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Unpacking the last few boxes from my move and when I decluttered before I only kept 4 perfumes that didn't remind me of scrotes or unhappy times past. Versace Crystal Noir, Black Opium, YSL Libre Intense, and La Vie Est Belle.
So I'm now starting the hunt for a new signature scent. I've ordered some samples based on stuff my sis suggested (her teenage nickname was Smell-o-rama because she has always been into perfumes in a big way) but she sticks to luxury brands and VERY floral scents, which is not really me. I gravitate towards unique scents that mix the traditionally feminine roses & vanilla stuff with dark, traditionally masculine tones like leather and whiskey. When I buy body products like scrubs, soap, and lotions I either go for unscented or a simple rose as a safe bet. I often smell of smoke, metal, and gasoline just as a hazard of my current workplace, and since I normally just rinse my hair with water that sometimes sticks with me for a bit.
I also know this is highly subjective and the same perfume smells different on everyone. But I am looking for suggestions. I am curious about this site too because the notes intrigue me and the names are totally my aesthetic (Hello Steel Rose, Death Unicorn ....).
So, what perfumes do y'all love? Anybody got experience with some lesser known perfumeries they'd like to suggest?
Edit: My BIL walked in at the end of the spritz tests this am and his comment was "You're probably the only woman I know that could pull off a cologne" Of course this was after I was sniffing some of his colognes after we got through my sister's collection and didn't find anything I really loved.
Carolina Herrera- Good Girl. It's a brand made by a Venezuelan woman and I found it when living in Miami. A lot of women in Miami have really find taste in clothes and perfumes and this one I absolutely adore! It's a coffee jasmine/ scent and kind of like Black Opium and has a very sultry unisex smell. It stays a super long time and I always get compliments whenever I wear it!
Visit fragrantica.com and you can Search by Notes or use the Perfume Finder to find scents akin to those you already like. (But different and new to you.) Warning: it's the most excellent rabbit hole in the Internet!
I guess we have opposite tastes in fragrances, so I probably won't be of any help to you. The only perfume I really like is Chanel Chance Eau Tendre, which is a floral, grapefruity scent. I like to slather Palmer's cocoa butter all over and then just do a few spritzes of perfume.
I'm a floral, fruity, & flirty scent lover but have been getting into 'mature' fragrances to switch things up. YSL Libre Intense was my last pick up and I'm obsessed. Here's some recommendations that I have in my collection so far:
'Nomade' by Chloé. Notes: Woody, citrus, & fruity. My signature scent & go-to when I have a nice event or dinner to attend. I always receive compliments!
'Couture' by Puccini Donna. Not sure the exact notes but it has a sweet, Arabian musk type scent. Very strong, in a good way, but unfortunately it doesn't last long on clothes. It's better on skin but I still want to try layering it & mixing with plain lotion.
'Bella' & 'Divina' by Vince Camuto. Notes: Amber, floral, citrus, & white floral (Bella). Powdery, floral, woody (Divina). More feminine with a touch of masc. I'm actually collecting all of the 1oz perfumes from this brand since I love the bottle designs & they last me a long time. My next pick up will be self-titled 'Vince Camuto' which has heavy masculine notes (patchouli, rum, woody, & leather with vanilla + floral).
'By Invitation Signature' by Michael Buble. Notes: Sweet, woody, citrus, & powdery.
ETA: My mother picked up 'Reb'l Fleur' by Rihanna recently. It has fruity, vanilla, musky, & patchouli notes. The 'Couture' fragrance I recommended smells similar to this but sweeter & stronger.
@mahamaven Fumi on TT recently recommended these & she said the following:
Love Don’t Be Shy by Kilian (Rihanna, a “best smelling celeb” personally uses this as part of her scent layering cocktail)
Magnetic Blend 7 by Initio
My Way by Armani (men luv when she wears this & ask her all the time what perfume she's wearing, to buy for their wives/gfs)
1 Million by Paco Rabanne
Thanks for this bc I like hearing what everyone likes. I myself love vanilla and rose scents too. My fav signature rose perfumes are:
Delina Eau De Parfum
Roses de Chloe
See if you can try these in the store:
+1 Carolina Herrera Good Girl Line. I recommend any of them, but let them develop on your skin because they are -a lot-. I only dislike Very Good Girl Glam, and have not tried the Blush one yet.
