There’s nothing quite like a splash of perfume to make me feel a little girly. It keeps me grounded as I enter the day or step out in heels at night. To me, perfume is a fine mist of personality. I love wearing it but I’ve been using the same perfume for 15 years. 15 years! Trying different perfumes is far down the priority list (actually, its not even on the list!) so I always fall back on my steady staple. However, I feel ready for a change; I’d love to find a new perfume but it’s hard to know where to start.
My 15-year perfume identity is Red Door by Elizabeth Arden. I still love it, but I’m keen to fnd a new perfume that reflects more of who I am now. Me as a mother, a wife, a woman; all the many things I am, that I’ve become. Does that sound weird? Essentially, a new perfume identity will help me feel a little fresh — you know? A little luxury. A little flounce of femininity. A little bit of personality. A little something for me.
“To me, perfume is a fine mist of personality”
On a recent trip to Thailand, I had the opportunity to interview perfume expert Chandler Burr, Curator of the Centre of Olfactory Art the the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. We were primarily talking about home fragrance, which was fascinating, and I was interested to hear about Chandler’s favourite fine fragrances (to help me get out of this perfume rut). When I asked Chandler where to start when looking for a new fragrance, he said it comes down to these two things:
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Trying different perfumes
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Asking for recommendations from others
Chandler gave me a wonderful list of fragrances and a glimpse into what makes them special. I’m excited to see which brands I can find at my department store. Christmas wish list maybe?
1. Frederic Malle
Frederic Malle: What he does is goes to the best perfumers in the world and says, “I want you to create a perfume that you dream of, and we are going to work on it. Use any amount of money that you want.”
2. Lipstick Rose
Lipstick Rose by Frederic Malle: It’s very fun. It is the smell of rose scented lipstick. It’s absolutely ingenious.
3. L’eau D’Hiver
L’eau D’Hiver by Frederic Malle: This one is beautiful and very subtle. It’s like the smell of the fog in San Francisco, absolute silence, with a very, very faint astringent aspect of the unseen eucalyptus trees. It’s brilliant. It’s absolutely brilliant.
4. Tom Ford Black Orchid
Tom Ford Black Orchid: It’s strong. You just don’t use a lot. Put a little on and wait 10 minutes for it to calm down.
5. Missoni by Missoni
Missoni by Missoni: You will love this! This is a perfume is a hazelnut gnash chocolate, surrounded by fruit floral potpurri and it’s incredible.
5. Pleasures by Estee Lauder
Pleasures by Estee Lauder: It’s brilliant. Absolutely great.
5. Michael Kors Original
Michael Kors Original: It’s a tuberose. It’s absolutely wonderful.
6. Marc Jacobs Original
Marc Jacobs Original: It’s like Michael Kors but it’s more of an invert floral that I think is very well done.
7. Mark Jacobs Lola
Mark Jacobs Lola: This is if you like a fruity floral. It’s more overt. It’s more of a statement.
8. Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana
Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana: It’s teriffic.
Chandler tells me “all of these are easy to wear”. The only potentially difficult one is Tom Ford — Black Orchid. The trick is to only use a very small amount.
34 Comments
Lucy
October 26, 2011 at 6:08 amI wear New West by Cacharal a lot. And O’Fresia by Dipytique a lot too. Both are hard to find, so I stock up when I come across them both. Neither are “fashionable” but they suit me….
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 26, 2011 at 7:54 amDo you wear one for day and one for special occasions?
Lucy
October 26, 2011 at 11:48 amNope – I am totally profligate! Depends on the weather and my mood….
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 27, 2011 at 7:59 amI like that. I like you.
Marina
October 26, 2011 at 7:50 amIn my younger days it was Anais Anais – since having kids I can’t wear most perfumes – it usually triggers an allergic reaction – I moved into essential oils years ago and haven’t looked back. Rose and Cedarwood & Fruity Bergamot and Lemon are my favourites.
I’d love to see you with a range of bottles and the combinations you’d come up with – it’s like being four and “making perfume” out of any shampoo and lotion you can get your hands on LOL!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 26, 2011 at 7:54 amOooo, that sounds lke fun Marina!!
Penny: Sshh Mummys on the Phone
October 26, 2011 at 8:04 amI have a box of perfumes that i use for different occassions. Prada for ultra special occassions. CK Euphoria for work. Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean for casual going out in the summer. Lancome Tresor for casual going out in winter months. Have just realised I have even segmented / time managed my perfumes!!! Blimey – think I need a therapist…..! Although Lagerfield’s Sun Moon Stars is still my favourite. That was my first ‘grown up’ perfume when I was a teenager. I don’t think you can get it anymore. Brings back memories….
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 26, 2011 at 8:12 amThat’s exactly what I would like to do: have different perfumes for different parts of my life, and to refect my mood etc.
BAHAHA! Time managed perfumes… Love it… Penny you’re gold.
Kylie
October 26, 2011 at 8:27 amI think your new signature perfume should be Chanel Allure, it’s just so sophisticated and evoking, you’ll wonder why you didn’t show Elizabeth Arden the door years ago 🙂
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 26, 2011 at 10:36 amI’ll look out for it Kylie!
Tara
October 26, 2011 at 11:06 amI don’t wear perfume…ever! Am I missing something???
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 26, 2011 at 4:06 pmYES! lol. No, I think it’s great not to wear perfume; I know some can’t because of reactions etc. but it can be really fun. Maybe try some and see if you like it!
