Best Perfumes for Women

Light Blue Sunset in Salina by D&G

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Sunset in Salina is one of the flankers from the women’s Light Blue line. It was released back in 2015. Since I am currently finishing up my review of all of the men’s Light Blue colognes, I took the opportunity to pick up a few more for the ladies, including Salina. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Sunset in Salina smell like?

Notes include: orange blossom, vine, violet leaf, amber, freesia, jasmine, musk, cedar

Click here to try: Sunset in Salina

My Full Review

This is going to be a different take on the Light Blue name and doesn’t have too much in common with the original, other than a few notes.

It starts off with the orange blossom already out in full effect. Now, this is not just the flower itself, but there does seem to be a little zest of the fruit too.

It’s a slightly citrusy white floral start, with an ozonic breeziness and a touch aquatic. The aquatic aspect is actually just the freesia and violet leaf doing their thing. Luckily for me, the violet leaf isn’t too heavy in the mix.

Another part that I want to touch on, is the greenish aroma that Sunset in Salina has. Vine and that violet leaf, give this one a fresh leafy boost, that I think works really well. It’s like sitting in a flower garden on the Italian coast during summer.

For a time, this does feel a bit more violet leaf heavy. When mixed with the other notes, it has a hair spray sort of vibe for a time. For me, it does go away.

A bit further along, the greenish parts will start to fade. This becomes much more of a white floral dominant scent. Orange blossom still reigns supreme followed by, jasmine and freesia.

Very clean and not nearly as woody fresh as the original. The cedar is still here, but it’s a faint impression in the dry down.

The final act is a more run together mix of the floral notes, a surprisingly strong amber giving Salina a warm resinous quality, and musk.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is pretty middle of the road. It comes across as being lighter than others in the series, without much of a trail left behind. The projection, outside of the opening, is like 2 or maybe 3 feet. Not a beast at all.

The longevity too isn’t great. It’s okay at around 5-5.5 hours, on my skin. I don’t have too much of a problem with it for what the use case of this perfume is. Unless you really over-payed, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

Seasonally, late spring and summer, depending on where you live. Sunset in Salina is built for the hottest days and its light cleanliness hangs very nicely in the air.

This is more of a casual or daily wear for the summer months. Not a nightlife beast or one that is particularly sexy. It lives up to its name, as I could totally see this as something a woman would wear walking through an island market or sitting outdoors for a drink in the Mediterranean.

Overall Impressions of Sunset in Salina

Overall, do I like Sunset in Salina? Yes, I was surprised that I enjoyed this Light Blue as much as I did. Based on the notes, I wasn’t sure that I was going to be into it. It’s not amazing or a must have, just very nice for a specific season.

The orange blossom is nice and so is the dry down, with the amber and musk. Much smoother and less green at that point, even if I personally enjoyed the vine note early on.

It’s got the same spirit as the rest of the series, but doesn’t just try to clone Light Blue.

Performance isn’t great. If you need an 8+ hour wear, you probably won’t get it with this one. My skin doesn’t tend to ‘eat up’ perfumes and I still only managed the 5 or so hours with Salina.

Light Blue Sunset in Salina does seem to be one that has split opinions on it. As such, I wouldn’t grab an expensive bottle, if you’re blind buying.

Though, since it came out years ago at this point, the cheapies may be harder to come by. $50-70 seems like an okay range, under $40 it’s a pretty safe buy.

To me, it’s worth a shot, especially if it sounds interesting to you.

12 Amazing Orange Blossom Perfumes

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Orange blossom is generally one of my favorite floral notes in fragrances. Sometimes, it does get overwhelming and on my nerves, but when done right…it can really enhance the experience of a scent.

For this page, I want to present a list of the top smelling perfumes which utilize and focus in on the orange blossom note. I will continue to update, as I come across newer options.

Favorite Orange Blossom Fragrances for Her (or Unisex)

Citrusy Orange Blossom

Fleur d’Oranger 27 Le Labo– Our target note here is really great. The orange blossom gets paired with its usual petitgrain partner, but D’oranger 27 does have substantial doses of lemon and bergamot.

