Today we're helping Cady, who wants to find two new fragrances: a casual scent for day, and a special occasion romantic scent for night. Cady says she doesn't like smelling like everyone else, and she can spend about $100-150 on each perfume.
Here is what we know about Cady:
She's a creative professional in her early 30s, and she lives in New York City.
She says her style is bohemian chic...trendy, but with her own flair.
She likes to go organic when she can, she loves the beach, and considers herself more European than American in lifestyle: she works to live, loves travel and food.
She says she is warm and friendly with a wacky sense of humor.
Cady likes fresh, clean, and beachy fragrances. Notes she likes include coconut, citrus (especially bergamot) jasmine, gardenia, tuberose, rose, grass, melon, mint, neroli, lavender, cucumber, white musk and soapy and/or powdery notes. Her current favorites are Creed Virgin Island Water and Philosophy Pure Grace. Others she likes include Chloe Lavande and Chloe Neroli, sometimes Burberry Classic.
Cady doesn't like gourmands or sweet fragrances, "perfumey perfumes", freesia or lily. Perfumes she dislikes include Prada by Prada, Jean Patou Joy and Thierry Mugler Angel.
Here is what Cady has tried so far:
Hermes Jardin Sur le Nil: loved the opening, the dry down smelled like cheap body spray.
Prada Infusion d'Iris: too mature.
Prada Infusion de Fleur d'Oranger: too flat and not enough citrus.
Prada Infusion de Tubereuse: didn't smell the tuberose.
Robert Piguet Fracas: loved it, but perhaps too strong.
Calvin Klein CK One: fresh, clean, but not romantic.
Annick Goutal Petite Cherie: a little too sweet and immature.
Chloe 2009: fun, fresh and very feminine but now too widely worn.
What say you?
Note: image is Southgate Street by Martin Pettitt at flickr; some rights reserved.
how about Kai?
Kai is very nice.
Love Kai! Mix it with Virgin Island Water also love the scents you love… How about Laura Mercier Vanilla Scent… BBW coconut scents.
Casmir by Chopard
Beach is great by bobbi brown!
As far as sexy try Black Orchid!
For daytime, maybe Bond No. 9 Fire Island or even Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess (the original one, not the Bronze Goddess Soleil, which does not have coconut). Both have a beachy, summery feel. Another nice one—although it didn’t last long for me—is The Different Company Un Parfum de Charmes et Feuilles, which has both mint and jasmine.
For evening, maybe Ormonde Jayne Tiare or Sampaquita?
2nd original bronze goddess
AG Ninfeo Mio, Guerlain AA Herba Fresca and Mandarine Basilic, Pacifica Mediterranean Fig, Bobbi Brown Beach, EL Bronze Goddess, SL Datura Noir all come to mind as worth a test.
Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia (romantic), Bronze Goddess (casual daytime).
Bobbi Brown Beach (casual)
Aqua di Parma Iris Nobile (EDT for casual, EDP for romantic) or Magnolia Nobile.
LAP La Chasse Aux Papillons will probably work for both.
Prescriptives Calyx for casual daytime
Hermes Hermes Un Jardin Apres La Mousson might work better than Nil. Vanille Galante is a little pricier but it sounds like it might also suit Cady’s taste.
Bronze Goddess comes to my mind too. Cady, it is sweet but definitely worth a spritz. You can just run by the Estee Lauder counter at Macy’s if you want to try it today! It is the best of suntan lotion without the oil and skin cancer! 🙂
Of course you can always indulge in Estee Lauder Tuberose Gardenia, Carnal Flower, Perfect Gardenia too if you are ready for some heady white summer florals. But again, sweet warning!
My suggestion: Douglas Hannant de Robert Piguet. And would also agree with Bronze Goddess.
I am going to find a bottle of Robert Hannant to sniff! I have tuberose on the brain…..ha!
sorry- Douglas! : )
Agree with Carnal Flower, and would also recommend Annick Goutal Songes and Andre Gas Ensoleille Moi.
Ginger Ciao! by YOSH.
Ginger Ciao Eau de Parfum Notes –
Black coconut, night queen, tiger lily, neroli, ylang ylang, ginger, basil
YES! This is the one I was just scrolling down to recommend for the nighttime choice. So different and SO luscious!
For daytime: Hermès, Eau des Merveilles – fresh and summery yet complex enough to wear as an everyday scent
For evening: L’Artisan, Nuit de Tubéreuse – a green, rather unusual tuberose, not on the heavy side but very sexy!
I second both of these as must-try fragrances.
Bois Naufrage from Parfumerie Generale is my favorite beach scent. Check out the full description not just the notes on the Lucky Scent site.
