I don't have a signature scent per se but I do stick with one fragrance for a few years at a time. I guess as I change & mature, I like my scent to change with me! I usually for the florals with a hint of something spicy. Currently I use Bulgari Notte but in the past I have worn Allure, Giorgio Armani White (She), and Mariella Burani. In my early twenties I wore Chanel 22 but can no longer find it in stores. For special occasions (evening) I like Guerlain's Samsara.

Before I had children, perfume was a real passion and I wore it every day without fail. During pregnancy, as many women do, I became hypersensitive to all kinds of odors & fragrances. At first my husband had to move his cologne & deodorant to another bathroom and put it on right before he left the house and eventually I couldn't even tolerate smelling it on his skin. Needless to say, I couldn't stand the scent of my own perfumes either. Now, even though the hormonal changes that caused this sensitivity are no longer an issue, I find that I just got out of the habit of using perfumes as much as I used to.

wow - what a popular thread! i'm a big fan of burberry brit! i love brit for men as well, so of course i had to buy it for my fiance!

i also have coco mademoiselle, though i haven't worn it as much lately.

i love gap so pink (naturally!), but i broke my last bottle of it. i have so many other scents though that i can't justify replacing it just yet!

Wow, Lena, Dash, Hannah, Thanks so much for all those recommendations and descriptions! I'm looking for something different and some of those scents you mentioned sound yummy. I'm off to find samples!

Niva, this blog post mentions all the places you can obtain samples

http://www.nstperfume.com/2007.....otherwise/

Maya, I'm glad I hit on something you like. I love pineapple, too (both the scent and the fruit).

Shana, Bulgari Notte is a fab scent, but somehow I don't reach for it anymore (I have a mini). Samsara is another one I like, but in small doses, and on other people or on fabric.

Returning to pets, I always worry I'm giving my cat a headache (their noses are so much more sensitive). Surprisingly, he doesn't seem to mind at all, and voluntarily snuggles up to me even when I'm wearing something.

Thanks Lena! Sephora, Nordies and Beautyhabit are the only places I know of so this is very helpful

Lena - have you tried any of the "CB I Hate Perfume" perfumes? Talking about bizarre ... About Miel de Bois (Lutens') - definitely try it: I became addicted to it during the winter months. Though I warn you that a lot of people get the urine smell from it - it all depends on your skin chemistry. I just received a sample of Cedre (also Lutens'), can't wait to try it.
Did you try Hermes' Jardin Sur la Nile and Jardin Mediterraine ? I had very high expectations for them, but they just smell like a swamp on me

Maya - I am late to the party, and you already have great recommendations. Just wanted to add a bit. If you like spicy and vanille scents, try Angel by Thierry Mugler - it is so popular that you risk having the same scent that every other girl on the street, but it fits your description, and it is lovely. On some people it is too sweet, but not on me: on me it is a fresh slightly woody scent with tones of vanille and chocolate. Also, again on the vanille note - Hermes' Double Vanille should be very good (and is also very expensive ... sigh). For watery and light notes I second the suggestion of Bulgary's teas series - all of them are lovely. For a distinct "watery" scent you can try L'Eau d'Issey by Issey Miyaki (hmmm... I am quite sure I misspelled it ...), it might be exactly what you have in mind.

Hannah, I've read about Christopher Brosius, founder of "CB I hate perfume". I know he is from Demeter and that he did Alan Cumming's perfume. I looked up his new line and I'm intrigued how it's supposed to be oil based, stay close to skin and open slowly. And some of those combos sound fascinating.

Btw, I have a sample of Alan Cumming's perfume. First off, I can't stop cracking up every time I think about the ad campaign. Second, talk about bizarre! The notes are the following: bergamot, black pepper, scotch pine, whiskey, cigar, heather, douglas fir, rubber, leather, Highland mud, peat fire, and white truffle. It starts out very sharp, with pine and smoke. Then it gets into boozy notes (whiskey?), quite a bit of dirt, oakmoss, leather, and even something vaguely sweet. If you can stand it until the drydown, it can be quite fun. I dab it on in very small doses when I'm alone (in winter).

