Today's subject is Jenny, who is just entering the world of perfume and finding it overwhelming. She'd like to find a casual everyday fragrance, something light and simple, and perhaps fragrances for summer and winter as well. She has very good access to stores, and she'd rather not spend more than $100 on any one perfume. Here is what we know about Jenny:
She's in her early 30s, happily married and lives in Southern California.
She describes herself as outgoing and personable.
She is involved in a non-profit organization helping individuals suffering from mental illness and their families. She attends several board and committee meetings each week and greatly enjoys the help she give to others.
Jenny likes fruity scents and earthy scents. She loves Dolce & Gabbana D&G Light Blue and uses it for everyday wear, but she's bored with it and would like a change. She also likes Chanel Coco and Burberry Brit Sheer.
Jenny doesn't like too much musk. She did not like Michael Kors Very Hollywood, Victoria's Secret Dream Angel or Juicy Couture by Juicy Couture.
What say you?
Note: image is you've got mail. [cropped] by e³°°° at flickr; some rights reserved.
I think Jenny might like one of Hermes Les Jardins fragrances (Med – fig, Nil – green mango and Mousson – melon).
Or, perhaps, Diptyque Philosykos. I always think of it as fruity and earthy.
I second the Diptyque Philosykos recommendation. The fig is there but complete with the branch, root, and leaves 🙂 I adore the creamy woods notes in it.
Thirding the Philosykos! It’s the first one that sprang to my mind. It’s light, comforting, and inoffensive, yet still interesting and different.
Fourthing! It’s the quintessential Light-Blue-But-Better: still sparkling, zesty freshness over cedar, just with fig replacing the citrus.
I third the Hermes Les Jardins frags and Diptyque Philosykos. Both are wonderful and seem to be just the ticket, fruits + woods! Happy hunting and sniffing! 🙂
Throw another vote on the Jardin pile. Sur le Nil is a wonderfully tart, green vegetal mango. Totally fab.
L’Artisan Annaz Fizz and Maitre Parfumer et Gantier Bahaine both have similar tart and refreshing top notes. In theory they are pineapple but I’d say they are more tart than a specific fruit.
Goutal’s Eau de Hadrien and Guerlain Imperiale also have succulently tart top notes like Light Blue with woodsier dry downs.
And now my favorite steals: Demeter Gingerale is very tart and refreshing up top with a lovely cedar/ginger drydown. Demeter Quince is lovely, and their Margarita is a nice alternative to Bond no. 9 Coney Island.
I am seconding the Hermes fragrances, and adding Eau de Merveilles. I “found” the Elixir over the holidays, and I think the lighter version would be perfect on a Southern California day.
Let’s try Parfums Delrae Mythique. This iris is well wrapped with supple fruit notes and gentle flowers, while not exactly as earthy as an iris can be, it does conjur dusty earth to a certain degree.
Good call on the Les Jardins! Also, Jenny might like to dip into the L’Artisan line, starting with perhaps L’Haie Fleurie and Chasse aux Papillons. Another beautiful Diptyque is L’Ombre Dans L’Eau, roses and earth. Enjoy!
Philosykos was the very first thing that came to mind so I third or fouth that one for sure. Hilde Soliani Il Tuo Tulipano is lovely while you’ve still got a bit of chilly weather and since Jenny has had some success with Burberry; for a cheap thrill she could try Brit Red.
Maybe some Jean Patou Colony would be nice for summer….there’s fruity goodness in that and it’s got a classic feel.
Good call on the Colony. It’s discontinued but still available at some discounters and decants on The Perfumed Court and/or Posh Peasant.
Trussardi Skin, discontinued but readily available online and incredibly inexpensive. Easy to wear. Incredible bottle, btw.
The Lalique line has quite a few nice, light fragrances – Perles de Lalique and Eau de Lalique are particularly fresh and light, yet have a very distinctive character about them…..and they can be found at online discounters for a song. Good Luck Jenny!
Oh, I second the Jardins and L’Artisan Parfumeur. Fleur de Liane is great; she might love La Chasse aus Papillons or Safran Troublant.
I’d add Chopard Happy. That was a nice one…
Jenny has an advantage if she loves fruity-florals because some of the newly developed releases are very nice and also very available and affordable. Since she seems concerned with humanity and social issues, here are some ethical options:
1. “Stella” by Stella McCartney. Very mandarin-rosewatery, papery-tart and slightly sweet but smooth and can be tenacious on the right skin.
