I’ve been doing this thing for the last year and that is using up what I have for perfumes. I am so bad at putting it on. So now I have a single bottle out and I put it on most days and work my way thru a scent before moving on to another. I finally finished off the Origins Ginger Essence scent and I am almost through LaVanilla. I have scents I adore but that I don’t want to wear daily like Le Labo so I won’t do that but all the other ones that just sit there I’m finding its a method to use the stuff up and get really familiar with the scent.

I read an article about Iman’s fragrance Love Memoir which eulogizes David Bowie, and I’m super intrigued by it. My guess is that it’s a better concept than it is a wearable fragrance. Has anyone tried it?

I love Hepcat by Phlur – a spicy and woodsy scent. But they discontinued it so I need to find a dupe!! Before this I was loyal to Silver Mountain Water by Creed because a character in a Jonathan Carroll novel wore it. It just felt like me, the first time I put it on.

Dasein’s Winter (cardamom, spruce, lavender) is my long-time favorite.

Tommy Girl is the best, and so inexpensive. When I want to splurge, I go for Angel by Thierry Mugler.

I loved Cannabis Rose by fresh. Patchouli but light and citrusy. Anyone have a dupe? But my go to now is cannabis by MALIN+GOETZ. I love the ease of the rollerball oil.

I cannot name a go-to or favorite scent, I have so many. It’s more like, go-to for certain weather or mood. I first fell down the perfume rabbit hole 15 years ago with L’Artisan Dzing! Among favorites that I love and return to often: Serge Lutens Chergui, Dior Bois D’Argent, Teo Cabanal Alahine (swoon), Guerlain Cuir Beluga, Sana Jardin Savage Jasmine (my favorite jasmine, ever), Diptyque Tam Dao, Hermes Eau de Neroli Dore and in the hottest heat of summer, Guerlain Eau de Cologne Imperiale and my fave cheap thrill (which my Nana wore), 4711.

My favorite used to be Diptyque’s Philosykos (creamy fig) but now I prefer Tam Dao (sandalwood). I also wear L’Artisan Parfumeur Mure et Musc often and MCMC Fragrances Noble (jasmine/incense/vetiver/amber/musk) on hot days in summer.

I love Maison Louis – No 4 Balincourt which they say is No.04 Bois de Balincourt, which they say is Sandalwood, Vetiver, and Amber Wood. I like the rollerball of oil and the spray as well as the candles.

I may make a list and try to smell all of these. I’ve never heard of most of them!

This is the first time I’ve felt compelled to post a comment. First, I loved Lucky and was a devoted subscriber anticipating its arrival in the mail every month. It wasn’t the same after you and Andrea departed but now I follow you on GOACA and Andrea on IWTBH. I’ve had a long relationship with perfume starting in high school with Love’s Baby Soft. In college, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Beautiful by Estee Lauder, Calyx then by Prescroptives, and Eternity by Calvin Klein were in rotation. Then I happened upon my all-time favorite. I wore Tuxedo by Ralph Lauren until it was sadly discontinued. I’ve tried in vain to find something similar but to no avail.I’ve worn Lovely by SJP since its debut.

Last year, I discovered Ellis Brooklyn – I love Apres and Salt. Had stopped wearing fragrance for a long time but in my “pandemic fatigue get back into life” new attitude, I’ve been trying different things and just love these two scents and wear one every day!

When I was in college my grandmother bought me my first perfume. And it is still the only perfume I’ve ever truly adored. The 2002 Gucci Perfume. I saved it for yeeeears, only wearing it special occasions. And now I’ve run out. And it doesn’t exist anymore. And I am bereft.

This is my new (and expensive) hobby. It ticks all the boxes of retail therapy, sensory delight, and small items to collect. I’m working my way through the Comme des Garcons collection and also buy/procure A LOT of samples. Big fan of Room 1015 (Electric Wood, Room 1015, and Cherry Punk are great) and just can’t help being a Tom Ford fangirl. Am waiting for a sample set from Andrea Maack, an Icelandic visual artist – her signature scent is called Coven. ***Best. Name. Ever.*** Imaginary Authors is also wonderful, but I’m having a tough time deciding.

