Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Thread gallery
28
IDontHateRainbows · 07/02/2026 11:22

Mackemlass79 · 07/02/2026 10:14

Morning ladies I thought everyone had disappeared seemed so quiet on here but my phone just wasnt showing me notifications from the thread no idea how I managed that. SOTD is les sables roses - Louis Vuitton an absolute gorgeous scent for any rose fan like myself however this one is very deep and quite heavy as its oud based so very much a cold weather rose. Do any of u ladies have any vanilla recommendations please? I have never to this point liked vanilla as a scent but as im getting older im wanting to try again with it as my tastes are very much changing

Bibbi Vanilla Factory
Chloe Vanilla Planifolia - more floral
Juliette has a gun vanilla vibes - more beachy
Not everyone likes it as it's very strong but Matiere Premiere Vanilla Powder
Penhaligon's Babylon- more spicy
Diptyque Eau Duelle - simliar

There are so many variations on vanilla, it can go spicy, floral, sweet, herbal even salty

OP posts:
IDontHateRainbows · 07/02/2026 11:34

Some of you may remember my traumatic * experience when a DHL parcel with my PDM set from the black friday escentual deal was tampered with in the warehouse and removed. well, justice may prevail as I've been contacted by the investigations team, a little late if the theif has moved on, but at least they are taking it serioulsy and looking in to it.

Escentual very kindly re sent the items, they actually sold out of the PDM set but when some more stock came in a few weeks later they re sold it to me at the BF price.

I've just looked on there actually and they are selling the larger 5 x 10ml feminine set for £144. If I were not on my pre birthday/ pre liberty buying ban I would be tempted, but I want to save my pennies for liberty.

*not really traumatic, sorry to anyone who has experienced trauma.

OP posts:
JoRaRaRa · 07/02/2026 11:44

I've just been looking through my PDM perfumes and trying to decide my order of preference. I think I'd like to buy a full size of Meliora but I've heard it's being discontinued and they don't do it in 30ml only 75ml which is way too expensive right now, so I don't think I'll end up with it. I'll just have to make my 5ml last 😩

I've sprayed on palatine today, but this one is 8th on my list. It is nice, the Turkish rose in it makes it smell like Turkish delight, so it's quite rosy, quite sweet but not OTT and indulgent. I like it but I'm happy with my 10ml, I'm not in a rush to repurchase.

RoseTeaLady · 07/02/2026 11:50

@Mackemlass79 I’m wearing Penhaligon’s Babylon today. As @IDontHateRainbows says it’s a spicy vanilla. I get a lot of incense at first, but the drydown is gorgeous and it lasts well on me.
Fugazzi Vanilla Haze is worth a try. Also Kayali Vanilla 28. A bit smoky. Nice.

OvaHere · 07/02/2026 12:22

SOTD is Maison Crivelli Cuir Infrarouge. Thank you @JoRaRaRa for kindly sending me the sample.

Really like this. It was nice on a sample card in Selfridges but even nicer worn. Only had it on for 20 mins so waiting to see how it lasts and develops through the day.

I'd have to get it out to compare but I feel it might have similarities to BTSO Black Creme which I have in 10ml.

Mackemlass79 · 07/02/2026 12:54

Thank you ladies I have made note and shall be online shopping this afternoon well vinted or perfume parlour initially for small sizes incase I find vanilla still isn't for me

IDontHateRainbows · 07/02/2026 14:01

RoseTeaLady · 07/02/2026 11:50

@Mackemlass79 I’m wearing Penhaligon’s Babylon today. As @IDontHateRainbows says it’s a spicy vanilla. I get a lot of incense at first, but the drydown is gorgeous and it lasts well on me.
Fugazzi Vanilla Haze is worth a try. Also Kayali Vanilla 28. A bit smoky. Nice.

I got the dupe of thos, Mesopotamia that comes in extrait and edp.

The extrait is rubbish, ok in its own right but not a realistic dupe. The edp is much better and a steal at £8 for 13ml.

