Best Perfumes for Women

12 Best Smelling Lancôme Perfumes

by

Lancôme has released a ton of fragrances for women over the decades. It is one of the most famous beauty brands in the world and has a long track record of creating great smelling and performing perfumes.

This French design house is still going strong into the 21st century and features so many timeless classic in its catalog.

For this list, I have what I feel are the twelve best perfumes from Lancôme. These include fragrances for ladies with all different styles and for general wear or something more specific. Also, some older options that may not be around anymore

Favorite Lancôme Fragrances for Women

Best Selling Lancôme Scent

Lancome La Vie Est Belle L’Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– A gourmand type of fragrance mixing notes of praline, black currant, and other floral notes. Rich, complex, and good for the winter months.

This is the most popular scent of the lineup and one of the most popular fragrances for women currently. It’s sweet and upbeat, not a super serious or too ‘old lady’ like.

La Vie Est Belle is led by that aforementioned sweet praline note and creamy vanilla. The black currant note is sharp and a bit sour, but it doesn’t overwhelm the composition.

This Lancome perfume is pretty sugary but is bolstered by a solid patchouli note, to give it some earthy spice. The patchouli is pretty dominant in the middle, while the latter stages, it’s more about vanilla and praline.

It is easy to wear and a top notch performer, with awesome sillage, and a pleasing aroma. It can go 8+ hours, on the skin. La Vie Est Belle Review

la vie

Rose and Amber

Peut-Etre by Lancôme- Peut-Être is one of the brand’s more expensive offerings, is pretty simplistic, but oh so good. Here’s how Lancôme describes it: “An ode to seduction, Peut-Être eau de parfum is a fresh yet fiery composition, both sensual and slightly provocative scent”

Rose, musk, and benzoin. Yes, it’s the usual Lancôme rose in the mix, but the real star here is the benzoin note that creates an amber-like aroma. The musk seems to come out more in the beginning, but then the benzoin is more prevalent in the base.

The musk and amber when paired with the rose can give it a slight powdery/make up bag sort of aroma. The performance here is great. Solid sillage and will last for a long time.

Peut-Être isn’t much of a summer scent, but isn’t so heavy that it can’t venture out of the wintertime either. This can be tough to find in some locations. So, you may also try Dua’s inspired by scent: Maybe, it’s true

Elixir Belle

La Vie est Belle L’Elixir by Lancôme– L’Elixir is a very nice flanker from this series and has plenty going on to keep things interesting.

The opening is sweet and bright, with raspberry and bergamot. But the juiciness seems somewhat diluted by the presence of the liquor and violet leaf notes. It’s like a fruitiness that has been squeezed into a somewhat fizzy mixed drink.

Though this one is bold and has plenty of power in the opening act. Candy-like sweetness and a base note of cacao butter, that is joined by a bit of leather.

The good news is that it isn’t a heavy or completely cloying fragrance, thanks to its ozonic aspects. There are a bunch of La Vie est Belle flanker perfumes, I think this one is up near the top of the list.

Idole Pick

Idole L’Intense- This flanker to the original Idole release, L’Intense is a bit better in my mind. I like Idole too, though L’Intense ranks slightly ahead of it.

This one is going to give you a clean, sweet, floral woody mix. The jasmine, rose, and musk notes combine to give L’Intense that familiar soapy sort of vibe. But, the cedar comes in to further freshen it up and you also get a nice dose of Bourbon vanilla.

The top seems to have some of the citrus aroma of the original, just without the pear note. Also, sweeter overall. Rose is more dominant than the jasmine for much of the wear, even if jasmine also has it periods of shine.

Idole L’Intense isn’t groundbreaking. Just a very pretty and easy to wear perfume that delivers on performance.

The Other Idole

Idole Nectar– This is my second favorite of the Idole releases. Though, not far behind Intense, it is better than Aura. Nectar starts off with a fruity sweetness and some greenish type of notes.

It might be unlisted notes, giving it this aroma. But, others in the series had pear and bergamot, so perhaps some of that is here.

