Our “Recommend Me a Perfume” thread is open this week. You can use this space to find perfume recommendations, to share your discoveries and favorite scents, and to ask any questions about scents, aromas and flavors. Or you can just tell us what perfume you are wearing!
How does it work: 1. Please post your requests or questions as comments here. You can also use this space to ask any fragrance related questions. To receive recommendations that are better tailored to your tastes, you can include details on what you like and don’t like, your signature perfumes, and your budget. And please let us know what you end up sampling. 2. Then please check the thread to see if there are other requests you can answer. Your responses are really valuable for navigating the big and sometimes confusing world of perfume, so let’s help each other!
To make this thread easier to read, when you reply to someone, please click on the blue “reply” link under their comment.
Photography by Bois de Jasmin
66 Comments
Gwen Hurd: I have loved Mugler scents for the past 25 years. I loved Star and it was discontinued. I wore Innocent on my wedding day. Discontinued. And now, my Womanity is gone. I love Angel, but can’t wear it yet. My friend, who passed, wore it every day and it’s still hers to me. Could you recommend something like these scents? A fragrance line as bold and strange? Or similar fragrances? August 28, 2023 at 8:02am
Aurora: Hi Gwen: I love Innocent too, search the discounters maybe, FragranceNet, FragranceX and Fragrancebuy.ca and save searches on eBay and Mercari. You don’t mention if you like Angel Muse (discontinued but available on the grey market still), it might make a great alternative to Angel if you don’t want to wear that one, do try both the Muse EDP and EDT, the EDT is fruitier, I prefer it for warmer temps.
Maybe explore l’Artisan Parfumeur, Annick Goutal and Arquiste, if you haven’t already, they all are longstanding niche houses with a variety of perfumes. August 28, 2023 at 2:50pm
Notturno7: Hi Gwen, Aurora gave you some some great ideas! You wanted something bold. I’m wearing Carnal Flower today and if you like Tuberose and white flowers it’s wonderful and bold!!
For bold and strange first thing that came to mind in the same white flower manner , Tuberouse Criminelle. I love it. Victoria gave it a 5 star review. August 28, 2023 at 6:16pm
penny: Hi Gwen,
Have you tried looking on Fragrantica , I just looked at their Womanity page and people had voted many similar smelling scents , Reveal by Calvin Klein and Blue woman acqua dell elba for women to name just two. August 30, 2023 at 12:30pm
Bel: I love Cristalle Eau Vert but especially when it dries down and the magnolia note is strongest. Can you recommend a perfume that smells like the magnolia note when CEV dries down?
Also a natural-smelling freesia scent?
Thanks so much 🙂 Also for your wonderful website which I have enjoyed for years now. Bel August 28, 2023 at 9:12am
AndreaR: Perhaps Frederic Malle’s Eau de Magnolia? August 28, 2023 at 10:44am
Jackie: Try Officina di Santa Maria Novella Freesia for a beautiful one. August 28, 2023 at 12:50pm
Aurora: Hi Bel: Perfume I love with a magnolia note are Guerlain Jardins de Bagatelle EDT and Goutal Un Matin d’orage EDT, they are available in EDP but I find them more sparkling in EDT, they are both a lovely mix of white flowers. I’m trying to think of more realistic magnolia perfumes but it’s a bit difficult, I second Eau de Magnolia too. August 28, 2023 at 3:01pm
Oleksandr: Hello everyone. A comment and a couple of questions:
1. I often use different scents though not everyday. In my drawer I found a mixture I bought last year called Mourning Ritual; it is described as having notes of “wilted roses and frankincense and patchouli.” It is rich and strong. From a company in Montreal called Lvnea.
2. How long do perfumes/scents last?
3. I’m looking for a traditional, old-fashioned scent of rose. Are there any recommendations? Just pure or close to pure smelling rose, as if you smelled a fresh rose.
4. I’ve purchased samples of scent online, without knowing the brand or the product. How do retailers of perfume sell to customers? A bit off topic, sorry, but am curious.
This is my 1st post. August 28, 2023 at 10:40am
Tami: For rose: Have you tried Tea Rose? You might also like Jo Malone’s Red Roses, or the new Aerin Rose de Grasse Rouge. August 28, 2023 at 1:45pm
Oleksandr: Thank you! August 28, 2023 at 6:08pm
Aurora: Hello Oleksandr:
1. How long perfume lasts like sell-by date? From experience it varies wildly, I have decades-old bottles, my Diorella is from the 70’s and it’s perfect, including the citrus notes, on the other hand my Eau d’Hadrien EDT has turned after 6 years, I now keep my othe Annick Goutal perfumes in the fridge.
