I'm a perfume blogger- Ask me anything

[MissBattleaxe]

I've been blogging about perfume since 2013. Ask me anything. No snobbery, all budgets and nothing is off the table.

@Imonlymoominafterall Hmm tricky one. I haven't smelled it but the dominant notes are carnations, aldehydes (sopaynotes) and sandalwood. The one perfume that has all of these is Nina Ricci L'Air du Temps. It might be a bit different to D&G but I regard it as a masterpiece.

sorry soapy notes

@Lucindainthesky- what a mixture! Obsession is a spicy oriental, DKNY Woman is a refreshing grapefruit, Flowerbomb is a massive patchouli floral- wow!

If you like Flowerbomb you might like Rihanna Reb'l Fleur
If you like Obsession you might like Opium or Dana Tabu
If you like NIna you might like Nina Ricci Luna or Jimmy Choo Jimmy Choo
If you like TF Tobacco Vanille you might like Hypnotic Poison

and here's my wild card for you- Hermes Eau des Merveilles

@SmiledWithTheRisingSun I haven't tried any of the Molecule stuff but I have heard that they are better used for layering as they add a little something but you can't always smell them alone. I could be wrong.

@beanaseireann I haven't tried them I'm afraid, so I don't know. Have you? I'd be interested to know. x

@fedup21 I love lilies too. I had stargazer lilies in my wedding bouquet which smell a bit spicier than white ones.

Here are my recommendation for white lily scents: Cartier Baiser Vole- a fabulous plain lily scent that radiates beautifully and smells so clean and pure. OR M&S Florentyna White which is a very big white flower fragrance and super cheap. If you means stargazers with their spicier scent, try something with carnations such as Prada Infusion D'Iris oeillet.

Ooh, thank you so much-they sound brilliant!

Am off to google!

I know someone once told me that a Donna Karan perfume (Gold) smelled of Lilies but I’ve never found any in a shop to try!

Thank you OP this is such a great thread!

I'm so glad you're all enjoying it! It makes me very happy. I hope I get my recommendations right!

I adore jasmine and bergamot by l'occitane.
Now discontinued.
Can you recommend something similar?

@MissBattleaxe have you heard of a perfume called Coriandre?
I was googling scents like Gucci Envy and I couldn't believe it when I saw the image of this bottle. It is so familiar. I used to stay with a girl smelled lovely and this bottle rang a visual bell! I used to smell her perfume when I was in the bathroom! It used to be quite a popular scent in Spain in the late 80s I think. I'm excited to have joined up these dots.

Live in Love by Oscar de la renta is suggested as a scent similar to Gucci Envy. Also Carven Homme (not heard of that). Are they at all similar do you know?

I've just realised! I think I've quoted back to you something I read on your blog!

This is a great thread!
I'm wondering if you can help me...
Many MANY years ago I fell in love with Givenchy 111 that was then discontinued (of course🙄) and I cannot find anything remotely like it.
I've just bought a full vintage bottle from eBay- taking a risk as even though it's unopened it surely must degrade.
It's arrived today and it's perfect 😁
Any ideas on a modern replacement?
I know I'm probably asking you for the impossible!

Ooo, up for a real challenge?

MIL used to wear Studio Girl Que Sera a million years ago and FIL has been looking for some to get her as a gift - eBay occasionally manages a partial bottle. Probably 1960s. And clever ideas of what/where he might source a smell-alike?

@Grinchly Try the L'Occitane verveine/verbena. It's in a similar green scent sort of genre. Also, try Estee Lauder Jasmine and White Moss. You might also like Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Camellia.

@31RueCambon75001 Yes, I've smelled Coriandre and it's lovely! Live in Love is similar to Envy because of the lily of the valley. Envy had distinctive lily of the valley and hyacinth so if you find anything with those in, you might like them. I unofficially recommend Eden perfumes version of Envy.

PS I'm flattered you quoted my blog!

@icanclearabuffet I'm so glad you found some! I must say that eBay has never let me down.

Lucky for you, Givenchy III is a classic green with its oakmoss and galbanum so try YSL "Y", Chanel Cristalle, Miss Dior Originale (NB not the Miss Dior with a bow, ask for Originale) or Jean Louis Scherer for women (find it on Amazon)

@LumiereLennie OK I give up! I found this on Etsy though www.etsy.com/listing/700307026/vintage-1960s-studio-girl-que-sera

I love wood smells, what's your favourite deep warm wood based scent?

Thank you so much for your recommendations Op 😊

Wow! You are GOOD @MissBattleaxe! I’ll forward it to the FIL!

@DragonNoodleCake Woody is one of my favourite genres! get a pen and paper...

Diptyque Tam Dao (hippy sandalwood)
Le Jardin Retrouve Sandalwood Sacre or Bois Tabac Virginia (currently I have a discount code on the blog for 15% off use LJRISCENT)
Issey Miyake Wood +Wood (new one)
Bvlgari Man Wood Essence
4160 Tuesdays Eau My Soul
Guerlain Samsara
Sarah Jessica Parker Stash
Serge Lutens Santal Majuscule

@icanclearabuffet and @LumiereLennie you are most welcome! x

Thanks for the great thread OP, just lost 45 minutes of my life to this
I'm getting married in November. I love quite distinctive, interesting smells like Alien, but think this might be too heavy for the wedding day?
I also love Good Girl by Carolina Herrera and Scandal by Jean Paul Gaultier, but again think these might be too nightclub-y.
Any ideas?
Off to check out your blog now!

Just realised I never thanked you for my recommendations.

I'm not a Be Delicious fan but will certainly look out for 'London' & Scenthusiasm- I am only 30 mins from London so will pop into Liberty or similar and do some trying out :-)