Today we're helping Kate, a regular commenter (as KateReed) here at Now Smell This. Kate wants to find a nice bedtime /downtime scent — not too loud, not too quiet. It would be great if it was a natural fragrance, or at least, not "heavily chemical". She says she has less than $90 of wiggle room in her budget every month, so it has to be reasonably priced. She usually shops online. Here is what we know about Kate:
She's in her mid-30s, single, and works in insurance sales. She says she can sometimes be perverse simply to be perverse.
For fun, she reads and writes. She loves sci-fi and sci-fantasy books, and for movies, westerns.
She says she has little if any sense of style.
She hates being cooped up, and likes the windows open.
Kate likes dry and powdery fragrances, but she also likes many other kinds of fragrances; she has gone through floral, aquatic, woody and green "phases". She doesn't like melon or banana, or anything too sweet, and while she doesn't mind vanilla, she'd rather find something that doesn't have a strong vanilla presence. She doesn't mind oils or solids, but she'd prefer a spray.
Here is what she has tried recently in her search:
The Lavanila line: all too focused on vanilla.
Pacifica Spanish Amber: she really liked this one, but then got tired of it. It started her powdery kick though.
Pacifica Sandalwood: ok but dull.
The Smell Bent line: her favorites are Never Never Land, Tibet UR Bottom $, Violet Tendencies and Bollywood or Bust, but she likes them all for day or work, not to relax.
What say you?
Note: image is lettres by jenny downing at flickr; some rights reserved.
I love L’Heure Bleu by Guerlain for winding down. It does have a calming effect. I have a friend who wears it to bed.
My first thought at the word *natural* was HdP I Love Les Carrottes. Is that still available? I think that’s a beautiful, soft carrot/iris scent. Dry and rooty, not too sweet. Also, it is surprisingly long lasting on me for a natural.
In an entirely different direction, I’d recommend Guerlain’s Mahora (cheap on eBay) – a soft, sandy white flower (for peeps that aren’t white flower lovers!) on sandalwood scent.
How do you mean “sandy”, do you mean beachy or deserty?
It feels “beachy” to me without any oceanic notes. I’m not a white flower fan, but in Mahora, I feel like I’m lying on a warm, sandy beach, smelling them from a distance. I think the sandalwood base adds to the sense of woods and sand. Does any of this make sense?
Yes, that’s exactly the explanation I was needing! Thanks, Rapp!
Dior Dune. No, seriously. All the recent reviews aren’t wrong.
I wore Dune all through high school. While it was a nice perfume, it has too many awful connotations. But thanks for the suggestion!
The first idea that came to my mind was Prada Infusion d’Iris, then Prada Infusion d’Homme and Chanel No.19 Poudre came across my head.
Infusions were the first ones that came to my mind, speacilly D’Homme. She can also try Dior Homme Intense, Hermès Hiris and Eau de Gentiane Blanche.
Infusions from Prada are very beautiful, chic and elegant. Their powderyness is wonderful if one likes powdery scents. I haven’t still tried de Rose and de Tubereuse, they’re still not here…
Infusion d’iris is a good choice too.
The first thing that came to mind when I read “powdery” is Flower by Kenzo, but, while I wouldn’t call it a vanilla fragrance, it does have a noticeable amount of vanilla.
You might check out DSH Winter White if you like heliotrope. In general she has a lot of great mostly-natural and natural fragrances available in small, affordable sizes.
I second Flower by Kenzo for a nice powdery scent.
Huuuuum, I love Kenzo Flower.
Has Kate tried Pacifica Tibetan Mountain Temple? There’s something about it that’s very calming. It’s not all that complex (I think the notes are mandarin, ginger, vetiver, and incense?) but I don’t find it boring, just comfortable. I’ve also tried the Spanish Amber and the Sandalwood, and I think TMT is superior to either.
I’ve also been using Tokyo Milk Ex Libris as a “downtime” scent — notes are (very green) fig, magnolia, cardamom, and “bronzed musk,” though I don’t detect much of that last one. Simple but rewarding.
If Kate wants to revisit vanilla at any point, I’d recommend Habanita. Very powdery, and a different style from most contemporary takes on vanilla. And cheap! Perhaps also Bulgari Black?
Second the recommendation of the DSH scents — lots to play around with there, and all of Dawn’s scents seem to be intelligently crafted.
