When spring arrives, the black and white world of winter seems to turn technicolor in splotches. The ground is mostly barren, but a patch of lurid daffodils lights up a parking strip, and a tulip tree looks like it has burst into white flames against the grey sky. Even the singing birds sound ridiculously cheerful, like a Looney Tunes short come to life.
Of course, I love it. And mostly I like choosing perfumes for spring that make the same garish splash in the cool, damp air. But sometimes moodier fragrances that reflect the dirt's slow awakening seem more appropriate. Here are my current favorites for spring, not in any particular order.
Amouage Ubar. Nothing says spring like lily of the valley — light, ethereal, and tinged with green. Unfortunately, when I wear Christian Dior Diorissimo, I feel like I'm wearing someone else's clothing. It feels cold on me. Ubar, on the other hand, is loaded with lily of the valley and sunny jasmine, but has a warm grounding of sandalwood and civet. I'm hoarding the few drops I have left in my sample sprayer.
Guerlain Chamade. Chamade's elegant wash of hyacinth and galbanum sweetened by black currant is spring in a bottle. It's chic spring, too — a spring where women tote Hermès bags and drink Sancerre at lunch. As an aside, I'm convinced that Parfums MDCI's new Coeur en Mai is Patricia de Nicolaï's take on Chamade. It's green, fresh with hyacinth and rose, and brought up to the times with a peppery overlay.
Ormonde Jayne Champaca. Champaca has all the green of spring along with the presence to stand up to the chill in the morning air leftover from winter. Plus, Champaca smells unlike any other perfume I've tried, and isn't something new what spring is all about?
Caron Fleurs de Rocailles. When the weather starts to warm, Fleurs de Rocailles (the original, not "Fleur" de Rocailles) is like a meadow of wildflowers heated by the afternoon sun. It smells innocent.
Niki de Saint Phalle. Niki de Saint Phalle, on the other hand, isn't quite so innocent, but is insistent and unpredictable. Its marigold, mint, and galbanum surprise me every time I wear it, and the kick of oakmoss, sandalwood, and patchouli at the end keep me coming back.
Worth Je Reviens (vintage). Have you ever seen an old opaque green Firestone mug? If Je Reviens had a color, that would be it. To me Je Reviens is both charmingly old and surprisingly modern. It shines with a crystalline floral glow like a bouquet in a Jules Verne science fiction story. I like the vintage best. The new version is pale and limp, and Je Reviens Couture is too sharply aldehydic for my taste.
Jean Patou Vacances. Vacances is all sheets dried in the sun with the breeze blowing over the lilac bushes and a tender musk finish. It's marvelous. Since it's discontinued, try Frédéric Malle En Passant for a hit of springtime lilac.
Amouage Lyric Woman. Although it's not particularly evocative of spring, I have to put Lyric Woman on the list because right now it smells good to me whatever the weather, whatever my mood. Plus, you can make a case that its frankincense and coriander reflect the mood of dim, rainy mornings in April.
Comme de Garçons + Stephen Jones. I was unsure about Stephen Jones at first. It didn't seem to be my style. But for an urban spring, its violets awash in a tide of metallic aldehydes are perfect.
Piguet Bandit. Some people might argue that a leather fragrance has no place in spring. But I find Bandit to be a warm-weather leather if there ever was one. Bandit kicks off with a juicy green burst and settles into a leather than isn't overly oily. For a more ladylike composition with a dose of violets, Bandit's sister, Balmain Jolie Madame, is a nice spring leather, too.
For more Top 10 of Spring choices, check out Bois de Jasmin :: Grain de Musc :: Perfume Posse :: Perfume Smellin' Things.
Note: image is Daffodils isolated against white background [cropped] by Robert Crum at flickr; some rights reserved.
I’m with you regarding Diorissimo. It seems flawlessly beautiful but cold to me. Untouchable. Speaking of cold, I have a headcold, the first fir me for our winter. I can’t smell anything. Not even bacon, for heaven’s sake.
