Best Perfumes for Women

Coco Mademoiselle vs. Gabrielle EDP Comparison

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Chanel has an insane number of classic releases under its belt, in the world of fragrance, and really fashion as a whole. Coco Mademoiselle has become one such classic, over the past few decades, and is one of the most popular perfumes in the world. Chanel has more recently put out their Gabrielle perfume line, with the initial eau de parfum, kicking things off. Does it surpass Mademoiselle? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Chanel Gabrielle vs. Coco Mademoiselle

Coco Mademoiselle

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

Click here to try: Coco Mademoiselle

Read my full review: Coco Mademoiselle EDP

Gabrielle

Notes include: jasmine, ylang-ylang, orange blossom, tuberose, musk, citrus, pear

Click here to try: Chanel Gabrielle For Women Eau De Parfume Spray 3.4 Ounces

Read my review: Gabrielle EDP

Opening

Mademoiselle opens up with its powerful blend of neroli, patchouli, and orange. The citrus note takes the lead early on, before this perfume starts to feature its other floral notes, being jasmine and a slight rose.

Gabrielle EDP, also goes with a citrus and floral mix, though it smells like there is much less distinction among the notes. The citrus is more sparkling than juicy, there is pink pepper, ylang-ylang, and orange blossom.

Which is better? I prefer the start of Coco Mademoiselle EDP versus Gabrielle. I prefer the notes in that one, as a whole, and it has a great bold opening act.

Edge: Mademoiselle

Projection

Coco Mademoiselle is a strong fragrance with a really nice ability to project itself off of the skin. It’s not an absolute bomb, but it doesn’t disappoint in the slightest.

Gabrielle EDP has a much more moderate sillage, in comparison. It’s not weak, but never reaches the same level.

Edge: Mademoiselle

Longevity

This is another easy win for Mademoiselle. It will go 10+ hours without trouble. Gabrielle has pretty good longevity, but not great. That perfume will go 7-7.5 hours, on my skin.

Edge: Mademoiselle

Versatility

Both of these can fit in a variety of climates, but I think Gabrielle is better in the summertime, than is Coco Mademoiselle.

Mademoiselle is the sexier fragrance and fits in better in the nightlife. Either can be worn casually or for daily wear. It’s a pretty even split, after accounting for what each excels at.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I do like Gabrielle EDP. It’s a very nice floral bouquet fragrance with just enough sweetness, to keep things interesting. The overall presentation is quite good, but it never strikes me as being amazing. Also, Gabrielle Essence is the better of the two.

Coco Mademoiselle is a classic and just better all around when compared to the newer Gabrielle. You get a great citrus start, gourmand touches, a floral heart and creamy vanilla in the base.

The performance is superior and it is at least equal to Gabrielle in terms of its versatility of wear. For me, it’s an easy pick.

Winner: Coco Mademoiselle

YSL Libre vs. Good Girl Comparison

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YSL Libre has become a very popular scent since its release. It can often get compared to Good Girl by Carolina Herrera, as both are floral dominant with gourmand elements, and are best sellers respectively. With that being the case, which of these perfumes smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Good Girl vs. YSL Libre

Libre EDP

Notes include: lavender, white musks, orange flower, vanilla, orchid

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau De Parfum Spray for Women 90ml/3oz, clear

Read my review: Libre EDP

Good Girl

Notes include: jasmine, coffee, bergamot, tuberose, almond, rose, tonka bean, cocoa

Click here to try: CAROLINA HERRERA Good Girl Eau de Perfume Spray, 2.7 Fl Oz

Read my Review: Good Girl by Carolina Herrera

Opening

Libre opens up with orange blossom as the dominant note, but paired with lavender, and a slight spritz of citrus fruit juice. Libre is musky, somewhat soapy, and has a creamy aroma. Though, the latter isn’t as strong, as it is in Libre Intense.

Meanwhile, Good Girl is about the white floral notes and citrus up top. Lemon, jasmine, and almond are the main attention grabbers, but some tuberose will come through.

That opening is short-lived, the citrus fades, and you get coffee to pair with the almond. At first, it’s more of a nutty gourmand, but cocoa and tonka bean will play a greater role.

Which is better? For me, I prefer the opening of Good Girl more so than Libre. I like the lemon and jasmine pairing better than the musky orange blossom and lavender of Libre. It’s not a huge advantage, but it takes this round.

