• About
  • Login to comment
    • Bluesky
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Now Smell This

a blog about perfume

Menu ▼
  • Perfume Reviews
  • New Perfumes
  • Archives

The Monday Mail ~ help Liz find a new fragrance

Posted by Robin on 17 November 2014 27 Comments

Pink post

It's been a good long while since we've done a Monday Mail...I hope some of you still remember the drill! Today we're helping Liz, who is in law school and wants to find a "grown-up" fragrance that she can wear regularly. She'd prefer something with decent lasting power. She can pay around $100 and has reasonable access to stores, but is overwhelmed by the offerings she finds in the mall and is subject to migraines from some scents.

Here is what we know about Liz:

She's in her late 20s.

Her personal style during the week is feminine and conservative, but on the weekends she's usually in jeans and a t-shirt.

Her hobbies are reading, yoga, running, and aquariums/aquascaping.

Liz likes scents that smell either lightly floral or foody (vanilla or cinnamon) She has worn Jessica Simpson Fancy and Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio in the past. She really liked Tokyo Milk Sparrow (the notes: neroli, citrus, crisp greens, gardenia and rosewood) and thinks what she liked about it was the combination of neroli and light gardenia (her favorite flower). She thinks she'd like to try a light gardenia and/or a vanillic gourmand.

Liz dislikes anything musky or heavily floral. Perfumes she has been given as gifts but did not like include Calvin Klein Obsession, DKNY Be Delicious and Nina Ricci L'Air du Temps. 

What say you? And note that Liz is not accustomed to ordering samples online — mainstream recommendations are probably best, but if you think of something niche / obscure you think she'd love, do tell where she could get a sample.

Want to be a participant in the Monday Mail? See the instructions here.

Note: top image is pink post [cropped] by jenny downing at flickr; some rights reserved.

Filed Under: perfume talk
Tagged With: monday mail

Advertisement


27 Comments

Leave a comment, or read more about commenting at Now Smell This. Here's our privacy policy, and a handy emoticon chart.

  1. Ari says:
    17 November 2014 at 10:39 am

    Prada Candy! Sweet but subtle. Liz should definitely also try Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensee if her local Sephora carries it (most carry at least the mini).

    Log in to Reply
  2. Elisa says:
    17 November 2014 at 11:06 am

    Maybe try:

    Kenzo Amour
    Dior Addict
    Hanae Mori Butterfly
    Tocca Margaux
    Annick Goutal Songes

    Log in to Reply
    • Ari says:
      17 November 2014 at 11:29 am

      Ooh, Amour is a really good choice!

      Log in to Reply
    • Aparatchick says:
      17 November 2014 at 3:13 pm

      Elisa beat me to it – Kenzo Amour was my first thought.

      Log in to Reply
    • Angela says:
      17 November 2014 at 9:56 pm

      Gosh, I kind of feel you nailed it!

      Log in to Reply
  3. Jenkr says:
    17 November 2014 at 11:09 am

    Cartier Baiser Vole perhaps?

    Log in to Reply
    • Angela says:
      17 November 2014 at 9:56 pm

      Always gorgeous.

      Log in to Reply
  4. DaveStPaul says:
    17 November 2014 at 11:43 am

    Vanillic Gourmand = +1 for Prada Candy, or the Candy L’Eau version if you want it a notch toned-down.

    Light Gardenia = Marc Jacobs. The original perfume called “Marc Jacobs” that is. (Sephora also has it in rollerball, which can be a nice option.)

    Good luck. =:o)

    Log in to Reply
    • Delacey says:
      17 November 2014 at 12:50 pm

      I’d also recommend trying both Candy and Candy L’eau, if you are going to try either. I could hardly smell Candy and found Candy L’eau to have far more presence on me.

      Log in to Reply
    • nebbe says:
      18 November 2014 at 12:53 am

      +1 to the Marc Jacobs. It’s lovely and very wearable.

