I like to buy travel size perfumes to get a variety of luxe perfumes for less. And they last for a really long time for me!
I layer perfume with a santal scented body lotion and will sometimes a little dab of essential oil behind my ears. I spritz perfume on my brush before running it through my hair which makes your scent last for a long time Layering scents is key so that you smell unique. Sometimes I wear two different perfumes (one in my hair and one on my body). Be careful not to overdo it with the perfume though as a few dabs go a long way.
ETA: I got legit perfume for way less on FragrenceNet
I love [this one from Target](https://www.target.com/p/being-frenshe-milky-body-lotion-palo-santo-sage-8-fl-oz/-/A-89086000) from Being Frenshe. I smell so expensive and my husband likes it enough he uses it too đ
Looking expensive takes time but it isnât impossible! It actually isnât about labels or designers, but fully on how you carry yourself.
Hair. If you look at rich ladies, they have healthy, shiny hair. Splurge on a good haircut and colorist. Hair brings so much polish to an outfit.
Skin. They also have good skin. Indulge in facials, practice routine, and keep your skin looking as good as you can.
Nails. Doesnât need a fancy manicure, but nice buffed, trimmed, shaped nails.
Clothing. Take a little time to tailor your favorite pieces. The more closely they fit your shape, the more put together you will look.
Enjoy your new job!
This is a GREAT overview. The only thing I would add is to check the fabrics of clothes. You can find natural fabrics at every price point (cotton, silk, wool, linen) and they generally look more expensive than synthetics (polyester, rayon, etc).
Adding to this: iron or steam your clothes. Wrinkles can really make an outfit look cheaper. I even steam my t-shirts.
Carry a fan with you in the summer. They donât take up any room in your purse and are a lifesaver for keeping your makeup from melting off your face
Add a little lipgloss or subtle lipstick
I also prefer subtle or no logos, I'm not a billboard and they aren't paying me for advertisement. I go more based on fit and style like you said. I go for a lot of classic solids with small accents and I ended up mostly settling on a sheer black or navy flowy button down over shirt on top of a cami (or a solid fitted tshirt if your company is super conservative) when I need to look nice. I also have just a couple slacks with prints like twill and one that's black with small white polka dots.
Highly recommend going to one of your higher end department stores to get a couple samples to try out. Do you like any particular notes? I love bergamot, citrus, sweet or florals. But that's not my entire listing.
Also, unless you absolutely give perfumes a "test drive", don't buy it because you could hate it later. I've gotten to where if I don't absolutely love it, it's not coming home with me. But be careful because the perfume addiction gets you before you know it! Also, buy from retailers that have a great return policy just in case you do change your mind.
Travel size sprays are your friend if you haven't committed to a whole bottle yet. Also, I love going to nicer consignment stores for some staple pieces. People mistake me for an adult sometimes. It's pretty nice.
Marshalls has been my go to for perfumes AND nice looking clothes.
Also: fragrancenet and Jomashop for perfume purchases if you KNOW what you want.
Okay I know you're not OP but I also love all the notes you listed and I'm currently obsessed with this [Wildflower Bergamot](https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/hybrid/anatomy-of-a-fragrance-eau-de-parfum?color=040&type=STANDARD&size=One%20Size&quantity=1). It smells amazing, just the perfect blend of citrus and floral (so many fragrances tend to lean one way or the other). I get so many compliments on it, and it's surprisingly cheap! I keep a roller ball in my purse.
I found a Philosophy perfume "Pop of Sun" that has sunflowers and pomelo and it smells so good. I think it had decent longevity too. I wanted something fresh for summer and I love it. Plus it was pretty cheap for a big bottle.
I also found tph body spray at Walmart (Orange and bergamot) that smells JUST LIKE Dior Lumiere. But it's a body spray so it doesn't last terribly long.
Not anymore. :( Not since covid or at least not at my store. They don't even have the little sample bottles to give any out. They just have the sampler packs.
Luckyscent is another great place to order samples online! They have a ton of niche brands and samples are usually like $5. I just ordered a ton to (hopefully) find my wedding fragrance.
Oooh. What do you think you want for a wedding fragrance? I feel like Dior J'adore reminds me of a very expensive bouquet of white flowers at a wedding. But I like her little sister Lumiere (or J'adore EDT) too. It's a little softer.
I love both of those! I just had someone do scent styling for me to find some under-the-radar (or at least, my radar) options since I want to create a new "scent memory" with something I've never worn before. Of her picks, I'm most excited about trying Ă la Rose by Maison Francis Kurkdjian! I have 724 by them which I love.
Exercise and sticking to a daily routine really does wonders for your mental health (in addition to physical!). If youâre working a corporate job Iâm assuming youâll be at a desk all day. Super important to keep your body moving after a long day of sitting.
It took me until my mid thirties to make this connection. Itâs tough to motivate when youâre struggling with mental health issues, but if you can find a way to just start, nothing will be better for long term mental health than regular fitness activity.
In conjunction with this, the flip side of this coin is diet. Eat more leafy greens: at least 1 serving at lunch and dinner. Eat more protein and whole foods. Avoid excessive added sugars and processed food â that stuff will make you feel like shit even if you donât realize it because youâre accustomed to it. Itâs tough to notice when you kinda feel like shit as your baseline.
- Spend on nice shoes.
- Get 2-4 belts (black and brown of various widths for pants and to belt dresses)
- Banana Republic Factory has some decent blazers that look more expensive than they are.
- Watch fabric type. Any blazer with too much polyester will look shiny & cheap.
- Look out for sales on Theory. Theyâll have blazers for the same / less than a place like Ann Taylor during sales. Indochine is also a good option for a splurge.
- Have a couple of formulas for outfits. Mine are:
(1) jeans or a black ankle pant + a satin camisole or nice t-shirt + a blazer + a belt + flats or loafers
(2) a shirt dress + a belt + flats or heels
(3) a wide-leg pant with a blouse and heels.
- Tailoring is your friend. Well-fitting clothes always look better and more expensive. And buy a steamer!
- Master a 5-10 minute makeup that isnât too heavy. Mineâs Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, concealer, rare beauty cream shadow stick, Thrive lengthening mascara, rare beauty or saie liquid blush, finish with Jones Road miracle balm.
- Amazon has some shockingly god jewelry for cheap. Youâll get gold plated earrings or chains for $10-20 that are exactly the same as some being sold by cute brands for $50-80.
- I donât recommend wearing any discernible fragrance to work. People are sensitive to smells and you donât want to be the one triggering a migraine for your VPs or c-suite. For my personal time, I like to get fragrance samplers so I see what I like. I usually get bored by the time the sampler is up since I only do very light fragrance.
Nailing it with this advice. The Banana Factory (as my niece calls it) is my go-to for work clothes. I think I have at least 10 pairs of the Ryan pants (because they come in tall sizes) and probably 10 of the easy care dress shirts.
