what's a bellydancer smell like?

topic posted Thu, June 30, 2005 - 7:01 PM by  offlineJessica
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This isn't exactly makeup, but hey, where else can I ask it?

I really want to buy a new fragrance, I haven't found one that I feel fits me, my personality. I want to find a perfume that says "bellydancer".
Besides, wouldn't it be great to breeze past someone in a performance and have them smell some exotic wonderful fragrance?

Does anybody have any favorites or recommendations?
posted by:
Jessica
Pittsburgh
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  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Thu, June 30, 2005 - 7:35 PM
    I often have perfume made by someone that mixes oils for that just for me scent and they add glitter and you get to name it. I like clean scents. Keep in mind that you will sweat...you don't want anything to heavy, it could knock you and your audiance out. Things from Bath and Body Works are cool too. They are having a 5 for $25 sale here in Cincinnati of their Pleasures line. I go Coutry Apple, Fresh Linen, White Tea and Ginger and Juniper. I am so sexy...watch out now.
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Thu, March 15, 2007 - 2:01 PM
      yep that's what i was gonna say, i go to my local bath and beauty shop that has a wonderus array of scented oils that you can have them mix to your pleasure and you can have oil, spray, lotion, shampoo etc, i am currently into mango/coconut yummy!
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Fri, July 1, 2005 - 8:17 AM
    On the topic of perfume, my belly dance teacher recommends that, when you're performing under those big spot lights NOT to wear perfume because the heat from those lights can transform your perfume into something utterly different. She also advised us not to wear perfume while performing in restaurants because you never know who is allergic to what.

    But that doesn't mean that you should absolutely adhere to that... or that you can't smell good at other times... ;op

    There was one fragrance that I used when I was in Quebec. It was something that I bought in a health store. It was called "Eau des 4 Voleurs" (which translates to "Water of the 4 Thieves"). It smelled somewhat spicy. There is also a cute story behind it. Allegedly, when there was a wave of the plague in the middle ages, 4 thieves applied this mix of spices on themselves and escaped the plague that way. I found that L'Occitane has a fragrance called like that but it's in the men section and I haven't smelled it so I don't know if it's the same or similar or whatnot. www.loccitane.ca/ranges/men/152/

    Also, I usually like anything that has amber or sandalwood.

    Ooh, and I also like Victoria's Secret Very Sexy for Her 2. As the name implies, it makes me feel very sexy... it's not exactly an exotic smell but, hey, you gotta love it when you feel sexy! ;op www2.victoriassecret.com/colle...ex.cfm
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Fri, July 1, 2005 - 8:19 AM
      Dang it! I forgot also to mention THE other perfume that I absolutely love and is spicy... Shalimar from Guerlain.
      • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

        Sun, March 11, 2007 - 11:35 PM
        Oooooh that's a nice one. I like that and I also use a weeeeee bit of dragon's blood oil. It's a very rich smell, so a half of a half of a half of a dab will last you all day in a very nice way.

        Or just some good old Samsara (also by Guerlain). Yummy stuff (and I'm allergic to MOST fragrances)
        • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

          Sun, March 11, 2007 - 11:38 PM
          Oh and I almost forgot!

          If you can find anything that smells like real fresh roses, that's and INSTANT hit. I had some lotion like that once, but I don't recall the brand name at all and everyone was totally enamoured with it.
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Thu, July 28, 2005 - 12:41 PM
      Aha-- My friend makes a version of the four thieves recipe. It actually has antibacterial qualities as well. The scent is enticing! The story behind it is great.

      You can order directly from him : soapyhoof@wyoming.com

      He can probably make a fragrance oil for you. Better to support small business! He also has a soap called leather and lace that I think has an appropriate smell-- very sexy! He's great at mixing custom soaps and lotions too. Ask and he will customize.

      :) sarah
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Tue, March 13, 2007 - 5:50 AM
      I agree with going ver easy on the scent in restaurants.. I really hate having some exotic or flowery scent wafting past my food. I'm there for the culinary scents, not the bellydancer's perfume. Although I do think it's nice if I get real close to someone, as in a hug and can catch a whiff of something nice, then it's my choice to move in close or not.

      Outdoor events are the places I go ahead and add scent, other than that, I'm a bit more careful about it than I used to be. I had "signature" scents for years, but now it's all changed with hormonal changes, and most of it is cloying rather than nicely exotic. BPAL oils just go away on me immediately, so I have Majika do custom blends for me. She's a local Renn Fest perfumer and her oils stay with me.

