Can you recommend a maximalist perfume?

[sladtheinkaler]

I would like to buy a bottle of perfume for a lovely young woman of 19. I was in a shop yesterday having a sniff and lots of them seem to have that clean, simple fresh smell. That's not what I want. I want something full and sweet and fruity, maybe with sandlewood or middle eastern undertones. Something in a beautiful bottle, a little bit OTT, or perhaps something classic and glamorous. Film starish and fabulous.

Some of the celeb perfumes have the right sort of smell, but not the right vibe.

Baccarat Rouge is very trendy. Expensive though.

Penhalgon’s Halfeti.

Guerlain’s Shalimsr.

You may find what you want here:

Les Senteurs

Or here:

Bloom Perfumery

Or here:

Sainte Cellier

Each offers a store of brilliant, niche, proper perfumes from important perfume houses. They all offer sample services - Bloom does monthly sample subscriptions too. They’re all a blessed relief from the celebrity perfume market …

Thank you both. I will investigate.

Perfume is so specific I would never buy it for anyone else. I have been given perfume in the past which I never wore as it was completely wrong for me. Would you consider a voucher instead and tell her it's to choose perfume?

Guerlain's Samsara, very feminine, dramatic and spicy.

But what does the 19 year old want?
agree I'd never buy perfume for someone that didn't give me a short list first

What about a beautiful sampler set from penhagilons or somewhere else /

The Viktor & Rolf perfumes are certainly not minimalist they are sweet and floral without, in my opinion, being sickly. I also like the slightly camp bottles. Bon Bon is my favourite.

The difficulty of choosing for someone else is exactly why I’ve recommended the three sites I’ve linked above.

If the intended recipient is seriously fascinated by perfume, and the OP is able to be generous, then a personal consultation at Les Senteurs might be an amazing gift.

But alternatively (and this is assuming the young woman in question actually wants any perfume at all) @sladtheinkaler would be wisest to sign up for a perfume sample subscription lasting a few months or a year - with the promise of a full bottle for a subsequent birthday.

(I am trusting that the OP isn’t thinking in the same way as an OP on a recent Books thread, who was determined to strong arm her hairdresser into reading exactly what the poster deemed suitable!)

Oooh no!! Nothing beats the disappointment of someone spending £££s on a perfume gift, only to find that you hate it.

You need a classic 90s perfume.
Is Volupte still available?
Agree with Shalimar, also Lancôme's Trésor, Dior Poison.
Liberty has an incredible range of unusual perfumes, eg their own brand LBTY. Pricy but come in smaller sizes and also try me sets.

Atelier Bloem extraordinary tulip always gets lots of compliments. It’s a floral, woody musk.

i also like Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly (although dislike the name) it’s more citrusy (but definitely not “fresh“ and heavy on the black tea and amber

Tom Ford Bitter Peach.

Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady. Diptyque Eau Capitale. Diptyque also do a set of 5 perfumes to try. Their online shopping experience is excellent. Very generous samples and beautiful gift wrapping. If you were to buy a perfume from them online they send a sample size with it free of charge to try it so if you don’t like it you can send the large bottle back.
However I agree with PP buying perfumes for other people is very tricky. It’s such a personal choice.

Reading the OP I instantly thought of Dolce Vita (Dior): voluptuous, sensual, fruity, spicy - an unabashedly big perfume from the 1990s.

The early 20s I know wear things like Kilian or Phlur or You by Glossier or Kayali Vanilla. The current trends seem more skin enhancing than maximalist. Many workplaces are going fragrance free too.

The 19 year old might not care at all for what you like, especially if it's over the top. I think a gift card and letting them pick would be a better idea than something that might not be worn and appreciated.

I agree, I rarely am aware of people's perfume these days, it seems somehow anti social to impose your own taste on others. That's not just at work but also out in the evening. I still love perfume so wear tons when working from home!