It's true—I've worn the same perfume for almost 10 years of my life. After a really long run with Marc Jacobs Daisy that lasted from my middle school days through my junior year of high school, it was time to step it up and mature my scent. That's when Chanel Chance entered the picture, and the rest is history (read more about my love of the fragrance below). One day, my colleagues overheard me talking about how I have never branched out as far as perfumes go and encouraged me to write a story about my journey of finally trying out some new scents. I reluctantly agreed and began to wear a different perfume every day for almost two weeks straight until I was able to narrow down a solid five fragrances that really worked for me. For the most part, I landed on perfumes that only started to smell better the longer the fragrance sat on my skin. Ones that I didn't even notice as the day went on, but that earned me many compliments from friends and even strangers.
Perfume is a very personal thing. Just because you like the smell straight out of the bottle doesn't mean it will smell the same on your skin. Or one perfume could smell amazing on one woman but smell completely different on you. That's important to remember as I walk you through my recent fragrance journey, but hopefully my digestible descriptors of each will help you to understand the good that's waiting inside each bottle.
Ahead, read up on the perfume I have worn for most of my life and then check out the five I ended up loving just as much.
The perfume I've worn for 10 years:
In my mind, Chanel Chance perfumes can do no wrong. No matter what mood I'm in or what the occasion is, this scent always fits the bill. This scent has become a part of my identity. When my friends hug me after not having seen me for a while, they always say, "Ah, you smell like you." The smell they speak of is Chanel Chance. I wear both the eau de parfum and the eau tendre; both smell very different, but they also both sit equally as well on my skin, and the scent only gets better over time.
The eau de parfum is a bit more robust and musky, with warm hints of amber, vanilla, and spiciness from pink pepper that hits immediately upon the first spritz. The eau tendre, on the other hand, is more floral and fresh. I tend to wear this one more in the spring and summer, but not exclusively. These two fragrances are always what I compare any new perfume to, and up until recently, I hadn't found any that I loved as much.
5 fragrances that changed me:
1. Gucci Bloom
For anyone who thinks they hate floral perfumes, don't knock this one until you've tried it. Gucci Bloom is one of the best-smelling fragrances I've come across in a long time (hence the intention of the article). While multiple floral scents hit the nose right off the bat, it's the rich smell of jasmine that lingers on the skin all throughout the day that convinced me this fragrance was for me.
2. Maison Margiela Coffee Break and Whispers in the Library
I'm grouping these two Maison Margiela fragrances together because I loved both equally. These two definitely both air on the musky and warm side of the spectrum and really do transport you to the place they are named after—a coffee shop and a library. Coffee Break is bold and aromatic with strong notes of—you guessed it—coffee, lavender, and a little cedarwood. Whispers in the Library is a tad lighter and puts vanilla and a bit of pepper on the nose.
3. Dior Sakura
Not only does this bottle look quite chic on my dresser, but the scent is truly to die for. The fragrance was designed to be reminiscent of the cherry blossoms in Japan and, not that I've been there or anything, but I would imagine they smell exactly like this perfume. For those days when I want just a refreshing hint of something to spritz on, I always reach for this floral but not-too-sweet-smelling perfume.
4. Byredo Slow Dance
Are you surprised that a Byredo scent made it into the mix? No, you're not. That's because people far and wide obsess over the quality fragrances Byredo puts out, time and time again. For me, Slow Dance did the trick. It is the perfect winter fragrance complete with strong notes of vanilla, honey, and violet that make you want to bundle up in a sweater. Not sure how the sweater is related, but you know what I mean.
5. Chanel Gabrielle
I love the smell of jasmine, and this perfume has all the right hints of it without smelling too much like a floral arrangement. It is mature and elegant, just like the bottle. I love spritzing this on for a chic night out, for the smell only gets better and better the longer it sits on your skin.
Shop more perfumes I have on my wish list:
