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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?

Barmyoldbat Sat 12-Nov-16 14:14:20

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.

Brigidsdaughter Sat 12-Nov-16 14:39:42

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.

DanniRae Sat 12-Nov-16 14:54:55

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.

DanniRae Sat 12-Nov-16 14:56:22

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

mrshat Sat 12-Nov-16 15:10:05

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! grin

Sillynanny65 Sat 12-Nov-16 15:19:27

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.

GrammaH Sat 12-Nov-16 15:20:44

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

GrammaH Sat 12-Nov-16 15:23:26

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

Nonny Sat 12-Nov-16 16:47:49

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

Theoddbird Sat 12-Nov-16 17:16:25

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

Roxannediane Sat 12-Nov-16 17:28:39

Jo Malone red roses - on my third bottle!

Bellasnana Sat 12-Nov-16 17:47:06

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.sad

sluttygran Sat 12-Nov-16 18:37:47

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! blush

CrazyDaisy Sat 12-Nov-16 18:56:01

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.smile

CrazyDaisy Sat 12-Nov-16 18:57:30

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

J52 Sat 12-Nov-16 19:06:22

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!

starlily106 Sat 12-Nov-16 20:21:59

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.

JS06 Sat 12-Nov-16 20:23:28

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.

lizzypopbottle Sat 12-Nov-16 21:16:42

Many years ago, I was reading a feature on perfumes in a magazine while I was having my hair done. The article focused on what men thought of women's perfumes. The perfume that most made men want to hug the woman wearing it was L'ancome Tresor, and being short of hugs at the time, I dashed out to buy some. It hasn't netted me all that many hugs but I love it.

amt101 Sat 12-Nov-16 21:31:14

Most of my perfumes were introduced years ago. I love Blue Grass; Je Revien; Dynamisant; Flowers (Kenzo). But I would just love a perfume house to bring back Hartnell's In Love - still my favourite.

Gaggi3 Sat 12-Nov-16 22:09:35

The first gift my husband gave me, when we had just met, was Vent Vert by Balmain. He just happened to have it by him, having bought it in duty free, in case he met anyone he wanted to give it to. 51 years later he is still great at presents.

grannybuy Sat 12-Nov-16 23:36:15

Have used Clinique Aromatics for many years, to the extent that for my 5 GC, it is synonymous with Granny. However, many years ago, a male colleague, who had been paying me attention, presented me with a gift of Carven Ma Griffe. I really liked it, but it eventually seemed to disappear from the market. Two years ago, DD2 spotted that it was available again, and bought it for my Christmas. Now I am working between 2 favourites, though always use the Clinique when GC are coming.

portiatrue Sat 12-Nov-16 23:50:44

Pomelo by Jo loves - gorgeous.

portiatrue Sun 13-Nov-16 01:17:53

Pomelo by Jo loves - gorgeous.

Lisalou Sun 13-Nov-16 06:17:21

I havent had an expensive scent for years. Just cant afford them. My favourite was always Anaïs Anaïs by Cacharel. Now I wear Body Shop White musk. Family know of my love and i often get it for Christmas.