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January 31, 2020

In the second part of our series, we explore some more of the iconic perfumes loved by Australian fragrance fans through the years, helping you to decide which of these amazing scents could be right for you.

1. Red Door by Elizabeth Arden

Red Door is a modern classic fragrance for women. First launched in 1989, it offers the grown-up sophistication popular in 1980s fragrances without smelling brash. So, what does Red Door perfume smell like?

This elegant floral scent sits on a base of honey and sandalwood, with heart notes of rose, orchid, and freesia. It’s warm, heady and long-lasting, and you only need a small amount to make a big impression.

Comparable scents include Poison by Christian Dior and Amarige by Givenchy, both of which contain many of the same notes.

2. Valentina by Valentino

The Valentino fashion house is widely known for women’s clothing and shoes, as well as men’s colognes and women’s perfumes. With Valentina, the label has created an effortlessly feminine scent. But, what does Valentina perfume smell like?

This is a sweet, floral fragrance with head tones of bergamot and strawberry. The heart of jasmine, orange, and vanilla gives it a slightly spicy zest, mellowed by a base of cedar and amber. It’s surprisingly flexible, being ideal for both day and evening wear.

If you’re looking for an alternative to Valentina, you should try Notre Flore Jasmin by L’Occitane en Provence or White Satin by Taylor of London.

3. Herve Leger Femme

Herve Leger Femme is a perfume released by Avon, so it comes at a highly advantageous price compared to some of the fragrances on this list. However, it is so popular that it can be difficult to get hold of! Its floral, woody scent combines the warmth of vanilla and cypress with zesty tones of grapefruit and orange blossom, overlaid with a sweet headnote of Chinese magnolia. The result is a light, feminine fragrance, which has been a firm favourite with perfume lovers since its release in 2010.

But, if you’re looking for a comparable scent, what perfume smells like Herve Leger Femme? This fragrance has been compared to Lancome Hypnose, as well as the original Vera Wang Princess.

4. Charles of the Ritz

Launched in 1977, Charles of the Ritz became a classic fragrance for women. From a warm base of amber, cinnamon, vanilla, and cedar, the scent progresses into heart notes of jasmine, ylang-ylang, lilac, and rose, providing an oriental as well as floral feel. The top notes of citrus, pineapple, and bergamot produce a light, summery, yet complex effect.

Sadly, Charles of the Ritz has been discontinued, and original bottles are rare, selling for huge prices online. So, if you want a substitute, what smells like Charles of the Ritz perfume? Many devotees will tell you the original can’t be replaced, but it has enjoyed comparisons with Calvin Klein by Calvin Klein and Truly Lace by Coty.

5. Chloe by Chloe

Building on a tradition of high fashion and fragrance, Chloe launched its revamped signature scent in 2008 as a fresh, feminine perfume for a new generation. So, what does Chloe perfume smell like? It’s light and floral, with head tones of magnolia and rose combined with peony and lily of the valley. The fragrance rests on a warm base of cedarwood and amber.

Looking for a similar perfume to Chloe? Try Burberry Body or Hawaii by Milton Lloyd – the second option retails for a far lower price.

6. Jimmy Choo

What does Jimmy Choo perfume smell like? The eponymous fragrance from the iconic shoe designer is as exotic as his footwear designs. It contains fruity top notes of orange and pear with a hint of orchid, cascading into a rich base of patchouli and caramel.

As an alternative, you can try Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf, which contains many of the same notes.

7. Juicy Couture

If you’re on the lookout for a new favourite scent and you’ve been wondering what does Juicy Couture perfume smell like, it’s as fresh and modern as the brand’s clothing range. From a base of caramel and vanilla, the scent rises into a heart of lily and rose. This enticing combination is really brought to life by fruity top notes of passion fruit, orange, and watermelon, giving the scent a refreshing feel.

The brand is also known for a number of other women’s perfumes, including Viva La Juicy, a sophisticated floral fragrance with citrus overtones.

8. Shalimar

Shalimar is one of the true classics of the perfume world. The flagship scent of Guerlain, it was originally released in 1921 and became a firm favourite on the “flapper” scene. Now, as it is about to celebrate its 100th birthday, it remains as popular as ever.

But, what does Shalimar perfume smell like to make it such a perennial favourite? It belongs in the oriental group of perfumes, with a base of frankincense, sandalwood, and musk giving way to heart notes of vanilla, patchouli, jasmine, and rose. Head tones of bergamot, lemon, and iris complete this timeless combination.

9. Ici by Coty

Ici became an instant hit on its release in 1995 – it’s fresh, feminine, and ideal for everyday wear. From an oriental base of amber and musk, you can clearly pick out heart tones of magnolia, orchid, and cocoa, overlaid with head notes of sweet citrus.

As such an iconic scent, Ici is difficult to imitate. But, if you’re looking for a substitute and want to know what perfume smells like Ici by Coty, you might like Pour Toujours by Faberlic or Established 1969 by Gap, both of which contain some of the same fresh tones.

10. Scandal by John Paul Gaultier

This powerful fragrance was released in 2017; and, as you might expect from the legendary JPG, it’s full of surprises! It rests on a warm, woody base of patchouli, and transitions through a heart of sweet honey and gardenia, topped off with citrus tones of orange and grapefruit. The result is a bold, fearless fragrance unlike any other.

If pushed to answer what perfume smells like Scandal, we would probably have to say its closest match is Belle d’Opium by Yves Saint Laurent, but it isn’t greatly similar. Some perfume lovers have also compared it to Thierry Mugler’s Angel.

Not forgetting the celebrity perfumes…

Celebrities always seem to release perfumes these days, so we thought we’d take you through a few of the most popular.

What does Jennifer Aniston perfume smell like?

Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston has released a number of fragrances to date. Her bestselling perfume, J, is a complex combination of bergamot, waterlily, magnolia, and jasmine, sitting on a base of sandalwood, vanilla, and musk. It’s a summer fragrance that captures the spirit of the beach.

What does Lady Gaga perfume smell like?

Aside from her unisex fragrance Eau de Gaga, Lady Gaga has only released one perfume for women, Fame. This sweet scent has top notes of honey and apricot on a base of belladonna – it’s a brave choice!

What does One Direction perfume smell like?

One Direction might be no more, but the band released two fragrances for women, which are still available to keep their name going! Our Moment is an extremely sweet scent based around freesia and wild berries. The follow-up, That Moment, adds a few citrusy notes to the original and places it on a base of patchouli. Not quite children’s fragrances, but definitely aimed at the teen market.

Want to find out more about the most popular perfumes?

Price Rite Mart offers a huge range of fragrances online for women, men, and children, all at the best possible prices. If you want to stay ahead of the latest perfume trends, keep up with our hot specials – and don’t forget to check out our gift sets to enjoy other products from your favourite perfume brands!