The best fragrance compliment story I know belongs to my mother. She got stopped by a traffic policeman because one of her lights was not working. He was ready to give her a citation, when he leaned into her car and asked, “wow, something smells amazing.” She was wearing Serge Lutens Tubereuse Criminelle (yes, mom is a secret perfumista.) He then ended up just warning her, no ticket, no citation!
Do you get compliments or any other comments on your fragrances, and which ones get most comments? Is a negative comment on your fragrance likely to make you wear it less?
One of my most complimented fragrance is L’Artisan La Chasse Aux Papillons. I tend to think of it as light and subtle, but often when I wear it, people comment how good something smells. As for negative comments, if I like something strongly, then no comments will affect my opinion; however, if a comment comes from a friend or a family member, I will make an effort not to wear that fragrance around them.
Photography © Bois de Jasmin, Vera.
237 Comments
Cheiroso: I mostly wear fragrances for me, but I like it when someone else appreciates a scent, and conversely I don’t want to offend people by smelling bad–whether body odor or perfume.
That being said, I’ve had the most compliments for Bois 1920, 1920 Extreme (multiple people). My dental hygienist commented favorably about Creed Vetiver (1948). Terre d’Hermes seems to be popular as well. January 15, 2011 at 12:58am
Romain: did you ever wear club de nuit intense? What you think about it? September 5, 2020 at 10:31pm
Carrie Meredith: The only person’s comments I ever care about are my husband’s, and often, he and I don’t agree. That doesn’t stop me from wearing what I want, but if I know we are in for some cuddle time, I’ll wear something I know he likes. Most recently, he liked Keiko Mecheri Cuir Cordoba on me, which is really lovely. Thinking about getting a bottle of it since it’s something he and I agree on. He is not so crazy about the more masculine scents I wear, like the sharp cedar, other woods and oud scents. Those happen to be my favorites, so he just remains unimpressed. 🙂 January 15, 2011 at 12:56am
Olfactoria: The most compliments I get when I am wearing Puredistance I. I never met anybody who didn’t like it. 🙂 January 15, 2011 at 2:31am
The Perfumed Veil: I don’t like Puredistance I. I find it boring and overpriced. May 22, 2014 at 3:28pm
rosarita: I’m an undersprayer too, just because two of the people I work with suffer from migraines. I still wear whatever I want, but confine spritzing to my cleavage so that I can smell it without sillage. I apply a bit heavier the rest of my life; Dior Addict is my most complimented scent over the years, and I don’t wear it often. Tom Ford Black Orchid gathers compliments, as does Bulgari Au The Blanc. My richer, nicher scents go by without comment except from my husband, who likes just about everything I wear (and lets me know right away if he doesn’t!) His favorites are Coco, Musc Ravageur and Gucci Rush. In fact, I wear Rush just for him. I’ve never had a negative comment about my perfume but if I did and I loved the scent, I’d just not wear it around whoever made the negative comment. January 15, 2011 at 8:14am
Parfumista: Complete strangers who has stopped me and complimented: Fracas. At office and friends several fragances as: EL Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia and Fracas (again), Montana Parfum d’Peau, Hermès Amazone, Montale Oud Forest, Insolence EDP, Montale Blue Amber, SL Borneo 1834… Some of my husbands favorites on me: Parfum d’Peau, Fracas, ELPCTG, Nuit de Tubereuse, Mona di Orio Cuir, SL Tubereuse Criminelle, Amouage Memoir and Ubar. An quick analyze: Seems as my skin amplify tuberose very well. Scents that get negative comments (from my husband, friends and collegues are to polite : ): L’Heure Bleue and Mitsouko. Unfortunately he has right, even if I really wish that those classics would suit me. January 15, 2011 at 3:31am
Carla: If I want others to compliment me on my fragrance, it’s Carnal Flower. It always gets noticed. I need a FB! January 15, 2011 at 8:35am
Parfumista: Forgot the last question: Is a negative comment on your fragrance likely to make you wear it less? Answer: Yes,even if I wears perfumes for myself there are som many interesting perfumes who also smells good on me. Life is to short to wear fragrances only because they are interesting in a historical or technical view but don’t smell so good on my skin. January 15, 2011 at 3:39am
juliannelondon: Last compliment was for Poivre – my girlfriend from Malaysia said it smelled like home. Husband can’t bear Shiseido Feminite du Bois but the last bottle is running out! Teenage daughter brazenly stole Le Parfum de Thérèse so perhaps that is the strongest praise of all. January 15, 2011 at 8:40am
Madelyn E: Obviously, we perfume lovers , love to get positive recognition for our perfumes !nothing pleases me more than my husband , or friend or anyone askibg with utter curiosity “what are you wearing “?
I have gotten compliments on the following a fair amount. Joy edp, Fracas ( in the heat of the summmer ) Must de Cartier EDt , Chanel No. 22 (alot ) Bois des Iles – alot (extrait ) ,Shiloh, Lady Shiloh ,
number one perfume for guaranteed compliments ” Parfumerie Generale No. 5 – Eau De Circe .. I get followed .I must say, It pleases me too ! January 15, 2011 at 9:56am
Carla: It seems from posts here tuberose gets compliments. And also, Ropions perfumes seem made to generate notice, from Kenzo Jungle to Amarige to Carnal Flower. January 15, 2011 at 10:04am
Tara: The fragrance I get the most compliments from is Organza Indecence, people usually mention the lovely vanilla smell. I have also gotten a compliments from Bond NO 9 Silver Factory, by constrast though a friend of mine told me it got caught in her throat and made her cough..So I guess that once gets mixed reviews.
I really do not care if others don’t like a particular perfume, but if I know that in advance I make a big effort not to wear that particular fragrance around them.
Victoria, the photo with this post is gorgeous!
Tara January 15, 2011 at 10:32am
flittersniffer: To my great chagrin, I never get compliments on anything I am wearing. I think I may be a chronic undersprayer, for you would think that something I have applied in the last 3 years of intensively rotating scents would have prompted a remark from somebody. In 2011 I hope to up my sillage to detectable levels! January 15, 2011 at 6:07am
bellaroma: I never got comments from my ex husband, either. One day I had just finished bathing our little dog when he came home from work. I met him at the door with a welcome home hug and he told me I really smelled nice and asked what my new cologne was. So, with one hand patting my hair and the other on my hip, in my best May West voice I said, “why thank you, big boy. That’s Sargent’s Tick and Flea Dip”. June 19, 2016 at 12:23am
Barbara Jeffries: bellaroma, you made me laugh re your ex’s liking Sargent’s Tick and Flea Dip. Alas, my beloved has a very sensitive nose and he has told me some of my favorites, Patou 1000, Fidji and Evelyn Rose smell like insecticide. He happily tolerates SL Rose de Nuit and Fredrick Malle’s Une Rose. Thank goodness, some perfumes we can enjoy! June 22, 2016 at 3:17pm
Elizabeth: I get a lot of compliments when I wear La Chasse aux Papillons, too! It was one of my first niche perfumes, and I have been wearing it on and off for nearly six years. I am also frequently complimented on Annick Goutal Neroli and Delrae Bois de Paradis, both of which I have been wearing a lot this season. Lately, I have a thing for florals with fruity and/or citrus aspects!
My mother compliments me most when I wear big, heavy florals. I think this is because the big floral is her favorite type of fragrance. She adored Teint de Neige on me, but I always felt suffocated when I wore it.
I once wore a few drops of Bandit to work, and a coworker commented, “Something smells like lab rats!” I could never bring myself to wear it again. January 15, 2011 at 11:16am
Maryjane: Some fine lab rats you must be referring to 🙂 May 6, 2017 at 6:59pm
Nina Z: I started noticing a pattern with the compliments that I got, which was that they came when I was wearing fragrances by Ormonde Jayne (both Woman and Champaca). I think there is something about that line that agrees with my body chemistry! January 15, 2011 at 11:34am
Stephen: The Perfume I get complimented on the most is carnal flower… the best compliment I got was “I want my next boyfriend to smell like you!” Awkward, but funny…. January 15, 2011 at 12:06pm
samarkand: I got lately a compliment from one of my high school students wearing La XIIIe Heure whose name he wanted to know. I was quite surprised…
Sometimes I got compliments for perfumes which were not my favorites at all and I was just trying them, like Iris nobile, Iris ganache or Clair de Musc. Quite strange..
I usually don’t care much if someone dosen’t like my perfume especially if it is someone who does know nothing about fragrance. But I also try to adapt my choice to my job, activity, meeting. January 15, 2011 at 12:11pm
Skilletlicker: The scent that never fails to attract compliments is Frederic Malle’s Lys Mediterranee. Also, i Profumi di Firenze’s Melograno Selvatico now that I’m thinking about it. I generally only wear these scents in the spring and summer. But as it’s going to be 83 degrees in SoCal today, I may break into one of them. Interestingly, the scent I always seem to notice and love on other people is Narciso Rodriguez for Her. January 15, 2011 at 12:15pm
Monique Williams: I get compliments from people for Narcisco Rodriguez for Her as well-especially at my office. At first I thought I was putting too much on but was assured that “its a pleasant reminder of me having been in the room”….*tickled me senseless*, I ‘ve received a few from Creeds “Spring Flower” but even more from “Imperiale Millisime”(fantastic!) December 20, 2012 at 1:26pm
mrsalons0: I HAVE YEARS USING IT AND EEVERYDAY I GO OUT SOMEONE ASK FOR THE NAME!!!!!
THE BLACK BOTTLE July 3, 2013 at 3:46pm
Skilletlicker: I have been dousing myself in DelRae Bois de Paradis this winter as well. What’s Bandit? (Not that I want it.) January 15, 2011 at 12:18pm
Zazie: I’m an undersprayer: I secretly think that in most cases, when someone notices “vocally” that you’re wearing something, it might be because it is too much. If anyone at my offices makes a compliment on a fragrance I am wearing, the next time I make sure I wear much less of it. That said, two big white florals are the perfumes that have prompted more “I like, where can I buy questions”: Montale Intense Tiaré and the usual Carnal Flower. The latter has also elicited a “hate, hate, hate” reaction from my husband – but as usual I think it is more a matter of how much and when I apply… As a proof of my theory, he sometimes appears to love it!
So usually I don’t take into account other people tastes in my choices of fragrances, I just try to make my SOTD flies under the radar, and stays elegant and subtle. January 15, 2011 at 12:32pm
CindyN: Without a doubt, I get the most positive comments about Ormonde Woman. Men especially ask me about it each time I wear it–no matter where I am. Since I am a white floral lover in the spring/summer, I also get compliments on Songes EDP, Carnal Knowledge and Chinatown. In winter, besides OW, I get comments on and Maroc Pour Elle, L’air deu Desert Morocain and Fumerie Turque January 15, 2011 at 12:51pm
dleep: Hands down, Chanel Coromandel is my most complimented fragrance. I once received 4 in one day. The funniest: “Was that you who just walked by my office smelling like that? I thought it was an angel.” January 15, 2011 at 12:55pm
Tara: I also adore Chanel Coromandel and have received wonderful compliments when wearing it.
