This week's subject is Christie, who says she is a "definite perfume newbie" but also a "budding perfume junkie". Christie is looking for two fragrances: the first should be a "high-pitched, high-energy fragrance", the second should be "something creamy and light" that would work as a comfort scent. She has great access to perfume stores, and while she'd prefer that both scents be reasonably priced, she's willing to entertain any suggestions.
Here is what we know about Christie:
She's in her mid-20s and recently married.
She describes herself as intellectual, creative and sporty.
Christie loves hiking and biking, but also shopping sprees. She also enjoys out of the way places, food cultures and public radio.
Christie loves citrus notes, soft, creamy florals, and green fragrances that aren't too dry or woody. She loves Guerlain's Aqua Allegoria Laurier Reglisse, Miller Harris Tangerine Vert, and Parfums 06130 Yuzu Rouge. Other favorites include Dior Addict II, DKNY Be Delicious and Burberry Brit. On the "creamy and soothing" front, she loves Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Figue Iris, Summer by Kenzo and Sage Turquoise.
Christie doesn't like overly powdered vanilla notes, gourmands, "too humid florals" or sticky sweet scents. She also doesn't care for dark wood, heavy musk or dirty leather.
For a her high-pitched energy fragrance, Christie tried LezNEZ Unicorn Spell ("really lovely, but not enough"), Azzaro Orange Tonic ("love it, but at some point too dry"), L'Artisan The Pour un Ete ("pretty, but boring" and Parfums de Nicolaï Eau d'Ete ("did not enjoy the candied sweetness"). For her creamy and light fragrance, Christie tried L'Artisan Chasse Aux Papillons ("pretty, but too sweet and boring") and L'Artisan Mimosa Pour Moi ("too powdery").
What say you?
Note: image is Postbox @ Holme Next The Sea, Norfolk by at timparkinson at flickr; some rights reserved.
For “energetic” try Bond No. 9 New York Fling, Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche. The Bond has a really energetic citrus opening, and the Chanel is very fresh and green with some lemon (also try Chanel Cristalle).
I second the Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche- it’s still a go to for me when I need a green burst to get me going. I get more compliments on it than any other fragrance too!
I third the Chance Eau Fraiche; my best friend sounds very similar to you in tastes and she loves this.
Late to reply, but I couldn’t resist saying 4th to the Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche. My perfume collection is smaller than most here, but this is a favorite summer staple of mine. Just received a compliment on it while at the dentist yesterday too. For a similar more subdued vibe, I’d also recommend trying Versace Versense.
For a creamy, comforting scent, I’d recommend Jo Malone Blue Agava and Cacao. I find it yummy and comforting, but not too sweet…
I recommend the Emilio Pucci Vivara Variazioni line. The fragrances are:
Sole 149
Acqua 330
Sabbia 167
Hi Christie,
Full disclosure – I’m a newbie too, but since our tastes are similar, I’ll give this a try. To the many experts out there, feel free to note where I’m woefully off-base.
For a high energy fresh scent how about Eau de Cartier or Annick Goutal Eau de Sud ?
For creamy floral comfort, I suggest Iris Nobile, Gucci by Gucci, Shiseido Energizing (which I find more relaxing than energizing) or the beautiful Frangipani from Ormonde Jayne.
Happy Sniffing!
I second Eau de Cartier for the high energy scent. It’s wonderful!
Hi Christie,
Two scents that I’ve loved for their high energy top notes and creamy drydowns are D&G Light Blue which is a lovely apple citrus and Moschino I Love Love with citrus/redcurrant up top. Both have a subtly edible creamy drydown. Both are mass market pop hits that I happen to love, and they are readily available at discounters for under $40.
I also happen to adore Guerlain Imperial’s energetic citrus. It’s possibly my favorite uplifting scent of all time. Easu de Hadrien is similarly great, but they both lack the creaminess that Christie adores.
Also, Bond #9 Scent of Peace is another lovely citrus/berry/creamy scent that is very similar to Moschino’s I Love Love. It’s about 4 times the price, but the bottle is nicer.
