I'm late! Az is waiting patiently for our advice. She's looking for an everyday fragrance — something she can put on without thinking and that will last at least half the day. And of course, she'd like it to smell delicious! Extra bonus points if it works year-round, and although she doesn't mind shopping online, she doesn't want anything vintage or terribly hard to find. Her price limit is around £100-150 (£150 = $240).
Here is what we know about Az:
She's in her late 20s and has a young son.
She likes to read and paint.
She says she's a bit of a romantic, when she gets tired of being practical.
Her musical tastes range from world pop to opera.
Az likes notes of cumin, lavender, jasmine, gardenias, lilies, sandalwood and citrus. Some of her favorites in the past have included Gucci Envy and CK One (she has "OD'd" on both of those now), Alexander McQueen Kingdom (she loved it but it's now discontinued), and L'Artisan Thé Pour Un Été (until her mother-in-law co-opted it). She currently wears Chanel No. 5 (Eau de Parfum and Sensual Exilir), Christian Dior Poison, Penhaligon's Lily and Spice and Amouage Ubar (the old one), but she does not consider any of those to be an "everyday" scent.
Az does not like heavy vanilla, or anything sickly sweet. She says Thierry Mugler Angel, Gucci Rush and Lolita Lempicka all make her physically ill, as do all Guerlain perfumes.
Here are a few of the perfumes Az has tried lately:
Chanel Gardenia & Hermes Poivre Samaracande: She loves both of them and says they're "practically perfect, but too fleeting".
Ormonde Jayne line: She likes the fragrances, but says they're not scents she can wear easily — they're too demanding.
Andy Tauer line: Her favorite was Une Rose Chypree, but all of them gave her a headache after awhile so she gave them to her husband.
What say you?
Note: top image is Kildale Post Box by deargdoom57 at flickr; some rights reserved.
Az, you really can’t go wrong with Bois des Iles, and it’s well within your price range! The aldehydes at the top are lovely, and will cater to your no. 5 liking self, and the sandalwood is beautiful. It’s an “every-day, but better!” scent.
I second Dee’s recommendation and add No. 5 Eau Premiere. It’s got the lovely sandalwood drydown of BdI.
Second this! Bois de Iles…but also sample Chanel No. 19 and Bel Respiro!
…and 22, and 18, and what about the Cologne? Lots to love in the Exclusifs line. If forced to limit myself to one collection, I think this would be it.
Me too! Coromandel is lovely too!
Looks like I’ll have to brave the Chanel boutique again. The last time I went there, the SAs were a little, well, pushy, I couldn’t explore the line to my heart’s content! But BdI sounds right up my alley! Thanks.
Absolutely, you gotta try BdI. I wish you were closer to Vegas. That’s where I found my first Chanel and the SA was so fun and friendly and never pushy. If you want, I have her card, and you could just call her and I’m sure she’d hook you up. And I would be happy to make you up a sample of the BdI. I LOVE that one. I wear it anytime I want to be classy, but never overpowering. It’s perfect for every day. Best of luck. Let me know here if you want my email and I can give you further info.
@mough: thanks for the very kind offer! vegas to oxford is a jump, no? heh. but if you want to swap, am azperfumista at MUA.
[Can you tell I’d rather NOT go to Chanel again?]
My first thought was Amaranthighs. I was able to score a 3.4 ounce bottle of the EdP unboxed for around $60 US on Ebay, and it has cumin with tropical floral and milky notes, works amazingly well in both cold and warm weather, isn’t overpowering and is, in my opinion, just this side of unusual but not too much so that you couldn’t wear it during the day or for an office job.
Also, though it has been discontinued, I love Worth Courtesan as it has just a wee bit of edge but is just so darn pretty. And, it can be found without looking too terribly hard. Kingdom is just beautiful! I just got a sample and am afraid it had to go on the ‘must buy’ list even after taking a look at the scary prices.
Good luck in your search, Az, and have fun as well. Let us know what you find and happy sniffing.
Ha ha – OK, just in case you don’t know what Amaranthighs is, Az, the actual name of the scent is Amaranthine by Penhaligon’s.
Heh. Lurked around here long enough that I actually know what that is! But thanks.