2. “Malibu Day” by Pamela Anderson. I don’t care that it’s by the Pamela Anderson brand. I don’t care if it’s cheap as beans. “Malibu Day” is a pleasantly soft, powdery fruity-floral that’s subtle but distinctive.
3. “Peony Bliss” by TerraNova. Tart-powdery but expansive, fresh and sweet, smelling of apples and peonies.
4. “Shea Blossom” by TerraNova. Sweet citrus against a slightly nutty, spicy base.
5. “Inis” and “Inis Or” by Fragrances of Ireland. The first is a crisp, mossy-but-sweet aquatic, the second is a sweeter, fig-laced-with-a-dash-of-mint and smooth woods.
6. “Malibu Lemon Blossom” and “French Lilac” both by Pacifica. The first is a fresh, creamy-tart lemon blend. The second, a soft, creamy-smooth blend that smells of lilac and almond blossom.
7. “Naturelle” by Yves Rocher. Smells like a quieter, sweeter, saltier version of “Light Blue”. Dries down into a cedared earthiness.
8. “June 26th Ile d’Yu” by Crazy Libellule and the Poppies. Powdery-tart and fruity-floral sweet. Available in both solid and cologne form.
All the above brands claim to be eco-friendly and/or donate to various charitable organizations. These fragrances are also all distinctive but subtle, non-intrusive blends (things she can wear while working with clients). She might also me interested in “Aqua di Gio” (fresh, melons-and-lipstick, sweet aquatic) by Armani or “Vanille Galante” (creamy-fresh and slightly earthy) by Hermes, although I’m not sure what either of their “green” credentials are.
Outgoing, personable, likes fruity scents, SoCal… LAP’s Ananas Fizz? Jenny sounds like an Annick Goutal/L’Artisan kind of girl to me. From AG, I’d try Le Chevrefeuille, Mandragore, and some of the Eaux. From LAP, I’d add Mimosa Pour Moi and maybe, for a light, clean, office-friendly natural, Jatamansi. The Aqua Allegorias are worth exploring too. All 3 lines give you a wide range of options that are not too far outside the mainstream, yet aren’t smelled everywhere you go.
Hi, Jenny! I second the L’Artisan Ananas Fizz (which smells more citrusy than pineapple-y), and the Mimosa pour moi. Someone also mentioned Parfum DelRae’s Mythique, which has a nice apricot-y osmanthus note. You might also enjoy DelRae’s Emotionnelle, with its melon note. The Ormonde Jayne line has several tropical florals that seem to have a slight fruitiness (Frangipani, Osmanthus, and Sampaquita). I still like one of the older fruity-florals, Byblos by Byblos (original in the blue bottle), which is more subtle than some of the more recent fruity releases. Give Shalimar Light a try (2003 version; see discussion at NST about which version is which); the lemon/vanilla combo is more pronounced than in the original Shalimar. Daisy by Marc Jacobs was also very nicely done, with a citrus and strawberry edge, but you may find it a little young. L’eau de l’hermine by Lostmarc’h is another floral with a fruity quality that seems somehow more refined than the average. Eau turquoise by Parfums de Nicolai is also interesting. Jo Malone’s Nectarine Blossom and Honey is nice, pretty much lives up to its name. Have fun!
Seconding the Jatamansi, and adding Guerlain’s Mitsouko Fleur de Lotus, which is light but distinctive. Have fun on the hunt!
Hm, maybe something from Escada, they have a lot of fruity scents. Or EL Sensuous, but that is not very fruity or earthy, nevertheless maybe worth a try.
I’ll add a vote for the Hermès Jardin series. They’re perfect gateway drugs, and the first thing that came to mind.
Also from Hermès, Eau de Merveilles or Terre d’Hermès. Maybe Diptyque Oyedo.
Eau des Merveilles! Absolutely. Failing that, Elixir des Merveilles, which offers a similar, but denser and sweeter rendition of oranges.
Second all those above, especially the Jardin de Nil, which is easy to find, less than $100, and smells great and not like everybody else.
Eau de Givenchy (inexpensive at on-line discounters)
Eau de Cartier (carried by all Sephora’s)
Envy (Gucci)
Bizarre, all three begin with ‘E’ …
Also Hiris (Hermes) – give it a few tries, you’ll come to love it
Calyx (Prescriptives), which you can find at Macy’s
Happy sniffing!
Czech and Speake! Try their neroli or maybe a Laura Mercier orange blossom scent just for a change.
Versace Bright Crystal or Dior Addict 2 for fruity sweet but not like Juicy.
Givenchy Very Irresistable.
Bvlgari – I have Rose Essential sitting on my desk.
Coco Mademoiselle or Miss Dior Cherie.