I’ll agree with so many who suggested EL’s Bronze Goddess. And with Dawnkana on Ginger Ciao.
Definitely agree with the bronze goddess recommendation. Also, CSP has a whole line of coconut-mixed-with-other scents, including coconut paired with tropical fruits.
Hi, Happy Summer!
A few things came to mind: Tam Dao has some nice mintiness and freshness,Sacrebleu by Parfums Nicolai had a nice summery feel, as does Lostmarc’h L’eau de l’hermine, a citrus with some lavender herbiness. Although you noted you weren’t fond of lilies, Jo Malone’s Dark Amber and Ginger Lily isn’t really a lily, but has more of a Thai-food feel, gingery, coconutty, and even minty. Bulgari Blu is also gingery and citrusy, with some soap. Good luck!
Le labo’s Neroli 36 and/or Jasmin 17 might be fun to try! And – while it’s widely avaialble and certainly isn’t exclusive, -Jennifer Aniston’s Debut is a nice, beachy scent., very fresh and jasmin-y. For evening, try Ilari from Indiescents- jasmine and sandalwood and ooohbaby…
I agree with the suggestions of Carnal Flower or EL Tuberose Gardenia for romantic nights. For day, how about Nanadebary Green, Yosh U4EAHH!, or EL’s original Private Collection?
I would say Carnal Flower, Ormonde Jayne Champaca or Frangipani
Mayybe Jo Malone Orange Blossom
My favourite “beachy” scents are L’Artisan Cote d’Amour and TDC Sel de Vetiver – both by Celine Ellena. The L’Artisan is “certified organic” too. Both of these scents give me a salty seaside feeling. The Cote d’Amour feels like the end of a hot summer day at the beach, with sand in my hair and lingering sunscreen on my skin. The Sel de Vetiver has a cooler feel to it – maybe walking on the shore in the morning, the sun not quite high yet, but the promise of a sunny day ahead. I like a lot of the suggestions already made too, especially Carnal Flower and the OJ’s.
I second Cote d’Amour and add L’Eau de l”Artisan and Dior Dune – both ultra beachy.
I “third” Cote d’Amour, and want to add two more L’Artisans:
Fleur de Liane – Tropical rainforest with a floral heart and a sea breeze. Very lovely.
Premier Figuier Extreme – Milky, coconutty, figgy
I also happen to be testing a fun one today, Lilly Pulitzer Beachy. Listed notes include Watermelon, Citrus, Marine Air Accord, Jasmine, Tiare Flower, Frangipani, Salt Crystals, Amber, and Vanilla. I like it so much that I found one online and bought it!
Since you are in New York, I recommend that you go to Aedes de Venustus on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village on a quiet week day. Tell the owner what you are looking for and let him give you a sniffing tour of his recommendations. When you pick out a couple of favorites, he’ll make you samples of them. They have a huge selection of interesting niche fragrances, including many of the ones mentioned above. (Ormonde Jayne, however–one of my favorite lines–you can only get by mail.)
Fracas for fun! and if you have access, try any Serge Lutens (a la nuit, cedre, etc)…and of course I recommend sampling Ormonde Jayne! Esp OJ Woman…that is my go-to classy evening scent!
For day time, I think some of the Comptoir Sud Pacifique fragrances would suit Cady’s sunny and quirky style and love for beachy scents: try Coco Extreme, Crystal de Musc or Hemisphere Sud. The latter is a golden fragrant beach, but not oceanic. As a night time fragrance, I’d say D&G Classic Parfum (Women). It is both bitter and sweet, makes a statement, and makes me feel beautiful with a big broad smile.
For daytime, I second Guerlain AA Mandarine Basilic; for a somewhat drier, more sophisticated take on citrus, I love Yuzu Rouge by Parfums 06130, although it doesn’t last so well on me. Also, AG Quel Amour is somewhat similar to but definitely less sweet and more mature than Petite Cherie.
DSH fangirl here thinks Cady should check out that line. That said, it sounds like Cady and I have wildly dissimilar tastes, so my favorite DSH scents probably wouldn’t suit her. But the line is in her price range, there’s a lot to choose from, the scents don’t smell like everything else, and the line (to me) seems compatible with a bohemian-chic sensibility.
A couple DSH scents that might work for her are Nouveau Gardenia and Beach Roses.
Completely agree with the votes for Bronze Goddess and Carnal Flower. Other suggestions would be Bahiana by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier, a very nice beachy scent. For a clean scent I would suggest Sauvingnonne by Ginestet. Midnight Orchid by Susanne Lang is a favorite evening scent of mine but it might be too sweet for you.
