This week we're helping Brianna, a college student in her early 20s. She'd like a new fruity floral scent for casual everyday wear, and she needs the cost to stay under $60. Brianna likes her perfume to make a statement, and she likes fragrances that smell “perfume-y and not like foods or natural essences”. Still, she doesn't want her perfume to smell too synthetic (which she defines as “plastic smelling”) or too candied.
Brianna describes herself as “spontaneous, a deep thinker, and shy until you get to know me”.
Brianna likes notes of pear, plum, tangerine, and amber. Her current collection includes Salvador Dali Dalistyle by Salvador Dali (too dressy for everyday wear), Boss Femme by Hugo Boss (too heavy for everyday wear), Ralph Lauren Ralph Rocks, Only by Givenchy, and Giorgio Armani Diamonds Intense (more of a floriental than she'd like, and too heavy for everyday wear). She is thinking of purchasing Christina Aguilera Inspire.
Brianna does not like pink pepper, tobacco, or lilac. She did not like any of the Victoria's Secret Dream Angel collection scents (too heavy and powdery), Elizabeth Arden Provocative Interlude, Givenchy Absolutely Irresistible, or any of the Clean fragrances.
What say you?
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Note: image is ei, seu carteiro! by .mands. at flickr; some rights reserved.
39 Comments
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Hi Brianna,
Just wondered if you've tried any of those other Victoria's Secret splashes like that Icy Pear one? Also, what about Bath & Bodyworks: loads of fruity florally ambers. One that comes to mind is Sensual Amber. Or is that too heavy for you?
How about Marc Jacobs Pear Splash?
There's also Sonoma Scent Studio's Vintage Rose which is a rose scent, enriched with plum and amber.
Good luck!
Hi Brianna, have you tried Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle or Prada Eau tendre? They are both fruity florals, with good sillage and yet an easy to wear, everyday feel.
I forgot to mention Dawn Spencer Hurwitz who might also be right up your alley: have you tried d'Anjou or the new Quinacridone Violet?
I’ve found two perfumes, everyone. Thanks for the suggestions. I have found Bijan Black and Calypso St. Barth Lily
Glad you found some fragrances that work for you
Funny by Moschino?
Greetings, Brianna!
If you like fruit but not a really foody or candied fruit, some of the fruity floral scents that came out about twenty years ago might be the ticket. Two of these abstract fruity florals are Byblos by Byblos (original in the blue bottle with a rose on top) and Missoni Acqua. They're very similar, with bergamot and mandarine (Byblos) or bergamot, grapefruit, and melon (Missoni) as top notes, both with violet and muguet in the heart. While fruity, they don't hit you over the head with fruit. Both are also really inexpensive.
Thanks!
I lost track of this thread after the site change, but I actually have found success with fruity florals from the late nineties. They are more well – rounded because the perfume market was geared towards late teenagers then. I have added Alfred Sung Pure and Eternity Moment to my collection since then, and I enjoy them both.
Brianna,
Give Ed Hardy Love and Luck Woman a try. I found it to be a really nice, not cloying fruity floral that doesn't smell exactly like everything else out there. The red berries/sake combination smells great and there's a nice very quiet sandalwood/floral drydown. Definitely worth investigating.
I second Coco Madmoiselle as well! Great scent, I wear it frequently.
-K
How about Cartier Delices de Cartier Eau Fruitee? They still had it at my Sephora last week, but hurry as it is a limited edition.
Notes – Bergotmot, Mandarin, Rhubarb, Morello Cherry, Jasmine, Amber, Sandalwood.
Oops, 'bergamot'
Oh and the bottle is really pretty, below $60 and is readily available on that well known online auction site.
How about Insolence by Guerlain? I think of this as a 'gateway' fragrance. It lures you into its innocent fruity-floral maw, and before long you'll be freebasing Apres l'Ondee and L'Heure Bleue.
For making a statement, I'd try Moon Sparkle by Escada. It's a velvet shock-wave of plum/berry, played at the same volume as Ralph Rocks.
Some lighter fruity scents you might enjoy include Aqua Allegoria Pampelune (et al. Tutti Kiwi etc..), Hermes Un Jardin sur le Nil (green mango), DG Light Blue (green apple, musk), Moschino I love Love (DG Light Blue + currants) and as others suggested MJ Pear Splash and Moschino Funny. All are available for cheap at discounters, sephora or ebay.
Hi Brianna! How about the new Dolce and Gabbana L'Eau The One? Not as heavy as The One, and seems like it would be a great fruity floral “perfumey” scent for daywear. According to Sephora, notes are: Bergamot, Mandarin, Lychee, Peach, Plum, Floral Muguet, Jasmine, Madonna Lily, Amber, Musk, Moss, Vanilla, Vetyver.
Karin, you pipped me to the post on L'Eau the One. I immediately thought of it on account of the plum note, yet it is not at all heavy! Strongly recommend this one.
you crack me up! freebasing, indeed.
You might try A White Ginger, Jacaranda, Lemon, Mandarin, Asprey Purple Water, notes: Musk, Orange Flower, Basil, Vetiver, Pepper – and it is widely available as a spray vial tester. I love it in Spring/Summer.
