Budding perfumistas walk this way- Part 2 of the Worst Perfumes ever

[shoeprincess2]

As the first thread is nearly full, I've set up Part 2

Kiwi some perfumes are really shocking at first wear but grow on me. I think I was shocked by both Loretta and Miriam, but both have become favorites.

I have a strange fondness for medicinal/camphoric smells. I love Aromatics Elixir and petrol-like opening fumes of Loretta.

Thanks for the info re StC deliveries... I'll try emailing them as you suggest, kiwigirl and see if they replace it!

I might just stick to perfume shops while I can - yesterday afternoon I ventured into Mazzolari after your tip, DonaAna - WOW! What an amazing place, it has every perfume under the sun or so it would seem... I felt like the proverbial kid in the candy shop - If anyone finds themselves in Milan for a weekend I highly recommend it!

There is the big general shop and an even posher "boutique" next door which looks quite intimidating and has the exclusive Guerlains and other exclusive niche perfumes, I didn't venture into that bit partly because I spotted a former Italian Big Brother contestant turned TV presenter in there (DonaAna do you remember camper than camp Jonathaaaan??) and just couldn't face trying to keep a straight face!

But even in the "bog standard" shop they had samplers of almost everything, including the Parfum concentrations of all the standard Guerlains.

I sniffed quite a few on paper and inevitably started not being able to tell the difference properly.
I liked L'Heure Exquise (Annick Goutal), and the rather obscenely animalic Mad Madame by Juliette has a Gun.. also Baghari by Robert Piguet.
Serge Lutens Louve - the cherry note reminded me of a Perlier almost blossom shower gel I once had, but I'm sure it works better on skin
Jicky parfum - my immediate reaction was "nose-numbing medicinal lavender" - did Jackie O really smell like this?? Maybe better as EdT
L'Heure Bleue - intriguing, must go back with a clear head and smell it again

Didn't have enough arm space to try more than a couple on, and weirdly those happened to be Chamade and Vol de Nuit which I see you mentioned above.
The former I enjoyed as much as I could given my "nose fatigue", whereas Vol de Nuit is just too old-ladyish and powerful for me.
It's really long lasting of course with massive sillage and I had to scrub it off with washing up liquid as it was still bothering me 5 hours later.. I am not worthy

You've found a perfume heaven Spaghettina! With or without celebs... Another place to visit is the perfume bar Olfattorio (Google for locations). There you can just sniff and chat with knowledgeable baristas. And in the spring, there will be the Exsense perfume fair in Milan. And I guess you've been to 10 Corso Comp already. Italy is the ideal place to enjoy perfumes - range and selection is good and you also have great access to boutique perfumes (Chanel, Dior, Hermes, Prada, Armani...)

Vol de Nuit is too much on me too. I think an aunt wore it in the 1970s.

I'm wearing Seville now. Normally I don't like orange blossom (it can easily go the air-freshener and toilet bowl cleaner route - the reference flowers on trees never smell that cheap) but the beeswax and incense tone it down.

Como not Comp obviously...

You're not putting me off Jicky, you know.

I have a soft spot for lavender.

Thanks cointreau for the pm.... Let me know if you are pleased when they arrive.

Jicky has definitely been reformulated since Jackie O's days.
But I have a hard time imagining it on her nevertheless.

My samples arrived and I am wearing Sycomore. I really like it so far. It's quite cold and dry smelling, very different from the things I usually wear. It seems to fade pretty quickly, sadly. I'm not sure I'd buy a whole bottle based on the lack of longevity alone but I do like it very much, particularly the ashy smell.

Have you got your Jicky yet Cointreau? I love lavender too, but that one cleared my sinuses of stuff that was practically up behind my brain. Honestly, I could not get rid of it for about three days. It was the proper concentrated parfum and the counter girl was a tad over generous. It was a bit like having a really bad hangover for the first few hours.

I found lots of Juliette Has A Gun fragrances today. Tried them all. Didn't like them much. Very in your face.

No, Jicky should be arriving any day now. I ordered the EDP, I think.

I might completely hate it, but I will definitely take your advice and apply in a restrained manner!