I'm definitely putting Miel de Bois on my shortlist - I'm very intrigued with the woods+honey concept. Thank you for the rec. I hope it works out on me.

I did try both of those Hermes scents. I'm a fan of Jean Claude Ellena's work, but these two didn't do anything for me. Both of them smell sour for me: on skin, on paper, on fabric. I much prefer his Terre d'Hermes.

Lena,

It sounds like I have a lot of background reading to do!

Your Alan Cumming's perfume sounds great, definitely something I should try. I am putting it on my list.

I am also very intrigued by the CB I hate perfume line (the name is definitely original!). I have Cedarwood tea on my list to try first. Black March also sounds very good.

Speaking of strange perfumes, did you try Robert Piguet's "Bandit"? Usually perfumes all smell pretty and innocent on me - I mean, even those that are supposed to be controversial and thus more interesting (for instance, I tried Guerlain's "Jicky", which is supposed to be very animalistic, and it was just very pretty on my skin), but boy, I was taken by surprise with Bandit! It smells like leather and pepper and tobacco, and it is a kind of a scent that is somewhere in between masculine and feminine. I almost washed it off after applying it, but I am glad I didn't - it is so amazing when you get used to it.

I didn't try Terre D'Hermes - the failure of the Jardins somehow turned me away from it. But I did try Caleche and also Kelly Caleche, and both are good, not sour, and have this lovely leather undertone, but I just didn't fall in love with them. So you say Terre D'Hermes is worth trying?

Hee, Hannah, Bandit is indeed a fascinating killer scent! It makes me feel like it's not masculine, not feminine, but something else.

I have a sample of Jicky but I've been saving it for the right mood. I'll crack it open next week and let you know how it goes. Speaking of Guerlain, I got L’Heure Bleue in the same sample pack. Anise and something medicinal and musty. I find it strangely comforting.

At first I wanted to say that Terre D'Hermes is interesting if you like vetiver. On second thought, I think it would depend on your skin chemistry. There were times I got lots of vetiver, at other times not much. It has the following notes: grapefruit, orange, flint, pepper, pink pepper, geranium, patchouli, cedar, vetiver, benzoin. It sounds pretty ordinary on paper, and while it's not very exciting in real life, it has something extra, a sparkle. The vetiver is surrounded by notes that complement it very well. And yet it's also pretty quiet and smooth. I know it sounds conflicting (sparkly and smooth at the same time), and I guess that's Ellena's great skill at work.

I've used up my sample, so I can't revisit it right now. In my memory it's citrus, cedar, pepper, vetiver and dirt (something mineral?).

Do you like vetiver, Hannah?

CB I Hate Perfume is great. My compliment in the elevator last week was from his Russian Caravan Tea, which I want my entire world to smell like. I get a lot of bergamot from it, but a beautiful round bergamot, not a sharp/bitter bergamot. I also love his Revelation.

Y'all know what Cumming is supposed to smell like, right?

Dash, that's why it cracks me up. The ads on the website are hilarious. I like his sense of humor.

Caravan Tea sounds great, and I LOVE bergamot. At least in my tea. I haven't had luck with perfume bergamot. Maybe this is the one, eh?

Aha, I finally get the joke - I went to Alan Cumming's site and watched the video.

Caravan teas sounds delicious! I LOVE bergamot! Dash, I also wouldn't mind if my whole world had a scent of bergamot

Lena - you know? I actually don't know whether I like vetiver! I have to try something vetiver-y asap. L'Heure Bleu, on the other hand, sounds like something I definitely wouldn't like, because I don't like anise.

What do you think about Caron's perfumes? I have a sample of "Perfume Sacre", and I cannot make my mind about it. When I apply it, I like the scent, but it is not something I have an irresistible urge to re-apply or re-sniff all the time. Is it just the way it smells on me?

