Best Perfumes for Women

Deja Vu White Flower | 57 by Kayali

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Deja Vu White Flower 57 is another one of the fragrances which came with the Kayali sample set that I purchased a few months ago. This was one, that I wasn’t sure if I was going to actually enjoy or not.  But, I tested it out anyway. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is White Flower worth a try?

What does Deja Vu White Flower Smell Like?

Notes include: tuberose, vanilla, gardenia, jasmine absolute, orange flower

Click here to try: Deja Vu White Flower | 57

My Full Review

The opening of Deja Vu reminds me of something that’d be from the L’Interdit line of perfumes by Givenchy. The tuberose is joined by vanilla and some fruity notes which are unlisted. More background facets, but something else is there beyond the floral notes.

That initial sweet burst will burn off and this one becomes more floral, with a slight greenish aroma to it. Not too garden-like However, The tuberose is the most dominant of the floral note.

However, there will be periods throughout where the jasmine and gardenia are quite strong. The orange flower, is noticeable once the sweetness has faded a bit, but never comes close to taking the top spot.

The dry down is mostly the tuberose, with orange blossom and vanilla flanking the main attraction. The rest is a green flowery impression.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is slightly above average. It’s not going to leave a massive trail, choke out a room, or radiate off of the skin to a great degree. It is however, noticeable, and gives you a 3-6 foot radius during the majority of the wear.

While Deja Vu is not super heavy, but has a pretty solid longevity versus others in the series. On my skin, this one could stick around for up to 7 hours. Maybe expect 5.5-7 hour as a range. Very useful, not elite.

Seasonally, this one strikes me as being best in the springtime, with autumn and summer being close alternatives. Really, anytime it isn’t too hot, Deja Vu should work just fine. it has a nice sweetness and vanilla, but isn’t thick enough to feel all that cloying, outside of miserably hot days.

This can be worn in a bunch of different scenarios. It can be a daily wear, layered with other fragrances, it’s attractive enough for the nightlife, etc. Mostly, this is a daytime wear for casual to semi-formal occasions.

Overall Impressions of Deja Vu White Flower

Overall, do I like Deja Vu? Yes, it was surprisingly my favorite perfume of the Kayali sampler. Maybe it shouldn’t be surprising since I enjoy the L’Interdit series and this is pretty much a simpler form of those perfumes.

The initial sweetness, fruitiness, and tuberose dominance is great. Even the dry down, when the other floral notes start to have their say, is still quite enjoyable.

The performance is better than most of the other fragrances and Deja Vu is a value proposition in comparison to the more linear Kayali perfumes. This one isn’t complex either, but it is one that you can wear on its own, if you decide not to try it as a part of the Kayali layering.

If you’re going to try any of this brand’s perfumes, this would be the one I’d most recommend or Vanilla.

Ameline by Phlur

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Ameline is one of the fragrances featured in the Phlur Discovery set that I purchased a few months ago. I had never heard of this one and didn’t know just what to expect from the perfume going in. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Phlur’s Ameline Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, rose, pink pepper, sandalwood, patchouli

Click here to try: Ameline at Sephora

My Full Review

Ameline opens up with a very fresh and enjoyable bergamot citrus note, which is flanked by a lighter use of pink pepper. Early on, you can already start picking up the rose note from the base, but that bergamot really stands out to me.

That lasts for about 20 minutes, before we start to dive into the main event, which is the rose and patchouli combination. The bergamot still hangs around, though it no longer has the upper hand in the composition.

The patchouli is cleaner, less earthy here. It almost comes across as being a musk note, but you do get the earthy/woody feel with the sandalwood and rose being so prevalent.

The next phase, basically just eliminates the bergamot and the sandalwood comes in more. Ameline is fresh and drier here. The rose smells pinkish with a hint of fruitiness.

Finally, the end will be a rose and sandalwood smell. The entirety takes on more of a powdery undertone, rather than a creamy sandalwood aroma.

Seasonally, this one can work almost year round. I would probably use something else for extremely cold or hot days, but I like this one in autumn and especially spring.

