One afternoon last week, I sat in a dentist chair waiting for part two of a root canal. I was nervously flipping through an old People magazine when I found a paragraph about the new Frédéric Malle Editions de Parfums boutique in New York. In the article, Malle recommended a person choosing a perfume look for one that mingles with the person's skin. He said the fragrance should become a part of him or her.
I know just what Malle means. Sometimes, when a perfume marries well with the person who wears it, the scent becomes part of the person. It isn't something that stands out on its own. Instead, it's a few more brushstrokes in the person's complete portrait. For instance, one of my friends wears Annick Goutal Eau d'Hadrien well. When I'm with her, I don't notice her fragrance right away, instead, I take in all of her. At some point, it occurs to me she smells good, in a way that seems perfectly natural.
This principle applies to more than just fragrance. Hair, makeup, clothing — they work best when you wear them instead of the other way around. A dress that outshines you or is gorgeous but clashes with your skin or character tells the world you have a great dress, but maybe not a great dress for you.
That said, at least a good half of my fragrance wardrobe is made up of perfume with its own personality, and it isn't always mine. That's all right. Sometimes it's fun to wear fragrance as an accessory with its own attitude. Maybe I'm not 100% MAC Naked Honey on a summer's day, but sometimes it's a mood I want to extend. Or maybe I'm not really much of a Hermès Calèche person, but that won't stop me from wearing it when I want to add its elegance and control to my natural bit of jumble.
A few fragrances, though — Guerlain Vol de Nuit and Ormonde Woman are among them — really do seem almost to disappear on my skin, then re-emerge as another facet of who I am. Someone who only has a bottle or two of scent would probably be wise to take Malle's advice and look for perfume that will add a harmonious layer, to the point that it becomes indistinguishable from who she is.
When I emerged from the dentist's office, the clouds had thickened to the color of pencil lead, and the temperature had dropped. I had a tired jaw, a rattled skull (dentistry may have come far, but it's still pretty barbarous), and a serious need to stop by my neighborhood perfume boutique. Over the past month, I'd used up two vials of L'Artisan Parfumeur Havana Vanille. It was shaping up to be one of those scents that would complement me rather than sit on my skin like a layer of wrong-flavored frosting.
Half an hour later, luxuriating in skin-vanilla and warm comfort, I had a bottle of perfume Frédéric Malle would approve of, even if it wasn't from his line. I knew I'd reach for it whenever I didn't want to think about what perfume to wear, because it would always fit. My mouth felt better already. It began to snow.
Oh, Angela, I feel for you and your poor beleaguered head! I’m just going in for my first root canal (ugh) in a couple of weeks and I’m scared — verrrry scared. Was your recovery relatively speedy and not too hard to bear? I’m sure you’re happy it’s over.
Terrific feature, as always. I love putting on scents like costumes and becoming someone else for a change — exploring that “other” woman, especially if she’s from another era. I guess that’s one of the reasons I’m so crazy about vintage. It’s a little bit of time travel.
I know what you mean about the second skin scents, too. Congratulations on your Havana Vanille. You and your jaw deserve it. I can catch a whiff of it now, and you’re beautiful in it.
One of the new ones that seems to melt into my own skin is the l’Eau Ambree from Prada. It’s quite something, in its extremely low-key way. It’s the sheerest of sheer ambers.
Another is DelRae’s newest, Mythique. The creamy iris in it just sinks into my pores like the very best, lightest mousse of a skin lotion. While l’Eau Ambree is an ever-so-slightly “dirty” skin scent (which I love), Mythique is all clean, pampered skin — a beautiful way to feel first thing in the morning.
I know your piece will attract lots of comments, Angela, and I’m looking forward to reading them all. Thanks, my dear.
For me, recovery from the root canal was a cinch. I didn’t have to take a single Advil. It’s enduring the root canal that’s the hard part. Plus, I had a two-parter: a month ago or so the actual root canal was done, then last week the dentist drilled out the temporary filling, packed the socket with strange materials, and put in a permanent filling. The key, I think, is to be able to zone out as much as possible during the procedure.
I haven’t given Les Mythiques a fair try–thanks for reminding me of it!
Very reassuring, A, thanks!
The Prada was my favorite impulse purchase of last year…I reach for it all the time, and it layers well with many scents..
I can see it being a good one to layer. It also seems like it would be good just about every season, too.
Gosh, that Prada keeps moving closer to the top of my “to test” list. I’m hearing so many good things! For those who have tried both the L’Eau Ambree and Yves Rocher’s Voile d’Ambre, are they anything alike? I like the YR very much, and descriptions make them sound similar.
I haven’t tried the Voile d’Ambre, so I can’t comment. What surprised me about the L’Eau Ambree was how much iris was is in it. I expected it to be a lot more buttery and ambery.
Don’t worry about the root canal; the novocaine shot is usually the worst part! Most are done from the tooth surface rather than from the root, so it’s basically a big filling. I’ve had several, including a surgical one, that’s when they go from the bottom of the root. While your jaw may be sore for a day or two, it’s nothing you can’t handle with ibuprofen .
I love it when I find a scent that seems to just melt into my skin. There have not been many. Those kind of scents I feel I can just inhale deeply; they are less a distinct smell than my own private environment that I want to live within, or even a way of being. Breathing it in gives a great sense of harmony. Thank you, Angela, for your observations!
That’s such a nice observation, the harmony you feel when you breathe this type of melding scent (thank you, Flitter, for the terminology) deeply.
A surgical root canal. Yikes!
Bergere, what a great way to describe it: your own private environment or way of being. Lovely and astute.
Oh yes, I know what you mean, Robin R. It is really fun to be able to change your identity with your perfume–or to time travel. I like Malle’s second skin principle but sometimes I want to get outside of myself.
I agree–that’s why I think people like we are need a whole wardrobe of scent. Once you have a few melding scents nailed, it’s time to branch out.
aww Robin, don’t worry too much about a root canal —the worst part is the novacaine shots –then it’s mostly pressure and cold. Maybe some aching in the hinge (from being open wide so long) or a bit of soreness in the jaw. It’s the pre-root canal worrying that gets you.
Daisy’s right, Robin. It really doesn’t hurt physically. It’s the idea of it that hurts. A root canal is where having a vivid imagination is no help. Maybe while you’re in the chair you can think about the perfume stores you’d visit if you were in Paris.
Thanks, guys. My pre-root-canal jitters have diminished substantially. And that’s a great idea to think about perfume-shopping in Paris. Maybe I’ll have the dental assistant wear some of my Jolie Madam extrait and she can put her wrist to my nose every few minutes. I think that might help.
or a big dose of BANDIT then she can put her wrist to your nose and completely put you under! of course you may wake up screaming for an open window…..
I love the Jolie Madame idea! I wish I would have thought of that.
Ormonde Woman is My Scent. The first time I sniffed it, I hated it. It haunted me for a year. The second time, I opened the vial, turned on the computer and placed my order.
I suppose I can share, though. Since it’s you.
Thanks! I do love it. So far I think we’re safe, since we may not even live in the same hemisphere as far as I know…
Isn’t it amazing stuff? There’s a truffled note in it that smells so much of skin to me. I love it.
Oh Angela. I hope your mouth feels better soon, and I’m glad you got to take part in some retail therapy. That’s how I ended up with my first bottle of Chinatown.
When I had my first root canal, it went surprisingly well, but my second was just plain awful. But I wore Pink Manhattan Purrfume Oil to those as well as when ever I go to the dentist and it always lifts my spirits… As much as they can be lifted in that situation, anyway. That and something relaxing on the headphones (usually Massive Attack) helps me survive dentist appointments relatively unscathed until I get the bill.
Strenesse is one of those soft but long-lasting fragrances that feels like part of me after a while. It’s so luxurious and gentle but sultry enough that it encourages snuggling without grabbing your lover by the shirt collar that I reach for it quite often in the winter months. Chinatown’s also close to a signature scent for me, which I like about a lot of the Bonds. You wear them and they rarely wear you. And of course, SDV is another scent that just melts into the skin and clothes to leave a wonderfully yummy sillage that peeks out throughout the day.
Hope you’re feeling better soon. Hugs.
My mouth was more tired and stretched out than anything, but thanks for your wishes! That drill, the slow one, they use to excavate molars–ay yi yi.
