Today we're helping Lilian, who lives in Brazil and wants to find two new fragrances that will work in Brazil's hot weather: one for work and one for not-at-work. She can buy online, and is also planning a trip to the US so will have other shopping opportunities. She isn't worried about the price. Here is what we know about Lilian:
She's a doctor in her early 30s, is active all day long, and says she is happy but introspective.
She wears "colorful but not fancy clothes" ranging from high heels to jeans and t-shirts.
She loves reading, watching movies, running, going to the gym and practicing yoga, and she also loves nature and camping with her boyfriend.
Lilian would like her daytime fragrance to be "fresh, a bit elegant and remarkable", and she'd prefer something other than citrus. Right now she wears Estee Lauder Pleasures to work, and she likes it but wants something different.
The second fragrance should work for evening, but should not be so heavy that she couldn't also wear it during the day. It should make her feel good and have a fun spirit, and it could be something "a bit weird and curious".
Lilian likes green floral scents, earth scents, moss and wood scents, and dry and peppery notes. She doesn't like gourmands or overly spicy scents, and she doesn't like overbearing florals or fruits.
Fragrances that Lilian has liked: Estee Lauder Pleasures, Gucci Envy, Dior Diorissimo (although it's probably too floral), Tommy Hilfiger Dreaming & Tommy Girl (but it's probably too "cute"), Guerlain Precious Heart (probably a bit too sweet) and Ralph Lauren Style & Romance.
Fragrances she doesn't like: Thierry Mugler Angel (too sweet), Chanel No. 5 (too mature) and No. 19, Donna Karan Black Cashmere (made her sick), Clinique Aromatics Elixir, Cacharel LouLou (bleh!) and Anais Anais (too mature), Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, Marc Jacobs Daisy, Davidoff Cool Water, Issey Miyake L'Eau de Issey (doesn't last), Nautica Voyage, Bvlgari Omnia (and all of the flankers), Christian Dior Poison (all of them), D&G The One, Hermès Eau des Merveilles.
What say you?
Note: image is Postbox [cropped] by rebel rebel at flickr; some rights reserved.
Some green nominations: Nanadebary Green, Bel Respiro, L’Ombre dans L’eau, Fresh Cucumber Baie, Herba Fresca, Verte Violette, Sel de Vetiver (or other vetivers).
OOOOOO, Bel Respiro! Yes, yes, yes! It has the elegance of No. 19, but is less, how shall I say, “mature” for the younger set (of which I am no longer a member.)
In huge agreement with Bel Respiro for day wear
absolutely agree on Bel Respiro, my next thing to buy, at least a huuuge decant
HI! I would like to know from which brand Nanadebary Green, L’Ombre dans L’eau and Fresh Cucumber Baieis are. Thank you!
The Nanadebary Green is from Nanadebary, the L’Ombre Dans L’Eau is from Diptyque, and the Fresh Cucumber is from Fresh. If you go to the bottom of this page, on the right hand side you can find links to all the perfume houses, and you can find out more about all of those brands through those links.
Hi, green and floral and warm humid weather made me think, for the evening scent, of my beloved Lys méditerranée. Lily, green, leafy and summery, very intense with a whiff of sea breeze. Just beautiful
I’ll second the Nanadebary Green and Verte Violette.
How about Ormonde Jayne woman, for that “weird and curious” feel?
I’m also a big fan of “green” scents and like Unicorn Spell. Today I’m wearing Creative Universe Mare and think you might like this too (the bottle is HUGE!) The green by Kilian is nice too (can’t remember the name…Absinthe maybe??)
the green by Kilian is “a taste of heaven”….
it is very strong on lavender and vanilla; if you like it you’d proabably like caron’s pour un homme…
Oh! And Prelude to Love is a neat, citrus green!
I thought of OJ Woman right away, for evening wear
I agree with the Ormond Jayne suggestion. You would have to order the sample set.
