Do you have a signature scent? I remember having this conversation while visiting our good friends in Chicago a couple years ago. Kim wears Clinique Happy--which couldn't be more her--and I smiled remembering stealing a spritz of my mom's when I was in high school. In between douses of Love Spell, of course...if you know, you know. It wasn't until college that I bought my first real bottle of perfume. Vera Wang Princess. I was determined to make it my signature scent by simply wearing it every day but, the truth is, it never felt like me. I went years without wearing any perfume at all and then Chris bought me a bottle of Carolina Herrera 212 VIP Rosé. I wore it until the whole bottle was gone because I liked smelling good...but it never fit me either. Twice! over the years, my sister Victoria was staying with us and I complimented her scent--it was more masculine and earthy. Once it was Tom Ford Black Orchid and a few years later Oddity--and BOTH times, she left behind the bottle for me to finish off. And I did happily. I'm 35 years old and I don't have a signature scent, but this is the year I'm on a mission to discover what I love and what works on me and wear it not simply because I have it, but because I want the scent to be connected to me.
When I was sharing my 2021 project perfume with our team, I was so touched by their stories of finding a fragrance that I asked them to share with all of you! And I'd love to hear if you have a signature scent in the comments below!
"My signature fragrance literally showed up at my door. A month before, I had been taken to the fragrance counter at Dillard's by my bestie who wanted to treat me to new perfume for my 33rd birthday. I spritzed on all of my favorite commercials: Keira Knightly in Coco Mademoiselle, Liv Tyler in Givenchy Very Irresistible,Taylor Hill in Ralph Lauren Romance. (I could go on...) That day I ultimately landed on Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. It was the peak of summer and its notes of apple, rose, jasmine, and musk felt like the perfect every day perfume. I donned it the next day, and the day after and so on but it wasn't like a thing. I knew I was sporting a new fragrance, but let's just say no one else noticed. Enter: Lancome La Vie est Belle. A friend showed up at my door out of the blue with a bag of lotions and perfumes from her sister who worked for Nordstrom. "One of their stores is closing. I already have so much product at my house. Take these!" Underneath a layer of Dior samples, was a full size bottle of Lancome La Vie est Belle. I sprayed it on and it felt so me. But what followed I would have never expected! My husband immediately asked what I was wearing. The next morning he asked again and his hug was even tighter. At work I was either being asked what I was wearing, or being told I smelled good! Even little David's daycare teacher mentioned it when I signed him out. I was convinced: this is my scent. You can go looking for your scent, but just be open if it comes knocking at your door!" -Andrea Ahedo, Visual Media Producer
"I opened a Christmas gift from my husband, Tristan, and it was the cutest perfume roller set. I’m not gonna lie, I was a little scared to open it. Perfume almost feels like a first impression. It’s something I have always been so picky about. While I was opening it up, he told the story of how he went to Ulta to pick it out and was completely lost (not off to a great start haha) but oh my did he do gooood. I don’t think I could have picked a better perfume myself. It’s Carolina Herrera Good Girl. The scents have notes of tonka bean and jasmine in them. They’re feminine, but not in a fruity way. It feels like me." -Brooke Knuth, Social Media Manager
"When it comes to my appearance I like what I wear to reflect my personality, and my signature scent is no different. I've never been much of a perfume-wearer, but this year I made the realization that there's really no better compliment to receive than "you smell so nice," and I wanted that for me. High-end fragrances are a little intimidating to me because I love to keep things minimal, simple, and if I can, as natural as possible, and I wasn't quite ready to invest in a scent. One day while browsing the isles of Target, I came across a whole line of fragrances with essential oils (my kind of thing), which also happened to be vegan and cruelty free. Cheers to incredible ethically conscience brands. I fell in love with Good Chemistry's eclectic branding and design, and immediately started perusing all of the yummy scents, but I knew once I got a whiff of the Queen Bee fragrance, it was made for me. The notes of black currant, peony, and amber, felt every bit of feminine, whimsical, and grounding, and we've been the perfect pair ever since." -Missy Dorius, Visual Media Assistant
"As someone who owns over 50 fragrances, I don’t have a singular signature scent, I actually have a few hundred. I’m only kidding, however, I love to experiment with layering fragrances, so my signature scent is always evolving and the combinations are endless. I usually layer a simple fragrance (think Acqua Di Giò by Giorgio Armani) with a more complex one (such as Spicebomb by Viktor & Rolf). You start to learn more about fragrances the more you wear them and start to understand which ones layer better, etc. I highly recommend that with any fragrance, that you “try before you buy.” One of my favorite fragrances was discovered from a Birchbox sample. I had never heard of the brand before and a full size bottle was $165. I used the sample everyday for a few weeks and knew it was an investment I wanted to make. I loved it so much, I even named my dog Odin because of it. " -Derek Cooper, Creative Director, Propertee
"Last year, as a Valentine's Day gift for my partner, Helen, I took her to Molly Ray Fragrance Lab in Seattle to design her own bespoke fragrance. Molly was classically trained in France and took us on an olfactory journey through top notes, heart notes, and base notes, taking in each tiny vial with our eyes closed. It was just the three of us, and before we knew what we were smelling, we were asked to write down memories, travel, people, and seasons that the different notes brought up for us. Helen wrote down "spring cleaning" next to her favorite top note — which turned out to be Bergamot! We sampled five heart notes, and she put a star next to "fancy outdoorsy date," which turned out to be Rose. Of all of the base notes, White Musk was her favorite. She noted, "So fresh and so clean." I was a special fan of Pink Pepper as a top note — it smelled like a winter day outdoors to me. And I loved Jasmine in the heart notes (so cozy and sexy) and Vanilla as a base note (warm, round). We talked and laughed and shared memories for almost two hours! At the end of our fragrance workshop, Molly bottled Helen's signature scent, and recorded the recipe (in milliliters) to keep on file for refills. A year later, she might finally be ready for one! Though, maybe this year, we'll bottle a signature scent for me, too :)" -Victoria Bradley, Brand Manager
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My signature scent is Diptyque L'Eau des Sens. I ordered some candles as gifts and received a sample of the perfume. I've been hooked since! Highly recommend!
