The Perfume Library

She Was an Anomaly

6.9

Etat Libre d'Orange · 2019

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Etat Libre d'Orange She Was an Anomaly is a fresh, floral scent for women, with sweetness softened by a powdery, creamy texture. Green mandarin orange brightens the opening. In the heart, iris, vanilla, plum, white blossoms and frankincense take the lead, and the floral side mixes with a spicy, slightly synthetic tone. Cedarwood, musk, ambrofix and sandalwood give the base a woody footing. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick spring, followed by fall and summer, and it is mostly worn for leisure, daily use and the office. Its character is mostly rated feminine. Gucci Mémoire d'une Odeur and Les Eaux Primordiales Iris Palladium have a close profile.

The Afternoon of a Faun

7.4

Etat Libre d'Orange · 2012

Floral · Green · Spicy

Etat Libre d'Orange The Afternoon of a Faun is a unisex chypre built around jasmine, cinnamon and benzoin, with a floral, spicy and resinous character. Its longevity is rated good and its sillage moderate, so it stays fairly close to the skin rather than filling a room. Most voters pick fall, followed by spring, and it is worn mostly for leisure, evenings and daily use. Voters are split on whether it reads masculine or feminine, so it moves easily between the two. Jasmine and rose form a floral base, with iris adding a soft, powdery edge. Cinnamon and pepper bring spicy warmth, while benzoin, Namibian myrrh and frankincense give it a resinous depth. Leather, moss and immortelle add earthy, green and leathery dryness throughout, and bergamot lifts the dense mix slightly.

Limonaia

7.0

Roberto Ugolini · 2026

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Roberto Ugolini Limonaia is a fresh, citrus-led unisex scent that leans towards summer and spring, and suits leisure and daytime wear. It opens with lime, lemon and frankincense. In the heart, grapefruit, Italian citron, mint and artemisia add a green, fruity brightness. Jasmine and sandalwood in the base sweeten it slightly and settle it on a woody footing. Longevity and sillage are rated moderate. Most voters pick summer and spring, and leisure, daily wear and business are the most chosen occasions. Masculine votes lead slightly, though modern and feminine are close behind. Afnan Perfumes 9am Dive and Weleda Jardin de Vie - Agrume have a close profile.

Empressa (Eau de Parfum)

7.2

Penhaligon's · 2018

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Eau de Parfum

Penhaligon's Empressa Eau de Parfum is a fresh, citrusy and floral scent led by bergamot, blood orange and rose, made for women and best suited to spring and summer days. Most voters pick spring, then summer; leisure and daily wear lead, with office use close behind. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters read it as feminine. Bergamot, blood orange and mandarin open it, while rose, geranium, cardamom and black pepper give the heart a fresh, spicy turn. Vanilla, sandalwood and amber soften and sweeten the base. Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune and Acqua di Parma Chinotto di Liguria have a close profile.

1932 (Eau de Toilette)

7.8

Chanel · 2012

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Eau de Toilette

Chanel 1932 Eau de Toilette is a fresh, powdery floral that sets a bright citrus opening against a soft, lightly sweet floral body, and it reads mainly as a feminine scent. It opens with aldehydes, neroli and bergamot, clean and bright. In the heart, ylang-ylang, jasmine and rose carry the floral side, while lilac and carnation keep it slightly spicy and green. In the base, iris, vanilla and musk leave it soft and powdery. Longevity and sillage are moderate: it stays close to the skin rather than filling a room. Most voters pick spring and summer, and daily wear and the office lead the occasions. Voters mostly call its character feminine and classic. It has been discontinued; Joop! Berlin and Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum have a close profile.

Shaal Nur

7.6

Etro · 1997

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Etro Shaal Nur is a unisex scent that pairs a bright citrus opening with a resinous, earthy woodiness. Its longevity and sillage are both rated moderate. Most voters pick fall, followed by spring and winter, and its use is spread across daily wear through to evenings. Opinion on whether it reads feminine or masculine is almost evenly split. It opens with blackcurrant bud, bergamot, lemon and grapefruit, while petitgrain, pink pepper, orange blossom and rose lead the heart. In the base, vetiver, patchouli, frankincense and cedarwood build a dry, smoky foundation. Al Haramain Floral Sculpture and Clive Christian L for Men have a close profile.

