2024 perfume talk
Feb. 24th, 2025 07:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rurusayshii decided to do a review of the fragrances i tried in 2024. i rarely ever change what i wear daily, but this year i came across two new perfumes and a body mist that i absolutely loved which then prompted me to take notes whenever i try a new scent.
first things first, fragrance is personal. what smells beautiful on one person might not work at all on someone else bc of the body chemistry. so, these reviews are just my experience!! also, fun fact (or not so fun, actually), i deal with chronic migraines, which makes me extra picky about scents. because of that, i like to keep my collection small but full of perfumes i truly love + can’t really afford to make big purchases on fragrances rn :(((((
+ i’d also recommend that not blind buying any fragrances just bc the reviews are overly positive!!! or refraining from trying a scent just bc people has nothing good to say about it.
chloe nomade nuit d’egypte
my favorite find + the most recent purchase. honestly this deserves WAY more love and appreciation imo nothing wrong with the original and its flankers but this is just soooooo beautiful and unique. there is spiciness but sweet and creamy sort of spiciness. carrot cake like sweet spiciness. very soft, warm, gentle, inoffensive, also a bit of fresh. such a happy, and comforting scent to wear!! which is why nowadays i actually reach for this one a lot. literally there is no downside, maybe its longevity on skin is a bit poor, but on clothes it stays longer
d&g devotion
the other newest addition to my collection. i was originally set on getting burberry goddess, but the seller lady totally changed my mind lol after she sprayed it on me, i walked around the mall for a few hours and it smelled soooo beautiful that i just had to get it. it’s a pretty strong scent, so i probably should’ve taken some time to test it before buying, just in case it triggered my migraine. thankfully, it didn’t! i usually stick to samples first and only buy the full bottle if i’m sure, but well.……. that wasn’t the case here hshdfhj i often prefer wearing it right after i shower bc it leaves a very nice, sweet scent afterwards. my only complaint is that sometimes the opening smells very sharp. recently had a chance to try its intense version but this >>>>> intense
chanel chance eau tendre
i’ve been using this one for years. it’s very light, elegant, and perfect for daily wear. never triggered a migraine, so a safe pick for migraine sufferers like me. that said, there’s nothing groundbreaking about it. it smells a bit linear on me and a touch fruity, but it’s such an easy reach and great for on-the-go. the downside? the longevity for its price isn’t amazing……….. zara has a dupe called applejuice. they’re not 100% identical, but i enjoyed it too. once i run out of this bottle, might go for zara dupe and grab something else from my wishlist.
armani my way
i’ve been using my way since it first came out. very beautiful scent!! compared to chanel chance eau tendre, the tuberose and vanille notes make it sweeter, but not gourmand or overly sweet way. i’m not sure if it smells exactly like that on me, but a friend of mine also uses my way, and there’s this lovely tea-like scent that comes from her whenever she wears it. honestly no downside to wearing it, but lately, i just haven’t been reaching for it as much. maybe it’s because i’ve worn it so often that i’ve gotten a bit bored of the same scent. i’m not one to assign age ranges to perfumes, but can’t help but notice that as i’m nearing thirties my tastes change too.
jimmy choo illicit
this is such a pain to find :(((((( there’s only one place that sells it here, and it’s not always in stock + pricier for some reason??? i actually stumbled upon it at the airport while waiting for my flight and ended up getting it for my mum first. it is a very soft and cozy scent. sometimes amber tones smell disturbingly sharp to my nose, but this doesn’t!! i just love it soooo much.
versace crystal noir edp
love this one on cold days. unfortunately during summers it gets a bit cloying, and there were few occasions my migraine was triggered, so as much as i like it, i make sure to never overspray. ik this is supposed to be on a more sexier and mysterious side, but i just find it super cozy?
