How to smell nice

[aloneinthenight]

I've decided I want to smell nice.

I have some perfume which must be about 20 years old which I wear on special occasions (you can tell how many there have been of those)

Do people still wear everyday perfume? Would I be better off with scented body lotion or something?

What do you wear?

coffeecak3 I used to go out with a Sri Lankan guy who said exactly the same thing. I am very pale with ginger hair and he was adamant that people smelt more of sour milk the lighter their skin was. He said it so matter of fairly and some friends and I occasionally tested him by getting him to smell us and rate us in sour milk order - he got us from darkest to lightest every time, really weird!

I might try and track down molecule - sounds what I'm after.

My current perfume is Agent Provocateur which I still really like but it's a bit much during the day. I don't think it's gone off as still smells the same.

I used to wear Issey Miyake but somehow I feel it's a bit young for me.

@Sarafive I will let you know, it was only in your recommendation! One for me and one for DH....

I am frequently told I smell nice, but I rarely wear perfume.

I use a rose scented soap in the shower every day, and a fruity conditioner on my hair every three days.

@aloneinthenight Molecule really is fantastic. Lasts ages as well.

Apart from Coco Mademoiselle, molecule is the fragrance I get the most compliments on. I can't smell it on myself but I've had people stop me to ask what perfume I'm wearing.
It's amazing.

Do remember the whole point of Molecule is the quirk that said molecule (iso whatsit) can't be smelled by lots of people- this is why Molecule wearers often can't smell it on themselves, but other people run up to them and go "oh my god, what is that!"

I went to the Perfume exhibition in Somerset House London and it was one of the ten or so "game changers" and rule breakers shown. I couldn't smell it at all. The guy next to me could.

Molecule do a discovery box for £25

I may give it a go. I do actually want to smell it myself though!

I’ve just bought the Molecule discovery set having read about it on this thread, it sounds really interesting. £4.99 for postage though which still takes 3 business days.

Being clean obviously is a good start. For everyday perfume I wear the chanel coco mademoiselle body spray/moisture mist. It isn't as strong as the perfume, and has a sort of fresh/ soap smell to it. Also much cheaper.

• Two sprays of a good quality perfume
• Unstoppables in your washing!!!
• A wonderful smelling conditioner

Shout out for CK One! It’s so fresh, I’ve just ordered a huge bottle.

If you want a "clean" smelling perfume look for something with iris in.lovely and soapy.
Prada Infusions d'iris and Noa are two fab ones.

I have a question - I am cautious of using perfume once I’ve used a deodorant and a body cream with a scent, doesn’t it all get mixed up?

Superdrug Ex Spa Dition body mists are lovely, very light and refreshing. They're essential oils rather than perfume and I ended up buying all 6 (only £6 each or something and buy 1 get 1 free at the mo) Some are fruity or citrusy, others have spicey undertones. Fell in love with the sleep one first. Not sure why but wearing my usual perfume sort of reminds me of a pre covid world too much. Don't feel the need for anything heavy. Electrify the fabulosa disinfectant is gorgeous tho! I'd wear that for sure! Need to get the spray and wear thingy instead of spraying the pink stuff on my arms

@Rainbowbagel

- Two sprays of a good quality perfume

• Unstoppables in your washing!!!
• A wonderful smelling conditioner

Agree with this.

I'm neurotic when it comes to laundry. I pair my detergent, softener and scent beads together in a certain way (depending on whether it's bedding, clothes, pyjamas...) and it really helps.

“Persephone that's so funny that you said that. A work colleague of mine has been smelling extremely lovely lately...no scent as such, just fresh. She mentioned to me yesterday that she had turned vegan at the start of Lockdown in March!”

It scares the crap out of me that my colleagues may be picking up on the nuances of my diet in this way

Is that what I said? She happened to mention her vegan diet and when Persephone mentioned about diets making you smell differently, I thought it was interesting following my work conversation. I have no thoughts about her diet other than that. I'm vegan myself ffs,

Sigh can you even speak on this forum without someone being an arse about it?

It scares the crap out of me that my colleagues may be picking up on the nuances of my diet in this way.

Well, most won't, not consciously anyway.

I think it's fascinating; human beings are such complex entities, and we spend so much time trying to control what we present to other people, never realising there are a million things that reveal us despite ourselves.

Wow IHeartSusanDey how was I an arse about it??

I know that in this instance, it’s a really nice thing you are describing - someone smelling lovely, in fact the absence of smell, and it turns out it is due to her diet. And it makes sense that as you are also vegan you might pick up on it.

I myself am not vegan and my diet is less than ideal at times I always make sure I eat I offensive food for lunch at work, but I do still get a bit paranoid about being “nose blind” to any corporeal scent I may unknowingly carry around. The fact that people really can and do sniff out other people’s dietary habits - beyond what they just ate, I mean - does scare me!

But it’s very nice that it can be positive, I just assumed that there was a negative side too.

“ human beings are such complex entities, and we spend so much time trying to control what we present to other people, never realising there are a million things that reveal us despite ourselves.”

Exactly Persephone

I think I’m just quite private, and I also hate the idea of smelling bad. But I do also want to eat a tuna sandwich every once in a while without my desk-neighbour being able to detect it a week later

There are two fragrances I wear and each time someone asks me what it is, molecule 1, peeved I can't smell it on myself but others can, asked my friend to describe it she couldn't just said it smelled slightly sweet and clean..hate sweet smells. Other is Diptique Eau Duelle thought I'd hate it due to the vanilla but it's a warm musky smell that feels like autum/winter a comforting scent.

We were talking about Molecule on another thread. It's interesting- I went to the perfume exhibition at Somerset House and there were unnamed "game changers" for you to sniff and guess at. I couldn't smell one at all, being a perfume geek I knew it must be Molecule and it was. The guy walking round near me could smell it. It apparently has other people running up to you in the streets and weeping with joy whilst asking you for your hand, so I might have a bash anyway!

Another of my great loves!

The meat/body odour thing doesn’t surprise me in the slightest: I work with babies and toddlers and their poo smells so innocuous until red meat is introduced - then it stinks!

My Molecule Discovery Set has arrived. I've gone with number 1

I think i like it - it's not overpowering and has an unusual smell which does take you by surprise every now and again. It's not an obvious perfume smell.

However my husband says I smell like the lemon towels you get in an Indian restaurant. I think that's a bad thing!

Number 2 tomorrow.