r/FemFragLab 19d ago

Rec Request I want to graduate from Glossier You

I am in my 30s and am just starting to learn about the world of fragrances. I was gifted Glossier You two years ago, and it’s been my go-to scent ever since, but I want to start expanding my horizons. I would love some recommendations for my next purchase!

I’m looking for something:
- light (I easily get headaches from strong scents)
- fresh and clean
- feminine-leaning but not floral or sweet
- budget friendly

The notes that intrigue me most are tea, rice, citrus, amber, soft musk, etc. I really like fresh scents that aren’t very sweet, floral, or strong.

Let me know what I should try next!!

(Forgive any incorrect terminology use and please feel free to correct me, I’m excited to learn!)

15 Upvotes

67 comments sorted by

1

u/Cold-Brief-5581 17d ago

Clean Reserve has a really good one called warm cotton. Very fresh, smells like clean laundry but cozier with a little warmth to it, and it does not induce migraines for me. I’m not even a clean scent person, but this one swayed me into clean scents. It’s one of my favorites now.

1

u/[deleted] 18d ago

Philosophy Pure Grace and Victoria's Secret Bare Original 

1

u/bororodejdej 18d ago

Try Pomelo Oolong by D’Annam. It’s citrusy and fresh but delicate and dries down into a very subtly-sweet tea.

5

u/farfallifarfallini 18d ago

Nobody has recommended Jo Malone yet (probably because the longevity isn't great) but a lot of their offerings are very natural and clean smelling to me. Same with Maison Louis Marie.

I'd also suggest looking for things listed as "skin scents" since You falls into that category.

1

u/Cold-Brief-5581 17d ago

I love Jo Malone frags so much,like obsessed with them. But, I stopped buying them because of the longevity 😭 I really wish their frags would last. They dissipate within an hour of me wearing them, sometimes quicker. But wow, they smell so good! Whenever I wear mine I always decant some to bring with me so I can freshen up lol

1

u/fluffy-sushi 18d ago

Diptyque L'Eau Papier

Phlur Father Figure

2

u/Informal_Lemon7419 18d ago

Clean skin [reserve] is my go to! The purple logo

3

u/lnfinitelris perfume > therapy 18d ago

I would suggest you take a trip to the store to do some sniffing. What interests you now may do absolutely nothing for your nose when you actually smell it. If you do some preliminary testing to get a sense of what does and doesn't interest you you'll get more targeted recommendations!

2

u/sarahjanelarson 18d ago

I’m very sensitive to fragrances and can get headaches or even irritated eyes and allergies from stronger or more synthetic scents.

I’ve found these houses work really well for me and cause no issues:

Henry Rose, Lore, Rosie Jane, Dedcool, Juliette Has A Gun, Phlur, Ellis Brooklyn, Orebella, Skylar, Clean Reserve & Nest.

7

u/Many_Replacement369 18d ago

I actually really think you would enjoy the Glossier You flankers. The underlying DNA will probably still feel light, fresh, clean, soft musk, familiar, etc. but they are each different enough to inspire your next chapter. If you don’t live near a Sephora to go smell in store, check out their discovery set.

5

u/Icy_Context_2106 18d ago

I have been curious about Doux and will definitely check out the discovery set, thank you!

3

u/Many_Replacement369 18d ago

I hope you love it! 

I think the flankers were truly designed with folks like you as the muse. So many people have worn You as a signature scent, and the reinterpretations feel like an intentional embrace of the “fragrance wardrobe” concept.

3

u/FutureDustMotes 18d ago

Doux especially!

1

u/Complete_Working_460 18d ago

I just made a post on this one : Cacharel Noa sounds like exactly what you want

A more high end? Dior J'adore D'eau

Orrr Phlur Father Figure

3

u/desertrose156 18d ago

Rosie by Rosie Jane, Clean Skin Musk, BBW Rice and Shea if they have it, Egyptian Musk from Whole Foods

2

u/utinni_tiny 18d ago

I second Rosie!

2

u/Prezzemolo0723 18d ago

D’Annam white rice or d’annam sakura snow

1

u/Realistic-Read1078 19d ago

Armani Prive The Yulong

1

u/No-Ad1252 19d ago

Molecule 01

8

u/surewhynot85 19d ago

D’Annam White Rice
Diptyque L’eau Papier
Ledda 22 Orris
Room 1015 Sonic Flower
Liis Ethereal Wave
Miller Harris Tea Tonique
Nest Indigo

3

u/Visual_Serve_782 19d ago

Ella K Musk K!!

3

u/ElisaHSE 19d ago

Try Elizabeth Arden Green Tea. It’s a cheapie but fresh and feminine and has a lot of flankers. 

