample order soon.
Katie, I have Cococabana. Really interesting green coconut scent. Not sweet at all to my nose. Great for summer!
I shall DEFINITELY be looking for a sample of that…I’m excited about trying the PdN, I like their story and the fact that they’re priced so reasonably. Hopefully it will be love…
Katie, I would recommend L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Chasse de Papillons, which is an eau de toilette. It’s very light, minimal sillage, doesn’t last all day and can be refreshed from time to time without people recoiling around you. Linden blossom, lemon tree blossom, orange blossom , jasmine, tuberose. Pretty, pretty, pretty. As for your price range, this is expensive but I just bought an almost-full 15 ml bottle off eBay for about $38.
If you found La Chasse aux Papillons too girly but otherwise loved the scent perhaps you’d enjoy the Extreme version which is a bit creamier because of the little saffron note. The citrus is still present and to me and it’s still a bright floral, though somewhat headier than the original, at least to my nose. There’s also some pink pepper, which I find lovely and whimsical.
You were Nadine, last week, right? How is your search going? I hope you’re having good luck!
Yes, it’s me, hi Capillary! I love this feature on NST and was so pleased to be included. I’ve written down every single recommendation and read reviews about all of them… I guess now it’s time to order some samples. I also find the suggestions for Katie’s spring fragrance highly appealing… very feminine and delicious.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I hope you (and Katie!) will let us know as things develop: it’s really interesting to find out which the successes were.
Hi Katie! Love your fall scents. For summer, how about L’Artisan’s Premier Figuier? Wonderful green yet warm fig/coconut scent. Another one – I haven’t tried it myself, but what about something like Diesel Fuel for Life?
Many mention L’Artisan’s fleeting quality…but I find most of them to be just as long-lived as other scents. Biggest reason for short scent life on skin = skin dryness. Try moisturizing and letting the moisturizer absorb into your skin before applying scent. Helps the scent last longer!
Hmmm based on these recs it sounds like I’ll be putting in another order for some L’Artisan samples…always a good way to start the week 🙂
Yeah, isn’t that L’Artisan sample thing great? I think I’ve ordered three different times – so, 15 different samples. And there are still others I have yet to try. Dangerous, though. Sampling led to obtaining three large bottles – Dzing! (newfound love), Premier Figuier, and Vanilia. (But I only spent $25 for all three. How, may you ask? Swapped for two and had a $100 Amazon gift cert. for the other – call that creative perfume buying!!!). There are others that I’m lusting after, though…but I can’t bring myself to pay full price for a bottle. Just have to wait, wait, wait til the right opportunity for a trade or a discount comes along. In the meantime, I’m greatly enjoying the three that I have. Definitely try Premier Figuier, and let me know what you think!
Oops, my bad. I see you already like that one!
Hi Katie!
One of my favorite summer scents is Eau d’ete by Parfum de Nicolai. It is a brilliant hot weather perfume that is grapefruit and lime heavy at first with a very light floralcy which then settles into a light musky skin scent. (check out Robin’s review.) Best of all, the 30 mL size can be had at beautyhabit.com for $40! Should mention that the PdN line is well done, in general, and is largely unknown to the throngs. You will not find many other people wearing it. Well, not many outside of the perfumista community, that is…
Look into Fig tea, too, with it’s osmanthus note. Really beautiful and light.
Good luck!
And Eau Exotique, too… There are also light versions of their other perfumes which are great for summer – I love the light maharanih. Parfum de Nicolai has an outstanding light summery perfumes lineup – their whole line is outstanding, really…
Yes! PdNs are wonderful. I have Eau Turquoise, which I believe is the replacement for Eau Exotique – they’re both very similar. Wonderfully unique, too.
Seconding the PdNs. Fig Tea is a summer staple for me. And their 30 ml bottles would fit nicely into your price range.
I may be way off track, but I immediately thought of two fragrances by Tartine et Chocolat (a French children’s line, perfumes by Givenchy) because of your love for citrus and grapefruit: Ptisenbon and Gransenbon. The packaging is rather babyish and the fragrances are very short-lived but also utterly sweet, charming and inexpensive (at least in Europe). Voilà, my first recommendation!
