Best Perfumes for Women

10 Best Smelling Diptyque Fragrances

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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.

Black Opium Le Parfum by YSL

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Black Opium Le Parfum was one of the two Black Opium flanker releases in 2022, along with Illicit Green. This is one that I’d heard good things about, but hadn’t gotten to test it out. So, I bought a sample in order to put this YSL through its paces.

How does it smell? Does it last long? Is Black Opium Le Parfum worth a try?

What does Black Opium Le Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: pear, cinnamon, green mandarin, jasmine, orange blossom, solar notes, vanilla, coffee, and patchouli

Click here to try: Black Opium Le Parfum

My Full Review

Here’s how YSL describes it: an unexpected high rush, exalted with a quartet of vanillas. Its iconic coffee accord associated with white flowers amplifies an ultra-sensual and audacious femininity. This new creation transforms the original signature into an ultimate pleasure.

The opening of Le Parfum is already sweet, with the vanilla being very present at the start. It does have a ‘quartet’ of vanilla notes, so, that’s understandable.

But, early on I get a good deal of cinnamon in the mix. Much lighter on the green mandarin here versus Illicit Green, and even not too much of a pear influence.

With that cinnamon, the vanilla, coffee, and general warmth this does have a coffee drink sort of vibe and not just beans. With that, the coffee note is diluted and isn’t as strong overall.

To me, this is much smoother and less messy than the original Black Opium EDP.

I’ve also seen Le Parfum get compared to Vanilla 28 by Kayali. Not really the same. That’s more linear, thinner, and has that brown sugar note which sets it apart from this. Plus, it lacks the same level of spice that is present with the cinnamon.

That spice, will relent as we move along. The usual jasmine and orange flower floral heart will begin to emerge, but never fully overtake anything. It’s still a warm/sweet/spicy blend of the vanilla and coffee notes. Just, with a light blend of floral notes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Black Opium Le Parfum is strong for an hour or two. Well above what you get with most of the others in this series.

Le Parfum will leave a scent trail in your wake for sure and it can seemingly project up to a 7-9 foot radius, at least initially.

Thereafter, it’s pretty moderate, but noticeable. I did test this once side by side with Illicit Green, and Le Parfum, was the only one that I could smell between them.

On my skin, Le Parfum sticks around close to nine hours. Somewhere in the 8-9 range, with maybe a touch of it still lingering for a short time thereafter. The performance is quite good, but not elite.

Seasonally, Le Parfum stays in the autumn and winter mode. Not going to be one that holds up all that well in the heat and humidity of the late spring and summer months.

This is still very much a Black Opium scent. Still has its sweetness, not very formal, etc. Though, it is somewhat more mature and has a decent versatility to it.

This one would be great casually, one to wear out at night, etc. You can also wear it to school or certain workplace environments. That’s going to have to be your own call, however.

Overall Impressions of Le Parfum

Overall, do I like Le Parfum? I do. To me, it’s the best of the Black Opium lineup. I have yet to try Extreme, have the others, and Le Parfum out does them all.

I really do like that opening hour or so. Not only do you get the power, but also, the spiciness and warmth is really quite captivating. It’s still very good after that, but I like the coffee, vanilla, and cinnamon together.

If you don’t like the original Black Opium, you might not like this one. However, I do think it’s more tolerable in comparison, and less likely to get annoying like that can for some people.

Though, Le Parfum is no guarantee to change your mind about this series.

It does still have that heavier sillage, so, Illicit Green might be a better fit, if that was one of your bigger problems with Black Opium.

If you do like other Black Opium releases, I think that you should definitely try Le Parfum out. It obviously has similarities with the original EDP and others, but it stands out as being a slight notch above the rest of them.

Black Opium Illicit Green by YSL

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Illicit Green is a Black Opium flanker that was released in 2022. I bought a sample of it recently, to try it out again, after having encountered it twice before. This time, I wanted it for a full review.

How does it smell? Does it last long? How does the YSL compare to the original Black Opium and others?

What does Black Opium Illicit Green Smell Like?

