i want a warm, wintery, woody, comforting scent

[Pheasantlysurprised]

I don't like masculine or unisex stuff, dont know why, it really doesn't suit me - even though 'masculine' is a silly way to describe a scent if we are honest.

But i don't want anything sharp or too sweet either.
I don't like Byredo or Dyptique, and i really cant stomach jo malone. Also not a fan of many mainstream designer fragrances such as chanel, Dior, etc.

What i do like - gingerlily by molten brown, Seychelles by white company and fresca-something in orange by guerlain.

I want something warm, like a memory blanket, soothing, but like soft spice/wood mixed with something soft, warm, seasonal. Memorable, lasting but not showy. As comforting as mother, but also individual, slightly mysterious....I cant be arsed with lavender or lime.

Im trying my best to evoke something here, but it is pointless because fragrance shifts around so much and we all react to it so differently - but worth a try!

Not bothered about price - i am happy to check out cheap scents as many are as lovely as expensive ones. It all depends. Price doesnt always predict whether i will love it.

Are there any other au de parfums by guerlain or scents by the White Co that i might like? Or should i try something different?

I am wearing Jo Loves (Jo Malone started up after she sold her other line to Estee Lauder-I think it was to them anyway)
it is called Green Orange and Coriander-very green and interesting-I love it

Try these:

www.acquadiparma.com/en/gb/fragrances/blu-mediterraneo/

The Mandorlo di Sicilia is nice at this time of year:

Top Notes:
Star Anise, Italian Bergamot, Italian Orange

Heart Notes:
Green Almonds, Ylang Ylang

Base Notes:
Madagascar Vanilla , Lebanese Cedarwood, Tolu Balsam, Musk

Can anyone tell me how to try some of the classic Guerlain fragrances? I am intrigued and would love to see if I’d buy any. @DramaAlpaca I couldn’t find Mitsouko on the site you mentioned.

I’m currently loving Estée Lauder’s Azuree - the first time I tried it my little DD said it smelled just like mummy. Love at first sniff.

[quote Ohsugarhoneyicetea]www.hermes.com/uk/en/product/eau-des-merveilles-eau-de-toilette-V107291V0/[/quote]
I've not tried this one but love Elixir des Merveilles, it's subtle but woody and DH always comments (positively) when I wear it
Also another big fan of Prada Iris, Dune, Hypnotic Poison and Paloma Picasso

@SouthernFashionista I found Guerlain samples on a US site called Surrender to Chance. They have a set with all the classics and you can choose the size. They are decants from original bottles so not dupes. I can't comment on the quality because mine haven't arrived yet, due tomorrow I think.

Serge Lutens Femininite du bois fits the bill and is a heavenly scent!

A confection of cedar wood inspired by the warm, honeyed scents emanating from the covered stalls selling leatherwork in Morocco.

Oh! Someone already suggested it, great minds

Thanks @DramaAlpaca

OP, you might like Breath of God by Lush. It’s very different but has grown on me a lot. Very highly rated by Luca Turini too.

@SouthernFashionista my Guerlain samples arrived this morning, will report back when I've tried them.

@DramaAlpaca looking forward to hearing!

Just have to come on to say that I’ve been watching this thread and got sucked in and ended up buying the Wood Fire from PP and it’s GORGEOUS! So thanks 😊

I'm loving Rozu from Aesop at the moment. Difficult to describe the fragrance but it's quite a woody fragrance with rose 🌹

Have you heard of Floral Street? They do little collections of testers/samples fairly cheap. There’s a lighter, more summery collection and a darker one which would be more like what you’re after. They may be too flowery rather than woody, but there’s some lovely scents in there, not what I would usually try but I was pleasantly surprised. Also made in the UK, vegan and cruelty free

Guerlain Shalimar
Le Must de Cartier
Hermès Caléche (I like the Soie de Parfum)

All warm and wintry. I've returned to them over and over again.

Especially for @SouthernFashionista because it's not completely relevant to the rest of the thread, so please forgive the derail

So, from my Guerlain samples I am currently sporting Jicky on one wrist and Mitsouko on the other. Interesting both, but I can't say I like either of them. Jicky has a very strong opening which I found very harsh on the nose, then it settles into a powdery, lavender, herby, woody scent. I don't hate it, but I certainly don't like it. It's fascinating to try a scent that's been in production since 1889, though. Mitsouko is similarly powdery but much stronger with a lavendery, oriental type of scent that I don't enjoy. I'm glad to have tried them, but neither are something I'd wear. To me they are both quite masculine, probably because of the pronounced lavender.

I also got a sample of vintage Ma Griffe by Carven, but unfortunately the vial had leaked and mostly evaporated in transit so there wasn't much left to try. It's a scent I remembered vaguely from my childhood, but this time round I wasn't a fan even though it was deeply evocative.

The Guerlain set also includes L'heure Bleu, Shalimar and Habit Rouge.

Prada amber

Oh interesting @DramaAlpaca - my mum used to wear Ma Griffe.

@DramaAlpaca would love to know what l'heure bleu smells like. I can't find any guerlain samples anywhere locally or even on ebay. Any chance knowing where you got them from ? My mum used ma griffe too but I can only remember the white and green box on her dressing table rather than the scent.

Sorry just read where you got them from !

I found my bottle of Guerlain Apres LOndee yesterday at the back of a cupboard. It's about 18 years old. Still smells nice though.

I love Penhaligons Halfeti-this is a really warm sensual perfume and makes me feel sexy. Love it!

[quote DerTrotzkopf]@DramaAlpaca would love to know what l'heure bleu smells like. I can't find any guerlain samples anywhere locally or even on ebay. Any chance knowing where you got them from ? My mum used ma griffe too but I can only remember the white and green box on her dressing table rather than the scent.[/quote]
It's very powdery.
A lot of people would call it "old lady"
Those of us from the perfumista thread prefer to call it Grande Dame classic.
It's not particularly spicy. It's in my late summer/autumn wardrobe (yes, it exists ) rather than winter.

Can I ask if Perfumes: The Guide 2018 is worth buying if you already have the 1st edition? I’m considering it but not sure it would be worth the outlay. Thanks.

The 2018 edition of Perfumes The Guide has all different perfumes in it. Definitely better off buying The Perfume Companion instead. It's much friendlier and there's no negativity. Ahem.

@Geamhradh I like the term Grand Dame classic, much better than 'old lady'! I will try L'heure Bleu this evening and hope I prefer it to Mitsouko and Jicky...

I have an older copy of Perfumes the Guide. It's an interesting read, very informative, funny and in places extremely catty. If they don't like a perfume they don't mince their words I might invest in an updated copy too.

I agree with @MissBattleaxe that the Perfume Companion is indeed much nicer and friendlier, and it's beautifully illustrated