I'm a perfume blogger- Ask me anything

Oooh. What is your all time favourite perfume and which do you think is massively overrated/don't understand it's popularity?

Great question. My all time favourite is First by Van Cleef and Arpels. I don't like to slate perfumes as somebody, somewhere might be offended and love the ones I don't like, but I do disapprove of ridiculously priced fragrances that run into £200 or £300. That's getting into status symbol territory and i think perfume should just make you feel good. I have some Avon ones I love that cost me £7 and some I've been given that would cost more. I like both.

Do you make money from it?

Fragrances don’t seem to last on me anymore? I’m convinced that the testers are different to the products sold as they seem to last ...
Could this be the case ?

Can you please suggest a citrus perfume that lasts ?

Ooooh! Can you recommend a really long lasting scent that isn't sweet?

I hate the cloying, Angel type of perfumes, but they are the only ones that seem to last more than three seconds.

(I love Penhlligan's Blasted Bloom if that gives you a steer as to my taste).

Which 'celebrity' scent do you really rate?

@Screamqueenz not really, but I do perfume copy writing and social media for private clients. The actual blog breaks even by the time I've paid hosting fees and received tiny payments from skimlinks and Google ads. I do get freebies but I declare it.

I love body lotions that you can layer with a perfume, aromatics do this Angel also. Why do so few do this?

Is it possible to still get the original Charlie perfume that was around in the 70s?
(Not this nasty Charlie Blue and various other colours).

Nectarine recommendations please 😊

What are your thoughts on 'layering' a scent? My nana was a big fan of matching deodorant, body lotion, body spray and perfume... It definitely made an impression!

@Speckledyhen There are two things going on. Firstly, your nose might have adjusted to your scent so you can't smell it but others can. Ask a friend after a few hours! Secondly, scent lasts longer if its eau de parfum rather than eau de toilette and thirdly you can use little tricks like moisturising skin or even putting lip balm on your wrists first.

@ivykay44 You're on to a winner there. layering definitely makes it last longer. My advice would be to go on eBay because loads of people get the body lotion in a gift set but don't want it or use it.

What's your favourite indie brand?

@endofthelinefinally Many perfumes have been reformulated due to compliance and sometimes cost. Vintage perfumes are often available on eBay but sadly, it's usually the case that when it's gone, it's gone. YSL Opium is a case in point. The old smells nothing like the new and fans are upset!

@hoxt off the top of my head, Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Nectarine. Gorgeous and cheap as chips. Not very strong, but the fun is in the refreshing top up at lunch time.

I have two questions if that’s ok!

I used to love DKNY Be Delicious Red and have never managed to find anything I like as much since it’s been discontinued. Is there anything you’d recommend that has a similar smell? I’ve tried the newer dkny ones and don’t really like them.

Also, what perfumes do you think have a “comforting” smell?

I LOVE perfume!!!!

Most of what I buy is Chanel but the Avon ones are also really great value

People seem to think eau de toilette is better, but I have a friend who thinks eau de parfum is better. Please can you tell me what you think?

@Longpurples Your nana was a classy woman. She's right. Body lotion is especially good as perfume tends to stick to moisturised skin more than very dry skin.

@YesQueen My favourite indie brands are 4160 Tuesdays, Papillon Artisan Perfumery, Andy Tauer and Le Jardin Retrouve (for full disclosure they're a client of mine but I loved them long before I worked for them.

@riotlady comofrting is different for everyone but Next Cashmere is the perfect duvet day scent andIi also love really clean scents for hangover days when you just want to watch Netflix in your PJs. I love Eau de Cartier and 4160 Tuesdays Sex Goddess. I also love Coty L'Aimant as it smells like my late Nanna T and she was such a lady.

@MissBattleaxe. Thank you! DD has fallen in love with Jimmy Choo floral but I’m too mean to buy it for her 😂. Cheap as chips sounds perfect!