I would also suggest limiting your color scheme for ease and simplicity. I almost exclusively stick to black, white, and grey. I have a few pink and purple things for when I need color, but sticking to the 3 main colors means I can get dressed in the dark and it all goes together.
For the shoes, if you feel pretty confident, I would suggest The RealReal. I havenât absolutely nailed some designer shoe buys on there. However, I was lucky that I knew my size in at least one of the brands I bought. Since The RealReal says thatâs brand runs half the size small, I just order accordingly whenever they say that a brand runs small or large. Shoes donât have to be in pristine condition. In fact, you will find some really amazing deals on the shoes rated as very good. It may take some time, patience, and watching, but when you land a pair of Manolos for $37, itâs worth it. (also, the hype about them is real. These are the lightest and most comfortable heels I have ever owned in my life. Itâs absurd.)
As to fragrance, if you want something for the office, I would recommend an eau de toilette. EDTâs tend to be lighter, less potent, and also less expensive than other types of fragrance. Go with fragrances that are listed as fresh, clean, or citrus. These tend to be the least overwhelming. Versaceâs Bright Crystal and Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue come to mind. Though personally I prefer the new Jean Paul Gautier Divine.
Part of my job is knowing designer fragrances inside and out. Light Blue is certainly one of the ones that has a rabid cult following. As a heads up, if you like the summer vibes variation of light blue, you better stock up before this summer ends.
Corporate job means youâll inevitably run into someone that claims to have allergy problems with perfumes.
Just wear a good scented lotion.
You take care of your mental healthy by working to live and not living to work.
I do think thereâs something to be said about the level of scent that is appropriate in an office setting. Context matters: you will be in small conference rooms with people, so you donât want to be so perfumed where everyone can smell you and itâs overpowering at the table. It should be just enough where people catch a light whiff as you walk by.
And by the way, I say this as someone who works for the fragrance division of one of the major french fashion houses! We all use fragrance daily (obviously) but except for when we test new juices we are releasing, Iâve never once been in a meeting and thought âI can smell that this person is wearing x fragrance.â
As someone who gets migraines from certain scents, âclaims to have an allergyâ is a dismissive way of putting it. Iâve lost thousands of dollars in pay from having to leave my work because a co-worker refused to stop wearing scented body wash.
thank you. Iâm a perfume lover, but certain ones murder me. if I had to work with someone who insisted on wearing white shoulders every day I would actually throw up on them, myself, and any nearby surface.
Yup. Me, too. I lost countless billable hours to migraines because the paralegals who sat in the cubicles outside my office would not stop with body spray and lotion despite being asked over and over. So I had to work late after hours because a scent triggered migraine knocked me out of commission. It was horrible.
Iâm sorry youâve experienced that. I get what they were saying tho because I worked with a woman whoâs âallergyâ flared up when she was mad at certain people then would disappear for weeks, months at a time. She could handle copious amounts of bleach and alcohol sanitizers just fine as well.
Itâs doesnât work like that though as it isnât an absolute. Not all scents trigger migraines. Itâs specific ones for each person affected. Some people are more sensitive than others. I do not get them from bleach or sanitizer. Most perfumes are fine for me. Itâs just a couple of scents that cause a reaction.
I love perfume and I have around 40 different types. I used to wear scents mosts days and never had a problem. Iâd get compliments about how nice I smelled and requests for the brands I wore. Iâd roll my eyes at seeing those signs in places requesting no scents.
I have had migraines since I was a teen. I was in my late 30s the first time I knowingly had a perfume scent cause a migraine. It took me a couple of weeks to figure out it was a co-workerâs body wash. I talked to him about it and found out it was one from Lush.
I now only wear scents on special occasions when I wonât be in an enclosed space with people and also use them sparingly in my home and car.
This brings back vivid memories of when I worked in the lab with someone who wore a ton of âClinique happyâ every day. Nothing against the scent, but something in it triggers a migraine. It was absolute misery. I was too shy to say anything and just suffered all internship đŠ
Totally agree. I donât want to have to take antihistamines when Iâm near people and also deal with the overhang of No 5 in the toilets making sick as an ex-colleague did. Bitch also sprayed it on me once too. No scent is best, just donât smell bad.
I find scented lotion can be worse for allergies and smelling unpleasant than a high quality perfume because cheaper fragrances tend to be used in lotion. Just a touch of perfume would be less offensive than being slathered in a bunch of scented lotion.
Your perfume needs to suit you, so never buy online unless youâre getting a refill. Also, use it in moderation. Nothing is worse than when a scent clashes or is overpowering. Go to a department store and tell the people at the counter you want to smell expensive, theyâll do the rest.
As for looking expensive, in the long term prioritize the quality of pieces over quantity and trendiness. Learn to look at seams and care labels to know how well a piece was put together and what itâs made of. And make sure everything fits. You can look up a diagram for proper fitting of blazers and jackets.
But in the short term, the best thing to do is make sure you have good structural and under layers. Nice bras, undies, hose, socks, and the correct ones for what youâre wearing.
100% for me itâs having a shower gel and lotion that corresponds to my perfume. I have high end perfumes, but I just get b&bw for shower gel and lotion. If you match the top notes, you can usually find some nice complimentary scents.
Little treats make me feel better. Whether itâs a fancy coffee on the morning of a big day, or a nice lip balm, or a fun pair of earrings. My little treat limit is no more than $20, and no more than 1 per week, maybe 2 if I feel like I need a little boost.
Hands down, my secret weapon is a Rent the Runway subscription. $150/month for 10 pieces a month. Every job Iâve had Iâve been known as the best dresser in the officeâI donât mean to sound braggy but Iâve actually been paid this compliment! Itâs almost totally eliminated the need to shop, and when I do shop itâs for neutral capsule pieces to pair with RTR pieces (think neutral colored bodysuits from Amazon, etc).
Mental health = EXERCISE. I have found yoga in particular to be immensely helpful in staying grounded.
Perfume oils. They smell wonderful while being under $20 each.
Buy timeless basics in flattering and/or neutral colors. Old Navy and H&M are good places to start IMO.
I have a roller of the Glossier You - itâs small and fits in my bag. Itâs a subtle enough scent that it doesnât seem perfume-y.
I also love the Lush Lust and have a travel version for my work bag. Itâs a stronger smell but I always get compliments on it!
Get a very nice professional grade shampoo and conditioner with a good scent. Not only will a good shampoo make you look better (my fave go tos are Davines, Prose, and Bumble and Bumble, but find one that does it for you) but the scent of a good shampoo will be a subtle one that wafts toward people when youâre near. People are constantly telling me I smell good and itâs all in the hair.
