My Biggest Fragrance Mistakes (and What I Learned)

[@Tinerila]

I also have rules I follow: 1: always smell the perfume on you and wait for a drydown before buying, have a walk and return to the store later. 2: don't rush into the hype, I for instance despise Bianco Latte 😂 but I love everything it has in it. Weird I know. I guess it's the concentration of every scent inside. 3: samples are tricky, you don't have the same oxidation* in a sample as in a bottle from a store 4: niche doesn't mean automatically better. Trust your skin and your nose not the word NICHE

[@honechan10]

I blind bought bianco latte and am also so sad that I dont like it! All i get is car freshener!! Im hoping by some miracle ill sniff it one day and be obessed

[@Tinerila]

@honechan10 I wanted to do the same but my bf talked me out of it. We travelled to a perfumery that had it and smelled it. It was awful on me and I couldn't shake the smell of medicine for some reason. I much rather prefered Bora Bora out of their line although everybody says it smells like sunscreen lotion. Same with Blanche Bette from LI. The guy sprayed it and I went for a walk before returning to the store. I ended up buying Tonkatonic from Morph and Sugar Kisses from Lorenzo Pazzaglia which is more oily, both drying down on my skin like a combination of marshmallow and sweet vanilla.

[@Tinerila]

@@SilverPanther000 i don't know 🤷🏻‍♀️ I have many vanilla perfumes and after opening them, spraying and letting them stay more than a week, they smell better. I have a normal mortal nose and for me there is a difference, it's not so artificial smelling, it's a bit more sweet.

[@starrnanigans6402]

Oh I learned number 1 the hard way with Carolina Herrera Good Girl Blush and Blush Elixir. I loved how they smelled on the test strip, and because I knew I liked GG Suprême, Very Good Girl, and VGG Glam, I thought it would be a safe buy. I got a travel size of Blush Elixir. Took it home, sprayed it on the next day, and after an initial burst of sweetness…immediately became a skunky herbal stink. I had to scrub it off my wrists and took it back to the store immediately. 😂 Now I make sure I go to the store without anything on my skin (aside from maybe scentless lotion) so I can try up to 4 fragrances; one on each wrist and one on the back of each hand. Thanks to this, I’ve avoided so many blind buy disasters!

[@Tinerila]

@@starrnanigans6402 yeah some of them become sour on my skin 🤢🤣 luckily all my bad purchases are on the fresh or unisex side so it's not a waste. My hubby layers them and some became house scents. Very pricey house scents

[@MsKateC2K]

I would love a video explaining how skin chemistry works. I saw a video where a perfumer said it's not a real thing, but on myself I definitely experienced perfumes that smell great on others that just smell off on me.

[@perfumerism]

Skin chemistry is a thing, but it’s a very complicated thing. pH however is not. Lots of people ask me about the pH and that is most certainly not a thing. Skin is tightly regulated at a pH of ~5.5, so there is not a significant enough difference among individuals for “pH” to be the factor in perfumery. I often have to debunk the pH myth, but that doesn’t mean that there are other factors at play here. Perhaps that’s what the perfumer was getting at as well.

[@Jess38044]

I'm convinced skin chemistry is a real thing. With jasmine scented things for example, some of my family can wear it ok, and with other family members it's too indolic. Something funky going on with the genetics ayyyy

[@EWinGVL]

Absolutely a thing! In the air, a creamy sandalwood is beautiful. On my skin, it turns to a sour milk and urine type smell 🤢

[@vickybabadoo9927]

It is def a thing and imo the biggest part of perfume

[@KaareneRNHealthLifeCoach]

You can’t explain body chemistry because every individual has a different amount of cortisol, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone along with different acidity and medications they take, etc….. not 2 people are the same. So perfume actually does smell different on absolutely everyone…. And then there is the olfactory nerve which is also different in every individual… which interprets the fragrance and reports it to your brain

[@julietteshapiro7556]

I would LOVE a video about skin chemistry!

[@GS95ER]

You're my absolute favorite fragrance influencer hands down. I love this wave of creating a well-informed conscious consumer, and your content is excellent for that. Your passion for perfumery is enthralling and inspiring to me, so thank you. Best wishes and looking forward to the next one ❤

[@perfumerism]

This is too kind, thank you so much for the sweet comment!!

[@keomeow1936]

I used to be "that girl" who hated floral perfumes. Turns out I'm very scent sensitive & just hated low quality/synthetic florals that smell mostly of alcohol. I found a brand with high quality absolutes and I purchased my first ever floral! I wear it when I want to feel hot & I love it!! ❤️‍🔥

[@Demi1369]

What brand is it? Thanks in advance!

[@nEvansTiffany]

I admire how you are just so fearless.. That's one reason why I love watching your videos. Just seeing how you aren't afraid of people or situations is inspiring to such an anxious, scaredy cat like myself lol *jklux*

[@grat2010]

@keomeow1936 - Im the same. Please, what is the brand that worked for you?

