I have openly confessed to having questionable taste when it comes to fragrances (hello, Britney), but I can’t help it — I like what I like. These are just a few of my favorite scents.
- Chanel Coco Mademoiselle
“Even though Coco Mademoiselle is in the oriental fragrance family, it doesn’t smell stuffy or old-lady at all. It’s youthful and sophisticated. You won’t smell like an old lady who lunches and totes small terrier dogs in Burberry outfits. You will smell like a confident young woman strutting down the street in a classic black suit.” - Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia
“To closely match the scents of flowers in nature, Lauder used a fragrance technology they refer to as ‘Nature Intact,’ and with it the perfumers really hit this one on the nose (pardon the pun). Wearing the scent makes me feel like I’m wearing a tuberose lei.” - Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean Breeze
“Something about the fragrance reminds me of fresh, clean water (similar to Aqua di Gio Women and Cool Water Woman), like I’m sipping lemonade on the verandah of a fabulous Spanish villa overlooking the sea.” - Lancome Miracle Forever
“I sometimes find food-based perfumes overly sweet, especially when fruit scents are involved, but Miracle Forever mingles the fruit and cream well; one scent never dominates the others. You get just a touch of black currant, not a whole basket up in your grill. The result is warm and chic.” - Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy
“It’s a fun, flirty, youthful smell. I’d wear it on date night or the weekends but not to work because it can be a lil’ bit too Wet Seal/Forever 21/Limited Too if administered in too heavy a dose.” - CAN CAN by Paris Hilton
“… she [Paris] went home to do a little good ole’ fashioned market research. ‘I’ll have them smell,’ said Paris of her friends and family, ‘and see what they like best.’ With their input, she chose the fragrance she thought would appeal to the widest audience. The result was CAN CAN, a fruity floral with notes of clementine flower, cassis, nectarine, musk and amber.” - Covet by Sarah Jessica Parker
“… when I got this wee bottle of Sarah Jessica Parker’s Covet I was more than prepared to haterade all over it, but a mix of curiosity and masochism drove me to place a few drops on my wrist. I waited and waited and waited for the eau de self-centered celebrity to kick in … but then was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked how it smelled. In fact, it actually smells pretty good — like lemons, your boyfriend’s sweater and baby powder brewed together in a cauldron for a really long time.”
Since we’re on the subject of fragrances, do you have a fragrance crush? If so, what do you like about it?
Happy hump day, friends! Let’s make it a good one. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Laura B says
Hello!
I absolutely love Maybe Baby by Benefit. I know it’s a few years old now but I kep going back for more. It’s floral but v clean and modern and pretty distinctive.
I also admit to a secret Britney perfume fetish…
Louise Gray says
Hi Karen,
Isn’t it great that smelling is one of our senses, except when someone has BO and you’re in an elevator with them!!! LOL I am currently in love with Ormonde Jayne Woman. I don’t know what it is about “woody” scents: perhaps in my former life, I was a wood nymph? It would be so nice to create your own scents. I remember that you said you have a few tomato plants growing. Here is my idea of summer’s sweetest scent. Gently place your fingers lightly up and down the hairy stem of the plant and then take a whiff of the oil left behind on your fingers. Now isn’t that sublime. And speaking of natural fragrances, I love Chanel’s Gardenia. But nothing beats the scent of the real thing. I have yet to smell the EL Tuberose Gardenia. That sounds as if it might appeal to me. Have a highly scented day. Louise
Elle says
I’m a big Burberry fan…Brit is almost all I wear come fall. I also like Burberry Summer (have it on today), Demeter scents, Ralph Lauren Blue, Abercrombie and Fitch 8, different scents from The Body Shop, and I also get crap for liking some of JLo’s fragrances. So don’t feel bad about the Britney love 😉
Brittany says
I really like the first Paris Hilton fragrance and Britney’s Curious, so you’re not alone. Actually, my grandma rocks out Britney’s Curious, which I think is hilarious.
Anyways, my all time favorite scent is the Marc Jacobs perfume, that I’m pretty sure has no name other than Marc Jacobs. It’s a floral that’s incredibly feminine. I absolutely love it. I’ve been wearing it for the past few years. I just recently bought YSL’s Elle. I’m loving that one too.
