Today's poll was suggested by Now Smell This reader Namita. She was inspired by Angela's article The Leather Sisters, in which Christian Dior Diorling, Estée Lauder Azurée, Piguet Bandit, and L’Artisan Dzing! “lived together in a large house in a neighborhood that used to be popular before everyone moved across town to Fruity Floral”.
Namita's question: if you were a perfume, which one would you be, and why?
As it happens, this particular Friday is soooo lazy that I'm having trouble deciding on my own answer. My aspirational choice would probably be either Ormonde Jayne Frangipani (drop dead beautiful) or Frederic Malle Le Parfum de Thérèse (sexy and powerful), or maybe even L'Artisan La Chasse aux Papillons (light and bubbly and young). But the reality is probably better expressed by the turpentine and raw wood of Monocle + Comme des Garçons Scent One: Hinoki (straightforward, can be prone to crankiness).
And you?
Note: image via Tigermoth at Flickr, some rights reserved.
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My aspirational scent would be La Myrrhe: exclusive, hard to get, beautiful packaging. I am probably more like Guerlain Veitiver: not as good as I once was, easy to get, and deeply discounted. On the plus side: from a good family, classic, and easy to be around. (I almost said Jovan Musk for Men: cheap and a little embarrassing, but cheerful.)
Thanks — I got a huge laugh out of “not as good as I once was, easy to get, and deeply discounted”. I'm probably Guerlain Vetiver too
It is the least I could do. You give me entertainment every day!
Hi! Very new to the world of perfumes. I've been reading your blog for a while, but this is my first comment. Let me first state that you have successfully started a lifelong addiction/habit/”hobby” that may prove to be expensive but overall rewarding!
I think I would be Chanel Cristalle. Because in my experience, my initial impression of the EDT was that is was far, far too sharp. But the second time I wore it it mellowed so much on me and now I am in love. I think that it's true to form for my personality too – historically, I have rubbed people the wrong way at first but as they get to know me it just gets better and better. (I'm wearing Cristalle right now and it reminded me to sniff myself and bask in the wonderful green, crispness for a moment)
Aspirational scent: FM Une Rose. Une Rose isn't someone you mess with, she's devastatingly beautiful, powerful, capable, complex and appreciates the finer things in life. Either this or Jean Patou Joy. Joy is far less volatile, is a lady of substance, and holds her own no matter what. Always well mannered, and prepared for any situation.
What I honestly am: EL Tuberose Gardenia (my signature du jour). Polite, natural, easily pushed around, pleasant, can make a good impression easily if I try. On the other hand: the mix of lilac with either the tuberose or jasmine note creates something that smells faintly (oh so faintly) of body odor- a little jarring for a first time sniffer. I'm faintly eccentric (evidenced by the time I spend on this blog), and like that BO smell, this quality is unexpected but enjoyable once it sinks in.
Poison. Sweet but unconventional, nontraditional, been around a while. People either love it or hate it. Too much of it could conceivably empty a room.
I think I would want to be Jar's Bolt of lightning (or atleast my memory of it- having smelt it only once)
My (recorded) synesthetic memory of the scent : menacing but intoxicating folds unfolding slowly to reveal a golden heart (of tuberose?)
I am definitely not menacing – lol ..but I identify wiith the multi layered aspect of bolt of lightning- some layers complementing the others and many seemingly contradicting
My aspirational perfume would be Tabac Blond: Sublimely confident and chic, not taking any nonsense from anyone.
My reality perfume, Fleurs de Rocaille: Subdued, proper, often accused by louder, flashier types of being boring.
Aspiration? Chanel Coco: rich, classy & elegant, but sexy underneath. Actually? Maybe Norell: older, bitter at first but mellows as it sits, not as good as it used to be but still quite interesting, and definitely cheap.
I'd say looking at my outer personality, I am Bond no 9 Coney Island, my personality is athletic, confident, happy and bubbly.
My inner personality is Magie Noire or CdG Avignon, sophicticated, deep & smoky.
This one is really tough! I think my aspirational scent (at the moment!) would be Vetiver Tonka – stunning, strong and serene.
