Spring is a fresh start for everything! With the warmer weather and nature budding, I typically like to change my perfume to a lighter scent for the season. I know many women who have kept their same signature perfume for years, decades even. So, this is your sign to be adventurous and change it up!
Perfumes can take me back in time. When I smell White Linen from Estee Lauder, it takes me back to the ’80s and ’90s, when that was my only signature scent. Even my one daughter says that it reminds her of her childhood and watching Mommy get ready for work in the mornings when she smells it.
Another scent that brings me back is musk. Remember in the ’70s when every girl wore musk! Then there was the iconic YSL Opium. The bottle alone gives me the most pleasant flashbacks to my teenage years. When I bought my first bottle, I truly felt that I was a grown-up. This is why I love perfumes; they conjure memories and feelings and can change your mood in such beautiful ways.
They make it so easy to shop for fragrances online in today’s world. Since large departments stores aren’t a thing we have in Vermont, I’ve become an expert in choosing my scents online. You might be asking, “how can I choose from such an overwhelming selection without actually trying anything on.” Most sites have an excellent breakdown of what the perfumes smell like, noting the fragrance family, the scent type, keynotes, and fragrance description, which I will include for the perfumes listed in this post.
Sephora offers samples of scents, which is a great way to try something new without investing in a whole bottle. Online shopping for fragrances also gives you a wider variety than you could find in a store. Always check the return policy if you’re not in love with your purchase.
If you’re still unsure about where to start, let me help you out by listing some of my favorite scents:
Feel Like a Woman
For me, these are the fragrances that are not only the classics but just make you feel like a woman. By that, I mean they are not the light fragrances that I would buy for a 20-year-old but what I would assume a woman who wants to feel sophisticated and fabulous would wear. These are my high-heel fragrances that go perfectly with that fabulous dress you just bought for a night out, with full makeup and jewelry on. These scents make you feel sexy and womanly with just the right amount of indulgence.
CHANEL No. 5
This classic will never go out of style. Just the bottle alone became a lesson in modernity, and by 1959 had joined the permanent collection at the New York Museum of Modern Art. Andy Warhol made it the subject of nine screen prints five years later, catapulting it into a 20th-century icon. The scent itself is pure woman, encapsulating the chic essence of French perfume. Timeless and sophisticated, it is the ultimate in perfume.
Scent Description for CHANEL N°5 Eau de Parfum:
Fragrance Family: Floral
Scent Type: Powdery Floral
Key Notes: Aldehydes, Jasmine, Neroli, Sandalwood
Fragrance Description:
Since its creation in 1921, N°5 has exuded the very essence of femininity: An abstract, mysterious scent, alive with countless subtle facets, radiating an extravagant floral richness. In 1986, Jacques Polge, reinterpreted his predecessor Ernest Beaux’s composition to create a fuller, more voluminous version of the now and forever women’s fragrance: the Eau de Parfum.
Composition:
With its unprecedented use of aldehydes, which add layers of complexity, N°5 was the world’s first abstract fragrance. The Eau de Parfum draws inspiration from the Parfum with which it shares its floral aldehyde signature. This floral bouquet composed around May Rose and Jasmine features bright citrus top notes. Aldehydes create a unique presence while the smooth touch of Bourbon Vanilla leaves an incredibly sensual trail.
TOM FORD, Fucking Fabulous
I am a massive fan of many of Tom Ford’s fragrances, but this naughty one (the name says it all!) is the ultimate in sophisticated fragrances. Although I wouldn’t categorize this as the ultimate spring scent, it’s too good not to try it. It’s a more masculine musky scent, but I think it smells rich and luxurious. If you want to be daring and try something different, this is for you.
Scent description for TOM FORD Fucking Fabulous:
Fragrance Family: Warm & Spicy Scent Type: Woody Spice
Key Notes: Leather, Tonka Bean, Sage
Fragrance Description:
This iconoclastic leather perfume is spicy, warm, and decadent. A gourmand almond and iris heart imbue textural richness to the luscious leather intensified by floral orris accord. The effect is so exquisitely beautiful; no other name would do.
PANTHEON, Annone
Talk about a unique and memorable scent! Annone is a fragrance that makes you feel like va-va-voom! To me, it is sexy, womanly, rich, and perfect. A little on the wrist and a touch behind the ear is all you need. The scent is long-lasting and totally indulgent. Annone is for the woman that loves a bold scent.
Scent Description for Pantheon, Annone:
“Telling a story of power and elegance through deep and animalistic notes, Pantheon’s Annone eau de parfum is made extremely refined by very precious ambers, a little musk hints, spices, and fine Eastern resins.”
- An oriental floral fragrance with notes of saffron, mango, and musk.
