Mainstream madness: Easy-to-find scent loves

mainstreamHello, Posse folks! Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate it! Now since the basketball world is deep into the last throes of March Madness here in the U.S., why don’t we have Mainstream Madness for fragrance?

As I mentioned in last week’s post, I’m grooving on Atelier Cologne’s Bergamote Soleil, found at Sephora (and other, less mainstream-y places). Jo Malone’s Tuberose Angelica, Kate Spade’s Walk on Air, and L’Occitane’s Jasmin and Bergamot (among others in that line) will soon be finding their way to my wrists. And now that spring is on its way, I can feel free to pull out my Clinique (nee Prescriptives) Calyx and Wrappings as well, although those are good summer scents too.

On a cool-ish night, a spritz of Couvent des Minimes Eau des Mission Cologne (easily found at Ulta) or Clinique’s Aromatics in Black, available at select U.S. Clinique counters, offer a gentle warmth like a whisper-light cashmere throw.

Our own dear March’s mention last week of Valentino Donna has my interest piqued, because an iris and suede pink fragrant wrap sounds very welcome at Chez Ann. Although I’m not sure how available this is in mainstream stores. If you’ve come across it, do let me know where you’ve seen it.

What mainstream scent are you loving now or looking forward to trying? I know you all will remind me of some nice ones I’m forgetting about. I’m hoping to go fragrance scouting again soon and would love to try your suggestions.

  • Lately I’ve been wearing a lot of Signorina EDT which I found at Marshalls. The opening is a pretty, inoffensive floral thing with a nice milky/rice drydown. It’s just pretty and easy to wear!

    • Ann says:

      Hi, Sun Mi! That Signorina is ringing a bell, but I can’t quite place it. Do you know who makes it? I think I would like it as I really enjoy the creamy rice/milk aspects of other scents such as PG’s Indochine and Kenzo’s Amour. Thanks!

  • SublimiSomnium says:

    My persistence in checking Marshall’s every week since January finally paid off yesterday. Became obsessed with Calvin Klein Reveal after accidentally spraying my glasses with it, and kept wondering why my glasses smelled so good a week afterwards. 🙂

    Ignore the dumb advertising associated with this scent and do yourself a favor by picking it up from discounters now. It is a coconutty ambery skin scent that reminds me of Bronze Goddess, but which I actually like a bit more. Perfect for summer, and the beach!

    • Ann says:

      Congratulations! Don’t you just love it when your efforts bear such fragrant fruit? I envy you, though, because I never, ever find anything good at Marshall’s or TJ Maxx — sigh. And thanks for the intel on the CK scent; it definitely sounds worth checking out, especially since Bronze Goddess is so beloved.

  • Dina C. says:

    I love my green florals in spring, like Paris Jardins Romantiques, No. 19, Gucci Envy, and vintage Diorissimo, but I’m also fond of lighter, easy-going ones like SL Clair de Musc, Eau D’Italie, and Marni.

    • Ann says:

      Yay, Dina — another Envy fan! In fact, I think we’ve discussed our mutual love before. Haven’t worn the SL in ages but would like to revisit it and the Marni as well. Thanks, dear!

  • Diana says:

    My mainstream favs: Bottega Veneta (my “suit and interview” frag), Balenciaga (beautiful violet) and Black Orchid by Tom Ford.

    • Ann says:

      Nice, nice choices, Diana! And you are right on the money with BV; it really does seem perfectly suited to an interview. And now i need to get out my Balenciaga for a violet fix 🙂

  • Neva says:

    I always liked Tamango de Leonard, although the current reformulation lacks the fresh aldehydic opening (sigh). It’s still a very nice flower bouquet for the spring.

    • Ann says:

      Oooh, Neva, that’s a completely new one to me but sounds lovely for spring. I’m guessing it’s only in Europe though … ?

      • Neva says:

        Hi Ann, in the eighties I bought it in Europe, but recently I’ve orderd it from Fragrancex and they are US based. You cannot find Tamango in Europe anymore.

  • Portia says:

    Hey Ann,
    Love the L’Occitane ranges, still wearing my Shalimar, Joy and CHANEL No 5. Aqua Allegoria Lys Soleia, Youth Dew and Beyond Paradise are also still on the list.
    New stuff? Sadly I haven’t been really moved by much in the department stores. Black Opium smells really good on Jin though.
    Portia xx

    • Ann says:

      Howdy, dear! I see that lovely Lys Soleia on your list — I have GOT to find my decant of it — such good stuff! And glad to hear that Black Opium suits Jin. I like to add a dab of coffee scent (Bond 9 New Haarlem, etc.) to it and enjoy it a lot. Need to try it on my DH and see how it does.

  • ertmeert says:

    Spring mainstream, oh gosh. pretty sure i am in the minority here, but Gucci Bamboo is pretty and easy if you like fresh lilies. The Hermes Jardin series is at many Sephora I’ve seen. I also love Chanel Chance Eau Tendre, which is pretty and mainstream. For jasmine and tea, I love Mugler Alien Eau Extraordinaire.
    Enjoy your sniffing adventure 🙂

    • Ann says:

      You have some nice choices, there, Ertmeert. I’ve not seen that Mugler Alien one, so now I will be on the lookout for it. A little tea with my Alien sounds nice 🙂

  • Carla S Roberts says:

    Highly recommend Queen by Queen Latifah-. Though so inexpensive, it is smooth and smells so rich!!

  • Laurels says:

    I like Bottega Veneta Eau Legere, found at Nordsfrom. And I know I’ve seen Valentino Uomo there, but I’m not sure about Donna.

    • Ann says:

      Laurels, that BV EL is nice, isn’t it? Thanks for the reminder, and I’ll be on the lookout for the other at Nordstrom.

  • eldarwen22 says:

    Currently, I am enjoying the rollerball of Tocca’s Florence. It’s the closest to Lily Gardenia from Bath and Body Works. The other one I am reaching for is Chanel no 19. Both mainstream.

    • Ann says:

      Hi! Yum, that Florence sounds lovely! Tocca is another line that somehow has escaped me, but now I’ll make a beeline for it the next time I see it (Sephora, maybe?). And Chanel No. 19 is great anytime!

      • eldarwen22 says:

        Tocca is offered at Sephora but not the whole line (if it’s the JC Penny’s Sephora, haven’t been to an actual Sephora in about a year and a half). Florence and Giuletta (sp.) are the ones I liked best.

  • FeralJasmine says:

    Currently my favorite scent for working in the garden is Philosophy Fresh Cream, a light creamy vanilla that doesn’t become obnoxious if I get overheated. And as the days get warmer I’ll start reaching for EL Tuberose Gardenia and my beloved bottle of vintage Fracas edt. Both mass market, both beautiful.

    • Ann says:

      Howdy, dear — so nice to see you! I spied that Philosophy scent in Nordies the other day but was in too much of a rush to stop. Now I see that I’ll need to try it; I just get a little confused with that line. Sometimes it’s hard for me to tell what’s new there. And yay on the EL soon, too!