What is different here is the caramel popcorn accord. That fruitiness is gone, but the caramel popcorn and vanilla serve as a base, on which sits a beautiful rose. Sort of buttery with the popcorn, but not salty.

The dry down is more about various rose notes, warmth, and the vanilla. Very likeable release from Lancome. Idole Nectar Review

idole nectar review

Vanilla Gourmand Rose

Lancome La Nuit Tresor A La Folie By Lancome for Women – 2.5 Oz Edp Spray, 2.5 Oz– This is a recent flanker fragrance of La Nuit Tresor, but has quickly installed itself as one of the top offerings of Lancome. Though, it still flies under the radar.

It’s a sweet and soft rose based fragrance, that is wrapped up in a Bourbon vanilla note, and infused with patchouli essence.

It kicks off with pear, currant and bergamot coming through, but there is also a spiciness which makes A La Folie an interesting choice.

The opening is more of a berry/jam kind of sweetness, with the spicy kick. Then, it really develops into the total gourmand package of rose and vanilla.

Top Floral Perfume

Poeme by Lancome Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, Poeme, 3.4 Ounce– Poeme is a perfume for lovers of floral notes, so, if that’s not your thing look elsewhere. Right out of the gate, Poeme comes off strong and bold.

However, while it is quite floral, it doesn’t strike as a really ‘green’ bouquet because it is all tied together by the vanilla note and the inclusion of tangerine and plum.

The floral notes do indeed dominate, blend well together, but there is enough fruitiness in Poeme to keep it interesting. Peach really seems to survive for pretty much the entire run.

Lots of tuberose and mimosa fill up this scent, but when all the notes come together you have a clean, somewhat soapy, and sweet fragrance that can go all day. Add to that, at times rose, ylang-ylang, and other floral ingredients will make an appearance.

The Original Tresor

TRESOR by Lancome EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 3.4 Fluid OZ for WOMEN– Sweet, creamy, and powdery fragrance that has been a massive hit since its release almost three decades ago.

Notes include: peach, apricot, vanilla, tonka bean, rose, and sandalwood. A long lasting composition which develops and changes its colors as the day goes by.

It does have the peach and apricot combo which prevents it from going too floral, but with notes such as: iris, rose, and heliotrope; it of course will head more toward the flowery end of the spectrum.

It is powdery but also has an amber-laden warmth about it, and an effervescent quality, particularly near the start. Sweet but unique and can be quite alluring.

Tresor is very balanced and well blended between its notes. It hits so many styles, but is distinct, and not at all an overwhelming perfume experience.

Top Lancome for Winter

Hypnose by Lancome Edp Spray 2.5 Oz– Jasmine, passionflower, and vanilla make up the notes of Hypnose. A light to moderate floral/woodsy profile which is complemented by the sweetness of vanilla.

Not overbearing and wholly feminine. This is quite a simple perfume in many ways, but one that is soft and sweet  (but not too sweet)with a nice dose of passionflower.

As it moves forward, gardenia and vetiver, also let themselves be known. They sit underneath the vanilla, but it comes across as both cold and creamy, with a definite freshness. A great choice for women who want a vanilla based floral fragrance.

Most Underrated Perfume

Tresor Midnight Rose Edp Spray 2.5 Oz– Midnight Rose is a sweeter and sharper take on the Tresor name. Raspberries and rose are the highlights of this sweet/sugary fragrance. It doesn’t require very much to stand out.

Beyond the fruity raspberry, creamy vanilla, and familiar rose note; there is also a spiced warmth of pink pepper and musk underlying the whole thing. Not a heavy scent, but one that has a solid longevity.

Midnight Rose is a very pretty yet pretty simple fragrance. The pink pepper note seems to be the glue holding this perfume together, while you get the vanilla/rose combo, and the somewhat tart aroma of the berries.

Very attractive fragrance, that has good versatility, that can venture into evening wear.