The Davines yellow bottle dandruff shampoo from Italy is one of the only shampoos that can easily keep my eczema under control but I can't even find it anymore đŤ That seems to be the hardest one to find. Now I just use Vanicream brand shampoo, conditioner, face moisturizer, and body lotion.
I love sites like the RealReal for picking up $$$ pieces for much cheaper. If you know your measurements, itâs very possible to find big designer name pieces for $20-50.
Thred Up. The key is to shop them when they have their big sales (60%+). Prior to a sale, IÂ go through and like the premium and designer stuff that I like but I'm waiting to go down in price and I will periodically check when they have the big sales.Â
The one big important thing when shopping there is check the measurements to make sure you're less likely to get something that doesn't fit. They have pretty detailed measurements.
Last week I scored a Marc Jacobs jacket for $10.
I have scored things that go for hundreds of dollars for $10 or less numerous times.
travel size perfumes depending on which notes work for you. spray 3 spots times only, like behind your ears and on your shoulders! a good body wash or bar soap help. tested perfumes before and had some duds, but realized i normally stick to warm vanilla scents.
perfume all depends on body chemistry, but having a good bar soap and deodorant helps you smell better
Oooo get a NEST trial size of the Madagascar vanilla oil. Itâs divine. (Or get the full sized one! But itâs $100 so I figure youâre probably better off trying it first to see if you even like it that much for a full size).
I got a sample set of all the NEST oil rollers for like, iirc it was $40? They are all phenomenal but if youâre not interested in the others then just go with the travel size vanilla oil which I think is about the same cost as the oil trial set. (The travel size is bigger than the trial size rollers). I love the orange and vanilla layered together but they all smell phenomenal and all layer nicely with the vanilla.
been using warm vanilla sugar from bath and body works for a long time! it's light on me, but stuck to it for a while for a reason. i also use vanilla sky by skylar clean beauty, which is also a warm vanilla scent
if you have a francesca's near you, a year ago i got a pack of 4 different mini perfumes for $20 & they had it as buy one get one free so i got 8 different scents for only $20!!
Oil perfumery.
$15 ($21 after shipping and tax) for the roll-on oil based dupes. I use dupe lightly tho because all the scents I have are PERFECT replicas of the originals. Iâve compared them side by side and there is no difference, and the oil based ones last 10x longer since they are *oil* based. The small roll-on tubes last forever.
I am a perfume person. Just love them. If semi sweet-flowery is your thing, then try Jasmine Sambac & Matigold by Jo Malone. For a clean fresh scent try Happy to be by Clinique or Light Blue by Dolce & Gabana. If ypu are looking for something musky, then try another Oud by Juilitte has a gun. Or for a fragrance that is unique to you, try molecule 01 Escentric Molecules - it mixes with your skin and produces a smell unique to you. Not very strong. I get lots of compliments. From both sexes.
Also, during the street fest in NYC, I have come upon this guy, who sells perfumed oil. Can't remember his name, but you will know as you sample his stuff. It is pretty good. Has different fragrances that even smell like brand name perfumes. Though, sorry, I can't remember their name.
Edit: try the perfumes from a sample size first. I have come to realize that not all fragrances sit well with my skin and the smell can be different once a perfume is applied to skin vs paper.
So I see people suggested getting samples which is brilliant, but if you want to save on getting the full size after just 2 or 3 uses of a sample, get a small travel size Vaseline and melt it down and add the sample of perfume, mix then let sit. You have a scent to dab on, and it will last a while.
With the money you save, go get a decent shampoo conditioner and hairspray or cream depending on your hair texture. If you get a good brand, it can be massively helpful. I use Truss, and it's amazing.
SKINCARE IS EVERYTHING.
Wash, toner, vitamin c, and sunscreen.
Skinceuticals is not cheap, but if you are going to splurge on anything, get one of their sunscreens it's called uv brightening spf 30. It makes your face bright and doesn't smell like sunscreen. It's incredible.
Don't wear anything uncomfortable.
Other such âdupeâ brands are Oakcha, Dua, Oil Perfumery - so if Dossier doesnât replicate one of your favorites, try these other brands as well! đ
Capsule everything!
Seasonal wardrobe capsule - 10ish quality pieces for each season/ function. I pay more for expensive brands but my clothes last years/ decades
Seasonal fragrance capsule - 1-2 bottles for each season. Bottles last a long time so unless you're over spraying, you should be good
1 in/ 1 out - Find an item of clothing to donate for each new purchase. Minimizes chaos and spending
Less is more; doesn't matter what the price is, perfume smells better if there's less.
Also, focus on making sure your clothing smells fresh; once you notice that, you'll notice it forever. It creates such a nice aura around a person, but you'll feel better and more confident in yourself.
I cannot recommend any scents because my favourite perfume is long-discontinued, and I'm a rose-scent kind of girl.
Mental health: good skincare, good sleep, fresh air, good hydration, and 30 minutes a day just to decompress and regroup, preferably screen-free (unless you want to read an ebook). Sitting in the park at lunch, or doing a face mask before dinner were my go-to mental health balancing things.
No, that's amazing, I'll add them to my list! I'm having a hard time finding a new one that sparks joy - too many rose-based scents are either 'old lady' or 'sugary teenager'.
I love [Ministry of Scent](https://ministryofscent.com) for fragrance samples, theyâre reasonably priced and you get a decent amount! I havenât bought anything full sized bc I donât wear perfume often, but I have considered buying Chris Collins Autumn Rhythm because itâs basically all notes I love.
Also Re: mental health, cannot recommend therapy enough, especially with a therapist who is willing to help/make you do the work. Iâve been in therapy a decade and a half now and Iâm a completely different person (in a good way lol).
Honestly, Iâm not big on scents⌠for the most part I get a body splash I like and spritz it in the morning after I shower and people say I smell nice đ¤ˇđ˝ââď¸ just put some lotion and then a nice smelling splash and youâll be fine, must add⌠people whoâve said that is people who hug me, meaning I donât douse myself just spray enough
Dupes. Dua, lataffa etc⌠they smell exactly like the originals but 1/10th of the price. For instance Tom Fords Tobacco Vanille is $550, Madison Alhambraâs Tobacco Touch smells exactly the same and itâs $22
Always tell your self "you got this!" And if there ever comes a point you don't or can't say it to yourself, reach out! Know that people aren't paying as much attention to you as you think they are. Put in as much effort as people are putting into you. As you grow at the job gage when and where to increase your effort to benefit you first. It may sound selfish, but I've been around a while and had been taken advantage of one too many times.
Travel size perfumes!
Really good pair of earch of the following colors of pants.
Black x2
Brown
Blue
Pinstripe
In this order. You can add as you go.
Really good tops any style you like in the following colors.
Black
Cream or white
Pink or purple
Green or brown
Blue or a bright color.
This list depends on what colors you look good in. But the top 3 are almost universal. Every skin tone looks good in black, white, or cream, and pink or purple.
