Today we're helping Kyla. Kyla is getting back into the dating scene after a long term relationship and wants to find the perfect "date night" perfume. Her daytime fragrances tend to be restrained, cool, and calming, now she wants something that is approachable and sexy but that isn't too sweet or overpowering. Kyla doesn't have good access to perfume stores, so she'll be shopping online. She'd like to find something for under $100, but she'd also be happy with a decant.
Here is what we know about Kyla:
She's in her mid-20s, and works as an environmental scientist in a small town in Northern Canada.
She is a bit shy and quiet, and sometimes comes off as aloof, but she's more talkative with people she knows, and she has a sharp sense of humor.
Her style is classic and feminine — more Joan Holloway than Betty Draper.
Kyla likes incense, florals, woods, amber, coniferous trees, hay, grass, clover, rose, tea, spices, "sharp" smells like lavender, rosemary or eucalyptus. She also doesn't mind aldehydes, "old lady" perfumes, loud white flowers or odd notes like rubber, but she's not sure those will work for her date night perfume. The day perfumes she wears the most are Comme des Garçons Jaisalmer & Rhubarb, Annick Goutal Ambre Fetiche & Eau de Camille, Parfum d'Empire Wazamba and Lolita Lempicka Fleur de Corail.
Kyla doesn't like tropical notes, aquatic scents, sweet or very heady perfumes, and sweaty, dirty, or animalic notes.
Here are some of the perfumes she has tried:
Parfum d'Empire Ambre Russe: too sweet.
Les Parfums de Rosine Ecume de Rose: she really liked it, but it's more of a daytime perfume.
Les Parfums de Rosine Rose Kashmire: close to what she wants, but needs more oomph.
L'Artisan Safran Troublant: too foody.
Tauer L'Air du Desert Marocain: fabulous, but too much heavy spice for her to wear.
Chanel Coromandel & Tauer Incense Rose: she likes them, but not sure they will appeal to men.
Annick Goutal Songes: too heady.
What say you?
Note: image is Melaka, Malaysia by yeowatzup at flickr; some rights reserved.
Parfum Sacre is the first thing that comes to mind. And Une Rose Chypree. (But might be too heavy, I don’t know.) I know aldehydic florals don’t sound like seduction material to you, but really should consider Bill Blass Nude. I think it’s total Date Bait.
Oh, Parfum Sacre is a good choice!
Concur on the PS!
Here are my sexy (yet still clean) suggestions for date-night:
Parfum d’Empire 1740
Sonoma Scent Studio Tabac Aurea
Sonoma Scent Studio Incense Pure
Frapin 1671
Good luck!
I think you mean Histoires de Parfums 1740?
LOL, yes! Goodness, I shouldn’t open my trap before I’ve had a few cups.
Date night fragrances, what a great question! Here are some suggestions, have fun knocking those men out with your fabulous self!
Boucheron Jaipur, Tauer Eau d’ Epices or Rose Vermeille, YSL Yvresse and Parfums Delrae Amoureuse.
If you want to go with a basic mankiller, Gucci Rush really works!
R, Ha! Love that last sentence – so true!
God, these are all such great suggestions. Boucheron Jaipur doesn’t get nearly the play it deserves (that golden, apricot scent is to die for), and Yvresse is such a wonderfully bright chypre. Yvresse always strikes me as being incredibly vivacious–if perfumes were people, Yvresse would be the woman you’d want to laugh with at parties.
Love your description of Yvresse, it always makes me feel joyful and bubbly (but not in an airhead way)! It is a personal favorite, one of the few perfumes for which I have backup bottles.
That’s a very interesting challenge – obvisously you want your date night scent to be sexy but not the kind of “jump in your face” sexy. Chanel comes to my mind although some of their scents might be too aloof. However, I recommend either Bois des Iles which is more approachable and very beautiful (you can order via the Chanel website) or – if you can find it – vintage Coco. Given your favorite notes, also try Ormonde Jayne Woman which makes quite a statement.
Or how about Egoiste? A delicious spicy, rosy sandalwood. And I think (interesting) men find it sexy when women wear men’s fragrances.
Good one!
If she likes incense and doesn’t mind loud white flowers then L’artisan Passage d’Enfer is worth a try (if you haven’t already). I send Kristacolognes suggestion of any classic Chanel for aldehyde notes and I love vintage Coco – not Mademoiselle
Oh and I’m dying to try Ormonde Jayne Woman. It’s on my wishlist.
Ormonde Jayne Woman, or Ta’if might work.
I second both Ormonde Woman and Ta’if, Tolu might also be worth a try.
Ditto!
Great suggestions!
Agree that these two would be good to try!
I find Prada L’Eau Ambree to be a bit of a sexy/smoky floral. It’s spicy but dry, and does not smack you in the face.
I second this. Also, according to SO, Citizen Queen and Lady Vengeance are very seductive.
I third the Prada L’Eau Ambree and will add Frederic Malle’s Angéliques Sous La Pluie. I think the FM ASLP is very sexy and very chic. However, I warn you the lasting power was not impressive at all. It lasted less than 2 hours on me before completely disappearing. But, my skin tends to really eat perfume.
