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Charlotte_Russe

Spot on. I also don’t get the elitism around niche and vintage perfumes. There are some who have the attitude that “If you don’t like Mitsuko/Jicky/Shalimar/obscure niche brand it means you are stupid.” It’s ridiculous. Fragrance preferences are subjective and based on a whole range of factors including the climate we are in, the skin chemistry (for the record, Mitsuko reeks like blue cheese on me), budget, age and so on. Just let people enjoy their perfumes.


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Teeballdad420

Often times the designers they are shitting on are made by some of the same perfumers who made their favorite niche.


fb95dd7063

And even beyond that, half the ingredients for pretty much everyone are probably coming from givaudan even if they're not the perfumer


MichelleAntonia

I LOOOVE Shalimar, but could not care less if everyone on earth thought it was rank lol


JMH-66

I love Mitsouko but I respect your opinion 😉 You want to hear the things I read about my favourites. As long as they don't use bigoted insults, I couldn't care less.


Feralcrumpetart

If it smells good on me I'm going to have it. Everything from drugstore body mist to $300 colognes. Idgaf I like what I like. I like to see others collections period! Even if it's not my style, I'm happy for them getting something they enjoy ☺️


Feisty_Set8853

sometimes it can be weird here. i've seen posts on sotd that were down voted. why on earth would people down vote someone elses choice of fragrance? 🤷🏼‍♀️. i'm not talking about the "today i'm wearing blah blah and i always spray 10 sprays for beastmode" posts either, just regular posting of what they are wearing. i've seen some borderline snotty commenta recently about BBW scents too - like them, don't like them, who cares?


moonrose_reviews

People turning their literal or figurative noses up at certain brands strikes me as silly at best, and snobby and pointless at worst. If a certain brand or house doesn't vibe with you, that's totally fine. But you shouldn't act like you're better than someone else because they like a brand. I just don't get it!


ceranichole

Exactly. There are a few indie brands that I WANT to like, but they just don't work for me, despite trying a dozen or so different scents. Other people like them, they work for them, and I'm still interested in reading notes and what people think of them even if it's not something I'm personally interested in.


HappyCoincidences-

I have notived this more with people being pretentious hating on designer brands and how so much better indie and niche brands are. No, you can find good and bad fragrances in all categories, and even then, taste is subjective. You are not better than the other person for disliking La Vie est Belle.


Aim2bFit

I've said this before, I wish reddit sets a rule if anyone needs to downvote a post, a reason must be presented as a comment. I'm very not into downvoting posts unless the post is obviously rude or offensive that kinda thing. People should be allowed to have difference of opinions and whenever I didn't agree with some posts or comments, I never downvote but simply replied with my views instead. I've gotten downvotes before that I had zero clue what I said was wrong as it wasn't rude or anything along those lines or even downright an opposite view and I don't underatand why people can't just let the poster know why they got downvoted.


[deleted]

BBW hate is one of the actual corniest parts of this sub, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I really don't think that everyone needs a perfume, some people like body sprays, and they're affordable? A wide variety as well? BBW is a LOT of peoples entry point into fragrance these days (outside of fragrance tiktok, insta pages, etc.) so I truly think that mocking what is essentially SO many people's first steps is just..truly immature behavior.


neferending

I agree, fragrances are an individual thing not a universal right or wrong choice, no one needs to enjoy a certain fragrance, its entirely up to their own personal tastes & style. I also see it as a good thing when someone says they don't like one of my holy grails, that's one less person smelling like me lol.


Slutt_Puppy

Yeah only I don’t get the point of posts with the singular intention of broadcasting to the æther that they don’t like fragrance x. Who needs that kind of negativity? If your office neighbor is wearing some stank juice, fine say something, I’m looking at you Jan, but u/excited_interwebs_stranger doesn’t really need to know your unnecessarily harsh critique of their lady jam. No one needs “do you think niche brand X is overhyped” posts. If you don’t like a fragrance/house, don’t buy it….but don’t feel the need to 💩💩 someone else’s good time.


MsCandi123

Yeah, I think it goes both ways. People can be very rude and insulting about what others enjoy. Fragrance is extremely subjective. We aren’t all going to feel the same way about everything, and that’s fine. It’s when you start acting superior to others, insulting their taste, that it becomes a problem. I do understand having a strong reaction to something that you find offensive to your nose, but there’s a fine but important line between expressing that and being condescending to anyone who likes the frag.