I love scents and am trying new ones all the time. Can I take a moment to complain about how heavily scented hair products are? I hate how they compete with my perfume. If anyone has any recs for good styling products with less scent, do tell.
Back to perfumes. I wear Hermes Santal Massoia the most, second is Osmanthe Yunnan. Tho I like woody green smells the best so go figure. I just bought Basilica by Milano Fragranze which is herby incense but dry down is vanilla cedar. Love it and it’s a good price too. I also bought Boudicca Wode which has a similar cedar thing going on and it’s fine, but I’m annoyed that the brand just doesn’t include caps for perfume bottles. What? Why? Annoying.
I like Hiram Green’s Viviacious which is very floral—description is violet but I get gardenia and it’s lovely. Moon bloom is a nice tuberose, very straightforward.
For a Christmassy woody loveliness, I like Comme des Garcons Yoyogi. Others like Hinoki a lot, but it lasts a total of 60 seconds on my skin. Serge Lutens Fille en Aiguilles.
Love leathers too, from super sweet Daim Blonde to spicy Boxeuses.
Much more to say but I’ll stop now!!

Glossier You. The first time I wore it, a bartender asked me about it. I’m no longer in my Glossier Phase, but I really do like this scent.

That’s ok, for the longest time, I was trying to find a perfume to match the Barbie strawberry oil I had as a kid.

Mitsuko by Guerlain. ❤️

It took me years to realize that what I really love are super feminine white floral scents – gardenia, jasmine, lily bombs, and that I only love them if there is no hint of vanilla scent anywhere in there. I put Gucci Bloom di Fiori (the yellow bottle) on every day and it delights me.

Chloe Nomade! Start with a citrus cent, bergamot and grapefruit. Then has a note of sandalwood and patchouli, ends with a deeper sort of funk. reminds me of the great original ck1 energy (I am a girl of a certain age after all), but deeper, more refined.

About 15 years ago, I was flying to Paris, and in the restroom of the plane there was a bottle of Clarins Eau Dynamisante so I gave it a try. And I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s referred to as a treatment fragrance — I’m not really sure what it treats — but it’s my go after a shower. It’s very light and fresh, and unisex. They recently came out with a few new versions — I also have the blue one that’s supposed to be more relaxing. I just like the way it smells. What i like about both of these is that you can spray them all over without them being overpowering. As for more traditional fragrances, I love Chanel #5, and Coco Mademoiselle (only in the lotion version).

I discovered Pirette, a roll on oil perfume that smells like vanilla and the ocean. People stop me constantly to ask what this is!

When I hit ye ol meno any sort of spray on, dab on, roller on etc. scent suddenly gave me a headache. I’ve been scent free for about 20 years and still miss spritzing on perfume for that final touch when going out. In high school I wore Intimate by Revlon and thought I was the height of glamour when I sprayed some in the air and walked through the mist as I was instructed to do by Seventeen Magazine. (my boyfriend wore English Leather––I loved it)

A single spritz of Youth Dew after I bathe, though I switch to Nemat Vanilla Musk during sinus allergy season (for some reason, Nemat stuff never bothers my sinuses.). This makes it sound like I’m fairly minimalist in my perfume collection, which is so not true. I am a monogamist in marriage, but am polyamorous with ice cream and perfume.

I wore the same fragrance for nearly 20 years (L’instant de Guerlain). It is a delicate, floral scent. I would get frequent compliments. Suddenly, it seems as though my body chemistry has changed, though, because it not only doesn’t last but no longer smells especially nice on me!

I’ve been hunting for a new signature scent but nothing lasts more than three or at most, fours hours on my skin. Does anyone else have this issue?

Last year, I discovered Ffern , a small organic perfume company based in Somerset, England. I am fragrance-obsessed in every way (scent affects me deeply) and have my go-to fragrances as well as a rotating cast of bottles that I work my way through every year. I’d been looking for a cleaner/organic scent to wear and Ffern’s story intrigued me, so I signed up for their seasonal subscription service. I expected to be underwhelmed – instead, Ffern is now a scent that I wear daily. Like lotion or oil, it is a base scent that can be worn on its own or layered with other fragrances (and it blends so well). Each edition is created for the season, which means there are 4 bottles released each year. I’d received the first bottle in Winter ’22 and put it on, walked outside – which is the way I test fragrance because it’s the best way to remove as many other conflicting smells as possible – and the Ffern perfume was perfectly in tune with the wintery environment. Hooked. https://ffern.co/

My sister and I have been wearing Floris Platinum 22 and we love it so much. It’s splurgy for sure. It comes on a bit woody for me, but after a bit, its like a cashmere vanilla with amazing staying power. I can skip days and still pick it up on my wrist. <3

Most perfumes just smell like perfume to me! I don’t know what it is about my nose, but I guess there are certain notes that just smell like nothing to me, sadly.

That being said, I’ve always loved the Hermes Jardin collection…Apres La Mousson especially, and also Sur Le Nil. They’re very bright and summery, and feel a bit too young for me now, but I still love them.