Black Jade

7.7

Lubin · 2011

Fresh · Floral · Green

Lubin Black Jade pairs cardamom, bergamot and jasmine with sandalwood, vanilla and patchouli, making a fresh, floral and spicy fragrance for women. It lasts well and projects moderately. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring not far behind. It is most often placed in the evening and on nights out, though daytime and office wear get votes too. Most voters call it feminine, with a strong classic streak. The top notes of cardamom, bergamot and galbanum open fresh and green. In the heart, jasmine, damask rose, cinnamon and frankincense add a floral, spicy warmth. The base of sandalwood, vanilla, patchouli and tonka bean turns it woody, sweet and powdery.

Ganymede Extrait

6.0

Marc-Antoine Barrois · 2023

Synthetic · Spicy · Woody

Marc-Antoine Barrois Ganymede Extrait is a unisex scent with a spicy, woody and resinous character, deepened by smoky and leathery tones. Frankincense and myrrh give it a resinous weight, while Akigalawood® and Safraleine build a spicy woody line. Mandarin orange lightens the density slightly, and everlasting flower stays in the background. The synthetic and oriental accords add a warm, dark feel. Longevity is rated very strong and sillage strong. Most voters pick fall and winter, and evening and night out come first among occasions. Half of voters call it masculine, though it is a unisex scent. Norma Kamali Incense and Arte Profumi Samharam have a close profile.

24 Old Bond Street Triple Extract (Eau de Cologne Concentrée)

7.7

Atkinsons · 2014

Fresh · Floral · Green

Atkinsons 24 Old Bond Street Triple Extract is a fresh, woody men's fragrance that sets a green opening of juniper berry and galbanum against a floral heart of cardamom and Turkish rose absolute. It opens green and crisp with juniper berry and galbanum. In the heart, green tea, cardamom and Turkish rose absolute take over, the spice and flowers softening each other. The base of frankincense, tonka bean and whisky leaves a sweet, woody warmth. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick spring, fall and summer, and it leans towards business, daily and leisure wear. It reads masculine and classic. Atkinsons 24 Old Bond Street and Lubin Black Jade have a close profile.

24 Rue de L'Université

8.3

Yves Saint Laurent · 2017

Spicy · Woody · Oriental

Yves Saint Laurent 24 Rue de L'Université opens on cypriol and frankincense and deepens into suede and cedarwood, a smoky, resinous unisex scent. The spicy, woody character is clear from the start: cypriol and frankincense give a dry, resinous opening, suede adds a soft leathery note in the heart, and cedarwood builds the woody frame. Sandalwood leaves a creamy warmth in the base, with oriental and smoky shades gathered around it. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring not far behind and summer chosen less. Evening and night out lead the occasions, while business and daily wear also have a place. It leans masculine but reads as a unisex scent.

So Elixir (Eau de Parfum)

6.8

Yves Rocher · 2009

Floral · Fruity · Sweet

Eau de Parfum

Yves Rocher So Elixir Eau de Parfum is a floral, sweet fragrance for women, with spice, wood and a faint smokiness running through it. Its longevity is rated good and its sillage moderate. Most voters pick autumn, with winter and spring also suggested. It leans towards evenings and nights out, yet sits comfortably in daily and office wear too. Most voters read it as feminine. Bergamot opens it brightly. In the heart, jasmine sambac absolute and damask rose build a floral core, while patchouli, frankincense and tonka bean absolute settle the base into something sweet, woody and powdery. Fruity and oriental touches stay in the background. John Galliano Eau de Parfum and Judith Leiber Night have a close profile.

Opus 1870

7.5

Penhaligon's · 2005

Fresh · Citrus · Spicy

Penhaligon's Opus 1870 is a men's fragrance that pairs citrus freshness with spice, resin and wood, with a faintly smoky, earthy edge. It opens bright and sharp with yuzu, Bourbon pepper and coriander. In the heart, clove, cinnamon and frankincense turn the spice resinous and warm, while English rose softens the edges. The base settles into cedarwood, gaiac wood, Australian sandalwood and musk, dry, woody and a little smoky. Voters rate its longevity and sillage as moderate. Autumn and spring lead the season votes, with winter and summer trailing behind. Daily wear, business and leisure are picked more often than evening or a night out. Close to half of voters read it as masculine, and a good number as classic.

