Best Perfumes for Women

Dreams Sunset EDP by Coach

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Coach has revamped its fragrance line up over the past few years. One of its newer offerings, is the Dreams series. Dreams Sunset is the second release and I got a hold of a sample to test out and put through its paces. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it even worth a try?

What does Dreams Sunset Smell Like?

Notes include: pear sorbet, jasmine, tonka bean, bergamot, vanilla, magnolia

Click here to try: Coach Dreams Sunset

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Coach Describes it: Coach Dreams Sunset is inspired by free-spirited adventures, with sunset on the horizon. It combines fresh pear sorbet with sensual notes of jasmine sambac and creamy tonka bean. 

Dreams Sunset opens up with a colder feeling of the bergamot note and the delicious pear sorbet. Even at this early stage, you are going to pick up the vanilla and tonka bean notes, which provide the rich creaminess.

Now, this one does have floral qualities as well. The jasmine and magnolia will come into greater play, as things move along. To my nose, Sunset has a greater amount of the magnolia.

It still has a freshness to it and doesn’t feel overly heavy with the vanilla note, even as it’s got a prominent role in the mix. The bergamot and pear will begin to lessen over the duration of the wear, but they don’t really seem to leave until the end.

However, Sunset Dreams does continue in its vanilla/floral/woody direction. Vanilla/tonka bean with a nice magnolia note and the jasmine playing a supporting role.

There isn’t a huge amount of development with this Coach fragrance. It’s a creamy and a touch powdery blend with floral highlights and the remaining fruity sweetness.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

To me, this one has a moderate projection, very much in line with the original Coach Dreams. As far as performance, I think they’re about identical.

You’re not going to blow out a room with this one, but the sillage is pretty good. It’ll project itself fine off of skin and give you a nice scent bubble.

Sunset lasted on my skin for between 7-8 hours, during testing. It really does have a solid performance overall and there isn’t too much to complain about here.

Seasonally, this one is great in moderate to warmer temperatures. Mainly, as a springtime wear, but it can venture into summer and autumn as well. Probably not the best in the extreme heat or cold, though.

This is an attractive daytime wear, that is safe enough for pretty much anywhere. Not too girly, but younger women can use it. Not too formal or a sexy nightlife beast. But, as an easy to wear, mass appealing perfume?

It’s got plenty of use case.

Overall Impressions of Dreams Sunset

Overall, do I like Dreams Sunset? I do. I think that it is slightly better than the original Dreams, which I thought was pretty good.

The pear sorbet and bergamot notes up top, really help sell it for me. I like how it pairs that initial cold feeling with a nice vanilla and tonka bean blend. A nice balance between sweet and creamy.

The performance, while not top notch, is still quite good. The scent will last around a full workday and doesn’t have a completely weak sillage.

The latter stages are going to be mostly vanilla and the two floral notes. So, if you’re not a fan of that style, you should probably go with something else. It does have a similar vibe to the Good Girl line, mainly Legere, but Dreams Sunset is less floral.

This is a worthwhile try, particularly if you like pear or vanilla based scents. It isn’t a pure play on either note, but you get a good experience with each. Give this one a go, it isn’t groundbreaking, but is a scent that’s easy to like.

Donna Born in Roma by Valentino

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Valentino’s Born in Roma line is their latest successful release. As of now, they’re up to three of each for men and women. I got a sample of the women’s Donna Born in Roma, recently. So, I figured I’d try it out and give my full review of how this scent does. Does it smell good? Is it actually worth a wear?

What does Donna Born in Roma Smell like?

Notes include: jasmine, vanilla, black currant, cashmeran, pink pepper, bergamot, guaiac wood

Click here to try: Born in Roma on Amazon

born in roma review

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Valentino describes it: A couture floriental jasmine trio, twisted with an overdose of woods.

Born in Roma starts off with a nice sweet/tart/juicy fruit blend. I get more of the black currant than I do the citrus bergamot. The black currant note actually doesn’t get as sharp as it usually can, since it is tempered by the pink pepper and jasmine notes.

The black currant is actually great in this composition. It really adds a playful dynamic to the jasmine dominance that increases during the first half of the wear.

Even with this early fruitiness, you’re still going to start smelling where this is going with the floral, woods, and vanilla all already playing a role.

A few minutes in, I’m already getting a lot of jasmine out of Born in Roma. At this stage, it’s a pretty basic sweet white floral perfume with some very light spiciness.

