A perfume that smells like talc and palma violets and clean?

[Howdoistopthecatshoutingatme]

I havent worn perfume in over 25 years. I've been trying to find a nice, clean (and affordable) fragrance. Nothing that people can smell in the lift after you've left it!

But everything seems so overly perfumy or strong. Or just fussy somehow.

Apparently Philosophy would have been a good bet but nowhere seems to sell it and looking at reviews they've changed the fragrances now anyway.

Any ideas?

The last time I wore perfume was Sunflowers (I wouldnt wear that now). I was a bit generous with the spray. I went for a picnic with "friends" but had to leave because I was being harassed by bees! They literally followed me in a line as I walked away. My friends turned out not to be friends and told everyone it was flies because I stank. I never lived that down.

I buy mine from the scent reserve.theu are copy's but smell absolutely lovely.x

Sarah Jessica Parker's 'Lovely' is unbelievably good for a low cost fragrance and sounds exactly what you're looking for x

Or slightly more expensive but a good match for what you're afttr is Estee Lauder Modern Muse

I think they try to upsell that at Savers everytime I go in.

Will have a look. Thank you.

Will check that too. Thanks!
EL products are always very highly fragranced so I've always avoided their actual fragrances but will have a look.

It doesn't have it listed as part of the ingredients but I've always thought Glossier You had a talc-y, clean smell. One of my favourites - you smell nice, but not like you're wearing a big sign saying I'VE GOT PERFUME ON.

Try Coach Dreams that they sell in Savers. It is like a powdery clean smell. I team it up with Dove original scent deodorant and the Dove nourishing silk shower gel as they are the most soapy scents I have found. - I work in ED so wouldn't want anything overpowering/sickly smelling that could be offensive to poorly patients.
I really wish there were more traditional soap smelling shower gels etc

DH treated me to Dyptique Fleur de Peau for Christmas as I discovered it while looking for a perfume that smelled like powdery clean skin. It reminds me of freshly bathed baby. It is ££ though so I’m on the lookout for an everyday alternative too.

I have found that the Primark dupe of it is actually quite a good dupe too if you haven't tried it and want a super cheap back up.

Prada’s infusion d’iris hits those notes; clean, powdery, citrusy, with iris and violet notes, fresh in an earthy way rather than overly floral. You can buy a sample on eBay to see if it’s right for you. It’s a very classy scent. One of my favourites.

I love the Prada perfume - it’s so clean

Amor Amor by Cacharel is clean-smelling and slightly powdery

I'm in town tomorrow so will see if Boots have a sample. It's a bit pricy so hopefully I dont like it! 🤣

Insolence by Guerlain

Lovely is an almost exact dupe of Narciso Rodriguez For Her but loads cheaper. Gorgeous.

Yes I love this one. I don’t usually like non-florals -that is, I prefer single scent perfume such as a good rose or a straightforward lily of the valley etc etc - but the PradaD’Iris is lovely. The current variation with Orange Flower is exactly that clean fresh non-scent.

I’ve lately been using AKT deodorant balm. I’m addicted to their Orange Blossom one, but they also do a Lavender scent , and a Violet scented one. It’s a cream that you put on your arm pits and it’s a very good deodorant that also as a classy scent. I I’d I wear far less perfume now since using AKT.

Definitely Glossier You, Glossier Fleur, or Glossier Doux. Maybe Fugazzi Angel Dust and Jo Malone Orris & Sandalwood too?

I liked the orange but loved the Thunder one but all the fragrances started to irritate my skin so I just use the unscented now.

Ok. I'll try the SJP one (it's cheap!). If that's not quite what I'm after, I'll try testers of the others. The Prada one seems popular.

I like the sound of Glossier You so will take a look in Prinark for the dupe.

Thank you!

Oh for budget, maybe try some of the M&S range too? 'Soft Iris' or 'Sea Salt & Neroli', cheap as chips.

Babe power by Miss Guided is lovely. It reminds me of baby powder but not as sweet. It’s a great price and smells so light and clean.
Babe Power

Davidoff is very clean and affordable. Perhaps you would like a musk like narcisso (jovan is a very affordable musk, you can find it on amazon). My favourite powdery clean fragrance is chanel no 19 poudre but it has no sticking power, it’s quite green though so may not be your thing, very much a skin scent (you may be able to find it on dupe sites, I love it but I don’t buy it anymore because it’s expensive for whats very weak sticking power and projection). I smelled valentino poudre once and loved it but stupidly didn’t pick it up, powdery violet. Don’t even know of this is available anymore.

https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Valentino/Valentina-Poudre-34936.html

Insolence by Guerlain.

YSL Paris, my favourite perfume. Full of violets and deliciously powdery.

Giorgio g always smelled quite soapy to me.