Is there any better gift to receive than a fragrance? A ticket to the Seychelles may surpass that but in current times, there is no better present than fragrance. The power of our sense of smell is undeniable, as a scent can evoke fond memories or become one we associate with a loved one. Fragrance is something we gift to those we cherish most.
Fragrance makes an impact and leaves a lasting impression, so selecting the right one for someone is essential. We all have different tastes and fragrance is susceptive. Some people have one signature scent, a fragrance which they are known for and take pride in. Others have a fragrance wardrobe in which they select their fragrance according to location, mood, and event. If your loved one falls into the signature scent category then it is best to stick with what they love. However, if they fall into the fragrance wardrobe category it is a little more difficult.
Luckily, our beauty writer Vanessa, is fragrance obsessed and has put her nose to the test to compile a round up of the best ten fragrances to gift this Christmas. Covering women’s, men’s, unisex, entry level, niche and luxury, this guide is sure to have your loved ones smelling divine and thinking of you over the festive season.
Before we get to the good stuff, below are some tips to keep in mind when buying a fragrance for someone:
– If possible check their dressing table or ask them what fragrances they love. Then use a site like Fragrantica to discover the notes of the fragrance and find ones similar.
– Don’t blind buy; smell in-stores if possible or look to the online fragrance community for honest advice and reviews.
– Keep in mind that fragrance changes on the skin. Also take note of the longevity and the projection of the fragrance.
– Don’t assume that the more expensive a fragrance is better or will last longer.
– Buy the biggest size (usually 100ml) where possible as this is the best value for money.
– Remember that fragrance is susceptive so what you like and what someone else likes could be polar opposites.
Women’s
Cartier: Carat
A Cartier red box is something most of us have in our wildest dreams, yet this fragrance comes in one. Created by Cartier’s in-house perfumer, Mathilde Laurent, Carat by Cartier is just as beautiful and elegant as the brands jewellery. Fresh flowers that when combined create almost a new flower; bergamot, honeysuckle, ylang-ylang, tulips, lily, violet and mimosa, make this fragrance fresh and feminine, yet ever so slightly slightly seductive. All packaged in a crystal bottle that shines as bright as Cartier diamonds.
Shalini Parfum: Jardin Nocturne
Shalini Kumar creates her fragrances with master perfumer Maurice Roucel and creates fragrances that fall into a category of Haute Perfumerie. With an array of beautiful formulations, Shalini Parfum is a brand that provides the highest quality ingredients in their perfume oils. Jardin Nocturne was inspired by a discreet garden filled with waterfalls, fountains, where lovers meet under the stars surrounded by night-blooming flowers. A sensual fragrance that combines saffron and oud, yet it is the Jasmine blossom oil that shines through in this opulent perfume.
Tom Ford: Soleil Neige
The Tom Ford Private Blends collection is well renowned and with good reason. The Soleil fragrances are often reminiscent of sunshine days that have you dreaming of beach days and poolside cocktails. Yet Soleil Neige mimics the serene shimmer of the sun on snow; an Oriental Floral fragrance that opens with bergamot, has a heart of ivy, rose petals, jasmine, orange flower and Turkish rose. The dry down is however, where the magic happens; labdanum, benzoin, and vanilla create a comforting, seductive and slightly addictive fragrance.
Sana Jardin: Jaipur Chant
A brand that creates socially conscious and luxurious fragrances, Sana Jardin has an array of wonderful fragrances to choose from. The brand has a focus on producing clean and sustainable perfume that is cruelty free. The fragrance of choice for this gift guide is Jaipur Chant, an exquisite scent that is sure to leave you wanting a bottle yourself. Based around the use of the essential oil of the tuberose flower, the scent is enhanced with Moroccan jasmine, Italian lemon, making for an arrestingly beautiful and feminine bouquet, that is somehow both sparkling and sensual.
Men’s
Acqua di Parma: Colonia
A quintessential Italian fragrance that is iconic to Acqua di Parma. Colonia is fresh, light and mass appealing whilst somehow still being refined and luxurious. A truly timeless scent crafted from citrus fruits from Sicily; lemon, sweet orange and Calabrian bergamot combined with a heart of lavender, damask rose with a base of vetiver, sandalwood, and patchouli. An eau de cologne that withstands long days, projects well and brightens up any winter day. Presented in the Italian way, a simple yet luxurious flacon.
Carolina Herrera: Gold Incense
As part of the Carolina Herrera, Confidential Collection, the olfactive structure of Gold Incense is elegant and powerful yet refined. Evoking the incense of the Middle East, the Boswellia Sacra Incense accord merges with Atlas Cedarwood and labdanum creating an intense and long-lasting bae. Marigold, uplifts the fragrance and Madagascar Vanilla brings a sensuality to this luxury creation. Presented in an opulent gold bottle and adorned with a black and gold plaque, this fragrance is sure to turn heads, whether it is being worn or on a vanity cabinet.
Gentleman Givenchy
Gentleman by Givenchy is a failsafe to gift a man for Christmas. A woody aromatic fragrance created by Olivier Cresp and Nathalie Lorson. Described as a mixture of power and sweetness the fragrance opens with pear and cardamom, has a hear of iris and lavender and has a base of patchouli, black vanilla and a leather accord. The fragrance is a modern interpretation of the classic Gentleman, it proves how a man can be both strong and gentle; this is also represented in the heavy weight glass bottle.
Frederic Malle: L’eau d’hiver
L’eau d’Hiver by Frederic Malle was created as a fragrant sketch of winter by Jean-Claude Ellena. White heliotrope mixes with citrus notes, powdery iris and the sweetness of honey to create a powdery clean, cool fragrance. L’eau d’Hiver pushes the understated, minimalist style of the brand and crafts a pure and comforting creation. A complex fragrance with top notes of pink pepper, bergamot, lemon and grapefruit, lead way to heart notes of orange blossom, heliotrope, jasmine, rose, violet, ylang-ylang before entering a base of amber, benzoin, cedar, musk and sandalwood.
Unisex
Diptyque: Electric Diffuser
Not exactly a fragrance but one for fragrance lovers or Diptyque fans. Scenting your home is just as important as scenting yourself, as it can uplift your mood and promote relaxation, so this Electric Diffusor Plug uses contemporary, technology to diffuse the brand’s signature scents. Adorned with a gold pattern, just plug the socket in, add your choice of scented cartridge which is sold separately and enjoy the wonders of Diptyque. The diffuser emits your chosen scent throughout the day. The only problem is narrowing down which scent cartridge you would like to use, we recommend the brands best-seller; Baies.
Gucci Memoire d’une odeur
With Harry Styles as the face, Alessandro Michele the creative mind and Alberto Morillas as the perfumer behiind this fragrance it is no surprise its a success. A fragrance with top notes of chamomile and bitter almond, middle notes of musk and Indian jasmine along with base notes of sandalwood, cedar and vanilla. Alessandro’s olfactory vision of evoking memory fragments and emotions comes to life in this universal scent. It has been described as a mineral aromatic fragrance due to its unexpected elements.
Comments are closed.