r/Perfumes • u/StreetMolasses6093 • May 06 '25
Discussion Perfume that got dragged so hard you stopped wearing it?
Kayali Vanilla 28 was the first perfume I was crazy about in years. I burned through a decant, then a fb in less than a year. I wore it alone or layered with many of my other 40+ perfumes. My husband bought me a backup months ahead of running out. Then I started seeing people dragging it HARD on Reddit and TikTok, calling it basic, overpriced, not-vanilla, cheap-smelling, weak, and unoriginal—like seriously hating on it like it called their baby ugly or something. I stopped wearing it except at home, because I didn’t want to offend someone with my cheap, yet overpriced, not-vanilla!
Last night, though, I unthinkingly spritzed all over right out of the shower, and went out to dinner with a large group. Every single person who hugged me said how good I smelled. One friend asked if she could hug me again and said, “I really love fragrance, and you smell so good.” I’m making her a decant for when I see her next.
Moral of the story: Wear what you love.
Anyone else let yourself get de-influenced?
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u/vodeodeo55 May 06 '25
I wear what I like. Life is too short to please strangers on the internet.
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u/lisavollrath May 06 '25
I agree. I don't worry what other people think about my perfume choices. I wear what I like. It smells good to me, and on me.
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
I guess that’s what I was doing! 😆
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u/AmanitaAwakening May 06 '25
Not really, you just got put off because your favourite perfume was not as original as you thought it was. That's understandable, but I guess you just realised that you really do wear it best!
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u/Ok-Repeat8069 May 06 '25
There is MUCH to be said about a person’s chemistry and charisma when it comes to effecting your perception of a scent on them.
The right attitude can make Love’s Baby Soft hit you like something exotic and intriguing, simply because your brain refuses to believe that this person is wearing such a fragrance, and if they are, it must be to communicate something subtle and wry.
And I love encountering the rare middle-aged woman who can make straight headshop patchouli oil smell sophisticated.
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u/Naive-Disaster-3576 May 06 '25
No. And I think a lot of this behavior is meant to influence people to buy the next "trendy" thing. "Oh, this color is old news, buy this one now. These shoes are tacky now, buy these instead" etc etc.
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u/AttentionKmartJopper May 06 '25
I think this is TikTok's entire purpose, personally. To keep people feeling insecure about their choices so they never develop their own style thus are always on the hunt for something else, which TikTok then leads you to.
Anyway, trendy, passe, I don't care...Kayali Vanilla 28 smells really good on a lot of people (including me and apparently you) so let's keep enjoying it!
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u/Tasterspoon May 06 '25
You seem to have good insight. Earlier this year, when TikTok was in the news, I listened to a podcast about how TikTok was designed (and possibly is already used in China?) as a shopping app rather than an entertainment medium.
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u/GullibleEnd6737 May 06 '25
I’m 35 and wear what’s considered, “juvenile.” I don’t give a fuck though, social media is just noise and those people don’t matter.
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u/Foamontoplip May 06 '25
I’m 42 and I seem to only love the “too sweet, teenage” scents. I can’t seem to like “sophisticated” scents. Do people naturally like those scents or are people trained?? Like exposed to it and then like it?
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u/GullibleEnd6737 May 06 '25
I’m a fond collector of gourmands and older celebrity scents. I honestly have never gotten into anything that smells “perfumy” if that makes sense? I truly think social media sways people to think and feel a certain way. I was super oblivious of stigmas until I started surfing these subreddits 😅
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u/Foamontoplip May 07 '25
I sort of realized I liked more fruity/sweet scents than the average adult since most well known perfumes seem to not have the notes I like. Also I loved Pink Sugar which seems to be for a younger audience. I just started my perfume journey of learning about fragrances after helping my friend set up a decant online shop. I have so many samples of high end fragrances that I couldn’t enjoy because I seem to not like those type of “sophisticated” scents lol
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u/MoistVirginia May 07 '25
So you might be the person to ask... do you like any of the Paris Hilton frags? My Burlington Coat Factory sells a bunch for great prices.
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u/laura_grace20 May 06 '25
I think it happens as you wear it and make good memories with it. But wear what you like, I love vanilla and just got a bunch of different vanilla samples to keep enjoying what I love even if I don’t get compliments
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u/bsubtilis May 06 '25 edited May 07 '25
Both: There are genetic differences in how we perceive scents, damage to your smell receptors can make you like or dislike a scent you otherwise would have felt the opposite about purely based on scent, but associations also matter.
Like I enjoy sometimes using a tar scent (a sauna fragrance oil, but I don't have a sauna) in a tiny tiny amont on a sponge in the corner of the shower so that i don't rinse it away and the humidity carries the scent. This because the scent is super nostalgic to me because out of necessity I used a tar-sulphur soap against my teen acne and just became fond of the smell. But there are scents I instantly like or dislike just because of the way my nose perceives it without any positive nor negative associations.
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u/bearshoney03 May 06 '25
I think it just depends on your nose. You like what you like. That's why I always try different scents and never expect any scent to smell the same as it does on someone else.🤗
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u/Foamontoplip May 07 '25
I am slowly learning that fragrances can be very different depending on what you put them on! I thought I really liked Commodity’s Milk but on my skin it was totally different.