[@christopherbolanos3751]

I feel like you have a lot of integrity which I really appreciate about you.

[@perfumerism]

This comment made my day. Thank you.

[@Angryoyster]

Little kinda rant about not letting people dictate your perfume. I wanted to not like caramel vanilla amber scents, because it’s so basic but also because my mum and sister HATE IT. They love fresh, clean, light, laundry type scents. However I am to my core a warm little bit spicy cozy type of person (afternoon delight from replica has been my new daily go to perfume with sweet cinnamon pumpkin lotion). Let me tell you when I wear a light perfume I don’t feel like myself and no one compliments how I smell. When I wear a more cozy vanilla scent I feel like me, and people constantly tell me how good I smell.

[@kookootrix1978]

I like those type, too. Khamrah comes to mind.

[@sgfrmindia]

Vanilla ,rose and white musk, most people say roses are old fashioned but I love them 😍

[@lcincinnati1201]

Fragrantbodyoilz has both a "gain" and a "downy" scent I bet they would love. The best part is they do every scent in a soap, hand sanitizer, soap, room spray, oil, perfume, mist, candle. They have lots of dupes and you can get a little tester of every scent (even the xerjoff and baccarat rouge dupes) for $3 each. Just a lil tip 🫶 also I'm totally with you, wear whatever YOU wanna wear

[@losj3020]

5:28 this is personal preference but I'd actually recommend getting 5ml samples if possible. Getting 5ml has forced me to choose which fragrances I'm actually interested in because it's more commitment (and more money spent lol). I also think it helps you slow down and really get to decide whether or not you want to buy a full bottle, or if you like it just fine and would love to wear it every now and then but don't necessarily want to purchase the actual product

[@user-ii8dz4vu7n]

This. You'll surprise yourself by which ones you actually wear/run out of vs which you like but don't wear.

[@astranova1674]

Hot take but I think shopping at BBW for cheaper body mist when you're first seriously getting into fragrance is a really great way to understand what scent notes you like/gravitate towards as well as a great way to learn to layer. I'm still in my early 20's and just got into fragrance and its been such a great way for me to grow out of the super sugary scents I loved as a teenager and try more woodsy or complex fruit scents without buying hundred dollar perfumes I may never use. I'm planning on using up most of my collection and saving up to buy an actual perfume in 2026 once I'm more established in my preferences.

[@soapIDV]

Agreed! Getting some of their travel sized scents at an affordable price is a great way to get into fragrances. It is with BBW and VS that I started my fragrance journey in 2024!

[@eternalypissed]

One mistake I hate, but also guilty of, is calling something "old lady perfume". It's very ageist and sexist and it shames people for liking vintage perfumes. I don't care if you're 25 or 65, if you like your White Diamonds or Chanel No 5, wear it.

[@catherinem1542]

My husband says that about half my perfumes. I want to say, “That’s a you problem” 😂 (BTW I’m in my 50’s) Anyway you can’t control the associations others have from scents. If a fragrance makes you feel fabulous and gives you an emotional lift that’s what matters most.

[@ccMomOfJays]

😅 I enjoy Chanel 5 more so because my husband really loves it

[@sgfrmindia]

White diamonds make me feel well turned out in cloudy and drab days. Fragrances are about perceptions and memories ❤

[@eternalypissed]

@@sgfrmindia It's also comforting to me because so many women in my life wore it.

[@alix5704]

Thank you for saying this. I just started wearing perfume again after decades of not doing so because so many of them caused migraines for me. I watched a perfume influencer and about half his video was snark like "well if you really WANT to smell like Marilyn Monroe..." You know, the "old lady" slam. There are perfumes that take me back to my migraine days, and they tend to be from the '70's and '80's because that was when I had that problem. But I don't associate them or any perfume with age.

[@Neptunemuse]

my (lesbian) partner’s first cologne was a discontinued blue axe spray and i was so shocked to know it was axe!! i had such sweet memories of our first date attached to the scent that they gave me the spray bottle with the last few drops that i still keep in my bathroom. i had hated every axe scent i had smelled prior to this galaxy scent one but just serves as a testament to how emotional fragrance is as an art form

[@FirstLast-il6ok]

If I stacked the number of compliments I’ve received from a fragrance it would be 1000 to 0 in favor of… Axe Dark Temptation 😂 strangers, significant others, coworkers. I wear cologne for me, but if I was looking for compliments I’d go back to ADT 😂

[@love-lilia]

Another thing about #7 is trying to tell yourself you *dislike* something because it's popular! The popular ones have so many haters and people calling you basic if you like them. I've discovered that I love many of the popular ones and I'm fine with that! I don't need to have the most unique fragrance ever!

[@JT-rx1eo]

Thats part of the phenomenon of "dying by success" or "dying of success". Creed Aventus has suffered that fate too.

[@love-lilia]

@JT-rx1eo so true! My hubby has Aventus it is stunning on him.