Music_Is_Freedom says
My fragrance crush is Be Delicious by DKNY. I’m normally very picky about fragrances, and find that mainly fruity scents (especially citrus, mmm…) work well for me, because most floral or musky fragrances bother me after a while. The crisp apple scent of this perfume is perfect for me, because it’s simple and straightforward. I also will admit to liking a good deal of fragrances in the men’s section, but I don’t have a favourite there yet.
Rose says
my top three fragrance crushes:
1. Michael by Michael Kors
2. Sugar by Fresh
3. Butterfly by Hanae Mori
lovelovelove!
Rachel, London says
I love Covert too – glad I’m not alone.
Otherwise I go for pretty spicy heavy scents…
Coco by Chanel
Youth Dew Amber Nude – Tom Ford for Estee Lauder
Cinema by YSL
Tiffany says
My current fragrance crush is Lavanila vanilla coconut. Best summer scent ever!!!!!
Glosslizard says
I have so many fragrance crushes! Here’s my lineup of the usual suspects (in no real order, these are just the ones that live in easy morning reach 😉 )!
Coco Mademoiselle (usually fall and winter)
Hermes Kelly Caleche
Michael Kors Hawaii (summer)
Valentino Rock n’ Rose
Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille (Usually fall and winter, but I’m wearing it today! This is expensive, but I loved it so much I splurged on a 5 mL roller bottle from The Perfumed Court)
And some more recent affairs:
Nanette Lepore
Jo Malone White Jasmine and Mint
Philosophy Amazing Grace
I love perfumes! 🙂
Anna says
My crushes are
Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche……onto my 3rd bottle of the stuff !!
Marc Jacob Daisy
Stella In Two, Stella McCarney
x
Dao says
Perfume is very personal, I think. Midnight Fantasy is a good celebrity perfume, it totally throws the perfume critique snobs off the cliff. Right now my nose is on Yves Saint Laurent L’homme (rewind the “eau de homey” joke :D) I’m surprised that I like a male perfume and a woody perfume in the summertime. Anyways, it’s a really nice perfume. On me it smells a bit citrusy and a very light bit woody. You can’t tell it’s a man’s perfume at all.
Daos last blog post..7 Days and 7 Nights of Mineral Makeup: Everyday Minerals
Joanne says
I love to collect perfume!
My favorites are:
1. Light Blue – Dolce & Gabbana (only got it for $40 for 3.4 oz at Costco last fall)
2. Rock n’ Rose – Valentino (I love this a lot!)
3. Juicy Couture
4. Babydoll – YSL
5. Sunset Heat – Escada
6. Insolence – Guerlain
I still have yet to get Envy – Gucci. =/ I also like the new Vera Wang Princess (pink bottle). When I’m in a rush, I usually just go for Heiress by Paris Hilton.
Joanne says
Oh I also would like to add Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. Its one of my faves, but I don’t have that yet
TUPRNUT says
Here are my faves:
1. Flower Bomb
2. Miss Cherie (Dior)
3. Hot (Ralph Lauren)
4. Daisy (Marc Jacobs)
5. Mademoiselle 🙂 A certain someone recommended this months ago and I love it!
6. Grapefruit Splash (Marc Jacobs)
Holly says
Hi Karen,
I really think Coco Mml is the nicest perfume in the world but then again I am biased!!
Another one that has lasted the years with me is Jean Paul Gaultier Classique I cant even imagine how many bottles of that stuff I have gone through throughout the years.
Other more recent favourites are the original stella by stella mccartney, Michael Kors and Dior shine!
I also love the scent of the blue fragrance by Clarins but it literally lasts about 5 mins on the skin!
Anything sweet like the original Chance by Chanel make me feel physically sick!
Amy Scott says
I love LAMB by Gwen Stephani, Petit Cherie and Maybe Baby.
On a related note, what perfumes do you hate?
My top hate is White Linen by Estee Lauder-would always get sick to my stomach when my mother would wear it
Mimi says
wELL I would have to say Vera Wang…it’s crisp and simple, delicate and profound all at the same time. Also Marc by Marc Jacobs…just smells like sweet skin. I love scents that are not obvious…but for fun anything Escada!
Karen says
Hi Laura B.,
LOL, yeah, I realize annoucing to the world is not exactly keeping it on the D/L, but dang… that stuff she has in the purple bedazzled bottle smells really good!
Karen says
Hi Lousie Gray,
I know that tomato plant smell very well. Last year when I grew three plants I was always out there babying them and touching them, and I loved the scent the leaves left on my fingers.
Although gardenia is one of my favorite flowers, I have yet to smell Chanel’s Gardenia. Now that’s a scent I will most likely fall in love with.