Echo the OJ Woman recommendations, for evening; I wonder if you would also like her Champaca, with its spicy note. Also try Parfums de Nicolai Odalisque for a classic daytime. Les Nez Manoumalia I also found an elegant floral that is not overpowering. For something that no one else will be wearing, you could do worse than Parfums 06130 Lierre rose (which doesn’t smell like it has any rose in it, but a boxwood / ivy / jasmine). Last of all, would you consider a leather scent, like Cuir de Lancome?
Hi Lilian!
As a green floral for day, I suggest:
Kai oil (also available in EDP) or By Kilian Beyond Love (which can be also used in the evenings). The latter, despite being a tuberose scent, works wonders in hot climates!!
For earthy, woody smells I think of VC&A bois d’iris, The different company Bois d’iris, or exploring the l’Artisan Parfumeur line, which might also provide you with nice fresh-but-not-citrusy options.
In the fresh cathegory I would also mention Santa Maria Novella “aqua di melograno”. Clean and refreshing – but different.
For the evening, a green floral option could be Frederic Malle le parfum de therese. Personally I don’t get it, but apparently it’s an acclaimed masterpiece …
I was thinking Kai, too. If Kai isn’t perfect for Brazil, I don’t know what is!
Another Malle that might work is L’Eau d’Hiver, a lovely Jean-Claude Ellena creation.
Daytime: you sound like a Chanel 31 Rue Cambon candidate. Bois des Iles might work too…they’re both dry and peppery and elegant. No citrus! You might work through the L’Artisan line. Safran Troublant and L’Eau de L’Artisan are some of my hot summer faves (I’m in Florida.)
PM: hmmm…Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur. Always worth a try. Happy hunting!
Seconding all of those!
My very first thought was Manoumalia by LesNez! I am, by no means, a big floral girl but this gorgeous tiare scent has blown me away! It is exquisite and unique and remarkably elegant. It has a brilliant tropical personality without ever plunging into the full-on Malibu/coconut/tanning oil arena (nothing against Malibu, I should add…) Manoumalia is lushly green yet understated with an almost undetectable earthy/”dirty” note. She’s no sillage monster and would be completely acceptable at work, but absolutely shines at night.
Obviously, I’m biased. I love it so much that I wore it all throughout Paris, Heidelberg, Geneva, and Vevey last year. And, yes, she is Full Bottle worthy!
I second Manoumalia!
I was thinking about Maoumalia too, might be too flowery, but isn’t sweet or “old”.
For weird, earthy-woody: you could sample Miller Harris’s L’air de rien (for the evening). Reverie au Jardin (Andy Tauer) could be a greenish scent for daytime
I’ll be the fourth to recommend Manoumalia! It’s the scent that immediately suggested itself when I read the post. Just stunningly gorgeous!
Ad for a green scent, how about Dawn Spencer Horrowitz’s Celadon?
The notes are*:
Top notes: Clover Leaf, Cucumber, Lime Peel
Middle notes: Green Grass, Liatrix, Orris, Orris Root
Base notes: Balsam Fir, Hay absolute, Narcissus Absolute, Tonka Bean, Violet Leaf Absolute
Another suggestion would be Miller et Bertaux No. 3 Green, Green, Green which has laurel, bay leaves, verbena, sap, coriander, jasmine, cedar, vetiver and musk. It’s lovely and refreshing.
You have made me want to try this.
My first thought for fresh, elegant and non-citrus was Goutal’s Un Matin d’Orage. For a green scent I’d recommend Miller et Bertaux’s No. 3, Green, green, green and green. It is what it says! For an earthly and unusual green that can be worn anywhere, I’d recommend Miller Harris’ Fleurs de Sel.
Hello!
I would like to suggest Dior’s Diorella, AdP Iris Nobile EdP for the nighttime but can also be worn during the day.
Have fun sampling!
~Dawn
Ooops, meant to say, Dior’s Diorella for the daytime and then AdP Iris Nobile EDP for evenings but it could also be used for the daytime.
