MY LIFE THUS FAR, THROUGH 5 PERFUMES

There's nothing more secretly thrilling than buying a new perfume. It's been one of my favorite silly little kicks since I was, well, way too young to be wearing perfume. Whatever, I highly doubt I'm the only circa-Gen-X-ish lady whose parents indulged her love of fragrance from a juvenile age (Love's Baby Soft! I had the whole box set of Love's fragrances, including some watery jasmine number plus "Lemon Fresh," because everyone wants to smell like countertop spray!). Then it was Jovan White Musk (SSSEEEXXX) before I progressed into naughtier territory with Skin Musk. Anyway, perfume hound here -- so now I'll describe five of my former favorite scents, plus how they affected my burgeoning ladyhood.

AGE: 14

Burying my angst in 6 tons of eyeliner -- NOW with large eyeglasses! (Oh and hello '90s.)

PERFUME: Calvin Klein Obsession
ME, THEN: SO.F*CKING.MISERABLE. Varying shades of Angela Chase red hair. A walking tailspin, all heightened emotion desperately waving its arms and floundering to poke its head above a roiling ocean of unrestrained angst. I was desperate to be liked, desperate to be loved, and more than desperate for a real, non-Truth-or-Dare-fueled kiss. Somehow I thought wearing an "Adult" fragrance like Obsession would help me reach that goal. It didn't. My friend M. (on right above) and I used to drive around DC listening to REM's "You Are the Everything," theatrically fighting off tears because we wanted, soooooo badly, to be the kind of girl a guy like Michael Stipe would write those kind of lyrics about ("I look at her and I see the beauty of the light of music, the voices talking somewhere in the house, late spring").

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Harrods to hold perfume extravaganza

LONDON, Aug 20 — The famed London department store is all set to host a month-long festival celebrating everything olfactory, titled “Fragrance Explosion.”

Starting Thursday and running through September 19, Harrods’ perfume hall will witness a series of fragrance masterclasses, in-store talks, and one-on-one perfume consultations with major luxury brands Chloé, Guerlain, and Annick Goutal all set to take part in the event. 

Chanel’s Joanna Norman (the guest fragrance professor for the Parisian brand) will host an event on Sept 16 which explores the famed No. 5 and Coco perfumes with flavoured champagne and macaroons.

Harrods has also released an iPad app version of its in-store magazine, which allows users to access promotional videos and other additional content in advance of the “Fragrance Explosion” event. 

You can book your tickets for the events via the Harrods Concierge service on +44 20 7225 6874 or by emailing concierge@harrods.com.

Pierre Loti, the Exotic Dandy Has His Perfume Loti Rose d'Amour 1913 Recreated for a Time {Scented Paths & Fragrant Addresses}

An exhibition consecrated to French writer Pierre Loti (1850-1923) at Quai Branly entitled "J'Arrive, J'Aime, Je M'en Vais"* is the opportunity for the recreation of a long lost fragrance called Loti Rose d'Amour, 1913** - the name of a sample really - a custom blend created at the beginning of the 20th century by a Parisian perfumer for the author of Pêcheur d'Islande, Aziyadé and The Last Days of Peking...

Pierre Loti is well-known for his writing but also for his eccentric streak, in particular his love of exoticism, developed during his career as a navy officer, which made him decorate each room in his Rochefort home in a different "world" style as one might put it today, and likewise wear costumes hailing from varied cultures. His nom de plume "Loti" is a nickname bestowed upon him in Polynesia, meaning "red flower".

Artist and nose Laurent-David Garnier happened on a perfume jewel containing the tenuous resinous remnants of a perfume concreta and decided to recreate it by analyzing it but also studying the environment of Loti. One of the writer's habits was to collect botanicals and mummify things like birds with arsenic salts and aromatic herbs, as he was obsessed with the idea of death.

The result, which is partly interpretative and partly based on the materials present in the tiny flacon of origin, is a perfume wafting of Damascean rose, lilac, mint and violet, which one can smell when paying a visit to the exhibition in the darkness of an alcova protected by black velvet curtains.

This will not be the first time that the memory and the universe of the author are honored by perfumers as both Parfum d'Empire and Lubin have each proposed a composition inspired by Aziyadé, the novel by Loti set in Ottoman Turkey.

