I'm a perfume blogger- Ask me anything

[MissBattleaxe]

I've been blogging about perfume since 2013. Ask me anything. No snobbery, all budgets and nothing is off the table.

@which1 and @definitleyshouldknowbetter I have a little sample of Sensi, which i shall try on skin and then report back. It's bound to remind me of something! watch this space.

@origamiunicorn Good question. Angel is one example. Smells like chocolate and aftershave on me, but utterly divine on SIL and positively floral on my friend's daughter. It could be Ph levels, age, temperature, anything, but I definitely believe the same perfume will smell different on everyone. My mum is 71 and smells incredible in orientals. They just really bloom on her. They don't smell as good on me, although I love them.

This may be a very weird question, sorry, but where should I start if I want a perfume that smells more like shampoo rather than traditional perfumes? I struggle to get into perfumes to wear every day as whatever I try always smells too 'perfumy' to me, not light and clean enough, whereas I often smell shampoos that I'd happily spray all over me if I could, where should I start to find a perfume like that?

@Nowisthemonthofmaying I love Lion Cupboard! Have you tried the Great Randello? I didn't like it back in 2014 but I stumbled across a sample recently and thought "where have you been all my life!"

@LorelaiRoryEmily That one has a lot of fans! I've never smelled it but the main notes are tea, citrus, violet, cedar and rose. Some people say it smells like Yves Rocher Oui a L'Amour,. Yves Rocher don't operate in the Uk anymore, but there are plenty on ebay.

@LumiereLennie sorry if I missed you out. The kids are off and one distraction could mean I'm gone for ten hours!

Right Sui Love. It's not quite the same, but try Avon Surreal Island. I might be wrong, but it's only £7 a bottle, so if I am, you can still pay the bills.

iscentyouaday.com/2019/06/13/avon-surreal-island-edt-2009/

I'm after a strong night time perfume with no musk or vanilla in it.Have you got any recommendations? Thanks

@bluestripedtop before I look into it, do you mean this one?

@31RueCambon Inis Energy of The Sea is a wonderful fresh marine scent. It's not like the Jo Malone one, which is lovely but less marine-y and with a nice whisper of musk at the end.

Here's my review of Inis iscentyouaday.com/2017/11/17/inis-the-energy-of-the-sea/

@BrunettesDoItBetter How about a nice chypre? non sweet, packs a punch, sophisticated? Lanvin Arpege, Chanel Coco, Lancome Magie Noire. If you want samples, try The Perfume Society Discovery Boxes or Notino.

I have to go in a minute so I have answered a few quick ones out of sync. I'll be back for the longer ones and I promise I won't miss you out! please bump if I do!

Thank you!! Immediately onto it with my local Avon rep - will report back! Have also bookmarked your blog!

I love First by VC&A. I haven’t worn it for years. I must pop out and get some soon.

I really love Sexy 9 by Trish McEvoy, but it is only sold by a couple of outlets which is a shame as all her perfumes are beautiful- as is the makeup. Can you recommend as similar?

My favourite perfume as a 12/13 year old was It by Lentheric. Oh god, what did I smell like??

Can you recommend a cheaper alternative to Giorgio Armani Si please? I can't justify the cost now I have DD but I love the smell. Thank you

What's a good budget perfume?
Or have you tried any from primary?

@LumiereLennie you can buy online too, although I do love my Avon lady.

@Bellystuffer there are no weird questions when it comes to perfume!
I love shampoo/clean smell too.

Try JLo Glow, Avon Pur Blanca, Philosophy Amazing Grace or Britney Midnight Fantasy which smells like lovely fruity shower gel.

I loved Gucci envy. Is there another scent that smells the same that you could recommend please.

@sodrained Sorry i forgot to answer pt 2 of your question. Nina Ricci Ricci Ricci. It's a rhubarby one, and I confess I haven't smelled it, but other rhubarby ones include Hermes Jour D'Hermes, Miller Harris Lost in the City, and 4160 Tuesdays Rhubarb and Custard.

@CmdrCressidaDuck Lucky you being in London and wanting to try perfume! You are perfectly placed.

First of all, I really rate Penhaligon's. They've been around since the 1860s and have a great range of traditional gentleman style stuff and more modern florals and general loveliness. I like Vaara, Malabah, Lily of the Valley and Iris Prima.

Secondly, try the Jovoy or Les Senteurs shops for a great range of niche and classic, although sometimes a bit spendy. Also, and I know I've said this a lot, but try The Perfume Society Discovery Boxes. They have loads of samples in and you can take your time at home instead of coming home covered in a 100 perfumes!

I like Diorissimo and use it all the time. Can you suggest an alternative please. I have tested a few florals but not found anything I like. As a young women I wore the original Je Reviens but dislike the new version. I like scented flowers in the garden like lilacs and honeysuckle (not roses). Thank you

BPAL has a huge cult following - what are your thoughts? Are they paying for edgy scent names or decent quality?

@MissBattleaxe this one. And the matching mens.

My Avon Lady is a friend, so she’s on it - thank you! I remembered my other scent-related question: do you know of any scents that have a ‘black amber’ scent in there? Having had a spa day with black amber and ginger aromas a few years ago, I’m wondering if that is something that is also suitable to be worn, or whether it is just something that works as a room fragrance? I have a Shearer Amber Noir candle if so!

My fave perfume of all time was EL Brazilian dream. 10 years ago. It reminded me of frangipani. Gutted I can't find a replica. Do you know any perfumes with frangipani? I've found jasmine but not frangipani and this is my favourite flower to look at and due to its gorgeous fragrant scent.