LaVanila ...Vanilla grapefruit. I have used it for years and I get tons of compliments. It’s clean and fresh and I’m allergic to most perfumes but this one is just awesome. It’s considered the healthy fragrance and free from harsh chemicals. Once in awhile I change it up to their pure vanilla or coconut vanilla. But vanilla grapefruit is my go to.
I highly recommend checking out the Frederic Malle perfumes. They are incredibly luxurious and artfully done. Once you go Frederic Malle, honestly you don't need anything else. The New York Times and Vanity Fair have both written extensive profiles about the brand, which lets perfumiers run wild with scents without the constraints of commercial markets and budgets. So they are expensive, but they are also incredible glimpses into the creative minds of their makers. I love "Dans tes bras" and "L'eau d'hiver", though "Carnal Flower" is one of their best sellers for a reason. Skip the department store brands... you won't regret it. (Tip: third party perfume sites sell tiny tiny vials for you to trial the scent before you commit to the larger size. )
I want a signature scent now more than ever. Since I am 'scent sensitive' I have not found it. Reading each one's comments and stories has been so interesting, inspiring, and lovely! My mother wears several different scents but all sell lovely on her. My aunt has worn Chanel 5 all my life and still does...its her scent. I had a boyfriend in high school & college who wore Polo by Ralph Lauren and to this day, I cannot stand the scent! LOL!
Very much enjoyed this topic Julia. Does Chris have a signature cologne/scent?
Le Labo scents seem so unique and memorable upon the first smell, I was so drawn to santal 33 about 8 years ago, and continues to be one of my favorites. Sample packs of their signature/popular scents are a great way to check them out as a reasonable price!
I went on an epic, self-funded, European tour in my mid-20's. I was determined to buy only meaningful souvenirs for myself. When in France, I toured the Fragonard Parfumeur, learning all about scents and body chemistry. I brought home their Miranda. Shortly after, I met my now-husband while wearing that perfume. I no longer wear it every day, but on special occasions I wear & it brings back special memories of my trip and our early days together.
I have also visited the Fragonard Parfumeur, and this story is lovely!
I worked at Starbucks in my early twenties, the closing shift. After the store closed, my co-workers and I liked to go out for a drink but we hated that we smelled like Starbucks at 11pm! Lol. One night after the store closed, a coworker sprayed on Chance by Chanel and I FELL IN LOVE with the scent right away! I asked if I could put some on too and I could not stop smelling my wrist all night. I even loved it the next day when I woke up and could still smell it on my skin. My boyfriend at the time bought me a bottle for Christmas. Its been my scent ever since! I'm 38 now.
Personally I am Chanel Chance and have been for going on 15 years or so now. But in the summer sometimes I like to do CLEAN rain. If you are on a search, I think Sephora's samplers are a great place to start - you can get a bunch of samples and some kits have a coupon for a full size of your favorite. At the very least it helps you narrow in on notes/profiles you like best to narrow your search!
I have been wearing Chanel no. 19 since 7th grade! But recently I bought my 8th grade daughter a few perfume rollers from Henry Rose and the scents are lovely and all natural without all the toxins in most perfumes. I highly recommend!
My partner wears a scent called Classic Petal (in lotion) form by Lolia. It's so HER and I have only positive associations with it. BUT! I notice MOST perfume wearers have become nose blind to what they wear and they pump on too much and its overwhelming and also makes my allergies go haywire. Go to a nice concert where all the women are dressed up and wearing their scent and you won't be able to breathe. More than one special event has been ruined for me by people who over do their scent (men and women). Did you all discuss that? Some even famous scents have truly toxic additives in them that really do cause problems for people around them. To me, the signature scent works best when you only smell it barely when you lean in to hug that person, NOT when it floats like a cloud 5 feet around them. Can you please address nose blindness and consideration for others?