I haven’t tried Strenesse yet, but it’s going on the list.
I always keep a tube of Blistex ointment in my pocket for dentist visits—-keeps the corner of your lips from getting sore or cracked and yet doesn’t get all greasy on their gloves. My lips do NOT like going in even for cleanings!
Great idea!
Good to reward yourself after dental work. The root canal topic took on a life of it’s own! My teeth are okay, never needed braces, but the endodontist should send me birthday cards to thank me for all the root canals and surgical procedures I’ve had on roots and jawbones. I use the gas to get through the shot, and an iPod so I don’t have to listen to the drill. Other than that, it’s a snap. The periodontist is the one I try to stay away from. I don’t like the cutting or grafting of gums. I keep dental floss on me and use it after every meal, even if I’m out or at work. Just remember that the anaesthesia can make you nauseated, even just novocaine shots, and some scents may turn on you.
The perfume that becomes me, and always makes me feel better, is Shalimar. It is part of me and it still makes me stop and marvel when I spray it on something or dab it on myself.
I can’t even imagine a gum graft. Yuck!
I wore the tiniest bit of Une Rose Chypree and did all right, but that’s such a good point about anesthesia turning scent.
ugh I always had a problem with scaly, burning, swollen feeling lips after dentist and ortho visits. I found out I was allergic to the latex gloves when the same thing happened to my hands as was happening to my lips(I was wearing gloves to serve food at an event) it was awful!
latex is not my friend either—but putting a skin sealing layer between your lips and the gloves may help.
Thankfully nitrile gloves and tourniquets are at most every doctors office I’ve been to recently (probably because I’m a loudmouth complainer and tell everyone lol) and band aids come latex free.
What a way to find out you’re allergic to latex!
There are WAY worse ways to find out that you are allergic to latex….
LOL yup Julia, and we better leave it at that!
LOL at least I found out when I was a pre-teen!
I’m glad to hear someone mention Strenesse. I’ve worn it to sleep in every night this week. I rarely hear it spoken of; I wonder if it’s still in production. Strenesse “fits” when other scents don’t. I look forward to trying SL’s Havana Vanille; it might do the same thing. For daytime, Ormonde Woman always feels right, in the city or the country — at night, not so much. A night time sleeping scent that often works is Anne Pliska.
Cornlily
Another mention of Strenesse! Another reason to try it.
For me, SMN Melograno is that scent. It’s my ‘go-to’ scent. I’ve noticed that even after shampooing & conditioning my hair, the scent starts to blossom once again when I dry my hair. The heat activates the perfume. It lingers for days, subtly, a whisper of a fragrance. Even when wearing heavier fragrances you can catch a tiny whiff of Melograno.
I already choose my perfumes based on how they react to me, how they smell after wearing them for 8 hours but there’s something different about the way Melograno melds with my chemistry.
It was the perfume I was wearing when I first met my fiance’ & he can barely detect it as being a perfume because it’s just how he remembers me. Whenever I’m wearing another fragrance he can usually pinpoint which it is, but rarely Melograno. It’s just become me, my signature scent.
That’s marvelous! I love the Melagrano bottle, too. What a lovely scent to have become a part of you.
I love SMN Melograno! For me, it’s not so much a signature as a summer scent…though I wouldn’t mind a hit of it on this blustery winter day to chase away the blues.
Melograno for some reason doesn’t really strike me as a purely summer fragrance, but that may be due to the fact that it’s just something that defines me. However, it does remind me of warm Italian day. There’s something about it that’s like capturing the Italy in a bottle. It makes me happy whenever I put it on, or catch a whiff of it on a scarf.
Also, much love for your avatar. Eva is a gorgeous lady.
It seems like Melagrano has the weight to stand up to cool weather.
This is so weird. I just got back from a trip to the coast, and we happened to stop in a few shops in the wine country on the way home. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a display of Santa Maria Novella products in one! I have never seen that line in a store. Anyway, I tried Ginestra on one hand and Melograno on the other. I walked away with a bottle of Ginestra (well, after I paid for it
), but over lunch the one that kept wafting up and intriguing me was the Melograno! It has a musty fruitiness that I thought worked quite well on this cool & sunny winter day! May have to go back some day for that one…
It sounds like a sign!
I enjoy a straight gin martini, but Vespers are delicious, too.
I’m now feeling more than a bit bereft that my large Melograno decant is all gone! Heh. There are some SMN splits happening on the Google group and I keep hoping enough people will get interested in Melograno to warrant one.
And yes, Eva Green = goddess
She is — or more precisely, the prop person who chose the Melograno bottle for that brief shot of Vesper’s effects in Casino Royale is — the reason I got interested in fragrances as a hobby in the first place!
Great inspiration! I’m afraid all that movie would have inspired me to do is drink martinis.
I’ll admit it was Eva who actually turned me onto the fragrance a few years ago as it’s actually one of her signature scents. I read a beauty interview and she shared a lot of the same beauty methods I use and figured I might as well give the perfume a try. Bought it unsniffed and fell immediately in love.
I’m so glad you were inspired by Vesper to try to perfume out for yourself.
Angela — it certainly inspires the martini-drinking as well!
Thankfully, I’m a huge fan of gin, so the Vesper happens to be my ideal martini.
klytaemnestra — that’s so lovely to know that Melograno is a favorite of hers! Only makes me love it more.
Melograno-lovers need to come on over to the Google group so we can get enough people to do a split!
Vesper martinis are lovely, as well. I’m a huge martini fan and consider vodka a staple, however there’s just something so lovely about the blending of vodka & gin. I’ve found a few places in DC that actually serve Vespers on their drink list as ‘The James Bond Martini’. It’s nice not having to explain to the bartender what I’m trying to order.
I suspect that Eva may have been inspired by her character as she tends to pick up some quirks from her roles such as using the phrase ‘Ishin’Allah’ after appearing in Kingdom of Heaven. Either way, her endorsement so to speak was the culprit.
Good luck with getting together some people willing to do a split.
It is a good blues-chasing scent, I agree.
I’ve had about 6 root canals, and it’s the drill with the low, loud vibration that always gets me (I call it The Digger). It doesn’t hurt (a good dentist will load you up with Novocaine), but it really vibrates. For me, it’s an instant migraine. So you definitely deserve a bottle of something that brought you back to yourself! For me, it’s Dzongkha – it smells the way I wish I smelled all on my own (sometimes. Sometimes I wish I smelled like vintage Diorissimo all on my own). It always smells … just … right. I’m glad your mouth is all better! Trivia: they used to use gutta-percha as the permanent packing in rootcanals, the same stuff that was used inside golf balls. Now it’s some kind of cement.
Wow! You have become a root canal expert. I agree with you about “the digger”. For a few seconds I wondered if it could possibly punch through and pierce my brain. It sure felt like it.
So, Duchafour is your fix, too!
Ha! I’ve thus far only had two fillings in my entire life, but even so I know exactly what you mean about that slow digger drill. It rattles your entire skull like some medieval torture device… but I don’t want to scare folks; I have no dentist phobia.
Dzongkha is a terrific choice. Beautiful.
Why can’t they do dentistry with lasers? After all, everything else seems to be done with lasers: hair removal, eye surgery, appendectomies, varicose vein surgery.
I am so bummed out that Dzongkha was bad on my me. Even worse was Timbuktu – all I can say is thank goodness I ordered a sample. I put it on my wrists and within half an hour I was sniffing everywhere for the B.O. It was like my son’s football uniforms. But it was clean. So weird, it was like the clean body odor not so long after a shower that you could still smell the soap through. With a kind of sour incense – not so good. I’m waiting on the Dzing! and really hope it works better.
Dzing is a whole different animal than Dzongka or Timbuktu. Let me know what you think of it! It’s one of my favorites.
Dzing — how could I have overlooked that as a “feels part of me” scent! My daughter hates it, finding it too animalic. I recall that one reviewer says it smells of straw, cotton candy, and elephant dung. Another, as I remember, spoke of it as being naked in a cedar chest full of very expensive leather coats. I like the second perception best — but I’ll go with either.
Cornlily
The second one is certainly more glamorous!
