From exploring perfume as a novice this past year, these are the fragrances I enjoyed the most and that I would re-buy once my sample has evaporated. I have sampled so many random things and it is really the only way to learn. The more you smell and compare, the more you know when you have spotted something you truly love.
Philosykos by Diptyque
Not reviewed here yet, but an earthy and dark green leaves scent that is meant to feel like you are sitting under a fig tree with a book, somewhere very hot quiet and mediterranean. I love it and requested a bottle for Christmas.
Dryad by Papillon
Review here, it made me think of sweet hay and England’s mountains green.
Lolita Lempicka by Lolita Lempicka
Review here. Gold, purple, dark chocolate, plums, violets, pastis and anise. For my inner teenage Hole fan or a gothic Sugar Plum Fairy.
Tubereuse Hédonie by Roger et Gallet
A white-green fleshy tuberose which helped me unwind in a time of tension and stress. An affordable, delightful everyday cologne.
Vintage Opium by Yves Saint Laurent
Review here. Warm hugging from golden honey.
Musc Ravageur by Frédéric Malle
Rich boozy musky vanilla which I far preferred to Shalimar. I have my eye on a bottle of the oil.
Cuir de Rusie by Chanel
I sampled this in the small Chanel perfume shop in Kings Cross a few months before lockdown. I look back on experiences like that as a bizarre surreal luxury. I can’t believe we were allowed to roam around the city enjoying non-essential fripperies like that. Anyway, it was a very smooth luxuriant leather scent. It had a big impact on me, I enjoyed it so much just from a paper tester and from the memory of a sample spray on my skin that I plan to buy a bottle as my fortieth birthday gift to myself.
Colonia by Acqua di Parma
Review here. A bright chic summery old school cologne with lavender and bergamot.
Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert by Bvlgari
Review here. A watery, limpid, thoughtful clear green tea scent which I often spray on my pillow at bedtime, it does fade too quickly though.
Eau d’Orange Verte by Hermès
Review here. An elegant cologne from 1979, green earthy orange blossom.
Looking at this I have three primarily green scents, two citrus, one white floral, one chocolatey-violet, one leather and two ambers. In 2021 I hope to find some treasured incense and smoke scents, and something that smells like malt whiskey.