*"Here I Am, I'm in Love, I'm Leaving"

** "Loti Rose of Love, 1913"

Via Culture Box; Musée du Quai Branly

Cara Delevingne Burberry BODY, Makes Her This Era's Kate Moss

Not since Kate Moss have we seen a model create such a fuss in the fashion world as the bushy-browed kookster Cara Delevingne. She has become the name on everyone's lips this year is undoubtedly Cara Delevingne. If she is not the hardest working model in the catwalk business, she is the busiest for sure. The up-and-coming British model, sister to socialite Poppy Delevingne, has graced nearly every major runway this season, landed Vogue covers and scored several big ad campaigns -- all while maintaining one of the most exuberantly wacky Twitter accounts.

With fashion month almost over Cara has fully cemented her position as the darling of the fashion world and to top it all off, Burberry have just released her campaign star image as the face of their new perfume, Burberry Body Tender. The 20-year-old model just added another high fashion project to her already-full plate: the face of Burberry BODY Tender, the new perfume from Burberry. Cara has posed for Burberry fashion campaigns before, but fronting a fragrance is a definite step up.


Burberry BODY Tender is part of the Burberry BODY collection, currently repped by fellow Brit Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and the campaigns are strikingly similar: in both Rosie and Cara's ads, the models lounge around in classic Burberry trench coats (and nothing else underneath) while their blonde hair blows in the wind.

Promising to ‘combine the relaxed, playful attitude of the Burberry girl with the energy of the brand’s London hometown’, we can see why Brit-model Cara was chosen, being as well known a she is within the industry for her unique personality. Cara’s natural beauty and vibrant energy lit up alongside London’s magnificent architecture. Cara has been featuring in Burberry campaigns since 2011 and has been the face of Burberry’s makeup since 2012, but this marks the start of her perfume campaign career. We're pretty sure it won’t be her last. The Burberry Body Tender Perfume will be in stores on 6th March.

My Timeless Tips for Buying Perfume

I am the kind of person who makes decisions when I know the person at the counter is looking at me or jumping to conclusion about my taste of weather I will buy something from them. I mean they are standing right there in your face, attending your needs. Least you can do is buy something and not make it too difficult for them. You cannot be that obnoxious snob person, but on the other hand, buying perfumes is a long term commitment   

1. It's no secret some people sniff coffee beans to help them distinguish between different perfumes when shopping. Coffee beans are a great palette cleanser for your nose! but do take a small break before trying again. By the way, they should make a fragrance which smells like coffee. I'd buy that.
2. I would rather try one on at a time as I've found that my skin chemistry effects the outcome of the smell. What is nice on someone else can smell like fly spray on me.
3. I usually just sniff straight from the bottle and then spray the one I like onto my skin. Not into using the cardboard testers. It smells nothing like that on me. It takes me a while to purchase a perfume because of all the smells
4. It's OK! we all get confused if i smell more than two different perfumes. I always get mixed up with the smell. It defiantly is an overwhelming experience sometimes
5. I will generally try a few on paper and then of my 2 favorites on each wrist… then go away and so shopping etc… after a few hours I usually can ascertain which has staying power and which one I like more (based on how it ‘settles’) and then go back to purchase…
6. Roa sniffs the bottle if she likes it she will spray some on her wrist, never use the cardboard strips, then she goes and see if it still inspires me at times it becomes vague and uninspiring so she doesn't buy that one or the other way round.
7. I am allergic to strong perfume, but found one which is fresh, non overpowering, if it's discontinued in your country, shop online. Tip:  I adore lavender and often wear lavender essential oil
8. Yes it can be overwhelming trying to find a perfume to buy. I generally know if I like a perfume by the first whiff. Perfume can smell different on one person to another because of our chemistry makeup. I like to have a wear of the scent and then I know for sure. 
9. It's a real thing, you can totally OD'd on fragrances! On hindsight probably should have sniffed less than five on myself as I had a tendency to forget which fragrance was on which patch of skin!!
10. Stick with what you know, you never never go wrong, though it does not happen often, but sometimes the recipe for you favorite fragrance may change. 

