An easy question for a lazy weekend: what fragrance(s) instantly improve(s) your mood?
Your host this weekend is Tara. If you haven't met, please say hello to Tara:
Note: image is green [cropped] by Shahram Sharif at flickr; some rights reserved.
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Hi Tara!
Jaipur Homme EDP – lemon oriental
Egoiste – Sandalwood cinnamon
These two always smell terrific and improve my posture, putting less of a scowl on my face
Now if I would stop getting politically-related phone calls ——–
nah, I don’t do the smile thing
Hi Bear,
I have always loved Egoiste!
Well, it is political-phone-call time of year. Hopefully that will stop by next week!!
I just smelled Egoiste on someone recently and determined that I must have some. Lovely stuff.
Bear, I would have overlooked Egoiste, but now that you’ve mention it, I remember that it IS one that I turn to for spicy happiness.
Hi All !
If push came to shove and I had to pick one scent to wear forever
Egoiste would be it. Absolutely fantastic !
Montale Vanille Absolu
SSS Champagne de Bois
Esteban Sensuelle Russie
Hypnotic Poison
Ginestet Botrytis
Les Nereides Patchouli Antique
DSH Le Chevalier D’Automne and Robe de Zibeline
Caswell-Massey Hot Stuff! (in no particular order).
I love the big honey I get from Ginestet Botrytis. It makes me smile!
I neglected to add a cheery morning greeting!
Hi Tara!
I should have put on an extra dose of Esteban this AM as it is a slow-to-be-enthusiastic day.
Hi Cornflower,
I totally understand. My kids (and now I, but I don’t have to leave for work until 8:00) get up to go to school at 6 a.m. every morning. So on the weekends, it is a challenge being cheery before noon.
L’Heure Bleu always brings a smile to my face and comfort to my soul.
Thanks for host today, Tara!
Hi Dixie,
I am so excited about doing this poll. As a Guerlain Girl since my father started buying my mother Shalimar in the 70s, I find many of the Guerlains make me happy. My current love is Quand Vient la Pluie which I got as a sample from TPC. Now all I have to do is either to win lotto or rob a bank to be afford an FB.
QVLP is gorgeous!
Oh Tara,
You made me want to try Quand Vient la Pluie so bad now.
Dixie, I love L’Heure Bleu too. But to me it’s got more of a calm and gloomy feel, which I enjoy very much some times.
Na,
QVLP is beautiful and definitely worth trying, but soo expensive and now hard to find.
Hi Tara!
Pretty, rosie things always make me happy. Paris, Mille et Une Roses, and West Side come to mind. I’m always looking for new ones–any suggestions?
Hi Fluffypuppy,
I am not a big rose lover, but I do really enjoy OJ Ta’if and Eau d’Italie Paestum Rose. I think they are both beautiful in very different ways! I like West Side too, especially at this time of year.
Paestum Rose is so sexy! I’m sniffing Putain des Palaces today, thanks to Joe. It’s a soft musky rose-just lovely!
I kind of remember Putain des Palaces as s little ginger ale-ey. Am I thinking of something else?
ELO’s Vraie Blonde is a bit on the ginger ale side. Maybe that’s what you’re thinking of? Putain des Palaces is a little like, uh, musty victorian underwear.
I really like PdP, but the dry down makes me blush.
YOSH Sottile is a very pretty rose soliflore, and lasts forever. I get a good 12 hours out of it, and I have scent eating skin. Czech & Speake Dark Rose is nice too.
I tried Sottile at Art with Flowers the other day, and I liked it. I haven’t tried Dark Rose yet, but “dark” roses generally are a different rose category for me than the pretty, rosie-rose ones. Pretty roses almost always work for me, unless they’re too white-musky, but dark roses are hit or miss. Which is all a long way of saying, I really need to try Dark Rose!
Woohooo! Fluffy, you’ve brought your question to just the right place! Happy roses, you say? well…the “happiest” rose I can think of is:
1. Cartier So Pretty
2. So Pretty Sirop des Bois (think rose with a dollop of raspberry jam) 3. Montale Roses Elixir –rose candy
4. Montale Taif Roses –big fat pink roses in the hot sun
5. Montale Highness Rose –the biggest, truest, knock you on your fanny Red Velvety Rose ever. HG material & spendy
6. FM Lipstick Rose –sweet little pink roses –very much a feel-good rose
7. L’Artisan Drole de Rose —you’ll want to get out your fluffy cashmere sweater for this one, it’s very much like Lipstick Rose, very feminine, kind of jammy, soft and well, just really good stuff.
8. OJ Ta’if Rose has already been mentioned…this is a little woody to me
9. Micallef Rose Aoud—beautiful jammy roses–luscious! gets loads of compliments
10. Jean Patou Joy edt—(not Edp ) —sexy roses
11. Lyric woman–sexy woody rose (mostly woods to me)
12. FM Une Rose –big red, winey rose
13. Hermessence Rose Ikebana –light zesty rose
14. Rosine Un Zeste de Rose —citrusy rose
15. DSH Arabian Rose —hot spicey straight up roses
16. DSH Tea Rose —more straight up roses
17. That Slut Tocade —knock you over the head and drag you off to her lair rose
18. Teo Cabanel Oha –big rose, slightly dark…good for listening to classical piano music.
19. Teo Cabanel Early Roses—frisky fun roses early in the morning still covered with dew in the brisk air.
20. Creed The de Rose Bulgare –realistic, wild rose bushes all around you…
21. Guerlain Rose Barbare— AnnS could describe this better, it’s one of her favorites.
22. Une Rose Chypree —big, hot, cinnamony rose –captivating.
There’s some roses to think about
awesome blossom, you’re such a pro!!!
one day your name will be equvivalent to rose expert
I would add Caron Parfum Sacre to that fabulous rose list!
Wow, Daisy that’s an amazing list. Thanks…
I would add the Pink Room and JHAG Citizen Queen . Also check Raphaella’s Roses at sniffapaloozamagazine.com , she has done a four part series and covers every rose known to perfumedom !
Tres cool! Thannks
Wow! Thank you, Daisy, and everyone else, for the suggestions!
Oh, Daisy! Where would we be without you? I am going to experiment right away. I love profiting from other people’s questions.
Hey, I busted out that sample of Oha last night… it’s VERRA nice!
Joe isn’t Oha good?!
That’s one decant I swapped away and now I kind’ve regret it.
It was alot of patch’ on me but I loved the chypre feel it had..
I may not be the Patch-a-phobe that Mals is, but you know if I get too big a whiff of patch I run like mad. In Oha I think it remains fairly subtle….but that’s me. Mostly I get roses but the patch just keeps it from turning too squeaky clean (if that makes any sense)
Daisy you are always makin’ sense to my nose.
I can handle patch’ too, my tolerance has built up alot! ha
A drunken homeless man complimented me on Une Rose Chypree last night. It is appreciated by all walks of life, and therefore highly recommended.
Miss Kitty, how did you get that close to a drunken homeless man?
Actually, I used to work with the homeless, so it was pretty much a daily occurrence.
But I happened to be in Old Town (part of downtown Portland) last night, and just walked past this guy, who apparently thought I smelled good, and decided to shout it out. (Ok, what he actually said was, “You girls smell wonderful!” as my friends and I walked by. But since my friends weren’t wearing anything detectable– unless you count my one friend smelling like cigarettes– I chose to believe he was talking to me and my Une Rose Chypree.)
: DDDDDD
Miss Kitty:
Perhaps I missed it, but what fragrance(s) did you decide to wear to the new job?
I actually start Monday, so it’s TBD.
I think I will just wear a little solid fragrance the first day or two, and then maybe scented lotion the next couple of days. I figured I’d just gauge things from there and proceed accordingly. Thanks for asking. :0
That was meant to be a smiley face at the end, not a… whatever that is.
Miss Kitty- Even drunkards recognize.
WORD.
What about Rance Laetitia, has anybody tried that? It’s a patch-rose combo – a scent that was first made for Napoleon’s mom. Hauntingly lovely stuff
Are there any roses left? LOL… So Pretty is definitely my fav happy rose. And Rose Barbare? I can hardly describe it I like it so much. Roses on buttered toast is what I’m thinking today. How about L’Arte de Gucci & Mitsouko & Nahema went on a three way and ended up with one gorgeous baby.
WOW!! we all like a LOT of rose fragrances!!! Poor Fluffy—you gotz some big testing to do girl!!! If you want, email me at Daisyloo82 AT gmail dot com and I can send you some Happy Rose samples
Daisy – EARLY ROSES??? It’s in? Arrrgh… off to Posh Peasant to hunt up a sample…
I will add Annick Goutal’s Rose Absolue and Ce Soir Ou Jamais to Daisy’s list of Roses – Sheer, true, and beautiful!
