Best Perfumes for Women

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Eau Fraiche

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One of the women’s fragrance samples that I picked up recently is an entry from Jean Paul Gaultier. This is a summertime edition of Gaultier Classique, Eau Fraiche. In this post, I am going to break down what it smells like, how it performs, and whether or not it is worth a purchase.

What does Gaultier Eau Fraiche Smell Like?

Notes include: sorbet, vanilla, sugar, musk, orange blossom, jasmine, tiare, and ginger

Click here to try: Jean Paul Gaultier Classique (Betty Boop) Eau Fraiche Eau De Toilette Spray 100ml/3.4oz

My Full Review

Just to be clear from the start, this is a review of JPG Classique Eau Fraiche with the Betty Boop logo on the bottle. There are seemingly 50 different variations of Gaultier Classique and so it can get quite confusing as to which is which…even when they can be almost the exact same fragrance.

Okay, so the opening of this perfume is a sweet blend of the floral notes. What I detect from right out of the gate are the jasmine, tiare, and orange blossom notes with some musk thrown in. Maybe, a slight ginger kick.

To me, it’s almost an inversion of the note structure. I get more floral notes up front. Then, the sorbet and sugary sweetness really come on.

It is a good deal like what I remember the original JPG Classique smelling like. It’s a pretty powerful opening and immediately hits you as to what sort of fragrance you’re going to get here.

As it dries down, the sweeter aspect of this scent gets stronger and takes the center stage. The lemon sorbet adds to the sweet vibe but the citrus keeps Eau Fraiche in its intended summertime category.

It is sugary and refreshing with a creamy vanilla note which only adds to its appeal and balance. So, you have this sweet and somewhat musky blend that is really feminine and confident.

The floral notes are still present the further along, but it’s more of a musky vanilla and sugared blend, versus being completely dominated by flowers.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Classique Eau Fraiche, struck me as being pretty powerful. Before I even wore any on my skin, I sprayed it on a shirt hanging in a closet, and could smell it when walking down the hallway.

That sillage is a monster with the trail that it can leave in your wake, especially in tat first hour.

It does mellow out as it moves through the wear, but it can feel like an absolute bomb upon first application. When in doubt, go light with it and see how it reacts to your skin.

 

Longevity here is also excellent. This is an all day wear in my opinion, it was definitely over 8 hours of performance. I lost track of time, but I dare say, that it got to double digit hours. Great.

It’s not one to go super far into double digits on skin, but on clothes it’ll be days of strength.

In terms of the versatility, this could be worn casually or for a night on the town. As a man, I actually think that this perfume is sexy, and that it is really appealing. I found myself wanting to get another sniff of the aroma it produced.

Not a formal or office sort of scent, but for most everything else, Classique Eau Fraiche works well.

Eau Fraiche is also one for the spring and summer months specifically, but I don’t think it’d be bad during the winter either.

Overall Impressions of Classique Eau Fraiche

Overall, do I recommend Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Eau Fraiche? Absolutely. I think that it smells really good, is sexy, and gives a great performance. Now, it is a really sugary sweet type of fragrance, but not in a teenage girl perfume kind of way.

It’s more mature and musky, but if sweet scents aren’t your thing, I’d look elsewhere.

I really like the lemon sorbet, orange blossom, and vanilla. It comes together to be sweet and creamy, while maintaining a light, fun, and summery aroma. 

This is a pretty heavy scent to wear. As such, it can get on your nerves, especially if you’re sensitive to these sorts of perfumes. With the name, Eau Fraiche, I was expecting something a bit lighter and fresher. But, it’s still well worth a try.

Insolence Eau Glacee by Guerlain

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Winding down on my current crop of scent to test out, I have today’s entry from Guerlain’s women’s collection, Insolence Eau Glacee. Now, I’m pretty sure that this one has been discontinued by this point in time, but you can still find bottles available online. I will of course cover how it smells, performs, what notes are included, and if it is worth a purchase.

What does Insolence Eau Glacee?

Notes include: red berries, apple, iris, violet, and citrus

Click here to try: Guerlain Insolence Eau Glacee Eau De Toilette Spray for Women, 1.7 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

Insolence Eau Glacee was marketed as an ‘icy’ aroma and while I have come across multiple men’s colognes which also go this route, this one doesn’t seem to strike the same ‘cold’ tone. I mean, it’s there but not nearly to the same degree.

