Perfume recommendations for someone who doesn't really like perfume?

[sedgiebaby]

Sorry the title may not really make sense - what I mean is I find almost all perfumes too pungent. I'm after a clean fresh scent that does not overpower.

Once in a while I will wear DH's Clinique Happy for men and I don't mind the version for women, but its not really what I'm looking for.

I know exactly what you mean. Have you tried Clarins Eau Dynamisante - very fresh and light. I also like Annick Goutal Eau d'Hadrien, Dior Escale a Portofino, Dior Eau Sauvage (meant for men, but unisex), Sisley Eau de Campagne, and Miller Harris Tangerine Vert.

Watching.........I would love to find a perfume I really like

Don't like Happy very much, using Clarins Jardin atm, it's OK but doesn't last

The Jo Malone perfume range is lovely and not overpowering at all.

I'm really not a fan of JM myself - I think they're over-rated - but perfume is a very personal thing so would probably be worth OP trying some of their more citrussy/green offerings to see if she likes them.

Clarins Eau Dynamisante doesn't last hugely either but I personally much prefer that, and spritzing it on again, to having a cloying 'traditional' perfume clinging to me all day.

Second the Annick Goutal - I don't like floral scents and this one is very 'green', almost grassy with some green herbs and citrus thrown in. Eau du Sud is lovely too. Frederic Malle's Vetiver Extraordinaire (it's a men's fragrance) is another favourite, but not that easy to find.

Have a look at the Aqua Allegoria range by Guerlain. Really light (Jasminora is gorgeous) but not overpowering.

Gucci flora is pretty but light (in the eau fraiche version).

Not sure what premium brand perfumes would suit you as I tend to be the opposite and go for quite heavy ones. However I would try French Connection for clean, fresh scents. Go into your local FC clothes shop and they usually stock perfumes and matching bath products etc at the back.

As for branded perfumes I wore CK One as a youngster when it was first out and I remember that as being fresh and light ?

arran aromatics do one called 'just grapefruit' which i wore when i was pregnant because heavy perfumes gave me the heave.

Armani 'Elle', the gold one. Other perfumes give me a headache. This one is lovely.

came on to suggest Eau Dynamisante...:)

I am the same. Me and my boys share a bottle of CK1 (lemony)

The summer version was nice too.

this one.

My suggestions are Hermes Un Jardin en Mediterrannee - the kind of fragrance that causes people to ask what you're wearing - fresh and unusual, with no powdery, sweet elements and Christian Dior Eau Svelte - a very fresh and light fragrance, that's supposed to be a body spray - they tend not to have it on display so you have to ask for it.

Good luck

Try 212 by Caroline Herrera - very fresh. I use 4711 cologne too ALL the time in the summer to freshen up.

Dweezle Eau du Sud is my other great favourite too a touch of fig but not cloying. Malle has some marvellous things too though as you say hard to find.

Not sure how niche / swish you're looking for?
For 'clean scents', bought on high street, there are 2 others I'd recommend, both 'celebrity scents':

• believe it or not, J-Lo's 1st fragrance, GLOW
• Jennifer Aniston's one also

Chanel no 19 (eau de toilette) may fit the bill. (Powdery, subtle)

Or Dior Escale a Portofino. (Citrus)

Another one for Eau Dynamisante or Eau Ressourcante(sp?) I love them both and they're very light and fresh. The body lotion smells a bit stronger if you want something longer lasting.

J lo glow
Dkny original woman
Jo Malone lime basil and mandarin
Ck one

Kenzo - Flower is a lovely fresh summer scent and very light.

I have been complimented on it from those who have hugged me

Jo Malone- lime basil and mandarin or White Jasmine & can't remember. They last all day and stay fresh.

DKNY Pure - lovely and clean smelling

Chanel Cristalle Vert - gorgeous.

I like fresh stuff too - these are all lovely, light, clean and fresh smelling. X

Oh Demeter do perfumes like "soap" and "grass" which are v fresh
L'eau par kenzo too

Davidoff - Cool Water Summer Dive is very light and fresh

Philosophy Pure Grace. Clean and fresh.

Jean Paul Gaultier - le male

Smells so fresh, like just-washed laundry

Thanks so much all, I have a feeling that I tried and liked Chanel Cristalle Vert, so I'll look at that again. Yesterday I tried a few of the rec's here and no winners yet but I will certainly try more. Some of these brands I've never heard of though, this clearly is not my subject. I appreciate the help and advice - I've decided, the S&B board is brilliant!