Top Classic Scent for Her

Lancome Magie Noire Eau De Toilette Spray 75ml/2.5oz– Something a bit darker and sexier than other entries on the list. It’s got a woods/green vibe with an underlying spiciness from the incense and musk notes.

This is a really heavy and more of a mature scent. Magie Noire is one that dates back to the late 1970s and as such, has been reformulated multiple times. It’s not for everyone, but it can still pack a punch.

Magie Noire is built for the colder weather. You get muskiness, warmth, with sweet/spicy blends. It has an intense dryness with smoky highlights, as oak moss is an ingredient, which really comes through later on.

Great Summertime Pick

Lancome Miracle for Women Eau de Parfum, 3.4 Ounce– A fresh and moderate perfume that is great for daytime wear and can also venture into the evening. It features bright fruity notes with smooth floral and a pepper note to provide that extra tinge of spice.

Miracle is a safe choice and one that can fit in well in a variety of situations.

The light ginger note is awesome, with a nice magnolia flower, and litchi sweetness. Miracle is fresh and appealing. This has been one of the more popular fragrances by Lancome for a couple decades now, and shows no signs of quitting.

8 Best Smelling Versace Perfumes for Ladies

by

Versace is a design house with a long history of elegance and success in creating fragrances for both men and women. In this post, I want to put forth eight options from their perfume line, which I consider to be the best of the bunch.

These are the ladies’ scents that I have plucked from the lot of them, and that, both perform well and have plenty of charm about them. I have linked out to my own personal reviews of each, where appropriate, and linked to each scent on Amazon.

What are the Top Smelling Fragrances for Her by Versace?

Most Popular Versace

Versace Bright Crystal Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 3 Ounce– The most popular and quite possibly one of the best Versace fragrances, depending on your tastes. It is a juicy mix of fruits and florals that is bright and energetic.

Bright Crystal opens up with a juicy pomegranate note with yuzo citrus and an iced accord to make the whole thing seem chilled.

The peony is the main floral note here, with a watery and fairly light lotus peaking through, at times. Ultimately, it will boil down to being more about the peony and yuzu combination, with additional musk.

It does have a really sunny and upbeat disposition from the start and later some floral notes including, peony and lotus. Bright Crystal is a very good everyday wear option, as it will last over 8 hours, smells great, and has solid versatility.  Versace Bright Crystal Review

bright crystals

Lady Eros

Versace Eros Pour Femme Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounce– For my Eros pick, I think that I’m going to have to go with the EDT version. I was really surprised by how good this one smells.

It opens up with a cool raspberry sorbet aroma with lemon and a hint of orange. Actually, it’s a ‘frozen’ sorbet note and it does actually come across as being quite cold. The citrus is tart in the first 10 minutes, then, the raspberry takes over with its sweet sugariness.

The floral heart is a white petal accord of freesia, jasmine, and magnolia. Eros Pour Femme EDT is very bright and uplifting, with a deliciousness that is great for spring/summer.

The performance is okay, just not amazing. It’s fairly strong, but moderate in how long it lasts. Eros Pour Femme Review

Review image

The Best Dylan

Dylan Blue Pour Femme– I’m not completely blown away by Dylan Blue, but it’s still a fairly nice fragrance deserving of a spot. It’s better than Turquoise, but may be replaced by the newer Purple, once it’s released in the US and I get to test that out.

Update: I like Purple too, kind of basic, but it’s less sharp than Blue. It has a citrus top with a freesia-led floral middle. Fruity, smooth, clean. It might be a good alternative to Blue for some people.

Blue kicks things off with a pretty sharp fruity mix of apple and blackcurrant. The sharpness will subside and this one gets more floral and somewhat sweeter than might be expected. Jasmine and Forget Me Not will stand out as the two main floral notes.

The opening isn’t my favorite, but the dry down is attractive. Dylan Blue will come off as a cleanish soapy or body wash kind of perfume. Performance is moderate, but there is plenty to like here. Dylan Blue by Versace Review

Concentrated Crystal

Bright Crystal Absolu- I had to include the flanker fragrance, to the above offering. Bright Crystal Absolu is a more concentrated version of the original. It has an added raspberry note, is sweeter, and somewhat less floral/citrus.