So, this will probably be a best bet for those who want a more juicy citrus finish to their orange blossom perfume.

Though, on the whole this smells much more like orange than it does being covered in lemon. Like walking around in a citrus grove. Sort of a greenish juicy citrus that morphs more into a musky white floral during the mid and latter stages.

Clean and a Bit Powdery

Infusion de Fleur d’Oranger by Prada– This Prada option is a very beautiful use of orange flower, with a light sillage, and bright overall personality. It is joined by neroli, tuberose, and jasmine.

Up top you do get a nice juicy mandarin orange citrus fruit, but that’s not going to be a dominate feature. The juiciness does hang around, but I’d say it is more of a zest or watery smell than full on prominent orange.

But, as it dries down this one has the usual soapy element, but with some added light touches of powder that many Prada perfumes are known for.

Infusion is light on the sillage, but clean and has its opening sparkling quality, and a dry down that really highlights the phenomenal orange blossom.

Warm and Spicy Blossom

Serge Lutens Fleurs D’oranger Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 1.7 Ounce– Fleurs d’Oranger opens up with the orange blossom being joined by jasmine, spice, and musk.

The fragrance does seem to have a citrus fruit note here as well, but this perfume is quite dry and not juicy with how it comes across.

That spice note is cumin and it’s at its peak during the opening act. Though, it does stick around for the duration, while mainly being dominated by musk.

As Fleurs d’Oranger dries down, the floral composition will shift to include more of the tuberose and less of that jasmine. But, neither of those two floral ingredients takes over the orange blossom.

This one has good performance on my skin, 8-9 hours of wear. It has a great orange blossom note, within a bouquet-like composition. Dry, floral, warm, and spicy. Listed as unisex, but always leaned way more feminine in my mind. Fleurs d’Oranger Review

orange blossom perfume

Blossom Sweetness

Sintra by Memo Paris– The petitgrain note especially, along with neroli really start Sintra off with a bold and greenish sort of an aroma. The citrus here is light, but there is also a resinous warmth which adds body to Sintra.

This Memo Paris fragrance will quickly turn sweet and creamy (milk is a note), thanks to the very present marshmallow note.

Beyond that creaminess you’re also treated to caramel, vanilla, and our orange blossom note as the main floral during the mid and dry down. That’s when this one really becomes about the floral ingredient, but this still remains a sweet perfume.

Ambery Smooth Orange Blossom

Roberto Cavalli Eau de Parfum Spray 2.5 oz New Spray– Roberto Cavalli EDP is a super popular choice from the designer’s lineup. It is led by orange flower and vanilla. It is a sweeter perfume, but has an underlying smoothness and freshness.

Pink pepper sits underneath and gives it that warm sweet spice and there is an amber enveloping it all. It gives you a versatile blend, that is still punctuated with our target ingredietn.

The amber and pink pepper really do give this an undeniable warmth and cozy feeling. The orange blossom note within that is utterly awesome. The dry down does take on a somewhat lotion-like vibe.

The notes would suggest that this would be another winter scent, but it comes across as a solid choice for the warmer months of the year.

Simple Citrus and Floral

Jo Malone Orange Blossom Cologne for Women 1 oz Cologne Spray– A soft citrus based scent with floral notes that is upbeat and sure to induce a smile. A very clean scent that shines in the summer.

The clementine and citron opening at the top, is sweet and much more of a fruity affair than what will follow. The dry down, is when you really get the floral notes, mostly the namesake orange blossom.

Add in some lilac and you get a definite springtime in bloom effect. Citrus fruit top with a naturalistic floral blossom base. I love orange blossom, as a note, and it is utterly fantastic here.

Those petals paired with a citron aroma, makes this a personal favorite of mine from Jo Malone London.

Popular Designer Option

Classique JPG– Now, there have been many versions of Classique to follow this one. I believe most, if not all, also contain orange blossom. However, they can also lean more towards the sweet or fruity side of things. This, is the most white floral focused of the bunch.