      Roya,
      Spirit-Dancer
      • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

        Thu, March 15, 2007 - 2:04 PM
        another thing about wearing perfume outside is bugs, it attract bees in particular so be careful.
        Your right about watching what you wear while performing in a restaurants sometimes you can get a scent of a perfume and it just makes your food taste aweful. In that case i like the fresh simple baby powder scent.
        • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

          Thu, March 15, 2007 - 7:41 PM
          You're right. I'd probably go with no scent in a restaurant. And I'm don't wear perfume at outdoor performances. Those bees buzzing over the trash can would just as soon make a beeline for me. Gack! Mostly I perform at dance workshop shows on a stage where my scent is not going to be overpowering for my audience.
        • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

          Fri, March 16, 2007 - 7:19 AM
          Good point about bugs.. I've never noticed it, but then I don't wear florals :)

          Funny how different we can all be when it comes to scent... the smell of baby powder makes me nauseous.
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Fri, July 1, 2005 - 9:45 AM
    As someone who is very allergic to synthetic perfumes and scents, I will get up and leave a restaurant that has performers/staff that are wearing perfume. I just can't take it. So I would recommend you stay away from smelling when performing close to people.

    And if you are on stage, no one will smell you anyways.

    That being said, my students have commented that I do have a distinctive scent. It is tiger balm :) When I make my tiger balm I add a bit of patchouli, so it smells musky and spicy, and helps my joints. :) JMHO, YMMV
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Fri, July 1, 2005 - 11:46 AM
    I am not a huge fan of perfumes, but I have gone for Narcissis by Chloi, and the Queen of the Night oil (one dab will do for the entire day). Usually I wear oils because I have reactions to some perfumes, and too many of the over the counter ones all smell the same or just out right offensive. Plus, too much of the citris scents and I get a migraine.

    My husband loves the lilac oil I use, he says it suits me perfectly, but I will mix it at times with gardenia to give it a little kick.
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Sat, July 2, 2005 - 5:06 PM
    Jasmine -- I use scented oil. Got the idea from another dancer -- when she danced by, you could just catch the smell of jasmine. I've found you can use lots and it covers the sweat perfect.

    There's also a great site with phermone oils (I love the plumeria) -- they're expensive, but last and a little goes a long way.

    www.attractionoil.com/
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Mon, July 4, 2005 - 10:56 AM
    several options at: www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/new.html bear i mind I believe they are made with perfume oils not essentials but I keep hearing rave reviews.
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Tue, July 5, 2005 - 1:08 AM
      I really love Azzemour by Crabtree & Evelyn...smells exotic and spicy and warm and not too expensive either! You can get a wonderful room/clothes spray that is great for using on veils...floating past the audience giving off a fragrant cloud! Theres also an oil for oil burners which I drop onto cotton balls and stick the bag with all my costumes and the fragrance spreads through everything.... gets around the too much/too little problem with spraying the perfume onto yourself! I often get asked what the beautiful perfume is... so it must work!
      • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

        Sat, April 7, 2007 - 7:27 AM
        I am a huge fan of a local creator that makes perfume oils and solids in a tin; Thornefolk Solutions from here in Bridgeport CT. I met them at our Ren Faire two years ago and I have been an adamant fan ever since.

        www.thornefolk.net

        I love their Nag Champa/ temple balm and Luscious Amber , but they have a fun sour apple and anything you can think of.
        plus they make great skully bath fizzies and all natural yummy bug deterant ointments....they rock.
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Tue, July 5, 2005 - 12:24 PM
      BPAL's stuff is pure oil, they even have a neat little tutorial of what different perfuming terms mean (like essential oil vs perfume vs eu de toilette).

      I'm dying to get some of their stuff but it's a bit more spendy then I can justify for perfume right now.
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Fri, July 29, 2005 - 12:36 PM
      They are made with 100% perfume oils, but technically you should not be using most undiluted essential oils on the skin. There are not many essential oils that are considered safe to use "neat".

      For future reference (since I had to look it up I figure others probably don't know either)...

      Essential oils are volatile, fragrant liquids extracted from plant leaves, bark, wood, stems, flowers, seeds, buds, roots, resins and petals, usually through steam distillation. They are highly concentrated and apart from a few exceptions, should not be used directly on the skin, although they can be diluted in a carrier oil, such as jojoba, for such use. Perfume oils are fragrance components, natural or synthetic, in an oily base rather than an alcohol base, and can be used directly on the skin.

      (found here: www.makeupalley.com/user/not...fumefaq/)
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Sat, March 24, 2007 - 11:04 AM
      BPAL is amazing. I highly recommend them. In terms of specific scents, might I suggest Snake Charmer from the Carnivale line, as well as Snake Oil and Imp. You can search by note, so if you like something specific in your scents, you can find it that way. My sig. scents are Loviatar and Brisingamen. Again, hiiiighly recommended.