sdj rio radiance
the reviews say this is like sunscreen, but i disagree……… or it doesn’t smell like sunscreen on me, or the sunscreens here doesn’t smell like this so idk, can’t really comment on that. i can just say that i absolutely love this one, and usually layer it with d&g devotion. and no i don’t care it’s winter now
vs almond blossom & oat milk
i will NEVER and NEVER understand why they decided to discontinue this body mist…………… i have very little left in the bottle that i feel so greedy to use. cozy and yummy without being overly sweet. such a perfect scent. used to layer it with crystal noir, but now i don’t :(((((((
lancome tresor
i picked this up from the airport duty free shop, so i doubt it is fake but tell me why it just smells like rotten fruit :((((((( this was one sale (around 30 euros) and it was my first time seeing it on sale, and i was in rush, so i didn’t really have enough time to try it but i DID sprayed it, and it never smelled like the one i have…….. it was nicer in the store…….. so i have a suspicion something is wrong with my bottle
korres cashmere kumquat
i tried to love this scent. reviews said it was a milder and softer version of alien. although i love alien, it triggers my migraine so bad that i can never wear it. sooooo i got this one during my visit to rhodes this summer, but this isn’t anywhere close to alien. sure, there is a similarity. and i’d love to use it as a different fragrance but it smells very bitter???? very sharp and bitter, and the dry down doesn’t get any better on me
zara amber in bloom
there is nothing wrong with this fragrance, it is just i don’t have much use for it :(((( i heard it is something in between armani prive rouge malachite and d&g the one, but never got a chance to smell either of them so i can’t really comment. longevity and the sillage is pretty good btw!! and it is nice, very sophisticated. probably not for me though
b&bw poppy
i don’t hate it, but my hand never reaches for it. a very lovely scent, and never causes migraine, so i can recommend it if you like sweet yet not too girly sweet body mists.
i spent december in glasgow visiting a friend before my residency expired, then headed to manchester for a bit. turns out i really missed boots and selfridges :((((((
diptyque do son edp
this is just beautiful. so gorgeous. i might be biased when it comes to white florals, but this is just perfect. just more than i can afford rn :((((( i’m considering replacing chanel chance eau tendre with do son though
diptyque l’eau papier
i wasn’t expecting liking l’eau papier given its notes aren’t anything i ever tried before but this is such a nice surprise? cozy and soft, 10/10 truly
lush turmeric latte
i’m kinda angry at myself for not getting it bc 1) it was really cheap 2) very fairytale like scent. it kinda reminded me of this paste-like candy we have here. still not sure if i’d be happy smelling it on myself, though
lush chelsea morning
this is d&g devotion’s more cookie like sibling, so didn’t need another similar one
le labo santal 13
not a fragrance that works for me sadly. my notes say it was too sharp at first, and a bit chemical???
memo paris sintra
ok i was very in between about what to feel about sintra. something wasn’t right with the opening (a bit bitter?) but few mins later it was really sweet. a good kind of gourmand sweet. and the drydown gets even better!!! but a bit strong too. so i need to get a sample before i might even consider buying a bottle (tried it in the store once)
ex nihilo fleur narcotique
fresh white flowers!!! not the most unique scent i’ve tried, but it is beautiful and that’s what matters the most. can easily be an everyday scent. along with do son, fleur narcotique is pretty high up on my wishlist
jo malone scarlet poppy intense
my only problem with jo malone scents are how pricey they are considering their poor longevity……. i don’t mind the projection bc honestly some scents are better sticking close to skin, and these are mostly very simple and bright scents, so i’m happy with projection!! and they never cause migraines, which is almost always safe buy for me (i used to use english pear & freesia during my uni years a lot) anyways, scarlet poppy intense is lovely!!! it gives a bit of a nostalgic feeling, don’t know why though
penhaligon’s luna
very cute scent. but didn’t leave much of an impression on me. seems like i didn’t even take any notes on it, so.………….
penhaligon’s the bewitching jasmine
another gorgeous bottle, but the scent didn’t work for me sadly :c oud and i don’t make a great pair
penhaligon’s the coveted duchess rose
a bit soapy but a very nice and gentle rose my notes say.
