u/Lovastra

I have admired Dolly Parton's artistic ambition since I was a little girl. To this day, Steel Magnolias is one of my favorite comfort movies. Ever since learning which perfumes she wore, I have been hunting them down. I bought a bottle of Intrigue by Mary Kay and I've been testing it.

What we know: Dolly Parton told Allure Magazine she would mix Mary Kay Intrigue (1971) with the original Tova Musk (bath oil). After Intrigue was discontinued, she said she went on eBay and purchased a ton of backup bottles.

In addition to this combination, I found some secondhand evidence she may also have worn Gendarme (1983), but it comes from rumors and it's listed among the Fashion Spot's Celebrity Scent Archive.

I save so much money and find so many loves at DT.

I love V05 & the Dermasil brand... Y'all, even the inexpensive deodorants are like $3.00 per stick at Walmart. How am I buying two of them for $2.50? Don't even get me started on the shaving cream.

Top row (florals): Tosca, White Diamonds, Juicy Couture, L'Aimant

Bottom row (chypres & musks): Cabochard, Aromatics in White, Pheromone, Lovely, Jean Louis Scherrer

L'Aimant EDT splash, Imprevu EDT splash, Emeraude EDT mist. Unsure of dates.

Lays sour cream & onion is too thin and feels industrially optimized. I have tried and enjoy Herr's (expensive) and Wise (Dollar tree).

Which sour cream & onion chips are best?

Chanel reformulated their No. 5 EDT (again) and it's even more expensive than it was... I've been trying out alternatives.

So far I have tested: Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds, Nina Ricci L'Air Du Temps, M&W Tosca, Avon Topaze, Nemat Gardenia, Coty L'Aimant, Hermes Caleche, Amouage Gold.

Haven't tried yet: Rasasi Afshan, Lanvin Arpege, La Rive Chatte, Jean Arthes Cassandra, M&W Nonchalance.

Anything else good enough to consider?

Liz Taylor's perfume line has been ongoing since the 1980s, these perfumes are a great entry point for those wanting to familiarize themselves with perfumes from decades past and dip their toes into the vintage market.

I haven't tried all of them, so feel free to comment discussing your favorites.

Passion (1988)

Passion was the first perfume released, an angular amber perfume. It comes in a dark purple art deco revival bottle. It starts off with aldehydes, smoky musks, and spices. There's leathery, woody, incensey nuances. To my nose, the heart of the perfume is a honeyed tuberose with an ambery base. Unfortunately the modern EDP formula is much too soapy and shrill for me to enjoy. The vintage parfum is the version to hunt down if you want to experience the first perfume Elizabeth Taylor curated.

White Diamonds (1991)

This iconic perfume made Taylor more money than her entire film career, and reflects her love of high jewelry. Available in an EDT, EDP, and parfum. Generally speaking, the vintage parfums are the best formulation of this perfume, with the richest floral bouquet. The EDT is lighter with more emphasis on aldehydes and white flowers. The EDP is the newest edition to the lineup and puts more emphasis on the yellow flowers, amber, and sandalwood.

Black Pearls (1996)

Another release inspired by high jewelry. The bottle design evokes Botticelli's iconic Venus painting; while "black" denotes luxurious Tahitian strands, cultivated organic gemstones. The scent itself starts off as a boozy peach in the opening and it gradually transitions to an amber floral. It doesn't smell bad, but I didn't find it interesting, so I resold it. This perfume is discontinued, so if you find it for a low price at a yard sale or a thrift store, be sure to check it out.

Forever Elizabeth (2002)

The bottle is a bit generic but the iridescent finish is pretty. The post-Tommy Girl (1996) pre-DKNY Be Delicious (2004) transitional fossil. Delicate fruit notes of apple and berries alongside a bracing violet-rose-white floral heart. Smooth musky floral base. Reminds me a bit of Garnier Fructis or the original Herbal Essences. Not as sophisticated as the two designer perfumes I compared it to, but it's carefree, clean, and smooth. 3oz for $15? You can do much worse.

I haven't tested Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires, Gardenia, Violet Eyes, or any of the newer releases.

Over the years I've discovered many tuberose perfumes I enjoy, and not very many I dislike. I'm making this thread to discuss the unique qualities found in tuberose perfumes with the intent of curating an enjoyable variety (without overconsuming!)