Yes! Couldn't agree more Susan. I have severe allergies, and I personally don't wear perfume. I agree that strong perfume has on more than one occasion ruined an evening for me.
Tom Ford Ombré Leather!!! Makes me feel beautiful! Light florals have always been my favorite but there is something special about this fragrance.
I’ve had flowerbomb ever since it came out. Kids won’t allow me to change cause apparently it smells like mom. Bf loves it and I get compliments from people all the time on it... so yes, I guess I do have a signature smell ☺️
Julia... You check out St Rose... https://www.st-rose.com/
clean fragrance and beautiful crafted, thank me later! But the trail pack to figure your fav!
I’ve been wearing coco mademoiselle by Chanel for 11 years!!!!! Randomly bought it at an airport perfume store when leaving France because we thought we had to spend our extra euros. ????????????????
I've never had a signature scent, either, but in 2018 my husband and I took an anniversary trip to France and while in Paris I decided I was an adult and needed a scent. The moment I walked into Officine Universelle Buly 1803, I felt transported. It's a water-based perfume that adapts to a person's individual scent, so it "reads" differently on every person. I found my perfect scent there, but was swayed by my husband to get a different one. Forever regret that decision. I had every intention to travel to Paris again in 2020, but... we all know what happened. Hoping that 2022 is my year, and I'm absolutely coming back with the correct scent!!
https://www.buly1803.com/
Anything by Le Labo! I wear santal 33 (and did long before everyone else did--going on 8 years now) and alternate with Thé Noir 29
My mom has had a signature scent (Paloma Picasso) and a signature sound (tinkling bangle bracelets) for 40+ years. She tried to change her perfume when I was little and I cried the first time I smelled her. Scent memory/association is just so strong.
I love tocca scents, right now my favorite for winter is stella. And the bottles are beautiful:)
Coco Mademoiselle is definitely my signature scent! I get compliments on it all the time.
Ralph Lauren’s Romance was my jam for years. Then I wore Flowerbomb when it was all the rage but got sick of it quickly. Then switched to La Vie est belle for a few years now and love that one! I wear one of the Chanel’s on casual days but not all the time.
I’m sensitive and particular to a lot of scents, and with personal and home fragrance tend to gravitate to sweet and smoky, vanilla bourbon tobacco types of scents.
I love “vanilla woods” by “The Seven Virtues”, and in the winter I like to occasionally wear Replica’s “By the Fireplace” (although sometimes I worry it’s too literal and obvious!). A past colleague had a great scent that I wish I could remember. I have a feeling it might be YSL Black Opium. Let us know what you pick!
What a cute idea to take a friend to a fragrance counter to pick out a perfume! Stealing that! I love Tocca’s Cleopatra as well as Bobbi Brown Beach in the summer.
My Mum always wore "Youth Dew" by Estee Lauder and everytime I smell it I think of her. I find I "taste" the perfume, especially very intense blends and it does not taste like it smells lol so I used to wear "Coco" by Chanel which I love, but now I am on the hunt for something that is more an essential oil that does not convert to a bitter taste in my mouth. I'm a bit weird I guess :)
I geeked seeing your post topic here because perfume was a couple years long sensory hobby for me. I'd buy samples from interesting perfume retailers, had a notebook to record my initial and long term impression, and read perfume blogs. After my first pregnancy I became increasingly sensitive to chemical fragrances and had to stop (still am, and kinda miss it tbh).
For me, the idea of a signature fragrance was way too restrictive. I did discover through very pleasurable trial and error what notes and lines I most enjoyed. My tastes run slightly masculine, never sweet unless it's grown up vanilla which is wonderful. Give me all the notes of lime, bergamot, hay, tobacco, salt, most woods, black tea, and like I said vanilla. After a while I definitely had 3-4 I gravitated to in each season (warm or cold). I'm going to have to list some favorites now!
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille - probably my holy grail all around
Demeter Hay - fave everyday and I still can tolerate it
By Killian Straight To Heaven -smells like the piney seacoast IMO
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess - way more complex and subtle than the name suggests
Annick Goutal Eau de Camille - realistic honeysuckle bush, leaves & flowers
Diptyque Philoskyos - realistic fig plant
PS Oh man, my high school boyfriend looooved Love Spell on me (fragranced lotion bc perfume was too grown up lol) I always thought it was aptly named bahahaha.
Allure by Chanel for as long as I can remember. ❤️
Anything Jo Malone! But especially basil & neroli right now. A touch spicy and a touch floral. It smells wonderful on and subtle. Wild fig & cassis is another favorite when I want a bit more punch. Bonus - her fragrances layer wonderfully with one another. The line up is not intimidating at all. I’m not much of a perfume wearer as I don’t usually like the hit it comes with but Jo Malone fragrances are just enough and often unisex so not overly feminine or floral.
Love Spell!! ???? I laughed soooo hard when I read that. Remember the glass flower stem bottles??! Also, developing a bit of a crush on your sister Victoria. Leaving you her own perfume bottles, arranging EXTREMELY thoughtful, creative, sentimental birthday dates for her lady? I mean, c’mon now. She’s a catch. ????
