It’s for my cousin’s 60th b’day. I wear Jo Malone almost exclusively so I’d like some other suggestions. Budget is $150ish.
I alternate between L’Air du Temps by Nina Ricci and Angel by Thierry Mugler. Love them both. Fragrance is such a personal choice, though, I’m always hesitant to choose a new one for someone else.
I’ve never had anyone do anything but compliment my Shalimar. I only wear it on special occasions, and have given it to both D’s, who also get compliments. My mother wore nothing else. Some might think of it as “old lady” but I think it’s timeless.
Hermes Kelly Caleche would be a nice choice. Sophisticated, classy with a touch of status.
I really like Burberry Body. My girlfriend, big kiddo, and baby kiddo “stole” my perfume because they liked the scent. Baby kiddo loves a D&G scent:
http://www.sephora.com/3-l-imperatrice-P245901
Wow, 600 reviews and close to 5 stars. No wonder it is hard to find in the stores!
Both of these perfumes have very light, flowery scent. So if the friend loves heavier scents with the mix of things like sandalwood, these will not do.
Thanks everyone,
I know it’s a personal choice but the worse it’ll be is she won’t wear it.
@wisteria100, do you wear the perfume or the eau de toilette?
Thanks @BunsenBurner, think I’ll stop by Sephora on Monday when I’m near that mall.
I honestly don’t know what she likes but I don’t care.
Only problem - all are a lot less than I want to spend.
Anyone here wear Tom Ford’s Black Orchid? It was my mom’s suggestion.
Prada Infusion d’Iris - amazing scent and appropriate for her age.
(my kids vetoed it for their 40-something mom, but I love, love, love it).
Whatever you end up giving, I recommend you buy it at a high-end department store and get a gift receipt - she’ll be able to return it if she doesn’t like the scent, and choose something she likes.
My first thought was Jo Malone, that is the only one I wear anymore. Annick Goutal is really nice, there are a couple different scents, I like eau d’hadrien. Paco Rabanne and Cartier are nice also. eta- it would not be hard to spend $150 on Annick Goutal, it’s available at Neimann Marcus and maybe Nordstrom too.
If you like Jo Malone, you might like L’Occitane’s line of perfume. The scents are easy to love, and they don’t smell cloying or synthetic. You can get cute little gift sets, too. I can actually layer the scents that come in that gift set since they all work so well with each other.
Chanel 19 Poudre is only a few years old. I switched to it after wearing Chanel 19 for 25 years. I really like the new, lighter version. Not widely sold, so that could be an issue. Saks definitely sells it.
$125 or so
http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/fragrance-no19-poudre-no19-poudre-123072
Can’t be an old lady perfume, we are very, very young 60’s. She is in the fashion biz in NYC.
She wouldn’t bother to return it. She’d likely just leave it at her Florida condo. But, I’ll still give it with gift receipt.
@cellomom2, the Annick Goutal sounds perfect because it is the right price! I’ll definitely check it out. I also only wear Jo Malone now.
Honestly…I would find out if she uses perfume. Many work places don’t allow it.there are some public places that don’t permit it either.
If she doesn’t use perfume…it won’t be much fun as a gift.
Hermes Elixir des Merveilles $146 (or $160 at Hermes)
http://www.sephora.com/eau-des-merveilles-P375113?keyword=Hermes%20Elixir%20des%20Merveilles&skuId=755546&_requestid=352233
I received it as a gift, and I am hooked. I think it’s a pretty safe choice because the scent is not very prominent. Great reviews.
She wears perfume and has busy social life so wouldn’t matter if she can’t wear it at work.
To be honest - I’m a bit miffed her invite didn’t say no gifts. It’s a destination birthday party and the weekend is already costing me around $1500 - not including the dress and shoes I bought and new white tee for the White Party portion of the bash. Every one who is coming has to fly in, except my mom who lives in Florida. I wouid have given a donation to the MJFox Parkinsons Foundation in memory of her mom (my Aunt)
I like Fresh Hespirades Grapefruit It is about 90 dollars a bottle -but they have lotion etc… I like most of the Fresh line and they carry it at Sephoria
L’Occitane is not an old lady perfume. My daughters try to steal my neroli & iris one from me all the time.
When I think of old lady perfumes, I think of shalimar, chanel #5, Giorgio Beverly Hills (ugh), Opium, and that old stinky standby, L’air du Temps. (pee-yew).
DH bought me Poppy by Coach a couple years ago. I was complimented on a regular basis over this perfume…grocery clerks, strangers standing near me, etc. I’ve never had so many compliments in my life in such a short time over a scent, so naturally thought “I’ve finally found my perfect cologne”, I ran and bought a new bottle when mine was out.
Not one comment with this bottle. Do you think the scent can differ from botte to bottle? I’m almost out and owning if I should buy it again. If it was just the normal compliments once in awhile I wouldn’t give it a thought.
But this was constantly with that first one.
I’m still partial to Avon’s Sweet Honesty. Hubby says the scent takes him back to, well, never mind. I can’t imagine spending $$ on perfume. As long as I’m shower-clean, the scent of soap and body lotion are enough for me. 
My favorite perfume is Annick Goutal Eau de Charlotte. They have other perfumes, but Charlotte is my favorite. They also have body cream.
The Hermes mentioned above is nice. I wear Hermes Un Jardin sur le Nil. Not floral. My other is Coco Mademoiselle. Anything overly floral, especially rose or gardenia, gives me a splitting headache. These three are the only ones that don’t, and work with my body chemistry.