- Eau de parfum
- Floral
- Fruity
- Oud
- Woody
- Base notes: Amber, Oud, Nagarmotha
- Middle notes: Rose, Iris
- Top notes: Bergamot, Mango, Saffron
Tried and True Bands
Here are a few brands that I own multiple scents from each. They are the perfumes that always deliver, and I know that I will love them. When these brands launch a new fragrance, I’m the first online waiting to buy it. For me, these are the scents that never disappoint.
Jo Malone
English Pear & Freesia Cologne
I have worn Jo Malone fragrances for years and every time I wear one I am always complimented and asked what I am wearing. My all-time favorite is English Pear & Freesia Cologne, it smells so fresh and reminds me of summer. Whenever I put this on I immediately smile and feel great! This perfume isn’t too sweet or too floral smelling, but it is a marvelous fruity and light scent, that lasts all day!
Scent Description for Jo Malone, English Pear & Freesia
Fragrance Family: Floral
Scent Type: Fruity Floral
Key Notes: King William Pear, Freesia, Patchouli
Fragrance Description:
The essence of autumn. The sensuous freshness of just-ripe pears wrapped in a bouquet of white freesias and mellowed by amber, patchouli, and woods. Luscious and golden.
Lime Basil & Mandarin
Lime Basil & Mandarin is another fabulous scent, in my opinion! I think this fragrance is best described as a unisex cologne. It’s not a fruity or flowery scent but rather a fresh musk. I think this is the scent that you either love or hate, but I’m personally in love with this one.
Scent Description for Jo Malone, Lime Basil & Mandarin:
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Scent Type: Fresh Citrus & Fruits
Key Notes: Mandarin, Basil, Amberwood
Fragrance Description:
Jo Malone London’s signature fragrance. Peppery basil and aromatic white thyme bring an unexpected twist to the scent of limes on a Caribbean breeze. A modern citrus classic.
Vanilla & Anise
Another one that I love wearing is Vanilla & Anise. It’s warm and oaky with that wonderful vanilla bourbon scent. This one is a good spring scent that I would highly recommend. It’s just fantastic!
Scent Description for Jo Malone, Vanilla & Anise
“A modern story of vanilla. The fragile vanilla orchid forms the perfect counterpoint to the oaky and caramel-rich vanilla bourbon, spiced with star anise. Warm and enveloping.”
Top Note
– Star Anise
– Brings warmth to the fragrance with hints of aniseed and clove-like spiciness.
Heart Note
– Purple Vanilla Orchid
This rare flower, which only blooms in the morning, enriches the fragrance with its creamy warmth and spicy sweetness.
Base Note
– Vanilla Bourbon
An earthy vanilla with a richness that envelops the fragrance.
Jo Malone has a very user-friendly website, and one of the things that they love to do is pair their scents together. This way, you can customize something that is made just for you. Their scents are simple but beautiful and run from citrus to woody. I probably own about nine of their fragrances, and I really love them all. Jo Malone is a brand you cannot go wrong with.
Maison Margiela, REPLICA
Another fragrance brand that I own multiples of is Replica, from Maison Margiela, and these are scents that consistently work for me. They are all light, fresh, and last all day. For some Spring scents to try out, I recommend Beach Walk, Bubble Bath, and Lazy Sunday Morning. When The Rain Stops is one of their newer products, and just like the name says, it smells like a fresh spring day right after a rainstorm.
Yes – mountains of thought go into these scents. The bottles for all their perfumes are very well designed. They are reminiscent of apothecary jars, and each cotton label lists the name, the provenance and period it reflects, the fragrance description, and the style description. Their tag line for Replica is “reproduction of familiar scents and moments of varying locations and periods”.
Tom Ford
I’ll admit it. I have an addiction to TOM FORD perfumes! It would be easier to say which fragrances I don’t have out of his collection than those that I do. The bottles are iconic, and some of the names are just too much fun. Since the first fragrance launch (Black Orchid in 2006), the line has grown to over 40 scents, popular among both men and women. These are rich and beautiful fragrances.
Lavender Extreme Eau de Parfum
Tom Ford’s Lavender Extreme perfume is one that I would recommend as your new scent for Spring. Now I love the scent of lavender. I mean, I have a lavender flower tattooed on my neck, for goodness sake! This perfume takes that calming lavender scent to another level. Lavender Extreme is natural and beautiful smelling, and perfect for this time of year!
Scent Description for Lavender Extreme Eau de Parfum:
Fragrance Family: Earthy & Woody
Scent Type: Citrus & Woods
Key Notes: Lavender Absolute France, Tonka Bean, Carrot Seed Oil
Fragrance Description:
This perfume merges lavender from Provence’s Hautes-Alpes region with amber-like lavender from the valley. It has an earthiness and a third lavender that propels this scent to unexpected heights, basking in warm tonka bean.
