Best Perfumes for Women

Givenchy L’interdit vs Intense

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L’Interdit is a tuberose led fragrance series, that has grown in popularity over the past few years. New releases have seemingly one upped each other, but what really is the best fragrance? Today’s comparison is between the original L’Interdit EDP and EDP Intense. Which smells better? Lasts longer? Is the one to buy?

Tale of the Tape: L’Interdit vs. Intense

L’Interdit EDP

Notes include: tuberose, pear, orange blossom, jasmine, vetiver, ginger, patchouli, vanilla, ambroxan

Click here to try: Givenchy L’interdit Women, Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.7 Fl Oz

My Full Review: L’Interdit EDP

L’Interdit Intense

Notes include: vanilla, tuberose, orange blossom, sesame, patchouli, vetiver

Click here to try: L’Interdit EDP Intense by Givenchy

Read my Full Review: Intense
l'interdit intense review

Opening

L’Interdit EDP starts off with a blend of pear, bergamot, orange blossom, and ginger. The bergamot and ginger add an initial kick to the mix, but quickly fade out.

The orange blossom is the star white floral in the early stages, that will be joined by tuberose and jasmine, as they strengthen. But, I actually get a good deal of patchouli from EDP, on my skin.

It’s at its absolute sweetest, at this point, and becoming increasingly floral. Some don’t care much for that level of sweetness, but I think it absolutely works here.

With Intense, at the start, you get a strong orange blossom, a bit of spiciness, vanilla, and the usual tuberose note. Early though, that orange blossom is stronger.

This one doesn’t have the sweetness, no fruitiness, but does include a nice sesame note.  It’s nutty and gives Intense a different smell from the others in the series.

Which is better? It’s a close call, but I still like the EDP’s opening act versus Intense. The sesame note, which I do really enjoy, is more of a factor a bit later on. Both have orange blossom, but I dig the sweeter aspects of EDP.

Edge: EDP

Projection

Both of these fragrances are strong and leave a great scent trail for a long time. I don’t think anyone would be disappointed with either.

They have the potential to fill a room if sprayed too much and will be very noticeable throughout the wear. These Givenchy perfumes are no slouches with how much punch that they pack.

However, Intense does have the edge here. It is the strongest of the series, has the furthest reaching projection, etc. Now, EDP is second best, but it is a distinct second place.

Edge: Intense

Longevity

With L’Interdit EDP, it will last between 8-9.5 hours on my skin. It is a good amount of range, but definitely leaned towards the higher end, during testing.

Intense does take this category, as I get at least 9 hours with it. But, the majority of the time it easily exceeds 10 hours of total wear, and even a few beyond that. So, it lives up to the stronger moniker, and performs wonderfully.

Edge: Intense

Versatility

So, seasonally each of these fits into more of the autumn and winter time frame. But, EDP can venture deeper into springtime than can Intense.

Yet, Intense is probably the better option if you want something for nighttime, while still having the option to be a daytime wear, if you don’t overdo it.

Head to head, it’s kind of a wash and neither really sets themselves apart with how versatile they are.

Edge: Push

givenchy l'interdit perfume

Overall Scent

Overall, which one do I prefer?

With EDP, I like the opening act with the pear and the orange blossom. Sure, a candy-like at times, but still a wonderful scent. The dry down is more of the traditional tuberose led, white floral.

With Intense, I get the same a really good start, but a somewhat boring finish. Here, it is tuberose and vanilla. Like, all of the more interesting aspects of the perfume have faded.

That opening is worthwhile, yet falls short in terms of my enjoyment when compared to L’Interdit eau de parfum.

So, in my mind, the original EDP is better than Intense. Actually, Rouge is the best of them all. But, in this contest, EDP.

Now, for some who don’t like the sweetness of EDP nor the spice of Rouge, Intense is going to be the one you want to go with. It’s third best, but honestly not too far behind the others.

The performance is better and the sesame/orange blossom notes are great. Finish is still fine, but just nothing amazing.

Winner: L’Interdit EDP

Good Fortune EDP by Viktor & Rolf

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Good Fortune is a new 2022 release from Viktor & Rolf. It is cool that they put out something else besides another Flowerbomb flanker. As such, I was wanting to give this one a go and see what it was all about. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is Good Fortune worth a try?

Good Fortune EDP Overview

Notes include: vanilla, fennel, jasmine, gentiana

Click here to try: Good Fortune EDP

My Full Review

Here’s how it’s described: Good Fortune Eau de Parfum is the epitome of a new positive lifestyle. This visionary women’s perfume is an olfactive manifesto for spirituality and self-potentialization, bringing you the power to create your own destiny.