I have warn Cabotine for decades and still receive compliments. My son had been based overseas and was being deployed for a 2nd time. My daughter-in-law was pregnant and as luck would have it, that was the year the Army extended deployments from 12 months to 15 months. My dil returned to the states to live with her parents for support during the deployment, lucky for me that was only 450 miles away. My first grandchild was born, and even though I had been laid off a year prior due to the recession, nothing was going to stop me from seeing him. I flew down every month and just before I would hold him, I sprayed some Cabotine on. I wanted him to connect my touch to me, his Nonna, even if it was for only a few days a month.
I have been wearing Calandre by paco rabanne for 42 years. I love it because it's not too overwhelming. Unfortunately, I don't wear it as much as I would like as it seems many of my friends are asthmatic or very sensitive to scents.
Most perfumes give me a headache, so I went on the hunt this year to find something that was lovely, not super sweet or floral, and would be a sustainable product.
I landed on Henry Rose, ordered their sampler set of five, and then figured out that Jake's House was the perfect sent for me. Highly recommend.
Ange ou Demon le Secret by Givenchy is the one my kids would recognize, but I am also loving Kim Kardasians Crystal Gardenia.
I wish I could wear fragrances, I used to be able to but almost overnight I developed a sensitivity to them. Please enjoy them but on behalf of all who have a sensitivity (and for me it can be as severe as a migraine) don't over do it. Thanks.
Julia, I think you might like the brand Jo Malone! They have a whole counter at my Nordstrom. Their Wood Sage & Sea Salt scent is great, and you can buy smaller bottles and layer them.
Love this! As someone with allergies and migraines, perfume is so so hard. I read a Strategist article about Maria Sharapova’s fav things and on a whim ordered the Maison Louis Marie
No.04 Bois de Balincourt Perfume Oil and it is so good. I got a ton of compliments right away. A friend then bought it and her son told her she smelled like his aunt who lives across the country. They visited and sure enough that is what she wears too! Anyway, it’s a lovely clean and feminine scent (Maria says like a forest but I don’t get that at all). Highly rec, esp if perfume gives you a headache or makes you sneeze. It’s a roll on oil too. Jo Malone is boo’d too (but I still get headaches).
*lovely
I wore Lauren, by Ralph Lauren for years. It was my first real perfume in High School. The. I moved to Ester’ Lauder’s Beautiful for a while and now I wear Clinique Happy. I’ve been wearing it for years. It’s light and clean and a little fruity and it does make me Happy. Happy now comes in other variations and my best friend worked for Clinique for year and she got me a sample pack of those and I’ll spritz one of them from time to time but I still just live the original so much.
I’ve found that I am just not drawn to department store perfumes like I used to be. I was obsessed with the latest celebrity perfumes that now all smell the same to me. I am a self proclaimed perfume addict and I have been on the hunt for a while now. I love the house stuff but I would love to hear a follow up if you ever do find your signature scent! Maybe there just isn’t enough Bespoke Fragrance places out there!
I have two favorites depending on the season.
Fall and Winter: Hermes Ambre Narguile
Spring and Summer: La Prairie Eau de Soin Cellulaire Energisante
These have been my favorites for many years.
I’ve been wearing Replica - Whispers In The Library for a few years now though I like others just to change it up, but I always come back to it and it’s one of my husband’s favorites. It’s cozy, with a hint of spice. Great for these darker months. They have some great scents...I also adore Under the Lemon Tree when it’s summertime.
Yes! The Glossier fragrance, You is so divine. Perfect for daily wearing and date night.
I found my signature scent about 12 years ago - Bulgari au the blanc. But then my (male) boss decided he also liked it (it’s meant to be gender neutral) and he started wearing it. I thought it was so strange to smell the same as my male boss at work, so I stopped wearing it. Now I’ve been on the hunt for a substitute... at least until one of us finds a new job.
This is so funny (and yeah, I would probably also stop wearing it in your position)!
Santal Carmin Atelier Cologne
Juliette Has a Gun's Not a Perfume. Sorta spendy but worth it.
I could never have one scent but I have a few I can never let go of. Once I set foot in Jo Malone for the first time I found a few scents in two categories: lightweight summer scents and spicy woodsy, winter scents. In the summer it's Orange Blossom, Blackberry and Bay. My winter scents are English Oak and Hazelnut and Dark Amber & Ginger Lily Cologne Intense.
I guess that's four signature scents but I couldn't live without them.
Also, buying perfume as a souvenir in a new city and wearing it right away is so much fun. I got Le Labo Santal 33 in Paris and whenever I put it on, I'm right back there.
Tom Ford Jasmine Rouge. Nothing ever smelled better on me and I always receive compliments on it.
I really like a fragrance called Amazing Grace. I use it in a lotion, so it's not overwhelming or too strong. Just light and clean and wonderful.
I tend to use one fragrance for years, then my body chemistry changes and I stop for a year, then poke about until I find another fragrance, or it falls into my lap. I used to use Happy all the time, then stopped until I found Amazing Grace in the ladies room at Nordstrom's, where a bottle was on the counter by the sink. I tried it and fell in love.