Notes include: green mandarin, coffee, vanilla, pear, fig leaf, fig, orange blossom, jasmine, patchouli

Click here to try: Black Opium Illicit Green

My Full Review

Here’s how YSL describes it: The sensual addiction of black coffee gets multiplied by a pulpy and creamy fig. An unexpected and long lasting shot of energy, awaken by the zest of a green mandarin. The new Black Opium eau de parfum Illicit Green is a bold and delicious creation for a luscious femininity. 

Illicit Green starts out lighter and cleaner, in my opinion, versus the original Black Opium EDP. With that, the opening has always felt pretty messy, especially compared to this.

Here, I get the green mandarin note, some of the pear. But, what really comes through from the jump is the fig/fig leaf. This opens greenish, somewhat fruity, with plenty of the coffee note already peaking through.

Really, the pear and mandarin are adding a sparkling brightness to the mix and some sweetness. However, those two note are never particularly massive on my skin.

I dig its freshness and its less heavy and cloying than many of the others in this Saint Laurent series.

As we move along, the fruitiness that is there will tone down. You will get more of the vanilla and coffee that the original has. For me, the coffee is the stronger of the two throughout.

That, with: fig, jasmine, orange blossom and some patchouli.

The final dry down is a light coffee aroma, with the vanilla, and what’s left of that fig and jasmine note. Kind of sweet, soft, with a bit of a powdery feel to it all.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Illicit Green has a pretty good start, with how it projects and the trail it can leave behind. That first hour, it is very noticeable to me, while wearing. Spraying it on a shirt, I can still smell Green from 5-7 feet away.

It’s a lighter to moderate scent, that isn’t going to bog down on you. I have sprayed it alongside, Le Parfum, and that Black Opium flanker easily overtook this one in terms of what I could smell.

The longevity is pretty mid. 4-6 hours of wear, on my skin. I cannot seem to get Illicit Green to go beyond that range. Maybe that’s not too much of a problem, if you don’t overpay for this perfume.

Seasonally, even with its softer appeal, Illicit Green still isn’t built for summer. Autumn through springtime, it might come across as too much with the heat and humidity. But, a good deal of versatility otherwise.

Illicit Green isn’t a formal fragrance, nor is it a ‘club beast’. It’s attractive and the cleaner vibe with this can make it better able to fit into situations that the original and others might not.

Overall Impressions of Illicit Green 

Overall, do I like Illicit Green? I do. Out of the series, it reminds me most of Neon. Both of these perfumes are lighter, but Illicit has the fig note and less orange blossom. I would choose this one over Neon.

It’s also better than: Nuit Blanche and Intense

I like that mandarin and fig-laden start. A good blend of sweet, greenish, and enough of that Black Opium DNA to stay on brand with it.

The dry down is good. Nothing that truly stands out, but a softer rehash of the others from this YSL line.

One complaint that I do have, is with the performance. It is a lighter fragrance, but the longevity, really isn’t where it should be. 4-6 hours is pretty mediocre, whether or not I enjoy the scent.

If you find a lot of the Black Opium flankers to be too heavy, this would then, be my first pick out of the bunch. Though, if you really didn’t like any of them, I’m not sure that this would change your mind.

7 Perfumes Similar to Glossier You

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You by Glossier has become an extremely popular fragrance for women, over the years. It is fairly simple and straightforward, but produces an amazingly clean and attractive perfume, without getting overly complicated.

It’s musky, ambroxan, iris, and has a dash of pink pepper. Yet, people can’t seem to get enough. The question is what smells like Glossier You? Are there any cheaper alternatives? Perfumes that are in the same fragrance family?

Which Perfumes Smell Comparable to You by Glossier?

Is there an exact match of Glossier You for cheaper? Unfortunately, not that I have come across. However, I have plenty of options which have a ton of overlap with the perfume. If you want the real thing, you’ll have to buy it. If you want something similar, yet slightly different as an alternative, try these out:

Doing the Dew

Flowerbomb Dew by Viktor & Rolf– This is one that I sampled recently and it reminded me a lot of the style of You. No, it’s not the same, this has more going on. 

