My daughter is getting ready to leave for college soon. I'm proud to say that she definitely got the perfume gene from me.

I know you will know what I'm talking about here. The other day, she was rushing out the door to leave for work, she got all the way out the door and came back in and said ...ohhh.... I ask her, what did you forget? She said, I forgot to put on any perfume! She wears perfume daily. I laughed and told her, yeah...it's like forgetting your underwear isn't it? She said, yep!

Anyway.... I want to surprise her with a new perfume on that day. One that she will always think of college when she smells it.

She has a few mainstream perfumes. Well, actually most of mine and hers both are mostly mainstream. The other day when I came home, she told me....that she'd been sniffing around in my perfume(which she does from time to time) because she couldn't settle on which one of hers she wanted to wear. She choose, Prada Tendre.

For the most part, her signature perfume is Happy. She's been wearing this since middle school and everyone always tells her how good it smells on her.

She also has - Very irresistible(gawd that one smells like dirty socks to me!), VS Pink, DK Cashmere mist(used to be mine she loves it more than I do, plus it smells better on her) Vera Wang Princess, D&G Light Blue, Something(?) from Hollister, and new- Burberry London and Burberry Britt Red. The Burberry's really work for her chemistry.

I know for a fact that she likes the new Burberry one - The Beat. she came home from the mall a while back and told me that she had smelled it, and really liked it. So I was sorta leaning that way, because I know she likes it.

I got her the new Marc Jacobs - Daisy for Christmas, and we ended up returning it because she didn't care for it. So, it's not like she will wear anything/everything. She has to like it.

off to college? Maybe a bit more grown up; suggest a Chanel perhaps Coco Mademoiselle.

I say "The Beat".

Well, I'm torn between just going ahead and giving her the Burberry (an easy choice) or taking the opportunity to give her something really special--say, a bottle of something in parfum (no. 5? Opium? L'Heure Bleue?) or something uber-costly (say, a Creed or a Lutens).

I'm leaning toward a special parfum.

I have that one, but she's never offered to wear it.

I have really thought about one of the Chanel Exclusifs for her. It would something more "grown up" but not something that I already have. I thought I read on Makeup Alley about one of them smelling somewhat like Coco M. I can't remember which one. Coromandel?

She REALLY loves my Bois de Iles parfum. She's never worn it but loves it on me. Should I?

Also, she is one that she loves to wear her perfume close. She doesn't like it to have a lot of sillage.

I would go against one of the exclusifs, especially if they might be discontinued or become hard to get, because after all, you want it to remind her of college, and she might like it enough to want to wear it throughout her lifetime. It's useless to her if her "college" perfume becomes discontinued, no?

I would suggest something a bit more exclusive than your run of the mill department store frag, but not so niche. One of the more popular niche lines, L'artisan, MPG, or Lutens?

My crystal ball says:

L'Artisan Passage d'Enfer
Chanel Cristalle edt
Frederic Malle L'Eau d'Hiver

Accolon- I'm with you on Cristalle, and the EdH.

Fumebag-
A few years back, I took my 'surrogate' daughter to buy her a college scent; actually, it was her first real grownup perfume-
[She got a free ride to Princeton- my eldest's best friend]

We wound up with Caleche Delicate- a perfect blend of niche and available [ Sephora].
She might like Kelly Caleche.
Hypnotic Poison might b e a wonderful comfort scent as well.

I was leaning toward Kelly Caleche as well. Although the Eau d'Hiver would be an excellent choice.

I might also recommend Acqua di Parma Colonia. Since she likes Happy, this will give her a citrus mixed with a dollop of rose...

Teddius

My college daughter really likes Vera Wang Sheer Veil. Nordstrom may not have it anymore, but my local Macy's had it recently. It is very pretty.

Dyptique L'ombre dans l'eau? Green, spirited, reflective, things that go with stepping out, contemplating, cultivating (oneself).

Oh yes! That's a lovely one. Come to think of it I need a new bottle.

Instead of a parfum, which she may not really be able to appreciate at this age, what about something from a a niche line? I think that having a scent that probably no one else around her would be wearing would be special to her because it is unique. Maybe something from the L'artisan line or even perhaps Rose Muskissime by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier or b.e. by becker.eshaya. One other one that might be a departure from her taste, but that is absolutely gorgeous and based on her tastes she might like is L'Infante by Divine.

