Recently I was reading about new fragrances for summer - eau de toilette and parfum. Typically they were eschewing the need for a lighter fragrance for summer, which of course would be more eau de toilette than parfum. And someone mentioned Chanel No 5 and how evocative it was for them.

Famously Marilyn Monroe when asked what she wore to bed said,

"5 drops of Chanel No 5".

Its interesting that 5 as a number was important for Coco Chanel and that she chose the 5th sample out of 20 and named it Chanel No 5 back in 1919. Even though Chanel has never made the fragrance the royalties of 2 % on all sales she received from WWII onwards made her one of the world's richest women at the time. Her annual income of $25 million ( in 1950s dollars (in today's dollars it would be $375 million or £250million) just from her share of Chanel No 5's sales far outweighed her income from selling clothes and fashion jewellery. If you want to know more about No 5 then check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanel_No._5

Why so much on Chanel No 5? Well it changed the way women bought perfume and the types they used, and it also is one of my favorite perfumes. It isn't the first I used on a regular basis or even the first that I tried. When I lived in Holland I used to use Betty Barclay No 2, Chanel No 5, Laura Biagiotti Roma, ....and Boss for women, and Boss Deep Red. These days the pennies are less so I use some M&S perfume and other scents for everyday and for special occasions Chanel No 5 or Betty Barclay.

So which was your first perfume or fragrance and which is your favourite?? Or if not which perfume brings back memories.....

hugs

Pauline xxxx

One interesting point about perfume is that perfumes are formulated differently for men and women due to the slight difference in skin pH. We all are aware that the same perfume will smell differently on different people. Which leads me to wonder why you get handed a piece of plastic with the perfume on it to try! I would never expect to buy a new fragrance for my wife without her trying it and even better if you can come back to it after at least a couple of hours.
When it comes to perfumes even in drab I don't use the strong 'manly' ones but prefer the lighter citrus ones. The last last manly perfume I used was Brut 33 when it was advertised by 'Our Henry'. These days it's Miaki or Kenko in both drab and drag or Euphoria for every day.

My first perfume was probably Charlie, my current favorites are Purr by Katy Perry and Outspoken Intense by Fergie....

janet croft here,i am still studing with interest thevast perfumes , we have a tv'cd advice night and genral get together in boots, prospect centre in hull on 14th june at 6.30/7pm.i will give you a opinion after that Pauline love xxxx....jan

My fav perfume is Charlie Red
I use Dove "Cucumber & GreenTea" Deodorant all the time.
Thanks for the suggestion Pauline x

My fav perfume is Hugo Deep Red....xxx

I kind of was hooked on Charlie do to their agressive marketing. I vary from Flower Bomb to Kim Kardashian to Thierry Mugler (who I admire as a designer) Thierry's classic is Angel and now Alien i believe has come out.

tresor is my fav i also like L'Eau d'Issey

I'm with Mandy on this one Charlie Red for me x

all very helpful girls,thanks

Chanel was, is and remains a fave - but have shared Mrs M's Jean paul Gaultier range recently (well there were a present from me to her!!!!) and he does some lovely ones.
xxxx

Jean Paul Gaultier - everytime

I do like Dior but my first and favorite?
Estee Lauder Youth Dew

hmmmmm any girly ones really my spray i use and lurve is charlie pink perfume hmmm i like angel but its costs a lot ha ha im a cheap bird xxx

For some reason which I no longer remember Red Door was my first love. Now when I wear Burberry I want to eat myself I smell soooo good!!!

my first perfume and one that I still use for everyday is Charlie Red , cheap and cheerful but its feminine and gets comments , but my favourite is any of the fragrances from Amouage , its cripplingly expensive ( about £175 for the cheapest in the range ) but it is beautiful and lasts all day and all night , suffice to say I only have a very small bottle of Jubilation .

Eva Lady said:For some reason which I no longer remember Red Door was my first love. Now when I wear Burberry I want to eat myself I smell soooo good!!! Love this!!!
This post was edited by Pauline Smith at May 18, 2013 8:16 AM BST

Love ck1 ,wear it every day and still get asked what it is ,
Plus its unisex x.

I'm with Shar - Deep Red for me - love just a little burst here and there! xxx

liz i wonder where the there is hmmmm ya saucy minx ha ha xxx
This post was edited by Deleted Member at June 6, 2013 12:31 PM BST

Ha - well i know you like that fabulous aroma i give off! lmfao xxx

why yes...... yes i do xxxxx

or should i say aint that the toof oops sorry done it again ha ha xxxx
This post was edited by Deleted Member at June 6, 2013 12:33 PM BST

Doh - they won't take the dam thing out until i have finished the antibiotics !(((

aw bless ya hunnie more booze then lol xxx

Davidoff Cool Water and Davidoff Cool Water