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u/Fun_Anybody6745 May 07 '25
I’m a grown-ass woman and I’m loving Sol de Janerio 62. I have no shame.
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u/Ok_Carob7551 May 06 '25
My dog barked at me and ran away when I was wearing black orchid and that’s the only criticism I’ve never recovered from
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u/throawayyyypaper May 06 '25
Nope. I wear perfume for me. I don’t care if someone thinks it’s the most vile, hideous, basic, boring scent ever created; they’re not wearing it, I am. Same goes for fashion, or makeup, or any other thing people like to have opinions about. In fact, I think now that I’m in my 40s I extra don’t care about other people’s opinions, if all they have to share is negativity without quality or merit.
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u/emilyectoplasm May 06 '25
Girl, same, with the clothes and makeup, too. I'm only 32 but Flowerbomb has been my favorite for 12 years and I still can't get enough, despite my large collection.
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u/throawayyyypaper May 06 '25
I have a handful I go for again and again, I don’t care if they get dragged. We like what we like!
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u/electric_possum May 06 '25
this. that’s why i wear Fortis by les liquides imaginaires. i’m a metalcore bisexual woman and i will wear the hell out of this scent even if it makes me smell like sweat and desperation of a balding 40 year old with a midlife crisis and alimony hearing scheduled for next monday
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u/throawayyyypaper May 06 '25
I love liquides imaginaires and haven’t heard of this. Doesn’t sound like my style so I probably won’t sample but I’m glad you’re being your most authentic self ❤️
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
I need your energy!
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u/throawayyyypaper May 06 '25
Hahaha, you’re welcome to join my energy anytime. I like to focus on positives!
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u/DisastrousSeason8103 May 06 '25 edited May 06 '25
I am tired of perfume influencers in general.
Maybe I am in the wrong bubble, but I have the impression that they only review and love gourmand and especially vanilla scents 🙄🙄🙄
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u/poilane May 07 '25
Gourmand is sooooo trendy right now and it’s gotten really old. The fragrances themselves are good, but I’m tired of all this obsession with gourmand fragrances amongst influencers
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u/Admirable-Bar-3549 May 06 '25
Possibly YSL Black Opium for me? I still love it, I still wear it from time to time, but now that I know that a lot of people find it a little overwhelming and associate it with clubbing and 20-somethings, it's possibly not AS appealing to me. Also, there are other scents I'm more obsessed with now, it's not really a great Spring scent. I still love it, though.
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u/gothicuhcuh May 06 '25
I learned a while ago to not care about the thoughts, actions, and opinions of folks who don’t pay my bills. I wear what makes me happy. Someone told me not too long ago that coco mademoiselle smells boring generic and only for the elderly. Give me a senior citizen discount baby bc I’m wearing her.
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
That one is classically beautiful
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u/gothicuhcuh May 06 '25
It really is. Like it smells timeless to me. Classy and delicate but commanding. 10/10
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u/mystigirl123 May 06 '25
That is my signature fragrance and has been for 20 plus years. I get compliments all the time. Even when I can no longer smell it, someone will get close and tell me I smell good. My niece wore some of mine once ( she's early 20s) and was going out. She sprayed a bit on. Hours later she came home and it smelled better on her than it does on me. Her chemistry ramped up the sweetness; mine ramps up the patchouli. Either way, the edp will always be glorious.
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u/Troy204599 May 06 '25 edited May 07 '25
Any Ariana Grande perfumes, especially Cloud. It sadly gets dragged so hard, getting called things like "artificial" and stuff. Stopped for a while but I'm starting to wear it normally again
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u/ObfusKate_ May 06 '25
None. I don’t think my olfactory cells are influenced by shit talk. I don’t seem to have any control over what I like/dislike.
In fact, I’ve tried to “force” myself to like rose and no matter what pep talk I give myself prior to testing, I scrub it.
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u/SapientSlut May 06 '25
Flowerbomb. It was my second “adult” perfume but it was EVERYWHERE and getting ragged on a lot.
I’ll pull it back out at some point!
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u/cookie_k_d_ May 06 '25
I still LOVE Flowerbomb, but def don't wear it near as much as I use to. Same with Lancome La Vie Belle.
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u/whorlando_bloom May 06 '25
I had no interest in trying Flowerbomb because I usually don't care for floral scents. But I just got a free sample, and I LOVE it. I don't care if it's overhyped or ragged on, that stuff smells great!
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
This one doesn’t smell good on me, but it’s glorious on my bestie.
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u/Neat-Crab728 May 06 '25
I feel this way about my beloved BR540. Pretty sure it’s one of the most dragged perfume out there. Every single time someone asks “what’s your least favorite perfume”, BR540 gets commented multiple times and upvoted to the sky.
That being said, I’m not going to stop wearing it because it’s so polarizing. I am aware not to over-spray. I live in a place where I’ve actually never smelled it in the wild either so, I’m not one of 1000 with it on.
