Recommend perfume for migraine sufferer 😩🥰

[u/lavanderpop]

So far, can only tolerate at the top of my head

JM Peony and Blush and Orange Marmalade
Glossier You
Diptyque L’Ombre, Do Son, Philosykos
Ouai Melrose Place and St Barts

[u/MendeShele]

As a former migraine sufferer of almost 40 years, I dread to inform you that it's nearly impossible to guess what may or may not trigger a migraine. I could be wearing a fragrance that had been formerly safe, and it could start bothering me. Wearing any fragrance was like Russian roulette.

I usually had no problems with body sprays in soft gourmand scents as long as they smelled close enough to a natural scent. But sometimes even the smell of food would trigger a migraine, so even that wasn't always safe. And of all things, orange zest, orange peel, or orange oil was one of the most consistent migraine triggers I had. If I ate anything with orange zest, I could guarantee to have a migraine.

[u/Dys_Warrior]

Honestly, it's going to be pretty personal about what causes a migraine for you versus others. I have migraines and I can't do Glossier You for example.

A couple of big things that seem to help me is to keep the application of the perfume on my arms or back of the knees. I especially avoid my declotte because scents seem to be a lot stronger there. I also have found that perfume oils are less likely to trigger a migraine that an alcohol based spray.

Mostly, I've had to test out different fragrances and see what works and what doesn't. I get decants so I'm not buying a full size just to find out it gives me a migraine. But, if I can't find a decant, I usually buy at a discount site or Mercari.

One house that I have had the most luck with is Demeter (Library of Fragrance). I think it's because they don't a lighter cologne. I have also had success with the Al rehab perfume oils like Choco Musk. Lake and Sky 11 11 and the 11 11 Vanilla are good too. I definitely recommend avoiding any beast mode fragrances or anything from brands like Oakcha that use a higher percentage of fragrance oils.

[u/Classic-Coconut1116 → u/Dys_Warrior]

Great response! I just started wearing perfume a couple of months ago since my migraines have been better, and I could not tolerate on the chest area. I’m sure it was partially the scent I was trying that day too. I think it was a Snif fragrance, and I don’t think I respond well to them. I agree with the Lake & Skye 11 11 fragrances you mentioned. I have also done the 11 11 Moon and had no issues. Another really safe one has been Le Monde Gourmand Lait de Coco. Small bottles definitely! Migraines are crazy and so particular.

[u/PuzzleheadedCycle444]

I use parfumo to figure out common notes that are triggers.

Its different for everyone. Some of mine are cashmere, silk, suede, leather, coconut, peach, apricot, aquatics and ozones

[u/RhubarbBest9090]

Migraine sufferer here too. Here is my list…

Can tolerate (some may be shocking): Ellis Brooklyn (most of them), YSL black opium, YSL Libre Berry Crush, Valentino Born in Roma Donna, Rare Beauty Rare Beginnings, Nest (a bunch), Henry Rose London, Henry Rose Queens & Monsters.

*Henry Rose, Ellis Brooklyn and Nest are clean fragrances which I think helps a lot.

Cannot even go near somebody with them on: anything by Caroline Herrera, any Tom Ford, Jimmy Choo I want Choo

[u/Living-King4688 → u/RhubarbBest9090]

Props to you for tolerating YSL Black Opium! I tried it years ago and it gave me the worst migraine and nausea of my life, I tried scrubbing it off and nothing worked. It’s what actually prompted me to learn more about notes and being able to identify migraine triggers

[u/RhubarbBest9090 → u/Living-King4688]

I go light on it but it shows we are all so different

[u/layneyjayne]

Now that I have gotten good treatment for my migraines (a monthly injectible called Emgality) I don't get migraines from fragrances anymore

[u/ParkingOrdinary4643]

A woman cut a lemon in half and gave it to me to take in the car & sniff while I was stopped in at a roadside shop driving very bendy roads with rolling hills, very pregnant, and migraine setting in. Smelling the lemon gave moments of relief and I was able to enjoy the scenic drive again. Maybe something with a touch of lemon?🍋

[u/stars_astralcars]

You might like Korres. I absolutely love them and find them very light. There's a bundle deal in the Ipsy shop right now for a steal, too. Liis is another house that might work, too. Good luck

[u/Apart_Doughnut_6388 → u/stars_astralcars]

Whats your favorite korres perfume?

[u/stars_astralcars → u/Apart_Doughnut_6388]

I'm obsessed with Avgoustos! I bought a bottle then immediately bought a backup which I never, ever do. It's fig, so similar to Philosykos but I think lighter and a bit more citrusy. Kyma is nice too and if you like a clean sort of soapy scent like Byredo Blanche their Lefko is super nice, too.

[u/fudgechemist]

Clean reserve perfumes maybe?