I’m sorry you’re not feeling well! It seems like everyone has a cold these days. I hope you’re up and smelling lilies of the valley (and bacon) soon!
I’ve really learned to enjoy all kinds of florals over the past few months, and have discovered that they make me so happy — that kind of floral happiness seems like what spring should be about. However, the “seasons” here in Santa Barbara are always so strange, unlike the clear cut seasons of the northeast where I lived my first 23 years. Early this week we had a mid 80s heatwave, but now it’s gray and back down to the low 60s. Winter brings rain and a tad more chill, but the rest of the year is a total grab bag.
Anyway, for the past month I’ve noticed how the jasmine vines in town have just been exploding — the natural perfume from those and the citrus trees that seem to be everywhere have been a tremendous treat when I’m out walking around. And, though there are plenty of other scents I’m reaching for, I’ll just name as my spring favorite the jasmine I can’t seem to get enough of: PG Drama Nuui.
I’ve always liked jasmine, but I’ve really come to love it in a different way recently–it’s funny that you bring up your love of jasmine, too. I haven’t tried Drama Nuui yet, but I’ll remedy that soon.
Lucky you, getting to enjoy the jasmine explosion all up close and personal like that!
That hot spell here in SB cost me a lot! Varvatos Artisan, Hermes Orange Verte, and Prada IDFDO. BTW the Prada seems all Iris to me, anyone else have that experience?
Datura! Another SB perfumista! How nice and unexpected to “meet” you.
I knew I couldn’t be the only one and that *somebody* had to be buying all those perfumes at Saks and Nordies. 😉
Dude, I thought I was the only guy buying “ladies” perfume in town!
At least, that’s the way the clerks act!
You should get in touch with me: kusala68-atsymbol-hotmail
I’m just waiting. I’m sure as the heat sets in, I’ll have to restrain myself from buying more.
Angela, lovely list! I see we see eye to eye on Bandit: it’s not only leather, it’s also green and aromatic (and floral, especially in the vintage). I dithered between that and Diorling… And the only reason I didn’t include Chamade in my list is that I don’t own a bottle!
Diorling is another beauty, too, of course, and I can’t believe you don’t have any Chamade! It’s perfect for this time of year. As soon as I’m finished reading these first comments, I’m hopping over to see your list!
As spring settles in, I’ve gotten into incense, of all things, namely Durbano Rock Crystal. There’s a quality to it — sort of lucid-earthy-sweet — that reminds me of my absolute #1, Sienne l’Hiver.
I’m still on the hunt for a new green. I surprised myself by liking Nanadebary Green a lot more than I thought I would. It opened a little too ‘lemon fresh’ for me but the middle and drydown are really nice. But I don’t want to make a commitment until I try some of the other modern, photorealistic greens. 🙂
see, this is why I love this hobby: there’s always something new to chase down!
That’s the problem with this hobby, too. It’s darned near impossible to keep up on new releases, let alone wade through all the marvelous perfumes out there now. Have fun finding the perfect green!
This is a great list, and since I haven’t yet sniffed some of them, I now have a list of new things to try. And I’m on the look out for something springy – the smell of wet grass, budding trees and sweet air full of pollen. Help? 🙂
Check out the top ten lists at the other blogs today, too, and I bet you’ll find a good, fresh green spring scent somewhere.
what about Gap Grass? or CdG’s Calamus?
Great ideas!
Thank you. 🙂 I’ll definitely try those.
Chamade and Champaca would be spring favourites of mine, also Tuberose Gardenia, AG Chevrefeuille, the new Kenzo Eau de Fleur de Magnolia and the new DIor J’Adore L’Eau (Cologne Florale). Bright, sunny cheerful florals!
Just reading the names sounds like spring! I must try the Kenzo.
Agree totally about AG Chevrefeuille, it is perfect for spring! I think I tried the Kenzo but it didn’t make much of an impression, so I’ll try again as well as look out for the J’Adore flanker. Jo Malone’s line is full of airy scents ideal for spring too: Lotus Blossom, Orange Blossom, Lime Blossom…I could go on 🙂
Come to think of it, AG has a few that are good for warm weather: Des Lys, Eau de Camille, Eau du Ciel come to mind.