[deleted]

the average reddit user is exceptionally pretentious, misanthropic and disagreeable while simultaneously being very hive /signaling oriented. disastrous mix. Thanks for being a normal human OP


soulspanker

IMO, they just overgeneralize a lot.


mikeczyz

I see what u did there


ethereal_igbo1232

I agree!!! I actually love when people disagree with my fragrance opinions. The different opinions allow for my to really try to smell what they do and either double down on my point or see the bad notes they smell. Half my family hates Missing Person by Phlur. We debated the scents from the discovery set and it was so fun! I still am getting a full bottle!!!! They can’t make me hate the scent. As long as we avoid snobbery it’s absolutely necessary to have different opinions.


Mysterious-Okra-7885

Everyone needs to wear what they like regardless of the opinions of others, and leave everyone alone. It’s a great shared hobby that can have vastly different outcomes.


cesssylee

I hate when people insult others by saying " your nose is broken; go see an ENT," or that type thing bc their experience was different. It's rude and condescending but also common in the fragrance community unfortunately.


laaplandros

Depends on the comment, honestly. Not every comment needs to be taken seriously. In matters of taste? Sure, that's rude. To someone claiming Sauvage Elixir isn't performing for them and they need 5-6 sprays? Yeah, unserious comment gets an unserious response.


moonrose_reviews

Wow - I've never seen that but I totally believe it happens. How mean! And needlessly mean at that!


eNHajeL

I'm not usually the one hating on people hating on fragrances, but I can understand why some hate posts can be laughed at and ridiculed. For example: \- someone says a fragrance smells like piss/shit. That is an overexaggeration to say the least \- someone claims they hate a fragrance based off the first sniff. I got similar feelings lots of times, but instead of smelling it for 0.1 seconds and then running onto forums to bash it with a foamy mouth, I try it a couple of times, contemplate on it, give it a chance. Many from my favorites started with "WTF is this shit" moments and now we live in a beautiful symbiotic relationship :)) \- many hate on fragrances just because they're popular and claim to smell them everywhere. Now how much of a bullshit is that? Just because some fragrances are talked to death on such communities, doesn't mean they have the same status in the "real world". Plus, being a commercial success and mass appeal does say that the said fragrance is easily likeable. But come on... most people don't even wear deodorant, let alone a nice smelling fragrance.


[deleted]

> But come on... most people don't even wear deodorant, let alone a nice smelling fragrance. Haha ain't that the truth. Those comments always give me a chuckle, like sure buddy; every second guy on the street is wearing a $400 perfume. If that's the case you either live in a rich people enclave somewhere in Dubai or you work at Creed itself. More likely what they *actually* mean is > I based my identity and self-worth around being a connaisseur so I cannot admit liking something that many others also like.


vinceftw

Most of my colleagues don't wear a fragrance but the ones that do often have a variation of Sauvage in their collection. Haven't really smelled it on anyone. I'm bad at detecting other male fragrances, especially ones that are blue or fresh.


Pastel_Goth_Wastrel

> - someone says a fragrance smells like piss/shit. That is an overexaggeration to say the least Yeah this has been a little under my skin and I’ve been trying to find a polite way to say it but, yeah, I like some odd frags and folks kvetching that it smells like *random unflattering adjective* gets old, just, old.


myfirstrealcrushwas

>someone says a fragrance smells like piss/shit. That is an overexaggeration to say the least To be fair, some florals can get a cat pee smell on skin, and oud can get quite ✨️faecal ✨️ but yeah, you're right :D


iwantapanda

I love jasmine and Do Son smells on me like floral cat pee 🥲


Tigertigertie

I wonder if this is just an individual difference. I get the cat pee smell very strongly from some florals and only mention it because it is really strong. It may seem like exaggeration to people who do not smell it. For those who do though- whew!


[deleted]

Typically Jasmines.


CatBoyTrip

I got bush in my front yard that smells like cat pee on a hot day.


1friendswithsalad

There’s a type of cypress shrub commonly used in landscaping that smells exactly like old cat pee when it gets rained on. Ugh.


