Choosing an everyday perfume

[Peach2021]

I love Chanel No 5 and am thinking I'll treat myself to a bottle.

BUT, two women who have badly hurt me in the past (one family, one friend), also wear it, and I'm wondering whether I'm just going to associate it with them rather than it helping me get through a tough time.

Maybe I'm overthinking it, or maybe I should choose something else...if anyone has any thoughts on either I'd be pleased to have them.

Your perfume should make you feel uplifted and happy when you smell it, so maybe enjoy choosing a new perfume with no bad memories.

I'd say try something else.
I love Chanel No 5, but I also like J'Adore Dior and Versace's Bright Crystal as alternatives. They have that same luxury, expensive smell without being overpowering.

Sorry for what you went through but I'm unsure how perfume can help get you through a tough time? I think you may be expecting too much

Chanel No5 ‘L’Eau’ might be worth a try. It’s similar to the original but a bit fresher and lighter. Otherwise Chanel Chance (original and flankers) are lovely and share that Chanel sparkly/fizzy-ness (if that makes sense) I also love Liz Earle Botanical Essence No1.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone - I'll get myself to Boots and try them all and see what works best.

I totally get what you mean OP. You want to treat yourself and boost your self confidence & mood. Perfume is an excellent way to do that but scent has such a powerful role in memory that I would be concerned that you wouldn't be able to break the link between the Chanel and the women who hurt you.

I love Je t'aime Jane by Bella Freud for everyday. It's floral: jasmine, ylang ylang, orange blossom, with deeper notes of black oud, sandalwood and powder musk. It was named after Jane Birkin and completely encapsulates that chic, French vibe. It's really delicious and not as intense as Chanel No 5.

If rich scents are your thing, Tom Ford's Neroli is absolute heaven and a real mood booster whilst also being emotionally grounding.

Alternatively, you could try using essential oils to help support you through this tough time? That way you get all the physiological and psychological benefits of the oils and you can tailor the blend to whatever you feel you need that day?

I would recommend Bronze Goddess by Estée Lauder - it smells of warmth and coconuts and sunshine. I usually only wear it in the summer but I was going out last weekend and it was a horrible wet night so I put it on to boost my mood and it always does 😄

Trust me on this OP. Try Avon Timeless, £5. It’s beautiful. Recommended to me on the Perfumista thread, and they know their stuff there.

Lifelong Chanel No 5 wearer here. I have bought Hèrmes Ambre Eau de Merveilles and really love it.

Clinique Happy

Scents and perfume can absolutely uplift or comfort due to the memories and associations they can evoke. So in this case I'd steer clear of one with the associations you mention.

Try going back to something you used years ago, unless you are really young and that's not possible!
I have over a hundred perfumes, it's my thing, and nothing makes me happier than going back to the ones that bring memories of happy times.

Also you could go to a good perfume shop and ask to be recommended a perfume of the same vibes of No5 and make it your new signature. I personally love Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Intense.

I love Chanel Coco Mademoiselle and it used to be my everyday, then I realised how quick I was going through it and it's expensive!
I wasted it on work colleagues 🤣

I wear DKNY women for work now. I get just as many compliments as I did when I wore Chanel.

Chanel is kept for going out.

Thank you everyone so many more lovely ideas to try - life has been pretty rubbish these last months so I will look forward to trying them all, and the essential oils idea is also great so I will find my burner and get that set up…why I hadn’t thought of that @EdinaMonsoon I don’t know, just shows the state of my head at the moment!

Next Nude is a great alternative to Coco Mademoiselle.