The Top 3 Best Vintage Perfumes Ever

I have a strong interest in vintage perfumes, especially when the formulations of certain perfumes have been mostly unchanged since the time of their creation. Of course, most perfumes have undergone some kind of change since their inception, but even so, they still tend to keep their base scents.

If you want to try vintage-style perfumes but don’t know where to start, keep reading and explore the top 3 options.

1. Vintage Perfumes: L’Air du Temps by Nina Ricci

L’Air du Temps perfume is actually one of my favorite perfumes of all time. It originally was released in 1948 as a response to the end of the war. It is notable for the design of its bottle, particularly its cap which is in the shape a dove of peace. It was supposedly the signature scent of the famous Old Hollywood actress Ingrid Bergman.

This perfume is not as popular today as it once was, and it was actually the perfume to make the Nina Ricci perfume house as famous as it is today. The top notes of this perfume consist of Brazilian rosewood, bergamot, aldehydes, neroli, and rose. The middle notes are cloves, gardenia, ylang-ylang, violet, rose, and jasmine. The base notes are enriched with musk, cedar, amber, oakmoss, and spices.

The perfume is quite long-lasting and it has a delightful warmth that I adore. The sillage is not too heavy and not too light which makes it ideal for wearing for many different occasions.

Since I don’t really care for very sweet or fruity perfumes, the warm, rich, and woody notes of this eau de parfum make it my favorite. But besides that, this perfume is a classic staple of the late 1940s. If you really want to smell vintage, then you shouldn’t hesitate to try this perfume.

2. Shalimar by Guerlain

I have reviewed Shalimar perfume in a previous post, but a list like this wouldn’t be complete without it. It is a very classic perfume that came out in 1925. It was a favorite of the flappers of the time due to its rich and sultry nature. Supposedly, it was a favorite of the legendary Rita Hayworth as well.

Shalimar is a very luxurious perfume produced by Guerlain, still a very famous and popular perfume brand. While Shalimar itself may not be as popular as it once was, it still has a timeless energy and charm. It’s top notes are cedar, bergamot, lemon, and orange. It’s middle notes consist of rose, jasmine, vetiver, and patchouli. The base notes are the richest of all and are leather, incense, civet, sandalwood, and musk.

This is a very strong and smoky perfume and it isn’t for everyone. However, if you can pull it off, you will be able to enjoy this mysterious and all-encompassing scent. It is quite long-lasting and has moderate sillage. Its smoky notes tend to calm down after a few hours and vanilla becomes more prominent.

3. Youth Dew by Estee Lauder

I haven’t had the chance to try Youth Dew for myself, but it certainly has an interesting history. Back many years ago, it would be unusual for women to buy perfumes for themselves. Instead, men would buy perfume for women since perfume was considered a socially acceptable gift to give to a woman. However, Youth Dew was one of the first perfumes that was marketed to get women to go out and get the perfume for themselves.

Youth Dew actually started out as a bath oil but women liked the perfume so much that the perfume version came out in 1953. This is a very strong perfume but it is also a very spicy and sexy perfume that completely embodies the 1950s. When using this perfume, it is essential not to use too much or you might end up with a nasty headache.

The top notes are aldehydes, narcissus, lavender, orange, and bergamot. The middle notes are cinnamon, rose, jasmine, cassia, and orchid. The base notes are musk, vetiver, incense, oakmoss, and vanilla. Supposedly, a number of famous actresses wore this perfume including Joan Crawford, Dolores Del Rio, and even Madonna.

If you want to get your hands on some vintage perfumes or at least vintage-style perfumes, click here.

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