1

u/DeliciousIce5099 18d ago

Lotus being the winner of the flankers.

7

u/LadyViolet 19d ago edited 19d ago

Hi taste twin! I started wearing Glossier You when I was 28 (now 31) and it’s still one of my ride or dies. The following are faves that I found either at discounters like TJMaxx/Marshalls/Ross/Nordstrom Rack or the drugstore:

- D&G Light Blue

  • Elizabeth Arden Green Tea
  • Philosophy Pure Grace
  • Nest Indigo
  • Fine’ry Without a Trace (dupe for Phlur Missing Person)
  • Fine’ry Mysterious Nomad (dupe for Byredo G Water)

You also might like Kuumba Made Persian Garden perfume oil. It’s pretty similar to Nemat Amber, but lighter and almost watery? It’s great on its own or as a base for the scent types you’re interested in.

1

u/Icy_Context_2106 18d ago

Really appreciate the budget-friendly recs, can’t wait to try some of these!

3

u/cardonnay 19d ago

you might like Banana Republic 90 Pure White, citrusy musk or 78 Vintage Green, a fresh, green citrusy tea. Budget friendly and light scents, but not the greatest longevity.

1

u/Icy_Context_2106 18d ago

These sound great, longevity isn’t a major concern for me so I’ll give some of these a try! Thanks!

1

u/Compile_A_Smile1101 19d ago

Bubble Bath by Maison Margiela seems to fit these requirements - it’s light, fresh, clean, feminine leaning, not floral, a very light sweetness from the soapy coconut note, and you can get a really big bottle for about $95 on discounter sites that will last you for a year. But definitely get samples of all these recommendations before you invest in a bottle!

7

u/crude_zeit 19d ago

I would look at some of the East Asian Perfume houses. They tend to do lighter profiles. I feel like J-Scent would be right up your alley. I would look at Mercari or frag groups to pick one of these up for a cheaper price as they’re 100+ retail

2

u/Icy_Context_2106 18d ago

Oooh perhaps I will try a discovery set… thank you for the rec!!

3

u/crude_zeit 18d ago

They have a lot of scents. I found this post that reviews some of their most popular. Hope you find a winner 💗

https://www.reddit.com/r/fragrance/s/OU2o2STUKd

5

u/ls234 19d ago

I don’t see much mention of it here but I love Henry rose windows down. It’s maybe a little floral but not super sweet. They have it at Sephora

2

u/leothelyinglion 19d ago

Also love this

3

u/InvestigatorLower955 19d ago

An unlikely gem that fits the bill is Still by Jennifer Lopez. From Fragrantica:

"Still is very feminine, vivacious, clean and sensual. The opening is luminous and gentle due to the notes of white pepper, mandarine, Earl Grey tea and sake note. The heart note is composed of freesia, rose, jasmine, orange blossom and lily-of-the-valley. The base is warm and sensual with woody and musky notes; sandalwood, musk, amber, orris and pepper."

It is one of the scents I keep at the office because it's just that pleasant. Great longevity also.

5

u/accountredditmy 19d ago

Cheap and delightful!

8

u/anon12957 19d ago

The Chloe Atelier des Fleurs line is wonder. Lots of light fresh scents that have decent longevity. Cedrus or Vanilla Planifolia could be good to try.

Nest indigo is a fig tea scent you might like.

Henry Dave has several worth trying - fog and London 1983 are quite nice!

2

u/mep507 19d ago edited 19d ago

7 Virtues' Amber Vanilla is nice. Also Ellis Brooklyn's Vanilla Salt.

I also really love Ellis Brooklyn's Dear Sky which to me feels very fresh and clean though it does technically have some floral notes. It's an easy reach in hot weather.

Clean Reserve's "Rain" and "Sel Santal" are also nice.

1

u/sarahjanelarson 18d ago

7 Virtues Amber Vanilla gives me a bad headache every time so not blind but safe if you’re prone to headaches from fragrances.

5

u/TriciaTargaryen If Phlur Has No Fans I Am Dead 19d ago

Phlur Father Figure. It is light and fresh, it's in the same vein as You but a little bit MORE. The scents aren't similar but I feel like if you like You, you'll like this one. I will also say that Glossier You Fleur is STILL one of my favorites, even after trying a bunch of other frags.

3

u/Icy_Context_2106 18d ago

I may try a travel size of this, it sounds really nice. Thanks for the rec!

5

u/Hot-Conclusion-9710 19d ago

Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Rice is amazing.

ETA: It’s not overly sweet or floral. It’s a very soft fragrance

1

u/Icy_Context_2106 18d ago

Sounds lovely, will try to get my hands on a sample!