Have you tried Annick Goutal’s Ninfeo Mio? It’s a citrusy/woody green scent that lasts a lot longer on me than many citrus or green fragrances. I keep coming back to it, although there’s a lavender note in it that I sometimes find to be just a bit too much, but I think for someone who likes lavender it might be a great everyday scent.
Good one… I never think of it bc it doesn’t work on me, sadly. I was thinking AG Mandragore or Le Chevrefeuille might be good ones to try, too.
Mandrigore popped into my head later in the day as well. I haven’t tried the Purpa (I think that’s what the flanker was called) but the original and Les Nuits d’Hadrien are two of my fave AGs.
The Grossmiths perfumes had lots of lavender to my nose, too, though I don’t know the price offhand as I just got samples. They were nice, but maybe a bit much for summer…
Not Ninfeo Mio. I tried Eau d’Hadrien two years ago and thought it was a little brash. My tastes might have changed since then. Dismissed the line based on that (terrible of me) but you’ve made Ninfeo Mio sound interesting. I’ll have to try that!
How about Ineke Gilded Lily, or Comme des Garcons Red: Harissa.
for everyday I was thinking light.
Acqua di Gioia by Giorgio Armani. thats light and watery and a bit sweet with mint. like being surrounded by a rainforest, it has ok staying power.
and if Az does go for this I got a 30ml gift set in the sale at Boots with bodylotion if she wanted it.
Flora by Gucci. light and flowery and has edt and edp versions. has good lasting power.
but those two are more for spring.
Miss Dior Chérie eau de toilette or L’eau
both nice and light, but again slightly more for spring, L’eau definitley is anyway.
Chance by Chanel, try all the concentrations I get them mixed up.
Tom Ford white patchouli
I like the Flora, MD Cherie and Chance suggestions. I got the same vibe from the description
Even if you don’t like the women’s Guerlains, try the unisex Jicky. Predominantly lavender, not at all sickly sweet, and absolutely classic.
I think she might like Vero Profumo Rubj- can order samples at luckyscent.
I second Rubj!
How about Gucci Pour Homme? A very nice incense!
Or Etro’s Sandalo…
Have you tried the Ineke line? They have a nice sample set, and Sarah Horowitz (sp?) comes to mind as well…
For something strong/unique, take a peek at Soivohle’s website…
Am hoping to like something from Ineke, since the bottles are beautiful (to me anyway). I have tried a couple from DSH but with so many, I ended picking ‘meh’ scents.
Lilies, sandalwood… Vanille Galante? Don’t let the name fool you, nothing about this one says vanilla BUT the name. Not sure of the pricing, though. Or the discontinued but still easily available through online discounters, DK Gold?
My first thought was Annick Goutal Le Jasmin. A nice fresh and casual jasmine, or perhaps Un Matin d’Orage. ( for the Gardenia)
Maybe Diptyque Olène?
Parfums de Nicolaï: Eau d’Eté ( but wears well in any season and lasts well.)or Balle de Match.
Another Chanel: Cristalle, I prefer the EDT, but it is more citrusy and mossy than the EDP, which is more floral.
for long lasting and a reasonable price, how about EL’s Private Collection Jasmine White Moss? – top notes of mandarin, black currant bud absolute, galbanum and bergamot. Heart notes: jasmin sambac absolute, jasmin India absolute violet, orange flower absolute, orris and ylang-ylang. Bottom notes: patchouli heart absolute, vetiver and white moss mist
or Frederic Malle Une Fleur de Cassie -notes of bergamot orange, rose, violet, cassie absolute, mimosa absolute, jasmine absolute, clove, cumin, apricot, musk, cedar, and sandalwood.
Happy Sniffing!
EL Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia could be a good choice too. Or try Hane Mori Haute Couture or Histoires de Parfums 1873 for citrusy jasmine/orange blossom.
AZ’s preferences in notes are very different from my own, but I started to prepare a list just ’cause I wanted to help. As the list came together, I thought “these are not everyday scents.” So, I’d simply like to offer a couple of scents I adore and use as everyday scents. Not challenging, but lovely nonetheless (I think, anyway).
VCA Orchidee Vanille. Don’t let the name scare you, it’s not a straight on vanilla scent. PG’s 18 Cadjmere – this is a an oddly warm and cool woody scent and sandalwood is included in the mix. VCA (Van Cleef & Aprels) also makes a Gardenia scent (can’t remember what it’s called), that you might also like.
