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.

My sample of eau des delices still not here :-(

@MrsApplepants Impulse O2 was lovely and also very typical of the 90s fresh'n'clean vibe. If you want something equally fresh, try Crabtree and Evelyn West Indian Lime or DKNY Be Delicious. O2 was all about the apple and lime so either of those might do the trick.

@31RueCambon if it doesn't arrive next week, I'll see if I've got one spare. xx

@LumiereLennie Now that's one I definitely haven't come across!

@LumiereLennie by the way, glad you like Surreal Sky. I wasn't sure if it would be an exact match,, but so cheap you might not go off me if it wasn't. I start a drawer of Avon fragrances in the run up to Christmas and everyone gets one! (NB I'm a fan not a rep)

@MrsApplepants if you can get hold of Library of Fragrance or Demeter Gin & Tonic, I think you'd like it lots.

Yayy! Thank you! It should arrive! 10.70! But thank you for that offer

Im happily stuck in the 90s perfume wise,!

@31RueCambon It was a great decade for perfume. These days, everything has added sugar, but in the 90s it was all about ozonics, greens and aquatics. I wore Chanel Cristalle for almost the whole decade. All my friends smelled of L'Eau D'Issey. Good times..

They were indeed!!

@MissBattleaxe if you get the chance you absolutely must - it smells like childhood and innocence and love. And sweet shops. Abslush. Have vac-bagged Dumbo to preserve it!

Abslush?! Absolutely lush, that should have read!

Great thread! I was at uni from 96-99 - so reminded me of J-P Gaultier and Issey Miyake....good times! I also had an M&S one which smelt not too dissimilar to L'Eau Dissey. Two questions from me 1. What's an indie perfume (have seen earlier in this thread), 2. What do you see as the up and coming trends for perfume?

@MissBattleaxe I hope this isn't a negative question after all the great questions you've answered! I love the idea of perfume but most I've been around give me a shocking headache and nausea, including some hand creams and soaps.

Is there any particular ingredient or variety of perfume that tends to set this off in people? Are there any perfumes known to be less likely to cause headaches/reactions?

Has anyone ever said to you that your perfume gives them a headache and how did you feel about that? I've had to mention it to work colleagues a few times and I feel awful about it, as it's like you're insulting them.

@Maranello4 Firstly, an indie perfumer is an independent who works for themselves rather than Marc Jacobs, Dior etc. Some examples are Sarah McCartney at 4160 Tuesdays, Liz Moores at Papillon Artisan Perfumery, Andy Tauer at Tauer Perfumes and Ruth Mastenbroek at Ruth Mastenbroek. These are all perfumers who actually make it themselves by hand.

By the way, the M&S one used to be called Isis but changed its name to Aqua. It's a dead ringer for L'Eau D'Issey.

Second part of the question: I think that the big vanilla cupcake praline tsunami might be getting smaller. I see more of an appetite for green and clean. Us 90s girls will be happy!

@memaymamo I welcome all questions! This happens to some people for various reasons with different ingredients. Sometimes its not the perfume's fault, because otherwise it would happen to everyone. I can best explain it as an extreme trigger by association. For example, I feel nauseous when I smell Pernod, but not everyone does or it would have gone out of business. There is one perfume that repelled me so much that I vowed never to smell it again as it actually made me gag, but it has lots of fans, so it's not the perfume, it's just me!

I do agree with you about wearing -perfume to work, especially if you share an office or are open plan. When I worked in an office, I used little rollerballs and they were usually just citrus or violet. My husband tells me there's some sort of competitive perfuming thing going in his office where the women outblast each other and he has to open a window!

Reading with interest!

My friends at work have been spraying a fig/pomegranate spray from Home Bargains and it has been nice!

There are a lot of "homage" fragrances that are not dissimilar to Jo Malone. I even found a little variety pack of minis in Poundland for £2! Whilst I can't endorse dupes or copies on my blog, you won't find me judging anyone! And yes, that Lidl Suddenly Madame Glamour is almost identical to Chanel Mademoiselle but not as long lasting.

On holiday I was given a sample of Chanel Gabrielle. I finally looked up how much it is and was shocked (yes I'm quite a perfume virgin).

Is it worth the price? I love the smell but I tend to stop smelling it as the day goes on so have no idea if it is actually any good! Any idea of any cheaper similar brands?

@IsThisValidEnough just my point of view but Gabrielle didn't last long on me. Here's my review. Basically if it lasts it's worth it because it's lovely but didn't stick around on me personally. You might get better results. iscentyouaday.com/2017/09/30/chanel-gabrielle-a-tribute-to-the-modern-woman/

Ooo great thank you! Yes I think it is wearing off quickly on me too...not what I would expect for the price!

@Ohhhh sorry for late reply!! Yes they do, and I've never had customs

@TeethingBabyHelp I love the MMM replica range and they last well on me. I have lazy Sunday morning and beach walk

Great review, I read the remarks and you're right, it's definitely made me want to go and sniff all the other chanels! Do you have one you recommend? Or one better than Gabrielle?

This is the most interesting thread I have ever read, so thank you.
I like violets and baby powder, and Bodyshop Samarkand, which I adored and wore every day until my last bottle turned brownish and died...though I still have the empty one to sniff.
I surprised myself recently by randomly spraying myself with Eden at the queue in Superdrug. It dried to a lovely comforting sweetness. Most perfumes don’t last on me at all but I went back and bought Eden the next day.
What I really came on to say is , I prefer most aftershaves to perfumes. This embarrasses my husband in shops. He’d happily buy me perfume though, and I don’t know what to ask for. Any suggestions for me?