Today we’re helping Sara, who is looking for her signature fragrance. She’s doesn’t have a budget: she’s willing to pay for the “right” perfume. She does most of her perfume shopping online or while traveling. Here is what we know about Sara:
Sara is in her late 20s. She’s a graphic designer who lives in a small coast town in the north of Sweden.
Sarah is tall and thin with green eyes and short hair. She loves clothes, especially high heels, and some of her favorite designers are Acne, Ann Demeulmeester and Prada; she also appreciates quirkiness of John Galliano.
She loves big cities such as Paris and New York (“I get a kick out of the energy and the huge crowds”) and tries to travel as much as she can. She loves shopping, going to concerts and browsing in art galleries. Sara also likes to stroll in the woods with her Border Terrier, and she loves the smell of the trees and moss, especially in the autumn.
Sara likes gourmand fragrances (but often finds them dull), incense (but often finds it too dry), and musk. Some of the perfumes she likes:
Serge Lutens Muscs Koublai Khan (“makes me feel on top of things”) and Clair de Musc (“clean and sophisticated).
Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau de Toilette (“for a night out, love the orange blossom”).
Sinfonia Di Note Amande Sucree (“ultimate cashmere sweater scent”).
The People of the Labyrinths Luctor et Emergo (“funny, like the incense a lot”).
Parfumerie Generale Musc Maori (“like the chocolate and the mix of the green”).
L’Artisan Vanilia ( “great all the way. mellow”) and Fleur de Narcisse (“the tobacco and hay are great”).
10 Corso Como (“the rose is muted, the sandalwood is amazing in this one, also it’s a bit smoky”).
Guerlain Apres L’Ondee (“the vanillic dry down”).
Jean Paul Gaultier Classique (“the orange blossom and dry down”).
Il Profumo Musc Bleu (“so clean”).
Sara does not like fig, heavy florals, aquatics or overly citrus-y fragrances, and she also doesn’t like peach or plum. In general, she doesn’t like the brands Montale or Parfumerie Generale. Some of the perfumes Sara dislikes include:
L’Artisan Premier Figuier (“headache”).
Diptyque Philosykos (“too much alcohol”).
Serge Lutens Miel de Bois (“too sweet headache”), Fumerie Turque (“ashtray”), A la nuit (“urine and flowers”), Ambre Sultan (“too spicy and masculine”), Daim Blond (“too sweet, rubbery”), Louve (“too sugary”), Un Bois Vanille (“plastic-y”), Rahat Loukhoum (“too much cherry”).
Hors La Monde Shiloh (“too mature”).
Caron Farnesiana (“too mature”).
What say you?
Note: image is letter box by leo reynolds at flickr; some rights reserved.
85 Comments
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Sara,
I like some of the same scents you do. I love Jo Malone Vanilla Anise and Sweet Lime and Cedar for Everyday. You might want to try the new Idylle by Guerlain. I also like Chanel Coco Mademoiselle and Prada.
Best,
Jill
I’ve been thinking about trying out a couple of Malones. Thank you for the suggestions!
The first thing that came to mind was Chanel 31 Rue Cambon, then I added Coromandel……CdG Zagorsk, maybe even some Mitsouko and Theorema —2:1 ratio.
Just ideas, I’m not great at picking things out for others.
Good luck
Second the Zagorsk. I’d also suggest trying Andy Tauer’s line (just about anything, really!), and Stephanie de St.-Aignan’s Berberiades (incense and spice with just enough citrus to keep it from being too dry, yet not at all a citrus scent). Maybe also try Lubin’s Idole.
And two more thoughts…haven’t tried it yet myself (or seen it!), but it sounds like LAP’s Havana Vanille would be your style, and if you can find it (try discounters), for a cheap thrill, try Burberry Brit Red.
Yeah, I was going to say Andy Tauer L’Air du Desert Marocain. But maybe that’s just because I want a bottle for myself right now and am fixated on it…
I find that one a little on the dry side. The Berberiades is a similar feel, but the citrus juices it up just enough for me.