[@violas.86]

I agree yet at the same time it goes the other way as well. A perfume can become popular and then it seems to be a hype. So people buy it for that reason. I personally go by, wear what you like! Less expensive, designer, niche doesn’t matter, wear it with confidence!

[@donotreply8979]

I studied chemistry and I'm so interested in skin chemistry and the factors determining how fragrances smell on different people. Please do a video on this! Don't care if it's complicated, it will for sure be interesting.

[@Sandakan00]

Its probably too niche to give her roi views wise

[@annaedmondson2232]

Also raising my hand for a skin chem video! Just about 90% of perfumes my friend has tried literally go rancid for some reason. It’s wild to experience commodity milk- (so sweet!) literally go wrong in a matter of minutes.

[@orderlymolly_7730]

I thought i was the only one! I love vanilla scents but i havent been able to buy any because all vanilla fragrances turn rancid and sour on my skin 😢😢

[@little.tricks]

Omg SAME. I wanted to love Milk so much, it smells amazing from the bottle however after I sprayed it on myself the lactic notes smelled rancid. I was so bummed, I'd love to wear a creamy milky scent but they just don't work with my skin chemistry.

[@southbug27]

I don’t understand how everyone else seems to know what every flower smells like. I’m clueless. I find it so hard to find scents I love. I’ve only had 3 perfumes that I love, & they’re all discontinued. I dread the search for a new perfume. I’m so glad to find your channel & hope I will find a signature scent soon.

[@Dreamingeye1]

I think its harder at first bc even if you like how smth smells in person the fragrance version is still different for various reasons but just a lot of trial and error and it helps to talk to sales associates Personally it took me about a year of looking to start figuring out what i like but fragranticas a good place to start to get ideas based off of old perfumes

[@chiaralerch175]

Maybe try this if you haven't already: search for these 3 perfumes you like on fragrantica or perfumo and scroll down to the "smells similar to" section and then look up the scents that are listed there and test them out. This should work for discontinued perfumes too :)

[@leawenk7350]

What really helped me at first was getting to know categories. For me I really like heavy gourmands, sexy orientals. You might also find out you like "summer" scents more than "winter". Basically you gotta try a lot and find common ground through "vibes" or categories rather than certain notes as they can smell Hella different in different formulations. Also try communicating all of this to a sales person :)

[@Outside_the_Books]

I was in the exact same place a little over 10 yrs ago. I was so overwhelmed on where to start with seemingless endless choices on the market. Fragrance youtube & tiktok wasn’t around then. So the mission to find my perfect signature scent turned into what felt like a job. It took me 2.5 yrs to find *THE* fragrance that I really loved and that felt like “me.” I’ve amassed a huge perfume collection since. After I found it, I started enjoying studying notes & testing as a hobby. I might be able to share personalized recommendations: “if you like this, I think you’d like that.” Which 3 were your favorites?

[@honechan10]

#5 is so real....I just got into the world of perfumes and watched a ton of youtube and tiktok and everyone was talking about vanilla and gourmands. I live overseas so I ordered a tonnn of the most hyped gourmand fragrances to my parents in the US absolutely sure i would love them. I was disasppointed and only after going into stores to sniff other options that my taste is fresh, clean smells.... its tempting to blind buy but the point about at least knowing your taste is SO KEY!!!

[@niklastorshagen6365]

My fragrance mistake was thinking that dupes and clones are equal to the real perfumes. So now I have a bunch of them that I never gonna use

[@Brandyyyyy]

This exact thing happened to me. I thought I was gone be a gourmand lover but no I’m a musk lover and gourmands a few in my collection lol

[@mj2625]

Axe is the ultimate example of good smells becoming overpowering due to over application or misapplying a fragrance. I love the smell of Axe but I do remember how the gym smelled after class in middle school

[@princessdaaahlingamor5798]

18:48 I’ve learned that rather than wasting money on disappointing dupes, I’d rather buy a travel size of the real thing than a 50ml of a cheat sad dupe.

[@momoz1]

I buy dupes because I don’t want to support LVMH brands

[@niklastorshagen6365]

Yes, my fragrance mistake was thinking that dupes and clones are equal to the real perfumes. So now I have a bunch of them that I never gonna use

[@thephantomarse]

I've done the same thing tbh there are some good clones but there never really as good as the real thing

[@someonespc269]

Facts!!! But a handful of dupes are gems. They’re actually really good if not better than the original. But not enough are like that, and they don’t last long enough or project as well as the original

[@khanhfident]

My biggest mistake is impulsively buying a perfume after only one time of smelling it. I’ve given away at least five perfumes to friends and neighbors after realizing that I didn’t like them. 😭

[@perfumerism]

SO real! I did this with Jeux de Peau by Serge Lutens. I smelled it in-store (on paper only) in paris, then bought it like 6 months later based on the vague memory of it smelling good. Why do we do this to ourselves haha

[@idaranwa4370]

@khanhfident: Me too! Jimmy Choo Fever. Not for me. Tiffany and co rose gold. After awhile, it gave me a headache. Tom Ford: Jasmine Rogue. No. Just No. Tom Ford: Bitter peach. I was mixed about this scent. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it either. My sister loves it. I gave it to her.

