YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Fragrance

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Fragrance https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:00:44 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Anonymous on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1/page/2#post-2195610 Sat, 15 May 2021 19:26:48 +0000 Anonymous 2195610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’ve gotten really into indie perfume companies! It is fun to support smaller brands, and they can usually afford to be more creative with niche blends. You can get sample sets from many companies, and there’s a big market for selling and trading samples and full sizes on Reddit. You’ll find tons of reviews there too. Here are some of my favorite indie perfume companies so far: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://alkemiaperfumes.com/">https://alkemiaperfumes.com/</a> - My favorite is Silken Tent: Candied angelica, chrysanthemums, white flowering Nardo, clove flowers, jasmine-scented rice pudding, blonde caramel, infused with golden amber. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://fantomeperfume.com/">https://fantomeperfume.com/</a> - Fave here so far is <a rel="nofollow" href="https://fantomeperfume.com/collections/perfume-oils/products/arashiyama">Arashiyama</a>: Fresh, musky, and atmospheric. Rain-drenched bamboo, fresh aomikan slices, Japanese pear, cherry blossom, sandalwood, ginger, white tea, and faded perfume musk. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.smellbent.com/">https://www.smellbent.com/</a> - These can be kinda wild. I love Artist’s Studio: wet plaster, turpentine soaked rags, stretched canvas, a roll of brushes and drying paint My everyday mainstream perfume is Child: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://childperfume.com/">https://childperfume.com/</a> <div> </div><div>And this is a Nag Champa roller that I bought at an expo years ago. There’s just something about it - people love it. My husband always says it’s his fave. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://bluemoonherbalsandaromatics.com/store/products/intent-perfumes-moon-magick-potion/">https://bluemoonherbalsandarom.....ck-potion/</a> </div><div> </div> cat2 on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1/page/2#post-2194932 Thu, 13 May 2021 13:11:58 +0000 cat2 2194932@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If you want something light, Jo Malone has a leather scent you might try. Staysfit on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1/page/2#post-2194882 Thu, 13 May 2021 10:07:35 +0000 Staysfit 2194882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There are feminine versions of every type of perfume, including those with tobacco, wood, leather, etc.   They are often mixed with florals of some sort. Hermès  Kelly Caleche would be an example of a floral woody scent (may also be a bit leathery, I cannot recall exactly).  Sometimes they are unisex perfumes.  I do not think any of my scents smell particularly masculine…… The Cat on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1/page/2#post-2194873 Thu, 13 May 2021 08:31:31 +0000 The Cat 2194873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Another tip: Real perfumes can be very heavy and strong. On the other hand, eau de colognes are often weak and/or disappear quickly. Eau de toilettes (and sometimes eau de parfums) might be perfect, versatile solutions. The Cat on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1/page/2#post-2194872 Thu, 13 May 2021 07:56:01 +0000 The Cat 2194872@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Echo -- Originally, the name was just Armani--the first perfume launched by him, in 1982. Later, the word "Femme" has been added, as a description and in parentheses. Echo on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194822 Thu, 13 May 2021 02:19:08 +0000 Echo 2194822@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ madeline: Thanks. While I have been on fragrantica, I haven't seen the videos. I'll look those up, as I could really use someone explaining the terminology! The Cat: Which Armani is your favorite? There seem to be many, many fragrances by Armani. I thought I would like leather, as well, but I ordered a sample of the Bottega Veneta fragrance, whose main note is supposed to be leather, and I couldn't discern it at all. It felt far more green to me. It wasn't offensive, it was interesting, and I did enjoy it, but it isn't something I'd want for the long run. I will have to look into other scents with leather in them to see if different combinations work better for me.  I also tried the Alexander McQueen fragrance - though not the discontinued ones, which I understand were far more edgy - and while it was pleasant, it was rather bland and floral for my taste.  The Cat on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194811 Wed, 12 May 2021 23:45:19 +0000 The Cat 2194811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, I love greens (including trees) and leather--and to me, such notes are not "unusual." In my opinion, florals are best mixed with other components, for added interest and depth. I prefer lighter fragrances for everyday use and heavier/richer ones for special occasions. Among my favourites are: ● Armani (Femme) by Armani ● Arpege by Lanvin ● Caleche by Hermès ● Cerruti 1881 ● Coco by Chanel ● Cristalle Eau Verte by Chanel ● Fifth Avenue by Arden ● Green Tea by Arden ● L'Air du Temps by Ricci ● Paloma Picasso ● Paris by Yves Saint Laurent madeline on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194796 Wed, 12 May 2021 22:49:53 +0000 madeline 2194796@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Agree with cat2 that Fragrantica is a good site to use for reference. I have been watching some YouTube videos by the Perfume Guy. He does reviews of many different perfumes: Smelling Great Fragrance Reviews. He does explain all the terms in various videos too. Enjoy your search! Echo on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194795 Wed, 12 May 2021 22:49:50 +0000 Echo 2194795@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ bridgie: Please tell me more about Shalimar. It seems opinions are strongly divided as to whether it is heavenly or outdated (I am not sure a scent can be outdated, though?). Zaeobi: I used to love vanilla smells, and then I tried a fragrance many moons ago and I think I ODed on vanilla. And then I read that vanilla doesn't have to be cloyingly sweet, and it has me interested again.  