Of all of my vices, fragrances are my favorite long-standing favorites, excluding clothing of course. With colognes and perfumes, it’s hard not to get addicted. Two of the best things about collecting fragrances are you can change it every day according to the way you feel, and no matter what time of year it is or whatever your body changes into, they always fit. Many colognes and perfumes may be quite pricy, but it’s worth it considering how much use one gets out of it. Over the past year I have stumbled over several fantastic fragrances. Below I describe just a few of my new favorite, both for men (homme) and women (femme).
With fragrances, every detail of the scent and appearance is well thought out- any “Top Model” fan would know that. Fragrances are described in four ways: their “family,” top notes (what you smell first), middle or heart notes (what you smell after the initial scent dissipates), and bottom or base note (the long-lasting, all day scent). For each sex, you may notice many of the same ingredients, but don’t immediately judge a fragrance by its contents; you will find yourself pleasantly surprised by the way things mix and match within each aroma.
The next time you go to the perfume counter at a department store or botique, undoubtedly to check out the above mentioned fragrances, here are a few tips to get the most out of your experience:
First, if possible, spray the fragrance on your hand. You will get a better idea of what it will smell like on you because you are not a piece of cardstock and thus will smell completely different than one.
Second, allow it to rest on your hand for a bit so you can take time to learn about each of its notes (also listen to the sales person, they know what they are talking about).
Third, waft your hand, or the card, at least six or so inches from your face; holding it to your nose gives you the overwhelming smell of the main ingredient in most fragrances: alcohol.
Fourth, do not smell coffee beans after each fragrance, no matter what anyone tells you – it does not clear your nose, it short-circuits your nose and will ruin any subsequent fragrances. When you do need to clear your nose, breathe through a tissue for a moment; it is the best way to filter out any remnants of previous smells.
Lastly, and possibly most importantly, choose which fragrances you smell. You should smell only three or four fragrances per session; after that you begin to lose your ability to differentiate between them and will be in no position to make an educated decision about your purchase.
Lalique Le Parfum (femme)
Family: “Modern Oriental”Top: bergamont, bay leaves and bell peppersHeart: jasmine and heliotropeBase: vanilla, patchouli and tonka bean
Available exclusively at Neiman Marcus.
My rating: 4.5 stars
Lalique Encre Noire (homme)
Family: “Fresh Woody”Top: vetiverMiddle: vetiver bourbon and veitver HaitiBase: cashmere wood and musk
Available exclusively at Neiman Marcus
My rating: 4 stars
F by Ferragamo (homme)
Family: “Crisp Woodsy”Top: lavender and appleMiddle: black pepperBase: labanum
Available exclusively at Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques and Bloomingdales New York.
My rating: 5 stars
Belle en Rykiel (femme)
Family: “Aromatic Oriental”Top: mandarin orange, redcurrant lavenderHeart: incense, heliotrope and coffee flowerBase: patchouli, amber, mahogany wood and vanilla
Available exclusively at Nordstrom.
My rating: 4 stars