It still has the same notes, just the strength of each has been altered. It does have more power and longevity. Absolu should be the choice if, you want a fruitier peony scented perfume, instead of the more yuzu citrus/peony mix of the original.

Bright Crystal Absolu will last from 9-12 hours on the skin, and is absolutely wonderful, in the spring and summer months. This has become one of Versace’s best sellers.

If you can’t find this one, Dua has their inspired take: Absolute Crystal Glow.

Floral Fruity Daily Wear

Versace Woman By Gianni Versace For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 Oz.– Flowers, fruits, musk, and woodsy notes. The plum and raspberry notes combine to give it a sweet aroma, which is then joined by cedar to give it a stronger and unique feel, it’s quite powdery.

Beyond that, you get the terrific rose note, and a bit of lotus flower in there also. Versace Woman is a bit musky, but doesn’t overdo it. The sweetness isn’t crazy heavy. but pairs well with the wood base and the rose which becomes a stronger component, during the dry down.

Versace Woman is soft, highly wearable, and has great subtle details added in. For instance, the hint of smokiness that underlies the woodiness. Again, not too heavy of a sillage, but good performance and great aroma.

versacewoman

Bright Yellow Floral

Versace Yellow Diamond Eau De Toilette Spray, Yellow, 3 Ounce– It’s notes include water lily, mimosa, orange blossom, musk, and lemon. It’s a juicy citrus scent upon opening that settles down into something sophisticated, vibrant, and clean.

The usually strong Versace lemon note is made softer by mimosa and fressia floral notes.

Initially, it is more citrus, then becomes balanced, and then becomes more floral. All the while, Yellow Diamond keeps up an aroma that really does call forth the color yellow, to your mind’s eye. It is light enough and has enough performance to be worn at work or school or even casually.

While it is pretty linear, after the first 20 minutes or so, you get to experience all of the ingredients at times, within the framework of the composition. I like this one for a spring day, it does give you an outdoorsy feel, like walking in a grove or flower garden.  Yellow Diamond Full Review

yellowdiamond

Easy to Wear, Similar to Chanel

Versace Versense By Gianni Versace For Women Edt Spray 3.4 Oz– Versense goes away from the fruity/floral combination and airs more towards the woodsy/citrus.

The opening notes are dominated by bergamot and mandarin, while it gets later support from cedar and fig. It has a very similar aroma to Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche.

However, it is mostly a fresh and clean citrus wear, with some lily and the cedar note, as the solidifying force in the whole thing. A lime and lemon verbena wear with later elements of sandalwood coming in.

A great lighter choice for daily wear, especially during the spring and summer months.

Versense is very well put together overall. I enjoy the woody notes, that come through in the base. I think that they play extremely well off of the citrus notes. Such a clean and delightful fragrance. Quite popular.

versense

Popular White Floral and Currant

Versace Crystal Noir by Versace for Women – 3 Ounce EDT Spray– Crystal Noir opens up with a familiar and sharp black currant note, which is paired with fig, and a couple of floral notes (violet and tuberose).

The black currant and fig sit on top of the floral ingredients, as well as, a cream sandalwood/vanilla combination.

However, as it dries down, the black currant sharpness fades and other floral notes (jasmine) come in to create a bouquet effect. In the end, Crystal Noir EDT is a white floral fragrance, with woody undertones, and purple flowers in support.

The sillage is light to moderate but it has good longevity in the 6-8 hour range. Note: There are now two versions of this perfume, that are quite distinct from one another. I think that the EDT version is a tad better than the EDP.  Crystal Noir EDT Review

crystalnoir

5 Best YSL Black Opium Perfumes

by

Black Opium is still one of the best selling ladies’ fragrances on the planet right now. Due to that fact, it has spawned a bunch of flanker fragrances trading off of the success of that name. This always raises the question as to which is the best Black Opium? In this post, I want to present my top 5 picks to vie for this title.