I also love fragrances that can be unisex, and Aesop makes some amazing ones! Marrakech is my favorite, with Rozu a close second…both smell amazing on both me and my husband.

Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdijon. I smelled it on a hostess in a restaurant in Delray Beach last year and it stopped me in my tracks- I had never, ever smelled anything like it and I’m a perfume junkie. I bought a bottle and never looked back- it will be my forever fragrance. Constantly asked about it and most people recognize it. Guess I was late to the game.

I’ve been wearing Calyx since it launched under Prescriptives, but it’s now under Clinique. It’s fresh and fruity without being sweet, with a floral middle note and musky at its heart. It’s my signature, and friends and family know me by it. People actually follow me on the street to ask what it is and I’ve never gotten that reaction from wearing any other scent.

Perfumista of many years here, with way too many bottles in the collection. My “no brainers” are Hermes Un Jardin sur le Nil for warm weather and Diptyque Eau Duelle for the cold. But most of the time I want to ponder which scent precisely matches my mod or to-do list. It’s a fun hobby which checks a lot of boxes: doesn’t have to cost a fortune, has a passionate community, lends itself to a spread sheet and is gorgeously sensual.

Fleur d’ Oranger perfume oil by Le Labo. It smells heavenly!!

I am a fragrance fanatic. It’s in my genes. My grandfather had a fragrance and flavoring company. I love old school perfumes such as Chanel No. 19, Estee Laude’s Azuree and Private Collection, and Clinique Aromatics Elixir. Recently I discovered a natural perfume company called Gather. Very unique and interesting fragrances.

My go to scent has been Ginger essence from Origins for years, and I am distraught that Origins is discontinuing it. It’s the best thing Orgins has to offer frankly – it’s what got me into their stores. I tend to get rashes from most perfumes and dislike heavy scents, and this was the only one that I didn’t react to or get a headache from. So I am on a search for a new ginger scent that isn’t heavy and won’t make me break out in hives. Will be perusing this list for new scents to try, so this is great timing.

Damn you Origins.

Cartier. It’s a serious perfume and an adult fragrance. So I don’t wear it every day.

The original Christian Dior Poison (purple bottle). And Tendre Poison (green) and Midnight Poison (blue). Sadly, they are discontinued.

Currently, Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle, anything by Tocca (I bought a sampler set years ago, still working my way through it, everything smells fine) and two Baccarat Rouge 540 knockoffs, Ariana Grande Cloud and Bath and Body Works In The Stars.

Funny story: I asked my 10 year old niece what she wanted for Hanukkah, “oh, some Ariana Grande perfume”. I had just bought Cloud for myself, I sent it to her and got my own bottle, lol.

Beach by Bobbi Brown. It smells like the beach. (And a little like Ban de Soleil) best scent ever.

Le Labo Bergamot 33. Also the La Labo Patchouli is not a heavy hippie patchouli, but retains mystery and woodsmoke. But only in the OILS, bc the solvent based scents are way too strong. Great selections here!

I’m a perfume obsessive. Some of my all time favorites are Chanel 19 for its iris and galbanum and Chanel Bois des Iles (it’s got some No. 5 DNA, but also gingerbread and more of a focus on sandalwood — gorgeous). Diorella and the original Eau Sauvage are lovely and optimistic citrusy/fruity fraternal twins. Apres l’Ondee by Guerlain a garden after rain. Hi Wildflower /TANAÏS Sandalo is comforting and relaxing sandalwood. Frederic Malle En Passant (such a beautiful, wistful lilac). Eau de Jane is a wonderful 70s style green perfume. My friend Chris Rusak’s line is great, especially Io and its relative Resonance — both wood nymphs. My first grownup perfume – at age 10, ha! -was LouLou (the v.dramatic commercial hooked me 🙂 I also love the lines of St. Clair, Dusita, Andy Tauer, CB I Hate Perfume, Apoteker Tepe … lots and lots! I have too many samples, but I find it so much fun to try them — even if I am just wearing them at home. There are some great resources out there: the Institute of Art and Olfaction, Victoria Frolova’s Bois de Jasmin blog and classes, Jessica Murphy’s Perfume Professor blog and events, books by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez and Neil Chapman, and Persolaise YouTube reviews. I’ve met some really lovely people in the perfume community, too.

Eau Sauvage in high school (the Euro version; grew up in the part of Germany still called West when I was a kid); Poison (the original) in college; Fracas after (I hear you, Ann and Christine!); and then nothing for many years, as those of you who also have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis will understand. But! Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume came out and I’m back in action. It’s the only thing I can wear and luckily, it smells like “me.”

