It started with Love’s Baby Soft in my pre-teen years. I didn’t wear it much, but I liked having the bottle on my dresser. Then CK One came out in 1994, and that is when I started wearing perfume regularly. I liked that it was androgynous, but then it was followed by some questionable fragrances in my later teens and early twenties from Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and Gap. (I remember really liking one simply called “Grass.” What?)
It took a lot of experimenting over the years, but I know what I like now. Amber and sandalwood are favorites. I also like patchoulli and oud, though I didn’t think I did for a long time. And then on another note, I like rose.
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle was one that I wore a lot until a few years ago, but Stella, by Stella McCartney edged it out of my rotation. I also love Prada’s Amber scent, though it’s pretty heavy and reserved for fall and winter, only on occasion. With spring arriving, I’ll be back to L’Eau de Chloé, and I might add Elizabeth and James’ Nirvana Black to my small collection. (I’d been using a tester since I had included it in my last style post, but I’m not sure I like the vanilla in there.)
Sometimes I delve into the perfume blogs and forums, and it’s intriguing, but they speak another language. The Perfect Scent
Erin
March 10, 2014 at 5:05 pmAbout 10 years ago I discovered Elizabeth W.’s Vetiver. Bliss ensued. I do tend to only wear it in the winter/fall, but it is nice all year. Spicy and patchouli-ish, but not too sweet or thick.
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 9:56 pmI looked it up and it sounds interesting. Thanks!
Robin-Lynn
March 10, 2014 at 5:06 pmMarc Jacobs daisy. Always my go-to. Stella is my ” let’s change it up today” scent.
That said, I also have some awful choices from my youth. Anyone remember Fetish? Gap heaven? Yeesh!
Megan
March 10, 2014 at 5:18 pmGap Heaven was my favorite in junior high school! There was another Gap one I also loved, maybe it was called Dream?
Tiffany Riley
March 10, 2014 at 5:10 pmI find it impossible to test fragrances in store because the scents just fight each other, so occasionally I’ll ask someone what they’re wearing…in a non-creepy sort of way! Stella is a hot favourite, although Givenchy’s Amarige gives me butterflies-I chose that as my wedding scent and every now and then a little spritz brings it all back. I used to love wearing Kenzo when I was younger, but I grew out of that because it started to smell like Parma Violets!
Megan
March 10, 2014 at 5:16 pmI love all of the Tocca scents.
Katia
March 10, 2014 at 5:28 pmI like anything from loocitane specially rose. I liked because it is less commercial, and few people wear it.
Kristin
March 10, 2014 at 5:28 pmIt sounds like you know notes you like and you might be a great candidate to branch out into the niche and more independent lines. I would recommend a sample order from a place like Luckscent.com. They have a sections where you can search fragrances by note and you might find some new loves-at least you’ll have fun sniffing! Sandalwood, patch, and rose are some of my favorite notes-I won’t embarrass myself by telling you how many perfumes I own! :) Also, a couple of great perfume blogs to check out are Now Smell This, Bois de Jasmin, and Fragrantica. BTW, I’ve just discovered your blog and I’m really enjoying it-another kindred spirit in the blogosphere!
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 9:59 pmThank you for the blog recommendations! I’d stumbled upon two of them before, but Bois de Jasmin is new to me. And did you mean luckyscent, with a y?
Ali Burtt
March 10, 2014 at 5:30 pmFresh makes a lovely one note rose. I wear it in the summer when I’ll be outside. Otherwise, I only wear Marc Jacobs and I’m useless at describing why I love it. It just smells right on me in a way almost nothing else ever has.
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:01 pmSomeone else recommended Marc Jacobs Daisy, but I don’t like any of the scents on me. Too flowery, maybe? I like rose, but it has to be cut with something.
Emily
March 10, 2014 at 5:33 pmI’d highly recommend Commodity Goods…Especially if you hate trying it on in store. Their whole philosophy is that scents may smell good in the store or on a sample card, but they might not smell good on you…they have many scents and send you 10 in the mail, like a try on kit. you have 10 days to pick your favorite, and they credit the cost of the try on pack to your first full purchase. They’re scents are simply named but very complex…My favorites are mimosa and moss. I wear one or the other everyday!!
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:03 pmAfter a quick glance, I think Gold sounds like something I’d like (along with a few others). I’m going to order the sample scents, thanks!
jane
March 10, 2014 at 5:33 pmComme de Garcons are really interesting.
I find them a nice break from standard brands.
and the packaging is beautiful as well.
I especially love their solid perfume.
So great to use when traveling.
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:04 pmI’ve seen a few brands with solid perfume options. Such a smart idea.