ASLP includes notes of angelica, coriander, pink pepper, and cedar. It’s not overpowering at all. Its very much a skin scent with a come hither allure to it. I thought it was delicate and very memorable. I loved the cedar the most – it perfectly complimented the musk and floral scents. I would love to own a full bottle if I could make it last longer on my skin. Good luck!
Chanel’s No. 5 Eau Premiere is beautiful…sparkling aldehydes and abstract floral notes. I think this would be age appropriate and right up her alley. Another suggestion is Bvlgari Black – you know the one where the bottle looks like a hockey puck.
Second for Eau Premiere.
Hi Kyla,
Here are some suggestions for you:
L’Artisan Chasse aux Papillions – pretty, very feminine white flower
OJ Woman – mysterious and completely unique
Divine by Divine – an irresistably sexy, Joan Holloway-esq. scent, and not too heady if applied lightly
I grew up in N. Ontario – hope these attract a mate, but not the evil blackflies
Good luck!
Second Divine Divine. You might also like L’Inspiratrice from that same line.
For classic and feminine, what about the new Love, Chloe?
Ormonde Jayne Ta’if – a beautiful mellow, deep rose spiked with pink peppercorn and softened with saffron and amber. Truly glamorous and nuzzle-worthy.
Definitely!
Ta’if has to be on your To Try list, Kyla! It’s wonderfully, elegantly seductive. And as someone who’s spent a fair bit of time in Nunavut, I can guarantee that you’ll stand out as a rare and beautiful bird with Ormonde Jayne on your décolletage in northern Canada!
I’d like to second Parfum Sacre, Bois des Iles and especially Ormonde Woman. Chanel 19 EDP might be good too – all sandalwood and iris and green, to me, very sophisticated. For ‘sexy’ and classic but also approachable, I’d try Malle Le Parfum de Therese, too. Gorgeous stuff. Also, what about PdN Le Temps d’une Fete? I don’t find it animalic, just a warmly woody green floral, and very pretty.
You might try Donna Karan Black Cashmere (this is not the same perfume as Cashmere Mist), and perhaps L’Artisan Nuit de Tubereuse.
EL Sensuous
Geisha Noir-the one in the roller ball. It’s at Luckyscent.
FM Portrait of a Lady (2nd Parfum de Therese )
FK Lumiere Noir Pour Femme
Interesting fave notes and daytime perfumes, Kyla! I like your style and I have a bunch of weird suggestions for you.
First is Annick Goutal Passion. I notice you have access to and like a few of the AGs, but not Songes (which doesn’t suit me either). Passion is in the same dramatic, night-time vein as Songes, but less sweet and opaque in my view. It *is* white floral (ylang-ylang), and quite rubbery/camphorous, but I think it would work for dating: March of Perfume Posse has commented that men love it – it always gets her male compliments at parties.
If you like Rose Kashmire, but want something with more presence and oomph – and also sexy as all-get-out – I think Amouage Lyric is your obvious choice. It’s super expensive, but very concentrated, so a decant would do.
Lastly, have you tried the Donna Karan collection (the re-issues)? Donna Karan Signature is a lovely dark woody-floral, with apricot, jasmine and amber, but also some grassy green up front and suede and incense-like notes in the earthy base – not too sweet. The first scent I thought of when I read your description was actually a men’s scent – I wouldn’t worry about wearing dude fragrances on dates, men generally love them, in my experience – and it’s Donna Karan’s Fuel for Men. Very elegant, I think, and is one of my hubby’s favorite fragrances on me: woody-musky with some lavender, restrained spices and incense. If you like that one, Caron’s Third Man/No.3 would be great, too: a fougere with lavender, anise, jasmine (*lots* of jasmine), rosemary, and spicy geranium – just try to find an old bottle (it may have been reformulated lately…)
Second for Amouage Lyric, a beautiful fragrance. Another suggestion: maybe L’Artisan Drole de Rose or Lipstick Rose Frederic Malle.
Lyric is amazing!
Agree that Lyric is amazing, and that a small decant would last a long time (mine has!).
Second AG Passion! Great recommendations, Erin.
Second Donna Karan Signature – it’s gorgeous!
Lyric was my first thought for Kyla as well.
Lots of good suggestions here! I second Chanel No 5 Eau Premiere and Bois des Iles and would also suggest Allure Sensuelle, which i know from, ahem, personal experience that many men do like (in low doses – even just the body lotion may be enough). I second Prada’s l-eau Ambree as well. I’ve also gotten good feedback from men on SJP’s Lovely, which has a nice mix of musks, lavender, and other great scents. Lovely can also work in the daytime, and in the warmer months (though given where you live, “warm” might not be much of an issue!)
I’ve got a few suggestions that run the gamut.
1. Le Labo Patchouli 24. Very smoky, tea-like, but with a sweet edge. Very sexy. Men seem to like this one, too.
2. Ormonde Jayne Orris Noir. Subtly spicy, totally bombshell, but not over the top in terms of aggressiveness. Very versatile.
