[hamster-bamster]

I have not used perfume since 1997. I used to like it, but then I met my second H who did not like any perfume - not even a tiniest bit. I kind of liked that he preferred the unadulterated scent of the body (he also prefers unadulterated foods without seasonings, not even garlic - as in, "leg of lamb just cooked without any additions of any sort", and I did like that and am sort of similar to him but not to such an extreme degree, but, say, I only eat plain yogurt without flavors).

But now that it has been awhile since we separated, I want to play with perfume again. Not as in "pour a whole bottle on me and make people suffocate to death from the smell", but "just a touch and have fun with it".

I used to like Tresor by Lancome and Chanel 19. But they are probably very old-fashioned now.

So I want to experiment with modern perfumes. And, not necessarily pricey brands. Just for fun.

1) How does one go about getting free or nearly free samples without buying women's magazines? Is what comes up in web search all knockoff kind of stuff?
2) What do you like (anything but too fruity/fruitsy)?

[~Christina]

I use a body mist .. Cheap $4.50 stuff but everyone compliments me .

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

I use a body mist .. Cheap $4.50 stuff but everyone compliments me .

OK, I did not mean perfume as in "true perfume" but anything scented.

[hamster-bamster]

How do you know how much is enough? It should be sort of a little heavy when you leave house because it will then evaporate a bit by the time you get to where you are going, right?

[unaluna]

I like basenotes.net. everything you always wanted to know. Malls have knockoff stores now. Hit a large dept store and get samples. Magazines don't have as many as they used to because people complained they were too smelly.

[LiteraryLark]

I'm not a big perfume wearer, but my absolute favorite scent is Hawaiian Ginger, I got it at Kmart back when I was in middle school and I love it.

I also like stealing my brother's and dad's perfume, I like Old Spice the best.

[Yoda]

I don't often wear scents but when I do I use scented lotions. Light Blue is my favorite.

I like citrus shower gels too.

[Evening]

I absolutely love perfume, Beauty, One and Euphoria by Calvin Klein, MOR Marshmallow, anything that smells like roses...
If you are looking for samples, some perfume stores will offer them, or try the perfume companies website, as some will mail them to you. Otherwise if you're willing to pay a few dollars, eBay sells a lot of small viles on there.

[nicoleb2]

Originally Posted by hankster

I like basenotes.net. everything you always wanted to know. Malls have knockoff stores now. Hit a large dept store and get samples. Magazines don't have as many as they used to because people complained they were too smelly.

Those knockoff stores can be VERY.... overpowering. I haven't figured out how people can even tell the scent of what they are buying from all of the other scents.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by nicoleb2

Those knockoff stores can be VERY.... overpowering. I haven't figured out how people can even tell the scent of what they are buying from all of the other scents.

thanks for the warning, i do not want overpowering. i work with seriously weirdo male geeks and we have very few ladies and i if show up in an overpowering perfume this is not going to be good

will get samples and little vials etc. i would rather have fun and variety than spend on one expensive thing...

((((HB)))) any of the large department stores have samples galore. I love basenotes.net, too
I think any professional at the counter would love to help you find the right scent, just for you. It sounds as if you favor floral/earth notes.

One of my very fave places to go to is usually found in malls and they have their own website, too. All things self care, beauty, skin, perfumes. The people that work there are great, too. It is a pleasant experience esp if you aren't comfortable with the dept store scene. They really know their "stuff" and dont put on the sales pressure thing.

True parfum, doesnt take much. Just a dab at pulse points. EDT is a "schpritz will do". You will also have fun seeing how the top, middle, base notes react with your body chem...for example, when you first put a little on, the first scent that will hit you and then as it settles, how it smells differently. PM me if you want and I will send you the names of the places I am thinking of for shopping/sampling.

Have fun! Let us know how it goes

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Rose Panachée

It sounds as if you favor floral/earth notes.

Great! Indeed, I just did not know the proper term. Floral/earth!

[healingme4me]

If you don't feel up to trying all the perfumes, at the malls, if you know of someone who sells avon or mk, that's a possibility for samples. And from there you can figure out what it is you like about a scent, and research from there?

Also, if you just want scent and not all out perfume, a fragrance mists work well.

I float between three different scents. I found my 'favorite' perfume a few years back. It's really EDT, not 'perfume'. Hanae Mori. And the body mist I like is BBW, Carried Away. And one day I was in Aeri, and they were selling these little roll on perfume bottles. And one sniff of 'Wink', brought me right back to my very first perfume when I was 15/16, which was later discontinued and I swore I'd never find it again

Hope you find something you like!! Happy perfume hunting

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by healingme4me

If you don't feel up to trying all the perfumes, at the malls, if you know of someone who sells avon or mk, that's a possibility for samples.

I am not assertive enough, so I won'd do those. I will feel obliged to buy. I just know myself in this department, so I won't go there. Just is not worth it. We have a large outdoor shopping center with many department stores, and I will walk through those.

Thank you!

[JadeAmethyst]

A very light and airy scent I wear is Happy in Bloom by Clinique, 1 spritz last forever and smells fresh all day long.

I also enjoy White Citrus by Bath and Body, and in the winter months I enjoy ginger and orange shower gel and body lotion.

I have noticed that different fragrances smell differently on each person.

I hope the info you receive will be of use for you.

Jade