Actual scent? I do relate to “once they get to know me, I am better” above. I would say I am smart, focused, sort of no-nonsense (but really I do enjoy nonsense in generous doses)…My friends would say I am fun and funny (smelling! just kiddin)…reliable (I am often called when someone is in a pinch and I am often laden with the duty of forming plans)…A few of my friends used to refer to my as the Queen Bee…
I have no idea what this perfume is? Any ideas, my dears?
helenviolette, I think you may be EL White Linen! Nice!!
hmmm, I could see that…thanks for your insight…
Well then double thanks
Hi and welcome! Chanel Cristalle is a worthy choice, and one of my favorites too. And luckily, as this habit goes, not all that expensive
Could you be Guerlain's Mitsouko as its certainly the strong and stunning you aspire to? It's also better the more you get to know it but definitely fits with “Queen Bee” as well!
I wouldn't mind being Joy or Une Rose either!
LOL at “easily pushed around” — I can see that with TG.
LOL — perfect!
Ooooh….I'd like to be BOL too! Or *my* memory of it, which I don't think was menacing really, just interesting, and very beautiful.
Ah, now I must think about what perfume I would be if I were a Caron….
It would certainly be an honor! As we are all mutifaceted creatures, I think I do have a Mitsouko side- but I also have a L'Heur Bleue side and an Apres L'ondee side and a Shalimar side…the house of Guerlain might me a good sum-up
Or you could be vintage Norell — coveted by many! Sold for huge prices on eBay!
I look like Pink Sugar on the outside (tall, blonde, smiley) but I'm Femme on the inside. Egoiste in the boardroom and Musc Ravageur in the bedroom
Hmmmm….
Probably something along the lines of Bond No. 9 Bryant Park–feminine, young, bright, a little silly, but with just enough of an edge to keep things interesting.
nice!
This is a hard question…hmm….???
Probably Devin by Aramis.
Conservative, crisp and clean, yet with a subtle leather drydown. ((wink, wink))
L'Heure Bleue. Absolutely.
No further comment
Hey, why isn't my inner personality sophisticated, deep & smoky? I'd like to be CdG Avignon myself.
Complex, mysterious, mercurial, assertive, direct. Exudes sexuality and feline sensuality. The Different Company Rose Poivree. That's me, you see.
Kayliana, good mix!
This fun exercise has hit me in the face w/ the realization that I am not nearly as interesting as the perfumes I wear!!! (but I am more than okay with that :0)
You could so worse than to be summed up by the house of Guerlain!
Hey, you got a nice bottle too!
Great choice — I'd loved Devin once upon a time and need to smell it again. Perfect description, too.
L'Heure Bleue requires no explanation!
That's what the fellas tell me.
I think what I probably meant was that the opening seemed much 'darker and deeper' on my skin (and more so on DH's skin) than the middle!…IIt *is* beautiful!! (and soo expensive..*sigh*)
I wish I could remember it better — you might be right about menacing! It is VERY annoying that I do not have a sample, LOL…it has taken on some mythical status in my head.
Um, “do worse”, not “so worse”.
LOL!
Hey, lucky you! All I qualify for in that list is probably “mercurial” (read: moody).
Thanks for the welcome! Yes, I've found that Cristalle is on the low end of the price spectrum. Rather thankfully.
Hmmm… at the moment I'm probably Encre Noire – moody, prickly, but warm, hardly sweet, emancipE. Oh, and I love writing by hand, so ink, yeah. What I would aspire to be – SL Daim Blonde, definitely. Calm, cool, elegant, graceful, with a voice like suede. Is that what they call “grown-up”?:)
I am quite sure that is true for me as well. And I certainly am not as “various” as my collection of perfumes suggests.
Hey, Encre Noire is pretty grown up too! Maybe not so cooly elegant as Daim Blond, but still.
in my head too..LOL..(Its almost like I can see the scent in my head rather than smell it)
Aspirationally, I'd also be Patou's Joy in a heartbeat! Under my gangly, ahtletic, tomboyish frame, with my big feet, in your face personality, and my shock of platinum blonde hair, is trapped the 1950s idea of a lady – refined, gracious, impeccably dressed and groomed, wearing understated yet costy pearls and speaking with an educated, well modulated voice. Sigh….I know she's in there, you just have to do a little work to find her.
For who I really am. it's Giorgio's Red….bright, bouncy, brash and noticeable, with depth (I'm a chypre, after all) and staying power. I'm highly accessible and you can find me everywhere. Ive been around for quite some time, but I still show up in some mighty nice places.