Nisean

7.8

Parfums de Marly · 2016

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Parfums de Marly Nisean is a sweet, spicy, woody-oriental built on patchouli, cistus and amber, opening with grapefruit and lime but settling into a resinous, smoky base. Nisean has been discontinued. Its longevity is rated strong and its sillage good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with summer a distant last. It leans towards evenings and nights out, and also suits leisure time. It is sold as a men's fragrance, and most voters read it as masculine. Pink pepper sharpens the opening alongside tart grapefruit and lime. The heart is led by gaiac wood, sandalwood and saffron, with rose and frankincense softening the woody line. In the base, patchouli, cistus, amber and cedarwood settle into something sweet, earthy and lightly smoky. The weight sits on the warm, resinous side from start to finish.

Nightingale

7.5

Zoologist · 2016

Citrus · Floral · Fruity

Zoologist Nightingale is a unisex fragrance built around bergamot, red rose and sandalwood, where citrus and flowers settle into a powdery chypre. It opens with bergamot, lemon and saffron: the citrus is bright and the saffron adds a spicy edge. In the heart, red rose, ume blossom and violet bring a soft, floral, powdery feel. The base of frankincense, sandalwood, patchouli and oud forms a woody ground, while moss and labdanum reinforce the chypre character, with sweet and fruity tones staying in the background. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick spring, fall and summer, and it leans towards leisure and evening wear. Most voters read it as feminine, though it is classed as unisex. Its profile is close to Chanel Coco Noir (Eau de Parfum) and Roja Parfums Harrods pour Femme.

Mon Numéro 10

7.5

L'Artisan Parfumeur · 2009

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

L'Artisan Parfumeur Mon Numéro 10 is a sweet, spicy unisex scent built on cinnamon, red pepper, cedar and frankincense, and it has been discontinued. Cinnamon and red pepper give it a warm, sharp spice, while cedar and frankincense settle that into a woody, resinous base. It stays sweet and oriental throughout, with powdery and smoky touches sitting in the background. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, and evening and night out lead the occasions. Votes on masculine versus feminine are close, so it reads as truly unisex. Diptyque Eau Lente and Dior Mitzah have a close profile.

Velours (2016)

8.2

Yves Saint Laurent · 2016

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

Yves Saint Laurent Velours is a unisex scent built on suede, jasmine and orris butter, with a soft, powdery heart; it has been discontinued, but its warm character suits autumn and winter evenings. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, while summer gets very few votes. It leans towards evenings and nights out, and also works for business and daily wear. Feminine and masculine votes are close, so it sits in between. It opens with black tea; in the heart, suede, jasmine and orris butter form a floral, leathery, powdery softness. The base of frankincense, woods and Bourbon vanilla leaves a sweet, creamy, lightly smoky warmth. A spicy, oriental feel runs alongside throughout.

Imitation Woman

7.6

Amouage · 2018

Fresh · Floral · Green

Amouage Imitation Woman is a fresh, floral and green women's perfume built around ylang-ylang, jasmine and rose. It opens on a floral bouquet of ylang-ylang, jasmine, rose and orange blossom. In the heart, aldehydes, liquorice and blackcurrant bud push it towards green and lightly fruity. The base of patchouli, frankincense and sandalwood leaves a sweet, spicy, woody warmth. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters lean towards spring and fall, with summer and winter not far behind, and favour leisure, evening and night-out wear. Most voters read it as feminine. Bois 1920 Elite III and Basile Basile Femme (2002) have a close profile.

La Rive Woman

7.0

La Rive

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

La Rive Woman is a feminine perfume that pairs a fresh, floral character with a sweet, powdery softness, leaning towards daytime wear and the warmer months. Most voters recommend it for spring and summer, though fall and winter get votes too. It is chosen mostly for daily, business and leisure settings, with far fewer votes for evening or night out. Its longevity and sillage are rated moderate, and its character reads mainly feminine. The top is apple, freesia and pimento, giving a fresh opening with a light spicy edge. The heart brings hibiscus, jasmine, rose and violet, pushing the floral side forward. In the base, cedarwood, sandalwood and suede close it on a creamy, woody softness.

