Friday, May 22, 2009

The Hunt for the Perfect Scent.

Whenever I read about famous ladies (artists, actresses, designers etc etc) my ears always perk up when they begin to chat about their “signature scent”. For some reason I find this so utterly glamorous. I’ve never found one single scent that I could commit to forever, but I’m always on the prowl for pretty smelling things.  I should clarify that I don’t like when people are overly doused in something…but that pretty hint of a scent that floats behind someone as they walk past you or leave the room? Pretty fabulous!

There are certain fragrances that I really want to wear: the iconic Chanel No. 5, the Prada perfume (that bottle!) and Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely (love the name, love the bottle, love her).


I think I like these because in my mind they all seem super glammy and chic—but I have to tell ya, in reality they don't smell quite right to me. I think they're almost too sophisticated...I know some ladies who can wear these and on them they are deliciously rich and sexy. But I'm not really the sexy type. I don't mean this to sound self deprecating, it's just not my thang. I want to smell more like this:

Image

I'm more girlie than vampy. I love florals. I love citrus. I love fresh, sunshiney scents. I don't mind a touch of sweetness,
but not too cloying. I like clean, but not soapy or powdery. Since the weather is getting hotter, I thought it would be fun to share
 some of my favorite fragrances. I warn ya, they're all florals, but I promise they're pretty as can be! Let it be known that perfume definitely smells different on everyone. Just because I like it, you might not. My mom wears "Light Blue" by Dolce & Gabana and she smells AMAZING. On me? Meh. Not so much. (Light Blue is a light citrusy scent....really pretty.) 

Like I said, I really would love to wear a rich, sophisticated scent but honestly they end up making me smell like an old lady. And while I am a proponent of dressing like a granny, I’m not a fan of smelling like one. OK, on to my picks!

Ananas Fizz  by L’Artisan Parfumeur


The official site will tell you that this bright scent as “notes of pink grapefruit, bitter orange, lemon rind, rum, rose, Reunion Islands Victoria pineapple, coconut milk, lychee sap, vetiver, and vanilla.” Wow. Lychee sap? Rum? And what exactly is a Reunion Islands Victoria pineapple?? Well all I know is that this fizzy sparkling scent smells fresh and pretty and is perfect for a warm spring or summer day. It's a tad pricey, but the bottle lasts a long time.

Floret by Antonia’s Flowers


This scent is “inspired by the rambling sweet peas of her grandmother’s garden.” I love gardens and I’m prone to rambling so this one’s a no brainer for me. For some reason it’s hard to find (I bought it at Barney's NY), but it smells so super lovely. There is a little touch of pear mixed with the floral—not so much that it’s like a cloying teeny bop perfume, but just enough to give it a pretty sweetness. One of my favorite scents. The lotion is a great way to try it out. I will say that it smells remarkably similar to Benefit’s Maybe Baby and Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. and they are much easier to get a hold of!

 

Pssst—I have to say that Gwen’s perfume is a little odd to me. The bottle is this bad-ass, heavy, almost masculine gold chunk and I was expecting a sexy sensual fragrance, but then it's all flowery. 

Kate Spade


Oh Kate, how I looove this bottle. So elegant and pretty. The scent is primarily “summer honeysuckle”, which of course sounds AMAZING, but I admit at first whiff I wasn't sure I liked it. Then I tried it on and after the dry down (perfume lingo, doncha know) it was very fresh and sweet. This is definitely one that you need to test out. It's a pretty strong floral, so you'll either love it or hate it.

Kai


This beachy little oil smells like gardenias and jasmine and makes me feel like I’m on a tropical island. It’s so clean and pretty. It comes in a wee little roll on, and while it seems flimsy and not as substantial as a proper bottle, the stuff lasts a looong time. I always, always get compliments on this one. It's also the perfect size to carry in your bag for a little quick dab, fresher upper! I think it smells great on pretty much everyone. A fave with celebs. Not like that matters of course. I'm just sayin'.

Marc Jacobs


Aw, this one always makes me feel nostalgic...I wore marc jacobs on my wedding day and the sweet floral smell always takes me back to that lovely magical day in Palm Springs. I remember reading that mr. marc wanted it to smell like a bowl of gardenias floating in water and it really is a nice take on a classic floral. I don't wear it that often, I think because I like that it's a special scent to me. Another one where the lotion is just as lovely.

OK, those are some of my favorite perfumes. What are YOU wearing? Do you have any favorites? Any that you're dying to try? I always love to hear what other people like. C'mon, spill it! 

PS: I’m not really a fan of men’s cologne and while looking for images for this post I found what is quite possibly the worst name ever: Moon Sparkle for Men. Hee.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

8 comments:

  1. I just went to sephora yesterday to look at scents!! and then left overwhelmed. this post is great.

    ReplyDelete
  2. we've spent the last several years weaning ourselves from chemical scents, which makes me sad because.... look at that bottle from gwen! i have to admit she's one of my guilty pleasures. as are rainbows.

    i keep telling myself i'm going to find a blend of essential oils, but have yet to do it.

    these days, i prefer clean, crisp, citrusy scents. even grassy, if that makes sense.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love smelling perfumes at Sephora (even gaggy ones...there's something about spritzing that lil stick that is so fun). I totally get overwhelmed too!

    ms_ Pooka: Good for you my dear! And yes!! I totally love crisp citrusy stuff too (i should amend the post....). I THINK (i'm not certain) that Kai is all essential oils. I'll investigate for ya! One of my favorite oils is pikaki (which is totally a prettty jasmine like floral....).

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've ALWAYS wanted a signature scent, but I've yet to find one. I haven't really looked that hard lately though. Yesterday I smelled some lovely ones at anthropologie.

    ReplyDelete
  5. my all time fave right now is "leaves" by elizabeth W. i picked this up at anthropologie (my fave store ever) in 2004, wore it for my wedding and have been wearing it ever since. i have a few more frenchy perfumes that i got there too that i am too lazy to go and see what they are called. ha!

    i have been through many phases: clinigue happy, sunflowers, all of the calvin kleins, and an interesting giorgio phase in high school.

    i am kind of a perfume whore. it's subsided a bit over the hears but i once had a potential employer tell me i couldn't wear perfume if i worked for him....i didn't take the job.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Caitlin: Oooh Anthropologie....I haven't stopped in there in ages. Must go!
    I actually really love the FRESH brand of perfumes. I've never bought one, but they have such cool names and scents. Hmmm....might be an upcoming post!

    Lishyloo: Leaves by Elizabeth W?? I must smell this now!! I like "All the Kleins". I can't believe you wore Giorgio....you sassy teen!! haha. Awesome. And I applaud your perfume whoring ways!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anything to do with perfume and i am happy, so this is my favourite kind of post :) I wear Angel by Thierry Mugler and have done for over 12 years so it's definitely my signature scent and the one everyone associates with me - unfortunately i can no longer smell it. don't you hate that? you get so used to the scent it disappears! so my new scent obsession that i wear for a change is Black Orchid by Tom Ford. SO sexy. i tend to go for the heavy sex scents ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Susannah: It's funny you mention Angel, it is THE ONE "heavier" scent I can wear and i loooooove it! I actually had it in here but then the post was getting sooo long I thought I'll just leave it at springy florals. i often wear Angel in winter and it's so good (i have to apply sparingly). I'm jealous you can wear the sexy scents!!!

    ReplyDelete