Are You A Perfumista? Here's How To Keep Perfumes Affordable

Nothing beats the wisdom of the crowds, 

“Keep all of your samples!” This was one of the best tips I received when I first started out as a perfumista. If I didn’t like a fragrance, I would be tempted to pass my sample onto someone else. But the more I sampled, the more my tastes kept changing, and I can’t count how many times I’ve revisited a perfume and ended up liking it. 

A is for Always Ask. Sometimes I hesitate to ask a SA if they have any samples, and am pleasantly surprised when they pull one out from a drawer. The worst thing they can say is “no” and give you a withering look–Vanessa

A is for Atomizer. Bring an empty one everytime you go to see the SA that you’ve cultivated (see C for Cultivate). They can fill it with whatever you want, when you think you need more than a sample but less than a bottle of anything–Sassa Swartz

B

B is for Binge. Sometimes perfume binges are unavoidable, but try to pace yourself: it’s about enjoyment after all–Gogol

B is for Blind Buys. They are risky. Sample before buying–Victoria

B is for Box. Always keep the box (or other packaging). Keeping the boxes becomes even more important as your perfume collection grows. The box will help protect it from heat and light, two enemies of perfume. Plus, having the complete presentation makes it easier to swap or sell later on. Some of our fragrances may even end up as collectibles down the road, and the boxes could add to their value–Silvia and Minette

C

C is for Comment. You never know what great suggestions the perfume blog community will offer in response. You might discover a new favorite fragrance, or even make a real-life friend–Elizabeth

C is for Compliments. Do not be shy and compliment a nice perfume when someone wears it. It is a good conversation starter and may lead to finding a friend with the same hobby and a lot of information! People love being complimented on their perfume!–Yulya

C is for Copycat. Never copy a friend’s signature scent. Be your own person. Take the journey to find your own–Cynthia C

C is for Cultivate – as in SA at Nordstrom/Sephora. Find an SA that you like, and buy everything through him/her. Your perfume, makeup, even purses and accessories. There is no end to the free gifts and samples and advance notices that these people can provide for you–Sassa Swartz

D

D is for Dab vs Spray (complementary to Spray vs Dab tip below). I use both. Dab, not spray, when you feel that the fragrance is otherwise overwhelming. Try how it will be dabbed and then decide. Maybe you only need to wear a tiny dab of it for the entire day, and then your sample is your full bottle–Warum

D is for Dark. All perfumes, especially samples, should be kept in a dark place–Olfacta

D is for Decant. A decant is a small amount of perfume transferred to a small vial or a spray atomizer. When you are first starting out, it is best to invest in a few decants, rather than the full size bottles. There are several websites online that sell decants such as The Posh Peasant,Surrender to Chance and The Perfumed Court. Also, decants are useful when traveling, in which case it is best to seal them with tape. NST has a great article on how to decant and where to buy decanting supplies–Bee, Victoria and Mary Beth

D is for Diary. Keep a perfume diary or blog. Writing about what you smell will help you learn but will also help you to remember better–Gogol

D is for Display. Perfume bottles are often beautiful pieces of art in themselves. Display them on a shelf or table in a nice arrangement for both viewing and sniffing pleasure–Diane And also, display your empty perfume bottles. It’s the female equivalent of guys displaying their action-figure collection!–Haefennasiel

D is for Drain those samples. A little pile of empty sample vials is a great indicator of whether a full-bottle purchase is in order–Elizabeth

E

E is for Empty Spray Atomizers. Order a couple of dozen so that you can use them with the vial samples that you get, or use them with your minis–Sassa Swartz

E is for Envelopes. I write the names of perfumes I want to try on the outside of the envelopes. I spray the strips and put in the correct envelope. When I arrive home, I start testing them. If I find one that I like, I go back the next day and generously spray my wrists. If I’m still in love with the fragrance, I go back the next morning, purchase and enjoy!–Cynthia C

E is for Evocative. Sometimes the best way to get started is to start with perfumes that have evocative names–Gogol

E is for Extras. When you arrange a bottle or sample swap, throw in an extra sample or 3. This is just good karma!–Elisa