Years ago I was working a temporary job and overheard one of the permanent staff saying to my supervisor "the new girl smells good!" Haha. That was a victoria's secret scent that has been discontinued and was better suited for someone in her early 20s anyway.
I sampled Kerzon's Kerose multiple times and loooooved it, finally splurged on it, wore it a few times during the first trimester of pregnancy ... and now (almost a year later) don't really like it. It seems to evoke that heavy, nauseous, tired feeling, and the base notes feel way too intense. I'm so bummed because I only wore it a few times!
Recently I bought a sample pack of three mini perfumes from Toccca. It helped me realize I enjoy playing with scent and trying new ones more than having one go to option. So I think I'll keep picking up sample and travel size options and if I happen across one that I love more than trying new ones, it will be a happy accident!
Enjoying the Ombré scent from Madewell. Give it a try!
SHE by Armani. I have worn this scent for years and get complimented on it frequently. Once standing in line at a Chocolatier, the owner mentioned that someone smelled really nice. When it was my turn to pick my chocolates, she said "it's you, what are you wearing because it smells incredible". Best compliment ever! It is not as readily available like it once was, but it can still be purchased online. I believe it is one of those scents that smells different on everyone but for some reason it works on me. It is subtle and not necessarily noticeable by the wearer but others love it.
Jo Malone , honeysuckle davana. I sometimes mix it with fresia . I love that you can create your signature scent. It last all day long . It’s on the pricier side for me. But worth every penny.
I discovered my signature scent actually on someone else. I was out getting drinks with some friends and I could not get over how good our waitress smelled! Every time she walked by or came to our table it was all I could think about. It might have been the drinks but I eventually mustered up the courage to ask what perfume she was wearing- Kiehl’s Original Musk! I’ve been wearing it for years and can’t recommend it highly enough. A warm and sensual scent that lasts and is made for both men and women!
I’ve always loved smoky-sweet scents (think Flower by Kenzo or Prada Candy) and realised that the mix of Amber and Benzoin is what gets me! The site Fragrantica has been so great at helping me figure out what I like.
Also, when I went to Egypt a couple of years ago, I ended up buying oils from a local nomadic family. They sat me down for over an hour, asking me to close my eyes and smell this and that and after that presented me with a bottle and said “this is your perfect scent”. And they were spot on!! I absolutely love the smell and am already freaking out about what I’m going to do when the bottle is finished!
I’ve worn and adored Vetiver by Guerlain for years. It’s a man’s cologne that just hits all right buttons for me: high citrus notes and low woodsy vetiver notes. Nothing sweet or cloying. I buy it at Parfumelle in TX. Definitely my signature scent.
I bought a small rollerball of D&G’s Light Blue for a trip to Kyoto last year. Big mistake! It was so LOUD that I swear Japanese people actually walked away from me indoors and outdoors. Worse than if I hadn’t showered all week. I had to give the rest of it to my mother, who once wore equally assertive Estée Lauder Youth Dew, when I returned.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian baccarat 540 is the one for me. If you don’t wash your clothes, the perfume stays on them forever. It is a mesmerizing scent.
Is it possible to have a scent by season? In the spring and summer, Gucci Bloom smells amazing, light and floral. But it feels out of place in the winter, and I find myself reaching for it less often. I know when the temps start rising and plants begin to green, though, I’ll be right back on it.
I don’t know that I have a signature scent as an adult ( though I own and love Jo Malone’s English Pear and Freesia). But in high school I wore Tea Rose religiously and in college I alternated between VS Rapture and Jessica McClintock (my husband still associates rose with me). I would def sample Jo Malone’s scents-she has so many good ones!! Good luck!!
I had a fragrance in college that I looooved! But they discontinued it, to this day my husband still looks for it hoping they will bring it back- it's the scent I was wearing when we fell in love and it brings back so many old special memories!
My signature scent is Creed Aventus. This brand has some of the highest quality fragrances I’ve seen and the company been around for 250+ years. Check them out in Salt Lake City at Nordstrom Fashion Place!
I love the “Rosas Frescas” perfume by CoquiCoqui, a small artisanal perfumery based in Mexico. They do sell through their webpage in the US. While traveling through the Yucatán Peninsula with my husband a few Hess ago we ended up in their Perfumería store in Valladolid. Ended up spending a night in their SPA hotel and falling in live with their products. This perfume is my daily go to.
My number one scent is Diptyque Eau Duelle, which is a rich, complex scent with vanilla. But, it’s nothing like your typical vanilla smells, which I normally hate. My two runner ups are Tom Ford Black Orchid and Hermès Merveillles, which are rich, deep scents with some spice. I kind of use an anology and liken it to Norah Jones voice/sound, that rich, almost raspy voice. The scents are like that as they are sensuous, deep and just envelop you. People think of them as winter/fall scents, but I wear them year round.
I loved this post! Made a new goal to find my scent before my next birthday!