Emily
March 10, 2014 at 5:35 pmI highly recommend checking out Commodity Goods. They’re whole philosophy is based on trying their scents on your person in your own home so you can spend some more time with each scent. They have 10 to choose from, and in your sample kit, you receive all 10 with 10 days to figure out what you like. Then they deduct the price of the try on kit from your first full purchase. The scents are simply named but complex…I had a hard time narrowing it down! In the end there are a few stand outs that smell great on you. Definitely give them a shot!!
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:07 pmSomeone else recommended them too, and I’m going to order the kit. I love the concept, and a couple of the scents sound really appealing.
jane
March 10, 2014 at 5:35 pmI should add that I too loved that “grass” sent from Gap, and CK one.
Ha! the good old days…..
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:08 pmI wish it were still around, just so I could see what it smelled like. But I do remember that it did distinctly smell like a fresh-cut lawn.
cherneeshouse
March 10, 2014 at 5:36 pmI wear Child – it is sold only at boutiques – luckily my BFF shop sells it – smells wonderful!
Kelli W.
March 10, 2014 at 5:44 pmRight now I am super in love with the Conservatories collection by Royal Apothic (you can buy it at Anthropologie). They’re all beautiful floral scents (and the bottles are gorgeous). Since you like rose, you may enjoy their English Rose. Anthro sells them in little purse-sized bottles, so they’re perfect for experimenting!
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:09 pmI’ll take a look next time I’m out that way, thanks!
christine
March 10, 2014 at 5:46 pmIt is nice to try different fragrances to see what is ones favorite
Thanks for sharing all the kinds you have.
Sarah
March 10, 2014 at 5:46 pmI still wear Gap’s Dream! I can’t help it.
I love all the Tokyo Milk and Tokyo Milk Darks. Currently in roatation: Let them Eat Cake, Gin and Rosewater and Arsenic.
Tracy
March 10, 2014 at 5:52 pmI’m loving a scent called Vesper (?) by mikmoi – his fragrances are all very unisex, but I liked the earthiness of this one. Perfumes change so much on my skin, I have to try one several times before I can commit to buying one.
J.lee
March 10, 2014 at 5:54 pmMy very first was Petite Nate, so peachy. Then Electric Youth by Debbie Gibson. lol Eventually dated a boy who wore Tommy Boy (not the movie) so I wore Tommy Girl. Rough track record but I started wearing Issei Miyaki in college.
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:12 pmAh, I had Petite Naté too! I forgot about that one. There was even a song. “For bath time, for fun time! Just for you, it’s a dream come true…” And I never had Electric Youth, but my friend wore it. A LOT of it. She really liked it, I guess. ;)
TammyLee
March 10, 2014 at 5:56 pmKate Spade -Twirl. Even the box it comes in is lovely.
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:14 pmI had a sample of that one when it first came out. I didn’t love it on me, but the packaging is so nice for that one. (Isn’t it funny how the presentation sways us on a fragrance?)
Sabrina
March 10, 2014 at 6:06 pmGap’s Grass was my signature scent in my early 20’s!!! I’m not sure what I was thinking?! No wonder I was always single! ha!
I do love Stella and Angel by Thierry Mugler. Way more grown up, and way less “grassy”.
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:14 pmRight? Why did so many of us want to smell like a lawn?
jbhat
March 10, 2014 at 6:25 pmFragrance is such a personal thing, isn’t it? I have a few favorites.
Jo Malone Wild Fig and Cassis….I can’t remember exactly. I currently wear this and enjoy it, but it doesn’t stay on. You have to layer it with the lotion.
I used to love Michael Kors, the one called plain old Michael Kors. I had the Leg Gleamer (!). It smelled amazing.
I still really like the Hanae Morie Butterfly Eau de Toilette. I may have even loved that one. I went through the bottle really fast, but received no compliments on it, ever, so I didn’t buy any more when it ran out.
Fragrances that evoke time and place memories for me: Poison, Calyx (omg, I am 19 again!), my mom’s Opium and Obsession…and ugh, my own Giorgio in high school, which I hated even at the time.
My all time favorite perfume, EVER, hands down: Mackie, by Bob Mackie. I wish they still made it. I loved it. I was loved IN it. Its my early and mid-twenties fragrance. I have a bottle that a friend found recently at a Ross or TJ Maxx….I don’t wear it, because again…time and place. But I sniff it from time to time.
jbhat
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:17 pmOur memories are pretty closely linked to scent. My mom wore Giorgio for a little while when it first came out, which was odd because she has never been much of a perfume-wearer. My grandmother though, her mom, always wore something. I don’t know what the name of hers was, but I remember the scent.
Monica
March 10, 2014 at 6:36 pmalmost anything by Jo Malone. And I’ll second Tokyo Milk dark–I got a sample of the “Crushed” hand lotion and love it. It’s a really nice green scent.
