Best Perfumes for Women

No.5 L’eau EDT by Chanel

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Chanel No.5 is the most well-known fragrance on the planet. As such, its Chanel’s bread and butter and really helped to build the company into what it is today, and it offers multiple versions/flankers to try to maximize sales.

No.5 L’eau was brought out in 2016, as a lighter and somewhat more wearable for a general audience option, versus the higher concentrate and more expensive original. How does it smell? Perform? Is it worth a try?

Please continue below for my full take and give your own score of L’eau in the comments.

What does No.5 L’eau Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, mandarin orange, orange, aldehydes, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, musk, cedar

Click here to try: No. 5 L’Eau by Chanel Eau de Toilette Spray 200ml

My Full Review

The opening of L’eau really gives you those familiar Chanel aldehydes. The usual cool, fresh, and memorable aroma is where you’re going to be most reminded of the parfum version of the No.5 namesake.

However, what really separates No.5 L’eau is the citrus notes that are strong and present throughout. At first, I get a heavier weighting towards the lemon note. Then, as things progress, the mandarin orange and more generic orange note take on a larger role.

As the citrus shifts, the floral notes emerge for a while, but never take on a dominant role within the composition. I actually get more of the ylang-ylang than jasmine and there’s a very light rose for a short while.

What the floral notes do, is to combine with the freshness of the cedar and musk to create its more soapy like qualities. Add to that, No.5 L’eau does have a somewhat powdery aroma for a period with how the notes come together…a light orris root is in here, apparently.

I like it once that tug of war is settled and I get a fresh citrus and soapy fragrance. No.5 L’eau comes across as more of a balanced scent at this point and is an enjoyable wear. Not the most complex perfume, but there is some depth here, while being a lighter warm weather perfume.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, No.5 L’eau is a light to moderate scent. That’s what it’s designed to be, so don’t expect an absolute bomb. That being said, for this style of perfume, the performance isn’t too bad at all on my skin.

I can get detect wearing it for pretty much the entire wear, without having to press my nose right up against where I sprayed. On a t-shirt, I can get a whiff of L’eau from 4-6 feet away, at its peak. Again, not crazy projection, and it’s more airy than heavy.

The longevity is okay for most purposes. 5-6 hours is about what I get. My skin is pretty good at not completely eating up fragrances, so your experience may vary for the worse or maybe the better. Nonetheless, it’d be nice if it could go a full workday at this price point.

Seasonally, spring and summer. It’s actually a great option for the hottest weather because it can hold up and thrive under those conditions.

No.5 L’eau is much more of a daytime sort of wear versus a seductive nighttime scent. Though, within those confines is a very versatile fragrance that’s safe to wear for almost any occasion.

Also, this can be an appealing No. 5 perfume for the younger crowd, who may not yet appreciate or enjoy wearing the original formula.

Overall Impressions of No.5 L’eau

Do I like this scent? I like it well enough, but it doesn’t strike me as amazing. I still prefer the EDP and Parfum versions of Chanel No.5 versus L’eau. The rating score below, is going to be dinged due to the performance, but the aroma itself is fairly nice.

I like the opening blend of citrus and the aldehydes. Also, the final dry down when things are fully settled smells good. There is a period where the citrus, cedar, musk, and aldehydes can feel too sharp. Like, it’s a mix of powder and soapy aromas, and that’s my least favorite part.

The floral notes are light here and give you the usual Chanel jasmine and ylang-ylang affair. Pretty standard issue, like found in Gabrielle and others from this designer.

Is it actually worth getting a bottle? I wouldn’t say that No.5 L’eau is a must have for most folks. Probably, No.5 fans who want a better summertime option or those who just want a lighter more youthful version.

For anyone else, it’s worth trying, but not necessarily one that you want to blind buy. Mainly, due to the fact you’d probably want to see how well it performs on your skin. The scent itself? Pretty safe and will appeal to a wide swath of the population, just give it a test beforehand.

Chance Eau Fraiche by Chanel

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Chance Eau Fraiche is one of the flanker releases by Chanel, after the massive success of its Chance perfume. Eau Fraiche has come to be able to stand alone in its own right, as it has been out for over a decade and hasn’t been discontinued by the designer yet.

That’s pretty good for a reinterpretation of an original fragrance. I had yet to give this one a proper review on the site, and so, I bought a sample to jog my memory and see if it’s still worthwhile.

What does Chance Eau Fraiche Smell Like?