Initially, I get a lot of violet and apple in particular which is supported by the iris note. This gives the fragrance a crisp yet powdery sensation, that is quite pleasant.

Apple is the main fruit note, but the berries and a very light citrus blend is there as well. The citrus isn’t a major factor in this Guerlain. All together, the fruity notes are more tart at the beginning, then it’s a tad sweeter during the dry down.

This is a pretty linear scent and after a few minutes, what you smell is what you get. More of the iris note development and some juiciness supplied by the red berries. Violet, apple, and iris, with the additional highlights of the berries.

It’s a watery sweetness, as if the fruit notes have been soaked in a vase of the floral notes that are present here. The iciness is a nice touch, that gives it the feeling of more depth versus what it actually has.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Eau Glacee is soft and understated. This isn’t a bold or in your face sort of fragrance, it is quiet but you’ll know that it is there. It’ll project maybe 3-5 feet from the skin and that’s about it.

While it isn’t a strong perfume, it is one that lasts a work day. During testing, I managed about 8 hours with a few sprays. The performance is good, as a low key scent, that isn’t going to take over a room.

It is interesting when you get a softer fragrance that actually sticks around despite not being a complete bomb.

Eau Glacee strikes me as a casual scent or one for a business type environment. It elegant and has a seriousness to it, that doesn’t come across to me as a ‘sexy’ perfume. Nonetheless, it is pleasant and has its own charm.

I’d also say, it’s probably best in the springtime or other days in which the climate is mild. Maybe venturing into the early days of summer.

Overall Impressions of Insolence Eau Glacee

Overall, do I think Insolence Eau Glacee, is worth a purchase? If you’re a fan of violet and iris and you happen to need something low key. I think it smells fine, it’s not harsh or ugly in anyway, but I don’t think it’s incredible.

It is a solid performer that is well blended and takes you on an easy and steady ride. I like the iris, berries, and that chilly quality that comes through. Nice, clean, tart/sweet, and plenty of powder.

Eau Glacee has some very familiar aspects found in many other perfumes. It’s not super unique, though, it’s nice enough for what it is.

Update: This one seems to be long gone and got discontinued at some point after this review.

Omnia Crystalline by Bvlgari

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In today’s review, I am going to be covering a popular ladies’ fragrance by Bvlgari, Omnia Crystalline. I’ve had a sample vial of this for a few months now, so I figured that it was about time that I try it out and report back with how it smells, performs, etc.

As usual, I’m going to cover my impressions and it longevity and whether or not I think that it is worth picking up a bottle.

What does Omnia Crystalline Smell Like?

Notes include: bamboo, lotus flower, nashi, musk, tea

Click here to try: Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline for Women Eau De Toilette Spray, 2.2 fl oz

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Omnia Crystalline is a rather interesting and somewhat unique experience, at least when compared to other popular perfumes. It’s light, clean, and has a bit of a soapy quality to it but with a distinctly Asian influence.

Lotus, tea, and a pear-like smell (provided by the nashi fruit) are the main attractions here, which gives this Bvlgari perfume a floral-plant type of outdoorsy scent.

Omnia Crystalline is quite a feminine fragrance and doesn’t seem to include anything that could be considered heavy or overwhelming, which should make this one a good choice for the warmer months of the year.

The tea note really reminds me of a men’s cologne that I cannot quite recall the name of (maybe by Roberto Cavalli?), it’s really distinct and green, in it’s aroma. I also detect a hint of Alien Aqua Chic in this composition.

However, the major player here is the lotus note…so, if you’re not a fan, look for another perfume. It does have a different feel than the usual rose, iris, violet notes that are so often found in other ladies’ fragrances.

There is a slight musk which gives it some warmth and body. The dry down is woody and green, with some remaining fruit sweetness, but mostly that lotus flower as the focus of it all. Bamboo and a bit of moss coming through.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s a light fragrance but does a pretty good job at projecting itself. You will know that it’s there while wearing; but it isn’t going to choke anyone out. A few feet away from the skin, is what I got for most of the wears during testing.

It’s not one to leave a huge scent trail or fill a room. But, while it’s got its power, it will be picked up by those around you.

The longevity is meh, but usable. 4-5 hours seems to be the norm, maybe 6 under the right conditions. This is by no means a powerhouse or a workhorse, which means you should probably get it at a good price and not at retail.

