A fragrance with carnation that is NOT carnation prominent?

[mikeperez23]

I finished my decant bottle of Malmaison by Floris today. This was actually the first decant that I ever bought here on Basenotes (from supermarky) and prior to this I had never worn a Floris scent nor had I ever owned a carnation prominent scent.

I had to wear it almost five or six times before I became comfortable wearing it. Once I got past that creamy carnation top note I was able to enjoy the spicy clove drydown that comes with most carnation scents. On an extremely hot day, carnation scents always smelled their best to me. In cool weather, the 'creamy' aspect of Malmaison was annoying to my nose (I don't like creamy scents) and became almost choking.

After being introduced to Malmaison, I have smelled many other carnation prominent scents - however I still have not found one that incorporates the carnation note in a fragrance but doesn't allow the carnation note to be too strong. Most carnation scents are just carnation from top to middle to bottom. I want to try one that incorporates it into a scent, with other equally prominent notes. Or perhaps a carnation top note that fades and becomes something more woody and/or indolic.

Any recommendations / suggestions? I was thinking of trying Sous le Vent by Guerlain, Equipage by Hermes and/or Poivre by Caron - am I barking up the right tree with these three?

[helg]

Hi M!

Poivre is wonderful: very clove-y with intense warmth. Not readily available though: you'll have to buy a decant or something, as it's extrait and only available from Caron boutiques.

Sous le Vent is very sharp green for what you want. Lovely fragrance, but not what you're describing.
Equipage might be nice. I don't think I detect too much carnation.

I think Opium incorporates carnation/clove admirably: you do detect it, but it's not a carnation scent per se.

[zatarain]

I second the suggestion for Poivre; clove, carnation and Caronade, it's warm and deep.

[Kevin Guyer]

Equipage's carnation note is there for sure, mixed with a pine note that you'll either love or hate. The rosewood, cinnamon and jasmine notes are blended well and I believe it could be mistaken for one of the complicated Creed's, in the line of BdP.
For me, it's not a friend of warm/humid weather and has, at times, pushed me deeply into headache territory. I do like it in the fall.
Caron's Third man has a nice carnation note as does Carven Home.

[Vivek]

I doubt CdG Red Carnation is Carnation prominent, but it may be, thought about trying that ?

[mikeperez23]

Hi M!

Poivre is wonderful: very clove-y with intense warmth. Not readily available though: you'll have to buy a decant or something, as it's extrait and only available from Caron boutiques.

Sous le Vent is very sharp green for what you want. Lovely fragrance, but not what you're describing.
Equipage might be nice. I don't think I detect too much carnation.

I think Opium incorporates carnation/clove admirably: you do detect it, but it's not a carnation scent per se.

Poivre sounds promising - but I'm actually looking for something less clove prominent - because to me clove and carnation are too similar to my nose. I was thinking of a non-spicy carnation oriented scent. Maybe spice (clove/carnation) at the top and then something else in the middle and base - does this sound like Poivre?

Opium I have a sample of the EdT waiting for me to test it.

Equipage's carnation note is there for sure, mixed with a pine note that you'll either love or hate. The rosewood, cinnamon and jasmine notes are blended well and I believe it could be mistaken for one of the complicated Creed's, in the line of BdP.
For me, it's not a friend of warm/humid weather and has, at times, pushed me deeply into headache territory. I do like it in the fall.
Caron's Third man has a nice carnation note as does Carven Home.

Equipage I must try again, I wore it years ago before I was a Hermes whore.

Caron 3rd Man and Carven Homme I will add to the list!

I doubt CdG Red Carnation is Carnation prominent, but it may be, thought about trying that ?

CdG Carnation is extremely carnation prominent. Nice, but not what I'm looking for right now.

[Off-Scenter]

Not that it's of much help, but Patou pour Homme has a marvelously blended carnation note at its heart.

[Trebor]

I don't know if this will be up your alley but there's also Guerlain's Metalys, which is a vanilla and carnation combo. I've heard that the original formulation (known as Metallica) had an even less prominent carnation note in it. However, either way, obtaining a bottle won't be cheap.

[narcus]

L'Air du Temps

[mikeperez23]

Not that it's of much help, but Patou pour Homme has a marvelously blended carnation note at its heart.

I don't know if this will be up your alley but there's also Guerlain's Metalys, which is a vanilla and carnation combo. I've heard that the original formulation (known as Metallica) had an even less prominent carnation note in it. However, either way, obtaining a bottle won't be cheap.

L'Air du Temps

All added to my 'To Try' list. Thanks!

Narcus, isn't LADT 'powdery'? I think a girl I knew in high school's mom used to wear this...everytime I smelled it on her I thought it smelled like LouLou (also by Cacherel) just more powdery.

[tvlampboy]

Jockey Club by Caswell Massey -- soapy, old fashioned goodness

[TwoRoads]

This afternoon I received a bottle of Jean Marie Farina (Extra Vielle) EdC.

As I sat here enjoying the drydown and entering the fragrance notes into my spreadsheet, it definitely becomes a rose prominent scent.

I thought of this thread because it has carnation as one of its middle notes. (I am discovering that I like Extra Vielle better than the also superb Blenheim Bouquet that I put on my other arm for comparison, but that is another thread!)

Jean Marie Farina's notes are:

Top: Bergamot oil, Lemon, Mandarin, Orange, Petitgrain, Rosemary
Middle: Carnation, Neroli
Base: Rose

I think that you may like it even though it doesn't have any cinnamon.

[Scentologist]

Equipage is the ticket. However, if it is not your liking, try the original Paul Smith in the green bottle!