It's De-stress Friday! Our community project for today: as we approach the holidays, wear something that keeps you tranquil and relaxed. What was your pick?
As always, do chime in with your scent of the day even if you're not participating in the community project.
I'm wearing Monocle + Comme des Garçons Scent One: Hinoki.
Reminder: on Friday 12/26, for Boxing Day, wear a perfume you received as a present, or have given as a present, or that you wish someone would give you as a present
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2015, where I'll try to always have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: top image is 京都 KYOTO [cropped] by Yoozigen at flickr; some rights reserved.
That photo is very relaxing. Wish I could be walking there now. 🙂
Calming and comfy ‘fume today: Lyric Woman. 🙂
Wearing super comfy chunky knit sweater, which I sprayed on. I pull up the cowl of the sweater and mmmmmm…
I will walk there with you! Preferably when it’s at least 70 degrees out.
Wonderful!
I deliberated endlessly about this one. I ended up thinking it would have to be either:
ELDO Rien, it’s nuclear but incredibly destressing.
L’Heure Bleue as it has the best sillage of any perfume I know.
YSL Paris, as Paris and I go back a long time.
Aromatics Elixir; same effect as Rien, nearly same killer strength as well.
Sacrebleu; because sometimes sweet is good.
Amouage Gold; Utterly gorgeous, always reminds me of foamy puddings and flying carpets.
Songes and Heure Exquise; For the “Goutal” effect.
I ended up wearing La Promesse de l’Aube; the first fragrance that brought tears to my eyes at first smell. These days I do not quite respond to it in that way but it’s seamless beauty is so soothing. Have a great weekend!
Great list. I love Paris.
Hey, hope this project did not stress you out!
It nearly did 😉
Aromatics Elixir works really well for me too. I typically reach for my bottle of AE when I am upset or anxious.
Glad to see another fan. I find it helps me focus better. Haven’t got a clue why. It also works as a confidence booster.
Promesse is so beautiful! But I agree with Songes and HE…. there is something about the quality of nature reflected in AG fragrances that make them very soothing, even if they are still elegant. No one is spazing out when they wear HE!
Wow – a scent so beautiful it brought tears to your eyes. Amazing. I hope to come across a scent like this for me too.
I’m wearing Dzongkha by L’Artisan. Smokey vetiver over buttery iris, it’s the most Zen like incense fragrance I own and today (so far) it seems to be working – I’m feeling very calm and unruffled.
Oh, I love that one, and I find it calming too.
It is lovely stuff and doesn’t get half the attention it should!
One of my favourite summer frags- its so serene. Thanks for the reminder to place it on the current rotation tray 🙂
Your welcome – just call me enabler Bob!
You’re…
I’m in Nirvana Black again, with some added Natori just for fun. I’ve been finding that one comforting too.
Robin – I will have to try that Comme de Garcons Hinoki. I bought some Hinoki oil not long ago and have fallen in love with it as a note. So airy and calm.
Fun, who makes the oil?
Silky Scents. They have a lot of nice oils I’ve been playing with in my perfume class, but the Hinoki is currently my favorite. The airiest wood I’ve smelled thus far.
I’m getting some stuff from Liberty Naturals, including some hinoki oil. Should be arriving later today, and your description has me excited to try it out.
Thanks!
I’m wearing Vent Vert, which is my go-to fragrance when I don’t know what else I want to wear. It was the first scent I actively sought out for purchase, as opposed to a scent that I just happened upon. It always make me feel good. Its not the vintage version, but I bought it in the the last decade, so it is probably the next to the last reformulation.
That’s probably about the version I have too — great stuff.
I went with Belle en Rykiel; something about this dusky gourmand is calming and comforting. Still in a crappy mood today, however.
Sometimes it feels good to be a little cranky!
Yeah! I like a sprinkle of “everyone else is wrong today” now and again. Eh, to each his own 😉
Solidarity with the crappy mood today. Lucked into kind of an extraordinary but daunting work opportunity, that requires many long stretches of very quiet time to accomplish…so naturally, extended family decides (without consulting) it is a good time to descend on my house, pout when I decline any of the succession of activities they want to do together. (Nota. They all have their own houses, in the area. They just consider my place more convenient for convening the whole group.) MRAAHHHHHH.