If only I could be Ormonde Jayen's Ta'if – elegantly beautiful, like a glowing cabochon ruby. Instead, I am probably TDC Sel de Vetiver, a beachy girl in flip flops at heart.
True, (sigh) but that is probably a bit aspirational…
I am Tom Ford's Black Orchid – schizophrenic, slightly raunchy, and far too much of a good thing for most people.
Secretly aspire to be Opium…
Hey, I would like to have a beautiful packaging too:)
Oh you know what? I could very well actually be Bond No 9 Chinatown. That fits pretty well too. Comfortable and polite, a little unconventional, has odd tastes, branches out to meet new people and learn new things because of these tendencies, prefers when everyone just gets along, is sometimes easily pushed around… is also sometimes a little aloof and hard to find. Actually, that may fit better than ELTG. So I change my honest answer to Chinatown.
Great descriptions of both scents. I wonder if I have an inner Joy? I suspect even my inner personality lacks an educated, well modulated voice.
Oh, good pick! I think of Ta'if as looking dark & mysterious. I'm probably Sel de Vetiver too.
My aspirational choice would be Black Tourmaline – powerful, dark, mystical, but yet sensuous and fascinating.
But I'm afraid what I really am is Heeley Cardinal as I see it – intellectual, but a little too loud, a little too cynical, way too dominant and egocentric. But hey, people like me after all;)
I think I might be either vintage Diorling or….vintage Mitsouko. With nicknames like Archangel of Darkness and Empress of the Flaming Sword..well, I can forget all about Diorissimo, which I would love to claim (but my pals would just laugh).
I suppose that, along with Malle's Angelique, would be my aspirational scents. Quietly lovely, coolly elegant…nobody getting set on fire….nobody flinching….nice.
xo
Oh, you got a pretty bottle too!
LOL — another perfect description!
Wow, I need to revisit Heeley Cardinal! I wouldn't have thought it that dominating, I don't think — but it's a great scent either way.
Hey, that would be cool to be vintage Diorling or Mitsouko. *jealous*
But no, the Archangel of Darkness CANNOT be Diorissimo, LOL…
Alpona reminds me of you (since that is one of your favourites from the House ..:))
My aspirational perfume/personality would be Odeur71:
Exclusive, hard to get, techie soul (photocopier toner anyone?) appeals to both sexes, modern and with great packaging.
I probably am: Eau Sauvage: more conservative than I care to admit, used to be hot but now is almost never seen on a dancefloor. Too european for many. A bit monothematic and a little boring after some time. Still, thank God, I have not been deeply discounted, and although mainstream, remain the choice of a few.
Packaging needs to be updated, though
Oh this is so difficult, especially for someone as new to perfume as me! I need something that feels introspective and sheer with sparkling topnotes. I'm thinking Hermes: maybe Rose Ikebana, Osmanthe Yunnan or Jardin Sur Nil. What I'd like to be is the best orange blossom ever, L'Artisan's Fleur D'Oranger, but I'm not quite accomplished enough
Maybe I'd be the cheapest (Jardin Sur Nil) as I'm still a PhD student!
Why thank you! I think Chinatown has the prettiest bottle of all the Bond no 9 frags.
Wow – this is hard!! Aspirationally and occasionally really I am Black Cashmere – smoldering, moody, sexy and unusual. Well I fit the moody more often than not, but would rather smolder more. I'm probably closer to Angel, really, sweet and comforting but not always agreeable to everyone. Now and then I am Luctor et Emergo – odd and slightly off-putting, yet with a certain allure that keeps people coming back.
It is probably my favorite of the urn scents — sadly — it would be way more cool to be Tabac Blond or Narcisse Noir, LOL…
But — if you were going to be a conservative, monothematic scent, better to be Eau Sauvage or Guerlain Vetiver than almost any of the competition. I mean, you've got class, at least!
Hey, all of those, even the cheapest, are worthy! I could live with any of those as “me”.
I would like to be Luctor et Emergo…odd but comforting. And with play doh.