3. Caron Tabac Blond. The ultimate leather scent. Carnation, spices, but it does have an animalic side to it, so perhaps it would be too much for you. To my mind, Tabac Blond is the best confidence-booster there is.
Orris Noir is one of my favorites!
Because you mentioned some of the Rosines, and because my husband adores it, I am going to suggest Bvlgari Rose Esentielle.
I will 2nd (3rd, 4th!) Ormonde Jayne Woman! I think you will love it!
Add Chanel Bois de Iles because of its sophisticated air…
and how did everyone miss….Boyfriend! If you don’t mind patcholi and little sweet, you might find this fun!
If you like Tauer’s incense rose – get it. First-hand knowledge that men (yes, plural) adore
Good luck!
Kyla, there are lots of great suggestions already! I’m going to add Gres Cabaret. It’s a rose & incense combo with a slightly sharp edge and retro vibe that just seem to fit with your descriptions of what you like. My husband loves it on me. Also the bottle is funky and fun, and the price is amazing (I just checked Amazon!).
I was also going to suggest Cabaret! My preferences seem similar to yours, and it’s one of my favorites — not least because of the price.
If you want to try something warm and spicy but not overbearing, DSH’s Jitterbug is divine.
Absolutely agree with Ormonde Jayne Ta’if, Tolu and Orris Noir. And someone did mention Kurkdjian Lumiere Noire pour Femme but seems to have got lost in all the posts so will recommend it again – Rose, Narcissus, Pimento, Patchouli and just divine!
Oh yes, the Francis Kurkdjian Lumiere Noire is faaaabulous. I spray it on my wrist every time I’m in Liberty’s here in London, and I spend the rest of the day wanting to make out with myself.
I’m going to second and third and fourth what others have said, in my order of preference:
1) Ta’if – Rose, amber, spice (saffron, I think)
2) OJ Woman
3) Une Rose Chypree
But if it’s really about men, take Tania Sanchez’ advice: Bacon
Two suggestions I haven’t seen, yet, and have distracted men with (on both ends of the expense spectrum!):
1) Amouage Memoir, totally gorgeous, unique, feminine, mysterious, requires them to lean in to get it’s full glory!
2) Bvlgari Omnia, not my favorite tea scent but gets high marks from nice men who don’t know perfume–I think it’s that perfect mix of spicy mystery with familiar, not-to-arty perfumeness. Enjoy!
That’s perfume-expense not man-expense! Ha!
You may want to try Costes, too.
So many good suggestions! I would just like to add Agent Provocateur.
I tried Rosewood by Banana Republic yesterday in House Of Fraser
and you guessed it, it smells like roses and wood. it’s not for me but it does smell nice, very romantic. and it’s relatively cheap. I don’t know if they sell it in the U.S but at House Of Fraser the 100ml is £46.
I personally wouldn’t wear perfume on a first date. you don’t want to knock them out with a heavy perfume. but a mild perfume also has it’s flaws because the other person might not pick up on it or notice it, but subconciously like it and be attracted to you because of it. then the whole thing would be a lie. you want them to like you for who are not what you smell like.
but then again us on smell on NST, how we smell is part of who we are, so it’s difficult.
Hi Kyla —
1) Since you like a couple of Andy’s perfumes already, have you tried Une Rose Chyprée? Une Rose Vermielle? Maroc Pour Elle? I find that men tend to like sweeter perfumes (which rather shocked me), and so Une Rose Vermielle would be my date-night choice of the 3.
2) My first thought for you though was Etat Libre d’Orange’s “Like This”. Hey, it’s pumpkin, and guys find it sexy…
You might also check out Divin’ Enfant, which I find irresistible, as well as Keiko Mecheri’s Loukhoum. I hate sweet perfumes as a rule, and particularly dislike vanilla in perfumes, but go figure, when it is done right, it is a glorious thing! I LOVE all of these! (and guys love vanilla) Although you said that you don’t like particularly sweet or heady perfumes, I think you might just like these.
3) The perfumes I personally find sexy, or make me feel sexy, are vintage Halston (especially layered with the body lotion), and LesNez’s L’Antimatière. Check for the former on ebay, etc., as it can be found for a good deal. Sometimes they also have old stock in old drugstores and perfume stores. As for L’Antimatière since you like Ambre Fetiche, and I am hoping amber, I think that you might just like this. Many people can’t smell it, but if you can, it is quietly beautiful. Some say it is what true amber must smell like. I find it slightly salty and a bit musky, but very quiet. It’s designed as a perfumes with only base notes, no top or middle notes. It is a quietly lingering and caressing scent, which just becomes part of you. I love wearing it.
Good luck with your quest — both the perfumes, and the men
A fellow Ontarian —
Hi, I second the Halston
subtle weapons: Cristalle EDP Chanel (men really love the EDP it somehow smells like skin) and Osmanthe Yunnan Hermesse
and try Visa Robert Pingue