Ooh, Exsense perfume fair sounds exciting, I might have to try and find some fellow perfume fans to go with..
Yes, I've been to the sublime 10 Corso Como but not for a couple of years. Another trip is called for methinks.

Cointreau, I have a soft spot for lavender too, but Jicky reminded me of Weleda Lavender shower gel - yes it's lavender but it's overpowered by that medicinal note that organic shower gels often seem to have, maybe it's calendula or something. I'm sure it was just the opening though, and would dry down nicely.

I am in love with Loretta. It has developed into a beautifully powdery fragrance. A hint of vanilla, a hint of patchouli. Truly fabulous. I keep sniffing myself. A stunning perfume

OK, I have gone right off Sycomore. I think it's given me a headache.

Spaghettina Louve is one of my favorite, favorite perfumes. A real comfort scent. Would love to be able to buy it as a pure parfum.

Haberdashery how glad are you that you didn't buy a full bottle then? hope the headache goes

I've applied more Rosewater and Vanilla as it fades after about 4 hrs. Both the labrador and the chocolate Ragdoll tried to lick and snuggle my arm and then DS 12 had my wrist under his nose and wouldn't let my arm go in the car. So I think they like it.

I've just noticed that Liberty sell Francis Kurkdjian's range of perfume , including scented bubbles!

Shoe I'm in love too - in fact think I need some Loretta later today when L'Aube wears off.

Haberdashery, Sycomore is too dry on me. Every time I wear it, I get so thirsty... it feels like parching desert air on me (I used to live somewhere where it got painfully hot and dry during the dry season, and Sycomore reminds me of hot, dusty, smoke-filled air combined with extreme heat feel like).

Spaghettina, I mispelled Esxence. I'm definitely coming next year if I can. It is really great. You might have a different version of Jicky - mine smells really decadent and indecent, lavender + civet. (Civet is not real anymore, but it used to be - here is a good description.)

Sorry, hastily written, may not make any sense...

I have been having a tidy out of my perfume drawer and I have 50ml of Agent Provocateur Maitresse EdP (it was a 100ml bottle). Anyway, I wondered if anyone would like it (free to a good home). Maybe if anyone has any unwanted samples that they would like to swap with me?

If no takers, then I shall be handing it over to Mummyshoeprincess.

Anyone else LOVE Chanel Jersey?
Can't afford their bags, clothes etc though i love them (way too expensive even if i were rich- couldn't justify- with starving children in the world) but when i spray it on I just feel sooo sophisticated

Ooh, shoeprincess, I'd really like that! I'll have a look for something I can swap it for.

Ok BOFingSanta- PM me. It'll be early next week when I can get it posted out to you.

Ok, I've sent you a message with a suggestion- thanks very much .

anniewoo- I think I might like all of Chanel's exclusifs, though maybe not Sycomore. I've only tried Coromandel so far, but it is my intention to try them all. StC do a sampler pack. It is a woody floral musk is Jersey, so I should probably like it.

Jersey is a lavender soliflore. Happy that you like it Annie.
I really like Chanel perfumes. No. 19 is my current favorite, but all of the exlusives are worth trying - just to understand what well-made perfumes are. La Pausa is my favorite summer perfume and I am looking forward to real winter so that I can wear more Cuir de Russie and Coromandel. They are all about elegance and refinement. And Antaeus is my comfort scent.

Tauers get me in a completely different way. His perfumes are organic and short-circuit my limbic system. They tap into emotions, memories, colors. I often wear them when I am alone.

Thanksproteins
I do love linden. Will try this one, was a bit worried when DonaAna mentioned sandalwood, have memories of drowning in Annick Goutal's Sables.

My favourite lindens now are MAC Naked honey and L'Artisan L'Ete en Douce.
It's such a magic smell - the perfect golden summer.

I have been stalking these threads for a while now and I have loved reading them. I visited my local department store today excitedly clutching a list of perfumes to try, based on the wonderful expertise on here.

I had a lovely time sniffing various perfumes and then decided to stop by the YSL counter to try an old love of mine - Yvresse.

THEY HAVE BLOODY WELL CHANGED IT!!!

I still like it, but it lasts all of 5 mins on the skin before fading away to next to nothing. :(

HOW COULD THEY?