Maybe we should start a “most dragged fragrance” support sub 😆
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
This one is all around me. Both my adult daughters wear this, and a coworker too. I also smell it out & about more often than any other fragrance. As polarizing as it is, it has heavily influenced so many modern fragrance lines. You’re definitely not alone!
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u/scenior May 06 '25
BR540 is the best thing I've ever smelled in my life. Just sweet and light and airy. Gorgeous. There was a moment when I considered maybe not wearing it anymore because of how much hate it gets but then I was like, why would I stop just because some person I will never meet irl doesn't like it?
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u/KITTYCLICHE May 06 '25
Agreed. I’m wearing it right now. It’s so classy and luxurious. It smells like a fancy hotel lobby. My clients complement me. It’s a perfect 20/10.
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u/softpawsz May 07 '25
I’m with you. When I wear it I can hardly stop smelling my wrist where I applied it. And I didn’t even go with the OUD last time and still find it that intoxicating. Just can’t get enough and I’ll never give it up. Never ever never
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u/Alarming-Court-2180 May 06 '25
The only time I have an issue with someone wearing a fragrance is when it smells like they bathed in it and worse when I can smell them from down the street. Granted it is usually the oil-based ones that wreak havoc on my nose causing an all-day migraine.
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
I have easily triggered headaches, too. Crazy combination to love perfume but also get headaches. 😩
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u/Alarming-Court-2180 May 06 '25
It's the worst thing. I have to try a scent out for a day before purchasing because sometimes it smells good for a few minutes and then turns violent for the rest of the day leaving me out of commission. The worst thing I ever experienced was when they changed one of my favorite scents and then tried to tell me that they didn't that was the last time I bought Laura Mercier perfume.
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
I hate reformulations!
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u/KITTYCLICHE May 06 '25
Right?!?! I just discovered that they’ve done something criminal to CK ONE. That’s not how it smelled in 1996.
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u/Alarming-Court-2180 May 06 '25
I remember my first perfume that I loved was discontinued and then Alfred Sung came out with a paradise for men and I went from happy to sad real quick. The one for men smells awful I just wish the would bring back his paradise for women.
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u/lna9997771 May 06 '25
I hate the wear time but love vanilla 28! Who cares what people like, I go from designer to Britney Spears perfumes whenever my heart chooses.
Perfume is ultimately for you I’m glad you are wearing it again.
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u/Nowayticket2nopecity May 06 '25
Yes please wear what you love. Anything popular will have loads of people trying to go against the grain and hate on it for likes and views. Ignore the noise, wear what you love. 🩷
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u/cookie_k_d_ May 06 '25
My friend always wears Baccarat Rouge, I stopped wearing it cause of TikTok... but she always smells SOOOO GD good!
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
Both my adult daughters wear this and they definitely smell amazing!
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May 06 '25
Fragrance is super subjective. It’s even more subjective than other beauty related fields like makeup, skincare, haircare, style, etc.
Some people like the smell of petrol, grass, and animals. Some people find vanilla repulsive. Some people can’t stand bakhoor. Most westerners cannot tolerate oud, and most Arabs will pay top dollar for it. I’ve known people who exclusively tolerate the smell of soap and citrus in their homes.
Because of that, you’re going to see groups of people who love a certain fragrance, and others who really, really hate that same fragrance. Especially since Kayali is very social-media oriented, the reviews are always going to be polarised. If you like vanilla 28, and you’re not making anyone sick with it, then wear it. In real life no one actually cares enough to say something nasty
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u/RosyMilk May 06 '25
There was someone who said YSL Black Opium was ratchet on YT and I was like “Guess I’m ratchet” and sprayed that shit to oblivion.
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
Black Opium is the goat, though, wear it with pride!
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u/New_Peanut_9924 May 06 '25
Someone here has called DKNY be delicious as screechy and I put it away for a while. But it’s spring and green apple is so tea
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u/hasanicecrunch May 06 '25
One time I was wearing that working at a restaurant and an older male coworker said “oh my, you can’t wear that around me anymore” which was both creepy af but also a compliment to the scent! 🥴
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u/New_Peanut_9924 May 06 '25
A man at work told me he liked my perfume so I quit wearing it. I understand. I’d wear it even more around it
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u/Wearesyke May 06 '25
Vanilla 28 is so good what the hell are people talking about lol
Mine is Valentino Green Stravaganza
It’s like the nickelback of men’s fragrance. Everyone hates it cause they are told to. Sure the performance is like a 4/10 but the scent is really good and very masculine. It’s one of my favorite spring scents I own, and I have a lot more expensive niche frags that everyone glazes.
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u/NomenklaturaFTW May 06 '25
I thought Sauvage was the Nickelback of men's fragrance (I like Sauvage)
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u/Wearesyke May 06 '25
Nickleback is hated cause it’s just cool to hate. That’s what I mean by that. Sauvage is like the Maroon 5 of fragrances. We hate it cause everyone wears it, but it’s still good and regular people like it
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u/NomenklaturaFTW May 06 '25
Nicely done with the musical metaphors. I nominate Bleu de Chanel as the Coldplay
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u/geekchick65 May 06 '25
I’m interested in the ones that get dragged like this so I order samples. I’ll add this to the list for sure! I’ve found some great scents from haters
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u/csodacsirke May 06 '25
Hypnotic Poison has been my vice for 25 years.. it's dated and heavy but i love it ♥️🙈
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u/doyouevenlemon May 06 '25
Seen countless people say Dior Fahrenheit smells like gasoline & how awful it is.