Edge: Good Girl

Projection

Libre is a fairly strong fragrance, more like the upper end of moderate, than a complete beast. However, it projects better than Good Girl, which is just pretty middle of the road. Not completely weak, but the YSL is better.

Edge: Libre

Longevity

On my skin, Good Girl will go right around 8 hours, but doesn’t seem to go beyond that. Libre can hit 9 hours and seems to have a stronger residue in those later hours.

Edge: Libre

Versatility

Good Girl is more of a casual or nightlife scent, that is light enough and not too sweet that it couldn’t be worn elsewhere, but it’s not really a formal fragrance. Nor is Libre, I don’t really see a distinction there.

Good Girl is more of a cold weather wear, so, autumn through most of springtime it would be fine. Again, it’s pretty much the same for Libre, as neither is a scent to wear in the heat.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I don’t absolutely love either of these fragrances and they’re indeed pretty close competition for one another.

Libre can be a good choice if you want more of a strong floral fragrance, with a heavy emphasis on the lavender note, in the latter stages. The vanilla note and creaminess is there, but it’s not the main feature.

Good Girl is more of a balance between the white floral notes and gourmand ingredients. The coffee and almond are really great and my favorite part. It’s not completely unique, as there are many perfumes that smell similar to Good Girl. But, still likeable enough.

Between them, I’d go with Good Girl over Libre. It’s the more interesting fragrance and smells better, in my opinion.

Winner: Good Girl

Park Avenue South by Bond No. 9

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Today, we have another Bond No. 9 fragrance sample to review. This one is another for the ladies and is entitled, Park Avenue South. In this post, I am going to cover how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and if I think it’s worth a buy.

What does Park Avenue South Smell Like?

Notes include: apple, peach, musk, amber, jasmine

Click here to try: Bond No. 9 Park Avenue South Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of Park Avenue South is that of crisp apples. I had eaten a Golden Delicious apple earlier in the day, so the sensation was rather instantaneous. That initial apple dominant aroma seems to only last for a minute, however, since it is then quickly joined by the peach note.

Again, I want to state that this fragrance is crisp and not really ‘juicy’ as many other fruity perfumes tend to be. Actually, Park Avenue South is quite dry, warm, and with a slight spice to it.

The musky amber keeps the fruits tempered somewhat and allows the scent to have that dry quality.

That’s kind of it because this perfume is almost ridiculously simple. It’s so linear, by five minutes in, you kind of know what you’ve got.

While I do think that it smells pretty good, it also reminds me of an air freshener spray. Park Avenue South just has that same aroma to it, just with less of a chemical/synthetic undercurrent to it. 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s okay. It does it’s job without overwhelming but it is more towards the softer side of things. I always knew that it was there, but Park Ave. South never felt overwhelming, in the slightest.

 

I will say, that the longevity seems to hit the 7-9 hour range, which is a plus. It doesn’t develop much at all, but the perfume also won’t just quit in the middle of the day. So, if you like that initial scent, you might very well enjoy that you get to spend a long time with it. 

I’d call this casual. You could wear it to work or school, but it never struck me as romantic or sexy. Just a decent spray for the warmer days of the year. 

But yeah, stick to the daytime in spring and summer with Park Avenue South.

Overall Impressions of Park Avenue South

Overall, would I recommend Park Avenue South? Not really. It’s decent. I’m not particularly enthralled by it and I feel like you could probably replicate a similar scent for a much cheaper price. It is a fresh and pleasant smell but nothing to write home about.

This is one of the least interesting fragrances that Bond has come out with. To me, at least. I think they have perfumes that smell worse, but they tried to do something novel with them. Park Avenue South is kind of meh, at a high price level. 

Mon Paris EDP by YSL

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Mon Paris was released by Saint Laurent back in 2016. It has become the flagship of a pretty successful line of fragrances, though, not insanely so. I grabbed a few samples of these perfumes, to finally give them a proper review for the site, and will kick things off with the original Mon Paris EDP. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Mon Paris EDP Smell Like?

Notes include: peony, white musk, patchouli, and datura accord

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris Eau de Parfum Spray, 3 Fluid Ounce

My Full Review

Before we get into my personal review, let’s see how YSL describes this fragrance: An intoxicating white chypre to make you lose your senses. The sensuality of white petaled musk, enlightened by a vertiginous datura accord and balanced by the intensity of an exceptional patchouli. The trail of intense love.