Oops – Forgot to mention the SSS roses: Velvet Rose – true rose (a bit soapy); Rose Musc – a favorite among NST’ers; Cameo – dreamy rose-violet-orris-sandalwood; and Vintage Rose – a thick and jammy rose-plum blend for the more adventurous.
Seconding the Cameo – very romantic and old fashioned – in a good way!
Second Cameo, Rose Musc, and Velvet Rose.
Thirding (fourthing?) the Cameo, but with anger.
You can’t get it anymore! Gosh @##$in’ darn it!
I know, and I never bought a bottle.
Wait a minuite…. You can’t get Cameo anymore? Think I’ve missed out on something – Laurie just reformulated it a year ago and it still has the oakmoss in it. In fact, she even mentioned it’s going to stay in her exclusive line.
You are right! I just checked. Cameo is on her list. It’s Opal that I was thinking about. I like that one too, and wish I had bought a bottle.
Rose Musc – awesome. Velvet Rose – awesome. And I love Goutal’s Ce Soir ou Jamais edp which I don’t wear nearly enough – it is so dark & intense. Just gorgeous!
Even though it is mainstream as all get-out I like Stella. Just a nice lightweight rose.
Also LeLabo Rose 31 (peppery rose), PdN Balkis (jammy), MPG Rose Muskissime (spicy jammy).
Also enjoy PG Rose Brulure and TDC Rose Poivree – both very different and true to their names.
I find Jicky (in extrait) very comforting, I think it’s the combination of lavender and vanilla which is what I mostly get out of it.
I really should have mentioned this one in yesterday’s Top 10 since I find it particularly enjoyable at this time of the year.
I have out my tiny sample of Jicky and try it today.
Yay for Jicky! It’s been quite a while since I wore it myself, time to dig it out, I think!
Grand Amour, without fail, brings a smile to my face when I smell it. I can’t think of anything else that has such an instantaneous effect. Lipstick Rose makes me smile because it’s so *silly* and girly; but for ‘feel good’ alone, GA is it.
I know Lipstick Rose makes me laugh and I am not sure I want other people laughing at my scent.
I think almost all of the AG are beautiful, smooth, soothing perfumes.
Tommasina: I really love Grand Amour, and to me it is springtime in a bottle. I found Bas de Soie to be a bit similar, but the drydown of that one gets a bit “rotting green” on me. Really, GA is an underrated treasure.
Hello Tara, I like the question.
All my perfumes make me feel good, from melancholic good to comforted good to sexy good. I’m still new enough to perfumes that I didn’t get the chance to smell everything that’s out there (ok, I’ll never smell everything…)
But till now, Eau Claire des Merveilles makes me instantly joyful and happy. It has almost the same impact on me as champagne has.
You know, for some reason I have not tried many of the Hermes. I do have Vanilla Galante, which I like. I have to make a better effort to sniff the offerings from that house.
I never had the chance to try the Hermenessence Collection.
But Eau des Merveilles, Eau Claires des Merveilles, 24, Fabourg and Eau de Pamplemousse Rose are my favourites.
Pamplemousse Rose is a happy one!
I agree with you! My favorites are my favorites BECAUSE they never fail to make me happy! montale vanilla extasy, back to black, Donna Karan gold, Ava luxe No. 23, and 24, Faubourg is a new addition to this list! You make me want to smell more Chanels.
Drat, I meant Hermes! Let’s blame typing on the iPhone…
Yes!
Hermes has some really well done compositions.
Yes me too!!! Sometimes you want to play with moods like nostalgia, reflection, even being a bit cranky and wearing Cristalle!
Perfumes that instantly improve my mood:
1. Chanel No. 5 (in any form)
2. Hermes Hiris
3. Andy Tauer Un Rose Chypre
4. Amouage Lyric Woman
5. Ormande Jayne Woman
OJ Woman is like wearing magic, although it does not have the best lasting power on me.
Oh, that’s such a shame. It lingers for some time on me. Have you tried spraying your clothes?
No haven’t tried that….thanks..I’ll try it.
Ok –this is probably TMI but….when you really want your fragrance to last you can try a spritz or two (or more if it’s a really light scent) on the front of your…..”underdrawers” when you are getting dressed. The fabric holds the fragrance and it gets warmed by your skin. Now, if you have extortionately expensive lingerie you might not want to do this…but if you’re shopping at Kohl’s like me and your undies don’t rival a mortgage payment—well , it might be worth a try.
@Daisy… I totally do that! Get halfway dressed and spritz… then finish dressing. Then the wrists and back of neck. 4 spritzes for most days.
@ Daisy teehee! Perfume goes where ANYWHERE girl.:D
Hmmm quite ‘warm’ down there. Makes sense.:P
don’t forget the booty!
What a great way to describe OJ Woman. “Like wearing magic” – I love that, Tara!
Thanks… I really wished it lasted longer….I wonder if I apply it over scentless lotion if that would help?
Funny how so many Guerlains are mentioned already! While I don’t wear it too often, and it’s not a relaxing scent, Mitsouko always gives me a pick me up, and makes me feel prettier, smarter, and more interesting. Sort of like the perfume equivalent of coffee, I suppose; get my edgy on. That and Tabac Blond, but since TB is twice the price I usually fall back on Mitsouko.
For a more comforting scent, I turn to Chergui; I swear it lowers my blood pressure.
But like Rosagreen said, all my perfumes make me fell good, in different ways.
My decant of Blond Tabac is on its way. I’ve read about this perfume for years and can’t wait to try it. So far the Carons have not worked for me.
Maybe the Guerlains are mentioned frequently as mood enhancing because of their use of vanilla? Or maybe they have been around so long that people have special connections with certain Guerlains?
Ah, you’re in for a real treat with the TB. I’ve tried numerous Carons too, and it’s far and away the stand-out.
Yes, you’re probably right, with the vanilla or Guerlinade present in so many of their frags. Mm, Guerlain.
To me it’s just that the Guerlain’s are SO good and so beautifully composed – smelling them is like listening to Bach or Vivaldi – they’re just good for the brain
Ohhh…i just ordered a sample from TPC of Tabac Blond. I am so excited to smell it. I have read and re read the notes and reviews and it sounds so beautiful… !!
I am excited too, Can’t wait for my decant to arrive.
Is it weird that I can’t think of one? For me, it’s all about “hitting the spot,” but “the spot” changes every day. I can’t think of a scent that hits it every time without fail…me kinda sad now…
Well, what hits the spot today?
Tried three today: Avignon, a SSS (can’t remember which one) and Orchidee Vanille. OV won.
Oh, I know. I don’t have a bottle now, and have not worn it in years, but Caylx always gave me a lift. I didn’t consider myself dressed until I sprayed and it seemed to make me alert and ready for the day. I’ll have to get myself bottle when the holidays roll around and they produce smaller bottles since I find this one “turns” rather quickly…
Ormonde Jayne Woman is my comfort scent. It makes me think of places (gardens, forests) that I love. Also, anything with violets seems to make me feel better.
Voilet is one of my favorite notes, what violet perfumes do you find most enlivening?
I like Amiez Moi (Caron), SSS has a couple of nice violets as well. What are some other violets I should explore?
My two favorite violets are CdG Stephen Jones and Keiko Mecheri Genie des Bois. Bright, exploding violets and sweet-woody violets, respectively.
I agree with Haunani about CdG Stephen Jones. It’s very bright and metalic. I also really like Creed Love in Black. You also might want to try CB I Have Perfume Violet Empire. I think most of those tend towards the green cold side of violet, not the sweet violet.
One violet that I find magical is LezNez The Unicorn Spell. If it just lasted a little longer it was be an FB purchase for me.
Second the Stephen Jones. I also absolutely love the wacky-green Unicorn Spell.
H, Ava Luxe confirmed she won’t ever be able to produce Midnight Violet again due to sourcing materials. Pity, eh! You’re lucky to have some!
I guess I am! I almost never wear it, and don’t know why.
Oh, and I agree that Unicorn Spell is a really cool fragrance. The green beans in the opening never fail to put a smile on my face. I’d really like a bottle of that one day!
Oh, I really like The Unicorn Spell too, green beans and all!
Caron Violette Precieuse is lovely, and L’Artisan Verte Violette is another good one.
Ditto on the Verte Violette!