2. For a pure rose perfume I always recommend Jurlique Essence de Rose which comes in a rollerball, it has a lot of rose essence and Goutal Rose Absolue which Victoria recommends. Tami made great recommendations.
3. Sorry I’m not sure I understand the question. August 28, 2023 at 4:17pm
Oleksandr: I meant, how do retailers sell perfume and scent online if you cannot smell it? Of course you can buy it if you already know it and like it. And you can buy samples in small sizes. But are retailers selling perfume in larger sizes online to customers taking a gamble, so to speak?
I see someone has mentioned Byredo and they have a big presence online. I suppose what I’m also getting at is this: is it risky to buy scent online if you do not know the brand? August 28, 2023 at 6:11pm
Aurora: Ah, I understand now😀, first the online retailers assume that you tried the perfume at a counter or via a sample before purchasing, second many people blind buy, three a few retailers online send along a sample of the bottle you purchased so you can try the sample and return the unopened bottle to them if you don’t like the perfume. August 28, 2023 at 6:20pm
Muireann: I would add Paul Smith Rose to the Roses listed below – a classic, fresh, realistic rose soliflore. Better than Tea Rose in my opinion. August 28, 2023 at 6:57pm
Alityke: Rose by Paul Smith is discontinued but still around at discounters & online. Very affordable & headspace technology was used to help replicate the smell of a rose.
It’s dewy, fresh & rosy just as you describe August 29, 2023 at 9:53am
Anna: I was on a hunt for a realistic, classic, and a fresher rose perfume for the last 2,5 years. Sampled very many. The ones I would recommend are Rose Trocadero by Le Jardin Retrouve, and Rose de Grasse Joyful Bloom by Aerin. August 29, 2023 at 5:53pm
Yafa: I’m obsessed with Byredo’s Bal D’Afrique. I got it a few months ago and I can’t believe the bottle is half full. I would love to buy something similar! August 28, 2023 at 11:33am
Aurora: Hi Yafa: Maybe you could try Atelier Cologne Trèfle Pur, although it’s not a vetiver based perfume and it’s greener, it reminds me a little bit of Bd’A, I’m not sure why, perhaps because it’s by Jêrome Epinette the same perfumer.
Otherwise, you might enter vetiver in the search by notes engine of Fragrantica, there is for exemple ELDO Fat Electrician, Frederic Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire (very good but pricey), Phaedon Black Vetiver (very potent), Lalique Encre Noire (a classic). August 29, 2023 at 2:52am
Yafa: Thank you for the suggestions and ideas! Will search for the perfumes locally. September 5, 2023 at 12:42am
Anu: Hi Yafa, you might want to try Al Rayhan from Attar Collection August 29, 2023 at 1:02pm
Yafa: Thank you! Will try to find it locally! September 5, 2023 at 12:43am
Edda: I fell hardly in love with Blanche bete by Liquides Imaginaires, its lactonic, skin like, flowery but still warm smell makes me dream, do you have any similar perfume to recommend? August 28, 2023 at 4:21pm
Amy Von Holtum: Im a big fan of Olivia Giacobetti and Jean Elena’s parfume’s am currently excited to try heaven can wait , has anyone tried it ? Frederic Malle’s newest collaboration August 28, 2023 at 6:25pm
SoSuSam: I haven’t, but I’m certainly looking forward to trying it! August 29, 2023 at 4:44pm
Aurora: Hi Amy: me too, can’t wait to try it. August 30, 2023 at 11:41am
OnWingsofSaffron: Yes, I sprayed it on quite liberally in a shop. I wasn‘t impressed. I found it somewhat jarring: cloves and carrot seeds. Nothing plush, smooth, luxurious, just edgy. Reminds me of Lutens‘ „Serge Noire“, but I like that better. September 7, 2023 at 12:22pm
la_ninon: I think this may be an annual/repeat question from me, recommendations for complex, “well-structured” late summer-to-early autumn scents? I love green floral chypres, leather chypres, forest floor scents, moody iris, and non-sweet white florals; I avoid foodie fragrances, including overt fruit, sugar, and spice, as well as lavender. Existing favorites for this season are Niki de St Phalle, vintage Miss Dior, and Sycomore. TIA! August 28, 2023 at 6:42pm
la_ninon: Oops, *Seeking* recommendations for… August 28, 2023 at 6:44pm
Irem: Hello La Ninon, I just broke out my bottle of No. 19. I love both EdT and especially the parfum when the weather turns from summer to early autumn. Another fragrance I like during this time of the year is Ormonde Woman – definitely forest, but not only forest floor. No fruit, sugar or spice, nor lavender. It is a modern fragrance, but still follows a classic structure. Also Dune by Dior. I find it rather complex, but it definitely is a rectangular fragrance rather than a top-heart-base composition. August 28, 2023 at 11:20pm