However, the iris and the ambrette notes are here. Add in some heliotrope and another musk note, and you’ve got some good powdery and musky perfume.

The top here, has some fruitiness and a watery freshness that doesn’t show in the Glossier. Pear and the namesake, dewdrop, are present early. Even still, the fruitiness never seems overwhelming or more than a sideshow. 

Flowerbomb Dew isn’t my favorite from the series, but it’s a solid release, and the one that most closely resembles our target…even if it’s not exact.

The Iris of Hermes

Hermès Women’s Hiris Hermès Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 oz.– Dry cedar and iris that starts out packing quite a punch. Very woodsy and has a bitter quality at times, but Hiris is a very clean, and interesting use of the iris note.

As it dries down, Hiris becomes a lighter fragrance with greenish qualities thanks to the rose, but still led by that iris note. Then, you get touches of sweet honey and vanilla, in the heart of this perfume. 

It can be more difficult to find a bottle of this nowadays, but they do still exist online. Update: there seems to be more available now, then when I posted this originally. Hiris has a classy air and maturity about it, and the dry down is fantastic, when the other floral notes emerge.

Close and Clean

Not a Perfume by Juliette Has a Gun- Not a Perfume does, pretty much deliver what its name suggests. This is a very light fragrance, that can come off as naturalistic, while being comprised of ambroxan and musk.

It has a clean and fresh profile, without the same powdery quality that Glossier you has. Not a Perfume really ramps up the amber aroma versus the muskier You, further pulling it away from total match status.

However, with that said, its dry down really does have a resemblance to what we’re looking for. Not a Perfume, is also, not a cheap purchase. However, it gives a clean ambery wear that is understated, while being beautiful.

Best Cheapie Option

Kaleidoscope by B&BW– If you’re looking for something that presents itself, as very comparable to Glossier, this is it. Kaleidoscope is the closest thing, in terms of an alternative. Although, it isn’t exact the same, as our target scent.

You won’t get the same musky aroma, you do get iris and pink pepper, with an added woody freshness of sandalwood and cedar.

It starts off more towards the peppery side of things, before shifting to a powdery/woody fragrance. The pink pepper is stronger than Glossier, which gives you a sparkling and sweeter use of that note.

This isn’t being produced anymore (update: I think that’s changed), it seems, but bottles are still around for pretty cheap. Nonetheless, it’s a close one, but the pink pepper does make it a different and spicier scent.

Just Add Leather

Iris Prima by Penhaligon– Iris Prima shares lots of overlap with Glossier You, but has the added note of leather, among some others. What you get is the same fresh start with iris and pink pepper, leading the way.

Then, this one shifts with more of a woody/leather profile, while retaining the iris and introducing a fair bit of amber.

It has a powdery aroma, like our target scent. It’s more complex, deeper, but really has a lighter scent than the Glossier. Iris Prima, obviously is going to lean more to the iris note, but you get a damn good scent that occupies the same sort of space as what we want.

Similar Luxury Option

Athalia PdM– Athalia opens up with a smokey incense note, that is paired with florals, and orange. Rose and orange blossom are prevalent, at the top. It’s different from Glossier You, but still has similarities, that will increase as the wear moves further along.

The next stage, is about the iris and musk mostly. You still get incense, orange blossom, and an emergent amber. However, the powdery warmth really starts to come through.

Again, this isn’t an exact one, but this is a really great higher end scent, within the same fragrance family as Glossier You. Read my full Athalia Review

One from Chloe

Love by Chloe for Women, Eau de Parfum Spray, 2.5 Ounce- As its name suggests, Love is for the romantically inclined. This wonderful scent is full of life and beauty. It’s a clean floral scent with undertones of powder to it. When iris is the main note, you’re obviously going to get that familiar powdery scent.

Love is much more floral and powdery than Glossier and doesn’t have the same level of musk, but it is still there. Hyacinth and lilac are balanced with the iris, so, it won’t be a one note dominance. Underneath, there is a greenish/musky base, but it’s light. 