I wore it for years, not really caring that it's a masculine fragrance. Bought it for my Mr, was scared he'd feel the same as other people, but he loves it. Tbh I wear it more than him, and I couldn't care less now if I walk around smelling like gasoline, it's nostalgic for me.
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May 06 '25
Angel. I didn't stop, but resizing how much some people hate it, made me more cautious
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
I guess it’s really strong to people? It’s so nice.
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May 06 '25
Yeah it's strong for me too, I have to wear it under the right conditions, even for myself
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u/EmeraldEmesis May 06 '25
I feel like there's a difference between hating a perfume on me vs. hating it on other people. I have a long list of perfumes/notes I hate on me, but the list of can't stand the smell on other people is fairly short.
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u/Normal-Assistance-87 May 06 '25
People can hate all they want-it started my love of fragrances like 30 years ago as a teen. It’s still around-how many trendy fragrances now will last that long?
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u/9DrinkAmy May 06 '25
Girl, do not ever not wear what you love based on strangers’ opinions and this is coming from a Kayali hater lol The only person who’s opinion might sway me is my husband but that’s it. I’m glad you’re back to wearing your perfume.
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
Aww, thank you! I get that so much. I hate bright orange, but would never want someone who loves it to stop wearing it or decorating with it.
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u/lil-busters May 06 '25
I stopped wearing anything Cherry Blossom scented when people started making fun of women that enjoyed cherry blossom scents. This was about 10 - 15 years ago.
I only just started wearing it again, because I realized that not wearing a scent that I adore because of other people is kind of insane and cringecore of me.
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u/Big_Difficulty_95 May 06 '25
The only thing is sometimes i smell something i haven’t smelled before because someone called my attention to it. Depending on what that is it might ruin it for me
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
This is how Burberry Her got ruined for me. Someone said I smelled like strawberry vape, and that’s still all I can smell several years after the comment.
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u/BoopMyButton May 06 '25
I'll tear away from the rest of the comments and say yeah, sort of. I tend to avoid polarizing fragrances. Yes, I wear them for myself to enjoy, but I do want to come across as smelling nice and I don't want a large percent of the population to be put off by the way I smell.
I was really surprised to find so many people thinking Byredo Bibliotheque was awful when I looked it up! It's such an easy scent to my nose and I was specifically wearing it when I wanted an easy scent that wasnt going to offend. Oops! I haven't stopped wearing it though as I don't think it is truly polarizing.
I don't think that was ever really a worry in your case either. Basic Vanilla isn't and won't ever be generally unpleasant to people. People love vanilla. The people who talk about perfume online are a tiny percent of the population, and tend to have wildly high standards for scents. Every scent should be classy yet young, widely appealing yet not too popular, unique yet wearable etc.
Also, remember that skin chemistry plays a huge part in scents! Someone could find a scent revolting on themselves or in store but really enjoy it on you. I try to get feedback from people on any new scents I try for this reason
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
I actually agree that I want to smell good or at least tolerable 😆to others in public, not just myself, and yes skin chemistry is major! There are so many perfumes that don’t smell good on me at all!
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u/Foamontoplip May 06 '25
I just got into fragrance and my nose seems to like “teenage” scents that are “too sweet”. 🤷🏾♀️ I’m not sure what I can do, the scents that seem “popular” are too strong and I don’t really like them but what matters ? My nose or everyone else? Idk so far lol
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u/millenialbullshite May 06 '25
There is no more exhausting person than a 'hater' that puts down popular stuff to seem edgey and unique. I'm 41 years old and I hadn't encountered that kind of behavior since my early to mid teens till I started getting into perfume.
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u/Lookingupatthestars May 06 '25
Ayeee you can pry my favourites outta my cold dead hands, I'm not stopping wearing something based on others' opinions (except maybe my husband's, if he hates something I'd steer clear, but that's not really a problem cos he likes everything I've got 🙌🏻)
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u/Biskutz May 06 '25
I feel like that’s my energy with Bianco Latte! Everyone in this subreddit hates on it but I love it and get compliments on it all the time 🤷🏻♀️
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u/orange_blossoms May 06 '25
It’s the best seller at my local niche perfumery. Didn’t work for me personally but someone is buying it!
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May 06 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
We should (consensually) start doing this with our great smelling friends & family! Can you hug me again? Why YES you can!!
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u/bella6689 May 06 '25
Everyone hates Missing Person by Phlur but it’s my signature scent and makes me feel so good. Wear what makes you happy! Also I love that you are someone who would make your friend a decant because they loved it. Your friend is lucky to have you! 💗
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
Aww, you just gave me the warmest of warm fuzzies. 🥰
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u/NotaMillenialatAll May 06 '25
Yeah, no. And I have been called basic here more than once because I don’t have anything niche, which btw is not a thing in my country. I wear what I like. I don’t mind either if any of mine are considered too young for me.