For a fun, inexpensive, coconut/beachy theme, what about JLo’s Deseo or Miami Glow? Pricier but decants are available are SL’s Datura Noir, Ava Luxe Venus Sands, Kenzo Parfum d’Ete, EL’s Bronze Goddess,?
Good luck!
I tried the Bronze Goddess a few weeks ago and really really liked it, it may have been just a bit too powdery in the drydown but overall it captured that glowing-summer feeling. My significant other, however, was not so fond, and he was very put off by the “old lady” drydown. Any suggestions for how to resolve this conundrum: lack of love for your scents from the ones you love? 😉
When I love something that husband doesn’t, I wear it on days we won’t see much of each other.
Also, unless I stick my wrist under his nose, he doesn’t usually comment on what I’m wearing so it doesn’t matter much. Does your SO comment regardless of your asking?
Only if he notices, but he tends to notice. He actually very sweet about encouraging and learning about my hobby/habit. He’s very diplomatic about it though, for example he’s not a huge fan of the topnotes of Chinatown but generally likes it later on, so I’ll give him some space post-spraying. I might give it another try and see if maybe warmer weather will make him more apt to like it. He’s really a trooper about it though.
Hi, Katie,
Guerlain AA Pampelune also ended up smelling weird on my skin; you could try instead Moschino Cheap and Chic, I Love Love, which is a clear, sunny grapefruit without that effect. It is pretty cheap at online discounters. I second Philosykos and Fig Tea; both are terrific figs. The latter is within, but at the top, of your preferred price range. I wonder if you’d like AP Jatamansi, which is an unusual, natural-smelling green. I think you might like Eau des Merveilles (Hermes), which to me smells like a New England summer at the beach (including the gin and tonics); has a nice patchouli drydown. Good luck!
Hi Katie! I second the Bronze Goddess and PdN Eau Exotique recs. I will add The Different Company Bergamot and Osmanthus (you can purchase the travel refills fromt the website very affordably- and while we are talking TDC- Jasmine de Nuit is devastating if you havent sniffed!)
Also, dont know what you think about peach but Keiko Mercheri Peau de Peche has been fun for me this spring- and since you seem open to fruits, might be worth try.
Enjoy the hunt!
Oooooh, TDC Osmanthus is WONDERFUL!!!
I agree. TDC Osmanthus is great – I’m wearing it right now! I also second the recommendations for TDC Bergamote, AG Mandragore, and Diptyque Philosykos. Katie, you might also want to look up Etro’s Dianthus (a bright carnation blend – I love it!) and also their Anice (since you like anise).
Katie, it looks like we have pretty similar taste! 🙂 Some recs:
Beth Terry Té–green tea, milky, slightly floral
Diptyque Philosykos (second)
Les Nereides Musc de Java–blackberries (not too sweet), hay/meadow, musk
Ormonde Jayne Frangipani–haven’t tried it yet but reviews sound spot-on
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess (second)
Also, I’ve found that layering the L’Arrisans over mild perfume oil, such as Egyptian musk, helps the lasting power a lot.
Good idea—I wonder if that would work on the TDC line as well….I adore several of their fragrances…for the 27.5 minutes they last! Must get some Egytian musk….SSS here I come!
Just wanted to 2nd the rec for Les Nereides Musc de Java, and to add Napa Cielo (sweet daphne, grape leaf, honeysuckle, fig leaf, honey, oak, sandalwood) which is in that same vein to my nose. To me these are both carefree, youthful, sunny scents. And I love Philosykos, too, so glad to see that being recommended by many.
Oh, I thought of an anise scent you might enjoy, Onice by Omnia (not Bulgari, different company). It’s interesting and evocative, kind of like sipping anisette with a celery swizzle stick. While standing in a meadow.
Katie, I agree that you may like L’Artisan’s Premier Figuier. Try it layered with L’Artisan’s Mimosa fragrance. You may like it.
Bond No. 9’s Lexington Avenue and New York Fling come to mind, too.
Good luck!
Here’s somthing a little different to try: DSH Luckyclover—it’s light, kind of green, just a touch of sweet flowers—it’s quite playful and summery–like dancing your way across a secluded mountain meadow with delicious abandon. If you want to read about it at Dawn’s site go to dshperfumes.com , go to the Essential oils page, then floral families, then floral page #4….it’s 54.50 for 1oz. of EdP or $25 for 2oz of water based body spray —she has a whole line up of concentrations to think about. See? suggestions and shopping info — how cool is that?