What are the Best Smelling Black Opium Perfumes (Ranked)?

The New Best

Black Opium Le Parfum– Coming back to update this list a few years later, I now think of Le Parfum as being the best of this series. 

This one is a very vanilla based version of the Black Opium style. Early, it is lighter on the pear and green mandarin, while also having a good dose of cinnamon to go with its various vanilla notes.

Much smoother and a cleaner presentation versus the original EDP. The coffee here doesn’t feel like roasted beans. Rather, it is like a cinnamon and vanilla coffee drink, especially early. The coffee though, isn’t too powerful in the mix, however.

Warm, sweet, and somewhat spicy. A well above average sillage and can last in the 8-9 hour range, making it also one of the best performers in the group. Le Parfum Review

Green

Black Opium Illicit Green– While the original Black Opium has better performance than this, I like the smell of Illicit Green more so. It reminds me most of Neon, from the series, but Green smells better.

It’s lighter and cleaner in the opening act with green mandarin, pear, and fig. You can very much tell that this is a Black Opium perfume, but has a bit of a different take, in order to make it distinct enough.

I get more coffee than vanilla in this one. But, that’ll be joined by fig, orange blossom, and patchouli in the dry down. Less of that initial freshness. Though, I still enjoy it. Performance is okay, just not great. Illicit Green Review

The Original

Yves Saint Laurent Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, Black Opium, 3 Ounce– I was never a huge fan of the original Black Opium EDP. However, it is still among the best of this line, overall.

I do think that Neon, listed below, smells marginally better. Though, EDP has much superior performance.

If you haven’t tried this one by now, the opening act can be kind of a mess. White flowers, vanilla, and cedar are kind of just thrown at you.

But, it does get better as things move forward. When the coffee and vanilla fully take over, with some pink pepper thrown in…this is really very nice.

The performance really separates this one from the other flankers. 8+ hours of wear on the skin, easily, and often hitting 10+. It is also stronger with its sillage.

Again, you may find that the others smell better for you than the original, but this brings the total package. Black Opium EDP Review

Best Smelling, Decent Performance

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Neon EDP 2.5 oz 75 ml Women NEW– If the coffee and vanilla are too much for you in the original EDP, Neon could be an option, as those notes aren’t nearly as strong.

This one opens up with a nice mix of dragon fruit and mandarin essence. It is energetic and a bit tropical and just not as heavy of an experience as EDP. For the beginning of the wear, it is the fruit notes with a stronger orange blossom and jasmine coming through.

The next phase, is quite a bit like the original. Slightly different weightings of the notes, with a very similar smell. It isn’t a completely weak scent, it spends much of the wear as pretty moderate, and will last for close to 7 hours. 

If this one, were just a bit stronger, it’d be another spot higher for sure. Still, it’s a good fragrance. Black Opium Neon Review

 

 

Most Unique

Black Opium Intense– Based on the name, you might think that this would be an amped up version of EDP…but it’s not. It’s actually much softer, but with 7-8 hours of wear.

What it does have going for it, is a unique blend that utilizes blue absinthe and licorice. It’s smooth with that licorice aroma being prominent throughout. This is all sitting on the coffee and vanilla, which is a different sort of smell, yet kind of familiar during the dry down.

Is the uniqueness amazing? To me, no. It’s pretty good, but even switching things up like this didn’t move it to the top of the list. Black Opium Intense Review

Shelter Island by Bond No. 9

by

Shelter Island is one of the summer fragrance entries from Bond No. 9 New York. One, which goes more into the aquatic camp, with its use of seaweed. It was released in 2014.

I bought a sample of this a while ago, for testing and to see how I actually got along with a that marine note, that I generally dislike. How does Shelter Island smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Shelter Island by Bond No. 9 Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, black pepper, seaweed, lily, oud, musk, sandalwood, amber, myrrh

Click here to try: Shelter Island

shelter bond review

My Full Review

Here’s how Bond describes it: quietly daring, sparkling-clean, unisex, rife with nonchalant beach-time exotica.

