Best Perfumes for Women

Velvet Incenso by Dolce & Gabbana

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Velvet Incenso is one of the entries from the ‘Velvet’ line of fragrances by D&G. This one was released back in 2018. I received a sample of it, with another batch order of other samples and testers, some months ago. But, I have been testing out this perfume to see what it’s all about. How does it smell? Perform? Is it worth a try?

What does Velvet Incenso Smell Like?

Notes include: elemi, black pepper, labdanum, incense, benzoin, amberwood, vanilla, patchouli, cashmere wood

Click here to try: Velvet Incenso

My Full Review

Velvet Incenso starts off with a kick of black pepper, smoke, and its resinous notes. Early, it’s elemi and balsam representing that aspect.

The incense is going to be a factor throughout. However, I’ve never found this perfume to be super smoky. Yes, it’s there, just not a heavy burning aroma.

That mix of balsamic, fresh and warmer spice is exactly what you’d expect out of a fragrance like this. You will also get a sweetness, which becomes more apparent as Velvet Incenso smoothens out.

The black pepper will begin to fade. In it’s place, vanilla will really peak through. Along with the amber and labdanum. Dry and warm, less of an intense punch like the early stages.

The amber, labdanum, benzoin, and elemi notes can be tough to distinguish at times from one another. Though, I do feel like each gets at least a little time in the spotlight, before they each recede back into the amber/resin/balsamic mass of notes.

As we dry down further, the becomes more about the incense. Incense embraced by a warm amber, some vanilla, and cashmere wood. It’s still got it’s smokiness, just without the spice of the pepper and some of the other notes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one opens up strong, not insanely heavy ever, but the spice and smoke to hang around in the air well. I imagine with a full bottle, having the sprayer would help immensely.

Still, even with the sample this one projects well for that first hour. Then, it will turn moderate as we enter the middle act. Incenso does hold up well, however, never completely falling off in its performance. Just a steady decline.

With the longevity, Incenso lasted between 7-8.5 hours on my skin, each time that I wore it. It’s good, but never hit the double digit mark for me. I don’t think that’d be a problem for most people, however.

The versatility has its strong positives and some weaker points. Velvet Incenso is a true unisex fragrance. Anyone can wear this without issue.

It does have a better profile for colder weather. Yes, moderate climates work well, also. I wore it outside on a fairly mild evening and I thought that this perfume was lovely in those conditions.

When can it be worn? Well, that’s going to depend on when you want to smell like amber and incense. Probably not going to be a daily wear for most people. Not super formal or sexy, either.

Overall Impressions of Velvet Incenso

Overall, do I like Velvet Incenso. I do. It’s a niche fragrance for those who love the incense note, but still very approachable for everyone else.

I will say, that I do kind of prefer Encens Satin, to this one. The performance of that Armani is also better, even if Velvet is no slouch.

This one is very good, though. It’s got a nice balance between different notes and aspects. You get your warmth, spice, sweetness, smoke, etc. It all comes in different phases and is pleasant to wear throughout.

The performance is good. Not ever reaching elite levels for me, but you’ll know that its there and it can last a full workday.

I’d say that Velvet Incenso is worth trying. The price is high, so, I’d definitely recommend tracking down a sample before committing to a full purchase. But, I don’t think you’d be disappointed, if you’re in the market for this sort of perfume.

Hudson Yards by Bond No. 9

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In today’s review, I am going to do another entry by Bond No. 9. This time, it will be a ladies’ fragrance, Hudson Yards. It was released back in 2014 As usual, I will cover what the notes are, how it smells, develops, when it should be worn, if the performance holds up, and if it is indeed worth a purchase.

Reviewing Hudson Yards: What does it Smell Like?

Notes include: musk, rose, peony, lily of the valley, iris, orange blossom, litchi

Click here to try: Bond No. 9 Hudson Yards Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.3 oz

Full Wear Review

Right off the bat, you’re dealing with a very floral fragrance. However, at the start there is a bit of juicy fruit provided by the litchi. Hudson Yards opens with a blend of the lily of the valley, peony, and rose.

I don’t think that the litchi is particularly strong. Though, it is quite noticeable at the start, and gives Hudson a somewhat different aroma than what we eventually end up with.

It seems to my nose at least, that the peony and rose are stronger at the start than the lily of the valley, which then takes over as the dominant player.