Wow! You really nailed me on Zagorsk. That one is in my collection. The Chanel’s sounds great, I would never had thought of Chanel myself. About Theorema, isnt that one discontinued? Ive been searching high and low. Would you say it’s similar to Organza Indecence? Thank you for your suggestions.
sadly, yes….my beloved Theorema has been discontinued but you can still find some on ebay and sometimes at discounters. But it won’t be around for long. I have no idea what sort of availability you have where you are. But if you have relatives or friends here in the states, maybe they could ship something for you?
Beautyencounter dot com still has testers (no cap, plain box) for $55 and they ship DHL to 30 countries. Hmmm….I’m now wondering if I should pick up additional Theorema too….
oh, I almost forgot…..Theorema is a gourmandy, spicy very “full” fragrance, very comforting and tasty….like some sort of nutmeggy, creamy dessert. Organza Indecence is more simple vanilla and well, I get some plastic. So I really don’t think they are anything alike. I think Boojum mentioned Havana Vanille (available at first in fragrance now but not here in the states yet) to my nose Havana Vanille is much more interesting and has more depth than OI. If I had two bottles sitting in front of me : HV and OI —I’d grab the HV every single time. But that’s just me.
I love Zagorsk too
She’ll surely like Keiko Mecheri Musc, which might be a bit too simple.
Maybe Guerlian Cologne de 68, if she likes the cologne spritz inbetween. Eau de Shalimar.
As for her budget I hope there will come some more suggestions, I do not know the expensive ones that well.
Good luck!
I like musks too, AG’s musc nomade could be worth a try, for musk with a neroli-twist: L’air de rien (Miller Harris), and for something different you can try Le labo’s rose 31 when you’re in Paris or NYC
I’ve heard rose 31 comes off a bit masculine?
Hi I guess you’re our Monday Sara, well yes, it is classified as masculine, but I find it very unisex, I guess I proposed it because it’s on my heavy rotation at the moment, I like it’s dry rose-cumin-note, with a slightly earthy character, I thought it would do well for walking in the forest. and tossing leaves around…
yup Bee I’m monday Sara. I’ve read about rose 31 some more and I’m getting curious about it. It will be in my next sample order. Thank you for your post
Sara –
I think you would like Malle’s Musc Ravaguer or Musk by Renee – both are gourmand-type musks. Also, Costume National 21 is an interesting and unusual gourmand. And lastly, you should try Fleur du Male by Gaultier – even though it is a “men’s” fragrance, you might like it’s orange blossom and spicy powder combination.
Good Luck!
Marko
Hi Marko and thank you for your post. I’m actually waiting for a sample of costume national 21. Do you get the “milk” note? Fleur du male sounds interesting and I will have to try the Malle one.
try queen latifahs new scent. doesnt get more gourmand than that.
Hi, Sara! I wonder if some of the Dawn Spencer Hurwitz spicy fragrances would be of interest; some of them have incense in the base, and play with the gourmand nature of the spices: Cathedral, Sienna, Fire Opal, or Cimabue. She has other, less spicy gourmands as well. You could try Aqaba (by Aqaba), which is another nice incensy spice. Jo Malone does some gourmet-feeling florals (Dark Amber and Ginger Lily). You might find Paestum Rose (Eau d’Italie) and Shaal Nur (Etro) interesting, too. Good luck!
I second the Dark Amber & Ginger Lilly by JM, also the new Vanilla Anise is very nice.
For more musk & woods, how about Montale’s Patchouli Leaves? It’s got a very nice balance of patchouli, woods, vanilla, amber, and musk. One of my favorites.
Seems like I’m ending up in a Jo Malone boutique anytime soon!
Patchouli Leaves is wonderful.
I do like many JM scents, and her perfumes layer well too.