I second the Aimez-Moi. I find it to be a very happy scent and the combination of violet and anise is pleasantly off-beat. I don’t reach for it very often, but when I do, it makes me smile. I love, love, love Bois de Violette, which strikes just the right balance between violet (uplifting) and cedar (calming), which is another of my favorite notes. I wouldn’t really categorize BdV as enlivening, more like soothing. If I had to choose one perfume to wear for a month, it would likely be BdV. SSS Wood violet is lovely too, similar (to my nose at least) to BdV but richer and deeper. For a really bright, cheerful violet I have Guerlain Meterorites, which is the quite possibly the girliest scent I own. Finally, I have AG La Violette, which reads as a pretty straightforward violet.
Apres L’Ondee and La Base are nice violet scents.
I agree that SSS violet scents are great and affordable.
Well, I was diagnosed with aggressive, widespread lymphoma (stage 3-C) last week. I’m in the hospital receiving chemo now and I’m wearing my beloved Shalimar. The only reason I have perfume with me is that it was in my purse when I was sent directly from the oncologist to the hospital without going home first. It has always been the one fragrance I love even when I’m not feeling well and it is still doing a good job. I’m trying to keep up with my regular routines and I’ve always preferred perfume to makeup, but there are some ladies here who get up and put on full makeup with their pink pajamas and drag their decorated IV poles around with them. I’m not there yet, but I do smell good. I wish I had a bottle of extrait with me, but I’m not anxious to have my husband to go digging around in my perfume closet. He had enough trouble finding shampoo and conditioner and they are right in the shower. Plus, he doesn’t really need to know how exactly how extensive my collection is. Sorry to be a bummer, but I AM going to be okay and this is VERY treatable. I just couldn’t resist the mood enhancer LWP – because I have it going on right now. – J
Julia,
I am so sorry. I wish only goodness and love for you! WIth your amazing attitude I am sure you will be fine.
I am so happy Shalimar is providing some comfort. There is something so special about Shalimar it transcends time and place.
Good Luck…Tara
we love you Julia, and yes, you will be ok
biiig hugs
Big comfy shalimar hug from me too…
Julia, thank you for sharing what is going on right now in your life – you are very courageous as well as having excellent taste in perfume (Shalimar!Love!).
You will beat this, meanwhile don’t hesitate to send your husband looking for that extrait! I’m sure he won’t be evaluating your collection as he searches, he will just want to please you.
God bless, please keep us posted.
Ruth
Julia~ Oh my God! Babe! I am praying for you and want you to know that YES you will be OK and YES we all care for you and YES don’t let him rummage around in there
My Shalimar woman on Shalimar Drive………. Hugs and Kisses to you fragrant lady<3<3<3<3<3
Julia – You have been and will always be the NST Shalimar Girl to me. Sending a prayer and lots of positive thoughts your way!
Julia – adding my best wishes and sending you Love and Light. Be well. ~Donna
Julia,
Know that I’m praying for you! I hate that you are having to go through this. Thank you for sharing and please keep us updated. You are not in this alone!
How cool that you live on Shalimar Dr. and that you had Shalimar with you!
Many Hugs…….
I am very sorry that you are going through this. I wish you a speedy recovery and I am happy to hear that Shalimar (a survivor of a scent, surely!) is helping you keep strong
I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. –but glad you’ve found a scent to give you comfort and hope. I don’t have any Shalimar, but I’ve just sprayed on my Jicky in your honor. Guerlain hugs and happy thoughts are being sent your way.
I do hope you’ll reconsider letting your husband (or best friend? sister? cousin?) into your perfume closet. Everyone here knows that extrait of any fragrance is far more glamorous than a full face of makeup.
Best of luck with your treatments. We are all rooting for you.
I just spritzed myself in Shalimar in your honor as well!
Best wishes to you, Julia. Shalimar has been my companion on a few hospital stays and never failed to make me feel like ‘ me’ rather than some pale weak imposter. Keep your chin up and spray away!
Julia,
I’m so sorry to hear this; being diagnosed with cancer is horrible. But, as you know, aggressive lymphoma is very treatable. I was diagnosed with a highly aggressive lymphoma the size of a football 14 years ago, and I’m fine now. Sending tons of good wishes your way.
Julia,
My best wishes go out to you. I am so sorry you have this to deal with and I wish you all the strength you need to recover well and quickly. I will wear Shalimar, and light a candle in your honour later this evening.
Julia, I’m glad to hear that your favorite fragrance is bringing you comfort as you get through your treatments. Here’s wishing that life gets back to normal for you soon!
~Heidi
I’m sorry you’re going through this but glad to hear that it is very treatable. Sending you positive thoughts and best wishes.
Oh, Julia, I am so sorry! But I also glad that they finally figured out what is going on! I know you’ve been dealing with this for a long time. Sending you healing thoughts and love…
Oh, Julia! My healing thoughts are going out to you and I’m glad you have your beloved Shalimar with you. Keep in touch with us!
Julia:
I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. How wonderful that your beloved Shalimar is with you. Think about how much less time it takes you to spritz vs. put on a full face of makeup. AND you can wear it to bed with you.
My guess is your husband wouldn’t say a word about your ‘fume collection. Having something useful to do when a loved one is going through something difficult feels so great. And perhaps if he knows it’s comforting and part of your healing, he’ll lovingly keep quiet when he presents that treasured bottle of extrait!
Adding my voice to the chorus of well-wishers, Julia. I am full of admiration for your courage and style–Shalimar in your purse, and on the cancer ward! Dark vanilla comfort with backbone for the ages.
Here’s hoping your chemo is as gentle, effective and swift as it can possibly be, and that it leaves your nose alone…
Sending healing, positive wishes and fragrant hugs your way Julia! So sorry to hear of your troubles. I’m so happy to hear that your situation is very treatable. You know, we are really lucky to have an appreciation for perfume at times such as this as a favorite fragrance goes a long way to make one feel better!
Julia: Get well soon! Shalimar is the perfect fragrance companion for the hospital – warm, cuddly, yet sensuous and confident. Good luck!
Oh Julia, I am so sorry! My prayers are with you. My mom is going through chemo right now, and I hope it goes as smooth for you as it has for my mom. Send your hubby for that Shalimar extract — I’m sure he’ll be happy to have something to make him feel useful.
My gosh, Julia!! I’m so sorry you have to go through chemo but glad to hear you will be fine. Your attitude is great. We’ll all be sending you sweetly-scented healing light and love!
Julia, thank you so much for joining in today – what an endorsement for the powers of Shalimar and the women who rock her! Rooting for you and sending you best thoughts.
I’m so sorry to hear that you are in hospital Julia, but keep spraying the Shalimar and remind yourself that you’re going to feel like a million bucks when your treatment is successfully completed. I wore Shalimar today too because I had something stressful to do. It IS a truly comforting fragrance.
Ohhhh Julia, I wish you a speedy return to good health… my dear Dad had that, and powerful chemo, and was cured. The chemo fought the bad cells, knocked most of them out treatment by treatment, and his own body cleaned them out for good.
oh Julia, I’m so sorry to hear you are ill and in the hospital—me and my entire flock of Lucky Pterodactyls (forerunners of Cranes) are sending you good wishes….please keep us updated.
Good luck, Julia! I know exactly what you mean about not having someone else ruffle through your stuff ( especially a person who can’t find the things right in the shower! Perhaps your husband and mine are related?) I’m going to think of you when I put on some Shalimar (which I’ve been craving – you have great taste!)
Sending love and prayers for your healing, sweetie.
Julia, sending you love and prayers. Hope you will soon be OK.
Refuah Shlaima Julia. What is ur hebrew name. Thoughts and prayers are with u! Which hospital r u in in which city? XXXXL
Thank you. My Hebrew name is Rachel. I am working with a group of oncologists at the START Center in San Antonio (treatment and research facility associated with the UT Health Science Center medical school and they work very closely with MD Anderson in Houston). My hematology oncologist put my 78 year old uncle’s leukemia into full remission and was very highly recommended by several other doctors and friends.
Rachel bat?…Glad to hear u r in good hands….u can email me anytime at greenstn@netvigator.com I have had/have people very dear to me with cancer. Is ur type the “galloping” one?PS after a good few days of trying to choose a fragrance for Marches post (thinking of some of my serges)…i have decided on Shalimar!!!! for u. A whole 7 days of Shalimar should create some new ideas, philosopies, revelations…
Thank you so much for all the well wishes and the Shalimar love. I really want to get up and shower, fresh pajamas, and more perfume but they are in the middle of shift change so I have to wait. I’m cutting my long red hair off tomorrow. I want a little control over it before it all falls out, though I’m kind of looking forward to not shaving my legs for a while.