I’d save this one strictly for the spring/summer months, as a casual scent for a day out or the office. I don’t find it to be particularly sexy or something that would scream attention to itself, rather, it is a clean and simple scent that smells good in a low key way.

It’s a good no-brainer daily wear that isn’t going to offend. Omnia Crystalline can easily be a go to during the warmer months for the right lady.

Overall Impressions of Omnia Crystalline

Overall, would I recommend Omnia Crystalline? I mean, I like it well enough. It isn’t an amazing perfume by any means but it will get the job done for what it is. If you like the listed notes and need a good casual scent, then this might be right up your alley.

However, if you want a bold type of fragrance, then it’s best to look elsewhere for something with that kind of quality.

The opening act with the fruit, bamboo, and lotus is actually very nice. The tea note, is the one that tends to stand out and delivers a nice experience while its around. The dry down is fine. Not something I’m completely enthralled by, but it’s likeable.

It’s a very straightforward, elegant, crisp, and pleasing scent. No more no less. It would be a lot better, if the strength was boosted up some more. Still useful, just not incredible.

Scandal for Women by Jean Paul Gaultier

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As a part of my latest giant batch of sample fragrances, I bought a bunch of female perfumes in the lot. At this point, there are more and more perfume reviews on this site, and that trend will continue (not that I have slowed down on the men’s colognes side of things).

Today, I have another entry from Jean Paul Gaultier, an EDP called, Scandal. How does this perfume perform? What does it smell like? Is it worth a purchase? Continue below for my full take.

What does Scandal by JPG Smell Like?

Notes include: honey, blood orange, patchouli, gardenia, caramel, jasmine

Click here to try: Scandal by Jean Paul Gaultier Eau de Parfum Spray 50ml

My Full Review

First, I’m going to let the Eau de Parfum’s sample card describe this scent and what to expect from it: “A honey chypre. During the day, it’s a delicious, fresh honey with the wonderful scent of gardenia and blood orange. At night, it’s a sensual and scandalous honey combined with patchouli: an addiction that’s just so Jean Paul Gaultier.”

So, from the immediate spray, I’m obviously going to get a strong honey note…which I do. However, it isn’t alone, as there is a familiar note of beeswax and patchouli occupying the flanks.

I used to work at a place that had beeswax as a part of its inventory and that note really stood out to me.

There is a sweetness here, but it is more of a floral/honey kind of sweet, rather than candy-like. Although, the caramel note emerges later and adds a sugary quality to the mix.

A few minutes after the initial spray, I pick up a dose of gardenia, and a sprinkle of jasmine to boot. It’s a floral aroma that hangs around in the background throughout its life cycle.

Mostly, what I pick up on throughout are the honey, patchouli, caramel, and gardenia notes. The blood orange is definitely present but it feels completely bonded to the caramel note in this EDP.

With a name like Scandal, I was expecting something either bold, dark, hyper-sexy, or some combination thereof.

I will say that it is a pretty fragrance and has a certain sexiness to it, I don’t really think the name fits particularly well. What’s so scandalous about it? Scandal isn’t a boring office scent, but it doesn’t have a real edge to it either.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, this thing can definitely fill a room. You don’t need to overspray to get any type of real sillage. It’s loud, maybe that’s the scandalous aspect? If you’re looking for a bold sort of wear, Scandal can provide that kind of huge sillage.

Spray it on and it will follow…and leave a trail.

Also, it gives a great performance. This is an all day wear eau de parfum, that can easily hit the double digits. Anywhere from 10-11 hours at the max, is what I got from Scandal during testing. Outstanding, in this regard.

There are some crummy designer fragrances, with how long they last. But, this isn’t one of them.

Weather wise, wear it in the cooler months all the way up to moderate spring days. It doesn’t seem like it’d hold up well in the high heat. Just keep it in that cold to moderate temperature range and it should be just fine.

Again, I don’t think this is an office scent or one for school. Daytime casual on days off? Yes. Nighttime? Yes. Romantic wear? Yes. This does have an attractive and sexy kind of aroma, just not a formal perfume.

With that, it can be somewhat limited in its use when compared with some other popular fragrances. Bold and smells good, but probably not one to reach for on a daily basis.

Overall Impressions of Scandal

Overall, do I like Scandal by Jean Paul Gaultier? I really do. It’s not very unique in the female perfumes space with those honey, caramel, and orange notes but it also does everything well. It’s attractive and something that will get complements.