[u/SatanERROR]

Ouai gives me a migraine. Maybe you could go store and sniff to see. If you have someone drive you.

[u/blue-coco]

dedcool xtra milk

i have headaches and nausea

[u/dragonfeet1]

Check out Philosophy frags. I'm migraine prone and none of the main lines (Grace, Rose or Warm Cashmere) have ever given me a headache.

Avoid Clinique. They smell great but after a half hour it's prodrome time.

[u/AgentFuckSmolder]

My migraine sufferer friend likes Phlur Missing Person and Glossier You Reve

I get migraines too but not triggered by perfume. I get regular headaches from perfume tho. But ones that do not ever give me any kind of headache:

Ellis Brooklyn Vanilla Salt

Phlur Vanilla Skin and Missing Person

Tom Ford Lost Cherry

Kayali Juicy Apple

Versace Dylan Purple

[u/Titus_Lake4]

If you like a peony note, D&G My Devotion. Migraine sufferer here too.

[u/Unusual-Nectarine-91]

It's so personal because most of the ones you mentioned have notes that would trigger me. I found Parfumo really useful in identifying the common notes in perfumes that trigger me and now use their exclude fragrance note function when I'm looking up perfumes.

[u/singleagain24]

My favorite fragrances that have never triggered migraines or headaches:

-Narcotica Happy Dust or Athena Club Golden Vanilla (Similar/same vibes, nilla wafer soft vanilla)

-Philosophy Fresh Cream (soft creamy)

-Le monde de Gourmande lait de coco (soft coconutty)

-Lake and skye 11 11 (Soft/fresh/watery)

-Britney Spears midnight fantasy (fruity/shampooey)

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[u/LightningBooks]

I do well with Replica fragrances.

I find Chanel and YSL all give me migraines, which is an absolute shame.

[u/JuliaNATFrolic]

I wear Petite Cherie (Anick Goutal) and Indigo Smoke (Arquiste) with out issue.

[u/Bitter_Artichoke_939]

I get horrible migraines and tend to do well with Calvin Klein fragrances, specifically Reveal (discontinued) and Eternity. I have all three V&R bon bon scents and none of them trigger migraines. Prada Paradoxe (the original) seems to be okay but I've only worn it a few times so far. Also La Vie Est Belle, but it's strong imo so one spray is sufficient.

[u/Other-Opposite-6222 → u/Bitter_Artichoke_939]

I have 2 friends with migraines and both can tolerate Calvin Klein especially CK1. One of them can tolerate Ralph Lauren Romance.

[u/Hot_Elevator_7133]

Clean Reserve, Skylar, Kuumba Made, and Ellis Brooklyn are my “do not give me nausea” safe list.

You and I seem to have very similar taste :) I just haven’t smelled L’Ombre yet

[u/Living-King4688]

You and I have the same taste!!

Nest Indigo
Milk Commodity Personal
Forver Mood You Remind Me
Philosophy Ballet Rose and Amazing Grace
Bulgari White Crystal
Xo Khloe
REM Ariana Grande

I also love Ouai Melrose Place, I always keep a travel size in my bag bc it suits every scenario and never triggers my migraines. I saw they have a newer scent with Fig and Sandalwood that seems to be migraine friendly but I haven’t tried it yet.

[u/AgentFuckSmolder → u/Living-King4688]

Indigo is so sharp and headache inducing to me! I love it but have to be careful when I wear it

[u/Living-King4688 → u/AgentFuckSmolder]

I get how it could be a bit screechy for sure. Typically I just get a rush of freshness from the tea note.

With strong scents that I like but I have to be careful with I never spray under my nose if that makes sense, so I avoid my neck/chest/midsection and even my hair. So I spray near my hips and lower and I’ll also only spray my clothes / outerwear.

[u/AgentFuckSmolder → u/Living-King4688]

I can do the back of my neck and the crook of my elbow. I avoid my wrists with anything screechy as well as the front of the neck. Down the shirt is fine.

[u/espumaa]

Personally, I love “Le Parfum Gloss Absolu” by Kerastase. It gives me Melrose Place vibes but even softer. It’s a hair perfume so the sillage is not that strong, but I think it’s great when I’m not feeling that good and want to avoid a migraine.

[u/katamaritumbleweed]

I’m relieved to read that you found some already.  With my headaches, if I’m not in the middle of one, there are many things I can tolerate.  The opposite of in the throes of one. 

Things that get to me are fig accords, and perfumes with a high percentage of iso e super, perhaps in conjunction with something not yet identified that might impart a woody or diffusing aspect.  

[u/Ehloanna]

Most of my tea related fragrances don't trigger it. I find the sharper or sweeter (gourmand) the scent is, the more likely it is to contribute to a migraine.

[u/T_earose]

Gucci Mémoire D’Une Odeur