gucci flora gorgeous jasmine
the body shop used to have a discontinued body mist called joy & jasmine, and this one smells exactly like that. very pretty white floral perfume i wouldn’t mind spraying all over me all the time. but not my first choice in the collection
gucci flora gorgeous gardenia
bc my first choice would be this one. only if it didn’t have the worst longevity ever :(((( i have a sample of it, and it doesn’t really last more than half an hour if i’m lucky…….. otherwise very beautiful and uplifting perfume. even though i don’t enjoy patchouli scents, patchouli in flora gorgeous line never bothered me
givenchy irresistible very floral
i keep going back to smelling this whenever i’m out for shopping in the department store here so ummmm VERY difficult to refrain myself from getting it. why am i not buying it??? bc the drydown has a weird salty, popcorn like note that i’m not very fond of. but it’s opening? it is just soooo perfect, idk what’s wrong with my skin that causes it to smell like popcorn and salt
shiseido ginza
i’ve received a small sample bottle of ginza, but it just smells like a fruit salad to me and i don’t want to be a fruit salad
jpg la belle
la belle reminds me of chocolate puffs a local bakery sells here. and i like it!!! i have a small 5 ml sample of it, and i find myself using it from time to time, but just not enough to get a full bottle. i’d still recommend it a lot, especially if you like fruit + gourmand combination. very feminine. it is a bit sweet though and might cause migraine if oversprayed
tom ford velvet orchid
get to try it bc my mum owns a bottle. a little masculine leaning, and i wouldn’t mind using it if it didn’t give me a headache. otherwise just straight up what i would call luxurious
lancome idole nectar
i have nothing bad to say about idole nectar, just that my previous purchases with lancome perfumes were always disappointing (see above + a few years ago poeme i got was just alcohol and macarating didn’t help)
estee lauder bronze goddess eau fraiche
how i wish this didn’t disappear after a few mins of spraying it :(((((( i mean ik this is eau fraiche but i still prefer this version over the edp, therefore i get no scent afterwards ofc crying…………… i get some toothpaste notes from the opening but it is a nice sort of toothpaste? idk, i just like this scent a bit too much and i’m sad it doesn’t really stay on me
zara vibrant caramel
fragrantica says this is a dupe for the prada paradoxe but i disagree. there is a similarity but i don’t think they smell identical, or similar enough to be called dupes. though please take this with a grain of salt bc i only get to smell paradoxe on my bestfriend, so the reason i don’t find them close might be that. on the other hand, vibrant caramel imo is still a very pretty scent, easy to wear if you need something to brighten up your mood or easily impress ppl
maison martin margiela coffee break
any zoologist fragrance
chloe nomade lumiere d’egypte
goldfields & banks sunset hour
armani my way ylang
guerlain aqua allegoria nettare di sole
mugler alien hypersense
vs tease cocoa soiree
dries van noten camomille satin
histories de parfums this is not a blue bottle 1.2
zara cocoa bliss
first things first, fragrance is personal. what smells beautiful on one person might not work at all on someone else bc of the body chemistry. so, these reviews are just my experience!! also, fun fact (or not so fun, actually), i deal with chronic migraines, which makes me extra picky about scents. because of that, i like to keep my collection small but full of perfumes i truly love + can’t really afford to make big purchases on fragrances rn :(((((
+ i’d also recommend that not blind buying any fragrances just bc the reviews are overly positive!!! or refraining from trying a scent just bc people has nothing good to say about it.
my current collection
chloe nomade nuit d’egypte
my favorite find + the most recent purchase. honestly this deserves WAY more love and appreciation imo nothing wrong with the original and its flankers but this is just soooooo beautiful and unique. there is spiciness but sweet and creamy sort of spiciness. carrot cake like sweet spiciness. very soft, warm, gentle, inoffensive, also a bit of fresh. such a happy, and comforting scent to wear!! which is why nowadays i actually reach for this one a lot. literally there is no downside, maybe its longevity on skin is a bit poor, but on clothes it stays longer
d&g devotion
the other newest addition to my collection. i was originally set on getting burberry goddess, but the seller lady totally changed my mind lol after she sprayed it on me, i walked around the mall for a few hours and it smelled soooo beautiful that i just had to get it. it’s a pretty strong scent, so i probably should’ve taken some time to test it before buying, just in case it triggered my migraine. thankfully, it didn’t! i usually stick to samples first and only buy the full bottle if i’m sure, but well.……. that wasn’t the case here hshdfhj i often prefer wearing it right after i shower bc it leaves a very nice, sweet scent afterwards. my only complaint is that sometimes the opening smells very sharp. recently had a chance to try its intense version but this >>>>> intense
chanel chance eau tendre
i’ve been using this one for years. it’s very light, elegant, and perfect for daily wear. never triggered a migraine, so a safe pick for migraine sufferers like me. that said, there’s nothing groundbreaking about it. it smells a bit linear on me and a touch fruity, but it’s such an easy reach and great for on-the-go. the downside? the longevity for its price isn’t amazing……….. zara has a dupe called applejuice. they’re not 100% identical, but i enjoyed it too. once i run out of this bottle, might go for zara dupe and grab something else from my wishlist.