Elizabeth and James! I rotate between scents in their Nirvana line based on season and what I’m feeling. Not overpowering, and feels earthy and natural.
I will never be without My Burberry or My Burberry Black(when feeling edgy/sexier). Went through probably 20+ before i landed on it though. It’s kind of like trying to explain love to someone- when you find one, you’ll know. Good luck!!
I'd like to encourage everyone to be aware of those around them (yeah, not really relevant now, but something to think about post-pandemic) and be careful with perfumes. I don't wear perfume because when I was a teenager, my mom broke her nose (our 80-pound Golden Retriever accidentally ran into her just as she bent down to pick something up off the ground) and developed an extreme sensitivity to smells after that. A whiff of someone's too-strong perfume would cause her to be sick for days. This has faded some over the years, but when it was at its worst, there were times that she'd have to avoid certain activities if she knew that heavily-perfumed folks were likely to be in attendance. Now I have a neuro-atypical husband who is sensitive to smells as well (a common trait for people on the Autism spectrum), and so we're a no perfume and no scented candles household.
My first fragrance was also Vera Wang Princess! Some of my favourites now are Clean Rain, Clean Skin, by Rosie Jane Leila Lou and Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet. I like to switch my fragrance up based on my mood and the season ????
I started my perfume hunt a few years ago after reading a memoir I loved that is about perfume- "Coming to My Senses" by Alyssa Harad. In the process I've discovered my signature is more a specific note than a specific brand-it has to have rose in it. Realizing that was a big lightbulb moment for me. I used to feel like being girly/feminine was a bad thing (lingering brainwashing that men would like women who "aren't like other girls"). I always avoided floral perfumes because they felt too girly. Then I was in a candle shop with a friend who picked up a rose-scented candle that smelled "girly" to me and said "this one smells like you." Cue cheesy discovery moment of realizing that I can be feminine without having to be the damsel in distress. Now my current favorite perfume is Raw Silk and Red Roses by 4160 Tuesdays.
I have always loved perfume, even as a child when I’d ask for a spritz from my mom or grandma. I had several as a teen and young adult, and I tried to pare down my collection during a period of attempts to declutter and be more of a minimalist. It didn’t work well. While I don’t like a ton of clutter, perfumes are something I’ve just decided to unapologetically collect. I’ve had different “signature” scents at different periods of life (high school was definitely a Clinique Happy moment!), and although I’ve moved onto others, those scents still bring back memories.
I don’t think I could box myself into one scent forever. While I’ve attempted that, the thought of sticking with one forever fills me with dread and boredom. For me it’s almost like a hobby— I love smelling fragrances, reading the scent notes on fragrantica.com, and deciding if that’s what I smell and how it makes me feel. At this point, I know what notes I like and can usually successfully blind buy a fragrance just by looking at the notes. The scent I choose changes with the season, my mood, the occasion, etc. I have 100+ scents, and although I don’t recommend that for everyone, I think 5-10 isn’t a bad idea.
One great place to start is to buy the perfume sampler kits from Sephora. They put them out multiple times a year— you buy a kit with 5-10 samples, and the kit includes a voucher for a full size bottle of your favorite. To top it off, what you pay for the kit is usually less than the cost of the actual perfume would be. It’s a good way to try things out. Choosing a signature scent though, is all about what you like, what works well with your body chemistry (scents can smell completely different on different people), and what makes you happy when you catch a smell of yourself throughout the day.
I had to comment on this because mine is perhaps an unusual choice, Cannabis SANTAL by Fresh. I have worn it for years and always get compliments from people. Originally it was marketed as a men’s fragrance, I believe, but Sephora sells as a women’s fragrance.
I have tried lots of different fragrances over the years after loving how they smelled on other people only to not like them on myself. I know fragrances interact with your body chemistry and they can smell differently on each person. I am glad I finally found one I love. Good luck on your quest.
Lancome Tresor has been a longtime favorite of mine....another favorite is Marc Jacobs Daisy!
Most of my adult life I have worn Clinique Aromatics Elixir as a daily scent. I liked how it interacts differently with each persons body chemistry and it’s light and uncomplicated. When a friend liked it on me and purchased some, she remarked that it smelled different on her! Early on I fell in love with the Guerlain perfumes when my father would bring them home from a duty free port. Shalimar has always been my formal scent, so mysterious and sexy. What intrigued me about Guerlain scents is they all have a story of who they were created for. Even the designs of the bottles have their own meaning and story. This makes these beautiful fragrances extra special.
For years I wore Tocca’s Cleopatra but then drifted on to try other fragrances. My daughter was in a store with her BFF, who is like a second daughter to me, and she picked up a bottle of Cleopatra and said “this smells just like your mom, I love it!” So, I thought maybe I should go back to wearing it. A few days later my teenage son said, “mom, you smell so good, it reminds me of when I was little and you would get all dressed up and go out with dad”. Come on, what teenage boy says that!? So, my signature scent is back. Only problem is I have become nose blind to it and can no longer smell it myself???? Oh well, still get lots of “you smell great” so I’m glad others get to enjoy it! I think signature smells are so important, glad you’ve found yours!
