#perfumeblr

[dance-in-the-morning-glow]

Sniffing the Caribbean: Elle’s Pirates Perfume List (2025)

Some of you might remember my post from last year. Since then, I’ve sampled more, obsessed further, and come to the conclusion that this list needed an update. Because this is what I do for fun, apparently.

This is all vibes-based and deeply unserious (except when it’s not), but it’s also the hill I will die on.

Elizabeth Swann: Okay, so the scents I've picked for her back then still fit well imo. Just switching them up into chronological order. She evolves so much over the trilogy, she deserves a scent arc.

For CotBP-Elizabeth, I’d suggest Cloon Keen’s Lá Bealtaine (Bergamot, Mandarin, Neroli, Pink Pepper, Angelica Seed, Angelica Root, Jasmine, Rose, Tuberose, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Amber, Musk, Cashmeran). Has the energy of someone dreaming about freedom but also knowing how to curtsy perfectly.

Then there's Juliette Has A Gun - Vanilla Vibes (Sea salt, natural vanilla absolute, orchid absolute, absolute brown musk, bezoin absolute, sandalwood, tonka bean). It's is a radiant, salty vanilla that smells like sun on your skin and a breeze in your hair. It's the girl on the brink of transformation.

If you want a more indie-leaning take: Death & Floral’s I could never stay long enough on the shore (sand, salty air, smoke, cold coastline). This one’s not as polished, and that’s kind of the point. It smells like she’s already got one foot in another world. (I think they're on hiatus rn, but you could always check r/IMAM's sunday swaps or r/IndieExchange on Reddit or something. Same goes for basically any other indie scent.)

DMC/AWE/Pirate King Elizabeth, however? She’d absolutely slay in something sharp, resinous, and dramatic. Enter: Beaufort’s Terror & Magnificence (birch tar, black pepper, saffron, incense, tobacco, papyrus, haitian vetiver, myrrh, labdanum, benzoin and pebbles). She’s weathered and commanding. Elizabeth in full Pirate King regalia would devour this.

Will Turner: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab - Asleep in the Deep (black plum, sea salt, opium tar accord, labdanum, and indigo benzoin)

Dense and dreamlike, pairs perfectly with Elizabeth’s Vanilla Vibes like shadow to her light. Feels almost like a premonition. The Dutchman waits.

Jack Sparrow: Give him anything rum-drenched and slightly unhinged. But if I had to name a signature scent, I’d pick Stranger Perfumery’s Cigar Rum (raisin, dried fruits (prune and cherry), rum absolute, mandarin, amber, tobacco, oakwood, vetiver, resins, labdanum absolute, seaweed absolute).

You could absolutely layer that with a dirt single note or Fantôme - Bune (damp subterranean air, nagarmotha, smooth cave walls, davana, a cold marble altar, & glittering green dragon scales) for authenticity lol.

Hector Barbossa: Still convinced the core vibe here is woody.

Solstice Scents - Headmaster (Apple, bourbon, oak, cedar, pipe tobacco, applewood, amber, spices) goes hard . That apple note layered over wood and spice? Perfect. Can't get more Barbossa than that.

But if you want something a bit uncanny: Whispered Myths (natural cambodian oud, cantaloupe, cedarwood, musk, honey, salvaged shipwreck) by Imaginary Authors. Yes, it has cantaloupe. No, I can’t explain why that works. This perfume smells like a half-forgotten treasure ship rotting sweetly in the sun, and Barbossa would 100% bottle that.

James Norrington: James, especially in his earlier form and later in AWE, is all restraint and clean lines. Thus, any light aquatic or clean scents work, so I’d choose something like Solstice Scent’s Gulf Breeze (Saltwater, sand, seashells, sea oats, rain, ambergris (vegan accord). A light marine scent with a wistful edge. This is a man who looks at the horizon (very sadly) and thinks of everything he can't say.

Maison Margiela's Sailing Day (aquatic, aldehydes, juniper, coriander, iris absolute, rose, red seaweed, ambergris, ambery wood) fits the bill too. A bit more straightforward than some of the others, but it's got that fresh-sea-air vibe.

If we’re talking clean scents, my personal fave is Ghost in the Shell (Yuzu, clean aldehydes, jasmine, musk, vinyl, ambergris) by Etat Libre d'Orange, so I'm just throwing that in here for good measure. Because this smells like sterile beauty and cool detachment. You get it.

For his Scruffington era, you could just let yourself inspire by the scents I've listed for Jack. (Make of that statement what you will.)

Cutler Beckett: *rubs hands together* Oh yes. My favorite little tyrant. Let’s talk.