And, what about musk in perfumes? I have Frederick Malle's Musk Ravageur, and it is beautiful, but somehow it is not a perfume I want to wear for the whole day, if this makes sense. Not because I suffer from the scent, but because it somehow doesn't fit in. I like to apply it before I go to bed, so that I can sniff it before I fall asleep.

I am amazed at the perfume knowledge here.
I have not worn perfume in years. When I was young it was always a simple floral scent. I do not like heavy scents at all. The last perfume I loved was Tresor by Lancomb. I'm not sure if that one is a floral scent.
I think pitchouli oil in the 60's ruined me. Every once in a while someone would put that stuff on and go to a public place like a movie and Ooooooh I can still smell it. It was awful.
When I do want to do a little sniffing at the perfume counter I cannot smell a pleasant smell after 1 or 2. In fact I would have to just try one a day in order for the smells to not get confused.
What would you all recommend for someone who is sensitive like me? My husband cannot stand the smell of a candle shop or going into a place that sells potpouri, so the scent should be light enough to not bother him, yet worth the effort of wearing it. I usually enjoy the smell of my regular soaps and lotions. I do not like to smell a vanilla candle. Right now I am in love with the smell of Pureology hair products.
I am fascinated by the depth knowledge and smell that Lena, HannahC, Ana, Angie and a few others have. You have done your homework. Usually I question why I would want to smell like this or that perfume, but you sound like you put on a perfume so you can enjoy it yourself. I love that point of view, and I think I could go for that.
What about your clothing smelling like all of these things combined since I do not wash my clothes after every wear. Does that become a problem?

Hannah, I haven't tried any Carons yet. I'm a little intimidated by them, I don't know why. Maybe it's something I read when I was starting out and it stuck with me. I have a few on my wish list, though.

Musk Ravageur is also on my wish list. I keep meaning to seriously explore musks, and just didn't get to it yet. I don't even know if I can smell musks (I think some people can't). I've tried Narciso Rodriguez "For her" and SJP's "Lovely", both of which are supposed to heavily feature musk. What I smell is this fruity sweet something in the base (mixed with amber?). I prefer Lovely because I like how it hums; NR For Her is too rich for me.

San,

Thanks for the compliments!

I actually never try perfume in a store, because, like you, after 2 different perfumes I cannot smell anything. What I recommend is to order several samples and try them at home, one perfume a day. I love http://theperfumedcourt.com/ - they offer samples and sets of samples and have the most amazing selection of both mainstream, boutique, and niche perfumes. Another good source is http://www.luckyscent.com/samples.asp - I never ordered from them because their shipping rates are higher, but they have a good selection.

Generally, perfumes are divided into several groups by their type: chypre (based on oakmoss), floral, oriental/spicy, fruity, animalistic, and their combinations. There are probably some others ... You can start by ordering a set of samples that covers several groups. Then, once you decide which group you like, you can proceed with ordering a set of samples from this group (for example, if you decide that you like floral, you can order a set of lavender-based, rose-based, jasmine-based, etc. perfumes). Or, you can order a set from a particular perfume house. Usually, each perfume house has its distinct base, which is present in all its perfumes. So, if you like several perfumes from a particular perfume house, there is a good chance that you will like others from the same house.

Come to think about it, maybe the best way to start is by reading this post: http://perfumeposse.com/2006/0.....-atomizer/
This blog is written by the same ladies who run theperfumedcourt, and they are very knowledgeable in perfumes. This post is "Perfume 101" - the best, most interesting, and, at the same time, accessible perfumes (accessible meaning that they are not too weird).