There isn’t a ton of development with this Valentino. For me, the dry down is jasmine and vanilla sitting on a woody base. It’s well blended and the individual wood notes, don’t even stand out to me…just an impression.

One difference is, that the jasmine doesn’t completely dominate the second half. It’s still the main note, but that blend keeps it from going overboard.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this is a lighter moderate scent. It’s got some nice power up top, but that’s pretty short-lived, and it’ll be a nice little scent bubble thereafter. Wasn’t a complete skin scent for me, but not a beast.

The longevity was actually good, even without the huge projection. It seems to go for somewhere in the 7-8 hour range. Not a marathon wear, but you should be able to squeeze a full workday out of it.

Seasonally, Donna Born in Roma can pretty much work year round. I would probably avoid the extreme cold and extreme heat, but outside of that, you’re basically good to go.

The age range probably skews more youthful, but it isn’t a purely teenagers’ fragrance. High school girls could wear it, but it’ll probably be mostly for women in their 20s and 30s.

The versatility is its greatest strength. Lots of people are going to like it and should gather compliments fairly easily. Daytime wear for most occasions, office or school safe, and could even venture into the night…if needed.

More of a pretty and playful sort of perfume than anything that screams ‘sexy’.

Overall Impressions of Donna Born in Roma

Do I like Born in Roma? Yes, this is a very nice perfume. If you want a versatile and all around crowd pleaser, this is a scent that you should look into.

If you don’t like jasmine, it might not be. But again, it’s not a pure dominant jasmine wear, either.

The opening act is nice, with those fruity notes up top. The sweetness will stick around for a long while, even as the perfume begins its shift. The vanilla adds a nice touch to the mix, but doesn’t bog down this Valentino.

It’s actually a pretty simple dry down, but it is still attractive and keeps my attention.

Performance is decent, but not amazing. Extremely easy to wear and safe, but doesn’t ever feel like a boring fragrance. For me, it’s a strong like. I don’t absolutely love it, but this would be great on a lot of women.

Alien Goddess EDP by Mugler

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Alien Goddess is a 2021 release from Mugler’s long running Alien line of perfumes for women. I got a sample of this from a bundle of various scents and have been giving it a try, as of late. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth getting?

What does Alien Goddess Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, coconut water, jasmine, vanilla, heliotrope, cashmeran wood

Click here to try: Alien Goddess at Macy’s

alien goddess review

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Mugler describes Goddess: At a time when people seek light in the darkness, a solar goddess is paving the way to a miraculous but true destiny.

In perfect harmony with body and soul, she is ready to magnify the world around her with glory, generosity and benevolence.

Bringing her life-giving power and beauty to a barren planet with her golden flower as a healing gift to the world and universal call to all women.

Goddess opens up with it’s watery coconut aroma that is paired with jasmine and the initial burst of the Bourbon vanilla. The bergamot citrus is pretty darn light here, in comparison with the rest of the composition.

It is a bright, sweet, and creamy concoction. Very much in the same sort of lotion-y floral design as something like, Soleil Blanc by Tom Ford (maybe, eau de Soleil?). Though, these aren’t the same as one another at all, just that kind of style.

The fragrance is light and the floral notes will begin to take center stage, as we move on. Vanilla and the coconut will stay, but mainly as background players. Jasmine and heliotrope sort of split duties here, though I’d say jasmine is a tad stronger.

However, the dry down heliotrope adds more of a powdery aroma versus that initial creaminess.

The final phase will be jasmine, vanilla, and the cashmeran wood. It’s all coming together like a total summertime beachy wear. Not overly tropical, but for sure something to spray on during a warm day.

The coconut not does linger around when it’s sprayed on clothing, more so than it does on my skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, it’s in the moderate camp. Not a monster like many other Mugler scents, especially from the Alien line, but it isn’t a skin scent for me either.

It’ll stick around in the 4-6 foot range for much of the wear and it does leave a decent scent trail. I guess in comparison to other Mugler perfumes this is ‘weak’, but compared to other scents on the market, it definitely isn’t.

I actually get a very good longevity on my skin with Goddess. It fell somewhere in the 8-9 range. Which, is pretty darn good, just not elite.

On clothing, this one stayed on a t-shirt for a long time after application. The performance is solid, it just never screams for attention.

Seasonally, this is spring through summer mostly. Though, it wouldn’t be out of place on a warmer autumn day.

Alien Goddess isn’t a formal fragrance or a sexy club scent. More casual or a daily wear. It’s not going to blow the doors off with its power, with normal application. So, it’s pretty safe to wear in many situations.

