January 13, 2010

The Muse’s Year End Review 2009: The Muse’s Fav Fragrances

As we head towards the closing of this month I’m catching up on all my favorites this year. Some are oldies but goodies and some were released in 2009. Whatever the case may be they ended up on my year end review list because they stood out and were a favorite for me throughout the year, an item I reached for daily.

Join me today as I give you the run down of some of very favorite scents this year.

Jump ahead for it!

Fragrance makes such an impact on one’s life. A certain smell can evoke a memory, create a sense of comfort or well being, or catches the nose of that special someone you yearn to notice you. Although it’s far removed from the chaos of the makeup junkie lifestyle, fragrance still manages to make an appearance on many vanities far and wide. Some folk are downright obsessive about it in some cases such as we all are with our color cosmetics. I happen to love a good scent myself and today I’ll bring you some fragrances that made an impact on my year.

Estee Lauder Beautiful has been a good friend for many a year, perhaps in some cases as far back as high school for me. I’m not a fan of the regular version as it is a bit too rich but Estee Lauder Beautiful Sheer has been a part of my fragrance vanity for many a day and tops my favorite list most ever year. A timeless classic.

Fav Perfumes 2

If someone were to ask me what my signature scent is I wouldn’t think twice about my answer, Lush Ginger. Lush Ginger Fragrance was discontinued some time ago much to my dismay. Left with a broken heart and one too many bottles I was quite pleased to see they brought it back with their retro line. It’s somewhat smoky, somewhat deep, somewhat sophisticated, and for me all things beautiful. It’s what I smell like most days of my life.

Fav Perfumes 3

Victoria’s Secret Love Spell is a piece of history in some aspects. Not many people can’t say they don’t know it’s fruity, tart smell. It’s a fond favorite of the Muse and she just wishes they’d revamp it and put it into a better formula. Terrific and a fond favorite.

Fav Perfumes 1

Like Lush Ginger, I consider Dianne Brill Eau de Parfum my signature scent. It’s smoky, sophisticated, and quite gorgeous. This is a must have for any fragrance lover and a Muse Approved perfume and very fond favorite.

Fav Perfumes 5

Eau de Soap & Glory entered my life only just recently and already it tops my charts. Quite stinky at first squirt it quickly dries down to that perfect clean Soap & Glory scent that we all know and love. A sure favorite.

Fav Perfumes 4

Roses are a common note in many of my fragrance. Could stem from my love of Victorian England or perhaps just the fact that it’s such a feminine scent. The truest essence of a red rose is captured in Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne. Beautiful, timeless, and a Muse fav.

Fav Perfumes 7

C.O. Bigelow Lemon Ea de Parfum disappoints terribly as it’s beautiful scent fails to remain in place very long but still it remains a favorite and captures the tart, fruity scent of lemons like no other.

Fav Perfumes 6

Carol’s Daughter Pearls Fragrance was something I discovered last year and has rarely left my side since. With a combination of warm sugary love, hints of lemon, and touches of comfort, this one is truly a fav.

Fav Perfumes 13

Almost all Clean scents make it on my favorite list but one that stands out this year is Wellness by Clean Harmony. Harmony has a lemony freshness that’s typically Clean and fresh. Exactly what the Muse likes in a lighter fragrance!

Fav Perfumes 11

Bath and Body Works Optimism Body Mist is what the world needs right now. An invigorating citrus scent that I purchased in bulk less I never see it again. Gorgeous!

Fav Perfumes 12

Some folks loved ’em, others left ’em but me, I favored ’em. The Harajuku Lovers Fragrances are a fond fav. G particularly stands out as a lovely scent but all five are adorable and bring the fun to fragrance!

Fav Perfumes 9

Bath and Body Works Hello Sugar! had a whole lot of lemon and plenty of warm sugar. It was tart, it was sweet, it was warm, it really had the lemony cake scent down. Why oh why is it gone?

Fav Perfumes 8

Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne brought me hints of roses and Paris. This is what true love smells like.