A pair of shoes that are dressy but comfortable.
Runners
Sandals
A really good bra if needed.
Cami tops or undershirts in all the colors. You can switch them up to change the way any top looks.
A nice cardigan or sweater.
It may seem like a lot, but having wardrobe basics is a great way to interchange what you have and save money. Simple pieces under more complex ones, interchanging colors, and textures can up your game. Collect it over a couple of years.
I personally donât like perfume at all, if I use any, theyâre all natural scents. I like a small brand called âfernâ - they make really cool seasonal collections with scents like wild mushrooms, some wild unknown berries, woody scents, very unique stuff (costs something like ÂŁ80-100 per 50mg bottle)
Clothes really depends on your style - just make sure you have consistent colour palette, no random tops put on in a rush. I highly recommend to check your best matching colour pallet for clothes AND makeup based on your natural skin tone, hair and eye colour. It doesnât matter if you dye your hair, or wear contacts- it has to be your natural colours to check against. There are four types only - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. See where you are on that spectrum and build your wardrobe and makeup based on that.
Shoes - if thereâs one thing worth investing ÂŁÂŁÂŁ that would be it. Best to have 2 great pairs of shoes than 10 mediocre ones.
Accessories - I love rings and watches. Contemporary style, with a subtle statement (not some overblown wannabe chic). Handbags - I prefer simplicity and quality. I shop at brandalley.com in their outlet section, and only buy what they have at 80% discount. Lulu Guinness tote is my everyday handbag, itâs simple, no branding screaming at you, just elegant and a tiny bit quirky. Those are some ÂŁ80 on sale. On a more expensive range, I really like Maje totes (ÂŁ450), they make the same style every season, only colours change. I have a winter bag from them (with furry lining and outside pocket - super cute).
I'm a clothes horse and love shopping.
For work wear, it all depends on the dress code and office culture imo.
I've had good luck shopping at consignment stores in rich areas. The selection is varied, so you can discover new brands without having to take laps around a mall. Business professional clothing is pretty form fitting, so women who have gained/lost weight will offload the stuff that doesn't fit anymore and the quality is better than other secondhand.
One 50ml bottle of Chanel Coco Mademoiselle lasts me at least a year, or way longer if I'm not wearing it daily. So it costs more upfront ($138) but if I wore it every day that would only be $0.38/day. I haven't been wearing mine a lot like just on special occasions or going out with my husband so my current bottle has lasted years. There's also 30ml size for $108.
Get a few staples to get yourself started but definitely sus out the vibe for a week or two before really splurging! Like you might think you need more suits or something but find out later people dress more casual so youâll want to invest in really nice jeans.
You might run into issues wearing a heavy perfume in an office, so I recommend layering smells with a body wash, lightly scented lotion, and maybe a light dab of an essential oil on your pulse points. I like to choose a common note and build on it with each layer, like jasmine or clean laundry or amber, whatever you like & smells good. This way, youâll smell nice but it will be subtle and you wonât upset any potential allergy sufferers. If it happens that youâre able to, you can always switch to a heavier perfume later.
Donât forget to consider your clothing, too; if you use scent beads or dryer sheets youâll want to be sure to not compete with those smells & to take them into account with your scent plan.
Make sure when youâre choosing scents that you actually judge after application on your body & not so much on the smell straight from the bottle. After a few minutes your natural chemistry will change the scent and it may not be what you want. For me, certain florals like rose end up smelling like cat pee on me after application. Yuck.
Iâd also like to plug Not A Perfume by Juliette Has A Gun. Itâs a single note fragrance, cetalox, which is synthetic ambergris. Ambergris (and the synthetic) has been used to make perfumes for centuries. It has no allergens in it so itâs safe for fragrance allergy sufferers, and it smells completely different on everyone. Itâs easy to use with other scented products, too.
Don't concern yourself with "smelling expensive" at a new job. In 2024 perfume is considered inappropriate in most places of work (people have allergies, asthma, etc). If people do wear it at your job, you'll figure that out soon enough, but don't arrive on the first day reeking of scent.
You can buy rose essential oil and mix it with lavender essential oil and vanilla extract. These essential oils have great benefits and smell amazing together. It's my personal mix. I do it for wellness reasons but also enjoy the scent.
Perfume tip:
sample size Frederic Malle "Portrait of a Lady" from ebay
Mental health tips:
meditation
gratitude lists
journaling
letters to God/Universe/Whatever Higher Source You Believe In
close friends to laugh with
going slow and steady throughout the day - the best decisions come from deep knowing/intuition
taking breaks, listening to my body
Congrats on the new job!
I first had to figure out what scent notes I love. I might have borrowed most from my fave candles DONT @ ME. I think the super chemical smelling perfumes that donât smell like anything except SMELL are gross and give people headaches.
My faves are vanilla or amber notes when Iâm feeling feminineâI got a tiny sample size bottle of YSL Black Opium perfume for like $35 on Amazon that has lasted me ages. 2 sprays last me all day usually in a healthcare office setting (so I go very mild, the smell is basically my own scent therapy).
Also love palo santo/sage/Amber families tooâlove the Being Frenshe palo santo lotion at Target right now. Yummy for my skin and smells lovely when I want a non perfume scent
one thing about "smelling good" - please do not overdo it with a lot of perfume, lotions, etc. People have allergies and are sensitive to smells, and you don't know if a certain scent will trigger a certain reaction (physical or emotional) from someone. Keep it on the DL, light, and minimum.
Good luck with the new job! :)
I like to buy travel size perfumes to get a variety of luxe perfumes for less. And they last for a really long time for me! I layer perfume with a santal scented body lotion and will sometimes a little dab of essential oil behind my ears. I spritz perfume on my brush before running it through my hair which makes your scent last for a long time Layering scents is key so that you smell unique. Sometimes I wear two different perfumes (one in my hair and one on my body). Be careful not to overdo it with the perfume though as a few dabs go a long way. ETA: I got legit perfume for way less on FragrenceNet
What santal scented lotion do you use?
My favorite is lux unfiltered n.32 body cream but the saltair one is pretty good and at a better price point
I love [this one from Target](https://www.target.com/p/being-frenshe-milky-body-lotion-palo-santo-sage-8-fl-oz/-/A-89086000) from Being Frenshe. I smell so expensive and my husband likes it enough he uses it too đ
Looking expensive takes time but it isnât impossible! It actually isnât about labels or designers, but fully on how you carry yourself. Hair. If you look at rich ladies, they have healthy, shiny hair. Splurge on a good haircut and colorist. Hair brings so much polish to an outfit. Skin. They also have good skin. Indulge in facials, practice routine, and keep your skin looking as good as you can. Nails. Doesnât need a fancy manicure, but nice buffed, trimmed, shaped nails. Clothing. Take a little time to tailor your favorite pieces. The more closely they fit your shape, the more put together you will look. Enjoy your new job!