F

F is for Fridge. Storing your perfume in the fridge will help retain its freshness. I keep reading that perfume should not be exposed to cold temperatures, which is not true. A cool temperature (not freezing cold) is ideal. The French perfume conservatory The Osmotheque stores their wares in a climate controlled environment. The libraries inside the perfume houses are houses in regular fridges. I would only recommend sealing your bottles in a couple of zip-lock bags to prevent your butter smelling like Coco Mademoiselle–Victoria

F is for Friends. Perfume may smell different on you; don’t just buy it just because it smelled gorgeous on your friend–Suleen

F is for Full Bottle – that thing that you always think you need, but rarely do–Sassa Swartz

G

G is for Gender-bending. Don’t assume you won’t like something because it’s marketed to the opposite gender–Elisa

G is for Go hard or go home! If you can’t tell how you feel about a perfume, put more on–Elisa

H

H is for Headache. The worst time to try anything–Mary Beth

H is for Heat. The less, the better!–Olfacta

H is for Hormonal. Changes in your hormone levels can affect how fragrance smells on your skin and on how you perceive smells, so beware the PMT shopping!–Tanya M

H is for Husband’s video game hobby. It doesn’t count higher than your perfume collection!–Victoria

I

I is for I (me).  It is all about how I feel about the perfume, whether I like the smell, whether I get pleasure from sniffing it. Not the brand, not what the friends are liking. I. Maybe it’s pretty obvious, but it took me a while to arrive at this thought–Warum

I is for Inventory. You *must* keep track of what you’ve acquired or you’ll get the same sample over and over, because it always sounds good! Keep the inventory online (I like GoogleDocs) and you can consult it while shopping out in the world–Unseencenser

J

J is for Jargon. It can puzzle you initially and that you soon will master, so you will be able to fully understand what you read on blogs–Annemarie  (Victoria: I’ve compiled a list of fragrance descriptors here: Speaking Perfume: A to Z)

J is for Joy – not the perfume, the feeling. Study, investigate, try, experiment – but spend as much time as you can wearing what brings you joy–Unseencenser. Spread your joy in your hobby around. Write about it, talk about it, express it, be encouraging to others. Live in the moment of your scent and revel in it out loud. Joy is a happy contagion. You never know when your joy in perfume will catch someone else in it’s tendrils–Dervishspin

K

K is for Keep All of Your Samples. Our tastes change the more we are exposed to different scents. It is a good idea to revisit fragrances time to time. This is especially true for classics and complex, rich blends that require a longer courtship from you. Plus, it is so much easier one wallet to have a sample to check one more time before shelling out for a decant or a full bottle–Victoria, Mary Beth and Unseencenser

L

L is for Label samples/decants you make carefully. Make sure labels are readable and protected from the moisture. It is heartbreaking to have a sample of a perfume you like and not know what it is–Undina

L is for Layering. This way you can make use of something you would otherwise find unweareable and get the most of a limited perfume wardrobe–Amer (for instance, check outthis guide on layering created by Elle Magazine and perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena)

L is for List. A lists helps a total newbie to get started. List some perfumes you really want to smell. List some that you need smell in order to learn what you are smelling–Gogol

M

M is for Migraine. Some perfumes trigger them–Gogol

M is for Miniatures. If you are a fickle perfume junkie, a nostalgia freak and like the Lilliputian factor, you can find some old classics and mass market juices at online stores (such as www.miniatureperfumeshoppe.com). Great for your handbag, weekend away and building a mini perfume wardrobe to compare–Tanya M

M is for Minimum of sampling or spraying different perfumes when you are trying to choose a perfume. You will get confused about the smells–Suleen

N

N is for Nerd. Feel free to be one!–Silvia

N is for Never say Never. I do regret some samples I have given away, but at the same time it is liberating to be free of the ones you never learn to appreciate, so I am on the fence with the sample retention principle!–Vanessa

N is for No Need to Try/Buy Everything at Once. There are lots of perfumes released each year and lots at the stores and discounters; pace yourself (see B for Binge and P for Pace Yourself for more reminders that it’s best to take it one perfume at a time)–Rosarita

N is for Notes. Teach yourself to distinguish individual notes by smelling every essential oil, absolute and tincture you can get your paws on. Actually, make it a point to smell everything!–Minette

