Wish I could find my "signature" perfume

[Outcomesthebunnyofdeath]

I'm struggling to find a perfume that would be my everyday go to. For years I wore Ralph by Ralph Lauren - in the turquoise packaging and whilst I still like it, I now think it is a bit teen-agery for me. I'm in my late 30's and want something a bit more sophisticated. Plus there is a Fairy liquid now that smells exactly like it!

I love Jo Malone's nectarine and honey and also english pear and freesia but they just don't have the staying power. I can't smell them after about half an hour and they are costly enough that I would expect them to last a little longer.

I like citrussy, fruity, sweet scents but with a bit of warmth too. I've tried DKNY Women today, which is nice but I don't LOVE it, and DKNY Be Delicious the red apple one, ditto as before.

Any ideas? I just want a scent to fall in love with.

[gingerboy1912]

Watching with interest, I'm still trying to discover a scent that I love, and I also liked fruity citrus type scents

[Zampa]

Why don't you try a smaller producer of scents? Somewhere like Angela Flanders (based in London but does mail order)?

Or focus on the notes that you like and search on Fragrantica for similar scents?

It took me a long time to discover that tuberose was my favourite scent but now it's all I wear.

[Zampa]

Good post here re freesia scents on Fragrantica;

www.fragrantica.com/board/viewtopic.php?id=19030

[Outcomesthebunnyofdeath]

Thanks Zampa, yes I lurk on the perfumistas thread and rarely have a clue what they are talking about! I have only ever tried the more commercial brands.

I do need to branch out a bit and get some samples methinks. I've been on Fragrantica and looked at the suggestions and have tried quite a few of them. None of them have hit the wow note yet.

[Outcomesthebunnyofdeath]

Ooh! Thanks, there are some new ones there :)

[Wolpertinger]

Why not get some samples from Surrender to Chance or the Perfumed Court? You could pick a citrus or freesia selection pack and work from there - be warned you will give up on the idea of a signature scent though as there'll be too many you love

[Outcomesthebunnyofdeath]

Thank you Wolpertinger, I've just had a quick look and they look like an interesting idea.

[bingohandjob]

Philosykos is gorgeous, Pomelo is lovely as is Origins Ginger Essence.

[MissBattleaxe]

If you like Pear, try Miller Harris Poirier D'Un Soir or Rochas Soleil. If you like Freesia try Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue- very cheap right now. Also try Avon Today- it's got freesias and is only about £9.

You could also try buying a Discovery Set from The Perfume Society. They are around £12 -£15 and you get ten excellent mainstream and niche samples with them. You don't need to subscribe or get one every month. perfumesociety.org/shop-now/

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

Try Acqua di Parma

[Outcomesthebunnyofdeath]

Thank you all,

I've looked all of the suggestions up and they all sound gorgeous. I wish I could just sniff them from here!

Perfume society looks great too. Much to look into.

[CointreauVersial]

I don't think you need a "signature scent". It's far nicer to try lots of different things.

I have a large collection of samples and decants, and choose the day's fragrance based on all sorts of things - how I'm feeling, what the weather is like, what clothes I'm wearing (yes, really). Fragrance becomes part of my outfit for the day.

Yes to Perfume Society and Surrender to Chance!

[cressetmama]

I'm with Cointreau. I get the wish to have a recognisable scent signature, but there are so many wonderful fragrances out there that it would feel like short changing myself, and for no good reason. Enjoy your voyage of discovery; you will find favourites and return to them along the way, but don't make big bottle commitments too soon.

[MissBattleaxe]

I'm with Cointreau and Cresset too. I used to have a signature scent until I got the perfumista addiction a few years ago and now I smell different every day. My favourite part of the day is choosing how I smell. In fact when I have an event to go to I think more about the perfume than the outfit.

[midnightmoomoo]

Ok, sounds old lady-ish but I've just bought a new scent from Crabtree and Evelyn called Pear and Pink Magnolia and it's gorgeous! Lasts really well too. I went in while Xmas shopping and I was quite impressed by the range of scents in there, and they're a bit unusual too.