Erin Q.
March 10, 2014 at 6:37 pmI wear Olo’s Victory Wolf layered on top of their Foret. I love http://olofragrance.com. You can buy a sample pack before you buy a big one to see what you like. Some of their fragrances have notes you like, Nicole.
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:18 pmI like the idea of layering to get a personal mix. I’ll look into the sample pack.
KB
March 10, 2014 at 6:38 pmThe variety of perfume available is overwhelming! I, too, used to wear Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. I now wear Dolce & Gabbana Rose The One!
LauraJane
March 10, 2014 at 6:40 pmI’m a stickler for “clean” scents. So I use Philosophy “Grace” and LaCoste Pour Femme.
I tried the Chloe Rose and thought I liked it, but it gave me headaches when I wore the sample. boo hiss.
Annie
March 10, 2014 at 7:02 pmI loved Grass! I don’t know if I still would if I smelled it now but I do tend to still like “green” smells. A couple of years ago I wore Burberry Summer, then moved on to Clinique Happy In Bloom (a bit harder to find than regular Happy). There’s a citrus perfume I like from Bath and Body Works (I was surprised I liked it) because it’s so light and fresh smelling. My mom always wore some kind of musky vanilla perfume and once in a while I catch a whiff of it and am transported back to being 8 years old and sitting next to her in church.
Amanda Schaumburger
March 10, 2014 at 7:02 pmTocca Stella has been my year round for some time. The first time I’ve actually ever FINISHED a bottle of perfume. Most recently I was enamored by a magazine page of Michael Kors Glam Jasmine (only at Macy’s). Might have to bite the bullet on that one for a new summer fragrance. I’ve always loved Burberry Brit for the fall and winter as well.
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:21 pmI like Burberry Brit too, but I’ve not gone so far as to buy a bottle. I’ll have to look for the others and give them a try.
Erica
March 10, 2014 at 7:03 pmThis is fun! I’ve been engaged with fragrances lately as well, and I think it’s really lovely to have certain “eras” of fragrance in your life. I was seeking something this winter that would become synonymous with warmth, and home, and sweetness, and found Fresh’s Brown Sugar, which is less sugary on my skin, simmering down to a nice cypress. In the past, springtime has meant Chanel 5 eau premiere. This is a nice, light grown-up floral that doesn’t have the full-on weight of the classic Chanel 5. Friends love the Jo Malone fragrances and they are worth checking out — I tried earl grey lavender once, it just didn’t work on me, it became a kersplat of bergamot. If you are feeling adventurous and want to try lots of little samples, luckyscent.com is a fun place to dabble. Cheers!
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:34 pmThanks!
Ashley
March 10, 2014 at 7:16 pmI recently “bought” a tiny bottle of Tory Burch from Sephora using my Beauty Points and it is so lovely! I’ll definitely be buying a larger bottle. It kind of reminds me of a grown up version of Clinique Happy (which I wore all through my teen years and into college). I also love Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede.
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:35 pmWait, can you just pick something out with your points? I’ve been accumulating them and have never actually used them, because I’m not usually interested in the samples they’re offering, so I keep saving ’em up.
Ashley
March 13, 2014 at 1:59 pmYou can only pick from their offers, unfortunately. I’ve been doing the same thing and last week, they finally came out with a few things I was interested in. They still have the Tory Burch available for 250 points. They had a lot of other fragrances to choose from as of last week, but I guess they’re rotating offers again.
kate
March 10, 2014 at 7:17 pmI used to like miss dior. But now I buy everything unscented. Scents give me a headache! I went through chemo and have had a super heightened sense of smell ever since. I can smell dust on furniture from several rooms away- it’s a bi**h:).
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:36 pmI never realized that was a side effect. Sorry you have to experience that (on top of having gone through chemo).
Lyn
March 10, 2014 at 7:33 pmLoved Grass back in the day… Love Stella now but I’m really hooked on Child.
Lea
March 10, 2014 at 7:56 pmwhat is rstyle? i see it in the links but don’t want to click without knowing what it is.
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:24 pmThey’re affiliate links (in this case to Sephora and Nordstrom). I use affiliate links when they are available for something I was planning to post anyway.
Kristina
March 10, 2014 at 7:59 pmI love a lot of the Diptyque fragrances, but Philosykos is my favourite-favourite — fig leaves, chlorophyll, coconutty notes. It’s somehow both fruity and sophisticated.
I also really like notes of amber and anise.
Susan
March 10, 2014 at 8:20 pmI loved Grass too! A really enjoyable book is Perfumes: The Guide by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez. They review tons of perfumes; short, irreverant, funny. I actually stole my husband’s Burt’s Bees Bay Rum this winter and got tons of complements! So warm and spicy. Not sure what my spring one will be, but that Commodity Goods that others mentioned looks fascinating!