The floral notes have a ‘green’ kind of aroma to them but I don’t think that it is overplayed like some of the other floral Bond No. 9 perfumes that I’ve sampled in the past. It gives you that fresh dewy aroma, not quite a full aquatic but like a nice misty morning in the flower garden.

It’s a very springtime scent that is bright and upbeat while wearing. This one has a fairly similar style to High Line, not the same smell, but in the same ballpark.

As it moves on, the other florals become detectable (namely the iris), and Hudson Yards gets that powdery aroma that is so common to ladies’ perfumes. There is also a slight musky undertone but it’s not too noticeable for me.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s a moderate scent. You’ll know that Hudson Yards is there, but it is definitely not a bomb, by any means. I’d say it’s stronger than Bond’s Brooklyn that I tried out the other day.

Hudson will project itself about 4-6 feet from where you spray, then, draw closer towards that area as the sillage softens up. The performance in terms of leaving a scent trail or staying detectable by others for a good amount of time is above average.

I would also rate the longevity as quite good but not great. I’m more or less getting seven solid hours of wear from Hudson Yards. Testing it out a few times, it doesn’t seem to go any further than that, but will sometimes only hit the 5 hour mark.

Seasonally, this is a dead ringer from spring/summer. It reminds me of sunny days and gardens. It’s rather sophisticated, as well. So, Hudson Yards can be worn casually or on more dressy occasions without ever feeling out of place.

I wouldn’t call it a ‘sexy’ kind of fragrance but I do find that it is really pretty and pleasant to be around. It’s mature, without being stuffy and old lady-like. It’s a nice floral, with fresh and greenish vibes, that peak out during the wear.

Anyhow, you should be able to get plenty of use out of this one.

Overall Impressions of Hudson Yards

Overall, would I recommend Hudson Yards? Yes, to floral lovers. This could be a great addition to anyone’s rotation for the warmer months of the year. I don’t think that it’s an amazing, must have scent, but it does everything very well.

Smells nice and has an interesting composition. The performance is pretty good, could be better, and that might be a hinderance for some looking to give this perfume a go.

Personally, I like the opening with the peony and litchi notes, more so than the middle where the lily comes through more. The iris finish is also a nice touch, giving this a somewhat different feel and a more balanced aroma.

Is it worth the high price? Probably not for most people. If you can get it cheaper or a smaller sized bottle, it may be worth a look for spring and early summer wear.

It’s not good enough for those who are looking for a floral to blind buy. There are cheaper options to get your feet wet with. Still, Hudson Yards is one worth checking out if it sounds interesting.

12 Best Smelling Strawberry Scented Perfumes

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Fresh strawberries not only taste delicious, but also smell great. While they’re not the base note in a ton of perfumes, strawberry, is featured in enough to find some amazing smelling options.

In this post, I want to present twelve ladies fragrances, which use this fruit as a main note. Each of them, offers something a bit different. I have updated this page, but left some of the older options on here, as they can still be found online in most cases.

Favorite Ladies Strawberry Perfumes

The Daisy Flanker

Marc Jacobs Eau de Toilette Spray, Daisy So Fresh Sunshine, 2.5 Ounce– So Fresh Sunshine is a lighter fragrance for the spring/summer months, but also smells amazing. This one is led by the fruit notes, grapefruit and strawberry, above the floral ingredients.

It’s quite a different take from the others in the Daisy line, however, the juicy fruits at the opening and that clean upbeat energy makes it a beautiful departure from the norm.

The strawberry note and apple blossom, reign at the top. During the dry down, rose and jasmine begin to come in. Sunshine is well balanced, but not a powerhouse type of perfume.

New York Strawberries

Kate Spade New York– Adding this one to the list, since I’ve tested since the last update and found this perfume quite enjoyable.

The strawberry note with this one is bold up top, blended with citrus notes, and has more of a naturalistic feeling. Less of a pure sugar sort of strawberry, but it does have somewhat of a mixed drink vibe to my nose.

Strawberry will be joined by a light rose essence and some freesia, in the heart of things. Neither is massive in the mix, but you do get some floral touches and dewy greenish aromas for a time.

But, this dries down with our target note, cashmeran, and ambroxan rounding things out. This is a great pick up for daily wear. Kate Spade New York Review

A Popular Pick

Burberry Her Eau De Parfum Spray– Burberry Her EDP gets a lot of recognition nowadays, mostly due to its similarities with BR 540 and Cloud by Ariana Grande. However, that’s not all it has going for it. This perfume also contains a big dose of strawberries.