Good Fortune is a fragrance that is rather simple, but doesn’t strike me as being generic, even with its use of jasmine and vanilla notes.

It opens up with a blend of fennel and gentiana. It is an interesting mix and lends some unique aspects to Good Fortune. It’s got a bittersweet, somewhat vegetal quality.

Fennel has a licorice-like smell, this one is of the sweeter variety, and I’ve come across it before in the men’s fragrance 212 VIP Black. 

It’s got a certain sweetness to it, but this isn’t exactly candy-like or anything. It’s more of an aromatic with hints of a citrus aroma at times. Interesting, with a rooty/earthy aroma for a period.

Once we’re past the opening stage, the jasmine note really comes into its own. The gentiana seems to fade, as far as I can tell. Fennel is always there, just less pronounced. So, the back half of this perfume is a jasmine/vanilla mix, with it’s own twist thanks to that fennel.

Really, it’s a jasmine white floral with some vanilla (not a ton) and a freshness to it.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatilty

The scent is absolutely capable of filling up a room. I sprayed it on a t-shirt and can pick it up from across my living room, no problem. On skin, I think this leaves a substantial scent trail and can project very well.

Not the most massive bomb of a perfume ever, but it is really surprisingly powerful.

On my skin, this one can go just over 8 hours. Maybe 7-8 hours, on most occasions, but I wouldn’t expect too much beyond that. That’s good and I have no real complaints from a performance standpoint.

Seasonally, maybe at its peak during the more mild parts of autumn or springtime. I had it one outside in the chilly December weather and thought that it worked well in the cold. It’s got a colder aroma anyway, but didn’t feel out of place.

I don’t find this to be all that sexy of a perfume or one that’s really formal or anything. It could be a pleasant smelling daytime wear with the ability to go into the night. More casual to semi-formal, with a certain level of mass appeal, despite some bad reviews.

Overall Impressions of Good Fortune

Overall, do I like Good Fortune? It’s not a complete love for me, but I don’t hate it. I’ve seen this fragrance get a lot of poor reviews, but I’m not sure that I totally understand why.

It’s got a simple formula, but I don’t really know what it smells exactly like either. I don’t find it to be generic. Yes, a scent with a heavy use of jasmine is going to stir up a lot of memories of other perfumes, but what specifically?

Sweetish beginning, with some bitter earthy aromas, fresh, with a purple-whitish impression of color.

Maybe at its price point, it’s too expensive. Fair enough. I just don’t think it’s terrible.

Update: This one has since spawned a number of flanker fragrances. The best one thus far is Good Fortune Elixir Intense. So, you might want to check that one out first before the eau de parfum.

The scent itself stands out with that opening act. I don’t want a massive jasmine fragrance, but some people will. I think that this is worth a try, out of the mainstream mass appealing scents.

Good Fortune is polarizing, so if you want to give it a go, probably grab a sample to see if it appeals to you.

Un Jardin Sur le Toit by Hermes

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Hermes’ Jardin series is one that I’ve been working my way through posting full reviews of. I’m pretty much done, but one of the last one’s that I must do is Un Jardin Sur Le Toit. This edition was released back in 2011.

Reading the notes, I wasn’t particularly excited about giving it a complete testing, but it also didn’t seem like something I’d hate either.

How does it smell? How long does Sur Le Toit last? Is it actually worth a try?

Un Jardin Sur Le Toit Overview

Notes include: apple, pear, magnolia, wild grasses, rose, rosemary

Click here to try: Un Jardin Sur Le Toit

sur le toit review

My Full Review

Here’s how Hermes describes it: A garden of feasting and joyfulness, where apple trees overhang wild grasses.

Un Jardin Sur Le Toit opens with a fresh mix of its various trees and fruits. Pear and apple trees along with magnolia. It’s a very sharp start to the mix. The apple is much more intense than that pear note and the underlying woody notes really pop.

Aside from the fruit trees, the other two stand outs are some dewy grass and the magnolia. This isn’t a completely floral fragrance, but lots of magnolia early on. Then, that’ll fade and you’ll get some rose thereafter…just not a ton.

The apple and pear with the freshness and watery aspect, does kind of come across as being shampoo-like, after that initial blast fades.

Also, the ‘tree’ notes really start to lose any woodiness, as it dries down. Kind of weird. More of a dewy grass with fruits and some rose. But the pear and apple tree notes are just the fruity smell than branch and all.

Not that it was too woody to begin with. However, that freshness was there for the entirety.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one is pretty moderate. Probably a bit above the median average, but not much more. You’ll get a nice scent trail for an hour or so. But, for most of the wear it’ll sit within 3-4 feet from the skin.