EL Private Collection is divine. It smells just like a fresh turberose lei around your neck.
Have a most excellent day, lady!
Karen says
Hi Elle,
I like Brit too. It’s a bit heavy for me in the summer, though. Is Burberry Summer the one in the pink bottle?
LOL, I like some of JLo’s scents, too. You are not alone!
Karen says
Hi Brittany,
That’s so cute that your grandma wears Curious!
I know which MJ you’re talking about. I like that one too but never got around to purchasing it.
Karen says
Hi Music Is Freedom,
Sometimes I find fruity a bit overwhelming if it’s too sweet, and I agree, that’s a good one. I liked it but didn’t love it on my skin. You’re lucky you can pull it off!
Karen says
Hi Rose,
Good picks! Have you smelled Butterfly Eau Fraiche? Love that one!
Karen says
Hi Rachel, London,
I’m wearing Covet today. 🙂
I haven’t smelled Cinema – what’s it like?
Karen says
Hi Tiffany,
What a coincidence! I sniffed that one when I was at Sephora the other day. It’s very summery!
Karen says
Hi Glosslizard,
Rock n’ Rose! I love that one, but unfortunately can’t wear it (smells off on my skin).
I’m so glad Nanette Lepore is banana free on you.
Karen says
Hi Anna,
Chance Eau Fraiche is a fabulous summer scent. I can see why you’re on your 3rd bottle!
Karen says
Hi Dao,
Gotta give you props for rocking the homey (ha!) perfume. I have not gotten around to doing that. The closest I ever came to wanting to wear a man’s perfume was Coolwater, which now makes me sort of ill because I dated a dude who wore it and ended up being kind of a lame o (long story).
Karen says
Hi Joanne,
Envy is a good one. Are you going to get the old school one? I used to wear that and I remember liking it because it smelled very green.
Karen says
Hi Tuprnut,
You know you can’t go wrong with Coco, girlfriend. 😉
I love Miss Cherie, too, especially during the winter.
How have you been?
Karen says
Hi Holly,
I know a lot of women who rock the JPG Classique and they smell really great in it. I can’t wear it though (too heavy on me).
Do you like any of the new Stellas?
Karen says
Hi Amy Scott,
I don’t really like ones that are too heavy or spicy. One that I can’t really stomach is Clinique’s Aromatics Elixer. How about you?
Karen says
Hi Mimi,
How do you feel about their Moon Sparkle? I liked it but didn’t love it. Ultimately, I felt it too fruity for me.
LOL, on a completely unrelated note Vera Wang makes some beautiful fine China…
Michelle says
Right now i’m loveing Escada’s Moon Sparkle. It’s sweet & fruity, but not overwhelmingly so.
Elle says
Hey Karen!
Burberry Summer is in a clear bottle (just like the original Burberry fragrance), and it has “summer” written in pink rope-y letters beneath the “Burberry”. (I think the one in the pink square bottle is Brit Sheer? That one smells pretty too!) I really like Burberry Summer–it’s perfect and citrusy and fresh, which are my favorite types of scents.
Good to know you like some of JLo’s perfumes also! I get so much crap for liking JLo’s fragrances! I even bought one of those roll-on sets that they had on sale for the holidays. I’m not crazy about the “Live” perfumes, but the “Glow” collection? Yeeeeah, I think I have all of those (even though the “Love at First Glow” one makes me feel, like you said, a bit too Wet Seal at times if I OD on the scent).
Holly says
Hi Karen,
I like the new stella but dont love it i felt that it was kinda like a weaker version of the original!
I keep seeing the skincare line in department stores though and wonder how it is! Have you heard anything about it?
tania says
Karen those are all great picks! I love DKNY Red Delicious. I have Be Delicious too but I only wear it on random days. Red is apple but slightly sweeter. I have to admit the men’s version is delish. I want to get Be Delicious night for winter though I also like flower bomb…
Midnight pomegranate also smells good on me. Its definately different. I describe it as uniquely pretty.
I cannot stand Loves Baby Soft omg it smells like baby ho’s or something! No offense to anyone who wears it!The number one offender was a scent that Gap had a long time ago called Grass. I sniffed it out of curiosity. Bad move as it reaked of a million allergins!
Karen says
Hi Tania,
Yah, those nature-y, one note scents are either love or hate. It’s been a while since I’ve worn a gap fragrance, but one that’s an oldie but goody for me is Dream.