Really I want to get a large sample of the real thing from perfumists which is £30.

The full size bottle is £215!!

OP posts:
IDontHateRainbows · 07/02/2026 14:05

RoseTeaLady · 07/02/2026 11:50

@Mackemlass79 I’m wearing Penhaligon’s Babylon today. As @IDontHateRainbows says it’s a spicy vanilla. I get a lot of incense at first, but the drydown is gorgeous and it lasts well on me.
Fugazzi Vanilla Haze is worth a try. Also Kayali Vanilla 28. A bit smoky. Nice.

I like all of these. Special mention also to prada infusion vanille, its a more herbally one.

I always check the scent profiles and reviews on fragrantica

OP posts:
OvaHere · 07/02/2026 14:33

Early reports on this one are saying very similar to Prada Paradoxe. Which is good because I don't want to want it and I have Prada. Still hoping it will eventually show up in edits or an advent.

https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Parfums-de-Marly/Athenais-123716.html

RoseTeaLady · 07/02/2026 15:42

@IDontHateRainbows Mesopotamia is definitely on my to try list

IDontHateRainbows · 07/02/2026 20:37

Sot evening is elie saab elixir love. This is a gorgeous cherry rose.

OP posts:
JoRaRaRa · 07/02/2026 21:23

SOTEvening is Thameen Riviere. I'm really liking this one at the moment 😍

Doglover73 · 08/02/2026 10:10

Sotd
Not decided yet. I try a few and then feel i have to use them but then get bored. May look in my fragrance calendars or even advents fo inspiration. Im thinking of putting them in a box and doing a lucky dip daily. 🤣🥰

Mackemlass79 · 08/02/2026 10:17

@Doglover73 that is my method at min for choosing my daily fragrance. I have over 100 mini and sample sizes 10ml and below plus full size bottles so I have all my mini and sample sizes in a basket and literally just put my hand in each day at min and use whatever I pull out over that day in hopes of using up some (so I can order more 🙈). Today's dip and SOTD is fragonard verveine bought for me as a gift at least 6 plus yrs ago lovely scent too very earthy and green

Doglover73 · 08/02/2026 14:01

I had good intentions but went with acne studios again 🤣🥰
I think im overwhelmed buy how much i hve and need to sort into smaller chunks rather than looking at big boxes. Im going to start spraying a tissue and putting it in my handbag, carrier bags as well. Mainly to us up so I can buy more. Snap! 🤣🥰

JoRaRaRa · 08/02/2026 15:26

I went for Guerlain Ambre Samar this morning, beautiful 😍

Then I've got home and put on Thameen Riviere. I've just bought another bottle of this on Vinted for £30. I'm really enjoying it and think I'll be using it quite a lot over the next few months.

IDontHateRainbows · 08/02/2026 17:24

Prada Paradoxe radical essence. I like it, but it has negative associations for me of when I had a difficult situation last summer and someone was trying to push me out of my job. I call it 'the smell of fear' as when it came out, I was in a total state of anxiety. It was when I was on holiday (UK) and this was out and being promoted everywhere. I had to come home early to do an interview to get my contract extended and just about pulled it off.

Strange how anchored to events our smell memories can be. I still enjoy wearing it but it will forever remind me of that time.

OP posts:
keepincool · 08/02/2026 18:22

IDontHateRainbows · 08/02/2026 17:24

Prada Paradoxe radical essence. I like it, but it has negative associations for me of when I had a difficult situation last summer and someone was trying to push me out of my job. I call it 'the smell of fear' as when it came out, I was in a total state of anxiety. It was when I was on holiday (UK) and this was out and being promoted everywhere. I had to come home early to do an interview to get my contract extended and just about pulled it off.

Strange how anchored to events our smell memories can be. I still enjoy wearing it but it will forever remind me of that time.

That sounds like a horrible time @IDontHateRainbows , I'm glad you managed to save your job. Hopefully that person isn't still in your life?