Classique is creamy, sweet, amber-laden, and has its fruitier moments also. More of a mix than an orange blossom solo project. Ylang-ylang is probably the second strongest floral, with some bits of iris thrown in too.

The latter dry down is more soapy and floral. Though, it is going to retain much of that vanilla creaminess, and even some spice that is found throughout. Classique is a loud and bold perfume, so tread carefully with it.

jean paul women

Light Fresh and Orange Blossom

O de L’Orangerie by Lancome– Refreshing citrus up top and super clean cedarwood in the base. The formula is simple, but throw in jasmine and orange blossom, and you have a very enjoyable perfume from Lancome.

The citrus here isn’t overwhelming to my nose. It’s there, but you will get more of a focus on the floral notes for most of the wear. I really like the jasmine note and how it plays off of our sought after ingredient.

So, light with a watery citrus zest up top and then a clean and fresh soapy finish between our floral notes and cedar.

This is a fragrance that demands to be worn out in the spring and summertime weather, humidity and all. Not a marathon performer, but not completely awful either.

The Orange Blend

Aqua Allegoria Nerolia Bianca– From the Guerlain Aqua Allegoria collection. The orange blossom note here actually shares the stage with neroli and bitter orange. Sort of a shared perfume, where each aspect gets its time to shine.

Petitgrain joins the fray, but the overall scent is fairly linear with how it presents. Bitter orange early, orange blossom middle, and neroli is probably the most prominent during the latter part of Nerolia Bianca.

This has a great freshness of orange and has a definite greenish aroma in the beginning. The soapiness isn’t to the same degree as some of the others on the list.

Citrus and Honeyed

Orange Flowers by Montale– Orange Flowers by Montale has some similarities to the Serge Lutens fragrance from earlier. However, this one has more citrus, less spice, and a honeyed aroma to it as well.

The orange blossom is the dominant note, but the later dry down does give off some added patchouli, honey, and musks. Early on, there is a nice use of juicy citrus fruits and the spice is more noticeable then.

But, as we mover forward it will shift to a drier, sweeter, and more orange blossom centered scent. Nice hints of vanilla and oakmoss, also.

I don’t know if this would be my first choice from the list, but it is nice for the right person, and has a high level of performance.

Classy Floral Bouquet

24 Faubourg By Hermes For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3 Ounces– A still popular classically constructed scent consisting of orange blossom, amber, hiacynth, gardenia, and others. Mature, refined, and with plenty of staying power.

24 Faubourg is for those who want to go with something refined and led by floral notes. This does get blended more than some of the others on the list. Though, the orange blossom is still the leader.

The opening does have some additional fruitiness, mainly orange, and a sweetness that seems to surround the composition itself.

Nevertheless, that is all a sideshow to the full bouquet of flowers, which await your nose. This is a brilliant performer, well put together, and quite naturalistic.

Either/Or

Parfums de Marly Safanad for women Eau de Parfum 2.5 Oz./75 ml – Safanad is a fragrance from Parfums de Marly that utilizes orange blossom. You could also go with Oriana from this brand, which has more similarities with Sintra, from earlier in the list.

Orange blossom, and vanilla are the some highlighted notes. You do get a light orange citrus and pear to add some sweetness.

This one opens up with our main target and vanilla. There is an amber note throughout and a nice iris contributing also.

The dry down is amber, vanilla, sandalwood, and orange blossom. This is a perfume with some nice balance, can be an option for those who don’t want quite as much sweetness as Oriana tends to project. Safanad Full Review

Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande

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I’m making my way through reviewing most of the perfume releases from Ariana Grande, over the next few weeks or so. I’ve tried them out already, but wanted to give each a proper individual review on the site instead of just a blurb here or there. Thank U, Next is a scent that I have enjoyed before and was looking forward to putting it through a bit more rigorous testing. How does it smell? Does it perform? Is this Ariana fragrance, actually worth a try?

What does Thank U, Next Smell Like?

Notes include: pear, coconut water, macarons, pink rose, raspberry, musk

Click here to try: Ariana Grande Thank U, Next Perfume 3.4 oz

My Full Review

What I’ve always liked about this fragrance, is that it moved away from the use of the marshmallow note, that is found in many other Ariana Grande releases.

