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.

@riotlady Ah! I forgot to answer the first part. DKNY Be Delicious Red has apple, grapefruit and cucumber notes in the opening, so if you can find something with those in, them try your luck. I find Fragrantica a great source for this ( which is where I got the notes from)

@MORVEN citrus notes are notorious for not hanging about. I recommend Atelier Colognes, which have cologne style smells with massive lasting power. they're abit more spendy but they really do stick around. I like Bergamote Soleil and Orange Sanguine. Also, try Jo by jo Loves- a lovely grapefruit that has good longevity and comes from Jo Malone's new solo brand, Jo Loves.

What do you think of 'copy' perfumes, and how do they make them so similar?

Are there any perfumes that aren't tested on animals? Will they ever make it cruelty free?

P.S, I only have the green apple shaped perfume, DKNY I think? and I still love Anais Anais by Cacherel

So based on my 2 favourites, why do I HATE the smell of perfume on other people.

I realise I could google all of my questions, but it is nice to ask a real MN person!

Thank you.

Ooh! Do you agree that Jo Malone Tuberose Angelica smells like original Chloe before they changed it??

My very favourite perfume ever was Tendre Poison, is there anything out there that remotely resembles it?

@Longpurples I quite like 4160 Tuesdays Red Queen and it's my SOTD. Roses and incense and very long lasting. I also like Chloe by Chloe and Chanel Coco. I also find Avon Timeless very long lasting too! Something for all budgets there!

As for celeb scents- many of them are great and made by esteemed perfumers from Givauden or IFF. I really rate SJP Lovely and Stash, and Katy Perry Indi. I also like Rihanna Reb'l Fleur- a big patchouli floral . Britney's are pretty good too and JLo Glow is a classic soapy clean scent.

@Bobbindobbin try Gres Cabotine with the lid like broccoli. I've heard lots of people say it smells like Tendre Poison.

@YesQueen I love 4160 Tuesdays too. I have many favourites. Which are yours?

Thank you!!!

What's your view on Perfume Parlour?

@MeltingSugs usually an EDT is weaker than an EDP but sometimes perfume houses make the EDT and EDP totally different, which I don't really agree with. For example, Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire EDP and EDT are totally different. However sometimes an EDT is all you need. One example is Shalimar which is MASSIVE but many people find the EDT more manageable. It varies widely.

@MissBattleaxe sexiest scent is my forever favourite! Eau my soul, Shazam and Mrs gloss outdoors too

Other not 4160 favourites are
MMM lazy Sunday morning
Kyse coconut vanille
Acqua di Parma colonia
Clean cotton t shirt
Monotheme book of citrus limone
Womanity

My tastes are... eclectic

I love Chanel No5, No19 and Beige, Gardenia and a couple of the others.

I also love Rive Gauche and Lanvin Aperge.

I also adore Hermes Eau Dea Merveilles (all versions except the blue one) and any tuberose scent (Prada Woman Intense being a favourite).

I detest any sweet, candy, ‘pink’, gourmand scents. Anything Katie Price might wear!! Vanilla can do one! ‘Green’, tea and sea scents are also nauseating. Not a fan of fruit scented perfumes either. Never ever liked a Marc Jacobs and many High Street ones smell good on initial application but make me want to chop my arm off on the dry down!

Any suggestions for ones I can try? I’m near Liberty, a decent HofF and a Debenhams so can (and would prefer to) go niche.

Thanks if you get the chance to rely!

I love sweet smelling perfumes and no matter what I try I always seem to go back to the original Britney Spears Fantasy, can you recommend some sweet smelling ones please?

@ANiceLuxury I'm a huge fan of Avon. Brilliant value and I have several favourites. The last one I bought was Avon Rare Flowers Purple Orchid for a mere £7. Gorgeous.

I love Dior Hypnotic Poison but I can no longer afford it regularly! Any recommendations of s cheaper alternative?

@MissBattleaxe I absolutely adore violet fragrances and am always on the hunt for the most violet smelling EDT/EDP. Balenciaga Paris and Annick Goutal's La Violette are my favourites so far. Do you have any other recommendations, thanks.

I used to love Ultima ll sheer scent. Gutted they discontinued it 😢

@MarkRonsonsMother

I wouldn't really say this on my blog, but a dear friend of mine found me a vegan Gucci Envy dupe and I was delighted. I can't officially promote dupes as it's not fair on the actual brands.

Are there any perfumes that aren't tested on animals? Will they ever make it cruelty free?

Very good question. The answer is I'm not sure. Where possible, indie perfumers are going ethical but I don't know about the big houses.

Also- do not blush about loving Anais Anais as it's a flipping classic and hasn't changed since 1978. The flanker, Eau de Delices is not the same.

You might hate the smell of perfume on other people because they fill a room or can't smell it on themselves so they over spray.

@WeAreStardustWeAreGolden You're singing my song. Here's my love letter to violets

iscentyouaday.com/2018/05/16/because-i-have-violet-tendencies-my-favourite-violet-scents/

@Mammyloveswine Brace yourself, for I'm about to suggest Demeter/ Library of Fragrance Play Doh. It's very similar.

Do dupes last as long as 'real' ones?

Who’s your favourite perfume wearer/person to channel? Every time I wear Fracas I imagine I’m pouring one out for the late, great Isabella Blow. And tip my hat to Courtney Love. Cuir de Russie makes me feel like Marlene Dietrich.

@fruitofthenight there are so many sweet perfumes right now, this is definitely your era to shine! Try Avon Imari Fantasy. It's about £8 and a real sweetheart with caramel , pear and orange flower. I also really recommend Rihanna Reb'l Fleur which smells a bit like Flowerbomb (but is wayyy cheaper)

@MissBattleaxe haha this makes me laugh as my husband HATES hypnotic poison as he says it smells just like play dough