…sooo, what perfume is the cure for that?? Hahahahaha maybe something horrific, to clear out the house! Secretions Magnifiques?
Strategic!
Ouch! I’d wear four sprays of Amarige, that should work as a family repellent!
Feeling a bit crappy myself. Hope the perfume (and perfume chatting!) helps some.
I’m wearing CdG Black. It’s funny how this has gone from being an “I couldn’t possibly wear this to work” scent to a sort of comfortable one that I wear often. I hadn’t read the comments from yesterday comparing Lampblack to this one before I picked it this morning but now I’m definitely going to have to try Lampblack too.
They definitely have a black / tarry vibe in common, but the CdG is more incense and the BF is more vetiver.
I am wearing marrakech by Aesop. Very nice. I wish they still made the Mystra as well. I would have liked to try it.
Happy Holidays, Robin!
And to you!
I didn’t keep notes on Mystra but I recall it was turpsy and churchy on me and I preferred Marrakech. Funny how Aesop started out with two frags and are now down to one – I’m grateful someone’s bucking the excess-choice trend. No one edits ANYTHING anymore.
I wore Acqua di Parma Colonia Oud today, as this oudy/woody/citrussy delight was love at first sniff for me and despite the $$$ it cost it just makes me breathe in deeply, smiling.
Its hot tonight, and as jasmine is both perfect for hot nights and is an anti-depressant narcotic, im wearing A La Nuit
A La Nuit is a great tranquil scent! I almost went with that as jasmine reminds me of home 🙂
SOTD is Chanel Cristalle. I love the bergamont blast in the opening. I find bergamont to be both comforting and energizing. Since I am so very NOT a morning person, this manages to keep me soothed and awake on those mornings that I really, really don’t want to get out of bed.
Such a great scent!
Shalimar never fails to make me feel better, and the fact that it lasts and lasts makes it a safe choice when I want my perfume to keep me good company. Also, it is elegant and empowering. Other top choices would be Eau d’Hadrien, 31 rue Cambon and Mohur.
You seem to have a strong bond with Shalimar!
Yes! And nobody seems to wear it here, it’s not even sold in the entire country.
What fragrances are popular in Brazil then?
Fresh stuff, women here are very afraid to be cloying. Which is totally understandable, since temps remain above 30 degrees for most of the year and not everybody is a fiend, like myself. They wear things such as Light Blue, Acqua di Gio, O de Lancome, Bulgari Thé Vert and national things, like Acqua Fresca cologne, which is a bit in the line of Eau d’Orange Verte, or Natura Chá Mate, which is very green and sharp. Once in a month I might cross a stranger wearing something like Coco Mademoiselle or the new Miss Dior, but that’s about it!
I don’t really have a relaxation scent, but I also picked Shalimar because it’s comfortable and familiar (kind of like going home, even when going home is decidedly NOT relaxing). I can still smell my Rose Jam bath products, too, and that’s certainly a soothing fragrance.
I picked Shalimar as well. I spray this and just feel warm, comforted and cosy plus it just smells so exquisite that I never tire of it.
Adding to the Shalimar wearers here. I find it relaxing enough to wear the body lotion to bed and fall asleep to the smoky vanilla. Wearing it today to a fancy Christmas buffet lunch attended by about 8 family members with very disparate views of life — calmness will be good and, as someone mentioned yesterday, Shalimar plays well with food.
Hope it all turned out well. Being in the middle of a clash of incompatible world views can be tiresome!
Solanace,
Thanks for the wishes. It turned out very well. One of my nieces arrived unexpectedly which was a true gift, especially for one of my sisters who had not seen her for years and years. The venue had a fabulous buffet and the location has a gorgeous water view so it was wonderful — the stress of no one having to host at their home made for much relaxation.
I am another Shalimar + Rose Jam combo, how fun!