For an elegant green try Parfums Nicolai Odalisque and Le Temps D’Une Fete, Chanel Bel Respiro and Cristalle (in EDT) Ormonde Jayne Tiare. Annick Goutal range is well worth trying too. Ninfeo Mio is their latest green floral fragrance and is getting a lot of positive reviews.
For an evening scent, Penhaligon’s Amaranthine fits the weird and curious description perfectly.
Second nearly all this, except the 2 I haven’t smelled. 😀
I don’t think it really fits what you’re looking for, but while in the US, you should definitely explore the CB I Hate Perfume line for fun. Earthy, green, mossy, nature, camping, yoga.. all this made me think of CBIHP.
Also going to add the new Balenciaga Paris for a green daytime scent.
I second Miller et Bertaux’s No. 3, Green, green, green and green. In fact you might want to check out their other fragrances to see if #1 or #2 works for your evening/other scent.
Oh yeah! I second the M&B Green3
Third on the Green Green Green!
Yep!
for day maybe VC&A Muguet Blanc , or definitely try Guerlain Chamade….or the new PG Papyrus de Ciane which was very peppery to my nose. Of course I love 31 Rue Cambon for evening—it always feels sophisticated to me. Ormonde Jayne Woman also very nice for evening…..I adore just about anything OJ…..Tolu would be too spicy, but Orris Noir and Ta’if are beee-yooo-teeful.
Oh and I just thought of something else you might find interesting–this is more “day” : Mona di Orio Amyitis….I just got a split, it’s taking me a day or so to really start liking it—I’m usually more gourmands and big spicy fragrances—but it’s growing on me and it has a bit of a tangy green note that might be nice in the heat. Good luck!
Seconding the Chamade – a gorgeous, classic green scent. Also would add Sonoma Scent Studio’s Champagne de Bois.
I’ve become quite the Chamade Ho lately. 🙂
Most of my first thoughts have been covered, but I’ll toss out a few more. Any of the Hermes Jardins sound perfect for a daytime scent (especially Sur le Nil, but if Mousson doesn’t come across as melon on you, that could be just the thing). I’d also suggest trying an oldie (available at discounters), RL Safari.
Yes, having tried it this weekend for the first time, I was going to suggest le Nil. That would be lovely on a hot Brazil day.
Oh, and one more thought, because it was one I only liked on hot humid summer evenings: Tom Ford’s Black Orchid Voile de Fleur.
Daisy and the others have suggested some really great ones, Lilian. You are in excellent hands here.
This is deja vu, but recently I recall recommending a Monday Mail woman try the entire Hermes Hermessences line and everything done by Jean-Claude Ellena and his daughter Celine for their own line The Different Company. At the risk of being repetitive, I’ll make the same recommendations. 😉
It’s all about the base in this case. When I read “fresh, a bit elegant and remarkable” it just clicked. All the notes you mention are spot-on with these two lines as well: green floral scents, earth scents, moss and wood scents, and dry and peppery notes.
Also, as several have mentioned, do try the Ormonde Jaynes and the Chanel Les Exclusifs. For evening, 31 Rue Cambon is quietly magnificent. Ormonde Jayne offers a sample set online for a good price.
Since money is no object (you fortunate thing!) it wouldn’t hurt to try Jubilation 25 from Amouage. It’s an excellent modern chypre and elegantly glam for night.
The last one I’ll mention, because I’m wearing it now and it seems like a good fit for you (I’m a firm believer in serendipity) is Guerlain Vetiver pour Elle. It’s green and earthy with light florals, medium-light in weight, exceptionally well-blended and I imagine it would work beautifully in Brazil’s hot weather.
Let us know what you fall in love with!
Robin, each and every one of these is a fabulous suggestion. I second the hell out of 31 Rue Cambon.
The Ellena jumped out at me too!
My first thought was The Different Company’s Un Parfum de Charmes et Feuilles – an odd (and green!) marjoram, sage, peppermint scent that is very fresh with barely any citrus.
I also love Bulgari Green Tea, and it can be found at a discount. I happen to love White Tea, but you might find it too fleeting.