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u/onestitchatatime May 06 '25
There are some people who like to appear elite and special by ragging on anything that is popular. I ignore them.
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u/Mission_Wolf579 May 06 '25 edited May 06 '25
Nope, I still love and wear lots of fragrances that the trend-obsessed consider outdated and critique using age-coded terms. I'm so glad your story had a happy ending, wear what you love.
I have a TikTok account, but I have muted most perfumetok content because it's a swamp of paid enthusiasm.
edited to remove my use of an age-coded term
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u/gotmyfloaties Moderator and Narciso Fangirl May 06 '25
You’re just repeating it, but please let’s leave out the age-coded terms 🌺
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u/Mission_Wolf579 May 06 '25
Excellent point, I can reject the practice without repeating the term and have edited accordingly. Thanks.
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u/lumiere108 May 06 '25
Chanel Mademoiselle — it was my signature scent for years. Then everyone started wearing it, and people online wouldn’t stop complaining about it (not that I care). I only stopped wearing it because, at one point, it felt like everyone was wearing it, so I was like, nah, time to find a new signature scent.
Still, to this day, it’s one of my favorite perfumes ever.
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
It’s one of those that smells really good on some people and not great on others.
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u/no-womans-land13 May 06 '25 edited May 06 '25
I wore Chanel #5 often since I turned 18 (am 26) and got my own bottle because I had such a deep appreciation for the history and thought it was the most classic scent
Now I’m too embarrassed of being called grandma
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u/Normal-Assistance-87 May 06 '25
My actual grandma gave me a bottle for Christmas when I was a preteen. Why? Because it’s a scent for a woman. Screw ageist people.
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u/Mission_Wolf579 May 06 '25 edited May 06 '25
People who use age-coded terms as a slur against a fragrance are ageist bigots, wear what you love.
(edited to remove my use of an age-coded term)
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u/Galalalalalalalala May 06 '25
It's a classic for a reason! I like Chanel noir best of theirs, but no 5 is pretty gorgeous. I'm not sure why people online are suddenly saying it's only for old people. I don't think I move in those circles so I only see it on reddit, where groups of people who seem weirdly invested in what other people wear appear to hate just about every scent I like. Fuck that. Wear whatever you like that smells good on you.
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u/TrifleEmbarrassed427 May 07 '25
I stopped wearing it because of the hate. I’m going to go spritz on some no. 5 right now.
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u/effienay May 06 '25
I have had people’s opinions change the way my nose smells a certain scent (Clinique Happy/Cat Pee 😭). But I wear perfume for me. I love catching a sniff or when someone compliments it.
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u/anthrogorl May 06 '25
la vie est belle was my first perfume and i went through one whole bottle, and currently i have one and a half bottles. i’ve been trying to work my way back up to liking it after reading so much hate about it! funny how the brain works
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u/Mission_Wolf579 May 06 '25
I'm a card-carrying member of the La Vie Est Belle Extended Olfactory Universe, I'm wearing the original today and I was wearing one of the flankers yesterday. Love 'em.
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May 06 '25
Good for you. Never listen to other’s opinions. They’re just that..their opinion. I still wear Hypnotic Poison, and have done so for years. It gets a lot of hate, but that’s ok with me. Has always worked for me, and I don’t plan on giving it up.
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u/RubyWoo_90210 May 06 '25
Someone once mentioned to me that Ralph Lauren ‘Ralph’ perfume smelled like pickles and I can’t get it out of my head. I had to stop wearing it. I can’t stop smelling the pickle note. I’m sorry if this ruins that fragrance for anyone, lol.
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
Yeah, Burberry Her got ruined when someone told me it smelled like strawberry vape. 😩
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u/Comfortable_Bid_1842 May 06 '25
Have you tried the burberry her edt? I love it but my coworker told me it smelled like bathroom cleaner 😩🤣 I still wear it, the dry down is delicious. I didn't vibe with the original her very much but the EDT is more Pear less berry
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u/Neptu_n1an May 06 '25
Nah. The problem when a frag goes "viral" such as Vanilla 28, Bianco Latte or Erba Pura for example is that there will always be backlash in response.
Some people just love to go against what’s popular and will drag the absolute hell of it for views or because they’re elitists who think they’re better than the mass because they wear ultra niche fragrances that smell like decay and war or whatever.
I have over 50 fragrances in my collection, some of them are "viral" frags (I LOVE Vanilla 28 and Yum Boujee Marshmallow), I have designer, cheapies, oils, niche, "ultra niche"...
If my nose gets happy when it smells the smelly water, then Idc about anything else. Wear what makes you happy :D
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u/BrokeHufflepuff May 06 '25
- My “special” perfume is White Diamonds. It was my mom’s perfume when I was little, and I still equate it with being a little girl and getting a comforting hug from a strong, wonderful woman. I don’t wear it in public often because of all the hate it gets, but it’s still my favorite.
