Best Perfumes for Women

Tory Burch EDP by Tory Burch

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Tory Burch eau de parfum was the first women’s fragrance released by the designer back in 2013. Since then, it has garnered a lot of popularity as a daily wear fragrance, with a bold citrus opening. While already familiar with this scent, I have never posted a full review here, and it’s time to rectify that situation. So, let’s get into it.

What does Tory Burch EDP Smell Like?

Notes include: neroli, grapefruit, cassis, bergamot, peony, tuberose, jasmine, vetiver, sandalwood

Click here to try: Tory Burch FOR WOMEN by Tory Burch – 3.4 oz EDP Spray

My Full Review

Feminine and tomboy. A bright mix of citrus and florals, anchored by earth vetiver.

Tory Burch EDP opens up with a strong citrus accord of grapefruit, bergamot, and neroli. It does have that bright juiciness that you would expect, but you also get the floral accord wafting up from the heart immediately.

To me, the grapefruit is the strongest of the bunch. The bergamot is there, but it isn’t much of a factor to my nose. It’s a bit spicy from the jump, as I’m picking up the cassis  note, but I think that there might be some unlisted pepper in there as well.

As it dries down a bit more, the floral notes emerge much more. Personally, I get a lot of peony, but there is also a nice amount of tuberose and the remaining neroli in here too. The citrus has settled at this point and Burch EDP becomes more of a floral/musk fragrance…with some of the orange still hanging on.

Still further, Burch EDP is a tuberose/peony blend with a vetiver base and musk. It’s fairly different from that sharp citrus start, but still appealing and some residual spiciness still coming through.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Burch EDP isn’t super powerful, but I’d put it down as a moderate, maybe close to the upper end of that range. It will project in the 4-7 foot range, for much of the wear. You could overspray it, if you went crazy, but not with a normal application amount.

The longevity is also good, just not elite. I usually get at least 7 hours of wear from this one and it can venture into the 8 territory in the right circumstances.

Seasonally, I’d stick to the spring and summer months with this. The citrus could be too much in the cold and crisp air of winter. Though, within those seasons, this a very versatile fragrance.

Tory Burch EDP is more of a daily wear scent. It can be worn to work, school, or casual. While it is a fairly pretty scent, it really isn’t a sexy club beast or anything like that. You’ll get plenty of wear out of it, sort of an easy to wear perfume that you really don’t have to think about.

Overall Impressions of Tory Burch Eau de Parfum

Overall, do I like Tory Burch EDP? I do. It can certainly have its place in any woman’s collection and it does have a close resemblance to the ever-popular Clinique Happy. So, if you like that, you’d enjoy this one. If not, you know that you can probably avoid.

The opening act of citrus notes is really a highlight for me. Although, I do like the peony and tuberose mix that comes later. The performance is good enough and this is one that can be worn in a variety of situations.

No, it’s not a completely unique fragrance or one that will really stand out. However, it does its job well and is good in every facet of what you’d want from a fragrance. It’s a solid daily wear that can be appreciated by a wide swath of people.

Coach EDT by Coach New York

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Coach New York has revamped its fragrance lineup over the past 5-6 years and among these newer releases is Coach eau de toilette for women. I received a sample of this perfume with an order a few months back and have been testing it out for the site. How does it smell? When should it be worn? How long does Coach last? Is it worth a buy?

What does Coach EDT Smell Like?

Notes include: pear, cedar, white Alba rose, grapefruit, musk

Click here to try: Coach Eau de Toilette from Coach New York

 

My Full Review

Before I get into my thoughts about Coach EDT, let’s see how the brand describes it: Coach eau de toilette is inspired by the spontaneous energy and chic downtown style of New York City. Fresh pear gives was to timeless and elegant white Alba roses, before drying down to a sensual cedarwood base note.

Coach Eau de Toilette starts off with a bright and juicy blend of its fruit notes. Pear, is going to be the major focal point of the top notes, but the citrus shares a fairly equal weight in the beginning. The smell is very pretty and fresh. 

As the perfumes settles, it will move into its more fruity floral phase. The citrus will begin to subside and the pear takes over. However, it is also joined by the Alba rose and some jasmine.

Coach EDT isn’t super complex. It takes on a bit of a clean shampoo sort of aroma, once the musk and cedar fully arrive. At that point, it is a rose/pear/jasmine blend, that’s sitting on top of the musk and cedar base. 

You’ve almost undoubtedly smelled something similar, if you’ve tried any sort of perfumes before. Though, this is a great example of this style of scent.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is pretty light to moderate. You’ll notice that it is there, but it isn’t going to take over the room. It’s about what you would want with a fragrance like this, non-offensive and non-intrusive. A nice balance, without being weak.

