I'm looking for a perfume rec-ridiculous requirements

[meggers5]

FI's mom will be in town when I go over next week. Her birthday is in March so I want to get her something. FI suggested perfume because it is hard and expensive for her to get it.

So, what would be a nice perfume for a late 50's woman living in a hot and humid climate?

[underwaterrhymes]

This is a little above your budget, but it's lovely.

www.amazon.com/Laila-Geir-Ness-Parfum-1-7-Ounces/dp/B000WZIV72

ETA - LOL! I am a dingbat. I read 50s and thought $50 was your budget.

They also have it at Norstrom:

m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/laila-eau-de-parfum/2901879?origin=category

[shell24]

Jo Malone, maybe?

[cuddlyevil]

Prada - Infusion d'iris (it's light and lovely so it won't overwhelm anyone)

Nest - Dahlia & Vines

[Deleted]

My mom wears these and we prove they work great in humid climates.

www.sephora.com/angel-P9864 - Angel is sweet-smelling
 
www.clinique.com/product/1584/5390/Fragrance/Gifts/Gifts-Sets/Aromatics-Elixir - This one is a very unique smell, woody, very 1970s to me.

[Deleted]

I'm also going to suggest Light Blue. It's just very clean smelling, light, fresh and appealing all around I think.

I also like Coach Poppy as does my 50something Mom.

[gozf]

I always hesitate to pick out scents for other people, since it's so personal, and since you never know how body chemistry will react to a certain perfume.

Do you (or does your FI) know what notes she gravitates towards, or what perfumes she's worn in the past? That would probably be very helpful in selecting something for her.

[cville]

If it's hard for her to get perfume, I might stick with a known name. Like Chanel or the like. Something where she'll be like "oh, my daughter in law got me No. 5!" instead of "who is Thierry Mugler and why is this perfume blue."

Leaving aside the whole scent thing, I'm just trying to help you make a good impression.

[katb]

All of the philosophy's are light and work in humid environments (I wear them during the summer here on the East Coast and it is 90 - 100 in August with humidity). I like Amazing Grace as a classic. Pure grace is very light, baby grace is nice but a bit sweet. The lotions are nice too because they are not greasy and don't build up in arm cracks or behind the knees which can be gross during the summer.

[meggers5]

Thanks for the recs ladies. I'll head out tomorrow to smell a few.

cville that's a good point. I'll see if I can find a nice, light classic.

I want to be the favourite daughter in law lol.

[Deleted]

Jan 30, 2015 10:10:05 GMT -5 cville said:

If it's hard for her to get perfume, I might stick with a known name. Like Chanel or the like. Something where she'll be like "oh, my daughter in law got me No. 5!" instead of "who is Thierry Mugler and why is this perfume blue."

Leaving aside the whole scent thing, I'm just trying to help you make a good impression.

[gozf]

I love Angel. But it's a polarizing scent that I wouldn't give to someone unless I knew she absolutely loved it.

[chiclet]

My mom loves Versace Yellow Diamond.

[meggers5]

Jan 30, 2015 10:30:01 GMT -5 chiclet said:

My mom loves Versace Yellow Diamond.

I love this one too

[chiclet]

Jan 30, 2015 10:37:16 GMT -5 meggers5 said:

Jan 30, 2015 10:30:01 GMT -5 chiclet said:

My mom loves Versace Yellow Diamond.

I love this one too

lol. Me too. She liked mine so I bought her a bottle for Christmas.

[Pibs]

Does she have a Sephora near her?  I don't think I could ever buy perfume for someone else, except for in sampler form, like these:

www.sephora.com/perfume-sampler-P389011?skuId=1633031

www.sephora.com/perfume-sampler-P391613?skuId=1633064

Lots of fun ones to try, and she can pick which one she'd like in a regular bottle.  Assuming she's decisive, unlike myself. 

