Perfume

13 Awful-Smelling Fragrances

From Lancome to Avon, these women's perfumes left Total Beauty readers itching, gagging and more

November 25, 2009 | by Jane Chung | 92 COMMENTS

No. 11: Lush Go Green, $7.95 TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.4*
Why: One reader who loves all LUSH products says, "this is not a fave." It has an "intrusive" scent, which was "a little too sweet-smelling" for several readers. One reader who was "not a fan of this evergreen scent to spray on [her] body" says it did make "a great neutralizer for the bathroom and kitchen after cooking." And like all fragrances, of course, it "smells different on everyone," but readers say to stay away unless you like smelling "like a Christmas tree air freshener."

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

SEE NEXT PAGE: No. 10: Elizabeth Arden M by Mariah Carey Eau de Parfum Spray, $54

4 of 14

products mentioned

Clinique Aromatics Elixir

6.4

Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Parisienne Eau de Parfum...

6.5

Lush Go Green

5.5

Elizabeth Arden M by Mariah Carey Eau de Parfum Spray

5.7

Lancome Magnifique Eau de Parfum

5.9

Aveda Pure-Fume Essence

6.7

Kenzo FlowerbyKenzo

5.8

Elizabeth Arden White Diamonds Elizabeth Taylor Parfum

5.3

Harajuku Lovers Lil Angel Eau de Toilette Spray

6.5

Avon Timeless Cologne Spray

4.9

Tocca Stella Eau De Parfum

6.9

Gucci by Gucci

5.9

Caswell-Massey Gifts of the Sea Sea Spray Body Mist

4.9

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"Gucci by Gucci" from what I can recall, was not particularly satisfying to my nose.

by hiddenexpose Friday, April 12, 2013 at 12:35PM Report as inappropriate

I personally like Flower by Kenzo and Gucci by Gucci - and I have other pet peeves: Insolence by Guerlain (a very particular smell that clung to my skin for days) and Issey Miyake - I love the smell but it gives me headaches

by AstridB Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 05:58AM Report as inappropriate

Nice article

by Glam101 Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 04:51PM Report as inappropriate

good article

by butterfly11 Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 01:40PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the great info!

by charliecat31 Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 12:32PM Report as inappropriate

Flower By Kenzo really is horrible.

by eatinglipstick Friday, February 15, 2013 at 05:03PM Report as inappropriate

Nice job--I agree with the majority of your choices. Just because something says "Gucci" doesn't mean it actually smells good!

by GigiSD Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 10:39PM Report as inappropriate

I'm glad I didn't see anything that I have.

by Monique3 Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 08:59AM Report as inappropriate

Victoria's Secret Rapture made me so sick that now every time I smell it, I get a headache.

by Sari Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 09:24AM Report as inappropriate

I actually love the mariah carey perfume and it lasts me all day.

by konfidential Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 11:51AM Report as inappropriate

Most of them are GROSS!!

by Mommy_of_Ethan Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 06:20PM Report as inappropriate

Nice info

by EricaF123 Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 11:45AM Report as inappropriate

I disagree. Yves Saint Laurent Beauty is one of my favorite perfumes. It smells AMAZING on me!

by crissie46 Sunday, November 25, 2012 at 07:08PM Report as inappropriate

I've gotten many of these in samples and they ARE disgusting. Glad to know others feel the same way :] Stay far awayy!

by Lamexicana1 Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 08:29AM Report as inappropriate

I kind of like Gucci by Gucci, but the other users might be right about the staying power.

by Lilo_jane Monday, September 17, 2012 at 09:26AM Report as inappropriate

What about Youth Dew by Este Lauder? It has got to be the worst somelling fragrance of all time! I have worked in the Cosmetics field my entire career, and everyone I have ever worked with put Youth Dew and Aromatics Elixir on the TOP of the Most Awful Smelling Fragrances EVER list.

by Beautyzar Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 07:57AM Report as inappropriate

Whats up with the lush go green? I thought it was a chemcial cleaner it don't seem like perfume to me.

by misschanel67 Monday, September 3, 2012 at 09:33PM Report as inappropriate

i would never wear this junk

by LittleBunny Sunday, August 5, 2012 at 07:06PM Report as inappropriate

I was happy to read that I have never (nor will I ever) own or wear any of these perfumes. I am absolutely a self proclaimed perfume snob. If it's not a name brand and doesn't cost and arm and a leg, it's probably not very good. Even at $65 a great smelling perfume is hard to find. Staying power is important so if you find a great smelling perfume, layering it with a body gel and lotion is a great idea. But again, with a high price perfume, you shouldn't have to spend the extra dough to layer it.