Pom Noir by JM might be worth a try? It has plum in the notes but the other notes are pink pepper/patch/incense/woods, it may balance things so it’s not so fruity.
Hi Bergere,
Ive never heard of her, sounds like something I would like. Thank you for the tip!
Ooh, I second Shaal Nur. Sara, I noticed some big overlaps in your taste and mine, and Shaal Nur is one of my favorites.
Too funny Haunani!! I was just thinking that Sara and I seem to have quite an overlap of things we like …..and I quite dislike Shaal Nur!! Just goes to show that every nose is different!
Which reminds me to go look for that Frapin sample we talked about yesterday…….
Maybe Ralph Lauren Notorious or Bvlgari Omnia.
You also might try looking around at Possets Perfume (Kevin did a review of a couple of them). They have a bunch of gourmand fragrances. I have not tried them yet, but I am very excited about the sample pack I just ordered. They have a ton of options, so it’s a bit time consuming to look through their site. They are so reasonably priced that it may be worth it!
Do you know if they have a boutique in europe?
I don’t think so. They are based in Cincinnatti, but you can get samples from their website (6 for $10). Also, each bottle ranges from $10 to $20 dollars, so they aren’t very expensive to try out.
I have similar taste in perfume and I think Sara would enjoy Profumum Acqua e Zucchero for everyday use.
I was going to suggest another Profumum: Olibanum, which is incense and orange blossom, not too sweet but not too dry. Aedes de Venustus (by Aedes) might be another possibility for a non-dry incense, as well as Caron’s Parfum Sacre.
I wonder if you might like Hermes, Kelly Caleche. Going by what you like and don’t like, this might be something worth investigating. I got my bottle at a discount store for a decent price.
I second the Costume National 21–sort of an incensy gourmand. Another one that reminds me a bit of it is Bond No. 9′s Andy Warhol Silver Factory. It has lots of incense, and there are some florals and a little citrus but also a great metallic note–very different.
Oh, Sara, we’ve struck gold with you! Excellent taste, and a limitless budget? You must try some of the releases from Amouage. I sense you love rich, exotic, luxurious and complex scents, and I can’t think of any line that puts more quality into their bottles. I also second the Tauer recommendation (l’Air du Desert Marocain is in the same family as Luctor et Emergo, so it might be the one to start with).
Amouage Lyric is all dark roses and incense; Jubilation 25 might remind you of the forest, with its gorgeous moss and incense; and Epic is a masterpiece of spices, florals, woods, incense, smoky vanilla and resins.
MDCI’s Promesse de l’Aube from genius Francis Kurkdjian might be something that expands your fragrance frontiers; it’s a blockbuster of a classically-proportioned scent gone edgy and modern. Come to think, if you do travel, next time you hit Paris make sure you visit his new shop and try his line, which I’ve heard takes everything he’s done for MDCI another step further in self-expression.
And before you write off Parfumerie Generale, DO try Cadjmere (Myrtle branch, sap, red tangerine, rosewood, Kenyan cypress resin, coconut milk, sandalwood bark, ambrette seed and vanilla) and l’Ombre Fauve, especially if you like MKK already; it’s honeyed, almost chocolate-y musk, amber and woods, and it’s a beauty.
Keep us posted! ;-D
How about Amouage Jubilation? It’s beautiful and there’s nice incense that’s not too dry.
Bet you were typing that at just the same time as I was, Abyss!
I think I was! Great minds, eh?
Oh, my goodness, and how could I forget these? Guerlain Bois d’Armenie, Attrape-Coeur, Quand Vient la Pluie, Angelique Noir and Spiriteuse Double Vanille, They’re all fabulously rich and opulent. I only wish I had your non-budget to afford every one of them. ;-D
Robin,
Thank you for taking your time writing.
. Didnt check out the jubilation 25 or epic so I’ll make sure to do that.
I bought a bottle of Lyric in Amsterdam for my mother, but I tend to wear it more than her
Do you know the adress for Mr Francis Kurkdjian’s boutique? Are the perfumes there his own and not made under another label?
