Basic perfume questions

[JenniferMint]

What store do you buy your perfume from?

How do you decide which perfume to get?

How does perfume affect others' interactions with you?

[Kate Jennings]

Department Stores...it the one ladies item that no one seems to question your buying in guy mode.

It takes lots of sniffing to decide what you like. It is also fun to ask ladies what they are wearing.

Right now I enjoy Clinque "Happy" and Ralph Lauren "Lauren".

Too many perfumes smell exactly the same.

And as to reactions ...it makes me feel much more femme and men and women love it. It is a great finishing touch.

[fionasboots]

What store do you buy your perfume from?


There's so many places ... I would probably suggest some of the outlet malls where you can get the good stuff for a fraction of the price - perfume seems to be really expensive ... see next comment



How do you decide which perfume to get?


Smell them? Get samples and try them at home? Not really sure, I have to admit that I haven't ventured as far as getting perfume yet but have been seriously considering it.

There seems to be soooooo many perfumes around, maybe have a look through magazines/online to see which is the latest fashion.

I suppose the more preparation you do the easier it will be to walk in a store and smell the ones on your shortlist before actually buying something ... also the old trick of having a list means you've got the excuse of "this is for my wife/girlfriend" if you feel at all embarrassed about this.



How does perfume affect others' interactions with you?

I wouldn't know ... however, I know that I notice perfume that GGs wear and, while I can't name the make or anything clever like that it does give quite a strong association between the smell and the person.

I think smells can often be very good triggers for memories or emotions so wearing the perfume you like may have the same affect on you and others around you.

Think I'll be watching this thread for all the advice as well :heehee:

[Sandra]

I buy most of ours from the Estee Lauder counter, we got very friendly with the girls on the counter when Nigella went for a make over. Now when we go in if any new perfumes have come out we get samples to try at home.

What smells good on one person can smell s*** on someone else. You do need to wear perfume for a few hours to get the true smell.

[Karren H]

Walmart - Calvin Kline Obsession (love the smell and a fitting name!!) and don't know....but your not completely enfemme without a scent....It's the rules.....Crossdressers Handbook - page 34 - paragraph 2 - line 5.....hehehe

Love Karren

[Sky]

How do you decide which perfume to get?

Pick one, spray it on your wrist, let dry and smell. It's the only way to go. Smelling perfumed papers means nothing -no way to know how it would smell on your skin.


How does perfume affect others' interactions with you?

From "Ooh, you smell adorable!" to "It smells like a used diaper filled with Indian food!" (Christina Applegate in "Anchorman")

And everywhere in between.

[JenniferMint]

Pick one, spray it on your wrist, let dry and smell. It's the only way to go. Smelling perfumed papers means nothing -no way to know how it would smell on your skin.

I tried that a bit today, but then I quickly lost my ability to judge perfumes since the scents from earlier ones I tried had piled up! What do you do about that?

[Sandra]

I tried that a bit today, but then I quickly lost my ability to judge perfumes since the scents from earlier ones I tried had piled up! What do you do about that?

This is why you ask for samples, you can then try each one on different days. :happy:

[Sky]

I tried that a bit today, but then I quickly lost my ability to judge perfumes since the scents from earlier ones I tried had piled up! What do you do about that?

Come back another day. If you use scented papers as a general guide fine, but always try what you liked on paper on your skin before buying it. You don't know how it smells on you until you, well, smell it on you. (d'oh!)

[Staci]

Buy it at Victorias Secret stores. I just tell them I would like to find a nice perfume. They help you find what you like. I have both their Very Sexy for Her and Very Sexy for Her II. I just love them.

[Bobbie cd]

Walmart - Calvin Kline Obsession (love the smell and a fitting name!!) and don't know....but your not completely enfemme without a scent....It's the rules.....Crossdressers Handbook - page 34 - paragraph 2 - line 5.....hehehe

Love Karren

Errr, ummm, Karren is that still in print? I seem to have mis-placed my copy! :D

[JenniferMint]

This is why you ask for samples, you can then try each one on different days. :happy:

You mean they sell sample packs?

[Kate Simmons]

If it makes me smell like a French "you know what", I'll buy it:happy: Ericka Kay

[Ellaine]

Is it true to say ...insist on au de parfum and do not save money buying au de toilette?


I'm Chanel no5 and Opium at the moment (sparingly...it lasts). When I can no longer smell it others say..Oooh you smell nice :)

[Nigella]

You mean they sell sample packs?

We have never had to buy a sample, always been given them to try, they usually come as a GWP. Another place to try get samples from is e-bay. Beaware tho, some will be cheap knock offs, but alt least you can try any you like.

Nothing better than going up to the counter, spraying a little on, and checking again in a few hours. If you are out shopping, do this at the start of your shop, at the end you should know how it smells on you.

[Bernadina]

I tried that a bit today, but then I quickly lost my ability to judge perfumes since the scents from earlier ones I tried had piled up! What do you do about that?

Two a day is all you can do. One on each wrist. And keep a list of what you've tried and like/don't like. There are hundreds of perfumes and only a few that work for each of us.

[DAVIDA]

Sniff Sniff Sniff I enjoy BEAUTIFUL by Estee Lauder. It has a very delicate fragrance, not to overpowering.
I don't know about peoples reactions. I try to get it off before I go anywher.