We can track them down on Friday? : – )
Hi Angela
I LOVE your top ten lists and am delighted to see Bandit in this one! I think it is a perfect spring scent for those of us who tend towards leathery/tobacco/punchy/powerhouse fragrances. I don’t enjoy wearing light, floral, fresh scents – so I am on the look out for a darker spring/summer compromise. Like Jicky EdP, for instance, which I am planning on buying this very evening after work!! My first ever Guerlain! While I’m there, I’ll give Apres L’Ondee a good sniff too – although i hear the EdT is nothing compared to the now discontinued (and HUGELY expensive) Parfum.
ps: Champaca is probably one of the few florals I ould wear regularly without growing bored. I do love its complexity and originality.
It sounds like we have the same taste! Jicky would be great in spring.
What a terrific list! Something for the warm and sunny days, something for the cool and windy days, and a little of everything in between. I adore Niki St. Phalle — was just wearing it in parfum the other day — and you make me want to dab on some of my Chamade from the teeny tiny mini I have.
Thanks!
Thanks! Niki is one of those terrific but often overlooked scents. I’d love to know what the rest of your favorites are….
You’ve just inspired me to wear Champaca today *smiles*
I always love hearing about perfume lovers’ seasonal favorites.
Champaca is wonderful!
Me, I love Diorissimo and think it’s the perfect lily of the valley. The “cold” aspect seems appropriate, because when I kneel down in the dirt to get a good whiff of the flower, I also get a scent of the last icy remains of winter in the earth. Thanks for the tip about Ubar – I have a sample but haven’t gotten around to testing it yet. Always happy to find another LOV!
Diorissimo is totally gorgeous–I wish it suited me better.
I have been noticing the swelling of the lilac buds in my yard as I anticipate the brief blooming time of my favorite natural scent in the world. I have never been satisfied with how that fragrance is captured in perfumery. It’s a fantasy of mine to find a perfect lilac perfume since that has eluded me so far. That, to me, would be THE perfect Spring fragrance.
Dove, have you sampled i Profumi di Firenze Lilla? I also love lilacs and have been anxiously watching my trees begin to bud up….a few more weeks and I’ll be in lilac heaven…although I planted them (stupidly) on the east side of my yard (wind comes from the west) so my next door neighbor gets the full effect every year (she owes me!) Last year I planted 4 more on the west side—see? I can learn…..Anyhoo…iPdF Lilla is the closest I’ve found to the scent of real lilacs…if you haven’t tried it, you simply must! Such a dreamy spring perfume….sigh….
Daisy – thank you so much for the suggestion! I will definitely check that out. 🙂
Oh – and you may appreciate this – I have been known to bring entire branches of lilacs into the house! hehe
ahhhh, how lovely! You are my kinda girl!
I have rarely cut mine because I’ve wanted them to grow….they were just wee babies when I planted the first batch almost 10 years ago….new house, didn’t even have any grass yet but ,darn it, I had some lilacs! They’re pretty good sized now…maybe I’ll cut some branches from the side facing my neighbor…under the guise of “trimming” and “maintaining” . 🙂
Oh definitely go for it. You’ll be amazed at how the fragrance will permeate your entire home. Heaven.
Me too! After all, the bush does need pruned from time to time. Why not prune it when it’s in bloom?
haha Exactly 😉
Have you tried Vacances and En Passant?
No, I haven’t Angela. I just added En Passant to my wish list @ TPC. 🙂 Neither TPC or Luckyscent have Vacances. 🙁 Thanks for the recommendations.
well, now I’m wondering if a bunch of us should get together and split up a bottle of Patou’s Vacances… it’s about $17 for 5ml of juice….then there’s postage etc. …but that’s still not too bad.
sounds like a plan 😉
That’s really not a bad price at all.
Vacances is soooooooooooooooo beautiful! It’s very simple but just stunning. I won a manufacturer’s mini on ebay for $12 incl. shipping! Best bargain ever.
