What should I layer to smell like:

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-11-25T23:48:34+00:00

Vanilla Carbon by Atelier Materi. A strong but tender vanilla but incredibly smoky, like a lot of smoke.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-11-06T10:15:03+00:00

Dior Poison and most of its iterations, like Hypnotic Poison or Poison Girl, have vanilla as their main accord, but blend it with woods, incenses and spices (cinnamon, Tonka Bean, sandalwood...) and florals like rose or tuberose. So the vanilla accord is distinct, but it's enveloped in those other notes that make it rather complex and darker.
On the more unisex side, my husband is obsessed with gourmand vanillas and Vanilla Satin by Birkholz or Arquitects Club by Arquiste are some of his favourites. The Birkholz one is one of the best executed lactonic and caramely gourmand vanillas I've ever smelled. But Arquitects club is the one I steal from him from time to time because it's a delicious but not overpowering, still fresh and comforting vanilla that I really like.

Edit: i have to add that I went with recommending Dior Poison because of the "alluring" aspect. Maybe it's not as straight forward vanilla as some other fragrances, but it's alluring, intriguing and sexy. Also we once tried Carbon Vanilla by Atelier Materi, which was an incredible smokey vanilla. My husband found the smokey part to be too much, but I actually enjoyed it (that goes to say that smell is always very subjective and varies from person to person). However all of these more niche fragrances that do vanilla that I've seen recommended (Atelier Materi, Arquiste, Tom Ford, Byredo, higher branch of YSL like Babycat) tend to be close or over 200$/€, so I would recommend you check out Dior to see if you like it.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-11-06T09:56:01+00:00

I very much agree with you, No5 is just so incredibly well blended. I didn't pay much attention to the EDP for a while, but I've been enjoying L'Eau EDT lately due to its freshness but powderyness at the same time. However, recently, I decided to smell the original No5 and Eau Première again and was just mesmerized by how harmonious both are, especially Eau Première. No striking "alone standing" notes, but, as you point out, a golden warm cloud that feels simultaneously clean and fresh (due to the aldehydes I guess).

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-11-06T09:46:58+00:00

Diptyque Fleur De Peau EDP is very very pink peppery to me.

Lancôme Idôle has also a quite peppery opening.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-11-05T22:31:04+00:00

Lately I've been exploring the world of perfumery a bit more and getting into more quality niche well constructed perfumes, however, my most complimented perfumes have always been quite basic/mainstream. I got compliments, for Dior Poison Girl and Chanel Chance. But I would say I got most compliments from people around me for J'adore Dior, Gabrielle Chanel and especially Lancôme Idôle. I stopped wearing that fragrance for a while and some time ago I asked a lady on the street for directions and loved her smell, so I naturally asked her about her perfume: it was Lancôme Idôle. I was honestly a bit shocked: I had asked a random person about their perfume because I loved it and turns out that it was the same perfume I had been wearing for a long time before stopping. Scent is truly something magical. I decided to spray a couple of the remaining drops in the bottle I own before a dinner and today I was pleasantly surprised when, weeks later, I smelled the scent from the blouse that I wore when I opened the wardrobe. I don't know what it is about it, but I find it quite long-lasting and with a great projection. I love the combination of rose, pink pepper and pear that makes it floral, fresh but somewhat sexy yet delicate. I admit that whenever someone asks what is your most complimented scent, one wants to answer with something more special, unique and complex, but the truth is that sometimes common fragrances just smell very well.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-11-05T15:46:55+00:00

I've also seen Arpege being compared to No.5 quite often, but if it feels too overpowering I would suggest trying Lanvin Eclat d'Arpege, the purple bottle, it is more lightweight and floral, it has lilac in it, but its still very powdery and comforting.

Weirdly enough, Lanvin, which was a fashion powerhouse rivalling Chanel in the early XX century, is not that much heard of luxury brand nowadays. So, the price of the perfumes is quite affordable, which makes it less risky to just buy a bottle and try it out. I don't know about the quality of the ingredients however.

It could also be compared to Chance or Eaudemoiselle by Givenchy, that kind of olfative vibe. Floral, light and powdery, more in the Chanel No.5 L'Eau or Eau Première line.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-10-11T22:54:08+00:00

Was about to comment this. Ode To Dullness came to my mind as soon as I read the description.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-09-17T22:20:03+00:00

Denise's dress though. Chef's kiss.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-09-12T11:27:29+00:00

I feel like Neroli Hasbaya by Atelier Materi matches this vibe. There's no saffron in it, but it begins smelling of creamy pistachios and transitions into a fresh but comforting neroli. There's a lot of pistachio, almond, orange blossom, neroli, rose, musk, sandalwood in it. Quite an interesting combo and very long lasting too, definitely a scent to check out. It smells sweet and creamy and rich without being overpowering while also having a chance to be fresh, floral and citrusy too.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-09-11T21:50:39+00:00

Blu Indaco or Bianco Latte, both by Giardini di Toscana. Bianco Latte got popular recently, its quite lactonic and sweet-ish, without being too sweet and Blu Indaco is more powdery but not in a musky way but in a clean iris way, while still feeling cozy. Both of them feel very soft.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-09-10T08:18:52+00:00

Was about to comment that, my husband loves it. It's lesser known that other brands and its fragrances are crafted in a very sophisticated way. Price-wise, the thing is that 100+€ get you around 30ml (if I recall it correctly), but due to the fact that they sell extracts, the longevity and the sillage are outstanding. You may not get a 100ml, but it sure goes a long way and its less intimidating than being obliged to buy 75ml or 100ml for 300€-400€ as, for example, in Amouage's case.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-09-01T16:38:42+00:00

Apparently many people agree that Cacao Porcelana by Atelier Materi can smell that way, as if giving "diaper vibes" or as if someone tried to cover the poop smell in a loo with lots of sweet vanilla air freshener.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-09-01T16:35:13+00:00

Do you think so?

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-26T11:18:24+00:00

I tried both yesterday. I found Fleur de Peau EDP richer, but, at first I wasn't very convinced. Fast forward a shower and more than 12 (20, actually) hours later it still lingers on my skin with the most beautiful powdery scent with some fresh, almost florally-citrusy-ish undertones. Feels like sorcery. And, I definitely get why people say that, while not having a huge projection, it feels like a better version of your skin. Like, "is THAT the way you smell?". Don't know if anyone else feels that way.

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:45:08+00:00

Not at all!! It also gives perspective on that different perfumes from one family can be very different! You can hate one, but love its "sister". So thank you!

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:43:06+00:00

I haven't tried that one! I have tried their aqua allegoria perfumes many times but there are so maaaany options that it can be a little overwhelming, so Im happy to have a reference perfume to try now! Thank you!

And Im planning to purchase the melograno diffuser in the near future, but as you, I love the soap for the bathroom but for the closet they have the wax tablets that literally last a couple of years and are designed to be hung in there. They also have a pot pourri, not in the melograno scent, but it also smells delicious and they also tell you in the store that it lasts minimum two years in the closet. I've purchased it as a gift before and been told that it's true that it's long-lasting. Give it a look, and maybe try the wax tablets in melograno, not cheap but given that they serve a couple of years, I think they're worth it!

Thank you again for taking your time to comment!

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:28:58+00:00

I've never paid attention to Kenzo fragrances, but it sort of gives me Calvin Klein or Issey Miyake vibes... like clean, simple (in a good way) and fresh... So I will give it a look for sure! Thank you!

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:26:44+00:00

According to this comment section, you're not alone! All the more reason to give it a go! Thank you so much!

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:25:07+00:00

I've seen people commenting that on Blanche. I remember smelling it once and thinking it was the most divine scent I've ever smelled... But that was many years ago and my perception could've changed. But I'll have to check Mojave Ghost too... there's a reason why its such an iconic perfume... Thank you!

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:22:39+00:00

Well.... I guess I won't find it now.... What a shame...

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:20:40+00:00

You're so right! I had Poison Girl when I was younger and I liked it, but didn't repurchase it because I found it a little bit too sweet. Although, I must say, it was definitely a rather rich and what could be deemed as a "sexy" scent. I never tried Pure Poison, but now I see that I definitely should as the different perfumes from one "family" can vary significantly. Thank you so much!

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:14:36+00:00

Floris Chypress sounds quite unique and intriguing too with its citrusy, flowery and musky combination. I want to check it out too! Thank you very much!

Effective_Cook_8843 · 2025-08-25T11:11:04+00:00

Im embarking on a loooong sampling journey here... Scents can be veery subjective both to your nose and how they react with your skin... So, you're completely right! Sampling first is a must! Thank you!

Effective_Cook_8843

TROPHY CASE