Jean Patou’s EnJoy is also a fun creamy berry citrus, but I haven’t sniffed it in a while.
My favorite creamy floral is Hilde Soliani’s Il Tuo Tulipano…and for creamy with more spice Montale Soleil de Capri. The most energizing fragrances I can think of are Calyx and Rosine Un Zest de Rose….or perhaps Sisley Eau de Sisley #3 .
But since I tend toward gourmands I’ll just step back and let other perfumistas step to the fore.
Second Soleil de Capri (good one, Daisy), which I don’t find spicy at all, but more of very creamy citrus/fruit. Love it.
Ditto Joe…I get zesty citrus followed by a creamier phase; no spice at all, but it’s a really nice scent.
Well, maybe it’s just ME that’s spicy!
Daisy, I’d say so! That would explain your penchant for gourmands, too. On me, they go sickly sweet, even though I like them on paper.
Ooh, I also love Zeste d’un Rose. Good call!
I’ve really got to try this Soleil de Capri.
Ahhhhhh, Soleil de Capri is amazing, creamy-dreamy citrus top notes and SPICE (don’t listen to Joe, listen to Daisy….) muwahahahaa….send me an email and I’ll send you some Daisyloo82 at gmail.com
I’ve already got Carlos covered. I’ll send him the UNspicy version… muwahahahahaha!
LOL ok….I’ll just keep all the SPICY kind for my spicy self!
I second the Calyx – that is high energy indeed!
For the creamier comfort perfume, no one else seems to have suggested it so perhaps I am wrong, but my favorite is Donna Karan Gold. Plenty of bottles on eBay, even though it’s been discontinued (perhaps that’s why no one else is recommending it?) If the EDP is too heavy for summer, try the EDT. Nothing creamier or more comforting in the world, to my mind.
Hi Daisy… I want to order from you, O ye Perfume Queen, bow, bow.
Hi Chrisy. The ultimate green scent is the beautiful well respected original Envy by Gucci. Chamade by Guerlain has nice green top notes followed by gorgeous flowers.
I also agree with Chance Eau Fraiche. The original Chance is creamy to my nose.
Joy and good luck
Becca
hahahaa “spending queen” at the very least! who cares about groceries when there’s perfume to buy…. (I actually sang this comment, so feel free to ad lib a tune)
Another newbie weighing in:
Energetic: Chanel Cristalle has some eye-popping citrus and smells light and sophisticated. Hermes Eau de Pamplemousse can make you giddy just sniffing it.
Creamy: Perhaps Flowerbomb? It’s all dry, sweet white flowers and cream with some clean patch thrown in. It’s labeled (deservedly) of being an Angel copycat, but it’s way easier to wear than it’s predecessor. Fendi Theorema, which has orange and spice and cream, is just wonderful (and not as foody as it sounds).
Good luck!
Oh yes!!! Theorema is gawwwgeous! of course it’s discontinued but you can still pick it up for a very nice price at beautyencounter or fragranceX…..other places are either out or the price is extortionate.
Thanks for the shopping suggestions Daisy! I’m running low and clutching the last of my decant to my chest like My Precioussss.
Oh, another brilliant one I just sniffed for the first time at Barneys last week: Hierbas de Ibiza. Stunning! The official copy says “It is made with the natural essences of orange and lemon peel, thyme, lavender, sage, verbena, jasmine and orange blossom, among others.” I found it to be a GORGEOUS lemon, lime, orange blossom scent with a very subtle vanilla drydown (I normally detest prominent vanilla in scents) that made it more feminine than most citrus scents. It’s really outstanding – it’s exactly what I was hoping for from the Comme des Garcons Energy C series.
Hmmm, you’re bringing Hierbas de Ibiza (LOVE the name) back onto my radar — I think I need to sample it since I love CdG Energy Grapefruit and other citrus scents.
I like this one too…it’s similar to a lot of other colognes, but with a very herbal twist to it that makes it stand out from the rest.
Hi, Christie! You’re in good hands with the bunch of us.
