Perfumes and fragrances are such personal things. I would never presume to impose my views about them on anyone, which is why I don’t seem to talk about them very much, although I enjoy using them.
It’s hard to talk about a perfume when you don’t have a very sensitive nose for different notes, and also when perfume afficionados can be rather intimidating, and have preconceived notions about what people should like.
There is a bit of a competitive edge, I feel, among perfume fans, who seem to scorn the more mainstream scents and brands, and who prefer seeking out the niche and unique.
Nothing wrong with that, except that it makes it challenging to discuss perfumes when everyone else is so much more knowledgeable, and what you like seems to attract a raised brow.
That said, I used to have a very strong, unwavering preference for scents. But some time in the last 6 months or so, something changed. And so did my perfume choices.
Types of scents I used to enjoy
When I started using perfume (around the time I started earning my keep and had some money to spend) I’d go for the more conventional fragrances from the department store beauty houses.
Estee Lauder Beautiful was one of which I used copious amounts. If you remember it, it’s a very strong, powdery floral scent that I would never wear today, or later in my working life LOL! It used to be a perfume that was associated with brides and the bridal season.
I also wore Dior perfumes a lot, with J’Adore being a personal favourite. I still enjoy wearing it today.
Then after 5-6 years of that, I dropped all floral perfumes, and my tastes shifted to heavier, muskier, woody, spicy scents. Scents that were commonly referred to as “masculine”. This was about when I discovered Alexander McQueen Kingdom, which I loved! Today, I can’t tolerate it anymore.
I stayed in this phase for a long time. I amassed quite a few Diptyque fragrances at this time – Volutes is a favourite, as well as l’Ombre dans l’Eau, 34 and L’Eau du Trente-Quarte (Water 34) and Tempo. Diptyque fit my preferences then as I found their rather complex scents, with strong hints of wood and spice, comforting.
Many people would give me an odd look when I said that I preferred heavy scents like these. It was unconventional especially for us here, where the weather is hot and humid, and light citrus or florals rule the day. A warm, spicy fragrance does make you feel warmer. But I enjoyed them, and sought them out.
EdP? EdT?
I used to pick EdP (Eau de Parfum) because of the perceived bang for your buck. They usually last longer and smell stronger. I used to waft scents from the elevator to my desk LOL! Gosh, I hope I didn’t suffocate anyone! 😛
I used to own the odd EdT (Eau de Toilette) because it was more affordable, and when my tastes shifted to the heavier, spicy, warm scents, it felt better in a lighter note. I also noticed that sometimes, scents in EdT form differed slightly from the EdP versions.
Changing perfume preferences
In the past 6 months however, I noticed that my perfume preferences have changed rather drastically.
In terms of longevity, I have found myself reaching for very light versions of scents, in Eau de Cologne form, or very light Eau de Toilette. Eau de Cologne has the lightest concentration of scent, and is therefore perceived to be of the least value in perfume-speak.
Cologne scents also tend to be lighter on the nose, and to not last as long on skin or on clothes. It is for this reason that Jo Malone fragrances get a lot of flack, as they are all colognes. I have asked them about this, and they tell me that they use a higher quality cologne absolue so it lasts longer, even though it’s still called a cologne. I’ll take their word for it because I don’t know any better 😛
I used to be a little disdainful about using colognes. It was like just using perfumed water, where you get a nice whiff of scent for about an hour or two in the morning, and then everything wilts away the rest of the day.
These days however, I have found myself shying away from heavier EdP and sometimes, even EdT. I find that the longer the scent lasts on my skin or wafts around me, the more uncomfortable I feel.
Now, I find myself opting for the much lighter cologne, and often, in a fresher scent. Something with a hint of citrus to open up, but something that can dry down to a soft spicy or woody fragrance. I still do gravitate towards woody and spicy scents, but in a much lighter formula than before.
