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Original poster

Recommend a classy perfume - one for night, one for day

55 replies

Booksandsport · 02/01/2025 20:17

I want to try some new perfumes thanks to vouchers, but not sure what to try.
Given the cost, I don't want to waste money on something I won't like.

I'm 49, so afraid of young sales girls who will see me as ancient and only suggest something matronly which I am not but then google things and sometimes feel they are for jet-setting 20 year olds which I am not either!

I was reading the glossy 4x4 style thread and I was wondering what perfume do the people wear who are have the capsule wardrobe of well fitted clothes and glossy hair (I actually naturally do well in the latter department, but not so much the former - my style is more "rushed"!).

OP posts:
EvelynBeatrice · 02/01/2025 20:34

The only rule for perfume is to wear what you like. You’ll need to walk round a big perfume hall and have a sniff or order samples from one of the websites that supply them. Everyone has different tastes, body chemistry and budget.

I’m of a similar vintage and this winter I’m wearing ( long term favourites) Hermes 24 Faubourg ( warm, sophisticated ) and Narcisso Forever ( floral end of summer perfume), Rituals L’Eclat ( woody, pencil shavings, inoffensive, good base for other fragrances and available in miniature for 18 pounds) Marks and Spencer Discover Intense Orange Blossom & Amber ( modern day take on Estée Lauder’s classic Youth Dew - small sizes available for a few pounds) and Next’s Embrace! Happy hunting!!

pinkdisco · 02/01/2025 20:40

Check out some Jo Malone? x

ranchdressing · 02/01/2025 20:44

What's your budget? There are lovely perfumes and LOVELY perfumes.

But whatever we say, you need to just suck it up and go to a department store and try them all. There's nothing to be scared of, you are a human being and no less worthy than someone young. If they ask if you need help just 'no thanks Im just browsing' and carry on sniffing!

LunaNorth · 02/01/2025 20:49

First thing’s first.

A perfume department is the natural habitat of a 49 year old woman with disposable cash. The assistants will be falling over themselves to help you.

Head high. Get in there. I’m 50 and I’ve never, ever had snotty treatment. Just be friendly, ask questions and hold that head high. You’ve earned your place!

Mama2b99 · 02/01/2025 20:50

YSL Libre intense - sexy and sophisticated
Armani si passione- sexy and fresh/fruity smells amazing.

ColdHenrietta · 02/01/2025 20:57

Firstly, where are your vouchers for?

Frederic Malle might be available at a store where you can spend your vouchers.

Perfumer H possibly won’t be.

And really, for a good choice of slightly more niche perfumes you’d probably be better going to somewhere like Bloom Perfumes - either in person or via their website which has a fabulous supply of samples.

BlackCat25 · 02/01/2025 21:16

…totally agree that your best bet is to spend some free time at a large department store and work your way around a decent perfume section. Scent is so hugely personal that recommending rarely works. Think about the flowers that you love? Roses? Iris? Lily? Or do you prefer more spicy scents? Woody? A good assistant will guide you to relevant perfumes. If you can get samples to try at home before buying that’s helpful. Some perfumes fade quickly, others last for many hours….again; samples help with this. Or do you have a friend who always smells lovely? Ask her/him what they’re wearing! (Give a compliment and get a tip off at the same time….bonus!)

Original poster
Booksandsport · 02/01/2025 22:05

ColdHenrietta · 02/01/2025 20:57

Firstly, where are your vouchers for?

Frederic Malle might be available at a store where you can spend your vouchers.

Perfumer H possibly won’t be.

And really, for a good choice of slightly more niche perfumes you’d probably be better going to somewhere like Bloom Perfumes - either in person or via their website which has a fabulous supply of samples.

I have Selfridges and Liberty vouchers (upcoming trip to London), but equally I can just use cash for perfume and spend the vouchers on something else as I have 3 friends with upcoming 50ths to buy presents for.

I had an awful experience at a MAC counter last year where I felt 150 years older leaving, so am scared to walk up to an unknown sales assistant and throwing myself on their mercy when I really don't know where to start and there are so many. At least if I have a few names, I can try those to start.

OP posts:
Original poster
Booksandsport · 02/01/2025 22:07

EvelynBeatrice · 02/01/2025 20:34

The only rule for perfume is to wear what you like. You’ll need to walk round a big perfume hall and have a sniff or order samples from one of the websites that supply them. Everyone has different tastes, body chemistry and budget.

