This month marks nine years — !! — that I’ve been reviewing fragrance for Now Smell This. At, say, 50 reviews a year, that’s a whopping 400 fragrances I’ve written about. After all those perfumes and reviews, I thought it was time to talk about the fragrances that have stuck around in my perfume cabinet, those whose decants I drain and bottles I turn to again and again.
Chanel Cuir de Russie: At least three times a week, I wear Cuir de Russie. I started with a 10 ml decant, and when it was finished I thought I’d be fine relying on one of my many other leather scents. Not. Cuir de Russie stands alone. I ended up selling some of my other bottles to bag my own bottle. Even though Cuir de Russie isn’t freaky, I always feel like the most interesting person in the room when I wear it.
Parfums DelRae Mythique: I consider Mythique to be Cuir de Russie's hipper alter ego. She's less worldly than Cuir de Russie, but she knows how to take a joke. This is one of the few fragrances for which I keep a back-up bottle.
Chloé L'Eau de Chloé: L'Eau de Chloé is my answer when it’s hot out; I want to smell a touch retro but fresh; I don’t know who I’ll be with; or I just can’t decide and I may want to layer something floral over it later. L'Eau de Chloé is as close to all-purpose as I have in my perfume cabinet.
Rochas Eau de Rochas: This is another fabulous choice when it’s hot, but unlike L'Eau de Chloé, I wear it when I want more character. It’s a little more “cologne-y”, and its faint, lingering patchouli is wonderful. Next time, I'm buying the jug.
Christian Dior Miss Dior: It took me a while to grow into Miss Dior (I’m referring to the original or “Classic,” of course), but when I did I needed to wear it at least once a week. I crave it. I don’t know if it blends with my character or makes much of an impression on anyone around me, but I don’t care. Miss Dior's jolie laide allure keeps me engaged.
L’Artisan Parfumeur Ananas Fizz: How did this happen? I rarely think of Ananas Fizz, yet I must reach for it often, because the bottle is getting perilously low. Ananas Fizz — thank goodness it’s back in production! — is so easy to wear, yet still so interesting. I love its crisp wackiness and cool vetiver. It's a great perfume for going out in the evening.
Annick Goutal Duel: Duel is my all-purpose autumn scent. It’s warm and intriguing yet somehow still remains fresh as water. If a couple could only afford one bottle of perfume between them, this is the one I’d recommend.
Guerlain Vol de Nuit Eau de Toilette: I used to be devoted to the extrait, but now I’ve come around to the crisper Eau de Toilette. Non-initiates to perfume don’t always understand my dedication, but to me Vol de Nuit Eau de Toilette is as basic as a shirtwaist, and just as versatile.
Looking over this list, I see that I come off as an octogenarian with a fat pocketbook, Gucci sunglasses and a matinee-length string of pearls. My most-used perfumes are grounded in the classics. (In reality, I drive a pickup truck and stock my living room and closet with thrift store loot. However, thanks to my friend Jacob’s grandma, R.I.P., I do have a pair of fabulous 1960s Gucci sunglasses.)
What surprises me most is that certain perfumes I adore — perfumes I consider definite old favorites — I don’t end up wearing much. Those include Ormonde Jayne Woman, Caron Tabac Blond, Rochas Femme and L’Artisan Parfumeur Dzing!. Go figure.
Which fragrances have gone the distance for you? Which bottles do you end up replacing? Are you ever surprised at which fragrances you use up first?
This is such an interesting article. Makes me want to try some of these on the list.
I have a pretty good collection and I took a peak to see what is getting low.
The Chanel Exclusifs line Eau De Cologne. I don’t know why but this bottle is getting low. Its a good layering fragrance. I don’t find it to be a show stopper but its so easy to wear. I also wore this during my honeymoon in the Caribbean and its good in the heat.
Journey Woman- I love the way I smell when I wear this. So sexy and classy. This bottle is going fast.
Carven Le Perfum-I seem to wear this often when I look at how much I have used!
I also recently drained a decant of Sunshine and Terracotta
Sometimes those practical, all-around favorites like the Chanel Cologne go a lot faster than you’d expect! The Carven is so versatile, too.
I have to buy new bottles of Eau Sauvage and Amber Pour Homme, both are running dangerously low at the moment and I wear them more than anything. Dior will probably be getting my money first since it is warming up.
I have three bottles of Balenciaga Paris, two are the L’Essence, for some reason. I do like both a lot and at the time I guess I was surprised to find them at my local TJ Maxx so I just bought them, but they just sit there lonely and full.
I envy a poster I saw last week in the open thread who was in the UK shopping at TK Maxx and found some L’Artisan fragrances.
