Since I posted lists of the top 20 fragrances preferred by US and French women (men's lists will be coming soon as well) I decided to compile a list of Bois de Jasmin reader favorites. You might recall a post I ran a few weeks ago in which I asked readers for their top five favorite fragrances. While blog readers are not at all representative of the general perfume-wearing population, I thought it would be interesting to see what perfumistas prefer. Moreover, many answers were unusual, with selections that inspired me to explore new lines and new fragrances.
So if you have not had a chance to share your top 5 favorites with me either here or on Facebook, please do. I will include your answers when compiling the Bois de Jasmin list of reader favorites.
Image: Chanel Cuir de Russie, one of my top 5 favorites.
I'm very interested to see the results. :)
I already listed my top 5 so I won't list them here again.
Posted by: ines | April 22, 2011 at 04:45
My (current) Top 5 fragrances:
Serge Lutens Feminite du Bois
Serge Lutens Tubereuse Criminelle
Parfum de Nicolai Le Temps d'une Fete
Guerlain Le Muguet 2011
Guerlain Apres l'Ondee
discontinued/vintage top 5:
Shiseido Feminite du Bois
Serge Lutens Fleurs d'Oranger (1995-2005)
Guerlain Apres l'Ondee parfum
Gobin Daude Seve Exquise
Gobin Daude Nuit au Desert
Posted by: Uella | April 22, 2011 at 04:56
I list mine again...
Current Top 5 (not in order)
Le parfum de Thérèse
Cuir de Russie
Féminité du Bois (Shiseido & Lutens)
La Promise (Cartier)
Gold (Amouage)
Vintage and dicontinued :
Mitsouko (edt & extrait)
Vacances (Patou)
Jolie Madame (Balmain)
No 19 (extrait)
La Nuit (Paco Rabanne)
Curious too...
Posted by: Samarkand | April 22, 2011 at 06:09
As Ines said above, I am so curious to see the results! I've played in your previous post already, and of course, as today I must be in a different mood, I am complaining with myself about my previous choices... I would tweak my list here and there, but, for the sake of simplicity, I'll stick to my desert island selection ;)...
The truth is that my top two (Shalimar and vintage Mitsouko, in no particular order) are the only fragrances that suit me whatever the mood, weather, or occasion!
The rest is highly desirable and much appreciated, but somehow replacable... I am wondering why I've put chanel n. 5 in my top 5, or how come that love and tears made it to my shortlist... My excuse is that I was having a jasmine craving at the time, while these last couple of weeks I was all about the sinful, joyful comforts of Montale Intense Tiaré and the cushiony oriental fantasy of l'air du desert... Come winter, I'm sure Attrape coeur and some rich sandalwood fragrance would have tossed some of the florals down the pedestal!
Posted by: Zazie | April 22, 2011 at 06:09
Just FIVE, almost impossible to pick them out but I try. Here they are:
Fracas (Piguet) (will always be in top 5!)
Cuir d'Iris (PG)
Epic Woman (Amouage)
Portrait of A Lady (F.Malle)
Rose Oud (By Kilian)
Posted by: Parfumista | April 22, 2011 at 07:09
My top 5:
Serge Lutens Bas de Soie
L'Artisan D'Zing
Amouage Epic
Guerlain Mitsouko
Guerlain Chamade
Posted by: Pklagrange | April 22, 2011 at 08:45
-L'Ombre Dans L'Eau Diptyque
-Heure Exquise Annick Goutal
-Apres l'Ondee Guerlain
-Bois Farine L Artisan Parfumeur
-Eau De Charlotte Annick Goutal
and Petite Cherie (cheeky ;-)
Posted by: Alexandra | April 22, 2011 at 08:58
Fun task, and almost impossible. I'm afraid mine are far less niche and a lot more mainstream. Here's the list, not in order:
Joy
Beyond Paradise
Alien
Ophelia (Heeley) (recent fav)
Fancy Nights (even a celebrity fragrance! another new fav)
I'm trying to shoe-horn Parisienne and Paris too in there too, but just ran out of room...
Posted by: Dani | April 22, 2011 at 09:12
Of my favorites, these are the ones I wear most.