Katie, if you’re still around the Chapel Hill area, we could meet up + I could save you the trouble of ordering samples of quite a few of the perfumes mentioned… Contact me, if you like, under the same name at MUA.
I’d like to recommend some traditional colognes. They are not long-lived, but some I have found I can make last all day if I spray heavily. Some I like are: Miller Harris Tangerine Vert; Chanel Eau de Cologne; Acqua di Parma Colonia Assoluta (the AdP does not need a heavy application).
For beachy, if EL Bronze Goddess is not quite right, then try MPG Bahiana. Less beachy but still great in summer, try Parfum d’Empire Osmanthus Interdite.
Of the AA’s from Guerlain, you might try Mandarine Basilic and see if that works a little better!
Okay, my daughter was just reading this and she has suggested Bvlgari Au The Verte and Prescriptives Calyx –both available in your price range and the Bvlgari is readily available on evilbay. She’s closer to your age than I am so maybe she’s onto something!
Bulgari Eau The Verte is one of my go-tos when I need a pick me up or cool me down, and I love it, but it isn’t quite unique enough for daily wear for me. Calyx does sound interesting though…
Thanks to everyone for all of the wonderful suggestions! I can’t wait to start investigating more!
I was also going to suggest Bronze Goddess but maybe Bobbi Brown Beach would work. Also CB’s At the Beach 1966 is an interesting take on beach. Avon’s Tahitian Holiday is kind of their version of Miami Glow – smells a little cheaper, of course, but it’s cheap, so… but it is still a fun hot-day thing for a few bucks and there is matching shimmer lotion.
I love grapefruit notes and The Different Company’s Sel de Vetiver opens with grapefruit; it’s a salty, beachy scent without the suntan lotion. It’s on the high end, though. I find Bulgari’s Eau Parfumee Au The Blanc an inexpensive substitute for The Pour Un Ete as they both feature jasmine, citrus and green tea. Also, on the high end in that family, a new love is Ormonde Jayne’s Champaca–that will be my new summer green tea of choice! And finally, I want to affirm Yuzu Rouge (citrus) and Un Jardin En Mediterranee (orangey fig) as suggested by others.
A bit late to the party and agree with a lot of the previously mentioned scents: L’Artisan Premier Figuier or Diptyque Philosykos (for fig), J Lopez Deseo (coconut), also Yuzu Rouge and Eau de Jatamansi (thought the latter is pricey) (for “miscellaneous citrus”!). Then there is Jo Malone Orange Blossom and the soon to be relaunched Kohdo Wood Day Lotus Blossom and Water Lily, which is bright and breezy. Would also recommend Ormonde Jayne Sampaquita and Champaca as pretty delicate florals. Hermessence Osmanthe Yunnan would tick the tea box, but it is so pricey. Lastly, I absolutely LOVE the new Kenzo Eau de Fleur de Magnolia, which is very summery indeed, and though you need to re-apply it, it is well worth it!
Sorry, but my PC crashed yet sent this post as it did so, before I could proof it! Some very strange bracket formatting, gratuitous “t”s, and too many “pricey”s!
I married into a family of Tar Heels (they’ve been giddily happy for the last week)–it’s good to see a UNC alumna here.
I’m a newbie to perfume, so I don’t have a lot to go on, but there are a couple of things I’ve been enjoying that you might like: 1. OJ Frangipani–I’ve been sampling this and WOW is it gorgeous! I have not found a lot of florals I like, but the frangipani has the perfect citrus edge. Rather expensive but it shouldn’t be hard to find someone to split a bottle with. 2. Un Jardin Apres la Mousson–as long as you’re trying the other Jardins…I am wearing this today for the first time since last summer; it’s hard for me to describe with my current nose and fragrance vocabulary, but kind of gingery-citrus and very summery.
Other commenters have also reminded me I tried Premier Figuier just once a while ago and liked it, but thought I should return to it when the weather started warming up. Maybe now’s the time!