[TweenageAngst]

I tried Santa Eulalia Citric in Liberty today as I am a citrus fan. I really love it, warm spicy Citrus with outstanding longevity . Will buy a FB
I bought a full bottle of Roma by Laura Biagiotti after Toys sent me a sample. Loads of people ask what it is.
I also have Le Jardin sur le nil and Un Jardin en mediteranee and Voyage d'hermes all Hermes
Also have Philosykos from Diptyque. Mure et Musc and seville a l'aube from artisan.
I have many others but these are the core ones I find myself reaching for. So I don't have a signature scent as such but rather a signature theme which revolves around spicy green citrus with a dash of white floral thrown in.
I love the perfume threads, I have learnt so much!

[Outcomesthebunnyofdeath]

I like the idea of choosing something different depending on my mood and clothing.

Nearly, very nearly, ordered a box from Perfume Society and then chickened out as it is a blossom theme and the last few were all Yardley - which reminds me of buying my mum gift sets from the chemist when I was a girl!

Tempted also by the party box but I'm scared not to like any of them, or just one and only have 2ml that I like for £17...... I need to take the plunge don't I, if I'm going to get anywhere.

[Outcomesthebunnyofdeath]

Many give me insta-headaches too, which is why I'm a little bit frightened :)

[P1nkP0ppy]

Miss Dior, Cabochard by Grès, Ysatis by Givenchy, I have at least 10 perfumes at any one time! I could never restrict myself to one or two.
Today it's Pomegranate Noir (Jo Malone, and quite long lasting), tomorrow might be YSL Paris, wonderful violet perfume.
I also like Liz Earle and Clarins.

[Destinysdaughter]

Personally think you have to go into a big dept store and try one or two, see how they smell on you and how long they last. I'd be v nervous of buying perfumes online even if they're samples as it's such an individual, real life ( not virtual ) thing.

[FrustratedFrugal]

I think looking for a signature scent is a bit like looking for the perfect boyfriend. Last year I was intimate with Vega and Shalimar Mexique, this year it's Mitsouko. And I seem to find a new fresh perfume every summer.

You reminded me that I need to find my Slumberhouse samples - Pear and Olive...

[Outcomesthebunnyofdeath]

I think looking for a signature scent is a bit like looking for the perfect boyfriend.

[Wolpertinger]

Outcomes I get a lot of instant headaches from perfumes as well. Shopping for decants really helped as it doesn't feel so much of a waste to chuck a decant as get a bottle and realise it was a disaster.

You also quickly get an idea what notes are setting off your headache - for me it's aldehydes so I pretty much avoid them now, doesn't matter there are loads of fragrances without them. Sadly it did rule out basically all the Chanels but no more headaches and lots of lovely perfume for me now

[HopefulAnxiety]

Go to a big department store - a big John Lewis or a House of Fraser - and try a bunch. Ask for samples. You really need to try perfume on the skin so it warms up and the notes develop. Brands like Hermes are a nice 'in between' stage between the big brand perfumes and the niche brands. Also smaller brands like Fragonard are good - they sell Fragonard in M&S and it's great value but also 'proper' perfume with a lot of perfumery heritage to the brand.

Try sites like Nose where it gives you suggestions based on things you already like.

Don't worry about getting sample sprays you don't like, you can always swap them - I bet even the perfumista thread here would be happy to swap with you. Perfume fans have a great barter economy

But honestly the fun of perfume is wearing different things!

[HopefulAnxiety]

Also I also get headaches from aldehydes, they are mega unpleasantly powdery on me - no Chanel for me!

Also Tresor is a weird shouty green perfume on me? It's like a grannyfied super green Chanel on me.

We all have our own skin chemistry that changes things - there are loads of perfumes that smell good to me out of the bottle but turn to evil when on my skin!