Best Perfumes for Women

Gucci Bloom Ambrosia di Fiori by Gucci

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Bloom has been an ongoing series from Gucci for a long while now. I’ve been slowly making my way through testing the entire series, for full reviews on this site, and am getting close to completion. One of the last ones that I need to cover, is Ambrosia di Fiori. How does this version smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Bloom Ambrosia di Fiori Smell Like?

Notes include: jasmine, honeysuckle, rose, tuberose, orris, and Rangoon Creeper

Click here to try: Bloom Ambrosia di Fiori

top gucci bloom

My Full Review

Here’s how Gucci describes it:  Invoking a banquet of an ancient world, ambrosia was the sustenance of the Greek gods, thought to give immortality to those who drank it. The name of this precious nectar and the magic it evokes is woven into the scent’s vibrant bouquet. 

Ambrosia opens up with the same formulation as the original Gucci Bloom, but with some distinct additions. Also, maybe it’s just me, but the jasmine seems to have more punch early on versus Bloom.

This time around the honeysuckle note comes in early to reduce the amount of green stem-like aromas versus what you get in the original. It does give Ambrosia some sweetness instead, maybe an assist on that front from the Damask rose?

Also, this one has more of a powdery/resinous smell to it. The orris root is there in the beginning pairing together with the Rangoon Creeper to amplify those aspects of the perfume.

As it dries down, the orris fades, and the honeysuckle settles more. There is a Damascena rose in the mix. This never gets too rosy, but in the middle act this ingredient is noticeable. I mean, Damascena rose isn’t really a traditional red rose anyway, and adds a depth that the original doesn’t have.

Finally, the tail end of this is mostly about that tuberose. Jasmine and Rangoon Creeper jockey for the second position, and the rest of what I get is just an amalgam of white floral smells. As such, the ending gets much closer to the original.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Out of the gate, the sillage here is pretty good. A nice scent trail and will project off of the skin, probably 4-6 feet while you’re just sitting around.

But, that’s not terribly long lasting. It’s a lighter moderate scent for a good portion of the wear. Then, it’ll sit much closer to the skin for the back end of its lifecycle. Yet, it’s better on me, than the original.

The longevity is okay with Ambrosia. It’s honestly not great, but it wasn’t absolutely dreadful either. I get somewhere in the 5.5-7 hour range, on skin. Those last few hours are super light, but it is there, it’s just kind of easy to go nose blind with Bloom.

Seasonally, this one is awesome in the spring and summer months. Mainly. a focus in the springtime, when it’s just starting to warm up. It’s a good way to break up having to wear the heavier gourmand fragrances of winter, as this is a straight floral.

Probably the greatest strength of this perfume, is how versatile it is. Outside of the nightlife (which it wouldn’t be entirely out of place) Ambrosia can be worn pretty much whenever, during the daytime. Daily wear, office wear, casual, more formal occasions, etc.

Overall Impressions of Bloom Ambrosia

Overall, do I like Gucci Bloom Ambrosia? Yes, I think that it is one of the best from the series and an improvement on the original formulation.

If you’re not a fan of the original Bloom, you still probably won’t dig this one. It’s better, but still very similar. On the other hand, if you liked that original Gucci formulation, this might be an upgrade…though, needing both is questionable.

I like the changes here. The honeysuckle playing a greater role, really helps this one out. I like the fact that it isn’t as green as the original. You just get a better mix of floral notes with Ambrosia. The orris is also a highlight in that middle act.

The performance is decent, just not going to set any records for how long it lasts. It’s not a complete hinderance towards owning a bottle, so not a huge issue.

All in all, this is a nice entry from the Bloom series. If you want an easy to wear floral fragrance with some mass appeal, this is one of the ones to go with.

Idôle EDP by Lancôme

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Idôle isn’t a sample fragrance that I ordered. But, at some point, I guess it was included with something else that I bought since it was just sitting in a box. So, I decided to test it out and post my review of this fragrance that whose ambassador is Zendaya. How does it smell? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Idôle Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, pear, jasmine, rose, pink pepper, musk, patchouli, cedarwood

Click here to try: Idôle by Lancome

Idôle review

My Full Review

Here’s how Lancôme describes it: Made for women, by women. Three talented female perfumers from across the world united to create a sophisticated yet unapologetically modern fresh fragrance with notes of bright citrus, clean rose, spotless jasmine, white musks and vanilla.

