Natural and Subtle Fragrances

It's been forever since I posted on BN. Long story - got perfume allergy, got discouraged, got married, recovered from allergies, but (big BUT) my nose has changed.

I still love wearing fragrances, but finding ones that work now is very difficult. I used to be a chypre person and still am, but can't wear the big heavy-duty ones anymore. Gone are Djedi, Black Aoud, Idole De Lubin, Brandy, Safari, Bandit, Tubereurse Criminelle, Musc Koublai Khan, Coco, Acqua Di Parma Profumo, Cuir De Russie, on and on. You get the picture. My wardrobe picks are a cemetery of what I used to wear

But there is a bright side - I find I actually like the lighter fragrances now and people aren't quite as likely to get attacked by them.

My (new) husband is Japanese-American, and likes very subtle, natural fragrances. He was a widower, and his former wife adored Obsession. He said he couldn't get near for an hour after she put it on. So you can see it's a very good thing my nose changed - he would have had a hard time with Black Aoud!

When we were dating he bought me a bottle of Creed Royal Water, and I like it a lot. I can also still wear Nanadebary Green, Annick Goutal Eau De Camille, Dolce and Gabanna Light Blue, and D'Orsay Tilleul. I really like him in LesNez Let Me Play The Lion and Thierry Mugler Cologne. As you can see, these are fragrances without much powder or sillage.

My question - are there any recommendations for fragrances that fit this category? Powdery, aldehydic, musky notes are a thing of the past for me. The more natural the better. For some reason Royal Water seems to really work, but I would like a few more choices as after all, I'm still a perfumista at heart. I would love a really great fresh floral that won't make me feel lousy. Thanks all.

I know lighter is a lot less compelling draw than rich and fabulous in perfumes. I just checked out their line-up, and it looks pretty promising. I haven't tried out any of their newer stuff, so I think I'll order some samples.

Quarry! Oh yeah, I was hoping you were still around because I remember you liked a lot of softer ones (along with all those big outrageous ones we all love). I will definitely try your recs. Thanks for the congrats - I lucked out and married the nicest guy in the whole world, bar none. We used to date when I was really young, and I foolishly dumped him for Mr. Wrong.

Olivia Giacobetti is fantastic, a perfumer that was making individualistic fragrances from the very beginning of her career. The fact she has an organic line is good news for people like me, who developed an allergy not to the natural ingredients but the synthetic ones. Thanks on the heads up, Klute and Haunani. It's nice to make your acquaintance also.I think it's farisighted of her to start an organic line, as there has developed a certain percentage of perfume lovers who acquired allergies from their love (not that we're bitter or jeaulous ).

It sounds like L'Artisan is the place to start, and I have to finally sample Ayala's line. I've heard about her for years. L'Eau de Jatamansi and Cote d'Amour have gotten several nods, so I'm looking forward to those two quite a bit, and Quarry's Aubepine Acacia .

I had such problems with the new florals I wondered if I had a problem with florals in general, so I tried some old ones - vintages from the 30's, 40's, 50's. I had no problem with them - they were pleasant and easy to wear. Granted, they didn't last as long as the new frags and were "softer", closer. But honestly, some of the new ones have a constitution of iron.

Well, I put in my order to the Perfumed Court, etc. I think I ordered nearly every single recommendation on this thread. Thanks all. I appreciate the input.