SoSuSam: Thanks for the reminder about No. 19. I usually wear it in spring, but what a good idea for fall! August 29, 2023 at 4:45pm
la_ninon: Yes, thank you for the reminder. I haven’t tried the current parfum and would love to get my hands on the vintage edt. August 29, 2023 at 11:27pm
Raissa DeSmet: Yes, thank you for reminding me about No. 19, too. I still haven’t tried the current parfum. August 29, 2023 at 7:56pm
Aprilbaby: I am a fan of woody, forest type scents in addition to green floral chip res- not sweet. I suggest you take a look at Sonoma Scent Studio by Laurie Erickson. Finely crafted and unusual. She does sell samples. There are some I have repeat purchased. Her scent descriptions are very spot on and clear. Have fun! August 28, 2023 at 11:45pm
la_ninon: Ty, I haven’t tried SSS fragrances in a long time. August 29, 2023 at 7:58pm
Lari: I am a fan of woody, forest type scents in addition to green floral chip res- not sweet. I suggest you take a look at Sonoma Scent Studio by Laurie Erickson. Finely crafted and unusual. She does sell samples. There are some I have repeat purchased. Her scent descriptions are very spot on and clear. Have fun! August 28, 2023 at 11:45pm
la_ninon: Ty, I haven’t tried SSS fragrances in a long time. August 29, 2023 at 7:59pm
Cybele: My favorite for fall is Cuir d’Ange from the Hermessence line August 29, 2023 at 2:56am
la_ninon: Ty, I can’t remember if I’ve sampled this–I love Cedre Sambac. August 29, 2023 at 8:00pm
Anna: I am also a big fan of chypres. For early fall I would recommend current Mitsouko EDT, and Cartier La Panthere EDP and Parfum versions. Love this thread, found a few fragrances for myself by recommendations! August 29, 2023 at 6:05pm
la_ninon: Ty. Those are both rather fruity for me, though I do enjoy Hiram Green’s original Shangri La. Also love this thread! August 29, 2023 at 8:01pm
Anna: Ok, maybe Chloe Nomad Edp, Halston, Paloma Picasso edt, and if you can find the original Miss Dior perfume. The last one is the driest of them all. I lean more feminine in my choices. Hiram Green sounds enticing, but hard to get to in my area. Also Cartier rivers, green and red bottles, end of august is good for them, and no ripe fruit there either. August 29, 2023 at 11:01pm
la_ninon: Tysm! I’m currently searching for an affordable decant of vintage Miss Dior. I used to have a few vials around, but they’re all empty, and vintage has gotten so much harder to find post pandemic. Hiram reformulated Shangri La and it’s available again, though I heard the new version is much weaker than the original. I’ll look into the Cartier–I only know the l’Heure line (love #13). August 29, 2023 at 11:33pm
Neva: Hi, La ninon! You may try L’Attesa from Masque Milano, it’s a well rounded iris. Also Bottega Veneta comes to my mind. August 31, 2023 at 4:32am
Roxann: Chypre Mousse by Oriza Legrande. It is very unique and even has a mushroom note. It is not a safe blind buy. I also love Andy Tauer L’air Des Ales Suisse. It is amazing for the autumn season. I have put it away, but now that I tell you about it, I am anxious to get it out again. It is fabulous. September 2, 2023 at 1:00am
Muireann: Hi all, I am craving an almond perfume. Have you any recommendations? Thank you! August 28, 2023 at 6:59pm
Aurora: Hi Muireann: For almond Réminiscence Dragée and in the same house Héliotrope, Etro éliotrope which is very strong, Guerlain l’Instant Magic, this one is very sugary and a little powdery but I like it a lot, for a citrus almond Mandorlo Di Sicilia, very delicious, for macadamia nut Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 71, this is the best of the Cheirosas but for pistachio/almond there is also Cheirosa 62, and for walnut Bvlgari Eau parfumée au thé rouge but I’m afraid that one is difficult to find as it is discontinued. August 29, 2023 at 2:01am
K: Estee Lauder White Linen is my perfect end-of-summer scent. September 4, 2023 at 12:34am
Aurora: *Etro Héliotrope, sorry for thé typo. August 29, 2023 at 2:02am
Cybele: I enjoy Tardes by Carner Barcelona it is very soothing, but you must also like white musk with this one. August 29, 2023 at 2:59am
Alityke: The Queen of all almonds is Dior Hypnotic Poison EdT. Vanilla marzipan but with a sinister twist. August 29, 2023 at 10:00am
Johaboha: Second that! I just bought a fresh bottle after having a real craving/nostalgia for it and I like the current formulation, it’s less powdery September 2, 2023 at 10:55am
PrincessTonk: L’Artisan Jour de Fete is wedding almonds with white sugar coating August 31, 2023 at 8:15pm
Rachel: H!