Dzing!’s drydown on me just smells like I got dipped in a vat of caramel lol not so good… the saddle leather beginning is nice though
Oh, commiserations on the root canal procedure, which you seem to be taking in your stride. I only had that done once, and it was botched, and the dentist fled the next day, taking my records. She ended up opening a restaurant in a nearby town, but never drilled another tooth, I am pleased to say. (I had the tooth extracted by someone else, not long afterwards…)
Anyway, “melding scents” for me would be L’Eau Ambree, as has been said, also SSS Opal and Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise. SJP Lovely did it surprisingly yesterday! and other melders include Bois d’Armenie and L’Ombre Fauve (though not immediately in the case of the latter).
What a horrifying root canal story! When your dentist is forced to leave town after working on you, you know things have gone south in a big way.
“Melding” scents is such a good way to describe these fragrances. I wonder if the Vanilla & Anise blends with you the same way Havana Vanille does with me? Lovely is perfect on some people, I think.
I am looking forward to trying Havana Vanille, as Amaranthine was such a huge hit with me it has made me want to try BD’s other great opus from 2009!
I’d love to know what you think of it!
I tried Lovely for the first time a few days ago and it did it to me too! The first hour or two I wasn’t really taken by it, but as it was fading about 26 hours later (!!!) I knew I’ll need to get it…
It’s so nice to fall in love with something that isn’t $200 an ounce, too.
Yes it is! The combination of a simple-to-wear and non-expensive scent is really appealing.
flitter: SO sorry about your experience, but it is quite hilarious that your dentist fled and became a restaurateur! (Is the restaurant still successful?) Imagine her “eureka” moment of realizing she was in the wrong career. Sad in a comedic film sort of way.
I don’t even know which restaurant it is, but am mischievously imagining her peddling teeth-rottingly sweet desserts, for which she receives commission from dentists’ practices within a 10 mile radius. : – )
I envy people who can really make a scent their own. I don’t think I have that kind of skin, or maybe I just can’t smell myself? (Although when we first met, my partner told me that I smell like grain or cereal, and that my apartment and my cat smelled like this as well. I found it less than complimentary. Grain? That’s sexy.)
Glad you survived both the root canal and the trip home in the snow! I know a lot of Portlanders thought the weather was lovely, but I’m still traumatized from the storm we had last year. Snow now makes me claustrophobic.
I think my dog smells like corn chips, and I adore the scent on him. (Does that make you feel better? No?) Anyway, maybe Bois Farine is the scent for you!
The snow was gorgeous. I had to fill in that afternoon at the vintage clothing store, so I was surrounded by beautiful dresses, scented candles, and with snow covering the street outside.
Oh, if I could do that during the snow I think I’d change my opinion of it!
Bois Farine smells like cookies on me. So disappointing.
hey, maybe she meant a really tasty cereal like lucky charms or something with blueberries or strawberries! Don’t just assume it was bran flakes.
Or cocoa puffs!
I can live with smelling like Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs.
Or Cinnamon Toast Crunch!
or golden grahams! I love those lol
Cookies, huh? That sounds nice, actually!
No, it’s not bad–it smells like Calypso St Barth Lea on me. But I really wanted something more, well, like wood flour.
SSS Tabac Aurea smelled like oatmeal cookies on me!
Darn, I was just going to suggest that. You do like Gris Clair, right? Maybe some Balmain Ambre Gris? Or try their Jolie Femme, a different leather by the same nose who did Bandit. Bandit works on you, right?
I bet you’re thinking of Jolie Madame–a great one!
Yes, I am. I’m mixing it up with SSS Femme Jolie. Another very nice offering by Laurie. I have 3 FBs of her fragrances, now. I love the simple packaging – very much like PdN. Conveniently sized bottles (17 and 32ml? Yes, please!), filled with really good fragrances at a reasonable price.
That’s interesting — my sister’s cat smells like tortilla chips. We think he smells woooonderful!!!
Cats smell so wonderful. I could strap my cat to my nose and breathe deeply all day, except she wouldn’t like it much.
Hee … I know what you mean! Cats are the best.
You say that now Angela, but I had about seven or eight pounds of cat lying across my head last night and it wasn’t quite so great in the middle of the night!
Maxie is 13 lbs all laying on my hair at night….likes to “make bread” until I look like a punk rocker. The bright side is that she always smells perfumey—mostly from the many hugs she needs from mommy during the day. Last night she smelled of Jubilation25, it was kinda nice….except for that whole holding my head down thing.
Rapp: that’s kind of my idea of worst bedtime nightmare, and I’m not anti-cat, though more of a dog person.
I just get freaky when a part of him covers my nose and I can’t breathe! As much as I love him, he really needs me alive to buy the cat food!
Oh yes, the old “heater cat”. Lucky for me, Mae West sticks to the foot of the bed or stays in her special place directly in front of the heater vent.
OK…had to finally register just to comment.
Do you by chance have a Boston Terrier?
Bostons are well-known to smell like CORN CHIPS! HA! I have one laying on my lap…one laying on the other end of the couch, and one laying on the other couch – all within “touching distance” from me. OH…and my Golden is sleeping on the opposite end on the other couch. Not spoiled – not spoiled at all!
To get back to topic – your blog is beautifully written. And very accurate! I have a few scents that are just ME – and some I wear that are made to make ME someone else! HA! Depends on the day – and my mood, where I am going, and what I want the outcome of the day to be (wink, wink!)
Perfume has been a part of my life since I was very young. I got started on the “good stuff” early…had probably $500 worth of perfume (10 bottles, give or take…since it wasn’t quite as expensive then as it is now!) on my dresser in high school. My Mom is to blame for that.
OH, and then my Senior year my mom won a “Tree” – she went to a benefit that they sold tickets for trees…you won the tree and everything under it!
One of the things under it was an OUNCE of Chanel No. 5 Perfume. YES, actual PARFUM!!!! It was insane. I loved it. I just looked – it’s only $260. Seems it was much more then…is that even possible? Funny, but I smell it now – at 40 – and it doesn’t do anything for me. But then – at 18 years old – was so “me”. LOL!!
What a score! An ounce of No. 5 parfum! You are lucky to have a mom to introduce you to the good stuff.
My dog is a true mutt. He might have some Boston terrier in him, who knows?
And welcome to the blog!
Maybe you were wearing Bois Farine? Maybe Bois Farine is your “skin scent”, “self scent”.
Cornlily
Thanks Angela. Six weeks ago I got a sample of Bois de Violette and experienced for the first time what you describe. Every time I wear it I shake my head in wonder: it seems as if the scent rises up from beneath my skin. I just got a sample of Feminite du Bois on Saturday for comparison. It smells similar, although sweeter/fruitier. But the real difference is it just stays on top of my skin unlike BDV. I’d been wondering about this difference, so this topic is timely. Judging by the comments so far that “second skin” scent is different for everyone.
It is strange, isn’t it? I remember the first time I noticed that difference, too. I wonder what it is about some perfumes on some people that allows it to be sucked into your skin, then waft out as part of you?
Hi Angela, thank you for a brilliant read! And good on you to give yourself that gift. My very own skin scent is Sel de Vetiver, one I loved from the moment I opened the vial. Usually it takes two or more tries for me to start loving a scent (Ormonde Woman took 4, the 4:th on New Year’s Eve, and like dissed above I’ve gone from hate to love -now I’m craving it) but SdV was instant comfort, like I imagine how it would be to meet a soul mate. I recently got my sister 4 of the Hermessences in the travel kit and I threw in Poivre Samarcande just for fun… it turned out to be “her” scent, immediate love and she’s already had several people comment on how it smells “just like her”.
Helle, I just had the exact same experience with SDV. It arrived two days ago along with other samples I’d ordered from TPC. It’s too soon to tell if it’s a skin scent yet because I have been busy sampling the others as well. But, boy, it’s amazing. Makes me think about my trip to south Florida last summer, the sun, the saltwater.
It’s really nice sprayed. I don’t know if you have a vial or an atomizer, but if you get the chance, spray it.
Oh, yes, I can imagine it: like the ocean spray! I need that.
It does really evoke salt water, I can totally see how it would remind you of an ocean in the sun. Based on this I’ve ordered more salty stuff from TPC, Sel marin & Fleurs de sel, did you try any of those? The first part of my order arrived today, and I just put on Tabac Aurea – it’s a bit salty too, I think! And much more smokey than I imagined. I really like it… I was fearing it would be more like Back to Black which I can’t stand so I’m definitely pleasantly surprised here.