BYREDO
Byredo is a brand that is new to me but not new to the world of fragrances. I have seen it many times before, but this past holiday season I purchased two different scents for our daughters. These are luxury brand fragrances that are very distinctive and utterly beautiful. The packaging alone is something they spent time and thought on. They come in a series of bespoke, collector edition wooden boxes with inlays that are removable so you can repurpose them to display anywhere in your home.
My favorite fragrances are the two that we bought for my girls as Christmas gifts, Bal D’Afrique and Blanche. I have also purchased Gypsy Water and Mumbai Noise for myself and for the hubby Mojave Ghost, which is a woody fragrance that both men and women can wear.
When I said that I purchase 90% of my fragrances online, the other 10% is done at Mirror Mirror, one of my favorite spots in Burlington, Vermont. It is a spa/beauty boutique that is wonderful. They have so many different fragrances, skincare, makeup, and hair care.
For the holiday season, I gave a call to the amazing Will, who picked out the perfect fragrances for my girls that fit their personalities and tastes to a tee. With just a few suggestions of what they typically like in their scents, Will was able to find the perfect perfumes to fit them. It was truly amazing! Mirror Mirror just opened a new location in Stowe, Vermont, which is an entirely immersive experience. The store has top-of-the-line products with an interior design made to take the best Instagram selfies. Their spa rooms and salon area are just as beautiful. The Stowe location has an upstairs area to enjoy some food and drinks after a long day of shopping and spa-ing. If you are ever in the area, stop by, their spots are so much fun with the most friendly and knowledgable staff!
New Kids on the Block
These are the new brands to the fragrance world and who, I think, just hit it out of the park.
Fenty
Just as she did with her makeup brand, Rihanna has outdone herself with her Fenty Eau de Parfum. So much so that it sold out immediately when it came out in August 2021. It’s restock in December 2021 did the same. I was lucky enough to snag a bottle in December, and I will say it’s worth all the hype!
I would call this a sexy, bold, warm scent that is very wearable for day or evening. The notes are magnolia, musk, tangerine, blueberry, Bulgarian rose absolute, geranium, and patchouli. It comes in a stunning amber and brown glass bottle and, as the story goes, was made to fit in the palm of Rihanna’s hand.
I highly recommend trying this one but get in line – the waitlist is long, and you can bet that I’m on it!
World of Chris Collins
I first discovered this brand, World of Chris Collins, on Sephora. I purchased his sample set and a full size of the Lost in Paradise fragrance. So out of the five scents that I’ve tried, I am 5 for 5 in love with these scents.
Scent Description for World of Chris Collins, Lost in Paradise:
Fragrance Family: Fresh
Scent Type: Fresh Solar
Key Notes: Coconut Water, Peach Skin, Salted Musk
Fragrance Description:
Like salt spray off the Caribbean Sea, Lost in Paradise transports you with coconut water and marine notes. Warm, languorous ylang-ylang contrasts with the wanderlust-provoking scent of salted musk. Wear this fragrance to summon a feeling of peacefulness and possibility.
All Chris Collins fragrances are unisex/genderless, and I’m crazy about that. Harlem Nights might be my favorite out of these five, but it’s too hard to choose just one. Definitely one brand I’m happy to stumble upon, and gosh, does that bottle look great on my dressing table.
Just a Friendly Perfume Application Tip:
When putting on a fragrance, do not rub your wrists together if you spray or dab on your wrist. Doing this will change the scent of your fragrance. Just spray on your pulse points and let the perfume do the rest.
That’s my take on fragrances and some of my favorites. So here’s to you feeling adventurous and trying out a new scent to spritz on this spring. Let me know your favorite fragrance and your stories of what memories they might conjure up.
Love Tom Ford as well. Bond has some good ones, and I’m a fan of the Guerlain specialty scents. Have you smelled any of the perfumes from Clean and Nest? Great for layering. I remember my mom getting ready at her dresser and choosing between Chanel Cristalle or Paco Rabanne.
Hi Stephanie! Yes I have a number of fragrances from Clean and NEST.I love Rain and Warm cotton fromClean. The bottles from NEST are just so pretty. Love that fragrances bring such happy memories. Thanks for reading!
I recently came across this blog post while searching for helpful content about perfumes, and I must say, it provided great insights and recommendations. I particularly appreciate the suggestion of Azha Perfumes as a trusted brand. I’ve personally had the pleasure of experiencing their fragrances, and they truly are exceptional. The quality of their oud perfumes is unparalleled, and the captivating scents they offer have the power to transport you to a world of luxury and elegance.
Azha Perfumes’ dedication to sourcing the finest ingredients and their commitment to craftsmanship is evident in every bottle. Their fragrances truly capture the essence of Dubai’s cultural heritage, making them a perfect choice for those seeking an authentic and unique perfume experience.
I highly recommend exploring the offerings of Azha Perfumes to discover the perfect scent that resonates with your individuality. Thank you to the author of this blog for sharing such valuable information and introducing us to this amazing brand!”