Style & Beauty
I’d like a perfume that makes me feel like Dame Maggie Smith is offering me a scone and telling me kindly that I’m doing a great job and everything’s going to be OK.
Stoechas · 10/02/2023 16:23
For clarification I do not want to smell
like Dame Maggie Smith (although I bet she smells lovely) or a scone.
I have a sometimes grim job in a grim part of the world interacting with sometimes grim people and I’d like to be able to put my nose down my top in private and smell something that makes everything a bit better.
No idea about perfumes. Perfume people scare me. Going to JL next week and would like to have a sniff of maximum 5 perfumes and buy one of them.
Do not want anything remotely sexy, rude, obnoxious, syrupy girlie flowers, loud antibacterial sunshine or clean sheets in the rain I just mowed my lawn in a long dress bullshit.
Anything that fits the bill?
HyacinthineMacaw · 10/02/2023 16:27
I find the scent of vanilla immensely comforting (real stuff, not artificial), reminding me of my Nan baking sponge cakes in her huge kitchen, with the radio on and an endless pot of tea. So I would like something which gives me that scent, to evoke that memory. Do you have any memories associated with a particular scent, that you could look for in a perfume, which would evoke a memory which is similarly comforting to you?
SgtCawood · 10/02/2023 16:27
Following for the answer, really.
Chanel Coco? Sensible but also extremely nice and reassuring. It’s my backup plan when my last lovely discontinued Miller Harris bottle runs out.
Jaxinthebox · 10/02/2023 16:29
ok, I like the original Jimmy Choo perfume and often get compliments on it.
Another is Bottega Venetta illusione and a Hermes one, name escapes me. Those are my luxury type perfumes, not too sweet, cloying, over powering or 'everyone is wearing them'
I like to wear perfume that not everyone instantly recognises, but says 'ooh that smells amazing on you'
Hope that has helped a little.
tortoiseshellpeppershoes · 10/02/2023 16:29
Try looking at Tocca — I don’t know if JL stock it — but one of their Stella/Florence/Giulietta perfumes might just be the ticket.
Jaxinthebox · 10/02/2023 16:34
HyacinthineMacaw · 10/02/2023 16:27
I find the scent of vanilla immensely comforting (real stuff, not artificial), reminding me of my Nan baking sponge cakes in her huge kitchen, with the radio on and an endless pot of tea. So I would like something which gives me that scent, to evoke that memory. Do you have any memories associated with a particular scent, that you could look for in a perfume, which would evoke a memory which is similarly comforting to you?
I remember my daughter (who as about 4ish) getting really upset one day and telling me "I need to smell my Nanny" - she was clearly missing my Mum, but the smell was her perfume. Was a choice of 2 - Vanderbilt by Gloria Vanderbilt and Coco Chanel by Chanel.
We lived 400 miles away from my family at the time and I had to rummage around the house for an item of mums clothing that she had left at my house that hadn't been washed. I found a scarf and daughter was fine. To this day those 2 perfumes are my mums 'signature' and my daughter will be 20 soon.
wibblewobbleball · 10/02/2023 16:38
Dior Dolce Vita is unusual, pretty and smells both comforting and expensive/luxury. Highly recommend.
Stoechas · 10/02/2023 16:39
HyacinthineMacaw · 10/02/2023 16:27
I find the scent of vanilla immensely comforting (real stuff, not artificial), reminding me of my Nan baking sponge cakes in her huge kitchen, with the radio on and an endless pot of tea. So I would like something which gives me that scent, to evoke that memory. Do you have any memories associated with a particular scent, that you could look for in a perfume, which would evoke a memory which is similarly comforting to you?
Badedas springs to mind as that’s what my mum used to use and the smell from her evening bath would reach me in bed when I was a kid.
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 10/02/2023 16:40
Hermes Eau Des Mervelles is what you're looking for.
Not Ambre, not Elixier. The plain one.
SoCunningYouCanStickATailOnItAndCallItAFox · 10/02/2023 16:42
That would be Lancome poeme for me.
But like all perfumes so personal.
The same perfume on two different people can smell so different.
But it's just so, uplifting and not trendy, just great scent.
UWhatNow · 10/02/2023 16:44
An oldy but my Estée Lauder Beautiful still gets compliments wherever I go.
JennyDarlingRIP · 10/02/2023 16:44
I've started wearing dolce and gabbana l'imperatrice again after about twenty years. It's fairly fruity and a bit floral, but for me it takes me back to being about 18/20 having the world at your feet and that innate belief that you can do just about anything. It's very reassuring and uplifting.
You need to work out which scent is associated with that kind of memory for you, it's very personal
Tirednest · 10/02/2023 16:46
Diptyque Orpheon. Smells like someone wearing a musky perfume is pouring you a gin and tonic in a smoky jazz club, then when they leave they leave behind the smell of warm, cozy, clean cashmere.
Lapsedcataholic · 10/02/2023 16:51
A PP mentioned the original Jimmy Choo. I don't own the perfume but I do wear the body lotion. My daughter had a gift set and said she'd never wear the lotion so gave it to me.
It's the most beautiful scent, like you say I can stick my nose down my top and get this amazing scent which lasts for hours on me. It's my go-to when meeting up with people I know I'll be hugging, and have often been told I smell delicious! Good when out for a meal, I don't like smelling perfume when I'm eating.
I've no desire to wear the perfume, but I'm on my 4th tube of lotion bought off Amazon. Have asked for another for my birthday!
My current everyday perfume is one that was on special offer in duty free last time I travelled, its Hugo Boss Ma Vie. I'm no perfumista so can't describe it in fancy language but I find it very appealing as it's light, not sugary sweet, a little bit floral but also fresh. It's gorgeous.
My all-time favourite is Tom Ford Black Orchid but it might be a little strong for daytime, I consider it my sexy nighttime perfume and a little goes a very long way!
UnfinishedBusiness · 10/02/2023 16:52
Chanel No. 5 always brings my lovely, stylish, scone baking Nan to mind. I think of her every time I give myself a spritz of the stuff. Sadly didn’t inherit any of her stylishness (I mostly look like a sack of spuds that have been kicked around a farmyard a few times), I do have her baking abilities though.
CorsicaDreaming · 10/02/2023 16:53
I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?  https://www.johnlewis.com/molton-brown-coastal-cypress-sea-fennel-eau-de-parfum-100ml/p4333589?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappioss_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=
BoreOfWhabylon · 10/02/2023 16:54
I think you might like Rose by Paul Smith (rose but not girly sweet)
Or Ô de Lancome (a bit citrussy, again unsweet)
CorsicaDreaming · 10/02/2023 16:54
Love this - but I'm sure I got a bottle for a fraction of that price... but I think it was pre lockdown, 50ml, and EDT not EDP...
Still worth a sniff. So calming and amazing. Reminds me of Corsica...
Rebellious23 · 10/02/2023 16:55
I just read your post and went with gut instinct which gave me
Byredo gypsy water
Mmm replica beach walk
Ariana grande cloud
gingercat02 · 10/02/2023 16:56
I currently have Jo Malone Scarlet Poppies on, have just weaned myself off JM Lime Basil and Mandarin.
I also have YSL Libre and Paco Rebanne Olympea. All gorgeous but pricey.
If you want lower cost M&S do a brilliant range now www.marksandspencer.com/l/beauty/discover
CaptainWentworth · 10/02/2023 16:56
I find Chanel Coromandel incredibly comforting; it’s a winter cashmere jumper sort of scent and it does smell amazing when it gets left behind on a jumper. It’s quite strong though and also a bit spendy.
also I find Guerlain Shalimar gives me the same vibes
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