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.

Oh the sample of eau des delices finally arrived @MissBattleaxe, and I see why you suggested it. It is like a stronger version of Eau de Givenchy but there is something else in there as well and that's something else is ruining it. I wonder if the saample has gone off.
The something else is like the natural smell of somebody unhealthy's skin. Can't describe it. You know the way some people just have an scent, even clean.

@31RueCambon75001 Oh no! I'm so sorry you don't like it. It's unlikely to have gone off but it is an old fashioned formula that was created in the 70s. Don't worry- the ingredients are new, just not the formula! Hmm. Perhaps I can persuade you with a little sample of something else? xx

@beanaseireann Have you tried Hypnotic Poison? It's a stunning almond vanilla that's nothing like original Poison

I had one bottle of Chanel no5 when I was 20, that I used occasionally and it lasted until I was in my 40’s (I wasn’t much of a perfume wearer, clearly!) When I went to buy another bottle, I didn’t like it, smelt chemically to me.
I now like Victor and Rolf Flowerbomb, sometimes when I wear it people comment that I smell nice, like Ive just got out of the bath, thought I’d mention that for those looking for a clean fresh smell. I now like wearing perfume daily.
Anyway, my question is, what else might I like? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Oh yes, i would love a recommendation /sample thank you! Not only do you know your stuff and then some, but you have loved two of my favourite perfumes; gucci envy & chanel cristalle. I like fresh things that are interesting as well as fresh.

@321zerobaby you might La Vie est Belle if you like Flowerbomb. It's a floral with a touch of sweet caramel and not dissimilar to Flowerbomb. You might also like Chloe by Chloe with the little bow round its neck.

Hello MissBattleaxe. What a great AMA! It's absolutely fascinating, and I've made lots of notes.

My favourite is Scherrer 2, which doesn't seem to be in any shops, apart from really big stores in London, so I buy it online. I live in fear of its being discontinued, as it doesn't seem to be popular. Do you know of any scents that are similar to Scherrer 2 in any way? I like big, powerful, old-fashioned-glamour-type scents, and also wear Opium and Youth Dew. Tabu by Dana is my cheap everyday one. Thank you!

Thank you MissBattleaxe

I splurged on Maison Martin Margiela Replica Beach Walk for my wedding/honeymoon - it's the most amazing scent ever!

I looked this perfume up and loved the sound of it! However I got a sample and was so disappointed in that it lasts no time at all being an EDT but it smells divine. If it had been a bit cheaper I would have considered it along with the body lotion but can't justify the cost. Might put it on my Christmas list.

@Time40 a woman after my own heart! I haven't tried Scherrer 2 but I looked up the notes and I like a lot of the same things as you. I LOVE Tabu and wear it often and Youth Dew deserves all the love! You might like Jean Patou 1000, Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds, First by Van Cleef and Arpels, Houbigant Quelques Fleurs and Lanvin Arpege. let me know how you get on!

@LumiereLennie I didn't like Dewberry at the time as it so ubiquitous but I long for it now and wish it was back. The nearest is Shay & Blue Blueberry and Musk.

@Phycadelicsilhouette I have reviewed several Lidls on my blog iscentyouaday.com/tag/lidl-fragrance/

The only problem is that some of them are fly by nights and one-offs. However, if you ever see Suddenly Woman 1, then it smells like Chanel No 5 ( and is in a similar bottle) and there's one that smells like Boss Orange for her, and looks exactly like it, but I've only seen a it a couple of times. I can unofficially say that the men's one, G.Bellini, X Bolt reminded me of Boss Bottled. A lot.

Thank you so much, MissBattleaxe. I will try those.

I am thrilled to have found another Tabu lover. I've never met anyone else who's even heard of it, let alone loves it. I've been wearing that one since I was about 17 ... which is a long time!

@Time40 A friend introduced me to it and I've loved it ever since. It's supposed to be a cologne but lasts all day. Also, cheap as chips. I bought a gift set on Fragrance Direct for 5.99 and it had the fragrance, the shower gel and the body lotion. Fantastic value.

Thank you so much @MissBattleaxe! I bought the suddenly Madame glamour after hearing good things and now I think I will head back down there and get myself a lidl collection (see what I did there? [grin

Thank you so much @MissBattleaxe! I bought the suddenly Madame glamour after hearing good things and now I think I will head back down there and get myself a Lidl collection (see what I did there ) guilt free with the fantastic prices!

I absolutely loved the discontinued Kate by Kate Moss, can you think of anything similar?

I wear Stella sporadically but it doesn't have very good lasting power on me. I also like the Body Shop Widderingtonia.

Hi Miss Battleaxe, thought I'd come back to say I got testers of some of your suggestions and liked them, apart from the Estee Lauder - too powdery and elderly smelling. But the Samsara I really love and am now deciding how big a bottle I can buy!

I love perfume and love this thread!
I got into Jo Loves about a year and a half ago and my first purchase was Red Truffle 21 which I loved and people always commented on how nice I smelt and it lasted all day.
I got bought a discovery box where you get to choose which perfume you want and they send it to you and I originally wanted Mandarine but it was not available so I went for my 2nd option Pomelo as I loved the scent and thought it would be ideal for summer. I'm so disappointed with it. It doesn't last on me, I've asked friends and colleagues if they can smell it on me and they can't at all. I queried it with them and they said I should be topping up every 3 hours which I've never done with any perfume including the Red Truffle 21. It's really put me off Jo Loves and I'm gutted as I have so many more I want to try!! Plus it's expensive which I don't mind if it lasts. What do you think to their answer?
Other perfumes I have on the go at the moment are:-
Mugler Aura
Black Opium
Tom Ford Black Orchid
Fave ones I've used in the past are
Ellie Saab Intense
Mugler Womanity
Gucci Guilty
Calvin Klein Secret Obsession
Boss Nuit
Loved Avon's Far Away when I was growing up!

Can you recommend a strong musky perfume for me to try out? I like ones that smell a bit unusual if you know what I mean!

@bobloblawlawblog Funnily enough I came across one the other day that was very similar to Kate by Kate Moss. Try Narciso Rodriguez Fleur Musc. Lovely pink glass bottle too!

@Phycadelicsilhouette I'm so glad! The other Lidl perfumes are sometimes there and sometimes not so if you ever see them, buy them on the spot before that go. I also recommend Next perfume if you're on a budget and even if you're not. Just Pink is excellent.

@FlameVert I'm so glad you love one of my suggestions! I feel like proper matchmaker!

Thanks!

Anything similar to Anna Sui Dolly Girl?

It was discontinued years ago and then had a brief comeback online and now it’s gone again. Was my signature scent and miss it dearly.

@areyoutheredenise

Thanks for your question. First of all, that's, pretty poor of Jo Loves to suggest you need to top up an eau de parfum every three hours. it should last longer. Having said that, I tried Cartier Eau des Delices once and it completely disappeared whilst other reviewers were talking of its 12 hour longevity! Since your friends couldn't smell Pomelo on you though, it does look as though the perfume is the problem, not you.

Right then. Your list of current favourites has one big note in common and that's patchouli. It's shaken off its hippy image and tends to be used to give scent a potency such as Black Opium and Coco Mademoiselle. I would suggest the following:

Alien
JPG Scandal
Narciso Rodriguez For Her
Flowerbomb
Elie Saab Le Parfum Royal (new)
Avon Far Away Glamour (it's not not like the original)
Bottega Veneta (the original one, just called Bottega Veneta)