I, too, LOVE Figue Iris. For a bright, green, crisp, energizing take on fig, please do try Jardins de Kerylos from Parfumerie Generale. Omigosh! there’s a lovely sweet grassy-minty undercurrent that pairs beautifully with the fig, all on a light sycamore woods base. I’ve tried every fig out there, and this is a clear favourite.
I carefully read what you’ve tried in the way of creamy florals and found boring, so I am keeping that in mind when I recommend Frederic Malle’s Outrageous. It’s not outrageous in the daring sense, but rather, in the outrageously pretty sense!! It’s summery and feminine and lightly creamy. I’d happily wear it and feel as though I was wearing all clean clothes fresh from the clothesline — but never fear: it’s not at ALL like Bounce fabric softener!! The notes are caipirinha (lime, grapefruit, mint and cinnamon), neroli, orange blossom, clean laundry (amyl salicylate, aldehydes), amber, cedar and white rose.
Happy hunting!
Now, for the soft, creamy side of things
Sorry! In a rush to get out of the house, and a BAD edit job!!!
Hi there!
I second both Theorema and Frangipani : delicious and classy and gorgeously creamy,I would like to add DKNY Woman for an energizing scent and also Champaca again by Ormonde Jayne,
Good luck, Lo.
Hmmmmm – we have utterly conflicting tastes in scent!! But one or two ideas jumped to mind, so here are my suggestions……..
Frangipani by Orminde Jayne (citurs and bright, but soft and creamy all at once!)
Champaca by Ormonde Jayne (soft, creamy floral that is a true comfort scent. Don’t be put off by the Basmati Rice accord, it is NOT gourmand at all – it just adds to the creaminess.
Annick Goutal – they have amazing florals that are light, feminine and sound just up your street. Have a read through the reviews online, and see which jump out at you the most. Songes and L’Heure Exquise are gorgeous, and their latest is Un Matin D’Orage which is lovely too.
It doesn’t get more energizing for me than Comme des Garcons Series 8 “Energy C”: Grapefruit. Also good zingy citrus-fruity scents:
– Byredo Pulp
– Hermes Concentre d’Orange Verte
– CdG Rhubarb or D.L & Co Lady Rhubarb
– Parfums de Nicolai Cedrat Intense
– Dior Escale a Portofino (a bit more elegant than all above)
Creamy/soothing:
– Diptyque Philosykos (would be perfect since you like green)
– Bois Farine
– CdG Palisander
– Rykiel Woman (“Not for Men”) EDP (not EDT) — may be a bit boring but can be had dirt cheap and worth sampling.
I’ll second Pulp, Orange Verte, and CdG Rhubard–you took the words write out of my mouth.
My brain is still working on the “creamy and light” one. Maybe because I don’t do subtle.
“Write” out of my mouth? I don’t know if I meant that to be a play on words, or just did a poor job of proof-reading. Ugh… it’s Monday alright!
LOL –I thought klever kitty did that on purpose…pretty funny for a Monday.
Oooh! A list of must trys! I adore CdG Rhubarb and adore Dior’s Escale a Portofino, and now I have to try the others. I suspect you will like Hierbas de Ibiza as it combines the citrus energy of the CdG scents with the creamyness of Bois de Farine – if only it wasn’t so pricey.
Seconding Philosykos and Bois Farine for creamy/soothing — in fact, I find these two remarkably similar. I’ll also add Serge Lutens Un Lys for creamy (not powdery) vanilla and lily.
As for high-energy scents, I’m so low on the energetic/perkiness scale that I’m definitely the wrong person to offer suggestions!
I love the Guerlain Laurier Regliise too. Frederick Malle’s Parfum de Therese is a light pretty floral summer scent but in a class way above Chasse Aux Papillons. If that’s too sweet, then try Gucci Envy. Or Coco Mademoiselle.
Hi, Christie! On the “comfort scent” side you might want to try: Ambre Gris by Balmain, SheWood by DSquared, Blue Agava and Cacao by Jo Malone, Donna Karan’s Cashmere Mist, Intuition by Estee Lauder (which reminds me a lot of Pearl by Apothia), Bulgari’s Omnia Crystalline and Omnia Amethyste (more watery than creamy, but nice), Organza Indecence and Aimez-moi by Caron (both pretty creamy), and Sacrebleu by Parfums de Nicolai.