Overall Impressions of Alien Goddess

Overall, do I like Alien Goddess? Yes, I think that it’s a nice spring and summer perfume. It’s a nice and different take on the Alien name.

Is it absolutely amazing? No, but it’s certainly above average and solid all around. Goddess just isn’t quite as loud as other Mugler scents can be. But, it still delivers a good performance and a great smell.

I like the mix of the coconut, vanilla, and particularly the heliotrope. Goddess gives you bursts of creaminess and a powdery finish. Not too complex, but it is bright, beach, and a fun experience overall.

Very much in the same vein as fragrances like Bronze, Soleil Blanc, and Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder. Not an exact replica of any, but they all fit within this summertime creamy/beachy category.

I kind of wish that Alien Goddess had a stronger use of the bergamot up top, than it actually does. Aside from that, I don’t have many complaints about how it smells.

I like that it has a sweet quality to it, but not overly sugary and enough of a floral presence to keep it interesting…not devolving into pure vanilla and coconut. It’s worth a shot, if this sort of perfume sounds intriguing to you. Though, it isn’t a must have for most folks.

7 Best Smelling Donna Karan DKNY Perfumes

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Donna Karan became a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world during the 1980s. Towards the end of the decade, she introduced the DKNY brand which provided a more affordable fashion and accessories line to the masses. Among the fashion houses many achievements are the lineup of fragrances for women.

The seven perfumes listed below are among the very best by Donna Karan and as always I have linked them out to where they can be purchased at a good price online.

What are the Best Donna Karan DKNY Perfumes for Women?

Most Popular DKNY

Dkny Be Delicious By Donna Karan For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4-Ounce Bottle– This Donna Karan perfume is a very enjoyable sensory experience. It has a rich fruity and floral profile that gives off a playful and seductive energy throughout the day.

Be Delicious opens up with its dominant apple note, along with, grapefruit and cucumber.

It is fresh, cool, and crisp from the start. The dry down is less tart and juicy, with the floral notes and some sandalwood coming through. Easy to wear and pleasant all around. Notes include: apple, violet, grapefruit, cucumber and more.

Light and Energetic for Summer

Donna Karan Nectar Love Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce– Nectar Love gives you a different sort of wear for the summertime.

Yes, you get the usual fruitiness for much of the development, particularly in the opening. However, you also get a bright and upbeat aroma full of honey and beeswax.

This one is very sweet, but also very light and playful. This is an easy to wear perfume that won’t overpower but will have one feeling attractive during the day or the evening. Nectarine with citrus, with a variety of delicate floral touches, throughout.

A Lighter Apple Floral

Be Delicious Fresh Blossom– This Be Delicious flanker is a simple one, but a perfume that is easy to wear and can be a great low key daily wear scent. Won’t provide a huge sillage.

The apple is more crisp and sheer in this one, with a delightful grapefruit note coming in as support. Cassis and apricot round out the fruity lineup. Fresh Blossom is closer to the original in terms of how it smells.

However, it does separate itself with more of a jasmine and rose influence in the dry down. Plus, the whole citrus element up top. It’s a spring and summer wear, Fresh Blossom does seem to have a bit of a aquatic aroma to it, but not overwhelming.

Vanilla, Floral, and Amber

Cashmere Mist By Donna Karan For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4-Ounces– Cashmere Mist is a bit more understated and refined than is Be Delicious. It’s a great casual fragrance that is light and clean, with floral notes and a hint of vanilla.

Cashmere Mist EDP gives you a warm opening where the vanilla begins to waft through the composition. What’s noticeable, is the embrace of the amber note, with a smooth and familiar suede note.

Further along, it becomes a lighter floral with jasmine and lily, sitting among the musk. This is all on top of a base of sandalwood. Not too heavy of a fragrance, but one that is an excellent choice for a daily wear.

The Apple Alternative

Donna Karan Be Delicious Eau So Intense Women Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– A different take on the Be Delicious concept. This one has more of a spiciness to it while still remaining clean, warm, and feminine. Still has the apple and grapefruit notes along with rose, lily of the valley and sandalwood.

Eau So Intense opens with that same apple note, paired with a bit of grapefruit, and a floral accord led by magnolia. It’s fresh and not as sweet but has a somewhat sour scent, as the original, but with a bolder sillage and performance overall.

Still, this one dries down more moderate, than intense. The apple is the star but violet, magnolia, and lily help to mix things up and give it appeal.