Tubereuse Criminelle
No. 5
Cuir de Russie
Bois des Iles
Gardenia Passion
Posted by: Suzanna | April 22, 2011 at 09:52
The results are so interesting! I will post them next week.
Posted by: Victoria | April 22, 2011 at 10:10
Felt like wearing Tubereuse Criminelle today, but was running late and could not find my bottle. I really had a craving for it.
Posted by: Victoria | April 22, 2011 at 10:12
I love these choices, V! I need to revisit Gold. A grand parfum with few rivals.
Posted by: Victoria | April 22, 2011 at 10:13
I smell No 5 on a friend recently, and it was so perfect, so elegant on her. Some fragrances are like that. For me though, Guerlain feel most like me. Apres L'Ondee, Shalimar, L'Heure Bleue, Samsara, Chamade...
Posted by: Victoria | April 22, 2011 at 10:16
Five are tough to pick. Now, looking back at my own, I wish I could have added more! :)
Posted by: Victoria | April 22, 2011 at 10:17
Another vote for Epic! I definitely need to revisit it.
Posted by: Victoria | April 22, 2011 at 10:17
Kouros
Eau d'Hermes
Vintage Bandit EDT
Oud 27
Bergamotto Marino
Posted by: spooneb | April 22, 2011 at 10:24
Serge Lutens Chêne
Il Profumo Vanille Bourbon
Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque
Monyette Paris
Serge Lutens: Sarrasins
Posted by: top5 | April 22, 2011 at 10:25
Serge Lutens Sarrasins
Guerlain L'Heure Bleue
Chanel Cuir de Russie
L'Artisan Dzing!
Miller Harris L'Air de Rein
Posted by: Elaine | April 22, 2011 at 10:40
I can't remember what I put last time. Here's what I think today:
Bois des Iles
Cuir de Russie
Mitsouko
Shalimar
OJ Frangipani
Surprisingly, the list doesn't even feel that painful. These five are so great! Four classics, and a kick-ass joyous white floral.
Posted by: Hilary | April 22, 2011 at 10:52
MH L'air de Rien
Shalimar
Diptyque L'ombre dans l'eau
Mitsouko
Creed Fleurs de Bulgarie
Posted by: bloody frida | April 22, 2011 at 11:17
Fun!I look forward to seeing the results! :)
Posted by: dee | April 22, 2011 at 11:25
wow, just five? as of today, this morning, this moment...
cartier l'heure promise (hour one)
hermes 24 faubourg
frederic malle une fleur de cassie
chanel bois des iles
femme de rochas
i think you're right... looking at our lists, we are NOT the typical consumers! will be fun to see how this turns out... it promises to be eclectic from what i'm seeing so far!
cheers,
minette
Posted by: scentsignals | April 22, 2011 at 11:36
it's funny, but i'm loving pretty much everything on everyone's list! your readership has excellent taste in fragrance!
cheers,
minette
Posted by: scentsignals/minette | April 22, 2011 at 11:37
Not sure I am a perfumista, but here goes:
1. Chanel No 19
2. EL Private Collection
3. l'Artisan Tea for Two
4. YSL Cinema
5. >Tie
Posted by: axum | April 22, 2011 at 11:41
...typepad cut off my no. 5 picks - a tie between Bvlgari Rose essentielle (guilty secret love) + Caron Yatagan (latest weird love).
Posted by: axum | April 22, 2011 at 11:43
FM Une Rose
OJ Frangipani
Hermes Osmanthus Yunnan
Diorissomo
Joy
Posted by: Justine Jones | April 22, 2011 at 11:43
Hi, my top five are...
Apres l'Ondee
L'eau d'hiver
Vicolo Fiori
Or et Noir
Nuit de Noel
Posted by: Allison | April 22, 2011 at 12:23
Andy Tauer L'air du Desert Marocain
Amouage Jubilation XXV
Donna Karan Chaos
Chanel Coromandel
Hermes Bel Ami
Posted by: Brooke | April 22, 2011 at 12:41
Ormonde Woman
Songes EDP
10 Corso Como
Sacrebleu or No. 1 (PdN) can't choose
Traversee du Bosphore
Posted by: CindyN | April 22, 2011 at 12:43
I'm so glad dani posted a mainstream-esque list before me! :)
1. The original coach perfume
2. Moonlight path by B and BW (don't laugh!)
3. Chanel Chance au tender
4. NR Essence
5. Serge Lutins Fleurs de Citronnier.
Ok, bowing out!