I’m of a similar vintage and this winter I’m wearing ( long term favourites) Hermes 24 Faubourg ( warm, sophisticated ) and Narcisso Forever ( floral end of summer perfume), Rituals L’Eclat ( woody, pencil shavings, inoffensive, good base for other fragrances and available in miniature for 18 pounds) Marks and Spencer Discover Intense Orange Blossom & Amber ( modern day take on Estée Lauder’s classic Youth Dew - small sizes available for a few pounds) and Next’s Embrace! Happy hunting!!

Thanks for those, that is what I was hoping for, some to try and at least then I can say to the sales assistant that I did/didn't like x or y.

OP posts:
Original poster
Booksandsport · 02/01/2025 22:08

Mama2b99 · 02/01/2025 20:50

YSL Libre intense - sexy and sophisticated
Armani si passione- sexy and fresh/fruity smells amazing.

Actually my sister had a nice perfume recently and it was Armani Si, so thanks for the reminder.
I'll investigate Libre too.

OP posts:
GuestSpeakers · 02/01/2025 22:19

My two favourites are Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille and Acqua di Parma Mandorlo di Sicilia. I love vanilla but most perfumes turn sickly sweet after a few hours. Those two don't.

BaronessBomburst · 02/01/2025 22:21

Which perfumes do you currently wear/ like?

OatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 02/01/2025 22:23

Jo Malone - you can book a scent pairing experience for free.

fadthisis · 02/01/2025 22:27

O de Lancôme is my favourite perfume. Has a lemony scent and fits every occasion! My daughter loves it as well.

mdinbc · 02/01/2025 22:35

It's too bad that your last experience at a beauty counter didn't go well. I think most places with well trained staff treat customers well. I had a great experience at by local drug store beauty counter when I last wanted a new fragrance.

I asked for a warm cosy winter fragrance with perhaps a vanilla base, and she knew just the thing. They had just got in D&G Devotion, and I didn't need to try any others. I've been wearing it as a day fragrance since the end of October. Love it.

Go ahead and ask for assistance with some starting point as reference, say a floral, but you don't like rose, or you love a certain fragrance on someone else and want similar but not the same.

Have fun shopping!

mdinbc · 02/01/2025 22:38

fadthisis, that is one of my favourites as well, but for summer. It is fresh, clean and citrus without being too girly.

Newhi · 02/01/2025 22:38

I would get one of the Liberty scent kits when they next come out. I think you need to try the fragrance out at home, not overwhelmed with the smells of a department store. I’ve had some lovely perfumes I would never even considered as wouldn’t usually go for a floral or vanilla perfume.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 02/01/2025 22:42

The only rule for perfume is to wear what you like.

This is the truth. Don't worry about smelling classy or what is aspirational or current - you can't make yourself like a perfume. You like what you like, and that one will make you happy, and anything else will niggle at you and sicken you.

Try loads, and don't get attached to the idea of a perfume someone recommends - it really is too personal for that to be any use.

olympicsrock · 02/01/2025 22:44

I like amber by Prada for a sultry evening scent.

During the day I like a fresher scent such as Jean Paul Gaultier Femme . I also like Eternity for old time’s sake . Citrus hints.

MJOverInvestor · 02/01/2025 22:51

both Liberty and Selfridge’s have great fragrance departments. After you’ve drawn up a shortlist, you might want to ask for (if sales people are nice) for a tester so you can see if you still like them. Liberty has its own line of fragrances and they are very good.

musicmum75 · 02/01/2025 22:58

Liberty has a wonderful perfume hall in the basement. I think you can book a consultation but even if you don't, the staff are all very friendly and helpful. There are perfumes on the ground floor too but less help available there and it's a lot busier.

I find Selfridges a bit more hectic and rushed but it does depend which counter you go to. Thameen end Ex Nihilo were very friendly last time I was there.

I can assure you that no one in either store will treat you as "old". A 49 year old with decent money to spend is their target market.

doubleshift · 02/01/2025 23:32

I love Chanel Chance for day

PureBoggin · 02/01/2025 23:52

Top tip if you're going on a perfume smelling trip.. to avoid getting headachey/sicky/noseblind take a small pocket sized time of coffee beans with you. If you start to feel woozy have a sniff of the beans.

PureBoggin · 02/01/2025 23:53

Oh and I am a big Jo Malone fan. Old school Lime, Basil and Mandarin or Earl Grey and Cucumber for day and something a bit heavier like Pomegranate Noir for evening.

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