Shalimar is one of my top three comfy outside world scents. The ones i wear when i can’t stay at home on the couch with a book and a snack. 🙂
We should start this Christmas tradition: everybody stays at home, on the couch, wearing pajamas with a book and a snack. Suitable for any latitude. 🙂
SOTD is Alchimie by Rochas. I often wear it as a sleep scent, as it’s so powdery on me, and just feels very soothing.
I went with Chergui today. This scent is growing on me and the honey/tabacco definitely smells very comforting, and therefore, destressing to me.
I really wanna try this one! Sounds lovely!
What can be more relaxing than lavender (at least for me)? So I am wearing Panhaligon’s Lavandula. It’s wonderful! Mostly lavender, plus other aromatics herbs. Very calming, like a soft herbal blanket. I wish I had more than 5 ml of this scent.
That one is really nice. I hadn’t even been much of a lavender fan, until I smelled Lavandula for the first time a couple weeks ago. Def at least decant-worthy!
I need to try this one: I love lavender in perfumes.
For years now my laid-back relaxation comfort scent has been Amour de Cacao. Always puts me in a good mood.
SOTD is Galaad (Lubin). My mini-splash of Eau Noire arrived today, will be applying that tomorrow. Have a nice weekend everyone! 🙂
I went with Knize Ten today. I’ve recently trimmed my collection severely and kept only the six or so bottles that seem “me” and Azemore nearly won out, but I’m glad I went with Knize Ten – it is working nicely.
I’m another of those who stressed out over choosing a stress-calming perfume! Eventually I realized that just wearing fragrance is calming for me, and then got a minor case of the giggles over the whole muddle. I think I would have gone with Hermes Osmanthe Yunnan if I hadn’t completely drained all my samples a while back. I ended up deciding that leather is very calming for me, so I’m wearing Jolie Madame layered with Dior Cuir Cannage (again) and LOVING it (again!). As an aside, BobH, you have convinced me I really need to try Dzongka – it sounds gorgeous.
Don’t hesitate, go out and do it now!
Ooh, you ARE Enabler Bob, aren’t you! Ordering a sample is on my list for this weekend.
Jolie Madame, now with MORE LEATHER! Love it.
I know! With all that calming leather, I should be comatose by now! 🙂
Osmanthe Yunnan is very soothing. Not sure what I’ll do when my 15 ml bottle runs out. I got it at a bargain price; hopefully I’ll be lucky again.
Calming scent is DK Black Cashmere, for a day of finishing up the shopping and wrapping. (We finally got the tree on Wednesday and decorated it yesterday… we were waiting for Bookworm to get home from college! Latest ever on the tree. Oh well, it looks good.)
I saw someone driving home yesteday with a tree on their car, so you are not alone!
Here we decorate the tree on the evening before Christmas Eve (or even the morning on Christmas Eve for the puritans), so you can always claim you are following Swedish traditions :).
Well I totally forgot to wear something that would be de-stressing (I probably would have gone with Philosykos). So I tried my sample of FM Bigarade Concentree. Much like yesterday’s SL Fleur d’Oranger, it smells like rank BO. Rank BO with rotting lemons, to be more precise. It’s actually kind of nauseating, haha. So maybe these 2 days in a row are a sign that citrus is not for me… I’m really hitting it out of the ballpark this week!! 🙂 Hopefully it will have faded by the time I’m done with my errands and I can try something else.
Rank BO with rotting lemons…. made me laugh out loud. I actually remember liking this fragrance when I gave it a sniff in the shops… bitter orange? But now cannot recall it all. Your description makes me wish I did!
I liked the sniff of the vial – and actually the smell of it when I was smearing it on my wrist (so I did so lavishly) and then moments later WHAM BAM! hehe.
I think both of those scents have cumin though…so wouldn’t give up on citrus necessarily.
So wise!
Many people think cumin makes perfume smell like B.O. Cedar can lend a sweaty note to perfume.
Oh, and white flowers (orange blossom, tuberose, jasmine, gardenia, etc.) can smell like decay or bodily secretions.
Interesting – right now I really like some orange blossom and tuberose scents – so I’ll have to see if that comes up as I try more and more!