Notes include: citron, jasmine, teak wood, hyacinth, cedar, vetiver, patchouli, and more

Click here to try: Chance Eau Fraiche Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My Full Review

Chance Eau Fraiche opens up with its citron note coming out in full effect. It is joined by the hyacinth note, which is out in its full powdery peak, during the opening act. The powdery quality of this Chanel is what really separates it from other citrus/woody perfume, like Light Blue, in my mind. 

The opening citrus is tart, with the powder of the floral note, and the heightened freshness of a cedar and teakwood combination. What’s great about this opening, is that it doesn’t come across as screeching and unbearable, as it is calmed by the floral notes.

After this beginning, the hyacinth gets weaker and mostly replaced by the jasmine. Also, pink pepper, musk, and some more herbal notes emerge into the periphery.

Compared to the other Chance scents, this one is more focused on that juicy citrus and the floral notes are more just apart of the overall picture, instead of the main highlight.

Very clean, juicy, with a bit of a sporty edge to it. I end up getting the woods, musk, vetiver, and the remaining citron coming through in the final stage of the wear. It has some depth, but this one isn’t crazy complex. 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is pretty light to moderate. It’s never super strong on my skin, but it is always more than a skin scent for a majority of the wear, at least for me. This is an eau fraiche style EDT, so, you really shouldn’t expect a beast coming in. 

That being said, Eau Fraiche does have the ability to project itself just fine. No major complaints from me about it.

 

The longevity, is somewhere in the 7-8 hour range for me. Keep in mind, during that last hour or so, it is coming through as a skin scent. Before that, I can still pick it up well enough, and it’ll stick to the 3-4 foot range from where I sprayed it.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summer wear. But, within that Chance Eau Fraiche is very versatile and wearable. More of a daytime fragrance. Not really a nightlife, formal, or particularly sexy perfume…but it’s attractive.

Eau Fraiche can also be worn by pretty much all ages. It does have a sweetness to it, but it isn’t a candy-like teenager scent, though it is entirely appropriate for that age range or older. 

Overall Impressions of Chance Eau Fraiche

Overall, do I like this fragrance? I really do enjoy Eau Fraiche. Though, I’d say it’s my third pick from the Chance line.

I love the citron and hyacinth combination. The Chanel jasmine note is absolutely classic and I like the teakwood and cedar blend, instead of a straight up cedar bomb. This one isn’t too complicated, but very appealing, and super easy to wear for a good chunk of the year.

Chance Eau Fraiche isn’t the most powerful scent on the market, but it’s solid enough for me. Plus, I get a nice amount of time to spend with it. If you like the original Chance, this one should appeal to you, and give you something to wear for the summer months. 

Chance Eau Fraiche is in the same style of fragrance as Light Blue or Versense by Versace. However, I prefer this to either of those scents. But, if you’re familiar with this kind of perfume and it fits your style, it’s pretty hard to go wrong with Eau Fraiche.

Best Smelling Christian Lacroix Perfumes

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Christian Lacroix is a design house that has been around for decades, at this point. The fragrance side of things, seems to be no longer active and producing scents. However, they are still churning out scarfs and leather goods.

While you currently aren’t going to get any new perfume releases from this brand, there are still older ones available for purchase, that smell really great. In this post, I want to present 5 of the best perfume options from Christian Lacroix, if you’re in the market. 

What are the Best Christian Lacroix Fragrances?

Best Lacroix for Summer

C’est La Fete– A fruity and popular fragrance for the summer months. Pear and passion fruit, are the main drivers of this fragrance, but you also get some other fruity notes like apricot.

It isn’t a super sugary sweet scent, rather, it is a light and upbeat scent with a touch of juiciness and underlying floral notes.

Clean, crisp, with some tartness thrown in; this gives C’est La Fete a familiar yet unique profile versus other perfumes. It can be difficult to find a bottle, but they still do exist online. 

Spicy Unique Floral

Bazar– Bazar has an even more unique set of ingredients, than does, the previous entry. This one goes more of the floral route, but still has a fruity start, and a greenish spiciness throughout.

Bazar is a perfume that will take you on an aromatic journey, with its different iterations and styles. As it dries down, the aroma shifts more towards the floral end of things, with ingredients such as orange blossom, while still retaining its peppery spice. 

Most Popular

Christian Lacroix– The original namesake fragrance of the Christian Lacroix brand. It is more of a traditional sort of perfume, that still has some tricks up its sleeve.