Shalimar is so very comforting to me and it makes my day nurse happy because, of course, her mother used to wear it. Apparently even the new Jade Jagger bottle isn’t doing much to update the image – though I approve of the bottle. Love the pedestal and the shape that recalls the original flacon and the fact that they put a medallion on the EdP. I also love the quadrilobe. It reminds me of some of the original Guerlain bottles and of course my beloved Jicky – my first Guerlain extrait. It is so nice to come here and talk about my perfume love and not think too much about everything else that is going on. I don’t think my nose has changed much, though I do not find the smell of the “food” they bring particularly appealing. OTOH, I’m pretty sure I won’t be reaching for the Une Rose Vermeille as soon as I get home. I’ll probably stick with my Guerlains and I could use some Attrape Coeur right about now.
Hello Julia — you may not be reaching for URV, but I will use Andy’s favorite phrase and send you “fragrant hugs” as well as good wishes for your successful course of treatment. I believe in your positive attitude–my mom beat breast cancer twice and lived to a ripe old age. Her name was Julia!!
Julia-my heart is breaking for you. From what I read in your blog, it seems to me that you are a fighter and you will come through this. A scented get well message from me to you!
Also, I am sending you some CdG Red Carnation vibes through the line to make that warm heart even warmer!
I’m praying for restored health for you!
I am sending you positive thoughts
Shalimar is beautiful.
Hi Julia,
Sending healing thoughts your way. Be well my friend.
Liz
monyette always makes me smile! smells like sunshine.
What makes you think of sunshine? I immediately though oranges..I don’t know why.
I don’t know what it is exactly-maybe gardenia makes me think of sunshine, since I live in MN and it’s impossible to get gardenias to bloom except in summer? Or maybe it’s the tropical bent-maybe that’s why you’re thinking of oranges? Who knows. It just has a yummy-ness for me that Kai doesn’t.
Discovered Clarins Eau Ensoleillante just at the end of summer and it brings back the smell of sunshine and warm rocks by the sea to me. Lovely.
A couple of weeks ago I finally got my hands on a bottle of SL Santal Blanc after months of pining. Have worn it almost every day since, involuntarily smiling every time I reach for the bottle.
Etro Palais Jamais is another scent making me smile. It has with a quirky grumpiness and is great for days when I need to stand my ground while keeping my spirits up.
Ah, one hardly ever hears about Palais Jamais, and I also really love it!
Hi Tara – thanks for hosting
Comfort scents, ooohh this is fun . . .
Guerlain Shalimar
Tabu
Hillary Duff With Love
Bal a Versailles
Caron Bellodgia
Hypnotic Poison
Whatever mood I’m in, one of these will always fit.
Hi Ruth,
Another vote for Shalimar ..
I have to retry Hynotic Poison. The first Posion killed me (and not in a good way) and I do not shy away from big scents, but I just could not make it work for me, it was just too cloying. So I have been hesitant to try the other Poisons.
You should try it! Hypnotic Poison is so very different from the original that I don’t see a connection beyond the name.
On me it is a sweet, floral almond rootbeer gourmand and a favorite scent to sleep in – I always have good dreams.
I don’t like poison either but pure poison is nice sophisticated and always appropriate – and I do love hypnotic poison which is GORGEOUS –
You should try it for sure — Poison and HP are so different that it’s possible to really dislike one and fall in love with the other. I did
Totally forgot Emeraude – introduced to me by Miss Kitty – which is really funny because I have bottles of it stashed in both bathrooms, my kitchen and my purse . . . just in case.
I don’t know what I would have done if Mals had never introduced me to vintage Emeraude. It’s one of my favorites, if not *the* favorite. I can understand having bottles stashed everywhere.
I just have all ten of mine huddled together in the back of the perfume cabinet together. I don’t know if I think someone is going to come in and steal my perfume or what, and I think they’re safer hidden back there?
Umm…. Kitty burglars?
Be careful, you just told us where your stash is.
I’m thinking Shalimar. There isn’t any bad mood that can’t at least be temporarily subsided by some Shalimar.
I think we are up to about 4 or 5 votes for Shalimar.
Is that all?
I’ll throw my voice in for this as my calming, comfort scent at night to wind down with.
Yup, count me in for Shalimar as well (although I have to say, I only purchase fragrances which make me feel good).
Whatever scent I want to buy next – I persuade myself it makes me happy – then I feel like I NEED to have it, and we all know what happens next…
Stuff I own that makes me happy:
Dior’s Addict, partly cos I can REALLY smell it and it lasts and it makes me feel gorgeous and cosy before I go to sleep.
Jardin, Apres la mousse: the notorious melon scen refreshes me and when it fades the delicate spices transport me somewhere else…
Chritalle au de Vert makes me feel confidently clean enough to face the day.
Bulgari Black used to make me feel like a big exotic flower – but lately just oversweet rubber ) :
And lately I’m thinking I NEED Samasara – the jasmine is really uplifting and refreshing,, combined with the exquisite scent of warm sandalwood to give it depth….
In the 80s, Samara was one of my favorites. It is exotic and beautiful. I think it has been reformulated, I’ll have to try it again. I think I might even have a small bit left of some my brother bought for me in Paris in the early 90s. I’ll try a side by side test and report back.
Tara,
I was just reading in another discussion where someone says that the new samsara smells very fake violet (or was it fake iris?) to her. Apparently this ‘note’ is caused by the synthetic alternative that is now being used to try simulate sandalwood. I haven’t smelt the vintage and my nose is not very experienced so I cant really comment!
I have to say all of this ridiculous banning of ingredients is really annoying,
You have to figure that the kind of people who care about that sort of thing are the kind that don’t wear perfume in the first place. Yes, very annoying.
Hi Tara, happy your hosting:)
God I’m such a perfume ho that ANY new perfume gives me a boost cause I’m excited about trying it for the first time!
It is well known around here that I love URC with a passion so of course that’s a no brainer.That never fails to make me feel better.
Montale White Aoud can always improve my mood too.
Hey that rhymed.
Hey, maybe the next poll could be a perfume rhyming poll and you can host
Although I don’t know what rhymes with Quarzazate?
Tara I’m thinking of contacting Robin soon and asking to host one of these days, sounds like fun!
And I can talk about perfume everyday , such joy it brings me.
Plus all my homies in thah house!
Totally agree with you about loving to chat about perfume every day. Seems weird, but it’s so nice to find something that brings so much joy, and to share that with others here.
Yes, White Oud!! I totally agree. And while we’re on Montales, I go for Chocolate Greedy, not ONLY does it cheer me up but everyone who comes into contact with it just loves it, and then they run straight to Starbucks to get a mocha latte. Even people who would think they’d hate the smell of chocolate in this form love it. Can’t explain it. It’s killer for making you smile.
You make me so curious to try CG Mough!
I love Montale perfumes. White Aoud, Aoud Queen Roses and Vanilla Absolu are my favorites so far…..All of them are wonderful and don’t they last forever? When I first tried them I thought to myself-
“This is real perfume, how it’s supposed to be!” You know?
When a line catches a hold of your nose and then proceeds to steal your heart and your wallet?
Aoud Rose Petals is awesome too.
Amouage is now on my radar.**GULP**
HI TARA! ;>)
My favorite mood enhancers for Autumn/Winter are the woodsy, smoky, incense-y and Oud/Aoud fragrances like:
1. Fahrenheit Absolute
2. Aedes de Venustas par L’Artisan Parfumeur Home Fragrance Spray (I use this as a skin cologne…LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!)
3. Christian Lacroix Tumulte Pour Homme
4. Mandarina Duck Pure Black
5. Comme des Garcons Series 2 Red: Sequoia
6. Anything from Montale (especially the Oud/Aoud Collection)
All of these just cheer me up so much…I really love them all! ;>)
I find CdG Sequoia very cheery,,
Happy Saturday to you, Tara!
So many “happy” scents out there.
I like AG’s Rose Absolue and Patou’s Joy edp/extrait, and when combined together – my wedding fragrance!
SSS’s Jour Ensoleille never fails to bring a smile to my face, and the same can be said of L’Artisan’s La Haie Fleurie. It’s that Jasmin, OB combination, I’m sure…
I agree, there are many happy scents. Although, I find La Haie Fleurie more beautifully melancholy than happy.
I usually go for vanilla scented candles to lighten my mood, yankee candle do nice vanilla candles. and glade brought out a limited edition vanilla and cinnamon for winter which smelled quite nice.
or I go and take a whiff of my mum’s Kenzo Amour bottle, that always makes me feel better. I’ve never tried amour on skin and mum would shout at me if I ever used any of hers.