Update: You might want to go with the newer Her Elixir, instead. It has a more focused berry blend with a stronger strawberry note.

Well, beyond our target ingredient, you get a sweet/sharp mix of rasp- and other berries. Plus, a nice added citrus blend up top. To me, the strawberry is the strongest of all of them, and stays around for the longest time.

The floral notes aren’t that strong in this one, to me. It dries down sweet, woody, and musky. It’s closer to Cloud than it is in the opening stages. Burberry Her EDP Review

Pink and Berries Mix

Valentina Pink by Valentino– Valentina Pink is a scent that has a lot in common with Mon Paris, which is found later on this list.

With Pink, you get a mix of berry notes and rose. Blackberry is a big contributor, but it isn’t as heavily weighted as our strawberry. But, if you want a blended berry scent, this gives you more strawberry without having just it alone.

Praline, some peony, and a light musk round things out. There isn’t a ton of development with the floral notes, but they are there, and this finishes with a bit of a powdery aroma. 

Strawberry Phlur

Strawberry Letter by Phlur– This is an interesting one, that has lots of overlap with the Burberry Her fragrances, especially early on.

I think it’s still distinct enough, even at the start. It feels fresh and not too heavy or jammy. The opening act is fruity with our target strawberry note, but it is also joined by a slight plum.

Between that and the cassis, it has a tart streak, while still being sweet and somewhat sugary.

The dry down has an accord in it, simply called, ‘earthy woods’. Yeah, you can definitely get that idea. It’s still a strawberry lead, there is amber, and the fruity sweetness never goes away completely.

I think that they were going for something more naturalistic with Strawberry Letter. I don’t think they completely succeeded, if that’s the case, but this is still a very nice example of what we’re looking for.

Escada Strawberry Blend

ESCADA MOON SPARKLE by Escada EDT SPRAY 1.7 OZ– Has a youthful and sort of girly air to it. Moon Sparkle is a moderate and sweet scent that isn’t a tropical fruit fragrance. You get apple and strawberry with floral notes of freesia and jasmine.

Strawberry is paired with a bit of a sharp black currant note at the top and the fruit notes later drop off somewhat. Overall, Moon Sparkle is sweet, with very good performance.

Strawberry is the fruity note, which is the most dominant and hangs around for the entire wear. In the dry down, it gets paired with some tropical floral notes, and a woody base.

Update: I seems like this one has been discontinued and is pretty tough to find, at times. I wouldn’t pay too heavy of a price for Moon Sparkle, despite its positives.

Strawberry Chypre

Cartier EDP Spray for Women, La Panthere, 2.5 Ounce– La Panthere isn’t a pure strawberry perfume, but it does feature a good deal, as a part of a blend and within a composition that is different from others on the list.

Rhubarb, strawberry, and some other fruit kick things off. It’s fruity, but dry, and not super sweet. Gardenia, musk, and moss are really going to steady the base of this Cartier fragrance. 

Gardenia and orange blossom along with the musk are going to highlight this one as it dries down. The moss and patchouli give it a woodsy finish. The strawberry is lesser of a participant, but it sticks around for the duration.

It’s a chypre scent, with great performance, that gives strawberry lovers something that’s not just another fruit salad blend. La Panthere EDP Review

Flashy Strawberry

Jimmy Choo Flash Perfume For Women 3.4 oz Eau De Parfum Spray– A floral bouquet is joined by that familiar warm spiciness of pink pepper and a juicy strawberry note. Our ingredient is joined by jasmine, lily, and tuberose. 

It’s a sweet floral fruity blend, with some musk coming from the base. While this does have a distinct strawberry aroma, it isn’t a pure strawberry perfume. Pink pepper is the note that stands out to me, aside from the fruit.

This is a pretty unique scent. It’s familiar, yet I couldn’t come up with another fragrance that smell quite like it. Yet, it’s a great wear that is worth a try.

Strawberry and Coconut

Katy Perry Mad Love Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce– Mad Love is an under the radar fragrance from Katy Perry, but it is honestly one of her best. Plus, we get our target note in spades. 

It is a sweet and fruity perfume, with a coconut/strawberry blend sitting on top of a creamy undertone. Then, there is a light and crisp apple. Hints of floral notes, emerge during the dry down, but this is mostly a fruity affair.

Good warm weather fragrance, for the price, with solid performance. Nothing insanely amazing, but I enjoy it as a value option.