Posted by: key change | April 22, 2011 at 12:55
My top 5 of all times...well, at least of today, is:
Frédéric Malle Le parfum de Thérèse
Chanel Coromandel
Guerlain Attrape-coeur
Frédéric Malle Musc ravageur
Vero Profumo Kiki
Posted by: Delfina | April 22, 2011 at 14:04
I'm really looking forward to the men's lists! Here are my top 5, keeping in mind that I have so much more to smell.
Amouage Jubilation XXV
Chanel Pour Monsieur
By Kilian Straight to Heaven
Hermès Terre d'Hermès
Chanel Sycomore
Posted by: MK | April 22, 2011 at 14:05
Griefus! Five, huh? Well, I'll do like others and list contemp and then vintage, ok? Otherwise it's a skewed list.
Current (contemp) top 5 (not in order)
Cartier Fouguese
Amouage Jube 25
Malle Carnal Flower
Liz Zorn Love Speaks Primeval
LeLabo Iris 39
(mind you - this is the list TODAY, based on what I've been wearing/loving on a regular basis for the past year)
Vintage
great gravy! ONLY FIVE?
well...
Mitsouko, of course. My favorite edp and a wonderful edt and a parfum (that's ONE! LOL!)
Coty Chypre
Roja Dove Diaghilev (not actually vintage but not available anymore)
Rochas Femme
Guerlain Parure
I can't wait to read the final list!
xo
Posted by: Musette | April 22, 2011 at 14:27
Great idea, very interesting and fun too! As others have said these are my top 5 as of right now -
Serge Lutens Sarrasins (nice to see it getting some love here)
Chanel Bois des Iles
Chanel 31 Rue Cambon
Guerlain Shalimar
Comme des Garcons Kyoto
Posted by: Tara | April 22, 2011 at 14:51
Bois de Iles
Coromandel
Muscs Khublai Khan
Ormonde Jayne Woman
Amaranthine...
Posted by: Elise | April 22, 2011 at 14:57
Une Rose Chypree
OJ Woman
Amaranthine
Montale White Aoud
vtg. Miss Dior parfum
Tom Ford Noir de Noir
Oh my Gaawd that was so hard, bout' had a conniption fit.
That was mean. ;)
I feel drained just picking 5!!!! LOL
Posted by: Tamara*J | April 22, 2011 at 15:11
1. Xerjoff Richwood: I would become a fragrance monogomist for this (if forced)
2. Malle Carnal Flower: Pure, glorious, makes me want to dance on an island somewhere
3. Spiriteuse Double Vanille: Sexy, boozy, yum
4. Malle Musc Ravageur: First fragrance that I bought before I got through a sample (not a decant, a sample). Sex-kitten sexy
5. MKK - "wanna get naughty, baby"?
Geordan
Posted by: Geordan | April 22, 2011 at 15:30
My favorites:
SL Tubereuse Criminelle
Caron Poivre (might be the older version)
Amouage Epic though I loved Jub XXV too (which has a saltiness that reminds me of Bond no. 9 silver factory which I also love..arghhh- this is too hard)
FM Iris Poudre/SL Un Lys (my 'pretty' perfume choices)
Montale Black Oud/ White Oud/Oud Rose petals (They all serve the same 'olfactory function' for me- so can't choose one)
I am tempted to include the JARS even though I'll probably never buy them- they are soo lovely!!
Posted by: Lavanya | April 22, 2011 at 15:34
5! How very difficult!
Right now, those 5 would be:
- Balenciaga Paris
- Narciso Rodriguez For Her EDT
- SJP Covet
- Gucci II (and I, if my may)
- Kenzo Amour Indian Holi
I feel these may sound very commercial, but I adore them. I'm dying to try so many niche perfumes I can't get in Argentina: Serge, Tom Ford, Etat Libre D'Orange, Comme Des Garcons, Ormond Jayne, Frederic Malle, les Exclusifs de Chanel, etc! Oh well...hopefully "if the mountain won't come to Muhammad"... :)
P.S. love your blog and your Orange Blossom article, which I just read!