This is sure fun! Compared to most of you, I still have a lot to learn and a lot of fragrances to experience. At this early point in my perfumista development, I think I'd pick En Passant as the fragrance that feels the most “me”. It is innovative, abstract (as opposed to earthy and concrete), balanced, feminine in a non-ultra way, and wholesome. It also has a lighthearted feel – like it doesn't take itself too seriously! I feel an immense attraction to this fragrance – my first sampling of it was a revelation on many levels. Runners-up that I considered: Divine Bergamote for its warmth and sunny-ness, Fleurs de Sel for its naturalness (and the salt!), and Ecume de Rose for many of the same reasons listed above. Sigh… how do you all stay sane? There is so much beauty to discover in one lifetime!
Well I went through some possibilities on this. Aspirationally I thought I could go for the macho, huge pecs, leather of Tom of Finland ('aspirational' being the key, the scent is not quite that), but the reality is I am more the florals of Tommy Girl or leatherette of Delicious Closet Queen.
So I made myself take this seriously, and decided that I should be the stern, abstract art of the CdG Odeurs, then broke down into the giggles of L'Artisan Vanilia or By Kilian Love.
Then I thought what the heck, let's be honest here, I want to BE Tom Ford and sit flawlessly groomed in an impeccably tailored velvet suit I have made for myself, wearing my own Private Blend Tobacco Vanille, drinking Henessey Cognac at the Athenaeum after a formal society dinner, smoking a Romeo y Julieta, but in reality I am to be found bleary-eyed the next morning drinking a soy latte at the local cafe in a sloppy woollen sweater that still has traces of last night's Liaisons Dangereuses.
Next time I smell L et E I'll have to see if I get Play Doh. I got the inside of an old valise from the thrift store that a woman several decades ago kept her beauty items in. Cold cream, cologne and powder gone a little bad, but that evokes a life lived. I had one of those little suitcases – even had an old photo taken on a summer vacation inside.
Aspirational scent would be 31 rue Cambon – unequivocal French elegance with a hint of hauteur when you need it OR something rich and feminine like Plus que Jamais or sweet and feminine like Tuberose Gardenia or J'Adore. I should point out I have nothing in common with any of thse women, and could do with a few more lives. For who I really am – also mercurial, restless, funny (when on form!), odd, intellectually curious, independent, and a good mixer – I think we might be talking either Bergamote (approachable, effervescent, with a nerdy note of ginger) or Fleurs de Sel (offbeat, cerebral, borderline weird). And maybe Rose Noir by Byredo for the sensual side that doesn't get out much.
Wow, great post!
In an ideal world, I would be dzing! Raunchy but elegant, silly but thoughtful, beastly but contained: mi-homme, mi fauve. Unfortunately, ideal worlds are just that: ideas…
Keep up the fun!
I would be Angelique Encens by Creed, Indiscret by Lelong, En Avion by Caron (vintage)
aspirationally: Caron's Le Troisieme Homme: understated but elegant, has seen the world, incorporated the best parts, and is in its own quiet niche, undeniably masculine but with a twist.
currently: Hermes Eau d'Orange Verte: light, summery, and confident in its own way, but with an odd feeling of depth and history. could benifit from more staying power. not very noticeable.
who i probably appear to be: burberry summer….warm, flirty, friendly and sweet and begging you to come closer for a better sniff, but with a giggly, bright thread that keeps things from getting too serious.
who i really am: tom ford black orchid….desperately in need of a chaperone, abrasively opinionated, dirty laughter and pessimistic, irreverently misbehaved, a sweet note that should come out more than it does, and people who aren't quite sure how to handle the real thing
who i wish i were: YSL babydoll….feminine but not so ladylike that i can't cut loose have fun, with an undertone that implies that the darkness might take the ladylike right out of me
i would love for someone to tell me what fragrance they think i'd be……sadly i'm the only perfumista in my circle of real, live friends!!
You know who I always longed to be? Morticia Addams – the Carolyn Jones version. So elegant. She wouldn't wear Diorissimo either but for the life of me I can't imagine what she would wear: Bandit, maybe?
that's easy! Hombre Rose!
I loved those little hard-shell train cases! I've been looking for a nice vintage one…
*lifts latte* I'm in the booth across the room.
En Passant is so lovely — and so perfect for this time of the year.
I don't know that anyone here is particularly sane
I have tried and tried again, and I just can't do this.
Excellent reasoning, bravo!
It would be great fun to be Dzing! — I'm not Dzing! either, sadly…
Great choices, very distinguished!
Both of those scents are “worthy”, nice choices!