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I have 7 classic tuberoses to discuss:

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Anne Klein EDT (1984)

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A very big, bold fruity tuberose with an ambery sandalwood base. Strong and long lasting. Nothing in particular stands out but it's very smooth and well made. Inexpensive and under the radar, the vintage Parlux bottles are best.

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Giorgio Beverly Hills (1981)

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One of the more unique tuberose perfumes. Osmanthus opening with an herbal chamomile note that lasts a long time. I can't wear this for personal "scent memory" reasons, but it's an incredible perfume.

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Coty Sand and Sable (1981)

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A balmy, beachy option. Dry in the base with sandalwood and vanilla, but mostly a big, tropical tuberose. I'm surprised it isn't more popular today, it's very well made and inexpensive.

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Carolina Herrera EDP (1988)

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Strong and long lasting 80s tuberose, but nothing unique going on with this perfume. Anne Klein and Giorgio are more unique and fun to wear.

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Avon Today (2004)

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Starched white floral. Tuberose with other white flowers; strong, clean musky base. Begins to smell a bit like old fashioned laundry detergent as it dries. Olivier Cresp made this, it's definitely one of the standouts from Avon.

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Estee Lauder Tuberose Gardenia (2007)

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Realistic gardenia top note that gradually transitions to tuberose and other white flowers with some vanilla in the base. Smoothly blended and tastefully done, the florals last a long time.

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Juicy Couture EDP (2006)

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The first Juicy Couture perfume is arguably their best. A tropical transparent tuberose with green, fruity touches and a subtle ambery vanilla base. Linear wearing experience, but very enjoyable nonetheless.

Potatoes make everything better

Another budget-friendly post featuring inexpensive modern formulas that still smell fantastic.

I picked three perfumes across three categories, commonly found on gray market websites, all of which can be purchased for under $100.

Ambers:

Estee Lauder Youth Dew - 2.25 oz bottle is usually $20-$30. The formula has changed subtly, but this perfume still smells fantastic. Spicy resins and deep balsams filled out by subtle florals and woods.

Dana Toujours Moi - 4.0 oz is usually about $25. This perfume is based around the discourse between sweet benzoin and smoky vetiver, with a dirty orange blossom and warm spices.

Chopard Casmir - 3.4 oz is usually about $35. Osmanthus in the top, then dry, powdery vanilla with peppery, ashy cedarwood. I don't normally wear vanillas, but this perfume is a very interesting spin on vanilla.

Chypres:

Gres Cabochard - 3.4 oz is about $20. Aldehydes and clary sage fade to a soothing leather, with nuances of moss and patchouli. Deep and green.

Paloma Picasso - a 1.7 oz bottle is about $25. Peppery, green coriander transitions to a musky floral bouquet with a woody chypre base, featuring moss, patchouli, and vetiver.

Rochas Femme - a 3.3 oz bottle is about $30. Some cinnamon and cumin in the top, with a dark plummy spin on Mitsouko's fruity chypre structure. Resembles Mitsouko more as it progresses to the base.

Florals:

Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds - 3.3 oz is usually about $25. Aldehydes and spicy lily with some tuberose, ylang-ylang, and an ambery base. White Diamonds gives you the same feeling as Chanel No. 5 without smelling like it or coming with a high price tag.

M & W Tosca - 1.7 oz is about $30. Imagine a more citrusy Chanel No. 5 gradually fading to the Guerlainade base. That's how incredible this perfume is.

Boucheron for Women - 3.3 oz for about $35. Abstract French perfumery at its peak. An amber floral based around orange blossom and other white florals, with a fruity quality. As good as Hermes 24 Faubourg or Houbigant Quelques Fleurs for half the cost.

Oscar de la Renta

Pheromone Marilyn Miglin

Givenchy Organza

Givenchy Ysatis

Estee Lauder Cinnabar

Dana Toujours Moi

Avon Occur

Avon Timeless

Lady Stetson Precious Blend

Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds

Evyan White Shoulders

I was surprised. I actually prefer these to Old Dutch.

Depression era meal. Hot dogs + potatoes with any additional veggies or sauces you have.