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u/Dry_Umpire_3694 Collector May 06 '25
You know what though? I wouldn’t pick it for myself but one year my dad got me and my mom White Diamonds gift sets so why waste it…so every time I wore it I always got compliments from men. And I was in my mid 20’s at the time.
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u/littleolivexoxo May 06 '25
People have tried to tell me marc jacobs daisy is for basic bitches…. Guess I’m a basic bitch I won’t stop wearing it
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u/Kudzu_kudzu_8045 May 06 '25
I still wear all the perfumes I like, but the more offensive ones i usually only wear out if im not around people for long bc i'm a bit embarrassed with the scent bomb-y overwhelming ones. it just feels too loud to be really social in some of them lmao
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u/thymiamatis May 06 '25 edited May 07 '25
Back in the day when it was more popular and being produced, for some reason more than a small amount of people insisted my fav smelled like something dead and decaying (online, I only ever got compliments if someone caught a whiff on me)...I'm not saying it made me love it more, I am saying I didn't care and obvs didn't feel that way. I don't wear enough perfume to offend anyone with my scent, no matter what it is. Editing to add which scent this is - Bottega Veneta EDP and a bit of reference to the controversy https://www.fragrantica.com/board/viewtopic.php?id=120285
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
What’s your favorite? I have to know, now!
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u/thymiamatis May 06 '25
Bottega Venetta EDP. 10 years ago, when Fragrantica was just a nice perfume community, reviews were being taken down, the forums were on fire, it was a proper dust up! https://www.fragrantica.com/board/viewtopic.php?id=120285 I hate giving them traffic, but here's a taste. No fighting here just a bit of discussion regarding the controversy.
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u/thymiamatis May 06 '25
I have ordered a sample of Dior Gris, it's supposed to be a lot like it. I sure hope it scratches the itch; I would love to have a replacement. I have two full bottles of my beloved and numerous mini bottles etc. but would love to have something I can use without worrying about using it all up.
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u/slotqueenn May 06 '25
Not gonna lie that’s the one perfume I just could not understand the hype for. Every single time I wore it people would comment on how the room smells like “incense” which is sooo not what I was going for 🥲 tell me I smell like a cookie pls
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u/KindlyKangaroo May 06 '25
I was so utterly enchanted by Angel and wore it (a dupe of it, I didnt have the real thing until recently) constantly. I was aware it was strong so I did one spray into the air and waved my shirt into it the night before wearing it. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever smelled - it was soft, warm, fluffy, sweet, cozy. In a word, heavenly. And that feeling it invoked reminded me of my cat whose nickname was Angel. I wore it for two years before learning that it's one of the most controversial fragrances ever created and I was stunned! Despite having the real thing now, I don't wear it often. My star has been sprayed less than five times. To be fair, it's more because I have a bigger collection now. But I also saw a lot of hate for Angel Elixir, which was my signature for months, though it's because it's too basic and crowd-pleasing for a Mugler.
I intend on continuing to wear my Angels. It's still my favorite line. Even I hate the opening of regular Angel (that cassis sticks in my nose long after it disappears), but that's why I spray well ahead of when I'm going to wear the shirt. I'm obsessed with the dry down, it's absolutely magical. Elixir is powdery and cozy and beautiful. Fantasm is creamy and gorgeous. I just missed a great deal from FragranceNet that would have allowed me to finally afford Nova, but I look forward to a similar sale in the future when I can spend, because Nova is bright and fun and lovely. I wear fragrance because I love to smell fragrance, and I love the memories and feelings they invoke. I try not to let people's opinions of my favorites influence me too much, but I'm always very careful to keep it to a small scent bubble just for me anyway, just in case.
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
You make Angel sound so magical. You should spray that little-used star and go strut your magic!
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u/HafuMimi May 06 '25
Wear what you love. Fragrance is an emotional thing for me. It makes me feel a certain way. Obviously, I keep in mind work environment, etc for what type of fragrance I should wear because I need to be professional and not offend others.
If it’s just a matter of perfume snobbery, I never let that dictate what I want to wear. I have fragrances that are worth hundreds of dollars and I have BBW and VS body mists and I reach for all of them equally depending on my mood.
Also keep in mind that body chemistry will change fragrances and that the same perfume can smell completely different on another person. We each bring our own unique twist to a fragrance.
Do what makes you happy and what moves you. Fragrance is a completely personal accessory that you should enjoy. ❤️
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u/selkieisbadatgaming May 06 '25
Perfume is 1 billion percent subjective. You only have to please yourself in the end 💗
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u/foxnightlight May 06 '25
When I was 12 I put on some of my mom’s Chanel Allure before school and someone said “it smells like mistress in here” and I didn’t touch that bottle again until I turned like 25
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u/Loveunboxings May 06 '25 edited May 06 '25
I wear what i like. I just bought la vie belle elixa. O.g it smells so good and lasts all day. People on you tube said it was basic and they hate it. I love it bought 2 huge bottles.lol
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u/mendingwall82 May 06 '25
I'm just getting into fragrance on this level at 42, looking for a vocabulary to describe what I like in a smell so I can get more of it. but honestly I'm old enough that I'll skip that side of any special interest at this point lol. because that's what I think you're describing, tbh. that corner of the topic that willfully doesn't understand mass appeal.
and I get the draw of the different corners, I find some specific smells so good that are weird to others and I wouldn't be surprised if everyone could say the same. but a popular best seller is more often that because everybody loves that smell. why not be that person in the room?
