Perfume selection for woman in her 70s

[LonelyFlans]

I've been asked to buy a perfume sampling set for a woman in her early 70s.

She doesn't like floral perfumes but is otherwise open to ideas!

Can anyone recommend something that might be suitable please?

Miller Harris samples have free postage if you buy a few

I appreciate all your comments - thank you.

I included her age to give some context - I appreciate that everyone is different, but I was trying to say (clearly not very well) that the "younger" perfumes would not be what she's looking for. I am not great at identifying perfumes using the right language, so that was my best attempt.

The gift recipient is generally "mainstream", has asked for this type of gift to help her figure out what she would like. She specified nothing floral.

After looking through your links and suggestions (which I appreciate as there were a few I'd not heard of) I realised that another thing to consider is that she is very unlikely to want/be able to justify spend more than £100 on a standard size bottle of perfume when she has found one she likes - which has ruled out some of the suggestions.

Thanks again for your help.

M&S do sample sets for about a fiver. If you think their stuff isn't a presenty enough present but she might actually really like their scents you could chuck one in as a bonus gift.

Penhaligons discovery set is lovely, but spending.

*spendy

For fun, she could start here!

https://m.fredericmalle.co.uk/findyourperfume

And then (after sampling) buy one of the travel size bottles. Tbh I find little need for full size bottles and once I commit to one I might get bored before the end.

Is your recipient labouring under the impression that she’s obliged to choose one ‘signature scent’? Because she really doesn’t have to. It’s quite an old fashioned and outdated concept. Much more fun to be constantly experimenting and choosing what you wear on any day according to your mood.

Well this old person doesn’t. It’s fucking awful. True fact.

You missed the sarcasm in CurlewKate's post.

Lancôme do a mini set as do Yves st Laurent
Others have already said Estée Lauder I also saw a penhaligons one online

My Mum is 77 and I've just got her a bottle of Chanel Coco - she absolutely loves it. I would also try Liz Earle for perfumes - I've got a bottle of No 15 on the go at the moment, it lasts all day and smells heavenly. Great value too.

https://www.lizearle.com/bath-and-body/fragrance/

Dying to try this
https://uk.smnovella.com/products/3710001
£25 Italian brand with very traditional roots
Or
https://victoriabeckhambeauty.com/en-gb/products/fragrance-discovery-set
£30

I think you were quite right to give her age. Gives context, correct.
Some people are just so snotty.

My mother is in her 80's (just) and still loves Opium (YSL) - just as an example.
I find all the Estee Lauder ones very strong. But then tried a couple of Chanel recently, and even they seemed a bit overpowering.
I do think that if she is "older", it might be worth bearing in mind.... because I certainly was not always fussy about how strong a perfume might be, but I am now.

I think most fragrances have some flower scents in their composition, but aren't actually Floral, per se.

There are too many to choose from these days I find - and trying them gives me a headache, so I stick with just one (Dior Joy, Intense 💞)

4160 Tuesdays. They do a sample box, the samples are very pretty to look at as all wrapped individually in different shades of tissue paper. Really nice scents .

Your own post shows how irrelevant the age was.

Another vote for M&S - they don't just sell own brand. Fragonard for example is a very well regarded French perfume house. Can't see a sample set now but they have sold them before. Might be worth a look on eBay for an unused one.

I went to a Britney spires concert and they were giving away free samples of her perfume, it’s really nice, so nice that I asked for it for Christmas. I was in my 50’s then wouldn’t mind getting some now come to think of it. Also don’t think there’s a range of perfume aimed at women over 70

My mum is mid 80's. She's wearing Issey Miyake and Narciso Rodriguez atm. She's also fond of Philosophy perfumes ( John Lewis )

I was in the same situation, had been wearing Chanel No5 for over 35 years and wanted a change but had no idea where to start or where to get samples to try. I treated myself to a perfume subscription box a few months ago and am finding it rather good fun having my three samples arrive through the letterbox every month. Would she perhaps like something along those lines?

I opted for Secret Scent Box and this month's samples are Hollister's Canyon Sky for Her, Jimmy Choo's Illicit, and Joop Femme. Not wildly expensive perfumes, more in the purse friendly but still nice price range.

For context, because on Fragrantica some perfumes are described as being for older people by the youngsters, I'm in my late 50s.

Liberty have a number of discovery sets currently with 20% off
https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/fragrance-discovery-set-5-x-2ml-000645623.html

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/fragrance-discovery-set-5-x-2ml-000645623.html?algq=perfume%20discovery%20sets

Marks and Spencer have various brands other than their own in the Beauty hall. I imagine there might be a discovery set if shopping in store.

Jo Malone do those little sets too. This one is not floral
https://www.jomalone.co.uk/product/26322/107863/gift-sets/christmas-cologne-collection?size=5_x_9ml

I’m getting on for 70 and I definitely wouldn’t want to receive M&S perfume.

However, if you want to buy from M&S specifically you can buy Fragonard perfume there. I can recommend Fragonard Grain de Soleil.

Byredo do sample sets for about £40. They then give you a voucher offering you £40 off a bottle if you decide to buy a full size. Might be a way for her to get a more pricey perfume at a cheaper price if she uses the voucher.

I received a set from a UK based company, saltworks as a present. The small perfumes had a good range, excellent longevity and I got £25 off when I went back for a full size bottle (100ml around £100 before the discount).

https://thesaltworkscompany.com/search?q=collection*&type=product%2carticle%2cpage%2ccollection

I’d like this, but then I like Guerlain. The fruity/floral ones aren’t floral in the ordinary sense (not too sweet).

https://www.guerlain.com/uk/en-uk/p/women-fragrances-the-perfumer’s-collection-set-P014375.html

The M&S Apothecary perfumes in brown glass bottled would be a good choice.
The 'Warmth' one is warm and woody without smelling like aftershave. There are others and they definitely don't smell flowery.