O

O is for Opinion. Yours is as important as that of anybody else. Do not let a negative comment influence you if you like a perfume, and vice versa, don’t be swayed by positive reviews until you test the fragrance thoroughly (see T for Three Times)–Bee and Victoria

O is for Organized. I keep samples organized by fragrance family in those taffeta bags they often come in, but any small bag or container will work–Olfacta

O for Overdose. If you want to make sure whether a fragrance would turn out right on you, before buying, spray it on abundantly–excessively, actually–have a walk and watch how you react–Iodine

P

P is for Pace Yourself. When you first start, the amount of stuff to try can be overwhelming. But even if your sampling budget is tiny, you will eventually get to the point where you’ve got an impressive sample collection–Dionne

P is for Patience. Always sample a fragrance that tempts you on your skin and WAIT. The alcohol needs to evaporate, and the juice needs to warm on your skin – let it bloom and grow and sniff at intervals, then decide if its a keeper–Tanya M

P is for Pleasure. Perfume is the most effortless way to infuse pleasure into your daily life.  Wear what you like and don’t feel pressures to enjoy a fragrance just because others are raving about it (or vice versa)–Victoria

P is for Populist. If possible, skip that snob-phase where you think only the luxe or niche will do. There are beautiful discoveries to be found at every price point–Elizabeth

P is for Pregnancy and Perfume. Try to avoid your favorite perfumes during early pregnancy; you could end up hating them for ever–Suleen

Q

Q is for Quality or Quantity. Do you want to spent your money on stuff you really, really love or do you want to buy and try a lot? Hélas, you will probably opt for both–Annemarie

Q is for Question. Don’t be afraid to question the wisdom of “The Guide”. It’s fun and informative, but don’t assume that if you disagree with a review, the authors must be right and you must be wrong–Denise

Q is for Questions. They are the questions that you always should pose as a beginner (or an expert). Answers can be stupid, but questions never are–Annemarie

R

R is for Read. Read blogs, read messages on online forums, read perfume-related books–Gogol

R is for Reference Cards. Keep reference cards in a box and write them as you sniff along, listing perfumer, year of creation and top/middle/base notes. Over the years they will become a quick and invaluable reference tool–Silvia

R is for Reformulations. When you fall in love with a scent enough to buy an full bottle, if you possibly can, get two. Even classic beauties like get reformated or discontinued–Elizabeth Ann

R is for Rules. Listen to what others have to say, take the best ideas, and then make up your own rules, using what works for YOU as your guide. So what if no one else is doing it the same way? You are unique. Your perfume habit will reflect it–Minette

S

S is for Samples.  Sampling programs and swaps make it easy to try a wide range of scents and make perfume hobby more affordable–Victoria

S is for Seasonal Changes. If you don’t like something in summer, put it away and try it again in winter (and vice versa)–Elisa

S is for Smell on Skin, not Strip. Never commit before trying on skin. Some perfumes smell incredibly different on paper, others quite close–Vanessa Always try a perfume on your own skin before you decide to buy it. Wait at least an hour for it to reveal itself. More time is better. Some suggest waiting until you’ve tried something several times, but I tend to fall in love pretty quickly (or not), so I sometimes break that rule–Minette

S is for Smelling. Train yourself to become aware of and smell everything in your environment. Sniff the air like a wolf or a cat – ask yourself what is on the wind. Perfumer Jean-Michel Duriez (ed: the head perfumer for Rochas Parfums) told me he sometimes gets caught holding odd objects to his nose for a deep sniff, but he doesn’t care. Be like Jean-Michel. It’s fun and insructive–Minette

S is for Splits. Share the cost of a full bottle with one or more friends–Silvia

S is for Spray vs Dab. A perfume can smell different when sprayed versus when touch-applied. I overlooked a lot of good scents when I first started sampling until I learned to transfer my sample vials to a spray atomizer (see E for Empty Spray Atomizers)–Sweetpea

S is for Storage. Proper storage—cool, dark place, outside of direct sunlight–makes your collection lasts longer and remain in good shape–Victoria

T

T is for Talk. Talk to your local perfume salesperson (sometimes they know their stuff, sometimes they don’t); talk with your friends, family about perfume. You’ll learn a lot–Gogol

T is for Three Times. Never buy a fragrance until you haven’t tested it minimum three times on skin, possibly at least once in Overdose (see O for Overdose)–Iodine

