From the Old Lady Horse's Mouth

There is a trend in fragrance reviews which is both amusing and mildly irritating. The trend of which I speak is reviewers, who have never been in their fifties, determining what fragrances are suitable for "women [and men] in their fifties," based the reviewers' dislike of the fragrance. As my most wise and beloved mom would say, "oh, you kids don't know what you're talking about."

I understand trends are associated with certain generations, but the thing about age/generations and trends is they don't always match up. Don't assume, for example, that because your granny wears Ombre Rose L'Original Eau de Toilette, she wouldn't also love Alien Eau de Parfum or Molecule 01 + Black Tea. I love them all, and I'm a 56 year-old great auntie.

My mom wore Eau de Rochas (1970) Eau de Toilette as her signature scent in the 1970s and early 1980s. I wear it because she did, but I don't think many people, now, would consider EdR dated. Though marketed to women, it's a very unisex, timeless citrus aromatic and still seems popular today for folks of all ages. Mitsouko Eau de Toilette, worn by a couple of very influential women in my life, who were in their 70s & 80s during my youth, could be considered more "old-fashioned," but I tend to consider it a work of art. Still, part of the pleasure of wearing Mitsouko is the association with those wonderful ladies. Please note, Mitsouko was released when these ladies were young women in their 20s.

As you get older, your taste will change but only by degree. If you like gourmands, you will probably always like them. You may like different gourmands, and you may develop fondeness for other kinds of fragrances, especially if you experiment. I like florals and woody scents, always have, always will, but I fell in love with cyphres after trying Paloma Picasso Eau de Parfum, and over the years, I've developed a fondness for aromatics, spicy fragrances and some gourmands.

It is also reasonable to consider some perfumes "mature." I will never be mature enough to wear N°5 Parfum, even if I live to be 200. Please do not, however, automatically assume the fragrance you find mature will be liked or considered considered mature by most "women [and men] in their 50s," (or younger folks either) especially since you have not been in your 50s yet. Perhaps, people in our 50s aren't quite the way you perceive us, but you'll find that out in due course.

I promise there is no metamorphosis that happens when you turn 50, wherein you suddenly find powdery rose & lavendar or screechy florals or cyphres or whatever you now find too mature absolutely irresistible. Before you will be able to prove that for yourself, please refrain from recommending fragrances you dislike to women and men in our 50s. And get off my lawn!