You know, I don’t think I have ever tried a Kenzo..where have I been? I know a woman who wears one of them (I asked once, but have now forgotten) and she smelled lovely. Also, I get confused by the names of the Kenzos. I have a hard time telling which is which.
I have only smelled flower and amour and a few the flankers of amour like indian and chinese/oriental, oh and my brother has kenzo homme. but that’s about it.
yes they can be a bit confusing.
Owen,I got on to my daughter so much for getting into mine that now KA is HER scent.
She smells lovely !
With two sons (young teens), they have not gotten into my stash yet.
Amour is very nice
and wait a couple more years Tara, they will soon find your stash
Nuit de Tuebreuse lifts my spirits! The first time I tried it, I was entering a nasty two weeks of illness, and even that didn’t ruin it for me. My cabinet is full of comfort scents, but to *lift* my mood:
NdT
Via Camerelle
Gap Grass
Cologne Imperiale
L’Ombre dans Leau
Chanel no. 19
Green scents!
I too find Nuit de Tubereuse a quiet joy..it is lovely.
Hi Tara, thanks for hosting!
Anything that reminds me of ginger ale or ginger beer does the trick – Incense Rose, Safran Troublant, Aziyade. Jasmine has a similar effect on me, particularly A la Nuit and Joy.
Have you tried the Demeter Ginger AIe? I hear people rave about, especially at that price point.
I have some of the Demeter and it is great! The opening is so fizzy!
The Ginger Ale is fun stuff!!
Hi Tara! In thinking about this for the past few minutes, I realized that ALL fragrances I enjoy pretty much improve my mood, by their very nature — I think it’s a meditative act to take a minute to apply fragrance and appreciate it by inhaling deeply and let the sensory experience sink in. Even if it’s just 30 seconds a few times a day, I believe this simple act of applying fragrance is mentally healing.
That said, a few of my favorite, zingy mood lifters:
– Calyx
– Byredo Pulp
– Un Jardin sur le Nil
I actually laugh out loud when I apply Pulp, it’s just so much fun.
I think you are right, by definition when you love (even like a lot) a fragrance it must be creating some pleasure for you. When I put something on that does not work it can ruin my day. I cannot even imagine wearing MKK or Magnifiques (I know I spelled that wrong ) Secretions for longer than it takes me to run to the sink and start scrubbing.
You know, MKK is the scent I’m wearing today and I have received numerous compliments – that usually doesn’t happen.
On my skin it smells like a musk version of No. 5 – Musc No. 5 .
No skank, skin chemistry is amazing!
WOW…it certainly does not smell like that on me.
Joe, totally agree with the ALL and with the deep breathing. I’ve often suspected that smoking is really a deep breathing exercise. I feel lucky to be addicted to perfume instead…
Joe, I am so with you on the Pulp! I get some of that same feeing with Miller & Bertaux Green, green, etc., but not to the same extent. Will have to try Calyx one of these days.
Yes, Joe. Most definitely. A famous Indian yoga teacher says that the body lives in the past, the mind lives in the future, and the breath lives in the present. So by focusing on the breath–as we do when we inhale a beautiful fragrance–we are grounding ourselves in the present moment and can for a time let go of depression regarding the past and/or anxiety about the future.
(And that’s a partial explanation of why my gravatar has both Barbie and Krishna in it!)
Great comment! It makes a lot of sense and it’s also a beautiful way of looking at the experience of perfume
I think it’s believed by his followers that Krishna lives in the scent of patchouli — as a random factoid.
LOVE this combination of Barbie and Krishna! Surely it is no coincidence that fragrant incense and oils have been part of sacred ceremonies around the world and across millennia.
Joe, you’ve described this perfectly! I think I shall plan to use the meditative, mentally healing aspect of perfume more consciously throughout the week – and I guess March’s 7-day challenge is a good time to start.
Hi Tara, Nice to see you hosting!
Interesting question. All perfumes have some sort of effect on me so a quick answer isn’t likely. Now if I try to confine to one specific mood or feeling, maybe that would be better.
My early morning, early summer sunshine, childlike, without a care in the world, happiness inducing perfume would be AG Petite Cherie. Incredibly useful for a life full of stress, deadlines and drama. I spray it on some weekends when I get up and have a peacful restful happy day!
At one time I have one of those gorgeous butterfly bottles of Petit Cherie. I wish I new where it was now!
Petite Cherie is SO pretty.
Livvie wears that Mals-she’s 7. And she says it so cute.
ME-” What perfume did you pick to wear bebe?”
LIVVIE- “It’s my Ahneek Mama.”
And really it’s perfect on her, light and sweet, the pear note never sours on her baby skin.<3
Before reading all the comments I tried to come up with my own answer, then I searched the page and found out that I wasn’t alone in my feelings towards Petite Cherie.
Fracas and Gucci Rush because they make me feel confident and uber-powerful.
If I want to be comforted it’s Cashmere Mist. Oddly the memory it evokes is being in front of the fire on the day after Christmas, watching the snow fall outside, wrapped in a chenille blanket…not cashmere.
I far prefer chenille to cashmere…although I don’t think “Chenille Mist” would have the same associations as Cashmere Mist
“Chenille” would make a nice name for a fragrance, though!
Hello Tara!
THe fragrances that instantly improve my mood are Eau Sauvage and Chanel Nro 5
Classic does it for me
I think there is something about classic perfumery that speaks to our soles. Not that newer stuff can’t, but there must be a reason things are called classic, i.e. literature, art.
Hi Tara,
Hermessence Osmanthe Yunnan is my go to scent when I need a quick pick me up. It never fails to make me a bit more lighthearted and smiley when I spritz it on.
~Dawn
That sounds like wonderful way to start a day.
Shalimar never fails to make me feel better. Other go-to’s are ( in no particular order);
Calyx
O de Lancome
Hove Verveine
Chaos
Emeraude
Thanks fir hosting!
I find Chaos very soothing. I have never tried Emeraude. Do you have some of the vintage stuff?
Yes and it is lovely, lovely stuff! I have been hoovering up bottles for fear of running out. Though I have to say that even the new ( and to my nose less lovely) iteration is vastly better than most of the fruitchoulis that are constantly being released. It makes me want to put on a cloche hat, a drop- waist dress and go out dancing!
Tara, you need to try some vintage Emeraude. Send me a message at MUA and I can send you some. I’m slow on mailing things out, so it might take me a while.
Miss Kitty,
You are so kind, that would be amazing. I guess that’s my treat for Halloween. (Much better than candy!) I hope the trick’s not too bad
I won’t ask you to do anything I haven’t asked of anyone else!
My number one mood boosting fragrance in terms of comfort is Un Bois Vanille (serge lutens).
It gets me every time. Smells delicious and comforting.
It just makes me want to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa, a good book, a thick comfy sweater which is the ultimate good mood feeling for me.
hi tara, thanks for hosting
any of my comfort scents tend to relax me at the end of a day.. and that usually comes in any of the following forms:
– hypnotic poison (to be honest, this fragrance is tempting enough to have a bite at the bottle or something)
– bvlgari black (used to loathe this rubber scent.. but now i’ve come to appreciate it for the beautiful incense scent that it is.. this together with hypnotic poison & lolita lempicka AM has made annick menardo one of my top faves..)
– cacharel eden (wet cashmere as luca turin descibes it.. weird and beautifully comforting)
– eau noire (reminds me of medicinal fumes and bakeries)
– declaration (is this really the scent of love? im not sure.. i do know however it is the closest thing i can get to being in a vacation house in the woods)
– bois farine (this fragrance just makes me smile, sit back a little and relax)
– jardin clos (on this skin this is used as a curtain spray)
and ironically or not, even the following
– le male
– kouros
– cdg edp
– poison
whose drydowns especially are heaven to my nose
have a nice day/evening to everyone.. it’s cold here in SE asia.. bring out the fluffy blankets and cuddly scents!!
Hi Lilyboy,
It was freezing here (a suburb of NYC) last night into the mid 30s fahrenheit. Winter is definitely upon us.
Have a good weekend.
sorry i mistyped/didnt finish.. was supposed to type:
– jardin clos (used as a curtain spray)
Great topic, Tara! Three that immediately put a smile on my face:
Timbuktu – Clears my head of cobwebs and worries.
Chamade – That yellow-green pollen-y thing is just so cheerful!
Stephen Jones – Fills my head and soul with glorious VIOLETS!