Thank you for narrowing down the Guerlain camp for me by the way
My pleasure, Sara. I really think those particular Guerlains are exactly up your alley, since it’s my alley, too!
Address for Francis’ shop (yes, everything is his) –
Maison Francis Kurkdjian,
5 Rue d’Alger,
75001 Paris.
OH! two of my all-time favorites Guerlain SDV and Attrape Coeur!!
Yup, Sara —you gotta try them!
And I can’t believe I forgot to mention Amouage….you like Lyric already? hmmm…..Ubar and Gold will probably be too much floral stuff going on, but Epic and Jubilation25 sound right spot on for you. Dia is gorgeous but might be borderline on the flower business.
(Clearly, I’m a complete Amouage ho. )
Oh hey, and for moss and woods…probably NOT going to be a signature scent, but what about CBIHP’s Wild Hunt?
I enthusiastically second the Amouage (Lyric!) and the Chanel suggestions. Here are some more:
Payard – Lychee Mousse (inexpensive, might be a bit sweet on top but has a wonderful ambrette dry down)
Sonoma Scent Studio – Champagne de Bois (reminds me of German Christmas incense)
Reminiscence – Eau de Patchouli
Eau d’Italie – Baume du Doge
Tokyomilk – Death Sexy (smoky and sweet)
Laurence Dumont Les Senteurs Gourmandes- ‘Tendre Madeleine’ (someone mentioned it as SOTD here some time ago and I love it – thank you!) and ‘Musc Blanc’ (this might be a low cost substitute for your ‘clair de musc’ it is similar to the SL dry down)
Comme de Garcons 2
Estee Lauder – Pleasures delight (if you can get over the floral part) or Sensuous (both worth a try and widely available)
Kenzo – Jungle (any really), Fendi – Theorema, Yohij Yamamoto – Yohij if the citrusy top note is not a turn off (all are discontinued but should still be available online)
Antje,
I’m writing down a list to try out. Thank you for all your suggestions. Tokyomilk sounds good. Do you know where I can fins Theorema online?
They have Theorema at beautyencounter.com and occasionally they have minis of it at fragrancenet.com. If you are going this direction with vanilla fragrances, then you must also try Mauboussin which is just totally gorgeous. It is my fav spicy vanilla with some dried fruits and a touch of incense to keep it from getting too sweet.
oh, I should have read down farther—yes Beautyencounter has it, $55 and they ship international.
reirien.com has Theorema in 5 ml minis and decanted samples and they ship to Sweden (eagerly awaiting a BIG parcel from them with the Theorema mini and other goodies).
The discounters do have Theorema sometimes, I hope they ship to Sweden.
I forgot to mention two more:
100% Love (not my favorite but you might like the chocolate note)
By Kilian Love (maybe layer this with some incense or sandalwood)
Un Jardin Apres La Mousson by Hermes perhaps; i’ve only tested it but i was very impressed and can’t say i’ve smelled anything like it…
Hi Sarah: You seem like a pretty hip woman and since money is not an issue, I think you should check out the Biehl Parfumkunstwerke line. It is very seriously hip and exlusive. There are a number of fragrances in that line that go from ultra modern minimalist to full blown classic style fragrances. A particularly lovely foody fragrance is the eo01, which has a lovely vanilla nutmeg floral thing going on, and could be worn everyday as a signature fragrance. mb02 is also an interesting floral that smells a lot like Apres L’Ondee and YSL Paris smacked into each other.
I will also second/third, etc, anything from the Sonoma Scent Studio, particularly for you the Champagne de Bois, Jour Ensoleille, Opal, Tabac Aurea, and Vintage Rose.
Also, such great Chanels as 31 Rue Cambon and Cuir de Russe may be of interest to you. But I think you should go way out there with something very unique and try the No 18 which is a cool, sophisticated ambrette and rose fragrance that is not for everyone.