Shelter Island opens fresh and bright with a spiciness via the black pepper. The lemon is a light spritzing on top of the marine accord that features seaweed.

The aquatic aspect isn’t overpowering here. Sure, it’s dominant, but balanced out by its surrounding notes. I’m glad I didn’t get a massive seaweed note, that makes you smell like some sort of marine life.

The lily will come in with its waxy aroma, which pairs with the emergence of the resinous myrrh and amber notes in the base. These three, really seem to keep the seaweed in check, and don’t allow this to be just a salty oceanic fragrance.

The lemon and black pepper basically fade completely. This is an aquatic and beachy oud-floral in the middle. Starting to get musky and taking on a bit of a sun tan lotion scent. At this point, it’s more like sitting by the shore than being in the water itself.

That will continue, as this becomes woodier and muskier in the dry down.

Still somewhat aquatic, with a mix of the woodsy notes, a musky aroma, and that amber and myrrh still a bit detectable.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This Bond fragrance opens up with plenty of initial punch. It’ll leave a slight scent trail and project well enough off of the skin. It’s definitely above average in the first hour or so.

Thereafter, Shelter will be much more moderate, before lightening up in the back half of the wear.

While it isn’t a massively projecting nor heavy sitting fragrance, Shelter Island does a good job at sticking around. On my skin, I can still detect it up to about 9 hours. Which is plenty for what most people are going to use this scent for.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summer wear. Mainly, for the warmest days. A good change of pace from the pure citrus perfumes which usually inhabit those months. A solid marine and wood aquatic for something different.

This is a unisex fragrance, maybe leaning slightly masculine, in the early stages. But, that will balance out, as you move further into the wear.

It’s a niche and fairly casual fragrance for daytime wear. Shelter Island isn’t going to be one that you’re very likely to wear for dates, nightlife, or formal occasions. For those outdoor summer events, it can be a fine choice.

Overall Impressions of Shelter Island

Overall, do I like Shelter Island? It’s pretty good. I never thought that I’d be the target audience for this Bond No. 9, once I saw the seaweed and oud notes together.

However, I was sort of surprised that I wasn’t indifferent towards Shelter Island, and that it had its enjoyable moments for me.

The seaweed, really came through here. It’s front and center, but doesn’t overpower everything else. Very fresh and marine done right, where so many other scents with this note have fallen flat.

The longevity is also great, especially for a summertime scent. Sure, it’s not a massive beast of a fragrance, but this one doesn’t quit early on you either.

The downside? Well, the price for the largest bottle, is currently $300 as of writing. As such, Shelter Island probably isn’t a perfume that most are going to want to buy on a whim.

If you want a beachy aquatic with sun tan lotion vibes, this Bond does a good job at hitting the mark. Find a way to get a sample of this stuff, if that sounds like something you’re after.

10 Best Smelling Diptyque Fragrances

by

Diptyque is a French design house that is know for it’s amazing niche fragrances as well as the great candles that they produce. They have such a wide variety of ladies’ perfumes and unisex scents that it can be quite difficult to know where to start.

For this post, I wanted to present 10 options, of some of the best options.

Plus, I wanted to have some variety of scents, so that almost anyone could find something that fits their personal taste. In the end, I narrowed it down to the following list below.

Favorite Diptyque Perfumes for Men and Women

Best Smelling Overall Perfume

Diptyque Eau Duelle Eau De Parfum– Spice meets vanilla with an underlying herbal tea note.  Smooth and warm with less sweetness than many other vanilla scented parfums. Eau Duelle is unisex.

The vanilla is initially paired with labdanum and an ambroxan note. Vanilla creamy/sweetness, paired with a warm and slightly salty amber. The spices up top are also quite noticeable.

Later, the spices subside somewhat, and there is a fairly woody base. The base has a smoky quality, like an aged barrel. It all comes together as warm and swimming in a sea of rich vanilla.

