A fragrance that smells like "soap"- clean, smooth & elegant

Hey all,

I am a new member in the Basenotes world and I am very impressed by the topics discussed, comments made and the "wisedom" about the fragrances.

I love perfumes, needless to say and I have used many different brands, mostly floral yet I get to realize I am getting more interested in spicy and woodsy ones.

Anyway, for the time being I just want something "calm", even simple yet elegant. I want to find a scent that smells just clean, which is smooth (yet not boring), easy on the nose and nerves ( I tend to suffer from migraines) and uplifting, if possible. I say "soap" here since it reminds me of cleanliness, simplicity & tranquillity.

I have tried many.... and haven't found the one that will make me want to wear it the next day. It might be olfactory fatigue, however I am determined to find it for the new year. I know choosing a perfume is such a personal thing but I deeply appreciate your comments & advice.

Thanks very much!

Ines_B

Welcome, Ines B! Good question. I look forward to others' remarks.

My nominees are:
Santa Maria Novella Melograno
Clean Ultimate
Bulgari Au Thé Blanc
Worth Courtesan

how about madame rochas?
(sorry about the lowercase -my cat insists on being held )

Eternity for man. I have a press that use Eternity for man. And so much mans here use female scents.
Give it a try. Its exactly what you want. Soapy, fresh, calming, clean, elegant, timeless.

My favorite 'elegant', soapy, not-too-intense scents are:

Amouage Dia
Henry Dunay Sabi
Divine L'Ame Soeur

You could try Philosophy Pure Grace.

Castile by Penhaligon`s
Badgley Mischka by Badgley Mischka
Chloe Eau de Parfum by Chloe
Delicious Feelings by Gale Hayman
FCUK Her by FCUK
Giordani White Gold by Oriflame

To me these smell soapy and clean not heavy

Chanel No. 5 ;-)

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Originally Posted by Alicka61

Chanel No. 5 ;-)

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Agreed and also with Sabi.

My first thought was Balmain Ivoire. It takes a little while for the Very Expensive Soap phase to start, but it's lovely when it does.

Good morning to all,

Thank you for your messages. I am putting all these into a list and next week I will go for hunting.
I will especially re-try Eternity Man with a different eye. I like it as a men's fragrance, this time I will try it for myself. And the majority of the rest is new to me, it'll be quite an adventure!

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Originally Posted by Alicka61

Chanel No. 5 ;-)

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Seconded. Prada Infusion d'Iris and Infusion de Fleur d'Oranger, too.

Oh yes- +2 for Prada Infusions !

Try Hermes Caleche.

Lancome's Climat was a blind buy for me and it comes across as calm and "soapy". Second Badgley Mischka.

Second Hermes Caleche

Lots of great suggestions here. I'll add Dolce & Gabbana Sicily. It has a lush, honeyed soap smell to me.

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Originally Posted by Ines_B

Good morning to all,

Thank you for your messages. I am putting all these into a list and next week I will go for hunting.
I will especially re-try Eternity Man with a different eye. I like it as a men's fragrance, this time I will try it for myself. And the majority of the rest is new to me, it'll be quite an adventure!

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Hi Ines, welcome to basenotes! l would recommend that you also try Eternity for women; l find it much smoother than the men's version, & very soapy & clean. lt also works surprisingly well in winter.

Another vote for Balmain Ivoire, just gorgeous!

Estee Lauder's Pleasures, perhaps. It smells clean but not aggressively fresh, if that makes sense

I agree w/ Quarry's Clean Ultimate suggestion. Actually, seek out as many of the Clean line as you can, even the men's stuff. That whole line is fabulous. If I recall correctly, I think my favorite is Provence.

I also agree w/ petruccijc, Pure Grace is lovely.

I sugest: Mugler Cologne, Creed Original Vetiver, and Gendarme.

Gendarme by Carriere
Amazing Grace by Philosophy
Ivoire by Balmain
All the Prada Infusions
Petits et Mamans by Bvlgari
Noa by Cacharel
Chanel #5

Cologne pour le Matin by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

L'eau Serge Lutens

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Originally Posted by Kiliwia

Gendarme by Carriere
Amazing Grace by Philosophy
Ivoire by Balmain
All the Prada Infusions
Petits et Mamans by Bvlgari
Noa by Cacharel
Chanel #5

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Noa is the one I am most loyal too.. and the reason why I am now searching for a clean, soap-like smell is because I want some change. Noa will be always among my faves

Infusion d'Iris is also on my list, it is the second best for me.

And the rest, I will get to know or re-visit one by one

Many thanks to you all for great recommendations!

Serge Lutens Clair de musc

Melograno is an excellent choice too

Whenever I think of 'soap' in this context, 2 fragrances come immediately to mind. The first is Ysatis (Givenchy), and the second is Pure Grace (Philosophy). These fragrances are dramatically different from each other, but to me, they both embody that 'clean' smell of soap, that 'straight out of the bath' cleanness and freshness. There are of course tons of fragrances that can be considered 'soapy' but these two for me stand out. Good luck in your quest.

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Originally Posted by petruccijc

You could try Philosophy Pure Grace.

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I just posted that one before I saw your reply. I think this is the embodiment of 'soap'. Gorgeous fragrance, and one I can never get enough of.

Another big thumbs up for Chanel No 5. I would add Ivoire by Balmain, but this frag turns sour on me. I love it for about 20 minutes and then...sour.

Laila by Geir Ness - it's a fresh from the bath perfume that lasts all day. Clean white flowers with the lightest touch of watermelon.

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Originally Posted by MysteryBuff40

Laila by Geir Ness - it's a fresh from the bath perfume that lasts all day. Clean white flowers with the lightest touch of watermelon.

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+1 on Laila, beautiful scent

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Originally Posted by Candy Perfume Boy

L'eau Serge Lutens

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Yep.

First - Van Cleef & Arpels

L'eau de L'artisan by L'artisan Parfumeur

In my mind, the words "soap" and "elegant" do not go together.

I do like Grey Flannel and Caleche, however.

Pure Grace, Philosophy
Gendarme, Gendarme