Oh I love this post and all the comments! I’ve worn perfume my whole adult life and I have so many memories wrapped up in “scent”. Here’s just a couple – My first introduction to “real” perfume was when I was 23 years old and my then 18 year old sister bought me back a (spray) bottle of YSL Rive Gauche from London. How I loved that scent! I felt so sophisticated wearing it. In 2015 I realised a long held dream and visited NYC for my 50th birthday (I’m an Aussie). My husband bought me a bottle of Tom Ford’s Fleur de Portofino at the Macy’s in Herald Square and I still have a tiny bit left. Just one sniff and I’m transported back to those NYC memories! I’ll be returning to NYC in May this year as part of a 6 week US trip and I plan on buying another perfume in NYC. These comments are giving me so many ideas …

I love reading all of these comments. I am a sample aficionado who uses Luckyscent. I just chose Marissa Zappas The Sun card. It’s delightful & perfect for Spring – heliotrope, orange, frangipani. I do love florals, rose, amber,and green scents. All time faves are J’Adore by Dior and Diptyque’s L’ombre dans l’eau. My grandmother bought me Chanel No. 19 as a teenager which made me feel like a million bucks. I think the scent has changed over time – seems powdery now.

I also tend to get headaches from most designer scents. I’ve found a few perfumes I love that give me no problems at all: the classic Acqua di Parma, super old school 4711 cologne (the travel wipes are a godsend) and the other original cologne from Cologne, Farina 1709. I have two perfumes in my rotation by Aesop, Rozu and Hwyl.

I haven’t worn perfume in years — maybe it’s a west coast thing? My observation is that more people wear perfume in the east than the west? After being pretty fragrence free for years, I discovered The Naxos Apothecary’s body wash at a hotel in Athens (Koronos scent) and now special order it from their NYC store.

I love so many Frederic Malle’s Carnal Flower – and I don’t normally do florals. I love the smell of Parfums du Marly Oajan but it seems to last for just a few hours on me. Serge Lutens Parole D’Eau is just a summer scent but it smells so FRESH and yummy. I could go on and on. I wear fragrance even when I’m home alone.

Liis perfume’s Bo scent is the one fragrance I wear that consistently gets commented on. I have never had this happen with any other perfume, but every single time I wear it I get complimented on the scent.

In high school I started wearing Chanel No.5 and in my 20’s I loooved Guerlain Shalimar and so I still have both but rarely wear the Shalimar. I recently was thinking of some of the perfume a friend in high school had (she traveled a lot and always got perfume from duty free) and I remembered a perfume she had call Ombre Rose, it was floral but not overpowering. In an attempt to find something similar I ordered a solid perfume from Jo Malone (which is ok). With that order I was sent a sample for Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka and I love it. It might be my new signature scent!

I used to wear this really nice, light Kenzo – I don’t know if it had another specific name? – which smelled like how a waterlily would smell, if they had a scent. (Although come to think of it, I can never get close to one … hmmm ) I only ever had a sample of it. I liked the men’s Boucheron so much I bought myself some. And I used to like Pacifica’s lemon blossom scent, but they got rid of it. I still like the orange scent – perhaps a Tuscan something. I haven’t even been at the grocery stores that sell those though, that one may be gone too. Meanwhile, next time I’m in I’m going to check out this Nemat business. … … First scent I remember wearing much was Ysatis when I was young, a gift from a relative. I still like it but I don’t wear it now. Maybe if I ever meet anyone. … … … And it sounds like I need to swing by a Guerlain counter. I hate shopping in person but this might sweeten the deal. There were too many here so I didn’t make a comprehensive list – I just took notes. ; ) … … … It’s good to know that there are so many perfumers out there. It really does affect our moods. Somebody needs to make a Chill the F— Out scent and we can spray it all over the nation. (Is that what the Cannabis scents are? bc no offense, but why would I want to smell like pot? What am I missing?)

I’ve been wearing Rain, from Sonoma County Bath Works, for 40 years. It’s a clean, fresh floral scent with a hint of musk. It’s truly unique. Other scented rain oils do not compare and usually come off as too sweet, with not enough floral tart. I panicked when the actual store closed a few years ago and I went on a hunt for a replacement, with no luck at all. Luckily, I found that the original store owner is selling it through Amazon. What a relief! In high school I wore L’Air du Temps and worked for Macy’s in College, so I have tried many other scents. No other scent works as well for me as this gem. It’s truly me.