I get how some fragrances bring back memories, good and bad. I received a bottle of Estee Lauder Youth Dew last year which I hadn't smelt in years. I associate it with an abusive woman from my childhood and just couldn't get past that association. The smell just made me extremely anxious. Thank goodness she didn't wear Delina! 🙂

IDontHateRainbows · 08/02/2026 20:01

keepincool · 08/02/2026 18:22

That sounds like a horrible time @IDontHateRainbows , I'm glad you managed to save your job. Hopefully that person isn't still in your life?

I get how some fragrances bring back memories, good and bad. I received a bottle of Estee Lauder Youth Dew last year which I hadn't smelt in years. I associate it with an abusive woman from my childhood and just couldn't get past that association. The smell just made me extremely anxious. Thank goodness she didn't wear Delina! 🙂

I'm happy to say that bitch has gone from my life now and her replacement is much nicer! She deliberately arranged my interview for the week i was on leave, so that's a week I'll never get back, but I kept my job and now they are talking about promoting me! So if i get a new perfume at liberty on Tuesday maybe it can have happy connotations!

OP posts:
IDontHateRainbows · 08/02/2026 20:04

Has anyone been to the perfume hall at Harrods? Worth a look? How does it compare to liberty if you've been to both?

I could do a 'perfume tour' of London!

OP posts:
OvaHere · 08/02/2026 20:08

IDontHateRainbows · 08/02/2026 20:04

Has anyone been to the perfume hall at Harrods? Worth a look? How does it compare to liberty if you've been to both?

I could do a 'perfume tour' of London!

Bigger, busier and less 'chill'. I preferred Liberty as it felt easier to just meander and browse. Maybe Harrods has quieter periods though? That's probably a question for someone who has visited a lot more than me.

I quite liked Harvey Nichols for perfume browsing too.

JoRaRaRa · 08/02/2026 20:11

IDontHateRainbows · 08/02/2026 20:04

Has anyone been to the perfume hall at Harrods? Worth a look? How does it compare to liberty if you've been to both?

I could do a 'perfume tour' of London!

I've only gone around the beauty hall and into the perfumes there. I'd love to do the 6th floor salon de parfums, it sounds a bit intimidating though. I freak out when anyone talks to me 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 I'm hoping to drag my husband around a few perfume shops when we go to London in May. I've heard there's a nice perfume shop in Covent Garden?

OvaHere · 08/02/2026 20:18

JoRaRaRa · 08/02/2026 20:11

I've only gone around the beauty hall and into the perfumes there. I'd love to do the 6th floor salon de parfums, it sounds a bit intimidating though. I freak out when anyone talks to me 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 I'm hoping to drag my husband around a few perfume shops when we go to London in May. I've heard there's a nice perfume shop in Covent Garden?

I did the 6th floor. I actually preferred that to the lower floor as it was much quieter. Everything up there is very spendy though. It wasn't intimidating though, all the SA's were happy to chat - probably a bit bored. 😂Nobody seemed to mind us going around sniffing the scents.

potplantsinparadise · 08/02/2026 20:19

@JoRaRaRa Loads of nice perfume shops in Covent Garden! There's Bloom, Byredo, Penhaligons, Creed, Chanel, Granado, Jo Malone, Aesop, Miller Harris, Tom Ford, Parfums de Marly, Diptyque, Forest Essentiels, and prob a bunch more I've forgotten.

IDontHateRainbows · 08/02/2026 21:48

OvaHere · 08/02/2026 20:18

I did the 6th floor. I actually preferred that to the lower floor as it was much quieter. Everything up there is very spendy though. It wasn't intimidating though, all the SA's were happy to chat - probably a bit bored. 😂Nobody seemed to mind us going around sniffing the scents.

One of my big bugbears in life is how, as a society, we can afford to pay people to hang around perfume halls to sell perfume (they never seem very busy and there are always loads of them) whereas most schools struggle to afford to get enough TAs to support our kids. I know. Capitalism. Rich people buying perfume > kids with SEN needing help.

I suppose I'll be part of the problem on Tuesday when I go to Liberty.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread