Best Perfumes for Women

Eau Mega by Viktor & Rolf

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Time for another ladies’ fragrance sample review. Today’s contestant is Eau Mega by Viktor & Rolf, which was released in 2009. Is this blend of floral and fruit notes worth purchasing consideration?

What does it smell like? How does it perform? As usual, I will give my opinion on all of these questions and figure out what the deal is with Eau Mega.

Eau Mega Overview

Notes include: jasmine, peony, musk, pear, lemon, violet leaf

Click here to try: Eau Mega by Viktor & Rolf, 1.70 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Viktor & Rolf’s Eau Mega is a watery blend of pear and peony. It actually really reminds me of a hand soap that I’ve purchased before, which doesn’t strike me as a good thing in a perfume.

I think it is due to the pear and jasmine notes coming together, as those are usual ingredients in those products.

I also get a vibe of something like Alien Aqua Chic (if I remember correctly), just in it’s water notes. Eau Mega isn’t an oceanic aquatic, but it does have quite a watery aroma.

As Eau Mega moves along in time, the violet leaf and musk take on a larger role and it gets away from the hand soap opening.

I get a very floral, green, and fruity aroma from this perfume, much like a garden or bouquet of flowers that has just gotten a dowsing from a sprinkler system.

What this scent is by this point in time, is what you should expect from the rest of the wear, as it really doesn’t develop any further.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection on this one is pretty good. The first hour has some decent punch behind it. Later, it is a subtle fragrance, that will play the background.

By no means, is this a monster scent that will take over the room.

The longevity is again, just okay, it isn’t poor so I can’t beat it up too much on that point. Eau Mega is quite serviceable in the performance department. It lasts about 6-7 hours, on my skin.

It’s decent enough for what this scent is and what you’d use it for. This V&R perfume just wasn’t one of their powerhouses.

Eau Mega strikes me as a casual wear that is built for the warmer months of the year. So, seasonally mainly spring and summer. Maybe it can venture into the autumn or indoors during the winter.

It could be worn at school or the office, but it doesn’t feel to me like a sexy or romantic kind of perfume at all.

It is clean and fresh scent, that isn’t going to offend, but probably won’t turn heads either.

Overall Impressions of Eau Mega

Overall, is Eau Mega worth a buy? Maybe. I don’t find it to be a great fragrance but it’s not terrible either. If you’re a fan of pear and floral scents, this could be worth a look.

The soapy aspects of this scent aren’t really my thing. Not completely off-putting or anything, just not something that I’m all that impressed by.

I think that it does everything well and smells good but it never really knocks your socks off. At it’s price point, you can probably do better than this.

There are plenty of other pear forward fragrances beyond this one, that’d also be enjoyable and more so than Eau Mega.

Update: It has been discontinued for a while now. Not worth tracking down.

Dior Addict EDT by Christian Dior

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Yet another Christian Dior sample that I recently received, is the EDT version of Dior Addict. As usual, I am going to cover in this perfume review post: what’s inside, how it smells, how it performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not I think that Dior Addict is worth a purchase.

What does Dior Addict EDT Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, sandalwood, jasmine sambac, neroli, and vanilla

Click here to try: DIOR ADDICT (NEW) by Christian Dior 3.4 Ounce / 100 ml Eau de Toilette (EDT) Women Perfume

My Full Review

Right off the bat, let me state that this is the Eau de Toilette version that I am reviewing. It can be quite confusing when dealing with the Dior Addict line, because there are so many different variations and flankers. This one was launched in 2014 and comes in a clear bottle, not the blue.

Anyways, this version is much more of the floral variety and less of the vanilla. It opens up with a mix of jasmine sambac and mandarin orange notes, that is bright, and provides a fresh soapy kind of clean.

The mandarin note doesn’t seem super citrusy, rather it is more like an orange that has yet to ripen fully, when it still has a tint of green. It’s really more because of the presence of neroli, as you get a similar vibe in fragrances like, Neroli Portofino.

Next comes the sandalwood note which is joined by just a touch of vanilla. The vanilla is very subtle at this point and Dior Addict EDT is so well blended, that it can be difficult to detect at times. The base of sandalwood is also rather light, it is noticeable, but never really takes over the floral top notes.

This version of Addict is a pretty straightforward fragrance and you’ll know exactly what you’re getting within 30 minutes or so of wear…for the most part, I do think the vanilla peaks through, a bit more later on. So, you do indeed get to enjoy some sweetness in this fragrance, along with the soapy/citrus/floral qualities.

The ‘green’ mandarin note is really what seems to make this one work. It plays off of the rich jasmine very beautifully and gives the perfume a lively/fresh spark, that is damn enjoyable. Neroli does its thing, and is of course, quite highly related to the mandarin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the EDT is pretty moderate. It is not a loud or overwhelming scent in the slightest. The longevity is good not great and seems to hit the 6-8 hour range, on average. The performance is good but I don’t think it hits the same level as another Dior fragrance that I just reviewed, Poison Girl.

The sillage starts out as moderate, it does become lighter, and sort of airy later on in the wear. Nonetheless, I can easily pick it up on my skin in that 6+ hour range.

In terms of the versatility, it could be safely worn during any occasion. However, I wouldn’t call it a ‘sexy’ kind of perfume, more pretty and uplifting. Casual, dressy, or office wear. Not a date night fragrance or one that is going to drive anyone crazy.

Seasonally, I really like this for the springtime or early summer months, even if it wouldn’t seem out of place in the winter. It’s light enough to not get bogged down in the heat or humid weather, which is a plus.

Overall Impression of Addict EDT

Overall, is Dior Addict EDT, worth a buy? I like it. It’s not the most amazing scent ever, but it is nice for what it is. This is one for those who like jasmine and floral notes that are expertly layered with citrus and sandalwood.

I’m still thinking that I like the original Dior Addict better than this one, but it’s been a while. This however, is a good choice for a simple, clean, and understated ladies’ fragrance.

Addict EDT is a straightforward wear, but could be a nice pick up for those who want a subtle option for daily wear, or other low key occasions.

Just Me by Paris Hilton

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I’m making my way through an old box of various samples that I purchased over a year ago, before my new batch arrives. One of these scents, is the women’s version of Just Me by Paris Hilton. which was released back in 2005. Better late than never to write a review. As usual, I will cover how it smells, when it should be worn, how long it lasts, and if it is worth a purchase.

What does Just Me for Women Smell Like?

Notes include: iris, violet, pink pepper, raspberry, bergamot, sandalwood, freesia, musk, vanilla

Click here to try:  Just Me Paris Hilton By Paris Hilton For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 Ounces

My Full Review

Before I get into my experience with this scent, let’s see how the sample insert describes Just Me: As engaging as Paris herself, this fragrance is sophisticated, sexy and sensual. It’s original and innovative and captures the high society party girl and the 21st century socialite in one beautiful scent. It mingles both the essence of Paris’ trend-setting and glamourous side with the heart of the confident woman that Paris has become. 

The opening act is a blend of violet, iris, citrus, and pink pepper. The spice isn’t too heavy on my skin and I get a fairly sweet aroma with a distinct powdery undertone. To me, the violet is the most noticeable note here, along with the pink pepper.

I guess that I could classify it as a fruity floral, at first. However, it really isn’t slated that far to one side or the other, actually closer to a 50/50 split in the early stages. I begin to enjoy it more so, when the scent has had time to settle.

When it gets further along, the floral notes will begin to take over more. The violet is still in the lead, the iris will fade somewhat, and more freesia will come in. Also, the pink pepper will take a back seat, and I get more sweet/creaminess from vanilla.

Finally, there is the woody base. Toward the tail end, it’s a musky, vanilla, woody aroma. Sweet with floral highlights still floating around. I find the

Sillage, Longevity, and When to Wear

Just Me isn’t a super strong perfume. It will project itself decently from the skin, but it doesn’t have crazy sillage. A lighter moderate, that will radiate from the skin maybe 3-5 feet, with normal application amounts.

The longevity is also good, but not amazing. Somwhere in the 6-7 hour range, on my skin. For the price? Good enough. Though, it isn’t going to ever be considered elite, in this regard.

Seasonally, Just Me will work best in the warmer weather. It’s got a good amount of sweetness, but isn’t a thick or heavy perfume.

It could be worn casually, to a party, or semi-formally. Wouldn’t be a terrible office scent, since it’s not a monster with it’s sillage, and has an enjoyable enough aroma.

Just Me is one of Paris’ more mature fragrances. Not a candy-like teenager scent. Though, they could also obviously wear it, but it has a nice refined character to it.

Overall Impressions of Just Me

Do I like this fragrance? Yes, Paris Hilton actually has some nice perfumes out there. It’s not an astonishing, must-have scent, but it delivers a lot of value and an enjoyable wear.

I like the balance and how it is blended. Sometimes, I can pick out distinct notes, others it all comes together. There is a good sweetness with the raspberry and citrus, along with powdery floral notes, woods, and just the right amount of spice.

Bottles of this usually run in the $15-25 neighborhood, with the performance and the aroma, Just Me is a deal.

Update: This one is still going strong as an inexpensive perfume and it hasn’t seen any real price increases, as of now. I still think that it’s a nice one to pick up, if you want a fun cheapie or shopping for a younger lady.

Le Baiser Du Dragon EDP by Cartier

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Part of the recent sample haul that I received, included several women’s perfumes. One of these is Le Baiser Du Dragon by Cartier. Apparently, this translates to the Kiss of the Dragon, which seems like an odd name until you catch a whiff of this scent. So, how does it smell? How does the dragon perform? Is it worth a purchase?

What does Le Baiser du Dragon EDP Smell Like?

Notes include: vetiver, patchouli, iris, musk, almond, benzoin, neroli, orange, and more

Click here to Try: Le Baiser Du Dragon By Cartier For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3 Ounces

My Full Review

The opening of this stuff…wow…this is unique. What an absolute powerhouse of a perfume, right after the very first spray. A mixture of sweet, smoky, boozy, and patchouli combine to create a fiery and oriental aroma. All of this sits atop of a woody vetiver, which only adds layers to its complexity.

I really like the way that Le Baiser Du Dragon straddles the fence between an overwhelming spicy oriental scent and a sweeter/gourmand floral. I’d say it leans more towards the former at times, but, it never feels like it’s running away and becoming too much.

This one has a retro sort of feel to it. Like a scent from the 1980s or thereabout. It’s powerful and confident upfront and eventually more of the earthy and floral notes emerge. It’s fairly sweet for a while, but it always retains a warmth and a certain thickness to it.

The sweetness fades a lot during the tail end of the wear. I get a lot of iris, benzoin, patchouli, and vetiver in the mix. Before that you will pick up the caramel, chocolate, and remaining almond nuttiness.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s very strong for the first 30 minutes or so. Then, it becomes more of a strong moderate. Dragon is not a complete bomb, but you could over-spray this one, and probably won’t need more than 3.

The longevity is also quite good and with this EDP version, one should expect 7+ hours of wear. In many cases, you’ll be able to get a full workday out of this Cartier. However, I wouldn’t expect it to go for 10 hours or more on the skin without reapplication.

To me, this is a big time fall/winter scent. I cannot imagine it being worn in the summertime, but then, that’s not what it’s built for.

I would say that Le Baiser Du Dragon is more of a casual/office kind of scent. I’m not sure that I find it ‘sexy’ but I do think that it’s quite attractive and intriguing. So, in a sense, it is quite versatile within a certain climate.

Overall Impressions of Le Baiser du Dragon

Overall, do I like this perfume? Yes, quite a bit. I think that it’s a very interesting scent with its own unique aroma, that has some similar fragrance comparisons, but nothing really exactly like it. It’s a very nice blend of sweet gourmand and smoky oriental spices. Then it dries down into a more woodsy and powdery floral.

Part of it reminds me of Opium Pour Homme by YSL, yet it also takes on that syrupy warmth and flavor.

The performance isn’t top notch, but works well for the purposes of most people. I really like the first act of this fragrance. It comes out of the gate bold and at it’s most interesting, living up to the Kiss of the Dragon name.

Best Incense Scented Perfumes for Women

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Incense is such a familiar part of culture from across the globe, that for many people, it has become synonymous with comfort and spirituality. Beyond all of that good stuff, it can also be infused into fragrance to create that warm smokiness , that adds just a bit of an edge to a perfume. For this post, I have selected seven fragrances that have an incense element to them. Some will be more than others, but I wanted to get many options for differing tastes.

Incense Perfumes: What are the Top Smelling Fragrances?

Woody Resinous Incense

Full Incense by Montale– This one goes exactly as the name describes. It’s pretty much a linear fragrance with not too much depth. However, the resinous quality, woods, and the familiar smell of incense makes this one fantastic.

Full Incense does have a sweeter quality, not as smoky (it still is), as some might like. Fresh cedar with greenish aromas peaking through during the duration of the wear.

Great Guerlain

Guerlain Shalimar Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3 Ounce– An absolute classic fragrance. Again, this is one that isn’t a ‘pure’ incense perfume, though it is prominently featured. An absolute classic of a scent.

Shalimar is an exotic blend of vanilla, citrus, rose, jasmine, leather, and musk. It’s got a nice bit of citrus, that floats around in the smokiness of incense, and plays well off of the leather note.

The citrus is pretty strong up front, but then the smoky, vanilla, and leather trio will move in and push the fruits aside.

At times, you will get more of a powdery feel from Shalimar, then, the smoky and warmth with sweet vanilla. It’s been around forever, still appreciated, and still a great performer. There have been many flankers of Shalimar, that have been released over the years, but I have to give the original its due.

Citrus, Rose, and Incense

INCENSE ROSE 1.7 OZ. BY ANDY TAUER by Andy Tauer– Quite a dark perfume with the warmth of incense and sweetness of rose. But first there is the mandarin note which brings the citrus front and center. Very unique and performs well.

Incense Rose can be somewhat difficult to find, at least at a good price. Nonetheless, the opening act is less about the incense and more about the citrus and rose. That phase gives this perfume an attractive and bright aroma.

Later, the smokiness and spice will come through much more. Light spices, rose, and the incense note that we’re looking for.

Smoky Sweetness

Tom Ford Black Orchid By Tom Ford For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4-Ounces– Black Orchid is a complex blend that features a wonderful incense note which only increases the wonderful mysteriousness of this fragrance. Unisex scent that is dark and sweetened by chocolate and vanilla notes.

Dark, rich, and spicy. A loud and sensual gourmand fragrance featuring notes of black truffle, black orchid, plum, and patchouli. Bold and sexy wear that can sometimes be polarizing.

Black Orchid is not only a top level fragrance with its sillage, but it seemingly lasts forever. Yes, Tom Ford fragrances are priced on the higher end, but you get every penny’s worth with this perfume’s performance.

It’s sweet, it’s dark and dry, it’s smoky, and then powdered. Black Orchid is complex and deep, with plenty of personality.

Woody Incense

Giorgio Armani Prive Bois D’Encens Eau De Parfum Spray 100ml/3.4oz– A dry and more earthy take on incense. This Armani formulation is a pretty simple and straightforward one but it is still unique, if familiar at times.  This one is probably one of the most ‘pure’ on this list.

Dark, woody, resinous, with hints of spice and sweetness. All of which is wrapped up in a light incense haze. The pepper can be strong at first, but it will settle to a more gentle form within the composition.

This came out well over a decade ago, so, bottles are tougher to come by. Worth a try, at a decent price.

Cathedral Myrrh

Incense Avignon– This one was a part of Comme des Garcons series of incense inspired scents. Avignon is the classic Catholic church aroma of frankincense and myrrh.

It’s pretty tough to come by a bottle these days, but could be a go to for those looking for that old Cathedral scent. This one is quite a bit like Montale’s Pure Incense, except with the additional myrrh being a bit heavier in this one.

Complex High End Option

AMOUAGE Epic Woman’s Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 fl. oz.– Typical Amouage, a very loud and long lasting scent with the oriental flavor. This one feature caraway and rose, which creates a floral based incense perfume.

The opening act has a huge amount of spice, mainly from that caraway note and cinnamon. There is also a bit of fruity sweetness, floating around, but the incense note in the dry down is great.

It settles down into a smoky, lighter spiced, sweet vanilla and warm amber blend. Oh, and a big dash of oud, to really give it that woody smoke.