Christian Lacroix is a floral, with a slightly smoky and amber-laden finish. Heliotrope and ylang ylang gives this fragrance its floral bonafides, with the former providing a somewhat powdery cleanliness. 

Floral notes, amber, with some light hints of fruity sweetness early on. This is truly a beautiful fragrance, that could absolutely serve as a daily wear. 

Best White Floral Scent

Eau Florale- Just reading the name, you already know what this one is all about. If you’re a floral lover, this is probably going to be your best bet from Christian Lacroix.

Eau Florale is a white floral fragrance, with plenty of tuberose and gardenia. Along with, lily of the valley, and subtle hints of iris. However, it doesn’t just give you a typical bouquet effect, with a heavy ‘greenish’ aroma. 

Instead, you also get some early citrus notes which provides Eau Florale with a clean and somewhat watery finish. A very nice blend of notes, that won’t be boring, but can be worn in a variety of situations. 

 

 

Classic Aldehydes

C’est La Vie– This one was released decades ago, and definitely has that old school, or classic perfume vibe.

C’est La Vie is pretty prominent with the aldehydes and floral notes. Though, it doesn’t skew completely towards flowers, but shares the duty with some fruity ingredients such as raspberry and some pineapple. 

Yes, it is an older scent, but it still has a certain style that makes it pretty timeless. Not an ‘old lady’ fragrance, but one with plenty of depth and a tradition behind it. 

Coco Mademoiselle vs Miss Dior Perfume Comparison

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Two of the big names in French design, Dior and Chanel, have very popular fragrances for ladies that are somewhat similar: Coco Mademoiselle vs. Miss Dior EDP. Which one of these perfumes smells the best? Which gives a greater performance? Which is the better buy? In this post, I will compare them head to head, to help make a decision. 

Miss Dior EDP vs. Coco Mademoiselle: Tale of the Tape

Coco Mademoiselle

Notes include: jasmine, rose, orange, patchouli, vetiver

Click here to try: Coco Mademoiselle

Miss Dior EDP

Notes include: jasmine, blood orange, patchouli, mandarin orange, rose, rosewood, pink pepper

Click here to try: Christian Dior Miss Dior, 50ml/1.7 oz.

My Review: Miss Dior

Opening

Coco Mademoiselle starts closer to a fruity floral perfume, than anything else. . In fact, it is a blend of citrus, neroli, jasmine, rose and ylang ylang peaking through. The musk is not all that heavy, but it does have a solid level of patchouli coming through.

Miss Dior starts off with citrus fruits, patchouli, and rose. It’s essentially a blend of orange and lemon, with patchouli, and a hint of rose. The rose note isn’t too strong in either of these perfumes, at this stage.

After about 15 minutes, the rose really begins to take over, and the patchouli flanks it. The citrus notes begin to fade into the background.

Which do I enjoy more? They are actually very similar in the early stages, so it can be a tough call. Between the two, I think that I prefer Coco Mademoiselle versus the Dior fragrance. I think the citrus/floral blend is more balanced and just a tad better overall.

Edge: Coco

Projection

For me, Miss Dior EDP is pretty moderate throughout its entirety. It isn’t weak, but it never strikes as a powerhouse. Solid, but not something that overwhelms.

Coco Mademoiselle starts off stronger, stays that way for a great period of time, before becoming a moderate. The Chanel perfume, wins this round.

Edge: Coco

Longevity

With Miss Dior, I’ve gotten it to last around 8 hours, on the skin. It’s a very good performer and not disappointing.

However, Coco Mademoiselle, does go much longer. With that, I can get 10+ hours of solid use, before it fades away. Neither of them, gives you a bad deal, but Mademoiselle is better. 

Edge: Coco

Versatility

This Miss Dior fragrance is best served in the colder temperatures, all the way up to moderate, but not the high heat. Coco Mademoiselle can go year round. It isn’t a summertime scent, but holds up better than the Dior.

Outside of that, they are both all around great wears for daily life, more formal occasions, etc. The Chanel gets the nod, slightly, as it does have a bit more use with varying climates.

Edge: Coco

 

Overall Scent

So, it’s pretty much a clean sweet for Coco Mademoiselle, right? Basically, but it isn’t a blow out. I don’t want to discount Miss Dior EDP, which is a very good perfume. It just doesn’t quite hit the same level.

Actually, I have other Miss Dior favorites, which you might want to check out. They can probably give Mademoiselle a run for its money, for many women. 