I must try Tabac Aurea! It gets so much love in comments.
Yes, yes, you must… this IS good stuff. Bitter sweet salt, mmm…
salt? really? I get loads of pungent drying tobacco leaves…
and speaking of SSS —gotta love those new 5ml purse sprays ! SQUEEEE!
Pungent tobacco leaves, allright!! And I’m really getting something salty, that balances the sweetness in a very nice way. Might very well just be a facet of the tobacco itself. I can’t stop sniffing my hand.
5 ml purse spray sounds like the perfect way to try it, too.
No, but thanks for the suggestions. I didn’t know I liked that salty scent note until two days ago. I am excited about trying out more of them.
I like the salty orange of Eau de Merveilles. That and the Elixir are two of the very few citruses I like.
I love salty fragrances, too, with Sel de Vetiver being one that I love. It will be interesting to see what you think of Fleurs de Sel — it is earthy and herbal and salty and very different from SdV. I love them equally.
Another one that I enjoy, maybe even more than those two, is Annick Goutal’s Vetiver. It really takes me to the sea, and has a sweet/smoky element that I think rounds off the vetiver.
My TPC wish list keeps getting longer!
Sel de Vetiver is a wonderful scent to have as your “own”. You can really spray it with abandon, and it goes anywhere. And you have a lucky sister, too!
So lucky!
Ohh Angela, sorry to hear about the root canal-had one recently “pretty barbarous” is dead on. Mine was done on a windy SF day on the 22nd floor. I was dealing with brain rattle and feeling the building shudder! NOT FUN…. I also had the unsettling discovery that dentists rinse the interior of the tooth with bleach-ick!
I do have a few fragrances that are total statement and independent of who I am-Angel is one.
But others, like Sikkim by Lancome and TF’s Moss Breches are totally part of me, and meld into skin seamlessly.
Sometimes I have scary dreams where I’m in a skyscraper that bends with the wind, and I have to convince myself I’m safe. Having a root canal at the same time would almost be too much to handle.
You know, I still haven’t smelled Moss Breches. I’ve got to find some. I just know I’ll like it.
Happy New Year, Angela, and congrats on your bottle of HV! I’m waiting with great anticipation for my unsniffed decant.
I enjoy your simile of “a layer of wrong-flavored frosting” and phrase about “fragrance as an accessory with its own attitude.” Both are right-on summaries of how fragrance can be so different in different contexts.
I’m thinking it would be very difficult for a very bold scent — a heavy oriental or bombastic white floral — to *meld* with personality in the way you describe? Or maybe I’m wrong… there are larger-than-life personalities who I’m sure would be impossible to psychically separate from their Mitsouko or Carnal Flower. My feeling is that perfumes with somewhat smoother edges perform more naturally as extensions of someone’s “true self”… but I’m admittedly biased in my view of what I consider “affectations” in dress and persona. That’s a silly attitude, of course, and even people I consider “affected” sure make the world more interesting, and often fun.
I myself am more pedestrian, but I do find softer skin scents and slightly warm, woody fragrances to be more “me.” The salty drydown of Eau de Merveilles. Bois Farine. TDC Bois d’Iris. The iris-twiggy musk of Eau de Gentiane Blanche. The cool breathiness of Sienne L’Hiver, as well as several almondy-heliotrope fragrances. The sweet liqueur of Chêne or the sexy Musc Ravageur.
A bit bolder, but still a scent that I view as a perfect extension of myself is the slightly sweet, earthy incense of Timbuktu, which I would still choose as a signature scent if I were ever addled enough (or sane enough??) to consider such a thing.
You describe your favorite scents so well! I want to wear all of them right now.
I know what you mean about big scents. Auntie Mame and Carnal Flower were probably made for each other (if 60 years apart), but otherwise it takes a big personality to balance a big scent and make it a melder.
I’ve been sampling Epic Woman lately (look for review to come) and am finding its deep but soft edges and sweet, skin-like fragrance to be a good melder, too.
Mmm, Epic Woman is truly amazing. Big, but soft. I wore it for New Year’s Eve — but please don’t have visions of what that means. I had dinner with my mom, hung out at her place, then went and packed as I was leaving NJ the next morning. I’m not complaining.
Too late!!! I already had you en route to a romantic rendezvous!
LOL oh well, glad dinner with your mom was nice.
And Mom didn’t sneak into your luggage and “promote” your Epic Woman? She has a lot of self control.
I could imagine Auntie Mame doused in Azuree (albeit anachronistic), Fracas, Mitsouko, or even No. 5. Great image.
I think Auntie Mame might wear something like White Diamonds.
Whatever Auntie Mame wore, I bet she spritzed it from a giant crystal flacon with a bulb atomizer dangling a tassel.
She wore Nuit de Noel by Caron, I believe! I think we’ve had this discussion before…
I think you’re right. Nuit de Noel doesn’t seem right on her, somehow. though.
Mmmmm, Epic Woman!! I totally indulged before Christmas (I can hear Daisy laughing now…I said I was going to hold out until AT LEAST the day after Christmas and I didn’t even come close :D) and bought a bottle. I wore it and got the loveliest compliments from family about how great I smelled and how they liked it on me. Which runs counter to how *I* thought of it — it’s gorgeous, but I think of it as its own entity, so big and voluptuous, well, *epic*, that I figured I was probably smelling obnoxious to anyone in my radius (but they were family, so they could suffer, heh). But they thought it was “me.” It’s interesting!
LOL !!! sit next to me and we’ll be weak and spineless together! (but excellent smelling) So glad it’s not just me—-I said I wasn’t going to buy ANYTHING until February and just earlier today I put up a post about interest in splitting Amouage Lyric Man —BUT I haven’t bought it yet , so I’m still feeling strong…..ask me again tomorrow…..
I’m sure you’ll find this amusing: I got samples along with my Epic Woman bottle and of course, I requested a Lyric Man sample, since a little birdie told me she would probably be doing a split soon. So, there I was, all excited to give it a try…and cue the TRAGIC SAMPLE VIAL ACCIDENT that I knew was bound to happen sometime. No, I didn’t just drop the open vial on the floor — I dumped it all down the front of myself. I marinated in that all day (thankfully, it was before I got dressed, so nobody else had to suffer except me). ARGH. Poor Lyric Man…fumbly fingers ruined it for myself!
whoa! that’s a lot of Lyric man all at once…..yikes….you must have smelled like a whole bed of roses! So was it horrible , too much or horrible AND too much?
I did that exact same thing with one of the Strange Invisible Perfumes line (can’t remember which now) except it flipped right out of my hands and poured out all down the front of me—–and it was not a scent I liked at all….I reeked.
You must be more Epic than you know!
I tried Carnal Flower on skin the other day and Smokeytoes was following me around sniffing the air behind every wave of my arm – lol.
I’m going to spring for a decant of that one soon.
There was a split just listed over on the Google group…
I better take a quick look-see…
I’ve talked to a couple of people and am thinking of hosting my first split with CF. I’ve been jealously guarding about 6 mls of it, and think it is time for a bottle. I have 10ml. bottles of L’Eau D’Hiver and Noir Epices from the purse refill sets.
If you do, be sure to let me know!
It’s true! It smelled so wonderful on Tama! You could smell the blossoms and greens. It was absolute heaven
It was a very fun scent trip-can’t wait to try it again but this time we have to visit Chanel for sure. Have to try Beige and 31 RC.
I’m with you on Timbuktu! Now that I have Jubilation XXV, I’m learning so much more about Timbuktu. And Dzongkha (I’m not getting up to look at my bottle to check spelling lol)
It’s great to be able to compare fragrances within the same genre.
Joe, I found the Timbuktu to be very beautiful, elegant composition. After the opening dried off- it was all woody, radiant vetiver on me. I dare say I like it much more than Habanita, which I think smells very similarl w/o the smoke accord. Really nice stuff.
Ann, you often make such interesting and unobvious connections. I need to pull out my sample of Habanita, which didn’t speak to me upon first test. Oh, and I received your nice Chanel set upon my return; I need to write to you with my impressions, but huge thank yous!
