Perfume

I have an extremely sensitive sense of smell. I partially blame the intense morning sickness I've had with all three of my pregnancies on the amplified state of my nose's already amplified ability. I know this because things like trash bags and the scent of the kitchen floor (the glue under the linoleum perhaps - and no, I was not down sniffing it) sent me running for the bathroom. I still send up praises for Zofran in my prayers from time to time. I digress...

I love perfume. Beyond love it. And I'm in the market for a new scent. Upon graduating from college, it was between Light Blue (Dolce & Gabbana) and Princess (Vera Wang). I chose Princess. I liked its warm undertones. Most recently I've had Pretty (Elizabeth Arden), but my bottle has been dry for a couple of months.

In transitioning, I reverted back to an old standard, everyday scent: Sweet Pea (Bath and Body Works). It came out my freshman year of high school, and I thought it was perfect. It was a nice soft transition from the super fruity sweetness of Pearberry that had just been so popular, and that had been a major transition from the woodsy scent that everyone was wearing in the form of CK Be just before that. Sweet pea: soft, sweet, warm. It had been several years since I'd had any. It was like being reunited with an old friend.

Anyway, I have been taking home sample after sample from Sephora. I swear I'm going to have to start wearing disguises even though I've never asked the same person for a sample twice. I just haven't found the one yet. I really like Pretty, but I'm feeling restless.

Marc Jacobs Daisy and Lola have both been lovely. I like Daisy best, but only in its parfum form, the toilette version falls flat very fast on my skin. I also love Dior Addict, but it's very rich. I don't know that I could do it everyday. It's like Thierry Mugler Angel. I LOVE that perfume, but I feel like wearing it everyday would be something like eating chocolate everyday - too indulgent. The One (Dolce & Gabbana) had me at hello, but it's still a little heavy, though putting it on and going through the top notes through the bass notes makes me really happy.

Shout out to Happy (Clinique). You can't tell me you didn't love that one.

So on my last Sephora trip, I got a sample of Bright Crystal (Versace) on the recommendation of a friend and the girl working at Sephora. I also got J'adore (Dior). When I got home and put Bright Crystal on, it smelled so familiar. It only took me about two seconds to realize what it was. I received Pink Ice (Rue 21) as a Christmas gift last year. They are almost identical scents. I sprayed one on one wrist and one on the other, and the only difference was that Pink Ice was a little sharper and lasted a lot longer. Look at the packaging even (and both perfumes are tinted pink):
 (Photo by Cassandra Kiser)

I did a google search to see if anyone else had uncovered this phenomenon. Apparently, I'm the only one so far. They both smell good. Props to Rue 21 for a fabulous imitation.

J'adore, though, J'adore has won me over. This is only the second day I've worn it, so I'm not entirely sure yet, but I can't believe I've never smelled it before. I guess it's not too surprising because I've never smelled the most popular fragrance in the world: Chanel Nº5. I have to admit it came across my radar because of the Charlize Theron ads. If only my legs were 6 inches longer, um, maybe more like a foot longer. 

Is there a scent you swear by? Makes you feel ethereal? Pleases every little ounce of your aesthetics? Tell me.



PS: There is great irony in the fact that I am married to someone who cannot smell. Just the same as he in an accompanist married to someone who is afraid to sing in front of people. While the scent of my perfume gets lost on his missing sense, I get to pick his cologne: Perk. A couple of years ago, I discovered L'Homme by Yves Saint Laurent. It is heaven. Absolute heaven on a warm, beating neck. I've thought of wearing it on occasion.

PPS: Among others, I also sampled DKNY Pure. It was very creamy clean, and perfect for everyday (in case you're in the market), but I'm feeling a stronger floral component at this point in my life.



6 comments:

  1. Since you have tried so many perfumes, I have to ask you if you have ever experienced where you loved the scent, but the minute you put it on it smelled terrible? The last time I went shopping for perfume, 10 years ago, this was my experience. I found one: Design by Paul Sebastian. It's an oldie, but a goody and smells great on me. I still have some.

    I found another that works on me, Journey by Mary Kay. I found it by accident while hosting a party. I get compliments every time I wear it.

    A new scent would be nice. Maybe one day I'll get brave enough to try again.

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  2. I love the Thinking of You by Mary Kay and Bella Belara. I am also currently loving Bombshell by Victoria's Secret....I also always loved Estee Lauder Pleasures, Beautiful and Beyond Paradise.

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  3. Larae - I have tried some perfumes that I love the smell of, but them something in the wear down rubs me the wrong way. I've also tried some perfumes that I thought were so-so that I ended up loving on my skin. Jake's mom gave me Journey when I graduated from high school. It was a really good one. Definitely go to Sephora! Smell some you like and then ask for a sample so you can be sure. They're free!

    Mhari - I haven't smelled Bombshell, but I've always really loved Heavenly and Very Sexy from VS. I've also not smelled either of the MK scents. I really like Belara, but I didn't even though they'd done a modification of it.

    Tori - Romance is another scent I can't believe I've never smelled! Maybe we should hang out sometime and I can smell you up.

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  4. I"m a Light Blue wearer :) My husband picked it out. It fits me. I love that my baby smells like it :)

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