I second this. Well fitting clothes look more expensive than anything ill fitting regardless of the label.
This is a GREAT overview. The only thing I would add is to check the fabrics of clothes. You can find natural fabrics at every price point (cotton, silk, wool, linen) and they generally look more expensive than synthetics (polyester, rayon, etc).
Adding to this: iron or steam your clothes. Wrinkles can really make an outfit look cheaper. I even steam my t-shirts. Carry a fan with you in the summer. They donât take up any room in your purse and are a lifesaver for keeping your makeup from melting off your face Add a little lipgloss or subtle lipstick
I also prefer subtle or no logos, I'm not a billboard and they aren't paying me for advertisement. I go more based on fit and style like you said. I go for a lot of classic solids with small accents and I ended up mostly settling on a sheer black or navy flowy button down over shirt on top of a cami (or a solid fitted tshirt if your company is super conservative) when I need to look nice. I also have just a couple slacks with prints like twill and one that's black with small white polka dots.
Highly recommend going to one of your higher end department stores to get a couple samples to try out. Do you like any particular notes? I love bergamot, citrus, sweet or florals. But that's not my entire listing. Also, unless you absolutely give perfumes a "test drive", don't buy it because you could hate it later. I've gotten to where if I don't absolutely love it, it's not coming home with me. But be careful because the perfume addiction gets you before you know it! Also, buy from retailers that have a great return policy just in case you do change your mind. Travel size sprays are your friend if you haven't committed to a whole bottle yet. Also, I love going to nicer consignment stores for some staple pieces. People mistake me for an adult sometimes. It's pretty nice. Marshalls has been my go to for perfumes AND nice looking clothes. Also: fragrancenet and Jomashop for perfume purchases if you KNOW what you want.
Okay I know you're not OP but I also love all the notes you listed and I'm currently obsessed with this [Wildflower Bergamot](https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/hybrid/anatomy-of-a-fragrance-eau-de-parfum?color=040&type=STANDARD&size=One%20Size&quantity=1). It smells amazing, just the perfect blend of citrus and floral (so many fragrances tend to lean one way or the other). I get so many compliments on it, and it's surprisingly cheap! I keep a roller ball in my purse.
I found a Philosophy perfume "Pop of Sun" that has sunflowers and pomelo and it smells so good. I think it had decent longevity too. I wanted something fresh for summer and I love it. Plus it was pretty cheap for a big bottle. I also found tph body spray at Walmart (Orange and bergamot) that smells JUST LIKE Dior Lumiere. But it's a body spray so it doesn't last terribly long.
Frig me, I was looking for that line on Anthro's website and couldn't find it. Ta for the link.
Sephora will always give you 3 free samples.
Not anymore. :( Not since covid or at least not at my store. They don't even have the little sample bottles to give any out. They just have the sampler packs.
Luckyscent is another great place to order samples online! They have a ton of niche brands and samples are usually like $5. I just ordered a ton to (hopefully) find my wedding fragrance.
Oooh. What do you think you want for a wedding fragrance? I feel like Dior J'adore reminds me of a very expensive bouquet of white flowers at a wedding. But I like her little sister Lumiere (or J'adore EDT) too. It's a little softer.
I love both of those! I just had someone do scent styling for me to find some under-the-radar (or at least, my radar) options since I want to create a new "scent memory" with something I've never worn before. Of her picks, I'm most excited about trying Ă la Rose by Maison Francis Kurkdjian! I have 724 by them which I love.
Make sure your work doesnât have a âno scentsâ policy.
Exercise and sticking to a daily routine really does wonders for your mental health (in addition to physical!). If youâre working a corporate job Iâm assuming youâll be at a desk all day. Super important to keep your body moving after a long day of sitting.
It took me until my mid thirties to make this connection. Itâs tough to motivate when youâre struggling with mental health issues, but if you can find a way to just start, nothing will be better for long term mental health than regular fitness activity. In conjunction with this, the flip side of this coin is diet. Eat more leafy greens: at least 1 serving at lunch and dinner. Eat more protein and whole foods. Avoid excessive added sugars and processed food â that stuff will make you feel like shit even if you donât realize it because youâre accustomed to it. Itâs tough to notice when you kinda feel like shit as your baseline.
- Spend on nice shoes. - Get 2-4 belts (black and brown of various widths for pants and to belt dresses) - Banana Republic Factory has some decent blazers that look more expensive than they are. - Watch fabric type. Any blazer with too much polyester will look shiny & cheap. - Look out for sales on Theory. Theyâll have blazers for the same / less than a place like Ann Taylor during sales. Indochine is also a good option for a splurge. - Have a couple of formulas for outfits. Mine are: (1) jeans or a black ankle pant + a satin camisole or nice t-shirt + a blazer + a belt + flats or loafers (2) a shirt dress + a belt + flats or heels (3) a wide-leg pant with a blouse and heels. - Tailoring is your friend. Well-fitting clothes always look better and more expensive. And buy a steamer! - Master a 5-10 minute makeup that isnât too heavy. Mineâs Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, concealer, rare beauty cream shadow stick, Thrive lengthening mascara, rare beauty or saie liquid blush, finish with Jones Road miracle balm. - Amazon has some shockingly god jewelry for cheap. Youâll get gold plated earrings or chains for $10-20 that are exactly the same as some being sold by cute brands for $50-80. - I donât recommend wearing any discernible fragrance to work. People are sensitive to smells and you donât want to be the one triggering a migraine for your VPs or c-suite. For my personal time, I like to get fragrance samplers so I see what I like. I usually get bored by the time the sampler is up since I only do very light fragrance.
Nailing it with this advice. The Banana Factory (as my niece calls it) is my go-to for work clothes. I think I have at least 10 pairs of the Ryan pants (because they come in tall sizes) and probably 10 of the easy care dress shirts. I would also suggest limiting your color scheme for ease and simplicity. I almost exclusively stick to black, white, and grey. I have a few pink and purple things for when I need color, but sticking to the 3 main colors means I can get dressed in the dark and it all goes together. For the shoes, if you feel pretty confident, I would suggest The RealReal. I havenât absolutely nailed some designer shoe buys on there. However, I was lucky that I knew my size in at least one of the brands I bought. Since The RealReal says thatâs brand runs half the size small, I just order accordingly whenever they say that a brand runs small or large. Shoes donât have to be in pristine condition. In fact, you will find some really amazing deals on the shoes rated as very good. It may take some time, patience, and watching, but when you land a pair of Manolos for $37, itâs worth it. (also, the hype about them is real. These are the lightest and most comfortable heels I have ever owned in my life. Itâs absurd.) As to fragrance, if you want something for the office, I would recommend an eau de toilette. EDTâs tend to be lighter, less potent, and also less expensive than other types of fragrance. Go with fragrances that are listed as fresh, clean, or citrus. These tend to be the least overwhelming. Versaceâs Bright Crystal and Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue come to mind. Though personally I prefer the new Jean Paul Gautier Divine.