The deeper you go, the more of a skin scent Toit becomes.

On my skin, I get somewhere in the 6-7 hour range, at its max. Sometimes, it went just over 5 hours, but it got above the six hour mark during testing, a majority of the time.

Seasonally, this is mostly going to be one for the spring. The grassy notes, apple, and the like really give you that sort of outdoorsy vibe on a warm day.

Though, I can’t say that it wouldn’t be fine in the summer months, as well. Update: Yeah, this works in the summertime too. Actually, outdoors in the air really helps to bring this along, and show off its positives.

This is one for the daytime to wear casually or just going about your daily life. It’s not a sexy nightlife fragrance or something that is super sophisticated. Sur Le Toit is pleasant and one that can capture a certain mood.

Overall Impressions of Sur Le Toit

Overall, do I like this fragrance? I like it somewhat. Though, it’s probably one of my least favorite perfumes in this Hermes series. Sur Le Toit definitely isn’t great and is probably mid at best.

It is pretty sharp early on. But, I like the sweetness and watery freshness that this one gives off. The grass is a nice touch, dewy, but not heavy and annoying.

Fresh and greenish aroma for those who are into that sort of perfume. For me, it’s not something that I always enjoy. Though, I do like this one more than many others of this type.

Trees, grass, and strong fruitiness in the opening. It’s hit or miss throughout the wear, but quite likeable at times. The lighter dewy dry down is a more pleasant experience and this could be a way to shake things up in the spring and summer months.

Is that enough for me to want a bottle? No, I don’t think I’d want to spray this one on, all that often.

Sur Le Toit isn’t a super complicated perfume and almost has a niche-like feel versus the usual mainstream stuff.

The performance is pretty basic, nothing too special on that front. Though, it really isn’t a problem, as it’ll essentially fit the bill in most any of the situations where one would actually be wearing this.

Is it worth a try? Sure, for the right person. Read the notes? Does it sound interesting or something you’d usually go for? If so, then yes, since there isn’t anything that’s really going to surprise or turn one away from the scent.

11 Best Valentino Perfumes for Her

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Valentino is a name in the fashion world which is synonymous with elegance, class, grace, and looks that are completely classic. Of course, the perfume line from Valentino tries to embody the image which the name tends to invoke in women from around the world, and in most cases, succeeds completely.

For this post, I have selected eleven scents which I feel are the best from the designer. Some of these may be discontinued, but still available online at various stores. But, I’ve updated it recently with newer picks, as well.

Also, check out: Sexiest Women’s Perfumes, Top Kenzo Scents, Our Homepage

Favorite Smelling Valentino Perfumes

Best Winter Scent

Valentina Myrrh Assoluto– Myrrh is an underused note in the perfume world and even when it is included; it can be poorly done. Myrrh Assoluto is a definite exception, as this is a fantastic fragrance.

It’s warm, with sweet vanilla, and hints of rich leather peaking in throughout the wear. It is bold and enveloping, like a wrapped blanket around your body. This type of fragrance is going to be a cold weather scent, so, avoid if you’re in a tropical location.

Sort of a unique offering from Valentino, though, it has an amazing darkness to it and is overall very beautiful.

Soft Daily Wear

Valentino Rock ‘n Rose by Valentino For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 1.6-Ounces – As the name suggests, the heart of this fragrance is its rose note. It combines with other florals and sweeter smells to create a memorable, light, and highly feminine perfume that is unique in its own right.

It opens up with a mix of sweetness and a somewhat sharp aroma, provided by black currant. As it dries down, it can take on a bit of creaminess and feels powdery at time. Sandalwood and gardenia are flanking the namesake rose.

Best Born in Roma

Donna Born in Roma– So, the best of the Donna Born in Roma series is the original (at least thus far). Yellow Dream is second, in my mind.

Initially, this one has a good deal of tartness between the black currant and bergamot notes, but this will gradually become sweeter, without feeling sugary. The citrus seems like it is stronger than the currant on first spray. Pink pepper also gives it some warm spice, before it transitions.

Really, vanilla and smooth cashmeran wood will eventually emerge to lead Born in Roma. But, jasmine dominates the middle and gives this a nice floral heart pairing with the vanilla. Sweet, easy to wear, and softer than it may initially seem.

The woody and vanilla dry down is fairly simple, but highly enjoyable for a popular designer fragrance.

Dreaming Roma

Born in Roma Yellow Dream– Updating this page, I’m not sure if this one is still my second favorite in the Donna Born in Roma series or not. However, it is still near the top.