Maybe SummerbyKenzo? Not to be too obvious or anything, but I think this has more depth than your average mass-market summer-themed fragrance. It has a milky-floral texture that also, I’ll admit, smells like sunscreen, which… well, your mileage may vary with that. I disliked the sunscreen accord at first, but came to appreciate it — it isn’t a coconut-suntan-oil smell, but rather more like warm, sunscreened skin, if that makes sense. It’s not a ‘beach’ summer smell, but a ‘lazy summer afternoons’ smell: all cotton dresses and picnics and everything yellow and sunny.
Decent sillage and longevity, and I’m sure it can be bought for the price range indicated.
you should tell us what her coloring is, then I could match her to a scent much better…
Oooh yes, I am tall, have shoulder-length wavy brunette hair, light brown eyes, and olive skin, I get REALLY tan in the summer. And I’m a Sagittarius. Any related perfume recs would be fun!
Saggie…BUY THAT COPACABANA.
I know this isn’t exactly original, but I have to cast yet another vote for Philosykos! You might want to try the Anisia Bella Aqua Allegoria (discontinued, but still around online — and dirt cheap) for a summery anise, and if you feel like venturing over to the men’s/unisex side, I recommend Hermès Eau d’Orange Verte and Terre d’Hermès for warm citrus (Terre also has a nice cedar-y aspect). Good luck, and have fun!
Off the top of my head…
Guerlain Acqua Allegoria Herba Fresca
Soleil by Fragonard
O de Lancome by Lancome
Verbenas of Provence by Jo Malone
French Lime Blossom by Jo Malone
With your love of the water, color and citrus, I’m thinking Missoni Acqua which I’m wearing a lot recently & enjoying. The notes do list peony, but I’m not sure I smell it. Enjoy!
EAU DE CARTIER OR BULGARI POUR FEMME OR YSL CINEMA
Profumum El Zucchero is a lovely orange blossom/vanilla scent that is similar to Pink Sugar. I always get compliments when I wear it.
Parfumerie Generale Jardins de Kerylos is a fig scent; their Felanilla is a great vanilla-worth checking out, and my favorite by them is Iris Taizo though it might be a tad darker than what you’re looking for, you might still like it.
i love this scent i wear it all the time. but many people find it too sweet , not me, its gorgoeus
I was going to suggest Bvlgari’s green tea too, well anyway.. my spring staple is Kelly calèche, the combination of flowery and suède notes are like wearing girly dresses with an old leather jacket..
I’m also going to try Miller Harris Fleur de sel now in spring, could be better than in winter.
Hi!
I reckon Guerlain’s Jicky EdT or EdP would be a wonderful one to try. It’s extremely wearable and easy for the daytime, but with a slight animalic tinge of something indefinable to make it interesting.
Ormonde Jayne’s summery scents are just beautiful – Frangipani, Osmanthus and Sampaquita. Well worth a shot.
Annick Goutal, of course! Eau du Sud, Mandragore (EdP is best for this), and Les Nuits D’Hadrien is suitable for daytime.
I hope you find one to adore
I’m a bit late with chiming in here, but I like a lot of the same notes as you do for summer, and I would suggest checking out PG Jardin de Kerylos – it’s gorgeous, fresh and breezy, and it was my absolute favorite fig out of all I’ve tried – very soft, well-rounded and fruity, not too green or dry (I found Premier Figue too green and Philosykos a bit too coconutty). Also, definitely many of the Jo Malone scents might be good, as others mentioned: Orange Blossom (citrusy jasmine), Verbenas de Provence, Grapefruit. Oh, and I haven’t actually checked them out myself, but heard good things about L’Occitane scents, they sound light and summery and fairly affordable – I think there’s Green Tea, Fig, Verbena, etc. Good luck!
Have you tried Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline? The original Omnia is one of my favorites for winter as well, but I can’t quite get myself to wear it in warm weather either. I was at Sephora earlier this week and tried the Crystalline. It struck me as a lighter version that I would like to get for warmer weather. Unlike many flankers, this seemed to have some common ground with the orignal.
Since you’re ordering some samples from L’Artisan, I would throw in the Premier Figuier Extreme version as well. It’s more floral and less fruity than the original, and I really love it!
Also, if you have any buddies who sell Mary Kay, their Red Tea & Fig body products are great! Today I’m wearing the body splash layered with Omnia, and I’m really liking the combo!
Sounds like a Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue kind of girl!