Notes include: vanilla, tea, labdanum, ambroxan, pink pepper, cardamom

  • Who should wear it? Men or Women
  • When to wear? Autumn or Winter
  • When to Avoid? Hot weather or tropical climates

Best Diptyque for Summer and Top Seller

Diptyque Philosykos 1.7 oz Eau de Toilette Spray– One of the unisex entries on the list, Philosykos, brings on the fig note in a big and very nice way. There is an underlying woodsy and coconut essence but the leafy sort of fig notes are the unique and enjoyable star here.

The opening act is green with a watery sort of smell from the fruit. The fig leaf is there and a very light coconut scent. Between the actual fig and coconut, Philosykos, takes on a fairly milky quality. That milkiness is paired with the leafy green aroma.

Later, you get to the woody base, of cedar and fig tree wood. It is less ‘green’ here, more towards the sweet end of the aroma. Yet, it is never overly sweet or fruity. Well balanced and natural.

Notes include: coconut, fig leaf, fig, cedar

  • Who should wear it? Men or Women
  • When to wear? Spring or Summer, mostly.
  • When to Avoid? If you don’t like fig or coconut

Top Springtime Wear

Diptyque – Eau Rose Eau de Toilette – 100 ml– As the name suggests, rose is the main attraction in this one. However, don’t expect a complete floral bomb because it is joined by fruity notes including black currant.

A beautiful rose note, with a sweet and carefree vibe that won’t overwhelm, but is inherently pretty.

Eau Rose kicks things off, with its fruity notes. A tart black current and a nice juicy litchi. Very clean and bright, at this point. Then, the rose comes in with some jasmine, to take away much of the fruitiness.

However, it will remain for the rest of the way. As it moves even deeper into the wear, Eau Rose, takes on a refreshing and earthy/woodsy aroma. Mainly from the cedar.

It’s very balanced between being a pure rose perfume, having a nice juicy fruitiness, and some clean woods underneath.

Notes include: litchi, rose, jasmine, cedar

  • Who should wear it? Women
  • When to wear? Year round, but mainly springtime
  • When to Avoid? You don’t like rose

Best Smelling Woody Perfume

Diptyque Tam Dao Eau De Parfum– Another more of a pure bred sandalwood scent. This one is definitely a woodsy/forest type of scent with other notes such as cedar and cypress. Has a very dry and soft aroma.

Tam Dao opens with more of the cypress note, before the dry down transitions to having the santal be the leader of the pack. Lots of wood notes with some amber and slight spices.

This is the choice for those who want a woodsy fragrance, way beyond just what the sandalwood provides. The cypress and cedar, are also joined by rosewood. So, this one can get quite dry and forest-like.

That can be a selling point for some folks, while others would want to stay away. Nonetheless, I think this is the type of fragrance, that could easily win someone over to trying out a deeply woody scent.

Notes include: sandalwood, cypress, rosewood, cedar

  • Who should wear it? Men or Women
  • When to wear? Year round
  • When to Avoid? If you’re not a fan of wood fragrances

Tuberose Bouquet

Diptyque Do Son Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 2.5 Ounce– A scent for the floral lovers out there. Do Son features notes such as tuberose, iris, rose, and orange flower. More of a fresh and natural kind of fragrance.

Specifically, Do Son, is for those who are looking for a tuberose perfume. That is the most dominant of the floral notes inside of this one.

It’s a very realistic rendition of tuberose, with some nice pink pepper, and greenish notes flanking this scent.

Later, it becomes creamier, and there is a healthy dose of musk in the base of this perfume.

Notes include: pink pepper, tuberose, musk, iris, orange flower

  • Who should wear it? Women
  • When to wear? Spring and Summer
  • When to Avoid? You don’t like greenish or realistic floral perfumes

One for Patchouli Lovers

 

Tempo Eau de Parfum– This is an odd one, but a fragrance that deserves a spot on the list. Tempo offers up a fresh green opening, with bitter herbal facets. Then, you get an earthy patchouli with a powdery finish from the violet.