[@khanhfident]

@@idaranwa4370 I never liked Jimmy Choo Fever, and apparently, Tiffany perfumes generally don't last. I've definitely spent $700+ on perfumes that I ended up giving away. 😭

[@tomarraw]

me too. sprayed prada paradox on 1 time while on a cruise & bought it immediately (in under 2 min!)...came home & gifted to our mostest amazing Housecleaner upon my next wear. its sucha no-go on my skin imo!☺️

[@khanhfident]

@@tomarraw OMG, I got the Prada Paradoxe Intense after smelling it twice, but I almost went for it when I actually had it at home. I ended up giving it to my neighbor who likes and uses it so much more! And aw, that was so nice of you!!!

[@Alliebrad17]

One mistake I used to make is when I declutter perfumes, I get fomo and rebuy it only to realize that I still don’t wear them. I now keep decants of everything before I declutter it so I remember why I didn’t like wearing it in the first place (like La Capitale or Soie Malaquais haha)

[@Twokays13]

Genius!! I’m still trying to let go of the need to keep a bottle!

[@krahvata]

Or you could be insane like me and make a whole digital spreadsheet of perfume you want, tried, bought and write down all your opinions 😅

[@lovepeach1967]

Its just a bunch of chemicals in a bottle with really good advertising, not worth spraying these stuff, any perfume

[@Italianxx508]

Yes as a biologist, skin chemistry is real. pH, what you eat, how hydrated you are and even the skin microbiome take part in how something smells on you.

[@yvettedixon9772]

I’m so glad that you’re so honest and not like others influencers .

[@perfumerism]

See, this is my issue here. I don't think other influencers aren't honest. When I review things, people will blind buy them, dislike them, and then think I was "lying" for liking them. I’m just a girl sharing my experiences, I’m no different than other influencers.

[@veronleroson]

This is one of if not the best video about perfumery I’ve ever seen, no jokes. Wonderful job!

[@carlyw.5538]

Your authenticity is so appreciated! 🇨🇦

[@danielsparks1848]

I love how informed you are! I feel like I can really trust your insights. Also, everyone hating on florals are such fools. Iris and violet are legit the best notes ever.

[@mushrooomtea]

26:13 regarding compliments, I can often smell glossier you, Santal 33, Shaghaf oud, worn by customers at my store. I never say anything cause I think it would come off as rude! I don’t work in a perfume shop. Also, I don’t particularly like any of these fragrances so it would be a bit of a fib. I just recognize them (or perhaps their dupes) because they’re so common.

[@MrVoayer]

Appart from your sound advice and reason your honesty is highly appreciated !!!

[@oceansoul929]

I am really enjoying your channel. This year (and last), I really let myself be guided by youtube/influencer hype, and I spent a lot of money on fragrance. On the one hand, I am enjoying my now heavily expanded collection, and I honestly love having such variety, I love the education aspect of fragrance also. On the other hand, this year we also bought a house and I found myself struggling and stressing so much about my finances and feeling soooo bad for overspending. I still have a very long wishlist, but I am being much more careful, NOT blind buying, and really taking my time before buying a fragrance. Your channel scratches the itch for me in a sense, and I love how genuine you are. I wish you every success in 2025 :)

[@idaranwa4370]

This video was so well made and so on point with all the myths about perfumes. Thank you for sharing your experiences! I am getting of almost everything you mentioned but what stood out to me was the influencer buy. This is very real. I try to buy the perfume for myself that way when I watch a perfume review, I can gauge how accurate it is. For example, a KZbinr said she think Attrape Reves is very sweet. I told her I strongly disagree because on me, it is sweet but not overbearing. Sweetness is very subjective. I tried out Tom ford rose prick because an influencer said it is awesome. The best thing ever. I tried it 3 times in the store. It was basic to me. Not bad or anything. It smelled like a lot of roses to me. I was disappointed but at least I didn’t buy it.

[@helenwhitenyc1]

The story about Axe body spray is fascinating and so true on the elitism. Also good tip on plane, im realizing I need to be careful with duty free spray frenzy before boarding.

[@lovepeach1967]

Axe was found to cause fertility issues in men.

[@penelopepalm]

I have learned a lot of this the hard way. You are very wise. I love your content.

[@jennyherron5353]

I absolutely love your platform. You are real! And that is refreshing.

[@PsychicRenegadeTarot]

That being said- one $10 Arab perfume I do enjoy is Choco Musk!! It smells like a chocolate marshmallow cloud fluff. ☺️ It’s not super long lasting but it is yummy! I was fearing it would be too sweet or cheap smelling- but for the price point it’s very nice! 👍🏼

[@gertrude.c13]

I swear by the oil, and it lasts so long on me!

[@rblackiston]

I swear by a lot of Arabic perfumes and prefer them to overpriced designer fragrances.