I really enjoy the opening here with the sparkling pear and raspberry, light sweetness of the coconut water, and sugary gourmand warmth of macarons. It has that warm sweetness/creaminess, but it leans more towards being fresh and juicy early on.

The rose is noticeable at the very start, actually comes across just the slightest bit sour when mixed in. Not too bad, though, not very rosy…on me at least.

The pear and raspberry notes split duties up top, but the star early on to me, is that coconut. That watery lightness allows this one to have a cleanliness that is uplifting and energetic.

Thank U, Next comes out of the gate strong with the fruit notes. However, it will settle down into a milky sugary musk with just a hint of rose coming through. To my nose, that pink rose is the weakest note in the composition and kind of gets overrun by the others.

One complaint that people have had with Thank U, Next is the sourness or so-called pickle smell. On the skin, I get barely any sourness. Mostly, the start. Beyond that, no pickle juice at all.

Spraying it on a t-shirt, the perfume does come across more sheer and sour. Actually, it’s pretty different from my experience wearing it on my body. As such, it might be more of a problem based on you as an individual. It’s not for me, though.

Thank U, Next dries down into a slightly creamy musky fragrance, with a generalized sweetness that isn’t really distinguishable as individual notes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this is a strong fragrance. A few sprays will go a long way here. It’s not a complete monster, but in terms of projection, definitely one of the boldest from the Ariana lineup.

I’d put it at the lower end of the strong spectrum, settling down into the upper range of moderate. So, most of the wear you’re going to get your money’s worth.

As far as the longevity goes, it seems to hit the 7-8.5 range for me. Pretty darn solid for the $30-55 price tag. Not a marathon runner by any means, but good for most purposes.

Seasonally, while this does feel warm, it isn’t really a heavy winter wear. This should be fine in almost any temperature, accept maybe the high heat. It wouldn’t completely melt, but definitely not at its peak.

A nice springtime day, where everything is pretty moderate, would be ideal.

Thank U, Next does still skew more towards younger women. However, it isn’t exactly a teenybopper perfume either. It seems like most sugary sweet scents get classified as such, but this has some more depth and isn’t a complete sugar overload, in my mind.

Mostly going to be a casual wear, that feels cozy. It’s attractive enough to wear out at night, but isn’t one for formal occasions. Plenty of opportunity to wear Thank U, Next. But, it does have its limits.

This one is attractive in a delicious sort of way versus a carnal sexiness. Very pretty and yummy as a perfume. As a guy, I dig it.

Overall Impressions of Thank U, Next

Overall, do I like this scent? Yes, I do. The opening hour or so is my favorite part of Thank U, Next. The pear, coconut, and raspberry are really a highlight in this mix. The dry down period is still good, but doesn’t hit that same level as the early stage.

The light juiciness, sparkling fruits, coconut, and boldness are simply great on my skin. I usually have success with coconut or raspberry and this is no exception. The later stages are sweet and musky, which is fine. It’s something you’ve come across a thousand times probably.

The opening gives it plenty to stand apart, however.

If you’re wondering between this and Thank U 2.0, I still prefer this one slightly more. The opening act of 2.0 is even better to me than this one, but it has worse performance.

Not the top ranked Ariana Grande perfume, but this is one of the better ones.

Also, the dry down of 2.0 is quite a bit like Moonlight by Ariana, also. The original is a tad better overall with how it smells and gives you about 3 more hours of wear. As such, this is the one I’d go with.

All in all, it is a sweet coconut highlighted blend, that has a youthful vibe without being strictly something for teenagers. The performance isn’t lacking in the slightest, unless you absolutely need something that will go forever and ever after spraying.

Is it a blind buy? If you like this style of sugary sweet gourmand, this is a good example. Not a heavy scent and is aided greatly by that fresh watery aroma. That being said, some do experience this one as sour, which might make you want to try it before you commit to a full bottle.