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:39 pmI’m adding that to my reading list, thank you! And I’m going to order the Commodity Goods sample kit that has been mentioned, too.
Sara
March 10, 2014 at 8:27 pmCheck out Fresh’s Cannabis Rose if you like Rose scents. I too like Grass back in the day! Now I love tea scents like Bulgari Red Tea and Jo Malone ERal Grey and Cucumber.
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:40 pmAm I going to raise some eyebrows, smelling like cannabis all day?
Katie
March 10, 2014 at 8:31 pmMy favorites are Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline and Coral.
Kay
March 10, 2014 at 8:47 pmIf you like patchouli, try Angel by Thierry Mugler. It is my current obsession :). Also recommend 212 by Carolyn Herrera
I love perfume and totally feel naked without it
Making it Lovely
March 10, 2014 at 10:41 pmI’ll look for both, thanks.
Molly
March 10, 2014 at 8:56 pmI love the orange blossom perfume you get in Florida – it’s a silly touristy thing, but if I’m in Florida, I get some or if I know someone going there, I ask for them to bring some back for me.
I’m also really into Lollia’s Relax scent, which is lavender and honey scented. That’s my spring/summer perfume. In the winter I wear Lolita Lempicka which is crazy strong, but I feel like you can wear stronger scents in the winter.
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 10:09 pmI usually go a little stronger in the winter too.
Amanda
March 10, 2014 at 9:42 pmgucci flora is my FAVORITE.
Sarah
March 10, 2014 at 9:44 pmMy absolute, all-time favorite is Snow Drops and Crystal Flowers #3 by Trish McEvoy. I’m not sure if it’s your cup of tea based on what you’ve described, but I’ve been wearing it for nearly a decade. It’s a very light, clean, floral scent with a hint of musk and vanilla. It’s greta for spring and summertime. I sometimes mix it up and use Trish McEvoy #9 Blackberry and Vanilla Musk if I want something a little more intense.
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 10:09 pmI’m not a fan of too much vanilla, but it sounds nice!
Kaye McArthur
March 10, 2014 at 10:30 pmMy teen choice was Tigress by Fabrege! I did manage to graduate to L’air du Temps by Nina Ricci in my adulthood and never fail to get questioned, “Ummm, what are you wearing.” Love it!
ana conceicao
March 10, 2014 at 10:40 pmI work in cosmetics at Nordstrom, and from what you have described, I would suggest; Trish McEvoy number 9 andsexy 9, Tom Ford blaxk orchid, TRish Mcevoy precious oud and rose oud, chanel coco chanel noir, and also check out diptique almost everything by them is awesome! Good luck!
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 10:10 pmThank you so much!
Catherine
March 10, 2014 at 10:47 pmSuch a fun post. My mom is a perfume lover, and she got me hooked at a very young age. I love Stella and enjoy Chloe, too, for spring and summer. Something about it reminds me of salt water. I am excited to try Chloe’s new rose scent. I bought a rollerball of Nirvana Black after I liked the sample, but I’m not in love with it, either. One of my recent favorites is Guerlain’s La Petite Robe Noire, which is a bit heavier, but really beautiful. I also like Jo Malone’s scents, but they are so light and I go through them too quickly. You might enjoy Annick Goutal. My favorite note is violet, and they have a line of single note fragrances, including Rose Splendide.
Emily
March 11, 2014 at 12:06 amI started wearing perfume more regularly about 18 months ago, then maybe 6 months ago started developing an allergy. About 24 hours after applying (even after its been washed off at the end of the day), the area I’ve applied it to (neck, cleavage) starts to itch. I’m so disappointed.
Jessika
March 11, 2014 at 6:03 amI recommend a scent locket. You apply the scent to a piece of clean cotton or linen, place it in the locket, and your body heat warms up the perfume and throws it all day long. Also, the scent doesn’t mix with your own bodies ph/scents so it’s completely pure.
Elizabeth at Violently Happy
March 11, 2014 at 12:38 amHello,
I used to be a Clinique Happy girl but then I fell in love with a bad boy…Marc Jacobs made a limited edition scent called Curacao. It has blood oranges, bitter orange brigade, lime, mandarin, violet, pear apricot, white moss, amber musk, sandalwood. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/marc-jacobs-curacao-splash/3178933
I’ve been wearing it everyday since 2011. http://sunkissis.blogspot.com/2011/12/i-have-lot-of-catching-up-to-do.html
I bought it because the bottle was huge (10 oz) so I thought it would last forever. The scent isn’t overwhelming like most fragrances since it’s considered a splash. Problem is, now that it has become my signature scent, it’s nowhere to be found. I once found a bottle on Amazon for $199 but I can’t bring myself to buy it when I paid $69 for it from Sephora. Word to the wise, if buying a limited edition, stock up!