Plus, you have the other floral notes, like violet coming through strong, and an underlying musk to the whole composition. You don’t need to spray very much for it to be effective. Notes include: iris, lilac, hyacith.

12 Fragrances Similar to Chanel No. 5

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Chanel No. 5 has been around now for about 100 years. It’s basically the most famous perfume on the planet and is still going strong in sales, all these years later. With its popularity, have come similar scents, cheaper comparable smells, and other perfumes which are alike. In this post, I want to cover these fragrances , as potential alternatives to buying Chanel No. 5. I’ll keep it updated, as I come across more options.

Perfumes that Smell Similar to Chanel No. 5

The First Inspiration

Floral Aldehydes by Dossier– The name itself gets right to the point, about what this one is. Floral Aldehydes by Dossier is the brand’s inspired take on the classic formula.

A big blast of cooling aldehydes up top, with the light citrus, floral heart, and the powdery aspects like the Chanel has.

An eau de parfum, the performance holds up well, at least to the standards of No. 5 EDP. Perhaps not the extrait.

Does it do a good job at matching the aroma? Pretty much. Sometimes the weighting of some of the notes can be slightly off versus the designer perfume. However, at slightly less than $30 per bottle (as of posting), it’s not going to be noticeable enough to complain much.

Another Number

Antica di Roma by Fragrenza– This is another inspired take on the No. 5 style. Fragrenza is a brand that has some good offerings, and I’ve tried many of their scents, from their designer based perfumes.

However, I haven’t given Antica di Roma a go, as of yet. But, I figured that I’d put it on the list in order to present another alternative, for those who want it.

The good news is, that you can buy a 3ml sample size of this and the other perfumes that they carry, so that you can give them a full test without committing to the full bottle.

Grand Similarities

Ruby 34 by Oakcha– I’m adding this one to the list, because it is one of the more interesting inspired takes I’ve seen on a designer perfume.

Ruby 34 is based on the limited edition Baccarat Grand Extrait version of Chanel No. 5 that the brand put out for the 100th anniversary of No.5. Which, sold for tens of thousands of dollars, by the way.

Ruby 34 gives you a chance to (in theory) have a very similar experience to what you would have gotten, if you could have grabbed one of those limited edition Chanel’s.

So, this might be one to go with for a lot of people who want an updated take on the classic style.

Similar Profile, Differing Strengths

Dune By Christian Dior For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

This Christian Dior offering, isn’t an exact match of our Chanel. It actually shares many of the same notes, but, the strength of each, is almost inverted in comparison. The floral notes are much lighter and Dune is a woodier fragrance.

Like, take the notes, and flip them around.

A lovely and elegant scent dating back to the early 1990s. It is fresh, sensual, and great for the warmer months. Dune is dry and woody with sandalwood, rosewood, and amber being the main highlights. There are spiced notes and undertones of vanilla, which keep it sweet.

Dune is a very smooth and a pretty low key scent. It doesn’t have the same intense sillage as Hypnotic Poison, but is still solid throughout. This one could be a unisex fragrance, with its woody tones, and serves as a great change of pace from the usual popular fare.

dune

Another Similar Classic from that Era

Lanvȋn Arpége Pẻrfume For Women 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray – This one dates back to the earlier decades of the last century, but it has been updated and reformulated, a few times since then. The current version is a lot of floral notes, with a powdery aroma from the iris, sitting on top of sandalwood.

It’s actually kind of a powerhouse, when compared to the others on this list, and while it is pretty heavy it does have a certain cleanliness about it. Since this dates back to around the same era, as No.5, it does have a very similar classic feel. Add to the fact, that there are many of the same notes, and you’ve got a potential alternative.

You get a good amount of jasmine and ylang-ylang, but Arpege is pretty well mixed. Maybe not the most universally appealing scent on the list, but one that ranks up near the top, for a selection of the population.

