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perfume - to buy or be given

(119 Posts)
jordana Fri 11-Nov-16 13:05:17

I will be buying perfume as usual for my daughter and d-in-law. I know what they like and they have not objected to this. However, it got me thinking as to whether women prefer to buy their own perfume or receive it as a gift? My hubbie has no sense of smell so perfume is wasted on him and he couldn't buy me any unless I tell him advance which one I like ( usually falls on deaf ears anyway!) Personally, I usually buy my own. Another question is : do you think perfume is worth the expense?

Llamedos13 Sat 12-Nov-16 12:59:57

Not even a wee dab of Coco Chanel Wobblybits?

Yorkshiregel Sat 12-Nov-16 12:58:15

I do not go out a lot so do not wear anything except Yardley Sandlewood during the day. I do however have a cupboard full of Chanel of different kinds which I have been given. Chanel 19 and 5 and also Coco which my brother gave to me at Christmas. I wondered how long perfumes last if they have not been opened? I also like Fidji, Guy Loroche, and people have commented on how nice that smells.

Wobblybits Sat 12-Nov-16 12:49:33

A little dab of C5 and nothing else grin

Llamedos13 Sat 12-Nov-16 12:47:24

You can not go wrong with a little dab of anything by Chanel.

muddynails Sat 12-Nov-16 12:42:36

I used to wear Estee Lauder "Knowing" adored it, people often stopped me to ask what perfume I was wearing, then, something to do with the EU a certain ingredient were no longer allowed and it completely changed the scent, now at a loss as what to wear,
if there is any-one out there in similar situation and found replacement love to hear about their choice

pattie Sat 12-Nov-16 12:30:26

I like aromatic elixir by Clinique . Just found it and wear it everyday.

Bijou Sat 12-Nov-16 12:18:15

LIdl Suddenly. The scent lasts longer than some expensive perfumes. Femme by Rochas. Used to always use Jolie Madame but I think it must be discontinued. The basis of most perfumes is something extracted from a gland of the civit cat in order to stabilise it.

Luckygirl Sat 12-Nov-16 11:59:13

There is definitely an unpleasant after smell with perfumes - they start off as they are meant to be then degenerate into the standard base smell.

soldiersailor Sat 12-Nov-16 11:59:03

Ok ladies, I know that perfumes are a very personal choice but there's one that I and about all my male friends and colleagues agree on to a man - we can't abide Poison, its penetrating and it's horrible!

Nanna58 Sat 12-Nov-16 11:46:08

Love Jo Malone and Chanel, but too expensive now retired -however- read several artic also in national news that Lidl's 'Suddenly' perfume and Chanel 'Coco mademoiselle' could not be told apart even by experts, so bought some. It's true! It's lovely ! It's £3.99 ! Lol

tigerfangran Sat 12-Nov-16 11:39:04

I have worn Prada amber for years.Love it

pollyperkins Sat 12-Nov-16 11:36:41

The only one I like is Chanel no 5. Ridiculously expensive so save it for special occasions. DH buys rhe eau De toilette for me at duty free when we travel ad he likes it (on me!)

Dharmacat Sat 12-Nov-16 11:34:10

Would not buy perfume for a relative/friend unless i checked first as to their preference. Have had so many generous gifts of the "popular" brands over the years which smell revolting on my skin - do not want to sell of burnt toffee or fruity chemicals. I am a Jo Malone fan , Wood Sage and Sea Salt at present, but as I do not spend a great deal on make up, expensive perfume is my luxury.
Luckily my husband knows the brand and always asks which is my current preference: bless.
Wish I could afford the Jo Malone candles but wow! out of my price range.
The French brand Durance has very pleasant body lotions / shower gels etc. which we use (living in France), but not cheap.

Mauriherb Sat 12-Nov-16 11:34:02

I never wear perfume because I find that many people wear too much and it gives me a headache. I can't bear sitting next to someone first thing in the morning whose drenched themselves in youth dew or something similar.

Bluecat Sat 12-Nov-16 11:20:45

I love perfume, particularly Hypnotic Poison by Dior. My daughter buys it for me as a gift, and says it always makes her think of me. My DH wouldn't have the faintest idea what to get, even though I've been wearing it for years.

Gaggi3 Sat 12-Nov-16 11:10:09

I wear Jo Malone, Femme by Rochas, Chanel No. 5, and Diorissimo by Dior, not all at the same time, I hasten to add.
Googled skunk oil and the chemistry of perfume. Can't find any reference to skunk oil in perfume.

gran5up Sat 12-Nov-16 11:02:19

When teaching, I always had a small plastic bottle of Body Shop "Samarkand" in my pocket, next to the pack of tissues I shared with sniffly teens.Gave one of these to Pupil A,he sniffed,"smells good Miss" so I told him sadly that "Samarkand" was no longer available, BS had said so. He found me a big bottle for £40! It will, I think and hope, see me out!

ninuksmith Sat 12-Nov-16 10:58:05

Marc Jacobs original was my favourite for a long time until I found Jo Malone's lime, basil and mandarin which I find more suitable for daytime. Marc Jacob or Channel no.5 in the evening on special occasions. I do love the Liz Earle's, aromatherapy associates collections and Neom's collections too.

harrigran Sat 12-Nov-16 10:56:53

I am often given perfume as gifts, my friends and family have very good taste. If I see a perfume I fancy I buy it myself. Favourites, at present, are Pomegranate noir by Jo Malone and Magnolia and mure by L'Occitane but also love Serge Lutens and Tom Ford perfumes.

Wobblybits Sat 12-Nov-16 10:56:53

I know I'm at risk of being called some sort of something, but I buy MrsP Channel5 because I like it (and luckily she says she does as well) When I say I like it, I mean I like her wearing it.
Last years empty bottle was left on the side for recycling, so I guess that might have been a hint for the coming Christmas.

jeapurs54 Sat 12-Nov-16 10:53:56

I have been fortunate enough to win Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb. It is a lovely perfume and after entering a competition I was so pleased this arrived in the post and all done up in a Cracker. Dior Pure Poison is another favourite but more suitable for evenings. I love going in to larger department stores and see what new perfumes are like and have a quick spray sometimes. Most of them are not in my price range so if Im lucky enough to get a sample I am happy these last a while and gives me the chance to decide if it's worth spending the money.

Sourcerer48 Sat 12-Nov-16 10:50:13

When I was young I used to wear Sea Jade by Yardley. Such a lovely fresh perfume which unfortunately has been discontinued for many years.
Also love Madame Rochas which is an old classic (my mum's favourite) also on it's way out.
Now wear Eden by Cacharel which I discovered quite by chance and loved.
Jo Malone's Amber & Lavender for when special spoiling is required!

dragonfly46 Sat 12-Nov-16 10:48:34

I use Angel and people often comment on it and say how lovely it is!

sillup Sat 12-Nov-16 10:48:08

It's been opium for many years now.

SueDoku Sat 12-Nov-16 10:36:33

My skin tends to make most perfumes smell as though there's some rotting fruit about shock and as I also have asthma, I stick to the one perfume that I know smells good on me - Ysatis...! I've used it for years, and have no idea what I'd do if it's ever discontinued...! hmm. I'd probably opt for no perfume at all...