I am a shameless perfume pusher. I get a real kick out of both sharing scents I love and finding a better home for bottles that are getting neglected (whether something I’ve changed my mind about, or tidying up those late night ebay sessions and tk maxx bargains that seemed like a really good idea at the time.)

But I’m also lucky enough to have some very generous perfumista pals who have introduced me to some amazing fragrances by sending me samples or sharing their knowledge and decants from their own collections. (Cookie Queen, Portia, and all. Thank you!)

I have an extraordinarily tolerant partner, who though he sometimes pulls faces when I spritz him, will let me try almost any scent on him to see whether it’s a good fit. And not roll his eyes too much when I give him yet another birthday bottle, knowing full well that I intend to help myself to it.

Guerlain’s Vetiver was one of the first that I bought specifically for him, but can’t resist wearing it often myself. Who could, when the bottle is right there? It’s ridiculously good. See also: Dior Homme, and Chanel’s Egoïste. (He has laid claim to some things I bought for myself, too. I’m not the only magpie in this household, honest.)

Do you share your perfumes or guard them against all scent snafflers? Do you raid anyone else’s stash?

originally published 1 april 2019