I know, I know, impossible question again, but a little torture is fun, isn’t it?
What is the one perfume you never want to be without?
What is your absolute Number One?
What perfume leaves all your other loves in the dust?
My Answer:
My absolute Number one?
Okay, let’s narrow it down a bit.
There are perfumes I adore, but never wear for varying reasons. Onda is mindblowing, but it comes in a tiny extrait bottle and is not everyone’s favorite, so I wear it very rarely and only for myself. Same with the Afteliers, especially Tango and Cepes&Tuberose, I admire them, but they are so emotionally charged, I can’t just make them my SotD and be done with it, they are perfumes for special occasions.
My all time favorites that I am actually wearing regularly, are, in no particular order of importance Puredistance I, Chanel 31 Rue Cambon, Shalimar extrait, Malle Le Parfum de Therese, Dior New Look 1947, Mona di Orio Musc, Cuir de Lancome, Armani Privé Ambre Orient, Parfumerie Générale Indochine, Guerlain Cuir Beluga and Chanel N°5 and Eau Premiere. And I’ll add the wonderful Amouage Beloved, and even if it has only very recently joined the ranks, I can tell that it is a keeper.
So is my Number One perfume among those?
I realize that this is a snap decision, and it will be different in a few hours probably, but that is why I have a collection, not a signature scent. So I will choose my number one based on what I have been craving most often lately and what I wouldn’t want to give up right now.
Ta da – I present Cuir de Lancome!
Thank you, Tara. You gave me a a perfume to love, admire and wear.
So, I can’t wait, dear readers! What is your Number One?
Olfactoria's Travels 
Yes it’s so hard! I would have to say at the moment it’s “Fifi chachnil”
I have heard many good things about this one, I should really try it if it is your number one!
Climat by Lancome – my first and eternal perfume love.
Ah, yes. That is the Gold double, isn’t it?
Yes, this is the one.
I wear it today – thanks to your Monday Question 🙂
Also I want to mention that it was extremely hard not to play a “zooming in” game with naming 5-7 most favorite and then landing on a single one. Because just the fact of not even mentioning the rest of them feels a little like betrayal 🙂
Lol, I understand! But I was impressed with your decisiveness (as I always am).
My number one has got to be La Femme Bleue but it is a special occasion perfume, creeping up on the outside is a perfume that I found ‘weird’ to start with but I end up wearing it more and more and is my go to perfume when I don’t want to think about what I want to wear according to the weather and my mood etc etc, this one just seems to fit what ever the mood and weather, it is ta da – Dans tes Bras, thank you Birgit for this one, rest assured it has gone to a loving home, I am also wearing this one yet again today, that’s two days in a row. (my brain is going into overdrive saying are you sure you want to pick these ones, what about…..or……???? torturous question of the day) 🙂
I’m very proud that you got to know both of these perfume through me. 🙂 One definitely needs something beautiful that works for every day.
How I love those “Intense” Monday questions for which you are so gifted.
Right now – Number one – Birgit, your suggestion for me “Habit Rouge”.
(The Wife thanks you!!!) and all of this comes from the man who just
months ago was “Lost, confused and just disinterested in Guerlain”. Well you
put me on the right path – even the daughter says BRAVO!
Hi Charles, that makes really happy that my suggestion worked out so well for you. There is a Guerlain (or several) for everyone. 🙂
Good grief!! After a bit of wriggling it comes down to two: Shalimar and MdO Vanille. So maybe my answer should be Shalimar Ode a la Vanille, with the understanding that someone finds me another bottle when mine runs out?!
I hope you find another bottle of Ode. It would be nice if they brought it back as a permanent part of the line, it was such a success…
This is an evil question!
Are you sure I can only pick one? 😦
My current love is Madonna’s Truth or Dare, which I find myself craving at all times of the day (and night), but I don’t think that I could pick it as my number one perfume, not by a long shot.
Hmmm…. I think I’ll go for a perfume that sums up my tastes perfectly; loud, floral, fun, Mugler – Alien Eau de Parfum.
Yes, I’m sure! 😉
That is the perfect CPB pick, I would have expected nothing less from you! 🙂
I’m anything if not predictable 😛
🙂
Oh my goodness, B! Cuir de Lancome is currently your number one?! That makes me so happy!
For me Cuir de Lancome is right up there too, along with Bois des Iles, Shalimar Light, Rose Oud, Portrait of a Lady and Bois d’Argent. But the number one spot has to go to vintage Vol de Nuit parfum. It represents the woman I want to be.
Apart from Portrait, which gives me major headaches still, your choices are all among my favorites as well.
I’m sure many already see you as that Vol de Nuit woman, even if you can’t yet.
I am always so curious about what the various perfume bloggers’ favorites are, and now–finally! : )–one of you very kindly sets it out in a list. Thank you! : ) Of course, now you know what my next sample order is likely to look like!
My favorite is Ormonde Jayne Ta’if. I absolutely crave it! FM Lys Mediterranee, SL A la Nuit, and OJ Frangipani are not far behind. I haven’t tried anything you all have mentioned above yet, so I have my work cut out for me! And happy work it is!