Christine Sutton
October 26, 2011 at 11:59 amOh My Goodness … You just wrote EXACTLY what I was thinking the other morning when I was getting ready for the day. My hubby bought me Red Door 17 years ago and it really suited me then when I used to wear suits to work and didn’t have any kids to chase and taxi all day!! I was thinking when I put it on the other day I think I need a new perfume – this one doesn’t really suit the mummsy me anymore!! I do really enjoy the pink one though, Red Door Revealed. Love your blog!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 26, 2011 at 4:21 pmI’ll let you know when I find one and you let me know when you do! We might even like the same one by the sounds of it. HA!
Amz aka Nurturing Progress
October 26, 2011 at 1:25 pmSeems like Red Door was the ‘it’ perfume well that and ‘So’ for the teen years (could be speaking for myself there tho) !!!! But I was fortunate enough to have my sister buy me, Chance by Chanel. It is rather sweet and fruity. I wouldn’t have ever picked it for myself, but the funny thing is I like it. I was going to say, it must depend on mood and what I would like to channel. Sweet teen, teacher, mother, orr lady of the night….(lol). I also love the Body Shops, Vanilla. Enjoy the time purchasing something for yourself and channelling the new you 😉 It is nice to feel like a lady 🙂
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 26, 2011 at 4:22 pmI remember So. Ha. I think that is why you have to try things because sometimes it smells different on than it does in the bottle hey… Yes, it’s nice to feel like a lady.
sarah
October 26, 2011 at 1:46 pmI love Pleasures by Estee Lauder.. I do love red door but Ive never worn it.. I wear perfume everyday love smelling purrty! 🙂 x
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 26, 2011 at 4:22 pmMe too!
Maribel
October 26, 2011 at 2:55 pmCK Euphoria for when I am going out or remember to put some perfume on, as an everyday I trust my daily bath lol, too busy mom to think of my feminine side; but also like Pleasures by Estee Lauder. We should keep enjoying our original likes.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 26, 2011 at 4:23 pmI trust my daily bath… haha… love that. I agree about enjoying our original likes. I’ll always have some Red Door handy I think. Hubby loves it too.
Erin
October 27, 2011 at 6:08 amI was never a huge perfume wearer, then in 2005 my husband and I visited a perfumery in France (sounds very posh – it was part of a Contiki tour!). The fragrances there were like nothing I’d ever smelt over here, so I stocked up and am still using them (though for 18 months of that time – pregnancy time – I coudln’t wear any perfume as my sense of smell was so acute). I have to say, there is a massive difference between cheap and more expensive perfumes and it’s well worth it. I don’t know any of the ones on your list except pleasures – and it is divine (I have a few Estee Lauder ones; I quite like them). I definitely have different perfumes for different moods, and as silly as it sounds, different colours. For example, there is one perfume I have that I automatically associate with brown – so when I’m wearing brown, it’s an easy choice! Have fun with your perfume experimentation Kelly 🙂
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 27, 2011 at 7:59 amPerfumery in France does sound posh! HA! So cool. The colours doesn’t sound silly at all. You know, my mum used to do exactly the same. She would wear different perfumes depending on the colour she was wearing. Love that you made me remember that xx
Melissa Smith
October 27, 2011 at 1:30 pmI really like the SLIP INTO from AVON at the moment, it is light but smell so divine
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 28, 2011 at 1:13 pmI haven’t heard of that one. I like light perfumes the best. If it’s too strong, I get a headache.
Katherine Schultz
October 27, 2011 at 8:07 pmI looove wearing perfume..in fact i am know for wearing my perfumes! I have had so many in the past but ‘Pink Sugar’ sold from Sephora in the states is my scent now. Its sweet and girly, and is one of those scents that gets better and more vanilla-ish as the day goes on. Love.
I also love Miss Dior Cherie!
Ah perfume is my weakness!!!
Much love,
K xx
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 28, 2011 at 1:15 pmOoo, I like the sound of Pink Sugar! And that it changes. Will have to look into that… So nice to have you here again Katherine. Missed you. All the best with your exams. x
Patricia
October 28, 2011 at 11:44 amMost of the time i change my perfumes,it depend on what i love to wear for a whole month.Well this is a great post here,quite interesting,Keep it up!!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 28, 2011 at 1:37 pmThanks for your feedback Patricia.
Melissa
October 28, 2011 at 7:08 pmI wear perfume most days, it makes me feel nice 😉
My favourite is Versace Bright Crystal, followed closely by Dreaming by Tommy. Have also gone through stages of wearing Elizabeth Arden Green Tea and Dior Addict 2. I’m not a fan of intense perfumes at all, those ones are all nice (IMO!) 🙂 Hope you find one (or a few…) that you love!!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 30, 2011 at 1:28 pmThanks Melissa! I’m like you: I don’t like intense perfumes so these sound wonderful. My husband wears Tommy for men and I love that…Dreaming sounds lovely!
Seraphimsp
October 29, 2011 at 12:37 pmI love my Coco Mademoiselle Chanel. Like LOVE it. I wept when I accidentally dropped the bottle of it and smashed it, mainly because I had to save for months to buy a new one!
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
October 30, 2011 at 1:27 pmI keep hearing that Coco Mademoiselle is gorgeous. That is one of the top of my list to try. Would have been totally devastating to drop it! I bet the house smelt nice for a while though…Carpet, tiles or wood?
CraftyMummy
November 6, 2011 at 8:39 amI wear Chanel #5 – everyday. I figure why have it if I don’t wear it.
Plus a couple of years ago I realised that I associated a particular perfume with my mum. If I smelt it, I knew it was hers, even though I didn’t know that name of it. She only wore it for special occasions so I associate it with her getting dressed up. I want my kids to associate a perfume with me. I want them to remember me smelling like it all the time even in the “everyday” moments. So I picked a perfume I loved and now I wear it every day.
Aimee
September 19, 2012 at 1:39 pmI love the one from Carolina Herrera. I just forgot the name of the perfume but it smells so good and very heavenly. I feel like an angel with it.