Sal: Funny that I never even considered the classics. I should look up Chanel no. 5 because I am not sure what it is even like. RoseandJoan: That's part of the problem, I think. I don't even KNOW what I like. I don't know what half the notes in a fragrance even mean. I do know that benzoin/resin, as in Marc Jacobs Decadence, smells like paint remover on me, so I will avoid that. But things like vanilla can go from sickeningly sweet to warm and comfortable, depending on the formula. It is all so confusing. Jenni NZ: Thank you; I will look the site up. I found fragrantica, but it gives me a lot of information I am not sure what to do with! I almost feel like I have to keep a spreadsheet of possibilities, notes, and whether they work on me! Staysfit: Thank you for the pointers. Perhaps I need to begin by narrowing down what categories I should be looking in. The idea of a leather/tobacco scent is attractive, though many of those are identified as "men's" scents - although, again, I am not sure a scent can be classified by sex or gender. elpgal & suntiger: I had not considered essential oils. The things I read tell me that "natural" scents do not last, but I'm not sure how much that matters since I am not looking for a perfume bomb anyway! I remember in University there was a shop with essential oils that would let you mix your own scents. Perhaps when I know what I like I could look into that. I ordered a small decant of Tom Ford's Oud Wood. Despite the overwhelming opinion online that it is a "male" scent, it does not smell "masculine" to me at all. Perhaps on a man it would. But I think I kind of like it. Tobacco Vanille seems one-dimensional. Velvet Orchid, described as "ultra-feminine", is overwhelming and terrible for me. I am not sure I want to go flowery, but "cool" (aquatic) scents aren't quite up my alley, either. I think I lean toward a woody, amber, musk sort of scent so far. And I always thought patchouli was strong and overwhelming (incense in college), but in some scents reviewers say it is strong and I cannot tell it is there at all. Maybe I like it and didn't know it? Anonymous on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194767 Wed, 12 May 2021 21:45:06 +0000 Anonymous 2194767@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There's a cool perfume shop in NYC called Aedes de Venustas (website is aedes.com).  They sell a lot of unusual and niche fragrances.  You can buy sample sizes for about $4.00 if you want to try anything out.  I've found some wonderful scents this way, including Amouage Dia, one of my all-time favorites.  It's fun to explore all their offerings.   elpgal on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194752 Wed, 12 May 2021 21:25:54 +0000 elpgal 2194752@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ If you have a Whole foods nearby, they have essential oil testers you can try out. You can also buy samples aka decants online to try out. Good luck! It’s fun to experiment. LaPed on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194622 Wed, 12 May 2021 16:15:40 +0000 LaPed 2194622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've tried a lot of fragrances over the years and treat it as a bit of a hobby. I like ordering samples because I find it's best to wear something for a day to see how the fragrance develops. Smelling something in the bottle tells you very little about how it will smell once it's on your skin. In my teens and 20s I leaned toward woody/resinous/spicy -- anything with a lot of amber or sandalwood front and center. I'd often wear straight sandalwood oil or use a piece of solid amber resin on pulse-points. Then I went through a phase when I wore BPAL Morocco (I think Jenn is a fan of this one as well), and sometimes BPAL Aureus. Morocco is evocative of a spice market, Aureus is quite incense-y.  In my 30s a lot of my favorite perfumes started feeling a bit too heavy or cloying. I've moved more towards florals, specifically rose, but still with a woody base. I've realized that most of my favorite fragrances right now follow a similar formula: sweet floral top note, rose heart notes, woody base notes (still love amber and sandalwood, but also appreciate subtle additions of patchouli and frankincense). Rose as a single note (along with most other florals) doesn't work for me; it can come off a little powdery or soapy and needs to be balanced by the addition of some spice and resin.  