The opening pear and bergamot in Idôle are actually very good. Juicy with enough fructose level sweetness to really liven things up. The pear notes juiciness gives it that usual aquatic-like feel.

Pear is going to be a major factor in this one, not a complete takeover, but it is significant throughout (until the last bit).

Early, I actually don’t get all that much of the pink pepper. It’s there, just light. Instead, I get a lot of jasmine to go along with the fruity top. Now, this will flip places with the rose at some point, but jasmine is the floral focus at the start.

Once that flip happens, the bergamot has gone away, the rose is increased, and Idôle has more of a musky finish. Pear is still hanging around, but the perfume now has a heavier floral weighting.

The final stages have more of a balance between the rose and jasmine on me. There is musk, cedar, and perhaps a touch of vanilla…just not a ton. The pear has finally diminished to the point, that it’s only noticeable, if you’re truly focused.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Idôle actually has some power. Now, it’s not super heavy or something that has massive projection off of the skin, but it is certainly above average.

With this, I got a few hours of it really popping off of the skin. Again, not massive, but 4-7 feet during that time. Then, it’ll be more in the 3-4 foot range for the most of the duration of the wear.

Even on that front Idôle is solid with it’s performance. Not a marathon runner, by any means, but 7-8.5 hours on skin, is about what you should expect from this one.

Seasonally, this is better when it’s warmer out, in the spring or summertime. Though, it’d be fine in just about any climate or temperature, I’d probably have something else for when it’s cold outside.

Idôle isn’t a perfume that screams out for attention. So, it’s really not built for the nightlife. It is a pretty fragrance, but not necessarily something that’s wildly sexy. Very likeable. Wouldn’t be entirely out of place on a date, but maybe not the first choice you’d want to go with.

Idôle is better suited for daily wear, office, casual, semi-formal, etc. It has plenty of use cases and kind of does serve a a sort of ‘do it all’ (or at least ‘do most’) fragrance.

Overall Impressions of Idôle

Overall, do I like this fragrance? Yes, it’s all around quite good. I wouldn’t say that it is great or an absolute must have. However, it really doesn’t do anything poorly and is attractive enough to find its way into a perfume rotation or as a daily wear.

I really enjoy the beginning of this fragrance, when the pear and the bergamot get to shine. Juicy, sparkling, and something with upbeat vibes.

The latter stages are still good to me. I like the balance of the rose, musk, and vanilla notes. Not the most unique scent out there, but it still smells good, which is what we’re after.

Performance is solidly above average and I never had a disappointing experience with Idôle during my testing of it.

In my opinion, this is well worth a try. You might not be blown away by Idôle, but it is a very easy to wear ‘dumb reach’ perfume that can be worn in a variety of situations.

Guilty EDP Intense Pour Femme by Gucci

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Gucci Guilty fragrances keep on getting churned out year after year for both men and women. For 2022, the Eau de Parfum Intense Pour Femme version was released. Besides practicing the long name, I wanted to try out this scent and see if it was a worthwhile addition to the women’s line up. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Guilty Eau de Parfum Intense Pour Femme Smell Like?

Notes include: mandora, litchi, violet, plum, tuberose, ylang-ylang, vanilla, patchouli, and vetiver

Click here to try: Guilty EDP Intense

guilty edp intense review

My Full Review

Here’s how Gucci describes it: The new vision elevates the scent to higher levels of intensity for those looking for a declaration of love free from the rules and definitions of society. Designed to act as emblems of the connection between like-minded, eccentric lovers, Gucci Guilty Eau de Parfum Intense Pour Femme is an Ambery Floral Woody fragrance that rewrites the Gucci Guilty Pour Femme signature’s essential core.

With notes of mandora, plum, and litchi; I was expecting this Guilty fragrance to open up quite fruity. Sure, the notes are there, but it never has that intense explosion of these notes.

I mostly get the plum and the orange juiciness of the mandora. This is a darker and richer perfume versus being super bright and candy-like sweet.

I think that the patchouli really helps to temper the fruits and add depth to the composition overall. Ylang-ylang is the main floral note that I pick up on early in the wear, along with some violet.

The violet ends up stronger, but really doesn’t present itself too much on my skin, in the early stages of this scent. That being said, it isn’t ever dominant. Guilty EDP Intense is pretty balanced in how the notes come across. Which is good for me, since I’m not a huge violet fan.