It starts with a lemon note up top, which surprisingly isn’t too sharp or intense in that opening act. Underneath that, is a soft rose, which shares the beginning of the wear with that lemon and the two work very well together.

As we move forward, it’s a musky rose fragrance with a light hint of that initial lemon. It’s somewhat sweet and it feels like there might be another unlisted floral note in here also, that is supporting the rose.

This one is very simple and a nice clean daily wear. It might be too pricey for what you get, but I think it’s nice overall.

Golden Roma

Born in Roma The Gold– I could’ve also went with Born in Roma Intense, but I think this one is a bit different enough from the others, that it deserves spot on the list.

This one is a gardenia based fragrance with that ‘solar’ sort of smell they put in perfumes and a creaminess added by a coconut. To me, the coconut note isn’t too heavy, but more blended into the rather simple bright white floral mix.

So, that top is going to be slightly juicy and tropical with a mandarin orange and that coconut, but that will start to fade and this will be more dominated by the gardenia.

This also gets compared to Alien Goddess by Mugler. However, I think that Born in Roma Intense is closer to the mark there.

Very pretty, somewhat has that fluffy aroma at times (ala Cloud), but this one is an easy to reach for perfume if you enjoy gardenia.

Unisex Leather Option

Valentino Donna Noir Absolu– Donna Noir Absolu has overlaps with the men’s version of this, but is unisex at the same time. A blast of peppery spice in the opening, settles down into a smooth leathery joy.

On top of that leather is a sweet/tart fruitiness and just a hint of booze, at least early on. The further along you get, the drier that the perfume becomes, with an incense smokiness permeating the fragrance. Not super heavy, not too sweet, just a well-blended and great smelling perfume.

Valentino Jasmine Blend

Valentino Valentina Eau de Parfum Spray, 2.7 Ounce– Citrus notes blended with vanilla, sweet floral ingredients, and woodsy notes like cedar. It has a refined air of elegance to it along with something that is strikingly natural.

Jasmine is the main floral note here, at times it is supported by strawberry, and later a fairly large bit of truffle. The fruity notes, don’t really seem all that strong, and it has more earthiness than a super fruity vibe.

In the end, jasmine and tuberose, with cedar and truffle, and a bit of strawberry remaining. Very inviting and surprisingly wonderful fragrance for daily wear.

Light Scent for Spring/Summer

New by Valentino Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 1.70 Ounce – This is another very classy and sensual scent by Valentino. Like the others it contains some delightful floral notes including, mimosa, orange blossom, violet leaves, vanilla orchid, and pear blossom.

A very versatile perfume that can be a star performer for the right lady. Pomelo and orange flower give it a citrus fruit character, especially up top. It provides a bit of juiciness to the composition, sitting underneath a bouquet of flowers.

The floral notes that stick out are the mimosa, orange blossom, and heliotrope. There is a powdery finish and Valentino EDP also delivers a solid performance with an upbeat personality.

Frangipani and Pear

Donna Acqua by Valentino– This flanker fragrance to the original Donna, has enjoyed some popularity over the past few years, becoming one of the best selling Valentino perfumes (though, I think Born in Roma gets more attention). It also, happens to be one of the most attractive.

It is led by frangipani, with a sweet nuttiness sitting underneath from the almond note. However, I think that the main support is the pear note, whose crisp juiciness provides much of the ‘Acqua’ feeling that is present.

Light, fairly sheer, with a dose of creaminess from sandalwood and frangipani. There is a jasmine note, also, that comes through more after a few hours.

Discontinued but Great

Valentino V Absolu By Valentino For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 1.6 Ounces – Great perfume, if you can still score a bottle of it. It is an interplay between sweet and spicy, the sweet eventually wins out and a beautiful and warm dry down makes this an absolute winner.

V Absolu has plenty of creaminess from the frangipani, sandalwood, and delicious vanilla. There is a woodiness and some fig, especially upon the initial spray. Again, it’s been discontinued, but it’s good enough to keep a spot on the list.

Simple, Easy to Wear, Very Nice

Valentino Voce Viva 3.4 oz / 100 ml EDP Women Spray– This one seems to have gotten some critical reviews since its release, maybe because it’s not super original? However, I think it’s actually a pleasant and attractive fragrance.

It opens up with orange blossom, a general citrus aroma, and vanilla. It’s bright, sweet, and creamy. You’ll also get some ginger, and later, a gardenia note. It will be a citrus floral fragrance for the opening act.

Then, it will shift to be a floral, vanilla, and mossy scent. Vanilla and gardenia, with a clean and dry aroma coming up from the base. All in all, a perfume with a lovely profile. Not super unique, but it does distinguish itself and gives you a great performance.

