Nanette
Nanette Lepore's 2009 creation offers a departure from typical fruity-sweet designer scents. It blends a spicy rose opening with a deeply powdery heart of violet, resting on a dry bed of cedarwood and incense.
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Performance Metrics
784 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
It lasts five to six hours on skin, projecting moderately for the first hour before settling into an intimate scent bubble suitable for cooler seasons.
Notes Pyramid
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Nanette is a dry, powdery amber floral that features notes of pink pepper, violet, cedar, and incense. It has a vintage, slightly cosmetic texture that feels warm yet dusty.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe amber and woody accords dominate, creating a dry wood-shavings texture. The powdery violet and smoky incense accords add a vintage makeup-bag feel that lasts throughout the wear.
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452 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
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REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in fall and winter. The vote picture leans most toward daytime.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Cozy amber and incense dry down perfect for chilly autumn days
Unique vintage bottle design looks great on a vanity
Very affordable price point at online discounters
Smooth transition from spicy rose to warm woods
Soft sillage makes it safe for office wear
Good longevity of six hours on clothing and skin
Evokes a nostalgic, comforting feeling similar to walking into a classic New Age store
Presents a creamy, rich undertone reminiscent of warm buttery rice
Opens with an attractive orangey amber accord accented with mild pink pepper
Formulated in cooperation with notable IFF perfumer Anne Flipo
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Heavy powder note can feel cloying in warm weather
Sharp cedarwood note can smell like dry wood shavings
Synthetic chemical blast during the first few seconds of spraying
Low projection after the first hour of wear
Violet note can smell too dated for younger users
Hard to find in physical department stores for testing
Unpleasant, stale peppery musk quality during the late stages of wear
May smell overly sweet and cheap, resembling low cost celebrity releases
Violet dominant formulation can overwhelm the nose with a strong stinging sensation
Heavy incense and synthetic cedar can smell too woody or dusty for some tastes
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Nanette Lepore's Forgotten Amber: Cozy, Powdery, and Lightly Smoked”
The opening of Nanette hits you with a sharp flash of pink pepper and fresh rose petals. It is a bit synthetic at first spray, but that initial chemical blast settles within five minutes. Neroli adds a brief green brightness, though it is quickly overtaken by a heavy floral heart.
As the scent enters its middle phase, violet dominates the composition. The violet is dry, cool, and highly powdery, lacking the wet dewiness of modern floral releases. Lily-of-the-valley keeps it from becoming completely suffocating, though the texture remains noticeably thick and dry on the skin.
The real character emerges in the dry-down. Here, a dry Virginia cedar note takes center stage, mingling with a soft, sweet incense smoke. The cedar is very dry, almost reminiscent of clean wood shavings, which can polarize wearers who prefer creamy woods like sandalwood. Warm amber ties it all together, adding a cozy sweetness.
In terms of performance, this is not a room-filling beast. It projects well for the first hour of a cold autumn day, but it soon retreats into a soft, comforting skin scent. You will get about six hours of total wear before the amber and cedar completely fade.
This is a great fit for someone who appreciates vintage, slightly gothic aesthetics. It feels right at home with a heavy wool sweater and a cup of black tea. Beginners who only wear modern sweet gourmands might find the dry, woody incense profile too challenging or old-fashioned.
If you can find a bottle at a discount, it is well worth adding to your winter rotation. However, because the powdery violet and sharp cedar can be tricky depending on skin chemistry, securing a sample first is the safest path.
FAQs
What does Nanette by Nanette Lepore smell like?+
This fragrance opens with a sharp kick of pink pepper and soft rose petals. As it sits on the skin, it develops into a dusty violet before settling into a warm base of amber, dry Virginia cedar, and faint, sweet incense smoke.
How does the opening compare to the dry down?+
The opening is bright, floral, and slightly spicy due to the neroli and pink pepper. Over several hours, the initial freshness fades, leaving behind a heavily powdery amber, cedar shavings, and a quiet incense note that stays close to the skin.
How long does Nanette last on the skin?+
You can expect about five to six hours of wear. The amber and cedar base notes linger the longest, though the projection drops significantly after the second hour, turning the scent into a soft skin hug.
What is the sillage and projection of this scent?+
Nanette projects at arm's length for the first hour of wear. After that, it settles into an intimate scent bubble, making it polite enough for office wear or close-quarters dinner dates.
Which season is best suited for Nanette?+
This heavy amber profile shines best during autumn and winter. The warm cedar and incense notes can feel overly dense and powdery in summer heat, potentially causing mild nausea in high humidity.
For what occasions should you wear Nanette?+
It fits casual evening wear, cozy rainy afternoons, or late-night reading sessions. The dry incense and vintage cedar vibe make it feel a bit too dark and moody for formal daytime events.
Does Nanette lean masculine, feminine, or unisex?+
While marketed to women due to the prominent violet and rose absolute, the dry down of cedar and smoky incense gives it a woody depth that easily crosses into unisex territory.
Who is the ideal audience for this perfume?+
It suits enthusiasts who enjoy powdery vintage florals and woody bases. If you prefer modern, sugary sweet gourmands, the dry cedar and incense notes here might feel too dusty or dated.
Can you layer Nanette with other fragrances?+
Yes, it layers beautifully. Try adding a simple vanilla solinote to sweeten the dry cedar, or a clean citrus fragrance to brighten the heavy violet top notes in the early spring.
Are there any close duplicates to Nanette?+
It shares similarities with Ted Lapidus White Soul in its orangey-amber start. Some wearers also compare its dry down to a softer, more powdery version of Gap White Amber.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCORELook at Ted Lapidus White Soul for a similar warm opening, or Estee Lauder Sensuous if you prefer a smoother, creamier wood profile.
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