Hi Haunani,
I have tried to love Timbuku, but all I get is smoke (and not in a good way). I have never tried Chamade, but need to get a sample. As for Stephen Jones, it is one of my top 5 of all time (of couse, I probably have 20 “top 5s of all time” it is just to hard to narrow down) . There is really nothing else like it!
H – well, I may as well jump in here: I was going to say Timbuktu and Chamade too! How funny, esp. after yesterdays top 10 thread. I’ll also add Chanel No 5 which makes me feel like I’ve got it all together when I clearly don’t.
Oh, Ann, we think you have it together all the time!
Just as long as it seems that way, ha ha.
Shalimar is definitely one of them. I don’t like to wear it, per se, but my mother did a lot when I was a kid, so I will dab a bit on my wrist now and then and it reminds me of her. She doesn’t really wear it anymore, though. She gave me a 30ml bottle of EdT she has lying around last time I was home : ) Not vintage, I don’t think, but certainly a few years old.
Possets High Tea is also very calming for me. Reminds me of my favorite drink, though I do wish it had more tea and less lemon in the mix.
High Tea sounds lovely.
Improves my mood?
PdE Osmanthus Interdite. I feel like singing this every time I wear it:
“I feel pretty, oh so pretty
I feel pretty and witty and bright
And I pity any girl who isn’t me tonight.
I feel dizzy, I feel sunny
I feel fizzy and funny and fine
And so pretty Miss America can just resign.”
Thank you Stephen Sondheim! That song captures it perfectly for me.
LOL
A little mood-lifter is well in order today.
It’s dreary as all hell here, and the increasing cold is making me worry more and more about my feral cats I take care of. Not that perfume can help my kitten mittens, but it at least can cheer me up some.
Chanel No. 5 EdP always makes me feel grounded, vintage Emeraude is my Happy Memory-trigger, vintage Shalimar and Bois des Iles make me feel cozy. Scents like Little Italy, Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange, Mandragore and Un Jardin sur le Nil always perk me up and add a little sunshine to my life.
I have to try Little Italy. I like many of the Bonds. I need to search for my bon-bon.
I feel you Miss Kitty, it IS getting so chilly around here,those freezing lil’ rain sprinkles make me shiver! I still run in it though rain OR shine.
The forest always smells so good when it rains, pretty muddy though!;) Sorry about your feral kitties honey, try not to worry.:(
Thank you once again for introducing me to Chanel 5 and Emeraude,
I love them both! **HUGS**
Good for you for taking care of the poor feral kitties! I used to do that when there were more in my area and I put out an igloo-type dog house for them. Perhaps you could do the same? And how could I forget Mandragore? That’s a great one for inspiring simple happiness.
That’s a good idea. I hadn’t thought of a dogloo. A friend of mine that adopted one of our socialized kitties actually has a friend that makes winter cat shelters, so we’re going to look into that. Depending on how much they charge, though, we may have to look at other options. Thanks for the great idea!
Need to add Habit Rouge to my list. Finally bought myself a full bottle.
I should have known you liked HR Kitty! I have the vtg. edc, would you like to try some, it’s really good!
A good chypre does the trick for me.
What are your top two chypres?
Coriolan and Balmain de Balmain and Montana homme are my top 3, but my collection also include Diva, Antaeus, Eau Dynamisante, Comme des Garçons, Decleor L’Original,D & G La roue de la Fortune, Halston Classic, Coriandre,…
I may suffer from a chypre addiction….
Hi Tara, what a great idea for the poll!
I have been tracing what I wear in a little perfume “agenda book,” together with an occasional note to myself about the silliage, lasting power etc., and here is what I can tell based on my experiment so far.
My comfort scents usually depend on the time of the day –
-If I work the (keep-them-out-of)graveyard, I usually go for Delrae Bois de Paradis, Guerlain Moscou, or my recent acquisition – Andy Tauer’s Une Rose Vermeille. All gourmand stuff.
-Mornings call for light but complex ones strong enought to last through the day – any Ormonde Jayne’s or lighter Montale’s.
-Mid-afternoon is iris, vetyver, berries, and an occasional leather. Almost any de Nicolai’s work.
-Evenings out – chypre, aldehydes and heavier florals. Chanel #22, Guerlains Secrets de Sophie, Amouage Gold with heels and cleavage.
-When in doubt, Jicky. Spray some on the hubby and the cats, too – all of them like it.
-By myself, at home, Amouage Attar on just-washed hair. Nirvana in a wat!
A perfume journal. What a great idea. I am sure it is very revealing and enlightening. So often I forget what I did (or wore) yesterday, a journal would be a great why to remember perfume specifics.
I love your “time of day” scent associations, and they totally make sense to me! You have some beautiful choices as well. Unfortunately, I have Scent Glue Skin, so even the *next* day, after a shower, I can still smell my previous fragrance! I have to alternate spots.
Thanks Rappleyea,
It is nice to know that my wierd choices actually make sence to someone other than myself.
As for the Glue Skin Phenomenon, have you ever tried to mix your perfume with an unscented shover gel like Dove or Aveeno, and use it instead of the full strength?
I do it with heavier scents like PR Calandre or Bond’s Madison Soiree, just spray some on the wash cloth, then put on the soap, apply, and wash off till desired strength, or rather weakness, is acquired. My skin seems to pick up and hold on to mimosa regardless of its presence on the list of notes, and it drives me nuts to smell the stuff through a couple of showers and the next perfume applied. Good luck if you deside to try the trick!
Thanks for the tip! I knew about putting a spritz of fragrance into a blob of body lotion to make a scented lotion, but had never heard of the soap trick.
So interesting to see what lifts spirits — and what I might be missing out on.
Micallef’s Note Vanille stops me in my tracks. I always breath deeply and think, “oh my” and knowing I’ll smell heavenly all day makes me happy. I also like Chaos. While it doesn’t make me happy, I do find it calming and centering.
Thanks for hosting today, Tara.
Isn’t wonderful that a scent called CHAOS makes you feel calm and centred!??! (it is a great scent!)
An instant mood lifter for me is Ta’if. It’s so brazenly gorgeous and womanly and joyful.
I always find OG No.19 – Louanges Profanes to be profoundly melancholy and faintly tragic, for some reason. It’s a real ‘mood’ ‘inducer’.
It’s funny how different noses and brains react differently to the same scent. I tried Chaos, and thought the name was appropriate. It made me feel edgy and out of sorts. So far, none of the Donna Karans really suit me. Black Cashmere is about the best, but even that one has something that bothers me in the drydown.
It is really interesting how each of us differs. I find almost every Donna Karan to be wonderful (although I admit most would not categorize them as light and airy).
Hi Tiara,
I love your posting name! I have to try the Micallef. I don’t think I have tried any in that line.
Tara get on that Micalleff girl! I love Mon Parfum, Rose Aoud, and recently thanks to our dear Daisy -Jewel. I love their line.
Tara: Got a chuckle over your compliment for my screen name of Tiara. I’d have used my real name but it was already by YOU!
Ooops sorry about that
In your honor will wear one of my tiaras (yes, I have collected several over the years from weddings, costumes etc…) while tick or treating with the kids tonite. Wish I was a real princess though
As I commented above, I’m like Joe–all my perfumes lift my spirits, or just make me feel more…me. Or a version of me that I enjoy. It’s why I wear them. It’s interesting to see where I overlap with others above, though. I too, find Osmanthus an inherently happy scent–I save my Different Company Osmanthus for the days when I just want to celebrate. To be braced up I go to woods and spices (Black Cashmere is good, but there are others) or, when I have to interact with others, No. 19, or (for particularly fierce days) my Montales.
P.S. Pulp makes me laugh out loud, too! Don’t have any, though. I wear Parfums DelRae Emotionelle in the same spirit–a totally enormous cantalope that dries down to something more honeyed and spicy (cardamom).
Emotionelle does not get much love and I was very hesitate to try it. But I have to say I love it. There is something so realistic (I know most people aren’t fond of realistic melon, but I find it joyful) and engaging about it. I’m glad you also enjoy Pulp.
I think I tend to make a distinction between comforting scents (Chergui, Fireside Intense, Gaultier2) and mood-lifters. Pulp always makes me smile, and I tend to think of Miller & Bertaux’ Green, green, etc. as the scent of simple happiness.
I actually bourght Green, Green, Green unsniffed and thankfully its one of my summer favorites. It’s very bright and definitely green.
Chergui is one of my comfort scents too, along with Dior Addict, which I have categorized together in my mind. And yes, I agree with you on the point that some scents are comforting, some energizing or balancing, and choosing a scent to use at a particular time involves clarity of mind to know which will be the most appropriate.
I’m going to wear my vtg. Magie Noire for Halloween my perfume peeps (thank you for it Adela!)