On the “wake up!” side, here’s a few more: L’Artisan’s Ananas Fizz, Beth Terry/Creative Universe’s Element of Surprise, a nice lemon.
For an energizing fragrance, I suggest: Eau Illuminee Eau de Parfum by Parfums DelRae (the basil and citrus are both very uplifting,)
For creamy: I second Diptyque Philosykos
Hi Christie! With so many great recommendations, you’re sure to be a junkie before you know it! For creamy comfort, I suggest you try the original Omnia by Bulgari and L’Artisan’s Premier Figuier (even though this one is a bit “green,” it always smells smooth and comforting on me. I reach for it on rainy days). For more energy and zest, I’d go for Concentre D’Orange Verte by Hermes or CDG Vettiveru.
For “energizing,” I second the L’Artisan Ananas Fizz rec, and would add Burberry Summer (I always feel “bright” when I wear it), Yves Rocher Fraicheur Vegetale de Verveine (verbena, zesty, lovely, and cheap!), and Jo Malone Vetyver. And if you like Burberry Brit, have you tried The Beat? It’s also very nice and I consider it somewhat creamy.
If you are looking for a beautiful scent, try the Chanel Beige. I know its not cheap, but you also get a very large 200ml bottle, but you could try purchasing a decant or join a split. To me that is my ultimate summer comfort uplifting fresh, not too sweet, attention grabbing scent. people always comment on how wonderful this fragrance is.
And another newbie here – would just like to add I’d certainly endorse the Hermes Concentre d’Orange Vert and the Chanel Cristalle but also how about Cristalle Eau Vert? Beautifully fresh and invigorating. Have to pass on creamy.
For the uplifting, citrus fragrance I would suggest L’Eau de L’Artisan by L’Artisan (lemon, mint, basil, greens) or Au the Vert by Bvlgari (green tea, citrus).
For creamy, I would highly recommend L’Artisan Premier Figuier Extreme, which is more creamy and floral than the original. I would also suggest Hermes 24, Faubourg which is a beautiful floral chypre.
I think she may like the Byredo Line, maybe Green or Bal D’Afrique, or even Pulp (it may be too sweet for her). Le Labo Bergamote 22 is a good one too for her to try.
Another beautiful uplifting fragrance is Hilde Soliani Il Tulipiano, if you have ever smelled the Tulips in Holland, this one is for you. Utterly uplifting, joyful and fun to wear.
Wracked my brain to think of light and creamy. My idea may be different than yours, Christie, and these may be too sweet: Bond No. 9 Andy Warhol Lexington Avenue, MAC MV 2, and I don’t know if they make it anymore but Clinique Simply was a nice, creamy sort of milky-tea-floral.
If you can find a store that carries Parfum d’Empire line, I recommend trying them. My favorites are: Osmanthus Interdit (leathery-creamy osmanthus); Equistrius (iris suede); Cuir Ottoman (yummy leather); Ambre Russ (boozy amber). These scents are pretty unique and very wearable. I wish I had a bottle of all 4! Also try Yuzu Fou since you like citrus notes.
Lots of great ideas. I like the following suggestions for the “creamy” one: L’Artisan’s Premier Figuier, Fendi Theorema, Ormonde Jayne Champaca, Diptyque Philosykos. I would add Hermes Vanille Galante. It’s a gorgeous salty lily with a sheer vanilla underpinning – nothing cloying, just lovely!
I’d give a shot to Escale a Portofino or Miss Dior Cherie L’eau, which is more powdery in the drydown, than creamy, yet highly energizing. I’d also suggest Premier Figuier as mentioned before.
hi all! christie here. first off, thank you for the warm welcome! been a long time lurker and first time poster (inspired by the selection for this week’s monday mail), and it’s nice to meet you all “formally.”
i’ve been taking a look at all these wonderful suggestions. can only say that i’m extremely excited that so many came up with ideas according to my vague subjective suggestions. thank you! i’m writing them all down and i’m excited to work my way through. thank you! :*