Within those spacious climate confines, you should have plenty of opportunity to wear it. Not a nightlife fragrance or a super formal one, but it’s pretty enough. As a daily wear, casual, or just out and about town during the day this perfume is up to the job.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The reach of this one is pretty mid-range. It’s got a nice start where the projection from the skin will be noticed fairly far away. That will change within the first hour and it will be slightly above average for the rest of the duration.

I’d say expect it to be in the 3-4 foot range for most of the wear.

How long does it stick around? Ameline lasts on my skin for between 6-7 hours. Not terrible and the performance as a whole stays just above average. I like it. It’s not a massive bomb that goes for days, but you get a solid run with it.

Overall Impression of Ameline

Overall, do I like Phlur’s Ameline? I do. I think it’s one of their better perfumes, that I’ve tested. It’s very wearable and never had me wanting to scrub it off. I actually thought it was quite pleasant.

I like that the bergamot citrus got the upper hand in the opening versus the pink pepper. The rose is a lighter pink type, with a sandalwood and patchouli blend that gives this one a drier and somewhat powdery finish.

Performance is good enough for what this is. Again, don’t expect Ameline to go all day, but for most uses, you’ll be absolutely okay with this one. Plus, it’s strong suit is how versatile it is.

The question becomes is it worth the near $100 current price tag? For some, maybe. I think this skirts the border of being worthwhile or not. I would suggest getting a sample or otherwise trying it out, if that price is a stretch.

I don’t think Ameline will be a complete love for most, but it’s also not going to be completely hateable.

Prada Candy EDP by Prada

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Another sample perfume, that I got with my last Macy’s order, is Candy by Prada. This sweet gourmand fragrance was released in 2011. Since then, it has launched a bunch of different flankers under this title. How does this one stack up? What does it smell like? How does Prada Candy perform? Please continue reading below for my full review.

What does Prada Candy EDP Smell Like?

Notes include: caramel, musk, and benzoin

Click here to try: Prada Prada Candy Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 2.7 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of Candy, is of course candy-like in its presentation. The caramel note reminds me of BonBon, which is another sweet fragrance that includes caramel and fruit notes. Prada Candy has that same caramel but opts to go with a musk and benzoin combination instead of the citrus.

Anyways, Candy is warm, sweet, and slightly salty. The benzoin note provides that unique, fuzzy, and somewhat vanilla-like aroma (there’s also some vanilla here too), that I have enjoyed in cologne such as Body Kouros. I was almost expecting this perfume to head into that direction, but nothing really is the same as Body Kouros, in my experience.

Prada Candy seems darker and more sophisticated than does Bonbon, which might be a nice change of pace for those looking for a sweet fragrance that isn’t too girly and for the younger crowd (not that Bonbon, necessarily is, either).

The caramel does have a good ‘thickness’ to it, never feeling like it is too light. At least in the opening stages and into the middle act.

As it dries down, I get less of the caramel note, and an increase in the benzoin/musk. Prada Candy is a pretty straightforward perfume, while it is well put together, it isn’t super complex.

The musk provides a slight spiciness to help offset the sweetness and the whole fragrance feels understated. Still warm and fairly clean, with a more hearty start, then what you’re ultimately left with.

There is a powdery aspect to this one. On my skin, I get much more of the fuzzy and musky finish. However, the powder is there for much of the wear, and I notice it mostly after the caramel has begun to subside.

While it is a sweet fragrance overall, the sweetness isn’t as persistent as you might expect with a name like Candy. You can get more of that with some of the flankers, but this isn’t always entirely a rich gourmand aroma.

Sillage, Versatilty, How Long does it Last?

Projection wise, Prada Candy is a fairly light perfume. It is low key and won’t take over a room, which is a good thing, for a sweet scent like this.

The opening is fairly potent, but it really dries down into something, softer and more manageable. Not an absolute bomb, if you’re looking for that sort of fragrance.

It will mostly stick to that 3-6 foot range off of the skin. Obviously, closer than that for the last few hours of the wear.

The longevity is good however, I was experiencing 6-7 hours with it. While that isn’t amazing by any stretch of the imagination, it isn’t one that appears to quit too early.

Testing out the sample vial, it was in that six to seven hour range, every single time I put it on. Points for consistency, Candy just isn’t a marathon runner, however.