I male friend liked it on me so much that he bought it for himself. It absolutely suits him. October 23, 2013 at 10:34am
Ines: I don’t really get many comments reagrding what I wear, usually only negative from my boyfriend who says when I wear something he doesn’t like but that happens very rarely. The last compliment I got (and remember) was for L’Eau d’Ambre by L’Artisan
If I get a negative comment about sth I like, I’ll just try and not wear around that person. 🙂 I’m not giving up me perfumes because someone else doesn’t like them. 😉 January 15, 2011 at 8:18am
[email protected]: I get lots of complements from women in particular on Lolita Lempicka, even though it is not my favorite and I only wear it when I want to regress a little. Bulgari Omnia gets constant attention from men…even my married friends. So does Femininite du Bois. But my beloved Opium Poesie de Chine gets no complements, which is a surprise to me since I always felt it smelled gorgeous and opulent on my skin.
I guess its a mystery. January 15, 2011 at 2:18pm
Justine Jones: Carnal Flower gets votes from both my husband and son,hands down favorite.That said,my son insists that Joy smells like me…. January 15, 2011 at 2:34pm
Victoria: If I am working on a masculine accord, I wear that, so my husband is no longer surprised that I come home smelling of Polo, Cool Water and Azzaro pour Homme (or something equally unexpected for him to smell on me.) He does not care for woods either, unless they veer towards sweet and oriental, but like you, I just wear what I want and save his favorites for evenings together. January 15, 2011 at 9:42am
RMF325: My daily perfume tends to be Eau de Mervilles or Chanel No. 19, but the perfume I have gotten the most compliments on was Fragonard’s “Soliel”, a rather basic floral composition. It isn’t my style; it was a gift. Rather sweet. Every time I wore it men flocked around me like moths to a flame. They absolutely loved the stuff. This was everyone from senior partners in my architecture firm to the guy who orders our office supplies. January 15, 2011 at 2:43pm
Victoria: I always comment on Terre d’Hermes whenever I smell it on anyone. It has a great sillage and is very distinctive. I wear it myself too at times. January 15, 2011 at 9:44am
Victoria: I love scents like this, and they are quite rare–to be able to please most people and still be distinctive and memorable. January 15, 2011 at 9:45am
Victoria: I find the same thing with Fracas and many tuberose fragrances, they draw comments more than any others I own. Carnal Flower is another one that receives a lot of compliments for me. January 15, 2011 at 9:46am
Victoria: I agree with that, there is no point wearing something that does not make you feel good. There are some fragrances that I admire for the reasons you mentioned (many Jean Patou vintage fragrances, for instance,) but I do not enjoy wearing them. January 15, 2011 at 9:48am
Victoria: V, I am an undersprayer myself, because I am so used to saving skin for more scents to come later. My mom, for instance, has a great talent for wearing perfume, and she always gets lots of compliments from all sorts of people. The story above is just one of my recent favorites.
She sprays perfume on skin and then she sprays one-two sprays once she is dressed and is ready to go out. So, there is nice, distinctive, yet not excessive sillage around her. She wears different kinds of scents, but she is able to judge how much of each to put on. January 15, 2011 at 9:50am
Victoria: Dior Addict and Gucci Rush are among the fragrances I always notice on others. Their sillages are among the most impressive and memorable. January 15, 2011 at 9:52am
Victoria: I would not give up my favorites either, just because someone does not like them. Perhaps, if I am on the fence about some perfume and I get a negative comment, it would probably affect my perception. January 15, 2011 at 9:54am
Victoria: Carnal Flower definitely elicits plenty of compliments. It is also very diffusive, so its sillage is strong and beautiful. January 15, 2011 at 9:55am
Victoria: Julianne, which Poivre was it?
My youngest cousin when she was 10 smelled my Hermes Un Jardin Sur le Nil and was so thrilled with it, I had to gave her my little bottle. A preference for something like that and Le Parfum de Thérèse over what young girls usually tend to like is an indication of great taste! And it is definitely the strongest compliment possible. 🙂 January 15, 2011 at 9:58am
Lenore Jago: With the cold weather I have been wearing some richer scents. Tom Ford’s Black Orchid gets the most comments. In a softer vein, my chief admirer and skin sniffer loves Chloe Love. I have just picked up samples of the Kilian scents and will have to see how those work! January 15, 2011 at 10:04am
Victoria: Of course, it really makes one feel good! As much as one wears a perfume for oneself, it is great to see that it pleases others.
I liked Eau de Circe the most out of the entire PG line, when I resmelled it recently. It is a very memorable fragrance, with lots of character.
I got followed once around the train station when I was wearing Obsession. It was a police dog with a policeman (they were both friendly). The policeman claimed that the dog liked my perfume… 🙂 January 15, 2011 at 10:04am
Victoria: Great observation! Ropion’s talent in general is to create perfumes with very impressive sillages. Seeing how he puts a fragrance together is remarkable, because it is all bold strokes. Amarige was the first fragrance I ever complimented on anyone. Kenzo Jungle is just marvelous, I wish it were available more widely. January 15, 2011 at 10:07am
Victoria: I have been wearing more of Black Orchid recently, and it is true, it gets lots of comments (not all of them obvious compliments, I would add, but people notice it.)
I enjoyed by Kilian line, but ended up only with two winners so far, Rose Oud and Back to Black. Curious what you would like best, when you finish smelling your samples. January 15, 2011 at 10:10am
Victoria: Tara, I am trying to recall Silver Factory, but I have not smelled Bond no 9 fragrances in a while. Is it a woody fragrance for the Andy Warhol collection? I will have to look it up.
Thank you so much, I will tell Vera, we were just playing around, trying to get different color and texture effects. I am learning a lot from this too. January 15, 2011 at 11:09am
dee: My husband doesn’t admit it, but he’s a perfumista, and always offering feedback about perfume—I notice that now that he knows a lot more about perfume (notes, houses, perfumers), he’s much more likely to notice and comment positively on whatever I’m wearing; I rarely have to ask anymore, “what do you think of this?” He’s a good sport.
The only times anyone has stopped me in public to find out what I was wearing (happened twice!) were BOTH Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere days.
The only time my fragrance elicited a definite reaction from my best girlfriend, I was wearing Delrae Mythique.
A co-worker of mine will often tell me, “I don’t like that,” or even, “I hate it.” But it’s in a very clinical, matter-of-fact way, and she seems to enjoy being involved—Yep, I test new samples before going to work! Who has time not to??? (I”m the boss in in my little pond, so I get away with a lot). January 15, 2011 at 12:06pm
dee: Hahaha, Stephen, when I first read your comment, I didn’t realize that you were a man, so the compliment was even more awkward! LOL. I LOVE men wearing potently sexy feminine ‘fumes. Thankfully, my hubby obliges 🙂 January 15, 2011 at 12:08pm
dee: I feel like there’s a surge of people talking about Organza Incecence (kinda like how you see everyone driving a Honda when you own one), and OF COURSE it can’t be had for less than an arm and a leg.
*Sigh* I bet you smell so good… 😉 January 15, 2011 at 12:11pm
dee: As a self-declared authority on the subject: Ines, you smell good! 🙂 January 15, 2011 at 12:13pm
Victoria: “Something smells like lab rats!” This really made me laugh so hard, I spilled my coffee, but really, I would hate to receive that comment. Curious, how does your coworker know what lab rats smell like?
A few years ago, I once wore Chanel No 5 and someone commented that it smells like bug spray. She even mentioned a brand. So, I went out and smelled it. You know what, it actually was scented with a Chanel No 5 type of scent! Talk about trickle down effect… January 15, 2011 at 12:22pm
Victoria: I have a friend who is a huge fan of Ormonde Jayne, and on her, these fragrances smell so perfect, it is as if they were custom blended for her. She gets a ton of compliments. I am not so lucky, although Orris Noir often gets noticed. January 15, 2011 at 12:24pm
Elizabeth: My coworker was a clinical scientist who had done lots of experiments with lab rats. I am sure that she was very familiar with their scent! Must have been the animalic aspect of Bandit coming through. January 15, 2011 at 5:26pm
Victoria: LOL!
This reminds me of a time when I was a teaching assistant at the university, and one of my students (who came to every one of my office hours, which made it a great source of jokes for all of my colleagues) complimented my accent saying that it reminds him of his grandmother. She also was of the Eastern Europe descent. January 15, 2011 at 12:27pm
Victoria: I also love white florals and roses on men. So sexy! January 15, 2011 at 12:28pm
Rebecca: Wow, you are so lucky! I wish my husband were like this. I usually have to chase him with my perfumed arm outstretched. :)) January 15, 2011 at 5:28pm
Rebecca: I get lots and lots of compliments on Ormonde Woman too! I think of it as so different from other perfumes, but it gets the most mentions for me. Well, either way, I love it dearly. January 15, 2011 at 5:30pm
Tamara: I feel this way too reading blogs. This one is often talked about. Makes me sad I gave away my bottle. 🙁 January 15, 2011 at 5:32pm
Tarleisio: I’ve received a lot of compliments on…EL Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia, SL Fleurs d’Oranger, my precious vintage Magie Noire, Ivoire, Bellodgia and Dior Homme. Some from my colleagues, some from my son and a few from a friend with benefits, let’s say! 😉 And also…Incense Extreme, because he likes that one, too!
But florals seem to make the greatest impression on the greatest number of people. Strange. WHo would have thought I’d be such a floral fiend?
And my favorite masculine these days is L’Anarchiste, not on me… January 15, 2011 at 12:48pm
gautami: I have garnered most compliments when wearing Opium, So Pretty, and Chanel #19.
My husband likes Tabac Blond and shares Poivre with me. My 11 year old daughter now almost regualarly uses my Kelly Caleche and Chant D’aromes. January 15, 2011 at 5:56pm
Skilletlicker: I had that same experience today. Because of your query, I dug up my bottle of Lys which was buried in its box way in the back of my cabinet. B/c the weather was so warm and balmy today, I broke it out and wore it and it was reminded of how ravishing it is… Florals aren’t really my thing but I love this scent. What else is similar to it, in your opinion? January 15, 2011 at 6:23pm
Marina: The only compliment from a stranger that I can think of was for a randomly sprayed…Ralph Lauren Notorious. January 15, 2011 at 1:24pm
Victoria: It is a fragrance by Robert Piguet, a really dramatic green leather composition. Definitely love or hate, so I recommend trying it (although I would never recommend buying it unsniffed!) January 15, 2011 at 3:23pm
Victoria: I agree, such feedback is very useful, especially from the people with whom you spent a lot of time. For me, colleagues are not always good references, because for the most part they tend to be very critical of other people’s perfumes. Of course, it is different if you are asking for some constructive criticism.
My husband is my number one focus group. He has a very good nose and can describe why he likes or does not like something. January 15, 2011 at 3:35pm
allison williams: By far, it’s Bois Farine that gets the most complments. I find it surprising, because I think of it as a very specific, potentially polarizing scent but it gets universal thumbs up. I’ve also gotten quite a few compliments on Preparation Perfumee Andree on sultry evenings. I tend towards JC Ellena and Olivia Giacometti scents, which are subtle so noone has ever negatively commented. January 15, 2011 at 3:37pm
Victoria: Definitely, selecting a perfume appropriate for an occasion is a talent in itself. Sometimes a perfume suits the mood and the ambiance so well that people are drawn to make a comment on it. January 15, 2011 at 3:42pm
Victoria: I very much enjoy Lys Mediterranee, and you’ve reminded me how much I’ve neglected my bottle as of late. It is one of those fragrances that I love wearing, but I never really crave it. Yet, once I put it on, I wonder why I keep forgetting about it. January 15, 2011 at 3:44pm
Victoria: That is what I worry about as well, since I myself get very easily tired by a strong scent. My friend and I still remember how someone’s Poison ruined our theater experience. She had to leave after the intermission, because it aggravated her migraine.