Anybody else inspired?
What are you guys planning to wear?
Just wondering
Planning on breaking out the precious Mysore sandalwood for this most favorite of holidays. Dark, deep, and sacred! Hope your Halloween’s a wondrous one!
My Olenska , you’ll smell bewitching! Hope your Hallow’s Eve is filled with magic too….
You are welcome Tamara, that is a mysterious and haunting scent
perfect for Halloween.
Adela, I’ve loved everything you’ve ever sent me,
you have such great taste!
Hmmm, could be my Opus Oils Voodoo, or HdP 1740. Both dark, sultry things.
Ew, last night I tried one of my Smell Bent Halloween samples: Lumberjack Werewolf. Very interesting but not anything I will ever wear. Schtinky. They are a funny line – they have produced some really weird stuff, and some really great stuff. You kind of have to try them all…
I haven’t tried any of the Smell Bents Tama, too busy lemming other stuff all the time. Mals likes them too, and she’s a picky one that girl!
If she likes stuff I know I will too, same with Daisy.
Love all my perfume ho’s!
The Smell Bent line is lots of fun. Their sample packs are great! I really like the sunshine one (I can’t remember the name right now). I think it’s from their first couple of offerings.
Haha… it’s called Sunshine. It’s one of my favorites too.
Just got Sunshine in my sample pack this week – I love it too!
I’ll be wearing Fireside Intense, which with its bonfire aura seems perfect for Halloween. But I’ll also be wearing it ALL WEEK as per the Perfume Posse challenge. Hope I still love it at the end of the week!
That IS perfect for Halloween but allllll week long?
Good luck!
I could wear my URC all week I’m pretty sure but even then it is SO HARD to be faithful to any one scent! I love so many!
On my gosh, I forgot the Posse challenge starts tomorrow and I haven’t chosen my perfume yet. Thanks for the reminder.
Oh, I’m bustin’ out the vtg Magie Noire too, Tamara! I wear it so infrequently – for one thing, I don’t have much, and for another, the weather has to be right or it just eats my head and I can’t think of anything else than what I smell…
@Mals, ahaha! I like how you describe that MN eats your head!
If that ain’t a Halloween scent I don’t know what is girl!
You guys are killing me with all this vintage Magie Noire talk. I have to get some!!! Off to ebay I go. Are you referring to the EDT or EDP?
Tara, I think I have the edp. It’s from a dear friend that knew I loved vtg. perfumes, she has several and graciously shared some.
It’s very fetching for Hallow’s Eve .
The drydown is my favorite, kind’ve a lightly spiced sweet apple scent .
Lucky you!
I have the EdT, and it is both, somehow, loud and very affecting. It’s windy, witchy, herbal and autumnal, and it takes me flying over the moon every time I get it out. Not cozy at all, more elemental… makes me think of the seasons turning.
Unfortunately, The CEO has nixed its use this evening. (He hates it.) So I will save it for just me.
poor u mals…my ceo loves it….more than i do!!!
Hey Mals,
Sorry to hear the ceo hates it-that would cause hiccups in our household. Fortunately, all the scents I adore-the ceo does too. He hates floral/ozone scents. I have a little vintage extrait of MN, and newer MN. Vintage wins hands down…
I’m going to the theater this afternoon, so I have to be a little careful of my Halloween scent – nothing too weird or smelly!
And I’m still struggling with my decision for the Posse Challenge! Yikes!!
That challenge makes me anxious! LOL! I couldn’t do it! I’d be thinking about all those other frags I have that need some love.
It’s only a week though. I think I’ve about decided on Incense Pure (SSS) as I just got an email from my boss (she who must not be named)…. it’s going to be a tough week.
She who must not be named– LOL!
I had a former boss that a coworker referred to as “The Devil Wears Shoulderpads.” I’ll never forget that.
Chanel Cristalle Eau Verte is happiness in a bottle!
I remember liking au verte when it was first introduced, but have not tried it since (so many launches so little time). I have to try it again. I think I have a carded sample somewhere.
I absolutely loved this scent, and then it disappeared on me in 10 minutes flat!!
What a disappointment!!
Hi Tara, welcome.
Havana Vanille and Kenzo Amour always make me smile.
I think Havana Vanille is fun, like a party in a bottle.
Chanel #5 and Shalimar always get me in a good mood, and at times I find that Youth Dew body oil makes me sleepy and relaxed so I wear it to be after my bath at night.
ooopies.. ment to say bed
Adela, I love Chanel 5 after my bath too! <3<3<3
All of my perfume favs lift my spirits-but some of them are luckier that others!
If I have a great Monday at work then I will only wear that perfume for the rest of the week! Once home I can spray on something else but off I go the next day with the original perfume on!
I love your theory! I might have to adopt it.
I have tested it and when I change perfumes my week seems to go bad! So next day I spray on the original “lucky” perfume and my days seem to improve!
You might be on to something…
Oh, this is a good one! Hiya Tara.
An instant mood-lifter for me would have to be woods. Soft woods, sharp woods, cashmere woods, cedar, oudh, whatever ya got, just throw a bit of sweetness in there and I’m good. It took me a really long time to realize that a woody scent is the best choice for me every day, but I’m there, and I’m happy. HAPPY? Yep, I said it.
Ooh, I forgot! I ordered up a couple bottles of Sanrio perfumes- the 50th Anniversary scent, and My Melody (my fave growing up). I believe the 50th Ann. will have a serious lifting effect on me (it is supposed to smell like the Sanrio stores). I plan to use it more like a room and linen spray.
Hi Sweetonpink,
I am currently having a love affair with SL Chene. Do you like that one?
I just sprayed E. Coudray Ambre et Vanille (lavishly).
I think I’m smitten!
I discovered a little shop in Sellwood (PDX) called Coco And Toulouse Go Shopping that carries Tokyo Milk, Tocca, Lollia, and some other small companies.
New shopping destination!
Have you been to Flutter on Mississippi? They have Tokyo Milk and a few others. And it’s a GORGEOUS shop. I could live there.
Nice topic – thank you for hosting, Tara!
Like Joe, I am happy just to put perfume on, but there are couple that lift me up.
Crazy Libellule l’Olfactive 129 makes me smile every time.
Attrape Coeur is probably the best scent purchase I have ever made – I instantly feel like a mullion bucks.
Joy lives up to its name – good scent-memories there.
The most I have ever giggled at a scent was A*Men Pure Coffee, but I never got any. Pulp is up there, though. I also got a kick out of SL Arabie.
Of course, I love all my scents and each one makes me feel better.
Tama, Pulp makes me laugh, but the most I’ve ever laughed from smelling a perfume was Smell Bent Hungry Hungry Hippies. I passed my sample on to spread the fun, but it’s exactly what it says: chocolate, patchouli, and cannabis. Hilarious.
Ha! I think you gave it to me! A lot of those Smell Bents are pretty funny.
Hi Tama,
Arabie, an SL I haven’t tried. I am dying to try A*men pure coffee.
Happy Halloween!
I’m so sorry to hear that you are in hospital Julia, but keep spraying the Shalimar and remind yourself that you’re going to feel like a million bucks when your treatment is successfully completed. I wore Shalimar today too because I had something stressful to do. It IS a truly comforting fragrance.
Sorry, this posted to the wrong place on the page!
The perfume gremlins strike again!
What a fun poll! I’ve been rethinking my ‘go to’ comfort bedtime scent for about 3 months now and haven’t found a new one yet. I used to wear Philosophy’s Amazing Grace and still love it, but I’m looking for something a bit more interesting to wear that’s still soft and yummy cozy – nothing too gourmand or sweet and nothing too floral or in your face (I mean you, Bandit). L’Artisan’s Mimosa por moi and Perfect Veil come close, but not quite it. Perhaps Shalimar…
To sleep, I usually wear something like Rahat Loukoum. For some reason the smoothness and sweetness is soothing.
I love (love) Rahat Loukoum! I was testing that one and POTL and ended up with POTL.- I think of cherry pie and almonds every time – despite the play-doh phase. Both make me very happy
But for bedtime, they’re both a bit sweet. Today I tried Costes 2 and am really falling for it. It reminds me of Kenzo Amour (I’m doing a side by side compare right now!). Costes 2 might win
I’ve actually worn Rahat to bed several times too! I love that kind of scent at bedtime as long as the temp is cool. Definitely creates visions of sugarplums dancing in your head! Hopefully Rahat will be added to the export line someday!
