Thank you for this - I love reading about perfumes, particularly affordable ones! My fondness for discovery boxes has meant I've tried frugal and pricey and lots in between. My ultimate woolly jumper fragrance (not cheap) is Lady Rose Lion Monkey Unicorn by 4160 Tuesdays. I think it's the leather (does leather go with lanolin?). One of the good things about the cooler months is that I can wheel out the fragrances that are too "much" (loud florals or big ambers) or just wrong for hot weather (e.g. Comme des Garçons Zero - its solventy note is interesting when there's a frost outside but off-putting when it's warmer). I'm in search of an inexpensive glam floral (Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds is a possibility).
Gemma, sorry - made the mistake of replying on app, without my glasses 🤓 LOL, and couldn’t see the second part of your comment, on the iPad now! 😅 LOVE that about the “too much” and loud fragrances coming out with the sweaters, and that is so interesting, too, about the Zero! Wow. (And please do report back on the affordable glam floral, would LOVE to hear!) Thanks so much for sharing all of this, fascinating and wonderful stuff! XO
Oh I’m SO pleased, Gemma - that’s lovely to hear, and me, too. So nice to have options, and I am 💯 looking up that one by 4160 Tuesdays. That’s really interesting about the leather accord - I came across one in Space NK earlier this week, with an intense leather note (I’m going to have to go back and take another look). So good. And you’ve hit the nail on the head, it’s all about mixing the budget and pricer ranges now - as with fashion - isn’t it? And they really are just getting better with fragrance, aren’t they? Thanks so much for sharing! 🙌🧡
Oooh that sounds gorgeous!! 🧡 Love Jo Malone, will now definitely track down (any excuse for a John Lewis research visit!). Thank you so much for sharing, planning lots more on fragrance for the coming weeks! 🙌
Love this round-up, and have a sudden urge to head to Sephora to spritz! I don't wear a lot of fragrance, but usually spritz Oribe's Cote d'Azure after my shower and just love the clean scent (although I'm terrible at describing the notes!). I also love Byredo Mojave Ghost, but it's expensive and I find it doesn't last at all. This was a treat!
Just seen this!! - oooh I’m with you, I LOVE the clean, post-shower, cologne-fresh type scents most of all, tbh (I keep going back to my OUAI St Bart’s, when there’s the slightest glimmer of autumn sunshine here, lol!) and I also really, really need to look into the Oribe range - been meaning to for so long, this was my sign! 😄 Gorgeous (and I know you love the Nuxe smell, too. I think we both are drawn to the sunshine-y, Med-type scents!). I NEED to check out the Byredo, can you believe I’ve never spritzed? Thank you so much for reading and sharing, and hope Sephora is fun and turns up a goodie maybe! 💗XO
I love Maison Margiela From the Garden and Autumn Vibes, also Diptque Orpheon, and Chanel Allure, all over a £100😳! I also love Givenchy L’Interdit and Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal.
There’s a niche brand Zadig & Voltaire This is Her.
M&S Soft Iris is a dupe for Coco Mademoiselle I love this, and also Sea Salt and Neroli a dupe for Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt, and I think Pink Pepper a dupe for La Vie est Belle, but don’t hold me to that as I’ve not tried it.
So much goodness here, Kathyrn thank you so much for sharing all of this!! 🙌🙌 You already know I’m going back to try From The Garden and the Diptique - LOVE a Diptique! - and I’m totally going to look into the Zadig and Voltaire. As for Givenchy L’Interdit, an absolute classic, isn’t it the one that was originally created for Audrey Hepburn? And funnily enough, I’ve been sneaking little spritzes of Allure lately at the Chanel counter. Do you wear the OG juice? i’ll do a follow-up shortly on higher end fragrances, always about the mix – and funnily enough, I just bought Soft Iris the other day from M&S for exactly that reason - thank you so much for adding! Thanks so much, making many notes To Try 📝 here! 🤩
Many years ago I used to work in a perfumery which I loved. There were and still are perfumes that you can’t easily get, and many that have been discontinued. And yes, L’interdit was at first only worn by Audrey Hepburn, an absolute beauty imho. Chanel 5 was my mum’s favourite and Shocking by Schiaparelli my grandmother’s. We’ve always been a perfume loving family.
