Women's Fragrances

[Faust]

This should be a useful one, as fragrances are hard to navigate and make great gifts.

[rider]

one of my favorites is Chanel gardenia. even though i rarely wear perfume (i wonder how many women do so on a regular basis).

the hussein chalayan for comme des garcons fragrance was released recently and smelled floral but not vulgar sweet, i dont know what the top notes are though. it was nice.

[MetroBulotDodo]

I've been wearing Creed, here and there, since the mid-90s. I tend to go for the men's scents, like Green Irish Tweed in the spring.

During the rest of the year, I wear L'Artisan's Parfumeur Dzongkha. Most of all, I wear CDG Incense d'Avignon -- both by master "nose", Bertrand Duchaufour.

Incense d'Avignon goes well with my favorite candle, which is Cire Trudon's Spiritus Sancti. I think it's because I never had to go to church that the scent of cold limestone and the withered pages of aged books stored in the library of a dark, high gothic cathedral soothes.

MBD

[nadir]

I think my favourite fragrance on woman has to be Issey Miyake - L'eau d'Issey. If anyone walks past wearing it I can't help but turn straight away.

[Faust]

I've been wearing Creed, here and there, since the mid-90s. I tend to go for the men's scents, like Green Irish Tweed in the spring.

During the rest of the year, I wear L'Artisan's Parfumeur Dzongkha. Most of all, I wear CDG Incense d'Avignon -- both by master "nose", Bertrand Duchaufour.

Incense d'Avignon goes well with my favorite candle, which is Cire Trudon's Spiritus Sancti. I think it's because I never had to go to church that the scent of cold limestone and the withered pages of aged books stored in the library of a dark, high gothic cathedral soothes.

MBD

This is my perennial number one. Nothing has come close yet. I feel like I own that scent now.

[timber]

I wear Absinth by Nasomatto almost daily. It's really warm and androgynous. Woody, like rich wet earth, and it lingers like smoke. Very 'green' if that means anything.

I bought my mother Dzing! by L'Artisan Parfumeur last year, which is amazing. It smells absolutely real, nothing artificial at all. Like the sun rising off drying fields of grass, and a hint of leather.

I like fragrances that stay really close to the skin and don't overwhelm everyone who's around you. More natural warmer smells -- I'm constructing a list of samples I'm going to order from Lucky Scent soon, so I can start hunting for something new.

[christianef]

margiela untitled l'eau - galbanum, buchu, obviously spearmint, orange blossom and some other crap i cant distinguish at all because i have the least sensitive sense of smell ever. not big into fragrances but i like this and my bf likes it so it's all good in the hood.

[jippos]

I love Avignon! It completely resembles (catholic) church incense, which I used to hate as a kid, but apparently now love. Reminds me that I need another bottle.
I also like Odeur 53; I like its synthetic smell and how subtle it is. Actually, I find almost all Comme scents either very good or very amusing.

Most of all, I wear CDG Incense d'Avignon -- both by master "nose", Bertrand Duchaufour.

Incense d'Avignon goes well with my favorite candle, which is Cire Trudon's Spiritus Sancti. I think it's because I never had to go to church that the scent of cold limestone and the withered pages of aged books stored in the library of a dark, high gothic cathedral soothes.

MBD

[darkbydesign]

My favorite women's scents are only slightly different than the ones I posted in the men's section because real scents work on almost anyone.

I'd say

1. Frederic Malle - Dominique Ropion - Portrait of a Lady (named after the literature): Originally thought it was annoyingly strong, but then realized it had some seriously nice peppery tones after about an hour. Really nice scent and I love this. Mix it with Comme des Garcons Red Series Harissa and they are very complimentary.

2. Frederic Malle - Dominique Ropion - Carnal Flower - Best floral scent of all time.

3. Comme des Garcons - Incense Jaisalmer mixed with Lime spritz (best combo scent ever!!!)

4. James Heeley - Sel Marin

5. James Heeley - Ophelia

6. Le Labo - Santal 33

7. Comme des Garcons - Rhubarb

8. James Heeley - Menthe Fraiche

9. Kilian - Sweet Redemption

10. Serge Lutens - Cyphre Rouge

[Downtown]

We are huge fans of fragrances at Downtown...

If you enjoy Serge Lutens' Chypre Rouge, Ambre Sultan, and Daim Blond or even L'Artisan's Patchouli, Dzonghka, and Dzing, we think you would love the perfume roll-on oils from Agatha NYC.