      Log in to Reply
  5. KristinS says:
    17 November 2014 at 12:12 pm

    Kai and Monyette Paris for a light creamy gardenia with a touch of vanilla sweetness. L de Lolita Lempicka for vanilla and cinnamon.

    Log in to Reply
  6. lupo says:
    17 November 2014 at 12:14 pm

    Good to see the Monday Mail back!
    Dear Liz, you may want to try Un Matin D’Orage Annick Goutal for a light gardenia. It’s a light floral, rather on the green side.
    I would also suggest to try Un Jardin en Mediterranee or Un Jardin sur le Nil Hermes for light florals with an interesting twist.
    Give a try to the Yves Rocher lines too: Neroli is absolutely lovely, and so is Vanille Noir.
    If I may – considering your style, I can see you wearing Acqua di Parma Colonia, or maybe Essenza (heavier on neroli). I think you will totally rock it!

    Log in to Reply
  7. JadedNose says:
    17 November 2014 at 12:32 pm

    Since I don’t know what stores you have access to in your local mall, I’m going to suggest a few that are available in almost any mainstream department stores or Sephora. Perhaps the Estée Lauder Sensuous perfumes for light gourmands– and for light gardenias maybe Juicy Couture original (the one with the black ribbon), Estée Lauder Tuberose Gardenia and l’Artisan La Chasse au Papillons. Good luck & happy searching!

    Log in to Reply
  8. Cybele says:
    17 November 2014 at 1:18 pm

    Try Van Cleef & Arpels Gardenia Petale (also some vanilla here) and Jour d’Hermes for a grown up, light floral. For foody vanilla try Angel Eau Sucree (entirely different from the original Angel)-feather light and delicious. Enjoy!

    Log in to Reply
  9. Ida says:
    17 November 2014 at 1:53 pm

    Yay, Monday Mail!
    For some reason, Estee Lauder Beyond Paradise comes to mind: It has jasmine and gardenia and a dewiness or wetness, which Liz might like. So: even though it is very floral, it is tempered by the tropical dew.

    Log in to Reply
  10. sweetgrass says:
    17 November 2014 at 1:58 pm

    I second the Hermes recommendations. If you have a decent-sized Sephora nearby, they shouldn’t be too hard to find. I’d also suggest checking out the Tocca brand as well, which you should also be able to find at Sephora.

    Log in to Reply
  11. C.H. says:
    17 November 2014 at 2:28 pm

    Lots of good suggestions already. I’d add Lush Vanillary (with the note that it comes in different concentrations–so if the spray is too much, try a solid) and maybe Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia (available at some Whole Foods, some Targets, and occasionally at TJMaxx!) Or if you’re near one of the Chanel boutique which have testers of the Exclusifs line, Chanel Gardenia–it’s not hyperrealistic but might fit the bill for “light gardenia”.

    Log in to Reply
  12. Dixie says:
    17 November 2014 at 4:33 pm

    I recommend checking out the Estee Lauder line. Most are quite affordable and good quality. I agree with the earlier recommendation for Sensuous. Jasmine White Moss is exceptional but I think it’s only at the Saks stores though I am not entirely sure about this. All the perfumes are worth investigating-especial youth dew of whack I like the oil.

    Log in to Reply
    • Dixie says:
      17 November 2014 at 7:14 pm

      whack shoulda been which!

      Log in to Reply
    • Laurels says:
      17 November 2014 at 9:58 pm

      I saw the EL PC Jasmine White Moss and Sensuous (or possibly a flanker) at the Saks outlet about six months ago–not super-cheap, but discounted at least.

      Log in to Reply
  13. Dilana says:
    17 November 2014 at 5:09 pm

    Assuming no one in your eventual office is allergic or perfume phobic, I recommend trying to branch out a little to get a more sophisticated (but still office appropriate) scent.
    If you are getting headaches from the perfume counter, there may be specific notes which bother you. (Perhaps Aldehydes and/or “white musk”)
    My recommendation for a sophisticated light flower would be Channel 19.
    Prada Infusion D’Iris is a wonderful sophisticated (yet widely available) light floral. In fact, the entire Prada line is very well done. (But Candy is well, delicious and well, candyish).
    The same is true up and down the Hermes line- all well done and sophisticated.
    Another really good, often available at malls is Atalier Cologne. (Very affordable in the travel sizes) The Vanille Insensee is a non-gourmand take on Vanilla, so you might prefer the Amber Nue.