Florals, especially white florals, definitely get noticed! January 15, 2011 at 3:47pm
Victoria: I can see about the white florals based on my own experience, and the comments above certainly support that. No wonder, this is such a hugely popular category in the feminine scents.
Oh, L’Anarchiste is gorgeous! Actually, all of your most commented fragrances are among my personal favorites. I just went and put on Ivoire after I read your comment. So perfect! January 15, 2011 at 3:49pm
Victoria: Ormonde Woman has such an impressive character and diffusion. It is opulent, and yet it is not heady. Very nicely balanced. No wonder, you get complimented on it! You smell so good! 🙂 January 15, 2011 at 3:50pm
Victoria: Wow, that is a compliment in a rank of its own! 🙂 January 15, 2011 at 3:51pm
Victoria: Hmm, I can see that, it has a nice presence. Quite strong too! January 15, 2011 at 3:52pm
Victoria: I love Opium Poesie de Chine, which is probably one of my favorite flankers for any fragrance (and I definitely prefer it over the reformulated version of Opium.0 So, I know that you smell wonderful when you wear it. 🙂 January 15, 2011 at 3:54pm
Victoria: Oh, that is a sweet comment from your son. I worry that if I have any children, they would never associate a particular scent with me, because I never wear anything with any degree of consistency. January 15, 2011 at 3:56pm
Victoria: You’ve reminded me of another Fragonard fragrance that would get a lot of compliments–Lune de Meil. It was completely not my style, in fact, I very much disliked it, but it got lots of compliments anyway. In the end, I gave it to my friend, who admired it. January 15, 2011 at 4:00pm
Victoria: I am also surprised by Bois Farine, it seems so niche and unconventional to me (I do enjoy it myself.) I am sure that it smells very good on you.
Fragrance chemistry plays an important role, after all, whatever anyone says. I get confirmation of this constantly, smelling same fragrances on different skins. January 15, 2011 at 4:02pm
Erin T: I used to be quite amazed by the compliments Lush’s Karma got me. I only wore it about five times and never considered it very “me”, but every single time I tried a spritz from either a store tester or my mom’s bottle, someone would comment enthusiastically. One day at the mall, two strangers raved about it in separate incidents, causing my aunt to ask: “What the heck are you wearing? I can’t smell a thing!” I still feel quite baffled about it, and always wonder if I should buy a bottle, since it obviously suits me, whether I think so or not.
Lately, I’ve had a few kind compliments from unlikely sources (i.e. work friends who don’t wear anything themselves, etc.) on Etro’s Shaal Nur, which pleases me, as this has become a favorite of mine. January 16, 2011 at 1:05am
dee: Hahhaa, Rebecca, that’s hilarious and I can totally envision it. Hopefully he’ll come around in time—as V. said, the hubby is the number one focus group! January 15, 2011 at 9:34pm
Victoria: I am fairly certain that the animalic note + green hay sweetness is the culprit. I asked, because I heard this comment on another animalic perfume (do not remember which one,) and I was wondering why they would say that. In my case, it was someone who worked in a similar capacity as your coworker. January 16, 2011 at 8:30am
Victoria: What is interesting about this fragrance is the combination of very strong marine notes and the green fresh floral. It is almost more marine than floral.
While I do not know of another fragrance that has such a strong lily effect (and does not smell cheap and synthetic,) here are a few that try this combination with different flowers: Nicolaï Odalisque (jasmine, magnolia, rose), Jo Malone White Jasmine and Mint, Armani Privé Rose Alexandrie, Ellie D Ellie, Marc Jacobs Blush (honeysuckle, one of the best renditions; alas, discontinued,) Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Angelique Lilas (lilac and green florals.)
Throwing in this one for fun: Dsquared2 SheWood Crystal Creek Wood (not a favorite, but an interesting play on floral freshness and woods) January 16, 2011 at 8:40am
Victoria: Your family has very sophisticated perfume tastes! It is so wonderful. 🙂 January 16, 2011 at 8:42am
Victoria: Erin, we must be on the same wavelength these days, because I have recently unearthed my bottle of Shaal Nur and have been wearing it with much pleasure. It is another one of those fragrances that I keep forgetting about (plus, I went through an Etro phase a few years ago and then tired out of it.) I also got a few nice comments on it. January 16, 2011 at 8:44am
Helle: Hello Skilletlicker! Try Donna Karan Gold. I find the lily note is close to the one in LM (which I adore). I read that the Gold edt has more of a marine effect than the edp, which is supposed to be more ambery in comparison. Anyway it’s an amazingly beautifyl lily, both fresh and warm. January 16, 2011 at 3:18pm
patuxxa: Tubereuse Criminelle! OMG that is freaking hilarious XD
I have received compliments on Chergui and Lady Vengeance, but back in the 80’s my Mom was actually chased down the street by a lady who caught a whiff of her perfume and absolutely had to know what it was.
It was Estée Lauder Private Collection. I love this little story because I see it as Mom’s signature scent. Every time I conjure up an image of Mom’s 80’s style in my mind, it’s all luscious curls, chunky bracelets, the clack clack on her heels on the staircase, and a gentle breeze of Private Collection 🙂 January 16, 2011 at 1:39pm
Victoria: I love this vision of your mother, it just radiates glamor!
I also love Private Collection, which I discovered only a couple of years ago. It is one of the most elegant green fragrances with enough dramatic character to make a statement. I can just imagine your mother wearing it so beautifully. It is not a fragrance for wallflowers, after all! January 16, 2011 at 7:27pm
Olga Talyn: A friend gave me several bottles of oils duplcating great perfumes from Bahrain and when I wear the Estee Private Collection everyone wants to know what it is. It is slightly less green than the original. Also Fracas, Ivoire and vintage Jardins de Bagatelles. Of course Diorissimo in the summer. I also mix the soft gardenia oil ( a deadringer for the actal flower) with spicy carnation and jasmine oil from the Fragrance Shoppe on Nantacket and people follow me to find out what I am wearing. November 23, 2012 at 11:46pm
Victoria: Helle’s suggestion of DKNY Gold EDT is a great one! I completely forgot about that.
Also, another one that I prefer even all of the others I mentioned: Un Matin d’Orage by Annick Goutal, very similar effect, but with a slightly stronger tropical white floral sensation. Absolutely gorgeous! January 16, 2011 at 8:41pm
mals86: What a lovely post – I often read without commenting, but I’m happy to chime in today. (And I love, LOVE, the photo. How gorgeous.)
I too am a chronic underapplier, probably because of the many social events I had ruined for me, when I was young, by Opium, Youth Dew, Obsession, Giorgio and Poison. GAH. Also, perhaps, because my mother was a dabber of No. 5 cologne, and I still love to dab. It feels so elegant.
My husband has a great fondness for white florals – which I love too – especially Black Orchid Voile de Fleur (not the original), DK Gold, Carnal Flower. He’s also very fond of girly floral things like Marc Jacobs Daisy and Mary Greenwell Plum. Other people have complimented me on Organza Indecence, SSS Champagne de Bois and 31 Rue Cambon.
I’m very fond of green scents, particularly green florals – PdN Le Temps d’une Fete, Chanel No. 19, Crown Perfumery Crown Bouquet, Silences (ooh, Silences…), as well as aldehydic florals, but frequently get the “smells like old lady” comments on those. I don’t care. I WILL wear my Vega decant proudly! January 17, 2011 at 10:34am
Victoria: Thank you, it is always a pleasure to “meet” those who read me (well, I guess, we have “met”, since I have been reading your blog lately and we comment on the same blogs too.) At any rate, I am glad that you liked the photo. Vera will be very happy to hear your comments!
Daisy and Black Orchid Voile de Fleur often get a comment or two for me, although I do not wear them that often. I myself prefer Black Orchid Voile de Fleur to the original, because its scent seems more like the orchid that Tom Ford was trying to capture.
On aldehydic florals–in Europe and esp Russia and Ukraine, I get lots of compliments on these types of perfumes. However, in the US, the comments are along the lines of “old-fashioned.” I suppose that the cultural preferences have a lot to do with that. January 17, 2011 at 12:25pm
Elisa: So fun to read through these comments! I’ve gotten the “What are you wearing?” from waitresses while wearing DK Gold or her Essence Labdanum. Sonoma Scent Studios Tabac Aurea also gets compliments.
My boyfriend frequently tells me I smell good (and I return the compliment, since I’ve gotten him hooked on a daily spray as well), but he’s commented more than once on NR for Her. One thing he strongly disliked was Cameo, a very old-fashioned rose. January 17, 2011 at 12:43pm
Victoria: I’ve enjoyed reading the comments too, since they reminded me of several fragrances I have not worn in a while.
Gold has a beautiful sillage, and its combination of white lily and warm oriental notes is so alluring! January 17, 2011 at 4:42pm
Andrea Marques: Hi Victoria!
Oh, thanks for posting this!
Tis year, the one that has people commenting on is “Love, Chloé”. It’s light and airy, but people still notice it and like it.
Until then, two Serge Lutens would be the ones to raise very positive reactions: “Fleurs d’Oranger” and “Vetiver Oriental”. I still haven’t used them this year though! I keep the names of the scents I use in my diary every day, so I can keep track of it later (a bit weird, but I love to see what I am wearing most of the time!).
“Feminité du Bois” was another one that used to stir interest some years ago. Unfortunately I am no longer wearing it, since I’ve started developing severe headaches whenever applying it (both Shiseido and Serge’s versions). I don’t know why, because I really love it. Very annoying.
Finally, there is one that always get me compliments: “Acqua di Parma”! Simple, subtle, and yet, very noticeable. I have 3 variations of it (Essenza, Assoluta and the original one) and they all make people comment, which is very nice!
Cheers!
a. January 17, 2011 at 5:34pm
Victoria: Andrea, oh, I like Love, Chloé very much, and it is among my favorite daytime fragrances as of late.
I so admire your fragrance diary idea! I usually end up trying several things on any given day, so I just keep track of what I wear for pleasure on BdJ Facebook page. It is actually very interesting to see how much I am gravitating towards woods and orientals, whereas in the past, I wore mostly florals. January 17, 2011 at 6:42pm
Mark C: I get a lot of compliments on Dior Homme and Creed Silver Mountain Water from my female friends. Maybe, they just work best on my skin. January 18, 2011 at 12:17pm
Mark C: A friend of mine wear Lys Mediterranee and it smells amazing on her. I usually don’t like florals on women, but this one is different. It is very sexy. January 18, 2011 at 12:19pm
Mark C: Rebecca, he’ll come around! Trust me, I was like that myself, but now I love perfumes even more than my girlfriend does. January 18, 2011 at 12:20pm
Mark C: Hmmmm, I might need to try wearing roses myself! :))
Victoria, thanks for a great post! I had such a great time reading the comments here. January 18, 2011 at 12:22pm
Victoria: I love Dior Homme too, which is among my top 10 masculine favorites. January 18, 2011 at 2:01pm
Andrea Marques: Hi Victoria!
