There's no better compliment than being told that you smell fantastic, says editor Trudi Brewer. Here she shares the perfumer's guide to gifting and wearing the perfect fragrance this Valentine's Day.
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The fragrance you choose to wear is very personal. That said, it's not always easy choosing a new scent, let alone suggesting a gift. So to help you better understand how to choose a new perfume. In the fragrance world, perfumes slot into different categories or families. So, to streamline your selection, if you know what type of fragrance you like choosing something new is not only easy but generally very successful.
Here are my favourite families, as well as some classic buys and newbies you can purchase online and in-store under one roof at Life Pharmacy.
Woody
Right now, woody fragrances are bang on-trend. Inspired by the best from Mother Nature, they will transport you to a lush forest on a sunny day. These scents range from pine-inspired to smoky and very sultry edge. Ideal for those carefree, active gals or lovers of the great outdoors.
Tiffany & Love For Her, EDP 90ml, $210
Technically this is a woody floral. However, citrus scent lovers will also be tempted by this scent. It's the ideal burst of freshness you need to start the day, thanks to blue basil - a botanical ingredient developed exclusively for Tiffany. Followed by grapefruit and neroli and the splendid woody concoction of blue sequoia, vetiver and cedarwood. It's one of those scents that grows on you, and once the compliments begin to flow, and they will, you'll be forever in love. There's also a matching men's Tiffany & Love For Him, 90mls $160 - for couples who want it all.
Citrus
One of the most popular scents is citrus. You know it. They are crisp, clean-smelling, super easy to wear. Stacked with, you guessed it, lemon, grapefruit, orange, and bergamot essence. They're insanely refreshing and easy to wear on a hot summer's day. So regardless of the scent you usually prefer, we're making a case that everyone could use a sparkling citrus fragrance in their perfume wardrobe, especially when the heat is on.
Rochas Girl EDT 100ml. $148.
If I were blindfolded, I would put this newbie in the citrus camp, and while it's instantly refreshingly the reason I love it, it also has a honey-like aroma thanks to neroli. The vigour of the black currant bud and pink pepper give it a spicy twist, but once you smell the blend of heady white flowers, including orange blossom and jasmine, it fits the bill as a gentle floral scent too. Finally, balsamic orchid, given a woody edge by sandalwood, cedar with a subtle hint of vanilla makes it universally wearable. One note: This scent joins the new sustainable family of fragrances with a vegan formula, where 90% of ingredients are of natural origin.
Gourmand
The magic of this delicious fragrance famil is its mouth-watering appeal. Also known as floral-orientals, crammed with almost edible ingredients like caramel, crème brûlée, vanilla, chocolate, burnt sugar, and honey. Spiked with fruit, lately blackcurrant and pear, they also have an abundance of white flowers. These scents are indulgent and bold and are suited to a confident woman. I can guarantee that they will stir your appetites while tantalising your nose.
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle EDP 50ml, $186.
For all the fans of this ultra-feminine fragrance, this is the most delicious of all the La Vie Est Belle irritations - and one of the best sellers. I would even go as far as to say it's become a classic. Stacked with chocolate, praline and vanilla, as well as the blend of spring-like jasmine and powdery iris with white musk, make it truly unique. When you wear this fragrance, your scent will light up the room before anyone sees you coming.
“There are no rules for fragrance; other than like wine, a scent will change as it ages - but not in a good way. Store your perfume away from direct sunlight or heat. Also, don’t save scent for special occasions; wear it every day. Wear the fragrance you like that brings you joy. ”
Floral
Unapologetically romantic, perhaps the reason floral fragrances are the most popular. They are flirty and feminine and can range from fresh and light and airy to heady and intense. Many incorporate fruity elements such as plum, peach and melon, which give them a playful edge. But traditionally, floral scents are crammed with pretty flowers.
Issey Miyake A Drop d'Issey 90ml, $199.
The scent of spring bouquet is how this fragrance was described; why? It champions the lilac flower inspired by nature, but with some help from green chemistry. Unfortunately, the smell of fresh lilac (like a blend of gardenia and jasmine) it's not easily extracted from the actual flower. Still, thanks to the creative talents of Spanish perfumer Ane Ayo, enhanced by summery orange blossom, Damask rose, almond milk, and cedarwood's musky warmth with vanilla, it's an olfactory masterpiece. Inspired by a "drop within a drop'', the bottle was designed to lie flat on its side, which makes it ideal for keeping in your handbag.
Fruity
The fruity fragrances of today are abundant with exotic notes like pineapple, peach, mango, cherry, and watermelon. They evoke the feeling of being on a tropical island, sipping a cocktail under the sun. They are sweet but never cloying; they also have a sharp tang when laced with citrus. Sophisticated yet fun-loving, fruity scents are the fastest-growing family of fragrances right now.
BURBERRY HER, 100mi, $189.
Fruity with enough of a musky, floral kick to last on your skin for hours. The mix of crushed red and dark berries, including blackcurrant, blueberry and raspberry with jasmine and violet flowers, gives it a tangy, sweet edge. This fragrance certainly has a floral-fruity vibe with gourmand undertones in a woody, amber base. According to the perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian. "The combination of these sunburst berries and British spirit blended with the ambery musky accord brings this unique signature." It's one of those scents that smells like spring, but it's so good you want to wear it all year.
Spicy
Aromatic fragrances are for the bold, confident woman; they say I am sexy yet sultry. They are often full-bodied with warm, sensual notes like cardamom, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, and the trendy pink pepper. It's the perfume you wear when you want to feel assertive yet mysterious. When paired with warm amber and woody ingredients, they last on the skin for hours. Today's modern spicy scents also feature delicate rose and heady white flowers.
Givenchy L’Interdit Eau de Parfum Rouge, 50ml, $182.
The aphrodisiac qualities and a mouth-watering blend of tangy blood orange and ginger with creamy white florals, including tuberose and jasmine, are hypnotic. The spicy kick is thanks to pimento leaf, which smells like a blend of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, works perfectly with sandalwood, patchouli and mossy vetiver. These contrasting ingredients are both fresh and creamy without being too overpowering. After a few hours of this fragrance settling on your skin, it has a warm, feminine woody finish.
Fresh & Green
Think salty, beachy air while drinking limoncello as the ocean laps at your feet. As the name suggests, aquatic perfumes are fresh with marine notes of coastal sea air, cool rain, and sun-dried, freshly washed sheets. I promise they will transport you to the rainforest after the deepest downpour.
CHLOÈ NATURELLE EAU DE PARFUM, 50ML, $175.
Chloè fragrances are a classic girl's go-to, and this newbie is the epitome of a fresh green scent. Good for your and the planet. The ingredients are of 100 per cent natural origin and use sustainable harvesting practices, now back to how it smells. Organic Bulgarian rose, the main ingredient (rose features in all the Cholè fragrances) with neroli and mimosa, while blackcurrant adds a fruity punch. Those tangy ingredients are balanced perfectly by woody cedar. They sit in pure spring water and naturally-derived alcohol, and this scent has no filters and artificial colouring. Finally, the sunray pleated bottle that has made Chloè fragrance famous is recycled glass packaged in a recycled cardboard box. - I told you it was all good.
Another designer expression of loving our true selves.