Prada Candy is a cold weather scent but it does have versatility to be worn for pretty much any occasion. So, while in the spring/summer, you’ll probably have to go with another fragrance; Candy will be an anytime scent for the rest of the year.

I find it to be attractive and sexy enough to be worn on a date, it’s subtle, and inviting. Yet, it is still light enough to be an autumn and winter daily wear, for those who want something sweeter.

Overall Impression of Prada Candy

Overall, do I think Prada Candy is worth a buy? Yes. I don’t think it’s the most amazing fragrance ever, but it is damn good for what it is. If you don’t like sweet or caramel, then, avoid this one. However, if you want a nice autumn or wintertime fragrance, then Candy is definitely worth considering.

I do like the smell of caramel a whole lot, also benzoin, but I’m not super impressed with the combination. I don’t know, it does work well enough, Candy just never seems to hit that level of being an incredible perfume.

I don’t get any of the ‘plastic’ smell that some people talk about with this perfume. I guess that’s the benzoin to their nose. For me, it doesn’t come across that way at all. Then again, this is less powdery to my nose, also.

That caramel sweetness is nice in the opening act, which through the mid, is probably my favorite part of this fragrance. But, it doesn’t have that sugary quality that the name might indicate. The musky tail end is fine, just nothing that demands my attention.

If one were to get a good price on a bottle, it’ll probably be well worth the money spent. It’s a highly likable scent for me, but doesn’t click on all cylinders.

Midnight Romance by Ralph Lauren

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Getting back into the fragrance reviews, I want to do another one in the world of female fragrances. This is a more recent addition to the Ralph Lauren family, released in 2014, and a flanker to the original Romance.

Midnight Romance is of the fruity/floral variety of perfumes and I was interested to see how this one performs. As usual, I am going to cover how it smells, projects, how long it lasts, when it should be worn, and whether or not I think that it is worth a purchase.

What Does Midnight Romance Smell Like?

midnight romance

Notes include: peony, raspberry, vanilla, freesia, litchi, iris

Click here to try: Ralph Lauren Midnight Romance Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 1.7 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening blast of this EDP is a bright and colorful mix of mostly the raspberry and vanilla notes. The vanilla gives it a slight creaminess, which I think adds character to this fragrance. Yes, it’s a pretty common paring of ingredients, but I do like how Ralph Lauren presents it here.

The floral notes (mostly, iris) begin to come on about 10 minutes in, in my experience, and settles it down from becoming too much of a sweet candy-like perfume, but one that does still retain that sugary essence.

What I really like about this perfume, is that, it is a playful kind of aroma that doesn’t feel lifeless and dull to me. The raspberry creates a juicy profile, that would work for casual days, as well as romantic encounters.

Midnight Romance doesn’t get too complex but I think that for what it is, it works very well.

As Midnight Romance dries down, the peony begins to overtake the iris note, and creates a fuller floral accord. It’s a nice balance, less powdery, and the perfume becomes more of a floral/fruity perfume, than it had been prior.

The vanilla note, fades quite a bit during the latter stages of the wear. It’s still pretty easy to detect, it’s just that initial raspberry and vanilla combo, doesn’t have the same power.

So, up top you get a juicy and sweet aroma, that transitions into a sweet floral. In the end, I pick up peony, iris, raspberry, vanilla, and other assorted floral notes. Nothing too complex, but a fairly well-balanced fragrance.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection for this scent is pretty moderate. Honestly, it’s pretty good in that regard, not overbearing but not really a skin scent either. You’ll know it’s there but you definitely don’t need to overdo the sprays.

In terms of longevity, I seem to get it to last in the 6-8 hour range, which is good enough for most purposes. Though, you may need to reapply in case you need a marathon wear for one day.

Midnight Romance strikes me as more of a spring scent and I really like it in the warm weather. However, I haven’t tested it in the high heat, so I’m not too sure how it’ll hold up in those temperatures.

I feel like this would be, a solid all around scent for either school or office, but still sexy enough to use on a date. It is pretty damn appealing to my nose, as a guy.

I really don’t get what the ‘Midnight’ name comes from, it’s not a dark or really a nighttime scent. It actually leans the other way.