Another very unusual rec is the Miller Harris Rose en Noir which is mostly a deep deep rich gourmand patchouli, similar to FM’s Noir Epices, which may also be of interest to you. Rose en Noir is a limited edition fragrance and hard to find, but samples can be obtained. Miller Harris also has a lovely unusual fragrance that speaks to your liking of nature and woods: the Fleurs de Sel that is very wild and wind whipped. Miller Harris fragrances are complex and interesting and would be a good line for you to explore.
Good luck!
Thank you Anns for your post. Eo01 sounds like something I might just go a bit crazy over. Do you have it yourself? Are the Orchid and muguet very prominent?
Hi Sara – I only have samples of the eo01, mb02, and hb01… I don’t recall about orchid or muguet as I tested eo01 a number of months ago. From what I recall, there was a lot going on the opening notes that was very lovely. In the three BP fragrances I tested, I noticed that they “shape shifted” a lot to the drydown. (That aspect reminds me a lot of what Miller Harris fragrances do as well.) I recall that the eo01 was a superlative vanilla/tonka light as gossamer but still foody and comforting in the dry down. I highly recommend testing the line, and I have yet to get into the rest of them.
Great recs, Ann! Glad that biehl is getting a mention, and the particular ones you suggest are right on the money. I’d suggest that Sara give pc02 a shot as well; it’s orange cardamom wood pudding! Yummmmm.
I need to get back into that line and do some more “homework.” I tested the three and didn’t go any further yet. I’ll have to put the pc02 on my list… I don’t normally go for gourmand fragrances, but if they are well done, then I’m always game! And you describe it so well! I found the hb01 to be very beautiful in the opening, and then there was a prominent cumin note which I have difficulties with.
Etro Shaal Nur! Or Parfum d’Empire’s Cuir Ottoman. Or maybe Christian Lacroix’ Tumulte. Or even Caron’s Tabac Blond. Good luck!
Minuit Enchante by Laura Mercier
I’m so happy to see Minuit Enchante is a recent release versus an old one…i got a sniff at Nordie’s months ago but couldn’t find a thing online about it, even here, (it must have been too new) read something about how it was a limited edition when i finally found some info on it, but assumed i had missed it rather than it not having come out in full release yet…anyhow here is the NST review of this wonderful fragrance, which i think would be good for our subject
http://www.nstperfume.com/2009/09/07/laura-mercier-minuit-enchante-fragrance-review/
and it’s 10% off at Saks—-FRIENDS2 it’s a friends and family sale but if you went and signed up I think the code would work.
Hi Sarah,
I don’t think anyone else mentioned Chanel Bois des Iles: a sandalwoody, warm, wonderful scent. Subtle but sublime–and you don’t ever smell it on anyone else, so it could work well as a signature fragrance. Hopefully it won’t smell too mature to you. Try the extrait, if there’s a tester, next time you’re in Paris… You might also try l’Artisan’s Bois Farine–wonderful modern sandalwood. Some say it’s too light, but it persists on my skin–and few frags do. And here’s a weirder suggestion, since you said you like incense but often find it too dry (I know what you mean): you might try some variation on what is apparently Sarah Jessica Parker’s fav scent. She mixes CdG’s Avignon with a drugstore musk and an Egyptian musk oil, I believe. Might lighten up the incense in Avignon enough to please you. I don’t typically recommend celebrity scents (LOL!) but I thought of this when I read your frag likes/dislikes. And, of course, you can make it your own with the musk you choose. Another interesting mix I’ve used is Bois des Iles plus Donna Karan Black Cashmere. You might also like, if you can find it, the original perfume version of DK Chaos. Very different from the Chaos now on the market…but hard to find, sorry. Good luck with your search!
What a great idea! I’ll bring out my avignon and try it instantly.
Bois des illes sounds good too. I just checked out the notes at the perfumed court. Might be something I like and the Donna Karan one too! Thank you for your post Smellifluos!