Cosigning with those who suspect cumin or cedar as the likelier culprit! Some citrus frags that won’t smell as rank, just off the top of my head–Orange Sanguine, Rose d’Ete, Cartier Zeste de Soleil (but you should prob skip Declaration!) Probably numerous of the Hermes colognes too, but I’ll let someone else weigh in there–the truth is that I kinda like rank, and right now I can’t totally recollect which of those are really free of any mustiness and which I liked despite/because of same!
Hehe, I don’t mind some things – the other day I put Mure et Musc extreme on and for the first time out of several wears it definitely smelled like post-sex nether regions! That didn’t bother me (though I wondered what my hubby would think when he got home, haha) – but the old shirt sitting in laundry BO thing – oh man, I can’t do it!
Ah yes – Cumin is in the SL Fleurs d’Oranger, and it must be the cedarwood in the FM – Bigarade Concentree (as there is no cumin in that one). Phew! I did recently try Ray of Light which is extremely citrusy – with no ill effects so the cumin and cedarwood must be the culprits! Based on my spreadsheet (scent noob here), the only fragrance with cedar that I do like is Philosykos – the rest I really didn’t like. Good to know!! Thanks for all of the input 🙂
Curious why you think there is no cumin in BC?
Oh I just didn’t see it listed in the notes when I looked online. I checked a couple different places. I did just come across an interesting review of it on Kafkaesque – distinct smell of cumin but cumin isn’t listed in the notes. It’s very curious!
Never expect a list of notes to be comprehensive…a perfume might have 80 notes and list 10.
I put on POTL (Luctor et Emergo). It is my go-to scent to de-stress, feel good, etc.
Amouage’s Opus VIII makes me smile so it is my SOTD
I have quite a few I wear to de-stress but since many are still packed, I’m in For Strange Women again today. Winter Kitty oil layered over the Vetiver solid with some frankensense essential oil mixed into my handcreme. I smell very chill even if I’m a ball of stress today. Im really glad I don’t have to drive the interstate with a rental van full of boxes today. The holiday traffic brings out the jerk in so many drivers. Even one day off from it to do some packing and cleaning will be heaven.
SOTD is Volnay’s Etoile d’Or… shares some DNA with early Guerlains… I think it is the benzoin… a little bitter citrus and some lavender… Lovely and peaceful.
My fav chill out frags are AG Mandragore Pourpre, Shalimar, vintage Emeraude, No 5… but today was definitely an almost chill day with Etro Shaal Nur. I have too much to get done at work before the holidays to get totally relaxed.
You’ve reminded me that I have to wear my Etro’s more often. They are very quirky. Hope you got your work done!
Calming scent is Coromandel, which is like taking a nap under a cashmere throw. Lovely.
Kiehl’s Musk oil. I was trying to decide what to wear and this caught my eye. It seems to be working. I have always considered musk to be a comfort scent, as long as it isn’t the modern, sanitized laundry musk. This is not quite as rich and dirty as the musks I remember from the 70s, but it will do. This has been quite a week for me. I have actually been on vacation, but I cannot remember a less relaxing vacation. Let’s just say nothing has gone quite as it was supposed to,
Nostalgie, by Sonoma Scent Studio. One of my true loves.
I forgot to grab somethiing at home to fit today’s theme. It would have been Chene, because that is my go to comfort scent. Not sure what it is, but I do love it. So, with what I have in my purse and office, I found my Pacifica Tibetan Mountain Temple solid. The ginger and orange make it feel festive, like spiced cider. Perhaps I’ll add some CBIHP Gathering Apples for the full effect! Actually, I’ll probably spritz on a little Yves Rocher Vanilla later, for additional calming.
I haven’t worn this in a while and don’t know why – it’s so nice! I keep huffing my wrist. I might have to get a roll-on/spray of this one as the solid does not last long.
La Via del Profumo Mecca Balsam. The official notes are cistus labdanum, frankincense, benzoin, agarwood, tonka bean, tobacco, Indian tuberose and Damask rose. To me, it smells like molten beeswax and smokey honey. I’m especially attracted to it when I want to be enveloped by a warm, relaxing and protective scent. 🙂
That one’s a beauty!
