Friday, November 6, 2020

Perfume Picks

Tropical Chinoiserie Perfumes?

 I have been wearing Narciso Rodriguez perfume for years and I still adore it. But I have been thinking it would be fun to add a perfume or two. My daughter worked for Neiman Marcus for many years and, like many department stores back in the day, when walking through the cosmetics/perfume area, one would be chased by ladies with perfume bottles trying to spray you and handling out samples.

Those days are gone. So instead, I am asking you for ideas. What are your faves? I like floral scents - Narciso Rodrigues is floral, but also musky and woody, very feminine and sophisticated.

Narciso Rodriguez at CCC

Here it is in my master bath along with a NR candle and travel version. What are your go-to choices?

42 comments:

  1. Hi Beth,
    I used to wear Hermès 24 Faubourg, which I still like, but my more recent favorite is Coco Mademoiselle Chanel. It’s distinctive and turns a few heads here and there. I’m often asked what I’m wearing. It has a lovely pale pink color, too!!! For everyday, I like Sung by Alfred Sung. More budget- friendly than the other two and has a lovely fresh smell.

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    1. Thanks for these suggestions. My signature lipstick color is Chanel Coco Mademoiselle.

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  2. Gucci Bloom!
    Michelle

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  3. Anything from Le Labo. The rose is amazing (and I hate most perfumes). They are super pricey, but you can get small bottles of testers (bigger than testers from other companies) for very little money and they last for a long while. A nice treat. I’m still waiting for them to restart making Gramercy Park Hotel special scent Cade. But oh my goodness. The rose is so utterly special and so unique. All of their scents are so unique people will stop you to ask. -Noelle

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    1. Sounds wonderful - I will definitely check Le Labo out.

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  4. I adore Fracas (bought in Paris or online). Also has a musky undertone.

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  5. Clinique Aromatics Elixer is intoxicating. I get compliments all the time.

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  6. I loved Jil Sander's Pur, but it has not been manufactured for years. Has anyone found anything similar? In the meantime, I'm back with Bulgari Green Tea (the cologne, not the perfume) or Le Labo Rose, but I really miss Pur.

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    1. Is it Jil Sander's Pure? Pure is available at tons of places online.

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  7. Hi Beth, Carolina Herrera's Good Girl, Armani's Si ( both sophisticated and feminine) and Burberry Blush (a lovely floral scent)

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  8. I have my constants and then I have a few others for when a different mood strikes.

    My long time faves I wear all the time: Hermes Eau D`orange Verte, Jo Malone Lime Basil and Mandarine and Eau d'Hadrien by Annick Goutal.

    I also love Muschio Bianco (White Musk/Moss) by Acca Kappa. Actually crazy about it.

    Most recent addition and quite a fortuitous find was when I read "The Swans of Fifth Avenue". In it Truman Kapote describes this magnificent fragrance Babe Paley had wafting about her and the description is everything I love in a fragrance: Green, fresh,a fun mixture of classic notes including fruity lime, peach, orange blossom and asafoetida--Vent Vert by Pierre Balmain created in 1947. They don't produce it any more but after a long research I located a sealed bottle on ebay. Took a crazy chance (would never buy a fragrance unsniffed first)and was not disappointed. Love, love, love! A little goes a long way and it is truly unique.

    I tend to like Jo Malone fragrances and I definitely lean toward "fresh" ones...or opposite of Opium which seems to give me a headache when I smell it on others. Oh, and not to be forgotten is Bluebell by Penhaligon.
    I've been known to ask perfect strangers what they are wearing when I am struck in my tracks by how much I love their fragrance.

    So intriguing about fragrances. How uniquely individual and animalistic in their ability to attract or repel.

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    1. I too, wear and love, Annik Goutal’s Eau d’Hadrien, but have struggled to repurchase it lately except directly from France (I don’t trust the resellers here in the US on eBay who often sell very old bottles). Do you have a source?

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    2. Such great ideas. I used to have several Jo Malone that I would mix and match/layer. I agree on Opium, but I do definitely prefer florals. Can't wait to explore these.

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  9. I have just recently purchased Invigorating Body Balm from diptyque. It features a wonderful blood orange scent that is heavenly. The tub comes with a little scoop/spreader/spatula. It is wonderful to rub a bit on the skin after a shower or before bed to sleep well.

    I also love Jo Malone's Lime Basil & Mandarin Body Creme. I prefer the cream/ lotion option to a spray of any fragrance. I believe it lasts longer.

    best,
    teaorwine

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  10. Actually, I layer the Jo Malone Lime, basil. Body cream first, then a light spray to seal the deal. Heavenly!

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  11. My favorite for many years was Carolina Herrera's original fragrance, and I still love it, but have now expanded my scent wardrobe to include Boucheron, (I always get compliments when I wear this fragrance), Hermes 24 Faubourg, (rather intense and heady - you only need a little), and Michael Kors, (a bit lighter). Cartier used to make a fragrance called "So Pretty", which was a lovely floral, but sadly they no longer make it. I've never tried Narciso Rodriguez, but since I like florals too, I will try it. So many wonderful and intriguing suggestions from your readers.

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  12. I love Vetiver by Guerlain. It’s a men’s cologne, and I seem to remember that Tory Burch recommended it. It has a citrus high note and that deep woodsy base of the vetiver. I even learned to make my own organic soap so I could recreate the wonderful fragrance using essential oils. It’s never in stores; I order it online.

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    1. I used to wear Canoe as a teenager - I recall that was a men's cologne too. Thanks.

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  13. I'm not going to lie - I wear Chanel No. 5 every single day. It is my indulgence. I shower and put it on - even if I'm going into the yard to work. It's classic and I get compliments often. People are always so surprised it is "an old fashioned" scent when they ask what I'm wearing.

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    1. Chanel No. 5 is wonderful and timeless. I have such wonderful memories associated with it.

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    2. A wonderful and timeless choice.

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  14. If you like florals: Fleurs de Rocaille by Caron
    It’s magnificent!

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  15. As a lover of Chinoiserie, you must get a bottle of Gucci Bamboo with it's darling bamboo stopper. I like to wear this in winter as it has a warmer scent. I also love Gucci's Bloom and their Flora. At the moment, it is spring in Australia and I adore the lovely light floral Diorissimo from Dior. Miu Miu make some lovely florals with a pretty 50s retro style bottle which I think fits aesthetically with your neck of the woods. Enjoy.

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  16. I have two favorites: Kate Spade “In Full Bloom” and Armani’a Acqua di Gioia. Both wonderful florals without being heavy.

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  17. Byredo Bal d’Afrique, Le Labo Rose 31, and Jo Malone English Pear and Freesia, Amber Lavender and Basil Neroli.

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  18. If you haven’t visited the online fragrance store Luckyscent .com, do so! They have an actual store in LA, but online is very fun. They only carry boutique, niche fragrances and do a great job of helping you determine which you might like, with low-cost samples available and real people to talk to if you prefer. I could spend hours on their site!

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  19. SUNG BY ALFRED SUNG
    SOLEIL BY FRAGONARD
    Fleur d'Oranger BY FRAGONARD
    ALL LITE, FRESH AND HEAVENLY

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  20. I love Jo Malone for Florida. I tend to wear lighter, fresher scents there.

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    1. I use to wear Jo Malone - I will revisit - thanks.

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