Posted by: Melina | April 22, 2011 at 15:40
I love all of your choices, mainstream, niche--none of it matters, only what makes us feel great is of any value! Amour Indian Holi is my own recent discovery, very beautiful sparkling rose on an oriental base.
Posted by: Victoria | April 22, 2011 at 15:50
It is so hard to pinpoint 5 top favourites, but these are the scents I currently grab most often (not in any particular order):
Jean Patou Sira Des Indes (daytime, Joy at night... sorry for 2)
Christian Dior Diorissimo
Tova Signature (original, not the new reformulated scent)
Jessica McClintock
Burberry Brit
Posted by: LadyShine | April 22, 2011 at 16:49
Hard...
Bois des iles
L'air du desert moroccan
L'air de rien
Heely Cardinal
SL Bais du Soie
Mainly because I have been wearing those a lot lately.
Posted by: Moochebo | April 22, 2011 at 17:08
Oh nice to see Heure Exquise get a mention. Wish I'd put it on my list now. (Bit what would I remove?)
Posted by: Anne | April 22, 2011 at 17:42
Current top 5 loves:
L'Artisan Passage d'Enfer
Francis Kurkdjian Lumiere Noire
Serge Lutens Douce Amere
Tauer Eau d'Epices
MDCI La Belle Helene
Posted by: Kit | April 22, 2011 at 18:13
I love these polls! My current favourites are:
1. L'air du desert marocain (definitely #1)
2. Dzongkha
3. L'heure bleue
4. Apres l'ondee
5. FM Bois d'orage (like French lover name much better...)
Posted by: Kate | April 22, 2011 at 18:17
I tried for the last post...but todays made me remember that my perfume loves are arranged in a sort of pyramid...with Mits at the top, and L H Bl and Criminelle on the next tier...after that there would be a couple of dozen or *more* that are sort of 'equal' in their indispensability...
Its torture now to think I might have to choose five! And yet until a few years ago I only had Mits and L H Bl and a few others that I had picked up for whatever reason.
Posted by: Marion | April 22, 2011 at 18:23
This is just cruel. And I'm basically lying because I could have easily picked a completely different line-up, but here goes:
Current:
IUNX L'Ether
Carnal Flower
Iris Silver Mist
Bois de Violette
Homage
Vintage:
Apres l'Ondee (extrait)
Bandit (extrait)
Rumeur
Vent Vert
ADP Profumo
Posted by: Carter | April 22, 2011 at 18:26
Dani, non-niche choices are great too! A perfume lover cannot live by niche alone. Plus, I do not know what I would do without Hermes 24, Faubourg, No 5, Prada Infusion d'Iris, Dior J'Adore and Kenzo Flower--all of which can be easily found at Sephora. And they are fantastic!
Posted by: Victoria | April 22, 2011 at 18:29
ooh- sparkling rose on oriental base!- I need to try!!
Posted by: Lavanya | April 22, 2011 at 18:32
While the original Amour is more unique, Indian Holi is simply lovely. If you like the combination of rose and rhubarb (Rose Ikebana, YSL In Love Again, etc.,) you will enjoy it.
Posted by: Victoria | April 22, 2011 at 18:38
It is ridiculously painful to pick, but I feel compelled to contribute since I enjoy reading others' picks so much.
Current:
OJ Woman
OJ Tolu
Chanel Coromandel
Serge Lutens Rahat Loukoum
Parfum Sacre
(really, I wanted to add OJ Champaca and put Parfum Sacre under vintage--that's what I actually have--but three from OJ seems over the top)
Vintage:
Bellodgia (extrait)
Cabochard
L'Heure Bleue
Posted by: Nina Z | April 22, 2011 at 18:48
Where did my previous post go?
Anyway, my top 5 already changed since last time I posted
Niche:
Carnal Flower
Saks for Her
Child
Havana Vanille
La chasse aux papillons
Mainstream:
Narciso Rodriguez EDT
J´adore pre- reformulation
Rochas Poupee
Light Blue
O de Lancome
Posted by: caro78 | April 22, 2011 at 19:07
Etienne Aigner - Black for Women
Tokyo Milk - Let Them Eat Cake
Thierry Mugler - Angel
and that's it ... no fourth or fifth.