      You can order "imp" sized trials, just to see if you like them too. :D
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Tue, July 5, 2005 - 7:38 AM
    i think that whenever I smell Nag Champa, I'm reminded of dance festivals. It definitely says "Belly dancer" to me.
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Tue, July 5, 2005 - 9:07 AM
      so.. here's my problem.. I have so many smells I like but the fragrance doesn't stick to me... its gone in 10 minutes.... I have put ut un my hair, on my clothes.. everywhere and it just wont stay...
      does anyone else have this problem and how do you deal with it?
      • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

        Tue, July 5, 2005 - 6:26 PM
        Cheap fragrances don't last long. My mother bought a perfume that was expesive, but high quality, that worked so well that you could even smell a hint of it after washing your clothes! You just have to be willing to spend a bit of $$. Any other kind of fragrance will dissipate within minutes.
        • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

          Tue, July 5, 2005 - 8:22 PM
          hmmm, perhaps for perfume but not necessarily so for essential oils. I wear a certain scent but I also had another scent leak in my dance bag. I can still smell it after washing my bag and 1 yr later! It gives a lovely fragrance to anything stored in my bag too! LOL (BTW the oils were $4-$5 per bottle)
          • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

            Tue, July 5, 2005 - 8:34 PM
            For me its not about cheap or expensive... the scent just seems to evaporate off me... so I decided today to try massae oils... so far I can still smell it and its been 6 hours... its not that strong right now but its better than nothing....
            • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

              Tue, July 5, 2005 - 8:56 PM
              if there's a certain scent you like you could try scenting your costume. Put some of the scent on a cotton ball and with the costume maybe? I wouldn't put it directly on the fabric for obvious reasons... Sounds like it may just be your body chemistry. perhaps it wouldn't wear off your clothes as quickly?
            • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

              Wed, July 6, 2005 - 7:45 AM
              Someone told me once (but I have no idea if this is true or not) that, when you find a perfume or a scent that is for you, it will stay for a long time... it was something like, since it complements your own personal "fragrance" (or body odor, if you prefer ;op), it meshes well and enhances the positive in your natural body odor...
            • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

              Fri, July 29, 2005 - 12:40 PM
              Try moisturizing first, or adding the scent to an unscented moisturizer. Dry skin will lose a scent much faster then moisturized skin.

              There are also specific ingredients in perfumes used to extend scent (I believe rose and civet are often used for that purpose) so you might want to look more into that.

              More expensive perfumes will have a higher scent ingredient concentration and thus will last longer with less perfume, but essential oils being pretty much ALL scent will last a long time too, regardless of expense. Though fresher essential oils will last longer and will be more expensive, anyone who thinks essential oils are cheep has never looked into buying jasmine essential oil. ^_^
      • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

        Thu, August 11, 2005 - 10:50 AM
        You know, this coming late, however I once spoke to a Muslim gentlemen that specialized in perfume oils. What a lot of people don't know is that the amount of color/pigment in your skin (melanin) affects the length of time a scent will wear. Basicly, scents smell stronger and longer on fairer-skined ladies. Apparently, the darker you are (this applies to tanning Caucasian/Asian ladies as well) the more or stronger perfume you will have to wear in order for it to last. Its based on science and its not the first time I've heard the complaint, I've experienced it myself as well so there must be something to it!! Wish I had a real solution.................:)
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Thu, July 14, 2005 - 12:45 AM
      I agree about Nag Champa.
      Nag Champa instantly puts me in bellydancer mode and makes me smile and feel like dancing or watching dance.

      There is a Nag Champa Bar Soap which leaves the scent on your skin after showering, and isn't too strong so won't over power people's noses. It's good for a soft, subtle smell of Nag Champa. Or you could have a more powerful scent by using Nag Champa Oil, or burning Nag Champa incense right under your bellydance clothes as they are hanging up.

      Nag Champa scented soap:
      www.sensia.com/nagchampa.htm
      or:
      www.bonsavon.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

      Nag Champa Soap, Banana Soap, Orange Soap:
      www.bytheplanet.com/Incense/...soaps.htm

      Bath and Body Works' body sprays are soooooo yummy, and stay on your skin. If you spray a lot on, you smell like a walking piece of fruit or vanilla bean, or whatever you choose. I love Black Raspberry Vanilla. I like fruit/vanilla mixtures. Once I had a strawberry vanilla body spray that smelled like a baby doll! Then I ran out and never found more, sad story for me. I was addicted to the stuff and wish I could find more.

      "Auric Blends Perfume Oils" are incredible and powerful! My favorite is "One Love"...check out their other scents including Egyptian Goddess, Patchouli, Vanilla, etc.:
      www.auricblends.com/perfume-oils.html

      Hope this helps!


      • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

        Thu, July 14, 2005 - 6:07 AM
        YEP!
        I tried Nag Champa massage oil and tho it stays on longer than all the other stuff it does still evaporate.... but it leaves a subtle smell when it does. So I guess this is what I'll use.. now I need some patchouli massage oil!
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Thu, July 7, 2005 - 10:59 AM
    I love V'Tae's Sacred Fire, I wear it a lot. I also like Ecco Bella's Vanilla Ambrosia. Hard to find but worth it! They are both more oil based and therefore don't bother my nose like alcohol based commercial perfumes do. And they soften to a nice tone when your skin warms up.
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Thu, July 7, 2005 - 3:13 PM
    I have made my own heady musk flavor by mixing walnut oil, rose oil, sandlewood, and a few other spices. Also a major player of patchouli.

    If anyone is interested in exotic organic products of the highest quality, I recommend ZUM by Indigo Wild. A bit expensive but worth every penny!

    www.indigowild.com/
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Fri, July 15, 2005 - 4:52 PM
    awwww fun...my troupe wears their own scent called "Hipnotica"

    One of the lovely ladies is a blender of fragrances/oils and it is one I can actually wear. (I am terribly allergic to perfumes, floral scents, etc.)
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Mon, July 18, 2005 - 12:37 PM
      as one multi-personality dancer (;-) i use different fragrances, depending on the show.
      Hot day show at ren faire: patchouli is going in the pits- i know some dont like it, so i dont go nuts with it but i sure would rather they smell that than BO
      intimate night show at a restaurant-something light, clean-you dont want it interfering with patrons dining experience. actually, i often will scent my veil so they get whiffs of a flower when i do veil or breeze by them in my veil cover up
      goth-tribal fusion-i usually waer something spicey
      all of my faves, depoending on above:
      patchouli (mix it with rose oil for a sweeter smell)
      gardenia, jasmine, white ginger-i alwasy get compliments on the white giner
      fire goddess, sandalwood, arabian musk (it's really sweet so i blend it with a titch of patchouli), Oasis and Tribal
      oasis and tribal are special blends i get at AZ ren faire and at SCA wars
      body sprays-bath n body works-these are great toi spritz b/t sets to freshen up
      i also like to drop oil inot my hair flowers so when i walk by, my flowers have a nice floral scent
      for shows i only scent my pits and usually the area right under my bra
      anything more than that just gets irrittaed when i sweat or when i wear the pot-metal tribal jewelry over it.
      try GLOBAL SCENT CO. they have yummy scees!
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Wed, July 20, 2005 - 10:53 AM
    My teacher gave me some essential oil that's patachouli and musk, for my birthday. It smells warm and exotic at the same time, and it suits me so well I wear it always.

    You might also try new agey or imports shops that sell those Indian solid perfumes. I've seen them in health food stores, and often they come in a little bottle.

    Blending your own perfume, however, is easy and really fun! You can guarantee that nobody else smells like you.

    Just blend your essential oils with vodka. Since it's alcohol that has no scent, people use it for this all the time.

    Get a mini bottle of the cheapest vodka you can find, and add a few drops of the essential oils you like. You can do one note (wow, that lady smells like roses!) or blend. A good, exotic-seeming blend might have some exotic florals (jasmine and ylang ylang, etc) maybe a weeensy bit of animal scent like musk or civet (don't worry about animal cruelty, get a synthetic one) and/or something woody like sandalwood, cedar, patchouli, etc, and then add top notes of something spicy. Kick it around, see what you like, and when somebody goes, "Oooh, you smell so good!" just say brightly, "I blended my own signiature scent!"

    Word to the wise: once you find a blend you like, be sure to write down the proportions of oils you used; X drops of this, Y drops of that, etc, because when you run out, you'll want to blend more and it's nearly impossible to recreate unless you wrote down the numbers exactly.




    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Mon, July 25, 2005 - 11:12 PM
      I always wear Jasmine or a variation of Jasmine (like Henri Bendel's Jasmine and Tuberose perfume via Bath & Body works or LUSH's Flying Fox balm - www.lush.com). Jasmine is the traditional (i.e., Middle Eastern/Turkish) scent for dancers and there are several classical Egyptian and Turkish songs regarding this.

      To make scents last, you should LAYER. Use a shower gel and/or bath oil or bath ballistic in your scent, use a lotion in that scent, and then ensure that you apply the perfume or cologne to your pulse points so that your body heat will waft your scent (gently) outwards from your skin.
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Tue, July 26, 2005 - 10:36 AM
    I like to wear a scented lotion, helps my body glitter stick also. I like to use one Avon has called Secrets of India, that has sandalwood, lotus, and Indian Basil. They may have discontinued it though =( glad i have a spare bottle.
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Wed, July 27, 2005 - 9:17 AM
      I was about to say I have not heard of that. I used to sell Avon and I am a frequent buyer. Wow. I bet that smells good. I will have to look into that further.
      • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

        Thu, July 28, 2005 - 7:06 PM
        It was in the Planet Spa line they have out. I have some hot oil hair treatment in the same scent.
        • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