Santa Maria Novella Muschio (Musk) is a warm almost gourmand musk (not musk gold of the same brand).
Hermes Ambre Narguile.
Yep, Theorama is discontinued. Maybe try Makeupalley to get a decant?
Serge Lutens Douce Amere.
Hi Sarah,
Sublime Balkiss by TDC
M.Micallef Mon Parfum
Ormonde Jayne-Hardly a bad one in the line. They make it easy to order the sample set.
Stephanie St, Aignans Un The Au Sahara.
Good Luck!
Have you tried Bulgari Black? Chanel’s Sycomore?”
I havent tried thoose. Adding them to my long list! Thank you
Good Grief! After reading all the above, I can’t believe I forgot a most obvious choice: the MDCI Enlevement au Serail which is a *very* classic aldehydic peach. I think it wears very much with a light peach-vanilla balsamic foody type note, similar to how Guerlain’s Nahema becomes like peach conserve at a certain point. It is really stunning. And I think there’s a review of it on NST too.
Anns,
I tried that one a while ago and I do think it’s gorgeous. I’m amazed at how good you all are at picking out perfumes I might like.
Read through the post in a hurry and hope I’m not repeating anything! I saw the posts suggesting Jo Malone and I have been wearing Jo Malone Blue Agava and Cacao and really like it because it’s different (at least to me it is).
How about Bois 1920 Sushi Imperiale? It’s a gourmand that I’d say is definitely not dull. Bright sparkly gingery’ness.
high heels, new york, energy and prada no 3 (cuir ambre)
then u could try prada no 1 (iris) and then u could try to layer them….awesome!!!
jublation 25
Hi, Sara!
You really should try Ormonde Jayne’s signature scent Woman. It is wonderful!
Also, perhaps you would like Chinatown by Bond No 9 and Aomassai by Parfumerie Generale.
Good luck with finding your Perfume! Klara
Hi Sara,
You have some great recommendations above, and I would strongly second the Tauer line – L’Air du Desert marocain, Le Maroc pour Elle and Incense Rosé sound like they might be something you would like. Une Rose Chyprée is lovely too, and he has a great sample programme – you get the samples within a week from Switzerland to Sweden.
And since you like JPG Classique, you might be interested in trying Shocking by Schiaparelli – a gorgeous, powdery rich scent that is well worth trying. The vintage version is more interesting, I think, but the new edition is nice too. Vintage Shocking turns up quite often on ebay.
Another wonderful gourmandy scent (on my skin, anyway!) is L’Artisan Safran Troublant. Pure, liquid gold…
Gardeniagirl,
Wow Mr Tauer gets a lot of recommendations. I might just have to order a sample pack from him. The Schiaparelli sounds really good too and I’ve been thinking about safran troublant for a while now but I’ve heard it’s mostly rose and no safron. I’ll take your word for it and add it to my sample list.
Obviously we all take this recommendations thang quite seriously!
Sara you will be sampling for weeks and weeks !!! What fun!!!
I’m so happy about the response. Thank you so much to everyone for taking their time to post their recommendations. This is so much fun and I’ll probably be sampling until christmas
I’ve added every perfume to a list and just placed a sample order for a couple of chanels, biehls, guerlains and a few other wildcards such as costume national 21. This is so much fun! Thank you again everyonee for your recommendations. I’m sure I will find my signature thanks to all of you and I will have extremely fun sampling all of the perfumes. And thank you Robin for letting me be in the Monday Mail!
Another one I thought of is Tom Ford Noir de Noir. It reminded me of Black Orchid but nicer, smoother, less jarring. The SA said the two share a truffle note. I don’t know about truffle but to me they both have that dark chocolate aromatic spiciness.
Oooh, and perhaps Miroir des Envies by Thierry Mugler for a roasted hazelnut gourmand.
Yes, Sara, Miroir des Envies is gorgeous! Buttered brioche, marmalade, hazelnut, warm skin. . .