T is Travel size bottles. Always get them when you can. They are great for traveling, trying a smell out and simply if you get tired of fragrances and do not wish to end up with the almost full bottles of unwanted scent–Dianna

V

V is for Visit the websites of (smaller) brands to find fantastic and affordable sample offers–Annemarie. Annemarie lives in Europe and likes the samples programmes of brands like Divine, Etat Libre d’Orange, Histoires de Parfums, Juliette has a Gun, LesNez, Memo, Mona di Orio, Olfactive Studio, Parfum d’Empire, Parfums de Rosine and Tauer Perfumes. For instance, Parfum d’Empire offers 13 samples of their whole collection for 16 euros, Histoires des Parfums has 6 samples for 10 euros plus refund if you buy a full bottle, Olfactive Studio offers 3 samples for 4 euros and Mona di Orio sells 7 ml samples/decants for just 8 euro. Those who live in the US, can try Aedes.com and Luckyscent.com sample programs.

U

U is for Undesirable Fragrances/Unwanted Perfume Presents.  I’ve had a few well meant presents that are pleasant in themselves but just didn’t work on me. If they could not be swapped, sold on ebay or given away, I have found a use for them as home fragrances. For instance, they can be sprayed on blotting paper and left in shoes, linen drawers, books, etc. Otherwise, leave in a public place with a post-it note, saying “smell me and take me home” – your random good deed for the day!–Tanya M

U is for Unsniffed. Never buy unsniffed. Don’t rely on the list of notes only, if you don’t want to end up with the scrubber (also see B for Blind Buys)–Bee and Behemot

U is for Unscented. If you are looking to buy completely unscented products, be sure that the label says “scent-free.” Anything else means that it does have a mild perfume added–Victoria

W

W is for Wary at Work. Be careful with fragrance at work, because some people do have awful perfume induced conditions. If you go light, you will be less likely to get into “fragrance free workplace” issues–Warum

W is for Wear What You Like. Don’t worry about what others say or write, trust your own nose–Dionne

W is for Write down the names of what you are smelling on the blotters. Nothing worse than a clutch of anonymous blotters at the bottom of your handbag after a good day’s sniffing–Vanessa

X

X is for Xerox (not exact copies). If you liked a certain fragrance and it has changed, got discontinued or turned out to be too expensive, search the blogosphere for recommendations–Tanya M

X is  for X-rated. Don’t be shy of trying perfumes totally outside your comfort zone. If you are a delicate, spring floral kinda gal go and try something with a hint of earth, animal or leather–you may be pleasantly suprised–Tanya M

X is for Xylophone… if humble pieces of wood can produce melody then humble materials can make good perfume. Don’t be fooled by an extravagant list of ingredients. Follow your nose–Amer

Y

Y is for Year Cycle. Watch the turn of the seasons, note what you like to wear for holidays that mark the Year Cycle (Christmas/Solstice for Winter, MidSummer, fragrances that mark the start of Spring and the Fall for you in the area where you live). Mark your personal year with perfume and you will experience time differently–Warum

Y is for Yearn. Unless it’s a one off chance to buy something, think about it over before handing over the credit card. It will save you money and will ensure you appreciate every purchase to the max–Silvia

Y is for You and Yourself, Your nose and Your reaction, Your smile and Your joy that are Your best guides in the end. Blogs and reviews are there to inform and inspire you. Brands and their campaigns are there to seduce and impress you. Other noses may be more trained or refined, but you have just your own nose and that one will tell you what is right for you–Annemarie.  Trust yourself to know what is right for you. Don’t buy a perfume because it smells great on someone else, or becaue your boyfriend likes it on another woman (especially not because of that!). Only you know what makes your heart flutter and helps you feel more confident–Minette

Z

Z is for Zero. Sometimes you need a day with zero perfumes–Gogol

Z is for Zip-lock Bags. Collect them, especially tiny ones (for example, 2″x2″). They make great holders for sample vials. You can organize your vials into categories, for example, and you can see what you have without having to label. Plastic bags can also contain the sillage from powerful scents!–Patty

Thanks To Them

Best Perfumes – Top 20 Best Perfumes Ever

Have you ever wondered what the best perfumes in the world are? Check out the most memorable and best selling fragrances of all time.

20. Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani – This one of the best perfumes of all time is a top seller in its women’s and men’s variant for its freshness and lightness.

19. The One by Dolce & Gabbana – This perfume is charismatic, sophisticated and seductive in both is female and male version.

18. BLV by Bvlgari – Fresh, cool and exotic – this is how you will feel when wearing this unique fragrance for women.

17. Chloe Perfume by Chloe – The incredible feminine floral scent will undoubtedly make you feel even sexier and highlight your self-confidence.

16. Davidoff Cool Water – This is one of the top sellers in both the women’s and men’s   best perfumes category for its pure water elegance.

15. L’Eau D’Issey by Issey Miyaki – This one of the best perfumes of all time has a version for women and men. It is fresh and airy. It is great for every day.

14. Anais Anais by Cacharel – Wear an elegant blend of rose, lily, amber and frankincense which is totally feminine and exquisite.

13. Tresor by Lancôme – This iconic fragrance is the favorite of celebrities like Kate Winslet and Penelope Cruz.

12. DKNY by Donna Karan – The innovative round shape of the bottle adds to the feminine and elegant touch of this perfume for women inspired by the Big Apple.

11. Gucci Rush – This one of the best perfumes ever is elegant and sexy and traditional at the same time. The mix of jasmine, vanilla, coriander seeds, rose and gardenia is irresistible.

10. CK One by Calvin Klein – This is the first unisex perfume ever created. It is undoubtedly one of the most iconic fragrances of all times. Both women and men love its rebel spirit.

9. Angel by Thierry Mugler – The star shaped bottle is the first thing which impresses you about this perfume. This luxury fragrance is a delicious mix of chocolate, vanilla, bergamot and caramel.

8. Opium by Yves Saint Laurent – This is one of the most memorable fragrances for women. It is heavy and easily recognized for its sensual touches. It offers a unique blend between vanilla, bergamot, jasmine, mandarin and patchouli.

7. Youth Dew by Estee Lauder – This women’s perfume was the first one of the brand. It came out in 1953 and it is still easily recognized for its bottle reminding you of an Ancient Greek goddess. This fragrance is superb for every day.

6. Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier – The first thing which strikes you about this one of the best perfumes eve is the bottle with the shape of a female figure. The fragrance is considered the most playful ever created. It is an excellent blend of orange blossom, rose, ginger and star anise.

5. Joy by Jean Patou – This iconic fragrance is an elegant luxury blend of jasmine, rose and musk. It has been a best seller even since the 1930′s.

4. Shalimar by Guerlain The name of this perfume for women comes from an Indian garden. It is elegant, sensual and exotic thanks to the bergamot top, opopanox and iris heart and vanilla base. It has been a best seller since its launch in 1925.

3. J’Adore by Christian Dior Everything about this women’s perfume is perfect – the elegant blend of fruity and floral scents, the name and the bottle. The fragrance is feminine, sensual and romantic thanks to the plum, violet, orchids and mandarin notes.

2. L’Air Du Temps by Nina Ricci – This is one of the best perfumes for women in the world because you can literally feel each and every note in it – from the rose, jasmine, gardenia and carnation to the iris wood, spicy musk and sandalwood. This fragrance was introduced in 1948 and is still bought every 5 seconds.

1. Chanel No 5 – This iconic perfume for women deservedly gets the first spot. It is the best selling fragrance of all time. It has been around since the 1920′s and has never gone out of fashion. It was personally approved by Coco Chanel and with it came the fashion of applying perfume to the wrists and neck, the spots where women would be kissed. Marilyn Monroe’s favorite scent and still the world’s best-selling perfume. In 1921, Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel wanted a perfume that would define how women should smell. Perfume designer Ernest Beaux was given the task — and, as the legend goes, on his fifth attempt Coco Chanel approved the scent, so it became No 5. And from this scent was born the idea of applying perfume to the wrists, behind the ears and the neck, as Coco Chanel believed women should wear perfume where they would be kissed. 