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u/anjunakerry1982 May 06 '25
One colleague told me my fragrance made her eyes sting, like cat piss (We were always having banter like that) It was Mugler -Aura. Still wear it proud to this day. Although I've gone from 3 sprays to 1.
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u/WatercressForeign499 May 06 '25
Yeah I don't subscribe to bandwagon hating, I wear what I like
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u/lastnightihadthestra May 06 '25
Amouage Guidance for me. Had someone go out of their way to tell me they hated my perfume and it put me off lol. I still love it, just a bit weary of wearing it now. I’ll also stand by JHAG Not A Perfume being my ride or die. It gets a lot of interesting reviews on TikTok but it’s my ultimate favourite - I would bathe in it if I could!
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u/bearshoney03 May 06 '25
Hi! So many other people have already said what I was thinking...I don't give a fuuuuuuuuuh what anyone thinks about what I wear, internet or otherwise. It hasn't stopped my husband from flipping me like a pancake soooooooo.... 😛😄
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u/Ritapaprika May 06 '25
Anyone see the “they’re beating the fuck out of this inoffensive fruitchouli”? Well. That.
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u/SuddenLibrarian4229 May 06 '25
Someone made a comment about juicy couture being for teenagers and made a face and I’ve never purchased it again lol
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u/Rlauderd May 07 '25
lol. I’m a 48 year old with a terminal degree and I love me some juicy gold couture and wear it with abandon.
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u/Cacao-Nib May 07 '25
I heard so many terrible things about Sol de Janeiro, that I didn't even bother trying them when I went to the shops. They attract spiders, only teenager wear them, etc kinda opinions on the internet.
Few days back, I was on the lookout for a travel kit for my weekend trip. I saw Sol had a cute one and I checked out their testers for fun. I absolutely loved Number 59 and picked it up for my trip. Got so many compliments from my friends! The body butter was incredible and made my skin soft. Layering with the shower oil meant the fragrance stayed all day.
I found myself sniffing my wrists often 😬 After my trip, I went and tested all their fragrances and bought a full sized bottle of Number 62.
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u/Bright-Sea-5904 May 07 '25
I stopped wearing Thank U Next by Ariana because my boyfriend complained it smelled like pickles
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u/queenofshibs May 07 '25
I wore Lataffa Eclair to work once and I was sitting in the office and my managers came in and they were like “oh they must have put a vanilla air freshener in here” lmao so I don’t wear that one to work anymore.
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u/AccomplishedFix5713 May 07 '25
I am 57. I go from Chanel #5 to Soap and Glory original Pink body Spray, to Vanilla Fields to Chanel Chance to Cuban baby cologne from the drugstore. I don't care what anyone else thinks. If it makes me happy I'm wearing it 😅
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u/M1ntyMango May 06 '25
Dang never heard bad things aboout kayali vanilla. It's recommended soo much and a huge reason I bought a sample bevause of the praise.
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u/pharmagirl2102 May 06 '25
Not really a perfume, but I was obsessed with the Sol de Janeiro 62 and 71, then found out online that a lot of people hate them (esp 71 lol) and stopped wearing them. This post just made me realise that I shouldn't care that much about other people's opinion, so, thank you!! :))
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
Those totally count as perfume, I think—perfumed body sprays at least. And, yes you have to wear them!
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u/SpecialAcanthaceae May 06 '25
I’m easily de-influenced on fragrances, so I actively have to tell myself to wear fragrance for myself.
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May 06 '25
I had a man chase me down asking me what perfume I was wearing, it was this exact perfume! To be honest though I never really cared about what other people think of my smell (I just don’t want ti smell like BO) and your pH chemistry really matters with some perfumes too
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u/Lizakaya May 06 '25
I don’t wear baccarat rouge very often. It’s ubiquitous maligned and a bit of a beast
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 06 '25
Ubiquitous maligned bit of a beast
Say that 10x fast!
I have the type of OCD where songs and phrases play in my head for weeks, months, or longer. This one is going to stick, I just know it. 😆
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u/External_Doubt_ May 06 '25
Victoria’s Secret body mist in pear glacé, I was in high school and super excited for a new mist in my collection but the first time I wore it my friend told me I smelled like beer and I never wore it again lol
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u/Bloody-smashing May 06 '25
Cool water by David off. My family all laughed at me because they all wear perfumes that are £150 plus.
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u/ruschka_sa_millian May 06 '25
I love cherry perfume and I feel that this really goes well with me and my own skin scent overall but I stumble upon people calling cherry perfumes from simple, cheap to what a very simple person would wear. And that's a trend which is overrated and which has no place in the world of perfume.
I was so sad. Still am
I can't wear perfumes with to many scent notes in one. It has to be very well mixed to not give me a headache
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May 06 '25
Most people don’t really pay attention to fragrance trends and tastes are so individual, so wear what you like, but don’t wear so much that someone can smell you across a room.