          Sat, July 30, 2005 - 3:12 PM
          I am TOTALLY addicted to vanilla-sandalwood oil....been asked a million times.."what is that perfume..??" as the poor fellows eyes roll back in his head!!! You want to smell like a bellydancer....that's your ticket, girl. I also keep a pot of henna spices warming on the stove...all the time. The scent is in all my clothes and all through the house. My daughter's friend just came in and said that it smelled like I was baking carrot cake. YUM! When I have henna on it smells SO good.....kind of like a spicey-sweet curry.
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Tue, August 23, 2005 - 8:39 PM
    I use Egyptian Musk and have had many compliments with that. Try an essential oils, they last longer and are more powerful. You can find them in any of your favorite scents.
    I have also used Jasmine Vanilla that's in Bath & Body Works, it's very sexy to me!

    Or try something new, an exotic flowering scent.....there are lots of choices out there.

    Have fun with it!
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Thu, August 25, 2005 - 9:11 PM
      I'm a Nag Champa, Egyptian Musk and Bath & Body Works "Sandalwood & Rose" kinda girl.
      • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

        Fri, August 26, 2005 - 10:30 PM
        Wow, everyone thanks for all the input, of course now I've spent way too much money......haha
        I got Bath and Body works Raspberry and Vanilla and WHite Tea and Ginger
        Auric Blends Egyptian Goddess
        Essential Oils....Egyptian musk, Nag Champa, Night Queen, Lavendar

        I tried Nag Champa and Egyptian Goddess together, it lasts all day and people ask what I'm wearing, I really like it.

        I've been reading Wendy Buonventura's Beauty and the East, it's a great cosmetic reference. She has a section on fragrance, and I didn't realize that some middle eastern women use different scents to perfume different parts of their body, she said Cleopatra did that! Plus she had bundles of roses all over her palaces, bedrooms, etc. and soaked the sails on her ships with rose oil.
        What a diva!
        • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

          Sat, August 27, 2005 - 1:35 PM
          Yes! That's exactly what I was going to recommend: Egyptian Musk or another version that can be purchased at "Sprouts" that's called Egyptian Goddess. Nag Champa is a wonderful scent. On occassion I've set up my little insense table in a resturant or wherever I'm performing and I burn a few sticks of it. It adds to the 'otherwordlyness' to the performance I believe. ^.^

          Namaste!
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Sun, March 11, 2007 - 11:22 PM
    Jess!

    I'll tell you what I wear...

    I get perfume oil blends from 'Dragonfly Blue' ... and I think their Nag Champa is what a bellydancer smells like...

    Nag Champa: Travel to far away lands where they burn this aroma daily hour after hour. It's neutral yet distinct. Almost everyone loves it, even people who don't like incense. It's the Jamaican blue mountain of incense.

    I am also a HUGE fan of 'Goth Rosary' perfumes... like...

    DERVISH ... Mysterious, Enchanting... smell the rich blend of ancient spices... Earthy musk, Soulful sandalwood & Velvety vanilla beans!

    and...

    HEATHEN™ ... Soft, Warm & Earthy... The smell of cannabis swirled with patchouli & sandalwood incense...
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Mon, March 12, 2007 - 5:26 AM
    Damascus Rose.

    Patchouli.

    Rose.

    Mix your own.

    As you've discovered, a scent is different on you -- mixed with your unique body chemistry -- than it smells in a bottle. My husband is the expert on what I smell like, so he tells me what scents he likes on me. Then I mix my own perfume using those scents. So much more distinctive than wearing something someone else mixed that lots of other people wear.
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Mon, March 12, 2007 - 5:58 AM
      Oh, and I ditto the advice to layer scents. Scented lotion is wonderful. If you wear the same scent all the time, it will permeate your clothes. Sometimes I've been complimented on my fragrance when I haven't even put any on that morning. One thing I do before performing, I fumigate my costume with incense. Ahhhhh!
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Mon, March 12, 2007 - 9:16 AM
    auric blends (i get it at longs) has these roll on body oil. Black Opium and Majick are absolutely lovely. Earthy and mucky and lovely smelling!!
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Mon, March 12, 2007 - 12:59 PM
      I'm pretty sure i smell like vintage plumbing, ie, OLD, DAMP METAL (from sweating in my jewelry collection...)

      plus, all the swisy fabric and jingling scares my cat.

      so not everything about our dance is exotic ;-)

      for some reason i keep thinking of Tabu (don't know if they still make that anymore) and Poison as bellydance fragrances... i don't wear perfume when i dance.
      • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

        Mon, March 12, 2007 - 3:01 PM
        I was given a bottle of Elizabeth Arden's 'Green Tea' which as become my signature day perfume. It's light and refreshing for everyday wear and not too expensive either. I then discovered Elizabeth Arden's 'Spiced Green Tea' which has become my signature evening perfume. Again, it's light and refreshing, but also quite spicy! Love them both. Unfortunately, I can't wear any heavy perfumes as strong scents bring on massive headaches! I do use Christian Dior J'adore or L'eau D'issey Miyake on ery speacial occassions.