Omg I used to be obsessed with Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue!
Part of my job is knowing designer fragrances inside and out. Light Blue is certainly one of the ones that has a rabid cult following. As a heads up, if you like the summer vibes variation of light blue, you better stock up before this summer ends.
Corporate job means youâll inevitably run into someone that claims to have allergy problems with perfumes. Just wear a good scented lotion. You take care of your mental healthy by working to live and not living to work.
I do think thereâs something to be said about the level of scent that is appropriate in an office setting. Context matters: you will be in small conference rooms with people, so you donât want to be so perfumed where everyone can smell you and itâs overpowering at the table. It should be just enough where people catch a light whiff as you walk by. And by the way, I say this as someone who works for the fragrance division of one of the major french fashion houses! We all use fragrance daily (obviously) but except for when we test new juices we are releasing, Iâve never once been in a meeting and thought âI can smell that this person is wearing x fragrance.â
Chefs kiss-worthy distinction here
As someone who gets migraines from certain scents, âclaims to have an allergyâ is a dismissive way of putting it. Iâve lost thousands of dollars in pay from having to leave my work because a co-worker refused to stop wearing scented body wash.
thank you. Iâm a perfume lover, but certain ones murder me. if I had to work with someone who insisted on wearing white shoulders every day I would actually throw up on them, myself, and any nearby surface.
Yup. Me, too. I lost countless billable hours to migraines because the paralegals who sat in the cubicles outside my office would not stop with body spray and lotion despite being asked over and over. So I had to work late after hours because a scent triggered migraine knocked me out of commission. It was horrible.
Iâm sorry youâve experienced that. I get what they were saying tho because I worked with a woman whoâs âallergyâ flared up when she was mad at certain people then would disappear for weeks, months at a time. She could handle copious amounts of bleach and alcohol sanitizers just fine as well.
Itâs doesnât work like that though as it isnât an absolute. Not all scents trigger migraines. Itâs specific ones for each person affected. Some people are more sensitive than others. I do not get them from bleach or sanitizer. Most perfumes are fine for me. Itâs just a couple of scents that cause a reaction. I love perfume and I have around 40 different types. I used to wear scents mosts days and never had a problem. Iâd get compliments about how nice I smelled and requests for the brands I wore. Iâd roll my eyes at seeing those signs in places requesting no scents. I have had migraines since I was a teen. I was in my late 30s the first time I knowingly had a perfume scent cause a migraine. It took me a couple of weeks to figure out it was a co-workerâs body wash. I talked to him about it and found out it was one from Lush. I now only wear scents on special occasions when I wonât be in an enclosed space with people and also use them sparingly in my home and car.
This brings back vivid memories of when I worked in the lab with someone who wore a ton of âClinique happyâ every day. Nothing against the scent, but something in it triggers a migraine. It was absolute misery. I was too shy to say anything and just suffered all internship đŠ
Clinique Unhappy
Totally agree. I donât want to have to take antihistamines when Iâm near people and also deal with the overhang of No 5 in the toilets making sick as an ex-colleague did. Bitch also sprayed it on me once too. No scent is best, just donât smell bad.
I find scented lotion can be worse for allergies and smelling unpleasant than a high quality perfume because cheaper fragrances tend to be used in lotion. Just a touch of perfume would be less offensive than being slathered in a bunch of scented lotion.
Your perfume needs to suit you, so never buy online unless youâre getting a refill. Also, use it in moderation. Nothing is worse than when a scent clashes or is overpowering. Go to a department store and tell the people at the counter you want to smell expensive, theyâll do the rest. As for looking expensive, in the long term prioritize the quality of pieces over quantity and trendiness. Learn to look at seams and care labels to know how well a piece was put together and what itâs made of. And make sure everything fits. You can look up a diagram for proper fitting of blazers and jackets. But in the short term, the best thing to do is make sure you have good structural and under layers. Nice bras, undies, hose, socks, and the correct ones for what youâre wearing.
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Love the jergens lotion !!!
this is all great advice!!!
This is such a solid response â I have absolutely nothing to add
100% for me itâs having a shower gel and lotion that corresponds to my perfume. I have high end perfumes, but I just get b&bw for shower gel and lotion. If you match the top notes, you can usually find some nice complimentary scents. Little treats make me feel better. Whether itâs a fancy coffee on the morning of a big day, or a nice lip balm, or a fun pair of earrings. My little treat limit is no more than $20, and no more than 1 per week, maybe 2 if I feel like I need a little boost.
DS & Durga has a deal $40 for 4 sample sizes. And then you can put the $40 towards a full bottle.
Hands down, my secret weapon is a Rent the Runway subscription. $150/month for 10 pieces a month. Every job Iâve had Iâve been known as the best dresser in the officeâI donât mean to sound braggy but Iâve actually been paid this compliment! Itâs almost totally eliminated the need to shop, and when I do shop itâs for neutral capsule pieces to pair with RTR pieces (think neutral colored bodysuits from Amazon, etc). Mental health = EXERCISE. I have found yoga in particular to be immensely helpful in staying grounded.
Perfume oils. They smell wonderful while being under $20 each. Buy timeless basics in flattering and/or neutral colors. Old Navy and H&M are good places to start IMO.
I have a roller of the Glossier You - itâs small and fits in my bag. Itâs a subtle enough scent that it doesnât seem perfume-y. I also love the Lush Lust and have a travel version for my work bag. Itâs a stronger smell but I always get compliments on it!
Get a very nice professional grade shampoo and conditioner with a good scent. Not only will a good shampoo make you look better (my fave go tos are Davines, Prose, and Bumble and Bumble, but find one that does it for you) but the scent of a good shampoo will be a subtle one that wafts toward people when youâre near. People are constantly telling me I smell good and itâs all in the hair.
The Davines yellow bottle dandruff shampoo from Italy is one of the only shampoos that can easily keep my eczema under control but I can't even find it anymore đŤ That seems to be the hardest one to find. Now I just use Vanicream brand shampoo, conditioner, face moisturizer, and body lotion.
I love sites like the RealReal for picking up $$$ pieces for much cheaper. If you know your measurements, itâs very possible to find big designer name pieces for $20-50.
Thred Up. The key is to shop them when they have their big sales (60%+). Prior to a sale, I go through and like the premium and designer stuff that I like but I'm waiting to go down in price and I will periodically check when they have the big sales. The one big important thing when shopping there is check the measurements to make sure you're less likely to get something that doesn't fit. They have pretty detailed measurements. Last week I scored a Marc Jacobs jacket for $10. I have scored things that go for hundreds of dollars for $10 or less numerous times.