I do indeed put on perfume primarily for myself - I am being very careful not to overdose so that nobody can smell my perfume from more than two steps away. I am also careful not to spray any perfume on my clothes (most of my perfumes are samples in vials, without atomizer, so this is not a problem), because indeed the scent can linger on the clothes for several days. I put perfume on my wrists and behind my ears. Having said that, this winter I had a minor obsession with Chanel's 31 Rue Cambon (I finished my sample ... sniffing and wiping tears), so I put a little on my pashmina to be able to smell it during the day. But then I knew I will be using this perfume several days in a row.

Oh, and good perfume smells nothing like a candle shop. The scents are much more subtle and complex - no potpouri

Good luck San!! I am very curious which perfume(s) you will end up liking enough to buy full-size.

San, Tresor is a lovely classic scent. I associate it with so many women in my life, and never try it on myself. It features apricot, rose, lily of the valley, lilac, peach, iris, amber, vanilla, musk. I'm not very fond of the signature Lancome amber base, so I don't try most Lancome creations. Amber in perfumery is kind of an abstract grouping of several concepts and I don't entirely get what it's supposed to mean. I perceive it as something rich and warm and sometimes balsamic and sweet. Sorry, I don't mean to lecture. I'm just trying to figure out what you may like based on Tresor.

I hear you, it's really hard to go through perfumes at the counter. Most counters have coffee beans for you to sniff, it's supposed to help clear your nose.

Hmm, let's see. I hope other ladies chime in, too.

I agree with your husband about candle shops and potpourri. I suspect he is reacting to the quality of the fragrance as well. I find it homogeneous. How does he feel about men's fragrances available in department stores? Normally they feature notes not represented in candles and potpourri.

If you like the smell of regular soaps and lotions, you are probably smelling synthetic musks and abstract florals. Like you, I love Pureology smells, and have yet to find an equivalent

I'm going to think about your question some more.

Hee! about scents mixing together on clothes. That's why I envy people who commit to one or two fragrances. It is indeed a problem. I normally test my samples on wrists for this reason.

Hannah, I posted before seeing your detailed and very helpful reply.

Hannah, I'm rereading that Perfume 101 post and cracking up at: "Mitsouko - advanced beginner, try hard. It's like your first bite of asparagus"

I know, Lena, I was laughing at it too when I read it for the first time! I actually don't find Mitsouko that challenging (Bandit surely was much more challenging for me!), but I guess it depends on a particular skin chemistry.
What do you think about Annick Goutal? It is supposed to be very good, but on me it is very very light to start with, and evaporates in a matter of minutes Also, the ones I smelled were floral-romantic type, and I somehow cannot really connect to it - I prefer scents with bolder personality, and not floral. But maybe it is just that they don't sit well on my skin? They are getting rave reviews.

Hannah, I've tried Eau de Hadrien (ok, but I prefer Diptyque's L’Ombre dans L’Eau), Mandragore and probably Songes. Mandragore doesn't open on me at all, no matter what I do, and smells mostly sour. I can't believe I got a bad sample because it was from a reputable place. Yes, they are very light and short lived on me, too. Kind of like L'Artisans (many of which I adore).

It's nice to see AG more widely available in the US (both online and in stores). Unfortunately they been cutting back on their selection lately. I still want to try Duel and Sables and Vetiver.

San, what did you like about Tresor?

Ok, here's a slightly different list of notes for Tresor: peach, apricot, pineapple, bergamot, rose, orris, heliotrope, jasmine, sandal, musk, vanilla. It's not uncommon to have inconsistent lists of notes: sometimes perfumes get reformulated, sometimes marketing teams change things around.

San, did you like the fruity aspect of Tresor? Or the florals? How about the very end, did you like how it smelled at the end of the day or after several hours?

San, it's been a while since I smelled Pureology, but how about Prescriptives Calyx? It should be easily available at any Prescriptives beauty counter. It's a nice fruity floral with a bit of green.