So 1740 (bergamot, mugwort, patchouli, coriander, cardamom, cedar, birch, labdanum, leather, vanilla, elemi, helichrysum) by Histoires de Parfums is still my absolute holy grail of a Beckett scent. This smells like calculated charm, and a man who will smile while ruining you.

But wait - there's more.

I recently discovered Arquiste – Venice Rococo (black violet, blush rose, chamomile, dusty iris, subtle animalic amber) and that’s what a powdered wig should smell like. I'd say, layer it with anything I've listed here and you've got the perfect Beckett combo, but to me, that shit's so overpowering, so layering isn't really an option.

There's also Powdered Peruke (vintage powder, white rose, iris petals, musk (vegan), creamy vanilla, ambrette, hay, light woods, cashmere) by Dark Tales (and I honestly don't know what to think about the fact that I own not one. but TWO samples that make you smell like a fuckass wig. Call me crazy, idc). Anyway, this is the softer option, less “aggressive puff in the face,” more low-key elegance. And I guess the woody notes make it creamier which is nice.

Also, adding Commodity's Velvet (coconut water, roasted almonds, rose petals, vanilla, amber, and smoky musk) because it feels right. Imagine sipping brandy in your study while planning how to take over the seas. You get the vibe.

In my old post, I mentioned Gris Charnel for the tea angle, but honestly, after trying Indigo Smoke (lapsang souchong tea, mandarin orange, apricot, guaiac wood, incense and pine tar) by Arquiste I'm thinking this fits better. Not super deep into tea scents, but this one has the right smoky bitterness.

(Sorry, I'm making rocket science out of this for my blorbo from hell™️ - I'll stop here. Most of y’all probably don’t want to hear me go full scent autopsy on that cringefail man. Which I get. He's terrible.)

Davy Jones: Yeah, you still can't tell me this man - cursed squid creature - doesn't smell like Squid by Zoologist (Pink Pepper, Solar Salicylate, Incense, Black Ink Accord, Salty Accord, Opoponax, Ambergris, Benzoin, Musk). It's too on the nose.

BUT if you want something more tame (or like, a little less Zoologist), I gotchu. With the fishes and the dead by Death & Floral (Black squid ink and mile long oceans. Black ambergris, black labdanum absolute, salty ocean water, and black pits of stretched out emptiness) smells a bit similar imo, but it's less musky and I love the labdanum note in there. Plus, it's saltier. It's giving Davy Jones dramatically playing his organ in the best way.

Tia Dalma/Calypso: Still hunting for the perfect scent for her, especially in goddess form. But for human-form Tia Snake Oil (deep, rich, earthy notes swirled with vegetal musks, sugared vanilla bean, and dark spices) by Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab fits?? Mysterious and dangerous without trying. She is the secret everyone pretends not to believe in.

Ian Mercer: Beaufort - Tonnerre (smoke, gunpowder, blood, brandy, sea spray and citrus)

Still don't think I need to elaborate. This is a violent scent. It opens with an explosion and never settles down.

Bonus Round: Fragrances That Just Fit the Vibe

Two cups of tea, a summer monsoon, me and you (Rain on cracked soil, wet creosote, a swelling monsoon, desert cedar, black tea) by Death + Floral. I weirdly associate this with the beginning of DMC. It smells like heartbreak in a storm, waiting at the altar while the sky falls.

Triton (Murky sea water, ambergris, ancient forest mosses, crushed ivy leaves, frankincense, resins, ozone, with a hint of citrus) by Fantôme for the maelstrom vibes.

Sydney Rock Pool (Australian sandalwood, coconut skin accord, driftwood note, frangipani, seaweed, ambermax and sea salt) by Arquiste has me thinking of Will and Elizabeth's little beach moment at the end of AWE.

Black Pearl by Dark Tales (milky coconut, sea air, sweet rum, tropical dried fruits, worn leather, sandalwood, black woods, cedarwood). I mean. It’s called Black Pearl. What more could you want.

Solstice Scents' Sea of Gray (Vanilla rain, saltwater, seaweed, ambergris (vegan), white amber, roasted seashells, white sandalwood, frangipani) is my all-time fave salty vanilla. Basically evokes the smell of a stormy sea.

Also, BPAL has a whole ass pirate themed collection called Fire Down Below. You might want to check that out.

That’s all (for now). Lmk if you’ve got additions or would like to hear my thoughts on characters that aren’t mentioned here!!

