Workplace friendly unisex/women’s niche perfumes?

Hello, everybody!

Here I am again looking for recommendations, this time for my work place. I do rock some amber-spicy/floral perfumes at work now, and they are lovely. However, I work in preschool/kindergarten and I have to be mindful of what I spray on myself. I wash my clothes with unscented detergent, and my shower and hair products are pretty neutral. I sparingly used Black Orchid Eau de Parfum and Opium (1977) Eau de Toilette during the past winter and spring, and the kiddos absolutely loved it! Hugging them everyday and them saying “Miss, you smell so good!” was a delight, because of their sensitive noses. I don’t want to cause them any discomfort, so I only spray once on my chest in the morning, the perfumes are only detectable when you go in for a hug (and you’re a tiny person lol).

However, I now am looking for something lighter and brighter and happier for work. I have my sexy, mysterious, and dark perfumes and decants, but I feel it’s time to take another step in my perfume journey. Since I seem to prefer niche houses, I would love to try out a bunch of inoffensive yet unique fragrances. Me and gourmands don’t really click, and even if I’d love to love citrus heavy perfumes, we don’t click either. And I don’t like rose or vanilla so much.

For reference, I have been looking for something in the same category as vintage Eden, vintage 1881 pour Femme (1995) Eau de Toilette and vintage Laura Eau de Parfum.

It doesn’t have to be vintage, or from the 90’s, but something that is light, ethereal, airy and like water colours. It can be fresh, floral, powdery, creamy, chypre (never tried it though!), Green, resinous, spicy, oriental. I am looking for something unisex, or feminine leaning unisex.

Nothing that knocks you out, I’ll save those for the weekends lol.

Watercolour and fresh/light: Un Jardin sur le Toit

Another green one: "L'Eau miXte | Parfums de Nicolaï"

Light and powdery (very light kumquat, so not as citrusy as lemon for example): Le Jardin de Monsieur Li

A very light white floral Chypre (the eau de toilette fits your request better imho): La Panthère Eau de Toilette

Powdery floral : Ananda Eau de Parfum

Powdery slightly spicy cocoa: Rococò

A warm fluffy amber, slightly spicy but not "in your face" : "Ambre Cashmere Intense | Parfums de Nicolaï"

Omg thank you, @Nushka !! I’ll check out the Souk and internet for samples. 

Workplace-friendly female perfumes are my thing. I spend (too) many hours in the office, so I selected a large part of my perfume wardrobe accordingly. Personally I think amber, leather and spice do not fit in the workplace simply because they have a rather strong presence and can be received as oppressive or shouty. Citrus, powder, soap and soft florals are perfect for the job.

My personal preference goes to the fresher florals like

Orange blossom - Sandan Perfume Oil

Lily-of-the-valley - Cavatina, Lucky, Fleur Verte, "Synthetic Jungle | Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle"

Green tea - Thé Cachemire, Wūlóng Chá Extrait de Parfum, Hyouge

Osmanthus - Osmanthus

Narcissus can get animalic, but not with N°19 Eau de Toilette (the EDP is a no go)

Irises are difficult, I think. Some are clean, others are highly flirtatious and it is a fine line between those two. My work-safe iris is Frosted Moon

Chypres can go musty with their oakmoss/patchouli base on a stressful day, so I prefer not to go down that road. Although sometimes in winter I reach for 31 Rue Cambon Eau de Parfum

Aldehydes give that soapy feel. Usually well-received, but to some people a reminder of baby wipes. Not so much with La Pausa Eau de Parfum

Of course, with sandalwood you never go wrong Tam Dao Eau de Parfum

One genre that I have not really dipped my toes into, especially in office settings, is the fruity perfumes. They may be a fairly safe place in between sweet-gourmand and light-fresh. All I have there is Premier Figuier Eau de Toilette

Hope this helps! ✌

You are so right, @Kurai ! Amber, spice and leather can be even offensive and loud to some people in work places. One poor colleague got an asthma attack after I passed her wearing Black Orchid. The shame I felt. So, no heavy duty fragrances around allergy prone kids and colleagues from now on. 

Wow, another sturdy list of suggestions! I will be off to my local perfumeries this week and try them. I’m grateful that there is a Chanel beauty store, and even some niche perfume stores, in my hometown. And the ones that I can’t find locally, I’ll just order decants online. Thank you, @Kurai !

I recommend Jasmin Angélique, possibly the most realistic jasmine fragrance I've ever tried.
Dusita also makes a number of very realistic fragrances based on specific flowers and it would be beyond my memory to list them all, but definitely have a look at the brand's website if you're into photorealistic, evocative flower scents.

Yes! I am looking for flower scents also! I’ll check it out, for sure. Thanks, @Johnjssmith !

Very curious to read about your impressions of whatever you get to test! 

@Nushka thats a great idea! I could post here when I’ve tested them.

No pressure though 😁 Enjoy the testing! 

Thank you! And no worries!☺️ I look forward to trying them out. 

Fidji (2003) Eau de Toilette and I think L'Air du Temps Eau de Parfum is great for hugs (but that is my signature so I'm a little prejudiced ) But I know children often love it!

Ooh, two oldies but goldies! I’ve never tried Fidji but I remember L’Air du Temps! they’ll be on my list! 

I love to wear wulong cha in the office

@Axeel998 thats great to hear! It’s definitely on my to try-list. It seems really interesting. 

Give Indus or You Eau de Parfum a try.

Thanks, @Cocopah ! And I’ve been wanting to try out Ormonde Jayne’s fragrances for a while now. Seems like a great perfume house!

I had only good experiences with OJ and Indus last for hours on me.

That’s great to hear! I’m looking forward to trying it for myself. @Cocopah 

Noted. Some interesting and non-obvious picks would be:

IV-II Ray-Flection

L'Eau d'Hiver

Beige Eau de Toilette

I find private collections particularly interesting.

Givenchy, Hermès, Yves Saint Laurent.

It's original and accessible to everyone.

Hermessence Iris Ukiyoé

Dans Paris

La Peau Nue

Sans Artifice

Le Vestiaire - Grain de Poudre

Le Vestiaire - Lavallière

Le Vestiaire - Trench

L'Eau d'Hiver

Heliotrope Eau de Toilette

Héliotrope du Pérou

Yes, I absolutely love private collections! I haven’t had the opportunity to try many yet, but I look forward to it. Thank you for the suggestions! They are noted now.

I was talking about accessibility, when they share, or bottling, because it's true that a bottle is quite expensive.

I was able to find this out thanks to some sharing and bottling in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Yes, that’s what I do. I’ve bought samples here in the souk and on Facebook. I would have never been able to try them if not for decants.

edit: wait did you mean people’s private collections, or did you mean designer brands more expensive and exclusive private collections? There might have been a misunderstanding lol. But yes to both!

You've got it right .
I was talking about private collections.
Not people's private collections 🤗.