For beachy day time Cady could try Pacifica “California Star Jasmine,” Hermes “Un Jardin en Mediterranee”, TDC “Sel de Vetiver”. Dior “Addict 2” may also fit the bill but might be too commercial.
For nighttime romantic try “L de Lolita Lempika”. If that is too heavy try “Tea Rose” by Perfumer’s Workshop or MDCI “Rose de Siwa”.
Agreeing with Bronze Goddess, Bois Naufrage, and Eau des Merveilles for daytime, and adding Parfum de Nicolai Juste un Reve (coconut and tropical floral) for evening.
Juste une Reve is really wonderful, a soft coconutty floral.
Leila Lou by Rosie Jane is fun for the daytime — grassy, a bit clean/soapy, with a little nectarine/peach. It is a bit like Petite Cherie (which didn’t quite work for you), but I would still give it a try. Per Beauty Habit, the notes are:
Top notes: Nectarine & fresh cut grass
Middle: Pear Blossom & Jasmine
Bottom: Vanilla & Cotton Musk
Happy sniffing!
Agree w/SO many of the suggestions, and will add 2 I didn’t see (having only skimmed, mind you): Rosine’s Ecume de Rose and Tom Ford’s Black Orchid Voile de Fleur.
Haven’t tried the Tom Ford, but I second the Ecume de Rose suggestion!
You might try Vamp a NY, it’s fun, natural, and I bet not everyone is wearing it! I alsl love the OJ line, so give it a try too.
Good Luck!
Another really nice one!
Thank you SO much everyone! I have worn both Bronze Goddess and Eau de Merveilles….I like them both! I am also loving all the new suggestions. : ) I just picked up a bottle of Love, Chloe and I’m going to see about visiting some perfume houses in my city. What a great community this is….
I think Annick Goutal’s Un Matin D’Orage would be a good one for you to try, Cady. It’s a beautiful aquatic gardenia – so soft and dewy I only wear it for day.
I like Tulip’s suggestion of Vamp a NY by Honore des Pres, too. It’s a root beer-y tuberose, which is sexier than it sounds and would be great for evening.
Enjoy your search!
Michael Kors Island
the new spalsh range from Marc Jacobs. they do cranberry, ginger and curacao.
D&G light blue
For daytime, what about Love, Chloe? It’s softly sweet, powdery, musky and soapy in a clean sort of way, very pretty and relaxed. THe bottle is also adorable, for what that’s worth. For evening, I think EL Tuberose Gardenia would be a great one to try.
Clarins Eau Ensoleillante (thank goodness for cut and paste ;)) is a bit in the same vein as Bronze Goddess. Notes: Sicilian Mandarine, Grapefruit, Ylang, Tonka bean, Patchouli, Griffonia seeds, Watermelon. On me it smells like sunbathing on rocks heated by the sun with a dab of sun lotion included. Very refreshing.
I also suggest Passage L’Enfer by L’Artisan Parfumeurs, Robert Piguet Futur (both green and flowery), Cartier So Pretty (rose) and the Dior Escale trio.
What about Guerlain Samsara for evening wear – the perfect mix of jasmine and sandalwood?
Stephanie De Saint Aignans Embruns D’Ambre-a beachy amber-it’s lovely!
Frederick Malle Le Parfum de Therese came to mind.
FM Portrait of a Lady is a stunner, but pricey.
Paestum Rose
Lumiere Noir Pour Femme
Agree with Embruns d’Ambre – love it!
I recommend: OJ Frangipani for day and TDC Jasmine de Nuit for night. Good luck!
Balenciaga Paris. It’s pretty, young and romantic, but not too sweet or boring. Modern classic.
Sorry if I repeat what;s been said before, I don’t have time to read all the comments!
Beachy, fresh, natural smelling fragrance…….Sel Marin from HEELEY. A fabulous one, really unusual and evocative.
Beachy, coconutty: Bahiana from Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier.
For night, I was thinking of something like an Ormonde Jayne. Maybe Frangipani, since you like lime. I think it’s worth testing her florals and reading some of Robin’s reviews. They’re very, very special.
Beachy bohemian day: Parfums Nicolai Weekend a Deauville (so gorgeous)…Le Labo Neroli 36…possibly Lostmarch Iroaz. Also L’etat Libre D’orange Don’t Get Me Wrong…. And maybe their Rossy de Palma. I love Sel de Vetiver but it is quite masculine…also do work your way through the Comptoir du Sud Pacifique line – all beautiful islandy scents.
Night: if you respond to Fracas, by all means do a tuberose. Carnal Flower or Narcotic Venus. Enjoy!