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Which Niches to Try Based on My Designer Fragrances?

post #1 of 24
3/3/09 at 6:21pm
Thread Starter 
So, following DerangedGoose, I too am interested in getting into niche fragrances and am wondering what everyone might suggest given my tastes in designer frags.

Some of my favorites include:

John Varvatos (original one AND vintage)
Spark by Liz Claiborne
Body Kouros by YSL
Jaipur Homme by Boucheron
Opium Pour Homme by YSL
Desire (Red) by Dunhill
The Dreamer by Versace
Guerlain Vetiver

Ones I also like, but am a timid to admit...
L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake
Acqua di Gio
Le Male

Any Ideas on different niches that might match with some of my tastes or are similar to any of the above? thanks...much appreciated!
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post #2 of 24
3/3/09 at 6:28pm
Thread Starter 
I left our another one of my favorite designer frags: Terre d'Hermes. Thanks!
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post #3 of 24
3/3/09 at 6:44pm
It's really hard to tell from a look at a list of scents which one or several could please the same nose. And it makes the stakes high for anyone answering--he/she can be at fault for offering an idea that ends up being repugnant.

That said, I want to take a shot and say the vetivers and aquatics that you like, the mineraly elements as well (TdH), and some hints of the sweetness in others, as well as an open, summery sort of look to a lot of the scents you have, make me say go somewhere and smell L'Artisan Parfumeur's Timbuktu. You might hate it! Don't forget that--I've got no idea what smells that you haven't smelled will please your nose.

MPG's Racine is another, a very sunny citrusy vetiver.
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post #4 of 24
3/3/09 at 6:46pm
Thread Starter 
So I posted this also in the on the men's board but am interested in getting as many suggestions as I can and from women as well. I am interested in starting out in niche fragrances and am wondering what everyone might suggest given my tastes in designer frags.

Some of my favorites include:

John Varvatos (original one AND vintage)
Spark by Liz Claiborne
Terre d'Hermes
Jaipur Homme by Boucheron
Opium Pour Homme by YSL
Rive Gauche by YSL
Guerlain Vetiver
Body Kouros by YSL
Desire (Red) by Dunhill
The Dreamer by Versace
Safari by RL


Ones that I am a bit timid to admit that I also like:

L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake
Acqua di Gio
Le Male
Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin

I have read a lot of reviews here on BN and I am particularly interested in sampling the following niche fragrances:

Dzongkha by LArtisan Parfumeur
Mechant Loup by LArtisan Parfumeur
Dia for Men by Amouage
Jubilation XXV by Amouage
LHomme Sage by Divine
Parfums*PARFUMS Series 3 Incense: Avignon by Comme des Garcons
Idole de Lubin by Lubin
Bois du Portugal by Creed
Millesime Imperial by Creed
Himalaya by Creed
Silver Mountain Water by Creed
Erolfa by Creed
Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle


Any Ideas on which of these or other niches that might match with some of my tastes or are similar to any of the above? thanks...much appreciated!
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post #5 of 24
3/3/09 at 6:50pm
I'll take a different tack than DustB, with the following caveat: sample before you buy.

The common thread I see here is oriental and woody oriental scents. (Jaïpur, Opium, The Dreamer, Body Kouros.) Along those lines, I'd suggest sampling some scents from the Serge Lutens and Parfumerie Generale lines, both of which excel at this type of fragrance.
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post #6 of 24
3/3/09 at 6:53pm
If you like John Varvatos and want to to try something boozier try Lubin's Idole. Made by Olivia Giacobetti it is a stunner and my next full bottle. DustB's disclaimer about take all care but no responsibility applies here too
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post #7 of 24
3/3/09 at 6:57pm
It seems that you like spicy orientals so Ambra Tibet by Ava Luxe, Ambre 114 by Histoires de Parfums, Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens and Ambre Precieux by MPG might be worth checking out.
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post #8 of 24
3/3/09 at 7:09pm
Hi aechols! Well, I don't know about matching your exact preferences but if you are interested in sampling, try getting a hold of some samples of the following... at least this way you'll be in the know when a lot of these popular niche fragrances come up in threads. You'll be sure to find some you love! (ok, so these are some of my favorites too )