Strawberries lead the way, with a nice juicy coconut, and a sugary finish. Later, it gets somewhat musky, but that stays light and there is some floral and woody notes coming through.

Popular But Not a Pure Strawberry Scent

Victoria’s Secret Bombshell- Not only is this a beautiful fragrance but one which is also versatile enough to wear on any occasion and always turn heads.

Bombshell has a strong sillage and features plenty of grapefruit and passion fruit, to go along with a powerful peony, for the floral aspect.

At times, the strawberry note takes over, and provides a different type of juiciness versus the citrus notes that dominate the opening. Is this a sexy scent? Yes, but probably not in the way that the name would indicate.

It’s super attractive, but one might expect an in your face and dominate sort of perfume, but Bombshell doesn’t behave like that at all. Regardless, it smells great.

Really a clean everyday kind of wear. Bombshell isn’t a pure strawberry option, but it does have a rather large amount in its composition, and is worthy of placement here.

 

Strawberry Flowerbomb

Hanae Mori Hanae Eau de Parfum spray, 3.4 Ounce– This is one that smells quite a lot like Flowerbomb. However, Hanae Mori EDP is sweeter than the Viktor & Rolf, with its use of strawberries and other fruits.

Oh, and add a solid amount of vanilla, and you’ve got a Flowerbomb alternative with a fruity/sweet profile.

If you like or are familiar with that perfume, just imagine that, with additional berries (blueberry and blackberry, also) with a woodier finish to it. Really nice buy for not a lot of money. 

Blended Berries with a Strawberry Highlight

Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris Eau de Parfum Spray, 3 Fluid Ounce– On some people, the strawberry sticks out more when they spray Mon Paris. For me, it was like a blend of berries (strawberry and raspberry) along with pear and citrus.

I thought that I’d include this one, as it can feature a stronger strawberry note early. It is a fruity floral fragrance, with datura and peony really coming through, along with a general muskiness. The latter stages are basically a sweet musky datura fest.

It’s a nice enough fragrance, that’s easy to wear, versatile, and has good staying power. I suppose how much of the berry you get depends on your skin. Yet, the blended notes should be there regardless. Mon Paris Full Review

6 Best Smelling Nina Ricci Perfumes

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This is our list of the best smelling ladies fragrances by design house Nina Ricci. This fashion firm has existed since 1932 and in that time span has produced some wonderful perfumes that carry on to this day.

For this list, I have chosen six of the best and as always have linked each out to its page on Amazon.

Also, see: Sexiest Perfumes, Christian Dior Best Scents

What are the Best Nina Ricci Perfumes?

Classic Ricci Fragrance

L’air du Temps by Nina Ricci for Women 3.3 oz Eau de Toilette Spray– This perfume dates back to 1948 and is a soft floral scent. It’s not for everyone but can work very well for some women, perhaps, one that is more mature and wants to shy away from the high energy/seductive perfumes.

L’air du Temps has obviously undergone plenty of changes over the decades. It’s hard to say what it originally smelled like, as notes and formulations differ. Nowadays, this perfume will give you a light clove note, surrounded by jasmine, carnation, rose, among other floral ingredients.

It dries down with a musky aroma, that’s light and when paired with the floral notes, gives L’air du Temps a clean soapy quality. It still has a classic character, that’s going to be different from what many are used to in more modern scents. 

l'air

Bold Citrus Floral

Nina Ricci – Ricci Ricci Eau De Parfum Spray 30ml/1oz– On the flip side of the first entry, Ricci Ricci is a bold, powerful, and long lasting scent that is full of confidence and life. Careful not to use too much of this stuff but the right amount will bolster a woman’s mood.

Ricci Ricci kicks off with a sharp bergamot note, that gives this composition a bold opening. It is flanked by rhubarb and an array of floral and fruit notes. It’s strong and somewhat sour, while being juicy.

Later on, it lightens up somewhat and you get a great sandalwood and patchouli. Enough spice and juiciness to keep it interesting.

ricci ricci

Most Popular Ricci Perfume

Nina By Nina Ricci For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 2.7-Ounces – A beautiful blend of notes contained in that famous apple shaped bottle. It is a clean, sweet, and feminine perfume that works great for warmer months and is versatile enough to use for almost any occasion.