armani my way
i’ve been using my way since it first came out. very beautiful scent!! compared to chanel chance eau tendre, the tuberose and vanille notes make it sweeter, but not gourmand or overly sweet way. i’m not sure if it smells exactly like that on me, but a friend of mine also uses my way, and there’s this lovely tea-like scent that comes from her whenever she wears it. honestly no downside to wearing it, but lately, i just haven’t been reaching for it as much. maybe it’s because i’ve worn it so often that i’ve gotten a bit bored of the same scent. i’m not one to assign age ranges to perfumes, but can’t help but notice that as i’m nearing thirties my tastes change too.
jimmy choo illicit
this is such a pain to find :(((((( there’s only one place that sells it here, and it’s not always in stock + pricier for some reason??? i actually stumbled upon it at the airport while waiting for my flight and ended up getting it for my mum first. it is a very soft and cozy scent. sometimes amber tones smell disturbingly sharp to my nose, but this doesn’t!! i just love it soooo much.
versace crystal noir edp
love this one on cold days. unfortunately during summers it gets a bit cloying, and there were few occasions my migraine was triggered, so as much as i like it, i make sure to never overspray. ik this is supposed to be on a more sexier and mysterious side, but i just find it super cozy?
sdj rio radiance
the reviews say this is like sunscreen, but i disagree……… or it doesn’t smell like sunscreen on me, or the sunscreens here doesn’t smell like this so idk, can’t really comment on that. i can just say that i absolutely love this one, and usually layer it with d&g devotion. and no i don’t care it’s winter now
vs almond blossom & oat milk
i will NEVER and NEVER understand why they decided to discontinue this body mist…………… i have very little left in the bottle that i feel so greedy to use. cozy and yummy without being overly sweet. such a perfect scent. used to layer it with crystal noir, but now i don’t :(((((((
might sell or gift it (or just throw away..........)
lancome tresor
i picked this up from the airport duty free shop, so i doubt it is fake but tell me why it just smells like rotten fruit :((((((( this was one sale (around 30 euros) and it was my first time seeing it on sale, and i was in rush, so i didn’t really have enough time to try it but i DID sprayed it, and it never smelled like the one i have…….. it was nicer in the store…….. so i have a suspicion something is wrong with my bottle
korres cashmere kumquat
i tried to love this scent. reviews said it was a milder and softer version of alien. although i love alien, it triggers my migraine so bad that i can never wear it. sooooo i got this one during my visit to rhodes this summer, but this isn’t anywhere close to alien. sure, there is a similarity. and i’d love to use it as a different fragrance but it smells very bitter???? very sharp and bitter, and the dry down doesn’t get any better on me
zara amber in bloom
there is nothing wrong with this fragrance, it is just i don’t have much use for it :(((( i heard it is something in between armani prive rouge malachite and d&g the one, but never got a chance to smell either of them so i can’t really comment. longevity and the sillage is pretty good btw!! and it is nice, very sophisticated. probably not for me though
b&bw poppy
i don’t hate it, but my hand never reaches for it. a very lovely scent, and never causes migraine, so i can recommend it if you like sweet yet not too girly sweet body mists.
the rest of the fragrances i tried in 2024
i spent december in glasgow visiting a friend before my residency expired, then headed to manchester for a bit. turns out i really missed boots and selfridges :((((((
diptyque do son edp
this is just beautiful. so gorgeous. i might be biased when it comes to white florals, but this is just perfect. just more than i can afford rn :((((( i’m considering replacing chanel chance eau tendre with do son though
diptyque l’eau papier
i wasn’t expecting liking l’eau papier given its notes aren’t anything i ever tried before but this is such a nice surprise? cozy and soft, 10/10 truly
lush turmeric latte
i’m kinda angry at myself for not getting it bc 1) it was really cheap 2) very fairytale like scent. it kinda reminded me of this paste-like candy we have here. still not sure if i’d be happy smelling it on myself, though
lush chelsea morning
this is d&g devotion’s more cookie like sibling, so didn’t need another similar one
le labo santal 13
not a fragrance that works for me sadly. my notes say it was too sharp at first, and a bit chemical???