YSL doesn’t mention it, but there are fruity notes in Mon Paris and actually are more prominent than the floral notes for much of the wear.

I mostly get berries, some pear, and a hint of citrus. Though, the latter two aren’t that powerful within the overall composition.

With the floral notes, I mostly get the datura and peony, and a very light jasmine some of the time. It’s fruity/floral and somewhat musky, with a patchouli notes creeping up from the base.

For the rest of the wear, what it develops into is a sweet floral with musky and patchouli highlights. The fruit notes become less distinguishable and it just feels like a generic smell of ‘sweet’. It’s not bad or unpleasant to me, however.

The datura pretty much takes over the entirety of the composition. Datura, sweetness, and musk. 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Mon Paris isn’t a complete beast, but it isn’t exactly weak, either. The sillage is above average and I can pick it up 4-7 feet away, when spraying on a t-shirt. Very respectable and one that will work well in most situations.

The longevity is also quite good, just not elite. On my skin, Mon Paris EDP will go 7-8 hours before it completely fades. Right around a full work day. If you need a longer wear, you’re probably going to have to reapply. 

 

Seasonally, this is a very versatile release from YSL. I’d say, outside of the absolutely hottest days of summer, you should be good to go. It’s fine when it’s warm out, but just that high heat and humidity could kill it.

It’s sweet and attractive. Not necessarily a sexy fragrance, but I enjoy the delicious smelling aspects of this perfume. Good for casual wear, daily wear, and can venture into the nightlife. Though, that’s not its main use. 

I wouldn’t really use Mon Paris for a more formal engagement. Also, probably best worn by those in their 20s.

My Overall Impressions of Mon Paris

Overall, do I like Mon Paris by YSL? I like it, but this perfume isn’t a love for me. It’s a very nice fruity floral, that does most everything well enough, but it isn’t an outstanding scent by any means.

I like Intensement better from this series. Lumiere is pretty decent too.

It’s more of a sweet fruity/floral fragrance, than what it seems to be marketed as. Mon Paris is not super sugary or candy-like sweet, but it might be one to avoid if sweetness is not your thing with perfumes.

I enjoy the berries, datura, and peony blend. It’s pretty and one that would be easy to grab for most any occasion. The later patchouli phase is also fairly enjoyable.

Mon Paris EDP is nice. That’s about what I can say about it. Nothing super special, but pretty basic, familiar, and nice. It skews toward the younger crowd, but isn’t a complete ‘teenager fragrance’. 

10 Best Smelling Chocolate Scented Perfumes

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Chocolate is a favorite aroma of so many people around the world. It is no wonder, that this note is included in a lot of different fragrances. Yet, it is often not the lead note, and usually just comes in for a bit of support. In this post, I want to explore some options for women, who are looking for a chocolate scented perfume. I gathered up 10 names, which I feel, can fit the bill well. 

What are the Best Chocolate Perfumes for Women?

Citrus & Chocolate

Symphonium by Xerjoff– Kicking things off here, we have a higher end perfume with a great chocolate heart, Symphonium.

This Xerjoff scent utilizes orange, vanilla, and the warmth of cardamom to surround and amplify our target note. But, while it seems like it would be one big sweet bash, there is also a significant amount of oud giving it a further density and smokiness.

So, it’s a chocolatey perfume with fresh orange, spiciness, and an underlying oud base. Later, it gets creamier and more edible with how it comes across.

Might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this is a unique blend that should have fans among those who love chocolate.

 

 

Dark Chocolate Blend

Kilian Black Phantom- Memento Mori Perfume Refillable Spray 1.7 fl. oz– Black Phantom is a sweet gourmand early on, which really shines when its cold out. You get boozy slightly spiced rum, chocolate caramel, and coffee. Yep, it’s going to be warm and delicious.

Upon opening the chocolate note really comes through, along with almond, some of the rum and a sugary sweetness. As it moves along Black Phantom becomes a blend of chocolate, caramel, and coffee. The chocolate is darker and the scent is less sweet overall, during the latter stages. 

A very nice dark chocolate, with nutty elements, and a warm embracing coffee note. This can be worn by anyone, without issue. 

Slight Spice with Chocolate Sweetness

Jo Malone Blue Agave & Cacao Cologne for Women 1 oz Cologne Spray–Blue Agave & Cacao takes spicy cinnamon melds it with vanilla and chocolate sweetness. Under that is an additional citrus accord, giving the entire profile a yummy appeal.

The opening gives you a blend of the chocolate note with warm cardamom spice and the cinnamon. The spice isn’t too intense, but does add to the gourmand flavoring of this perfume, it’s a sweet spicy mix.

Under that there is a bit of vetiver, with orchid, lily, and the blue agave. Awesome and unique.

Pure Cacao Perfume

Cacao Dreams 55 ML (Alexandria Fragrances)– This is a pretty straightforward perfume, but delivers exactly what many will be looking for, nearly pure chocolate. Yes, there is some additional notes, like vanilla and a hint of orange.

However, they are background players to the chocolatey goodness found in Cacao Dreams. Not too heavy or synthetic smelling, with pretty good performance. 

White Chocolate with Powdery Finish

Britney Spears Fantasy the Naughty Remix Eau De Parfum Spray, 1.7 Ounce– You could also go with the original Fantasy, but this one brings something a bit different to the table, with how it uses its white chocolate note. Plus, the base notes are less sweet and it feels a bit darker.

It is joined by the sweetness of cupcake frosting, with powdery, and spicy elements. The orris root, is fairly strong, and brings a solid dose of powder. As such, this version won’t be for everyone, but it can be a great pick up for the right type of woman. 

It’s getting harder to come by, as it was discontinued, though well worth wearing if you can get a good price.

Chocolate and Hazelnut Cream

THIERRY MUGLER Angel Muse Eau de Parfum for Women, 1.7 Ounce– This Angel fragrance, gives you cacao, with hazelnut cream for the sweeter part of the scent. With that, comes a healthy hit of patchouli.

Angel Muse is long-lasting with a creamy middle act, due to the tonka bean. This isn’t a pure chocolate scent, but it is a very nice example of using the ingredient, in conjunction with others.

The patchouli and woody notes, do give it that bakery-like aroma. Again, not a straight up chocolate blast, just a great blend. Angel Muse Review

Chocolate Bakery

MONTALE Chocolate Greedy Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 fl. oz.– Chocolate Greedy gives you a lovely chocolate aroma, that is supported by vanilla, and a hint of coffee. The coffee is mostly around, at the start, but gets overtaken by a bitter orange.

Honestly, not personally a fan of the bitter orange note, but it ultimately isn’t too much of a distraction. As it dries down, it takes on more of a scent of chocolate baked goods, with its warmth. 

Very good performance here. The aroma goes from baked goods to a creamier feel during the middle act. Not super sweet or sugary.

Chocolate Cake with Fruity Syrup

Comptoir Sud Pacifique AMOUR DE CACAO EDT,1 fl. oz.– Quite similar to Chocolate Greedy above, but has a better array of fruit notes. The orange here is just standard orange and not bitter. Also, you get a starfruit ingredient, which is bright and inviting.

Beyond that, the cacao and vanilla mix, up pretty much in the same way. Get this if you want slightly more fruit, included, with less powdery finish. If you want a syrupy layer of fruit notes, on top of your chocolate cake…get this one instead of Greedy.

 

Earthy, Spicy, and Floral

Paco Rabanne Black Xs By Paco Rabanne For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 2.7-Ounces
Very fresh and sexy scent with floral and gourmand notes such as cacao and vanilla. It’s somewhat sweet, but Black XS is also is centered by a hint of spice and a woody/earthy middle.

It opens up with the tart cranberry and patchouli, before it is brought together by our cacao note and some rose. However, as it moves along, Black XS does indeed get darker.

The rose note dissipates and the cranberry begins to get superseded by the other ingredients. The final product is cacao, vanilla, patchouli, pink pepper, and some musk..   Black XS Review

Sweet and Cozy Cocoa

Prada Candy Night by Prada Eau De Parfum Spray 2.7 oz Women– The flanker fragrance to the original Prada Candy, Night steps up the sweetness, with the addition of cacao. Candy Night is warm with undertones of its caramel note, and the musk, found at the base.

The chocolate note comes across, as somewhat dry, and powdery (a little bit like cocoa powder drink mix). However, there is a nice juicy orange note up top, which prevents it from being totally dried out. It ends up being a nice, cozy performer.