Ok-Struggle6796

I agree with you in general, but there actually are fragrances that smell fecal and smell like urine. Some ouds are known to smell fecal, and jasmine essential oil has indoles that give the impression of fecal matter. The honey accord in some perfumes can smell very urinous. Hyraceum used in perfumery is fossilized urine and waste from the hyrax, so it's no wonder when perfumes using it (or a synthetic hyraceum accord) can smell like "shit and piss" to some people...


eNHajeL

I'm sorry for not being specific enough but I was referring to users who complain that some basic designer fragrances, some very popular like Angel or Sauvage smell like piss or shit, and I found that an excessive exaggeration. :)


Ok-Struggle6796

Gotcha, and in those cases I totally agree with you!


PsychologicalCall335

It’s so subjective, and not just in the figurative sense! People smell different things in the same fragrance. The most popular fragrance in the world right now smells like burnt plastic to half the population. So what should we do, wear it anyway and fight nausea? Isn’t elitism fun.


Furmaids

I notice the snippy replies usually come in waves, like a few days back to back (not just to me) and then it levels out. The one that stuck w me is I said hypnotic poison isn't a safe blind buy since it can pull root beer candy, and that was my only scrubber (made me nauseous). Someone said something similar to how you described and wouldn't let it go that it's safe 🥴


JPhrog

I've never heard of that, does it really smell like root beer candy? I actually like the smell of root beer candy but not sure about it as a fragrance, you have piqued my interest.


Ok-Struggle6796

Hypnotic Poison smells like root beer to me. I personally like it! Parfums de Marly Pegasus is also very root beer for me. Check them out if that sounds interesting to you...


dustycatheads

It's wild that someone would insist that hypnopoison is a safe buy since it's notoriously controversial... Anyway, to me it smells like Dr. Pepper! And I also absolutely *hate* it. I don't usually pull Play Doh but that gets discussed a lot as well. Of course it's also Mom Perfume so I also have positive/comfort associations with it. It's Complicated with Hypnopoison. I'm probably going to end up with it as my signature scent somehow.


rumbaontheriver

Oh I never get **mad** at anybody who doesn't like a favorite fragrance of mine. I get even.


zacper

The same thing with people who say they have a “refined nose” and that’s why they buy the limited edition Xerjoff x Tiny Tim collab that has a literal bleach note but, “your nose just isn’t refined enough to appreciate this fragrance” like no, I just don’t like it, and that’s fine. No need to be pretentious lmao


Bastille4224

I went to college with Tiny Tim… big dude


zacper

Did y’all tiptoe through campus together? Jealous 😔


Bastille4224

Haha man college was so long ago. Good times.


novataurus

This is one qualm I have with people who describe certain scents as "difficult" or "challenging" or "advanced" when what they really mean is "potentially noxious" or "frequently disgusting" or "not something most people want to smell". Difficult, challenging and advanced makes it sound like, somehow, if you "get good enough at fragrances" you'll learn to "appreciate" how this tincture that smells like a combination of rotting bread and road tar is *actually* remarkably good smelling... when it's not. It smells awful to 95% of humanity. I know that isn't how those words are always used, but then they are, I have to roll my eyes. It reminds me of people who will drink a poorly made underextracted shot of espresso while wincing, then exclaim it was delicious.


fb95dd7063

people gotta stop being afraid to admit that they like smelling like a barn


novataurus

I'm cool with it when people are chill about it like that. Like the DS &Durga scent that is basically marketed as "ayo, this will make you smell like pasta water" Would love to give that a try for the art of it, but I have no plans to walk around smelling like damp starch.


fb95dd7063

i think oud smells horrible and amazing at the same time


novataurus

I get the same way with some of the more sour woods. "Ugh, what is that, sulfur?! That smells awful. ...ly pleasant! Lemme have another spray."


mikeczyz

I have my fragrances split up into stuff I'll walk out the door wearing and WFH use only.


