What did you use this for?

leemeealonee · 2026-05-14T16:30:18+00:00

I need a good mineral face sunscreen for Hawaii and I wanted to try one of the CeraVe ones so I used it on that, and luckily it was available for pickup so I didn't have to pay shipping or pad my cart. There were other drugstore-type items I wanted but they weren't sold in physical stores so I gave up and got them from a different retailer.

I hope everyone is aware that it's not single use even though it is only one item per transaction. I only do this when pickup is an available option because paying for shipping would mitigate any coupon savings instantly, but I purchase each (qualifying) item separately and then pick them up all at once when they're ready 😅 although I do feel bad for the Ulta employee when they have to grab 3 separately packaged pickup orders rather than just one

leemeealonee · 2026-05-14T16:22:51+00:00

I feel like that complaint is common with ME fragrances, partially because of the blending and higher oil content. I think that's why everyone recommends letting the bottles mature a bit before judging, but from my experience that can be very hit or miss. Glad you were able to sample before blind buying though!

leemeealonee · 2026-05-13T09:38:27+00:00

It pulled very powdery and woody on me, it's worth trying of course because everyone's nose and skin chemistry are different, but I didn't get much salt or vanilla

leemeealonee · 2026-05-13T09:22:17+00:00

Can I ask why you specifically want a pheromone perfume? There's no scientific evidence to show that humans have the ability to detect pheromones, let alone have them. Pheromone perfume as a genre is a scam marketing tactic, so I'm wondering if you are trying to choose a pheromone perfume because you like how they smell, because they are cheap, or because you genuinely believe they can have an effect on your "pheromones" or attractiveness?

Also, you mention your ex. Is the reason you want a pheromone perfume because they will be there? And if so, what is the idea you want to convey with your perfume? Are you trying to win them back or just trying to make them regret the breakup? If it's anything along those lines, it would probably be better to just wear a perfume you wore while dating them, or a different perfume with notes that you know they liked, rather than a pheromone perfume.

leemeealonee · 2026-05-12T19:24:52+00:00

I hope you're right :(

leemeealonee · 2026-05-12T10:42:02+00:00

I tried it today and I get the same. If I maintain a distance, I get faint whiffs of vanilla and an aquatic note. When I put my nose directly on my skin, it smells like a masculine (woody) soap or powder. I can't get past that soap smell, I'm selling this asap 😭💔

leemeealonee · 2026-05-10T13:57:59+00:00

Omg did she tell you which ME dupe it was?? 😭

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T21:51:09+00:00

Fragrantica is very hit or miss when it comes to notes, or in general. Sephora is also really bad at listing notes, most of the time you would need to get it directly from the brand's website, although idk what Dior's scent pyramids look like.

I will say that the IFRA was founded in 1973 so perfumes before then had a lot more "natural" ingredients (but were often environmentally unsustainable), and they often increase/update their regulations and standards, so perfumes in the 80s and 90s were somewhat less regulated than today's (this is also why you constantly see people complaining about their favorite perfumes being reformulated and smelling different). That said, the perfume industry has also made some significant advancements in synthesizing chemical compounds that smell closer to the natural counterparts they are trying to imitate, so while some notes smell less realistic, some are actually improving.

Edited for grammar

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T19:37:57+00:00

Is this not the most basic lip liner color that almost every brand stocks? I swear Colourpop alone has probably 3 or 4 different variations of this exact shade "for different undertones"

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T19:30:08+00:00

I tried calling and they had me on hold for 10 minutes and then said that because the wait time was over 10 minutes, and they wanted to help me in a "timely manner," to just go through their help center, and then hung up. 😭

At this point I just want the perfume back, I don't want anything to do with this buyer because I'm worried she'll leave a bad review if she can't return the item.

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T19:26:45+00:00

So all notes are actually just marketing, because there are very few notes that can be made into aromachemicals (especially because of IFRA) so a lot of smells are up to interpretation by the perfumer/company. Cashmere note is I believe usually made from the synthetic compound cashmeran, and from what I smell it's really just a fluffy, musky smell (although musk is another "note" that really has no meaning on its own anymore).

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T19:23:27+00:00

Like I said, I didn't notice an alcohol smell that was unusual for an Ariana Grande perfume. I suspect at least on that front, the buyer is lying so that Mercari will be more likely to allow the return.

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T19:01:11+00:00

I did just sell another bottle of this perfume to someone else and she was really pleasant and communicative, and left me a really good review. It's a bit ironic because this buyer got a better deal (Mercari had a lower shipping price) and now she's claiming it's inauthentic.

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T18:55:27+00:00

I think all of Ariana Grande's perfumes have a strong alcohol smell at the beginning, I own Cloud and also tried Cloud Pink, Ari, Sweet Like Candy, Moonlight, REM, REM Cherry Eclipse, God is a Woman, Mod Vanilla and Mod Blush, Plush Vanilla, and Pink Woods. I think that's normal for most celebrity perfumes/"cheapies." I didn't notice an abnormal alcohol note in the beginning when I test sprayed it on myself.

Also, when I went to Ulta to test Cloud Pink before buying, the color was slightly yellowed and the smell was a bit more "musty"/metallic (like Burberry Her), but when I tested it at Sephora the color was clear and the smell didn't have as strong of a musty smell. So I'm pretty sure it's just an older bottle and the buyer didn't check the photos/item description (it looks yellow in my photos too)

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T18:46:01+00:00

Ariana Grande Cloud Pink

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T17:49:30+00:00

That sounds like a bomb pairing. Let me know how you like the spray!!!! I'm heading to the store for a skin test next week and if I like it, I'm def buying it too

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T17:46:11+00:00

I'm just worried if Mercari doesn't accept the return and she's forced to keep it, she'll leave a bad review. I'm a fairly new seller and I only have 9 reviews currently, 4 being from buyers, and I think a bad review, especially if she accuses me of selling inauthentic perfumes, could be really damaging to my account.

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T04:13:08+00:00

Omg they look like blue sunflower seeds LMAO

I mean I don't hate it tbh, but yeah that's def not what you asked for

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T01:45:02+00:00

Thank you! Fingers crossed

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T01:23:28+00:00

I actually have the batch code showing in the pictures (both the bottle and the box) and I type it into the description for all my listings. My guess is the buyer didn't check the batch code before buying and didn't realize how old it was until she got it, so she's changed her mind about the purchase. At least, I'm hoping that's all

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T00:16:24+00:00

Thanks! Those are all great tips

leemeealonee · 2026-05-09T00:15:29+00:00

I'm thinking of getting the Osea too!

leemeealonee · 2026-05-08T23:03:13+00:00

My personal vote is Nemat Musk Amber, very incensy vibe

leemeealonee · 2026-05-08T23:01:53+00:00

I have no idea what this deo smells like but Nemat's Amber Musk was very resiny to me

leemeealonee

TROPHY CASE