[@PsychicRenegadeTarot]

@@rblackiston I need to try more asap!

[@rblackiston]

@@PsychicRenegadeTarot there’s a handful of sites where you can get samples now (like Hyggescent). I’d recommend trying samples first instead of blind buying full bottles 😊

[@corinalymburner1121]

Fantastic!! This is exactly the support we need, you’ve just raised yourself up a dozen notches in my opinion❤

[@perfumerism]

This is so kind, thank you!!

[@TheMusely]

Skin chemistry makes such a difference - I have the exact opposite problem of the person you mentioned and everything smells way sweeter on me than on others. Since I don't like sweet smells on myself in general, I mostly avoid anything powdery, vanilla-heavy or gourmand like the plague. Even perfumes that have a lovely mix of spice or freshness and sweetness that I can smell on my friends will just get flat and overwhelmingly sweet on me. On the other hand, weird, bitter and even acrid smells mellow out on me wonderfully, so I can wear my Jasmin et Cigarette with no issue lol

[@kenndaprophet3704]

would loveee a video on differing skin chemistry and the science behind that

[@daisybaldwin2636]

same

[@maximolinareal]

YESSS

[@FromAllAround]

Thank you, Emma! You’ve been my favorite channel lately ♥️ Happy new year!

[@shrekissexc5652]

Can you do a video about you favorite cheaper perfumes cause I’m trying to find the balance between a scent that lasts and a scent that doesn’t break the bank please thank you!!

[@sandyp939]

She did a video recently, the best fragrances at sephora, where she talks about affordable perfumes.

[@shrekissexc5652]

@ thank you!

[@DaveH8905]

This is one of the best fragrance videos on KZbin. Well done!!

[@cristaciune3268]

You're good, girl! As a middle age (even older...) woman, I can relate to all these things and I really appreciate your POV. I made a lot of mistakes before, as you said, but now I try to avoid those. No more blind buys, no more rush buying, no more influencers biased buys. I really hate all these last released perfumes, I hate lactonic and gourmands and coconut and burnt sugar perfumes, but I was able to find my own way into these- I chose to wear what I LIKE. I'm quite happy so far, I own an entire collection of 150+ fragrances, most of them discontinued, but at least I could wear what makes me happy. Kudos, my sweet girl! I'll be watching you!

[@annihilxte]

I’m so glad I found your channel, lovely! First of all, you’re gorgeous!!! Secondly, I’m a makeup artist and esthetician so that’s where my expertise is, but my full time job right now is management at Sephora. I just started a few months ago and when I got here, I wore three perfumes for years (Prada Candy, Candy Kiss, Candy Gloss and that was it lmao) and also wasn’t hugely into fragrance as a daily thing for me. As I was finally running out of my three perfumes I’d kept on rotation for so long, I felt it was time to dive in. it was the most fun for me to learn about perfume so I started trying more, mainly from indie brands (I’m very much an indie eyeshadow obsessed MUA lol) and I’m so glad to have stumbled across this video because I feel you’ve taught me a lot of good tips to give to customers, and of course myself as I continue to learn about perfume and improve my skills at helping others find things for them and their preferences (: I recently had a lady scream in my face “where the *bleep* are the coffee beans I NEED THEM” … pretty unhinged lol. I said sorry we don’t have those and remember thinking .. is that a real thing or was that a gimmick? Because I totally remember seeing that in certain department stores as a kid. So I’m glad to know that the best way to “clear” your nose while testing perfumes is to smell your own bare skin! That’s actually what I’d been doing but I didn’t know it actually made sense lol! I’ll be sure to recommend people do that from now on if they are coming in to test out different fragrances and need a reset. And YES to the making sure you wear it on the skin for a bit before instantly buying!! I always try to tell people to wait a few minutes at least if they can lol. Love what you said about blind buying because it’s so true, if you have no idea what notes will work on you, you’re likely going to end up disappointed. It’s happened a couple times to me with brands where I can’t spray beforehand with, but I’ve also luckily had a decent idea of what I do like so I’ve also had a lot of successes. Living dangerously over here 😂 Thank you again beautiful!! I loved hearing your tips and especially couldn’t agree more about buying things YOU like and could see yourself in instead of falling for the hype of influencers. Not that you guys are wrong at all in your experience but I just can’t buy something with notes I hate, no matter how dreamy people who love them make it sound! For example I love gourmands, fleurmands and vanillas so I don’t care how much someone loves an aquatic. I know that I’ll despise it, but they can continue to love it and that’s okay! I’ll just stick to all the gems from BPAL, Solstice Scents, Cocoapink, Lovesick Witchery, Sorcellerie Apothecary (aka Sorce) for indies and then my Prada Candies and vanilla or gourmand Kayalis I know I love and can put my faith into!!

[@hekilleen]

Prada Candy Kiss is *so* pretty. One of my faves.

