Not so Bad!

Winner of the Fleur de Narcisse sample is — Nina. Congrats! Just click on the Contact Us button over there on the left and let me know your name/address, and as soon as my meandering from Germany bottle shows up, I’ll get you a sample mailed!

Ever have an overlooked everyday gem? I just tried the new Gwyneth Paltrow Limited Edition of Pleasures from Estee Lauder. Notes of lilies, peonies, jasmine, Karo-Karounde blossoms and the Baie rose. I used to love many Lauder scents… Cinnabar, Private Collection and White Linen… but I had never gotten around to trying this, and it has been around for a while. This is a really lovely light floral — not pretentious, heavy or with a lot of eccentricities…sheer and pretty and fruit-free. I don’t believe this Limited Edition varies from the original scent, except it comes in a very pretty pink bottle. What I like the most about this scent is you can wear it every day when you just don’t know what else to wear, and it’s a great gift for someone who you aren’t sure likes perfume or you don’t know what they like. Am I changing my wicked ways? No, not likely, but there’s something about appreciating nice, clean, light scents. You can’t wear Tubereuse Criminelle every day or it would lose its charm.

What are your favorite everyday scents? Not the niche, hard to get ones, but something that is easily accessible for most people, price-wise, smell-wise and you can actually find in many stores?

Mine have to be the Hermes scents, now that they are avilaible at pretty decent price points at discounters, and that includes eau de Merveilles, both of the un Jardins, Terre D’Hermes and for a dress-up scent, 24, Faubourg.

Tomorrow I have a review of Armanis’ new foundation! Made possible only because Barney’s finally is getting most of the orders out from their bag event. Someone remind me not to do the bag event next year.

  • Susan says:

    so patty, are you saying that the discounters, such as perfumania, as selling the same exact fragrances as hermes’ eau de merveilles? if so, that’s fantastic!

  • greeneyes says:

    My “everyday” stuff is very “everyday”: Clinique Simply, Prescriptives Calyx, Opium Fleur de Shangahi, and now SJP Lovely Liquid Satin. I have Pleasures Intense (got it as a gift), and I like it fine but don’t wear it very often. I’ve never smelled the original Pleasures…:)

  • Erica says:

    For everyday I do Chanel No 5, YSL Baby Doll, or White Linen. Pleasures is pretty good, but sometimes I get tired of smelling it on myself.

  • patchamour says:

    Pleasures doesn’t work for me, but Tiempe Passate is my on-days-when-nothing-else-will-do standby. Never would have thought of Cedre, but just re-tried my sample. There’s a little hint of tobacco in there that feels especially nice now in cold weather. I got a sample recently of one of the Russian scents called “Belle Russe.” It’s a floral but not overwhelmingly sweet, and definitely inexpensive. Sariah, where did you find Gap Om? Isn’t it discontinued?

    This was a fun post, Patty. Good tomorrow to all. Patch

  • Tigs says:

    Hmm… yes, Omnia is good as mentioned. Diet Shalimar and cheapie online Vetiver, too, if you are the type. Silences, also good. The Gap layering scents had a good clean-smelling sandalwood there for awhile, but they discontinued it. (Their sueded musk and peony ones were decent as well, for the price.) Feu D’Issey Light was quite good and inoffensive, but that, too, is discontinued. I like Beyond Paradise, as far as Lauder goes, but I seem to be almost alone in the perfume community on that one. Lots of people like J’Adore from the pretty, light angle, but I can’t say I’m one of them.

  • Giselle says:

    The Bulgari scents are easy for everyday, they are readily available for free samples.– I can always run into a handy Sephora for some Hermes, or whatever. At home, I’d grab Shalimar. Every man UNDER 30 says “hmmmm lemon, you smell so good” OR “Hmmm you smell like vanilla!” or just plain “You smell amazing.”
    Every man OVER 30 who has lived recognizes Shalimar,,, and most have really good associations with it… (no nasty ex’s wore it apparently…or they just live the scent too much to let one bad experience spoil it for them!!!) So if it is a question mark or an important event, I go with Shalimar. The rest of the time I sample like mad.

  • minette says:

    My favorite everyday scents include Kiehl’s Original Musk Oil, Clair de Musc, No. 5, Coco, Mure et Musc, Cedre, and Femme. When I’m wearing them, I usually don’t have to “worry” about my scent.

    I love the Armani foundation. It takes less than a full pump to give good coverage. And it looks very smooth. I’m using the non-SPF version.

  • Justine says:

    I like NR and Stella, in the summer when I want something light. And lately I’ve been liking Prada, Homme. It stays close to my skin and smells pretty sexy. I loathe the women’s Prada, but this one is really working for me.

  • Robin says:

    Have read two different things about the GP Pleasures…one site said same juice, another said it was a tad lighter to suit GP’s preferences. Who knows.

  • sariah says:

    Hi Patty,

    For everyday just nice unchallenging scents I second Sicily, as well as one from the Gap – Om – it’s a clean amber that’s good for the office and at $4 for 15ml a total great value – good lasting power too! And how about all those great Guerlains that are so inexpensive online like Vetiver.

    I was very attracted to Pleasures back in my early 20’s because of the lovely top notes, but it just smells horribly flat on me after 15 minutes or so – I think it’s really nice on others though.

  • violetnoir says:

    I agree with Iris: Jil Sander #4 and the Hermes fragrances are great for everyday use. So are Cristalle, NR and the Badge that I am loving!

    Hugs!

  • IrisLA says:

    Hi! I like the Hermes scents also (Jardin sur le Nil, Terre d’Hermes, 24 Faubourg). Other easy-to-obtain fragrances include Dior Pure Poison, Jil Sander #4, Molyneux Quartz, and Vera Wang original.

  • Cait says:

    Hello There!
    I am playing hooky today so I get to have fun on my favorite perfume blogs!! My favorite everyday scents: NR Pour Elle edt, Chanel No. 5, and ditto to Patty’s and most of Elle’s. I’ve never tried Metal, though. Hmm, what’s that like? (she says, heading to a discount site)

  • Flor says:

    My everyday scents are Cristalle, Eau de Givenchy, Diorella, and Gap Heaven. I think I’ve gotten more compliments on Gap Heaven (which is by far the cheapest)than any other perfume I’ve ever worn. This leads me to the conclusion that I do not wear perfume for others – I wear it for myself.

  • Elle says:

    Some of my fav everyday scents that are easily available at online sites are Silences, Jil Sander No. 4, Gem, Rive Gauche edp, Coriandre, Dior Dolce Vita and Miss Dior, Norell, Paco Rabanne Metal and Calandre. I keep praying one of these days I’ll find the amazing, but d/ced Norell ll at an online site or ebay. Sigh.

  • Kathy says:

    My favorite everyday fragrances are Sicily and Omnia because they fresh, clean, uncomplicated scents which are generally inoffensive to others around me. My stand-by favorite for years is definitely Paco Rabanne Calandre. I would love to add Hermes Amazone Light to the list, but it has become so hard to find, and it doesn’t last on me, but I love the fresh scent.