Jean Nate Commercial - (1984).mpg
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Banning Allergy Causing Perfume And Job Interviews

The Europeans have so many things right, and many others wrong. But I am linking what the EU's
scientific committee recommendation to restrict the use of more than 100 perfume ingredients that can potentially cause people to have an allergic reaction. There is a list of perfume ingredients (about a hundred) that can potentially cause people to have an allergic reaction. That's why they tell you not to go to a job interview wearing fragrance.

The committee has even gone further and recommended an complete ban on tree moss and oak moss, an ingredient in the popular French perfume Chanel No. 5, you know the one many celebrities and fashion-minded folks adore so very much.

This is early  but the proposals are being made by the EU's scientific committee on consumer safety which is made up over a dozen experts tasked, with among other things, bringing forward opinions on the health and safety risks of ingredients found in cosmetic products. I admire them for their diligent, but I doubt they have put control over some of those mega beauty companies who call Europe home.

According to Stephen Weller, a spokesperson for the International Fragrance Association, told CBC News that if adopted, the changes could affect almost all of the world’s 9,000 perfume products. That means your favorite scent might be banned or weakened as a result of those regulations. But the good news, people around you may have lesser of an allergic reaction.

"It would have a serious impact on fine fragrance in particular, but almost across the board almost every formula would have to be reformulated," Weller said.

My Must Konw Secret Tips For Rewarding Fragrance Shopping

Nothing makes me feel happy as much as a new secnt that pleases my nose and makes me think of something new and dreamy. I share few of my shopping tips that has helped me stay on budget while getting to know what's out there.

1. Buy originals brands, knockoffs are a bad purchase. Unless they are priced at knockoff price, you are being scammed!

2. Skip department store prices, do you really need that bag? Chances are you will be paying 30 dollars at least extra because perfumes look so slick and sexy at those stores.

3. Buy them at Amazon.Com, just make sure they are the real deal--reviews are a great tool to get educated and understand what you are buying

4. If you need to go to a store, I find myself suckered into Perfumania stores; they have frequent promotions that can lead to some really good deals at times. I one bought an awesome brand for under five bucks---they do not carry knockoffs.

5. Skip those no label perfume stores at the mall, I can never find myself shopping there, I am all for small business, but how do I know I am getting the real deal. Packaging can also fool you. You can ask them to show you a recipe/supply invoices form a vendor you know.

6. Try new things; do not be intimidated, you might find good things out there that you was not aware of. If they are not something you like, you can always re-gift.

7. Know your style, and your body chemistry. Skip the spicy perfumes in the summer; they do not help make you seem attractive. Fresh and ocean are incredible in the summer time, save the Spicy kinds for the cold winter.

8. Nothing wrong with buying the small size of something new, until you know it matched your style and persona.

9. I am not a big fan of celebrity endorsed fragrance, they often are similar to something you already have, but the markup thanks for the sexy ads and you know what.

10. Skip the gift sets; they are a bad value, unless you know what you want. Some stores like Ross/TJ Max and Marshall have good deals on those, but even with their discounted price I think Perfumania can beat them

What's You Excuse To Wear Fragrance?

You really do not need any! 


When I first came to America, I was surprised that men don't own much cologne and when you have too many, they might think you are strange. But this is changing now. I know back home, guys love a good scent, and the only thing I could afford there was knock off brands that comes in a cool bottle. Now, I have a great collection and enjoy talking about them too.

The excitement I get each time I spray on a new fragrance is hard to match. It's like walking into a rainbow, a waterfall and spring garden at the same time. Yes, I mean that! It changes your mood and makes you happy in an instant and makes you forget for a quick second about what's bothering you--I am still talking about fragrance here.

I know Roa appreciates my keen sense of fragrance, I pick hers too, she trusts me. Something about my nose and the ability to detect more notes than most can. So to answer my earlier questions, after I take my morning shower, I hit the bottle, at work I have few bottles with me depending on the mood and the setting, I pick one. then at night before I go to bed, I spray on some other scent that I miss. Not to forget the special occasions as well, I am always looking forward to filling my clothes with those pleasant flowery happy scents.

I have reached the point where I git people a lot of fragrance, it's one of those underrated pleasured in life. I know my own mother asks me to send her some new fragrance with anybody who is going back home. She is older now yet still appreciate a good scent and so does my grandfather who likes a good shower and a fresh cologne.