It performs extremely well and one would get good use out of it for the price. I’m not blown away by it, but this is something that I enjoy smelling and would like very much on a lady.

On all fronts, with its smell and its longevity it is at least above average. If you’re in the market for a loud nightlife or casual fragrance, this can be a great pickup. Not for everyone, but this is a great representation of this niche.

Scandal at least gives you some bang for your buck, with nothing standing out as being too much of a weakness.

Parisienne by Yves Saint Laurent

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I received two Yves Saint Laurent perfume samples with the last batch that I ordered. One, was Black Opium, which I’ve already reviewed. The second is today’s entry, Parisienne. This is a somewhat recent addition to the YSL collection and seems to be intended for casual wear.

In this post, I am going to go over my impression on how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and if it is worth a purchase or not.

What does Parisienne Smell Like?

parisienne

Notes include: rose, musk, sandalwood, vinyl, vetiver, cranberry, violet, peony

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne Eau-de-Parfume Spray, 3.0-Ounce

My Full Wear Review

My first impression of Parisienne is how much it smells like Midnight Romance, which I just reviewed a few days ago. The main difference between the two is that Parisienne is highlighted by the rose note, while the Ralph Lauren fragrance, is geared more towards raspberry.

Parisienne also has supporting berry notes which give it a bit of juiciness but this one does take on a much more powdery kind of aroma, as is to be expected with violet and rose together.

Parisienne is a softer type of perfume and while this EDP is noticeable, it is never ‘in your face’, and screaming out for attention. YSL made this one low key, sweet, and bright.

The vinyl is an interesting note to have in a fragrance, and adds a smooth familiar smelling layer, that lasts throughout the wear. On me, that note is never all that powerful, more so just lurking in the background as a consistent player.

It’s smooth, maybe has a bit of a plastic-like aroma. Though, it’s not bad for me. Perhaps, it could be a problem if it turns out stronger on your own skin.

Again, it does have that powdery essence to it, sort of like a collection of cosmetics. I really enjoy the blackberry and that tart cranberry at the top. Although, only the former really remains later on.

The final dry down period, consists of the rose/violet notes, with the berry playing a supporting role. Less powdery, more of the musk coming through during this period.

Then, there is a slightly woody/outdoorsy, base to Parisienne which gives it a bit more depth. It’s really never that powerful, just something you catch whiffs of, when wearing. It’s really a sandalwood and vetiver pairing.

To me, I get more of the sandalwood note on my skin. Just not a monstrous amount.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection on Parisienne is not bad. It isn’t a heavy fragrance but you’ll notice it is there. Eventually, it does start to fade into more of a skin scent, but the sillage is still within a foot of the wearer.

At it’s peak, probably in the 5-6 foot range of projection. Good and not overwhelming at all.

Longevity is also just decent, 6 hours give or take, is what I got out of it during testing. Not an all day beast, but not one that craps out 10 minutes after application either. I do wish that you could squeeze at least a few more hours of wear from Parisienne.

Parisienne strikes me as more of a fun casual scent with undertones of sensuality, than something that is ‘sexy’ or for romantic type of wear.

It’s got a somewhat youthful vibe, but not a total teenager’s fragrance. Actually, it probably be a good perfume to have as one moves away from those super candy-like fragrances into something more mature.

Much like, Midnight Romance, I see it as best in warmer weather but possibly not the extremes of summer…spring would be great. One could wear it in colder weather, though, it would kind of seem out of place. Cool to moderate temperatures is ideal.

It is a versatile daytime wear, that can go casual, while being light enough for the office. It’s not really a formal scent or a seductive nightlife fragrance.

Overall Impressions of Parisienne

Overall, is Parisienne worth a look? I’d say yes. However, when comparing it to Midnight Romance, I prefer the Ralph Lauren fragrance to this Yves Saint Laurent. The juicy raspberry note smells better to me than the rose.

If you enjoy rose perfumes, but want something that isn’t a pure rose straight through, this could be a great casual find for you. I like the berry note, at the top, and the violet/rose combination in the dry down is quite a nice floral arrangement.

Parisienne doesn’t blow me away, but it is a very good fragrance nonetheless. There are much better Saint Laurent perfumes than this one. So, it’s not a must have.

It’s not too complex, but is a solid fragrance all around. Performance is pretty middle of the pack, could be better, but not bad enough for any serious complaints.