[@chalmerelkins8965]

Wow you are the third perfume influencer i subscribe to, everyone else is typical. I enjoyed this❤

[@The_Cherokee_Gypsy]

You’re the best fragrance KZbinr out here. Most only know how to describe a smell from their hundreds of free bottles and tell us that we just HAVE to get our hands on them 🙄 fast forward we get our noses on them and we’re not impressed 😂 Everything smells better WHEN ITS GIVEN TO YOU FOR FREE!! I also hate how samples are pushed on us as well. Small samples are NOT ENOUGH to get enough wears to even know if it’s worth a full bottle. It’s so aggravating. I bought a 10ml bottle of guidance, and now I have a full bottle of it on its way to me now. I had enough of guidance to actually wear it and to know that it does well with my skin chemistry throughout the month, because believe it or not due to our cycles, fragrances smell different on us throughout the month. I’ve never jumped on the middle eastern train and I’m so happy I haven’t! I scroll right on by Arabic perfume videos because I have zero interest in them.

[@weloveyoumoria]

I love when you tell more technical things about perfumes and the smelling experience 💖 I would love a video about skin chemistry!

[@Felixfiefdom]

I appreciate points 6 and 7 about trends and influencers because I think it comes down to FOMO. People not wanting to miss out, even when it's a fragrance or note they definitely don't like! And it's okay, but it just sucks feeling like you're not in the In Group, being left out, especially when it's something popular and trendy. I loved the tone of this video, a bit ranty, and no holds barred. You tell em! (in your little whispers lol)

[@perfumerism]

1000000% !!! You hit the nail on the head with this one!

[@shamrezy]

I love your spin on this topic! Do you think a lot of these designer and niche houses have outrageous profit margins? I often ask myself considering arab fragrances last long *on me* and are affordable because they're not raising the prices to be niche like a lot of these houses are, ie paying for the branding versus quality. Would love your take on this with your expertise+

[@KurtBarcelona]

Spot on! Skin chemistry is especially prominent when you’re sweating.. A LOT! I live in the tropics with high humidity, and Creed Avenues smells sour and bad on my sweaty skin when I’m sweating. That’s why I choose freshies as they smell good on me. They kinda suppress the bacteria that’s on my skin.

[@aw66164]

One comment on florals: I think for those of us allergic to most flowers, it could be because generic flower smells smell like sneezing. I can handle floral notes when they're in the background, but a primarily floral perfume always smells like a sneeze coming on and I just can't shake it.

[@jeniecer]

Preach!!!! Great video!!!!

[@LaurenxOtt]

Can you do a video on how to improve and identify notes in perfumes and maybe on how you decided to go into perfumery?

[@humairakhan3713]

Omg I was just binging your videos what a gift!

[@SnowyDae55]

You're so right about the floral category. I love woody and musky families, but keep literally every fragrance sample that comes with beauty orders. I just opened the Prada paradoxe virtual flower just to see what it does on my skin. I'm now considering it for a date night fragrance. Thank you so much for the reminder to stay open minded!!

[@seahorseluv4134]

I have never seen your content before but this video showed up in my for you feed this morning. I just watched the entire video and subscribed. I have been on my KZbin/Fragcom journey for about 3 years. It took a lot of trial and error to figure out my taste because I definitely fell victim to influencer hype and negativity.

[@JoeShanMac]

Thanks Emma for your knowledgeable advice & love your content! ❤ I’m excited to try the layering combo for Prada Paradoxe & Eden Juicy Apple!!! I already have both and love them so I am sure it will smell 🔥! To me, even though there is no strawberry note listed for Paradoxe, my nose picks up something like a sweet juicy strawberry 🍓. Already wearing Coffee Break today but I will definitely try it out tomorrow 🎉

[@perfumerism]

Excited to hear your thoughts!

[@zaprude]

Amazing video Emma! You are so thoughtful and reflective and honest!

[@Manhands99]

Hi Emma, thank you for making this video :) I took a break from work and have been struggling to find a good job, it's been getting to me but I want to stay positive and gain confidence, and receiving a perfume discovery set for Christmas definitely helped me feel better! With my tight budget at the moment, so many fragrance videos (even affordable ones) overwhelmed me because of all the hype and lowkey aggressive marketing, and I started to feel like these things are out of reach :( your pointers were so refreshing and it just felt good to hear! I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel, thanks for making these videos and encouraging conscious consumerism!

[@u2blass]

My tip: If you've tested a fragrance in store and love it (while you were also testing other perfumes), purchase a sample before buying the full bottle so you can wear test the perfume. Twice already i have realized that it was interactions of multiple fragrances i've smelled that made me believe i liked a perfume, but when i purchase the bottle and wear it alone it is not the same. Wear testing samples is so underrated!

