Wednesday, January 20, 2016

My All Time Most Worn Perfumes... According To Basenotes


I started keeping a log of my scent(s) of the day on Basenotes at some point in 2011. It was easier than maintaining my own spreadsheets, even if somewhat less specific when it comes to version, concentration, and vintages. One of the features Basenotes provides is a tally of one's most worn perfumes of all time. Now, accuracy depends on my zealousness in actually entering the information (I try), the database's completeness (they try), and the fact that a big chunk of data is missing from the period of time the site was hosted on a different server/application during 2013 (it's the internet, stupid). Still, my top 10 off all times according to Basenotes is worth a good look and some pondering:

The undisputed king of my wardrobe is Shalimar. I have a lot of vintage Shalimar in every concentration and reach for it without thinking. I carry a mini vintage EDT in my purse for emergencies and never pass an opportunity to snag another bottle at an estate sale or an antique store. It's Shalimar, it's mine, and there's no room for debate.

The second spot is far more surprising. L'Orpheline is not my most favorite Serge Lutnes perfume. That role is shared by MKK and Miel de Bois. I have no idea why there's no other Lutens in the top ten, but I'm pretty sure that it has to do with my failure to record many of my nighttime or going out wearings. My MdB bottle is nearly empty and I'm thankful for the backup bottles in the basement. So what is L'Orpheline doing up there? The answer is that it's an easy choice of an easy to wear and highly- complimented perfume. I wear it well and it gives me a respite from thinking and analyzing. A plain white t-shirt? Most definitely.

Philtre d'Amour is my early morning and summer nights perfume. A citrus done the Guerlain way. I only have one backup and I'm worried.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Bal a Versailles. Every bottle of the vintage juice I have smells slightly different, but all of them are skank incarnated. I don't think I have quite enough to be embalmed in it, and that concerns me.

Chanel No.5 Eau Premiere and No. 5: That also includes all concentrations of the latter, always vintage, always classy, and offensive only to those under age 16 and to my father. Go figure.

Chanel No.19. I probably wear the eau de parfum more often than other concentrations, but who knows. I'm pretty sure the actual number there should be much higher.

Etat Libre d'Orange Fils de Dieu du Riz etc. and La Fin du Monde. My actual favorite from the line is Tom of Finland, but I wear these two to bed semi-regularly. Fils de Dieu is a summer staple and the popcorn iris of La Fin du Monde is cozy and comforting. As a matter of fact, I'm going to spray it heavily tonight. The husband usually approves.

Closing the top 10 is another Guerlain. Arsene Lupin Dandy is decidedly modern, woody, and supposedly masculine. It gets me going and gets things done. I suspect it's also the last great Guerlain, which adds a touch of melancholy if I think of it too much.


Do you keep records/statistics of your perfume wearing? Do the numbers surprise you when you audit them?

7 comments:

  1. I love (adore!) Philtre d'Amour. This and Samsara are my HG Guerlains.

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    Replies
    1. Phitre d'Amour is so underrated, which is the only thing giving me hope that I'll be able to find more backups.

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  2. Shalimar ! and yet ... people will say its "old lady" but - there it is at number one! I am surprised.
    I do not think its "old lady" by the way ... I have one bottle and a back up too.

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    Replies
    1. I'm a proud middle-aged lady who wears what she likes and gives the stiinkeye to anyone who objects. Tween perfumes can be much more offensive.

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  3. I've kept statistics since 2004. I always write my SotD in my diary and then move the data to a Word document and do the math. The reason I started was I wanted to know what I actually wore, and during the years I've kept stats I have learned that though some of my most worn scents are also my favourites, some of them are more trusty workhorses (or otherwise "functional" scents) than great loves.

    According to Basenotes my TOP 10 is
    Encens et Lavande
    Ormonde Woman
    Fille en Aiguilles
    DZING!
    Messe de Minuit
    Dzongkha
    Encre Noire
    Fourreau Noir
    Comme des Garçons 2

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    Replies
    1. I really really (really!) need to wear Dzing! more often. It's one of my absolute favorites yet the husband wears it more than me.

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  4. No one has addressed the woman in the photo perfume collection? OMG, I'm envious. That big bottle of Shalimar, Liu and Sous le Vent. I don't know what she's about to apply to her forehead but if were her I'd be dipping into the Liu.

    ReplyDelete

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