For this contest, I’d go with Coco Mademoiselle. They are similar, but it does everything that the Dior does, and more. It’s just a better all around scent. Usually more expensive, but it’s worth it.

Winner: Mademoiselle

Best Smelling Honeysuckle Scented Perfumes

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Honeysuckle is a pretty commonly used note in many female fragrances. It’s not the most popular flower in perfumes, but it is consistently added in scents, as an additional white flower when needed. However, it doesn’t always get the shine that it deserves, nor does it too often get featured as a main attraction in the world of fragrance.

In this post, I want to take a closer look at seven perfumes for her, which utilize honeysuckle as a main ingredient. Some will be more pure honeysuckle scents, while others will just have a prominent honeysuckle in its composition.

What are the Best Smelling Honeysuckle Perfumes?

Top Inexpensive Pure Honeysuckle Perfume

Demeter Cologne Spray, Honeysuckle, 3.4 oz.– Demeter’s take on a pure honeysuckle fragrance and it does it quite well. It has a very natural smelling version of the flower and does so for not much money. This isn’t a complex or layered scent, just a straight honeysuckle extravaganza.

The longevity on Demeter scents could be better, but at this price point, it isn’t much trouble to re-apply at all. In either case, this one is a perfect option for those who want the honeysuckle aroma without additional notes competing for attention.

Best Overall Honeysuckle Fragrance

AERIN Beauty Mediterranean Honeysuckle Eau de Parfum 50 ml by AERIN – A beautiful blend of citrus notes to go along with our floral star. Bergramot, orange, and grapefruit open up the fragrance with a bright and zesty scent.

The honeysuckle sits underneath at first, before emerging later on, and fully presenting itself.  A clean and juicy summertime perfume, with an upbeat personality, and a fantastic smell.

The opening citrus can be sharp for a little while, but I think that Mediterranean Honeysuckle, has a really great finish that is airy and clean.

Most Unique Perfume

Jo Malone Honeysuckle & Davana Cologne Spray Perfume – (1.0 oz / 30ml)– A bolder honeysuckle based fragrance, but one that has a unique aroma, with a dry mossy base note.

It isn’t as sweet as some of the others on the list, but has a greenish feeling, and the honeysuckle is paired with rose to create a beautiful floral mix.

Again, this one is a floral with green outdoorsy elements, but is still quite a great honeysuckle scent. Just a different type. I like this Jo Malone entry, as it does bring such a nice change of pace, with a fantastic woodsy type of base.

Other Great Options with this Note

Marc Jacobs Dot Eau de Parfum Spray, 1 Ounce– Dot by Marc Jacobs is more weighted toward the tropical fruit top notes, than the floral ones. Though, as it dries down the floral notes start to shine, and you get honeysuckle with orange blossom within the composition.

Also within there, you get a hint of creamy vanilla and coconut, with a musky wood base. It is a clean, juicy, and fairly light fragrance which smells quite delicious. Dot EDP Review

BURBERRY London Eau De Parfum for Women, 1 Fl. oz.– Burberry London opens up with a blend of rose and honeysuckle, along with a nice tangerine note. A bit later, jasmine comes in and takes over, much of the initial role that the rose played and pairs with our honeysuckle.

This isn’t a pure honeysuckle, but one which features plenty of it, among other well blended notes. London is a great floral perfume with a slight powdery aroma and underlying fresh green notes. It is still very popular and will last 8 hours or more on the skin. London for Women Review

ESTEE LAUDER Modern Muse Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce– Modern Muse EDP is another bouquet sort of fragrance, and not distinctly a honeysuckle one. However, honeysuckle is prevalent throughout, and at times is the most powerful floral note.

Jasmine is the lead flower, along with tuberose, and the latter and honeysuckle will share the stage with the jasmine.

Modern Muse opens with a light mandarin orange note, has moderate sillage, and lasts in the 6-7 hour range. It is a very nice daily wear candidate and enjoyable overall. Modern Muse EDP Review

Mary Kay Eau de Toilette – Sparkling Honeysuckle– Honeysuckle with a pear opening and a dry down which brings on freesia, as another floral aroma. Sparkling Honeysuckle is a pretty simple fragrance, with a sweeter scent than others featured here.

However, bringing together the pear and honeysuckle was a great idea. The dry down has a light woody base, which adds more depth. Good for spring/summer. This is usually available at a really inexpensive price point, also. Sparkling is a nice, pleasant, and very wearable use of this note.