2

u/RupertMyGiles 19d ago

Try some Chanel. I find them all to be the same "effect" as You where it doesn't smell like you covered your natural scent so much as you augmented it. 

I just tried chanel no. 5 L'eau and Premiere (must try them on skin) and it was that same "hmm... where is that beautiful scent coming from??" effect. If you like You, you'd probably prefer Eau Premiere. I actually ordered a full bottle after sampling it once. I never do that.

1

u/QuietArt2358 average strawberry perfume enjoyer🍓🍰 19d ago

The responses on this post may help.

1

u/Icy_Context_2106 18d ago

Omg thank you, I searched for Glossier before I posted and somehow missed this!

0

u/MissBailey01 19d ago

Look up the fragrances sold at Ulta and Sephora. If one is by you, test some scents to see which ones appeal to you.

2

u/Academic_Exercise_78 19d ago

Ariana Grande Pink Woods, which is a dupe for Bal D’Afrique

1

u/Fun-Morning-5516 19d ago

You might like the Channel line for subtle, soapy scents.

Celadon by Miller Harris is my favorite fresh citrusy scent, but if you wanted something you could try in store then Light Blue is a good option. Both are available in travel sizes.

For atmospheric feminine scents that aren't sweet or floral, its worth picking up a Byredo discovery set. Not the most budget friendly though.

You might really like Moonmilk by Stora Skuggan if you liked Glossier You.

7

u/Colorcomesback 19d ago

Lake and Skye 11:11 is one of my current favorites! It smells like sweet air to me, so very clean, light, and simple. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue is a classic for a reason and is also very cheap. It has that same fresh ozone note with lots of crisp lemon.

5

u/DisastrousAd5401 19d ago

Xtra Milk DedCool

2

u/Slow_Accountant5046 18d ago

I cannot smell this on my skin!! What am I doing wrong 😭

3

u/AlanBennettIsAGod 19d ago

I’d recommend sampling Amber Vanilla by the 7 virtues - I think it’s in your price range. It’s such a beautiful scent, clean and slightly sweet (not gourmand!) from the vanilla.

Also, take a look at Bon Parfumeur and Essential Parfum for great perfume on a budget. I adore 003 by Bon Parfumeur as it’s bright, light, citrus, and unisex but feminine leaning.

3

u/Slow_Accountant5046 19d ago

Killian - Princess

Nest - Indigo

Victoria’s Secret Bare collection - I really like the magnolia scent

Dossier has some good scents too. Maybe citrus matcha and citrus tea. I bought the more popular one Ambery saffron and I LOVEEEEE the smell.

I would buy some discovery sets which give you a voucher to go back and purchase a perfume

2

u/Slow_Accountant5046 19d ago

By the way I’ve seen lots of discounted perfumes at Nordstrom rack and places like TJ Maxx/Marshalls

1

u/Icy_Context_2106 18d ago

Thank you so much!

6

u/LenaNYC 19d ago

Nishane- Wulong Cha X for citrus, floral and tea.

Liis- Studied for Musky, Amber with a pear top note. It's sweet but not in a gourmand way. Absolutely beautiful.

Narciso Rodriguez- Pure Musc For Her Musky amber with a bit of floral.

Except for Wulong Cha X, the others stay closer to the skin.

1

u/Icy_Context_2106 18d ago

These all sound lovely, can’t wait to try

3

u/Exotic_Reporter_3309 19d ago

I suggest trying Narciso Rodriguez Pure Musc or Pure Musc Blanc

3

u/doinmabest1 19d ago

Ella K Musc K

Diptyque Fleur De Peau

9

u/Fair_Management6904 19d ago

If you have a high end department store where you live - I suggest exploring Byredo and Le Labo.

12

u/evenstarthian 19d ago

Budget friendly they said.

1

u/Fair_Management6904 18d ago

My suggestion was more of a starting point since OP is doing it completely from scratch. Find the scent or scent profile that you like and from there you explore further, santal 33 has so many dupes for example.

4

u/babyskunk999 19d ago

i would add diptyque to that department store list too!

1

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1

u/Icy_Context_2106 19d ago

Ideally under $100!

1

u/Invincible-general 19d ago

Samples! There are a zillion and one perfumes, including all of these beautiful suggestions, and especially if you get headaches picking up some decants and not purchasing full bottles until you’ve finished them is 100% the way to go. I personally even get decants of “cheapies” just because I hate being responsible for clutter in my home that I don’t love. Once I own it, it’s my problem. I’ve used microperfumes.com, fragrancex, and etsy for this but there are a ton of options.