I've been using Phlur Améline for a couple of years, and it's pretty perfect: bergamot, pepper, rose, patchouli, sandalwood. I switch to Lucy B's Water Lotus and Vanilla Musk in the summer because, for me, it really nails the beachy vibe and is fun to wear during the warmer months. The name is misleading, because it has almost no vanilla notes -- a little bit of lotus on top, with a rose heart and amber base. See the pattern? There are a handful of other fragrance profiles I really, really like but don't feel quite "me" when I wear them: light green grassy/springy scents; deep green traditionally masculine forest scents, dusty desert scents with lots of sage and sweetgrass. I've been known to make reed diffusers out of fragrance samples I love but don't love wearing. :)   cat2 on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194546 Wed, 12 May 2021 13:12:32 +0000 cat2 2194546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Zaeobi, The Body Shop vanilla is light and fresh, it doesn’t have the heavy sweetness or the muskiness of some vanilla concoctions. Irina on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194538 Wed, 12 May 2021 12:59:06 +0000 Irina 2194538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don’t like switching scents and once I find what I like, I stick with it. Although, these are common parfums from department stores, I still like the idea of having a signature scent. For a decade or so my favorite scent was Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. When I decided I was ready for a change, it took me long time to find a favorite. I tried many in stores and ordered samples with every Sephora order. I found that a lot of traditional, well known parfums don’t work for me because they are too sweet or heavy for me. I needed light and fresh. I now use Stella by Stella  McCartney for summer (light, floral scent) and Nomade by Chloe for all seasons. I had them for a year and will have to decide if any of them would be my signature scent. I want to try more of Jo Malone once retail is open. cat2 on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194535 Wed, 12 May 2021 12:43:32 +0000 cat2 2194535@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like the Fragrantica site for background on fragrances, you can read the reviews on something you are thinking of trying. I like vanilla, citrus and spicy scents, and don’t usually like the heavy French perfumes. I have Body Shop, L’Occitane and Philosophy scents currently as they are light. I tried a couple each time I hit a mall or airport until I found what I wanted. I would suggest trying a couple at a time, and then reading up on those you don’t like so you can figure out how to start narrowing the field. Carla on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194534 Wed, 12 May 2021 12:37:31 +0000 Carla 2194534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am going through this exact process myself. I have not worn perfume for ages, and I am feeling like I want to find "my scent". I prefer subtle and understated. I am drawn to rose and patchouli, and have trialed 2 Bulgari fragrances so far (Rose Goldea and Splendida patchouli) which are lovely. Otherwise, my go-to is Chanel no. 5 - classic, classy and makes me happy. Anonymous on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194513 Wed, 12 May 2021 11:34:55 +0000 Anonymous 2194513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I only use essential oils- I have sandalwood/rose and sandalwood/ vanilla blends. I like "green" scents and citrus too. Haven't really used any since Covid though. Staysfit on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194512 Wed, 12 May 2021 11:29:16 +0000 Staysfit 2194512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Scent is very individual.  What one person enjoys is not likely to be the same as someone else. Scent for me is part sentimentality, part reflection of current emotion/mood, and definitely sensory.   For a long time I tried to find a scent that was similar to the warm, leathery, sweet and woody scent of my uncles pipe tobacco, minus the sooty ashtray smell,  I have found a few favorite perfumes along the way and rejected many many more.  I have learned much about what I enjoy in a scent as well.  Finding scents take time and patience.  <div> </div><div>Scents are divided into categories.  There are floral scents, fruity scents, woody scents, leathery scents, soapy scents, citrusy scents, ozone scents (water and air), and spicy scents among many possible options. Perfumes also have different levels of sillage.  If you want something subtle, you are looking for a low sillage perfume. </div><div> </div><div>Scents take time to develop on skin, so smelling them in a department store is the worst way to try them.  The one feature you can assess in the store is whether you should bother trying it on your skin.  If you like the initial sniff, it does not guarantee you will enjoy wearing it.  I usually sniff only one perfume if I am out shopping.  I try to be strategic.  I know which scent categories I like and will not waste my nose on categories I do not like, such as spicy, fruity, or ozonic.  If I like the initial sniff, which I usually spray onto a card, then I might venture further and try a very small spritz on my wrist.  Then I wait……and sniff repeatedly over the rest of the day.  Sometimes scents make me feel ill and I want to wash them off, which can be hard to do, sometimes I find them cloying, and sometimes they do not last, or I do not like them.  Sometimes I like them initially, but then decide I do not.  When I find one I like, it’s a treasure.  It’s rare.  </div><div> </div><div>I have a signature scent, one that I wear most of the time, despite having a fair collection of others.  It’s my favorite scent, and I find that it’s strangely subtle.  People frequently tell me I smell nice, but are not able to identify why….they cannot easily identify if I am wearing perfume, using a particular soap or lotion, or if it’s just me.  When that happens with a scent (and for me it has happened a few times) I know I have a winner.    </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div> Bijou on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194495 Wed, 12 May 2021 10:08:14 +0000 Bijou 2194495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My favourite is Coco by Chanel and I always keep some Chanel No 5 for evenings out - I just love both of these fragrances. Jenni NZ on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194491 Wed, 12 May 2021 09:41:31 +0000 Jenni NZ 2194491@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I rechecked- seems it no longer exists. Such a shame :( But there was an image of Perfume Personality and there is a fragrance wheel. RoseandJoan on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194487 Wed, 12 May 2021 09:30:29 +0000 RoseandJoan 2194487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just wanted to add that you can purchase perfume samples online for a couple of pounds, I feel much more comfortable paying the £££ if I've had a chance to wear the fragrance for a week or so. Jenni NZ on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194486 Wed, 12 May 2021 09:21:03 +0000 Jenni NZ 2194486@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Echo I think when I was trying to find new ones a while back I might have tried a site called Scent Map? Sorry am on my phone and haven’t Googled to see if it still exists. But it had a huge number of perfumes on there so if you knew one you liked decades ago it could find a range of similar ones. I personally have liked florals, from the 80s on really, beginning with one called Anais Anais. Also eau de toilette is lighter than eau de parfum, sorry to probably tell you something you already know! Star (Lise) on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194484 Wed, 12 May 2021 08:49:33 +0000 Star (Lise) 2194484@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love a clean green smell in summer.  DKNY Green apple was a favorite for quite some time.   Not fruity but fresh. Minaminu on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194466 Wed, 12 May 2021 07:11:39 +0000 Minaminu 2194466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am very fond of Chanel nr 22 as well Guerlain l'heure bleue , both are quite difficult to find. Recently, I have been reading about how perfumes can affect the health (particularly for respiratory problems) and have decided to look for natural replacements. I am now very happy with the Weleda citrus deodorant (!), it's subtle, natural and Ilike its clean smell! I may ventur to natural perfumes and I'd be curious to hear if someone is already using them. Would love to know which perfume you will decide to wear! RoseandJoan on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194465 Wed, 12 May 2021 07:07:31 +0000 RoseandJoan 2194465@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My current fragrance is Dyptique Philosykos, which is a fresh great scent with a creamy dry down. It is supposed to smell like the whole of the fig tree rather than the fruit itself. I find the fragrance does stay close to the body in the way you describe. Echo, what are your favourite smells in general? Anonymous on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194462 Wed, 12 May 2021 06:18:30 +0000 Anonymous 2194462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've worn them all, I think.  My current one is Chanel No 19, a green floral.  It's getting hard to find, though! Sal on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194448 Wed, 12 May 2021 05:23:15 +0000 Sal 2194448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I usually wear Chanel No 5.  I do have a couple of other ones that are more herbacious (oils and solid perfume) that I have been gifted by my SIL.....  I love Chanel No 5, although it is a bit cliche. Stagiaire Fash on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194444 Wed, 12 May 2021 05:12:59 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2194444@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree with bi1111–everyone’s nose gets “tired” after a few different scent. You know how there are plain crackers so wine tasters can cleanse the palate and taste more? Same idea—but don’t shove crackers up your nose. It won’t work. I have seen online quizzes to help you determine your best scent. Probably not a good way to make a final choice, but that could narrow down the direction for you. Zaeobi, I’ve been known to put a little vanilla extract (the kind sold in US groceries) behind my ears. Maybe try that? Zaeobi on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194434 Wed, 12 May 2021 04:07:17 +0000 Zaeobi 2194434@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like to keep it simple, so I have a vanilla spray from Boots (UK drugstore lol) that isn't too sweet/ cloying but also not too musky (like sandalwood etc) or citrus. I'm sensitive to smells so I can't do anything too extreme (leaning one way or the other). Sadly this Boots model has now been discontinued I've tried higher-end brands but have yet to find a vanilla replacement that matches my above parameters. If anyone knows of one, please do give us a shout slim cat on "Fragrance" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fragrance-1#post-2194430 Wed, 12 May 2021 03:57:33 +0000 slim cat 2194430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have Jo Malone London Earl Grey and Cucumber cologne ( it's very light and I prefer it that way - just a little spray on my neck ). My preference is for citrusy smells, fresh and slightly floral ones. It takes time for me to figure out what I'd like to choose. I did go without any perfume for a while - mostly because of my daughter'  high sensitivity. Some older favorites smell differently for me now - maybe the formula have changed or maybe it's me . In fragrance department there were some coffee beans for smelling between the trying new scents ( not right now - because of pandemic ) - hope it'll be back soon.