Chapter 3: Name Brand Doesn’t Always Mean Good Quality!

I can’t lie; I love me some perfume, but girl, not all designer brand perfumes are for you. 

*DISCLAIMER: The following post is no shade to the ladies who love perfume, but Sister to Sister try it on in the house before you wear it in the wrong room.

From a child, my grandmother Patricia discussed the importance of me knowing my Pheromone. 

For those who don’t know what that is, don’t worry. I am dropping another valuable GEM for you.

Pheromones are scents used to send out signals to other people. These scents can be used to “mark territory, identify each other, or attract a mate” (Kennedy, 2022). 

Now, I am not teaching you that perfume’s main objection is to attract a mate (as it can). Instead, I want to focus on the part of the definition that states “identify each other.” 

Often, individuals remember others by three things:

1. The Way People Make Them Feel:

– The renowned Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” (Goodreads, 2022). 

2. The Way People Carry Themselves:

– Elaine Turner, author of “Breaking the Glass Slipper: Debunking the Myths that Hold Women Back, once said, “Style is all about how you carry yourself and project yourself to the world. More than what you’re wearing, it’s about an overall attitude and a sense of worth” (Goodreads, 2022). 

3. The Person’s Scent 

– Devon Windsor, a model, once said, “Fragrance, to me, is a scent that you can call your own, have other people identify you with, and also express the vibes that you’re feeling that day” (BrainyQuote, 2022). 

Therefore, ladies, the scent you leave the house with identifies you in many different ways.

If it smells sweet, your crush may return your call. 

If it smells powerful, then you know you’re about to knock it out in the boardroom. 

But, if it smells sour, you maybe might need to take another shower. 

Which brings me to the topic at hand, “name brand doesn’t always mean good quality.”

Not to come at the big designer names. Tom Ford, Versace, Dior, and Chanel certainly have a vast clientele. 

*Not Affiliated*

But, if you’re going to spend $195.00 plus tax on Baccarat Rouge 540 Ear de Parfum, at least make sure it smells good before you leave your bedroom. 

Because when you do leave the comfort of your humble abode, others will remember not what you did for them but what you smelt like when you walked by. 

Perfume or Pheromones become your signature. 

It helps others identify you from across the room. 

So, if it doesn’t smell good, it will affect those around you. 

Now, it takes time to find a good scent. I cannot lie. 

And, ladies, not every scent your friend wears is going to work for you. 

Sometimes Tom Ford Lost Cherry is better for your Homegirl Gina, while you’re more of an Ambery Vanilla.

And, that’s okay! 

Price does not determine the quality. 

Or, as my Homegirl likes to say, “Your shit can still stink rocking designer labels.”  

And that’s why I Hate Adulthood, ladies.

Because we can spend years upon years working our 9-5’s, being entrepreneurs, living paycheck to paycheck, or using Klarna to afford the newest and hottest designer tag

To have to turn around to return the shit in the mail because

A. It stinks 

B. It doesn’t fit 

C. You bought it on an impulse and need the money for the rent 

Let me not go off on a tangent and stay on course.

You will notice I do that often during our discussions. It’s just my M.O. 

But, like I was saying, name brand doesn’t mean good quality.

Just like Pheremones help someone identify your scent. 

The clothes

Shoes 

Handbags

And, Jackets do the same. 

So, the next time you’re about to break the bank to rock the latest Saint Laurent Women’s Opyum Leather Bootie. 

Check out your Homegirl’s boutique, which has been trying to get its first sale for the last 16 weeks. 

Black Girl Small Business sure can provide you with a cute dupe.

Now don’t get me, wrong ladies. Black Girl Luxury is necessary!

And, if you got it, go ahead and flaunt it. 

But, even if you do, remember that the $2,100 you spent on a boot doesn’t mean it will last as long as that Marshall’s shoe.

You all know which one I am talking about

The one you’ve had for a while, and every winter, you dust it off. 

You only paid $39.00, but baby girl, it sure does get you far.

The central premise is not to knock those out here wearing designer labels. 

As I love me a lovely designer handbag as much as the next woman 

But, as we climb this ladder to success. 

Don’t go broke trying to keep up with those that ain’t worried if you pay your credit card debt. 

Instead, be sensible. 

Smell the designer perfume before you leave the store 

Try the designer pump before it ends up in your cart. 

Check your friend’s website; you keep forgetting to look at 

And, when you get it home, wear it a few more times around the living room. 

Before you parade into the world teaching others another way to identify you 

I am not saying that clothes or shoes or perfume make a person. 

So, don’t go telling others that’s what today’s GEM was about 

I am instead saying check in with you before you leave your bedroom 

Check in with your wallet before you experience a financial audit. 

And, know that just because it’s Christian Dior doesn’t mean it’s going to last as long as those shoes that have been getting you through the storms. 

As always, I am here to hear your feedback.

Till Next Time, 

Keep Rocking those Shoe Dazzle Shoes 

And that Dossier Perfume 

*This is not a sponsorship, but if they’d like to sponsor your girl, that will work too*

Peace + Prosperity,

Jadis DeShong-Venay

References:

Kennedy, M. (2022, January 14). Pheromone Perfume. Insider. https://www.insider.com/pheromone-perfume

GoodReads. (2022, May 4). Maya Angelou Quotable Quotes. GoodReads. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/5934-i-ve-learned-that-people-will-forget-what-you-said-people

GoodReads. (2022, May 4). Elaine Turner Quotes. GoodReads. https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/18666410.Elaine_Turner

BrainyQuotes. (2022, May 4). Devin Windsor Quotes. BrainyQuotes. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/devon_windsor_997808