Today’s subject, Alia, has been waiting patiently for her Monday Mail article, which did not appear yesterday due to various & sundry technical difficulties. Alia is a mother of twins in her late 20s, and she’s looking for a casual fragrance to match her casual but smart style. She says she loves perfume but doesn’t know much about it, and many strong fragrances give her a headache.She can pay up to $200, and she lives in Seattle and has good access to perfume stores.
Alia likes citrus and ginger notes, so long as they aren’t too strong, and clean fresh scents, again, so long as they aren’t too strong. Her favorite perfumes, in descending order, are Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue, Clinique Happy, Carolina Herrera Chic, Banana Republic W, Ralph Lauren Romance and The Body Shop White Musk. Estee Lauder White Linen would have been a hit if it weren’t so strong.
Alia doesn’t like strong florals, especially jasmine, or sweet cloying perfumes. Perfumes she doesn’t care for include Thierry Mugler Angel, the mainstream Chanels, the Burberry line (she does like Burberry Sport & Brit, just not on her).
Here is what Alia has tried so far:
Jo Malone line: she tried them all in Nordstrom and didn’t really like any of them.
L’Artisan Parfumeur La Chasse aux Papillons: too strong.
Apothia IF: too strong.
Guerlain: she tried the Guerlain fragrances she could find at Sephora, and none of them clicked.
What say you? Oh, and it would be a big help if those of you who suggest a niche fragrance would mention where it could be purchased as Alia is not familiar with niche brands.
Note: image is post_te by fedewild at flickr; some rights reserved.
63 Comments
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I think that Alia might like some Jean Claude Ellena fragrances so Hermes (particularly the Jardins series and Hermessences) and The Different Company scents are worth trying.
Also Chanel La Pausa, Cologne and Bel Respiro might appeal.
For a more mainstream choice, how about Prada Infusion d’Iris.
Yes, also Hermes Eau des Merveilles since you like citrus and maybe sniff the new Eau Clair des Merveilles and the deeper, more gourmand Elixir des Merveilles. I seem to be in the minority since I prefer the Elixir, but I also don’t smell any chocolate in it which many people find too much.
Seconding Eau des Merveilles!
Was gonna say that! Totally!
I feel like I always recommend Eau des Merveilles, and today is no exception.
Also some of the citrusy Goutals – eau d’Hadrien, du Sud, Mandragore & Mandragore Pourpre.
Yes I agree these Annick Goutal citrussy fragrances are good, especially Eau D’hadrien. Not sure what stores they are available in for Alia, I dont know seattle at all
AG was my first thought as well… Mandragore is a nice smooth one.
I second The Different Company. Do try their Bergamote. It’s Bergamote ( citrus), ginger and musk. Gorgeous, quite long lasting and not very strong. You have to spray very liberally to fully appreciate the fragrance.
The Different Company, according to their website, does not seem to have a store in Seattle. They do sell a sample set, which might be worth a shot.
Definitely TDC. Osmanthus is just lovely and maybe you would also like Mythique by Parfums DelRae. Both of these are available at Barney’s.
This was my suggestion, too, as soon as I saw ginger and citrus. You can check at Barney’s in Seattle (Barney’s in SF has it) but otherwise you can order online from Luckyscent and Aedes de Venustus. Aedes has a really great sampling program where you can order 7 scents for 15 dollars (no matter how expensive).
In case it wasn’t clear, I meant Bergamote by The Different Company.
I love ginger and some citrus scents, too. Off the top of my head I would recommend:
-Fifi Chachinil – citrus, fruits, coriander, powdery rose, amber, oriental notes, tabacco
-Nanadebary (pink) – nutmeg, coriander, Sicilian tangerine, bergamot, sandalwood, cedar, Indian amber, Bourban vanilla
-L’Artisan Tea for Two – ginger, cinnamon, green anise, honey, vanilla
-Anne Pliska – Bergamot, amber, patchouli, geranium, musk, vanilla
Also, I would visit a Guerlain counter at a major department store like Neiman Marcus because they have a much wider selection than Sephora and will likely have many of the exclusive and limited edition fragrances, too.
Tell them what you’re interested in and do some sniffing. Last time I visited a counter they were pushing Parfum Initial so they might steer you that way but maybe you’ll like it. definitely try Mitsouko (bergamot, peach, jasmine, may rose, spices (cinnamon), oak moss, vetiver and wood).
*I copied the fragrance notes from luckyscent and fragrantica. I usually just name the fragrances but thought this might help a little.
Anne Pliska is divine: to me it smells like a creamsicle met Shalimar and had a baby
Me, too. I was just looking at it online and she has put it in a new bottle – an aluminum canister. I don’t think it’s great, but it is a vast improvement over the big honking plastic cap on the original.
I just realized I leaned pink in my recommendations – but not fruity/floral pink like Hanae Mori. I saw ginger and citrus and listed the fragrances I like that have both notes (IMO anyway).
