Research Pays Off!

   

      As you all know, I am a creature of habit and routine. It’s the only way for me to get everything done that I need to get done so a few weeks ago, I was thrown into a minor tizzy (or perhaps, it was a major tizzy). You see, I’ve been wearing the same perfume for the past thirty or so years. Cachet by Prince Matchabelli. I suppose one could say it’s my signature scent. Everyone should have one, in my opinion and I love it when an author uses scent as part of the story line.  

       Last year, at this time, I went on Amazon and ordered two bottles. Cost me a little over thirty bucks and it was delivered within a week. This year, I went to do the same thing, but lo and behold, I was in for a surprise. Found the perfume, no problem, however, there was such a difference in price that my eyes bugged out of my head and my heart started palpitating (picture every cartoon you’ve ever seen!). Curious as to why, I did a little digging and learned that Cachet has been discontinued!   

Oh my gosh! What was I going to do? I wear this fragrance every day!

This is where my love of research came in handy (after, of course, a mournful period where I lamented the loss of my signature scent). I went on line and found the top and base notes of my no longer made Cachet then did further research to find which perfumes currently on the market have most of those top and base notes. You would be surprised how many! I made a list….

…and took myself off to Ulta (fabulous store!) and did a little more research. Ulta has little white strips of cardstock where you can spritz a scent to see if you like it. Well, this is a wonderful idea; however, after a few spritzes, I couldn’t smell anything (I’m very sensitive that way….the detergent aisle at the supermarket makes my eyes water and my nose clog up) BUT they have coffee beans in little containers….take a few whiffs of that and wow, I could smell again. After doing this for a bit by myself and becoming nose-blind again, a lovely young woman offered her help.

Not only was she sweet and kind and understood my dilemma, she was also very knowledgeable and helped me limit my choices to a few. I took all those cardstock samples home—my purse smelling like the inside of a very expensive bordello—for the ultimate test—the DH. There were two he liked, but of those two, he liked one better (the jury was still out for me). The next day, I went back to Ulta and actually sampled the perfume he liked. No, it didn’t smell like my beloved Cachet, but it was quite pleasant—soft, warm and subtle, as perfume should be.

I have now bought a bottle of that perfume and I hope I’m able to wear it for a long time to come. And you know what? I never would have found it if I hadn’t relied on my love of research!

What’s your signature scent? Or are you one of the lucky ones that any perfume smells wonderful on you?

As always, happy reading (and researching!)

Marie