The final dry down is a plumy patchouli with touches of vanilla and a general floral aroma. I can’t really pick out the violet, tuberose, or ylang-ylang individually at this point.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This Guilty starts off with a strong blast that produces a very noticeable scent trail in one’s wake. That opening hour can be pretty loud, so, watch your sprays in certain situations.

However, it doesn’t stay that way forever. Actually, it’ll become pretty moderate and then light, about midway through the wear. So, it’s bold up front, with a high initial peak.

EDP Intense lasts in the 8-9.5 hour range. It never went double digits for me, but it’s still really good and probably the top performer in this series.

The first 2-3 hours give you that stronger sillage and projection. The back two-thirds is gradually softer, until it is basically a skin scent for the last two or so.

Seasonally, it’ll be best in the autumn and winter months. Depending on where you live, it might be able to sneak some time in the spring, but that won’t be the case for everyone.

Less of a daily wear out of this Gucci, since it does have a period of being ‘Intense’. But, this could absolutely serve as something for the nightlife, dates, etc. It’s got a sensuous aroma and is attractive.

It’s sort of old school, with a modern twist. Mature, but not old and stuffy. Yet, it has the sort of refined character to allow it to be worn on more formal occasions.

Overall Impressions of Guilty EDP Intense

Overall do I like EDP Intense? Yes, I do. It’s definitely one of the best from the women’s Guilty line. I think that it’s second best behind Absolute, but not too far behind.

I really like it when a plum note gets to shine. The floral notes aren’t too overwhelming, especially the violet which can be bothersome. Not here, though. This is well done, giving you a sweetness and nice patchouli, with a balance.

The performance is very good, bordering on great. It’ll last for a long enough time and not completely go skin scent mode, after an hour. So, plenty of time to enjoy this one.

It might not be a good option for everyone. But, I do think that it is very much worth a try. Sort of safe as a blind buy, but if it sounds iffy to you, hold off on getting the full bottle until you sample it first.

Attrape-Reves by Louis Vuitton

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Louis Vuitton has come out with an extensive line of fragrances over the past handful of years, after it had little in that way previously. One of my favorites out of the women’s lot of scents is Attrape-Rêves, which I found rather captivating back when I first tried it. Now, I grabbed another sample, in order to finally do a full review of this scent. How does it smell? How long does it last? Is it really still worth a try?

What does Attrape-Reves Smell Like?

Notes include: cocoa, litchi, ginger, patchouli, peony, bergamot, Turkish rose

My Full Review

Here’s how Louis Vuitton describes it: Cocoa as airy-light as a wondrous journey somewhere between dream and reality. Like the Northern Lights appearing out of nowhere, Attrape-Rêves is the fragrant embodiment of supernatural phenomena forever embedded in the memory of some far-flung exploration.

Attrape-Rêves opens with its fruitier and fresh notes, taking center stage. The litchi leads the way, flanked by you typical bergamot clean brightness. What’s nice here is the bit of ginger spice that kicks early on.

The ginger won’t be a major player throughout, but I like the touch during these opening stages. Sweet, fresh, and a bit spicy early.

The next main note to really pop is the patchouli. Attrape-Rêves does have a significant amount of patchouli, but it isn’t the focus. However, it’s probably the second or third strongest note throughout the wear.

So, we have a fruit-chouli start, that morphs into being more floral dominant.

Here, the peony is going to be the star. The bergamot and ginger begin to fade from the composition, which allows the cocoa, peony, and rose to emerge.

At this point, it’s a lot of the peony, patchouli, and remaining litchi. On my skin, the litchi moves on out and the cocoa takes its place.

Not a strong Turkish rose, this one will mostly be about the peony. Attrape-Rêves starts to have less of that initial freshness and things become more gourmand thanks to that cocoa.

The ending part of this is very much your typical floral-patchouli aroma, but seemingly dipped in a dry cocoa, almost like its powdered form.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Attrape-Rêves is a perfume that will leave a above average to strong scent trail behind the wearer. Usually, the first 2 or so hours gives me strong projection, whether it is on the skin itself of an old t-shirt I spray it on.

Testing that out, it seems like 6-8 feet of projection is about what Attrape-Rêves is capable of with normal sprays. But, that also will come in closer. Much of the rest of the wear will be more moderate, but still better than the average perfume.

In terms of how long it lasts, I get up to 8.5 hours with the Louis Vuitton. The range falls into the 7-8.5 hour frame, which is absolutely good enough for most uses. Though, some might expect more from a high end designer.