Aw shucks Joe, it’s my pleasure. I hope you enjoy the Chanels. And my brain and whacky nose are always making lots of crazy connections – fragrance or otherwise! Vetiver really jumps out at me in fragrances anyway. I want to test the Timbuktu in warmer weather to see if I get more of the incense and florals. It is now teetering on my to-buy list! I really like the way Habanita smells, but I don’t actually enjoy wearing it – it gets a bit thick for me. But Timbuktu, yes, I see myself wearing that.
You know…most of the scents I “like” are lighter in nature (you and I overlap quite a lot, actually). But the ones that really bloom on my skin and get me the most compliments have tended to be bigger scents than I would have expected…most recently, a harvest edition of Amarige (a sample of which is headed your way next time I get to the PO, which should be later this week).
I’m sorry about the root canal — but I’m glad you rewarded yourself!
Thanks for this thought-provoking article — I’m trying to think of my own skin-scent frags … I think Caron’s Aimez-Moi and FM L’eau d’Hiver may be two of them. Hope you don’t suffer too much from the after-effects of root canal, and enjoy that wonderful purchase!
My mouth feels fine, now, thanks! It sounds like cool, tender, quiet flowers are good for you. L’eau d’Hiver is a great melding scent!
Ok, just one more dental comment —other than impacted wisdom teeth, which at least came with a round of very fine pain killers—the most excruciating dental procedure I’ve ever endured was BLEACHING!! Seriously—I decided my chompers weren’t quite white enough and paid a mint to have that laser bleaching …and to be honest my hygenist did tell me that she didn’t think it was going to make much of a difference but I wanted “movie star bright white” for once in my life …..ok, it was a bit ouchy during the procedure but by that night….I was CRYING it hurt so badly…my teeth were pounding right along with my heart beat, my head hurt, my neck hurt, my shoulders were aching….OMG it took more than 2 days for the pain to go away…..an no, there was no real difference at all in whiteness level…..Moral of the Story: listen to the dang hygenist for goodness sake.
Oh no! That sounds horrible. There’s not much worse than pain that happens right in your head. Ouch. I think I’d rather try for a flattering lipstick than undergo that kind of pain.
I had 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed to find out that percocet might as well be a sugar pill for me! but I was fine with the monstrously high dosage ibuprofen they gave me, though I am surprised I still have a liver. I should have suspected, my Dad had no pain relief from tylenol 3 when he had that root abscess.
Are you a redhead? Some studies have shown redheads don’t metabolize certain anesthesia and paid medications. (I know this from personal experience.)
I’m a redhead (well Mother Nature has turned it a platinum color now) and I’ve never read that. But I’ve certainly experienced it! Years ago, I was given a valium I. V. for an office procedure early in the a.m., and never closed my eyes until midnight that night!
My hair is naturally reddish… right now I’m the bleach queen, but my dad who has had similar problems has very dark brown hair. Funny though, when I had the teeth out they had a hell of a time trying to wake me up from the twilight anesthesia. I was in and out for a long time.
My dad actually woke up under full hospital anesthesia when he was having his wisdom teeth out! the doc had his knee on his chest! scary!!!
Yikes!
They tend to have more pain with breastfeeding as well, isn’t that weird?
The other part of that study, I remember, was that redheads and *extremely* fair-skinned people often have trouble managing pain of various types. Of course, most redheads are extremely fair-skinned. (My sister got the pretty hair, I didn’t. Pout.)
Interesting! Both more immune to anesthetics, and more likely to feel pain. That’s a bummer.
And now perfume: ANGELA I AM SO EXCITED YOU GOT A BOTTLE OF HAVANA VANILLE !!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS! You smell FANTASTIC!!!
On me, it’s a toughie the first 20 minutes or so …then I love it for the rest of the day!
It does have an especially vanillic-rum blast right off, but I love that part, too. I’ve been wearing it some part of most days since I bought it.
A piece that inspires a lot of thought in me today, Angela. Of course, these “melders” to your personality/self are likely to be favorites, and yet all a girl’s favorites do no necessarily “suit” her. For me, it is hard to tease apart which ones actually suit me and which ones I would like to seem like me. I feel most drawn to the happy/melancholy, clashing bipolar scents, like Apres L’Ondee and Nicolai Pour Homme, but I don’t know if these suit me best – they could, I suppose. (Let’s call me “complicated”, not “moody”!)
I know just what you mean. My cabinet is loaded with perfume that focus on a slice of me, or a slice I wish were a little more prominent sometimes.
I just finished reading Nancy Mitford’s “Pursuit of Love” (great winter read), and in one scene, Linda, the tender-hearted, zany, privileged heroine, goes to Spain to meet up with her husband, and an ex-bull fighter who has joined in the fight against the fascists leans over her and says, “Apres l’Ondee? I thought so. Delightful.”
I’d guess that qualifies as “perfume porn”? A (straight) MAN — ex-bullfighter, no less! — who can identify and appreciate your perfume. I’m rolling here!
Giggles here – I am trying to imagine this lusty, robust man whose nostril’s are delicate enough to catch a whiff of Apres L’Ondee!
What makes you assume he’s straight?
Good point…
Boojum: to be honest, one of the first things that I imagined was a “The View”-type talk show segment called “Top Ten Warning Signs About Your Husband,” and #7 is “He can tell the difference between Après l’Ondée and L’Heure Bleue at five paces.” Just jesting, just jesting…
Smirk. Nice image Joe.
I think it was a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the privileged people who beat a path to Spain to help the disenfranchised. Who (o.k., besides us) would wear Guerlain in a refugee camp?
I thought we were all supposed to wear that Chanel 3rd to the refugee camps.
Whatever brings the most comfort to the masses!
There is an interesting back story to 4711 about a woman who was imprisoned by the Nazis who tried to keep her dignity in the worst of situations. She had been very fashionable before her capture, and she always tried to have a fresh flower even in captivity. The number tattooed into her arm was close to 4711 and other prisoners called her that as it was a well known German perfume. Her story was used as an art installation which used the distinctive turquoise, gold and red colourway from the distinctive bottle. Of course, she was not in a refugee camp but rather a Nazi Death Camp – there is a difference (sometimes).
Anyway, my husband and I sometimes joke about what we would take if ever forced to fee like our ancestors. He figures he will hang some ties and a couple of lawyer suits on the Weber grill and drag it down the street while the kids get the silver and I grab the pictures and the Shalimar.
What a poignant story!
Oh, I remember that scene! I jumped up, scrubbed off whatever I was wearing, and applied Apres l’ondee for the duration.
Sorry about the tooth. I’ve had several root canals, and generally I think the nastiest part is the check I have to write when it’s done. I mean, why should you have to pay for something unpleasant? Very glad you got some HV, and your avatar certainly looks sublimely untroubled by it all, as always :-).
My ‘skin’ scent was the old Calandre. I just loved it, and it always seemed like part of me. There no longer seems to be an eau de parfum, which was what I always wore, and/or it’s been tweaked. The eau de toilette that’s available now is kind of tinny, I’m afraid. But life offered immense consolations: from the first time I tried Bois des Iles, it produced that amazing, infused impression of ‘me but better’.
“Me but better” is the perfect result!
Dear Angela, I hope your recovery from the root canal has been good. Beautiful review!
It’s been great, thanks! Really, I didn’t have a moment of pain. Just mental terror and a good rattling in my bones from the drill.
I love it when perfume does that Vulcan mind melt thing. (Yeah, guilty as charged: Trek fan.) Haven’t encountered that many scents capable of it, so it’s all the more fun when it does happen. Safran Troublant does it. Reminiscence Do Re (the heliotropy one) – although it’s way too sweet for regular wear. TDC Bois d’Iris, on rare occasions. Even Jil Sander Sun can get there, when the stars align. Come to think of it, the heliotrope may be the guilty party, here. I always like to think that my most-worn scent (Tam Dao) does it, too, but I suspect that’s more due to habituation on my part. Love it to bits, but it doesn’t necessarily melds with my own skin.
Fun questiun to ponder!
I know heliotrope isn’t everyone’s favorite, but I really do like it. A friend recently gave me a decant of Piver White Heliotrope, and I sprayed it on my pillows when I last changed the sheets. So nice!
Angela, I’ve been lemming a sample/decant of that Piver Heliotrope Blanc; it’s not widely available but sounds so nice.
Mine came from a very generous friend’s bottle from London. It’s sweet, simple, and comforting.