[meggers5]

Jan 30, 2015 10:47:33 GMT -5 Pibs said:

Does she have a Sephora near her?  I don't think I could ever buy perfume for someone else, except for in sampler form, like these:

www.sephora.com/perfume-sampler-P389011?skuId=1633031

www.sephora.com/perfume-sampler-P391613?skuId=1633064

Lots of fun ones to try, and she can pick which one she'd like in a regular bottle.  Assuming she's decisive, unlike myself. 

She does not. She lives in Nigeria.

Also, stupid Canadian Sephora samplers don't come with a coupon for a full bottle.

[chchchia]

Chanel. That is good old lady perfume that stays classy. Any kind of chanel will do.

[meggers5]

Jan 30, 2015 10:53:36 GMT -5 chchchia said:

Chanel. That is good old lady perfume that stays classy. Any kind of chanel will do.

I'd be careful in here calling late 50's an old lady lol.

[chchchia]

HA...lol. I am no spring chicken.

[Pibs]

Jan 30, 2015 10:51:09 GMT -5 meggers5 said:

Jan 30, 2015 10:47:33 GMT -5 Pibs said:

Does she have a Sephora near her?  I don't think I could ever buy perfume for someone else, except for in sampler form, like these:

www.sephora.com/perfume-sampler-P389011?skuId=1633031

www.sephora.com/perfume-sampler-P391613?skuId=1633064

Lots of fun ones to try, and she can pick which one she'd like in a regular bottle.  Assuming she's decisive, unlike myself. 

She does not. She lives in Nigeria.

Also, stupid Canadian Sephora samplers don't come with a coupon for a full bottle.

Well those are both sad!  No Sephora?  And no coupon for a full bottle?  Bummer. 

[MixedBerryJam]

As a woman in my 50's I'm going to go against the grain and suggest, if you don't know me, you might not get me a perfume I like. I'd much rather have chocolate. Maybe a locally made, fine chocolates, not a box of Russell Stover.

Never mind, I see this is for when she goes home, not for while she's visiting. Chocolate certainly won't work, and perfume is a much better idea.

[emjacobs]

Estee Lauder Modern Muse.

[Queen Mamadala]

I'm a perfume snob/collector and exclusively wear niche and indie. Perfume can be tricky because not all fragrances react or perform the same way on everyone. Does she have sensitive skin? If so, a natural/botanical perfume may be a good option. Do you know what fragrance family she likes? Like classic chypre, floral, oriental, spicy, woody, gourmand, aquatic, musky/soft, etc?

Some top fragrance houses are Tom Ford (private blend), Creed, Guerlain, Byredo, and Serge Lutens.

www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Creed/Virgin-Island-Water-899.html

www.fragrantica.com/perfume/A-Lab-on-Fire/Liquidnight-16919.html

www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Kai/Kai-5141.html

www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Frederic-Malle/Lys-Mediterranee-4640.html

www.fragrantica.com/perfume/James-Heeley/L-Amandiere-13542.html

www.luckyscent.com/shop/section/1/item/43607/brand/Lostmarch/L%92eau_de_l%92Hermine.html (I really like this one)

www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Serge-Lutens/Fleurs-de-Citronnier-702.html

www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Diptyque/Philosykos-3865.html

[fartsinthewind]

Jan 30, 2015 10:51:09 GMT -5 meggers5 said:

Jan 30, 2015 10:47:33 GMT -5 Pibs said:

Does she have a Sephora near her?  I don't think I could ever buy perfume for someone else, except for in sampler form, like these:

www.sephora.com/perfume-sampler-P389011?skuId=1633031

www.sephora.com/perfume-sampler-P391613?skuId=1633064

Lots of fun ones to try, and she can pick which one she'd like in a regular bottle.  Assuming she's decisive, unlike myself. 

She does not. She lives in Nigeria.

Also, stupid Canadian Sephora samplers don't come with a coupon for a full bottle.

Shopper's Drug Mart in Canada sells a perfume sample pack like the one Sephora has, and it includes the coupon for the free full bottle. Not that it is any help when MIL gets home, but I thought I would let you know for future reference.