How to choose a new perfume - help!

Zara do lots of designer perfume dupes. Worth a try.
I like White Musk from The Body Shop for everyday wear.

www.whowhatwear.com/zara-perfume-dupes

I love the Soft Iris M & S perfume ..... and it's such a great price.

I try a perfume out at boots or duty free ...then buy it online cheaper....my latest is gucci floral ( the jasmine one)

M&S do a selection of their scents which, apparently, are dupes of well known brands. But, as others have said, they may not have lasting power …

SueDonim

The advisors in many stores are often there to promote a certain brand, Kitty. They won’t be suggesting a rival’s offering!

You'd think that, wouldn't you, but she was on a Boots Perfume counter which has all sorts. She didn't try and sell me anything but took me straight to the clinique counter.

Oops sorry dud link. I blame Google.

M&S are very nice but sadly they do not last, unless that is just on me.

I've recently seen several "Beauty Roundup" type articles recommend the M &S perfumes, which has piqued my interest. I almost fainted when I saw what OH had paid for the perfume he bought me for my birthday last year ... (I found the receipt in his pants when checking pockets for washing).

| Women's Perfume | M&S ink{https://share.google/mT91g9yDrmU1TTTAa\share.google/mT91g9yDrmU1TTTA]]a}

I usually have a good squirt going through Duty Free at the airport, there’s usually something I like but I do revert back to Estée Lauder, Jo Malone and, on special occasions, my Chanel no.5. For everyday wear those little M&S bottles are quite good especially for travel.

The best place for a wide selection and plenty of time to sample is a cross channel ferry; they have a very well stocked scent shop and assistants who know their business and can advise, plus you may sample them, wander off with tester cards then return later when you have had time to think about it.
Much more fun than a booze cruise ,plus, you get to visit France.

The advisors in many stores are often there to promote a certain brand, Kitty. They won’t be suggesting a rival’s offering!

Abbey Perfumery from Derbyshire (online) sell a"library" of 12 different sample size scents for £28. And you'll be supporting a small British business

If you are near one "Sniff out" John Lewis, they have loads of choice.
I personally like ones from Jo Malone, Jo Loves, Penhaligon. My daily go to spray is from Clarins.
Best of luck

Thank you, SueD, good idea. I stupidly thought asking an assistant on a perfume counter would be a bit like that.

There are a number of perfume guides online to help you choose something new. Some are from perfume brands such as YSL so they’ll obviously be pointing you at their own products but there are others. Just put something like ‘help me choose a new perfume’ into your search bar. They ask you questions about the kind of scents you like and your previous favourites.

Good luck! 🌹

Hi, it is indeed difficult to choose a new perfume. I recently saw an article about skin changes as we age. Also there is such a thing as an old person smell! not a nice thought but it is a fact.
Then discovered that some of the Jo Malone fragrances are more suitable for mature skin.
I've recently visited their store in Bath and bought one there after trying a few. The one I purchased was Lime, Basil and Mandarin, which I love. But it's all down to personal choice.

Forgot to say that unless you live near their shop in Ramsgate you have to buy online, but that's ok when you get a set of ten samples to try.

thesaltworkscompany.com

Saltworks do tester kits too. They call them Discovery Sets, and cost £29. You get a £25 voucher with each one that you can put against a full bottle or three small 'handbag sized' ones if you can't decide.

They have some lovely perfumes, and it's good to be able to wear them for a while before deciding to see how they work on your skin. The bottles are smart too, and look good in the bathroom. I have several, and also like them because they are very long-lasting (Jo Malone doesn't seem to last on me at all).

That should say sampling, not amping

Next used to have a lovely flowery “pretty” smelling one called Just Pink. I love the Boss perfumes, they seem to suit my skin. The only problem with amping is that you spray them here and there and then forget which is which! You really need to go for a few trips and try out. You could try spraying g onto one of the bits of card and taking a pen to write on which one it is. But that won’t tell you how it actually smells on your skin. (Anyone remember a 1970s perfume called Cachet which promised to smell different on every person? I think actually all perfumes do!)

Perfumes are very subject to personal taste, so like anyone else who posts, I can only say what appeals to me. A brand I discovered a couple of years ago, Maison Margiela stocked by John Lewis, their range comprises of everything from light florals to one I like "By the Fireplace" which is Autumnal and woody. I've found they have more staying power than Jo Malone's although Blackberry and Bay fron JM is one I'll buy from time to time. My ongoing favourites are Hermes Eau des Merveilles and Chanel No 5, which I get with accrued points from Boots.

However, for everyday and not expensive M&S have quite a range. I've got sevral of those. Although there are plenty of online places, Lookfantastic and Notino for example, that can undercut retail prices.

I am a perfume addict ever since I discovered the rather over powering Youth Dew in my teen years.

Sometimes places such as Next and M and S have perfumes which are almost copies of the more famous ones. Usually on their site or in store it will tll you what famous perfume they are closest to. They do have testers and the perfumes are not too expensive, so if you are unsure, get a couple of those to test out if you like the fragrance over a few weeks before buying the famous one..OR if you find out you like the fragrance, just keep buying the cheaper bottle.

You could try samples from EBay.
I want one to take on holiday so that I don’t have to take my full sized bottle.
What about Superdrug?
Or perfume shop. Do you have any of those shops just to try out the perfumes.
I agree perfume is just a ridiculous price.

You know me too well, J52. Thank you - the Boots at FP were very iffy too. But I will try the others.

The Jo Malone sounds like a good idea, GG. I will investigate.

Fosse Park ( I know your hunting ground! 😂) might be a better place to look. There’s a wide range at Flannels, Superdrug, the bigger Boots and M&S now have a huge selection.
M&S seems to have a range ( might be their own in disguise) in smaller bottles, quite cheap, so if you make a mistake not much lost.
As to choice, it depends if you like a flowery note or something musky.