I would go with the Chanel theme (what says grown-up better than Chanel?) and say either No. 5 Eau Premiere or Bel Respiro from the Les Exclusifs. I know a few girls who go crazy for Bel Respiro, and from what your daughter owns already, it seems like she would like it.

I would also say No. 22, Gardenia, or the Bois des Iles Les Exclusifs, but these are riskier choices. No. 22 is a touch bridal, Gardenia is very sweet (although not moreso than Princess!) and Bois des Iles is very grown up. Maybe take her on a trip to a Chanel boutique?

Tommy Girl, it's perfect. My 23 year old loves it. Doesn't like a lot of sillage and is very fussy.

Is she your first one leaving home for college? That's really hard. I was crying for no reason after my daughter left home and was dreaming about her every night for ages. It's great now though but there is a huge adjustment period. Treat yourself gently.

OK, hit me with your best Chanel Boutique telephone number! I don't have one near me, nor have I ever been in one.
I've decided that it must be a Chanel. I am torn between, the Cormandel and the 31 Cambon. But it will be one of those. I am leaning toward the Coromandel.

Yes this is my first to leave for college. She's my baby, too. My other children are grown. I've had children in my home for lots and lots of years, so this will be hard. I already have days where it hurts so bad!

we've sorta spoiled her since she was the last to be at home and there is a gap between her and the other children. We both went Coach shopping this past weekend and she ended up getting the tote that she's been wanting. Someone had posted it on this site a while back. She'd already been drooling about it at that point. Good thing we waited - we saved close to 300.00 on both of our purchases together

It sounds like you are really close! My youngest is a girl as well, she's three, my eldest is a girl, she's already flown the nest and is getting on great at 23. I have 5 boys in between. I'm already getting soft though. I'll probably spoil my baby rotten. It's so bitter sweet isn't it? We have to put that big smile on our faces even though our hearts are breaking. Good thing there are things like perfume to cheer us up, eh?

I hate to ask but what's Coach shopping?

I just saw that you have decided on Channel. Great choice! I can see why it has to be Channel!

Well the one in Boston is (617) 859-0055, and you'll want to speak to Fiona. However, if you live closer to another one, try that (you'll get it quicker).

Of the two, I would go with Coromandel too. 31 seems to indicate the age, I think, that it's most appropriate for :-) A girl in her 20's, no doubt, could pull it off, but why go rushing things?

But I thought she loved Bois des Iles?

I would recommend nothing too pricey as she may have a roommate who likes to "share."

We are really close, yes. You're not kidding about having good things like perfume to cheer us up!

Ahhh......Coach shopping. Coach purses,shoes etc. www.coach.com She just got her 4th Coach purse. Well, this one was a tote/purse. This is it- http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?...ategory_id=1196

It should be perfect for her to carry at school. She also has a pair of Coach riding boots that she bought herself last winter. Similar to these. http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?...category_id=159

The top of hers doesn't have the curve in it and the buckle is wider.

Can ya tell she's spoiled?? LOL

Thank you so much for the number! She does love my Bois des Iles, by my logic is that she will have "her own" perfume that she doesn't think of me when she smells. That is a good thing, but I want it to be her own special memory associated with it.

Those are exactly the two I would've recommended. My finger was all set to hit that reply button, and then I saw this. So adding my vote here! These are both youthful but classy, IMO.

Oh my! Now you've gone and done it Twitchly! You are making this decision hard, I hope ya know! LOL

The No5 Eau Premiere won't be out by the time she leaves. She will be leaving August 20th and the Premiere comes out in September, so that one is out. Plus it's all mine, mine, mine....laughing like a witch! LOL The Bel Resprio didn't sound "pretty" when I read what it smells like. I had read - Cut grass, summer day and warm air.

In your opinion is the Coromandel a stuffy scent for her age? I've not smelled any of the exclusifs, so I am having to smell though the words on my computer! LOL

Hm. I wouldn't say Coromandel was stuffy. It struck me as musky and a little sweet. It's a nice scent, very comforting.

Bel Respiro is basically a fresh-air type of scent. One either likes that sort of thing or one doesn't.

