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.

Parma Violet smell is definitely Marc Jacob’s Decadence. I was given it as a gift. Lovely bottle - looks like a handbag. I thought it would be far more spicy or exotic based on the packaging but the iris smell is strong. It isn’t candy like as such but did remind me of Parma Violets.

If you want to keep the smell light rather than stinking the lift out even after you've left then you could spray in front of you a few times and walk through it. I can't stand it when people smell strongly of perfume, even nice perfume so it's what I always do.

Another vote for Prada Infusion D’Iris for that fresh soapy smell. Love it - I’ve picked it up in Savers before so worth a look.

Also agree re Kenzo Flower, this is Parma Violets to me! Don’t get this from Decadence. I do like the perfume, but I find it quite strong smelling.

I used to like DKNY Be Delicious for a light everyday perfume - but there are so many I’m not sure which I had…

The Zara nude perfumes are also worth trying and not too expensive.

Guerlain insolence is exactly that smell but quite expensive. You can get dupes though

yardley do a violet one and its lovely

Cerutti 1881

Another recommendation for Insolence by Guerlain. I got a dupe from Perfume Parlour (their version is called Energetic) and it smells just like the real thing

Lush has one that’s Palma Violetty… V Perfume.

Or Guerlain Insolence

If you want a perfume at a reduced price, @Howdoistopthecatshoutingatme
have a look at Allbeauty.com. I filter by discount but there are frequently very good savings. The quality of ingredients does have a bearing on price and quality and I don’t buy celebrity perfumes. You can get SJP pretty cheaply but when it’s a dedicated perfume house like Guerlain, you are getting a better product. I’d have a try out in a department store and then look on line. I’ve seen very good discounts on Guerlain, Burberry, Hermes and Acqua di Parma recently on AB but plenty more available and you can read the descriptions. I never buy dupes - they just aren’t the same.

If you want fresh, clean, soapy and reasonably priced then try Fragonard at M&S.

Their Orange Blossom is just that. No violets though, but they might well have a violet one as well.

They normally sell Philosophy on QVC, well they used to

If Im not sure about a perfume I'll try to find samples on ebay and thene you can test it out for a few quid

https://philosophybeauty.co.uk/collections/fragrance

The original Chloe smells like this IMO, especially the ‘powdery’ part. It’s ££ though BUT the Lidl dupe ‘Chalou’ is exactly the same and £5.

Here you go, they do shampoo in Parma Violet scent too, but haven't tried that, but I brought a big bottle of the scent and use it on myself the dogs and just a general squirt about the house.

All mine come from All beauty ( used to be called cheap smells which is a terrible name) or on the £19.99 discounted shelf at the airport - so being honest I learn to love ‘what’s on offer’ - rather than what’s new or trendy - at the moment I’m working my way through a bottle of paloma Picasso, a bottle of Esther Lauder bronze goddess and a bottle of mark Jacob’s decadence - ( very nice in winter I think) - my H thinks they all smell great and I didn’t pay more than £30 for any of them - If I was paying full whack I would buy myself a bottle of Jo Malone Fig and pomegranate for winter but I really can’t justify £100 on a bottle of perfume- I find dupes are ok but just don’t linger - some of the Zara ones are decent too and particularly for men I think - my son loves Zara tobacco

@Crikeyalmighty Even within a brand there’s quite a big difference in longevity and subtlety! AdiP Lily of the Valley is lost on me! I much prefer the blue Mediterraneo series which is for men and women. Anything with vanilla overtones is not for me and I’d put violets in that category. Overall I prefer a sharper intense smell. As Allbeauty has decent sales, trying a couple becomes possible - I’ve a Hermes waiting for me but I had a spray in an airport recently!

Noted aromas is a great dupe site if you know what dupe you are looking for.

Thanks but QVC havent sold it for years and the fragrances seem to have been sold out since probably the beginning of last year when I started looking.

Another vote for buying small samples on eBay. I now wear something I wouldn't have thought I would like.

My first thought would be Kenzo Flower for this genre of fragrance.

Ooh, I didn't know this and I really like For Her. Thanks!

Was coming in to say this. It's a good match for OP's description. I love it but did not get any for Christmas. Argh.

Shows how long ago I last watched, apparently they sell Philosphy in Next

I did buy some years ago from QVC but didnt like it, even though from the description I was looking for what you are looking for

I immediately thought of Kenzo too, loved that one

I like the Library of Fragrance Baby Powder fragrance

https://www.superdrug.com/fragrance/unisex-perfume/library-of-fragrance-cologne-spray-baby-powder-30ml/p/mp-00018543

Talc itself isn’t ever in perfume, it doesn’t have any smell at all, it’s a mineral very similar to chalk. That “talc” smell that feels familiar to us, is from the scents added to things like baby powder.
I agree that Glossier You is a clean scent. It’s subtle and interesting but smells like clean linen. White Linen by Estée Lauder was supposed to have that starchy clean smell, It’s stronger though, if it still has the same formula as years ago. I wore it as a teenager.
Anything with Iris in has a powdery quality, so that’s worth looking for in more affordable ranges. M&S have some very affordable and yet good fragrances so they are worth browsing.