The citrus bergamot top gives it enough of a bright and light touch, in the early stages. Though, it isn’t an overwhelming factor. Spices from some sage and the pink pepper, to break up some of that patchouli dominance.

Yet, the patchouli is what to expect. It’s really quality here. Tempo gives you a long lasting aroma with plenty of potency. So, not too many sprays are required.

Notes include: patchouli, violet leaf, mate, sage

  • Who should wear it? Men or Women (more for men)
  • When to wear? Autumn through Spring
  • When to Avoid? Hot weather with humidity

Most Unique Scent

Diptyque 34 Eau De Toilette 50ml– Quite a complex scent that is almost wholly unique. 34 Saint Germain is woody and spicy but there is also fruity notes that pop up during wear and add a layer of sweetness. Very well-blended and an overall winner.

34 Saint Germain opens up with its warm and spiced fruits, including that familiar black currant.

It can be quite sharp, spicy, and somewhat herbal from the start. Nonetheless, this one will balance out as it wears on, just hang in there.

The next phase, becomes more floral, yet a resinous spice still remains from notes such as cardamom and cinnamon. There is an iris and rose note, which gives this a clean powdery aroma.

Dry, warm, spicy, with great fruity highlights. This will probably be one, you’d want to try out before committing to a full bottle, but could become a signature scent for the right person.

Notes include: fig leaf, iris, clove, black currant, cinnamon, rose, and more

  • Who should wear it? Men or Women
  • When to wear? Autumn or Winter
  • When to Avoid? Hot weather or tropical climates. 

Green, Outdoorsy, Rose

L’Ombre Dans L’Eau Eau de Toilette spray 50 ml by Diptyque– A fresh leafy green floral with rose notes and fruit supplied by black currant. Very subdued, one of a kind, and highly attractive.

The black currant here is similar to what it smells like, in 34 Saint Germain, with some added citrus to liven up the composition. Yet, the fruits here aren’t ever that powerful.

Sure, they’re present, but they never seem to have the spotlight to themselves (the black currant does add its tart sharpness to things).

L’Ombre Dan L’eau, starts off with a dewy green aroma, the subtlety of the fruits, and an overall outdoorsy feeling.

As it dries down more, the fragrance has an herbal and leaf disposition, with a very light rose peeking through the heart of everything. It’s certainly an odd scent, but it totally works. Don’t know why it does, but it does.

Notes include: rose, black currant, musk, cassis

  • Who should wear it? Women
  • When to wear? Year round, basically
  • When to Avoid? You want something more mainstream

Best New Diptyque Release

Eau Rihla EDP–  This is one of their more recent releases, that I need to spend more time with, but is deserving a spot on the list.

Here’s how Diptyque describes Eau Rihla. “Conceived as the chronicle of a long journey, the perfume features a leather that changes throughout its composition.”

It kicks off with the pink pepper note, leather, and raspberry. The raspberry is very noticeable in this composition, but the opening act has a harsher quality to it. I think the dry down is where this one really comes into its own. 

Iris, cedar, leather, and raspberry. It’s a bit powdery, has some light fruity sweetness, smooth almost suede-like leather, and fresh woods. There is a bit of a creaminess from vanilla and periods where the saffron is featured. 

  • Who should wear it? Unisex
  • When to wear? Autumn through early Spring
  • When to Avoid? You don’t want a leathery scent

Another Newer Entry

Orpheon EDP by Diptyque– Fresh and clean with a juniper and peppery sort of top. Citrus is involved early on, as well, but short-lived.

Orpheon comes across in a multitude of ways. It always has a powdery dry down, but sometimes, the juniper and cedar come through a lot more and change of the tone of the scent.

The woodiness here can make it feel more masculine. However, I think that it is a well-balanced perfume with the powder and jasmine heart controlling things.

Quite lovely, with a good performance, and one that can be easily enjoyed by most.

  • Who should wear it? Unisex
  • When to wear? Autumn through Spring
  • When to Avoid? Height of Summer. You hate powdery scents.