I’m considering switching to Marc Jacobs Honey. Don’t tell anyone but my hubby still wears CK One!
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 10:12 pmAh, how sad to find a signature, only to not be able to find it anymore. (And a lot of people still wear CK One. Your hubby is not alone!)
Allie
March 11, 2014 at 1:01 amYou have taken me back to high school with this post…had to share this link with everyone…http://www.theawl.com/2013/03/what-your-gap-fragrance-said-about-you
I was a gap heaven girl, and she pegs me, spot on, then and now! I just ordered some samples of balenciaga’s rosabotanica…it sounds like an interesting green/rose option for spring. Anyone have thoughts on it?
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 10:13 pmHa! Loved that post. “The Vibe: You understand fully that no one ever really wants to smell like grass, which is precisely why you buy it.”
Karen
March 11, 2014 at 1:13 amI was JUST asking someone – what ever happened to those Gap scents? I liked grass but I think there was one called sky or something like that that I really liked. I wore Love’s Baby Soft then “graduated” to Crabtree and Evelyn’s Springtime. I went through an oil phase – musk, vanilla – and now I can’t wear perfumes anymore (allergies). But, my favorite scent right now is Ginger Souffle whipped body cream from Origins. It’s amazing.
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 10:14 pmI’ve used that body cream before! I got it as a gift one year from one of Brandon’s sisters, I think.
Jeen-Marie
March 11, 2014 at 4:13 amI’m surprised that no one mentioned https://www.pinrose.com.
Two Stanford grads created a algorithm approach to finding a perfum.
For $3, I ordered 3 ‘petals’ (wet towlet samples).
I have to sample perfume multiple times because some REALLY change with my body chemistry.
It doesn’t matter what I like, I have to decide if it smells good on me.
I haven’t tried all of the samples & I’m on the fence about Pinrose fragrances but I love the concept!
http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-07/pinrose-tries-selling-perfume-by-algorithm-no-charlize-therons-required
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 10:15 pmSo clever!
Andy
March 11, 2014 at 4:46 amI love Stella too. A perfume I have worn for years & love is Cerutti 1881. It is getting harder & header to find. It’s a very pretty perfume but with a lot of musky depth. I have actually had a man chase me down a street to ask me what perfume I was wearing! (He was cute & it wasn’t creepy at all – the memory still makes me smile).
Bere
March 11, 2014 at 5:05 amOMG, perfumes! I think it’s really interesting (and very grownup) to know which scents you like or what better works for you. Honestly i have like 20 different perfumes right now that i use on a regular basis. Which perfume i use each day depends on the weather, what i’m wearing, what i’m doing and of course my mood. Right now i’m using Love by Chloé and some of my favorites are Miss Dior Cherie (Eau de Printemps) by Dior, Flora by Gucci, 2 by Ralph Lauren, Ange ou Démon Le Secret by Givenchy, Boss Orange by Hugo Boss… as you see it’s difficult for me to really narrow it down ;-)
Jandi
March 11, 2014 at 5:24 amI received a sample of Lancôme’s Poem when I was 16 or 17 and I haven’t looked back since then- it is the only perfume I wear.
cindyetta
March 11, 2014 at 5:32 amI’m super sensitive to florals, so I wear scents by Comptoir Sud Pacifique. My favorite is vanille abricot.
Grace
March 11, 2014 at 5:41 amI really love Acqua Di Parma fragrances. Especially Iris Nobile edp, Magnolia Nobile edp, and the classic Colonia Assoluta edc. All gorgeous!
Marie
March 11, 2014 at 6:49 amI´m 23 and I don´t get why (at least it seems like) I am the only one wearing perfume. None of my friends is wearing a scent, although I love the fact of having a signature scent. So many people asked me about my scent and I like being recognized for it. I already had a few different perfumes, starting with Cool Water, some cheap Bruno Banani scent, to CK In2U (loved that one, but I feel like it´s not fitting anymore)to Lolita Lempicka (that´s the perfume I got most commented on and loads of people told me it fits perfectly). But sometimes you just get bored so I changed to YSL – Manifesto L’elixir and it seems like everybody likes something about this perfume. When you first apply it, it smells pretty floury, but later you´ll get a warm vanilla, heliotrope, musky scent…. I simply am in love… some people compared it to Alien but I haven´t tried this one yet.
Different but related topic: So few of my male friends are wearing perfume.. I definitely recommend perfume for everybody and especially a nice fragrant on a guy (not the I-took-a-bath-in-perfume-one)… indispensable!