LOL — great description of TFBO! Cracked up at “desperately in need of a chaperone”.
That's ok, you're surely represented by the OJ line in some way.
What was I thinking? She would wear Djedi!
Bandit or something like. Tabac Blond? Mitsouko? Something impressive, that's for sure.
great post,and great comments (leeniev, you are truly poison)
hmmmm….i think i would be antaeus….classy, masculine and sometimes over-confident….a little macho who's regarded as outdated but once you really get to know me, you'll see that i'm hard on the edges but soft inside…
Cuir Beluga….. a little leather and a little lace.
Dawn
Oh good, I feel ever so much more comfortable now.
Count me as another Black Cashmere– bone dry (in terms of humor and cynical sarcastic wit) yet still soft somehow. Someone who does not photograph well, yet has compelling angles in person. A complicated blend of smoke and wood, comfortable indoors and out, subtle sillage, will push some away and draw others near. Memorable.
OK, maybe that's aspirational… whatever the true personality perfume is, it needs to have lots of contrast–mystery potboilers and Russian greats, graphic novels and Jackson Pollock, athletic and professorial, kind-hearted but prickly. Wait, can that still be Black Cashmere? A girl can hope…
OMG, very funny: I immediately thought of Cristalle for myself as well, for the same reasons. I see it as a WASP thing–appearing, at first, unassailably confident and in possession of sangfroid, somewhat offputting/intimidating due to one's strong opinions. But underneath is a generous heart and a sparkling and contagious joie de vivre.
Just went and put some on in honor of the conversation…from a bottle I bought at least twelve years ago at Bloomie's in NYC. It's stood up very well to the test of time–hat's off to Chanel.
I just splurged on 28 La Pausa, which I think is very unlike my personality–ladylike without being prissy or prim, discreet and well-behaved in the drawing room.
That would work!
The comments really are fun to read for this one — everyone has made such great picks. And that's a spot-on call for Antaeus.
This is such a hard question I think. I don't think I could ever be one fragrance, simply because the reason I have so many is that they reflect different moods and aspects of me. Ones which come close to defining me would be:
Heritage by Guerlain. This is so beautiful it is poetry every time I wear it. It is at once strong, powerful and spicy and yet soo gentle and sweet at the same time – which is how many women have described me (aww shucks, has most often been my response).
Pierre Cardin pour Homme – Elegant and again sweet yet powerful.
Chanel – Platinum Egoiste. I don't know why, but it just suits me.
Luxury Sandalwood Cologone – Taylor of Old Bond Street.
I've had women purring over this one and I have to say that again it's that combination of spicy but sweet that does it.
I can't give you a definite I'm afraid, but certainly in terms of attitude, Le Dandy by D'Orsay would give several clues.
Well, for one side of my personality, I would be Patou Vacances, and the other “me” would be Frederic Malle Carnal Flower. How's that for duality?
I always saw Morticia in TDC Rose Poivree. But if she were more lively, then SIP Black Rosette.
Oh man, this is the part of frag addiction counseling where we have to admit our limitations. I have to admit that I'm “Luctor Et Emergo”; like my namesake, I warrant “what the hell does that mean?”, may at first appear to be peddling something sophisticated and philosophical, only to turn out to be nothing but a kid who wants to rip through fields, hide in the “do not enter” realms of libraries, eat cherry-almond cookies and roll in playdough. However, the packaging doesn't match the inner “capture-the-flag-and-make-paper-mache-stuff” mentality and I'm actually as grown up as a non-descript beaker (I know, I ask myself the same thing: When did THAT happen?)
Of course I want to be “Mitsouko”. With her edgy, cutting wit and eccentric, yet stylish presence. Not everyone gets her, but they always notice and talk about her, i.e. “Mitsouko” this and “Mitsouko” that and “wow, what clever energy” and “how strikingly unique and bold…”. Oh blah, blah, blah…
hmm, i think id liek to be a combo of a few fragarences i love. cristalle by chanelm becuase i love the fresh aspect about it. and victorias secret dream angel halo. i love the coconut smell in it. i think those two would be lovely together. the packaging for me would be mopre on the minimal side like chanels packaging. i love the simplistic beauty of the chanel packaging.
Jubilation 25 on the ouside, complex (read 'confused' for me hahaha), a bit 'weird', brave, sexy, daring.