Posted by: EponyMowse | April 22, 2011 at 19:12
ok, I trade La chasse for Tom Ford Velvet Gardenia :)
I will. stop. now.
Posted by: caro78 | April 22, 2011 at 19:17
At the moment, the list is:
Après l'Ondée
Jicky
Cristalle
Mitsouko
Lolita Lempicka (might as well have one you can get at Marshall's)
Posted by: Aimiliona | April 22, 2011 at 19:41
My favorites (seasonal):
L'Artisan Traversee du Besphore
By Kilian A Taste of Heaven (green!)
Guerlain Tonka Imperiale (a bit sweet for my taste..)
Chanel 31 Rue Cambon
CD Mitzah
I guess I need something greener for this season...
Kaori
Posted by: k-amber | April 22, 2011 at 21:10
Fracas
l'air du desert marocain
black cashmere
sel de vetiver
lyric woman
Diorella, black tourmaline, Fendi, Nu all make the Top 5 too. It's an EXPANSIVE five.
Posted by: Juno | April 22, 2011 at 21:48
Puredistance 1; Sarrasins; Joy; l'Heure Bleue; Jicky;
Posted by: Anita | April 22, 2011 at 22:12
Le Labo Vanille 44
Amouage Lyric Woman
Miller Harris L'Air de Rien
Guerlain Bois d'Armenie
Chanel Bois des Iles
Posted by: Janice | April 23, 2011 at 01:06
Hi Victoria, What a difficult task ....
Here Goes ~
Vintage :Farouche - Nina Ricci Now: Eau De Circe - Parf. Generale
Miss Dior Chanel No. 22 extrait
Diorissimo Bois Des Iles
Calandre Opium
Norell FM - Musc Ravageur
So hard to choose. Also doesn't it make you realize how mant of our precious fragrances are no longer ?
Posted by: Madelyn E | April 23, 2011 at 01:55
Top 5, wow:
Guerlain Shamilar
Robert Piguet Fracas
Chanel No. 5 EDT
Bond No. 9 New Haarlem
Annick Goutal Songes
THIS WAS SO HARD! And it could be an entirely different list tomorrow.
Posted by: DianaWR | April 23, 2011 at 02:18
thinking too hard wont help this,
so off the top of my head 5 i cant live without
- AP Passage d'Enfer
- FM Carnal Flower
- Puredictance Antonia
- Frapin l'Humaniste
- Gucci Envy
Posted by: Natalia | April 23, 2011 at 02:48
Eau d'Italie - Paestum Rose
Creed - Bois du Portugal
Arabian Oud – Mokhalat Ghoroob
Acqua di Genova - Colonia
Diptyque - Philosykos
Posted by: steff | April 23, 2011 at 03:00
These type of lists always seem to be agony at first, to limit a choice from hundreds (actually thousands!) into only five. However I rise to the challence and say...
-Fracas (Robert Piguet)
-Iris Silver Mist (Serge Lutens)
-Aromatics Elixir (Clinique)
-Musc Ravageur (Frederic Malles)
-Songes (Annick Goutal)
Posted by: Bora | April 23, 2011 at 05:28
Lady Primrose Tryst
Lady Primrose Royal Extract
Guerlain Iris Ganache
Guerlain Cuir Beluga
Jubilation 25
Vintage:
Balmain Jolie Madame
Balmain Vent Vert
Mitsouko
Miss Balmain
Vol de Nuit
Posted by: Sherri | April 23, 2011 at 07:17
Not in any order.....
Zino Davidoff -- Davidoff
Eau d'Hermes -- Hermes
Muscs Koublai Khan -- Serge Lutens
Dzongkha -- L'Artisan Parfumeur
Idole -- Lubin
Posted by: Furriner | April 23, 2011 at 07:38
i am going to try to do this!
Vintage Bellodgia extrait
Vintage Shalimar extrait and edt
Vintage L'heure bleue extrait and edp
Vintage no 5
vintage chamade
Champagne de bois
attrape coer
philosykos
fumerie turque(and all serges fro artistic neccesity)
jubilation 25...oh no what about bois de isle, and all my other chanels and guerlains and hermes and...