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 9:42 pmI love the idea of having a signature scent too, but I haven’t found one that is absolutely perfect enough to be it. I would like to, but I’m a slow experimenter. I find one that I like every few years and add it to the mix. Stella is a strong contender for me, but I feel like there’s probably something out there I’d like even more.
Jill
March 11, 2014 at 7:46 amYour list matches mine pretty well, from Love’s Baby Soft to patchouli and sandalwood and even Grass! I had forgotten about Grass! In high school, I wore sandalwood beads and patchouli oil almost every day. Gah. After college, I stopped wearing perfume for several years, but my dad (of all people!) bought me perfume for Christmas two years ago and I wear it everyday–Flowerbomb by Victor & Rolf. It is light and has a hint of rose and patchouli. I love it.
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 9:44 pmSomeone else recommended that one too! I’m going to look for it.
Kim // Yellow Brick Home
March 13, 2014 at 2:04 pmI was going to recommend this one as well! Based on what you like, this seems to hit the nail on the head.
Lindsay
March 11, 2014 at 8:14 amI’m into Toyko Milk’s frangrance line. Right now I’m wearing No. 79. It is very floral and gingery. When I first smelled it I couldn’t decided if I liked it or not.
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 9:43 pmI’ll have to look into the line. A lot of people have commented that they’re wearing different variations from it.
Lisa
March 11, 2014 at 8:49 amI like fruity and soft florals, and especially love Clinique Happy and all of it’s versions. It’s uplifting and well, happy, without overwhelming or offending. I also enjoy clean scents. Unfortunately, I haven’t found the perfect one.
Kelsey
March 11, 2014 at 8:56 amI have always worn Tom Ford’s Black Orchid and if they ever got rid of it I might cry, I absolutely love it. It’s floral and citrus, but it still has a darkness and depth to it with the sandalwood, patchouli, and vanilla. Plus I love the art-deco bottle it comes in.
Elena
March 11, 2014 at 9:09 amI love Daisy by Marc Jacobs. That’s what I’m wearing right now until I run out and then I’ll find another scent. Before that was Romance by Ralph Lauren. Love them both.
Stephanie
March 11, 2014 at 9:31 amI will have to check out those perfumes… your past loves were all my favorites too, so we must have similar taste in scents! I’m sure if I sniffed CKOne it would take me right back to my sophomore year of high school and my first job working at a movie theater.
I also loved Gap Grass… so much so that when I spotted it at the Gap outlet last summer I had to buy a bottle. It’s really fresh and clean and yes, smells like a freshly cut lawn. It’s been a good antidote to this terrible winter.
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 9:47 pmWow, they had a bottle for sale? I would flip! I want to smell it again!
Jules
March 11, 2014 at 9:58 amSo crazy! My post tomorrow is about finally finding my “signature” scent. I figured I deserved to write about something fun and pretty for a change. (You already know what it is because I wrote about it on FB right before Valentine’s day.)
Funny that L’Eau de Chloé has been my preferred scent the last year or so–I, too, am drawn to rose–because as far as least favorite scents go, amber and sandalwood top my hate list. Layer it with fruit to create that warm/fruity/sugar cookie scent and I’m dead. Anything by Hanae Mori should be taken off the market. Since they’ve had some of the top performing perfumes since the mid 90s, I know I’m pretty much alone on this.
Amber Romance by Victoria’s Secret makes good gnat repellant. Just saying.
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 9:50 pmLoved your post, and of course you deserved to write about something light. I don’t like fruity or food-based scents either (in perfume or candles, gag), but beyond that we are fragrance opposites. I should go check out Amber Romance, ha!
shanley
March 11, 2014 at 10:08 amthough it has the WORST bottle that makes it look like a teenaged girl’s dream, angel eau de toilette by thierry mugler smells amazing -definitely down the line of patchouli, vanilla, cedar, sandalwood, the things you seem to be drawn towards too.
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 9:53 pmOof, that is a bad bottle. I have seen it listed on ‘best of’ lists consistently over the years though. Vanilla’s not something I’m drawn to (I tolerate it, but don’t look for it), but I’m curious about it now.
Amanda Risius
March 11, 2014 at 10:11 amI’ve been on the hunt for the perfect perfume for years! It’s quite the struggle. I have DKNY Be Delicious, but I find it being too sweet at times. I need a few other options to rotate as well. I’m not sure what undertones I like even!
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 9:55 pmI figured it out by searching all of the perfumes I’ve liked (whether I ended up buying them or not), and then noting what they had in common. Patchouli gets such a bad rap as the butt of hippie jokes, but when I paid attention, I found that it’s in a bunch of fragrances I like!
Emily
March 19, 2014 at 9:04 pmI’m searching the (fairly mainstream) couple of perfumes I wear, trying to find a description of their notes (is that even the right term?) Not having much luck.
Any tips on where to find ingredients/descriptions of perfumes?
FWIW, I seem to be drawn to water-based perfumes and candles. I LOVED Gap Heaven forever and now wear Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue and Burberry Brit. Considering adding CK One Summer to the mix.
Making it Lovely
March 19, 2014 at 9:36 pmSephora and other sites usually list the notes in the description. Burberry Brit, for example: “Notes:
Italian Lime, Icy Pear, Green Almond, White Peony, Sugared Almonds, Amber, Mahogany, Vanilla, Tonka Bean.”
Giulia
March 11, 2014 at 10:25 amwe have a no-scent policy at work since there are 3 people that have extreme allergies to perfumes. Because of that I stopped wearing perfume all together. I don’t really miss it. I used to wear Aqua di Gio, Issey Myaki and Burberry – I like the fresh clean scents.
Amy J.
March 11, 2014 at 10:30 amOh yes, though I can’t tolerate them like I used to…spray perfume anyway. I can wear scented lotions though, which I do think last longer!
Here are some faves:
http://www.fresh.com/eau-de-parfum/sugar-lychee-eau-de-parfum/H00001189.html
http://www.origins.com/product/3827/10484/Bath-Body-Hair/Star-Collection/Ginger/Ginger-Essence/Sensuous-skin-scent/index.tmpl
http://www.zanadia.com/Thymes-Olive-Leaf-Cologne_p-11028.html
http://www.demeterfragrance.com/58083/704114/All-Classic-Scents/Honey.html
Amy J.
March 11, 2014 at 10:40 amAlong the same lines as personal fragrance, check out this line of candles for some great home fragrance!
http://www.manifestdestinyline.com/index.html
Many of the scents lean towards the masculine side and are DIVINE.
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 9:56 pmThanks for all of the recommendations!
Lisa
March 11, 2014 at 11:41 amI love vanilla and cannot stand the smell of patchouli. Lately I’ve been wearing Jennifer Aniston. It’s very light and smells like summertime at the beach.
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 9:56 pmI’m the opposite. :)
Wendy
March 11, 2014 at 11:48 amHave you tried any Atelier Cologne? The Rose Anonyme Cologne Absolue is great! If you are a fan of spicy rose scents it might be worth a sniff.
You can find it at Neiman Marcus and Sephora for sure…not sure where else they carry it. Sephora has a travel size set right now w/ the vanilla, orange and the rose if you don’t want to invest a lot of money up front.
FYI, it was also recommended to layer the rose sent with their orange sanquine and that is equally nice!
Kat
March 12, 2014 at 9:55 pmI was also going to suggest Atelier Cologne! Rose, orange, and vanilla scents are not as sweet as you would think. I love my Tocca Meet the Girls travel set. I just started getting back into perfumes again after a long frangrace free phase. I was talking with a lady in Sephora and she suggested that you can have a morning and evening scent to go with your mood changes.
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 9:57 pmI’m going to look for it, thanks!
Noelle
March 11, 2014 at 11:49 amI am so sensitive to perfumes that there are very few I can wear without getting a headache. On a recent trip to Paris I was hoping to come back with a new perfume that was oh so “French”. I discovered Chloe and I absolutely love it. It smells like a garden of roses. It also lasts for hours and hours unlike a lot of my other fragrances. Fun post, thanks for sharing :)
heidi
March 11, 2014 at 12:19 pmWe were fragrance twins back in the day (LBS CK1). I used to wear Lovely, SJP until i found Chanel Gardenia. I cant shake that I like a bit of floral in my perfume.
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 9:58 pmI haven’t tried Gardenia, but I like Lovely. My sister wore it for a long time, and my mom did briefly too.
Clever Girl Reviews
March 11, 2014 at 12:40 pmI could honestly talk about perfume all day long. Seriously. I have tons of ones I love and a lot more I can recommend to you! Check out my blog too, I’ve got many perfume posts and one devoted to rose scents. I’m pretty in sync with Mr. Burr. Give Balenciaga’s new Florabotanica a try! I also need Nirvana Black!
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 10:02 pmI tried to look, but only saw the most recent post. Is there a search bar on the site that I’m overlooking?
Chelsea
March 11, 2014 at 1:25 pmTokyoMilk’s Dead Sexy is my go to scent! I, too, love amber and sandalwood – I have a gazillion candles scattered throughout my house carrying that name!
michelle
March 11, 2014 at 1:30 pmOMG! Grass!! Ha! I have a half-used bottle of that still that I am hoarding for a “special” occasion! I still really like it – but I’m with you, it seems like it was from such an “era” of my life. Thanks for the rundown!
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 10:03 pmI’m so curious about whether I would still like it or not. I’m guessing yes, but it’s been so long! I don’t think I’d want to wear it, but I’d love to come across a bottle just to smell it again.