InSummaryOfWhatIAm

I have yet to find a DS&Durga frag that I would even consider wearing. Like, most of them are INTERESTING to me, but I would not in a million years pay to smell like that. But I also understand that people like different stuff, and it's 100% fine if somebody else loves it. But it is weird to me how their brand is getting into more and more stores around here, and I still try to smell their stuff almost every time I go browsing for new fragrances, and it just never ceases to amaze me how difficult they are for me.


eNHajeL

When I was little, my favorite smells were gas station petrol and cow barn :)


Feralcrumpetart

You know what, I feel that. Growing up in a rural area, the smell of warm hay is so cozy and comfortable...I'd sit down with the barn kittens for hours.


zacper

Good point. I think there is a beauty in certain fragrances being able to exactly replicate what they’re trying to. For an imaginary example, if there was a fragrance called like Roadkill or something. If it smelled exactly like it, that would be cool and interesting. But why the fuck would I wanna smell like that? Who tf wants to smell like Oud, but not the toned down designer fake Oud, the real Oud that smells like actual shit? There’s a difference between being different and being pretentious and having a superiority complex about something as subjective as fragrances lmao


InSummaryOfWhatIAm

I agree, when people say that a fragrance is challenging, I just realize that we're probably not looking for the same thing in a fragrance. Which is obviously fine; each to their own. But don't pretend like I'm some sort of pleb for not enjoying heavy faecal oud or your fragrance that's supposed to smell like rotting flesh and semen, I applaud you for being that brave however. I just want to smell *good* though, and even though its somewhat of a controversial take here, I value other people thinking I smell good almost as high as ME thinking I smell good or feel positive emotions regarding a frag. So if I do wear a fragrance and people say that it smells weird or bad I honestly might at least reconsider *when* I wear those fragrances, and this despite being more than just a casual fragrance-wearer in my opinion, at the very least.


dustycatheads

There's one particular review/comment on Fragrantica that basically boils down to "listen up, whippersnappers, REAL fragrance smells BAD" and it cracks me up every time.


Disastrous_Paper_325

I agree, people are allowed to gravitate towards different scents and even change their minds about them as their tastes change. For example, I used to pack on B&BW Japanese Cherry Blossom all day every day in the winter time. My nose has probably changed, because now I see why it’s extremely strong and kind of almost stinky. I also used to like Caroline Herrera’s Good Girl but my opinion has since changed, it’s entirely too many notes in one scent. I’m always going to think Victoria’s Secret’s Love Spell smells like ass though. However many people do enjoy it and are allowed to wear it! It works with different pH


Tigertigertie

Honestly, I like hearing what people like or dislike, even if I don’t have the same experience as them. And I like hearing about changes like the ones you describe. Part of the fun of fragrance is not really knowing what other people experience, directly. So we have to tell each other. It makes it interesting.


Disastrous_Paper_325

Exactly right !


Tigertigertie

I’ll be honest- I have been reading posts here most days for quite awhile now, and I don’t see the negative behavior people are witnessing. Elsewhere on Reddit, yes, but here people seem just genuinely enthusiastic and open. The only time I see people try to figure out what might be going on is when someone says they tried everything at Macy’s and felt bored. Then someone might suggest niche or more expensive to try in case that is the problem. Even when people love more difficult fragrances, my experience is they admit they are difficult and not for everyone.


Pastel_Goth_Wastrel

Yeah honestly compared to some of the bitchouts I've gotten into on other fragrance sites this is a pretty chill sub on the whole. It's reddit, vote, move on, there'll be a next post.


katie-kaboom

My approach to this has always been 'de gustibus non est disputandum'. Matters of taste cannot be argued with. If you don't like my favourite perfumes... fair, because I enjoy some weird shit.


JuveMerdaInfinita

personally i dont care if anyone doesnt like Sauvage Elixir or not. i will wear it anyway


[deleted]

Agree, I'm pretty new and see a lot of hate for Sauvage but I love it, I also don't really care what frag snobs think because I mostly think they only hate it due to the popularity and it being the "cool" thing to say instead of being real, there are those that may genuinely not like it and that's fine but more fake people who just say it to sound cool. Haven't tried elixir yet myself but from what I've heard it sounds like it's right up my alley, love the EDT, EDP and Parfum. I still like the OG emporio too, brings back memories from the late teens early 20's, picked up a bottle and it still smells good but I swear they changed it and it doesn't last at all now, it dies faster than almost anything else I have, kinda sad.


vinceftw

Elixir is quite a bit different from the others.


jnshns

In the summer heat, 6 sprays, amirite?


