Please help me find a perfume I'd like!

Hi! I'm looking for a new perfume, and have tried a few but not fallen in love with anything yet.

I normally wear Serge Lutens Douce Amere, which I love. I'd like to find something a little fresher, more sparkling though -- sometimes I don't feel the Douce Amere suits my mood/what I'm wearing. I think I'd like something floral, quite fresh but not in that 90s unisex perfume way, long lasting but close-wearing and not too heavy (I want something I can wear to work without annoying people). I like the idea of boozy notes (or at least, I like the absinthe in the D.A.), and I'm not overly keen on oriental notes. I've read a bunch of reviews here, but can't seem to find something I like -- I guess the fact I don't know the names of the different notes makes it harder. I find that a lot of the ones I've tried either smell soapy, or "perfume-y" -- I'm not sure what the proper term is, but it's the smell I think of when I think of Chanel No. 5.

Here are some of the things I have tried over the last few days:

Creed Fleurissimo -- I really liked this at first, but it has a little of that perfume-y smell, doesn't seem to last that well, and is a bit non-distinctive -- I'd like something a little different.

Caron Aimez-moi -- too sweet and cloying. I don't think I like the violet.

Penhaligon's Artemisia -- horrible. Soapy and perfumey. I had to wash it off.

Chloe Love -- a bit too sweet and artificial, although not too bad.

Creed Green Irish Tweed -- a bit too mannish for me (I know it's for men, but I thought I'd give it a go)

Hermes 24 Faubourg -- I quite liked this, but I had to have a shower shortly after trying it on so I don't really have a good idea of it. I might try it again.

I've also tried several of the other Serge Lutens, but didn't really warm to any of them.

Here are some things I used to wear, and the reasons I don't any more (I don't want anything like these):

Prada -- I find it way too heady now, it gives me a headache.

Vivienne Westwood Boudoir -- similar, also far too sweet. I think I liked my perfumes a lot louder when I was younger.

Penhaligan's Elizabethan Rose -- I used to really like rose, but now I find it too cloying and old-fashioned as a single note.


I hope you can make some good suggestions!

Thanks! I'll go to my local department store tomorrow -- I doubt they have the Hampton Sun and the Micaleff, but I think they'll have Tommy Girl and Silver Mountain Water, and hopefully the Chanel Eau Premiere. I'll let you know how I get on.

Is Vent Vert by Calice Becker an older version of the current Balmain perfume? If so, how do I get hold of it? Is it similar to the current one?

Based on your suggestions (and what was available at the store), I tried Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere and Silver Mountain Water on my wrists, and Tommy Girl and Cristalle sprayed on cards.

I like the Eau Premiere more than the regular No. 5, but it still has that soapish quality. I don't think it suits me, it feels a little too polished.

I didn't enjoy the Cristalle, there was a note in it that I really disliked -- something woody, a bit like celery?

I initially liked the Silver Mountain Water, although I found it a bit citrusy. But after a while, it started having a chemically tone to it, a bit like some sort of cleaner.

I quite liked the Tommy Girl, but there was a fruity, apply smell that seemed a bit overpowering. I also tried (on card) Marc Jacobs Daisy, which had a similar fruity smell in it but more subtle -- I think I preferred the Daisy.

Still, nothing I liked enough to want to buy. Maybe I like the idea of floral scents more than the reality.