Jubilation is a wonderful scent for evening. And Guerlain’s Vetiver is wonderful in both the men’s and ladie’s versions. If you’re willing to cross gender lines, you may also like their Guerlain Homme which is a fresh mint mojito scent that manages to be refreshing without falling in to a citrus cliche.
For earthy, I love L’Artisan’s DZING! which is supposed to simulate the scent of the circus and smells like hay, dust and cardboard to me. Delicious! Their Ete en Douce is a lovely hay scent, but sweeter and more feminine.
Finally, Comme des Garcons #3 is a favorite – green basil incense sparks. And Odeur 71 is a dusty green electric light bulb incense cedar scent that I find quite refreshing.
Love the comment “dusty green electric lightbulb” scent!
I think you might like the Estee Lauder Private Collection Jasmine White Moss. It’s not very daring, but meets the other requirements.
Lillian, I know of two floral green scents available at the discounters, Pure and Shi, both by Alfred Sung. A
Hi everyone,
If Lillian likes dry peppery notes, for day, Hermes eau de Gentiane Blanche might be very nice.
And for green floral/wood scents, I think Le Labo’s Rose 31. It is a green, light floral, slight woods drydown. It has excellent staying power and could be worn for daytime too.
Happy sniffing!
I second Le Labo Rose 31. It’s fantastic!
Oh, I just thought of another lovely scent, Jour Ensoleille. The perfumer is Laurie Erickson from Sonoma Scent Studio.
I just sampled it recently and it is truly wonderful. Greens and mosses, soft woody/chypre in the base.
You’ve already gotten a number of great recommendations, but here are a few other wonderful fresh and elegant perfumes you might try:
– l’Artisan Parfumeur’s The Pour Un Ete, which is green tea and jasmine. It does have some lemon, but I find it burns off quickly
– Annick Goutal’s Eau de Camille: wonderfully green, tho softened by a honeysuckle note that lends roundness more than sweetness. It is fresh, but in a french-perfume style which gives it elegance and longevity
– Editions de Parfums: l’Eau d’Hiver, which is fresh and remarkable…but not that long lasting (still worth a try)
– Prada Infusion d’Iris: fresh and a bit elegant, no citrus, lasts forever on me
– You might also try l’Artisan’s l’Ete en Douce, which is linden flower, perhaps not green enough but it has a lovely summer simplicity to it and no citrus.
I’d also second Chanel’s Cristalle EDT (not the EDP, which is fruity), which can work as a more formal scent. It is so elegant and fresh. I hesitate because Cristalle does include citrus–but in a Chanel way, so if you haven’t tried it, it’s very worth trying.
And as someone else suggested, Jubilation 25 for evening: similar to Cristalle initially, but then takes you much farther. Very unique and remarkable.
Great luck with your search!
For day, I would second Hermes Jardin sur le Nil and add Hermes Osmanthus Yunnan. Ineke Balmy Days and Sundays would also be good – it is a little floral, but light and green and I love it. Deseo is another summer favorite of mine and can be had for $15 or less at discount shops (Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, etc.).
Love the recommendations and strongly second/third the Jardins (possibly more the mediterranee than the Nil if you want to avoid citrus and like earthy notes), Kai oil (for very long-lasting green floral indulgence), OJ’s Tiare (very subtle beauty) and Matin d’Orage (wet gardenia nectarine that never becomes too fruity-sweet). Am also loving Hampton Sun’s Privet Bloom EdP when I get my green cravings (gorgeous long-lasting fragrance that even comes in a green bottle:), perfumesmellingthings.com did a spot on review). And for a cheap fresh thrill in hot weather (more a body spray than a long-lasting perfume): l’Occitane’s Green Tea with Mint.
For the evening, I am thinking Vetiver Tonka by Hermes for something with with a quirk that can easily be worn during the day too? Hope you’ll enjoy your sampling.
Hi Lillian! There are lots of good suggestions already. It sounds like your tastes overlap a lot with mine! Here are some that I think you might like:
• Parfums Nicolai Le Temps D’Une Fete (perfect green floral)
• L’Artisan Fleur de Liane (slightly aquatic and earthy green floral)
• Eau d’Italie Magnolia Romana (slightly aquatic green floral)
• Guerlain Vetiver pour Elle (see post by Robin R.)
• Diptyque Philosykos (juicy fig with cedar base – special!)
• Ormonde Jayne Woman (very alluring deep green forest)
• Henry Dunay Sabi (elegant, symphonic green floral)
All of the above should work well in warm weather. You may also want to explore other vetivers, like The Different Company Sel de Vetiver, Annick Goutal Vetiver, and Etro Vetiver; and some light incense blends, like The Different Company Un Parfum des Sens et Bois and Jo Malone Lotus Blossom & Water Lily.
Best wishes with your quest!
I will enthusiastically echo what many others suggested: Jayne Ormonde Woman. It is a very unusual and sophisticated green scent, for both evening and day wear. Guerlain Herba Fresca is one of my green frags, too. It’s light and outdoorsy, but has some staying power. If you’d like to explore some modern chypres, you may try The Different Company Sublime Balkiss (this one is juicy). I cannot wear the original Chanel #5, either, but I find that its newer sister Eau Premiere is much friendlier and versatile.
While you are at it, you may also try Serge Lutens Daim Blond, which is one of my summer favorites. It is fairly dry, contains just a hint of fruit for balance, and some nice suede.
My favorite non-citrusy green scent is Estee Lauder’s original Private Collection. It is getting increasingly harder to find but it’s worth the hunt. If you try it, you may be tempted to spray it on with abandon because it feels very re-freshing going on. However, please be aware that it has “mega” sillage not just a lot of sillage, mega is the word here! A very little will go a long, long way! Have fun shopping!
For fresh and remarkable, she might try some of the Heeley fragrances, such as Menthe Fraiche (mint tea) or Verveine. The only problem is they might quickly disappear in the heat (Rio reached 115 deg F = 46 C last month).
Second (third or fourth?) a Sung for the day scent — clean yet very grounded and round.
I would recommend Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche for daytime use, it seems very fresh, outdoorsy and slightly woodsy to me. The notes include water hyacinth, jasmine, patchouli and vetiver. There’s also a note that smells to me like pencil shavings (maybe that’s the vetiver?) but somehow it’s extremely attractive. It wears well in the heat. Plus, it’s reasonable enough that she could spring for a niche, too, if she found one that struck her fancy. Happy shopping!
Also, Hermes Kelly Caleche: Floral green, iris, rose, woody. It’s my SOTD, love it!
2nd the Kelly Caleche!
Another voice for Hermès Kelly, in the EdT Version but also try the EdP version, and waht about L’Artisan Parfumeur Fleur de Liane, which is green and earthy and great (actually lemming this for summer, fits perfect in a brazilian atmosphere I could imagine!)
I do not know exactly the AMOUAGE, but waht I know from them semlls definitely “expensive” and distinctive. Surely worth a try.
Otherwise is Serge Lutens a line that is a bit weird, but it needs some time to get used to it imho.
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue sounds like a great fit!
Adding to the chorus of great suggestions, I second/third or fourth many of them including:
Day:
* EL Jasmine White Moss
* OJ Tiare
* I also suggest Annick Goutal Chevrefeuille (which I don’t think has been covered yet)
Night:
* OJ Woman
* And how about Shieseido/Serge Lutens Feminite du Bois for the love of something woody
I second the Este Lauder Jasmine White Moss, and the EL Private Collection–Fresh cut green grasses, and think you might want to try the new Bond No. 9 High Line, it’s green, citusy clean, freshly cut Pulips for a hot summer day.
oops! I ment Tulips. sorry can’t spell. I’m not sure if any one mentioned the new one that Kevin reviewed the other day it’s from Parfumerie Generale Papyrus De Ciane….It herbal green, I was testing it and it came to mind.