Vanille Insensée is easily my number one comfort scent so I went with that. I got my little mini in the Sephora set that also includes Orange Sanguine. I got the set for the OS but I’ve ended up liking VI better. I find that OS doesn’t offer very much after its admittedly amazing opening.
I totally agree with your comment about Orange Sanguine. Fantastic opening and then it fizzles.
Vanille Insensee is very comforting 🙂 Great pick for today.
Guerlain SDV is my de-stress scent today. Who could be tense with vanilla and woods wafting around?
I’m in Guerlain too, namely Encens Mythique D’Orient. I think I have called it a cashmere blanket before, but it is appropriate.
I went with Shalimar Ode a la Vanille again today. It’s nasty out today – it’s been raining since last night, so it’s like wrapping up in a snuggly, vanilla-scented blanket.
Good choice! Loved that one last winter. The couple of times I’ve tried it this season, I haven’t been enthralled. It’s so irritating when that happens. Maybe the worse winter gets, it’ll go back to being easy to wear…
That is annoying when that happens. I hope you’re able to rediscover it later in the winter.
I’m wearing What I Did on My Holidays by 4160 Tuesdays. I was really hoping to love this one because the notes sounded so good to me (suntan lotion, sea air, peppermint, and vanilla ice cream) but it starts off with a MASSIVE blast of peppermint, goes straight into very detergenty lemon, and is now (about 2 hours after applying) something weird I can’t even identify. At least it’s only a sample.
Ooh, I actually love that one. I get no lemon but just creamy coconut and peppermint until the weird scratchy end when I just reapply and start over. I think the only reason I love it is that it reminds me of childhood birthday parties; peppermint icecream cakes were all the rage. Sorry it doesn’t work for you.
Grey, rainy, and cold here today: yuck! So I chose Infusion d’Iris Absolue, and then layered on as much wool, silk, and cashmere as I could find. I only wish it was a bit more present today, as I could use the protective bubble around me.
Love reading everyone else’s choices. As always, reading about these scents that I haven’t tried conjures up imaginary worlds, like reading a travel guide to a place you’ve never been.
I’ve been de-stressing for several days now with YSL Nu edp (in hockey puck form) ever since I stubbornly, impatiently (and stupidly!) decided to move a very heavy potted houseplant (more like a small tree) by myself. I am woman! I am strong! Right? My back said, Noooooooo! Nu has been my constant comforting companion – some find it powerful and sexy but I find the incense very soothing – as I’ve hobbled around ever so s-l-o-w-l-y. Today, a bit more mobility – and being able to put my own socks on again – has me grateful for life’s small pleasures!
Oh dear! I’m glad to hear that mobility is returning. Take care.
I had wanted to wear my SL De Profundis, but I’ve reorganized my collection (again!) and can’t find it. So I’m going to spritz my new bedtime fave, What We Do In Paris Is Secret. Maybe just because I love the name.
I predict that my de-stress and comfort scents are going to get a lot of wear this weekend, when the Pineapple Express is due to arrive and dump 2-5 inches of rain on us. 🙁
AHHHH! I’ve been wearing De Profundis a bunch lately, and I’ve been just loving it. I want another decant, but it’s sooooo expensive – well, expensive for a grad student, ha! 🙁
Wearing my favorite vanilla scent today, Profumum Vanitas. I love CdG Hinoki too, need to wear that one again soon! And Dzongkha is in my permanent top 10.
I have a sample of that one I haven’t tried yet. Maybe next week!
Calming and comforting started in my shower with Philosophy’s Almond Cream three-in-one, followed by TBS’s Almond body butter and finished off with some generous sprays of Guerlain’s SDV. We then took the baby with us to finish up some shopping and by the end when she wanted her nap and was making it known to everyone around us, I was glad I’d picked something soothing for the both of us as we hurried out, she snuggled up on my shoulder and trying to sleep as we rushed back home. 😉
Almond, vanilla, sandalwood and incense notes work far better for calming me down than lavender, though I am curious to give Caron’s Homme with the lavender and vanilla a try. It’s not too expensive, but lavender is a mood note for me and I’d hate to buy it and then hardly ever wear it. Perhaps a decant is in order.