    Log in to Reply
  14. yukiej says:
    17 November 2014 at 7:28 pm

    For a reasonably priced vanillic floral that is lovely and wearable, I would suggest Parfums d’Nicolai Vanille Tonka. PdN has some other very nice light florals you might consider trying at the same time (tho other people might have better suggestions for that).

    Log in to Reply
  15. shellyw says:
    17 November 2014 at 8:17 pm

    Dyptique is available at Nordstoms which is pretty mainstream. Eau Duelle is a nice Vanilla.

    Log in to Reply
  16. mrsdarcy says:
    17 November 2014 at 8:52 pm

    Prada Infusion d’Iris for a sophisticated floral that isn’t too floral. Kenzo Flower EDT, maybe? Also, definitely try Hermes Eau des Merveilles. Feminine without being floral, quirky sophisticated but not at all mainstream or too “old lady” for a law student. Try the Shikai Gardenia shower gel at Whole Foods!

    Log in to Reply
  17. Sapphire says:
    17 November 2014 at 9:09 pm

    I think you should really try Eau Duelle from Diptyque for a vanilla, but strongly second Prada Candy and Kenzo Amour as light, sophisticated, vanillic fragrances. I have been able to wear all of them around patients and not gotten complaints.

    Log in to Reply
  18. Laurels says:
    18 November 2014 at 12:09 am

    Tory Burch is a light, fresh, citrusy floral. If you like sweet vanillas, La Maison de Vanille has a coffret of five different varieties for I think $55. It’s at Luckyscent.

    Log in to Reply
  19. kindcrow says:
    18 November 2014 at 1:34 am

    Tocca Colette

    Log in to Reply

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Advertisement

Search

Recent reviews

Atelier Cologne Love Osmanthus
Moschino Toy Boy
Arquiste Misfit
Diptyque Eau Capitale
Zoologist Bee
Parfum d’Empire Immortelle Corse
Comme des Garcons Series 10 Clash
Frédéric Malle Rose & Cuir
L’Artisan Parfumeur Le Chant de Camargue
Yves Saint Laurent Grain de Poudre
Régime des Fleurs Chloë Sevigny Little Flower
Chanel 1957
Gallivant Los Angeles
Amouage Portrayal Woman

Blogroll

Bois de Jasmin
Grain de Musc
Perfume Posse
The Non-Blonde
More blogs...

Perfumista lists

100 fragrances every perfumista should try
And 25 more fragrances every perfumista should smell
50 masculine fragrances every perfumista should try
26 vintage fragrances every perfumista should try
25 rose fragrances every perfumista should try
11 Cheap Perfumes Beauty Outsiders Love

Favorite posts

The Great Perfume Reduction Plan
Why I Love Old School Chypres
New to perfume and want to learn more?
How to make fragrance last through the day
Fragrance concentrations: sorting it all out
On reformulations, or why your favorite perfume doesn’t smell like it used to
How to get fragrance samples
Perfume for Life: How Long Will Your Fragrance Collection Last?

Upcoming

List of upcoming Friday projects

12 July ~ summer reading poll

 

 

Back to Top

Home
Archives
About Now Smell This :: Privacy Policy
Perfume Reviews
New Perfumes
General Perfume Articles
The Monday Mail

Glossary of Perfume Terms
Perfume FAQ
Perfume Books

Noses ~ Perfumers A-E :: F-K :: L-S :: T-Z

Perfume Houses A-B :: C :: D-E :: F-G
H-J :: K-L :: M :: N-O :: P :: Q-R :: S
T :: U-Z

Copyright © 2005-2025 Now Smell This. All rights reserved.