On the inside I'm really something fluffy like Eau de Charoltte, and like nothing better than curling up on sofa in flowery pjs, getting a hug from my hubby, and drinking hot chocolate.
Great name, too!
Wow, that bottle has stood up VERY well! I wouldn't have thought Cristalle would last that long.
Congrats on your 28 La Pausa!
“Unequivocal French elegance with a hint of hauteur when you need it” is a spot-on description of 31 rue Cambon!
I don't see why that can't still be Black Cashmere…although all you BC peeps are going to have to adopt something new when the BC finally runs out
Guerlain Heritage is a great choice. Can't picture Guerlain Heritage saying “Awww shucks” though!
Something old, something new….
LOL at your description of POTL, that's perfect!
Interesting mix!
chasse aux papillons+extreme for my true spirit, malabah for the quiet in me, coco for the lady. triadic combination like in the sign theories of peirce.
that is a fun thing ! nice poll…
Firstly I must mention that the poll has been on my mind for the whole weekend–for days I can't seem to find the right answer! I've always been taught to appreciate scents for their own sakes and it's a bit hard for me to think whether a fragrance embodies my spirit or not!
But back to the poll: I think ideally my answer is Givenchy Vetyver…the refinement and the integrity of the maestro seem to be so neatly bottled, along with decades of heritage. I would like the life that occupies the bottle (even for a day).
In all fairness, I think Dior Eau Sauvage is more like me…a bit too strong at first, too “European” for most fellow Canadians (oh, that's what most people say when they don't get things)…and a bit fussy and serious (yes, the s word of my generation). (I think that's the reason why I haven't used it for a while…)
Come to think of it…I wouldn't mind being the popular Creed Green Irish Tween dude…mind you, GIT isn't a mainstream fella but just cool and sociable enough to be the quirky charmer, which is the new 'it'. (And I would imagine he would be impeccably dressed too.)
Um…that's “Green Irish Tweed” and not “Green Iris Tween”…don't know how that one slipped in. Must be a Freudian slip (one of my family members is acting like a tween lately).
This is extraordinarily difficult, but I will settle on being Bandit: someone who goes out of her way to appear difficult and unapproachable, as that is the best armor. On a really good day, when I'm feeling benevolent, I segue into being Jolie Madame. And on a really, really good day, I morph into 10 Corso Como: warm and soothing, but still a little off-beat.
I loved reading everyone's comments!
in public I'm like L'Artisan Mure Musc Extreme. Soapy and a bit tart, but mostly well mannered.
On the dance floor I would be Tom Ford Black Orchid Voile de Fleur- a little bit feminine, a little bit seductive, a little bit stinky.
My real and true personality, I don't know. Maybe if Coco and Coco Mademoiselle had a middle sister that was slightly tangier and more outspoken than Mademoiselle, but more light-hearted than Coco.
Is Eau Sauvage fussy? I don't see it that way at all, although I suppose it is conservative.
LOL — that's a great duality…
I don't know the sign theories of peirce, but nice choices…
I've loved reading them too — and being 10 Corso Como on a good day seems like something worth reaching for, you know?
LOL at “a little bit seductive, a little bit stinky” — good one.
what's fascinating about her is that she's NEVER lively – but she is soooo…….so elegant and sensual . I'm perhaps TOO lively, LOL, which is why I long to be like her.
Aspirational would be Gucci 2 EDP (which I would love if u guys did a review on it plz, plz, plz).
What I actualy am would be Burberry The Beat (elixer). Its fun, energetic, w/ a touch of punk….plus I'm a music junky…
I love how u guys come up w/ these polls.
EL Cinnabar. Understated, conservative, not particularly daring or adventurous packaging, but sexy, spicy, and sensous when undone
yeah i think it would be interesting to mix chanels cristalle with victorias secret halo. i think it would make a wonderfully refreshing fragarence for summer.
i just thought of another great combo that i have tried and that is fabulous when worn together. chanel's coco mademoiselle mixed with Victorias secret's Strawberries and Champayne. they are lovely together. If you have never tried them together, you must give it a try. i think you willl be surprised how great they go together!!
I am Hypnotic Poison, bien sure!
Brunette, cuddly in all the right places, bright and sexy, mesmerising, bewitching and unforgettable!
now we know why a woman cannot have ONE signature perfume – is like i would be always the same?! i am a twin! i'd needed acutally at least twenty to describe myself;-)
I do have one signature perfume – Hypnotic Poison!