Fav Perfumes 10

These are a few of my favorite fragrances this year.� I hope you discovered something new on this journey or maybe revisited something you loved and haven’t used in a while.

What are some of your very favorite fragrances of the year?

Anything that really stands out?

Do share!

Please visit my other Year End Review posts to see other Muse favs!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • Tohnia

    My ultimate perfume will always be Ralph by Ralph Lauren. Be Delicious is also a current love! The 2006 version of CK One summer is one of my favorites also (but SO hard to find!). Roxy by Roxy is also good…As for Harajuko Lovers, i’m partial to Music, as the other fragrances didn’t tickle my fancy.

    • the Muse

      tohnia i like ralph too, oldie but goodie 😀 mmmmm trying to recall the 2006 version but coming up blank. the roxy one is that the pink one? I kinda didn’t like it 😀 Music is nice but G is awesome dude!

  • Smirking Valet

    I do like this post, Muse! My picks are
    -Euphoria by Calvin Klein for when I’m feeling sassy and I’m on a date 😉
    -Snow Fairy ANYTHING from Lush – cursing myself for not stocking up!
    -Lola by Marc Jacobs, for my everyday scent. The bottle is insane too!
    -Miss Dior Cherie by Dior, as my EVERY everyday scent.

    Where can I get the Soap & Glory fragrance??????

    • the Muse

      thanks smirking! ;-D

      SNOW FAIRY AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH *runs around* did you get the perfume!? Likey Lola! 😀 my flavorite.

      Boots in the UK for Soap and Glory! 😀 It’s coming to the US at Target shortly as well and is available online at Target for really slow shipping!

  • Katherine

    I also love CO Bigelow Lemon, and the Harajuku Lovers perfumes (my favorites are Lil Angel and Love). Of your other faves, I’ve only tried Parisienne, which unfortunately, smelled very much like baby powder on me. The rose scent just faded away within moments on my skin. I’ll definitely have to give some of the others a try though–I’m intrigued by the Lush Ginger perfume!

    • the Muse

      hey katherine! love lemon too 😀 and HL’s! baby powder really?! that’s interesting! Ohhh lush ginger is so gorg. It’s different and you have to give it a chance to grow on you but oh boy is it lovely !

  • Kristina

    Marc Jacobs Cucumber Splash and Chanel no 5 Eau Premier were my new scents last year.

  • jylove

    I am usually uber picky when it comes to fragrances. I have a very sensitive sense of smell and hardly find fragrances I love. This year,…something that happens only once every blue moon….I found Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy!!! Oh, how yum and have been wearing it daily! Many dislike its ‘too sweet’ smell, but my body oils seem to soak it right up yielding a more diluted smell. I hope I don’t get sick of this like I do with all other fragrances….*cross my fingers*

    • the Muse

      oh jy I love Viva La Juicy! It really is so very pretty! 😀 I hope it continues to work for you hun b/c indeed it is very pretty!

  • suz

    dang it I don’t know what happened to my reply!! Grrr…I am not gonna write a long story again!!

    My favorite at the moment is by Kose:

    Happy Bath Day Precious Rose Mist

    • the Muse

      suz I love Happy Bath Day too! Have you tried the cleansing oil? it’s lovely!

      • suz

        NO WAY!! They have a cleansing oil? Where have I been? I haven’t seen it anywhere not even on sasa or ebay :(…what the heck!!!

        • the Muse

          yes suz 😀 hehe. it’s fairly new and lovely 🙂 I got some if you want me to do a review!

          • suz

            yes please before I buy…do a review…I already am using Shu Uemura cleansing oil *pink bottle*…when I have bb cream on…which is EVERYDAY but weekends hahah and I will open up my missha cleansing oil soon! so I rather spend less money on cleansing oils…since really it stays on your face fore a few moments and bam…gone…but yeah if it works just as good or better…why not buy something cheapER!!