Libre Le Parfum - this is amazing like Intense but with saffron instead of lavender. Trust me 😍
Mon Paris Lumiere by YSL - if you don't mind patchouli, this is a beautiful sweet aquatic rose. Flower garden post-rainshower vibes
Jimmy Choo -I Want Choo Forever - this one is weird but good! Rose, almond, cherry, vanilla, moss . Deep and feminine but earthy and pronounced
Flowerbomb by Viktor and Rolf (for days you want something lighter- primary vanilla with rose, Jasmine, bergamot and a kiss of patchouli)
Black Opium Le Parfum - very vanilla, smoother version of Black Opium
Indie/Online:
Firebird on Etsy is really lovely for perfumes. Keep in mind roll on perfumes do expire more quickly though :( if you use a roller ball, try to finish it in a year. Woodland is a mysterious feminine scent that is hard to describe but gorgeous, like a mysterious elfin forest. Black Tea and Mint, Snowdrift, and the limited edition Pumpkin Spice Latte are also great: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FirebirdBathBody?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1056094925
Auric Blends has some nice inexpensive hippie oil perfumes. Love and One Love are my favorites. https://www.auricblends.com/search
This brand looks zany in the best possible way. I haven't tried it though: https://imaginaryauthors.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInPSi_f_K_QIVnvrjBx2xjw7jEAAYASAAEgJ3jfD_BwE
I have been looking for a new signature scent too! I've ordered two perfumes so far and they're alright but not THE perfume. If you like vanilla or rose with a hint of something masculine, have you considered unisex perfumes? There's a lot of Arabic perfumes that have floral scents with woody, musky undertones that you may like. Also to save money some people like to try "dupes" as they are significantly cheaper. Here are some suggestions that I have on my list;
KayAli Vanilla "Beautifully balanced oriental notes of musk, amber, patchouli, and brown sugar form the distinguished wood base of this utterly sublime scent."
Decadence by Marc Jacobs "Top notes are Plum, Saffron and Iris; middle notes are Orris, Jasmine Sambac and Bulgarian Rose; base notes are Vetiver, Papyrus and Liquidambar"
Vanilla diorama by Christian Dior - Apparently it smells like citrus, with a splash of rum or other spicy, boozy smells
If you want a more smokey fragrance, By the fireplace by Replica
Also, try this website to search perfumes with specific notes you like or look up what they smell like! https://www.fragrantica.com/
I prefer natural scents from essential oils. Did you know that fragrances are just pure chemicals? And mostly untested at that.
Sniff and test on skin. Scent is highly subjective.
If you're into dark flowery scents, try Flora Mortis from Allsaints. I love it. My signature scent is Chanel No 5 but I switch to Flora Mortis often.
I like to use one perfume only as a signature scent but I have few others that I always liked.
- Chanel Gabriel (essence) - people stop me all the time to ask what I’m wearing
- Kilian - Good girl gone bad/love don’t be shy
- Maison Francis - Baccarat Rouge 540 (very pricy but it’s amazing)
- Carolina Herrera - Very good girl
- Maison Francis Kurkdjian - Amyris Femme Perfume
Paris Hilton
My favorite of all time is Alien by Thierry Mugler. I like to describe it as a black flower in a rainforest.
Here’s a description from the website: The Woody Floral fragrance
Alien Eau de Parfum is an elixir of sensuality and femininity, illuminated by the Jasmine Sambac. It is sublimated by the notes of Cashmeran Wood enveloped by the White Amber.
Ruby Woo by MAC? Leather based
Maybe get samples from Olympic Orchard, BPAL or New Orleans smaller shops?