I too like the new canister better than the old, though I just decant mine into a small dabber flacon, since that application method seems to bring out more of the orange side (maybe crazy, but work with me on this one. lol)
I kinda want to buy the parfum too— have you tried it, and if so, is it worth having both?
How about Acqua di Parma Colonia? Seems to fit the bill.
Or Hermes Eau d’Orange Verte, which does not last long, unless you apply liberally.
Or perhaps one of the Dior Eaux, Escale a Portofino or Pondichery might be up your alley.
I totally second Escale a Portofino or Pondichery. Pondichery came to my mind immediately. It lists jasmine, but I did not really get it. and this scent is so light and wonderful. not the headache type.
Great options!! I second to all!!!…
My recommendations for Alia are.
Hermes Un Jardin en Mediterranee. lovely cedar and fig.
John Varvatos Artisan. It is a men’s fragrance but it is a lovely fresh orange blossom. And also Eau De Lalique. Its a fresh herbal scent with a little bit of dill. Very light and refreshing. Enjoy your fragrant search.
I love John Varvatos Artisan too.
Ô de Lancôme might be good – it’s citrussy and green, and it’s been one of my go-to casual scents for a long time.
Bvlgari Au The Vert, readily available online from the discount sites; very bright citrus, but soft and refreshing. Not very expensive, either.
Malibu Lemon Blossom, by Pacifica; they have a website but I’d think it’d be at Sephora, as well. Very inexpensive!
Good luck!
Forgot to add Origins Ginger! Again, readily available online at the discount sites, or their own website.
Yes! Origins is a very powerful ginger. I have the lotion which is really nice and strong enough to stand on its own and also nice for layering. Sometimes I prefer the lotion version of a scent over the EdP or EdT. Robin mentioned really liking the lotion version of one of the Hermes Jardins.
I would second O de Lancome, but my favourite citrussy with ginger is Eau De Sisley No. 3.
It is a little expensive considering it doesn’t have enormous staying power, but at least it isn’t going to overwhelm you and the choice is yours to reapply.
The top notes are zingy and gingery, then there is a little bit of a woody base, but not too strong.
I find No. 3 classy and young, my children like it too.
Good remembering. I think she’ll like better Eau de Sisley 1 and 2. I do agree about prices, lasting power and sillage. I thought about Eau de Campagne either.
Seconding Eau de Sisley 3!!! Perfect citrus/ginger scent!
Possibilities:
Guerlain Cologne du 68 (Neiman Marcus)
Hermes Eau Claire du Merveilles (already mentioned above, also NM)
Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline
And will add — you might want to try the whole Atelier Cologne line, also at NM. and hope my memory is correct that Neiman’s is in Seattle!
There is one in Bellevue for sure.
Thanks, thought there was one.
Orange Sanguine by Atelier Cologne is really lovely!
Hmm technical difficulties ! I second the Eau de Merveilles suggestion as well as the Elixir de Merveilles which I find richer and rounder but not chocolatey. Also, L’Artisan Tea for Two and Serge Lutens Five O’Clock au Gingembre (applied very sparingly). Origins Ginger Essence is good as well as is O de Lancome. Also, I would say to try Hove Parfumeur ( a boutique in New Orleans that has an online shop as well http://www.hoveparfumeur.com )- particularly Creole Days, Imperatrice and Verveine.
Good luck!
Ô de Lâcome, good one…
…FragrantWitch!
We must be scent twins – I also like Elixir des Merveilles because it’s richer and I don’t get any chocolate in it either. I want to trynghjhtjmh Parfum des Merveilles but that tiny little silver bottle on a leather cord is pricey.
You might like, for clean and fresh, L’eau par Kenzo (Kenzo)
or Calvin Klein, The One.
Marc Jacobs Ginger Splash (spicy citrus)
David Yurman Delicate Essence
Annik Goutal Eau d’Hadrien EDT
Comme Des Garcons Odeur 53
Lostmarch Din Dan (luckyscent.com)
What about some of the Bvlgari line, esp the BLV/BLV Notte? Also, though the mainstream Chanels don’t work, you might try Bel Respiro or the Eau de Cologne.
Also in the Chanel Les Exclusifs line (available on-line [usually free shipping from Chanel.com] or at a Chanel boutique counter – I’d imagine the NM in Seattle carries the LE line), I’d recommend Cuir de Russie. I’d call this a very soft suede, which serves to mute the florals.
If you do end up at a big Guerlain counter sniff a few of their colognes, such as Eau de Fleurs de Cedrat. As an oldie, perhaps’s Dior’s Eau Sauvage? As I seem to be offering cologne suggestions, sniff Chanel’s Eau de Cologne too…
Maybe Voyage D’Hermès, Bvlgari man’s line (Bvlgari Pour Homme, PH Extreme and Soir), Bvlgari Man, Dior Homme Sport (Burberry Sport Men, both similar, but I prefer Burberry’s), Eau Sauvage, Jazz, Santal 33, Un Jardin En Méditerranée, Monsieur from Jean Paul Gaultier…
Forgot: 212 on Ice from Carolina Herrera…
I second the Dior Escale de Portofino or Pondichery and strongly recommend Chanel’s Eau de Cologne. Light citrus, my go-to scent when I don’t want anything too strong for office, movies -or just for me. I also enjoy Sarah Jessica Parker’s Lovely (readily available at discounters), especially the body lotion, which is a clean, interesting scent. It’s one of the few I can wear when I have a headache, actually, and we share a taste for light, fresh scents, so by all means try it and see. Good luck!