I love taking notes. Of everything, really. I am a bit like a Heian lady: always writing lists and analysing things around me! 😀
2 days ago, I also purchased (untitled) by MMM. It’s also adorable, but in a completely different vibe: super-green, leafy and slightly incense-ish. I keep it beside the bed, so I can spritz before going to bed. I also fell in love with Andy Tauer’s “Carillon Pour un Ange”. This one is real fresh flowers, unadultered, a shower of wet petals. At the moment I am gravitating towards watercoloured flowers! Iris Ukiyoe is another favorite right now.
Perhaps that is why I am having problems with FdB? Have you ever had this kind of reaction with a scent? in the sense that you LOVE it, but you are unable to wear it?
I am a bit puzzled…
Talk to you later, Dear!
a. January 18, 2011 at 4:38pm
Victoria: Yes, writing your own perfume pillow book… I love keeping diaries, and I love reading memoirs published in a diary formats. I used to keep an almost daily diary until I was 16. I guess, now years later the blog is serving some of those purposes.
Our tastes change, so perhaps you are just transitioning into a new phase. It also maybe just be temporary. January 18, 2011 at 9:02pm
Carol: My story seems so embarrassing compared to others with their wonderful perfumes, but true none the less: When I was in medical residency in the early 90’s, a nurse friend of mine had a vanilla “tree” deoderizer hanging in her car. I asked her about it and she said, “Men love the smell of vanilla”. I thought it was funny and told my mother about it (I was single then) and she jokingly gave me a bottle of Vanilla Fields for my next gift. The first day I wore it, I got at least 3 compliments (from men). I wore it exclusively for the 4 years I was in residency and for the first year I was in practice and, I swear, I got at least 3 compliments a week, sometimes one per day. As my income improved after paying off my enormous loans, I moved up to “quality” juice – but I’ve never received near the number of compliments I got from ol’ drugstore Vanilla Fields. January 22, 2011 at 10:18pm
Victoria: Carol, not embarrassing at all! A beauty of perfume is not measured by its price, but rather by the pleasure it brings to you. It must have smelled ravishing on you for others to comment so positively. Some years ago I knew someone who wore Vanilla Fields and she also swore that it was the most complimented fragrance she owned. January 22, 2011 at 11:49pm
Mimi: I love this question and have loved reading that certain responses are universal. The bug spray comment-I got it wearing Coriandre. My sister’s fragrance pleasure killer is to say it smells like an old lady. I recently tried Annick Goutal’s Rose Splendide and she commented that it smelled like a closet should. When she wants to wear my fragrance, I know it’s a success. Like others, I wear what I enjoy.
I can’t remember a recent compliment. I, too, underapply. My mom had ALS and was very sensitive to smells. I have been careful about not wearing too much fragrance ever since. In fact, if someone starts sneezing or such near me, I am still concerned it’s my fragrance though it never is. January 23, 2011 at 1:57pm
Victoria: I got a "furniture polish" comment wearing Goutal Eau d'Hadrien. I can see that, although it still does not stop me from wearing it. And I love Goutal Rose for days when I want something utterly feminine. January 23, 2011 at 5:03pm
Eduardo: Eau d’hadrien feel like an extension ! Just me in a bottle. December 24, 2014 at 6:03am
Monique: I get a lot of compliments wearing APOM by Maison Francis Kurkijdan.
My boss actually asked one day walking into our office, is someone baking cookies…it was me waring Dulcis in Fundo by Profumum 😉 January 24, 2011 at 4:44am
Victoria: What a sweet compliment! You also must have made your boss hungry; that's such a delicious perfume. 🙂 January 24, 2011 at 8:15am
Victoria: You are welcome! The comments are so interesting! January 26, 2011 at 3:11pm
T.Chi: I got compliments for a several time from my co-workers when I wore Borneo 1834, which made my day because I didn’t expect that anyone around me would like it!
I also get a lot of compliments both from men and women whenever I wear Lolita Lempicka, which used to be my favorite.
Most of the time a wear what I enjoy but whenever I’m around my beloved ones, I’d wear what they like or what would impress them well. 🙂 February 2, 2011 at 10:24am
T.Chi: Oh I love So Pretty as well. I rarely find anyone speak a about it. So glad that some others wear it too, and even, get compliment while wearing it! February 2, 2011 at 10:28am
Victoria: Borneo 1834 has a beautiful sillage, although like you, I am always surprised that it gets compliments. I think of it is such a niche, dark fragrance. February 2, 2011 at 11:34am
iodine: Tuberose definitely draws comments!
I once was at my usual Japanese restaurant in Milan, just after having tried on skin Vamp à NY by Olivia Giacobetti, and the habitually very reserved japanese waitress told me: “what a good smell, here!” (erroneusly attributing it to a Lush bag with few and relatively little scented items).
I do myself give compliments to people wearing beautiful fragrances, to my pupils, sometimes, when they steal good perfumes to their mothers- once I entered a classroom and, instead of the familiar teenagers’ pong, I caught Guerlain Insolence in the air!
Regarding negative comments, it depends on who make them: I wouldn’t care if it’s somebody whose opinion I don’t mind much, but if it’s my girlfriend I avoid buying or wearing-if I already own it- the fragrance.. February 13, 2011 at 4:15am
Victoria: Now, you really make me want to try Vamp à NY! It seems like a line I rather missed when it was launched.
I agree though that the tuberose fragrances and other white florals do generate the most compliments, based on my own experience and what I read through the comments above. There is something very alluring and immediately appealing about the sillage of such perfumes. I complimented someone on their perfume recently, they were wearing Marc Jacobs for Women, a watery, fresh gardenia fragrance. February 13, 2011 at 9:08am
LostArgonaut: I get a lot of compliments for Terre d’Hermes, but the most memorable one was when a gentleman from Latin America asked me to write down the name of what I was wearing. February 27, 2011 at 10:58pm
Victoria: That's the best sort of compliment! I would also be very flattered. 🙂 February 28, 2011 at 8:36am
Perfume Empire: I haven’t tried this one yet but as I was doing a research on this I’ve read some aweful reviews on this. Like it smells like menthol/wintergreen/vicks vapor rub whatever.
perfumes June 14, 2011 at 7:19am
Amarie: I have a “Vanilla Fields”-type story, memorable because of the circumstances… As I was given anesthesia during a precedure,the male anesthesiologist asked, “What perfume are you wearing? It smells really nice!”. As I drifted away to sleep, I struggled to remember the name… It was Philosophy’s Amazing Grace lotion! September 4, 2011 at 3:33pm
Julie: Despite having a drawer full of niche fragrances, I have only been complimented when I am wearing my cheap Philosophy Amazing Graze or Pure Grace. Bums me out! October 11, 2011 at 2:44pm
Ingrid: I get compliments when I wear I Love Love, actually. But to me, the orange scent is very summery, so I only wear it during the summer. I think Coco Mademoiselle goes well with my skin, but it’s not completely me. I’ve gotten compliments for Miss Cherie too, but a lot of my friends have it and it reminds me too much of xmas. Plus, I underapply quite often. I still haven’t found my perfect perfume. I’m attracted to scents that smell like berries and fruits, vanilla, citrus, and sometimes with a little musk or spice, but I never seem to find something like that.
I’ve noticed Flowerbomb and Lola positively on others, but I think they’re way to overpowering when I try them on myself, it feels suffocating.
I dislike Dolce and Gabbana scents, like The One and Light Blue, and the celebrity perfumes from for example Britney Spears is headache-inducing. Luckily, grown-ups rarely use it. And then there’s a perfume which I absolutely hate, that reminds me so much of old, shrivelled ladies that smoke all day and loves powder, but I’ve never discovered the name of. It’s very suffocating, especially when someone wears it on the bus. November 4, 2011 at 7:02pm
TheCats Momma: Hello Everyone ! The scents I get compliments on are Incanto, Azuree (my all time favorite), Cinnabar, White Linen, Amazone, Vent Vert, Aliage, Cabochard & Chanel #19. I LOVE all the older scents as they are the only ones with some substance that seem to last. My Significant Other like them all & I do rotate them seasonally. December 18, 2011 at 7:01pm
Barbara: I realize my comment is very late on this post, but I have been followed around by strangers and asked what I’m wearing when I have on Jungle L’Elephant by Kenzo. It seems to have a Pied Piper effect! I’ve been complimented on many perfumes, but people have gone crazy over Jungle. February 4, 2012 at 11:59pm
Princess Crabcake: Excellent! Didn’t see your post until I posted. I love Elephant and it is addictive. Most scents die on my raptor skin. July 6, 2012 at 10:30pm
Flavorchemist: My absolute most complimented fragrance has to be Boyfriend by Kate Walsh, followed by Quelque Fleurs, RL Notorious, and Cinnabar. March 10, 2012 at 6:54pm
Princess Crabcake: Tuberose, definitely. I wore Coco in early college and smoked Benson and Hedges (only in the VERY early nineties, right?). Drove people mad; they loved sniffing me. And Venezia. After college, broken-hearted by Venezia’s disappearance, glutted on Coco, I left tuberose for cardamom and took a flyer on Kenzo Jungle. It’s been my signature scent since it came out. Nobody else seems to wear it. Women and men enjoy it because it smells great, exotic but cuddly– it’s now called “chai,” but not back in the day– and the sillage is great, non-astringent, non-powder, just– a curvy rounded spice trail. But the best compliment was “I can smell you in this elevator and I can’t wait to see you,” from my boyfriend as he tracked me to our cocktail spot. Now looking for a change (of scent, not boyfriend :)). But how to let that go? 🙂 I’m sampling chypres, but they get me no compliments, ever. Great question! July 6, 2012 at 10:27pm
Lucas: I once had a situation like this: I was in a hurry to run some errands so with my power walking I passed a lady, when I reached a tram stop I had to wait for my tram when that lady I passed appeared. She quetly came up to me and with a distinctive voice said “excuse me, you smell so nice I had to follow you and take a different road to work just to ask what perfume are you wearing?”
That day I was in Prada amber Pour Homme July 12, 2012 at 4:38am
Victoria: That’s an awesome compliment! I bet you wear this Prada really well. July 12, 2012 at 7:13am
Lucas: It was my first quality perfume and it still is in my favourite quartet 🙂 July 12, 2012 at 8:00am
Daisy: The most complimented scent I have ever worn was Molecule 01. I got it when it first came out and actually had people literally chase me down. I had a colleague who followed me out of my department, and another who demanded I take her to the store where I got it.
There was an usher at the Met who came back to my seat during intermission to ask me what it was. And several hostesses at bars and restaurants who would circle back around and ask.
I haven’t worn it in about 2 years, but since then, whenever I wear something else and no one notices, I’m like, “What’s wrong with this one?!?!” Because I think what I wear now is much nicer! July 28, 2012 at 2:47pm
Victoria: I think that the most complimented fragrances are the one that diffuse best of all, and Molecule 01 leaves a tremendous trail in its wake. But you must also wear it really well. I love all of these stories, especially the one about an usher at the Met. July 28, 2012 at 3:25pm
Karen: I realize I’m late to the party but just discovered this website (which I love by the way!) and this discussion. It was absolutely fascinating to read because my experiences are just the same, my two most complimented are Marc Jacobs Gardenia and Molecule 01. Men seem to love the Marc Jacobs and women the Molecule 01, if I were to generalize.