For the price? It wouldn’t be the end of the world. This was a nice little release from Ariana Grande

Thank U, Next 2.0 by Ariana Grande

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Thank U, Next was another successful perfume release from Ariana Grande. As such, the limited edition 2.0 version was brought out in 2021, just like the update to the ever-popular Cloud. Some had a negative experience wearing the original, but I found Thank U, Next to be one of the pop star’s best. How does 2.0 stack up? How long does it last? Is it worth a buy?

What does Thank U, Next 2.0 Smell Like?

Notes include: pomegranate, strawberry, apple, marshmallow, musk, sandalwood, orchid, jasmine

Click here to try: Thank U, 2.0

My Full Review

I really enjoy how 2.0 opens up after the initial spray. It’s very juicy, energetic, and bold. I love pomegranate as a note and it gets plenty of play here early on. It, along with apple juice, and strawberry give this a very fruity profile at the start.

Underneath that, I definitely pick up on the near ubiquitous note of marshmallow from the Ariana Grande line.

The fruity notes do begin to fall away, pretty early on. The strawberry especially. Apple juicy and pomegranate hang on, but will no longer play such a substantial role.

Yes, the early stages of this are a lot like Eden Juicy Apple from Kayali. This Ariana perfume is better than that one, however. I like the mix of notes more so here and the floral marshmallow second act.

One thing that I get with 2.0 versus the original, is a greater amount of jasmine. Marshmallow, jasmine, and some orchid is what the core of this perfume is about. The musk will start to play a larger role as we move further into the wear.

At some point, the floral notes become indistinguishable to me. It’s a general sweetness, floral impressions, marshmallow, and musk. A bit powdery and a touch of wood. Not all that much development here.

In fact, it all sort of comes undone, ending with a vague marshmallow muskiness.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this is kind of an odd duck. It starts off strong, even more so than the original Thank U. But, it quickly loses steam and continues falling all the way into skin scent territory after 2-3 hours.

Initially, I thought it was going to be an absolute beast, because it does project itself very well after applying. I can spray 2.0 on clothes and pick it up from across the room…for a little while.

The longevity isn’t great. A weaker sillage wouldn’t be the end of the world, if it stuck around for a full workday. It doesn’t. With Thank U, Next 2.0 I get about 5 hours. That’s a pretty far step back from the original, which could hit 8 hours.

That’s one of the worst performers from the Ariana line (I’ve tested them all). The others usually will hit 6-7 hours, at least, and this one just doesn’t seem very capable.

Seasonally, this one is good for the warmer weather. The fruitiness, juiciness, and general sweetness will lend itself well to spring and summer.

This is one of Ariana’s perfumes that will probably have more appeal to the younger set. For a younger girl, this could probably be a signature type of scent. For a woman, this will be something you’d want to wear casually.

Not a complete ‘teeny bopper’ perfume, but that fruity sweetness leans that way.

Overall Impressions of Thank U, Next 2.0

Overall, do I like this scent? I do, but that also carries a disclaimer. The opening is fantastic and among the best that Ariana’s list of perfumes has produced. The latter part is fine (not nearly as good as the start) and pretty similar to others.

I get a Moonlight vibe after the initial wave wears off. More so that, than the original Thank U. But, that might be a good thing in certain cases. If you’re one of those who gets the ‘pickle juice’ smell with Thank U, Next, this one might be able to replace it. Even though, they are fairly different fragrances.

It’s just the performance here, that really holds it back.

It’s like watching a movie that starts off amazing (for this sort of hyper sweet tart scent) and then just starts to fall apart. Testing this multiple times, I get the 5 hours of wear routinely, and the last few hours are just a skin scent. It’s pretty bad when compared with the original Thank U, Next.

This had the potential to be a really great scent. As it is, it’s above average. It can be tough for people to track down, but at a decent price point, it can still be worthwhile to pick up. I wouldn’t pay anymore than retail to secure a bottle and would actively want a discount.

The smell itself is worth the entry fee, but whether or not the performance is, I leave up to you.

6 Best Issey Miyake Perfumes for Her

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Issey Miyake has been a popular yet often underappreciated designer brand for decades now. Mr. Miyake passed away in 2022, leaving behind a brand legacy that continues to persist.  It’s L’eau d’Issey series of fragrances struck a chord with its releases for both men and women.