Nina gives you a mix of apple and citrus notes, fairly balanced initially, before the apple fully takes over. It’s got a youthful and delicious sort of aroma, that’s easy to wear. There is a bit of chocolate with some musk and floral notes. It’s still light and clean, not overly warm or chocolatey.

nina

Wild Rose and Musk

Mademoiselle Ricci by Nina Ricci for Women 2.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray– An exciting fragrance from Nina Ricci, that combines florals such as wild rose and other interesting ingredients like pink pepper and some woodsy notes.

The sweetness isn’t really candy-like in its presentation but it certainly grabs attention.

This one gets musky and blends with the rose note, which when combined with the other notes gives it a powdery aroma.

Then, there is the warm, but not too intense spiciness of the pink pepper. Mademoiselle Ricci is fairly simple, but also an attractive wear.

madem
 

 

Best Ricci for Younger Women

Premier jour by nina ricci eau de parfum spray 100ml, 3.4 Fl Oz– A light and sensual experience. Premier Jour is a warm floral scent that never overpowers but gives off an air off class and confidence.

There is enough sweetness to be interesting, but the opening act is upbeat and lively. Led by gardenia but also with sweet pea and orchid.

Sitting on top of light sandalwood and musk. This is a nice starter fragrance for a younger lady. Youthful, but not cheap or annoying to have on.

premier

Rose Nina

Rose Extase by Nina Ricci- Pink rose, red berries, and vanilla. This Nina Ricci perfume is a fun and delightful mix of juicy, creamy, and floral notes.

The opening is a mix of being super sweet and actually fairly tart. The raspberry and red berry blend, do come on strong. But, it settles, you get more rose, vanilla, and musk. At times, it feels creamier. Then, you get bouts of powder.

Clean and pretty easy to wear once it settles. Not nearly as high as quality as the Parfums de Marly. It’s got more of a youthful vibe versus some of the past entries on this list, but it’s worth trying out.

 

22 Best Smelling Perfumes for Teenage Girls

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For this post, I want to delve into our choice list of the top fragrances for teenage girls. I am updating this post here in 2023, as it had been seven years since the original publication, and it desperately needed refreshing.

I have added many new choices and expanded on original selections for young women.

These scents are a mix of different price points (including some nice smelling cheapies) and they are all versatile in their uses. Meaning, they can be worn in class for high school, out socially, or to formal events. Also, be sure to check out my full list of the best fragrances for teen boys.

Top Fragrances for Teen Girls 2023

Light, Sweet, and Powdery

Alien Goddess– Alien Goddess is a perfume that has become ever more popular over the past year and one that I found to be both versatile and enjoyable.

It opens up with a yummy coconut water note which is paired with a light and bright bergamot citrus. Add to that, a creamy vanilla note and jasmine, which when combined gives it a sunny lotion-like aroma. Not too heavy with the lotion vibe, but it’s there.

Jasmine and heliotrope will emerge as the dominant floral notes, as the coconut and vanilla will play the background. This lets Alien Goddess take on a more powdery finish. Yet, the jasmine remains the dominant note versus the heliotrope.

This one is easy to wear, not too heavy, and isn’t going to take over a room with normal amounts of spraying. Alien Goddess Review

Billie Sweet

Eilish EDP– Eilish EDP is an interesting gourmand fragrance. It has the usual celebrity perfume sweetness, like most first offerings when they launch a scent. But, it has a uniqueness to it, that keeps it distinct from the rest.

Eilish opens up with a mandarin and red berry mix. It doesn’t have a chance to go full fruity with its aroma, as other notes come in to create something that smells closer to baked goods.

Cinnamon, powdery cocoa, creamy vanilla, sugar, and amber. It’s spicy, warm, sweet fruity, all wrapped into one. 

Beyond that, what came across as interesting is the cool, minty/menthol, sort of greenish note that came through. Maybe, geranium?

Either way, this was a nice perfume for the younger set. Not anything unbelievable, but very enjoyable, popular, and age appropriate. Eilish Review

eilish perfume review

Luxury Fragrance Pick

Chanel Chance Tendre Eau de Toilette Spray For Women 1.7 OZ./ 50 ml.– Bright, fresh, and girly. Eau Tendre has a citrus base of grapefruit to go along with sweet floral notes. This is probably the most popular of the Chance flanker fragrances by Chanel.

It’s mostly a floral fragrance that is highlighted by citrus notes to give it more balance. Iris, jasmine, and hyancith are a part of the floral bouquet.

