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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

£265 on a perfume..

158 replies

mermaidtails · 01/11/2023 13:22

Got a sample of perfume and I am in LOVE. This one https://www.harveynichols.com/mizensir/ambre-magique-100ml-893018-84657/?source=shoppingads&gclid=CjwKCAjws9ipBhB1EiwAccEi1BHHazHuJs4-yqCIf18YiOiE6twshFZYH5uRCF6y0O8jBKgR6m4XxoCSfUQAvDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

But .. £265!! I'd be unreasonable to even ask for this for Christmas would I!
Have any of you ever got any perfumes that high price? Do they last longer etc?

OP posts:
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7
flaxentoad · 02/11/2023 11:18

I remember the olden days when most perfumes lasted. I was a big fan of YSL's Paris back in the day. That lasted really, really well. The last time I tried it, it was very weak, like water. Plus, they've changed the scent a bit.

I used to be really into perfume and read up on a bit, a sort of hobby, but so many of the classic formulations have changed now. I haven't worn perfume in years.

But in answer to your question, if you really like a perfume and can afford it, why not go for it? I would!

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 02/11/2023 11:39

notlucreziaborgia · 02/11/2023 11:04

I’m pretty sure anyone into perfume knows that 🤷🏻‍♀️ it’s not a secret.

I bet quite a lot of people don’t!

notlucreziaborgia · 02/11/2023 11:48

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 02/11/2023 11:39

I bet quite a lot of people don’t!

I said ‘anyone into perfume’. Where ambergris comes from isn’t some closely guarded secret.

MadamVastra · 02/11/2023 11:54

@GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER

🥱 we have already been educated about this. Several times.

divinededacende · 02/11/2023 12:13

The price point is NO guarantee of how long it will last or how it will perform i.e. will other people be able to smell it (if that's what you want). But if you tried a sample, you should be able to judge that.

My most expensive scents are Penhaligon's (Halfeti and Legacy of Petra) which are in a similar price bracket and I'd say they are worth the money. I sampled a few others at a similar level and they definitely weren't, not compared to cheaper alternatives which perform better. How it reacts with your individual skin chemistry also plays a big part.

Fragrantica is a great site, you can see how other people rate the scent on quality, performance etc. It also breaks down the scent accords and the ingredients so you can compare with alternatives. I just looked up your fragrance and I actually want to try it - although I'm banned from buying more scents!

If you can afford it, go for it. If it's too much to ask for Christmas, tell everyone you want vouchers for one of the shops that sells it and, collectively, you might be ok. If you end up with more than you need, treat yourself to something else.

Azaleah · 02/11/2023 12:19

Ambergris is the natural substance. This product has a synthetic version of it, Cachalox. There are many other brand names for slightly different molecules, Ambrox, Cetalox, etc.

@mermaidtails Go for it, judging by the description it must be fabulous 🐳

Azaleah · 02/11/2023 12:24

CanIPetThatDawg · 02/11/2023 10:03

I'm a huge fan of Tauer Perfumes, for example, and Au Coeur de Desert would be on my, er, desert island perfumes list

I bought a sample of this after reading such reviews but it wasn't for me. Maybe my nose is too plebeian. I just can't seem to find a perfume I really love these days. Lots that are nice but nothing that makes me want to sniff myself incessantly. I used to feel that way about Philosykos but that's waned.

One perfume that made me feel like this was the original Parfum Neroli by L'Occitane. Couldn't stop sniffing it!

Startyabastard · 02/11/2023 12:35

I wish 'Insolence' by Guerlain wasn't so expensive. Anyone else like that perfume?

MadKittenWoman · 02/11/2023 12:38

LittleMousewithcloggson · 01/11/2023 14:29

Have a look at the small aromas website where you can buy 1ml-5ml samples of it
Buy a larger sample and wear it properly for a few days/week
if you still love it then go for it and get the full bottle
Harvey Nichols have 10% off first orders!

Thanks for that- just bought a load of Tom Ford!

notlucreziaborgia · 02/11/2023 12:47

Startyabastard · 02/11/2023 12:35

I wish 'Insolence' by Guerlain wasn't so expensive. Anyone else like that perfume?

Yes! I have Insolence EDP in the original bottle (sans lid, though), which I always liked.

For me it’s an autumn/winter perfume, and actually you’ve reminded me to get it back out. It’s perfect for the current weather.

Startyabastard · 02/11/2023 13:01

crankit · 01/11/2023 21:04

Don't perfumes all smell different on different people?