Posted by: hongkongmom | April 23, 2011 at 08:40
FM Une Rose
Stella McCartney Stella
Tocca Stella
Feu d'Issy light
Hermes Eau d'mervilles
Posted by: Christine Lee | April 23, 2011 at 09:22
Perfume to me is one of the garments I put on every day, as I have for the last 42 years!! An oldie but a goodie.! A mainstream list, partly due to geography.
Caron 'Bellodgia' bury me in carnations and send me to heaven
Rochas 'Femme' like a midnight dance in a Persian market
Dior 'Diorissimo' Spring all year round
Thierry Mugler 'A Men' a step away from my usual
Lagerfeld 'Sun, Moon and Stars' light, but like a Spring morning
Posted by: Adrienne Wilson | April 23, 2011 at 09:31
Attrape coeur
Parfum de Therese
Bois de paradis
En passant
Alahine
Posted by: Nicolibba | April 23, 2011 at 10:38
My list is forever changing, but if I'm pinned down right now...here it is:
Ambre Sultan
24 Faubourg
Lonestar Memories
Alahine (Teo Cabanel)
Chergui
Posted by: Alice C | April 23, 2011 at 10:41
I can't remember if I posted my choices before but if not they are:
1. Vol de Nuit
2. Iris Nobile
3. Baghari
4. 31, Rue Cambon
5. Promesse de l'Aube
I had expected some of these, particularly Cambon, to be much more popular.
Posted by: london | April 23, 2011 at 10:42
My current top5s are:
Hermes - Un Jardin Sur Le Nil
Shiseido- Feminite du Bois
TDC - Bois d'Iris
Penhaligon's - Amaranthine
L'Artisan - Traversee du Bosphore
Posted by: Mila K | April 23, 2011 at 13:06
Frederic Malle - Lys Mediterranee
L'Artisan - Dzongkha
Bond #9 - Chinatown
Issey Miyake - L'eau D'Issey
L'Artisan - Timbuktu
Posted by: Skilletlicker | April 23, 2011 at 13:41
bois blond - Parfumerie Generale
extreme figuier - l'artisan Parfumeur
chembur - Byredo
Musc - Mona di orio
hesperia - Sigilli
Posted by: mary ter heege | April 23, 2011 at 15:40
La Belle Helene is one of my new loves. I think DH needs to give this to me for our next anniversary. It's extravagant, but after all, it's a 30th anniversary. Of course, to keep him from complete sticker shock, I might have to buy it myself. :-)
Posted by: Ann C | April 23, 2011 at 15:49
Parfums de Nicolai Sacrebleu
Caron Infini
Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque
Divine L' eternel feminin
POTL Luctor et Emergo
For discontinued scents Balenciaga Le Dix
Posted by: Vinery | April 23, 2011 at 18:54
I know! I once told myself with great superiority that I would never spend that much on a perfume. I am now sorely tempted . . .
Posted by: Kit | April 23, 2011 at 19:25
Diorissimo
L'Heure Bleue
Pamplelune
Prada- L'infusion d'iris
Shalimar
Posted by: Megan | April 23, 2011 at 22:46
I'm a little bit late... but here's mine :
Vétiver Extraordinaire (Frédéric Malle)
L'Heure Fougueuse (Cartier) : a "new classic" for me
JIcky (Guerlain)
Mitsouko (Guerlain) of course, I prefer the "vintage" formula
Habit rouge (Guerlain)
Posted by: Thierry | April 24, 2011 at 03:36
31,Rue Cambon
Alahine
Carnal Flower
Roja Dove Diaghilev
Shalimar
Posted by: Arianna | April 24, 2011 at 04:54
Only five is tough, but here goes:
Balenciaga Michelle
Chanel No. 19
Aqua di Parma Iris Nobile
Parfums de Nicholai No. One
Caron Tabac Blond
Posted by: Bulldoggirl | April 24, 2011 at 10:03
Guerlain Shalimar
Chanel Bois des isle
Amouage Lyric
L'artisan Parfumer Traversee du bosphore
Penhaligans Amaranthine
Posted by: Anita | April 24, 2011 at 10:25
I'm sure I posted on the top-5 list the other week, but can't find it now - in no particular order
AG Songes
Chanel Coromandel
Chanel Sycomore
Diptyque Philosykos
Cuir de Lancome
Posted by: Parfymerad | April 24, 2011 at 10:32
That's mine for now ...