Lena,

I tried Sables and it smelled exactly like maple syrup on me! It was nice, but a little strange to walk around smelling like a pancake

I had been wanting to post something since this morning but finally got some time to

Lena, Hannah, you've ignited the curiosity I had about 2 years ago about perfumes and craving something beyond what is available at Macys (the CKs etc.) I used to be an avid reader of NowSmellThis and had become so very intrigued with CDG, CB I hate Perfume, Annick Goutal, People of the Labyrinths, Hermes, Caron, Guerlain and other perfume houses. I would spend hours on Luckyscent each day going back and forth, reading reviews etc. I had a shopping cart the size of a gorilla, but somehow I had never gotten around to ordering any samples. It was in the Pre YLF days when I still hadn't wrapped my head around how to spend money on perfume, cosmetics, clothes etc.

I did however end up loving Calyx by Prescriptives, so much so that I ended up buying it right at the counter. I had only used test strips so I didn't realize it evaporated on me in just a few minutes. Anyways, then I went back to my old faithfuls Light Blue and Truth.

I am about to place an order on th Perfumed Court for a 5 sample pack of the CB I hate Perfume series. Thinking of Black March (I have craved this forever, something about the description just reaches out to me), Burning Leaves, Winter 1972, Violet Empire and Russian Caravan Tea - what do you think?

Just so you know me a little better, I love non-sweet citrusy scents, white flower scents that are not too sweet (lilies, honeysuckle etc), do not like Lolita Lempicka and the only fruit smell I've liked was Nina Ricci's appley perfume Nina. I adore Bvlgari Notte, Bvlgari Green Tea and have a thing for vetiver and patchouli. I also adore Demeter's Grass.

Thank you so much! Picture me falling at your feet and chanting all hail Lena and Hannah

I went to see if I had some Tresor to sniff so I could remember what I liked about it but I don't have it anymore. I remember liking it as it warmed up after several hours and even the next day if it was still on me or my clothes it smelled good.
I did just now find some samples of Philosophy Grace and Hope which I remember thinking were nice.
You haven given me an interest in learning more about perfumes. I had always thought one puts on perfume for others rather than for yourself. Weird how I had that twisted.
There is always the person who wears way too much perfume and annoys others and I didn't want to be like that.
I remember loving a perfume when I was youger that smelled just like a flower but I cannot think of the name of the flower. If I remeber correctly it was quite sweet so I probably would not like it now.
I don't like the smell of lavendar at all. Rose perfume never really smells like a rose to me. I don't like sandalwood. I do love the smell of cedar and some other woods.
So I'll go and read the article you have shared and begin my journey into the world of perfumes.
Thankyou, this will be fun.

Just wanted to add that according to retailmenot, code "MUA" is currently available for free shipping from Lucky Scent

Niva, I don't see myself as any sort of expert at all. But thank you

Unfortunately I haven't tried any of the "CB I hate perfume". Yet What you picked sounds really good. Dash recommended Russian Caravan Tea earlier in the thread. I hope she chimes in again.

Hee, I still read NST and etc weekly. Weirdly, it relaxes me. I hear ya about overloaded shopping carts. Nowadays I just put things on wish lists. I'm really careful with my samples and full bottle spending. I'm also pretty satisfied with what I have right now and I'm currently revisiting lots of old things. My perfume obsession is kind of cyclical this way.

Since you like patchouli, I'm tempted to recommend one of my favorite weird patchouli combos. L'Artisan Voleur de Roses. Imagine roses in dirt. (I also get a bit plum and rye bread from it).

Lena, roses in dirt "sounds" magical to my nose I was looking for a sample on perfumedcourt and just stumbled on another old favorite: Creed's Silver Mountain Water. I used to "wear" it vicariously though, through a manager at an old job, because I could never afford it! I didn't know about samples then, heh. Another 5 minutes on that site and I will have a $100 worth of just all samples! I have a pretty small collection of perfumes, but still...must...stop...

Ooh, one more question, I am running out the last few drops of a lovely perfume I picked up at The Body Shop years ago called "Spring Orchid". Is there anything similar ?