        Peace & Faery Wishes, VMx
  • Kel
    Kel
    offline 2

    Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Mon, March 12, 2007 - 3:33 PM
    My absolute favourites are Dragon's Blood and Nag Champra. -But it makes me sad cause I can only seem to find these at Ren Faires. Anyone know a good (reasonably priced) place to order them from? I saw that black phoenix alchemy lab had dragon's blood, so I might just have to order from there. (Though $15 seems like a lot....)
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Mon, March 12, 2007 - 6:48 PM
      I mix rose oil and patchouli, its kind of my signature scent. I also love Estee Lauder Pleasures and anything gardenia....
      • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

        Mon, March 12, 2007 - 7:11 PM
        Hey, I do rose and patchouli, too. Rose is my birth flower, and patchouli is my husband's favorite scent, so I just mix them together. Often had strangers ask what the scent is I'm wearing, and I tell them, "It's rose and patchouli." Funny thing is, one woman thought it was a brand name and kept trying to get me to tell her where she could buy it. I kept trying to explain I mixed it, myself, but she didn't seem to have any concept that scents came from anywhere except major manufacturers with brand labels. LOL!
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Wed, March 14, 2007 - 7:42 PM
      :-) I sell essential oils and carry Dragon's Blood. I don't know the price off the top of my head and the website is under re-construction (dropped our old carrier) right now, but if you call the shop I can tell you what the cost is. my hours are 12-7 tues through fri, sat 12-5 EST 716-871-0282. I'm hoping to have the on line shop back up and in full swing in the next two weeks. I carry about 200 oils, mainly essential with a few fragrance oils (only get the synthetics when it's unavoidable).

      It's a pure essential oil, uncut and I'm pretty sure it's about half that price.

      Chimene,
      Strange Brew
      thecauldron.com
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Tue, March 13, 2007 - 6:46 AM
    Because I dance in some places that are heavy with Hookah smoke, I douse myself heavily before each performance with bath and body works perfume spray. I like to use winter candy apple (left over from christmas time) and brown sugar and fig.

    If I am dancing in a place without hookah, I use a lot less, and instead of b&bw, I use vanilla madagascar perfume.
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Tue, March 13, 2007 - 9:32 AM
    I have to resond as somebody that can't wear perfume.. I have actually NOT bought costumes because they smelled so highly of somebody elses perfume...
    Please ladies, don't over do it.. When you are dancing, and sweating, a little perfume goes along way.. I have had to leave rooms, take the next elevator and basically have told people at retreats to leave the smellies at home.. But with that being said.. When i wore perfume one of favortes was Oscar de La Renta... And Poison.. Yes i know that was along time ago.
    I have friend, that instead of perfume, she uses a tiny drop of essential oil on an inside part of her clothing. She usually has a nice soft smell.. Almost like a baby!
    Sorry if i have insulted anyone but for alot of us it is a big issue. I would rather not get a migraine because somebody wears too much scent.
    TTYS, KathleenA
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Wed, March 14, 2007 - 7:54 PM
      I think you are very right to say so. People with chemical allergies are on a rapid rise and they can get physically ill from synthetic scents.

      My advice: Stick with real essential based oils if you are going to wear anything. Fragrance oils can have the same effect. And, if it says 'essential fragrance' or 'essential perfume' it does not make it an 'essential oil' . It's like saying 'chocolate flavored' - it doesn't mean it's real chocolate and if there is real chocolate its not going to be quality. It's often a sneaky sales trick to make you think that you are getting a pure essential oil when you are getting a synthetic or a synthetic base with a minor amount of the real essential. There are many scents and plants that do not convert to an essential or are cost prohibitive (and, an essential oil will come from a plant- not candy, lace, honey, etc.). For instance real rose oil will start about $80 for a dram (1/8th ounce) and go up from there. You can get third or fifth distillations (secondary or tertiary extractions of the same material) of the plant and have them be very reasonable however :-)
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Thu, March 15, 2007 - 4:17 PM
      That may be true, but some of the NYC clubs are literally hazy all the time with smoke and when you leave, you wreak. The only way to get the smell of them out of my hair is to wash it two or three times. Most people cant even tell I am wearing perfume there unless they are quite close to me. Really, I guess the perfume is more for me than it is the audience.
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Tue, March 13, 2007 - 10:21 AM
    I have an orange and patchouli spray by Aura Cacia from my local health food store that is my all-time favorite. I, too, can't wear commercial perfumes with synthetic fragrances in them, so it's essential oils all the way, baby. I like this particular spray because the orange cuts the scent of the patchouli, but the patchouli is 'heavy' enough to mask my delightful dance BO. It also got rave reviews from a male friend who happened to stand very near to me - he noticed it out of the blue and said I smelled fantastic!
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Wed, March 14, 2007 - 10:55 AM
    My very favorite perfume is Annick Goutal's Eau de Hadrian. Not sure how bellydance worthy it is, but It's a lovely, refreshing, light lemon/grapefruit scent. It's not overpowering at all, but it does cling well to skin. It's one of those perfumes that you need to be close to someone to smell. I've never danced with it on... I'm almost out, so I'm being super stingy... So, I don't really know how well it handles when sweating and BO. :/ But it is sooo loverly!
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Wed, March 14, 2007 - 5:57 PM
      I like patchoulli and sandalwood.
      • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