Sorry for the delay seeing this - that’s AMAZING, I love that so much. Precious, precious memories. I love how perfumes tell stories, and these are just beautiful. I remember L’Interdit being beautiful, so soft and elegant, and now I need to re-visit it. Thank you so, so much for sharing, Kathryn - it means very much and a privilege to hear these wonderful stories. Have a lovely weekend! XO
I have read and listened to discussions whether we're buying into brand, name and bottle for expensive fragrance houses or do they really have a different longevity and strength 🤔 One year I bought my husband Creed's Aventus at a ridiculous cost, I then read and bought the very similar smelling one from Zara. He got equal compliments when wearing both and the longevity was probably a little better with the Zara one!
I'm definitely off for a visit to M&S now ... you mentioned two fragrances I love, Le Labo Santal 33 and Chanel Coco. Funny enough only on Monday my daughter messaged to say she has found some great scents (and prices) at M&S!
Autumn brings on a different feel and I love fragrances for myself and my home to compliment this change of season. I love Amber, sandlewood, cardamon and all the warming fragrances. Fig and woody for the home 💜 ... and yes please, a post on candles and diffusers would be great!
SO pleased you enjoyed it, Miranda, and to hear about your experiences with high and low priced fragrances - especially interesting to hear about your Creed story! 😲 Oooh let me know what you think of the Warmth at M&S (really hoping it’s something you can add to your autumn dressing table, for liberal spritzes, if it’s along similar lines …) AND that’s so funny about your daughter messaging you about the DISCOVER line just this week! (Also, if you’re a Chanel fan, check out Soft Iris, as another reader, Kathryn, pointed out, it’s not a million miles from Coco Mademoiselle, and it’s a lovely soft, chic floral). Yes 🙌 to fig for the home, too!! Thank you so much for sharing, and the vote for a candles post, in the works! Have a lovely weekend (and happy test-spritzing!). XO (Looking forward to reading your post, will curl up with a cuppa and catch up on my Substacks later!) 🍂XO
I’m so sensitive to fragrances (many give me a headache), so I usually stick with what I know I can tolerate and don’t change my scents much with the changing seasons. But… after reading this, I want to head to Sephora to smell the Replica options. 🥰
Oh that makes PERFECT sense, I know many people who are scent-sensitive in the same way. The REPLICA ones are really amazing, such a treat and very potent - you don't need much! I'd love to know what you think, if you do give them a try. I'm craving all the smoky/autumnal scents for candles now, too - I had a fireside candle burning on my desk today while I worked! Have you switched to fall home fragrances yet in California? 🥰XO
I'm SO glad you said that - I totally agree, and that's such a good point. Not only are the juices of the low-to-mid fragrances getting SO good, the bottles are totally dressing table (you know what I mean!)-worthy, too. The M&S ones, for example, come in simple, almost ceramic-finish bottles which are lovely to hold and come in the most stylish colours (as do the men's). Brilliant point, THANK YOU! 🥰XO
May I suggest searching out Tabu? In its current form it’s a spice explosion over the deepest complex amber.
Also Coty L’Aimant is still beautiful in its floral aldehydic powderiness.
My ultimate autumn go to is vintage Opium. I have 3 bottles, one from the early 80s, another from the 90s & a Secret de Parfum. Just one or two sprays is enough to last 24 hours & scent your scarf & coat for the autumn & winter
Oh that’s so good to hear! 🙌 Me, too - and the choices just get better, so lovely to have the option of a less expensive spritz that you can use daily and with abandon! And that’s fab to hear about Tabu - what a gorgeous description - sounds perfect! Really craving the warmth now! And that’s also really interesting about Coty L’Aimant. Brilliant suggestions, thank you so much for sharing, Alison - and WOWZAS about the vintage Opium bottles! 🤩XO
Thank you for this - I love reading about perfumes, particularly affordable ones! My fondness for discovery boxes has meant I've tried frugal and pricey and lots in between. My ultimate woolly jumper fragrance (not cheap) is Lady Rose Lion Monkey Unicorn by 4160 Tuesdays. I think it's the leather (does leather go with lanolin?). One of the good things about the cooler months is that I can wheel out the fragrances that are too "much" (loud florals or big ambers) or just wrong for hot weather (e.g. Comme des Garçons Zero - its solventy note is interesting when there's a frost outside but off-putting when it's warmer). I'm in search of an inexpensive glam floral (Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds is a possibility).