[spookystrawberrystarlet]

babes i need vanilla perfume recommendations :(

[coven-of-genesis]

7 Best “Soft Girl” Perfumes That Smell Like Dreams & Sweet Vibes + Quiz

If you’re into all things soft, pastel, romantic, and a little dreamy… these perfumes are for you. Think vanilla-sugar kisses, flower fields, and cozy clouds wrapped in sunlight.

Here’s a roundup of my all-time fave soft girl perfumes that totally match the vibe:

⸻

1. Ariana Grande – Cloud

• Vibe: Sweet, airy, cozy

• Notes: Lavender, whipped cream, coconut, vanilla

• Why soft girl? It’s dreamy and comforting, like cotton candy in perfume form.

⸻

2. Glossier – You

• Vibe: Clean, skin-like, intimate

• Notes: Ambrette, musk, iris

• Why soft girl? It smells like you but better — soft, personal, and low-key.

⸻

3. Dior – Miss Dior (especially the 2021 reformulation)

• Vibe: Floral, romantic, fresh

• Notes: Rose, peony, musk, vanilla

• Why soft girl? Elegant but youthful — perfect for floral lovers with a gentle side.

⸻

4. Kayali – Vanilla 28

• Vibe: Warm, sweet, inviting

• Notes: Vanilla, brown sugar, amber

• Why soft girl? Sweet and feminine — cozy on its own or layered for extra yum.

⸻

5. Marc Jacobs – Daisy Love

• Vibe: Fruity, creamy, playful

• Notes: Cloudberry, daisy, cashmere musk

• Why soft girl? Youthful, cuddly, and girly in all the best ways.

⸻

6. Prada – Paradoxe

• Vibe: Fresh, floral, sweet

• Notes: Neroli, amber, white musk

• Why soft girl? Modern + feminine = soft girl with a little edge.

⸻

7. Philosophy – Amazing Grace

• Vibe: Clean, light, soft

• Notes: Bergamot, lily, musk

• Why soft girl? Innocent and subtle — like freshly washed linens on a spring day.

⸻

Which Soft Girl Perfume Are You?

Take this dreamy quiz and find out which fragrance matches your soft girl vibe best!

1. What’s your ideal vibe for the day?

a) Sweet, cozy, and cuddly

b) Clean, effortless, and personal

c) Romantic, floral, and a little flirty

d) Warm, soft, and inviting

e) Playful and lighthearted

f) Feminine with a touch of mystery

g) Subtle, calm, and angelic

2. Pick your aesthetic:

a) Pastel clouds and oversized sweaters

b) Glowy skin, bare face, cozy hoodie

c) Ribbon-core, poetry books, soft glam

d) Vanilla girl, gold jewelry, neutrals

e) Y2K accessories and soft blush

f) Satin slip dress, claw clips, soft waves

g) Vintage cardigans and fresh sheets

3. What’s your go-to comfort item?

a) Fuzzy blanket

b) Lip balm

c) Fresh bouquet

d) Hot tea or oat milk latte

e) Stuffed animal

f) Silk pillowcase

g) Your journal

4. Favorite weekend activity?

a) Binge-watching comfort shows

b) Solo coffee date & errands

c) Art gallery or bookstore stroll

d) Baking or self-care spa night

e) Picnic with friends

f) Dream journaling & meditating

g) Reading in bed with soft music

⸻

Mostly A’s:

You’re Ariana Grande – Cloud

You’re sweet, dreamy, and always bring comfort wherever you go. You’re everyone’s favorite hug in human form.

Mostly B’s:

You’re Glossier – You

Lowkey and intimate, you radiate soft girl energy without trying. You’re clean, classic, and effortless.

Mostly C’s:

You’re Miss Dior (2021)

Romantic, elegant, and full of beauty. You love the finer things and bring soft grace into every space.

Mostly D’s:

You’re Kayali – Vanilla 28

Warm, sensual, and sugar-sweet. You’re the soft girl with depth — cozy and magnetic.

Mostly E’s:

You’re Marc Jacobs – Daisy Love

Girly, bright, and playful! You’re fun, flirty, and totally iconic in your own dreamy way.

Mostly F’s:

You’re Prada – Paradoxe

Feminine with an edge. You mix softness with confidence and always keep them guessing.

Mostly G’s:

You’re Philosophy – Amazing Grace

Pure, peaceful, and angelic. You float through life with quiet charm and soft vibes only.

[hater-of-smell]

kayali redemption post from a certified kayali hater: utopia vanilla coco is one of the best creamy coconut smells i ever smelled

not a hint of sunscreen

so good smells like literal coconut cream or like the filling of a bounty but a bit lighter

update: i smelled it a second time and it had like zero smell what the fuck

[sw33tmourningl4mb]

just spent 80-something dollars on perfume samples and three of the perfumes i bought are worn/were worn by two singers i have big fat gay crushes on…… sigh.. happy pride month i suppose

[greeneyes-secretblog]

Outfit & Perfume today since I missed out on yesterday’s. Didn’t do my makeup.