Chance Eau Tendre is a much lighter fragrance than many other options on the list, but that light airy aroma, doesn’t mean that it lacks staying power. It’s just not a heavy bomb, but one that is a great option for everyday wear.

It is still very crisp, due to the citrus top notes, but it doesn’t have that usual sharpness that grapefruit can cause. Eau Tendre is very smooth with a dry down period that can be somewhat powdery (iris) and with a healthy dose of musk.

Again, it’s not a heavy fragrance, so the musk isn’t going to be an unbearable mess. 

Sugary Fruits and Vanilla

Beyond Romance from Ralph Lauren– Beyond Romance took a nice enough formula from Midnight Romance and the others in the series, and made it even better.

This one starts out with raspberry, mandarin orange, and bergamot. It will be joined by marshmallow (at least that’s what it smells like) and vanilla notes. 

The dry down will be focused on the raspberry and vanilla notes. It’s sugary and sometimes powdery with an underlying support of musk and cashmere wood. Very balanced with a good enough performance for most purposes. Beyond Romance Review

Girl of Now

Girl of Now Forever– The original Girl of Now from Elie Saab, uses nutty notes, Girl of Now Forever gives you a fruitier take on the name.

Black currant, raspberry, and citrus. The almond note is still there, but doesn’t play quite the same large role here, at least later on. The sweet and tart blend is energetic and also quite attractive, once you get past the opening (not a huge fan of that part, personally).

These notes are flanked by light floral notes of rose and orange blossom, which the orange blossom even less prevalent than the almond.

What you get is a fun juicy fruit/rose fragrance with hints of vanilla and almond, with a muskiness in the dry down. Solid performance. Great for the spring and summer months, but not an immature or super sugary mess. 

Easy to Love Vanilla

Goddess by Burberry– Another perfume, where I don’t think the name quite fits, the actual smell itself. Nonetheless, Burberry’s Goddess is a newer scent that has gained a lot of popularity over the past year.

A lot of the wear, it going to be about the mix of lavender and vanilla. Creamy vanilla, in the dry down phase, and the lavender gets held in check. So, this won’t be a completely ‘girly’ sugar-laden scent. Sweet, just not tooth-ache sweet.

Early on, a fresh ginger spice and coolness comes through, along with a light cacao note. Adding a touch of bittersweet to the aroma.

A pretty simple affair, when all said and done. Yet, it’s a fragrance with a lot of versatility and isn’t just relegated to use by teenagers. If enjoyed, it could become a signature wear for years. Burberry Goddess Review

Terrific All Around Wear

I Love Love Cheap and Chic by Moschino for Women 3.4 oz Eau de Toilette Spray– Dolce & Gabbana have a best seller with Light Blue that gets a lot of attention. Moschino has I Love Love, which smells similar, is cheaper, and actually smells better.

It features a bright and upbeat citrus opening with lemon, grapefruit, and orange. The latter note is the most prevalent. Very juicy with a bit of sweetness to tamper down the sharper qualities of the citrus. 

The middle stage will bring out lily of the valley, cinnamon, and musk. All sitting on top of a woody base. At this price point, I Love Love is a steal. This one delivers a nice performance and is plenty versatile when it can be worn. I Love Love Review

Coach Floral Simplicity

Coach Dreams 1.3oz Eau de Parfum Spray– Coach Dreams is one of the newer releases from the luggage and fashion label. This one is geared towards younger women, and while not amazing, does provide a unique floral scent that is easy to wear.

Coach Dreams starts with its fruity notes (bitter orange, mostly) out completely. Though, underneath this is greenish desert notes, such as cactus flower and Joshua tree.

But, what it ultimately turns into is a gardenia-led floral perfume. Very interesting use of desert notes to create a sort of open road vibe.

It is pretty simple, but has plenty of uses within that. It starts fruity/floral and moves into being a white floral perfume with dewy and greenish elements. Coach Dreams Full Review

Britney Spears Fragrance

VIP Private Show by Britney Spears– This was a flanker release to the original Private Show by Britney, but is a completely different scent. While the original was more of a winter scent, this one trades that in for a playful and fruity fragrance.

It starts off with a blend of apple, raspberry, and blood orange with just a dash of mango.

It’s sweet and those fruit notes are going to be the main attraction. Yes, there is a bit of violet and some amber and musk. However, they’re not too prominent within the composition.