by flirtygirl214 Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 04:09PM Report as inappropriate

The only fragrance that I have actually worn was Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds. Everyone keeps saying that it smells like an old lady, but it smells good on me. My dad buys it for me every Xmas, but I am scared to wear it out in public because of all the negative things people say about it.

by uniquefashionista Friday, July 13, 2012 at 06:00PM Report as inappropriate

I think the only one I disagree with is YSL Parisienne. It's definitely not the best, but I wouldn't consider it as being awful, but just as an okay perfume.

by LalaS. Monday, July 2, 2012 at 08:19PM Report as inappropriate

I agree with Clinique Aromatics, smells medicinal. But There are 12 Aveda pure-fume essences. 3 of which are my faves. Not all of them are bad.

by cheechy Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 11:27AM Report as inappropriate

What a kick in the head! No, literally. I gotta headache now. Funny, one of the scents suggested for me after the Perfume Test made this list, told me "Spicy" is good for me .. couldn't be further from. Love the light, clean, fresh, but still a bit mysterious. Kidding myself, I don't think that's out there! Where's my aspirin?

by islands4me Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 11:41AM Report as inappropriate

Very interesting, though the last is a $5 body mist, so I'm not shocked.

by VV001 Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 05:35PM Report as inappropriate

i agree with this one. those scents are pretty horrible. i have a friend that wears white diamonds and to me the scent is far more remincsent of rhinestones.

by bink Monday, May 21, 2012 at 05:12PM Report as inappropriate

Aww, I haven't bought any Kenzo, but I got a sample and I kinda liked it!

by katybar22 Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 06:55PM Report as inappropriate

All I can say is I'm glad none of mine were on the list. Though I do have to say I didn't mind the Lil Angel one.

by BitterSweet1016 Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 10:05PM Report as inappropriate

Clinique Aromatics is definitely an acquired taste. It is very strong and lingering.

by beautybody Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 08:43PM Report as inappropriate

Wow this was interesting.

by jessiemakeup218 Monday, March 26, 2012 at 12:40PM Report as inappropriate

interesting article.

by lazorc Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 07:24PM Report as inappropriate

Great information :)

by eatinglipstick Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 01:07PM Report as inappropriate

The main complaint for all of those perfumes was they smelled like old lady. I have never tried any of those perfumes before but thank you for that information! I probably won't try them in the future!

by Mishashawnea Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 07:50PM Report as inappropriate

Thank you for letting us know which scents to satay away from!

by powerwoman033 Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 12:03PM Report as inappropriate

Helpful! Never heard of most of these or tried any, but now I know what to stay away from!

by BareeFacedBeautyy Friday, March 2, 2012 at 05:23PM Report as inappropriate

This was really helpful, actually. I agree with Kenzo Flower. I never did understand why it was so popular...

by TheLacqueredLady Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:36PM Report as inappropriate

Thank goodness I don't own any of these but if they smell so bad, how come companies still keep making them? haha

by yestfl Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 08:11PM Report as inappropriate

I completely agree with White Diamonds being on here, but I definitely think that Chanel No. 5 should've been on this list too. I don't understand how people can rave about it when it smells so old lady-ish too.

by LMarie27 Monday, February 6, 2012 at 02:29PM Report as inappropriate

I'm pleased to see that none of my favorites are on this list! And some that I've tested but hated are listed...

by tallredamanda Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 06:49AM Report as inappropriate

Good to know which ones to stay away from!

by sportimonki13 Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 05:41PM Report as inappropriate

The "old lady" critique seems ageist and sexist. "Heavy" would be a better general descriptor, and citing the top and base notes responsible would actually be helpful. Tossing off "old lady" is both unhelpful and offensive.

by krycekov Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 04:09PM Report as inappropriate

thanks for the heads up

by Nicole2814 Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 03:21PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the heads up

by andie Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 09:56PM Report as inappropriate

'Well some of these are too pricey to begin with.

by grass Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 11:34PM Report as inappropriate

Good to know

by kmb1129 Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 07:19PM Report as inappropriate

I know what not to get.

by andyv1217 Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 09:48PM Report as inappropriate

Hmmm, I like the Kenzo flower scent. It is very heavy, I'll admit but that should just be an indicator that you don't need that much of it.

by msbrown822 Friday, October 28, 2011 at 08:19AM Report as inappropriate

great!

by Victorywriter Monday, October 24, 2011 at 05:19PM Report as inappropriate

White Diamonds smells like an old lady who lives with cats.