What a lovely memory road ! Loves baby soft , calyx , Clarins , sage oil rollers – tracking down
Carthusia Mediterranean on Capri after reading about it on Lucky. All vivid memories as scent does! However
Scents were frowned upon then banned ( appropriately) in healthcare ( hospital for me ) and I got away from them . Now a lot of scent feels like too much. Like how I am no longer used to being around cigarette smoke. ( smoky bars of yesteryear!) But you ladies have peaked my interest.
I have also wondered about this …
https://www.trypura.com/ – has anyone tried it?
They sell higher end smells ( Barr original, lafko which are lovely) – I have a friend who infuses her house with a light marine scent via stick diffusers and candles -so enveloping and nice.
Is it healthy for husband with respiratory issues? Could be mood enhancing though! Candle warmers are popular as well . I used to use a liner in the bottom of my oven for easy cleanup but evidently fine print says not to use if you have a bird in the house… not great for dogs either. Need a canary but don’t want to harm one for sure.

I have worn Portrait of a Lady for many years and it is my absolute favorite. However, I do love fragrances and like to switch it up on occasion.
Byredo’s Bal D’Afrique and Gypsy Water are also in my fragrance rotation. Ohhh, Frederic Malle’s Lipstick Rose hair mist is also a nice, light scent.

You can’t go wrong with Chanel No 5. For summer, Aerin’s Gardenia Rattan WAS perfect, although it’s no longer produced, sadly.

Ormonde Woman by Ormonde Jayne is my absolute favorite, but it’s a cold-weather scent for me, and very intense. I also love her scent Champaca for warm weather. Other recent favorites are Dear Polly by Vilhelm (smoky tea), Bal D’Afrique by Byredo, Escentric Molecule 01+ ginger (brand new), BDK Rouge Smoking (cherry), Jousset Accident a la Vanille (pure gourmand; buttery vanilla).

Loving so many by DS & Durga.

I don’t often wear a scent, but when I do I go for Lake & Skye 11 11. It smells so clean, and I like the rollerball. I order perfume samples on eBay, but I’ve never had one that stuck. Guess I prefer trying to buying.

I read about perfume and its potential health hazards and stopped wearing it a number of years ago. Oh how I loved Serge Lutens! https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/may/23/fragrance-perfume-personal-cleaning-products-health-issues

I love Tom Ford perfumes but they’re so expensive, so I buy their sample sizes for cheap on The Perfumed Court. Santal Blush is my absolute favorite. It’s earthy and spicy and makes me smell like a rich hippie, with sandalwood and oud. It’s also the only perfume I’ve worn where people tell me I smell amazing and ask what the scent is.

Santal 33 by Le Labo. Same as Liz above — the only time anyone has asked me what I am wearing.

I loved Oscar de la Renta and wore it for years. Then a family member developed multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and we all went fragrance-free. Now, when I’m even near a perfume wearer, esp in an enclosed space like the subway or an office, I get a headache.

Probably going to get some well-deserved ribbing for this, but I long for my old Gap scents (I was Earth, which my friend “lovingly” dubbed my “dirt perfume,” sometimes Om). The closest I have come to the former is Diptyque’s Foin Coupe candle, which I also seem to be in the minority for loving, alas. Guess I’m a barnyard bitch! Hoping the 90s nostalgia wave reaches the Gap execs and someone pushes the button to resurrect….even for a short time???

I love amber oil from the CO-OP. I’m a hippie at heart.

I have been wearing Fracas every single day since I was 18. It is part of my morning routine. I don’t even smell it anymore, but everyone says they love it, and they always know it is me. I don’t even think of switching scents.

Epiphany and Nijananda by Sfumato, a boutique perfumery in Detroit; and How You Love and Fayoum by Jazmin Sarai, based in Montreal. I alternate based on seasons, how recently I’ve been to Detroit, and whether the package thief in my neighborhood is active or dormant.

I am bonkers for Chloé’s eau de parfum (Chloé makes many scents; it’s the original I love, I assume). I have a big bottle and wear it every day, even if I’ll be home all day. I’ll never get tired of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. When staying at a Ritz last summer (is there any way to start a sentence with that phrase and not sound like a total jerk?), I discovered Diptyque’s Philosykos scent in the bathroom soap, which is a gorgeous figgy scent. I have the solid perfume now and love it too (and it reminds me of my summer trip!)

I haven’t had a go-to scent in a while and recently decided that I needed one. I tried a sample pack from Libertine Fragrance, a Canadian brand. Their scents are complex, dynamic and don’t have that sharpness/bite that so many commercial brands have. I landed on their scent Eros Fig and am so happy with it. Thinking that I may need another of their scents for my summer go-to ;). I would highly recommend the brand!