Can you help me find a nice perfume

[Rollypollypuddingandpie]

I have never really bought perfume but I’d like to have a nice one. How do I start to find one though?! So many options I don’t know where to begin.

Do you have a big John Lewis or similar somewhere near that you could go and sniff a lot of different ones? They are so individual that what one person likes others may not.

Are there any particular smells that you like?

Sometimes I find buying a discovery set or samples help so I can try small amounts of different scents before committing to a whole bottle.

Definitely start by browsing and sending for samples. Three brilliant sources of more or less niche perfumes (so not what you’ll find in Boots), are

Bloom Perfumery (Inexhaustible supply of things from a wide variety of ‘independent’ brands. Astonishing sample subscriptions as well as individual samples.)

Sainte Cellier (Beautiful curation of lesser known mostly European perfume brands. Rewardingly informative site.)

Les Senteurs (Wondrously old and grand shop offering several ways to get into a perfume habit.)

Take a look at them all and see what sounds appealing. You never have to buy a full bottle of anything unless you want to.

If you like the sound of anything - look it up on the Fragrantica site. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for any perfume for generally trenchant reviews.

Brilliant !! I had no idea all that existed 😀

You cant go wrong with Chanel Coco Mademoiselle

I agree this is lovely but one perfume on one person doesn't necessarily smell the same on another. I'd be going to s JL or large Boots as a starting point and be taking my own coffee beans 😂

Jo Malone tester set

I'd go to Space NK or a big John Lewis and try some on. Try to narrow it down a bit. Do you like strong, glamorous, sophisticated scents? Or light floral?

I think I like lighter scents, but not too sweet. Ill
need to get some tester sets in I think!

Tester sets are brilliant, Maison Martin Margiela is good and I love Beach Walk. M&S do some cheaper ones too that are excellent with small trial vials.

How much do you want to spend? Jo (from Jo Malone) has done a collaboration with Zara that is meant to be very good.
if you want to spend more, can’t go wrong with some of the Dior perfumes.

Once you narrow it down to a few you like, ask for samples. That way you can put some on in the morning (or whenever you’d put it on) to see how the scent develops throughout the day, as what you smell on the first instance is often a bit different to how it smells after a few minutes or hours!

Cool water woman is lovely for a light fresh scent.

Im currently using the Aldi dupe of Jo Malones Poppy and Barley and its lovely Lasts on me for ages. Ive never tried Jo Malone itself though as i cant afford it

my current favourite is ghost celestial dream which i discovered by accident.

Everyone is different so my only suggestion is to visit a large store and request tester samples.

Personally I like Chanel Chance by night and Daisy by Marc Jacobs for daytime.

Ah no I find this one too sickly sweet!
It’s so subjective isn’t it?
My current favourites are Jo Malone sandalwood and spiced apricot
Phlur Father Figure
Wilhelm parfumerie basilico and felini
but I have a rotating cast!
only way to find out is to go and smell them really.

I really don’t like any of Jo Malone’s scents! My favourites are Ombre Rose by Brosseau, Ghost, Ô de Lancôme, Acqua della Regina from Santa Maria Novella and La Vue est Belle by Lancôme.

I like le labo… they are very easy and light

I’ve been trying perfumes after 20 years not wearing any.

Cult Beauty offer 5 sample vials from a choice of about 10 for £5, plus the postage cost. You then get a £10 voucher towards a full size (30ml plus) - several Jo Malone included in the options.

Ive also had 2 M and S sample sets - about £6.

Tried Aldi Jo Malone dupes. Like the Poppy and Barley. Got a Lime and Basil via EBay as Aldi don’t offer that fragrance right now. I like it at the start but not so much when the top notes wear off.

Am learning the Jo Malone body crème has better staying power and that layering - whilst annoying due to the cost, does help.

Have also tried a couple in Superdrug. They sell a refillable atomiser called perfume pod that holds 5ml. When you buy it, for about £7 they will fill it with any fragrance they sell that they have a tester bottle of. Go to a big store for great choice. And 5ml is enough for a decent test. You could get several if you wanted.

And the thing I’ve learned is that choosing will take a while. Each fragrance needs at least a day of testing to see how smell changes and lasts. Apart from the Aldi bottles which are so cheap, I won’t allow myself to buy a bigger bottle for at least another month, until I’ve really chosen.

Ive tried Versace Versense and Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche via the Superdrug thing and an eBay 7ml sample. Not sure about them yet.

Reckon I’ve spent about £100 so far. Finding it a bit addictive and too easy to make offers for ‘bargains’ on eBay - read reviews carefully - lots of fakes on there / if it looks too good to be true, it prob is.

I usually have 3 perfumes, if I want to wear a very light, fresh smelling perfume I love Cherry Blossom by L’Occitane, another I like is Sheer Beauty, light, feminine fragrance by Calvin Klein. Good for every day. If I am going out in the evening rare event 😂 I like a heavier scent I will often wear La Bomba Carolina Herrera, stunning looking bottle, like a butterfly looks lovely on my dressing table. Have fun choosing.

Thank you so much for recommending Sainte Cellier. I really appreciate your kind words. 🙏

If anyone ever needs any perfume recommendations, please don't hesitate to get in touch. 💝

Best wishes,

Brooke
Sainte Cellier

You really need to go around and try them. What smells lovely on one person can smell like cat pee on another. Don’t blind buy, perfume is expensive and it’s a waste of money if it doesn’t suit you. I’d start with what sort of fragrances you are drawn to. For me it’s citrus or rose and my collection is based around those two top notes. Test and let them sit for a bit, don’t rub in, let the fragrance develop. You’ll know when you’ve found the right one (I used to work in this industry for clarity).

Actually, M&S do some lovely little discovery kits. That might be a good place to start. I can also recommend Zara fragrances if you’re on a tight budget.

Ooh Sandalwood and Spiced Apricot sounds gorgeous. I'll have to pop into Jo Malone to give it a sniff.