Serge Lutens: Ambre Sultan, Chergui, Arabie
Le Labo: Rose 31, Patchouli 24
Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle: French Lover, Musc Ravageur, Vetiver Extraordinaire
Montale: Black Aoud, Patchouli Patch, Blue Amber
Tauer Perfumes: L'Air du Desert Marocain
Creed: Millesimme Imperial, Silver Mountain Water
By Kilian: Straight to Heaven
Comme des Garcons: 2 MAN

for fresh aquatics, it's my opinion that there's no need to delve into niche fragrances.
the fact that you like The Dreamer makes me think you might like some iris fragrances but I'm not very well versed in niche iris offerings. Others here would be better at helping you out with that. Good luck!
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post #9 of 24
3/3/09 at 7:47pm
This is a very hard question. You've done some research, you now must get sniffing. Seek out samples of what you want to try, either through swapping or purchasing them. Start there, then see where your nose (and pocket, these days) leads you.

Have fun
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post #10 of 24
3/3/09 at 7:50pm
Always hard to divine what it is you like out of each scent but I have sense that Vibert is on the right track with Serge Lutens. I'd love to say try Penhaligon's, but Serge Lutens as a whole strikes me as a better fit from a completely parapsychological perspective.
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post #11 of 24
3/3/09 at 7:56pm
If you are interested in iris scents then Bois d'Iris by The Different Company might please you. Light, ethereal and transparent but very beautiful.
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post #12 of 24
3/3/09 at 9:11pm
I think The Perfumed Court has an introductory niche sampler pack...may be worth a try!
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post #13 of 24
3/3/09 at 9:14pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the suggestions everyone...very helpful and much appreciated. After looking at the reviews for some of your suggestions I think I will try to sample Ambre Sultan by SL , Ambre Précieux by MPG and Idole de Lubin. Blue Amber by Montale, Chergui by SL and L’Air du Desert Marocain by Tauer also seem like possibilties that I may sample. I was planning on ordering decant samples from theperfumedcourt.com and then deciding on which to buy a bottle of. Can anyone tell me where the best places to purchase these niche fragrances are? Places in Los Angeles?
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post #14 of 24
3/3/09 at 9:44pm
You might want to first dive into Creed as they are much easier to obtain and cheaper
then move up to the others
thats just my tip
goodluck!
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post #15 of 24
3/4/09 at 7:44am
You and I seem to have similar taste. Take a look at my wardrobe.

I think you will really enjoy the frags that you have listed, and I will add:

Ambre Sultan
Hinoki
New York -Parfumes de Nicolia
Acqua di Parma Colonia
No. 88
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post #16 of 24
3/4/09 at 8:44am
If you are in LA you should definitely go to the Scent Bar. They carry all of the frags that you are interested in and the SA will be able to give you more recommendations based on what you smell in-store. They may also make free samples of some of your favorites for you as well.

Scent Bar
8327 Beverly Blvd (map it)
Los Angeles CA 90048
323 782 8300

PS: Creed produces some very nice fragrances but in many cases are more expensive than the fragrances you have decided to test, not cheaper like another BN mentioned.

For example:

MPG Ambre Precieux = 3.3oz (90mL) for $112, or $1.24 per mL
Blue Amber = 100mL for $175 (but much cheaper if you buy directly from Montale in Paris ~$120) or $1.75 per mL
Idole 2.5oz for $89 or $1.19 per mL
SL Ambre Sultan = 1.69oz (50mL) for $120 or $2.40 per mL
SL Chergui = 1.69oz for $140 or $2.80 per mL
Creed Santal Imperial (one of the less expensive Creeds) = 2.5oz (75mL) for $140 or $1.87 per mL
Creed Green Irish Tweed 2.5oz for $210 or $2.80 per mL

All prices from Aedes.com except Blue Amber which is from Luckyscent
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post #17 of 24
3/4/09 at 9:17am
Another 'easy' route to exploring niche (besides Asha's recommendation above) is to check out L'Artisan. You can order 5 samples for $7 shipping via their website. It's a good house with solid fragrances that aren't as 'challenging' as some houses can be. For $14 you'll get 10 samples and that's a pretty good, inexpensive start. Bond No.9 used to have a similar deal but it's now only available with purchase. Bummer.