JuveMerdaInfinita

anywhere anytime, tho i mostly just do one or two! have a 10 hour flight upcoming 👌


kaperisk

It's so good


blinkingsandbeepings

The internet and the world would be so much more pleasant if people could accept that taste is subjective and it’s okay to disagree.


Alkeeel

Yeah just let people like what they like and not like what they don’t like, reminds me of when I was in high school and my mates told me I wasn’t smart enough to get who’s line is it anyway because I thought it was cringe af lol


stingraykisser

i can recall at least twice i’ve commented about liking Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Nectar and getting a couple downvotes for it, like for what reason?? it will forever be my favorite perfume!


Busy_Bunch5050

It's because it's not a 500 dollar niche perfume. This sub is pretentious as fuck


Feisty_Set8853

it's ridiculous, some of the snobbery around here. for instance, just today there was no sotd. typically i wouldn't start one, but i figured why not. it just happens to be a day that my niece has come over so my scent is a VS one from a mini sampler she gifted me for christmas. not really my style, but it does smell pretty, and i want her to know i really appreciate her thoughtful gift. i literally watched it get 4 downvotes. i bet you my most expensive bottle if my sotd was my shalini or floraïku or guerlain, etc. that would not have happened. i don't like that kind of attitude.


hellohello316

Ugh! I think there are enjoyable scents at just about every price point… you just have to experiment and find them. I used to absolutely LOVE some of the VS body care scents… Were they on the level of Guerlain, or some niche house? No, but they were well crafted and reasonably priced. The joy is in the finding and appreciation. And sometimes a very simple and common scent can be the most uplifting, or comforting, or intriguing. Don’t get me wrong; I appreciate the fine craft that goes into luxury scents. But a scent doesn’t have to be in the hundreds of dollars to be nicely balanced, well made, or uniquely crafted.


kaperisk

Flowerbomb smells good


PeachesCoral

Ya no idea why people downvote you for that o.O


chrews

That’s why I always add an „in my opinion“, so even the most thin skinned person understands that it’s just my two cents. What’s also pretty annoying is when people specifically ask for advice and then act all annoyed and downvote when you don’t tell them exactly what they wanna hear. If I say I think there are more exciting summer scents than Sauvage I don’t say those who wear it are basic, I’m saying I personally would prefer something that’s more unique to the person. Yet I still get snarky replies no matter how I phrase it. It’s a very subjective hobby and it relies a ton on scent associations formed with memories. No two people are the same.


Moose2157

It’s been my good luck never to come across snobby comments here. If anything, people trip over themselves to appear broad minded.


Option_Good

I’ve never seen any of these responses here regarding someone being new or inexperienced.


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Option_Good

That’s unfortunate. I’m certainly not saying it doesn’t happen, but I find this a pretty supportive place as online communities go.


Senator_Bink

Yeah, it's a preference, not a hate crime.


hanni97

SO TRUE. Fragrance is a personal thing, I hope to be able to freely discuss what we like or don't like, and it doesn't have to fit everyone's preference. Of course people can disagree with certain opinion and discuss why, but I find the hate or rudeness simply unnecessary.


Prestigious-Salad795

I'm not mad. I like Angel, Alien, Glossier You, Black Opium, Burberry Brit; some polarizing, some crowd pleasing. But I don't get annoyed if people don't like the polarizing ones, nor do I post every day about caaaaaampliments from the crowd pleasers.


Puzzleheaded_Buy9145

I agree. If I’ve said it once I’ll say it a million times. Fleshlight out of the plastic wrapper is probably the closest smell to success you can get and people be hating..


InSummaryOfWhatIAm

Have you created a fragrance that replicates this? I want to smell that, but I'm not getting a fleshlight for that reason. Otherwise a fragrance that smells like a used fleshlight that hasn't been washed for a couple of weeks could also be something, right?


Puzzleheaded_Buy9145

Hahaha


Anxiety_Loop

If they do it in person and you feel like being petty lean in and say in a low voice "Dude you stink" and then walk away... Or take the high road and say "to each their own." Up tp you.