Baz

8.5

The Spirit of Dubai · 2017

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

The Spirit of Dubai Baz is a dense, oriental unisex scent that pairs floral, sweet and spicy tones with leather, oud and balsams. Clove, cinnamon, saffron and black pepper give the top a spicy start, while leather, rose and jasmine form a floral, leathery heart. The base settles into Indian oud, amber, vanilla and myrrh, resinous, smoky and slightly animalic in warmth. Longevity and sillage are both rated very strong. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and it suits evenings and nights out far more than summer or the office. It reads masculine to most voters, though it is made for anyone. The Spirit of Dubai Abjar and Yves Saint Laurent Opium (Parfum) have a close profile.

Spicebomb Dark Leather

7.7

Viktor & Rolf · 2024

Fresh · Sweet · Synthetic

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Dark Leather is a spicy, smoky men's fragrance that sets the bite of black pepper and nutmeg against a dark base of tobacco and black leather. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, and it leans towards evenings and nights out, though it can also work for leisure. Voters mostly read it as masculine, with modern close behind. Black pepper and nutmeg open with a fresh, dry spice. In the heart, cinnamon adds sweetness while frankincense brings a smoky touch. As it settles, tobacco and black leather form a leathery, woody base. The fresh and sweet accords soften that harder core. Its profile is close to The Dua Brand Spice It Up: Dark Leather and Issey Miyake Nuit d'Issey Noir Argent.

Le 68 (Eau de Parfum)

8.1

Guerlain · 2013

Floral · Sweet · Gourmand

Eau de Parfum

Guerlain Le 68 Eau de Parfum is a unisex scent built on a floral, sweet core, warmed by spice, leather and gourmand touches; it has been discontinued. Heliotrope and everlasting flower set a floral, powdery base. Benzoin and tonka bean sweeten it into a soft, gourmand feel. Spices and leather add an oriental, faintly leathery warmth, while frankincense rounds out the woody side. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick fall and spring, with winter close behind, and the occasions are spread from evening to daily wear and the office. Most voters find it feminine, though a good number read it as masculine. Van Cleef & Arpels Midnight in Paris and Guerlain Le 68 Le Flacon Tortue have a close profile.

Pure Amber

8.3

Avapari · 2024

Fruity · Sweet · Spicy

Avapari Pure Amber is a sweet, spicy and resinous unisex scent that suits autumn and winter evenings and nights out. Rum, cardamom, ginger and bergamot lead the top, while osmanthus, saffron and sandalwood carry the heart. The base of vanilla, tonka bean and labdanum closes it in a creamy, sweet warmth. Both longevity and sillage are rated strong. Most voters pick winter and fall, and evening and night-out wear dominate. It leans slightly masculine and reads modern. Close in profile are The Dua Brand Amber Who Is Blonde! and Bujairami Mafia Boss.

Cairo

7.7

Penhaligon's · 2018

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

Penhaligon's Cairo is a spicy, resinous unisex scent that suits fall and winter evenings; it has been discontinued. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it is chosen mostly for evenings and nights out. Its longevity and sillage are rated good. Opinion on whether it reads masculine or feminine is split almost evenly. Frankincense, saffron and Damask rose open on a spicy floral note. Labdanum and nagarmotha carry it into a resinous warmth, and patchouli, vanilla, Atlas cedar and Ceylonese sandalwood settle it on a sweet, creamy, woody base. Agatho Castiamanti and Memo Paris Lalibela Oud have a close profile.

Spice Must Flow

7.2

Etat Libre d'Orange · 2019

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

Etat Libre d'Orange Spice Must Flow is a sweet, spicy and resinous unisex scent with a warm, dense and slightly smoky character. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it is chosen most often for evenings and nights out. Feminine and masculine votes run close, so it sits comfortably on either. It opens with pepper, cardamom and gingerbread, so sweetness arrives together with spice. In the heart, cinnamon, Turkish rose absolute and saffron lead, with the rose softening the spice. The base of fir balsam, patchouli and frankincense sets a woody, resinous ground.