What am I missing?

Hello basenoters!

I'm fairly new to the forum and would like some suggestions.

So far I own 8 full sized frags: Shalimar Light, Concentree D'Orange Verte, Un Jardin En Mediteranee, Byzance, Obsession Night, Bulgari Eau Fraiche, YSL Paris Spring Jardin Romantiques, and Cool Water.

I have eclectic taste-so far it's not about individual notes for me-I either like the overall effect of a fragrance or I don't. Sometime I'm indecisive.

My least favorite is Byzance because I have trouble with the musk. But I'm not against wearing it. Obsession Night is a touch too sweet though I do wear it going out. I love all of my fresh fruity/floral scents. Jardin Romantiques is almost too powdery/bittery/rosy, but I like it enough when I'm in the mood.

Since I have so many bright fruity/fresh type scents as mentioned above, I would like to add some darker scents to my collection. Scents which are more woodsy, perhaps somewhat spicy or herbacious, and less bubbly/cheery/girly. Does that make sense? Something more formal.

I went sniffing recently (1st time ever!!) and smelled a huge number of frags on test strips. 3 favorites although I haven't tried them on my skin: Coco Chanel (the original), Samsara, and Bulgari Woman. I also like Elle by YSL. Compared with what I usually wear they seem dressy to me. I'm just tired of smelling like a muskbomb (Byzance) or vanillabomb (Obsession Night) when I go out. Maybe something more complex? More woods? More spice? Less sugar?

Any thoughts on the 4 I mentioned? Or any other ideas?
Thanks so much!

Hello Kumquat,

I would prefer to be able to buy online (ebay, etc.) as I don't live close to any fine department stores.
And nothing too pricey (under $100 retail). I am on a tight budget and rely on bargains. I usually try to find full bottles for $50 or less on Ebay. So I'm looking into designer frags which can be found online. Also, I cannot afford samples as they are not a good value (dollars per ounce) when looking to save money. So I research frags, sniff at stores, or blind buy from the web. Unless some kind soul would like to send me a sample or two. I'll message them my address and cover shipping (or some other small payment amount). Or any suggestions for cheap samples? I figure, for the price of some samples I may as well know what I want and get a full bottle. I've been lucky with blind buys so far though. Most frags in my current 'drobe were blind buys.

(sorry that was so long)
Thanks again.

Thanks GourmandHomme,

I've tried Coco but only on a strip. But I loved it! Would like to try it again before buying. Or if I find a good deal I'll just go for it. I'm working to add dressier frags to my test and wish lists.

Thank you Bigsly,

You have quite a few samples on my "test list." :0

I'll PM you with/for details.

I tried Coco Mademoiselle during my above mentioned sniffing spree. I liked it but was most immediately impressed with the original. But I will try it again because it takes a lot of sniffing to "get" a fragrance (or not). Plus I was hungry that day, so I might have been more attracted to heavier frags that day as they reminded me of food. Or sugar. Well, but I despised the fruities that day. Who knows. But I know from my experience so far that it can take awhile to get to know a fragrance. But I loved Coco right away. I was really excited about it. Coco Mad was just ... "yeah I like it." But again, I did a lot of sniffing so ... It is a highly esteemed frag which I expect to like once I try it again. The notes look good in CocoMad, for sure.

Thanks Odysseus,
I've added those to my test list and look forward to trying them.

Thank you, God (You) Smell Good.

You know, I tried a sample packet of Ange Ou Demon in a gel form and it was seriously one of the worst things I've smelled in my life. It could have been the gel itself-like, whatever chemicals were in that version- but it was so rank and was hard to wash off ... yuck. But I won't judge the spray version from that experience. Anyway I appreciate your input and will look out for those scents you mentioned. J'Adore looks especially nice and I like the bottle design.

Aznavour: I've heard of some of those but haven't thought much but about them.
So I will keep those in mind, thank you. Spicy greens and incense sound great to me.
And Kenzo? I think I've seen some Kenzos online for much cheapness. Hooray.

Oh! and Jil Sander 4. Cool. Not heard of that one yet, Potiron.

By the way, since I started this thread, I have added Mitsouko and Samsara EDTs.
I also swapped someone for Nocturnes by Caron which is on its way to my greedy lil doorstep. So I think I'm good for awhile. LOL. Now the checkout clerk at the post office knows about my hobby: Swappie swappie swappie!

cool