Perfume and other smelly things

[Queen Mamadala]

Is this a good spot for this?

I know there are many here that are into makeup, but are there others that are into perfume -- wearing, collecting, etc.? Perfume to me is what makeup and fashion are to many others. I've been an avid collector of niche and indie perfume for about 12 years now, and then began studying it a few years ago before having to put it aside for a while. I recently picked it up again, perfume studies/making, and have a whole new appreciation for scent and fragrance as a whole.

Favorites or favorite style/fragrance family? Signature scent?

[callmehales]

if i'm too hillbilly to appreciate famous people's joints and accompanying footwear, i for sure don't know nothin' about no smell good water.

[bcarp30]

My favorite perfumes are Jo Malone. I don't love the smell of perfume but her Orange Blossom scent reminds me of growing up in Florida and is probably the one I love the most.

Last time I was at Hermes they gave me a sample of their perfume and I actually like it a lot more than I thought I would. It's more 'perfumey' than I would normally wear but it's kind of a nice change! I wish I could distinguish the notes of scent that are in it and what it is that I like about it.

[majick143]

I haven't tried the Jo Malone fragrances other than a fleeting whiff as I zoomed by one day heading out of Nordstrom. I think it was a candle and I was so torn between being late and getting more information about that amazing scent. I opted to not be late and wish I had stayed to investigate. I should go back and check them out.

I have a few favorites but tend to stick to Dior blooming bouquet in the summer and coco mademoiselle in the winter. I guess I also have Narcisco Rodriguez for her as well, it's a little spicier than the others so it's fun for a night out.

I could go for something that smells like fabric softener though! I'm intrigued lucyhoneychurch. I'll have to see where to find this.

[Queen Mamadala]

Aug 10, 2015 14:48:24 GMT -5 Lucy Honeychurch said:

I love layering Jo Malone scents, though her Blackberry and Bay scent is so lovely on its own.

I like florals, but I also lean towards unexpected perfumes, like I Hate Perfume CB's Russian Caravan Tea, or Maison Martin Margiela's Jazz Club.

And when I was pregnant, the only thing I could wear was Demeter's Laundry, which smells exactly like fabric softener. lol.

Yay! You know of CBIHP! I have quite a bit of his fragrances. Russian Caravan Tea is a definite favorite. Demeter has some pretty good fragrances as well.

I used to be really into Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, and then found Carnival Wax perfumes and wore those almost exclusively for a couple years. I was really into ambery/heavy/dark scents. Love Carnival Wax's line. I started exploring exotic, animalic florals last spring, and have been wearing a lot of fresh/floral aquatic perfumes since the summer. CBIHP and Comme des Garcons are two of my favorite avant-garde perfume houses. CdG Odeur 71 reminds me of hot laundry and electricity. Very warm. Their Odeur 53 is another one I really like for its usual smell.

I also love gourmand fragrances. Chocolate... yum!

[happyholiday]

A couple of other great places to "talk" about fragrance: the fragrance board on Makeupally and Fragrantica. I've learned so much from both places!

[aqualuv]

I really like Flower by Kenzo and Cashmere Mist by Donna Karan. Those are my two all time favorites.

[bcarp30]

Lucy Honeychurch what JM scents do you layer? I just got a ton of samples when I bought some JM bath oil so I would like to take advantage and try some new combos.

[Queen Mamadala]

Aug 10, 2015 15:58:55 GMT -5 happyholiday said:

A couple of other great places to "talk" about fragrance: the fragrance board on Makeupally and Fragrantica. I've learned so much from both places!

I'm on both and base notes.

Lucy Honeychurch - I've tried a few samples from Ineke. I really like their perfumes.

[bcarp30]

Aug 10, 2015 20:26:47 GMT -5 Lucy Honeychurch said:

Aug 10, 2015 17:05:38 GMT -5 bcarp30 said:

Lucy Honeychurch what JM scents do you layer? I just got a ton of samples when I bought some JM bath oil so I would like to take advantage and try some new combos.