I’ve actually never smelled Love’s Baby Soft! I remember seeing ads for it in magazines when I was a teenager, though.
Karen says
Hi Holly,
I haven’t tried it myself because it’s very pricy, but I’ve heard from a beauty big wig or two that it’s great. If it ever goes on sale I’ll give it a go. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Elle,
Ahhh, okay, I know which one you’re referring too. I like both, but Sheer works better with my skin.
OMG – Miami Glow is the sh*t! I hate that I can no longer seem to find it. I think I saw it once at Rite Aid in the locked up glass counter but I couldn’t get myself to buy it at the time, LOL.
Karen says
Hi Michelle,
You’re lucky that works on ya! I like the smell but it turned really sweet on me. I did like the scent though — good for date night. 🙂
Elle says
LOL Karen you seriously crack me up!! Really…I didn’t know Rite Aid was the only place that still carries Miami Glo! When my bottle runs out I might just have to go to one to pick up a new one…no shame, chica! You know you want another bottle of that suntan lotion-y goodness! 😉
Marisol says
My fave fragrances are in no particular order:
Daisy by Marc Jacobs
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue
Philosophy Falling in Love
DNKY Be Delicious
Marisols last blog post..Weekend update
Karen says
Hi Elle,
I’ve seen it also at Longs. Seriously, I should just break down and get it already. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Marisol,
Good ones! I haven’t smelled that Philosophy scent yet. I like the sound of it, though.
Lucky says
Y’all know my fragrances-
VS Heeavenly
Body by Victoria (the actual scent for the line smells really fresh)
VS Very Sexy Hot is my new obsession (it’s so sultry!)
Bath and Body Works spray in Brown Sugar and Fig
I never realized it but I could probably go on and on!
Luckys last blog post..Forthcoming!
Karen says
Hi Lucky,
Girl, seriously, I want to go shopping in your store so I can hang out with you in the fragrance section.
BTW, I think Body by Victoria smells great, too. It’s a great after-shower scent that smells like “skin”, but better.
Lucky says
Oh, the hours we would waste!
I originally had picked up the Body by Victoria body scrub at a sale and thought it smelled really good, and the fragrance smelled even better!
Luckys last blog post..Yet Another Thing I Can Become Obsessed With
Lee says
Here’s my list of favorites:
Lucky You by Lucky Brand (most fav all year round)
Sheer Veil by Vera Wang (for spring)
Japanese Cherry Blossom by Bath and Body Works (for fall/winter)
Blush by Marc Jacobs (spring)
Midnight Poison by CD (wintery cold days)
Chance by Chanel (winter)
Happy Heart by Clinique
Echo by Davidolf (all year)
Very Irresistible by Givenchy (fall/winter)
I’d love to try Miami Glo, Covet, Philosphy’s and others!
Karen says
Hi Lee,
Miami Glow is my guilty pleasure. I used to spray the testers at the drugstore but I could never get myself to actually buy it. It’s a shame because now I can’t find it!
How do you feel about Chance Eau Fraiche?
Lee says
Karen, I am not a fan of Eau Fraiche. I think because a co-worker wore it for some time and sprayed way too much. You are getting me curious about Miami Glow. I’ll have to find a Rite Aid just to smell it!!!
jessica says
my faves:
1. narciso rodriguez– for her
2. d&b– light blue
3. philosophy– amazing grace (loooove the scent, wish it lasted longer >.<)
3. lolital lempicka– L
4. body shop– neroli jasmin
i love the body by victoria products scent too– do they make it in a body spray or perfume?
jessica says
disregard my question– i confused it with their ‘very sexy’ product line
Nancy says
Wow! I thought I liked a lot! I agree with a lot of you, but my son’s allergies don’t like some of my faves(chanel mademoiselle,Japanese Cherry Blossom, and Insolence)
Sooo, I will tell ya what passes as a no- sneezer and that I like..
Bath Sprays/lotion- B & B Vanilla Bean Noel (heavenly!),Cherry Blossom (my fave),moonlit path. VS Amber Romance,Vanilla,Love Spell.
PERFUMES: Juicy Couture,Philosophy Amazing Grace, EA Mediteranean ( I do not own it,…yet),Amarige(a classic fave I started wearing on my honeymoon-tax free!),Very Sexy, Light Blue. I also like Cashmere Mist.
It is funny how fragrances trigger not only allergies but also memories. That is why it is hard to get rid of some scents…