        Wed, March 14, 2007 - 6:48 PM
        The one that hits me like a drug is "Obssession". Take a deep breath of that....................and another...............................and another..........and close your eyes,.............................and snif again. I wish I could afford it more often; and when I do I seem to bathe in the stuff. I use it on my skin, in my hair, a light mist over my clothes..................................




        that being said- there are some that lay on my skin like cat urine!!!!! Its the chemistry- my skin doesnt like that particular set of chemicals. Smells great on others- on me- no way ever! Hold your nose- here I come \:-(
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Wed, March 14, 2007 - 7:59 PM
    A note for the person who can't get scents to 'stick.' To be double sure, check with a friend and ask them if they can smell the perfume on you once you can't smell it any more. Our olfactory organs can only smell a scent for about 5 minutes (I think), after that it overloads and you cease to smell it. You might very well be retaining the scent more than you think. (And to me, overloading perfume should be against the law, lol.)
    For instance, everyone comments about how stuff from my store still smells like the store years later, or about how wonderful it smells when they walk in. *I* can't smell a thing there. But I can pick up any foreign scent that enters in.
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Thu, March 15, 2007 - 12:54 AM
    Most of my costuming attire is line dry. I hang my clothes up to dry and burn my fav incense below them. You can also step over incense, letting it 'fill your skirts'.. very sensual but not overpowering.
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Thu, March 15, 2007 - 10:29 PM
    I don't remember who posted it, but there was a post about Pretty Baby Soaps and their scent Belly Dancer. I have tried this scent, and it's very pleasing to the nose. It smells spicey, and earthy, and exotic, which in my view is perfect for a belly dancer. I used it and a picture of a desert or pretty much any middle eastern sort of place popped into my mind. It was just perfect.

    Another one that is nice is Moorea Passion Fruit, which isn't really a perfume, but you can get it in lotions, and sea salt exfoliating body polishes from Victoria's secret. It's not so spicey, but it brings up images of the orient and exoctic locales. I also checked out the Bali version, but it smelt like a branch that had been snapped in half, so not so nice. Anyways, those are just my faves.

    I also second the Auric Blends!
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Fri, March 16, 2007 - 6:19 AM
    I third or fifth or whatever Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab. www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com

    This particular bellydancers smells like Khajuraho... here is the description:
    honey, date palm, tuberose, davana blossom, amber, white sandalwood, vanilla bean, Damask rose, and champaca flower.

    If you do decide to give BPAL a go, the imp packs (six sample vials from the General Catalog for $19.50) are a great way to go. You can also join their forum at www.bpal.org to read reviews, buy from other forum members and generally chatter about the world. Forum purchases are nice because they usually arrive very quickly... instant gratification =)
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Fri, March 16, 2007 - 10:51 AM
      Wow, BPAL is amazing... but I'm overwhelmed! I don't know where to start... any particular collection that has a lot of good 'bellyscents'?
      • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

        Fri, March 16, 2007 - 1:06 PM
        Definately get an IMP pack. I got a few to try because I was seduced by those descriptions and everyone's raving about how amazing BPAL was, but after actually smelling quite a variety with my body chemistry, I found the scents to be kind of cheap and fruit-toned on me. Unpleasant. And I was so bummed!!

        So try it out first, definately. BPAL purchases can add up!!
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Fri, March 16, 2007 - 4:09 PM
    So I posed this question to my husband....and here is his answer.
    "Rose, Lilac, Mimosa with alittle sweet musk....It has to be slightly sweet and spicy." Sounds like he's describing all dancers personalities *grin* I Love my hubby. He's the best.
  • Unsu...
     

    Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Sun, March 18, 2007 - 11:47 AM
    Like many of you who have posted here - I too am allergic to most perfumes/colognes. Even some of the higher end stuff will set my eyes to watering and erupt in a fit of sneezing.
    So I make my own scent out of essential oils. It has been described as exotic/erotic, enticing and compelling (WooHoo!).