I don’t shy away from florals as much, although I do still stay away from sweet florals, fruity or gourmand scents. They either give me a headache, or make me feel nauseous 😛
These days, I find myself reaching for scents like Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin for a wonderful shower-fresh feel, Amber & Lavender which similarly smells shower-fresh one me before drying down to a warm spice, and 154, my absolute favourite Jo Malone scent.
154 is a spicy, woody scent, with hints of fizz as it opens, but which settles to a comforting warmth. It should smell heavy, but isn’t heavy at all. I attribute it to the fact that it is a cologne. If it was in EdT or EdP form, it would be much more oppressive, I feel.
I have also found a slight affinity for tea-based scents. I have one I enjoy using by By Terry – The Glace, and I recently picked up the Annick Goutal L’Ille au The. They are a touch sweet, as they use the essence of green tea, which isn’t as bitter as black tea. But blending it with bergamot and citrus notes gives it a refreshing lift, that I enjoy wearing.
I have been eyeing the Jo Malone Rare Teas selection, which I always enjoy testing when I head to the store (Silver Needles is one of my favourite scents in that line) but I’m biding my time, as the asking prices do mean the sale of a body part is imminent 😛
A change in lifestyle
I attribute this change in my fragrance preferences to a few reasons, chief among them, a shift in my lifestyle. I now sport a much more casual lifestyle. I have traded in my stiff corporate wear of fitted shirts, blazers and pencil skirts and heels for comfortable casual tops, flared skirts and often, flats or even sneakers.
I’ve left the pressure cooker working environment for something more laid-back and less complicating. I no longer have to go head-to-head with stubborn-headed mules, unless I want to, and I no longer have to be the only woman in a room full of men, struggling to be heard and respected.
On a personal note, I have let go of a lot of hang-ups. Things that used to bother me, don’t bother me as much, and I feel much more confident and secure in myself and what I have chosen to do.
My fragrance choices appear to reflect that.
Thinking back, when my perfume choices shifted from the floral to the spicy, it coincided with a time when I was asserting myself and making my mark career-wise. I had to be heard, and perhaps, subconsciously, I picked fragrances that had a more masculine slant, as I needed to be more assertive especially when you need to bang a few heads together.
Today, my choices are lighter, more playful, less complicated, and even a little more frivolous. I no longer have to force myself be seen. I am much more comfortable in myself, and my choices of scent seem to run that way too.
I do still opt for spicy, woody scents. Anything with a hint of vetiver or greenery always gets me. I recently picked up a bottle of Atelier Cologne Trefle Pur and Vetiver Fatal, two very “masculine” scents. But they were light enough not to overwhelm, and still fit into my light-and-easy lifestyle.
But I also wear lighter florals like Chanel Gabrielle, Coco Mademoiselle, even Dior J’Adore still, albeit more sparingly. That said, I still don’t opt for many counter brand scents, as I find myself preferring something cleaner and more simple, and less synthetic on the nose.
As a result of my pared down olfactory preference, I have found myself not reaching for my Diptyque scents as much. They have started to feel heavier and more oppressive to me. Perhaps a reminder of a more aggressive time LOL! 😛
I do rather relish my current perfume choices. They are light. They don’t last for hours. But they smell lovely, and I know I’m wearing something lovely, that I enjoy. That little whiff of my scent of the day, just when I think that it’s all but faded. That delicious thrill of knowing that I’m wearing something that only I can smell, or perhaps, someone who is able to get close enough. But that would be rare – no one gets that close unless I allow it 😉
Perhaps no one else around me can smell it, but you know, I wear perfume for MY PLEASURE, not for anyone else.
At this moment, that’s enough for me! 🙂
Have you noticed your perfume preferences shifting over time? What sort of scents do you go for these days?
If there is a brand or a particular scent you think I might like to try, do share! I’m always game to try something new. The world of perfume is such a joy to explore 🙂
Paris B
My problem isn’t that my taste has changed but that the perfume companies change the formulation of their perfumes such that the new versions smell cheap and harsh.