by toriee Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 11:56AM Report as inappropriate

gross!

by LittleBunny Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 10:15AM Report as inappropriate

Good article

by taryn.romero Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 08:47AM Report as inappropriate

nasty

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 01:19AM Report as inappropriate

gross

by nikita_tadri Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 09:46PM Report as inappropriate

Great article. I hate when i walk by someone and get smacked in the face by the smell of nasty perfume!

by MissPurple Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 11:42AM Report as inappropriate

Haha that's funny, some I knew would be on here and a couple surprised me. I can't wear perfume usually thanks to bad allergies anyway.

by BellezzaBeauty Monday, May 30, 2011 at 06:04AM Report as inappropriate

Great article! I dislike most perfumes because they are too overwhelming and/or smell so very old. Glad to know I am not the only one who thinks this way. Give me light, crisp, clean fragrances that don't announce themselves.

by benbri1 Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 03:40PM Report as inappropriate

Youth Dew, Estee Lauder I think. Absolutely heinous old fragrance that has few equals.

by deborah_taylor Friday, May 27, 2011 at 01:50PM Report as inappropriate

Worst products with expensive price tag. Elizabeth Arden White diamonds bottle look great but has a very strong scent.

by ebbsandtides Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 08:21AM Report as inappropriate

wow YSL made it on the yuck list

by AmandaAmanda Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 08:25PM Report as inappropriate

I actually like this one but haven't worn it in a long time. I used to be an active Avon rep but now am a non-active rep. I don't sell to people anymore. This is an older fragrance & it probably smells better if you don't use too much. Some Avon fragrances are really underrated & some smell too much like some of their other existing fragrances. Avon In Bloom which was promoted by Reese Witherspoon is not good at all. Nice looking bottle but that's about all I can say about it. Witherspoon has her name connected to some newer Avon fragrances which the first is out already & the other 2 will be launched this summer. Haven't smelled these so not sure if I'll like them or not.

by Mitsy Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 08:32AM Report as inappropriate

I agree on the clinique one. But Mariah Carey's smell not that bad :)

by be_yourself Monday, April 25, 2011 at 03:42AM Report as inappropriate

Great list! I totally agree on the YSL. I could add more than a few.

by krycekov Friday, April 22, 2011 at 02:55PM Report as inappropriate

Yuck! What a funny article

by LittleBunny Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 06:36AM Report as inappropriate

Dont plan on buying any of these. Thanks for the advice!

by OSUgirl Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 06:50AM Report as inappropriate

I had to laugh at this! Thanks for steering me away from these disasters.

by alictasia Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 07:51AM Report as inappropriate

And all those designer fragrances are so expensive.

by Lana_28 Friday, April 15, 2011 at 02:46PM Report as inappropriate

I liked Lil Angel and even bought it... it smells nice at first! But somehow, it ends up smelling like spilt beer later in the day. Ew.

by LipglossandSpandex Monday, April 11, 2011 at 10:53PM Report as inappropriate

The Clinique bottle even looks like it smells terrible!!

by rockgal911 Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 02:35PM Report as inappropriate

It's so funny how all these expensive brand perfumes smell terrible! lol!

by rockgal911 Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 02:29PM Report as inappropriate

Gucci smells yummy ...but im still a slave to Tresor and Juicy Couture

by delia63135 Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 06:05PM Report as inappropriate

I'll be sure to steer clear of these! Thank goodness I haven't had to smell these nor gotten these as gifts! Lucky me :)

by martha85 Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 01:35PM Report as inappropriate

Im alergic to most of them on this list... makes me feel better about myself knowing im not the only one

by lelalu100 Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 01:11PM Report as inappropriate

My boyfriend bought me the Kenzo Flower Fragrance for our anniversary and when i opened the bottle, i could help but gag. He hadn't smelled it before he bought it and was completely surprised by what he picked. But he did it with good intentions.

by brendag20127 Friday, March 18, 2011 at 01:56PM Report as inappropriate

Kenzo is NOT bad! Maybe the flower one isnt the best but most smell light and pleasant

by naughtnone Friday, March 11, 2011 at 07:48AM Report as inappropriate

I agree Clinique Elixir is disgusting!

by CherryAllie Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 12:09PM Report as inappropriate

Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Parisienne does smell disgusting.

by dadoh10 Monday, March 7, 2011 at 02:06PM Report as inappropriate

Yuck...some fragrances I wonder how they made it to the store

by LittleBunny Monday, February 14, 2011 at 09:31AM Report as inappropriate

I used the M by Mariah Carey at one point just because I got it as a gift and boy are they right about the smell.