I’m a bit of a chronic under sprayer too. As someone who’s prone to migraines and asthma, the last thing I want to do is give people around me the same issues. Also, I’m always terrified that some of my more off kilter choices like Dzing! will offend people round me or be too strong. Likewise a fragrance like Robert Piguet’s Visa, which I adore, but find it can make quite the impression – too much so, perhaps, for a workplace or even a dinner out.
Now I need to search your blog for articles on body chemistry to work out why I smell awful in citruses but admire them on other people … September 1, 2012 at 9:19pm
Victoria: Karen, fascinating, isn’t it! Yes, the body chemistry does make a difference. Actually, here is an article you might find helpful:
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/nov2001/1006805763.Gb.r.html September 2, 2012 at 11:54am
Daisy: That is fascinating! And so well explained too. Thanks for the link! September 2, 2012 at 8:33pm
Victoria: You’re welcome! It’s a great explanation. September 3, 2012 at 9:36am
Daisy: I think that fragrances like Dzing! and ones like Jeux de Peau are much more wearable than it might seem when you first spray them one. For me, I don’t mind a challenging fragrance so long as it is transparent and not cloying, but everyone is different. September 2, 2012 at 8:37pm
Jennifer: I mostly only get comments on my perfume from my mom when I visit. I’ll give her a hug and she’ll say “Oh, you smell good.” One of them was Thierry Mugler Womanity, but I don’t remember what the others were.
I rarely ever get comments from strangers, but it has happened twice recently. Both times I was wearing something of my own concoction. One was a lady walking behind me as I was leaving an office building last week, and the other was a stock girl at Wal-Mart while I was buying a vacuum cleaner just this past weekend. September 6, 2012 at 5:56pm
Ksenija: I am also a bit late to the party here, but I really enjoyed reading through all the comments. As few other already noticed here before me, I too usually get most compliments for the perfumes that I do not think thy represent the real “me”.
From women, O got most compliments for Calvin Klein Beauty and EA 5th Avenue, and from men it is Chanel 5 EDT and Guerlain Champs-Elysees. Personally, I am crazy about Teint de neige and old Venezia. September 12, 2012 at 3:05pm
Victoria: That’s very interesting, Ksenija! I also think that some of these perfumes you mentioned have an excellent sillage and diffusion. Perhaps, some other scents you wear are more intimate, close to the skin type fragrances? September 12, 2012 at 4:17pm
Ksenija: That was my first thought too, but than again, I am usually wearing Teint de neige, Crstal Noir, Douglas Hannant, Ysatis and before, Gio. They are the fragrances that I myself can feel and smell the whole day and that people usually describe as “frag monsters” and it puzzles me why do they stay un-noticed – for good or for bad. Maybe I just did not find the right “audience” so far. 🙂 September 14, 2012 at 4:14pm
Andrea M: awesome and very informative article. October 3, 2012 at 7:07am
Amalia: Complete strangers who has stopped me and complimented or friends when i wear HERMÈS Elixir des Merveilles Big hugs from Greece October 16, 2012 at 4:32am
Victoria: I adore that fragrance! And it has such a beautiful sillage, not surprising you got compliments on it. And of course, it must smell very good on you. October 16, 2012 at 9:04am
Mariella: What a wonderful thread. And anecdotes from all over the world (it seems) make for a happy read. 🙂
It is not a particular favorite, but I get compliments from women and men alike when I wear JM French Lime Blossom.
The sweetest one I have received was from a young male Londoner who helped me with my (admittedly overweight) luggage as I attempted (and failed) to drag it up a flight of stairs while struggling to catch my connecting train at the St. Pancras Station. I had casually mentioned something about knowing how terribly heavy my bag was because I was sweating in the freezing London cold; and he responded by saying; that was alright because I still smelled “bloody gorgeous”. 🙂 🙂 Bless him! October 21, 2012 at 11:05am
Victoria: What a great compliment! 🙂 I get lots of nice comments when I wear Jo Malone Orange Blossom, need to revisit French Lime Blossom next. October 21, 2012 at 2:23pm
Mariella: It was sweet. 🙂 Elicited a fair few chuckles from the people on queue. And the boy, no more than 15, was blushing madly.
I’m more a fan and wearer of succulent fruity scents though. Unfortunately, these types of scents almost always turns murky on my skin to the point of abstractness. 🙁 October 22, 2012 at 10:12am
moni: I get lots of wonderful…’boost my day’ compliments since I started wearing Vero profumos exquisite ‘ Rubj’. Pity this never happened when I was a No.5 fan!
I now can’t wait to try out her latest fragrance
Mito. Smells are a wonderful way to meet new
people! October 23, 2012 at 10:48am
Chiara Jame: The only perfume I received worthy compliments for is the original J’adore de Dior. My boyfriend is absolutely crazy about it and notices immediately when I’m wearing it. My best friend owns a flacon herself, my grandpa was litterally happy about my scent-aura, he said last christmas :D. J’adore seems to have a certain impact on men, it confuses and attracts them – but it is also a great everyday scent… November 30, 2012 at 10:38am
Louisa: lovely article!
I love perfume and my all time favourite is beyond paradise from estee lauder.
When I was in highschool I got tons of compliments for the simple touch of pink which was a gift from my dad – obviously it interacted well with my body smell, recently everytime I wear light blue I get a compliment. A little disappointing because it is not special at all, in issey miyake, armani diamonds, lancome’s hypnose, la petit robe noir and beyond paradise just I am interested I guess. issey miyake and the soft lily scent is my bf favourite. sadly he hates everything vanilla, which I find nice in a good sillage. December 9, 2012 at 11:14am
Jo: My most complimented are definitely Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise, L’Instant de Guerlain and – amazingly and mostly by men – Hilary Duff With Love, which has been complimented by pretty much every man I’ve ever met.
My boyfriend’s mother once said to me she can always tell when I’ve passed through a room because I leave such a lovely smell behind me 🙂 December 15, 2012 at 5:58am
Pamela: I love most all Guerlain fragrances, but when I wear Cartier’s Le Basier du Dragon, people ask me what I’m wearing and say that it smells “nice.” Surprising to me as I consider it a heavier scent. I like it even during the day. December 17, 2012 at 3:09pm
Tiff: Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise has consistently gotten me compliments from both men and women. After reading the comments, I think men really like vanilla. Stella is another one I consistently get compliments on. This is funny to me because it’s my first rose fragrance and I never liked rose fragrances before Stella. December 28, 2012 at 8:55pm
kate: mac mv3 gets lots of compliments, from men especially! January 11, 2013 at 12:54pm
Heidi: ROMA by Laura Biagiotti is by far my top compliment getter. EVERYONE loves ROMA! Some other favorites are: Azuree (probably #2 for compliments …… love all the Estee Lauders), Aromatics Elixir, Casual, Mitsouko, Jil Sander No., Grand Amour, Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise, and any clean-smelling egyptian or white musk fragrance. January 11, 2013 at 5:11pm
Heidi: Oops, that would be Jil Sander No. 4 January 11, 2013 at 5:12pm
Louise: Coco mademoiselle has received most compliments from men and women alike, i love it but don’t recognise it as my signature scent when i smell it on others, weird! years ago, when it was first released, Elizabeth Taylor White diamonds received many compliments from men. My current favourite is the new fragrance from Hermes – Your d’hermes March 5, 2013 at 10:24am
Louise: oops, that would be Jour d’hermes March 5, 2013 at 10:25am
Kevin Verspoor: Jicky,my life long best friend of fragrances. of course I prefer the older formulations, But I make the new ones work too. people always want to know, what that clean- barbershop – Shalimar like smell is on me? then always with the explanation of Jicky came first Shalimar later. This fragrance is appropriate for almost all occasions.
Both my sister and I always wear Joy. Even though i am a guy, once the magnificent blast of flowers has calmed down” which is too much for my partner and my friends” the dry down becomes very fruity ” in a floral absolute jammy way” then the musky soft slightly sweet ambergris aura that lasts forever. the vintage formulations do this better, the new formulations are great but don’t last as long.
Quelques Fleurs the L’Original and the Vintage 1912 based formulations. I wear them alone or together. I get non stop compliments for the past 25 years. Quelques Fleurs has led me to some of my most sensual moments in life need I say more ;o)
for about 17 years
Caron’s Pour un Homme & Royal Bain de Champagne always gets a response. The combined effect creates a magical fragrance combination. The two fragrances compliment each other so well I make myself bottles of the two fragrances combined together 50/ 50 Mixture. Everybody wants to know what that fragrance is. especially when it reaches the dry down facets then people react to that combo like bees to honey.
last 25 years
Chypre de Coty, I have collected about 20 bottles dating from the 1920’s through the 1950s? I don’t care for the 1970’s reformulation. I also have recreated the fragrance through careful analyses and hundreds of trails. Le Chypre de Coty has one of the most amazing silage of any perfume. People always want to know what that warm autumn smell is. For some reason it’s construction pushes the woodsy coumarin mossy notes on me. it is the epitome of perfume so perfectly sensual but not masculine or feminine. Perfect for day wear, night, winter , summer. I never get tired of Chypre April 14, 2013 at 11:46am
Lexi J: To Kevin Vespoor: how can I find either a bottle of the pre- 1970’s version of Chypre de Coty, or would you be willing to share a drop of your own formulation??
I, also, adore Chypre scents, but am still searching for one that could be worn year-round, without knocking people over! 🙂
Thank you for any information you could provide. September 13, 2013 at 12:57pm
kevin: I SURE DO HAVE SOME CHYPRE TO SPARE :O). September 13, 2013 at 6:19pm
Anita Monroe: This is my favorite thread of all the blogs. I have made extensive lists and am prioritizing them. Of all the fragrances that I love, the one that has drawn the most response is Lolita Lempicka’s “L” – in the parfum only. I belong to a philosophy reading group, and men want to sit near me when I wear that fragrance. Earlier in life the one that drew a lot of compliments was Caleche, the original Hermes. People would follow me in department stores to ask for the name of that fragrance. My young elementary students loved Shalimar. When asked to write on a topic of their choice it was often “My teacher smells so good”. When I wore anything else, there were complaints. I love body creams, especially NU by YSL and Shalimar. Both are hard to find in this country. June 24, 2013 at 12:21pm
Victoria: And I love reading all of the comments too and the stories.
Caleche, as it once were, must be one of the most impeccably crafted perfumes. It’s a symphony in a fragrance form. June 24, 2013 at 12:37pm
PERFUMEKEV: “Oh” the dazzling beauty of classic Caleche and her sister Doblis Hermes. They constantly fascinate me there harmonies and dissonance are such perfect examples of the primary art PERFUMERY! Yes, Victoria they are just as beautiful as some of the most beautiful symphonies. June 25, 2013 at 10:58am
PERFUMEKEV: !I love this thread! I love hearing about how perfume plays out in everyone’s lives. What reactions that they get from every one.
Amour Amour , please! June 25, 2013 at 11:07am
moni: A very, very beautiful floral…violets, roses and jasmine develops into a deep ‘sexy’ smell supposedly developed for blondes…! I also love and admire JP ‘1000’ and ‘Sublime’. Wish I had them all in the original formula in my fragrance collection…..dream on…! June 25, 2013 at 11:33am
PERFUMEKEV: Well as I understand it P&G does not own the Patou Perfumes any more and a very talented perfumer Thomas Fontaine and a British group called Designer fragrances are returning the Complete Patou portfolio as closely as they can back to the originals. thank God!!!