memo paris sintra
ok i was very in between about what to feel about sintra. something wasn’t right with the opening (a bit bitter?) but few mins later it was really sweet. a good kind of gourmand sweet. and the drydown gets even better!!! but a bit strong too. so i need to get a sample before i might even consider buying a bottle (tried it in the store once)
ex nihilo fleur narcotique
fresh white flowers!!! not the most unique scent i’ve tried, but it is beautiful and that’s what matters the most. can easily be an everyday scent. along with do son, fleur narcotique is pretty high up on my wishlist
jo malone scarlet poppy intense
my only problem with jo malone scents are how pricey they are considering their poor longevity……. i don’t mind the projection bc honestly some scents are better sticking close to skin, and these are mostly very simple and bright scents, so i’m happy with projection!! and they never cause migraines, which is almost always safe buy for me (i used to use english pear & freesia during my uni years a lot) anyways, scarlet poppy intense is lovely!!! it gives a bit of a nostalgic feeling, don’t know why though
penhaligon’s luna
very cute scent. but didn’t leave much of an impression on me. seems like i didn’t even take any notes on it, so.………….
penhaligon’s the bewitching jasmine
another gorgeous bottle, but the scent didn’t work for me sadly :c oud and i don’t make a great pair
penhaligon’s the coveted duchess rose
a bit soapy but a very nice and gentle rose my notes say.
gucci flora gorgeous jasmine
the body shop used to have a discontinued body mist called joy & jasmine, and this one smells exactly like that. very pretty white floral perfume i wouldn’t mind spraying all over me all the time. but not my first choice in the collection
gucci flora gorgeous gardenia
bc my first choice would be this one. only if it didn’t have the worst longevity ever :(((( i have a sample of it, and it doesn’t really last more than half an hour if i’m lucky…….. otherwise very beautiful and uplifting perfume. even though i don’t enjoy patchouli scents, patchouli in flora gorgeous line never bothered me
givenchy irresistible very floral
i keep going back to smelling this whenever i’m out for shopping in the department store here so ummmm VERY difficult to refrain myself from getting it. why am i not buying it??? bc the drydown has a weird salty, popcorn like note that i’m not very fond of. but it’s opening? it is just soooo perfect, idk what’s wrong with my skin that causes it to smell like popcorn and salt
shiseido ginza
i’ve received a small sample bottle of ginza, but it just smells like a fruit salad to me and i don’t want to be a fruit salad
jpg la belle
la belle reminds me of chocolate puffs a local bakery sells here. and i like it!!! i have a small 5 ml sample of it, and i find myself using it from time to time, but just not enough to get a full bottle. i’d still recommend it a lot, especially if you like fruit + gourmand combination. very feminine. it is a bit sweet though and might cause migraine if oversprayed
tom ford velvet orchid
get to try it bc my mum owns a bottle. a little masculine leaning, and i wouldn’t mind using it if it didn’t give me a headache. otherwise just straight up what i would call luxurious
lancome idole nectar
i have nothing bad to say about idole nectar, just that my previous purchases with lancome perfumes were always disappointing (see above + a few years ago poeme i got was just alcohol and macarating didn’t help)
estee lauder bronze goddess eau fraiche
how i wish this didn’t disappear after a few mins of spraying it :(((((( i mean ik this is eau fraiche but i still prefer this version over the edp, therefore i get no scent afterwards ofc crying…………… i get some toothpaste notes from the opening but it is a nice sort of toothpaste? idk, i just like this scent a bit too much and i’m sad it doesn’t really stay on me
zara vibrant caramel
fragrantica says this is a dupe for the prada paradoxe but i disagree. there is a similarity but i don’t think they smell identical, or similar enough to be called dupes. though please take this with a grain of salt bc i only get to smell paradoxe on my bestfriend, so the reason i don’t find them close might be that. on the other hand, vibrant caramel imo is still a very pretty scent, easy to wear if you need something to brighten up your mood or easily impress ppl
fragrances i want to try
maison martin margiela coffee break
any zoologist fragrance
chloe nomade lumiere d’egypte
goldfields & banks sunset hour
armani my way ylang
guerlain aqua allegoria nettare di sole
mugler alien hypersense
vs tease cocoa soiree
dries van noten camomille satin
histories de parfums this is not a blue bottle 1.2
zara cocoa bliss