 

 

Overall Impressions of Midnight Romance

Overall, is Midnight Romance worth a buy? I think so. It isn’t the most amazing scent ever but it seems to do almost everything well. The scent is attractive, it lasts, it projects, and it’s versatile. It’s not my favorite from the Romance line, though, it’s near the top. 

You might want to avoid if you’re not a fan of raspberry or peony scents, but if that’s your thing, then this Ralph Lauren perfume could be a great bet.

I like the raspberry and vanilla opening act. It’s sweet and has a great creamy finish. The iris and peony are fine, but I enjoy that opening act. The raspberry keeps me involved here.

The performance is above average too. If there’s discount bottles floating around now, that could make this a value play. 

It’s honestly pretty solid all around, so, if it sounds appealing this could easily be a daily wear. The versatility and balance, makes Midnight Romance, a good pickup at the right price.

Aura EDP by Mugler

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Aura was released by Thierry Mugler in 2017. Mugler is a fragrance house that I really enjoy, as they usually come out with something that is a bit different and also bold. Aura is definitely a prime example. In this post, I want to relay my experience with Aura, how it smells, performs, and whether or not it is worth a buy.

Aura eau de parfum by Mugler Overview

Notes include: fresh leaves, rhubarb, bourbon vanilla, orange blossom, wood

Click here to try: Aura MUGLER 90 ml refillable Spray EDP

My Full Wear Review 

How Mugler describes it: Aura exudes a wild blend of botanical freshness and feline sensuality.

Wow, what an odd duck this is. The opening of aura brings me a dewy aroma of forest, a big dose of rhubarb, sort of sour, and orange blossom.  Sounds weird? It is, but I kind of like it.

Another note that Mugler lists on its website for Aura is almond, specifically a vanilla-covered almond. Personally, I don’t pick up much nuttiness, as it is subdued by that initial botanical (fresh leaves) aroma. However, it is there just a touch.

That opening act can seem somewhat medicinal (think mint), but once that initial phase passes, the vanilla and orange blossom really make this one pleasant. The phase is much more along the lines of other traditional perfumes, while still retaining a unique style.

The final stage for me, is a greenish blend of orange blossom and vanilla with a slightly woody base. I don’t get much more development beyond that. It has its sweetness, but it comes across as a denser and darker kind of perfume.

Sillage, Longevity, and When to Wear

Projection wise, Aura doesn’t require too many sprays to be effective. It’ll give you a nice radius of aroma around you. Not the strongest scent out there, but this one is plenty powerful.

For that first hour or two, I would call it strong. Aura has a great ability to project and leave a scent trail. After that, it remains above average, declining until it disappears entirely. 

Another plus for Aura is the longevity. It fell somewhere in the 9-10 hour range on my skin. This is what I’ve come to expect from most Mugler fragrances, they usually all bring great performance.

Aura EDP hits that rather high level, but doesn’t venture very far into the double digit hour territory like some of the other Mugler fragrances, though.

 

Seasonally, I could see this being worn anytime, except maybe the hottest days. However, a moderate spring day, maybe a little rainy out would be perfect. In the extreme heat, I think this one would be tested to still continue to hold up. Not ideal.

Casual or romantic wear. Doesn’t strike me as anything formal. It is sexy, in its own unique way. Aura is one that is going to depend greatly on your body chemistry, as to how it presents itself. On the right person, this could be captivating.

Overall Impressions of Aura

Do I like this perfume? I do enjoy it a lot. Obviously, as a man, this isn’t going to be one I’m going to wearing around. But, there is plenty here to enjoy.

I’m a big fan or orange blossom and vanilla. Here, they are wrapped up in that green botanical aroma, and it is very interesting.

Aura isn’t a fragrance for everyone. This is one you’ll want to test out beforehand and give it multiple tries. That initial ‘weirdness’ may throw you off, but you could end up really liking it with another chance.

The performance is great, it gives you something unique, and is attractive. If you can vibe with it, Aura is well worth a shot.

Personally, this is one of my favorite women’s Mugler releases over the past handful of years.

Yes, it might not get the same level of attention in the sea of Alien and Angel flankers, but this one is across the board wonderful.

Update: It looks like this one has been discontinued by Mugler. The page on their website is still up as of now, but I couldn’t add it to the cart. So, if you’re interested, try to find it from a discounter for purchase.