I too had fragrance envy with the poster’s finds at TJ Maxx… The most obscure find has been Prada Infusion d’Vetiver, but one can hold out hope for L’Artisan. I found a bottle of Grey Flannel for 12.99, that was a bargain! 🙂
Gosh, you guys are making me want to rush to my car and drive to the mall…
You can always justify that a shopping trip is good for the economy? :)…I would buy that Prada Vetiver unsniffed if I came across it. However, not being able to sniff is the one thing I don’t like about shopping in places where the perfume is only in unopened wrapped packaging, since if you do come across something unique or anything you have never smelled, you have to buy it or put it back on the shelf and forever wonder what it could of smelled like…
I’m (mostly) over buying unsniffed, too. Worse than that, I need more than a quick spray to decide. Samples are really the way to go.
I’ve cheated this a few times by asking for a “gift receipt”. If I don’t like it, I return it saying that the “gift” was not liked.
I can definitely see Eau Sauvage getting drained quickly. I’m super jealous of finding L’Artisans at TJMaxx, too! I can’t even imagine.
3 years ago I found 9 FB 100ml bottles of L’Artisan for $35 each at Winners here in Toronto and I got them all unsniffed. I haven’t regretted any of them.
What an amazing deal!
Although I don’t have nearly as much experience with conscious perfume-wearing, I’ve been thinking about the same subject lately. Despite my love for statement-making scents, there are actually quite a few nice and easy ones that I wear a lot: Lumière Blanche, Fleur de Chine, a couple of Jo Malones (Blackberry & Bay, Wood Sage & Sea Salt), Rue Cambon, Après l’Ondee, Eau de Narcisse Bleu.
Still, I get through some serious stuff as well. These are either gone already or will be soon: Fracas, Boutonniere No 7, SL Iris Silver Mist, Fleurs d’Oranger and Feminite du Bois. I’m also very much with you on Cuir de Russie and find it very easy to wear (and I now must try Mythique).
Thank you for a great post.
I’m wearing Cuir de Russie today, in fact! It’s definitely become a favorite, and I can tell that next time I’ll have to spring for the mega bottle.
Guerlains go the distance for me. Guet apens, SDV, Bois d’armenie, Gourmand coquin. Also Frederic Malle Musc ravageur, Valentino Gold (had 3… sadly discontinued), Jo malone assam & grapefruit, Serge Lutens Chergui. oh… and Hermes un jardin sur le nil…multiples of that one also 🙂
All such beautiful, complex scents!
Well Congratulations on the HUGE milestone!That’s alotta words,and fragrances!!The last bottle I fully drained was Flor y Canto,and yes it was replaced as soon as I had the chance!Soon going to finish 28 La Pausa as well.Pre-serious-Perfumista days,I went through bottles and bottles and bottles of Le Male!Lol.It was my signature-and almost only-perfume that I wore on a daily basis.Now I cannot imagine wearing a fragrance for more than maybe two days in a row.Still love Le Male,but I think I wore it last about 5 or six years ago.
I can see using up gallons of 28 La Pausa without even trying!
And thank you on the congratulations. I was shocked to see how long it had been.
I’m so happy to hear you were able to buy that bottle of Cuir de Russie! And it is also true for me that some of the perfumes that I find most beautiful (including Ormonde Jayne Woman like you and Mitsouko) are also just a bit too–how can I say this?–challenging to wear frequently, especially during the day. So I turn more often to simpler, less dramatic fragrances, such as Sideris (probably my single most worn fragrance) and Seville a l’Aube, though lately I’ve been wearing a lot of vintage Chamade PdT during the day (I lucked out at finding an inexpensive tester bottle). Anyway, I imagine that’s why you don’t end up wearing some of your special loves that often. (We were more comfortable wearing huge dramatic perfumes back in the day. My best friend in high school wore Rochas Femme every single day to school!)
I wore Seville a l’aube a few times last week, since it seemed so fitting for Easter. But I really do love my Cuir de Russie!
Very interesting article. Although I doubt I have as many perfumes as you have, Angela, it is interesting to think of what I reach for again and again. I think what makes the below my “go-tos” is a function of their wearability (I don’t want to offend my colleagues *too* much) and the season. It’s also quite apparent from my list that I like to reach for Roses!
I wear FM Portrait of a Lady and FM Lipstick Rose an awful lot. I also own and love FM Une Rose but I wear it far less often, in part I think because it’s very loud on me.
I wear Frapin 1270 more than I ever thought I would, as well as L’eau D’italie Paestum Rose. Also in that category is Andy Tauer’s Phi Une Rose de Kandahar (and my recent acquisition Rose Flash).
I adore Prada L’eau Ambree, mitsouko, baghari, fracas and bandit but rarely wear them. No idea why!
Because you clearly love your roses–I bet that’s why! Roses with a hint of spice. I bet you smell wonderful.
Is this a bad time to mention that Anais Fizz is out of production again? Jour de Fete, too, of which I would have gotten a backup bottle if I had known.