Zeezee: by the way, I received the Jabu when I got home last weekend and it’s really lovely and complex. Thank you so much.
Glad to hear it arrived safely! Enjoy
Angela – I am so sorry to hear about your unfortunate dental work, and I hate those novacaine shots!
Your ponderings on a scent that becomes you is so lovely. And I am glad you love the snow – I love snow too and missed it a lot when I lived in PDX… it has such a quiet, peaceful, internal, romantic quality about it. That is, if you are not driving in it!
The fragrances that meld with me the most and transform themselves are Annick Goutal’s Heure Exquise, Bal a Versailles (which just become profoundly beautiful on my skin), and most especially Sonoma Scent Studio Rose Musc. There is just something about the tremendous rose and labdanum combination in Rose Musc that becomes otherworldly on me – I can hardly describe it – it’s in my head, in my nose, my mouth, my skin, everywhere. I just morphs into this radiant aroma. It is just magic. I could just walk around in a swoon all day. I find my skin just loves rose fragrances, especially those sitting on a very well done woody sandalwood or labdanum base.
Omigosh, Ann, you inspired me to rustle up my Rose Musc sample and try it again. Wowsers. It’s JUST as you say. Thanks so much.
I’m not a rose fan, but Laurie sent me Rose Musc and Vintage Rose (?) to try, and I really like the Rose Musc. The base is so deep and rich and I do love musc and it compliments the deep, juicy red rose so well. I have a list of other things to order from her, and I think I will get at least a 5ml. spray of that one. Now I am going to spray on some Tabac Aurea because there has been so much talk about it I want to wear it.
I try to rotate my scents frequently so I don’t become anosmic to something by wearing it every day.
So nice! You must smell marvelous.
Ann, that is such a gorgeous one! I think of it as “your” rose. Much as I love it (and Velvet Rose), the two roses that seem to become a part of me are Gres Cabaret and Rosine Ecume de Rose. I think it’s the salt thing…
I like Cabaret too – it reminds me a lot in my long distant mind of what I recall about Rive Gauche, but without that weird harsh thing that it had in the middle. I’ve not yet smelled Ecume but I need to get more into the Rosine line. I tend to not do well with salty fragrances – I like the way they smell but they don’t do well on my skin. I do like the Zest de Rose and the one limited edition cologne that I can’t remember the name of… I think Zest will be on my summer to buy list…
Ack. H- strike that comment about Cabaret– I’ve not smelled that yet. I was getting confused with Cabotine. Too many c’s in the names!!
You’re not alone, I get those two confused, too!
Yep, yep, yep. Was just writing about this phenomenon today. I’m fussier than you, though, I think. If there isn’t some kind of meld, I truly can’t wear it, even when I really like/admire it! I think that’s my problem with aldehydes–no meld at all.
I’m not giving up, though. I’ve found that that the fragrances that are most “me” change over time–and cycle through.
That’s such a good point. As taste, circumstances, bodies change, so can the scents that really meld.
I think Nahema parfum melds really nice with me with the creamy peachy vanilla-ish drydown. and I think LL Si Lolita melds nicely too. Both vanilla-y scents but some vanillas just get plain scary on me too and wear me just like bad canned frosting and make my head hurt. I’m trying out Ego Faco Poopoo pidoo right now and I’m still trying to figure out what it reminds me of.
Maybe you’re getting heliotrope?
Nahema is really wonderful. I want to go sniff some right now.
Eau de Kitty Breath would also be a total “mind meld” for me. I don’t know why, but I really have kitty breath on the brain. My fatcat Falco loves my husband, and only pays attention to me on an intermittent basis, so I have to grovel and hope for him to yawn in my face. But the dogs love their mummy. They smell great too – so … DOGGY, especially our Great Pyrenees, who reclined gracefully on the driveway for 4 hours yesterday while my husband shoveled the most recent foot of snow.
That’s a thick coat to let him hang out in the cold for so long! And that’s a heck of a lot of shoveling, too.
Kitty breath–I know just what you mean.
I so love the smell of my dog. Sometimes I put my nose to the top of his head and just sniff and sniff. My cats smell good to me too.
Oh yes, I do it, too. But turnabout is fair play–think of how much your dog sniffs you!
I never had just one frag that i could say WAS REALLY me. Some that came close, some that were what I wanted to be, some that just smell gorgeous and wanted on me all the time. Even some that I just wanted to love…
I just recently found one that come pretty damn close to BEING exactly me. Surprisingly, it’s not some exclusive, chic, imported from some exclusive boutique frag. Of all thing, it’s a room/body spray in eau de parfum version, that just hits all the right buttons. Cypress Bark by Skeem.
I bought a bottle on the spot, then went back the next day to buy 3 more… you never know nowdays with everything that gets discontinued!
(of course, I may move on to something else before 2010 is over)
I’ve never heard of that one! Well, if your infatuation with it sours, you can always use it as a room spray, it sounds like.
Beautiful article, Angela!
My best fumes are No. 22 edt and Tabac Blond edp (I think I’m the only person in existence who likes, let alone loves, the reform :)). I’m completely familiar with and utterly comfortable in both. I could probably, happily wear nothing but these, but, as someone very wisely out on Basenotes yesterday, “Since I do not want to face the day I run out of (fill in your favorite here)___________, a girl needs to wear other things.”
Alien, Tabu, and Tocade are up there, too.
Wow! What a smorgasbord of scents! I like it that you do well with the variety. Even if something you love is discontinued, it sounds like you’ll always be able to find something else.
Thanks! And I know, huh! I’ve tried to think of some way they tie in, but I can’t. There doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason; my skin likes what it likes.
And it likes good stuff!
This is very thought-provoking, Angela. It makes me reassess my collection, as well as why I wear perfume at all. I think often there is a sense of a fragrance pulling me somewhere with its own personality, its own aura. I always see perfumes as a gateway to another world, a jumping-off point. They point the way to somewhere else, an experience I may not have had otherwise. So, in that sense they may not meld with me and just become me. They take me somewhere new! But what scent is home base, so to speak? I don’t know. I think the scent that most inspired me to become more of what and who I am is Jubilation XXV, my recent Christmas purchase. I instantly wanted to live up to its beauty and really inhabit it, so I think if a fragrance does that, makes you want to be more of who you are, I think that’s pretty special!
What an interesting perspective Jared, and I agree completely but wouldn’t have been able to express it so well. I love the romantic notion of this ‘perfume meld’ but I haven’t experienced it. The perfumes that I love transform and elevate me, but I can’t say that I have found one that conveys the essense of me.
It begs the question of what exactly that “essence of me” is, isn’t it? It reminds me of the TV series Dollhouse: you try on all of these different people and personas, and you sort of “become” someone else for a time, but then, when you take off that mask, who is it that stands underneath? It’s a question I’m quite obsessed with lately
I think people have been obsessed with that question for centuries, really. Half the novels on my bookshelf probably explore that subject in some way.
Yeah, it really is THE question, isn’t it?
Yes!
I would love it if you’d mention a few of your favorite novels exploring this matter. Puh-leeze.
Oh gosh, I guess I’m just thinking that the protagonist in so much good fiction is usually trying to figure out something about who he or she is and trying to overcome some potentially fatal flaw. Right now I’m really into noir detective novels (and a little Nancy Mitford!).
Sorry, that was perhaps a little unfair of me — you’re just such an interesting writer yourself, that I’m curious about the writers you enjoy. I love detective stories and thrillers myself — esp. Ruth Rendell. And now Blimunda has turned me on to the Wallender series.
Beautifully said, Jared!
Jubilation XXV is the best Christmas present ever! And I can relate well to having a scent that is something you aspire to, as well as scents to wear to take you somewhere else.
It was the best Christmas present ever
I kept imagining myself in a caravan with the magi traveling the silk road and following a star!
Nice!
Jared, its funny you say gateway to another world because I had on some body kouros the other day and I felt like I was in an Egyptian tomb, or somewhere deep in a pyramid.
Body Kouros! I love it. And I love that it takes you there because for me it’s one of those very urban kinds of scents- I usually wear it as an alternative to another beloved Menardo scent, Blugari Black, though Black gets to be a little rougher and edgier thanks to that rubber! Speaking of Egyptian tombs, I would seriously love some of the fragrant oils they would have used in the embalming process! Let’s get some perfumes with that, shall we!