Gemma, sorry - made the mistake of replying on app, without my glasses 🤓 LOL, and couldn’t see the second part of your comment, on the iPad now! 😅 LOVE that about the “too much” and loud fragrances coming out with the sweaters, and that is so interesting, too, about the Zero! Wow. (And please do report back on the affordable glam floral, would LOVE to hear!) Thanks so much for sharing all of this, fascinating and wonderful stuff! XO
Oh I’m SO pleased, Gemma - that’s lovely to hear, and me, too. So nice to have options, and I am 💯 looking up that one by 4160 Tuesdays. That’s really interesting about the leather accord - I came across one in Space NK earlier this week, with an intense leather note (I’m going to have to go back and take another look). So good. And you’ve hit the nail on the head, it’s all about mixing the budget and pricer ranges now - as with fashion - isn’t it? And they really are just getting better with fragrance, aren’t they? Thanks so much for sharing! 🙌🧡
Love 4160 Tuesdays
Making a list of all these in my notes & will go have some fun spritzing them over the weekend!!! Thank you so much for this great round up ❤️
Ah, thank you so much for the lovely words and HAPPY SPRITZING!! Hope you find something you love! 🍂🧡
Jo Malone Orange Bitters is my winter go to scent. Adore it.
Oooh that sounds gorgeous!! 🧡 Love Jo Malone, will now definitely track down (any excuse for a John Lewis research visit!). Thank you so much for sharing, planning lots more on fragrance for the coming weeks! 🙌
I wish my phone screen was scratch and sniff.
Haha! That's a new feature Substack has yet to roll out ... 😄
Love this round-up, and have a sudden urge to head to Sephora to spritz! I don't wear a lot of fragrance, but usually spritz Oribe's Cote d'Azure after my shower and just love the clean scent (although I'm terrible at describing the notes!). I also love Byredo Mojave Ghost, but it's expensive and I find it doesn't last at all. This was a treat!
Just seen this!! - oooh I’m with you, I LOVE the clean, post-shower, cologne-fresh type scents most of all, tbh (I keep going back to my OUAI St Bart’s, when there’s the slightest glimmer of autumn sunshine here, lol!) and I also really, really need to look into the Oribe range - been meaning to for so long, this was my sign! 😄 Gorgeous (and I know you love the Nuxe smell, too. I think we both are drawn to the sunshine-y, Med-type scents!). I NEED to check out the Byredo, can you believe I’ve never spritzed? Thank you so much for reading and sharing, and hope Sephora is fun and turns up a goodie maybe! 💗XO
Give me ALL the sunshine-y scents! I think you will love Oribe- I also love the dry shampoo from the line… xo
Oooh, so on this when I get to Space NK over here!! Thank you. XOXOX
I love Maison Margiela From the Garden and Autumn Vibes, also Diptque Orpheon, and Chanel Allure, all over a £100😳! I also love Givenchy L’Interdit and Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal.
There’s a niche brand Zadig & Voltaire This is Her.
M&S Soft Iris is a dupe for Coco Mademoiselle I love this, and also Sea Salt and Neroli a dupe for Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt, and I think Pink Pepper a dupe for La Vie est Belle, but don’t hold me to that as I’ve not tried it.
So much goodness here, Kathyrn thank you so much for sharing all of this!! 🙌🙌 You already know I’m going back to try From The Garden and the Diptique - LOVE a Diptique! - and I’m totally going to look into the Zadig and Voltaire. As for Givenchy L’Interdit, an absolute classic, isn’t it the one that was originally created for Audrey Hepburn? And funnily enough, I’ve been sneaking little spritzes of Allure lately at the Chanel counter. Do you wear the OG juice? i’ll do a follow-up shortly on higher end fragrances, always about the mix – and funnily enough, I just bought Soft Iris the other day from M&S for exactly that reason - thank you so much for adding! Thanks so much, making many notes To Try 📝 here! 🤩
Many years ago I used to work in a perfumery which I loved. There were and still are perfumes that you can’t easily get, and many that have been discontinued. And yes, L’interdit was at first only worn by Audrey Hepburn, an absolute beauty imho. Chanel 5 was my mum’s favourite and Shocking by Schiaparelli my grandmother’s. We’ve always been a perfume loving family.
