perfume - to buy or be given

My go to perfume remains Chanel No 5 but in the last couple of years I've taken to Hermes Absolute - warm, sophisticated, elegant - it always gets noticed (for the right reasons) by folk I'm with.

My favourite is Chloë, but it has to be the eau de toilette, not the eau de parfum. (they smell completely different and i hate the parfum). I also like Diane, and Florentyna. I am going to try the midnight floral one, so thanks to Lupatria for mentioning it.

I recently found Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue. It was on offer at duty free. It quite old now, but is lovely with a hint of Lilly of the Valley.

Not everywhere stocks it and I think it probably is being phased out, so I've got a little hoard!

Now, lets see if I've jinxed the thread and I'm the last poster as often happens .

Samsara by Guerlain is my favourite but as DH can't smell it, I hardly ever wear it. I'm also wary of wearing perfume as I find that so many perfumes that others wear, give me an instant headache and I don't want to inflict that on anyone else.

Having said that, I think that some people tend to put too much on, when a little goes a long way. I have been told that if you can't smell your favourite perfume on yourself after a few minutes, you still have enough on but your sense of smell has become used to it. Just don't go and drench yourself in it and spoil the subtle effect.

I love perfume on others, but as several people have complained, most brands pong of something unmentionable on me.
I can only wear very light, fresh colognes, and my life-time favourite has been Yardley Lavender. I asked for it in Boots recently, and was told it was on the 'cheaper' perfume shelf. What a put-down!

My dear departed mum used to souse herself in Opium or Chanel No 5. I had to take allergy pills as strong perfume causes hay-feverish symptoms for me, and gives me a terrible headache.

In my youth I loved Alliage by Estée Lauder but don't bother with perfume much any more as it is so hard to find one that doesn't make me sneeze.

Jo Malone red roses - on my third bottle!

I wear Chanel No 5 and Prada L'eau Ambree. Love both of them.

I love Christian Dior's Diorissimo which I have used for years and Anais anais.

Oh, and I buy Jo Malone myself & DH gives me Estee when I run out!

Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin for daytime and Estee Lauded Modern Muse for evenings. Both delicious!

I wear Rive Gauche by yves Saint Laurent during the day and get many people commenting on the lovely smell. When I go out at night somewhere special I wear Ysatis byGivenchy. In my teen years I wore Pagan which I occasionally wear now it's so cheap butt the scent does last, and it brings back some lovely memories.

Eau Dynamisante by Clarins and also L'air du Temps (only recently back on my shelf after approx. 40 years!!). Would love to have some Chanel No 5 again. Other than that, I'm not very adventurous!

PS. I love perfume on me but wish I could remember to put it on everyday!

My daughter keeps me supplied with Jo Malone's "Grapefruit" - Christmas and birthdays.

I also have a bottle of "Angel" - well second bottle of it as 1st one was stolen in a burglary and I replaced it with insurance money.

Mention of Hartnell's "In Love" brought back memories of my mum buying me some of the talc for a birthday present. It came in a pink, heart shaped container. I was quite young and delighted with such a grown up present.

Dh usually buys my perfume and has given me lots over the years. The one that has stayed with me is the original one by Issey Myaki. DS got me 'Quercus' by Penhalligans. Wonderful stuff.
I wear perfume most days.

Just love Channel 5, I have tried others but always come back to C5. Sometimes just dab a bit on when I am going out as I dont wear any makeup and it does give me a boost.

For daytime M & S Azure Breeze - identical to Light Blue. Special occasions Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia.D.H. buys this for me. My dgd bought me some Next gold and I love it. For many years I wore Lancome miracle but didn't like to 'newer'version.
I am always afraid of my clothes smelling of stale perfume. I have smelled that on lots of older women and it puts me off.

Footnote! I presume you ladies who are fans of Jo Malone know that the lady has re-launched under her new name of 'Jo loves'

I tend to stick to the same brand but I do try any new aromas they launch and then revert to my favourite (Jo Loves - Pomelle) if they don't hit the spot. However my all time favourite was Hartnell's In Love. Think it has long since ceased production but if any of you kind ladies can prove me wrong I'd be seriously delighted. I live in hope..........

Oh yes definitely a wee dab of Channel 5, but that's it (but not in public.

No 5, Coco, Joy are what I usually wear ( not all at the same time )

Chanel No5 is for special occassions, other Chanel Perfumes don't suit my skin & smell awful (my DiL says Chanel No5 smells like cat's p* on her but she loves it on me)

Chloe is my daytime perfume I buy my own perfume as it's too expensive for my small family to buy me.

I hate perfumes like Obsession, Poison & any other heavy ones - they bring out an allergic reaction (like hay fever), don't see why any-one wants "to bathe in the stuff" - keep it light Ladies please

Miss Dior Originale,Sisley Soir de Lune, Jo Malone Line Basil, Mandarine, Diorissimo, Femme and Madame Rochas. I buy them all except Jo M ince a year with a small annual bonus and all on discount from Fragrance Direct