I *couldn’t* resist googling “what was in ancient egyptian tombs”, and found this National Geographic piece entitled “study unwraps ancient ‘recipe’ for mummies”. Detailed analysis revealed that the main products used to treat the mummies, besides salt, were from plant and to a lesser extent, animal oils, and that the plants were resins from fir and pine, beeswax, myrrh, palm wine, cassia and camphor. According to notes I’ve read for body Kouros, camphor at least is one of them!
Fascinating! Now I long to smell it.
That’s an excellent way to put it–“What is home base?” I think that it can actually work the other way around, too. Finding one of these “melding” scents that seems to express one’s self can be a useful way to see exactly where, or what, your home base is, a way to understand more about yourself. It may offer a perspective different from the one you held about yourself.
I used to think of myself as an old-fashioned girl who loved very old-fashioned rose and violet scents. (This is probably based on my tastes in reading!) I started out trying a lot of different roses and violets. I discovered, much to my surprise, I actually prefer very modern scents, and while I like rose and violet, there are a lot of things I like better than old-fashioned soliflores. Who knew?
You’re right–exploring perfume is one way to explore yourself, I guess. You’re so much more a fascinating person for having these seemingly opposing parts of yourself, too.
“What scent is home base?” – beautifully said!
Hi Angela,
This is one of my favorite posts that you have written! (((I like and enjoy them all, but this one really got me)))
Havana Vanille is a wonderful addition to your collection and I love that it has melded so beautifully with you.
A few perfumes in my collection that have become me are:
Charisma by Ayala Moriel. I love Charisma and when I first sampled it, my immediate thought was, “This is so me. It’s like my own skin but better!” I immediately purchased it the full size.
Amouage Dia Woman and Ajne Fleur Blanche and Chanel Bois des Iles are the others that become me when I wear them.
~Dawn
I’m so glad you liked the post! The perfumes you’ve chosen are wonderful, although I haven’t tried Charisma. I’ll have to get busy on that.
Angela,
Sorry to hear about the root canal, I hated having my mouth pried and held open and my head manipulated on the chair. Not sure if that or blubbering like an idiot afterwards till the novocane wears off is worse.
Perfumes that become you almost sound like they should be signature scents. Back in the ’90s, the one I wore almost exclusively was Chamade edt (which I always felt too elegant for jeans), occassionally switching over to one of the handful of AGs that I owned: Hadrien, Rose Absolute, Gardenia Passion, Heure Exquise, and Eau de Ciel – most of which I could claim as my own, especially HE.
Once I tried on Jardin de Bagatelle and my girlfriend remarked “That’s so you!” yet, it never felt like me regardless of the fact I thought it was gorgeous.
The closest ones for me in the last decade may be Jicky and Apres L’Ondee (both edt), Joy and AG’s Rose Absolute, especially the latter 3 in various combinations. Now that I’m becoming a full-fledged perfumista, it’s harder to identify the “me” fragrances because of the exponential growth of my collection, and less time to wear “my” scents.
Definitely agree that most of what I own inhabits a piece of me and depending on the situation, would easily “become me.” I went to see Der Rosenkavalier at The Met on 1/1 and wore my mother’s Chanel No 5 (’60s) and the reformulated Arpege (’90s), and though neither is consider HG for me, they felt oddly “right” and very “me” in every way.
Yes, I tried to put on a little lipstick after the root canal and made a real mess.
Some perfumes reflect my character, I think, in some ways, and others do this weird thing of disappearing into my skin, then reappearing as part of my personal smell. It’s the rare fragrance that does both.
Hi Angela – lovely post [minus the root canal part!!]. The idea of being one with your perfume is intriguing. It’s funny that I haven’t experienced this myself, but I have had a few people [my husband, best friend, etc.] say that something or other smells like ‘me’. I love my favorite perfumes, and feel like they’re an extension of me, but I haven’t come across one that exemplifies me. [If that makes sense!]
The search is part of the fun! Someday you might put something on then forget about it, then an hour later realize that the divine fragrance emanating from you–almost part of your body heat–is the perfume you put on that morning, and it’s perfection.
I’m new to posting but have been lurking for over a year. I have to say that it was pretty cool to know who’s article this was before opening it up and seeing the byline!
Congrats on your treat for yourself! Fantastic way to put the root canal behind you.
It’s interesting to see how most of us concur on scents and how we use them. Even though the scents are drastically different I’m sure………
I’m curious as to what ya’ll get the most compliments on? The ones that are a second skin? Or the ones that allow you to borrow a skin? I’m afraid my comment will be too late for many answers but I’m still curious what the majority answer would be nonetheless.
My second skinners are Daim Blond, SDV, Angelique Noir & Alessandro. In answer to my own question ~I don’ think I can answer it!!! They are so random it would be hard to tally.
Have a fragrant evening all………
Welcome!
Your questions sound like good ones for a poll. I’m always surprised at what I get compliments on. Often they’re not my favorites. I do get complimented a lot on Nahema.
These are the ones I’ve been complimented on – Oscar de la renta, Giorgio (yellow and white stripes), of all things, Opium, the original Charlie, Tocade, and straight patchouli oil. You never know what people will like.
The only thing they seem to have in common is that they’re assertive scents.
How true! I’ve just realized I must like assertive scents! Maybe its to make up for my lack of real assertiveness. Hmm, must ponder this.
Or maybe you actually are assertive, so the scents really complement your personality. Or maybe your friends can’t smell anything unless its a whopper….
I love the concept of skin-melding or mingling. Many people listed skin scents as melders and I would agree, particularly with scents like Mythique. (You must try this! It’s a beauty). But some of the fragrances mentioned are pretty big and bold too.
I think what you described are fragrances that kind of melt into your skin, then reappear as part of you, so big fragrances with prominent notes could fit for some people. Epic Woman definitely does this for me. It’s not a huge scent, but it’s fairly outspoken on me. And when I spray on a decent amount, the incense, spice, and woods blend with my skin with small puffs of rose peeking out thoughout the day to delight me.
Today I wore SL Douce Amere, which I can only wear lightly and in cold weather. Somehow, it played the role that you described perfectly. Who knew that floral-cinnamon-absinthe pudding was me?
I can definitely see what you mean about Epic Woman. I’ve been testing it lately, and it reminds me in character (not that they smell the same) of Ormonde Woman. It’s earthy and intimate, although potent.
I heard at my local perfume shop that shops in the U.S. can’t order Douce Amere anymore!
Hmm, I’ve definitely known people who seem to “be one” with their fragrance, but I’ve never been a melder myself… There are scents that project facets of my personality, scents that comfort me, scents that transport me, even scents that bend me to their will, but nothing that seems like “me, only better.” Do you think there’s one out there for everybody? Oh geez, what a question — like wondering if there’s one perfect mate out there for everybody (for the record, I don’t think so!).
As for your Marathon Man experience, I’m so sorry… I’ve never even had a cavity (don’t shoot me — I swear it’s just genetic), but the one time I had a novocaine shot (for bonding) they had to wheel out the oxygen and peel me off the floor — I’m embarrassingly needle-phobic. Anyway, glad you have HV to assuage your PTSD!
I can’t stand a needle in my skin and have to psych myself up for any kind of blood test, but I don’t mind them in my mouth, strangely enough. You sure were nice to get one!
Maybe someday someone will be able to apply a tape to skin, note a few personal characteristics, then right away match the person with their perfect melder. For now, though, I’m enjoying the search.
I think the process of searching is much more fun than any simple test could be! And since writing my original comment, I recalled that one time I spritzed on Bal a Versailles just before taking a shower; it was just OK before the shower, but after… oh my. It was warm, wonderful, and somehow elemental…
I should try that before tonight’s bath. Sounds heavenly.
Lilydale, I want gene therapy from you….some of us are often at the dentist’s, no matter how diligent we are with our teeth. A friend of mine has described being in the dental chair as one of the worst forms of intimacy.
Sign me up for the gene therapy, too.
What a thought provoking post! For years and years and …. it was Je Reviens parfum, but a few years ago I gave it up, consigned it to the memory bag. I haven’t truly found its replacement, but I think Vol de Nuit may be quite close. Recently, I discovered Cuir de Russie and had an immediate visceral response to it as well.
All great perfumes! Je Reviens has changed so much, it’s sad.