    But whatever smell you decide to exude - PLEASE use sparingly.
    Scent should be personal, and therefore meant to be shared/experienced within you own personal space, or when someone is standing right next to or leaning in... It is both overwhelming and nauseating to smell someones fragrance well before or well after the person has passed by you.
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Mon, March 19, 2007 - 9:31 PM
    I agree with whoever said white tea and ginger... I had that lotion for a long time and it makes me think exotic.

    I also bought something from a vendor at a ren faire once. They were selling soaps and things but also had a sort of... "perfume stick" i guess. It was like a really fat glue stick lol. but anyways, if you have a ren faire around you maybe check out things they make and sell. It will almost always have a kind of exotic smell. I don't know what scent the one I got was exactly.. but i like it.


    also... i have some jasmine insence and i don't know if it's the smell or the name jasmine(I automatically think of aladdin) that makes me think exotic... but just a thought.
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    Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Thu, March 22, 2007 - 5:23 PM
    I smoke my costumes with frankincence resin. I hang them on an ironing rack and put a ceramic bowl with a self burning charcoal tab and a lump of frankincence, underneath. the incense drifts up through the fabrics.

    Leaves a faint pleasantly musty/musky scent in them, without damaging the fabrics.
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Sat, March 24, 2007 - 6:32 PM
    I don't know about anyone else, but *this* bellydancer smells of Warm Vanilla Sugar by Bath and Body Works.

    It's my fave!
    • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

      Sun, March 25, 2007 - 8:28 AM
      I like "Fendi"..it blends with you and smells different on everyone..very spice
      Also a blend of Egyptian Musk and Patchoulli is nice..
      • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

        Mon, March 26, 2007 - 3:51 AM
        Im gutted that BPAL dont send outside the US - boo hoo!
        • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

          Mon, March 26, 2007 - 6:21 AM

          I'm pretty sure they do. In the FAQ under Shipping info, they request international customersemail them for a quote. You can also try ebay, there's usually several auctions going on at any given time for lots of imps ears, and the bpal forum has a swap/sale section and people often ship internationally.
        • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

          Thu, March 29, 2007 - 7:30 PM
          I feel your pain. I'm hoping they may allow me to showcase their wares in my store when it opens, but the request sheet from them was sooooo overprotective I laughed out loud: How much of your floor space will you be devoting to our product.....how much visibility will our product have....what kind of clientele will you be retailing to?

          Instead of: Yay! An untapped market, and someone who wants to give us money!

          I want to try their stuff...but they seem a little...um...weird?
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Thu, April 5, 2007 - 10:47 PM
    Wow, great post!

    I find that subtle is better. I've gotten addicted to my Kama Sutra Clove shower gel (YUM!) which leaves a gentle scent.

    I also powder up with the Kama Sutra Honey Dust, which is natural, edible, in 4 flavors, and smells oh-so-sweet without being gross. Absorbs sweat and glows a bit, too.

    They have a line of massage oils, creams, and butters that are incredible, but not overpowering. Just rub in a bit and you can get a sweet, fruity, spicy , or earthy scent of your choice.

    If you have any trouble finding any of this, I also sell the Kama Sutra line, so you can drop me a PM if you're interested.
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Mon, April 16, 2007 - 7:28 AM
    THERE IS NOTHING MORE ENCHANTING THAN WEARING A SOFT, WAKE UP YOUR SENSES PERFUME. I USUALLY WEAR, CHANEL, MADEMOISELLE COCO. IT HAS A LIGHT LILAC, SOFT SMELL. I SPRAY A DAB ON MY VEIL, BEFORE I MAKE AN ENTRANCE. PEOPLE OFTEN COMMENT AND ASK. WHAT THAT BEAUTIFUL SCENT WAS. AND WHILE YOUR TWIRLING YOUR VEIL, THEY ARE ENTRANCED. TRY IT!
  • Re: what's a bellydancer smell like?

    Tue, April 17, 2007 - 9:49 AM
    Guerlain Samsara. I always (and only) wear it for dancing, so it's really Nadira's perfume. I highly recommend picking a dance fragrance - it gets you into character, and definitely sets the mood for your audience. Just be sure that you don't wear too much; my rule for performance is that you should only be smellable within about an arm's length (or maaaaybe an arm and a half). This is especially important when food is being served; your audience needs to be able to taste their dinner!

    Some other good options:
    - Shalimar
    (Emeraude is a much cheaper version. It doesn't have as good-quality a base, so it doesn't have the same addictive quality, but should be fine for non-close contact.)
    - Opium

    These are both a little expensive, but really nice, and most makeup counters will have them for you to try on. You can also get minis of a lot of them. I've had good luck with minis at:
    perfumeemporium.com
    fragrancenet.com

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