One more thought — perhaps the new Aromatics Elixir Perfumer’s Reserve? I know that all this is so subjective, but for me it’s another perfume with that elusive calming-yet-intriguing quality. It’s $75, but you get close to an ounce of extrait in a killer bottle.
That’s a great idea, Emily!
I thought of TMT too.
I do have TMT, but there’s something about it that actually wakes me up! (Oh, dear…how perverse!) I do really like it, but for winding down, it just doesn’t suit, I’m afraid.
Oh, that’s so funny. I do see how TMT could have an invigorating effect, though, especially with the ginger. Perhaps if I’d first started wearing it as a daytime fragrance instead of at bedtime, I’d feel the same way!
2nd Dior Dune.
2nd Prada Infusion d’Iris, and adding Prada Candy.
Hermes Eau de Merveilles.
A bit over the price range – Chanel 31 Rue Cambon.
Yes, I give my vote for Prada Candy. It’s so gorgeous! Great if you’re looking for some nice vanilla-caramel, wihout too much sweetiness
Well, may not fit “natural,” but I thought of this for powdery…
L’EAU D’HIVER
Have fun!
I like to wear Kenzo Amour for snuggling in bed. It’s powdery and soft and very comforting. And the bottle is a work of art and looks so pretty sitting on any surface.
Agree – it’s very soft and relaxing!
Kenzo Amour was my first thought, too! Lovely and comforting.
I second KenzoAmour.
Tam Dao, while not powdery, is very contemplative and suited to down time, and feels very natural. I also find all of the Tocca’s to be very natural smelling, though possibly a bit floral/sweet.
If you like the Pacifica line, you might also look at the Rochelle Rose perfume oils. I sampled some recently (Nostalgie and Wild Honeysuckle) and was floored by how natural they smelled. I believe that company works with all natural ingredients, and Kate could buy half the line with her monthly perfume budget!
I’m afraid I know nothing of natural scent lines, so none that I am about to suggest will tick that box. Bearing that in mind, I hope these suggestions prove useful……..
Scents from L’Artisan Parfumeur would, it seems to me, appeal to someone who likes to be perverse for the sake of it! The best for ‘downtime’ would be Bois Farine and Dzongkha. Bois Farine is nutty and slightly powdery (well, flour-y, to be precise!!) Dzongkha is a bone dry woody-iris! And Safran Troublant or Tea for Two are gorgeous gourmandes with some comforting spice and sweetness, absolutely gorgeous. And they are all affordably within your price range.
Slightly more pricey, but worth sampling and saving for a special treat (or putting on a ‘gift list’!!) would be the powdery Teint de Neige, and Mona di Orio’s almond-vanilla Musc Les Nombres D’Or, or indeed her green-spicy-incense Vanille Les Nombres D’Or.
I second Kenzo Amour and Pacifica’s Tibetan Mountain Temple. A nice soft musk can be relaxing too – I’ve been wearing one from Bourbon French Perfumes to bed lately and love it. (BFP has a website and the scents are very reasonable).
These aren’t from natural scent lines but they do fall in with your budget…
I agree with anything by Prada as a great recommendation, and add Emeraude by Coty and Bvlgari Omnia – great chill out -comfort scents.
Both Crabtree & Evelyn and Elizabeth Arden have some nice comfort scents for the money – very cheap! – the lavendar ones are my favorites.
You may also like Hermessence Vetiver Tonka but its more pricey.
Emeraude is right up there with the Dune, sorry to say. But Omnia, really? I’ll have to make a note to go sniff in the mall again, last time I braved the gaunlet of too bright lights it was the farthest thing from my mind.
Hi Kate – Bvlgari Omnia has notes of black pepper, mandarin, masala tea, saffron, ginger, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, almond, chocolate, lotus blossom, and sandalwood. On me, it’s very soft and powdery and light but long lasting. It has an intriguing chocolate and very pretty sandalwood dry down.
You can get order a sample on line from The Perfumed Court without having to brave the mall!
I was out looking for a chocolate recently! But no one even mentioned Omnia… (of course, I also had to go get a salesgirl from another counter and drag her over to the fragrances in the first place. Was not a stellar shopping experience.) Okies, will try! Er…or write down on the list of to tries.
Mmmm, a yummy chocolate is Musc Maori from parfumerie Generale, and also a spicy, slightly green-tomato scent with chocolate is the Mexico inspired Piment Brulant from L’Artisan……..