Sorry, I tried to cut and paste on that last comment and it didn't quite fly. The name of the perfum is Asprey Purple Water.
Hello Brianna – You may like to try the Badgley Mischka fragrance – it has a wonderful rich fruity exuberance, but is still a sophisticated floral that dries down to a wonderful amber. You may also like to try the Clarins fragrance Par Amour Toujours which starts off with a lovely crispy mandarin note and then works down to a soft woody floral. It is very transparent and light, but still fresh. You may also like Tommy Hilfiger Dreaming which is also a light, fresh fruit floral.
Hi,
DL & Co. Lady Rhubarb or Thorn apple might fit the bill. They are $45 and available at luckyscent.com. Happy hunting!
I am at a loss with this one as fruity is not my thing but perhaps SJP's Lovely or Covet Bloom may fill the bill. And although it's probably more floral than fruity but Dior's J'Adore is really nice for every day casual wear. I think the pear scents listed in the post above me were great recommendations also. Good luck!
Hey Brianna, ever considered DG Light Blue? I personally like it, although it had sort of a mixed street rep on this blog. It's worth a shot, in any case if you're looking for a good fruity floral.
I second DG Light Blue. I have discovered the blue fragrance by Mac ( Turquatic) and the pink one, both are available at the Mac counter. I also think that you will enjoy Ralph Blue and the original Ralph. Check out DKNY delicious… happy smelling
Hi Brianna,
I will also send you to sniff Coco Mademoiselle- and maybe Miss Dior Cherie? It is a bit candied but i think you might like it.
And the new Chanel No. 5 eau premiere is a lovely perfumey floral- not too fruity but a must try.
good luck!
I third the Light Blue by D & G, really nice fragrance.
Also, how about Eclat D'Arpege by Lanvin? Soft fruity scent with greens/leaves, white flowers, peach, red peony, white cedar, musk and amber. I think there is a touch of lilac, but I don't pick up on it… I do get tons of compliements on it and it has pretty nice staying power too. Nice daytime scent.
Hi Brianna, I'm thirding D&G L'Eau the One and also Gucci by Gucci, which has notes of pear, guava, tiare, patchouli, musk and honey. Happy hunting!
Délices de Cartier is one of the only fruity florals I can abide; really well done, but be careful, it can be a bit of a silage monster.
How about Eau de Caron Forte? It's a refreshing fruity scent that doesn't have a flowery overlay, it's not overly 'girly' or 'manly' either. Great in warm climes too.
Plus, you should be able to find it for less than your price point…
I know, this is really a weak suggestion, but if you really like femme by Boss, there is the new eau fraîche coming out soon. A lighter more summery, fruity version.
I also second D&G light blue as well as All about Eve from Joop?
Probably you also would like the new Boss Orange scent, which is going to be launched in Mai, but I don't know if its going to be available in the US…
Good on you, Farah, for thirding it – I was even going to second it twice myself to knock Light Blue off the top spot! : – )
I will second Gucci by Gucci while I am here, and the lighter Edt is also nice for daywear!
Another Light Blue rec!
Nothing for it but to mention D & G L'Eau The One again. IMHO this is The One for you!
Just thought of Burberry Women (the original).
Notes include peach, apricot and prune, also blackcurrant and marigold, jasmine, sandalwood and cedar, musk and vanilla.
Brenda, I am wearing Bvlgari Omnia Crystalilne today and remembered your post because I am enjoying the pear note so much. It has a wonderful combo of pear, florals and woods that is lovely and great for casual wear. If you decide to go for it, you might try buying the Sephora Scent Sampler – the bestsellers edition. This gives you a sample of the 10 Sephora bestsellers (many of which are fruity florals), and a gift certif. you can redeem for a full bottle of your favorite. I got it as a Christmas gift and went in to collect my Omnia Crystalline and they were like, “This can't be right… that gift set sells for $50 and the Omnia costs $60.” But it was right and so it turned out to be a sort of a weird loophole bargain. Double-check the details because maybe they'll have caught on by now, but if not I thought it was kind of sweet.
Sorry, I meant Brianna of course!
I second the Badgley Mischka fragrance. It is beautiful but be light handed with it.
Omnia Crystalline is a great rec! One of my all time faves for day wear. A colleague had this given to her by her husband UNSNIFFED for Xmas, purely on my say-so, and loved it. Or says she did…: – )
I love fruity florals! Some in my collection: Dior J'adore (but it leans more toward straight floral), Escada Pacific Paradise (sort of a lime, coconut, banana smell… it smells like a beach!) and Moon Sparkle (strawberry, raspberry, apple).
You could also try Dior Addict 2 (grapefruit), Dior Addict Shine (raspberry), Burberry Brit Sheer, and the various DKNY delicious scents.
PS – I'm glad to hear that L'eau The One is getting such rave reviews… it makes me want to try it because the EDP is just a tad strong for me.
I really enjoy being a member of this community, I’ve yet to meet someone who is *passionate* about fragrance in person. If I knew someone who could wax poetic about perfume, I probably wouldn’t pursue other interests