March 20, 2015

Indulge in a New Perfume for National Fragrance Day!

national fragrance day 2015

March 21st is National Fragrance Day aka a total excuse to indulge in a decadent new fragrance for yourself! I was going to say for yourself or someone else but if you’re as greedy as I am it’s all about mine mine mine!

So what is this National Fragrance Day anyway? It’s a day to celebrate all good smelling things. That’s not limited to perfume by the very way! Scented candles, soaps, bath and body products, and yes, of course, your favorite fragrances.

Like any woman I love to smell pretty! Just like makeup, fragrance has the ability to evoke confidence in a person. It’s also mood enhancing! It can make you feel sexy, happy, even sad. It not only evokes certain feelings and can call fourth a certain memory but sometimes we associate certain smells with home or a particular person. Never say fragrance isn’t a powerful thing because it truly is. I think fragrance can prove an emotional journey. We also kind of use fragrance to entice and draw attention to ourselves. It’s nice to hear a random compliment about how pretty I smell. Who doesn’t love that? It makes a person feel attractive!

I personally gravitate towards two different kinds of fragrances. I like very unique and obscure fragrances like Lush Ginger, Dianne Brill’s Eau de Parfum, and I also happen to be a great lover of many of the Agent Provocateur fragrances and Annick Goutal’s perfumes. One of my more unique tries of the moment was Memoire Liquide Fine Fragrance Vacanes which is a fine orange blossom. Very rich yet subtle and feminine with a touch of a flirty feel. I’m also a fan of gourmand fragrances particularly unusual ones. For example I recently purchased a gorgeous latte fragrance. I honestly and truly smell like a super rich version of Starbucks when I wear it and for some odd reason men seem to adore it and question what it is. I don’t drink coffee but I absolutely adore the smell of it and this captures the essence beautifully with notes of creamy coffee. On any given day you’ll find that I smell like marshmallows, marzipan, lollipops, cake, etc…obviously my sense of smell seems to run towards food and could be prove to be a bit juvenile but most of my perfumes are conversation starters for sure as I get a lot of “What is that you’re wearing!? You smell delicious!” I happen to be the biggest Etsy h0r so I’m always seeking out foody, candy fragrances on the site. As you know I’m a fond lover of Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab and their seasonal collections which happen to almost always include foody or fruity fragrances particularly around Halloween and Christmas. Today I’m not wearing anything as I’m meeting someone later that isn’t a great lover of fragrances. I have to say I always shake my head in wonder when someone says they dislike fragrance. Like my Aunt for example can’t wear anything with fragrance due to sensitivities, I feel so badly when I hear that because I couldn’t imagine my world without a little fragrance in it. But to not like fragrance by choice, just because, oh no! But different strokes for different folks.

So tomorrow’s National Fragrance Day and here are a few fragrance suggestions you might wish to try.

And please, do feel free to tell me about your favorite fragrances and what you love about them or love about fragrance in general!

Nest Eau de Parfum and Rollerball in Midnight Fleur Scent
A blend of exotic woods, patchouli and black amber with sensual notes of night-blooming jasmine and vanilla orchid.

Joy Forever Eau de Parfum
A expression of Parisian elegance with sparkling notes of Bergamot, Mandarin and Galbanum combined with a lush floral cocktail of jasmine, rose, marigold, orange flower, and peach and a base of sandalwood, whisk musk, and amber to add a touch of luxury!

Antica Farmacista Le Parfum Eau de Parfum Orange Blossom Scent
A study in the perfect orange blossom scent with a light combination of lilac and jasmine for a pure feminine touch!

Philosophy Live Joyously Fragrance
Indulge in Philsophy’s newest fragrance that brings together a bright, tangy tangerine combined with floral notes of pink peony and a touch of warm patchouli!

Penhaligons Iris Prima Eau de Parfum
Iris Prima is one of Penhaligons newest fragrance launches and was created in collaboration with the English National Ballet. This is a fresh mix of bergamot with a crisp citrus note rounded out with pink pepper.

Saffron James Hawaiian Eau de Parfum in Le�A Scent
A highly concentrated fragrance that brings the exotic allure of Hawaii to your fragrance wardrobe with soft citrus floral notes cocktailed with pink and passion flower!

What are some of your most beloved fragrances?

What memories or feelings do they evoke?

Do you not like perfume?

Why?

Do share your thoughts!

And get out there tomorrow and indulge in a new fragrance to celebrate National Fragrance Day 🙂

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‘.

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Comments

  • LaPyae

    As a man, I enjoy 4711 and Burberry weekend
    But for the ladies, Tory Burch Perfume is divine
    I am not a big fan of philosophy perfumes cause they are not very last long.
    Oh btw I love your blog.
    I read it every day like a news website haha
    And I always trust on all the things “Muse Approved”
    You make me a lush fan.. Haha
    Sorry for the long comment
    XO

    • Isabella Muse

      Hi Payae! I know! Some of Philosophy’s older fragrances just get eaten up when I apply. Some of the newer ones have better linger and throw. Thank you 🙂 I am super flattered to hear it. As a Lush fan have you tried their fragrances? They are divine! xoxox! Thank you for commenting 🙂

  • diane

    Oh I have been on an orange blossom kick. I have been loving the Jo Malone Orange Blossm so I will have to check out the Memoire one you mention. Lately I have been addicted to Candy Crush & Wild Honey from the brand I Smell Great. They are different and soo good!! I also frequently reach for the BBW Wild Madagasgar Vanilla perfume- it’s a Vanilla so well done and yummy. Oh and I received a sample this month in my Birchbox of Sincerely by Harvey Prince- I am addicted!! It has Orange Blossom, Tuberrose, and I forget what else but I really am enjoying it! 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      Oh me too! I love to mix Wild Honey with a range of different perfumes! Have you cocktailed with it? It’s divine with Noble Carnation from Royal Apothic! I want to love BBW WMV but it’s a no go for me! Sadness! haven’t tried Sincerely! I owe you a text sorry, busy day. Leaving work to go run my mom around this should be fun! I have a feeling she’s going to drive me up the wall! P.S. pray for no snow!

      • diane

        Yes! I like the cocktail Wild Honey with Angel Cake from ISG. I haven’t tried it with anything else. I also love Britney Spears fragrances, they are deliciously sickly sweet haha. No worries, I understand- text me when you can. The weather gods heard our prayers and laughed at us. =(

        • Isabella Muse

          haha yeah Britney has some toothaches under her belt 🙂 lol I know right? It’s been freezing and snow!? stop!

  • Corey

    Love fragrances- I just bought toccas new one-Isabel- which is rose/orange and lovely ( I also love their Colette which is lemon/pink pepper:violet. My HG which is long discontinued AND doesn’t last long is BBW Vanilla noir – I am horsing my last drops of that. Hypnotic poison makes me happy and lasts, Lolita lempecka is what my mother says smells most like “me”. And my students enjoy lush 24:31- which is supposed to be coffee:lime but on me apparently smells like Cinnabon, but doesn’t last 🙁

  • Gillie

    I used to love the fragrance bars at places like Garden Botanika and The Body Shop. I had all kinds of custom scents, and those oils lasted forever.

    I’m really picky about what scents I wear, and I don’t wear them often because I work in an office setting. I favor herbal and foody scents, but it can’t be too sweet or too musky or too floral.

    Thanks to you, Muse, I finally tried BPAL. They seem to be able to create a really complex fragrance without too much of one thing or another. I was really digging Nephilim over the winter, but I think I need something lighter for Spring. Darn, I’ll have to go shopping…

  • Heather F.

    Sadly, some of the perfumes I most love don’t really love me back! Body chemistry is a jerk sometimes. 🙂 I’m also one of those unfortunate people who are sensitive to fragrance, so anything really syrupy, spicy or floral tends to give me a migraine if I wear it. I like catching whiffs of those on other people, but they’re just not options for me!

    I can get away with fragrances that include a lot of citrus and fresh green notes, quiet powdery florals, or a sweet/musky base (vanilla, benzoin, amber and musk all love my skin–kind of funny, since I’m not an overtly sensual person but those are all such sensual notes).

    Favorite specific fragrances include Burberry (the original version for women–amber, vanilla, musk and peach), Guerlain L’Instant Magique (powdery almond-vanilla) and Atelier Cologne Cedrat Enivrant (lemon, lime, mint and juniper). None are really awesome or new or unique, but they smell nice and make me feel happier for wearing them! I also like D&G’s stuff (Light Blue, Pour Femme, all the various iterations of The One) and some of Dior’s (lusting after a bottle of Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet!), but they don’t always like me.

    • Isabella Muse

      Guerlain L’Instant Magique is magnificent! Excellent choice heather. Oh yeah, tell me about it, we’ve all been there with body chemistry! sometimes we love they way they smell in the bottle but on our body it’s more k, bye, thanks but no thanks!

  • Justin

    Today I’m wearing Kurkdjian Aqua Univeralis Forte. It’s very fresh and uplifting. My usual suspects have been Kurkdjian, By Kilian, Byredo, and Diptyque

    • Isabella Muse

      J, I’m shocked no Lush? 😀 We can’t be friends anymore. By the way I have a package of imps for you from Bpal have to get them to you! They have been laying on my desk for over a month 🙁

      • Justin

        Aww thank you by the way!!!!! 😍 I used to have a TON of lush fragrances but my favorites are either not sold in store anymore or discontinued. (25:43, smell of freedom, superworldunknown, etc) the new perfumes they launched couple years ago don’t last with my body chemistry.

        • Isabella Muse

          oh my pleasure! I know you wanted to try them! I know! The reformulations are terrible and so disappointing. I really miss the Be Never fragrances like Keep it Fluffy. I’d seriously sell my soul for a bottle of Keep it Fluffy! I wish they’d bring it back. I recently purchased Sun and it started out good with excellent throw and linger but the more I used it the more I realize it actually wasn’t lasting as long on me as older formulations of Lush fragrances. I’m still on an older bottle of Vanillary and I fear when I repurchase it’ll be weak 🙁 Such a shame! PS Have you spoken to Dusty he has become an Instagram hermit and never ventures outside to play anymore lol!

          • Justin

            I have not spoken to him in a little while. He posted a couple things for the Lauder collection on Instagram yesterday or day before. Should we pull out “Lace” quotes to lure him back 😉

          • Isabella Muse

            me either. he’s disappeared into the great fabulous abyss. We can’t touch him now. 😀 Lace might not do but it’s not Thanksgiving! We could have him over for a decadent binge night of Lucinda Dickey movies, that would likely entice him out! Maybe he really is pregnant with Adam Russo’s baby, in that case we might not see him until the birthing. Do you think the Boy in the Plastic Bubble might do it? That could work too!

          • Isabella Muse

            on second thought hashtag which one of you bitches is my mother might do the trick…yeah, try that. 😀

          • Isabella Muse

            haha success! he’s out from under his rock ;-D

  • Christina

    I love gourmand fragrances too, what was the name of the latte fragrance that you mentioned above?

    • Isabella Muse

      It’s called Gloria from Love Potion Magickal Perfumerie. The notes are coffee, caramelized sugar, vanilla absolute, cocoa absolute, butter, cream.

  • CupK8

    That sounds like an excellent excuse to dab on some scent! I don’t usually wear it, because I’m also in an office, and I have a very sensitive nose myself. There are lots of perfume-y lotions that make me sneeze. But I just started getting into BPAL, and I have a few little testers, so I’ll try one out tomorrow!

    My favorite one so far is actually one I got for my gent, not for myself: “Antony”

  • Sarah

    I’m a simpleton when it comes to my fragrances. I tend to switch back and forth between Demeters Honeysuckle and Sushi. If I’m in the mood, Sometimes I’ll wear Avon’s Haiku. I also love Kai but it’s just too expensive for my pocket book.

  • Meow

    Muse, thank you for your lovely website! I love the Friday of your reviews, and it is always so relaxing at the end of the day to kick back with the site.

    I had no idea that National Fragrance Day existed, and I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to share my experience with fragrance. My mother is extremely sensitive to scent, and it triggers severe migraines for her. Medication is partially effective. I cannot tell you how many times we have gotten on an elevator only for her to have to get off because there is a lingering perfume or cologne scent, or for us to have to change restaurant tables because a woman sits at the table next to us and is wearing a perfume so strong we can smell it 4 feet away, or for my mom to casually meet or work with someone and have to explain to them that the reason she is standing so far away from them is because their scent is literally making her physically ill. The other option is looking incredibly rude for avoiding physical proximity for some unexplained reason, or she allows the migraine to come on.

    I know that magazines and advertisements tell us to use fragrance, develop a signature fragrance, let our fragrance enter the room before us and linger after we are gone etc. etc. The reason I decided to post is because I wanted to share with the general beauty-loving community (myself included!) how incredibly damaging this advice is to some people, and to ask for awareness and understanding. If you enjoy wearing perfumes or scented lotions, please let it be your own personal luxury and choose to wear it in a quantity that only you can smell (which may be much less than you think).

    • Isabella Muse

      aw meow thank you for visiting and taking time to read my posts 🙂 <3! 🙂 that means the world to me! wow your mom is sensitive! Poor lady! 🙁 That sounds horrible! that's most excellent advice as some people can over do it to the point you smell them in another state!

  • Christine Joy Luikuo

    My favorites are Vera Wang Princess and Calvin Klein Euphoria. Aside from Princess’ super cute packaging, I love how it smells, not too sweet or too flowery but it lasts throughout the day. Euphoria is a very womanly scent. I feel like a mature woman whenever I’m wearing it.

  • Susan

    I am a big perfume person. Right now I’m trying the Pinrose collection but my very favorite is Viktor and Rolph Flower Bomb. I don’t care if it’s designer or $20 a bottle Elizabeth Taylor. If I like I like it. The only thing I really don’t care for is all the “celebrity” fragrances. I know I said Elizabeth Taylor but she is more of an Icon on the level most of these celebrities will never reach. But back to the Pinrose I like how you can try something different everyday! And then just throw the little wipes in a drawer to make the clothes smell awesome. Double use! Lol

    • Isabella Muse

      I’ve been wanting to try Pinrose for a while! How are you liking the scents?!

      • Susan

        I haven’t found one that’s quit right for me yet but it’s fun trying to see which one I will try next. Lol

        • Isabella Muse

          I might want to grab a few of the wipe packs they sell and try 🙂

  • bebe

    Alas, some of my most beloved fragrances have been long since discontinued, and I rue the day when I’ve finally used what little I have left. Yardley’s “Oh! de London” and “Khadine”, along with Avon’s “Elusive” and “Charisma” were olfactory works of art that reminded me of my teenage years, and I miss them terribly. eBay has some of the vintage Avon stuff on occasion, but forget about the Yardley perfumes..last time I checked, they had just one bottle of Khadine, and it was $150..ouch! ..but, one must move on, so, here are some fragrances that I have currently taken a shine to: Bath & Body Works “Twisted Peppermint”, “Wild Madagascar Vanilla”, “Mad About You”, and “Vanilla Bean Noel”..Viktor and Rolf’s “Flower Bomb”, and Paris Hilton’s “Heiress”. And I’m also partial to Guerlain’s “Jicky”, “Shalimar”, and “Vol de Nuit”. I think my next fragrance venture will be into the BPAL scents, as you have thoroughly piqued my curiousity..perhaps something dark and goth-like. Anyway, happy fragrance day, and if you buy something new today, please post a review ..big hug!! 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      hi bebe 🙂 thanks for sharing my dear! 😀 I just recently purchased Avon California speaking of vintage 😀 it is divine. You should check Vermont Old Country store catalog as sometimes they have obscure older fragrances they sell! 😀 haha glad to see I got you into bpal a bit 😀 Of course I will! xoxo!

  • Amber

    I’d love to know what your coffee scent is if you don’t mind sharing! I too am a gourmand lover.

    • Isabella Muse

      hi amber check back in the comments 🙂 mentioned it above chica!

  • Ms.Heathen

    I got a sample of Live Joyously and I absolutely love it, it’s definitely on my wish list.

    I’m not that big of a fan of gourmands. My skin chemistry does un-fun things with chocolate, fruit, caramel, and jasmine notes, so I’ll fall in love with something I sniff on a strip of paper only to end up scrubbing at my skin to get it off. I’ve found I really do best with florals, big raucous florientals, and woodsy masculine fragrances. I’ve had a lot of luck with Stella McCartney Stella and Gucci Guilty Pour Homme, even if it makes people do a double take to see me all girled up and smelling like a burly dude. Whatever, I do what I want. 🙂

    I keep telling myself some day I will order everything on my BPAL wishlist, but I never do seem to get around to it.

    • Isabella Muse

      haha Ms Heathen my bpal wishlist is absurd I’d be broke if I ordered all the ones I want 😀

  • Genevieve

    What a great idea – National Fragrance Day. Hmmm – this might mean I will have to buy myself a new fragrance – how wonderful.
    I am a real perfume person, having about 50 or so fragrances in my collection.
    My favourites are La Dolche Vita, Poeme and Modern Muse, Tom Ford’s Black Orchid and Sicily.
    I am not a big fan of Calvin Klein’s perfumes as their top note often fades on me.
    Love richer, spicier scents too.
    I always need to test out a perfume to see how it works on me first. Wearing a perfume always makes me feel happy.

    • Isabella Muse

      I love Modern Muse (I admit it’s because of the name haha). 🙂

  • Nicole

    I love gormand fragrances as well, here are a few of my favorites…

    Crema di Latte by Hilde Soliani one of my favorites and if you have not tried it out Isabella, I would highly recommend a decant/sample (I got mine way back when it came out from wwwLuckyScents.com)! The notes listed are: milk, sugar, vanilla. I am telling you there is something in the background in this fragrance that smells like a subtle espresso note. I don’t drink coffee or espresso or any othe concoction they make with coffee be I absolutely love the smell of it. This fragrance is comfort in a bottle and a fantastic fragrance to layer other fragrances with! 💞

    Madera by Omni Profumo is a must try for ANY gourmand fragrance lover! Notes listed; Vanilla pod, caramel, Madagascar vanilla, peach blossom, wildflowers, tobacco flower, coconut, white musk. This is the caramel Eau de Parfum that is that is the real deal when it comes to caramel! Now, just hear me out on this; it is not sickly sweet. The peach blossoms seems to give this fragrance something that although sweet seems to brighten the fragrance and not feel as heavy as you are thinking when it comes to caremel. Decant worthy 100% and ordered a bottle shortly after finishing my decant. I wear it during fall, winter, and spring alone quite often and anothe fantastic fragrance to layer with; sometime I have a little fruity scent to it just depends on my mindset that day. 😊

    Le Speculoos by L`Antichambre is Christmas wrapped in comfort in a bottle to me. The notes listed are: cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, vanila and nutmeg. To me this smells like gingerbread cookies without a sharp spiciness, as the vanilla seems to smooth the spices out yet is well blended because the warmth of the spice is still there. ☺️

    • Isabella Muse

      I love Le Speculoos by L`Antichambre it is one of my very favorites! I was a little scared of Crema di Latte because people kept saying it smelled like breast milk which kinda made me cringe mentally. I’ve been meaning to order a sample of it from Lucky Scents but never have! I might have to try it based on your thoughts Nicole! It sounds divine!

      • Nicole

        Well honestly I have never smelled breast milk (I have never had a child and anyone who wants to breastfeed their child sure doesn’t need me hanging around, so I excuse myself even if I am not asked ☺️) I am definitely other than, medical facts and findings through being in the medical field, not an expert of the smell of breast milk.
        It is a wonderful fragrance by HS though and I would at least try a sample out. If you have smelled breast milk and it makes you never that mental picture that makes you cringe at least you will know and only have purchased a sample. 😊
        Le Speculoos is just one of my favorites as well, I eneded up ordering Speculoos Cookie Butter from Trader Joe’s so I could eat something aaa good as I smell! LOL! 😂

        • Isabella Muse

          nor I. LOL! I just kinda found it weird people were referencing it to breast milk! I was just thinking any milk wouldn’t smell pleasant as a perfume 😀 I def will try a sample though as you make it sound divine. Off topic have you smelled the Guerlain Elixir Gourmand Cocquin? It’s lovely 🙂 oh yes! delicious, decadent cookie butter yum!

          • Nicole

            YES! I have a small decant of it! Do you like it? 😀

          • Isabella Muse

            ADORE IT! 🙂 I hate chocolate scents but this is divine!

  • DivineMsN

    I recently discovered perfume at Talbots. It’s called “Talbots Eau De Parfume”, a really flowery grapefruit/pear scent.

  • Nicole

    I think we may have very similar taste in fragrances Isabella… ☺️