I’ll be heading to that same boutique tomorrow to finally try Havana Vanille. I hope it becomes me too
~T
Let me know what you think! They have the L’Artisan oud, too.
I’m so there!
What a wonderful article, Angela. I always strive to wear a SOTD that suits my mood or occasion, but rarely thinks about one that blends well with my personal scent. Although I do know what I smell like, and most vanilla scents work well on me. Woods and spices also. Florals are always tricky on me.
Come to think of it, I can name at least two fragrances that blend well with my own scent: Diptyque Philosykos and Fendi Theorema.
I really think it’s the exception rather than the rule that a perfume interact really well with a person’s skin, so I can see why you might not have thought of it. Even things that smell beautiful on might not meld in that special way. It’s strange to describe. But Philosykos and Theorama are some great ones!
I think PdN’s Odalisque is the scent that is the most me. It fits any occasion and I feel like I can wear it in any season. If I’m stumped as to what to wear, it’s the one I reach for and it never disappoints. And, best of all, even though I’m not allowed to wear perfume to work (though I do anyway, shhh!) I always get a, “you smell nice” from the perfumaphobes and never the Ick, perfume! face leading me to believe that it doesn’t smell like a perfume on me.
That is such a clue that the perfume is perfect for you!
At the moment, my favorite “melt into the skin” is Mariella Burani. It could be No. 5’s mellow Italian cousin, with more citrus and a soft, tonka-musk drydown. Very, very pretty, and it “soaks in” on me.
(Hit post too fast! Meant to add that this was another terrific “My Life in Perfume” post, Angela. Thanks!)
You’re welcome!
That sounds divine! I think I’ve seen it at a local perfume shop. I’ll have to give it a try.
Oh, MB is so pretty and easy to wear! It always makes me happy when I smell it and reminds me of when I lived in Portland.
Another reason for me to try it!
What a wonderful article and a great concept for discussion! Angela, Havana Vanille “becomes me”, too. I have fallen hard for it. I get this feeling that it was created for me. And Joe, Bois d’Iris is another (Sienne l’Hiver, Dzongkha, and Timbuktu come very close, as well). I guess we’ll all have to share!
Two others feel for me like they’re almost coming from within: Shaal Nur and Gres Cabaret. The sort of “nutty” blend of the former and the salty rose of the latter both seem to make me feel even more like ME. Sigh… I love them.
I just tried Cabaret on my skin for the first time last night, and I really liked it! I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to give it a square try.
Haunani, I hope I love HV as much as you and Angela! I can’t wait to try it.
Nice post, Angela! Congrats on your Havana Vanille, too – nice choice!
I think one of my better “me” scents is MPG Secrete Datura – I’m so happy I got a FB recently. My mom said “it’s nice, but it just smells like you”.
I think TF Oud Wood is going to be one, too. Smokeytoes and I went sniffing the other day (fun!!) and it was dramatically different on us both. We wound up splitting a bottle. On me it is very soft, warm, almost honeyed and alluring – on her it is wonderful woods and more woods (and also alluring). It just seemed very “me”.
Andy Tauer’s Reverie au Jardin was described by one devotee as a comfortable old sweater – I can’t think of a better way to describe what that one does on skin. Total comfort, so another “me”.
But I do wear whatever the heck I feel like, whether it is me or anti-me, or another me.
It sounds like you guys had a lot of fun on your mini-sniffa!
I like your philosophy of embracing the “anti-me” as well as the “me”.
I will not relate my teeth stories…suffice to say my husband always says”how come your father never mentioned your teeth before we gor married” i agree angela, loads of mental terror!!!! by now i am sure u r feeling better and, i am sorry u had to go through the whole process. i wish you many more years of NO tooth issues!
SHALIMAR!!!
i definately need to test ormande woman….
has anybody tried the l’erbelario fragrances? they have an iris that is so much like teint de neige
That’s so funny about your husband joking about your teeth!
I’d be afraid to wear Shalimar during the procedure, because the dentist’s mind might wander to other things, if you get my drift. But after a root canal, perfect! Especially if it’s your perfect scent, as it is for you.
Excellent article. You’ve managed to put into words what I was more subconsciously feeling. I like the idea of a “me” scent, something that subtly extends me instead of “wearing me”!
I’m glad you liked the post!
Further to what you were saying, Jared, I always feel there is an essential “you” under any masks one might put on..
Boy, there is so much to discuss with that thought. Too bad we’re not sitting together by a fire somewhere with a couple of hours on our hands.
This is such a cool subject to think about for a perfumista! A ‘me’ perfume that blends with my skin and becomes part of who I am…..hmmmm. I cannot narrow it down to just one, as all the perfumes I own really suit my skin. I havn’t bought anything that ‘wears me’.
I would say that it is Bulgari Black though that truly, truly melds with my chemistry and becomes a second skin-scent. I could wear that at any time of day, for any occasion. My other top favourites, Ormonde Woman and Bandit, meld beautifully with my personality, but they’re not for any occasion. I tend to reach for them when I’m going out for an evening.
I discovered Havana Vanille the other day, so I know where you’re coming from Angela! I loved it! It’s the sort of comfort scent I’d reach for after a hot bath – like Bois Farine! Going to bed smelling of either of them would be great!
I can definitely imagine Bulgari Black having a magic effect on someone’s skin. It sounds like we have similar taste! Havana Vanille is definitely all about comfort and ease to me.
I think in my entire perfume history, only one fit that bill, and it was relatively low end. It was CKbe, which I wore in university. The boyfriends during that time all remarked that ‘your skin smells fantastic’. I guess that minty-muskiness really did something!
Personally I think that Escentric 01 does that now, but since no one has commented on it but me (to myself), I guess I’m alone there!
I think it’s still pretty obscure–I have a sample somewhere, I think. I’ll have to find it.
Do you still wear it? It would be interesting to see how you respond to it now.
I thought about it, but the associations (not bad, just strong) with the time are so powerful that it feels strange to want to try and wear it now. Certain scents are so attached to certain times in my life that I just feel I want to keep it that way – but the minute I smell them, it instantly brings to mind that time in my life. Coco, Escape, Poison and Asja for high school, VS Freesia and then CKBe in my 20’s, now, not so sure, but I’m sure it’ll figure itself out!
I can understand that.
Féminité du Bois has been a staple in my fragrance wardrobe for over ten years. It’s the one I reach for the most, the one I fall back on when I need something that makes me feel strong and when I can’t quite decide what to wear. I can’t imagine life without it. It is definitely that scent for me.
I tried L’Eau Ambrée today and surprised myself by really liking it – it’s not the kind of thing I usually fall for at all and I more or less expected to be bored to tears by it, but it’s just so incredibly nice, soft, powdery, pretty and maybe with the tiniest, barely-there little hint of something fleshy and carnal. It doesn’t vanish into thin air on my skin either, which anything described as sheer normally does – I have the kind of skin chemistry that wears huge, aggressive orientals well, the perfume-eating kind. There isn’t much sillage, I think, but the staying power seems great, five hours and still going strong.
There’s something nice about having a subtle, next-to-nothing scent to wear sometimes–the “nearly naked” scent. It sounds like you might have found yours.
all the talk about root canals has made me feel so much better I have to go have two (very expensive imagine how many better ways i could spend the money) root canals next month so at least I am not alone in my suffering.
l’eau d hiver is my next to nothing skin scent, always good if I am going to a school play or a movie and don’t want to be one of those people who suffocate people in closed environments with their fragrance!
L’eau d’Hiver is such a lovely scent and it doesn’t get enough attention, as far as I’m concerned. Good luck with the root canals!
Havana Vanille (or Vanille Absolument, as it’s now called) has the same effect on me. I’ve only just sampled it for the first time, but I instantly fell in love and knew a bottle had to be mine.
Hermes Eau des Merveilles is another one that just melts beautifully with my skin. I find that on the whole, I tend to gravitate toward these “your skin but better” scents (hello, L’eau d’Hiver!), more so than those that have a personality all their own. I guess I like the idea that I naturally smell that amazing (ha), as opposed to wearing a big fragrance that just sort of sits on top of my skin screaming “Here I am! I’m Perfume with a capital P!”
Yes–I know what you mean. Sometimes I do love a thundering perfume, but more often than not I like one that complements rather than overrides me. Your choices are great!