-Le Sien, Que Sais Je? Cocktail!, Normandy, Divine Folie, bring them all back Adieu Sagesse. Chaldee :o* BRING ALL OF THEM BACK BECAUSE WE WILL WEAR THEM!
PATOU!PATOU!PATOU!
WEARING AMOUR AMOUR, AND JOY PARFUM TOGETHER WORKS VERY WELL I ALWAYS GET COMPLIMENTED ON THAT. I MAY BE A MAN BUT FOR SOME REASON FLORALS WORK very WELL ON MY SKIN. June 30, 2013 at 9:23pm
PERFUMEKEV: I bleach and tone my hair platinum blonde sometimes a more caramelized blonde
My natural color is a very light reddish blond.
I was a tow head “flaxen and ripe fields of wheat twisting and spiraling into beautifully fat curls that are not frizzy. and have very light skin.
So Amour Amour suits me just fine. Actually I don’t have a problem wearing any of the Classic Patou Perfumes and they always get a great response! June 30, 2013 at 9:45pm
Lexi J: I am with you, Anita, about using body creams. When they match the frag well, I use them exclusively. I was told they have the highest concentration of the pure perfume oils, so I always find them a good value. I am also looking for Shalimar body cream- let me know if you’re lucky enough to find a supply!! September 13, 2013 at 1:00pm
MontrealGirl: Hi, I just stumbled across this article and thread of comments and was just delighted! It is so nice to know that I’m not the only one who has a spouse who doesn’t have the same taste as I do (I fell in love with Montale’s Jasmine Full but his summary was “wet grass”) and I’ve been surprised how few comments I get at the office even though I’ve tried a different perfume almost every day for half a year. I wonder if I too am an under-spritzer (or is it that people don’t notice or feel uncomfortable to comment?). So, that begs the question, what would a good quantity of spritzes be? And what are the best points to spritz? At the end of the day, it has made me more independent in my taste for scents; I select what pleases me. June 29, 2013 at 3:49pm
Victoria: That’s such a good question! And the way you apply perfume can make a big difference in whether you get complimented or not. I mentioned this before that, but my mom receives more perfume compliments than anyone I know. She apply perfume once she’s dressed and scents her outer garments too. You have to experiment a bit, since the amount will depend on a perfume. Ask a friend to see if they notice your scent. My rule is 3 sprays on average dispersed over a large area, rather than concentrated in 3 spots. June 30, 2013 at 8:09am
MontrealGirl: Thanks for the suggestions, Victoria. It’s nice to hear an alternate suggestions than putting perfume on the pulse points. In fact, I find that in some cases the pulse points alter perfume a lot (I’ve noticed that my left wrist does not react the same way as my right wrist, perhaps due to blood vessels being closer to the skin in one case than the other?) In my quest to optimize the smell and staying power of the perfume on my skin I’ve been experimenting with the best soap and moisturizer to use on my skin as a base. I also experimented with altering diet, especially the reduction of sulphur-based foods and adding chlorophyl. July 1, 2013 at 1:26pm
Julz: I saw the mention of the Vanilla Fields perfume. I wear the “Body Shop” Vanilla. Yes I agree that men do like the Vanilla scented perfumes. Can you please give me some suggestions of a vanilla perfume, that might be, lets say, a little more sophisticated? Thank you…. August 21, 2013 at 11:55am
Lexi J: Julz, I have found Hannae Mori’s “Butterfly”, which has body lotion, cream, shower gel, as well as EDT, EDP, and Pure Parfum strengths available, will give you a sweet, soft vanilla scent, created by strawberry and almond, but NO vanilla! I’m not into vanilla scents, as I find them too young ( I’m in my 50’s now), but give it a try. It’s available at Macy’s. Happy smelling! September 13, 2013 at 1:10pm
Julz: While I am at it…I would love to try a sensual, sexy, perfume, for a night in the caves of Ali Baba, with a handsome Sheik! I don’t have any perfume that I would wear, that would take me to that far off land…you are all good with your stories, now help me find mine…I am very interested to hear what you have to suggest…(am I off topic?) August 21, 2013 at 12:15pm
Ruth: Great comments thread, really entertaining. I agree that tuberose/whte florals are often noticed, also vanilla, but the two perfumes which have been complimented the most for me were Bulgari’s Black and Diptyque’s Philosykos.
Strange ones I know, but I think because perfumes don’t smell too strong on me (cool, non oily skin) Bulgari Black quickly fades down to a cosy, salty vanilla. Philosykos gets an ‘mmm, lovely perfume’ reaction, but Black has men particularly sniffing closer and closer. Which is fine if the man is actually my boyfriend, but odd when it’s a stranger! The last such experience was when the plumber came round to fix my boiler (somehow that sentence sounds dodgy!). He kept moving closer and saying ‘what’s that smell, smells lovely in here’. It made me feel a bit unsettled, but pleased my perfume has that effect!
Diptyque’s Do Son (tuberose/orange blossom soft floral) has been complimented as ‘gorgeous’ and ‘very pretty’, so after reading this comment thread I think I’m going to upgrade to Carnal Flower! September 28, 2013 at 12:46am
Christine Watts C.: I fell in absolute, total love with two fragrances–one as a small child and one as a teen–as a child it was my mother’s Evening in Paris–I still remember it to this day and love it dearly–the other was Yardley English Lavender–I still love it completely because it captured my heart so totally, but I do try others–
–the one scent that I received a rather negative comment on years back was the one my husband’s mother gave me since she didn’t like it–it was Cher’s cologne–I made the mistake of wearing it myself on a shopping trip–as soon as I had it on I knew I’d made a terrible mistake but it was too late–so, in the shop, one sales girl stood too near me, and she had to leave the area, commenting rather loudly, “Oh, that Cher cologne!”, and she wasn’t being complimentary–I felt so ridiculous!
The one scent I received a really gracious and positive comment on while wearing it was–Jovan’s White Musk–I tried it [even though I dislike the Musk scents], due to how wonderfully light and pretty it was when I smelled the tester–I was so pleasantly surprised when a woman who could afford any scent she wished was so taken with it when I wore it for the first time–
–the funny thing is I fell for the Evening in Paris and the Yardley English Lavender and haven’t found any other scent[s] I like better than those two, even after all these years–
–Dana’s Heaven Sent is one I like, not love, since it smells wonderful, but it hasn’t captured my heart, for some reason–same for Emeraude, same for White Shoulders[those 3 are the only ‘runners up’ I’ve found so far, as well]–but it’s the same for every other fragrance I’ve tried, including Intimate, which I wear often lately–
–I really liked L’Origan as a young adult, but I am sure it wasn’t the original scent by Coty, because to me it reminded me of a lollipop–I couldn’t believe a cologne smelled so much like candy!–
–I found this website just yesterday, and I decided it was high time I learned more about fragrances, since I know next to nothing about them really–I do know what I like, and what I love, yet don’t understand much else at all about fragrances–so, it’s time I learned, imo:) October 31, 2013 at 3:13am
Christine Watts C.: I forgot to mention two–Chanel #5, and My Sin–I like them both, yet don’t commit to them because, for some reason, they don’t ‘ring my bell’–loving a scent, to me, is the most important thing of all–something in it has to ‘send me over the moon’, emotionally–if one does, like the English Lavender, it has me for life–or, at least for as long as the original formula is on the market–
–one that received a very negative comment from me, was the Avon scent called “Wishing”, which was given to me when I was a teen–for some reason that scent repelled me completely and I refused to ever wear it–I loathed it, but can’t say what it was about it that was so repulsive to me–
–I do keep checking out different scents–money is an issue for me, though, so the more expensive ones are those I usually don’t bother to even test–why risk falling in love with something I really can’t afford to buy?–too true.:) October 31, 2013 at 3:24am
Victoria: Thank you so much, Christine! I loved reading about your favorites (and not so favorites). Perfumes make for such great memories. 🙂 October 31, 2013 at 11:34am
Christine Watts C.: Hi! I know it’s nearly two years since you posted your comment to me, but better late then never I hope! 🙂 And, I’m so glad you liked reading my comments. I’ve enjoyed reading comments in this thread as well!
Your mentioning how perfumes make for some great memories, reminded me of one scent I used as a teenager to try and prove to myself that a scent really can take you right back, in your mind, to a time associated with it, by taking deep breaths of an Avon scent called “Honeysuckle” while I was visiting my grandparents in Carmel, California. To this day, whenever I even think about what it smelled like, images of my visit that year come straight back to mind–so, it really does work! 🙂 July 5, 2015 at 6:16am
JennieG: I wish I got comments! I perfume myself every day, and every evening. The one I get occasional compliments on is Kenzo Amour Indian Holi. It is a beautiful soft and a little quirky fragrance. But it must radiate if it’s the only one that gets noticed. February 4, 2014 at 5:15pm
Susan Adams: Every time I wear this, I get compliments… An oil blend of patchouli and dark vanilla… Not just once in a while, but every single time! February 5, 2014 at 3:52pm
AnneT: I got most compliments with Estee Lauder’s ‘Beautiful’. When I was younger, I always considered my skin as ‘difficult’. There where only a few scents that I still liked when I sprayed them on my own skin, and Beautiful was among the best loved, not only by myself, but by people in my surroundings as well. However, I know a few people who went to the mall to buy Beautiful for themselves after they smelled me wearing it, and where disappointed because ‘it wasn’t quite the same’. March 2, 2014 at 9:50am
Victoria: It’s really amazing how some perfumes can change, and yes, depending on one’s skin chemistry, it’s possible that the fragrance will smell differently on different people. But Beautiful, if it works for you, is truly special. It has a beautiful, lush trail that wraps you like a soft veil. March 3, 2014 at 6:47am
Fiona B: Citrus seems to elicit the most responses from friends when I wear them. Especially Guerlain’s Mandarine Basilic and my favourite, Pampelune. And often on wearing Chanel No 5 EDT. My husband has no sense of smell at all, unfortunately, so I wear perfume for me, to smell good and just for the love of fragrances. I look forward to trying many of the scents in this wonderful stream on this delicious blog! Especially the vanillas to see if I can get any response from mon Mari….. March 11, 2014 at 1:57am
renee: I was walking down the hall when one of my co-workers came out of his office and started walking behind me. I said oh sorry did I cut you off? He replied, No I always love walking behind you because the view is so great and the smell is entrancing.Years ago. I was wearing 5th Avenue. April 4, 2014 at 7:02pm
Sheri: I seldom get compliments on my fragrance while at work, because I purposely keep it low-key to avoid giving offense. But the other day I wore 24 Faubourg and was complimented by three different people – one of them came back later in the day for another sniff. 🙂 April 12, 2014 at 9:51pm
Shelley: I always get compliments when I wear Encre Noire, the men’s cologne. I’ve been told it suits me completely! I am in love with this scent. The other scent I wear that generates a lot of compliments is Byblos, my favourite light fragrance! I’ve always been led by my nose in this world, savouring smells such as freshly cut hay/grass, wet dirt, smoke from a fire, cherry blossoms, workshed/oil/rust, cinnamon, and seaside air. My other favourites have been Comme Des Garcons & Eau Des Baux L’Occitane. It takes ages to find the scent that works on you! When looking for a new scent, I become like a bloodhound on the trail of an idea. I smell hundreds of fragrances for months on end. Then happily I find the ONE and I am in heaven! September 4, 2014 at 5:48am
Natalia: A woman got thrown out of the bus here in Brazil because of givenchy’s very irresistible.