by kayla_d_moore Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 05:12AM Report as inappropriate

Clinique needs to ditch the Elixer and stick with Clinique Happy. The worst fragrence I've ever smelled would have to be that $4 Cotton Candy that you can get at Walmart.

by CliniqueLover Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 01:58PM Report as inappropriate

My mother wears White Diamonds but I secretly do not like the smell as well. :D

by pynkNymphette Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at 11:33PM Report as inappropriate

I agree with most of these. but the mariah Carey fragrance smells fine to me. Its really sweet though.. nice information !

by deelishis911 Sunday, November 28, 2010 at 05:41PM Report as inappropriate

LOL parisienne is the worst!

by kenya Monday, November 22, 2010 at 01:42PM Report as inappropriate

I know there's one perfume that smells like you're wearing a mix of urine and bug spray, it's not pleasant. I haven't been willing to ask the lady who's wearing it what exactly it is 'cuz I'm afraid I may get too strong of a smell of it and end up in the bathroom or worse. Yuck! I love Lolita Lempicka, which thankfully wasn't mentioned in this article :)

by jenefer_lynn Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 03:06PM Report as inappropriate

Avon Timeless Cologne Spray is unfortunately a scent that my husband enjoys - but there are limits to what a woman can do to enhance marital bliss! Luckily, I've found another scent that is a "remix" of the woody, musky, mossy, heady ingredients that is lighter and also pleasing to me.

by toniecat Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 02:23PM Report as inappropriate

Clinique Aromatics Elixir! The women I know who wear this scent, wear WAY too much of it. I have never caught a whiff of this vile stuff without thinking of "Anti-Bug Spray" . . . and I'm pretty sure that it does drive bugs away - not to mention friends, men and small animals!!

by toniecat Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 02:17PM Report as inappropriate

OOOH, I agree, cant stand the smell of this!

by ohiowatching Monday, August 23, 2010 at 04:59AM Report as inappropriate

I adore White Diamonds. I abhor Brilliant White Diamonds. It smells like a dangerous chemical.

by UnusedPortion Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 01:34PM Report as inappropriate

Even though the article said "don't be offended", I was a little about one of the scents. I consider myself a perfume guru and I love "White Diamonds". Although, I have signature fragrances that smell amazing, White Diamonds is still one of my stand-bys for something different for the day. I always get tons of compliments when I wear it. Fragrance smells different on everyone. White Diamonds is a fragrance that agrees with me.

by uniquefashionista Monday, July 19, 2010 at 02:28PM Report as inappropriate

you missed the absolute worst! TABU I cannot be in the same room with the stuff even in its packaging!

by JewelryAddict Monday, July 19, 2010 at 11:29AM Report as inappropriate

This is really cheap!!

by sexyknickers0 Monday, November 30, 2009 at 01:42PM Report as inappropriate

Mariah's M is a wonderful fragrance. I would have to disagree with the critique. Gucci by Gucci smells great, but I agree it does not have staying power.

by Frugalosity Monday, November 30, 2009 at 01:09PM Report as inappropriate

J'Adore Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Parisienne Eau de Parfum. I think it smells lovely. And, no, I'm NOT a grandmother. I'm not even a MOTHER!!

by morbidjezebel Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 05:49AM Report as inappropriate

I agree about the White Diamonds, I love Lilz but have always wondered what was she thinking? I also wonder does she wear this junk herself? And if she does who can stand to be around her? Sorry not to see also Clinique(Crappy)Happy,White Shoulders,Red Door, Shalimar, Jungle Gardenia,Giorgio,Eternity,Mens-Joop, CK One,Aspen- The biggest issue is that people don't know how to control how much they use. For an allergy sufferer like myself sometimes a ride in an elevator or sitting through a theater poroduction can be pure torture. People need to remember, the frangrance should be lightly touched to pulse points such as behind the knees, at the wrists and below the earlobe towards the nape of the neck.. They also need to learn that the fragrance is not intended for them to smell all day long. If they have that desperate of a need then soak a rag in it and pack it in a baggie and pull it out and smell it every couple of hours. Scents were intended originally to mask body odor when there wasn't such a thing as daily bathing and were more so intended for one's closest intimate partner as a form of arousal. If I am a stgranger to you, please realize I am probably not interested in being aroused by your stench in public. And finally, no one should be able to tell who is coming near them just because their scent gets there a half hour before they do. Please PLEASE PLEASE take it easy on those of us who do suffer from allergies and save your stinks for the bedroom or a bar where they belong.

by tomas7 Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 02:36PM Report as inappropriate

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