[@complicateddistress]

What an excellent video! Thanks for the tips! Over the years of buying perfumes, I have learnt the most this year as I started dabbling into niche and Arab perfumes. My best lesson was to never blind buy but get samples and test them out

[@schmorbraten7594]

Great story about Axe! Love it. I actually tried several of those new premium-line Axe bodysprays, and I bought one of them, Copper Santal. But I'm still on the fence whether this concept will stick. They definitely don't smell like any really rounded, high quality perfume - but they're also quite a bit removed from your average deodorant sprays. Current obsessions: Scirocco by Moresque, Babycat by YSL, Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens, Ishq Al Shuyukh by Lattafa, L'Eau D'Issey pur Homme Ambre, Epic (Man) by Amouage. Recommendation for you: Bohemian Oud by Zara. It doesn't smell like Oud at all, I think. It's super gourmandy, caramel, hazelnut, milk, cocoa ... think cozy blanket.

[@homelessgrandma2838]

Emma could you make a video about this girl who went viral on Twitter because of her PHD thesis on the Politics of Smell. It was really interesting and it seems like a good subject and maybe she could be a guest. She is from Cambridge University

[@myinnermagpie]

Thank you for all your help! I started exploring niche perfumes a few months ago. Although influencers have been helpful in getting me started. But I’m so glad that I stared with discovery sets and some samples. Delina was not good on my skin. Bianco latte went a little bit baby-barf sour on me. I tried both a few times and I’m so glad that I didn’t spend money on them even though they smell wonderful on paper strips.

[@laurenhenning69]

Excellent video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, and for reminding us of some points to remember during our fragrance journeys! At the end of this video, you remarked that you hoped to bring people into fragrance, the discuss, to learn and to enjoy perfumes. Just wanted to share with you that you helped do just that for me, so I thank you for that especially! Keep up the great work! 👍😊

[@StellaMoors97]

My biggest mistake is blind buy. I'm sensitive to fragrances and I need to experience a whole 2ml or 5ml sample at least before being sure it won't annoy me. Lesson learned!

[@darcieshaye]

Thank you for this video Emma! I would love a video to learn more about skin chemistry and fragrance

[@katdavenport6840]

Even though you can’t help us all individually find our signature scents, I think it would be cool to walk someone through that process for a video!

[@kkmarzipan]

JusdeRose had a great series where viewers sent in their collections and she picked a few options for them, based on their needs and I would love to see Emma do those (if she would want to)!

[@janesska1348]

Exactly my thoughts!

[@heatherva]

Can you do a video talking about smoky fragrances? Smoke notes are so intriguing to me, especially when its a campfire smoke.

[@Labbepus]

I've worked for Chanel for years, and been a fragrance fan for years. And I really do appreciate what you are saying. I think perfume and scents are so very linked to memory, and it's the possibly the biggest part of why we like it. And we tend to find different notes that stand out to us, that we like in that particular scent. While others find a note that they dislike, and the perfume is ruined. You are describing it perfectly in your video. It's all about scent-memory. I have one perfume that was very hyped; Lira by Cassamorati. This fragrance is amazing. I can tell that it's very good. And because I love citrus and vanilla, I just blind bought it. And yes it's good and amazing. But to me, I just smelled the similarities to a perfume that I associate with assault memories, so I struggle with wearing it. And I blind bought it... Because I like Devotion and Akro Bake.. but those to does not have that scent. So it can be very individual.

[@ZakiZaki-ev4ti]

Yes,yes,yes!A video on skin chemistry pleaaaaassseeee!❤

[@cookie_dough_hangover]

I don't try new perfumes anymore, don't sample them, don't smell them in the Mall. I have come to realisation that I already have those that I love and that people recognize me by. They are classic and timeless.

[@pamplemousselacroix]

PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO ON SKIN CHEMISTRY!

[@linlinev]

Your videos make me so happy. Omg hilarious at the part, if you buy a body mist and you’re mad that it smells like alcohol 🤷🏻‍♀️ 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I love it!

[@kaitieskates]

That first point is so true! I tried Jo Malone Ginger Biscuit on my skin and in MINUTES in disappeared to nothing! Also ended up being one of the Ffern fragrances off a friend because it smelled so different on both of us. She kept getting mad because it smelled like what she wanted on me and not her. Stupid skin chemistry!

[@LauraKing]

Loved the axe story!! The one person I went to check was in that video and of course he was in a hat like I had expected LOL

[@momoratime2956]

i have weird skin chemistry too. sweet perfumes don't project without a lot of fruity/florals to cling onto. so fruity floral gourmands are fine but sweet gourmands alone will be a skin scent within 30 minutes. my skin loves white floral scents and will turn any of those (or musk) into a beast mode scent... but unfortunately i hate white florals. LOL. thankfully a juicy floral scent is where it's at for me! i love a fruity rose perfume best!

[@momgremlin]

if i had a dollar for every time i’ve spilled a luckyscent sample (that’s not even 1ml, it’s 0.7ml) i could buy my wish list

[@perfumerism]

Oh shoot, you're right ahhaa they're 0.7ml

[@kookiekommenter]

Didn't even realize all this and I've considered purchasing from them many times (but haven't). This really helps me make decisions, thank you both!

[@jojo3389]

Scent Split is awesome and has more decant sizes to choose from

[@lovethineownself7994]

I think this might be one of your best videos. Big Thumbs Up!!!!

