No brainer Monday: Grab ‘n’ go scents

brainer heat busters
Ever have one of those days? You got up late (or got up on time and fiddled around
and time got away from you) and went slashing through your closet, desperately trying to find something decent to wear to work. Well, I’ve had my last one. As of this weekend, I’m dubbing a bit of my closet the “no-brainer” corner and putting several outfits in there for just those days. And no touching those clothes except in case of emergency. (Yeah, right — we’ll see how long that lasts,eh?)

However, I wised up long ago with this regarding fragrances and have always had a couple of no- brainer scents tucked back for such days. (Although in my scent-free office, I have far less need of them these days.) For this time of year, Aerin Lauder’s Mediterranean Honeysuckle, Frederic Malle’s Eau de Magnolia and Serge Lutens’ Bas de Soie are dependable workhorses that never let me down and help me keep my cool and feel fresh and less frazzled. Prescriptives’ (Clinique) Calyx comes in a runner-up when used with a very light hand.

In the chillier months, I count on Le Labo’s Vanille 44, Guerlain’s Cuir Beluga and Byredo Gypsy Water for a warm, comforting hug of fragrance.

And pretty much year-round, save for the warmest days, Lolita Lempicka Si Lolita does the trick.

What about you? What are your no-brainer scents? Ones you reach for and can rely on to get you through, no matter what. Oh, and any time-saving tips for crazy mornings that you’d care to share. Thanks!

  • Kate E. says:

    Prada Infusion d’Iris has been my no-brainer lately and I have had a lot of no-brainspace days! Thankfully, I wear scrubs to work so that’s a no-brainer too.

  • Brigitte says:

    Recent no brainers- L’Eau de Kasaneka, Stash, Prada Tendre, Melograno and Mojave Ghost. So much so no brainers that I finished them all this spring/summer. Won’t be replacing them as I have other no brainers waiting in the wings

  • Dina C. says:

    I’m a big fan of Bas de Soie and have a fb of it, so that’s a great suggestion for a grab and go scent. I also loved Eau de Magnolia when I sampled it. My others would be the obscure-ish Moschino L’eau Cheap and Chic and the much more well-known Prada Infusion d’Iris. Eau Premiere is another one which always feels right.

  • Musette says:

    No5 here (surprise!!!) – and my no-brainer clothes are black jersey pants and jacket, with a white (or black/white) printed top. I have about 10 variations on that theme because they are easy to pack, easy to clean in a hotel bathroom if you spill marinara sauce and no-stress). 2 pairs of black jersey pants and one black swingy jacket or a cardigan will last me a week on a biz trip.

    Of course, it means the closet looks like a nun is staying there 😉 xoxoxo

    • Maggiecat says:

      My closet also resembles that of a perhaps chronically depressed nun .I knew I might need to lighten up a bit when someone rushed up to me after church one day exclaiming “Its so nice to see you wearing a color!”
      I was wearing brown…
      But any form of No. 5….yes!

  • Eldarwen22 says:

    Jicky is pretty work safe for a skanky perfume. It seems to fit a lot of situations. Deneuve is pretty good for a louder perfume along with Courtesan for when I am in a rush.

  • sara says:

    Hermes Eau des Merveilles, Weil Antilope and SL Gris Clair are my major go-tos when I can’t or won’t think! Getting some new ideas reading this thread though!

  • Chanel No 5 in all of it’s forms; Chanel Coromandel; and Chanel Bois des Isles. Generally Chanel!

  • Queen Cupcake says:

    I love the no-brainer closet idea! Luckily for me, work clothes are almost always jeans and old t-shirts. My no-brainer scent for summer is vintage Calandre edt.

  • Cara says:

    Bulgari Pour Femme!

  • AnnieA says:

    Ferre, Ivoire, and L’Heure Exquise.

  • Taxi says:

    Prada Infusion d’Iris, Hermes Eau Gentiane Blanc, Guerlain Vetiver pour Elle are my safe for anything scents. There are many more for when I can be “less safe.”

  • Portia says:

    For wear anywhere, anytime ease Niki de Saint Phalle or vintage Miss Dior. They never let me down.
    Portia xx

  • hczerwiec says:

    This time of year, Chanel 19 or Seville a L’Aube; I’m with you on the Cuir Beluga for colder months! And when in doubt, Mitsouko is always perfect.

  • MMKinPA says:

    Si Lolita is one of my no brainers as well. Nicolai Fig-Tea and Dame Sky Father are also quick grabs for me.

  • tfk31 says:

    My absolute no brainer event is Chanel 22 edt. Simply perfect for any workday and most social events.