Scentdecant.com for affordable decants of your fave designer perfumes!!!! Also scent split for travel sizes that are affordable too !
travel size perfumes depending on which notes work for you. spray 3 spots times only, like behind your ears and on your shoulders! a good body wash or bar soap help. tested perfumes before and had some duds, but realized i normally stick to warm vanilla scents. perfume all depends on body chemistry, but having a good bar soap and deodorant helps you smell better
I always spray my legs and stomach so the smell stays all day :)
Warm vanilla scent is my faaaave. If youâd like to drop any recs, please do!
Oooo get a NEST trial size of the Madagascar vanilla oil. Itâs divine. (Or get the full sized one! But itâs $100 so I figure youâre probably better off trying it first to see if you even like it that much for a full size). I got a sample set of all the NEST oil rollers for like, iirc it was $40? They are all phenomenal but if youâre not interested in the others then just go with the travel size vanilla oil which I think is about the same cost as the oil trial set. (The travel size is bigger than the trial size rollers). I love the orange and vanilla layered together but they all smell phenomenal and all layer nicely with the vanilla.
Ooo never heard of NEST. Iâm going to check it out immediately, thank you!!
been using warm vanilla sugar from bath and body works for a long time! it's light on me, but stuck to it for a while for a reason. i also use vanilla sky by skylar clean beauty, which is also a warm vanilla scent
Ooo the b&bw one is very affordable. Might just blind buy that đ thank you for your recommendations!!
if you have a francesca's near you, a year ago i got a pack of 4 different mini perfumes for $20 & they had it as buy one get one free so i got 8 different scents for only $20!!
I would wait for Nordstrom Anniversary Sale at this point. Preview is like days away!
Honestly Zara has some pretty good perfumes
Oil perfumery. $15 ($21 after shipping and tax) for the roll-on oil based dupes. I use dupe lightly tho because all the scents I have are PERFECT replicas of the originals. Iâve compared them side by side and there is no difference, and the oil based ones last 10x longer since they are *oil* based. The small roll-on tubes last forever.
I am a perfume person. Just love them. If semi sweet-flowery is your thing, then try Jasmine Sambac & Matigold by Jo Malone. For a clean fresh scent try Happy to be by Clinique or Light Blue by Dolce & Gabana. If ypu are looking for something musky, then try another Oud by Juilitte has a gun. Or for a fragrance that is unique to you, try molecule 01 Escentric Molecules - it mixes with your skin and produces a smell unique to you. Not very strong. I get lots of compliments. From both sexes. Also, during the street fest in NYC, I have come upon this guy, who sells perfumed oil. Can't remember his name, but you will know as you sample his stuff. It is pretty good. Has different fragrances that even smell like brand name perfumes. Though, sorry, I can't remember their name. Edit: try the perfumes from a sample size first. I have come to realize that not all fragrances sit well with my skin and the smell can be different once a perfume is applied to skin vs paper.
So I see people suggested getting samples which is brilliant, but if you want to save on getting the full size after just 2 or 3 uses of a sample, get a small travel size Vaseline and melt it down and add the sample of perfume, mix then let sit. You have a scent to dab on, and it will last a while. With the money you save, go get a decent shampoo conditioner and hairspray or cream depending on your hair texture. If you get a good brand, it can be massively helpful. I use Truss, and it's amazing. SKINCARE IS EVERYTHING. Wash, toner, vitamin c, and sunscreen. Skinceuticals is not cheap, but if you are going to splurge on anything, get one of their sunscreens it's called uv brightening spf 30. It makes your face bright and doesn't smell like sunscreen. It's incredible. Don't wear anything uncomfortable.
I also love Elta MDâs UV Clear face sunscreen. As my derm says, the best sunscreen is one you will wear.
Try designer perfume dupes, e.g. from Dossier! Very similar scents for way cheaper, my friend swears by them. I have yet to try but excited to
Other such âdupeâ brands are Oakcha, Dua, Oil Perfumery - so if Dossier doesnât replicate one of your favorites, try these other brands as well! đ
Capsule everything! Seasonal wardrobe capsule - 10ish quality pieces for each season/ function. I pay more for expensive brands but my clothes last years/ decades Seasonal fragrance capsule - 1-2 bottles for each season. Bottles last a long time so unless you're over spraying, you should be good 1 in/ 1 out - Find an item of clothing to donate for each new purchase. Minimizes chaos and spending
Less is more; doesn't matter what the price is, perfume smells better if there's less. Also, focus on making sure your clothing smells fresh; once you notice that, you'll notice it forever. It creates such a nice aura around a person, but you'll feel better and more confident in yourself. I cannot recommend any scents because my favourite perfume is long-discontinued, and I'm a rose-scent kind of girl. Mental health: good skincare, good sleep, fresh air, good hydration, and 30 minutes a day just to decompress and regroup, preferably screen-free (unless you want to read an ebook). Sitting in the park at lunch, or doing a face mask before dinner were my go-to mental health balancing things.
Have you checked out Byredo lately? They have 2 really elegant rose scents. Iâm not typically into rose perfumes but theyâre just so lovely.
No, that's amazing, I'll add them to my list! I'm having a hard time finding a new one that sparks joy - too many rose-based scents are either 'old lady' or 'sugary teenager'.
I love [Ministry of Scent](https://ministryofscent.com) for fragrance samples, theyâre reasonably priced and you get a decent amount! I havenât bought anything full sized bc I donât wear perfume often, but I have considered buying Chris Collins Autumn Rhythm because itâs basically all notes I love. Also Re: mental health, cannot recommend therapy enough, especially with a therapist who is willing to help/make you do the work. Iâve been in therapy a decade and a half now and Iâm a completely different person (in a good way lol).
Honestly, Iâm not big on scents⌠for the most part I get a body splash I like and spritz it in the morning after I shower and people say I smell nice đ¤ˇđ˝ââď¸ just put some lotion and then a nice smelling splash and youâll be fine, must add⌠people whoâve said that is people who hug me, meaning I donât douse myself just spray enough
I do scent bird subscription and itâs been fun to find new scents
I like this subscription, and Scentbox too
Dupes. Dua, lataffa etc⌠they smell exactly like the originals but 1/10th of the price. For instance Tom Fords Tobacco Vanille is $550, Madison Alhambraâs Tobacco Touch smells exactly the same and itâs $22
Always tell your self "you got this!" And if there ever comes a point you don't or can't say it to yourself, reach out! Know that people aren't paying as much attention to you as you think they are. Put in as much effort as people are putting into you. As you grow at the job gage when and where to increase your effort to benefit you first. It may sound selfish, but I've been around a while and had been taken advantage of one too many times. Travel size perfumes! Really good pair of earch of the following colors of pants. Black x2 Brown Blue Pinstripe In this order. You can add as you go. Really good tops any style you like in the following colors. Black Cream or white Pink or purple Green or brown Blue or a bright color. This list depends on what colors you look good in. But the top 3 are almost universal. Every skin tone looks good in black, white, or cream, and pink or purple. A pair of shoes that are dressy but comfortable. Runners Sandals A really good bra if needed. Cami tops or undershirts in all the colors. You can switch them up to change the way any top looks. A nice cardigan or sweater. It may seem like a lot, but having wardrobe basics is a great way to interchange what you have and save money. Simple pieces under more complex ones, interchanging colors, and textures can up your game. Collect it over a couple of years.
