The Experiment

I’m working on a theory about perfume compliments from others and the type of perfume worn. I did an experiment this week where I specifically wore inexpensive fragrances on certain days and expensive niche perfume on other days. I consistently received compliments on the days I wore the inexpensive perfumes. Except for one day when I wore an expensive perfume and received compliments nonetheless (the most actually). I kept a log.

Here’s how the week played out:

Monday: Nerola Orange Blossom by Pacifica $19.95, available at Whole Foods Market, received 2 compliments

Tuesday: Serge Lutens Chergui, $expensive$, zero compliments

Wednesday: Provence Sante Tilleul, $27 for a big bottle/100ML, 3 compliments, and one woman in ladies room asked what it was and wrote the name down

Thursday: Gucci Envy, average cost, 1 compliment

Friday: Frederic Malle Carnal Flower, $expensive$, 4 compliments

Wednesday was the only day without compliments and this was the most expensive perfume of the week. I recently wrote a piece about my beloved Serge Lutens Chergui. Chergui was my personal favorite of the week.

The exception to this theory is Frederic Malle Carnal Flower. Everyone loves this stuff.

So, I’m thinking that there’s interplay between cost and sillage. The less expensive perfumes with strong sillage get noticed and complimented while the more expensive perfumes that wear closer to the skin either don’t get noticed or aren’t liked.

As I’ve said before, I’ll keep wearing what I like, I just wanted to share my silly little experiment of the week.