Ues that is said due to skin enzymes/chemicals.
Am I the only one that sprays it on their clothes? I think it makes it last longer.

Azaleah · 02/11/2023 14:48

Check out the price of the perfume I love. Neroli Eau de Parfum EDP 1.7 fl oz. It's been discontinued, so it's a rarity, but it's worth every penny.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1336079831/loccitane-en-provence-neroli-eau-de?

thebellagio · 02/11/2023 14:55

Thanks to this thread, I've just been on the Miller Harris website and ordered some samples as I'm in the mood for a new perfume

Oops!

W0tnow · 02/11/2023 14:57

notlucreziaborgia · 02/11/2023 11:48

I said ‘anyone into perfume’. Where ambergris comes from isn’t some closely guarded secret.

Fascinating! What is even more fascinating is how on earth did they discover it was a useful ingredient!?

CanIPetThatDawg · 02/11/2023 14:58

Azaleah · 02/11/2023 12:24

One perfume that made me feel like this was the original Parfum Neroli by L'Occitane. Couldn't stop sniffing it!

Thank you. I don't think I've ever tried any L'Occitane perfumes. I might pop into their shop on Saturday.

Azaleah · 02/11/2023 15:00

@CanIPetThatDawg Unfortunately their new fragrances are very different from this old one, I don't like them at all 🙁

CanIPetThatDawg · 02/11/2023 15:00

Azaleah · 02/11/2023 15:00

@CanIPetThatDawg Unfortunately their new fragrances are very different from this old one, I don't like them at all 🙁

My hopes raised and my hopes dashed! Grin

Azaleah · 02/11/2023 15:01

@CanIPetThatDawg Maybe you will like them! Everyone is different 🤗

notlucreziaborgia · 02/11/2023 15:01

W0tnow · 02/11/2023 14:57

Fascinating! What is even more fascinating is how on earth did they discover it was a useful ingredient!?

An interesting read:
https://hakaimagazine.com/features/why-we-cant-shake-ambergris/

It would wash up on beaches. People didn’t know where it came from for a long time, it was something mysterious and exotic, that smelled good.

Why We Can’t Shake Ambergris | Hakai Magazine

The odd, enduring appeal of a scarce commodity few people use and no one really needs.

https://hakaimagazine.com/features/why-we-cant-shake-ambergris/

ForfarBridie · 02/11/2023 15:02

Op, just buy it yourself if you can. And if you can’t afford it alone then ask for it, or a contribution towards it, for Christmas.

Its nice to have something that makes you happy.

Mikimoto · 02/11/2023 15:06

CanIPetThatDawg · 02/11/2023 14:58

Thank you. I don't think I've ever tried any L'Occitane perfumes. I might pop into their shop on Saturday.

I agree that they're great for the price - and VERY nice packaging for gifts.

Azaleah · 02/11/2023 15:12

@Mikimoto Definitely! I don't like the perfumes fragrances but all the other stuff is excellent 👌🏻

Lemonyfuckit · 02/11/2023 15:14

I'm all for asking people to get me the thing I dearly love and want and will treasure rather than something average - there's a major difference between the perfume you adore and just 'some perfume - that one's too expensive so got a totally different one'. At the same time, I also wouldn't dream of asking someone to buy me such an expensive gift, so am a massive believer in saying please could you all chip in to get me just this one thing I really really would love, rather than all separately getting something else. And if even with them all chipping in if it's too much I'm happy to contribute myself. I asked my DH and my parents to contribute to a small mulberry handbag one year (MIL wouldn't - see below) - still cost more than I would ever expect them to spend on my birthday present so I paid the rest. I still think of it as a gift from them, and I absolutely love it, had it for years, use it all the time, will continue to use it all the time for years to come.

Not everyone is on board with that - I know my MIL doesn't like contributing money as she wants to 'give me a gift'. The problem is I end up with a load of quite random stuff I don't particularly like so the money is wasted to be honest....

We all share wish lists in my family and we know it's specific - if someone lists a specific perfume it means that specific one don't bother getting a different one.

Azaleah · 02/11/2023 15:28

@CanIPetThatDawg If you pop into L'Occitane shop can you ask them if they still sell Solid Amber Home Perfume? They are the most perfect thing in the world! I'm living in Brazil and we can't get them over here.

CanIPetThatDawg · 02/11/2023 15:33

Azaleah · 02/11/2023 15:28

@CanIPetThatDawg If you pop into L'Occitane shop can you ask them if they still sell Solid Amber Home Perfume? They are the most perfect thing in the world! I'm living in Brazil and we can't get them over here.

no problem!