Good luck!
The VCA is called Gardénia Pétale. It’s lovely actually, very elegant and refined. Maybe their Bois d’Iris would be worth a sniff as well.
Hi guys! Az, here. Wow, a lot of promising and interesting suggestions! Am scribbling all down. Am going to London in two weeks, and foresee a happy sniffing trip (of the non-hallucinogenic type.) Thanks!
Amouage Gold Woman. It’s has those wonderful notes of lily and jasmine. Also Maybe Estee Lauder’s Pleasures.
I secpnd Histoire des parfums’ 1873 (Colette) – it has a lot of the notes you like (we likemany of the same ones!). And Bois des iles and No 5 Eau premiere are long-time favorties, and so well done. You might try to the new Cristalle Eau Vert as well -it’s a bit fresher and lighter than the original. And I’m going to try AG’s Le Jasmin mysefl!
Hey Az….. If you’re looking for something everyday, maybe Aqua Universalis by Maison Fransis Kurkdjain? Citrusy, nice lilly of the valley note and a nice musky base, very nice and cheerful, good pick me up… and if you’re going to London, check out the Le Labo boutique, the Jasmin 17 is really nice, and you may like Neroli 36 as well!! Happy Shopping!!
and LL’s Rose31, for the cumin – woody notes (the rose is very understated)
Hi Az!
This was suggested to me when I did Monday Mail– how about Comme des Garcons White? It starts off like spicy curry (in the best possible way!) and dries down into a beautiful woody scent. It’s a quirky little fragrance but I think it’s great for everyday wear too!
Spicy curry? Yum! I’m with you on this one. But then, I mourn greatly Kingdom – the cumin fest.
Shall have to seek this one out!
Hi Az! For some reason, Belle en Rykiel popped into my mind. I’ve seen it described as an “aromatic oriental.” It combines citrus, lavender, coffee, incense, and wood in very appealing way. You might give it a try!
Oriental Lounge. You’ll love the cumin.
AZ, there are some great recs here! I’ll add Ava Luxe No. 23 to the list. Notes are Sandalwood, Hawthorn blossoms , Acacia, Rose, Himalayan Geranium , Lavender, and Musk. I don’t find it particularly sweet (but do take a look at the reviews at Makeup Alley, some people do.) . It lasts a good 8-12 hours and works year-round. Samples available at TPC and Posh Peasant.
I’d like to suggest Kurkdjian Cologne pour le soir or the more intense Absolue pour le soir (Ylang Ylang, Cumin, Cedar, Sandalwood) – as a past lover of Kingdom, these fragrances really got to me! And on a curry note, the opening of Serge Lutens’ Santal de Mysore really smelt to me like curry spices hitting hot oil after which you get lovely sandalwood notes. Not sure that’s easy to get and it probably isn’t an everyday fragrance, but the Kurkdjians certainly are, especially in the Cologne version (as is the sister scent, Cologne pour le matin).
Amouage Epic lasts a good 8 hours on me or more and is a spectacular scent with notes of cumin and spice.
serges fleur d’orange
Ok, it has been discontinued, but it’s still available cheapy cheap at all the British discounters; Donna Karen Gold EdP, and it’s just lovely, pretty but with some brains too, and not too much for everyday wear. Almost certainly something that is too much for everyday wear but you might like anyway is Les Nez Manoumalia?
Hi all,
How about mb01 by biehl parfumkunstwerke? It has top notes of blackcurrant, mimosa, jasmine, gardenia, and a drydown of sandalwood, musk & amber. It has nice staying power too.
cumin, lavender, jasmine, gardenias, lilies, sandalwood and citrus.
Mmmmm – for a nice lily, try Lys Mediteranee from frederic malle. For lavender, try Gris Clair or Encens et Lavande from Serge Lutens. For cumin, try Musc Koublai Kahn. I don’t know much about florals! But Jasmine and Cigarette from Etat Libre D’Orange is pretty fab and interesting. In general, the incense range from Commed Des Garcons is fabulous for daytime wear and quite cheap. So you could chose 2 or 3! Quazazate in particular would be very suitable for summertime. Good luck with your search!
I love Envy too and I highly recommend you
Outrageous by Frederick Malle only at Barneys