What about the non-exclusives, like Chance and Allure? Not my cup of tea, but they seem geared to a younger crowd.

I have both Chance and Allure and like both. She did wear Chance to the prom. The other day when she was sniffing, she told me that she almost wore the Allure but couldn't decide. She liked it.

I just called a boutique in IL and am waiting on a SA to call me back and help me.

I have decided that what ever I end up for my daughter that.....I'm orderin' myself a bottle of the Cuir de Russie Parfum while I've got 'er on the line! Never smelled it either.

I'm about to break out in a sweat, scared that what if I get both wrong and we hate them! I'd just die(or at least CRY!)! Surely, we will love with them!!!!!! Won't we?

Done. OK, I ordered her the Coromandel. AND I ordered myself a bottle of Cuir de Russie.

We will be giving it to her early in the morning, August 20th. I plan on sitting it on her dresser while she's showering.

Great way to present a perfume gift, Fumebag! Hope she loves it!

Thank you. I hope she loves it too! *crossing my fingers!*

Congrats, and great choice of the CDR parfum! I've never smelled it in that strength, it's sort of a dream of mine. People seem to swoon over it.

Do you mind me asking where she's going to school?

good luck to you both.

Thanks, I can't wait to get it, I've never smelled it at all!

I don't mind at all. She's going to UT Martin.




Thank you Catherine!

Good luck to you both, and I do hope you love that Cuir de Russie. It's fabulous!

Thank you jtc! I've read so many good things about it!

Narciso Rodriguez? It's tasteful enough for a young girl but not saccharine, either. And the lighter niches are a good idea too, Annick Goutal and L'Artisan. I gave a friend Mechant Loup for her birthday once and it became her signature scent in college, though that's probably not your daughter's taste. : )

Nice! Let us know what she says. Wouldn't it be funny if she fell in love with the Cuir and you with the Coromandel ...

You're certainly a very generous mummy! Well done. Coromandel is really gorgeous and the big bottle should last her for ages. I'm glad you are treating yourself, too.

I haven't seen Coach before. This one is more my style : http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?...ategory_id=1198

best of luck with everything

Ruth

This may lead us all to another topic - - - > Which perfume did YOU bring to college??

When I went to college, I went straight to Calvin Klein's Obsession!
My roommate wore Halston.
Yup, it was the 80's.

I am dated from the '80s as well. I went to college bringing Shalimar, an atypical choice that most of my friends thought smelled "old". My best friend wore Obsession and my roommate wore Lauren.

Rive Gauche! It was 1979, and I had a fake ID and I was certain that Rive Gauche made me smell all grown up. I loved that fragrance.

I didn't go to college.

Don't make it too expensive, roommates and suitemates tend to 'borrow' a spray. I went off to college a few decades agp with Fijdi in edp and edt, Tatiana in edp and edp, both from deluxe gift set, and a few others. The Fidji edp and Tatiana edp disappear quickly. It was only at the end of the Freshman year that a couple girls told me, as we were packing up, that they had helped themselves, until the bottles were empty.

I wore L'eau D'Issey in my day. Back then it seemed fresh and youthful - unlike the heavy powerhouse perfumes of the 80s.

Such an exciting time - I wish her every success.

I took Liz Claiborne perfume (it was the early 90s) but after a few months, I swapped with a friend for the original Victoria Secret perfume.

So have you received the perfumes yet? What did your daughter think of your gift? Did you like the Cuir?

Twitch, I had posted this to the "nekkid" post. I will just copy/paste here. BUT, there has been more to the story, so I'll add that too.

-----------------------

I'm sorry it took so long to get back here. I had a post all typed out and hit the backspace button and POOF! Grrrr! Then I had to leave. So, I am just getting back.


Ok....

Am I in love? No. Not yet anyway. Do I like it. Ummmm, yes ......BUT, it's not something that I would have bought had I smelled it first. Least I don't think so. My very first thought was that it smelled like Estee Lauder - Private Collection, which I have never been inclined to spray or put on my skin, after smelling the bottle. I can see why someone would classify this as a chypre. That was my first impression of it just smelling it through the bottle(I could smell it around the neck of the bottle as soon as I opened the box).