It was on the news.
I personally think it was totally justified… Just kidding September 18, 2014 at 9:33am
Nati: I never got a complimemt on my perfume, no matter which one I wore. Maybe something is wrong… 🙁 October 29, 2014 at 9:12pm
Misskitsch: Due to longevity of ownership, my list is below. Number (3) never stops getting compliments. I have had it 18months. (1) Gucci Rush original (2) Le Feu d’Issey original and light (3) Peche Cardinal MDCI (my love for this was at first dab. I knew immediately this was the fragrance/feel/thought/taste I had wanted since all my favourites had been discontinued) (4) Etat Libre dOrange Divine infant. December 30, 2014 at 6:39pm
Victoria: Such dramatic, beautiful choices! And I’m sure you wear them really well. January 1, 2015 at 3:29pm
emily: Have read and or skimmed just about every post on this page. I am searching for my own signature fragrance, again, at 42. So I am incredibly appreciative of all the comments. I’ve made an extensive list! And boy has it brought back memories!
My mom was an Enjoli woman of the late 70’s early 80’s. From their she went on to marry my late step-father who must have been hard of smelling because she practically bathed in Opium (cough cough!). We lived in south Florida at the time and EVERYONE (but her) wore Giorgio of Beverly Hills – or was that every woman in the entire US in the late ’80’s?
My sister’s first fragrance was Anais Anais..to the tune of Duran Duran. Will always love that one.
I went through my own: 80’s Liz Claiborne, 90’s Dior Dolce Vita, Thierry Mugler’s Angel in the early 2000’s. Also flirted with Coco Chanel somewhere along the way. Currently wearing Cabotine Moonflower – but I’m not in love and it’s not garnering me any great attention. Not even from hubby.
I have worn and LOVED Cabotine’s Cabochard. But it’s unfortunately my stepmom’s signature fragrance. I tried to get past that – but just can’t shake that it’s ‘hers.’ And so I search…
I spent over 12 years working on Madison Ave, advertising. During lunch breaks I passed a number of well appointed older women with the most amazing fragrances – which in retrospect I think may have just been JOY. I wish I’d have had the presence of mind to follow them and confidence to ask! Will not make that mistake again!
I have most recently loved Hermes eau des Merveilles on a co-worker a few years ago. I may try that – but am afraid it will smell entirely differently on me. I’ll follow your link re: body chemistry…Thanks for the trip down memory lane!!
-Emily January 3, 2015 at 6:30pm
Hannah: I think Eau des Merveilles does vary a lot by person, so many negative reviews say they bought it because they smelled it on someone else. I love it, and it’s gotten me compliments (only from people who are close to me, though) but it isn’t “magical” on me, like it apparently is for some people.
I have a suggestion for it, though–don’t make rash conclusions on its longevity. Previously I couldn’t imagine buying something that lasts 30 minutes at most. But now I find that it, the same exact decant, lasts 6-8 hours. It will be my next purchase.
You can also try the flankers. January 3, 2015 at 7:09pm
Emily: Thanks Hannah! Forgive me – what are flankers? I’m an almost total fragrance novice!
I should also mention I did love Gucci Rush..I did like it, but found (like with so many) it had it’s moment…really wanting to find my Signature scent and fall in love forever..**sigh** January 3, 2015 at 7:21pm
Hannah: If you go to where the Hermes perfumes are, among Eau des Merveilles you will find: Elixir des Merveilles, L’Ambre des Merveilles, and Eau Claire des Merveilles. January 3, 2015 at 8:07pm
Victoria: Flankers are like sequels. So, if the original Eau des Merveilles, L’Ambre de Merveilles is its flanker. January 4, 2015 at 2:16pm
Poppy: A man once followed me out of a store to find out what I was wearing – CB I Hate Perfume’s Gathering Apples was the culprit which was strange to me because I can barely smell it on myself. I’ve had recent compliments from strangers when I’ve worn Xerjoff Lira (men & women) and Juliet Has a Gun’s Calamity Jane (only women). January 8, 2015 at 5:11pm
Jeanne-Marie-Gabrielle: I have received the most compliments on wearing:
Guerlain’s Apres L’Ondee
Kiehl’s musk
Lancome’s Poeme
Serge Luten’s Chergui
Molinard’s Habanita
Serge Luten’s Fleurs de Citronnier
I revealed the fragrance names all but for Apres L’Ondee. I wore it to work, but I did not want anyone to know what it was. It’s my prerogative! January 17, 2015 at 2:30pm
bregje: One of my first real perfumes was Jean Paul Gaultier.I think i wore it between the ages of 17 and 23. And i always got complimented on it. My colleagues actually bought bottles for themselves after smelling it on me.Men loved it too.
Never again did i receive as many compliments as with that one.
Other fragrances people noticed(in a positive manner;)):
Romance-Ralph Lauren(mostly by men)
Maitresse-l’agent provocateur(mostly by men)
Sun Moon Stars-Lagerfeld(by women)
Jardin en mediterannee/sur le toit-Hermes
Baiser Vole-cartier
Coco mademoiselle
Contradiction-Calvin Klein
Eacape-Calvin Klein
Stella
As i’m writing this down and remembering the complimented scents i find it interesting to realize that these perfumes aren’t necessarily MY favourites! February 13, 2015 at 7:14pm
Victoria: Coco Mademoiselle is an instant compliment getter. I wear it often for work, since it’s such an important trendsetter and it’s often used as a benchmark, and I get complimented on it time and time again. February 16, 2015 at 7:12am
Elisa P: I compliment or inquire about other’s scents more than I receive any interest. I find that most people I know are either scent indifferent or aversive . A dull bunch, I know 😉 Yet I’m interested to learn why some people are more olfactory than others.
The only comment I have received from my husband was that Agent Provocateur smelled like seduction. More of an observation than a “like”, however. And it’s accurate. Otherwise he’s scent aversive 🙁 If i smelled like steak, it might be a different story.
I also recall “likes” from wearing Molecule, Khiel’s musk, Hanae Mori Butterfly, and Amarige (very sparingly) and from an essential oil concoction by Kate’s Magic called “Sphynx Moth”(a spicy ylang scent) which I can’t seem to find. My Le Labo Santal 26 candle and an ayurvedic soap called Chandrika that is a few dollars from the Indian stores also has gotten some attention.
My cat licked the Guerlain Encens Mythique D’orient off my hand after I spilled the entire decant on my unfinished wood dresser. I’ll take that as a compliment.
I wear mostly for myself and keep the projection down although maybe if I ramped up certain scents I might get a subway car to myself! That would be nice during rush hour!
I loved this thread and also now have some new things to put on my “to try” list. February 28, 2015 at 1:00am
jess: I loved reading these comments – reminded me of some funny experiences of my own. A year or so ago, I made a scarf in merino yarn. To soften the fibers before wearing, I soaked it in warm water with a teaspoon of Pantene conditioner mixed with a swipe of Amma’s Rose (rose-sandalwood oil). When I wore it to work the next day, my coworker was driven absolutely crazy by the scent of it. She’d wander into my office just to bury her nose in it, completely at a loss to describe what she was feeling; judging by the look on her face, it bordered on arousal. The next day and for weeks after, I just gave it to her upon arrival and collected it at the end of the day so she could indulge without leaving her desk. Were she not also one of my closest friends, it would have been a little weird. My guess is that the hint of sheep hidden beneath the earthy, bosom-y rose and wholesome Pantene is what did her in.
Come to think of it, scarves can be an ideal vehicle for fragrances. Natural fabrics in particular tend to grab hold of perfumes, which blossom in the heat of your neck from wear to wear. Years ago, a (different) coworker left our happy hour spot and forgot her scarf. I found it and wore it home to give back to her the next day. The few hours I spent with it inspired me to purchase a full bottle of Narciso Rodriguez For Her (the black bottle) after several years of being on the fence about it.
My all-time favorite compliments: A custodian at my job came by after I’d just put on Carnal Flower. She stopped dead in her tracks and stood there gazing into the middle distance as if struggling to recall a distant memory. “What IS that,” she kept saying, almost to herself. A male sales associate at M.A.C. who caught a whiff of L’Air du Desert Marocain seemed almost troubled by it, but still had me write the name down on a piece of receipt paper. Most hilariously, a customer service rep at Time Warner Cable – I went in to exchange a broken remote – threatened to jump across the counter and tackle me because I smelled so good. It was Kiehl’s Original Musk, of all things. April 17, 2015 at 2:59pm
Debra Slotkin Shulman: I posted once before about perfumes that I have worn and been complimented on (vintage “L’Air du Temps” and “Vera Wang”) on another post.
Just recently, I began wearing “Baisir Vole” by Cartier and have already started my 2nd bottle. One of my colleagues said she loved my perfume and it made her happy! One of my male students (high school) sitting next to me said “Wow! you smell great!” Also, last week I tried a sample of “As Sawira” by Penhaligon’s and this elicited a comment while I was shopping. The woman wanted to know what I was wearing and when I told her it was a sample of a $200 a bottle perfume, she said “Well, it’s certainly worth it!”
I have to say, I’ve received more compliments as a “mature” woman (now 64) than I ever did as a young one. I wonder why? April 17, 2015 at 8:22pm
sandy: This really is an interesting thread and its alive over years !
I followed an Arab lady around Marks and Spencers on Oxford street in London while I was studying there. I simply had to know what she was wearing but I was too shy, my friend encouraged me to go on and ask her and I did. It is Aromatics she said and I, at that time didn’t know what that was. I did some research and thought it must be Aromatics Elixir by Clinique. It was around Christmas time, I went to Debenhams and was looking for the gift set with lotion and a small travel size spray with a 50 ml edp, I could not find it in display. I was disheartened, the SA told me she had just one hidden away and I could have it, I was overjoyed. It indeed was the same perfume. I have repurchased it several times and all my male colleagues compare my perfume with some funny things and always want to know what I am wearing. Haha,where I come from, men usually do not compliment a perfume unless they are close to you. So these comments obviously meant they loved it but did not want to seem too interested. I recently fell in love with EL tuberose gardenia but I can hardly smell it after an hour, neither can the people around me. This is after three sprays, the SA said one would be sufficient, but no! I should have trusted the reviews on their website where several ladies were complaining of the lasting power of their recent batches. Bummer! April 23, 2015 at 10:57am
Hamamelis: Hi Sandy, I was jus reading this thread, thinking that the only perfume I have ever been complimented on by strangers is Aromatics Elixer! I think it says on the blog here somewhere it has such great sillage. I live in Holland and it is not really part of our social interactions to give compliments, and definitely not on perfume (a favourite saying here is ‘Just act normal, that is already weird enough’). If anything stong sillage is frowned upon unfortunately. April 29, 2015 at 9:52am
Judith: When I was in college I wore Stella a lot and my roommate always complimented me on that.
More recently a friend asked to hug me to smell my perfume more closely when I was wearing Michael Kors. She even asked if I was wearing a Serge Lutens fragrance!