I’m still exhausted from 2 days ago’s adventure, I slept so hard I woke up underneath my fitted sheet.

Mama got me the Britney Spears perfume as a graduation gift and I haven’t put it down since. Seriously, I’ll carry it downstairs with me just to get a glass of water.

On first impression it smells like old lady perfume but the longer it sits on the skin I can smell the white chocolate notes.

The scent already has a positive memory association because coming up as a girl, all my friends had it besides me. When I’d visit those girls houses I’d go straight to the pink bedazzled bottle because I was so jealous.

That was the notion behind the gift, even though I’m on the brink of womanhood, I’m happy my mama finally bought me the perfume all the other girls had.

It really is the perfect gift for someone who’s not a girl and not yet a woman ;)

[witchesaandbitches]

Dying Flowers and Harvest Fruits: Autumn Scents for the Dark Romantic 

Dried florals, sweet fruit, woolly jumpers and a touch of smoke and leather. All the scents of autumn for the dark academic who prefers a more feminine and elegant touch. 

Tom Ford Violet Blonde 

Powdery floral with a whiff of suede. Smells like old money. That girl in your class who you know went to boarding school and has a brother with an 'III' after his name. She wears her boyfriend's threadbare cardigans but her hair is always perfect.  

Miller Harris Rose en Noir 

A vintage, dusty rose with a natural elegance. Smells like an autumn day spent inside hiding from the rain, next to your lover who smells faintly like cigarette ash. There is an old bouquet of roses on the table, dried to a dark crimson. 

Byredo Velvet Haze

Cashmere jumper with an earthy and slightly sweet musk. Smells like a change in seasons. Warm, fuzzy and comforting, like a cup of hot coco. 

I Heart Juicy Couture

A bite from the first perfect apple of the season, walking though the orchard on a bright and breezy day. Sweet, juicy fruit with a touch of musk and patchouli to dirty it up a bit. This is perfect for early fall when the air is crisp. Don't judge this one by its bottle. 

[artemisgarden]

BPAL ORDER CAME!

[pacinglikeghosts]

snif making a pancake perfume…this is THE intersection of my interests and I need $70 immediately

[kairologia]

My top 5 Oceanic/Marine perfumes 🌊

This post was made with my fellow sea/ocean children & lovers in mind, especially those who cannot stand the thought of not living by the seaside and hate existence whenever they’re forced to move somewhere landlocked. I see you and you see me, we understand each other 🫡.

Most perfumes I recommend down below aren’t strictly oceanic, but they do play up sea or oceanic vegetation notes in interesting ways. The note in itself blends well with an array of components & does not overpower them so worry not, you won’t be out there smelling of seaweed & salt water all day.

1. Ego Stratis (by Juliette Has A Gun)

2. Oceanic (by Abdul Samad Al-Qurashi)

3. Roberto Cavalli Acqua (by Roberto Cavalli — who would’ve guessed!)

4. White Fire (by Tiziana Terenzi)

5. Costa Azzurra (by Tom Ford)

Now tell me, which one most strikes your fancy?

[dance-in-the-morning-glow]

you can’t just expect me to stumble across a perfume called venice rococo and remain financially responsible.

anyway, i’ve ordered some samples from the brand, including that one ofc. tbc.

[lemonhemlock]

eden by cacharel being such a hit with the masses, getting me compliments at the office, yet my bf seems to be the only one who doesn't like it!!!!! shame!!!

so the way i envision this is that it's a hot, humid day and you're riding around in your all-terrain vehicle and ursula stanhope outfit, you break hard so the rubber heats up and you stop to smell the most exquisite wet white flowers in the background amid all the sleepy greenery

it's the rarest garden scent & really comes alive on a boiling, watery day!!!