Voce Viva is extremely versatile and one that can be worn pretty much anywhere in the spring and summer months. My full review

City of Stars by Louis Vuitton

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City of Stars is one of the new fragrance releases by Louis Vuitton for 2022. It was a perfume that seemed to get more attention than the others recently, so I was interested in seeing if it was actually any good. How does City of Stars smell? When should it be worn? Is it actually worth a try?

City of Stars Overview

Notes include: red mandarin, bergamot, lemon, lime, blood orange, musk, tiare flower, sandalwood

city of stars review

My Full Review

Here’s how Louis Vuitton describes it: Master Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud offers a festive ode to Los Angeles by night, its excitement and extravagance, from star-studded boulevards to the constellations shimmering above the skyline. As darkness falls, the city’s lights surge in a sensual olfactory tableau.

The opening is obviously going to be a mix of citrus notes, just by looking at the ones listed. The main one that sticks out is the lime. Some blood orange and bergamot are also detectable. But, it is mostly a blend for much of the wear.

However, the citrus here doesn’t go full blast like how it does in Afternoon Swim. No, instead the tiare accord and musk have their own strong presence early on.

Louis Vuitton describes this as a nighttime fragrance, but the perfume is honestly quite beachy with the citrus and tiare giving it a tropical flair. Feels more sunny and daytime.

One thing to notice, during the wear, is how there is a balance of powdery and a creamy aroma throughout. The musk, tiare, and sandalwood notes all go back and forth to create this effect.

City of Stars has a similar style to Soleil Blanc and Virgin Island Water. But, I get reminded of Dior Homme Cologne, which is citrus, musk, and white floral. However, City is more complex and more feminine than that cologne.

Still, even with those comparisons, City of Stars still feels distinct from all of them.

The dry down is a slightly powdery white floral fragrance. There is a lime juiciness still around, just not all that powerful. There is still the muskiness and that lotion-like creaminess, neither really takes over the composition, though.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This fragrance has a pretty moderate sillage. It does hang in the air and leave a nice scent trail in your wake, for about the first hour.

The projection probably maxes out in the seven foot range. After that, it’ll stick around 3-4 feet for the bulk of the wear. A nice bubble of perfume for yourself and those who get closer.

Just know that this isn’t going to be a powerhouse. I found it to be good enough, in this department.

The longevity here, seems to be in the 6-7.5 hour range. After that, it is gone on my skin. But, it has hit in that range, each time that I’ve tested City of Stars out.

It doesn’t have that marathon performance, but it is passable in this regard.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summertime fragrance. It’s bright and lightly tropical vibe, is built for the warmer months of the year.

This is a unisex fragrance. The tiare is usually a note for women’s perfumes. While it does for sure lean that way, it isn’t too ‘girly’ that a man couldn’t pull this off.

Again, I don’t know why this is marketed as a nighttime wear. I suppose, on warm summer nights out, I’d wear this. But, this really comes across as a more casual to semi-formal daytime wear.

It’s pretty and attractive. Not a super seductive scent or one that begs for attention. Clean powder, musky cream.

Overall Impression of City of Stars

Overall, do I like City of Stars? I do. It’s not completely amazing, but I like it about the same as I enjoy Afternoon Swim or Cactus Garden by Louis Vuitton. Two of their better fragrances, in my opinion.

Much better than On the Beach. More recently, this has been getting overlooked by Pacific Chill, but this is the better perfume.

The citrus is nice, giving it the usual summertime vibe. City does do a good job with the tiare flower, letting it have a tropical influence, but also giving it a nice powdery aroma to balance out some of the creaminess.

So, you get a beachy sun tan lotion aroma, that is lightened by that nice fresh powder. It keeps things light and clean. It’s so bright, sweet, and just lovely.

I really love the lime note when it’s playing off of that powdery touch. Really quite phenomenal at times.

It’s not a super complicated or heavy scent, but it has its distinct facets, which give City some more character.

The performance is decent, not terrible but not amazing either. For this style of summertime fragrance, it is pretty good. But, Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc does have a better longevity.

Is it worth the money? It’s worth sampling to see if you want to spend almost $300 for a bottle.

(Update: even pricier since I first published this review in 2022). Louis Vuitton scents are very pricey and I don’t recommend most people just hopping in with a blind buy. The Dua brand has their inexpensive take on this formula, called: City of Dua. 

If you’re in the market for a good summertime beachy or tropical scent, this is one that I’d look at. It might be worthwhile in your specific case. Otherwise, I’d find a sample, if it sounds like one you might get a kick out of.