My happy-make-me-giggle scents are:
Champagne de Bois – like the name says: bubbles up my nose
Samsara – all that jasmine = pure sunshine
Iris Ganache – beautiful iris and my favorite white chocolate
Spiritueuse Double Vanille – the double kick of vanilla is happiness in a bottle
Thanks for hosting Tara! Have a great weekend everyone!
Rapple, Iris Ganache is my favorite from your list!
Wouldn’t a FB of that be heavenly??! Delicious for winter ehh?
It reminds me of L’HB but a more cozy, lovable gourmand version.
Believe it or not, Tamara, I only recently tried IG!! It’s been out now since ’07 I believe! I don’t have a FB, but I do have a half from a split, and I love it way more than I ever thought I would!
Hi Rappleyea,
I have a small decant of iris ganache and going through it quickly. For me, it is one of those fragrances that I really did not like at first, too much white chocolate, but now I really enjoy it.
I understand! The white chocolate was what kept me from trying it for so long. I just knew that it would be plastic-y, but nope, it’s great! Makes me want to eat my arm – in a good way!
For me, instant mood lifters include PdN Vanille Tonka, Le Temps d’une Fete, SL La Myrrhe, and… Carnal Flower.
Mals , I have never smelled SL LM but you always swoon when you mention it, so it must be divine. I’ll make a note now to try it when I can.:)
La Myrrhe. I have small decant of that and am starting to enjoy it. It’s another one that was not love at first sight for me. But I do think it is very unique.
Not everyone loves La Myrrhe – you do really have to like aldehydes, I think. It’s… echoey, like singing in a cathedral.
Incidentally, from the back of the National Cathedral in DC (where the choir loft is) to the front, there’s an aural delay of about 7 seconds.
Really? 7 Seconds!!! That’s a long time.
Le Temps d’une Fete is a great choice for an uplifting but very quiet scent
Agreed!
I could see Carnal Flower doing that – it’s awfully fun.
Nice Topic!
Chanel No.5 never failed to put a smile on me.
And I love Ninfeo Mio from Anick Goutal as well.
I just can’t resist these two scents. =)
Ninfeo Mio…totally cat pee on me. No matter how many times I try…it’s cat pee, cat pee, cat pee, and nothing else. UGH!
Actually many people have felt that way about Ninfeo Mio.
And so did I at the beginning. I don’t smell the urine anymore.
But I try not to wear the it in public just in case others feel compelled by the scent.
I miss the original 1999 J’Adore, which was pure happiness – huge sigh!
There are a lot of wonderful perfumes that make me happy, but I’d say that Andy Tauer’s L’Air du Désert Marocain, Parfum Sacre and Fresh Pomegranate Anise (for cold weather) and L’AP Fleur d’Oranger 2007, BK Beyond Love and Kai (for summer) are particularly joyful scents.
Great topic, and thanks for hosting, Tara!
Hi Nozknoz,
I adore Beyond Love and got those little travel kit refill bottles. It is just a wonderful tuberose. Very upbeat.
Thank the perfume gods for those travel kits – wish they’d do those for the ouds, too, which are also wonderful.
Parfum Sacre is really beautiful.
Caron’s “Le 3e Homme” takes me back to when I was a young man and a bit more innocent. It’s a gentle nostalgia, for I still have not lost all that innocence.
Ahh…. I love that!
Ah, you were so discerning (and perhaps lucky?) to wear L3H as a young man. It seemed a bit nostalgic to me at first sniff, not old-fashioned at all, but rather due to that touch of melancholy that LT deems essential for a great masculine.
vamp a NY is my cheerful & lightheaded scent
I was wondering if anyone was going to mention Vamp a NY. I love that tubereuse/bubble gum combination. It makes me laugh. Have your tried the other two that were launched at the same time. Sorry I don’t remember their names. I think one was centered around carrots.
I’m SO curious about those two – one is I Love Carrots and the other is Coco Love. I keep checking for samples on TPC but no luck so far.
VAMP!! I totally forgot Vamp… love her cheerful voluptuousness!
Although I loved Vamp in the summer, I wore it one day recently and it seemed sort of… trashy. Maybe I don’t mind trashy in the summer, or something – I have a feeling that I’ll start craving it again about January.
I only tried it in the summer, I’ll have to fish out my sample and try it now and see what happens. Although, I think you are right it’s easier to pull off trashy in the summer.
Ha, ha – it will be time for olfactory piña coladas decorated with mini parasols again before you know it!
Cartier’s Le Baiser du Dragon — a sickly-sweet amaretto/patchouli feast that just puts smile on my face. .
Patch is tough for me. I just think head-shop. But I do love SL Borneo. Patch, amaretto sound really nice.
Artisan’s Tea for Two never fails to put a smile on my face:)
Many of The L’Artisans are really nice.
fleur d’oranger is an instant mood enhancer and it keeps developing…the orange the cumin and even the deep warm orange colour makes me happy…..and definately shalimar!!!!!
I haven’t kept a running tally, but I am pretty sure that at least 10-15 posters (maybe even more) have noted their love of Shalimar.
All the ones I own — it’s why I wear perfume!
I’ll second that for sure!
Since it is such a grey day today, I will counter that with PdN Sacrebleu. So comforting and cozy for a day like today. A little bit of sunshine and warmth lending smiles all around.
Hey Tara — thanks for “hosting the post” I tend toward citrus for a pick me up smile. I love the very simple Fragonard scent Riviera Riviera–which, oddly enough, I picked up on the Riviera a few years ago. Lots of lemon and sea breeze…..love it.
Riviera Riviera sounds wonderful. I have been searching for a true beach/ocean breeze scent that doesn’t smell like suntan lotion or is very ozonic. I have to try this one. Does TPC have it?
That is tough – I also love beachy scents and one that keeps getting recommended is CBIHP Mr. Hulot’s Holiday (it’s reviewed here). Haven’t tried it yet, though.
That sounds nice, Jepster!
What a lovely idea for a thread! Off the top of my mind, here are my uplifting scents at the moment:
OJ Tiare
Joya Composition No1
Chanel No 5 vintage edp
Farmacia SS Annunziata Kama
Ava Luxe Moroccan Mint Tea (EXCELLENT for a headache)
Reminiscence Do Re and Mi Fa
SL Clair de Musc (my favorite evening, post-bath scent)
I have a couple Ava Luxes that I really like, Venus Sands and Chypre Noir. The Moroccan Mint Tea sounds perfect for a soothing scent. I have tried to love Tiare, but for some reason I find it very cloying.
Isn’t skin chemistry fantastic?
If I need a summer time scent pick me up, it’s Comptoir Sud Pacifique Cool Tropic Palm-it is a very light white floral/oceanic scent that one can spray liberally without being offensive.
If I need a TLC/nurturing scent in cool weather, it’s Fendi’s Theorema.
Theorema! Of course. Duh.
Haven’t ever even seen that CSP.
It’s a bit on the Oceanic side which I typically don’t like, but it also has lovely fruit and flowers in the drydown. I was surprised to like it.
Next time we meet, I’ll bring a sample for you.
Once in a while an ocean scent will surprise me like that.
I would have to say vintage Halston circa. 1978-1982, CdG Red Carnation and Coty’s Wild Musk Oil.
I love that CdG!
Vintage Halson..Wow that’s nice!
If I only new then what I know now about fragrances I would have hoarded many a perfume for future use.
If I had known then what I know now, I would have put all my money into Nombre Noir, so I could sell it now on eBay.
You guys have gone and made me put in an order at The Perfumed Court!! Hmph.
You can’t have enough CdG Tama!
Today my modd has been improved by a huge lunch and a shower with Un Voyage d’ Hermès and also the EdT. I did not like it so much in summer as one would expect, the freshness and audacity comes out much better now when it is cold.
Sounds like you had a great day. I have read a lot about Voyages de Hermes but haven’t gotten a chance to try it.
I wish I knew because I am feeling so crabby today…*sigh*….maybe something soft and powdery after my bath.
Have you tried Lorenzo Villoresi’s Teint de Neige? It’s definitely powdery!
Yes Tara,I do own this one,very comforting indeed.
‘What scent instantly improves my mood?’
If I am homesick for the USA I spray on some Queen.
If I am missing my mother I spray on Bellodgia, Galore or Badgely Mischka.
If I am feeling exhausted and overwrought at work I spray on Jo Malone’s Lime, Basil, Mandarin or SL Louve.
If I want extra confidence for a job interview I spray on Bulgari pour Femme or Chanel Cuir de Russie.
ALL my frags thrill me in some way but these are the ‘specialists’ for times of need.
Whenever I wear Cuir De Russie I feel like I walk a litte taller. It definitely provides confidence.