My favorite combo is Pomegranate Noir with Orange blossom on top. I also really like Orange Blossom with Lime Basil on top.

ETA: the one JM scent I hate, oddly, is Red Roses. It finishes so badly.

Ooh I will try those thanks!! I don't like red roses either. It's too floraly for me, but I also don't like the scent of roses normally.

[glitzyglow]

bcarp30, two of my favorite JM pairings are Peony & Blush Suede/Nectarine Blossom & Honey and Pomegranate Noir/Nectarine Blossom & Honey. Orange Blossom would work well as a sub for any of those. Also, the Orange Blossom body creme is absolutely incredible.

Queen Mamadala, I worked in fragrances for about 3 years, so I have a ton of fragrances I am working my way through but most of them are designer/main stream fragrances. Of them my very favorite is Carven L'eau de Toilette. It's fresh, green, but with a gorgeous musky undertone that warms it up perfectly and can be worn day or night. It is amazing when worn as it just gets better. Another favorite that I don't own but hope to soon is Givenchy Angel ou Demon Le Secret. It's the perfect sweet with a hint of spice.

[bcarp30]

Thanks glitzyglow! I have a lot of those so I need to play around! I just bought that lotion and I LOVE it! I can't wait for winter (sort of) to use it more.

[moreace01]

Aug 10, 2015 14:14:12 GMT -5 @smorriso said:

I have been wearing Nirvana White, sold at Sephora. It's light and floral but not sickly sweet. There is a spicier version called Nirvana Black.

I have been wearing Nirvana Black. Definitely more spicy than the White. More sandalwood.

I have been wearing Thierry Mugler Alien for awhile and am looking for a replacement. I'm liking the Nirvana Black and also Narciso Rodriguez for Her.

For Jo Malone, I like Nutmeg and Ginger - definitely for winter though. I also like Sea Salt and Wood Sage. Jo Malone gets really expensive when you start layering and I feel like they all need to be layered to get a more complicated scent so I've kind of given up on them.  

[bowies]

I happened to click over here and see this. I'm a total scent addict.

I'm exploring the indie/niche lines right now. I'm totally getting the hype over Byredo Gypsy Water but I'm finding Le Labo kind of meh. I'm about to order some CBIHP samples. Are there any that are absolute musts beyond Black March?

I've been building a list of scents to try over the past 6 months or so. I'm constantly referring to the lists this guy puts together: colognoisseur.com/category/perfume-101/ and I cross-reference with Now Smell This and Bois de Jasmin. My list is lengthy, and unfortunately I have to order (buy) samples to experience most of them. I'm trying to stick to one perfume house at a time but that it proving difficult.

ETA: I don't have a signature scent since I want to wear all the things. Typically, my favorites tend to have orange blossom/neroli, fig, or tea. I've gotten away from the fruity-florals into skin scents, so I'd add musk, oud, or sandalwood to my list of favorite notes.  

[xokell2]

Aug 10, 2015 14:57:31 GMT -5 majick143 said:

I haven't tried the Jo Malone fragrances other than a fleeting whiff as I zoomed by one day heading out of Nordstrom. I think it was a candle and I was so torn between being late and getting more information about that amazing scent. I opted to not be late and wish I had stayed to investigate. I should go back and check them out.

I have a few favorites but tend to stick to Dior blooming bouquet in the summer and coco mademoiselle in the winter. I guess I also have Narcisco Rodriguez for her as well, it's a little spicier than the others so it's fun for a night out.

I could go for something that smells like fabric softener though! I'm intrigued lucyhoneychurch. I'll have to see where to find this.

These are all my favs as well

[aaxoxo75]

I just purchased a few days back the limited edition of Valentina Pink and it smells beautiful. When I first smelled it from the Nordstroms anniversary catalog I fell in love. I also tried the Signorina (the pink one)from Ferragamo and I think that will be my next purchase.

[aaxoxo75]

Also, another vote for Ange Ou Demon...