I am often asked if and how I have been influenced by spending about three months of the year living in France. Has my sense of style and/or beauty routine changed.
I would say that both have evolved in subtle ways. I now keep my basic wardrobe simpler focusing on buying good quality staples in my favourite neutrals such as navy and grey. Playing around more with accessories especially scarves.
As far as my beauty routine is concerned I have now become a fan of Bioderma available here and Nuxe especially their huile prodigeuse here.
However the most important change I have made is adding perfume to my daily grooming routine. Before I used to reserve perfume for special occasions, evenings out or if I remembered a quick spray as I rushed out of the door. The French way is definitely every day without fail. A well groomed French woman would not dream of leaving the house without a dab or two or three of her favourite perfume. I also noticed that whenever you visit a perfume shop in France they always offer to “spritz” you for the day. Divine.
So I am on the search for my signature perfume.
I would love to know about your relationship with perfume.
Do you wear it every day?
Do you have a signature perfume?
Are you loyal to one love or do you like to play the field and try out new scents?
How to you choose a perfume?
What is your current favourite?
Expect to read more about the olfactory sense on this blog in the near future as I add perfume to my repertoire of subjects.
I shall be visiting the flagship store of one of the most famous London Perfume houses this Friday to have a “Fragrance profile”. I can’t wait to tell you all about it.
If you have any questions regarding perfume or how to choose the right one for you please leave a comment or email me at Chicatanyage(at)btinternet(dot)com.
I look forward to hearing from you.
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I wear fragrance every day, applying it after moisturizer. I am partial to Jo Malone.
Morning! I do wear perfume everyday.I have always liked clean, floral scents, and still remember some scents that were too musky, or strong like my grandma used to wear. My favorite currently is Coco Mademoiselle, I love this new Balenciaga Botanica, as well as Coach Poppy. I mix it up and don't wear the same everyday. I love orchid, lavendar, gardenia, just light scents. I tend to go to Sephora or to the counters to try before I buy. http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Three points about my relationship with perfume:
Firstly my mother told me, when I was of a very impressionable age, that your scent should become your signature so should never change - the most a lady should have is a summer fragrance (Chanel Cristalle) and a winter one (Chanel No 5). So I've gone through life with these two. And it's true, they are my signatures, to the point that I'm often asked to grant permission to colleagues and friends to wear the same. Chanel No 5 has been worn by 4 generations of women in my family - I especially love it as it is so timeless and suits women of all ages.
Secondly, sadly since menopause my sense of smell has become much more acute so that I can now only tolerate Chanel No 5. I think it's the base scent in mid market perfumes that I really can't stand - they have been known to give me really bad headaches - so I avoid the perfume ladies in Selfridges and Boots with fear and dread! Luckily they tend not to go for 'older' ladies - probably they know they are not as easily parted with their money!
Thirdly, a thought for possible further discussion. I do think the price of perfume is completely outrageous and actually immoral. If you consider the cost of the ingredients in comparison with the retail price, I wonder why this has never been addressed!
With best wishes
Catherine
Hi Catherine Some good points. Although I tried Chanel no.5 a few years ago it just did not suit me at all. My personal opinion is that many of the big brands as well as the mid market ranges are now using chemical substitutes for the real essences (many of which are now very expensive) hence the headaches.
I agree that many of the fragrances are now very overpriced. I was informed by one perfumeur that this is deliberate as many of the well known and highly publicised scents are now so widely worn that the brands are trying to create more and more exclusivity i.e. a sort of perfume couture.
I will have a friend with me for my Friday visit to the Perfume house. She certainly knows her essences as she develops bespoke perfumes for a Couture house in South Africa. It will be interesting to get her opinions.
Catherines comment is so interesting. I love chanel no5 but perfer the premiere version. I am also partial to Coco Mademoiselle. For summer I always wear Hermes eau les merveilles so that is my signature for summer and for daytime x
Hi,
I wear perfume every day. My signature scent is Miss Balmain. I'm not sure how much longer it will be available much longer. I first tried it in 1977 when I was a student in Paris. it was didfficult to find here in the states so I used L'interdit by Givenchy for many, but it has been discontinued. if it weren't for the internet I would be able to buy the scent I love.
Marilyn
I wear perfume every day, usually Chloe Narcisse. My father gave me my first French perfume when I was very young, perhaps 12 - he always wore aftershave and my mother wore perfume every day, so I guess that's where I got the habit from.
I wear it a few times a week...there are so many pretty ones that it would be impossible to choose one as a signature! Lately it's been Narciso Rodriguez for Her. Before that Bulgari Omnia Coral.
I have always enjoyed fragrance, but just as you mentioned, it was not a regular thing for me. In the past 2 or 3 years i've started to pay more attention to my own style and really wearing/enjoying fragrance everyday evolved with that. I've been intrigued with the idea of one signature scent, but find that I do change depending on the season. My style leans to floral scents, and I'm currently enjoying a lovely rose one by Creed. (I like the idea of something a bit subtle...I think it adds "mystery"-maybe not even noticed right away, just part of who you are).
I know many people are sensitive to scents and can become unwell from them....I too wonder if it has to do with the chemicals used.
I would like to go to a fragrance "specialist" who could help me choose what really suits me...maybe I would find a signature scent. Having a "fragrance profile" done sounds simply wonderful! looking forward to hearing all about it.
I wear fragrance almost every day, but not a traditional perfume. I use an essential oil blend that is amazing and subtle. It doesn't last as long as perfume but doesn't give me headaches or other reactions. It's a nice alternative if you are sensitive to commercial fragrances. I love the idea of a signature scent, whatever the source!
I am really impressed by how many of you wear perfume everyday. I am going to have to up my game and get my perfume wearing firmly imbedded into my routine. Sometimes it is a memory thing and I just forget.