It’ll go for as long as 7.5 hours, on my skin. I’d say it’s mostly in the 6-7.5 hour range, depending on the day. Not a complete workhorse, but this Coach is still plenty useful. 

One of the main selling points with Coach EDT is just how versatile it is. It can be worn by any age group, works well in different seasons, and can be worn in a variety of situations.

Seasonally, I’d say that it is best in the spring and summer months. Maybe you’d want to go with something else in the winter, that reflects that season, but this wouldn’t be bad there either.

It is safe for work, school, casual situations, and is attractive enough to venture into afterhours if needed. It might not be the stand out in your collection, though, it will will get plenty of use.

 

 

Overall Impressions of Coach EDT

Overall, do I like this scent? I really do. Not a super unique fragrance, but it smells very nice. The opening with the pear and citrus is my favorite part.

This is a great choice for a simple daily wear perfume. Well balanced, a simple fruity floral, but enjoyable to wear. The performance is solid, just not extreme. If you need something that’s clean, fresh, and versatile…this is worth a try.

Really kind of a no-brainer scent, but not one that’s going to set the world on fire.

Eau de Lacoste Sensuelle by Lacoste

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Eau de Lacoste Sensuelle was released back in 2013 by the brand. I have probably had a sample of this for 3 or 4 years now, just sitting around, waiting for me to review it. Well, it’s that time apparently, in my race to get caught up on the backlog of scents. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a buy?

What does Eau de Lacoste Sensuelle Smell Like?

Notes include: pink pepper, nougat, amber, black currant, rose, sweet pea, and gladiolus

My Full Review

Before I get into my thoughts about this perfume, let’s see how Lacoste describes it: The spirit of Lacoste in a sensual fragrance that captures the natural intensity of soft floral notes.

As I said, I’ve had this sample sitting in a box of them for years now. I’m pretty sure that this fragrance has been discontinued by Lacoste at this point, but I’ll review it for posterity’s sake.

The opening is sweet with just a nice amount of spice and the floral notes peaking through. Yes, that fruity tartness of the black currant is in effect, but I pick up on the nougat right from the get go. It has a slightly creamy and nutty aroma to it.

I do enjoy a good amber and pink pepper note, especially when they’re utilized together. Eau de Lacoste Sensuelle has that and it is used to great effect.

After the initial fruitiness and pink pepper has burned off somewhat, the floral notes really emerge. I honestly cannot distinguish the floral notes all that much from one another, it feels like a generic floral smell. Then again, I have zero familiarity with gladiolus, so that could be a factor.

By the end of the wear, it is a slightly floral nougat aroma that is wrapped in a nice amber note. Sweet, warm, and an inviting gourmand.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Like many other Lacoste scents, this one isn’t super powerful or a marathon performer. It’s a lighter moderate scent, but actually does better than some of this brand’s other offerings. Overall, it’s going to stay in the 3-5 foot range from the skin.

Longevity is okay. Nothing to write home about, but I get about six hours of solid wear from it, before it evaporates completely. Usable, though, you’ll want to reapply for anything beyond that.

Seasonally, it would fit best in autumn and winter. Then again, it isn’t all that heavy or dense of a fragrance. It could venture into springtime for many folks, just avoid using Sensuelle when the heat and humidity rise.

This could be a daily wear, casual, or more of a romantic/nightlife sort of scent. It isn’t a bold club beast and it also isn’t a formal sort of fragrance. But, it can fit in plenty of scenarios without really drawing unwanted attention.

Sensuelle is attractive and somewhat sexy. Not a complete stunner, but it does draw me in with its yummy sort of vibe.

Overall Impressions of Eau de Lacoste Sensuelle

Do I like this perfume? I do. It smells very nice and feels similar to other designer scents, while not being an exact copy of any of them. Mainly, I think it smells like a mix of Poison Girl and Mon Guerlain. The overlap is there, but again, not a duplication.

The performance is decent, but it could definitely be better. However, if you can still get a bottle for a decent price, I think that it’s a worthwhile one to try based on the smell and its use cases.

Sensuelle was a good release from Lacoste, that didn’t really change the game, but one that you can still get plenty of joy from wearing.

I Love NY for Holidays by Bond No. 9

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The march of rating I Love NY fragrances from Bond No. 9 moves on. Today, we have a supposed unisex scent from the brand called, Holidays. This is an interesting gourmand scent suitable for the cooler months of the year. In this post, I am going to go over how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not it is worth a purchase.

What does I Love NY for Holidays Smell Like?

Notes include: apricot, pomegranate, mandarin, praline, leather, musk, patchouli, freesia

Click here to try: Bond No 9 I Love NY Cologne, Holidays, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of I Love NY for Holidays hits immediately with a fruity blend of the apricot and mandarin orange notes. This is flanked by a noticeable combo of praline and patchouli. The instantly reminded me of Black XS, except that the fruit notes are much better than the Paco Rabanne lemon that ends up smelling like a candied strawberry.

It is interesting that Holidays also takes on a different kind of fruity aroma, almost a blueberry feel to it. The freesia gives it a nice little floral scent, as well.

Holidays further takes on the appearance of another popular fragrance, Angel by Thierry Mugler. It seems that Holidays is sort of skirting between Black XS and Angel, which isn’t terrible company to be in, but it will have a rather set appeal with people.

This fragrance is very sweet and gourmand with a distinctive impression of patchouli. Holidays was actually marketed as a unisex fragrance but this leans much more to the female side of things. I could wear it, but it honestly doesn’t seem to fit with me.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Holidays is pretty powerful stuff not super intense but you’ll know that it is there throughout the day, and so will others. I would put it on the upper end of the moderate range, in terms of sillage.

It also does have really good longevity, I’m getting 9+ hours. After testing it out multiple times, it can hit over 10 hours on the right day. But, it seems to fall in that 9-10 time frame. On the performance side of things, Holidays actually does deliver.

Again, I’d treat this more as a ladies’ scent than something that is unisex. It would work well in cold weather but would probably turn into an abomination in the heat. Casual and perhaps romantic wear would work but go lightly with it, if wearing at the office.

Overall Impressions of Holidays

Overall, is I Love NY for Holidays worth a buy? It might be the best smelling of the I Love NY line, in my opinion. It actually performs well and smells good. I’m not too thrilled with the patchouli and praline combo, Black XS is okay, but I never wear any from my bottle.

If you’re a fan of Angel and want something similar but slightly different than this one might be up your alley. This is a very solid offering from Bond No. 9

Loverdose Red Kiss by Diesel

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One of the samples that I’ve gotten a hold of in the women’s fragrance category, is one from Diesel: Loverdose Red Kiss. This is one of the flanker perfumes from the Loverdose series. The question is, is this scent any good? Well, after trying it out for a few days, I have compiled my thoughts below, on a full spectrum of details about this perfume and whether it is worth a shot or not.

What does Loverdose Red Kiss Smell Like?

Notes include: orange blossom, hazelnut, amber, patchouli, cacao, black currant

Click here to try: Diesel Loverdose Red Kiss Eau de Parfum, 1.7 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of Loverdose Red Kiss is a blend of orange blossom, hazelnut, and black currant notes. It’s a sweet and citrus based fruity smell with the underlying smooth nuttiness of the hazlenut note.

I get a feeling of similarity between this perfume and some others on the market, but it does strike me as different enough to stand as a unique fragrance on its own.

It does become a sweeter fragrance as it dries down, but at the beginning of its lifespan, that sweetness is joined by a sharp tart/sour aroma from the fruits. The emergence of the cacao settles Loverdose Red Kiss down into a sweeter blend with less of that sharpness.

The drydown is inhabited mostly by the cacao, hazelnut, amber, and patchouli notes. The patchouli in this Diesel perfume isn’t terribly strong but it is a noticeable component throughout the wear.

It becomes a warmer sweetness and less of the tart citrus, with a comforting blend of nuts and cacao, plus the amber note which ties the whole thing together.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Red Kiss starts of pretty darn strong but its sillage is ultimately pretty moderate. You get about an hour or so as a powerhouse, which then is an upper moderate, and quite noticeable fragrance. Don’t go overboard with the sprays, but you don’t need to be stingy either.

The longevity of this one is also pretty great. It generally lasts 8+ hours, so a full day for most people’s purposes.

Loverdose Red Kiss by the name alone should be useful as a romantic wear perfume, is this actually the case? Yes. It is inviting and sexy and smells quite delicious. Its creamy sweetness and overall blend of notes is very appealing to my male brain.

I would definitely enjoy smelling this on a woman that I was dating and liked the scent a lot as I was wearing it. That being said, it will probably best serve a younger lady. Think college age through mid-20s. Nonetheless, it isn’t too juvenile.

One thing that I should mention, is that this isn’t a warm weather scent. So, during summer days or other high humidity situations, it’s not going to be great. It’d be best in the cold weather but it performs nicely on a mild night.

Overall Impressions of Red Kiss

Overall, do I recommend Diesel Loverdose Red Kiss? Yes, I do. I think it is an attractive perfume that is well put together and also gives a great performance. It is sexy, sweet, and has an interesting opening of tart citrus but also develops a full personality.

If the notes included in here, seem like something that you’d enjoy, I’d definitely give this a try. It has a lot of the same sort of style as something like Black Opium and Prada Candy. Yet, it sticks out as being somewhat distinct from them.

Update: I think that this one has now been discontinued. So grab a bottle now, if you can still find it for cheap, and wanted to try.