So, while the perfume is pretty linear in how it develops, it still smells really great at this price point (under $30). Not only that, the sillage is good, and this stuff will last a full day with no problem. A delicious gourmand with a sugary almost bubble gum undertone.

This is just one selection from Britney’s line I enjoy. Here’s the whole list of her best: Britney Spears top perfumes

Floral with some Fruitiness

By Kilian – Good Girl Gone Bad Eau de Parfum – Travel Spray– This Kilian fragrance is one the higher end of the price range, but is a beautiful floral scent. Osmanthus and rose, lead the way, as it moves into becoming more of a bouquet with some great softer amber.

The fruitiness in the open is from the apricot note and a less prevalent apple. With the white floral notes and fruits, this does have that clean shampoo sort of aroma.

The name on this one, totally doesn’t fit what it actually is. It’s much more of a ‘good girl’ and I’m not sure what that ‘bad’ aspect is other than marketing. So, don’t expect anything too wild here.

Tuberose and orange blossom have their moments, while the strongest of the floral notes towards the end will be the jasmine. The apricot note hangs around for the duration. You get a sweet, easy to wear floral, that’s actually appropriate for younger women or older. Good Girl Gone Bad Review

The Top Miss Dior Perfume

Christian Dior Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming Women’s Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– The best of the Miss Dior line, in my opinion. It starts off with raspberry and pomegranate which is paired with musk. It is very bright, sweet, and the berry notes are quite juicy.

Those fruit notes are also joined by black currant, before the floral notes come out, led by peony and rose. It has a very good performance, will last over 10 hours, but go light on the sprayer because it can be pretty strong.

A great blend of fruits and floral notes with a distinct spring/summer vibe. Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming Review

Floral-Fruity-Sporty

Ralph by Ralph Lauren for Women, Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 3.4 Ounce– Ralph is another very popular fragrance, that has a youthful enough style, while still managing to be fresh and sophisticated.

It is a floral-fruity fragrance, where you get apple and mandarin juiciness to offset the floral notes and preventing them from dominating the mix. 

It has a fair amount of sweetness with a crisp finish. Not processed sugary sweet, just  naturalistic and fruity. This Ralph Lauren perfume is a bit sporty with a great ability to venture into the warmest months of the year. 

Not one that is super complicated, but it really doesn’t need to be since it smells so good.

ralph

Raspberry Luck

Lady Million Lucky– Much like the men’s version of this scent, 1 Million Lucky, the women’s perfume is actually a nice option for the younger set.

This one doesn’t have that same tart plum note and instead goes with a blend of raspberry, mandarin, honey, and hazelnut. It’s nice, sweet, and juicy for a lot of the wear.

The background is fresh and woody. The hazelnut combines with sandalwood and cashmere wood. What honey note there is, isn’t too much of a factor.  You do get a nice Damask rose, with a pinkish smell that pairs nicely with that raspberry. That’s mainly in the dry down.

A rather simple perfume, but one that is attractive fun and usually not too high priced. 

90s Classic

Calvin Klein Women’s CK One Eau de Toilette Pour/Spray, 6.7 fl. oz.
A clean, fresh, and energetic unisex fragrance. CK One is a classic scent which has enjoyed popularity for many years and is still going strong today.

It opens with a really bright and upbeat citrus accord, with a clean shower fresh kind of dry down, with added musk. The citrus is initially joined by cardamom and a slight green tea note.

The pineapple, lemon, and other fruits remain in control for most of the wear. Then, cedar and musk, create a fresh base that is quite memorable.

This is a safe everyday kind of wear, that can go year round, no problem. Notes include: papaya, pineapple and jasmine, green tea and amber.  Top Calvin Klein Perfumes

ck one

Clean Citrus, Woody

Gucci Bamboo Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 2.5 Ounce– Bamboo opens up with the citrus freshness of bergamot, before the floral notes come in, and blend with light woods. It’s a lovely option for daily wear, as the lily and orange blossom notes, don’t get overbearing.

Gucci Bamboo surrounds the wearer with a delicate and clean aura, with a somewhat sweet undertow. Has a subtle dewiness at times.

This is a floral for those who don’t want a huge sillage bomb, but want to smell plenty attractive, when others get close by. Nice sandalwood and floral creaminess, during the dry down.

Great Daily Wear from Burberry

BURBERRY Brit for Women Eau de Parfum, 3.3 fl. oz
Burberry Brit is subtle and clean. Plus, it’s been a best seller for a long while now. The fruity and floral notes come together nicely for an understated perfume which is great for everyday use.

