Is any perfume OK?

[macgirl]

I've read a lot on many boards about people having an aversion to perfume. I'm just wondering if any amount of perfume is OK? I'm not talking about people who shower in the stuff and buy it for $10 at Walmart. I'm talking a normal spritz of a nice light perfume. Is that offensive? Just curious.

[Ehpride]

I'm not allergic to any perfumes and actually don't use them (I use body sprays instead) so I don't know the sensitivity. All I know is that regardless of cost (I like the smell of windsong and it's not expensive at all), if you use too much of a perfume, you're going to get anybody to cough, not just people who have allergies. So I think a light spritz is probably okay, but more than two or three depending on the perfume is going to be overkill. Hopefully, someone will respond that has an allergy to perfumes.

[caviargal]

I often notice fragrance on both men and women. Sometimes it is because the fragrance is so appealing and others because it is overwhelming.

 

I also think that price is not the issue. The amount a person wears is a factor, of course, but I think we all react to a particular smell differently.

 

I have a friend that has been wearing the same - very expensive - perfume - for many years and to me, it is totally overpowering. It comes into the room before her and stays there after she is gone.

 

She adores it so I just live with it. But I really find it offensive.

[MrsMoose2001]

I have to agree with Caviargil. It's not the price, it's the amount that is used.

 

I once saw a movie, the woman spritzed the perfume and the she walked through it. I think that is probably the right amount.

 

You are only supposed to smell it if you are very close to the person I think, not if you are sitting next to them or at the same table.

[MizzCard]

I once had a co-worker who started wearing "Beautiful". To me, it smelled wretched on her. The little space heaters we used under our desks, drew the scent directly to me. I couldn't deal with it, and had to tell her it was making me ill. She got offensive, but later understood.

[vmom]

My husband is extremely sensitive to perfumes. He gets terrible migraines when exposed.

 

My advice:

 

When you anticipate being in a crowd in which everyone has to be seated close together, such as in a theater, leave off the perfume completely.

 

If you will be in a crowd, but not seated close then perfume should be worn lightly so that only someone in hugging distance can smell it. If the scent reaches another person who is standing 6 feet away, then it is too much.

[Happy ks]

Years ago I became highly sensitive to fragrance, to the point where my DH had to stop wearing it altogether. But, it is directly related to the overwhelming amount of fragrance people will use. I have known people who keep reapplying it because they can't smell it on themselves anymore and that is a big mistake. One very small spritz is enough, no one should be able to smell your fragrance until they are right next to you.

 

We have a couple teachers at our school who wear so much fragrance that you can smell them when they are walking by our classroom and still smell them 5 minutes after they leave! My aunt was asked by her employer to stop wearing fragrance to the office and she did not understand why, but I did. I would go shopping with her and she would sample (my term would be douse) several fragrances at a time. I sometimes would escort her to the bathroom to wash the stuff off. She and many others just don't understand how a nice smelling fragrance can be overwhelming and make a person sick. Perfume can do to me the same thing cigarette smoke does.

 

The body sprays are the absolute worst, the fragrance (to me) is so strong even when just a small amount is applied. The cheaper brands are just so icky smelling, too! Even watching an Axe commercial makes me nauseous.

 

My DH and I can now wear a bit of cologne, spray and walk through. I have to spray and wave the back of my arm through, if I put it on anywhere near my neck or chest, my sinuses burn the whole evening.

[mymk4u]

My husband's favorite line.."what's that stink?". Actually he likes some fragrances but when they are over powering they go right to his sinuses. The problem with most fragrance is that people tend to keep putting it on because they no longer notice it on themselves. More is not better. The trick to get your scent to last without having to "pour it on" is to layer it. Start with shower gel in that scent, then body lotion. Use parfume if possible only on your pulse points. Parfume is more concentrated and will take less and last longer than cologne which is is mostly alcohol.

 

I can't stand smelling someone's fragrance from across an open parking lot! :rolleyes:

[mymk4u]

oops double post computer burp

[Ehpride]

I once saw a movie, the woman spritzed the perfume and the she walked through it. I think that is probably the right amount.

 

That's how I put my body spray on.

[crucero-amante]

My husband's favorite line.."what's that stink?".

 

I can't stand smelling someone's fragrance from across an open parking lot! :rolleyes:

 

I tend to wonder what a person is trying to cover up :eek: when you can smell them across an open parking lot.

 

J~

[MrsMoose2001]

I tend to wonder what a person is trying to cover up :eek: when you can smell them across an open parking lot.

 

J~

 

My mom who is allergic to all perfumes, gets migranes, throat starts to close up, gets sore, says the same thing? Was the person to lazy to bathe/wash?

 

I have to agree!

 

Ehpride, thank you! I thought that was the right way to do it, but I wasn't sure if people would laugh at me for writing it!

If you can't spray it's a guideline for the tiny amount that should be used at least!

[LandLockedInAZ]

I tend to wonder what a person is trying to cover up :eek: when you can smell them across an open parking lot.

 

J~

 

I haven't worn any scent for years. I used to wear cologne but got out of the habit after awhile. The less you're around it, the more you become sensitve to the smells of others. Like being stuck in an elevator with someone who is wearing more than just a touch.

I'm sure it is true of the opposite- those who wear it every day stop smelling it on themselves and thus keep adding more and more. My mother-in-law is like this and doesn't understand why we and her coworkers take offense.