Everyone has suggestion just about everything I would have except Apres L’Ondee for daily wear and Sublime Balkiss by The Different Company (someone may have suggested that).
You can’t go wrong with Feminite du Bois suggested by ScentRed. Serge Lutens Bois de Violette is the best, but you can only get that in Paris.
Good Luck!
Hi!! I really appreciate all your recommendations! Here in Brazil, I ´ve never seen most of then, but I´ll try during my trip. Recently I´ve tried “Un Jardin apres la Mousson” and “…Sur Nil”, and I liked the first one because for me the Nil was a bit too citrus, but of course very nice too. I also tried the D& G collection and I liked the number one (Le Bateleur) and 18 (La Lune). And Robin must be joking saying that money was not my problem, I´ve said that: if the perfum is nice, I´ll buy, maybe after I´ve sold my own eye (well, this is a joke…). Thank you, Robin, chosing me for this post!
A Scent by Issey Miyake is green and woody and with a reasonable price. Although it´s fresh I can swear it lasts forever so apply with measure!!!
For night time I would suggest Chanel Allure Sensuelle
2nd the rec of a scent by Issey Miyake. Very fresh and different.
A lot of great suggestions here! I would add Frederic Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire for daytime; it has a tiny bit of citrus up top, but the pink pepper, cedar, vetiver and oakmoss dominate.
I second most of the Ormonde Jayne recs, but I’d suggest also trying Ormonde Man. Its dry-down is sweetly resinous enough that it’s easily unisex, and I find it woodier and smoother than the more violet-laden Ormonde Woman.
Good luck finding your fragrance!
After I eliminate duplicates with other folks’ recommendations, mine are:
– Jo Malone White Jasmine & Mint (a lovely green jasmine and, well, mint. :))
– Serge Lutens Un Lys (gorgeous floral that would work for evening or day)
– Serge Lutens Tubereuse Criminelle (wonderful really weird floral – tuberose with some gasoline.)
– Parfumerie Generale Iris Taizo/Iris Oriental (wonderful dry powdery iris)
– Parfumerie Generale Cuir d’Iris (wonderful weird leather/iris)
– Parfumerie Generale Tubereuse Couture (wonderful slightly weird floral – tuberose with some green.)
– Parfums de Nicolai Number One (another gorgeous floral, reminds me of Un Lys, but more daytimeish)
– Le Labo Jasmin 17 (green jasmine)
– Balmain Ivoire (A ladylike green floral, but a lady with a sense of humor.)
– l’Artisan Parfumeur Fou d’Absinthe (anise and absinthe vapors)
When you didn’t like No. 19, which strength was it? If you haven’t tried the parfum, and you get a chance to (probably a decant is the only way), it’s definitely worth trying.
Evening Fragrance: Le Labo Iris 39
Daytime Fragrance: L’Artisan Eau D’ete (sp?)
Hey Lilian – if you’re still reading…
I tried Miller Harris Fleur de Bois last night and it might be worth a sniff. It’s green and dry and takes a variety of twists and turns as it develops. Despite the name, for me it is more about herbs and woods than flowers. And although it contains citrus notes, it isn’t at all typical because the citrus is green tangerine and a bit of tart lemon combined with a jasmine flower. I think it could work as a daytime scent (with a light hand) or an alluring evening scent.
Hi!! I ‘ve read all the comments and I need to know this brand Miller Harris… I’ve checked and saw that there this shop in the city I’m going to! Maybe you don’t know a brand here in Brazil, “Natura”, and there is a scent called “Breu branco” that I liked because of the wood notes.
Hi! Maybe some would like to know about my choice, so let’s tell you what I’ve found…
I didn’t had the opportunity to try some like, Hermessences and Miller fragrances (I wish I could…)but I tried to find most of then. I chose Lys Mediterranee and Carnal Flower (this for evening), But I l loved Reverie au Jardin, and I think that my next will be this … Thank you everyone for helping me!