Today we're helping Chelsea, who wants to find a replacement for her everyday signature scent, Miss Dior Chérie, which she does not love so much since they reformulated it — she liked the original 2005 version, and she's hoarding what she has left. She can pay up to $150, and would love to find something unique, but she doesn't yet know much about notes. She's interested in learning about chypre fragrances, peony, vetiver and suede.
Chelsea is in her early 20s, and is majoring in marketing at Clemson University.
She was raised in the South, and will be moving to New York City when she graduates.
She loves travel and trying new things, and being different from the crowd, and she would like her scent to reflect that.
Chelsea likes fruits (orange), florals (jasmine and rose), musk, amber, patchouli and sandalwood. In addition to Miss Dior Chérie, she also loves Fragonard Bleu Riviera, Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede and Givenchy Dahlia Noir.
She doesn't like heavy or powdery fragrances. Balenciaga Florabotanica and Chanel No. 5 are two she seriously doesn't care for.
Here is what Chelsea has tried so far in her search:
Chloé Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette: powder and more powder.
Dolce & Gabbana La Roue de la Fortune 10: all she smells is cheap leather.
Dolce & Gabbana La Lune 18: Chelsea says she doesn't think benzoin likes her.
What say you?
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Note: top image [cropped & tripled] is courtesy of Victoria at Bois de Jasmin.
Hi Chelsea, I have a couple ideas for you.
Parfum d’Empire Azemour
Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine
Ramon Monegal Barcelona Ambra di Luna
Laboratorio Olfattivo Decou Vert
Try Narciso Rodriguez for Her (musk, patchouli, orange blossom) or Badgley Mischka (nice fruity-floral-amber). And Bottega Veneta is a nouveau chypre with suede and patchouli and soft fruity notes.
Also, I think Soap & Glory Hand Food smells a little like the original Miss Dior Cherie!
I second the Narciso Rodriguez for Her.
I second the Bottega Veneta! And I would add Kelly Caleche and Eau des Merveilles
I think these are seconds, too, since it looks like other people have suggested them below.
Soap & Glory has just released ‘Original Pink’ in the UK, a perfume that smells like their Hand Food, Righteous Butter and other original products. It’s only £15 a bottle, so worth trying. (I’m tempted to stock up; it doesn’t smell anywhere near that cheap.)
Good tip!
Orange+florals+amber equals Anne Pliska. You might also like Nest’s Dahlia and Vines (I think it’s a Sephora exclusive) which is softer but very plush
I have two contrary suggestions.
1. Save your money until you move to NYC, when you can sniff to your heart’s and nose content, and find just about every niche and niche style.
2. Atalier Cologne, however, has indicated it may soon raise prices. I would suggest its Ambre Nue in the travel size, if you want to make a purchase before bright lights and big city.
Dilana, how do you know AC is planning to raise prices?
It’s hard to argue with this, actually.
I would recommend Worth Courtesan. You can get it through Amazon for around $30. Or maybe Badgley Mishka might work.
Some perfumes Chelsea should try:
Narciso Rodriguez For Her
Bottega Veneta
Bvlgari Jasmin Noir
Reem Acra
Guerlain Samsara
Estee Lauder Sensuous
Estee Lauder Sensuous Noir
Thierry Mugler Alien
Hermes Kelly Caleche
Hermes L’Ambre des Merveilles
Prada Amber
Prada L’Eau Ambree
Chanel Coco
Parfums de Nicolaï Maharanih Intense is a lovely scent with an orange note. New York, Le Temps d’une Fete and others are also wonderful. You could have two or three PdNs for $150 for different seasons and moods.
I am going to suggest Voleur de Roses L’Artisan..
I second VdR. It’s beautiful and certainly different.
Diva Perfumes in St. Helena, California has the old formulation in stock. Here’s a link, but call don’t email (they’re kind of low tech).
http://www.divaperfumes.com/divaperfumes/index.shtml
Would suggest trying a few in the de Nicolai line…think STC offers a sample pack. It’s expensive, but Le Parfum de Therese might work too.
I second (or third) Bottega Veneta. I’d also suggest:
L’Artisan Caligna
Serge Lutens Fleurs de Citronnier
Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin
Histoires de Parfums 1889 Moulin Rouge
Also, just thought of another one. Since you mentioned being interested in peony: Histoires de Parfums Vert Pivoine
Clarins Par Amour Toujours is a pretty tangerine rose.
If you’re interested in exploring peony/vetiver (with some lychee, incense, and leather), you might try L’Artisan’s Dzongkha; and for apricot suede, you might check out Serge Lutens’ Daim Blond.
Try Elie Saab