My DH and I both prefer the smell of being clean over anything unnatural. And the ingredients in some of those commercially produced scents- YUCK! If I wore any scent, it would be something natural like essential oils.

[crucero-amante]

I just got back from the hospital; getting bloodwork. And whew, some of those people should have used soap and cologne. I swear I don't understand. It's either too much cologne or not enough soap and water. I am beside myself at how many stinkin slobs there are. I also can't understand people that wear clothes that are obviously stale. :eek: I hate the smell of dirty stale clothes.

Now that I've gotten that off my chest I feel better.

 

J~

[MrsMoose2001]

I hear you :( and I hope your need for tests is nothing serious and you feel better soon if you are not well :)

 

Then they wonder why 630 people died of c-dificile here last year in the hospital. :(

 

What is stale clothes? I'm not flaming, I've never head the expression, stale food yes, but I've honestly never heard "stale clothes"? I like the expression but like to use it in the proper context! Are we talking another way of saying dirty?

[caviargal]

Stale clothes are those that have seen a few too many wearings between washings. I would it call it the opposite of fresh. Kind of like when fruit gets a little too ripe, you know?

[MrsMoose2001]

Ah ok, thank you caviar girl. Got it!, never heard it expressed that way. Liked the expression and will remember it. Thanks!!!:)

[gjules]

When I smoked, I used perfume, thinking I was covering up the smoke scent! How naive was I?! Now I know NOTHING covers up that smoke smell - it just combines with it to make one nasty odor! SO glad I quit!!!:D

Ehpride, I hope you will tell me if my cologne is overpowering or smells bad on me!!!

My dh will give me a hug after my shower just before he leaves for work and tell me how good I smell and I tell him it's just soap...guess I don't need to spend the money on perfume!

I agree...spray and walk through it...just a light scent!

[LandLockedInAZ]

gjules- congrats on kicking the habit!

[joelmarj]

I personally enjoy wearing perfume, but am aware that others around may not enjoy it. I know I hate when I am "stuck" smelling someones stinky perfume like in an elevator. I'm conscious of it, and so my choices in perfumes generally are around clean, fresh scents as opposed to flowery or musky smells. I know everyone has their likes and dislikes of scents but personally I find these to be least offensive.

 

I think, LandLockedInAZ you are right. From wearing the same thing all the time, they may be immune to smelling it, thus the need to keep reapplying. I have 4 or 5 that I change around, and never reapply throughout the day. I also find that if I can smell it all day long strongly, than it's just too much (I've actually thrown stuff out because of this).

 

It's definitely a personal preference as far as scents go, but IMHO I think its too much to expect people to stop wearing it all-together. They just need to be conscious of how they are wearing. Best bet is to ask someone whos opinion you trust "Is my perfume to strong".

[Cruise Miriam]

I used to sell cosmetics in a large department store and when people asked me to spray some fragrance on ME so they could see how it smelled, I told them it could be horrible on me and great on them. What they needed to do was LIGHTLY spray some on, wait about 20 minutes and then see how it is. I actually apply the fragrances I wear to a piece of cotton and then dab it on -- I do this with both spray and splash fragrances. Also, remember that the fragrance scent and intensity will change with your activity level, season or even time of the month. And yes, I AM allergic to some fragrances, so I am mindful myself of not putting on too much of what I can wear.

 

I actually had a situation on the Mariner in Oct. I was allergic to something in the cabin, but I couldn't figure out what it was. One evening I opened the bathroom door as my roommate was spraying on her new fragrance and my throat immediately closed up, my eyes started tearing, I started coughing and I was wheezing. Case solved. She started applying her fragrance outside. Yes, it bothered me when we sat next to each other at dinner, but by that time, things had calmed down and I could tolerate it the itchy eyes and scratchy throat.

[SailAways]

Try spraying a little fragrance on your fingers, then gently dab a little here and there. Spritzing usually puts too much in one area.

My grand daughters (6 of them) adore my fragrance, as does my DH.

Ask those who you are with often about your fragrance. If they truly like you, they should be honest.

A little does go a long way. :)

[crucero-amante]

I hear you :( and I hope your need for tests is nothing serious and you feel better soon if you are not well :)

 

Then they wonder why 630 people died of c-dificile here last year in the hospital. :(

 

What is stale clothes? I'm not flaming, I've never head the expression, stale food yes, but I've honestly never heard "stale clothes"? I like the expression but like to use it in the proper context! Are we talking another way of saying dirty?

 

To me stale clothes are what caviargal said, worn too many times. They just have a certain stench to them. Yuck...

 

As for my bloodwork I am having another surgery; this time my left hand. It's to help keep the RA from causing deformity. I'm having the surgery Tuesday. But for fun we are going to Los Angeles for a long weekend. I am pretty excited to have a bit of fun before being frustrated; having only one hand to use. I'm left handed so it will be quite a challenge.

Take care, J~

[LandLockedInAZ]

crucero- I hope you enjoy your weekend and have a speedy recovery!

[gjules]

To me stale clothes are what caviargal said, worn too many times. They just have a certain stench to them. Yuck...

 

As for my bloodwork I am having another surgery; this time my left hand. It's to help keep the RA from causing deformity. I'm having the surgery Tuesday. But for fun we are going to Los Angeles for a long weekend. I am pretty excited to have a bit of fun before being frustrated; having only one hand to use. I'm left handed so it will be quite a challenge.

Take care, J~

 

:( I have RA, too...I'll think good thoughts for you! Take care!:)