Guerlain Cruel Gardenia
Montale Full Jasmine
SL Tubereuse Criminelle
Rochas Mystery (old version in parfum)
A.Goutal Songes
Posted by: LS | April 24, 2011 at 18:45
If I'm not too late to play:
1. Mitsouko
2. any great tuberose, as I love its fragrance, and cannot contemplate it intellectually as I might other soliflores: I'm hoarding some Tubereuse Criminelle
3. the original Private Collection, still pristine, still mean green, aggressive aldehydes, and snowy flowers
4. Apres L'Ondee
5. Whatever bottle obsesses me at the moment: it's so easy to confuse something I love with something I'll love forever. At the moment, it's Dior Eau de Cologne Fraiche, the one that's mandarins on a chypre base, in that beautiful picnic-basket bottle.
Posted by: Dain | April 24, 2011 at 22:16
This is so difficult, Victoria--what a cruel choice we have to make! Interesting priorities you set--scents that would hold your interest, as well as make you feel wonderful; I think I rather than remain interesting, I would say that they never annoy me or seem wrong. I have many perfumes that hit the spot every now and then and are exactly what I want, but seem wrong the rest of the time. And others that are the reverse, perhaps like one's best friends--sometimes, you just need a change, something totally different and perhaps not really "you" to experience, like an outfit/look that works every few months, but is dynamite when it does. I don't have the answer, but it's a great challenge! (And I loved the Orange Blossom article--have to try the Hermes again.)
Dyptique Olene
A la Nuit
Tubereuse Criminelle/PG Tubereuse Couture (#17)/Fracas/Beyond Love (I'm cheating a bit here, but I love my tuberose)
FM Musc Ravageur
Bond No. 9, Nuits de Noho (Chergui? Back to Black?)
And fighting to get on are the happy scents: La Chasse aux Papillons; Trish McEvoy #4 Gardenia Sexy; Lipstick Rose, Love (By Killian); Hermes Eau d'Orange Verte.
And now there are so many more on my to-try list, from all the great lists above!
Posted by: Mapelina | April 25, 2011 at 02:53
This comment got a bit mangled, as I am an electronic moron, but the idea was that sometimes I need to smell scents that are not really me, but that are so compelling, which I prefer to wear at home (or out walking my dog, so I smell them in fresh air), but they do not represent me as the list above does. The top five-ish just sort of mix with my skin and feel wonderful and natural, albeit in different ways.
This was a great idea--makes one think, and as you say, one could easily swap lists or make up new ones right away--just what the college admissions people say they could do with all the fabulous applicants!
Posted by: Mapelina | April 25, 2011 at 03:09
I will be very curious to see the poll's results! Here are my top 5 (for today anyway)
Chergui, Mitsouko, L'Heure Bleue, Cuir de Russie, Shalimar
Posted by: sara | April 25, 2011 at 07:32
This is really difficult!
My current favorites without special order are:
- Lancôme Miracle (I own several bottles of it)
- Diptyque Tam Dao (I own full bottle of it)
- Lorenzo Villoresi Teint de Neige (I don't own it, but I wear its twin brother L'Erbolario Iris)
- By Kilian Back to Black (It's on my "to buy list". I only have a vial).
- État libre d'Orange Nombril Immense (I own a full bottle).
I'm looking forward to knowing the results of the poll :)
Posted by: Isa | April 25, 2011 at 08:08
I have trouble picking a Top Ten, so a Top Five was even harder. Here goes (though this is the list today; it could easily change by tomorrow!):
Chanel Coromandel
Tauer L'air du Desert Marocain
PdE Ambre Russe
Rochas Femme
PdN Le Temps d'une Fete
Posted by: Denise | April 25, 2011 at 11:59
Hmmm. Really, only five?