In addition to theperfumedcourt, Aedes does 7 samples for $15 and lusciouscargo does 8 samples for $21. Rats to beautyhabit for canceling their sample program.
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post #18 of 24
3/4/09 at 10:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nthny View Post

Hi aechols! Well, I don't know about matching your exact preferences but if you are interested in sampling, try getting a hold of some samples of the following... at least this way you'll be in the know when a lot of these popular niche fragrances come up in threads. You'll be sure to find some you love! (ok, so these are some of my favorites too )

Serge Lutens: Ambre Sultan, Chergui, Arabie
Le Labo: Rose 31, Patchouli 24
Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle: French Lover, Musc Ravageur, Vetiver Extraordinaire
Montale: Black Aoud, Patchouli Patch, Blue Amber
Tauer Perfumes: L'Air du Desert Marocain
Creed: Millesimme Imperial, Silver Mountain Water
By Kilian: Straight to Heaven
Comme des Garcons: 2 MAN

for fresh aquatics, it's my opinion that there's no need to delve into niche fragrances.
the fact that you like The Dreamer makes me think you might like some iris fragrances but I'm not very well versed in niche iris offerings. Others here would be better at helping you out with that. Good luck!


Good suggestions!

May I add (for iris scents): Serge Lutens Silver Iris Mist, The Different Company's Bois d'Iris, and Divine's L'Homme de Coeur.
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post #19 of 24
3/4/09 at 2:41pm
Thread Starter 
Does anyone have a suggestion on which of the Creed fragrances I should sample given my designer frag tastes? Thanks.
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post #20 of 24
3/4/09 at 2:43pm
Thread Starter 
Does anyone have suggestions of what Creed fragrances I should sample given my designer frag tastes? Thanks!
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post #21 of 24
3/4/09 at 2:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aechols View Post

So I posted this also in the on the men's board but am interested in getting as many suggestions as I can and from women as well. I am interested in starting out in niche fragrances and am wondering what everyone might suggest given my tastes in designer frags.

Some of my favorites include:

John Varvatos (original one AND vintage)
Spark by Liz Claiborne
Terre d'Hermes
Jaipur Homme by Boucheron
Opium Pour Homme by YSL
Rive Gauche by YSL
Guerlain Vetiver
Body Kouros by YSL
Desire (Red) by Dunhill
The Dreamer by Versace
Safari by RL


Ones that I am a bit timid to admit that I also like:

L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake
Acqua di Gio
Le Male
Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin

I have read a lot of reviews here on BN and I am particularly interested in sampling the following niche fragrances:

Dzongkha by LArtisan Parfumeur
Mechant Loup by LArtisan Parfumeur
Dia for Men by Amouage
Jubilation XXV by Amouage
LHomme Sage by Divine
Parfums*PARFUMS Series 3 Incense: Avignon by Comme des Garcons
Idole de Lubin by Lubin
Bois du Portugal by Creed
Millesime Imperial by Creed
Himalaya by Creed
Silver Mountain Water by Creed
Erolfa by Creed
Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle


Any Ideas on which of these or other niches that might match with some of my tastes or are similar to any of the above? thanks...much appreciated!

Your list of fragrances to test is wonderful. Start there. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them!
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post #22 of 24
3/4/09 at 3:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aechols View Post

Does anyone have a suggestion on which of the Creed fragrances I should sample given my designer frag tastes? Thanks.

There's a long history of new members asking this question. The answer is really just go smell all the ones you can. THere aren't 500, there are a manageable number. In LA you'll be able to find them.

Just go smell them--we have no way of knowing which ones you might like better than others based on the sample list you make.

I'm sorry not to be able to say it's as simple as X will be best for you, but the truth is smelling them will be best for you.
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post #23 of 24
3/4/09 at 3:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aechols View Post

So, following DerangedGoose, I too am interested in getting into niche fragrances and am wondering what everyone might suggest given my tastes in designer frags.

Some of my favorites include:

John Varvatos (original one AND vintage)
Spark by Liz Claiborne
Body Kouros by YSL
Jaipur Homme by Boucheron
Opium Pour Homme by YSL
Desire (Red) by Dunhill
The Dreamer by Versace
Guerlain Vetiver

Ones I also like, but am a timid to admit...
L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake
Acqua di Gio
Le Male

Any Ideas on different niches that might match with some of my tastes or are similar to any of the above? thanks...much appreciated!

If you are in Los Angeles, as am I, I suggest that you check out Scentbar (luckyscent.com) immediately. The SA's there, Ashley and Andrea, are super nice, very knowledgeable, and do not ever press you to buy. In fact, I was going to make a blind buy once and Ashley actually encouraged me to try a sample and come back next week to buy if it worked well with my skin.
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post #24 of 24
3/4/09 at 9:46pm
I merged two threads by Aechols into this one. That should explain any confusion.
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