Sorry for the delay seeing this - that’s AMAZING, I love that so much. Precious, precious memories. I love how perfumes tell stories, and these are just beautiful. I remember L’Interdit being beautiful, so soft and elegant, and now I need to re-visit it. Thank you so, so much for sharing, Kathryn - it means very much and a privilege to hear these wonderful stories. Have a lovely weekend! XO
A great round up on the fragrance front 😊
I have read and listened to discussions whether we're buying into brand, name and bottle for expensive fragrance houses or do they really have a different longevity and strength 🤔 One year I bought my husband Creed's Aventus at a ridiculous cost, I then read and bought the very similar smelling one from Zara. He got equal compliments when wearing both and the longevity was probably a little better with the Zara one!
I'm definitely off for a visit to M&S now ... you mentioned two fragrances I love, Le Labo Santal 33 and Chanel Coco. Funny enough only on Monday my daughter messaged to say she has found some great scents (and prices) at M&S!
Autumn brings on a different feel and I love fragrances for myself and my home to compliment this change of season. I love Amber, sandlewood, cardamon and all the warming fragrances. Fig and woody for the home 💜 ... and yes please, a post on candles and diffusers would be great!
SO pleased you enjoyed it, Miranda, and to hear about your experiences with high and low priced fragrances - especially interesting to hear about your Creed story! 😲 Oooh let me know what you think of the Warmth at M&S (really hoping it’s something you can add to your autumn dressing table, for liberal spritzes, if it’s along similar lines …) AND that’s so funny about your daughter messaging you about the DISCOVER line just this week! (Also, if you’re a Chanel fan, check out Soft Iris, as another reader, Kathryn, pointed out, it’s not a million miles from Coco Mademoiselle, and it’s a lovely soft, chic floral). Yes 🙌 to fig for the home, too!! Thank you so much for sharing, and the vote for a candles post, in the works! Have a lovely weekend (and happy test-spritzing!). XO (Looking forward to reading your post, will curl up with a cuppa and catch up on my Substacks later!) 🍂XO
I’m so sensitive to fragrances (many give me a headache), so I usually stick with what I know I can tolerate and don’t change my scents much with the changing seasons. But… after reading this, I want to head to Sephora to smell the Replica options. 🥰
Oh that makes PERFECT sense, I know many people who are scent-sensitive in the same way. The REPLICA ones are really amazing, such a treat and very potent - you don't need much! I'd love to know what you think, if you do give them a try. I'm craving all the smoky/autumnal scents for candles now, too - I had a fireside candle burning on my desk today while I worked! Have you switched to fall home fragrances yet in California? 🥰XO
Yes, I’m switching out my candles now 🍁
Well, I definitely feel a follow-up, cosy candle edition in the offing! 🔥🍁XO
Wow, I love all the bottles! So pretty!
I'm SO glad you said that - I totally agree, and that's such a good point. Not only are the juices of the low-to-mid fragrances getting SO good, the bottles are totally dressing table (you know what I mean!)-worthy, too. The M&S ones, for example, come in simple, almost ceramic-finish bottles which are lovely to hold and come in the most stylish colours (as do the men's). Brilliant point, THANK YOU! 🥰XO
I love an affordable fragrance!
May I suggest searching out Tabu? In its current form it’s a spice explosion over the deepest complex amber.
Also Coty L’Aimant is still beautiful in its floral aldehydic powderiness.
My ultimate autumn go to is vintage Opium. I have 3 bottles, one from the early 80s, another from the 90s & a Secret de Parfum. Just one or two sprays is enough to last 24 hours & scent your scarf & coat for the autumn & winter
I find L'Aimant so comforting! It reminds me of bubble baths.
I wish I could find L’Aimant in soap, bubble bath & lotion. She still smell luxe & bath & body product that don’t cost a fortune would be bliss
This sounds like a challenge, Alison! 🙌XO
Ooh I love that!! Scent associations are so powerful.
Oh that’s so good to hear! 🙌 Me, too - and the choices just get better, so lovely to have the option of a less expensive spritz that you can use daily and with abandon! And that’s fab to hear about Tabu - what a gorgeous description - sounds perfect! Really craving the warmth now! And that’s also really interesting about Coty L’Aimant. Brilliant suggestions, thank you so much for sharing, Alison - and WOWZAS about the vintage Opium bottles! 🤩XO
I’m with you on M&S apothecary it’s SO good!
Isn’t it?! 🙌 I love that they do the body products, too - I hadn’t realised that before looking into. So good! XO