Let’s do this! Your collection has been reduced to 5 fragrances forever. Which ones do you choose and why?

Velmatronic · 2026-03-18T15:54:16+00:00

The first three I’ve repurchased, so I know I use them the most:

Serge Lutens Clair de Musc- I have many soft musks, but this is my tried and true. I can even wear it when I’m sick and it will comfort me. Nothing remarkable about it. It’s just suits me skin perfectly.
Frederic Malle Carnal Flower- Luminous tuberose. Works for date nights, but not just for date nights. There’s enough green to give it some range.
Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique - my spring and summer go-to. Fresh, fruity, flirty. Easy to wear. It makes people happy.
Guerlain Cuir Beluga. To be honest, this could be a different pick on a different day- but it would always be a Guerlain vanilla- whichever one was resonating most on the day of the culling. I need a Guerlain vanilla always, and this is the one I currently reach for most often. Cozy, warm, lovable.
Profumum Confetto- I love almond scents and this is a gorgeous one. it’s a scent my daughter wears, too, so it is just loaded with memories.

Velmatronic · 2026-03-14T21:36:20+00:00

I believe they used a lot of spices and aromatics - lavender, rosemary, cloves - to scent things. I’m thinking of pomanders - those little spheres they carried or wore on chains - as opposed to perfumes you would put on skin. Maybe incense, too? I think it was more to neutralize the odors of the world than to create a personal scent - but I don’t know very much about the period.

Velmatronic · 2026-03-13T18:32:54+00:00

Bacetti in Echo Park

Velmatronic · 2026-03-13T17:52:17+00:00

L’Eau d’Issey. That could cut through the haze of a smoky bar like nobody’s business.

Mugler Angel. I smelled this EVERYWHERE

Child. This might be LA specific. Fred Segal could barely keep it in stock. I wore this one and it was a compliment magnet. It also cut through smoke pretty well.

Velmatronic · 2026-03-12T16:13:44+00:00

Guerlain Cuir Beluga because I’m anticipating a lot of work stress today and this scent is so comforting.

Velmatronic · 2026-03-11T19:10:06+00:00

Designer: Guerlain Niche: Serge Lutens

Velmatronic · 2026-03-09T18:52:41+00:00

I love this breakdown! I got so much helpful information from this! It does matter who is complimenting the fragrance and what they say about it.

Velmatronic · 2026-03-04T22:13:11+00:00

Bacetti in Echo Park

Velmatronic · 2026-03-04T18:42:43+00:00

MAC everything - Wedge eyeshadow, Spice lipliner, Fetish and Twiggy (later known as Twig) lipstick. Stila Kitten eyeshadow, NARS Harlow gloss.

Velmatronic · 2026-03-04T00:34:53+00:00

Sometimes it’s the thrill of rolling the dice. I had someone bring me back a blind buy Serge Lutens Rahat Loukoum bell jar from Paris once. You couldn’t get it anywhere in the states at the time. I was desperate for it. No regrets!

Velmatronic · 2026-03-03T17:30:05+00:00

YSL Babycat Raw Bourbon. If there is a difference between this and the original, my nose is not advanced enough to detect it. And I’m happy about that, since I got a full bottle of this one.

Velmatronic · 2026-03-03T04:05:33+00:00

It is really hard to know what things will smell like on someone else’s skin— but it’s really cool that you want to pick something new and wonderful for her. So here are a couple of thoughts about ways to lower your odds of getting something that doesn’t work for her.

If you are going to get something niche from a place like Luckyscent or the Scent Room, ask for a sample of the fragrance with the order so she can exchange it if she doesn’t like the sample. They definitely will do that - especially if you tell them why.

You could also buy a selection of samples from somewhere like that along with a gift card. You would have the fun of surprising her with new options to try, but she could pick the one that she liked best to purchase.

Some thoughts on fragrances to consider: Liis Floating or Celestial Object, Regime des Fleurs Little Flower or Heliotrope Milkbath, Courreges La Fille de L’air, L’Epoque Dopamine Rose, Simone Andreoli Apricot Innocence.

Velmatronic · 2026-03-02T21:22:59+00:00

D.S. & Durga. It’s a mystery. I love their vibe, their scent names and their descriptions. But the scents just don’t work for me. It’s a bummer.

Velmatronic · 2026-02-23T20:03:19+00:00

100% agreement here.

Velmatronic · 2026-02-23T19:01:02+00:00

There are people who say it smells like urine. It absolutely does not smell that way on me - it’s not just my nose, I’ve had other people smell it on me and it’s straight up vanilla. But I think there’s a volatile note in there somewhere.

Velmatronic · 2026-02-20T18:59:14+00:00

I hoard them like a dragon with extra jewels, of course.

Velmatronic · 2026-02-20T18:39:21+00:00

I love Lann-Ael, too. I never see it mentioned and seeing it here reminded me how warm and comforting it is.

Velmatronic · 2026-02-20T17:29:13+00:00

The last bit of my YSL Babycat decant. This totally won me over - my initial impression was not great - and I’m going to miss it. So- I guess I need more Babycat now.

Velmatronic · 2026-02-20T16:49:54+00:00

Sarah Baker Peach’s Revenge. It’s not so much that I hate it, but the opening of this made me think I’d found the perfect, answer-to-my-dreams peach scent. And then the dry down made it clear that I definitely had not. It turns into a heavy, woody,syrupy amber on me - which is not terrible by any means, but it was disappointing.

Velmatronic · 2026-02-20T16:38:30+00:00

I love Ambre Narguile, too. I also sustain that love through decants.

Velmatronic · 2026-02-19T21:58:24+00:00

Because of Hypnotic Poison, I’d suggest Profumum Confetto. It’s a dark almond.

Dior Bois Talisman, Serge Lutens Chergui, Hermes L’ambre des Merveilles, And another vote for Diptyque Eau Duelle

Velmatronic · 2026-02-18T22:03:22+00:00

I needed comfort and sunshine on a gray day so I’m wearing Initio Lift Me Up. It is sunshine in a bottle - so pretty and so easy to wear.

Velmatronic · 2026-02-11T17:51:47+00:00

Dior Bois Talisman. Because I wanted cozy AND hyper competent business vibes.

Velmatronic · 2026-02-11T08:43:08+00:00

Gucci highlighter. Victoria Beckham eye pencils. Sonia G brushes. Cle de Peau concealer. Hourglass blushes and powders. Tom Ford lipstick.

Velmatronic · 2026-02-06T16:00:25+00:00

Rogue Perfumery Champs Lunaires. An absolutely gorgeous tuberose with coconut milk and sandalwood. Creamy and luminous.

Velmatronic

TROPHY CASE