Seasonally, it’s a versatile option that can work pretty much year round. But, it’d be a good idea to stay away from extreme heat and cold. The springtime is probably the ideal, but in summer, probably stick to the evening.

It’s not too heavy of a fragrance or super cloying, but the heat and humidity isn’t going to present Attrape-Rêves at its best.

Daytime wear or nighttime is fine. It’s attractive, non-offensive, but not the most formal of fragrances. Casual, semi-formal, dates, nightlife are all fine, however. This is a perfume that will provide plenty of use cases.

Overall Impressions of Attrape-Rêves

Overall, do I like Attrape-Rêves? Yes, it is indeed one of the best of the Louis Vuitton lineup, nothing has changed on that front.

The formulation itself is familiar to many other fragrances that you’ve come across before, but steeped in quality, with the cocoa note really helping it to create a distinct identity among the pack.

It gives you a perfume that can be used daily or for somewhat dressed up occasions. Very versatile, pretty, and one that can gather complements. While the performance isn’t elite, it doesn’t really disappoint, even if you’d still might like more from something at this price point.

On the balance, Attrape-Rêves is a very good fragrance that is bordering on being absolutely great. It’s probably safe to blind buy, but with the price you still might not want to. However, it is for sure one that you should give a try, if interested.

Irresistible EDT Fraiche by Givenchy

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Irresistible is one of the popular fragrance series from Givenchy. L’Interdit seems to get more attention, but this franchise also gives you a variety of choices to go with. A few months back, I received samples of the different Irresistible perfumes, in order to add full reviews of each. Today, I am covering Irresistible Fraiche and presenting my thoughts on this scent. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Irresistible Fraiche Smell Like?

Notes include: rose, iris, pink pepper, orange, musk, cedar

Click here to try: Irresistible Fraiche at Macy’s

irresistible fraiche review

My Full Review

Here’s how Givenchy describes it:  A captivating contrast between fresh rose and vibrant spices. Liberate your energy and express yourself freely with Irresistible Eau de Toilette Fraiche. A fusion of sheer spontaneity and exhilarating vitality.

Fraiche opens up with a bright and energetic kick, brought to you by the pink pepper and citrus zest of the orange note. It’s not overly spicy or really all that warm, in the beginning. Indeed, it takes that Fraiche moniker and delivers with a light and refreshing aroma.

Interestingly, the rose and the iris are coming through early. They aren’t especially heavy or domineering in this mix. But, there is that soft powdery quality coming from the iris. Fraiche will become much more of a musky floral.

I actually get more of the iris than the rose on my skin. Again, though not heavy floral notes here.

Still, with that same freshness throughout, but retaining a sweetness from the early orange and even pink pepper.

In the end, it’s pretty much a mix of the floral notes, musk, and that cedar base. The cedar is pretty prominent in the dry down of Irresistible Fraiche.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is what could be considered average, overall. But, in the early stages this one has a bit of power, nice scent trail, and an ability to project off of the skin.

Is that a super long lasting ability? Not really, but it is there for a while. So, Fraiche deserves some credit for that.

The total time that it lasts on the skin, is about 4-5 hours for me. Again, this is nothing special, but about what I would expect for this Fraiche style of perfume. Just know going in, that this isn’t going to be as good as others in the series or when compared to many other fragrances.

Seasonally, Irresistible Fraiche is one to break out in the spring and summer months. In the warmer to hotter weather, this one is really at its absolute best. The citrus opening and the lighter floral notes were attractive when I wore them outside in August.

Fraiche is one obviously to use to freshen up. Outside of that, it can be used as a daily wear, if you can reapply, once it has faded. It’s easy to spray on, not particularly sexy or formal, but pleasant enough.

Overall Impressions of Irresistible Fraiche

Overall, do I like Irresistible Fraiche? The smell is nice enough, but it doesn’t really cover any new ground. It’s just quite likeable and simple.

The performance isn’t very good, which was to be expected with a Fraiche version of this Irresistible formula. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, if you know what to expect going into wearing this Givenchy perfume.

I like the opening act with the zesty citrus and pink pepper note. That’s a really good start. The rose and the iris are a nice combination, more rose for me, but it’s all pretty boilerplate with how it all develops. There’s nothing that is all that unique or interesting here.

That being said, if you can get a heavy discount and this sounds like something you might enjoy, it could be worth a try for some ladies. I don’t think that most people would think that it smells horrible and would probably have a positive experience with it.

For me, it’s just okay on the whole, and there’s plenty of other options out there.