Shoot! How long was it in production again for? Five minutes? Like, maybe they found a couple of bottles in the back of the closet and called it “in production” then yanked it after lunch? (Can you tell I’m bitter?)
Angela, you mentioned that Ananas Fizz is back in production. Who has it? I can’t find it on L’Artisan’s web site.
Ari says we’re out of luck. Dang it. I thought it was back for sale, but now it appears to be gone…
Happy writing anniversary & milestone!
I’m with you on Rochas Eau de Rochas – perfect for when it’s hot outside, it has a retro feeling I love.
Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay – this is pure comfort for me.
Chloe Love, I’ve never thought I’d like anything from Chloe, but this has such a pretty retro feeling that I’m definitely going to repurchase this one.
Chanel Cristalle EDP and EDT – again, summer! love both formulations
Hermes Eau des Merveilles, this one never bores me.
Ormonde Jayne Woman – first I had a decant and then a generous reader of your blog sent me a partial bottle, for which I’m sooo thankful as it’s my winter go-to scent.
I forgot Cristalle! I prefer the EDT – so easy, so perfect, never boring.
I agree!
I forgot Cristalle! I prefer the EDT – so easy, so perfect, never boring.
Eau des Merveilles just gives and gives. I could see using it up super quickly.
I loved reading this–inspirational. Thank you for taking the time to share your list.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
When I began this perfume adventure (over 40 years ago) I was extremely disciplined and only had 7-10 fbs in rotation…whenever one was drained I would purchase something new and different from my “to buy” list…yet, there were those perfumes that had multiple purchases and they were: no 22 (vintage), Nikki de Saint Phalle, Cristalle (original, vintage, edt), Victoria (the very first fragrance from VS) , Calyx (vintage Prescriptives) and the original formulation of the Gap’s Heaven (from the niche brand Moturra that was bought out by the Gap). For the past ten years I cannot remember repurchasing too many fragrances except eau de Camille, Noa and Reglisse Noire. I think part of why I don’t repurchase my old loves is the fact that they smell different to me due to reformulation or they are discontinued and too challenging to find. I completely lost my discipline (I think I am at 50fbs and many, many samples) and having so much fun trying so many new things that I haven’t been too “faithful” to wear something over and over again. But I recently got a large sample sprayer of Dame Perfumery’s Black Flower Mexican Vanilla and have been wearing it on and off for a week now. So I am thinking a fb is in my near future and many more fbs to follow! My goal is to drain some of my fbs and get back to my old disciplined self who owned ALOT less and would not purchase until a bottle was completely drained!
I applaud your discipline! I need to show similar restraint and lay off buying new bottles. (Although I’ve been pretty good, and often months go by without a purchase…)
Ahhhh, the “me” perfumes that you relax into. Yep. I’m quite sure that my regular Old Reliables would definitely fall into someone else’s “too dressy for regular wear” category, but hey. I yam what I yam.
I have way too much perfume (like, probably, many other NST readers), and I have so far only killed one full bottle since going full-on Perfume Freak in 2009. That was Le Temps d’une Fete, and my replacement bottle – sadly, it’s post-reformulation – is still getting heavy wear. I love it and have been known to wear it year-round. I have demolished one 10ml decant of Iris Poudre and am well into the second decant; I am thankful to have found a slightly-used bottle on ebay. TF Black Orchid Voile de Fleur gets worn a lot; so do the first Ines de la Fressange and Cuir de Lancome. (I’m about to kill a 30ml bottle of Ines and am glad I have a 50ml backup – it’s completely unobtainable now. I’ll be sad when it’s gone.)
Le Temps d’une Fete is one of my favorites, too. Whenever I wear it, I wonder why I don’t give it more use. So beautiful.
Wow! That’s some record – congrats!
Interesting to think about this idea.. there are many scents I really love but I don’t wear them. Huh. I still want them near by, but there are others I grab more regularly such as..
31 Rue Cambon (kind of feel about this one the way you do Dior – I crave it)… it fits me well
Orange blossom is a flower I really love, and so currently I’ve been using a lot of Knot (not a sweet OB), and Seville a l’Aube which is sweet but tempered well with the incense
Coromandel for fall/winter – just so cozy
Dune – a happy scent to me
Gosh, you smell great! I can imagine Knot getting used up, and barely even noticing that you’ve been reaching for it. It’s so easy to wear.
8 years since I fell down the fragrance rabbit hole and I’m still not trying to find a way out 🙂
I’ve tried MANY samples and decants along the way and I am living proof that the more you sniff the more your brain becomes able to discern the great from the common.
My enduring loves that I hope to not be without a bottle of are Mona di Orio’s Tubereuse, Violette Fumee, and her Oud, along with Malle’s Iris Poudre and Eau du Magnolia. I also have to have Iris Nazarena, Seville a L’aube, Flowerhead, Coromandel, Dulcis in Fundo, and a number of Atelier Colognes – Sous le Toit de Paris, Mandarine Glacial & Rendez-Vous. I’m also finding I frequently reach for Russian Tea.