Ambre Sultan
Sycomore
L'Air du Desert Marrocain
Black Aoud
Derby
Not that any of them has much chance of competing against all the women's perfumes...
Posted by: Fernando | April 25, 2011 at 11:59
Right now, I would say my top five are: Sarrasins, Knize Ten, Jubilation 25, Bois de Violette and, for a fun cheap one that I've always loved, Loulou. Or maybe I should be serious and say Mitsouko instead of Loulou.
Posted by: Carla | April 25, 2011 at 13:06
My current top 5:
Attrape Coeur
Angel
Dzing!
Eau de Sisley 3
Love and Tears
Posted by: karin | April 25, 2011 at 16:47
My top five (at the moment) include:
Lutens' Chergui, Tauer's Incense Rose, Miller & Bertaux' Green, green, green & green, Sonoma Scent Studio's Fireside Intense, and Parfum d'Empire's Cuir Ottoman.
Posted by: jirish | April 25, 2011 at 16:56
Thank you for conducting this poll - I'm really looking forward to the results! Is a consensus possible among the online crowd?
My top 5:
Chanel Sycomore
L'Artisan Parfumeur Tea for Two
Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur
Diptyque Tam Dao
Guerlain Mitsouko
Posted by: CC | April 25, 2011 at 19:13
Only Five! LOL! I am endlessly fascinated to read what hardcore perfume connoisseurs love, as opposed to the mass market; we really are a breed apart.
My fave five (at the moment) and not in any particular order:
Serge Lutens' A la Nuit
Frederic Malle's Musc Ravageur and Carnal Flower
Jean-Carles Brousseau's Ombre Rose (which may be my all-time favorite perfume, and it is terribly hard to find)
Annick Goutal's Heure Exquise
Honorable mentions to Oscar de la Renta (always and forever the scent of young love to me, for better or for worse... mostly worse), Kate Spade (can't get enough white floral bouquets),Sage's Moonstone (for my boho moments), Hermes' 24 Faubourg and Kelly Caleche,the soft nostaligia of L'heure Bleu, the grown-up sexiness of Grand Amour,the dark glamour of Loree Rodkin's Gothic II, Tom Ford in all his nasty Black orchid glory and Le Labo's Musc 25, which contains something so naughty I shouldn't even cop to wearing it. And a special tip of my hat to the original Marcj Jacobs... all those lovely, watery gardenias make me feel like Gigi, and that is a very good thing.
Do you think I might be a little obsessed? Cheers!
Posted by: Lynn Morgan | April 25, 2011 at 19:17
Now I am feeling guilty that I left off Tom Ford's Velvet Gardenia- I want to start a movement to revive it! And show some love to all iris scents like Prada's Infusion d'Iris and Iris Nobile, and its twin Magnolia Nobile, and has anybody else ever heard of Gem by Van Cleef and Arpels? Hard to find in the US. And I am still searching for a (reasonably priced) bottle of Kif by Lamborghini (vroom, vromm! I wore my very last drops to my ill-fated book launching party and I'd love to get some more!)
Posted by: Lynn Morgan | April 25, 2011 at 19:26
Lynn, I feel the same way about Velvet Gardenia--I was so sad when I went to buy a second FB and found it had been discontinued. (Coincidentally, I'm wearing it right now!) The ladies at Bergdorfs generously gave me a mini-bottle from their sample, but I am hoping it will come back! Two of my top fives are also in yours, and I also miss the original MJ--and adored Ombre Rose, but unless you have a different formulation in mind, I think it is easy to find on line. I looked recently, and there were several discounters selling different size bottles at really good prices. Your wonderful description has made me want to try the Labo Musc 25 right away!
Posted by: Mapelina | April 25, 2011 at 22:33
Just wonderful to read everyone's choices. I'm not well versed in many niche, and definitely (sadly) not vintage. If I had to pick my most beloved from what I know well - and know that I can wear well - I think these might be the top for me:
Jean Patou Joy; La Rose de Rosine; Profumi di Pantelleria Dammuso; Chanel Sycomore; L'Artisan Tea for Two.
Oh, now I want to add VC&A Bois d'Iris, too - the only iris so far that loves me back, and how beautiful it is!
Posted by: novicesniffer | April 26, 2011 at 00:27