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.
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. :)
Posted by: Carrie Meredith | January 15, 2011 at 00:56
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.
Posted by: Cheiroso | January 15, 2011 at 00:58
The most compliments I get when I am wearing Puredistance I. I never met anybody who didn't like it. :)
Posted by: Olfactoria | January 15, 2011 at 02:31
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.
Posted by: Parfumista | January 15, 2011 at 03:31
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.
Posted by: Parfumista | January 15, 2011 at 03:39
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!
Posted by: flittersniffer | January 15, 2011 at 06:07
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.
Posted by: rosarita | January 15, 2011 at 08:14
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. ;)
Posted by: Ines | January 15, 2011 at 08:18
If I want others to compliment me on my fragrance, it's Carnal Flower. It always gets noticed. I need a FB!
Posted by: Carla | January 15, 2011 at 08:35
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.
Posted by: juliannelondon | January 15, 2011 at 08:40
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 09:42
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 09:44
I love scents like this, and they are quite rare--to be able to please most people and still be distinctive and memorable.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 09:45
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 09:46
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 09:48
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 09:50
Dior Addict and Gucci Rush are among the fragrances I always notice on others. Their sillages are among the most impressive and memorable.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 09:52
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 09:54
Carnal Flower definitely elicits plenty of compliments. It is also very diffusive, so its sillage is strong and beautiful.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 09:55
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 !
Posted by: Madelyn E | January 15, 2011 at 09:56
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. :)
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 09:58
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.
Posted by: Carla | January 15, 2011 at 10:04
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!
Posted by: Lenore Jago | January 15, 2011 at 10:04
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... :-)
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 10:04
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 10:07
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 10:10
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
Posted by: Tara | January 15, 2011 at 10:32
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 11:09
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.
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 15, 2011 at 11:16
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!
Posted by: Nina Z | January 15, 2011 at 11:34
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....
Posted by: Stephen | January 15, 2011 at 12:06
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).
Posted by: dee | January 15, 2011 at 12:06
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 :)
Posted by: dee | January 15, 2011 at 12:08
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.
Posted by: samarkand | January 15, 2011 at 12:11
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... ;)
Posted by: dee | January 15, 2011 at 12:11
As a self-declared authority on the subject: Ines, you smell good! :)
Posted by: dee | January 15, 2011 at 12:13
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.
Posted by: Skilletlicker | January 15, 2011 at 12:15
I have been dousing myself in DelRae Bois de Paradis this winter as well. What's Bandit? (Not that I want it.)
Posted by: Skilletlicker | January 15, 2011 at 12:18
"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...
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 12:22
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 12:24
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 12:27
I also love white florals and roses on men. So sexy!
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 12:28
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.
Posted by: Zazie | January 15, 2011 at 12:32
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...
Posted by: Tarleisio | January 15, 2011 at 12:48
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
Posted by: CindyN | January 15, 2011 at 12:51
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."
Posted by: dleep | January 15, 2011 at 12:55
The only compliment from a stranger that I can think of was for a randomly sprayed...Ralph Lauren Notorious.
Posted by: Marina | January 15, 2011 at 13:24
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.
Posted by: [email protected] | January 15, 2011 at 14:18
Carnal Flower gets votes from both my husband and son,hands down favorite.That said,my son insists that Joy smells like me....
Posted by: Justine Jones | January 15, 2011 at 14:34
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.
Posted by: RMF325 | January 15, 2011 at 14:43
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!)
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 15:23
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 15:35
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.
Posted by: allison williams | January 15, 2011 at 15:37
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 15:42
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 15:44
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!
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 15:47
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!
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 15:49
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! :)
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 15:50
Wow, that is a compliment in a rank of its own! :)
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 15:51
Hmm, I can see that, it has a nice presence. Quite strong too!
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 15:52
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. :)
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 15:54
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 15:56
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 16:00
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 15, 2011 at 16:02
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.
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 15, 2011 at 17:26
Wow, you are so lucky! I wish my husband were like this. I usually have to chase him with my perfumed arm outstretched. :))
Posted by: Rebecca | January 15, 2011 at 17:28
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.
Posted by: Rebecca | January 15, 2011 at 17:30
I feel this way too reading blogs. This one is often talked about. Makes me sad I gave away my bottle. :(
Posted by: Tamara | January 15, 2011 at 17:32
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.
Posted by: gautami | January 15, 2011 at 17:56
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?
Posted by: Skilletlicker | January 15, 2011 at 18:23
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!
Posted by: dee | January 15, 2011 at 21:34
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.
Posted by: Erin T | January 16, 2011 at 01:05
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 16, 2011 at 08:30
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)
Posted by: Victoria | January 16, 2011 at 08:40
Your family has very sophisticated perfume tastes! It is so wonderful. :)
Posted by: Victoria | January 16, 2011 at 08:42
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 16, 2011 at 08:44
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 :-)
Posted by: patuxxa | January 16, 2011 at 13:39
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.
Posted by: Helle | January 16, 2011 at 15:18
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!
Posted by: Victoria | January 16, 2011 at 19:27
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!
Posted by: Victoria | January 16, 2011 at 20:41
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!
Posted by: mals86 | January 17, 2011 at 10:34
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 17, 2011 at 12:25
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.
Posted by: Elisa | January 17, 2011 at 12:43
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!
Posted by: Victoria | January 17, 2011 at 16:42
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.
Posted by: Andrea Marques | January 17, 2011 at 17:34
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 17, 2011 at 18:42
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.
Posted by: Mark C | January 18, 2011 at 12:17
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.
Posted by: Mark C | January 18, 2011 at 12:19
Rebecca, he'll come around! Trust me, I was like that myself, but now I love perfumes even more than my girlfriend does.
Posted by: Mark C | January 18, 2011 at 12:20
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.
Posted by: Mark C | January 18, 2011 at 12:22
I love Dior Homme too, which is among my top 10 masculine favorites.
Posted by: Victoria | January 18, 2011 at 14:01
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! :D
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.
Posted by: Andrea Marques | January 18, 2011 at 16:38
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 18, 2011 at 21:02
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.
Posted by: Carol | January 22, 2011 at 22:18
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 22, 2011 at 23:49
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.
Posted by: Mimi | January 23, 2011 at 13:57
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.
Posted by: Victoria | January 23, 2011 at 17:03
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 ;-)
Posted by: Monique | January 24, 2011 at 04:44
What a sweet compliment! You also must have made your boss hungry; that's such a delicious perfume. :)
Posted by: Victoria | January 24, 2011 at 08:15
You are welcome! The comments are so interesting!
Posted by: Victoria | January 26, 2011 at 15:11