The Sweetest Scent

Few things are more personal than a woman's perfume. We all often have extremely strong feelings about what scents or colognes we prefer. For me, I HATE perfume most of the time - mainly because so many perfumes are impolite - They can really overwhelm a room. To me, the best scents are the ones that really only someone who is very close to you will detect (i.e. Mr. Snapdragon.) I also have a supreme appreciation for bottled perfumes that actually smell like something real, not just a chemical concoction.

SO, this weekend my mom (she was visiting from Texas) and I went on the hunt for a wedding day perfume. Even though I rarely wear perfume, I would like to wear some sort of scenty something on my wedding day. Armed with a few recommendations... I set forth on my mission.

Originally, I fully intended to purchase something from Anthropologie or the Fresh counter. I love Anthropologie perfumes because I can always recognize the scent (smells like grapefruit or lemons, etc.) Surprisingly, Anthropologie bombed out for me this time. Though they had GORGEOUS perfume bottles, I can't buy a perfume based on packaging - that would just be silly. I am not sure what happened. Somewhere between the last time I bought Anthro. perfume and now, they developed many new lines that seem much more complicated, for lack of a better word - hence more chemically smelling. So no go for Anthropologie (though we did find several other fun items!!!) Take a look at this adorable perfume bottle though:

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While on my journey between Anthropologie and the Fresh counter, I veered into Sephora. (Really, is it even POSSIBLE to walk past a Sephora without venturing inside? Heck no!) I had heard of several perfumes that are popular for brides, so I checked those out first:

Daisy, by Marc Jacobs
NOTES - Strawberry, Violet Leaves, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Gardenia, Violet, Jasmine, Musk, Vanilla, White Woods
Snappy's Take: The bottle is so, so cute (can you tell I am easily swayed by marketing??) but the scent was too complicated and confusing for my taste.

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Nina, by Nina Ricci
NOTES - Calabrese Lemon, Ciprinha Lime, Red Toffee Apple, Vanilla Infusion, Moonflower, Peony Petals, Apple Tree Wood, Cotton Musk
Snappy's Take: I had high hopes for this one, but again this perfume had too much going on, and really had a high chemical-type quality to the smell. Again, such a cute bottle. (le sigh)

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Vera Wang, the Frangrance
NOTES - Bulgarian Rose, Calla Lily, Mandarin Flower, Gardenia, Lotus, Iris, White Stephanotis
Snappy's Take: I actually didn't mind this one TOO much. I think I related better to this perfume because the notes stick to a floral palette. However, I just didn't love it, so.... no cigar.

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Just when I was giving up hope, I hit the motherlode, a perfect storm of scents that I really liked...

Brit Sheer, by Burberry
NOTES - Yuzu, Pineapple Leaves, Litchi, Mandarin, Grapes, Pink Peony, Peach blossom, Nashi, White Musk, Blond Woods
Snappy's Take: I really liked this one. Brit Sheer is light and SO polite. I didn't feel like the smell was overwhleming at all, and the scent was like a fruit orchard - light, light, light, and recognizable. I didn't select this one, but... I almost bought it!

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J'Adore, by Dior
NOTES - Mandarin, Champaca Flowers, Ivy, African Orchid, Rose, Violet, Damascus Plum, Amaranth Wood, Blackberry Musk
Snappy's Take: One of my Snapsisters recently discovered this perfume and made the recommendataion, so I made sure to check J'Adore out. Yum, yum, yum - The smell was again really polite and soft, while the musk kept the perfume from going TOO soft. I didn't select this one either, but J'Adore was a top contender.

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And now - drumroll please - the WINNER!

Miss Dior Cherie, by Dior
NOTES - Green tangerine, Violette, Pink jasmine, Patchouli, Crystalline musk, Strawberry leaves, Caramelized popcorn, Strawberry sorbet
Snappy's Take: I LOVE THIS PERFUME!!! Apparently Dior perfumes go over well on me! If I would have read the aroma notes before test running this one.... I would have passed right on by. Crazy, isn't it? Patchouli? Really? Somehow, the Dior Masters spun all of these unusual notes into a perfume that is feminine, polite, soft without being musty - with specific, sharp notes that create a distinctly NON-chemically smell. AND - the bottle is adorable. Swoon!

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So I never made it over to Fresh... What perfumes do you recommend??