A steal! I love to hear about a bargain.
I love Diorissimo too, and possibly FOR its chilly/blossoming Beginning of Spring, End of Winter attitude. I also love the old Kenzo Parfum d’Ete, the ’93 version in the frosted glass bottle with the pointy top; it’s all lily of the valley and hyacinth and green stuff. (Name is a misnomer, I think – it should have been Parfum de Printemps.)
Lilac is one of my favorites, too, Rustic! And it never seems right in a fragrance. (I admit to not having tried En Passant yet.)
It’s been generally cold and icky here this month, with a few glorious spring days sprinkled in, so I’ve been taking advantage of the cold weather to try things that are really meant for it, before it goes away. I have plenty of samples for warm weather, too…
Well, you’ll also have to try the i profumi di firenze lilla recommended above by Daisy! I’m excited about it. Wasn’t that sweet of her to let us know about it? 😉
Yes! It’s the perfect weather to try something new.
Now I don’t feel like a fool, thinking that Bandit is a warm weather fragrance. Once I wore it outdoors when I was sunbathing last summer and of course when I mentioned it on Basenotes my peeps thought I’d lost my mind. LOL
Stephen Jones – what a great idea. To me, it smells like a new and modern version of White Linen by Lauder. I’d love a bottle for Spring ’09.
For now I’m content with my brand new bottle of Declaration Eau Genereuse by Cartier – an eaux cologne version of the cumin spiked original. Ah…Spring!
That new Cartier sounds divine! I must try it.
Thank you, Angela! I was just staring at my bottle of Bandit this morning, debating whether it would do in this weather. It never felt quite right on me during the winter, but now I’ll definitely give it a shot before we warm up too much. Any other unexpected “winter” perfumes that wear well or better during the spring?
Carmencanada (above) mentioned Diorling, and I think that would be a good one, too. Hmm. I’ll think on this.
Today I am wearing Diorissimo since it’s going to hit 65 for the first time since last November in NE … I read in the most recent update to “The Guide” that restrictions on some of the chemicals used in Diorissimo will change its fragrance from now on – serious bummer!
People say it just isn’t the same as it used to be, it’s true.
Angela – Thank you for reminding me of Worth Je Riviens (vintage). It’s a wonderful fragrance that I adore!
Me too! I love it.
The past week has been in the 70’s and sunny. Just enough for our citrus trees in the back to begin blooming, it smells glorious!
I have been wearing citrus (JM’s Sweet Lime & Cedar) and fig scents (Hermes Un Jardin en Mediterranee or Satellite Paris A la figue).
I love the smell of blooming citrus. I used to have a meyer lemon tree and loved its smell.
oooh – Meyer Lemon – one of my favorite things in the world. They’re hard to come by though!
I tried to keep it in the house at a sunny window, and it did pretty well for a few months and even set fruit. In the end it was devoured by spider mites. Darn it.
For the past 20 years or so, every spring, I get a sudden urge to wear Krizia Uono. I bought it during a trip to Vancouver in early March 198?…. and it was already spring!
For someone growing up near Montréal, where spring arrives in late May—IF YOU”RE LUCKY, it was quite a surprise.
Coriolan also has that hit of “green” that I can’t resist.
And spring evenings, I also love the Niki de Saint-Phalle
I’ve just discovered Coriolan and am looking forward to wearing more of it—but I thought I’d have to wait for summer. I’ll try it now!
Glad you discovered Coriolan, Angela. I’ve been working with a mini for awhile but I love it and definitely need to own a larger bottle. To me it’s a terrific modern chypre, and very unisex even though geared toward men.
It’s still available pretty inexpensively online, too, even though it’s discontinued.
Well, I’m going to have to try Coriolan, too! (Just hating this lemming phenomenon.) 🙂
I know! It’s not a wildly remarkable scent, at least in being unusual, but it’s a nice summer staple sort of scent.
Thanks for this list! I’ve been meaning to try Fleurs de Rocaille for a long time now … maybe I will finally do so. We’re actually having an 80-degree day here today and I’m wearing Ananas Fizz. Citrus-y scents really start to appeal when the weather warms up.