Best Newer Perfume

Be Extra Delicious– Be Extra Delicious is a nice change of pace, while still sticking to the theme of the line. With this perfume, you’ll be getting more pear than apple. Fresh, sugary, with a slight watery element provided by the freesia note.

The apple note smells like its still there, but it’s more of a general fruitiness joined by caramel and the aforementioned pear note. It’s upbeat and sparkling with a warm gourmand heart.

Gardenia and freesia give this one its floral touches. However, it is much more about the fruit notes and caramel. Definitely a sweet one, dessert quality, if that’s your thing.

Herbal Verbena and Peony

Donna Karan pureDKNY Verbena, 100ml/3.4 oz.– Not an overwhelming scent, rather, a citrus blend that is subtle and memorable. A good addition for the late spring and summer months.

Lemon verbena is the star of the show, giving you that gorgeous citrus aroma, that so often gets paired with other floral notes. Here it is going to be peony, mainly. However, pureDKNY Verbena, has a very interesting addition of seaweed as an ingredient.

This sits underneath to provide the perfume with an intriguing scent, but the basil comes into to play off the verbena. Greenish herbal spice. This one is really fresh and gives women a rather unique option, while still maintaining a sense that it’s been done before.

5 Best Sarah Jessica Parker Perfumes

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Sarah Jessica Parker has been a well known actress for decades now. She also happens to have her own line of fragrances for women, which have become quite successful in their own right. These scents are not the expensive design fair that price many people out of the perfume market. SJP’s scents are affordable, wearable, and are quite attractive as a whole.

What are the Top SJP Perfumes?

Best Seller

Lovely– The most popular of the perfumes by Sarah Jessica Parker. It is a mature and moderate scent with notes of musk and apple martini as its main attraction. A great all-around fragrance for everyday wear that is elegant and refined.

It opens up with mostly musk and lavender. This is paired with the apple, mandarin orange, and a nice orchid note. Musk is prevalent throughout, but the patchouli, grows in strength later on. Finally, it’s floral/musky with smooth woods and lavender.

The fragrance is affordable and has good performance, I found it to stick around for 6-7 hours during my testing of it. Does indeed smell similar to Narciso Rodriguez EDP, but a notch below in terms of quality. Lovely Full Review

lovely perfume parker

Fruity Summer Perfume

SJP NYC– Notes of rose, mandarin, honeysuckle, strawberry, rum, and more. SJP NYC is a sweet, fruity, and fun fragrance for those warm days of the year. It is bright, cheerful, and not an overbearing affair. Delicious scent.

NYC starts off with the sweetness pretty strong, for the first hour or so. Strawberry is the main attraction. Then, it will shift to have a more noticeable floral profile, with rum and musky undertones.

The strawberry sticks around, but it isn’t nearly as strong as it once was. Good amount of honeysuckle, which is a plus, if you dig that ingredient.

sjp

Uplifting Lovely

Lovely Sheer– The best of the flanker fragrances from the Lovely perfume lineup. Actually pretty similar to the original, but with its own distinct differences.

Up top, you’re going to get more citrus notes and for a longer lasting time, then with the original Lovely. The apple martini is gone. White floral notes like gardenia and orange blossom are in and to a greater degree.

It has a more energetic feel and the opening is fairly sharp until it settles down. The dry down is clean and musky, but the floral and citrus notes hang around for a long while. Not a massive sillage (sheer), but the longevity is actually great for this price point.

best jessica parker scent

Refreshing Floral Scent

Dawn– Dawn is a very clean floral fragrance with underlying notes of citrus. It’s mostly a soft violet influenced fragrance that is refreshing and crisp. This is a good floral, that is sometimes dewy, and then has a powdery finish.

Underneath the floral and musk notes, this does have a somewhat watery feeling. Orchid and violet leaf, can produce that sort of aroma, in a fragrance.

This is a great subtle daily wear, if you can find a bottle. I think that it’s been discontinued, but bottles, can be picked up online still.

dawn

Woody Gourmand

Covet– Chocolate note with lemon and some florals give Covet a darker and richer mood. The scent has some woodsy notes as well, which help to take the sharpness of the lemon away, and leave something that is smooth and unique.

The opening act can be quite a zesty experience, though, the lavender will prevent it from going too far. But, different people’s skin, will lead to differing effects. The drydown is the highlight of Covet.

This SJP fragrance, becomes creamy and have a luscious almost dessert-like quality. Not super sweet, but the chocolate/lemon pairing with the woods and musk highlights gives you some beautiful moments.

covet