And of course I’m always looking forward to that coming sample or decant of the newest frag that the bloggers I respect are raving about.
May the madness never end, lol
Oh, I’d love to have a bottle of Violette Fumee! First I need to use more of what I have, though…
And, yes, may the madness never end!
I like that Russian Tea too 😉
I had never heard of it until yesterday, but I have the chance to get a sample, and I think I’ll follow up on it…
When I first got into this (2 years-ish ago) I had no idea how slowly I would go through most things, and bought my initial things too big or too easily. I don’t love the Chergui the way I once did, nor can I wear Scherrer as often as I thought…
But I did drain my first-love decant of Patchouli 24 (and bought a used bottle on ebay) and am almost done with Aftelier Ancient Resins (must replace!). My Bois d’Armenie decant’s almost done, too. I’ve used a lot of Bulgari Black over this time, too, followed by YSL Nu, though who knows how much is left in that bottle…Also, in the heat of the summer I drained a whole lot of PdN Eau d’Ete, but that’s one I bought in 100ml vat format.
I can definitely imagine going through a lot of Eau d’Ete when the weather is right. I have the Aftelier Chocolate and Saffron oil, and I’ve made short work of that, too.
Rapidly emptying bottles?
Chanel no 5, no 19, no 22 (yes, all three). I have run through many eBay-purchased parfum minis, spray bottles of edp received in swaps, and one (so far) bottle of parfum purchased new. Have also used up bottles of lotion (no 5, no 22) and boxes of bath powder.
FM Iris Poudre: approx 1.2 bottle remaining of a set of three 10ml spray bottles.
Bottega Veneta: 15ml or so remain of a 50ml bottle of edp.
Guerlain Plus que Jamais: discontinued (sob), but I indulge in it frequently. No point in saving it until it oxidizes!
Warm-weather faves: DelRae Eau Illuminée, so good in the woods or on the coast; and Fidji, of which I have lots of eBay-sourced backstock (bath products, too).
It might be time to split or trade some other scents that aren’t getting used up at such a brisk rate! Then I might justify buying a bottle of Bottega Veneta Knot . . .
. . . or a bottle of Chanel 31 Rue Cambon. That spray sample is nearly gone – more, please!
I’m so glad you use up these beautiful perfumes! It’s sad to see something lovely languish in the bottle…
I am a light sprayer with scent-glue skin and I suspect that unless I go back to only having a couple of perfumes (instead of dozens) that I might never again finish a bottle. My most frequently used ones are Milk of Flowers, Jardins d’Armide and Amun Re:The Tears of Ra. I bought 2 bottles of Terracotta Le Parfum and it’s theoretically possible that I might start on the 2nd one within 20 years…
It sounds like you are a perfect candidate for small decants! And you can actually justify buying quarter ounces of parfum or small bottles of expensive but wonderful natural fragrances since you don’t need much to smell wonderful.
I dislike decants usually–it’s either samples or full bottles for me. I actually discovered that I had scent glue skin because of naturals. (I love les carrottes lasted way longer on me than any review mentioned)
You’re so lucky. It’s sad when you love a fragrance and it’s gone an hour later.
Congratulations, Angela! Nine years is quite an achievement.
These are the bottles that are at the halfway point or below: Annick Goutal Heure Exquise, Acqua di Parma Iris Nobile EDT (I bought a backup since the EDT is dc), Chanel 31 Rue Cambon, Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess, L’Artisan Seville a l’Aube, Nicolai L’Eau a la Folie (have a backup), and Serge Lutens Daim Blond. I also have a largish decant below the halfway line of Bois des Isles. I will be buying a FB of that one at some point this year.
Bois des Isles is on my purchase list for this year, too! Recently I got sidetracked by Misia. Maybe it’s just an infatuation though. We’ll see.
Farouche, we are nearly scent twins, based on your list.
Bois des Iles is a must-have, I think. Well, after Cuir de Russie, that is. (Although opinions on that vary.)
I noticed that when I read the comments after posting!
You like your iris! I whisked through a decant of Heure Exquise once but never bought a bottle. I may need to remedy that soon.
I sure do! My all-time favorite desert isle frag is No. 19…in all iterations. I just added a decant of Eau Poudree.
Nice!
Congratulations, Angela! I always enjoy reading your reviews.
My large bottle of No 5 Eau Premiere is half empty. It’s a go to scent that I can wear three seasons. I’ve almost emptied a 100 ml bottle of LAP Nuit de Tubereuse. It stands up well to intense summer heat and humidity.
I can definitely see running through a bottle of Eau Premiere! It would be tempting to spray it on lampshades and coat linings, too, it’s so perfectly all-purpose.
I just added a pre-loved bottle of Eau Premiere to my Chanel tray! It was quite overdue.