Sarah @ 702 Park Project
March 11, 2014 at 1:43 pmThe new Tory Burch is super awesome, plus it’s the cutest bottle ever. My favorite “classic” scent is Oscar by Oscar de la Renta.
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 10:05 pmTuberose is usually a deal breaker for me, but I do love that bottle!
Kate
March 11, 2014 at 2:14 pmI totally had CK One and I remember liking “Grass” too!! Classic! :P
merlin513
March 11, 2014 at 2:34 pmJust about anything from Black Phoenix Alchemy lab…tho those are actually essential oil blends and not ‘perfume’ like what one buys from the store.
Jo
March 11, 2014 at 2:51 pmBulgari Rose. I think you’d like it, based on what you wrote. It’s a favorite of mine.
Hermes Un Hardin sur le nil, is another great one.
Jo
March 11, 2014 at 2:53 pmJardin, not Hardin!
(Silly auto correct)
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 10:05 pmThat Hermes one was mentioned a lot in Burr’s book as a fantastic perfume.
Ashley
March 11, 2014 at 9:01 pmI looooooooooooved Grass from the Gap. I had an old bottle with a smidgen left that I held onto for years. I think I finally threw it away when I got married and we moved to a new place.
Antonella
March 12, 2014 at 8:17 amIn my twenties my favourite scents were Cheap and chic by Moschino and Sunflower by Elisabeth Harden. Now I wear Opium by Yves Saint Laurent or Coco by Chanel (not Coco Mademoiselle :-), but they are decidedly wintery. Currently looking for a spring/summer perfume, something with ylang ylang or tiarè I guess… the summer version of opulence in my opinion
hugs from Milan
Teri
March 12, 2014 at 9:31 amI recommend Shalimar Initial. It is a man magnet. Nothing like the original, it is soft and feminine but really sophisticated and unique. I get stopped everywhere I go.
DDU
March 12, 2014 at 10:57 amVetiver by Guerlain is a men’s cologne, but I wear it all the time. Citrusy but not too sharp, crisp without being bossy. Best wishes!
Julie
March 12, 2014 at 4:02 pmI wear “Cleopatra” by Tocca on the regular…
http://www.tocca.com/collections/beauty-fine-fragrances/products/eau-de-parfum-cleopatra#.UyDKhXmG-sg
One of my all-time favorite scents, though, is Narciso Rodriguez for Her.
http://www.sephora.com/for-her-eau-de-toilette-P110113
I’m lusting after Elizabeth and James’ Nirvana White at the moment…
Kristen
March 12, 2014 at 9:00 pmI love this post and I had to laugh when I read it and then saw Jules’ the next day – great minds. I love cb i hate perfume. He has some fantastic scents and small tester-type bottles are available for about $13. My favorite is In The Library. I’m not usually a smoky perfume kind of person, but there is something about this smell…plus he had me at library. :)
Making it Lovely
March 12, 2014 at 10:07 pmJules’ post was so great! And The Library — has a nice ring to it.
Sarah W
March 12, 2014 at 11:55 pmCK One and Grass take me right back to high school! I didn’t wear Grass, but I totally remember it. I wore Heaven, (also from Gap), for the longest time. I also had a perfume from Roots (the clothing company) that I wore in high school and loved! In college, I wore Chanel Allure. It was my dream perfume at the time. I may still have a bottle kicking around. I should pull it out and see if I still like it. More recently, my Mother-in-law got me Chanel No 5, but I’m not sold. Oh to go back and smell those old scents again!
Heidi
March 13, 2014 at 7:06 pmLily Lambert #11. I hate feeling like everybody can smell me when I wear perfume, but this is light and subtle.
http://www.lilylambert.com/Store/product.php?id=SKU010
melanie
March 14, 2014 at 9:23 amFlorabotanica’s been mentioned, but if you like rose you should also check out Rosabotanica – I wore Stella for years, but I’ve switched to Rosabotanica. It’s rose, but with an edge. Love it.
Wrenaria
March 14, 2014 at 6:38 pmI don’t wear perfume often, but I use of bit of Marc Jacobs Lola occasionally and recall liking Daisy as well. I’m not to great at hunting down scents I like (overwhelming options) but I tend to lean towards earthy florals as my preference.
Careen
March 25, 2014 at 9:13 amMy newest, special occasion scent is Hermes Jour d’Hermes. I also like Chanel Chance. I am in love with Houbigant Quelques Fleurs Parfum but it is so expensive. I would like to find it cheaper online and then maybe I’ll treat myself.
Carmen Kaiser
March 27, 2014 at 3:17 pmGreat recommendations Nicole! I have tried just one or two out of these, but will want to check others too.