When I first ripped into the box the box of Coromandel was open and the spay tip and the lid were off of the box. I had to fish out the lid from the "sleeve hole" in the top of the box that slips down over the bottle. I did call to make sure that the silver spay tip would fit right, before I put it on. SOOO, I couldn't help but smell the Coromandel FIRST.

Do I like it(coromandel) from the bottle - meh... I think it will smell much different once it's on and dried down. Least I hope so. After leaving and coming back all I could smell was that one. I put it in my closet, and just layed the lid next to it. I have a register in my closet so it was blowing the smell all over the house. when the ac would kick on. Smelled like patchouli. Strong patchouli. I am really worried about my daughter liking it!

To be fair, I need to say that once I put a dab(a teensie dab) of the Cuir de russie on, that I couldn't keep my nose off of my arm. It IS strong and my sinuses started bothering me a bit. Had I kept my nose off of it in the beginning I probably would have liked the top notes better. I did the same thing when I brought my bottle of Coco home, too. The first few times I was so over whelmed with it. It took me a few times to figure out where on my body/how to wear it, where it wasn't so overwhelming to my nose! I feel sure I can figure this one out too. For $160.00 smackaroos.....I'm gonna have to

That said.

It grew and grew for about the first hour. After about 2 hours, it started to settle down smell like the buttery smell that I've read about. Right now at the 5 hour mark I am starting feel good about it.

Gawd I'm worried! My daughter had came home from work while I was gone. When I came in I could smell the patchouli. I knew what it was. I ask her, did the house smell funny/different? She told me, no, I don't smell anything different. Just now as I am typing this she came in, with a very wrinkled nose.... and said - what's that smell??? I just said....hmmm....not sure. I'm really not. I'm not sure which one she's smelling.

The lovely SA, threw in a sample of the 31 Rue Cambon(which I think I will like) and a 28 La Pausa Sample!

I couldn't resist sniffing those, but I DID stay nekkid until I tried the CdR.



Now for the kicker.......


I had noticed in Walgreens sale ad that they had Giorgio and other scents this week for 2/29.99. I had worn and loved big ol Giorgio in the 80's. I bought a bottle! Can't go wrong with a 15.00 bottle of something you once loved!! !I think I was trying to "make it right" with my soul for spending so much on an unsniffed bottle before being in love with it!


I'm sad to say that I am sending this back! My daughter agreed. She couldn't even smell it on me without wrinkling her nose! She liked it out of the bottle, but not on me.

As the day went on, I decided for the money that I'd paid that I just couldn't keep this perfume. I doubt that I could stand to wear it again. I just don't like it enough. It's a nice perfume, just not me and I don't think my sinuses could handle this daily, weekly or even monthly. I am sending it back tomorrow and exchanging for either Bois des Iles eau de toilette, possibly another bottle of the parfum, or a bottle of No 22( I haven't smelled this one either ).

------------------------------------------
Yesterday I mailed the package back to the Boutique. I was going to exchange the CdR parfum for a bottle ot BdI parfum but she told me they didn't have it. That they only had the BdI in the Toilette.

SO

Meantime, yesterday I ordered another bottle of the Bois des Iles parfum from the Chanel site, and today I got an email saying that my order had been cancelled. As far as now goes CS isn't exactly sure why it was cancelled. The BdI parfum was showing on the Chanel site and it allowed me to order. Now it's no longer showing on the Chanel site. So I don't know what's up with the order. I am waiting on a call back from CS.

Not exactly sure what I'll exchange for. The BdI toilette? A bottle of No22? I'm so afraid that the BdI toilette won't smell like the parfum.

I thought I posted this too but I guess I didn't.

I gave my daughter the bottle of Coromandel. She loves it! She told me that I did good!

I'm sorry the Cuir didn't work out for you, but you get major chutzpah points for ordering two Les Exclusifs unsniffed! I'm thinking you have gambling in your blood.

So glad she liked the Coromandel. You must be relieved.

I have both the parfum and EDT of BdI; they smell very similar to me, though the parfum is richer and deeper. I'm surprised they don't have the parfum. Hope that's just a temporary glitch! Which Chanel site did you order from? The French one?

Could you order a decant of No. 22 to see if you like it before getting that one? I'm a huge believer in decants. But my gambling gene is pretty much dormant.