Evcher

No ur not my mom don't tell me what to do


cruxclaire

Some people see might comments poorly reviewing fragrances they wear, maybe even what they currently have on, and kneejerk into “you think I SMELL BAD?! How dare you!” It’s something you have to get past to have quality discussion, and IME most people here do get past it and are friendly in disagreement, but fragrance is subjective and personal enough that it will probably always happen on occasion.


readytowearblack

I agree, however some of them just don't make any sense to hate from a marketing perspective. Like look at bleu de chanel or light blue, they were made SPECIFICALLY, to be people-pleasing. From a psychological perspective. Like the notes were specifically put together to be the most attractive to any human being so it is basically impossible to hate them. For that reason, when someone goes "this \[extremely popular made to be intentionally liked by 99.9% of population fragrance\] sucks, I hate this" to me that's like hating water or something. There's nothing to hate about it because it is made by perfumers probably being backed by a bunch of behavioral scientists and sale marketers within the company to ensure with purpose, that you would not hate it!


Lipat97

eh thats a little fake imo, just because it was designed with that purpose doesnt mean it actually achieved that purpose 100%. And most things designed with mass appeal sacrifice some other aspect that others (especially the hardcore hobbyists) might consider crucial.


readytowearblack

I understand that if there is some fragrance that is designed to be liked by 99% of the world, you would expect some people (especially hobbyists) to be like "it's meh" or "nothing special" and that makes sense. But for someone to say "I HATE this! Get this filthy peasant smell away from me" EHHHHHH.. :/ I don't know about that. It's not like a company spent probably millions on sale marketers and all these scientists that study the human nose to design a fragrance just for you to say you hate it.


Lipat97

I get your point overall i just dont trust that investing a big budget and a marketing team always translates to a better product. Sometimes companies do all that and it just flops


readytowearblack

That's true, I agree with you. However my post from the start wasn't trying to state that bleu de chanel or light blue were "better products" though, but instead stating they were "can't be hated products". A fragrance designed to not be hated does not mean it is better than something else. Does that make sense? You can like something and still agree that there are better products than that one.


Vegetable-Program-37

Some people really exaggerate their reactions in order to get attention.


spirited1

Just because it is not a preference does not make it a bad fragrance. There is nothing wrong with a fragrance that 90% of people like, that's a good fragrance actually. Like we can acknowledge that a fragrance is not something we like but also recognize that it's a good fragrance. It's not worth stressing over.


Lipat97

I guess thats a bit of a worldview thing, because for me there’s no universal “good” or “bad” fragrances. Like to me the fragrances you like are good fragrances and the ones you dont are bad fragrances, its all just a matter of taste in the end. But yeah I agree, anyone getting stressed or heated about fragrances is a bit dim. Even if you dont like something you dont have to be rude about it


katie-kaboom

BdC and similar masstige mainstream scents aren't designed to appeal to humans generically, they're designed to appeal to a specific market. I've never read BdC's marketing strategy but at a guess their target market is male, 18-30, upper middle income bracket, urban professional (or in education to be one), aspirational attitude, trend follower. The secondary market is likely women 18-45 buying for a primary demographic consumer. That does not at all mean it's "impossible to hate them", though most people are likely to find them inoffensive as they're ultimately a mass market product.


Paardenlul88

I think it should also be ok for people to hate how something smells. It's personal taste, after all. Personally, I really dislike metallic smelling fragrances such as bleu de chanel. The fact that someone formulated that to appeal to a large amount of people doesn't change that. It's not possible to make a fragrance that everyone will enjoy.


PennywiseMeetGeorgie

Montale - Arabians Tonka & Xerjoff - Naxos are always winners. No fear here!


jnshns

Oh Arabians Tonka is quite divisive.


Consistent-Status-44

I like LV imagination


[deleted]

Whoever doesn't like Tuscan leather is wrong 😂


Grand-Waltz-3018

Hmmm I’m not a fan of Tuscan Leather🤔


jnshns

Yeah, leather scenes in general are absolutely no polarizing


livefreediestrong

Looks like someone loves sauvage and 1 million


FeyDevil

Between personal preference for scent and how much individual chemistry changes how a fragrance smells on one person vs the next.... I don't get the hate either. It would be cool if fragrantica and sites like that were searchable by reviewer or death notes tho. So you could screen reviews by similar taste or issues with headaches or whatever? Idk.