Escada’s Ocean Lounge is totallly fruity – strawberry!
But maybe give a Les Nez a try, just for a change…
Just because of the Coco Chanel I’m going to suggest trying Coromandel and Bois des Iles. (Ok, so that would be pushing the price limit a lot, but there’s always splits and decants!)
I’ve got the perfect one: Lostmarch L’Eau de l’Hermine – it’s fruity, fresh, “with a clean sweetness or sweet cleanness” (roughly PST’s words), unique and reasonably priced. I love it and hope that Jenny and others will give it a try!
Wonderful recommendations so far. I’ll throw in another couple, Jenny.
Since you like Brit Sheer ( yuzu, mandarin, pineapple leaves, lychee, grapes, peony, peach blossom, sweet pea, nashi pear, white musk and amyris wood), give Van Cleef & Arpels First Premier Bouquet a try. It’s got similar notes (bergamot, peach, sweet pea, lily of the valley, green rose, woods, musk and iris), and it’s light and pretty. There’s a little something Light-Blue about it, too — the light rosiness, I think. Bonus: it’s at the discounters for CHEAP — like $20. And it’s very well made.
Another suggestion is Estee Lauder Pure White Linen. It’s got soft fresh flowers, a touch of pear and a really spring-like, garden-like feeling. It’s easy to find and not at all expensive. Again, like the VC&A, it’s very well made, and like Light Blue, it really wafts, and for all its prettiness it’s got a lot of interesting, sophisticated things going on.
Have fun exploring!
Go with the Escada recommendation, my sister is a real fruity floral gal and loves the range. My personal fruity earthy favourite is Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir which is wearing remarkably well in sub zero temperatures, previously worn only in summer. Also loving the recommendation for Malibu Day – I must give that a try, previously wouldn’t have considered it at all!!
The Jo Malone line is good for light fruity/floral that isn’t too sweet. The coffret allows you to try five scents, mix, match, and pay around for less than $100. I assume it is still available after the holidays?
Delurking after about three years (!) to suggest Acca Kappa White Moss, aka White Musk, aka Muschio Blanc ( I read that muschio means moss and musk in Italian). It is not a musky smell, rather a lightly herbal, soapy, fresh and warm scent. Great lasting power with reasonable sillage, the type of scent that emanates order, freshness and sophisticated prettiness, but with a slightly bitter lavender/juniper edge that makes it different and memorable.
Jenny,
I share your taste and like fruity florals. I love Mythique. You might also like Estee Lauder’s Pleasure’s Exotic. (I don’t like the original but I do like the Pleasure’s Exotic.) I also like Jo Malone’s Vanilla Anise. You might like the Tocca fragrances.
Good luck and happy experimenting.
Good idea on the Jo Malone, JillS! I think that Jenny might like several Jo Malones, in fact. Nectarine Blossom and Honey is a very, very pretty one that would also line up with her preferences.
Maybe I’m missing something, since no one else has suggested this, but I think Jenny would really like Beth Terry’s Creative Universe Element of Surprise. Citrus in the opening, then tea and florals – light, refreshing, and sometimes can be found on eBay for well under $100.
Oh, that IS a nice one…seconding that as well!
Yet another vote for Philosykos. Also, Parfums de Nicolai Fig Tea – it’s like Philosykos with a party hat on. In a good way.
Annick Goutal Petite Cherie? Really nice pears.
For fun, it might be worth trying CB I Hate Perfume Gathering Apples. (Y’know, I’m realizing that there are a lot of fruity scents that I’ve been ignoring but apparently kind of like a lot.)
I want to mention Hermessence Osmanthe Yunnan, even though it’s wildly out of the price range and isn’t fruity. But somehow a love for fruit seems consistent with a love for this one. It has that same satisfying, head-filling, but not aggressive feeling that fruit has.
Also wildly out of price range, but bright and happy and fruity, is Hermessence Rose Ikebana. Another scent with a party hat. Actually, the minis for the Hermessences, obtained on Perfumed Court or somewhere, wouldn’t be out of price range, they’d just be small.
Dawn Spencer Hurwitz The Color Orange is a very nice orange.
Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange is also a very nice orange, and _very_ inexpensive.
Based on liking Coco, it might be worth trying Lorenzo Villoresi Yerbamate and L’Artisan Tea for Two. Then again, I may be the only one that sees a relationship there. 🙂
Jo Malone Wild Fig & Cassis. Pretty nice fruit.
Jo Malone White Jasmine & Mint. Also that satisfying head-filling thing, even though it’s mint and not fruit.