Citrus always reminds me of summer, too. I can hardly wait for a little more warm weather.
How nice to see the Spring Fragrances article by you this time! I’ve not tried most of these, but I do think Bandit is fine almost any time of year. I think that is because in many ways it seems to be my personality in the form of a fragrance, so it always seems right to me. I almost wore it this morning, but decided to try the sample of FCUK Her that someone sent me (too fruity, but I love the name, and just wish someone would ask me what I’m wearing). I can’t really smell Chamade – I wonder if my sample is no good? I’ll add Parfums MDCI’s Coeur en Mai to my next sample order and see if I can smell it any better, since you say it’s similar.
Happy Spring, A. – hope you’re enjoying it!
Thanks! I’m surprised you can’t smell Chamade. Maybe it is the sample.
And I agree with you that if a scent is truly “you”, it’s seasonless.
My favorites lately have been Diorissimo, Carnal Flower, CSP Ecume de The, CdG’s Calamus, Creed Love in White, Parfum d’Empire’s Osmanthe Interdit. Must re-explore Champaca though. Thanks for the idea!
You sure love your flowers! (For good reason, too.) I hope you get the chance to sample Champaca. It’s different than the others that you listed, but it’s a fun one to try anyway.
Not much to say but thanks. Great list…..
You’re welcome! I’d love to know your list. It’s thanks to you that I love Champaca.
Hi, Angela, and thanks for a great article! Sounds like I need to try UBAR and VACANCES. Mmm…
This spring, I seem to have three categories of fragrances that I’m enjoying. The first is actually just one fragrance: Neil Morris DARK EARTH. I’m loving it on the cooler spring days. The second category is green fragrances. Of these, I’m especially wanting to wear Balmain IVOIRE, L’Artisan FLEUR DE LIANE, and SABI. And I’m drooling at descriptions of Chanel BEL RESPIRO and Sisley EAU DE CAMPAGNE, but haven’t yet tried those two. In my third category, florals, this spring’s cravings include Malle EN PASSANT, Hermes VANILLE GALANTE, Ormonde Jayne CHAMPACA, The Different Company OSMANTHUS, Lalique FLORA BELLA, Etro DIANTHUS, L’Artisan LOTUS BLOSSOM & WATER LILY (which also gives me an incense fix), and L’Artisan MIMOSA POUR MOI (recently discovered through sampling).
With that list I can only hope for spring to last a long while!
Fabulous list! I just tried Vanille Galante for the first time today, and it’s a lovely fragrance for spring–watery lilies, vanilla-sweetened air, and green and tropical bits.
You know, I didn’t care for VG on first try. I had a strong impression of watered down milk or that “low-fat” coconut milk (ick). But once I got more of a “this is a floral, not a vanilla gourmand” mindset, I started appreciating it properly!
Yes! It is sneakily named.
Has anyone tried Je Reviens Couture? I tried the regular (new formulation) and it didn’t do anything for me, but “The Guide” was pretty positive about the Couture version. Every time I see a bottle, I think of “Rebecca” and how her boat was named “Je Reviens”, and then before you know it I am fantasizing about Manderley (and Laurence Olivier), and how I would have fired Mrs. Danvers in a New York minute….
Yeah, no kidding—bee-otch needed to go!
Of course Maxim could have grown a backbone for goodness sake!
Funny, you know – I just reread “Rebecca” last week after reading “Rebecca’s Tale” by Sally Beaumann, and was noticing how frequently bushes are cut for flowers for the house – rhododendrons (which have very little smell), azaleas (Rebecca’s signature scent), and lilacs.
Tested PdN Le Temps d’Une Fete today, and it is beeeeyootiful. Wonder if I can find that one in a 30 ml somewhere…. on SALE… if not, I’m savin’ my pesetas for that one, my next purchase after Lyric split.
I haven’t tried it! It shouldn’t be too expensive, though, since it’s a PdN, right?