[hater-of-smell]

first of all let me have a small rant about Tom Ford and im not even gonna pretend this is an original take i just had to get it out of my system

my first question being: why and how

how does a fragrance house of such ridiculous prices continuously produce fragrances that are,,, mid? at best??? some borderline unsmellable

like i can count on the fingers of one hand how many fragrances i liked from that house and the rest of them spent with a headache or wondering who the fuck buys that xndjsjsjs

the tobacco vanille is quite nice, doesnt lean too masculine but is it worth the insane pricetag? hell no catch me in diptyque smelling through the entire line before giving my money to tom ford

vanilla sex is absolutely atrocious it smells like a sweaty armpit how was that even put on the market

i dont like cherry but im gonna have an opinion on lost cherry too: it literally smells like the most linear cherry ever made how does it have so many notes and yet smell so basic i can probably find a 10$ dupe WHY DOES IT COST 400$

the blue glass/italian summer trio (fleur de portofino, neroli portofino, mandarino di amalfi) are… fine, amalfi is nice even but it stays all of 5 minutes and definitely doesnt reinvent the wheel when it comes to originality

and yes i know citrus smells are generally very volatile and quick to go but dear god this is so expensive for a good car freshener scent

café rose? a mess a literal mess what is this has anyone even tried to blend it? stale coffee with a rose that belongs in an expired body scrub what the fuck

eau de soleil/soleil blanc? 300$ sunscreen

jasmin rouge? well i guess it is what it says it is: heavy jasmine, like bad sex club-esque jasmine for the love of god just buy scandal le parfum or something

i dont even know what vanille fatale is trying to be but it works better in tobacco vanille

havent smelled santal blush yet which ive heard might be one of the redeeming ones of this godforsaken privé collection but nothing will convince me this isnt some kind of social experiment

[flying-cat]

Anyone who tells you that these smell the same is lying to you but honestly I like Lovers Lane better

[7000]

Amouage Honour 43…… this smells so good I almost died.

[hotter-than-yesterday]

Scents That Match Your Zodiac Sign (It Girl Edition)

Find your signature vibe in a bottle!

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Scent: Spicy floral

Perfume Pick: YSL Libre

Confident, bold, and effortlessly cool — Aries girls are natural leaders and trendsetters. Libre’s lavender and vanilla combo screams boss energy.

⸻

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Scent: Soft, creamy, luxurious

Perfume Pick: Kayali Vanilla 28

Taurus loves comfort and sensual vibes. Vanilla 28 is cozy, sweet, and has a dreamy, slow-burn energy that suits this earth goddess perfectly.

⸻

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Scent: Bright citrus or juicy fruity

Perfume Pick: Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh

Fun, flirty, and always changing — Gemini needs a playful scent that can keep up. Daisy Eau So Fresh is bubbly and social, just like her.

⸻

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Scent: Powdery floral, comforting musk

Perfume Pick: Glossier You

Soft, emotional, and romantic. Glossier You feels like a warm hug and smells like you but better, perfect for Cancer’s nurturing and cozy vibes.

⸻

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Scent: Warm floral with a bold twist

Perfume Pick: Carolina Herrera Good Girl

Leos are glamour girls — dramatic, luxe, and unforgettable. Good Girl’s sultry tuberose and sweet tonka bean energy is main character mode.

⸻

Virgo (August 23 – Sept 22)

Scent: Clean, understated, elegant

Perfume Pick: Chanel Chance Eau Tendre

Minimal but powerful. Virgo’s ideal scent is refined and light, like Chanel Chance — fresh, pink, and perfectly put-together.

⸻

Libra (Sept 23 – Oct 22)

Scent: Romantic, pretty, perfectly balanced

Perfume Pick: Miss Dior (2021)

Libra is ruled by Venus — love, beauty, harmony. Miss Dior is sweet, floral, and stylish. It’s the soft girl and the it girl vibe in one.

⸻

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Scent: Dark, sexy, mysterious

Perfume Pick: Tom Ford Black Orchid

Scorpios have a magnetic pull. Black Orchid is deep, bold, and unforgettable — the definition of bad girl energy with a soft heart.

⸻

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Scent: Spicy, adventurous, exotic

Perfume Pick: Maison Margiela Replica – By the Fireplace

Warm, woody, and unexpected — Sagittarius girls live for cozy fires, books, and new places. This one smells like freedom and wanderlust.

⸻

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Scent: Classy, grounded, slightly sweet

Perfume Pick: Burberry Her

Capricorns are quiet icons. Burberry Her is sophisticated with just the right amount of fruity energy to keep her polished yet playful.

⸻

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Scent: Unique, fresh, futuristic

Perfume Pick: Prada Paradoxe

Aquarius girls are ahead of the curve. Paradoxe is unexpected but soft — a scent that doesn’t follow trends, it sets them.

⸻

Pisces (Feb 19 – March 20)

Scent: Dreamy, watery florals

Perfume Pick: Ariana Grande Cloud

Sweet, mystical, and floating through a dream — Pisces needs a soft, cloud-like scent. This one feels like sleeping in satin under fairy lights.

⸻

Comment your sign & tell me if I nailed it.. or drop your fave scent — I’m always looking for recs!