I am looking for something to wear while teaching 3 year olds. I normally like classic fragrances like Chanel No 5, I have a lot but nothing that seems appropriate. I am looking for something special for me that wouldn’t put off little kids something comforting and not too sweet or flowery. Thanks friends!😊 August 29, 2023 at 11:04pm
Cybele: you could try Chanel 5 L’Eau, it’s fresh and smells like really nice soap. I also like Daisy Eau so Fresh, nice and inoffensive. August 30, 2023 at 11:17am
Aurora: Hello Rachel: Cybele’s ideas are very good, I will add Philosophy Pure Grace, with lavender it is the cleanest scent I know and I’ve always been intrigued by Bvlgari Petits et Mamans, designed for mothers and children, it’s been in production a long time so it must do something right. August 30, 2023 at 11:34am
Emi: Hello Rachel ! My 3-year old daughter always compliments me when i wear Guerlain’s Apres L’ondée 🙂 It’s very soft and comforting. Goutal’s Eau de Charlotte also comes to mind. August 30, 2023 at 3:41pm
PrincessTonk: This is the freakiest thing. I’ve had a current sealed Arpege by Lanvin for years and never even sniffed it. I opened it yesterday and sprayed myself and have been enveloped in it for 2 full days. It is amazingly delicious in a way I never could love Chanel No 5. The only similarity to No 5 for me is the opening and the rest is just a clinging beautiful scale of yum. August 31, 2023 at 8:10pm
Rachel: I do have a bottle of Arpege I am going to try it today. LHB is too serious for everyday I have decided. Thank you! September 1, 2023 at 8:13am
Kamila: Noa Cacharel🙂 September 3, 2023 at 3:45am
Rachel: Thank you all! I had orientation today and didn’t have any of the ones you suggested in my arsenal but ended up choosing l’Heure Bleue. I felt classy and motherly. It is still probably too hot where I am to wear it but it will be a good one I think for the fall. I am going to also try your suggestions I haven’t tried any of them. Thank you for taking some time for me I appreciate it! August 31, 2023 at 1:26pm
Aurora: Thank you very much for letting us know Rachel, those 3-year old are lucky to gain early exposure to l’Heure Bleue😃 September 2, 2023 at 10:38am
Josey: I’m sure this has been asked many times before, but can anyone recommend a perfume that smells predominantly of vanilla and leather (not suede), like Bulgari Black? Closest I’ve fount is Montale Dark Vanilla but it smells artificial to me. Any ideas? Thank you! September 5, 2023 at 6:04pm
Alison: I am not familiar with Bulgari Black but an excellent creamy vanilla perfume to try is Vanagloria created by Dominique Ropion for Laboratorio Olfattivo. (He is well known for Portrait of a Lady and Carnal Flower created for Frederic Malle). Vanagloria is complex, initially almond and tonka bean but then dries down to a dry leathery vanilla. Gorgeous for autumn and winter. September 6, 2023 at 8:53am
Alexandra: Any suggestions for perfume shops or cool pharmacies in Zagreb, Croatia? Hvala! September 9, 2023 at 4:10pm
Mari: Hello! I am seeking recommendations for a new rose perfume. Rose is such a variable note, and I am looking for something that smells like a realistic rose or rose bush. I would like to avoid fruity, sweet interpretations of rose, like Parfums de Marly Delina. I have tried Diptyque Eau Rose EDP and quite like it, but I’d like to know if there’s anything else out there in a similar vein that is worth trying! (I have Eau Rose EDT and find it is too bright and sweet) September 9, 2023 at 11:13pm