I have given up on most Guerlain perfumes and I stopped wearing Diorissimo when they changed the formulation (a long time ago). That said, I have one last Guerlain perfume which I sort of like — L’Heure Bleu — but it’s a heavy, heady perfume for cooler days (fall/winter). For spring/summer, I like Louis Vuitton’s Dan La Peau. That’s it.
I have read many people having a similar complaint re: newer versions of their favourite perfumes smelling watered down or less attractive. I have read that sometimes it’s because a certain ingredient cannot be found easily, or becomes too expensive, so substitutions are found. But it’s a pity when that happens. I don’t stay loyal long enough to any perfume in recent years to notice this however LOL 😛 I’m not big on most Guerlain perfumes myself. Their scents don’t sit well with me although I have one that I bought at an airport. I haven’t taken it out in a while, so I do wonder what I’ll think of it now
I have tried purchasing Burberry, the classic from 1995 and am sad to say it is no longer authentic no matter who I purchase it from – I miss it.
I still enjoy fresh, fruity scents. Can’t do too much wood/musk. Currently infatuated with Miss Dior, though I only pat a bit if I want to feel special.
Perfume is for myself to enjoy 😉
In our weather, fresh and fruity is good! I”m just that nutter who can’t do fresh and fruity LOL! 😀 I used to love Miss Dior too. But not anymore because it started smelling too sweet. I have a thing for not smelling sweet 😛
I have been a loyal user of Calvin Klein Escape for Women, on a daily basis for years, maybe 15 until it was discontinued. Then Chloe Chloe EDP, for several years, daily basis as well, went on Chloe EDT, to Love Story, Absolu until Louis Vuitton Apogee, now a staple. All these are for work.
On weekends, it’s Jo Malone all the way, Red Roses (went through two big bottles), Nectarine Blossom and Honey, English Pear and Freesia, Wild Bluebells, Peony and Blush Suede.
Couldn’t get Dior and Chanel perfumes to work on me.
Love Hermès Pamplemousse Rose and Rhubarbe Ecarlate.
Next purchase would be Louis Vuitton Rose Des Vents. I fancy rose scent..many says it’s very grandma-like but as you said, I wear them because I love the smell!
I remember when Chloe was one of the most popular perfumes around! In my memory, it reminds me of lychees. I never took to it LOL! I haven’t yet tried Hermes or LV perfumes yet. Because they’re sold in their stores (and I haven’t been in any of them for a while), I tend to forget they also sell something more “affordable” LOL! 😀 I really should go try an LV perfume. I keep meaning to and keep forgetting
Give LV perfume a try, they are not so synthetic smelling. Although pricey as it’s a 100ml, if you calculate cost per ml, they are about at par with Chanel but lasts really long. My bottle is half way through since I got it a year ago and I use it daily on a work week. Also refillable, it would be cheaper too 😉
Hermes colognes are really light and available at duty free shops as well as inflight shopping of most airlines, selected scents only. Try Sephora, they carry some but I would rather buy from Hermes store as stock from Sephora can be rather old. I saw some manufactured in 2016! Yikes
I’d likely check out Hermes colognes first vs LV, as something tells me I won’t be terribly sold on LV’s current line up of scents. But still, who knows! LOL! I have seen them at duty-free, and I remember smelling some of them before this. But I’m always running through airport duty free these days LOL! Don’t really shop anymore so I might have to check in store – gives me a good reason to go in store eh? Just hope I don’t walk out with something more expensive 😀
You could check out the Elizabeth Arden Green Tea EDT range! The scent of the original Green Tea scent is light and clean which might tickle your fancy. The other variations are nice too.
Now that you mention it, I remember smelling EA Green Tea back in the day! Gosh. It’s still around? LOL!