There are three different scents: Gypsy which contains exotic woods, Egyptian incense and red musk. Dubois which conjures the essence of French perfumes as they haunt the wardrobes of fallen aristocracy furs, cashmere and carved wood. The favorite at the moment is Black Amber No.2 which contains primal notes from around the world and comprised of deep Amber and Patchouli notes. All of the scents come in a cool hand-made pouch as well.

[IMG]http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad263/Downtownshop/perfumes.jpg[/IMG]

[syed]

7. Comme des Garcons - Rubarb

I love Rhubarb, I've been wearing it quite a bit over the Summer. Starts off rather tart with a really good strong rhubarb, but mellows down to a sweet cream quite quickly. Nobody has yet commented on me smelling literally like rhubarb, although the opening is undeniably so to my nose, but you do get a lot of compliments. Just wish the lasting power was stronger, but for the price I guess you can't complain.

[Lumina]

I've been wearing Play by CDG for a while (and being told I smell like a candy ), but I haven't worn it lately. I would like to change, but I find it very hard to find another one. I don't like to have many perfumes and change everyday, I never end the bottles. I'd like to find one that looks like me but it's not easy, still searching.
Most Serge Luthens are quite delightful, but can easily become too "heavy".
I also have an all time crush on the cologne Eau Noire by Dior Homme, I don't wear it myself, but I love to smell it on my boyfriend. Maybe I should buy one bottle for myself !

Any idea ? I love jasmina, rose, vanilla or orange flower, something sweet, but fresh at the same time, very light, not heavy. The Rosa one from the CDG red serie is not bad, but I don't know.

[Faust]

Try Airborne by Chalayan, you might like it.

[Lumina]

Thanks for the suggestion ! I've checked the composition, it sounds very good, I can't wait to go try and smell it, I'm very curious of the mix between these fresh fragrance like lemon and orange flower with incense.

[LustMord]

BOTTEGA VENETA....

interessting, new....

But most liked: Cartier- Le baiser de dragon

[Dane]

BOTTEGA VENETA....

interessting, new....

But most liked: Cartier- Le baiser de dragon

You may want to stock up on Le Baiser...as the rumours are of its discontinuation. Or...you could save yourself some $$$ and buy Old Spice, which isn't miles off.

Also, Bottega Veneta is nice, but hardly a new idea...take a whiff of Mitsouko, Rocha Femme, Diorella, or Jubilation 25 (amongst many others). Still...it's far from terrible and a nice change from your typical fruit floral. :)

[Magic1]

My girlfriend has been looking for a gardenia perfume for a while. Most are way too sweet. Any suggestions? Is the Chanel one good?

thanks for the advice.

[Dane]

My girlfriend has been looking for a gardenia perfume for a while. Most are way too sweet. Any suggestions? Is the Chanel one good?

thanks for the advice.

Chanel's is probably the worst you can buy...which is a shame for such an exemplary collection.

Best options:
-Estee Lauder Tuberose Gardenia (parfum is better than EDP)
-Tom Ford's Velvet Gardenia (discontinued, but worth asking)
-Acqua di Parma's Iris Nobile (ignore the name)...I prefer EDT to EDP, but both are good

Another discontinued, but was cheap at the time - Yves Rocher's Pur Desir de Gardenia.

For an alternative...not gardenia, but similar vibe - Manoumalia by Les Nez. Fabulously exotic and lush. This would be my personal choice.

ps - every other perfume labelled "Gardenia" is a sham...all are simply tuberose or less. "Real" gardenia oil is virtually unheard of, which is why no perfumes actually contain it, but I've read that Enfleurage in NYC, who sell oils, have come up with something believable.

[Dane]

I'd like a suggestion for a perfume - I'm not at all familiar with the whole variety of them, and from what I've had a chance to test, Jil Sander Pure has been my favorite one. Any tips for what I could try?

p.s.
Got recently a sample of the new MMM one and while at first it seemed all right, a bit soapy but still fresh, staying close to skin, after a while I've realized I don't like it at all. Reminds me too much of soap and it's just not exciting.

Agreed that MMM is dull as all get out...but honestly, Pure isn't much different in my book...you can do better (in the sense that it doesn't have much personality). If that's your thing though, I don't judge...give Donna Karan Cashmere Mist a try.

Otherwise, what else do you like...flowers, woods, spices, etc.?

[Dane]

Not sure if you're near Brussles, but if so, check out this shop: http://www.senteursdailleurs.eu/

Some brands to check out there would be Andre Putman (only the one scent), The Different Company (all are good, but try Osmanthus and De Baschmakoff) and L'Artisan (The Pour Un Ete and Saffran Troublant in particular, but again, none are terrible).