Jo Malone in general, really.
Oh, yes, another vote for Mandragore. And possibly L’Occitane’s Bergamot Tea, which is sort of like a younger Mandragore with less life experience.
Hi Jenny,
Many wonderful scents have been suggested so I’ll try to suggest some that are a bit different:
Hermes Kelly Caleche EDP or EDT
Shiseido Feminite du Bois-this can be found on ebay or online discounters . It has also been reissued by Serge Lutens. It has plum and cedar notes that I thought might fit the earthy niche.
DKNY Be Delicious-doesn’t get much fruitier than that!
Mitsouko-oak moss and peach-one of my favorite chypres
Annick Goutal Eau d”Hadrian and Les Nuit d’Hadrien.
Good Luck!
Jenny, I’ll go a different direction and suggest you try Creative Scentualization’s Perfect Nectar. It’s got mango and pineapple topnotes, but has some darker coconut lurking that gives it depth. I’d think of it as a fun spring/summer fragrance, but you should try it. For a great laugh, check out Katie Puckrick’s video review on YouTube. It certainly fits your description and budget request.
Perfect Bliss from the same line might be another good match, but is more floral, with a very pretty gardenia note.
Overall, I’d pile on the Philosykos band wagon for you as well. It is lovely, and another odd thought is layering it with Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab’s “O,” which adds a salty honey vibe to the green fig of Philosykos. L’Artisan makes a gorgeous fig, Premier Figuier, that I’d also point out for your enjoyment. Happy hunting!
Lots of good ideas! Jenny, I agree with those that recommend that you explore the L’Artisan Parfumerie, Annick Goutal, Jo Malone, and Pacifica lines. Best wishes to you!
I love a lot of the recommendations (Philosykos, Eau de Merveilles), so I’d say you’re in good hands!
For some on the earthy side, try Demeter’s Thunderstorm for a nice cheap thrill (smells just like the ground after the rain. They even managed to capture the electricity in the air!) or CB I Hate Perfume’s Black March (little buds poking up from the ground).
For citrus, I love Dior Escale a Portofino (smooth citrus with woods and almond).
For fruity you also might try Estee Lauder Bali Dream (magnolia, ginger, orchid leaves, plum, cedar, temple wood) or if you want it juicier, Jean Paul Gaultier Ma Dame (orange zest, grenadine, rose, cedar musk) is very similar. Bali Dream is usually pretty cheap at TJ Maxx or Cosmetic Company if you have one. I like the new Ed Hardy Hearts and Daggers as well which is blood orange, apple, mango, and cashmere musk (I don’t think it will be too musky for you). Also for something in a different vein, Bvlgari Blv is nice with ginger, wisteria, and sandalwood.
Le Labo Iris 39 – the smaller size for $105.00 has a very earthy scent.
chanel Cristalle.
A number of my suggestions have been mentioned, but I’ll just tease them out:
Annick Goutal, Petite Chèrie (peach, pear, vanilla, fresh cut grass);
La Chasse aux Papillions by L’Artisan Parfumeur (sheer Linden flower blossoms and a meadow);
More pricey, but worth it:
Frédéric Malle’s “En Passent” — perhaps more of an introspective fragrance — delightful white lilacs, covered with light raindrops.
FM’s Lipstick Rose — a delightful, outgoing, feminine fruity rose. Very fun!
I would also suggest Fresh Index scents — Fig Apricot, Citron de Vigne, Pink Jasmine, Sugar Blossom, Cannabis Rose. They are all fairly light and easy to wear, and quite beautiful.
Oh, and last suggestion — more flowery than fruity — in a Pacific-island-holiday sort of way: Manoumalia by LesNez. Very tropical, very unusual, but not cloying.
Other thoughts…
Payard’s Lychee Mousse? Fruity, yet still light and breezy…
L’Artisan’s Jour de Fete… Cote d’Amour… L’Eté en Douce… Fleur d’Oranger… Mandarine Tout Simplement…
Last, but not least, suggestion (I think):
Soivohle Violets and Rainwater — “A clean and refreshing violet note paired with a splash of rain water and the earthiness that comes after the rain. Not overly sweet or cloying. A sensual modern day violet.”
I heartily agree that L’Artisan and Jo Malone perfumes would be a great place for you to start, Jenny. If you’re looking for season-appropriate scents, try L’Artisan’s The Pour un Ete for summer (feather-light jasmine and mint tea. It’s one of my all-time faves!) and Jo Malone’s Vanilla and Anise for winter (a warm, comforting, but light scent). Good luck, can’t wait to hear what you end up trying!