Of course there are other fragrances, just like there are many personality facets of each and every one of us, many moods, and many fragrancs to express it.
But then it comes to the basis, the character, the root, HP IS ME.
But then I am Taurus, a fixed sign LOL
Something with very off-putting top notes, because I am cranky and people often assume that I'm arrogant and full of myself; I'm actually just rather awkward and stiff in social contexts. I think the drydown is better, but probably not to everyone's taste… and very flamboyant. I have no idea! Any takes?
Try Agent Provocateur or the latest Gucci from the mainstream
If you're more niche, try one of Montale's Aouds, or Tom Ford Black Orchid
Agent Provocateur smells much better on my man than on me, but it is interesting – not sure I can deal with that much rose, though. I have a sample of the new Gucci and wasn't impressed, dull stuff on my skin.
The Montales I'd love to try, though, must order samples!
Can I just be totally shallow today? I'm Angel. . . chocolate and cocktails. . .that's me! I love hearing about everyone's favorite combinations. I'm going to try that Victoria's Secret and Chanel combo. . . what extremes!
which combo. the cristalle and dream angels halo or the coco mademoiselle and strawberries and champayne? let me know how it turns out for you.
chanelben: I'll try them both and follow up. . . but it was the coco and strawberries and champayne that really got my interest. . . I have always loved coco, but never paid much attention to the victoria's secret fragrances for snobby reasons. Now that I realize the same handful of noses create all the fragrances, this opens up a whole new world to me! I have always struggled to define it, but there is a world of difference between loving the Chanel handbag for it's exceptionally fine leather, handstiching and classic design that will still be enjoyed by your great grand-daughter–think of it!– and carrying a good knock off because you want everyone to think you paid $2,000+ for your purse, or it's trendy, or something to that effect. I think if I don’t want to pay that much for a handbag, I find a beautiful vintage of exceptional quality, or I save for the sale, or do without! I struggle with defining it, like I said. Now look, I said I'd stay shallow today and I'm already in the deep end of the pool and it’s way before noon! Sorry!
The Beat Elixir is a good one — you've got a great bottle too
Nice, you're a classic!
Not a strawberry fan myself, nor is CM really my thing — I will have to take your word for it
I should add that I was looking at myself through other people's perspective of me. I don't personally find Eau Sauvage stuffy but many boys of my age run to the exit when they smell the hedione opening. (Their loss really.)
Amazingly, I entered my notes into Osmoz and got a 100% hit! That just never has happened.
I am Fleur de Diva by Ungaro, a soft flower, not the Diva, but I have moments.
The notes are: Rose-my birth flower
wisteria- my favorite smell
muguet-Christian (Jesus is often referred to the Lilly of the valley)
freesia- very feminine with with a poetic character
water hyacinth and white water Lilly- I love the water and am a certified diver
black currant blossom-woody and sweet and I'm a naturalist with a big heart.
sandalwood and musk-hippy with a sensual character.
I've ordered it. Have you ever smelled it Robin? or Diva? Do you think I might like Diva? I do not care for most *classic* sexy scents with cardamom. Coco, Opium and Youth Dew are all too strong. I've never heard of Ungaro, is it quality?
Love this post. It makes you think.
hope you know Diva or fleur de Diva.
I cherish your opinion-Joy, Becca
Becca, I have not smelled Fleur de Diva, but click on “Perfume Reviews” at the top and you'll find Angela's review of Diva (look under Emanuel Ungaro)
Have a feeling it will be too strong for you, though.
Perhaps one of the reasons I love perfume so much is that I find the task of choosing a scent so symbolic of your character, your aspirations, your hidden vs. obvious qualities. It's a lot like keeping a diary, or researching legends… uncovering history and cherishing what is preserved in records, except that with perfume, you're uncovering history about yourself, sort of in a process of self-discovery. This is probably why this topic appealed to me so much!
Another scent I adore is Wrappings by Clinique. I just read in the Moody Report that it's being relaunched to the Europe/Middle East/Africa travel retail region, for a period of approximately six months.
And you know they still release it at the holidays every year…
Oh yes, thank goodness for that. I wish it'd come in a 1.7 bottle instead of the .85. But I do get a few when they're out for the holidays.