[@mydearaurora]

my number one rule is always give the note you dislike a chance! because perfume note can be painted in so many different ways. I've heard people describing patchouli as dirty and earthy and guerlain out here making the cleanest smelling patchouli ever with patchouli paris, so many brands and perfume houses each have their own take with notes and ingredient and they can smell so wildly different from each other I've been trying out perfumes for awhile now and know what I like and don't like but I'm willing to try something even when I have a feeling I might not like it just to satisfy my curiosity and it's fun to try new things and because of that I surprise myself time after time again because I happen to like something I thought I wouldn't enjoy

[@CTqueenie]

Recently discovered you, and love hearing your insights and musings into frags! I've been a fragrance fanatic and on the hunt for the ultimate thing for years now. I've stumbled upon a handful of loves, but I have such a sensitive nose/head, I have a hard time wearing much of anything. Interestingly, I've discovered I really do love Lake, from by/ Rosie Jane (despite its vanilla note, which I generally detest). Just goes to show we don't always know what we love until we've worn something a bit! Your scent association points are so true. I love citruses, even lemon, but I have to be careful with lemon; because too much of a synthetic lean just reminds me of MoviPrep, a medical procedure prep drink (for those unfamiliar, and I envy you)! 😆

[@makeupmoyourself4621]

This video made me subscribe. I love the honesty.

[@br_easydoesit]

This video is everything. Real talk: I wish I’d watched it 14 months ago. 90% of the perfumes I own were blind buys and I have spent money I don’t have in pursuit of…I don’t even know. I am being way more thoughtful these past few months but not after accruing debt - for smelly water. Don’t be me 🙃

[@alnsubuga]

Really interesting video. Thanks for sharing! I’ve been fascinated by fragrance since I was about 10 and at the grand age of 49 I can confidently say that aldehydes are my only red line when it comes to fragrance. My nose doesn’t like them and they smell awful on my skin. For everything else that I’ve been less keen on (powder, rose, leather, lilac, tobacco, iris, smoky, citrus, violet, fruity florals/gourmands), I’ve been able to find combinations that I like over the years as the sector and trends have evolved.

[@fatima8188]

Such an interesting watch!! Would love more videos like this

[@mariaalejandramata7562]

The testing on your skin/not following influencers’ taste combo is so important, because I almost fell for the Kayali Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar hype: when I went to try it on my skin it was THE most disgusting thing I have ever smelled, to the point where I’d gag whenever I got a whiff of it 😭 and I felt like something was wrong with me because I couldn’t smell the greatness. So I 100% will go try something and let it dry down before making a decision, because this is how I ended up loving Father Figure on me! Fragrance is so subjective, and YOU should love how you smell.

[@АллаПанина-ъ5м]

I love the way you talk about perfumes. Also the Axe story is hilarious!

[@Diana-sp3rq]

Ohhh I needed this video 😅 I've been dabbling in affordable middle Eastern fragrances. .. it has not been going well. Lol

[@allisonpeacock7415]

please make a video discussing your top performing fragrances!! that is like my biggest consideration when buying a fragrance and no one seems to discuss it

[@Neuroscentologist]

The concept of this video is so helpful and also important, especially the part about misleading marketing and perfumery elitism. I’m able to buy higher-end perfumes if and when I want to, and I do, but I often wonder what the message in expensive niche perfumery is and part of me doesn’t love to feed into that. It’s a complex issue, and at the end of the day, fragrance is a hobby and should be a means to enhance your quality of life, provide comfort in hard times, and overall bring joy.

[@e.gutgold6036]

Thank you for your great thoughts and advice. I learned how I smell/interpret scents so differently from other people-influencers. I liked your point about perfumes being judged according to price-meaning good for the price. Very useful about how to sample in store. Thanks so much!

[@janesska1348]

I'd love a house review of Commodity or Maison Margiela!

[@falconcara]

I love ordering samples from scent split to get them with sprayers

[@hohenstaufenz]

Wow, your channel is so refreshing with such original and informative content. How did I not come across it a lot earlier...keep up the great work.

[@nka30]

Such a great video, thanks. Please do one on skin chemistry.

[@Twokays13]

Great overview!!! Really appreciated this break down!

[@StrawBerryShortCakeP]

😍✨ such an amazing video!

[@katiemclean4086]

This video is perfecttttt omg I’m just getting into perfume and this really helps

[@annaw3280]

I am completely new to fragrance and your videos are really helpful

[@perfumerism]

Thank you!

[@charmedbymeghan]

Love what you had to say in thus video. Would love more influencers to review with these things in mind and talk about this more. Saw you at ScentXplore NY this year too btw ❤

[@lafdwifey]

Well done. One more vote for you to make the video on skin chemistry please 😊👋🏽

[@tiaramartin1072]

We all want the skin chemistry video!

[@homelessgrandma2838]

I love this so much. I kept trying to like it over and over again, but realizing I already did 😂❤