And now that I think of it, the Armani Prive line is very spendy, but there are some gorgeous things there you might love. I think if you start with Ambre Soie, you might find your own little bottle of heaven. It’s silky-creamy, slightly sweet, uber-feminine as ambers go and just incredibly luxurious. I’d love a gallon, if I could afford it.
Rosted hazelnut goodness… mmm. Will check that one out for sure. Ambre Soie sounds right up my alley too. And I love the bottle. Ambers often comes of very strong on me, it just pops and takes over! Which has made me a bit scared of it but I’ll give this one a try.
I know what you mean about ambers. They can take over a scent and be a little overwhelming. Not the amber in Ambre Soie, though; it’s more like a golden, woody note.
Hi sara!
Spend a few hours at a Chanel store or order samples of the Les Exclusifs collection, they’re so good. Sycomore, 31 rue Cambon, 28 La Pausa, Bois des Iles especially, and if you like gourmands Coromandel (this one is very similar to Serge Lutens’ Borneo 1834) and Cuir de Russie might be in your tastes.
Left-field recommendation would be Nasomatto China White, with its lovely sweet incense and amber, with a powdery vanilla/musc base and a slight hand of violets among other mysterious ingredients. Its burnt sugar sweetness keeps it from being too dry. Especially great for a cold climate.
Bond no. 9′s Andy Warhol Silver Factory is the least dry incense I can think of. Very nice spicy woods, a lovely frankincense of Avignon/L’Air du desert marocain calibre and sweet florals–I get violet and jasmine. Its drydown is where it’s at, with a lovely muscy ambery vibe. Buoyant, juicy, very nice. If you like the idea of this but find it a bit full on, try L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Dzongkha, which is a cooler, quieter blend with similar ingredients.
And of course Frederic Malle’s Musc Ravageur if what you’re really keen on is musk and more musk. A little cleaner than Muscs Koublai Khan, with more of a sexy baker feel about it.
Hope you enjoy!
I just placed an order for 31 rue cambon, coromandel and bois de iles. I’m really excited trying them out since I’ve never worn anything by Chanel (I know! Crazy hu?)
Other people mentioned Silver Factory and Musc Ravageur so they will probably be in my next sample order. Thank you for your recommendations and the way you explained the notes.
Sara, if you’re still reading, and you’re still trusting me, PLEASE check out Le Labo Poivre 23 and Ormonde Jayne Orris Noir. Both are in that warm, rich, smoky-creamy, complicated vein that you love. They may be my last recommendations, but they’re not my least!
I’m certainly still reading. This is so much fun! I’m reading about all the perfumes at basenotes and try to imagine what they will smell like. Ormonde Jayne has been mentioned by another poster. I read about Tolu. Have you tried that one? What are your thoughts about it in that case? I saw that she has a sample pack on her website so I might just check out all of them. But Tolu, Orris nois and Ormonde Woman sounded the most promising to my taste. I cant believe how good you people are at reading my taste and giving me these great perfume recommendations!
Tolu is definitely worth trying, Sara, although I don’t like it as much as OJ Woman (adore!) and OJ Orris Noir (adore!). The sample set is a great idea, and the price is very good. I’d certainly recommend you go that route.
I’m so glad that you were our Monday Mail woman. Thanks to everyone’s wonderful recommendations, I’ve got some new names to try myself.
P.S. In case nobody’s mentioned them yet, Hermes Ambre Narguile and Sonoma Scent Studios Tabac Aurea are beautiful, slightly sweet, golden woody-resinous-gourmand fragrances to add to your ever-lengthening list!
Robin R, thank you for not letting me give up on parfumerie general. In my latest sample order I ordered Cadjmere and I’m in heaven. The only downside is that it doesnt last as long as I might want it to. Six hours tops. This might be my favorite this far. I’m gonna include a few more PG’s in my next sample order. Thank you!