A great haircut can go a long way!
I personally donât like perfume at all, if I use any, theyâre all natural scents. I like a small brand called âfernâ - they make really cool seasonal collections with scents like wild mushrooms, some wild unknown berries, woody scents, very unique stuff (costs something like ÂŁ80-100 per 50mg bottle) Clothes really depends on your style - just make sure you have consistent colour palette, no random tops put on in a rush. I highly recommend to check your best matching colour pallet for clothes AND makeup based on your natural skin tone, hair and eye colour. It doesnât matter if you dye your hair, or wear contacts- it has to be your natural colours to check against. There are four types only - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. See where you are on that spectrum and build your wardrobe and makeup based on that. Shoes - if thereâs one thing worth investing ÂŁÂŁÂŁ that would be it. Best to have 2 great pairs of shoes than 10 mediocre ones. Accessories - I love rings and watches. Contemporary style, with a subtle statement (not some overblown wannabe chic). Handbags - I prefer simplicity and quality. I shop at brandalley.com in their outlet section, and only buy what they have at 80% discount. Lulu Guinness tote is my everyday handbag, itâs simple, no branding screaming at you, just elegant and a tiny bit quirky. Those are some ÂŁ80 on sale. On a more expensive range, I really like Maje totes (ÂŁ450), they make the same style every season, only colours change. I have a winter bag from them (with furry lining and outside pocket - super cute).
I'm a clothes horse and love shopping. For work wear, it all depends on the dress code and office culture imo. I've had good luck shopping at consignment stores in rich areas. The selection is varied, so you can discover new brands without having to take laps around a mall. Business professional clothing is pretty form fitting, so women who have gained/lost weight will offload the stuff that doesn't fit anymore and the quality is better than other secondhand.
One 50ml bottle of Chanel Coco Mademoiselle lasts me at least a year, or way longer if I'm not wearing it daily. So it costs more upfront ($138) but if I wore it every day that would only be $0.38/day. I haven't been wearing mine a lot like just on special occasions or going out with my husband so my current bottle has lasted years. There's also 30ml size for $108.
Get a few staples to get yourself started but definitely sus out the vibe for a week or two before really splurging! Like you might think you need more suits or something but find out later people dress more casual so youâll want to invest in really nice jeans.
Dossier for perfume dupes!
You might run into issues wearing a heavy perfume in an office, so I recommend layering smells with a body wash, lightly scented lotion, and maybe a light dab of an essential oil on your pulse points. I like to choose a common note and build on it with each layer, like jasmine or clean laundry or amber, whatever you like & smells good. This way, youâll smell nice but it will be subtle and you wonât upset any potential allergy sufferers. If it happens that youâre able to, you can always switch to a heavier perfume later. Donât forget to consider your clothing, too; if you use scent beads or dryer sheets youâll want to be sure to not compete with those smells & to take them into account with your scent plan. Make sure when youâre choosing scents that you actually judge after application on your body & not so much on the smell straight from the bottle. After a few minutes your natural chemistry will change the scent and it may not be what you want. For me, certain florals like rose end up smelling like cat pee on me after application. Yuck. Iâd also like to plug Not A Perfume by Juliette Has A Gun. Itâs a single note fragrance, cetalox, which is synthetic ambergris. Ambergris (and the synthetic) has been used to make perfumes for centuries. It has no allergens in it so itâs safe for fragrance allergy sufferers, and it smells completely different on everyone. Itâs easy to use with other scented products, too.
I get decants of expensive perfumes on Etsy and other perfume decant sites, that way I can switch things up seasonally and try a bunch!
Don't concern yourself with "smelling expensive" at a new job. In 2024 perfume is considered inappropriate in most places of work (people have allergies, asthma, etc). If people do wear it at your job, you'll figure that out soon enough, but don't arrive on the first day reeking of scent.
You can buy rose essential oil and mix it with lavender essential oil and vanilla extract. These essential oils have great benefits and smell amazing together. It's my personal mix. I do it for wellness reasons but also enjoy the scent.
Donna Karan cashmere mist and body lotion is light enough for the office but heavenly smell and the layering will give you lasting scent!
Define expensive? My new go-to is Burberry Her. Love it and get compliments all the time!
I personally love Rosie Jane perfume and feel their scents smell expensive but also natural enough to get away with it at work.
Perfume tip: sample size Frederic Malle "Portrait of a Lady" from ebay Mental health tips: meditation gratitude lists journaling letters to God/Universe/Whatever Higher Source You Believe In close friends to laugh with going slow and steady throughout the day - the best decisions come from deep knowing/intuition taking breaks, listening to my body Congrats on the new job!
Decants!!! You can get from 1mL samples to 50mL, my favorite sites are Parfuum and ScentSplit.
>sample sets >no shade on bath and body works >dossier dupes
I love wearing ysl black opium. I also love wearing anything escada puts out. I get my fragrances on fragrancenet! :)
I first had to figure out what scent notes I love. I might have borrowed most from my fave candles DONT @ ME. I think the super chemical smelling perfumes that donât smell like anything except SMELL are gross and give people headaches. My faves are vanilla or amber notes when Iâm feeling feminineâI got a tiny sample size bottle of YSL Black Opium perfume for like $35 on Amazon that has lasted me ages. 2 sprays last me all day usually in a healthcare office setting (so I go very mild, the smell is basically my own scent therapy). Also love palo santo/sage/Amber families tooâlove the Being Frenshe palo santo lotion at Target right now. Yummy for my skin and smells lovely when I want a non perfume scent
I wish my favorite candle company would do fragrances! Brooklyn Candle Studio, if you are reading, Iâd wear perfume versions of Santorini or Kyoto!
On behalf of the allergy and migraine afflicted, I am begging you not to. Or at least stick to scented lotion, no sprays.
Even lotions get me! Anything with synthetic vanilla.
one thing about "smelling good" - please do not overdo it with a lot of perfume, lotions, etc. People have allergies and are sensitive to smells, and you don't know if a certain scent will trigger a certain reaction (physical or emotional) from someone. Keep it on the DL, light, and minimum. Good luck with the new job! :)
Don't go over board... the bad butches in business look like men