  • Anitacska

    I really really wanted to love Parisienne as I’m a huge fan of the Paris perfume and always get the spring LE ones too, but somehow Parisienne just didn’t do it for me. 🙁

    I love G from Harajuku Lovers, and have discovered some really nice fragrances last year too, like Insolence by Guerlain (my new favourite), Prada EDP, Sensuous by Estee Lauder, Ange au Demon by Givenchy, etc. etc. I have so many bottles on my dresser, I’ll never get through them all. Especially as I keep buying new ones all the time! 🙂

    • the Muse

      aww really anita? I love rose so Parisienne def captured me. Insolence is lovely, very pretty! Same here, it’s a bit absurd. 🙁 I always worry they will go off!

  • Erin

    Hey Miss Muse! Jo Malone Red Roses ranks among my favorites too! If you like rose perfumes, try Stella McCartney, Bulgari Rose Essentialle, and Thymes Kimono Rose. I also love the Deja Rose that MAC came out with last spring with A Rose Romance but it is long gone. I can’t wait to get the YSL Parisenne, I sniffed it at Sephora when I was holiday shopping but couldn’t purchase it because I had to buy gifts that day.

    • the Muse

      hey erin! What’s new hun!

      LOVEEEEEEE BRE 😀 I have it. Good Stuff. Haven’t tried Thymes KR though thanks for the rec, you’re awesome. don’t talk about deja rose you’re forbidden 😀 I missed it and sob daily 😀 You’ll like YSL Parisenne, beautiful, flirty rose!

      • Erin

        The Thymes fragrance is one of the most unique rose scents that I have ever smelled, you must try it. Balancing out the rose is a heavy dose of jasmine and it gives it more a deeper, spicer scent. This one is a fragrance that I use in the fall/winter, it’s a bit too strong in the warmer weather. I would recommend trying it out in the roll-on, the perfume spray was somewhere in the $40-$50 range but I feel like I only paid about $20 for the little roll on.

        • the Muse

          hey again erin! really?! thanks for the rec! Sounds interesting 😀 I’ll see if I can maybe get a sample first before investing further but it sounds like me. I like a little bit spiciness to my fragrances so rose and spice sounds lovely!

  • Bakeneko

    My favourite fragrance for day time is Philosophy Falling In Love.

    If I’m working I wear Pure Grace because it smells so clean and fresh (working in the health profession I can’t wear a strong fragrance).

    My favourite night time perfume and my all time favourite is L’Occitane Eau de Vanilliers – which has been discontinued :'( – this makes me very very sad…

  • dina

    just smelled red roses @ cco this weekend, SO pretty!! . . . . and its made the list 😉 beautiful sheer was actually my wedding day perfume so love that one. this year i’ve started digging on chloe edt, marc jacobs & michael kors again, lemon sugar by fresh, amazing grace again, . . . too many to name, i’m not one to have a signature fragrance, like to change it up a lot. i do, however, feel like for everyday i always lean toward body sprays b/c want a lighter scent, unfortunately of course they are pretty much gone after an hour or so. really looking forward to cking out the new miss dior cherie edt and wish that michael kors very hollywood came in edt 🙂

  • WickedAwesome

    Hey Muse!

    Found your site, and am reading thru your past entries, the Benefit Laugh with Lee-Lee is definitely tops for me, talk about lasting! Two sprays in the morning, and it’s still lingering at supper!

    • the Muse

      hey wicked!

      good to meet you!!!!!!!!!

      benefit lee lee is yums! have you tried benefit b spot (think that’s the name?) it’s also really nice and lingers long ;-D!

      • WickedAwesome

        i haven’t yet but i’ll have to give it a sniff next time i walk thru Sephora (otherwise known as the-place-i-should-really-direct-deposit-to)

        • the Muse

          oh yes indeed. I submit my monthly donations to Sephora as well Wicked LOL!!!! 😀 Def sniff it’s nice! really enjoy that one 😀

  • Valerie

    My new found love for this year is YSL Parisienne! My other must haves include Dior Miss Dior Cherie and Chanel Coco Mademoiselle.