Luckyscent has a 30ml for $42, which is only a teeny bit more expensive per ml than the $130 100ml bottle. I’m SNAGGIN’ it, baby. (Oh. And will then have to explain to husband why I need more perfume than the big bottle of Rose d’Ete which is supposed to be my anniversary/Mother’s Day present… He picked out a new softball bat for himself for ann/FD.)
Great! Nice find.
Oh boy, when I read your train of thought, I can tell our minds think alike. I have a sample of Je Reviens Couture, and it’s o.k., but I prefer the softer vintage version.
Angela, I like your list, because it is very multifaceted. It is wonderful to see CdG and Bandit on the same page. 🙂 Also, I wanted to thank you, you’ve reminded me of how beautiful is Je Reviens in its vintage incarnation.
Multi-faceted or schizophrenic? Either way, thank you!
Congratulations on your fifi award! I hope it means we can expect more columns from you. I’ll be eagerly looking forward to reading them.
Another Bandit fan here — luckily I just snagged a cheap-ish bottle of it, since I’m practically scraping the last molecules out my second sample. I’m a bit leery of it for warmer weather, but I’m glad to see I don’t have to shelve it quite yet! I’m feeling a bit lost as to spring/summer scents, since I’ve been on an incense/smoke/spices kick and am not feeling enthused lately by florals or citrus. Hmm, perhaps greens are the way to go?
You’ll know it’s time to make the shift when the smoky, incense-y fragrances just don’t sound good anymore, and you decide to move them to the back until it cools down. But who knows? You might find that you love them in the heat.
Thanks, Angela, many of those sound intriguing (darn it).
I just discovered, and am wearing for round 2 today, Andy Tauer’s Reverie au Jardin. I think people are a little afraid of the lavender, but it is an herbal, green lavender, not the soft lavender people usually think of. This fragrance just became a part of my body and settled over me like a nice aura. It’s really nice. It’s not a giggly floral at all, just nice and, I don’t know. It’s hard to describe. On Andy’s site we say it is comfortable. I can really see an open-minded man liking it.
Also am loving Le Labo Fleur d’Oranger and Jasmine for flowery scents. Mugler cologne gets a pretty good bust-out in warmer weather too. I say as I sit here freezing my butt now that the famous SF Arctic wind has kicked in full-force.
YAY! someone else who loves the Fleur d’Oranger !!
I bet there’s plenty Fleur d’Oranger lovers out there…for good reason, too.
Lavender is a great scent for spring and summer. I can’t believe I forgot it. The Le Labos sound really nice, too.
Angela, I almost forgot — How’s New York?! And I don’t want to take you away from the city by making you reply to even MORE comments, but I hope it’s been a great trip! Any exciting fragrance buying or sampling?
Thanks for asking–the trip has been great. By chance, I met a whole bevy of perfume people and also heard some great perfume gossip around the department stores. Fearing that it will be reformulated (and maybe it has, who knows?) I bought a bottle of Guerlain Vega at Bergdorf’s. It was ridiculously expensive, but they had a $25 gift card deal, plus free shipping, which means no tax.
Now that the weather is turning, Guerlain’s Vetiver has come back out to me, and I love it. I also wear Le Labo’s Iris 39 often- since spring brings rain, I love the grey-ness of iris mixed with the wet-earth patchouli. It’s like walking in a garden in the rain.
Since there are lots of Bandit fans here, where are people getting their bottles? This is next on my list to sample, but do they even sell full bottles anywhere?
Iris 39–yes, of course! A great one for spring.
I’ve seen Bandit available at internet perfume discount sites and perfume stores. It’s not super hard to get, but I haven’t seen it at a department store (except Bergdorf Goodman).