Lighter, Woodier, and Still Classic

Rive Gauche By Yves Saint Laurent For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Oz
A blast from the past, this 1970s fragrance is a sure fire classic. Notes of sandalwood, oak moss, honeysuckle, gardenia, and others form an intense, clean, and powdery scent. Unique, inspiring, and long-lasting.

Aldehydes, florals, and a drier profile allow Rive Gauche to be in the approximate family of our target.

Rive Gauche has more oak moss and vetiver freshness, the same type of floral notes, just in a much lighter application.

It blends together as a powdery smell, but underneath you can pick out the floral notes such as rose and gardenia. Plus, the fresh oak moss, vetiver, and other woody elements come together to create a clean and simply sophisticated perfume. Rive Gauche Review

rivegauchew

Aldehydes with More Iris 

Hermes – Caleche – Edt Spray 1.6 Oz (New Packaging)– An aldehyde floral with a nice powdery iris note, taking the lead, within the composition. It has a powerful opening, with the iris and a nice neroli note, for a clean touch.

It softens up, as it dries down, and you’re left with an elegant vintage perfume aroma. At times, its more of a woody fragrance. Then, it will feel creamy. Then, a dry powdery scent. It’s got depth and lots in common with Chanel No. 5, though, not an exact copy. They are, close relatives, however.

Modern with a Similar Style

TOM FORD METALLIQUE 3.4oz 100ml EAU DE PERFUME– This one is different, its a floral aldehyde, with a sweeter and creamier disposition. Vanilla, sandalwood, and ambrette provide that lovely finish following the aldehyde opening act.

The floral notes are toned down and quite subtle. This Tom Ford, does have an interesting metallic finish, as the name suggests. It’s not really a one to one match at all of Chanel No. 5, but one that kind of gives you a updated twist, to this style of fragrance.

Resinous and Smoky

AMOUAGE Gold Women’s Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Fl Oz– A smoky and resinous oriental fragrance, featuring: rose, lily, and jasmine notes. Close to Caleche, listed above, in smell.

Amouage Gold is an expensive designer fragrance, that dries down with a musky, and powdery aroma. Gets quite rosy, no aldehydes, but plenty of jasmine and some orris to add to its depth. Like a smokier and more exotic take, on Chanel No. 5.

A bit of 19, a bit of 5

Annick Goutal Heure Exquise Women’s Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– Ok, so this Annick Goutal scent, is probably closer to Chanel No. 19. However, it’s also somewhat like No.5, as well. I’m adding this, just to give one more option. Plus, on its own, this is a gorgeous fragrance.

It’s a great vintage fragrance with hyacinth, rose, and mostly iris holding things together. It’s powdery with a fresh greeness, to its smell. Very clean with a light touch of sweetness, provided by vanilla, and sitting on top of a sandalwood base.

Old School Lancome

Climat By Lancome For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 2.5 Ounces– Another older fragrance, that I’ve only recently come across, and the resemblance to No.5 was there to my nose.

To me, this one has a soapier aroma versus being a match of our target. It’s clean and upbeat, with a muskier finish versus the same aldehydes found in Chanel. The main floral is the Lily of the Valley in comparison, but you get a bouquet and fresh woodsiness also.

I don’t think that this is the exact formulation of the older bottles, I wasn’t around in the 60s. However, this one isn’t very expensive and still has a nice quality fragrance, striking close to what we want here.

An Inexpensive Option

Nude By Bill Blass For Women. Cologne Spray 3.4 Ounces– This is an interesting one, that usually costs around $20 per bottle nowadays (though, I believe it’s out of production….so that may not last). It has elements of Chanel No.5 (I’d say closer to the EDP, than anything).

The commonalities are the aldehydes and the floral notes. Jasmine, rose, and ylang-ylang. The jasmine is noticeably toned down in the mix versus our target, while the ylang-ylang is ratcheted up. It also has a colder and sterile feeling at times.

The rosemary note is what I think separates it, in the early stages. It’s much more green/herbal than Chanel and dries down with more of a powdery aroma. Not my favorite, but certainly an option to try for cheap.