I’m in love with Tiffany & Co. Parfum. Also, D&G Light Blue is a summertime favorite
My husband and I were in Paris on a job last winter. A crew member we were working with wanted to go to the original Diptyque, St. Germain location to get a gift for his wife but, after hubby and I had an unpleasant, work related fight, I bowed out and the two of them went together. Hubby comes back with SO MUCH DIPTYQUE for me. It was really sweet! Later that night we kissed at midnight with the blinking lights of the Eiffel Tower behind us.
I have never been a huge perfume person but this changed me. His favorite scent was the Vetyverio... which is a scent I never would have picked. When I first put it on I thought, "Nope! Too masculine with a hint of grandma." But, it settled into something really intoxicating. I was shocked. It's not my everyday scent but when I'm feeling a little spicy or if it's chilly outside, I grab this.
I have one other bottle of Diptyque and it is 100% my signature, daily scent. It's the Eau Rose Eau De Toilette. I LOVE IT! It's a beautiful, clean rose scent... I'd say it's perfect.
I didn't realize I had a signature scent perfume story until I read this post!!! :D
Good luck on your search! I didn't find my scent until I was 42! :D
I LOVE Coco Mademoiselle INTENSE. The “intense” part is important because it has an amber scent layered into it. Based on some of the candles you liked this past Fall, I think you’d like this one, too! It’s not sweet, it’s not floral, it doesn’t smell like soap. It’s warm, and interesting.
“Chloe” the original one, is the one for me! :)
I have been wearing Carolina Herrera 212 Original for over 22 years. It’s light and airy doesn’t over power the space. I get compliments all the time, I get stopped and asked what are you wearing “ you smell so good” all the time, it’s quite the compliment because it comes from young people to mature adults. I’m so sad because they are not making it any longer, it’s getting difficult to find. Over the past year I have been in search of a new signature scent. I have not been very successful.
I’m very into Esker’s body oil, specifically their Clarifying oil which has a wonderful Jasmine scent. The fragrance is lighter and less overwhelming than a perfume, and the ingredients are much much cleaner. Pro tip: get the body wash too!!
https://eskerbeauty.com/products/clarifying-oil
Have you heard of scentbird? I got a subscription for my husband as a Christmas gift a year ago and he loved being able to try out each scent for about a month. 9 months in he found one he loved -and I love it on him!
I wear Chanel #5 and have for 20 years. I wanted a signature scent that would make my kids think of me when they smelled it. I still love it.
I clicked over to this post so fast, because I am firm believer in a signature scent - and then I saw my name in the first sentence, haha! Recently I’ve been wearing Glossier You (which smells different on everyone), and Lucy compliments me with every hug. I think of a signature scent as personal as a home’s sig scent (like what is your go-to candle?), and could talk about scent notes all day long.
Scent and memory are so closely connected. My mom passed away over 20 years ago and the smell of her perfume gives me a loving hug every time. It’s emotional on so many levels. I have a signature scent for that reason. It’s me and it will leave a memory of me for my children’s lifetime. It’s comfort in a bottle for me and hopefully for them. My scent is Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. My mom’s was Estée Lauder Cinnabar (no longer available, unfortunately).
This is what I wear...love it too
I’ve been searching for a signature perfume too! I wish they bottled the smell of the Biolage hair products! Lol
My partner and I have very different tastes but I wanted to have something he would like, so one year I marched him around Sephora on my birthday and he went for a Commodity roller set. Now I am obsessed too. He likes comforting, musky vanilla type scents which their Wool really nails; it’s light, not sweet and I don’t hate it on date night. I lean earthier and I want to BATHE in their Moss and Orris scents. I wore Bergamot daily for a while. They really layer beautifully, too. Only minor complaint is they don’t seem to wear that long, but when I go to put things away I can always smell them so who knows.
Also? Bleu de Chanel is my power lady work scent and I get compliments on it all the time. Highly recommend sampling the men’s section too and actually wearing a few to see how they work on you throughout the day, you might be surprised. I’ve found that some scents really change after hours of wear time and Bleu is one of these for me.
I also love Ineke Ruhland out of San Francisco, great sample sets that I love for gifting.
Have fun!
I find a lot of perfumes to be too sweet. For this reason, I generally go with men’s colognes - my signature is Bvlgari Marine - I absolutely love the scent. I’ve also been followed in both Sephora and even the grocery store to be asked what I was wearing, and am often told I smell good!
I’ve worn Margot Eleana’s Dead Sexy since 2014. We were actually on a camping trip in the Davis Mountains State Park and took a road trip to the little towns in West Texas. We popped in the Gage Hotel in Marathon, and they had a display. I smelled Dead Sexy and loved it. However, they were out of that scent so I couldn’t purchase it. We went back home, and I really forgot about it. In 2014 we were in San Francisco, and I popped in a shop. They carried Margot Elena and as soon as I smelled Dead Sexy, I knew it was my scent. I’ve been wearing it since, and people always tell me how good I smell. I mailed it to a friend for her birthday a while back and she said it was like I packaged up myself and mailed it to her. That’s when you really know your scent. Margot Elena has many scents, but this one with notes of deep vanilla, exotic wood, white orchid, and ebony is perfect for me.