The EDP version, starts off with a citrus blast of lime, before the vanilla and almond come in to settle things down.

The pear note is joined by peony to flank the main heart of vanilla and almond. Very pleasant and a great choice for daytime wear, mostly in colder to more moderate temperatures. Notes include: almonds, limes and pears, with soft florals and vanilla. Top Burberry Scents

britw

Fruity Sweet Angel

Thierry Mugler Angel Muse Eau de Parfum- I’m replacing the limited edition Angel fragrance I featured last update and replacing it with the equally fantastic Angel Muse. (Note: If you want a fruitier version go with Angel Nova).

Angel Muse features grapefruit, hazelnut cream, and patchouli up top. It’s warm, a bit earthy, while also being deliciously sweet. The creaminess really sells Muse and it’s no wonder how this Mugler perfume became popular. 

It becomes dry and woodsy in the base, with vetiver and wood. There is a further hint of spice provided by the pink pepper, but it’s overall sweet. Very good performance and isn’t just relegated to being a teenager’s perfume, it can become a signature scent.

 

Perpetual Best Seller

Versace Bright Crystal Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 3 Ounce– It’s pretty hard to go wrong with Bright Crystal by Versace. It’s been a staple with younger women for a long time now.

The pomegranate and yuzu opening is delightful and delicious, giving Bright Crystal a juicy a tart start to the blend. Then, you dive into the floral heart of peony and magnolia, all the while this Versace has a distinct semi-aquatic aroma in the background.

Peony, yuzu, and woods round things out. Bright Crystal doesn’t have a heavy sillage, it’s actually a light to moderate projection. Yet, I’ve gotten it to last between 8-10 hours, on my skin during testing. Still a favorite on the ladies’ side. Bright Crystal Review

The Dolce Empress

D&g 3 L’imperatrice Ladies – Edt Spray 3.3 oz– Here’s an entry from Dolce & Gabbana that has been a top pick for a long time. L’Imperatrice gives you a sweet and fresh mix of fruits and floral notes. A nice one for daily wear, that’s not too formal, but still beautiful.

L’Imperatrice 3 has a semi-aquatic feel to it since it has its of watermelon and kiwi notes. That is mainly contained for the first hour or two. It’s a streamlined formulation that is very attractive and stylish.

These two are also joined by rhubarb, which gives this D&G fragrance, a distinct quality. It’s youthful, bright, and has some underlying floral/musk to give L’Imperatrice some needed depth. Notes include: kiwi, watermelon, musk, pink cyclamen.

3 l'imperatrice

Best Scent from Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande Sweet Like Candy Eau de Parfum, 3.4 Ounce– Her line of perfumes have become extremely popular over the past few years and this is the best of them. It’s a close call, (here are the other options), but Sweet Like Candy gets the nod for me.

Vanilla, blackberry, whipped cream, and of course, marshmallow pull together to form a warm and youthful candy-like aroma. It opens up with the pear and juicy berry creating an attractive and juicy aroma.

However, this one begins to shift more to a creamy, sweet, and familiar scent. Lots of whipped cream with a vanilla touch and a great marshmallow addition. Very soft, girly, and sits beautifully in the colder weather.

Inexpensive Throwback…That Still Works

Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Girl Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 3.4 Fluid Ounce
A warm, energetic, and a perfume that exudes youth. This is now a classic scent by Tommy Hilfiger that is perfect for the younger lady.

Tommy Girl is super fresh with a citrus top and white floral notes including honeysuckle and magnolia, coming in later.

For such a light and summery scent, this one has a surprising complexity and layers to it. What’s great about it (beyond the aroma), is how affordable it is, and how well it performs. From the 1990s, but still as dynamic as ever.

tommy girl

C’est Parfait Strawberry

Marc Jacobs Perfect Women 3.3 oz EDP Spray– Perfect is a newer and popular scent from the Marc Jacobs lineup. The opening is a great mix of strawberry and rhubarb notes, which gives it an opening fruitiness that plays off a greener scent from the base.

That start is more of a sweet-tart style of perfume, which transitions to daffodil and almond milk. By the middle, the opening fades to the background and daffodil, musk, cashmeran will take this one over.

It’s balanced, clean, with woodier touches. The performance is solid with 7-8 hours of wear. Perfect provides a well rounded and even more mature profile, while still being upbeat and appropriate for the younger demographic. Perfect Review