My preference so far hasn’t change but too bad my perfumes discontinued so I am forced to pick up new fragrance but I couldn’t seem to find the right one since last year, so most of the days now I am fragrant-free because I am saving the last few drops of Bvlgari au The Rouge (the clear glass bottle edition) for special days. I found out they released a new version of this in red bottle, probably I will blind buy it, fingers crossed hoping it smells the same.
I am never the adventurous type, my perfume before this one was Bvlgari Rose Essentielle since high school till my graduation. After that I used Fragonard Etoile, loved it and had strangers stopped me on the street asking what perfume I wear but too bad it’s hard to repurchase..
I tried Jo Malone recently few times over the counter but on me they smell too generic, like baby powder, soapy, shampoo-ey and incense-like. The one that could work on me was Peony & Suede but I am still trying to justify the price, it smells nice on me but it’s not unique and at some point it smells like freshly laundered clothes instead of expensive perfume.
It sounds like you’d already found your favourite perfumes or scent preference 🙂 I’m not personally familiar with Bvlgari or Fragonard, but I’m told that they are quite complex scents. I can understand therefore that you may find Jo Malone scents more simple or generic. Ultimately, it all boils down to our personal preferences when it comes to perfumes, and I think that’s the beauty of it all – it is the one aspect of beauty that is truly truly personal 😀
Interesting, I have never tried 154. You make it sound very appealing.
I thought the rare tea collection was so disappointing, no longevity at all. After half an hour, I couldn’t even smell I had tried a scent.
For summer days, I love Jo Malone Basil and Neroli. In the evening, I add some Jo Malone Myrrh and Tonka, the combination is awesome. 🙂
You are right about Rare Teas being quite fleeting, despite the price. Each time I have it sprayed on in store, it doesn’t quite last. I guess that should put paid to my desire to own them LOL! 😛 Thanks for reminding me about Basil & Neroli. I shall go dig it out and spray it on – I remember I quite like that one too! But I can’t quite do Myrrh and Tonka – Tonka is a touch sweet for me.
I used to be interested in scents. Actually, when I was young I preferred the darker scents but as I get older I’m less inclined to pay money for perfumes and also I’m much more sensitive to scent than I used to be.
And where I live (Northern California) the lifestyle tends to be overall more ‘natural’ and casual, so it’s not customary for people to wear scents beyond something light like with lotions and such. Plus people are very considerate of others — it’s considered a bit passe to wear very strong scents/perfumes as you can so easily trigger someone else’s allergies. So when I do use scent, I tend to go with light lotions and either go for a soft lavender/vanilla scent (I’ve gravitated to this more as I became a mother and wanted something comforting and not overwhelming for my kids) or a citrus/herb type scent which is my personal preference.
It’s so interesting how our preferences change as we age, or as our lifestyles change, for some of us 🙂 It was interesting also that you brought up the fragrance style where you live. Unusually, although the weather here is fairly warm and sultry, strong floral or musky perfumes still seem to rule the day for many. And well, I guess many people aren’t very considerate (or perhaps they can’t smell how strong their own perfume is LOL!)
“On a personal note, I have let go of a lot of hang-ups. Things that used to bother me, don’t bother me as much, and I feel much more confident and secure in myself and what I have chosen to do.”
What a lovely read 🙂
Thank you 🙂
I could never figure out to go through bottles of perfume. How much is the appropriate amount to spray on and how fast do you go through, say 50ml ?
I have quite given up on perfumes, as I get bored pretty easily, may one or two months tops, then it will be lying there on my dresser as display.
These days, I tend to put on scented lotion if I want to smell pretty.
Haha that’s an interesting question K. For me, I spray an average of 3 spritzes each time I use a fragrance. But I don’t spray directly on my skin, preferring to spray around my head, if you know what I mean. I spray once on each side of my neck (from a distance), and then once sort of just overhead, so it settles onto my hair. I like it that way. I went through bottles of perfumes in my youth. But that was because I only owned one and used it almost daily! Perhaps what you can do is get sample sized perfume vials. That way, you can wear them for a little while and not have to wait till you get bored with them 😀