I hope everyone’s having a happy and not too hectic Friday. The older kids start winter vacation today and are off until the 3rd or 4th. It’s going to take lots of SDV to get me through the next couple weeks. 😛
Lavender gives me enormous headaches – but I love almond and incense for calm.
I love Caron Pour Homme and its what I usually wear when I’m stressed or otherwise not feeling well. I also like SL Gris Clair for a calming lavender and that’s what I went with today.
Wearing SHL 777 Oumma, a good relaxation scent. Tomorrow’s the last day at work before the Christmas holiday, and luckily I’ve bought all the christmas presents.
And those bamboo woods in the picture- I’ve actually been there! 🙂
How cool that you’ve been there!
Dzing, of course! I love how it reminds me of vintage pink patent leather at first spray, and then mellows and mellows.
I would have worn Dzongkha, which is what I spray on myself each evening after I change out of my work clothes, but I can’t wear that to the office.
However, my ultimate comfort scent is … kitty breath. Yes, that awful stink that wafts my way every time the cat yawns. I love it. I wish someone would put it in a bottle!
Lol I have to admit that I love kitty breath too. What’s not comforting about a cat in your face? 🙂
Hee hee I love my kitty’s fish breath too.
Santal Exotique from The Exotic Island Perfumer– what isn’t calming about lots of real sandalwood with cozy baking spices. I smell delicious.
Sounds great.
It is really wonderful
Bathroom(s) renovations DONE!!Springcleaning and accesorizing said bathrooms…DONE!!I treated myself to a long hot bath in the new tub…and it was SUPERpeaceful and relaxing!Off to bed in SOTE-for comfort and it soothes me always!-Shalimar Eau de Cologne!Yummy lemony-vanilla summerblanket!Happy Weekend NST!
Diptyque’s Philosykos, which I’ve rediscovered recently having hardly worn it for years. It was one of my first niche fragrances. I then smelled oodles of complex, high end and vintage stuff and Philosykos seemed a bit linear by comparison. I now realise its simplicity is the key to its success. I think I’ve relaxed into Philosykos, which is really great.
This is one of my first niche fragrances (but I’m still new). I hope that I will continue to appreciate it as I delve into more things as well!
I hope so too. You can hardly do better. 🙂
I forgot to mention how much I like today’s picture. Definitely calming.
Glad you liked it 🙂
Serge Lutens Jeux de Peau for me today. I can’t wait for this week to be over. And I still need to buy at least several gifts – maybe then I will be able to relax.
No actual fragrance, just some Ren moroccan rose otto body oil.
I had a very relaxing day today, home alone just doing some cleaning and gift wrapping. First I tried CD Midnight Poison which I liked and then switched to FM Une Rose which is a definite love.
I went with Eau des Merveilles today. Both comforting and comfortable. Never too much and it just smells like heaven to me.
SOTD SL Un Bois Vanille- Never fails me and is a go-to, all around perfect fragrance for anytime of the year. Smooth and hits just the right spot!
On another note, I just ordered myself a bottle of Zelda from En Voyage!!! I have been wanting to get this for good while now and when my sample was pretty much KAPUT I left the sample vial open on my dresser and there was a light film of oil in the vial and my entire bedroom smelled wonderful for about two weeks!
Just about finished with Christmas shopping just have to wrap and I am DONE! Wahoo!
Hope everyone had a ZEN-like day =)
Pardon my over-use of exclamation points. I need to get my ZEN on 😉
I had a potentially scary doctor’s appointment this morning and reached for Byredo Gypsy Water. Appointment went well and now am scent free as we took the kiddos to a water park and the chlorine is just too much. However, I sprayed some Bond #9 Brooklyn into the heater. It’s so lovely…just not on my skin!
Oh, so glad the doctor’s appointment went well! Great to put those things behind you. (And hopefully by today, the chlorine as well! 🙂 )
I went with Bois des Iles yesterday. The first perfume I bought myself ( I came to perfume rather late in life) and still a favorite.