One of my strong interests outside of fitness and personal training is perfume. I’ve been a fragrance-lover since my teens, and enjoy discovering new ones. Recently, I made a trip to a specialist store I hadn’t previously visited, and it was so good that I had to share…
Rest days matter!
I had a day trip to London to see a friend planned, and as part of our itinerary, we included a trip to Bloom Perfumery in Covent Garden. Outside of my work as a personal trainer, I have a broad range of interests, and have particularly enjoyed learning more about perfume since falling in love with it as a teenager.
Many fragrance fanatics will tell you that they can still smell their early collection, usually developed at the same age as I curated mine. Some people will be able to date mine, when I share that my first fragrance wardrobe was Chanel Chance (at launch!), Vera Wang Woman (one of the brand’s first fragrances, and something I continue to enjoy), Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, and Dior Addict (which I still love to wear, as I do Chance; Light Blue was quietly retired by me some years ago). Once I got started, I journeyed further into newer and what were then regarded as more niche brands, and my interest was confirmed the first time I walked into a room and someone commented positively on how I smelled.
Fragrance shopping in London
During the years since, I’ve stuck with some firm favourites, and occasionally pushed myself further – often by chance, rather than design. I’ve suffered the heartbreak of a favourite being discontinued, and learned the hard way to have a backup bottle! I’ve also gone through the process of switching one similar fragrance for another, in a bid to support different brands.
I’ll sometimes follow a recommendation from someone else, or ask a person what they’re wearing if I’m drawn to it. What I’ll often do is set aside time to go and browse in person. As is the case for many perfume fanatics based in the UK, this once involved a trip to Belgravia’s Les Senteurs, a destination I thoroughly recommend. Another place I like to visit is Liberty, but the down side of their perfume department is how cramped it is. However, this for my liking is a better option than other, much larger stores – they feel less personal, and the staff at Liberty are generally very well-informed, which I appreciate.
One of the down sides to Les Senteurs is that it’s closed on Sundays, and that was the day for my most recent trip, so it was time to cast my net wider…
First time visiting Bloom Perfumery
A quick internet search threw up an option I hadn’t heard of before, and having browsed their website and been impressed by their smell-alike feature, I decided it was a good choice. Public reviews are a little mixed, but the central location meant that to me it didn’t seem like a bad idea.
The store is small, and whilst it has a similar function to Les Senteurs, the atmosphere is completely different. You browse via the sales assistants, and are served one-to-one, plus the décor is incredibly contemporary – Bloom feels as though it’s aimed at a much younger demographic, whereas Les Senteurs feels incredibly traditional. Neither is bad, they’re simply different.
I went with the idea of finding a similar fragrance to the discontinued one I miss, and when provided with the scent profile, the sales assistant quickly found me some strong options. I employed one of my favourite tricks in order to make a decision – narrow down your choices, spritz one on each arm, and go away to wear them for a little while.
I returned later in the afternoon, and purchased several samples which were efficiently prepared, including having a little note attached to the vial. It gives the fragrance notes, plus a QR code to it’s page on Bloom’s website – I like how slick this is.
As with many brands, sample purchases via Bloom are redeemable against a full-sized bottle, should you decide to return. I’m mulling over my options, but having had a brilliant experience, I know that I’ll be back for more. Bloom also entices shoppers with exclusives and limited collections – it really is a treat for fans of something a bit different.
Sometimes, it’s worth taking a chance.