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

[mignonette]

Oh wow Coffeeinbed

There's my Christmas gift sorted then . I love Nuxe.

[flybynight]

Thank you so much DonaAna. I went straight to Surrender by Chance and ordered up a load of samples. How exciting! I've concentrated on galbanum ones, as you suggested.

[DonaAna]

Great Flybynight- and smell them with an open mind. No. 19 is one of the greats, not easy to match. You may or may not like Bandit. And you might also enjoy classic chypres.

Here is an article about the Nuxe perfume.

[FuckingWonderwoman]

Mignonette - it smells wonderful and is about 45 euros for a large bottle in pharmacies.

[DonaAna]

Since some of you are transitioning from occasional recreational users to real addicts, Crystal Flacon is a great site for affordable decants. Requires patience and searching but quite a few UK/EU-based sellers out there. Recommended.

Another day with Chanel No. 19, I simply love it so much.

[MrsHavisham]

A while ago, someone posted a link to a great site that sold perfume oils that were very similar to designer perfumes. I've now lost the link, does anyone remember pleeeeeease?

[kiwigirl42]

Morning all

I had a lovely answer back from //www.surrendertochance.com regarding the perfume sample they sent me (Etro Heliotrope) that smelt off to me - I wanted them to check their bottle just in case.
They have assured my that their bottle is just as it should be so I tried my sample on my skin. Still not nice on me - I'm so glad I tried a sample of this rather than buying a whole bottle. if anything, I can smell incense rather than the expected sweet almonds
They refunded my cost despite me not asking for it. They have gone over and above with customer service so highly recommended.

I scrubbed off the above and have Lipstick Rose mixed with Teint de Neige on. I like Lipstick Rose more and more but it is quite linear, not developing into much.
I bought some samples off ebay this morning (or rather DH's paypal did ):

Naughty Alice: black rose, violet, ylang-ylang and musk.

Prada Candy: musks in the top, a sensual balsamic vanillic accord of benzoin in the heart and sweet modern caramel in the base of the fragrance.

Shalimar Initial (just cause I've never tried it despite always having a bottle of full fat Shalimar in the house!): Starting from citruses, the composition adds zest of bergamot and orange. Rose flowers and jasmine enjoy embrace of woody accords of vetiver and patchouli, while oriental notes of vanilla, white musk and luscious tonka give seductive warmth to the whole composition. Green notes provide a fresher tone to the composition.

YSL Belle d'Opium: (love full fat Opium, again never tried this):
op notes: mandarin, Casablanca lily, gardenia, jasmine

Heart: incense, peach, white pepper, tobacco, hookah accord, fruity notes

Base: amber, sandalwood, patchouli, smoky notes


so that should keep me smelling good for a while

[BOFingSanta]

Does anybody know if there is a store in London which sells the Chanel Les Exclusifs range at all?

[kiwigirl42]

Apparently the Chanel Boutique on Sloane Street and Selfridges has them. I imagine Harrods also?

[ThatsNice]

My sample of Chanel No 19 arrived today. Slightly disappointed with the powdery smell it has (as does No 5) that I'm not keen on. I am warming more to it the longer I'm wearing it. Hoping it will be a 'grower' on me :s

[BOFingSanta]

I phoned Selfridges to check, and they do both Coromandel and no.22, which are the two contenders for the grand Christmas Splurge, so I'm happy. I'll be in London in a couple of weeks for an afternoon, so the question now is will I be able to resist opening the bottle?

[DonaAna]

BOF you might get a decant of Coromandel from here and then get 22 for Christmas?

[BOFingSanta]

Ooh, what a nice idea! Thanks DonaAna.

[mignonette]

here is a lovely Christmas idea from Penhaligons. The bottles can even be taken out of their coffret and tied onto a Christmas tree for an special treat.

[kiwigirl42]

Do you know, I've never smelt Penhaglion perfume - just always assumed it was a bit old lady bluebell crap if you know what I mean.
Has anyone tried any of the range? I like the description of this one

[mignonette]

I really like Penhaligons. After visiting the Cambridge branch after a trip to the Botanic Gardens, I found out the manager was the daughter of the Emeritus professor of the Botany Dept and we had a lovely chat about the plants used in the fragrances and the origins of the scent names. A more cerebral way of buying!

I have the Violetta, the Endymion and Bluebell; the latter reputed to be Kate Moss's favourite scent if you care about her sartorial taste that is ..

They are pretty modern in their formulation but the packaging is traditional albeit extremely beautiful. I keep them boxed in a wooden cupboard like all my scents though so the bottle is a little wasted on me.

[HipHopOpotomus]

I tried Chanel Coromandel again recently (John Lewis I think) - it's really growing on me, and i can still smell it on my scarf which is lovely

[pocketandsweet]

I have a bottle of Bluebell but I have kind of gone off it.... I bought it when I was pregnant so I suppose hormones change etc and now I never wear it. Might eBay it ( my six year old dd loves it though. On me not her I hasten to add). Both dds (6 and 3) are noses in training and their favourite thing is o be allowed access to smelling all the "perfumes"

[kiwigirl42]

mig I will have to search them out.

I've just bought a sample of Jo Malone Rosewater and Vanilla off good old ebay as it sounds RIGHT up my alley.

[mignonette]

I don't have an issue with allowing a little child to have a dab of Mum's (or dads) perfumes. It's how you explain what they are for that is important. Wonder if your DD has a sublimal attachment to 'Bluebell' because of when you wore it, Pocket?

[mignonette]

I have always adored Vanilla, Kiwi. And Jo Malone scents have such integrity. They are not formulations via committee like so many other scents.

[pocketandsweet]

Maybe mignonette.... But it might be the bottle too! Very blue and pretty. I do let them have a dab occasionally.

Anyone here a fan of violet.... Looking for recommendations ?

[shoeprincess2]

kiwigirl If you like your sample of Naughty Alice, I have half a bottle-ish left and matching body cream, if you want it? It's not really me, so would be happy to send it to you. Free, of course.

[shoeprincess2]

Pocketandsweet- Violet Blonde (Tom Ford); Balenciaga; Agent Provocateur Maitresse. I believe Annick Goutal La Violette is nice, but haven't tested it myself. Also Pentachord White is supposed to be a non twee violet (DonaAna has mentioned that one).

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Kenzo Flower smells like Parma Violets and is rather nice - it's a bit too sweet for me these days but I used to really like it and if you like violet, it's worth a sniff. Westwood's Naughty Alice is also violet-esque iirc.