You are very welcome, Christy! 🙂
Ta’if is a beauty, a great top choice!
I’m glad I helped inspire your sample purchase list.
Funny, I was just pondering that last night! Boy, that’s such a hard question! I think it would be either Chanel No. 5 parfum, or Shalimar edp. Lately (for the past 5 months or so) I’ve reached for Shalimar most often, for so many reasons – it’s comforting and warm to wear – esp to bed, it blends so well with my chemistry, it’s the right amt of silliage for every day, it’s seasonless, my husband loves it, and I get tons of compliments. When I wear it, I don’t smell like anyone else, common, it feels like me.
That sounds like true love, indeed!
I hope it is the current Shalimar formulation you are talking about, so you are not in for heartache any time soon (provided they don’t have to reformulate again).
Like you said B., this answer could change in the matter of hours… My immortal loves are Memoir Woman, Poivre 23, Opus IV, Shalimar extrait… But of the two that I’ve been craving and wearing in heavy rotation recently, I’d have to pick Opus VI!
(the other that I’ve been wearing almost non-stop is Equestrius)
🙂
Christopher Chong must be very happy with you! 😉
Great top choice, Dee.
It’s a tie; Vol de Nuit and Attrape Coeur, both heart achingly beautiful.
I agree.
Soooooo difficult to choose only one! Here are my first 3 : Iriss from Xerjoff which can be easily my no.1 but I’ m wearing it only few times during the year( price is really helping me a lot to wear it so “often”) , Portrait of a Lady and my last 5 weeks love affair – Oud from MFK which I find so wearable
I hear you on the Irisss, just too expensive to wear with abandon. Good to hear that you like the MFK Oud so much, I should get around to try it eventually.
Kyoto! I’m putting it out there quick before I have time to over-think and change my mind. I’ve loved it for years and years, in all kinds of weather, It lasts and lasts on my skin, my guy likes it… It’s appropriate for most every occasion unlike some of my other loves. I admit that I don’t tend to wear it for fancy-dress-up, but it wouldn’t be completely out of place, and how often do I get all gussied up, anyway? Kyoto it is! Tam Dao is a close second for all of the same reasons.
Wonderful perfume, Kyoto is really a lovely choice!
Cuir de Lancome might be my #1 too! The three perfumes that always feel right and good no matter what are CdL, Donna Karan Gold (both Calice Beckers!) and Rossy de Palma. But I think CdL has the slight edge.
Yay, we are CdL twins then. 🙂
I would have to say for my own happiness I would choose Chantecaille Kalimantan, but because my husband loves SL Daim Blond on me over every other scent (and believe me I keep trying to sway him with others), I might have to go with what draws him nearest to me! It’s a tough decision!
I’d always go with my own preference. Noman comes between me and my perfume. 😉
Always, forever, and without a single solitary doubt, Arabie by Serge Lutens.
It must be great to be so clear on your number one. Maybe I get there too one day… I’d really like to.
Cuir de Lancome would definitely make my Top Ten. But for THE No. 1? First, I wish to express my deep and abiding hatred for anybody who would actually make me choose only one. Second, I’ll narrow it down to the deep and abiding loves: Mary Greenwell Plum, PdN Le Temps d’une Fete, SL La Myrrhe, vintage Coty Emeraude, SSS Tabac Aurea.
Only one? Fine, I’ll say Plum. But I’m NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. 🙂
I knew you’d say Plum, even before the hatred speech. 😉
For me it is Cuir, because I actually wear it often and am always happy with my choice, like you and Plum. That counts for more in my book, than something I only wear when the mood or the occasion is right.
Fracas.
Perfect.
Oh no, only one? OK, I’ll go with Caron’s Montaigne, as it is delicious, I love it, and it seems to be appropriate for any occasion.
That is what makes a number one!
Hmmm, I didn’t find this question hard at all – I’m actually preparing a post right now about my No. 1. You’re not going to ask for my perfumista card back, are you?
It’s Ormonde Woman. She was meant for me. I’ll share her with all y’all, but really, she’s mine.
Okay, I see. I’m glad I got a bottle before you claimed ownership. 😉
Woman suits you perfectly, Dionne!
Amouage Honour Woman. I adore it. And yet I do not own it! I must right this wrong…
You must! And quickly! 🙂
Bois des Iles, Portrait of a Lady and Cuir de Russie. Can’t decide between those three. But tomorrow is my last day in Paris and perfume shopping is finally on the agenda, so who knows, I may find a new love.
I’m flattered that you are reading from Paris! I hope you are having a wonderful time!
Enjoy your shopping day! I hope you are visiting the Mother Ship (Guerlain)?!
Ouch, this is impossible! Memoir Woman, Cuir de Lancome, Voyage D’Hermes, OJ Woman, Mohur, how to chose…
Mitsouko?
No, the answer must be-
Bandit 🙂
Ah, you have great taste, Eva!
Sonoma Scent Studio Winter Woods. Definitely the bar against which all other loves are judged. Only Rubj EDP contends high enough to consider, but it is in no way a wear anywhere anytime kind of scent.