Juliette Has a Gun "Not a Perfume" is my current daily fave. La Vie Est Belle is also delicious!
Try ScentBird to get a months trial for about $15. I've tried some great ones through their subscription service.
Anais Anais, for many, many years. (I’m really showing my age).
My go to for the last 10 years or so is Light Blue. I am always complemented, and still smile when I catch the fragrance on a scarf or cardigan, that had been recently worn.
Yes! For 40 years its been Beautiful by Estee' Lauder, and my husband has his signature scent too :-)
I have never had one particular scent but more like 5 that I really like. A couple years ago my 6 grandchildren were leaving to live in Germany for a few years. It was the saddest parting EVER. As they were about to walk out the door I told them to wait a minute and I got two old cloths and sprayed them both with my favorite perfume at the time (Live Color Fully) and I gave them to them. They absolutely loved them and mentioned them to me several times. Just this past week my daughter came back for a short visit and brought with her one of the cloths with the request for me to "make it smell like grandma again." I still love this perfume and although they think of it as "grandma" it's just a really nice scent and I often get asked what I'm wearing.
I encourage you to check out Jo Malone. The entire line is meant to layer, creating a scent unique to you. Plus, it could be a complete marketing gimmick (I mean... I bought into it!), but it’s a favorite of Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, Jen Aniston and others. I own a few and will use my signature as a base and then layer another based on the season.
Jo Malone fragrances are all amazing! Nectarine Blossom & Honey is my favorite.
I wear Jo Malone Blackberry and Bay. It’s amazing!
I agree with the Jo Malone post.
I currently use Wood Sage and Sea Salt But any of
their scents are so good.
Always get compliments.
I also like Thyme Lotus Santal and Eucalyptus.
I've been wearing J'adore by Christian Dior for years and still love it. Fun memory... When I went back to work after my first child was born, I was talking to a coworker telling her how I had stopped wearing my perfume because I didn't want my baby to have to smell such a strong scent with all the snuggling. A customer overheard and asked me "Don't you want your baby to know your scent"? It was an Aha kind of moment and I started wearing it again the next day. To this day (my oldest is now 16) my kids can tell when I have been in a room. It's not overpowering they say, just a scent they identify with "Mom" and I like that.
My husband has a strong aversion to perfume - he hasn’t set foot in a department store in 20 years because he refuses to run the gauntlet of the perfume/cosmetics department! ;-) I wore Estée Lauder Beautiful for many years before I had kids and my body chemistry changed how it smelled on me. Now, I use an essential oil roll on from the Luxurious Bastard Co. Clean fragrance without chemicals and I get lots of “Ooo you smell good” compliments! And my hubby loves it!!
My husband calls the cosmetics department “the valley of the painted ladies.” He also refuses to venture into that part of a store.
Ooh, I tend to like a lot of scents marketed to men and might try this to see if my chemical fragrance sensitivity overlooks their stuff :)
I love trying new perfumes. A funny problem I run into- if I don't like the bottle design, I won't get the perfume, no matter how much I enjoy the scent. It has to look pretty sitting out on my bathroom counter. haha
Amen Kat!
I wear Zum Body Frankincense and Myrrh spray along with Young Living Joy. Not only do I get the amazing effects of aromatherapy and smell good, I don’t get the migraines, sinus issues, and hormone disruption that comes from the chemicals in synthetic fragrances. Our endocrine systems number one enemy are those chemicals.
There are lots of natural alternatives that are good for your system and good for the environment. You’ll feel healthier without them, I promise! I got rid of my migraines, hot flashes, and menopausal symptoms from deleting fragrance from my home and body! Crazy but true! The science is there. Check it out :)
I second Rose’s comment (and actually love Zum’s M&F too). Perfumes are pretty major endocrine disruptors which can really do some wear and tear on your whole hormone system and overall well being. Removing personal chemicals is one of the recommended strategies for healing from the myriad of disease and mystery illnesses women deal with. I’ve been chemical perfume for years now and can barely handle being close to someone wearing perfume (although I would never say that!) it makes me feel ill.
No need to feel alarmed, but for all the ladies (and men) who want to smell and feel good...def check into the science and alternative options available out there—such a good health upgrade opportunity.
I stopped using perfume many years ago and have been just recently started using my doterra oils as perfume. So so good.
On the same hunt...It can be an expensive endeavor! I’m wanting to try glossier you next and see if it’s really worth the hype. Victoria may like it because it has pink pepper notes.
I’m so picky about scent and haven’t ever worn perfume regularly until last year, when I played around with Le Labo samples for a while (Bergamote 33 is my favorite) and also bought a bottle of You. The Glossier is honestly so amazing-smelling. It makes me feel pretty and happy every time I put it on!