However, I think the popularity of perfumes was more evenly distributed on the ladies’ side of things. In this post, I want to present five options that are currently still available from Miyake, which can be considered the best of the lot. 

What are the Top Issey Miyake Perfumes for Her?

Fresh and Aquatic D’Issey

Issey Miyake L’Eau D’Issey Pure Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.0 Ounce– Pure is a more sheer and aquatic version of the original L’eau D’Issey listed below. It keeps the rose and lily notes, along with adding actual marine notes to the top end.

Pure kicks off with a somewhat salty mix of ambergris and the oceanic notes. At first, you may get a blend of the floral ingredients (added jasmine and orange blossom), but the lily will ultimately win out here. Rose, sits just underneath it in terms of strength.

The opening is more fresh and crisp, while the latter stages soften up with muskier and woody base. Not too complex, but can be a very nice light option for spring/summer. 

A Newer Entry

Issey Miyake A Drop d’Issey for Women Eau de Parfum Spray, 3 Ounce– A Drop d’Issey is one of the more recent releases from the brand which has really taken off. Released in 2021, this perfume is well balanced in what it offers from aroma to longevity to use case.

Lilac and Damask rose open things up on the floral front. These notes are joined by ‘solar’ notes, which have been a pretty widespread staple in designer perfumery the past five years or so. Things are light, musky, and rose dominant for me at this very early stage.

That will shift and lilac will come to be the heavier weighting of the two floral notes. Almond and vanilla add a creamy and lotion-like quality for a time, before it all settles into more of a powdery lilac and musk perfume.

The performance for me was good and this is an easy to wear scent, that should get plenty of use in one’s collection. Not the most incredible scent ever, but if you need an all-around scent and enjoy lilac, this is a fantastic option. A Drop d’Issey review

The Popular Original

L’eau De Issey By Issey Miyake For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.3 Oz– The original L’eau d’Issey is a much more complex and aquatic perfume than is Pure. It still has an aquatic-like aroma thanks to: lily, lotus, calone, and melon. 

Less oceanic, more of a flower garden aroma. The melon provides some underlying sweetness to counter the bit of spice and green-ish qualities at the start. As things move along, L’eau d’Issey does begin to inhabit its white floral and aquatic nature.

Freesia, lotus, rose, and the lily seem to be the main focus here. This one is an easy to wear perfume that gives off a classic clean smell. 

Honey and Floral

Issey Miyake Eau de Parfum Spray, L’eau D’issey Absolue, 3 Ounce– Another flanker of the original, with less of the same structure, but still some overlap in its DNA.

Absolue introduces honey into the mix, along with some light vanilla touches. It comes across very well and not as a thick and enveloping aroma. Most of the rest of the wear is all about the floral notes, mainly jasmine and freesia, with some lotus tossed in to boot. 

A good option for those who want a toned down aquatic element. There is still some, but it isn’t nearly to the same level as before.

The Neroli Entry

Issey Miyake A Scent Soleil De Neroli, 3.3 Ounce– A change of pace from the L’eau d’Issey lineup of fragrances. As the name suggests, there is a strong presence of neroli in this one. Very clean and a opening sharp punch.

It settles. Tiare is floating around during the opening hour of the wear, but hyacinth really comes on as the scent develops. Soleil de Neroli isn’t a very complicated fragrance. You will get neroli, jasmine, and hyacinth mostly.

It comes across as fairly soapy at times, but eventually becomes a powdery and soft fragrance.

Rosy Pear and Honey

Issey Miyake – Women’s Perfume L’eau D’issey Pure Nectar De Parfum Issey Miyake EDP– Pure Nectar gives it another go with the honey note, as found in Absolue. It’s probably a bit louder here, but the note is presented in a slightly different way with pear (and citrus) and a more present rose note. 

The next phase becomes more of a pure floral with slight aquatic undertones. A bit of peony joins the rose, with a nice steady ambergris and woody base. The honey does hang around for the entirety, but the pear seems to fade out.