And a guy I was dating said he loved the “patchouli thing” I was wearing – turns out I had bathed with a Penhaligon’s shower gel that day and forgot to apply perfume, but I’ll take it 🙂 June 29, 2015 at 4:10am
Christine Watts C.: As I was just reading through many of these comments, I was reminded about how one of my kindergarten teachers’ perfume smelled. Each time she’d walk by me I could smell it, and I loved it. For years after that, every time I’d smell a scent even close to what she wore it would bring back such happy memories of when I was 5! I was so disappointed that, after many years, I never caught a wiff of, or discovered at a perfume counter anywhere, any scent like it, so I suppose it might have been something that was discontinued.
I would still love to discover what scent it was, because it not only suited her, it helped a shy little girl during a time when being away from home for all those hours every day[about 4 of them :)] was one of the most trying times of my little life! 🙂 July 5, 2015 at 6:44am
Chloé: This thread is years old, but it still seems to be getting comments, so I thought I would jump in. My husband compliments my perfumes a lot, but he has a special love for Jean Naté, Knot, and Romance. And last week at work, I got two spontaneous compliments on Fracas in one day. It’s my daily fragrance, and I have no idea what I did differently that day, but I hope to repeat it.
And once I oversprayed Romance before getting into a car with friends, and I got lots of compliments. July 12, 2015 at 5:24pm
Victoria: Romance is a compliment getter for sure. It makes for a great trail. July 13, 2015 at 3:37pm
Darwyn: Eau Lente Diptyque and Shalimar.
I’ve had strangers literally stopped and asked to whiff me on the streets.
Whereas friends n family recognize me by these 2 scents. July 29, 2015 at 4:10am
Victoria: Now that’s a compliment!
I love that we continue getting such interesting comments on this old thread. Thank you very much. Please keep them coming. 🙂 July 29, 2015 at 6:06am
Angela: I keep coming back to read this thread for ideas, though I know it’s very old. I am particularly grateful for the idea of one of the male posters who suggested pour un Homme and Bain (both Caron’s) in a 50/50 mix. The fragrance that elicited favorable comments from my husband, to my chagrin, was vintage Caleche, out of many many others. Many thanks for a pleasurable read! September 28, 2015 at 6:46pm
Victoria: This is such a fascinating thread, and the responses keep on coming. I love reading about other people’s experiences with perfume compliments. September 30, 2015 at 11:45am
nadineisthatu: I pulled out some pre-1980 Ma Griffe this past spring. Hadn’t worn it in years as I had lost my sense of smell until some surgery last summer. I know people refer to old lady perfumes, but that day going out of the building the man edging the sidewalk ran up to my car and asked me what I was wearing and asked me to write it down. That is unusual for a young man to feel so impelled like that. Then a half hour later a young Naval officer followed me out of Walgreens and asked the same thing, and to write it down as well. A few minutes later sitting at the MacDonalds, a young man came by and said he had never asked anyone this question before, but what was I wearing. Again I wrote it down for him. Who knows how many more times this would have happened if I hadn’t gone home. And I had to laugh to myself. These were all handsome young men reaching out of their comfort level to a 68 year old woman to find out what she was wearing. They have probably never smelled anything like it. November 12, 2015 at 8:55pm
Victoria: I bet! It’s an amazing perfume. November 13, 2015 at 11:53pm
Giovanna: Case in point. That was my granny’s perfume, French, born 1907. L o v e d it, never smelled it on anyone again until a couple of years ago, on a colleague. Such a fabulous classic scent, I am glad young people are attracted to it and sorry that it is not produced any more. August 3, 2016 at 6:33am
Surbhi: So many interesting stories. Loved reading them.
I really disliked vetiver by Malle when I first smelled it on paper, on me and I let it go. Months later I was trying to find a fragrance for a friend and smelled it in peak of winter. Completely different opinion. He started wearing it. I was so used to his previous perfume that it took me a couple of weeks to get comfortable. But now: It drives me crazy. We were in an all day event once and I noticed I wanted to smell it more and more. By evening I was behaving like honey bee near flowers. I complemented him that day and he would wear it more often after that. Months later he wears it exclusively for me. I call it intoxicating as my nose and brain just goes in some zone. I can tell you he can get away with anything with that perfume. I have to smell little bit and ….. November 14, 2015 at 7:41pm
Victoria: 🙂 November 19, 2015 at 2:12pm
Julie L Charlos: La Chasse Aux Papillon Extreme has garnered the most comments…that and Estée Lauder
Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia likewise and sometimes Aromatics Elixir and the flankers White andBlack…however, Joy still gets me and my husband loves it on me. November 28, 2015 at 11:05pm
Victoria: I also found La Chasse to be a great compliment getter! November 30, 2015 at 10:06am
Kathy: In my 20’s I wore First by Van Cleef & Arpels and always got all kinds of attention, wanted and unwanted! I have a huge collection now, but one that is always complimented is Premier Figuier by L’Artisan Parfumeur. It’s unusual and works well with my chemistry. December 6, 2015 at 4:20pm
Victoria: Always fun to read comments on this thread. Thank you so much for sharing. December 7, 2015 at 2:25pm
Perry: I have been blessed/cursed with a skin that is highly acidic. It is bad for costume, copper or silver jewellery, but it tend to make perfumes evolve into something interesting. I am the type of person who is loyal to a scent that I can wear successfully. In the 80’s it was Georgio, but now it is Guerlain’s Champs Elysees. I get many compliments but it rarely smells the same on other people. March 15, 2016 at 7:21pm
Jessie: Desire, by Dolce and Gabbana
I bought it when it was fist available on a lark: unsmelled, untested, because the notes in the description sounded intriguing and wonderful.
This milkshake brings ALL the boys to the yard!
Alas, I only wear it when I want to be seductive, but it doesn’t intrigue or excite me at all. It’s date night perfume, for when I want to exert all my feminine influence. A beautiful but uninspiring fruity-floral gourmand. April 1, 2016 at 11:05pm
Siddhant: Very interesting post!. Buying a perfume is very expensive, so one should always keep in mind the choice of perfume that suits their body type.
The scent you choose to wear defines your character and personality, so when it comes to finding a new fragrance it can be slightly overwhelming. The first place to start is to determine what note you’re most attracted to and then exploring the fragrances from there. April 29, 2016 at 4:55am
Christine Chiomento: The other day I stopped at a display in a Dollar Tree store to check out what scents they were carrying, hoping to find an imitation of one I liked. I did come across one they were calling “Nice Lady”. At the time it smelled so lovely to me, so I brought it home. However, after using it twice, for some reason, it now doesn’t smell the same on me as it did only a short time before. I had been upset that I couldn’t remember which fragrance they had based it on, but now I am so disappointed over it all–apparently, it’s just not the fragrance for me. At least it’s fortunate that I didn’t spend a fortune on it.
However, it’s possible the original fragrance might actually suit me, whereas the imitation fragrance’s inexpensive ingredients might be to blame. Now, all I need to do is either remember the name of the original, or come across the same imitation scent somewhere, so I can try it out, and see. 🙂 May 24, 2016 at 4:10am
Julia: The fragrance that has had colleagues stopping me in the corridor, or complementing me when visiting the corresponding offices, is Frederic Malle’s Lys Mediterranee. Somehow it really works with my skin. When travelling I tend to apply it a lot lighter though, in particular in Japan; making it a “me only” smell at such times.
Other than that, Serge Lutens’ De Profundis has also led to a compliment or two, followed by Tubéreuse Criminelle. December 19, 2016 at 9:52am
penny baker: I am always asked what perfume I am wearing and told how lovely it is when I wear
Frescaessenza a perfume from l’erbolario it,s very fresh and natural and once I was given nice compliments at work when I wore Womanity which is heavy and sweet but I still love it. February 3, 2017 at 12:26pm
Janey: The one for which I have consistently received the most compliments over the last 25 years, usually along the lines of ‘You smell amazing’ or ‘That perfume is gorgeous’ is Coco Eau de Parfum. It’s always men that comment. I don’t wear Coco during the day, it’s my night-time going out perfume.
I just need to find a beautiful daytime fragrance that attracts as many compliments now or stick with the ones that I adore myself, even if nobody else seems to notice! April 10, 2017 at 5:26am
Angelika: Finally… it happened. I never got complimented on any of my perfume choices (probably because I am a chronic under-sprayer) – till recently.
The winner is: Cartier’s Baiser Volé- I was looking for a nice and office-friendly spring scent and fell in love with the lily. And obviously I am not the only one.
Compliments came from men and women of different ages, so it is obviously a real crowdpleaser. June 1, 2017 at 6:53am
Sushmita: What a lovely blog!I have been reading it for the last three hours.
Okay, I get complimented for J’adore by Dior, Fidji by Guy Laroche (I dont find it in stores anymore), Coco Madamoiselle and Curve by Liz Claiborne a lot. August 3, 2017 at 11:23am
Chris Murray: I work in a clothing store and I get a lot of compliments on two fragrances : Molecule and Le Lebo Santal. The Molecule gets the more intrigued remarks – like the clients suddenly wake up from a little dream
The Santal with its sandelwood comes in for warmer more straightforward remarks February 24, 2018 at 8:25pm
Natasha: The fragrances I am most complemented on have a citrus aspect, Bvlgari The Vert and Jo Malone Orange Blossom. Typically people tell me I smell wonderful, though they don’t usually ask me what I’m wearing. Interestingly I prefer more rose based fragrances, such as Rochas Tocade or LÁrtisan Safran Troublant. May 28, 2018 at 10:37pm
Dimitri77: Hi, I must add to this thread, if only because my frag I wear most ( and receive ego-boosting compliments, DEPEnDABLY daily ) is a roller ball perfume called ‘Child’, I have over 10 empties rolling around my underwear and sock drawer. I met ‘Child’ possibly 8 years ago, maybe longer through my last female roommate. It is quite feminine, and I had always loved white florals. Child was the firstI was brave enough to wear! It has since become my daily frag, and besides my mother no-one has ever called me on the femininity of this frag, quite the opposite, i’ve Been told I wear it and claim it my own! I order often, a little pricey but I feel undone without it! July 2, 2018 at 6:38pm
Dimitri77: I neglected to mention ‘Child’ is by Susan Owens through her site called simply “childperfume”
I have bought the edp spray a couple times, but I find the roller balls great for my purposes. I am not at all a ‘chronic undersprayer’, tbh I am a little heavy handed, and I have never got dirty looks in tight situations, elevators, subways etc.
I would classify Child as a Pikake/sambac type jasmine soliflore (not skanky at all) sometimes I detect a background of light coconut maybe, defiantly no vanilla. Hope to have turned some of you on to something new. Enjoy, Dimitri July 2, 2018 at 6:51pm
Lisa: I get compliments every day on my signature scent..Alien by Theirry Mugler…Every single day i will get a compliment and asked what i am wearing. March 13, 2020 at 7:01am
Charity: When 31 Rue Cambon was first released a woman in the row before me at a choral concert turned to tell me, “something right here smells amazing.” But then a creepy appliance delivery man also sniffed me in my driveway and said, “YOU smell gooood.” I made my husband go deal with him after that.
I’d buy another bottle, but I’m afraid I won’t like the current formulation nearly as much. August 16, 2020 at 5:05pm