Rubj is great, but definitely not a grab and go scent. 🙂
So it is SSS for you, beautiful choice, Amy!
Aaaarrrrgggghhhh! Why?!?! OK, fine. If something horrible were to happen, and I could only grab one thing before exiting the apartment, leaving it too whatever catastophie was about to befall, I would grab Attrape Couer. And MdO Tubereuse. And if I had, at all, the barest smidge of a second more, Peche Cardinal and J’adore L’eau Cologne Florale. Because the last two are my happiness in a bottle perfumes, and I couldn’t possibly be expected to endure whatever cruel fate dished out to me without them, could I?
Hard Question!
Why? Because I can!!! 😉
So it’s Attrape Coeur for you (and you may take those others too, I won’t tell!).
Ha! Well this question is torture and I’ve thought about it all day. The best way to answer is to say what I’ve been wearing the most lately. In February a wonderful swapper during the Posse’s Swapmania sent me something that I’ve been wearing two or three times a week ever since: Haight & Ashbury from A Wing and A Prayer (Jane Cate): rose, patchouli and sandalwood. So, for now that would be my choice.
If this were summer I might have said Nuit de Tubereuse.
Isn’t it great how we come by some of our greatest loves by accident?
It’s easy to nominate a small group:
Rochas Femme (modern, not vintage)
Molinard Habanita
Guerlain L’Heure Bleue
Dior Miss Dior (vintage)
Chanel No 19
Chanel No 5
Penhaligon’s Amaranthine
SSS Nostalgie
At the time of writing, these are the perfumes I could not live without. But to nominate a number one is very hard. At this moment – Rochas Femme. It’s a second skin.
Fun question – thanks!
Selecting only one is indeed hard, but also liberating in a way. I enjoyed that mental exercise of “shedding weight”.
Rochas Femme – I’m still scarred by Luca Turin’s review (something about a lady’s moustache, he has a way of ruining perfumes with indelible images!), but I should give it a try!
Oh Luca Schmucka! Give it a try. It’s one of the greats, worth trying even if it turns out not to be for you.
It sure is! But it is not exactly easy to find here either…
Lol at Luca-Schmucka! 😀
Another vote for Cuir de Lancome! It seems like my scarf and jacket cuffs smell permanently like Cuir now, so I’m always catching unexpected sniffs of it, and it always feels right. Bois des Iles is a close second (but not too close).
Hi fellow Cuir addict! 🙂
It just always feels perfect, doesn’t it? I’m so glad I found it.
Ok, thinking about what I would wear happily ad infinitum (if I really had to): Penhaligon’s Lily and Spice for daytime (I’m an English girl after all), and Patou’s 1000 for evenings. (Patou is my favourite house but I couldn’t stick with just one of the Ma Collection scents as they’re all distinct characters to me. 1000 is a sublime melange of Patou in one fragrance)! Oh! But what about Caron, my other favourite house?!…..
Since Lily&Spice is discontinued (booh!), I’ll take 1000 as your N°1, then you stay within the only one allowed limit. 😉
<:-0 Discontinued?! Nobody told me! Hm, is that why it's half price on the Penhaligon's website just now – they're selling it off?! My word. In that case, I'd better nominate Chanel's 31 Rue Cambon as a backup 😉
It is. 😦 Time to stock up, if they are still selling it in the site.
Guerlain Plus Que Jamais…but you knew that anyway. : – )
Usually I’d flounder to narrow my preferences down that much, but at the moment the answer is clear: Songes edp
Completely inappropriate for professional wear, but exactly what I need at the moment to remind me that despite the horrendous February-style weather, summer will happen one day. The stuff is Tropical with a capital T, yet dries down to a very man-friendly vanilla, and never fails to make me happy. (tho if Yves Rocher did a perfume with the same scent as their Tiare shower gel, that would probably knock Songes off the spot – it’s even sunnier 🙂
There is an alcohol-free body spray of Yves Rocher Tiaré. It is great!
I did not know that!!! Thanks so much, it’s probably the best news I’ve had all week! (rushes off to the yr website…)
You are welcome! 🙂
L’Heure convoitee and I don’t even own a bottle yet! (Almost have enough saved–Yes!) Of what I currently own a bottle of, it’s easily Lollia Relax
The best bottles are those we have to wait for. Soon… 🙂
I would have to go with Shalimar Parfum (Current or Vintage). The way the fresh bergamot melts into the smoky sweet vanilla is the fragrance equivalent of a perfect sunset to me.
Wonderful Blog!
Hello Joe,
Shalimar is a wonderful choice. I love it too, in all its incarnations.
Thank you for your kind compliment!
Guerlain Plus Que Jamais – sorry, my comment ended up in an odd place for some reason. Not related to Lily & Spice, obviously. I do have spare as it happens if Emma can’t find back ups! : – )
It shows what a generous person you are that you shared your precious PQJ with me. Again – thank you!
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Safari – Ralph Lauren…love at first sniff…still, now I’m not wearing it so often but it is my precius gem. I think it is the third bottle I have.
I’ver heard so many good things about it…