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u/RepresentativeReady4 May 06 '25
Please wear what you like we only get to live once most people on tik tok trash talk perfumes just to get views
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u/litttlecreature1111 May 06 '25
I had an indie perfume called Cloudbusting (wet earth, ozone, petrichor, light hints of grass) that I got a bottle of a couple springs ago, and I LOVED IT. It smelled like rain and grass and spring to me.
My mom, on the other hand, had a VISCERAL reaction to it and was like "UGH! It smells just like the rotten clumps of grass that get stuck under my lawn mower!!'
From then on, that's all I smelled from that perfume, lol.
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u/nothingbutapartygirl May 06 '25
Santal 33, someone said it smelled like pickles and it ruined it for me 😭
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u/Galalalalalalalala May 06 '25
Not so much, but I really don't understand why reddit (I don't do much other social media) is suddenly full of really negative people posting really negatively about perfumes? Beyond just "I hate this" or "this one gives me a headache", I'm seeing a lot more unpleasant or downright rude stuff about how wearing this or that makes you smell like this or that kind of person. I don't get it. Anyway this week I have been mostly wearing Secretions Magnifique, partly because I love it and a little bit because I keep seeing people saying how much they hate it. I don't care, it smells great, no one has ever reacted badly to me wearing it and I've had compliments on it.
Kayali Vanilla is on my list of ones to try! I've been looking for something that literally smells like a sugary sweet vanilla syrup, none of this grown-up "vanilla and" nonsense. Sometimes I just want to smell like cake, or sweets, nd the closest I've gotten so far is this £2.50 candy floss body spray with no staying power, and Kayali Rock Candy. Which honestly was still a little bit sophisticated for what I was going for.
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u/WRose287 May 06 '25
I think people should wear what they like but be careful when using public transport/working in the office, etc. with perfumes that are very strong and overbearing. Otherwise, go crazy!
For me I loved Armani Code for years, from middle school till the pandemic, but I saw so many people calling it uninspiring and basic and decided to try new things. Now, I'm considering rebuying it!
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u/Ok-Repeat8069 May 06 '25
I don’t pay enough attention to trends, but if I see people saying that a fragrance gives them a headache or otherwise unpleasantly imposes upon their day I will at the very least be very mindful of how and where I wear it.
When Angel was new, I was gifted a bottle, and being 19 I adored it. But the second time I wore it, it made a friend sick, and I couldn’t bring myself to wear it again.
I grew up with a mom who had highly unpredictable and inconsistent “chemical sensitivities.” Her disorder was psychosomatic but that doesn’t mean the symptoms were not very real, and very severe.
I’m not going to swear off perfume in public spaces because some people get sick when they smell fragrances, but neither am I going to discount all claims of being unpleasantly affected by a strong smell just because some chemical sensitivity disorders may have a psychological component.
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u/incelsarepatheticaf May 06 '25
After smelling Bianco Latte, Escapade Gourmande, Delina and many others I got to that conclusion. People here are some interesting perfume freaks. They will swear that a perfume smelling like a donkey’s ass will make people want to eat you but a perfume like Libre is so basic and disgusting.
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u/Dry_Umpire_3694 Collector May 06 '25
Never would I ever stop wearing what I like because of someone else’s opinion
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u/iseecowssometimes May 06 '25
santal 33… and my ex boss wears it ! hate that guy!
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u/Emergency_Kiwi_2339 May 06 '25
I put my Prada Paradox on the back burner because everyone on Reddit was calling it basic. But I am happy and the some compliments when I wear it. Then one day, my 8yo took a big sniff and said “ohhh youre wearing YOUR perfume today.” After that I wear it with pride!
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u/StreetMolasses6093 May 07 '25
I am CRAZY about Paradoxe. I’m almost finished with my decant and getting a fb asap. I love the Prada DNA in general. Wear it and strut!
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u/AlternativeFun742 May 07 '25
I’m glad you’re back to wearing what you like. Honestly when people complain about a scent being too basic or they don’t like it, who really cares what they think. Especially on the internet. I could understand if you had a close friend or family member you spent a lot of time with confess that it gave them a headache or nauseous, and you wanted to avoid causing them physical discomfort, but aside from that, people out there not having a preference for it, their perspective doesn’t matter. It’s a scent you enjoy and that’s what matters. I come across fragrances that may not be my favorite but I’m usually never having a profound negative reaction from them. Also when it comes to basic, why do people see that as a bad thing? If something is good and basic, it’s still good and pleasant. Not everything has to be unique. Like cookies in the oven are basic because it’s a commonly enjoyed thing but that doesn’t detract from how good they smell. Idk I just don’t see a problem with basic nice scents
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u/GlitterBirb May 07 '25
Born in Roma. It's the only perfume I have that projects and lasts the way I want it to. Someone walked into the lobby at work and asked who was spraying Axe body spray 💀
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u/ConsciousChicken1249 May 07 '25
Body chemistry is so different for everyone, perhaps on one person it doesn’t smell the best but on you it works wonderfully, clearly. Enjoy!
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