Congrats!
Natori and Chamade are relatively new additions to my collection, but I find myself wearing them a lot because they’re both appropriate for basically any situation. SSS Nostagie is another one like that for me – I wish it came in a vat. Rochas Femme is decidedly NOT appropriate for any situation but I wear it constantly anyway. In the summer: Mimosa pour Moi by L’Artisan. It can never be too hot for this fresh lovely floral.
Nice choices! I, too, love Nostalgie and could definitely see ordering a bottle (although I say that about a lot of fragrances *sigh*).
I’ve only got another use or two in my bottle of Nostalgie. It’s probably next on my to-re-buy list!
I’ve only ever repurchased 2 bottles: SL Daim Blonde, which I consider my sig scent and Guerlain Jicky perfume. I have others I love, but you folks keep leading me on to more and more variety, so I probably wouldn’t buy again. I say probably, I’m not signing that in blood. Or Jicky!
I had to laugh about signing something in Jicky! (Although Jicky-scented ink would be kind of nice, come to think of it.)
Murphy’s law has shown me that I stop wearing things after I invest in a full bottle so I buy very few FBs and go for large decants or travel sizes or discounted bottles (or free repeated samples at Sephora). Fragrances that get the most mileage: Jour ‘d’Hermes and Diptyque Geranium Oderata, Une Fleur de Cassie in spring /summer, L’eau d’Hiver, L’heure Bleue, Prada Infusion d’Iris, and Cartier Declaration almost anytime. I don’t think I’ve even sniffed 200 fragrances in my lifetime! So I’m really impressed by your milestone. Although I’m starting to make up for lost time.. And CDR and Mythique are on my “to try” list.
The variety is both a blessing and a curse, I find. Sometimes it’s hard to choose between a perfume I love and something new and interesting.
Happy Anniversary! Congratulations and thank you for entertaining and enlightening us with your beautiful writing.
We overlap on a couple: Cuir de Russie, which I love enough to have in the extrait for cooler weather and the edt for warm weather; and Vol de Nuit. I’ve worn this since **ahem** high school, always the edt, but switched a few years ago to the extait. It feels like an entirely different fragrance.
My others in constant rotation are the classic Guerlains – L’Heure Bleue, Samsara (vintage), and Jicky in the summer. My SSS Champagne de Bois gets a lot of love too.
I got very ruthless starting last year in selling off perfumes that don’t get reached for. The older I get, the less I feel the need to hold onto things.
Another great post.
I love every perfume you listed!
Every once in a while I cull a few bottles from my stockpile, but it’s still an embarrassment of riches in my perfume cabinet. In theory, I really do agree with you about the virtues of having just a bit of the best, but in practice I guess I fall short.
The first bottle I emptied and repurchased was Le parfum de Thérèse. Many many likes and loves and lusts have passed in eight years but in days of glorious sunshine Thérèse is still my natural choice and I have a couple of backup bottles. Two years ago I bought Delrae Emotionnelle, which to me is some sorts of Thérèse on steroids, so I guess I’ll have to buy a backup bottle of this one too, just to be on the safe side.
Le Parfume de Therese is wonderful! I think you and I are of the “select” who enjoy Emotionelle. You remind me that I need to find my decant…
Yeah, I guess many people find Emotionnelle too literal and fruity, but on skin I find it very rich and much more complex and dirty. But then again, I’m very attracted to the fruity cathegory when I find it done right. Péché cardinal by Mdci is wonderful to my nose. I can’t get enough!
True! I think some people just plain don’t like melon, either.
I also love Emotionelle! ( and Therese, and Diorella)
Welcome to the club!
Happy anniversary, Angela! I always enjoy your reviews. My perfume bottles that get used the most are Chanel 19 (going on 40 years), Shalimar, Bottega Veneta and Bulgari Au The Blanc. The Bulgari gets lots of wear, I think I’m on my third bottle because it’s crisp and clean and non floral, and has a pleasant musky base that makes it easy to layer over when I’m ready to change scents in the afternoon. I love it in the summer. Chanel 19 has been a favorite since I was in high school, Bottega Veneta is so easy to wear and perfect for all occasions and there is nothing else like Shalimar. I love to have a day at home and waft huge clouds of it. I love Eau de Rochas too, just looking at that great retro bottle is refreshing! I haven’t had a bottle in a long time. Maybe it’s time to order a decant.
What a great variety, from crisp to warm and seductive! (I’m sure that mirrors your personality, too.)
Great idea for a post, Angela.
I emptied bottle after bottle of original Calyx, but wouldn’t buy it now – too disappointing.
Love Eau de Rochas and will probably buy the jug next time as well
I’ve replaced bottles of Pamplelune and L’eau de L’artisan, and Aromatics Elixir, as well.
I can see this happening with Encre Noir, too, and Coeur de Vetiver Sacre…
My husband loves Demeter’s Dirt, so I’ve ordered him the huge bottle for his birthday…
Has your husband tried your Encre Noir? It might be a nice complement to the Dirt!
Congratulations and thanks to you for your wonderful insights and clever contributions.
I mentioned in the weekend poll that I am head over heels in love with Rodin Bis. I discovered it recently and it jumped the queue ahead off all others.
It is of another time. Not retro, not derivative, just classic, with real ingredients that blend so beautifully.
I haven’t been this smitten since I was given a bottle of Sortilege for my 16th birthday.
I am at a crossroads and have been focused on the Minimalists. I can’t handle all my stuff anymore. It has become tangible chatter.
I am in the midst of a great purge. Chaos and Parure can stay… the rest of you, out.
Except of course, my new friend Bis.
My new pal who above all others reminds me of who I have been the whole time.
This has really spoken to me. “Tangible chatter” perfectly sums it up. Thank you! I think I’m where you are on the path.
The Rodin Bis has been on my LuckyScent list for a while, and it’s available again to sample. It’s so lovely to think of being reminded “of who I have been the whole time.” The Bis may facilitate that but regardless I will cherish your perspective.
Well said!
Than you, Holly. Very, very much. I appreciate your kindred kindness.
Oh my gosh! What a great recommendation! I’m sure I have a sample of Rodin bis around here somewhere, and I will definitely dig it out.
I would love to hear your take on it. It is Linda Rodin’s tribute to her mother. It’s all pocket books and chiffon scarves. Womanly. A male coworker complimented me on it… in a whisper. Oh, yes.
I love that description! Love it.
Vintage Gucci shades ! That’s awesome . I have 15 ml extrait of CdR and it’s pretty much my holy grail . I will be asking for the EDT as I really want to drown in it, and all its leathery soapy glory . Dabbing is really just a tease for me .
Congrats on your milestone and I’m sure all the fragrances that have been past your nose are appreciative of your time and expertise . Well done indeed .
Next on my list is to get some Cuir de Russie extrait! It would be so wonderful to dab it over the EdT.
I just recently learned of the extrait’s existence. Please let us all know how it is.
This could go on my wishlist
I’m hoping to get to Paris this summer. When I do, I’ll pick up a bottle and let everyone know how it is.
Congratulations Angela and thank you for all your contributions! I love how you share the personal details about your life.
What’s intriguing to me is that there are fragrances you love but don’t reach for often. I do that too! The older I get, the more I find myself reaching for what just feels like me. It takes a long time to figure that out, and there’s always more stuff that comes along that could fit the bill.
I made some big moves recently, and what came along with me was Jacomo’s Silences. I would be bereft without it.
Isn’t it funny how some fragrances appeal to our intellect, or to certain moods, and how others are simply welcoming? I have a friend who’s looking for an easy chair, and he keeps coming back to a particular pedigreed chair lauded by design pros. I tell him to “choose with his hind end” and not his brain. I think perfume’s that way, too. You most successfully choose with your gut and not your brain, but sometimes it takes a while to tune into that and have the confidence to accept it.
I totally relate to that idea of choosing perfume with your gut, not your brain. My brain tells me I should wear dark, woody, musky, spicy things because somehow they go with my “vibe” or whatever, and many of my favorites are of that ilk. But when I let my heart decide, I usually end up going with something fresh, crisp, green, preferably a tad bitter and a touch floral. These zingy, sprightly, silky fragrances make my heart soar in a way the gloomier, “sexier”, more intellectual stuff doesn’t. Lately, I’m finally okay with that. I know it’s date night and I should go with a thick, sensual amber or hot-to-trot woody leather, but dammit if that citrusy chypre isn’t calling my name.
Hurray for your heart! And for your heart soaring. It’s speaking to you, and you’re listening, and that’s pretty great.
So well put.
I loved reading this article! So true how we have our easy to love/wear favorites.
I keep coming back to Chanel Cuir de Russie, Chanel No. 19, Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir, Chanel Coco, Czech & Speake Dark Rose, and Chanel No. 5 time and time again.
I hope to add Guerlain L’Heure Bleu to that list in the next month. I have a decant that I’ve worked my way through, and it’ll be on my birthday list for my birthday which is less than a month away 🙂
Happy birthday! I hope that gorgeous bottle of L’Heure Bleue is waiting for you!
Congrats!! Unfortunately it doesn’t seem like Cuir de Russie works on my skin (I think my skin detests leathers, though I want so much to love them). 🙁 I’ve only been into perfume for… 6 months? But I was surprised to find how often I reach for Mure et Musc Extreme. It’s so easy!
Leather really is tricky in a bunch of different ways, so I’m not surprised if it doesn’t work on you. But Mure et Musc is terrific!
I’ve been collecting perfume for about 4 years now, and I still consider myself a relative newbie. I’m not sure my tastes have coallesced long enough to say for sure what my tried-and-trues are!
However, if you narrow the definition to scents I’ve succeeded in finishing and then repurchasing, I *do* have a few of those by now: Malle Lipstick Rose and L’eau d’Hiver, SSS Nostalgie, and Kenzo Amour. I’m not sure that Nostalgie really counts as an easy-to-wear scent, but I love it enough to wear it often, anyway!
Ack! Coalesced.
Sometimes I think it isn’t even worth trying to define what makes a perfume a favorite. Simply knowing that the bottles need replenished is enough! I love it that you’ve already run through a bottle of Lipstick Rose!
I reach for Marni and L’eau d’Hiver more than any other perfume in my collection. They’re my all-year-round comfort scents; they play well with others (i.e. they’re palatable in polite company), and are light and transparent enough for those warm SoCal days (which is just about every day). I love that I don’t have to think, really, when I wear them, which unfortunately I can’t say the same for a lot of other perfumes in my collection (sssh, don’t tell the others).
Fantastic writing Angela, as always. Love your posts! You had me at “octogenarian with a fat pocketbook, Gucci sunglasses and a matinee-length string of pearls.” 😉
I forgot about Marni! It’s such a versatile scent–another one, like Duel, that’s warm and cool at the same time.
I think that octogenarian is my alter ego…
I’ve been pondering this “problem” for a while as well. I have way too many fragrances and some are worn a lot, while others not. And I love all of them.
I have a few fragrances that I will have to replace pretty soon ( good thing that I already have back-ups), Eau Parfumee au The Vert ( my computer at work is a moron about accents), Bvlgari Pour Femme, Goutal Songes (!), Eau d’Ete (PdN) and Ambre Sultan. Quite an eclectic mix.
Love your choices, austenfan, and own bottles of all of them except Songes. I’m not sure why Songes didn’t work for me.
I have some Songes, but I find I don’t wear it as much as I used to. It’s so rich. Lovely, but rich.
Songes is quite a big, bold scent and has an odd drydown for a white floral. Have you tried both the edp and the edt? I have the edp but may want to get some of the edt as well at some point. I don’t need it, really, but it will be a nice addition to my collection of Goutals.
I have the EdP, which probably could be dabbed like perfume!
Eclectic, but so nice! (And don’t worry about the accents. For comments, I mostly ignore them, too.)
I mind intensely as I’m currently taking a degree in French but the computer at work no longer offers the option of putting them where they are meant to be.
Frustrating!
I have the same thing! The bottle I’m going through the fastest is Korres Saffron Amber and Cardamom, which I just seem to keep picking up without consciously choosing. I also use a lot of Dsquared potion (man) and Mark Jacobs bang.
I was kind of surprised to see which fragrances I used up the fastest! Sounds like you are too.
I think the one I have used up most bottles of is Jicky. Mostly EdT but also extrait which has changed a lot since the early 90’ies. Jicky was my secret scent the first years I wore it (from age 19). I nevet told what it was even when begged by friends to. When I at last let it slip three of my friends bought it too, which annoyed me a lot then. Today I have a more democratic view on perfume.
Second most might well be Feminité du Bois. The first time I smelled it in 19933 was like finding a mysterious wooden box filled with secret curious things. It took me a few years to muster up the courage to fully wear it. It wasn’t the first ‘feminine’ fragrance I wore. It was mostly the name “feminite” that bothered me.
I have also used up several bottles of Habit Rouge that I have worn since I was 16. The 30 ml
Eau de cologne sprays were affordable to me even then.
One that I have a very special relationship with but don’t wear *that* much is Dzing! I think its because I love the first two hours the most and reapplying tends to build up the basenotes to a flat sweetness. It’s a skin thing.
Are you still happy with the Jicky extrait as it is today? I tried it once in Paris and liked it so much, but it’s such an investment that I felt I needed to test it more thoroughly. Must get to it.
Yes, but it’s more close to the other concentrations. The 1880-1990 version was a lot denser, not necessary sonething I want from Jicky. I think I read that Turin viewed the later version as being closer to what it probably was in the beginning. I doubt he has smelled the 1889 original, though.
I get irritated, too, when I discover something and then a friend or two adopts it. I don’t know why it should bother me–after all, I’m happily telling them all about it. But some things, like a signature scent, should remain sacred.
It’s been such a long and difficult day today and I did not have time to comment but I did just want to say how much I enjoyed this post. I did get a few minutes this morning to browse back into your linked reviews, Angela. It’s great to read your reflections now on the perfumes that have been your steady companions for so long. Chanel No 19 is my oldest friend and I wore it today (thankfully).
I remember being so impressed with how good Mythique sounded when you first published that review, and yet I still have not tried it. Next STC order …
Meanwhile, some chamomile tea, pyjamas, a P.D. James novel and a spritz of L’Ambres des Merveilles …
Now that sounds like heaven!
The post was supposed to have been a recap of a handful of fragrances I’d reviewed with a “then” v. “now” take on them, but I realized I didn’t have enough time to dig around in my reviews to find the fragrances I’d really changed my perceptions of. So I’m glad you like this “cheater” version of the post.
My bottles of Profumo (on my 3rd! 150ml bottle), Youth Dew (many), Beloved Woman, Knowing, EL Private Collection, Fleur de Chine and Shalimar are going quickly. They all have backups (the massive Fleur de Chine decanter, I don’t know if I will ever use half of it but its satifying to be able to apply liberally).
I guess I just have a thing for “old time” fragrances.
There are also these perfumes that I wish I can drain but I save up instead because they are discontinued, like Iris Ganache (whyyyyy!?).
Maybe this is the year for you to use up those beloved but discontinued fragrances! You’re worth it. Besides, think of the heartache if you discovered any of them had turned. (I shiver to think of it.)
You are absolutely right. I should just be determined and use them up and have great memories of these beautiful fragrances rather than leaving them to turn in the darkest corner of my closet.
A regretful “if only…” is one that lasts a lifetime!
Looking back at my workday choices, Ferre, Bas de Soie, EL Jasmine White Moss (since Cristalle broke my heart) and Encens Mythique.
I can completely imagine you and Bas de Soie smelling lovely together!
Since somersaulting down the rabbit hole I have nearly finished Paul Smith’s Rose. I had a 30ml and its been at about 5ml for a few years. I don’t want another bottle, but I like to keep a little for the memory 🙂 My most used bottles are Prada’s Infusion d’Iris and Luten’s Chergui. By the way, I love this type of post – the distillation of so much experience and thought!
Infusion d’Iris is such a good all-around scent! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
I’m a little late to this party, but your article really focused this feeling I’ve had lately about my large and lovely fragrance collection. I’ve been asked about my HGs. And I get stumped b/c I have HG fragrances that I consider peerless, technically excellent, etc, etc, gorgeous beyond all others, etc, and I love them to pieces. But sometimes those HGs are up on their pillars and hard to wear or require a lot of my attention while I’m wearing them. Then I have the fragrances that I actually wear over and over, are very reliable for getting me through the day, and a lot of the time, the two are not the same. So, what are my HGs and what are my favorites are two totally different subjects to me now. I don’t know that I’ll drain any bottles anytime soon (the only bottle I killed off was a Coco edt that I’d opened in 2006, and my Mandragore edt is lower than 50%), so… my day to day, can’t live withouts, and maybe likely candidates for being drained, are easily Chanel No 5 edt, Chanel No 19 edt, Bottega Veneta edp, Bottega Veneta Eau Legere, Diptyque Eau Duelle edt, Annick Goutal Mandragore edt, AG Vanille Exquise, Shalimar edt, Ralph Lauren Safari, 4711 (!), Cartier So Pretty edp, and Cartier Baiser Vole edp. Funny how all that goes…. And now I’m obsessed with vetiver b/c it chills me out, so Encre Noire and Guerlain Vetiver are in heavy rotation in the evenings.
I understand that feeling so well!
I don’t have any Mandragore, strangely enough, but I have a feeling that if I did, it would be one I’d reach for a lot, too.
Nine years… It’s impressive. I’m not sure I’ll stick around for that long. I mean, I’ve been into perfumes my whole life and I don’t think this will change but writing about perfumes is different. Well, we’ll see. But congratulations to you, Angela!
I make a conscious effort to use all my perfumes and since I never wear the same perfume more than one day in a row and rarely repeat the same one even during the month, it’s hard to say which perfumes are worn more often. Ok, in fact I can say – since I have a database. In the last 12 months most often (disclaimer: “most often” = 9 times) I wore Etro Rajasthan (I’m surprised myself; I think it was a phase), Ormonde Jayne Ta’if, Tom Ford Fleur de Chine, Giorgio Armani La Femme Bleue and Serge Lutens Boxeuses.
It’s a lot easier to write about perfume when you only do it once a week, and Robin takes care of all the heavy lifting!
I love it that you have a database charting your perfume wearing. I’m surprised at how often Fleur de Chine is coming up for everyone!
Congrats on hitting the nine year mark! I have been following your blog for a while now and it always brightens my day to read your posts. I have a bit of a dilemma after reading this specific post. I have around 20? fragrances and I can’t seem to finish any of them. I enjoy my fragrances, don’t get me wrong but i feel like they’re just sitting there. what if they go bad? do they go bad?
Oh, it’s a very rare bottle that I finish, too!
Fragrances definitely can go “off,” but they can also stay in great shape for a good long time if they’re stored away from light and heat. Still, if you love them, wear them! Not only will you feel good, but everyone privileged enough to smell you will enjoy you, too.