Thanks for a very inspiring list – made me revisit some of my samples, especially Bandit! I put it away because I found the topnotes far to strong and never gave it a chance to show its true face. After reading this article and all the positive comments about Bandit, I wanted to give it a new try and I am pleased to say that I really like the woody drydown. Still not entirely happy about the first ten minutes (very strong and oddly unpleasant on my skin) but it soon settles down and turns into a green and aromatic, almost tea-like wood that I find very refreshing. My sample is a new one – now I wonder how the vintage fragrance would compare to this. And I’m so happy to see that En Passant was mentioned, that is one of my all time favourite pick-me-up fragrances. Not only for spring, I wear it as a day scent all year round. And I have to add Chamade to my must try list, it sounds like a lovely scent!
The first ten minutes of Bandit are what give it its edgy reputation, I think. Bandit can definitely take a person on a ride.
Do try Chamade! It’s wonderful.
My choices for top spring fragrances include:
1. Hermes Un Jardin Apres La Mousson – I know it’s seen as a refreshing summer fragrance, but I think it’s perfect for say April and May. To me it’s a very unique fragrance and I love the cool-spicy notes. It is fresh and light with a “kick” of vetiver, love it.
2. Penhaligon’s Lily & Spice – I absolutely ADORE this fragrance. I never really liked any lily notes, until I tried this. Whatta exotic, intoxicating, and true lily scent. Again it’s a floral fragrance (duh, it’s all lily:)) but with a “kick” of that spiciness! Perfect for spring as something different and totally unique.
3. Hermes Hiris – Ok, I guess this is one of the fragrances that will never bore me, and will always occupy my shelf. When I feel like I dunno what I’m gonna wear – I spritz Hiris. It never goes wrong with my skin chemistry, and You can get it dirt cheap online. It’s cool and earthy notes of iris make it perfect for spring, or just about any type of weather – so that’s why I had to mention Hiris.
4. Guerlain Anisia Bella – What screams “SPRING!” better than a kick of cool herbs with a kick of spice? Aniseed in this fragrance is as refreshing as it could be, never overwhelming. It also has a “grassy” feel after wearing it for a while, but isn’t spring suppost to be the greenest season of all?
5. Pucci Vivara – Ok, I had to add this one. It’s a very simple-complex scent. Very suprising, very modern-chypre. I bought it recently, and love it passionately. It has a touch of green,a touch of weird and a touch of spicy. It smells like the beach, like the ocean, like a green garden (that’s why I recommend it for the spring too), like an italian cafe… Very(!!!) long-lasting, very suprising and interesting. This is my newest spring-summer-fall discovery.
Great reasons for every scent on the list! I especially like your description of Vivara.
Thanx a lot:)) I am tempter to try all the other versions of Vivara they have on sephora.com.
The vintage version is really lovely, if you ever get the chance to try it.
I’m glad to see that someone else loves Vivara – I love it for spring, even if Turin and Sanchez described it as “chilly and alien”. Actually, I love the chilly aspect of it during this time of year.
I never really envisioned myself as a lover of florals, but I’ve found myself in love with both Pleasures Delight and Tuberose Gardenia. The TG, in particular, was a surprise – I received a sample with an Estee Lauder order and fell in love immediately. It’s now my “go to” scent for spring.
Every once in a while I’m surprised to find that I’m loving a genre of scent that I never thought I would–for instance, powdery scents. It sounds like you’re having the same revelation with florals!
I know we Westerners don’t associate osmanthus with spring because it’s Asian, but I love how TDC’s Osmanthus and Parfums D’Empire”s Osmanthus Interdite make me feel. in the spring (Hermes Osmanthe Yunnan has too strong a tea note, is more summer IMO)…
It’s true. I have an osmanthus in my backyard that is blooming now, and it’s wonderful.
Nothing says Spring-literary wise like La Chasse Au Papillons by ye old L’Artisan. Chevrefeuille by A.G. , YSL Paris Jardin Romantiques, and drum beat please….hands down for cool just perfect, new freshly cut irises, hyacinth, and daffodils, the green, green with envy- Envy by Gucci (the original).
The flowers not warm, for they have just been plucked and are not as heady as the later Summer blooms. It is the most honest and prettiest green I’ve ever smelled. It is possibly metallic to another nose. But nothing sings Spring as loudly as Envy to me.