The Brecourt Ambre Noir is a really nice, powdery amber, and it available for $60 at indiescents (not affiliated!), and two others I can highly recommend in the same price range are Olympic Orchids Olympic Amber, and Sonoma Scent Studio Ambre Noir (which is a little darker, and drier than the other two).
Good testing to you! 🙂
Oh, and I almost forgot, one of my favorite sleep scents!
It’s from TokyoMilk Dark: Bittersweet! For about $30 🙂
It’s cocoa, then sweet skin musk.
(I wore it to bed last night, and can report that it was very calming)
I have not yet tried any of the Dark fragrances, for some reason. I did send some to a good friend, but only orderd tchotzkes(sp?) and lip balms for myself. Bittersweet sounds great!
Thirding or fourthing Prada Infusion D’Iris. Haven’t tried the other Infusions. Also give Prada Eau Ambree a sniff – it is a delicate amber with a lot of similarity to Infusion D’Iris.
I agree on Prada Infusion D`Iris. And perhaps Diptyque Eau Duelle, if that isn`t too much vanilla for her? I find Eau Duelle very calming and cosy.
Hermes Santal Massoia
Hermes Eau Claire de Merveille
Estee Lauder Sensous Nude
and second Kenzo Amour
Second Eau Claire de Merveille.
I would like to recommend a few that ive run across with a strong powdery aspect:
Montale – Blue Amber (powdery spice)
Parfums 06130 – Lentisque (powdery rose floral)
Serge Lutens – Fumerie Turque (powdery incense)
Sinfonia Di Note – Bouquet de Bois (powdery woods/vetiver)
Huitieme Art – Naiviris (powdery white floral)
Just my two cents ( or scents), two fragrances that I find very calming but not at all dull:
Caron: Pour un Homme
Dior: Dior Homme
Good luck!
<—-Second on Caron!
nice suggestions
Third on the Caron. Pour Homme is lovely lavender and vanilla. You’d have to see if it’s too much vanilla for you.
Have you tried Comptoir Sud Pacifique”s Amour De Cacao? I have been wearing this for over 15 years and always, always receive compliments. The dry down is powdery and has a lovely dark chocolate scent, not at all over powering. Also their Malin Catin is my “go to” wind down scent, it is milky and soft and smells like the top of a newborn’s ( clean) head. Good luck!
A lovely powdery iris is Calamity J from Juliette Has A Gun
Yes! This is worth testing (think I’ll wear it as my sleep scent tonight…)
natural and calming feels Encens et Lavande, Serge Lutens
My all-time favorite sleepy scent is Diptyque’s Philosykos — unique, comforting, green figgy goodness. I wouldn’t necessarily call it powdery, but I think it would be right up a powder fan’s alley.
I’ve been exploring the SSS line this month, and several of the scents could be considered comforting and natural smelling. Of the ones I’ve tried, I think Sienna Musk would make the best night-time scent–warm and spicy, but gentles into a lovely musk without being soapy.
i just got today mon jasnin noir by bvlgari.. at first spray it comes off as powdery. its just lovely. i have a thing for jasmine perfumes. its also very clean smelling, just over all an elegant and gorgeous perfume.
I second Blimunda’s suggestion for Bois Farine by L’Artisan Parfumeur. It’s an amazing fragrance, I usually wear it when I expect a stressful day at work to calme me down. I’m in my second bottle.
Also, you might like to try CB I hate Perfume – In the Library. It has a very soft vanilla note and a dusty and also calming feeling like being in an old library, filled with leather bound books. Since you like reading and writing, I think it’s quite fitting, plus it’s not as chemical as most perfumes.
Maybe try a sniff of Hanae Mori Butterfly. They carry it at Sephora usually. Here’s the list of notes: Strawberries, Bilberries, Black Currant, Bulgarian Rose, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Sandalwood, Almond, Praline. Despite this list it is not as sweet as it sounds and I find it powdery and very relaxing. I use it as a bedtime scent at times, although my go-to spray is CdG Kyoto from the Incense series.
Just received some samples that I ordered from Midnight Gypsy Alchemy off etsy. They’re natural, in oil, and she does some interesting things by adding fruit infusions to the essential oils and absolutes. Am currently trying The Evening Stars which is soft and beautiful and I think it might fit. Her prices are very reasonable and she has matching soaps and body butters for some of the scents as well
Thanks everyone!
Went to luckyscent today and made up my sample list (which is dry powdery chocolate heavy…)
I’ll let you know how it turns out!