Perhaps Acqua di Parma magnolia noble or any of the others in the noble series. Light, crisp scents that aren’t strongly floral. They can be found at Neiman Marcus.
What about Yosh Ginger Ciao? I admit that I have not tried it, but it sounds delicious:
Notes (borrowed from LuckyScent) Black coconut, night queen, tiger lily, neroli, ylang ylang, ginger, basil
Hmmm. Well, I’ll start by thirding Eau Claire des Merveilles and Parfums DelRae’s Mythique from above (you can buy samples at Luckyscent, I think).
I also think you might increase your chances of finding something you like if you could figure out what makes a perfume “strong” to you. Is it the big burst of fragrance when you first put it on? If so, you might want to try solid perfumes–people mentioned Pacifica above, that’s a great place to start. Diptyque also has solids of most of their line.
Oh shoot, and the Crazy Libellules! (Sometimes at Anthropologie, can be ordered through Beautyhabit.com) Goodness there are too many to list, but the descriptions are usually pretty accurate.
And also, they are expensive, but you might venture into natural perfumery. They will be softer and sit closer to your skin.
And finally (chatty today, sorry) this may be self-evident, but I spent my first year of perfumista-hood thinking most things were too strong *when sprayed.* I strongly suggest dabbing instead. Especially as you’re exploring and trying new things.
Oh, ditto! (actually, I still think that, and often prefer dabbing)
Hello Ladies,
thank you so much for all your suggestions. There is a NM in Bellevue, which I will be heading to as soon as I am back in the States. I can’t wait to try all these suggestions! I am so excited! I have been searching for a new perfume for a while now, and have smelled everything at Sephora, Macys, Nordstrom and Parfumerie and bought countless samples of things I thought I wouldlike from Lucky Scent, but no luck! thanks again and if anyone thinks of another perfume, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment.
I recommend going to Essenza in Fremont neighborhood in Seattle. It is a small store, but has a few interesting niche lines. Nice people there help with professional advice and samples.
I recommend the Hermes Line. If there is an Hermes Boutique in your area, go there to check out their exclusive range. I’m thinking Rose Ikebana. I second Voyage and Un Jardin Sur Le Nil.
The Different Company- Bois D’Iris
-Sublime Balkiss
Check out Sonoma Scent Studio. You can order them on line and get sample plus a variety of sizes. Her scents are well made and inexpensive.
Mandarin Basilic by Guerlain.
Two good citrusy numbers: Moschino Funny and Clarins Par Amour Toujours. You could find probably these at a perfume specialty store, I think they are in production but not sure if they are carried at the usual department stores.
I second Moschino Funny!, John Varvatos Artisan and Hermes L’eau d’orange verte – three great citruses. I am also very fond of Hermes Voyage, combining citrus w light spices.
For ginger, what about Five o’clock au gingembre by Serge Lutens, if it’s available in Seattle?
For something more different I’d try Artisan Dzongkha or Donna Karan Iris, both very wearable without being overwhelming.
I second(third?) O de Lancome, also try O de L’Orangerie. Like you, I love Chic by Carolina Herrera. If you don’t like strong perfume perhaps also try Eau Dynamisante by Clarins. You might like Cristalle Eau Verte by Chanel, although you don’t like the mainstream Chanels Eau Verte is lighter than the others. Second Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Mandarin Basilic but you could try all the Guerlain Aqua Allegorias they are delicate. I love Prada Infusion D’iris, try the EDT and EDP they are subtly different. Being a Brit I have no idea about shopping in the US, but most of my recs should be available in department stores.
Carthusia Mediterraneo – citrus and green tea.
I put some of the solid perfume on my wrists this morning and I can still smell it lightly 12 hours later.
Dixie mentioned Guerlain’s Mandarine Basilic, which I think is right on — and do check out the rest of the Aqua Allegoria line for (generally) well-made light/fresh stuff. I’m fond of Laurier Reglisse and Anisia Bella, though the newer releases have been kind of meh.
I’m also going to throw out Pacifica’s Tibetan Mountain Temple. It has a little orange up top and some nice ginger (fiance always tells me I “smell like gingerbread,” which I’m not so sure about, but whatever). The scent is considerably lighter than some of its notes might suggest.
If you’re okay with a little patchouli, Eau de Rochas might be worth a shot, too.
You got the words from my mouth: Eau de Rochas!!! The men’s version is also heavenly.
White Gold by Jivago!
Parfums 06130 Yuzu Rouge – light citrus, not very sweet.