With some Spring in my Step,
Becca
Thanks for the article Angela and forgive my grammar.
Your grammar looks good to me, and your description makes me want to run out and find a bottle of Envy!
Great list! Of course Vacances is always on any list of mine too, so I am a bit biased. I will need to get some En Passant once my Vacances is finally gone for good.
Thank you! Yes, I have the exact same plan with Vacances. I’ll be so sad when the bottle is empty.
Hi Angela! Thanks for your list- scored a bottle of Vega!!! Congrats dear! (Hmmmm….wonder if anyone on the MUA will be offering up a samp?) heehee…
I still have not tried OJ Champaca/En Passant and have wanted to for ages- and I have been luuuvin the Stephen Jones this spring-glorious stuff! And thanks to you and carmencanada for mentioning Diorling- it prompted me to pull out my decant and give myself a delicious spray that my nose hasn’t left since…
I wouldn’t be surprised if a little Vega gets around…
You must try Champaca and En Passant!
You know what else is great for Spring? It’s by Detaille and it’s called Dolcia. I never heard if it until I received several samples from Detaille, in the most recent swap on makeupalley. The minute I put it on, I was in heaven. It’s a fruity floral!!! I normally hate this category with passion, but this is waaaay too different. The top note of peach tree and lemon tree flowers is beautifully combined with cinnamon, osmanthus woods and amber. The lemon note is not too zesty, nothing is too much in this fragrance, and it for sure isn’t a typical fruity-floral You’d buy for a 16-year old. I love and might score a bottle for this spring/summer.
It sounds so fresh and perfect for spring! Thanks for the tip.
How about giving the MEN equal time with a list of spring fragrances?
Once a year Kevin does the top ten for the season (I love his posts)–or, feel free to try any of these! I think Bandit and Champaca are especially good on men.
Thanks Angela. I will hunt them down and check them out. All other fragrance suggestions are quite welcome.
MINE IS NOT A COMMENT BUT A QUESTION. I AM AN OLD TIMER AND HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A FRAGRANCE NAMED LE JARDIN EVERYWHERE. CAN’T SEEM TO FIND IT. I DON’T KNOW IF ANYONE REMEMBERS THIS FRAGRANCE THAT CAME IN A BOTTLE THAT WAS SORT OF FLAT WITH A WHITE CAP AND SOME SORT OF DESIGN ON IT. I JUST LOVE THE FRAGRANCE AND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE IT IN MY POSSESIOIN ONCE AGAIN.
MISSING THAT SMELL
L, I’m guessing that there may have been more than one fragrance named Le Jardin back in the day. You might have luck finding it on http://www.basenotes.net. Just go the “fragrance directory” part of the website and type in the name, and the search engine will give you names of perfumes that include Le Jardin. Sometimes they have a picture of the bottle, too, and that might be helpful. Good luck!
Hi Angela – I realise this is a delayed response to this old article of yours…..if yo happen to see this comment, I’d appreciate yoru opinion! What is your take on Bandit in Parfum? I’ve tried the EdP and like it very much – but I’ve held-off buying it until trying the Parfum. WHich is, of course, more expensive (although, it comes in a more affordbale 7ml too). Anyway – I tried the Parfum, and liked it very much – it was deeper and richer, less brashness but more of the skank! I’m thinking of getting it. Would be interested in what you have to say about the different concentrations?
You know, I haven’t tried the parfum. I ordered a bottle of it once, and when it arrived the glass stopped was broken, so I sent it back (dang it!). Your description makes it sound so appealing, though.
Thanks for your response! Sorry to hear about your postal spillage. Most annoying. I bet you’ll like the parfum, as you and I seem to have similar perfume tastes. It’s always a dilemma for me whether to go for the stronger concentrations – with Tabac Blond there is no question that Parfum is superior – Jicky is great in EdT, so Parfum isn’t necessarily the best – Bandit and Fracas are quite different in Parfum, and it depends whether you want a brashness and a sparkle, or creamy, skanky, depth. I could go for both! Anyway – after a bit more sampling, I’ll be sure to find the right one!