For unforgettable memories that last forever.
It's the New Year, so if you haven't had time to pamper and splurge on yourself, now is the time! Life is all about happiness, laughter, relaxation, unplugging, traveling, enjoying all the beautiful seasons with family, friends, loved ones — and perhaps a little magical romance.
Women are emotional, passionate, sensitive -- and the right for everyone's individual body chemistry can help magnify that special feeling. Below are some top fragrances to explore. Go ahead, lose yourself, and take a break from reality to make your dreams come true. Fragrances help prolong those sentimental and unforgettable memories, because they never fade and will always be with you in your heart, mind and soul.
Below are some of the most iconic fragrances of all time that will expand one's imagination, and transport you to an unforgettable experience.
Alexander McQueen’s fragrance collection launched over the fall under Creative Director, Sarah Burton. McQueen Parfum and Eau de Parfum were inspired by haute perfumerie and made from the essence of three night blooming flowers. These two amazing fragrances by Alexander McQueen, available at Saks Fifth Avenue are for that special kind of woman who is luminous by day and seductive by night.
- McQueen Parfum is for the woman who “blooms in the dark,” as it is created around three seductive night blooming flowers: Jasmine Sambac, Tuberose and Ylang Ylang. Additional notes are clove, pink, black pepper and vetiver. For those who desire a fragrance that exudes mystery, romance and seduction, this is a must-try.
- McQueen Eau de Parfum offers a unique scent that’s also derived from the precious essence of three night blooming flowers: Sambac Jasmine, Tuberose and Ylang Ylang. It’s a more delicate and more powdery version of McQueen Parfum. A little bit goes a long way, as its longevity will linger throughout the day. It smells so lovely, delicate, sweet and perfectly linters on the skin all day long. It is sexy and soft — not overpowering at all.
Charlotte Tilbury Secret of a Dream is a one-of-a-kind floral chypre perfume harmony that ignites a mind-altering fleurotic frequency. It’s alluring, beautiful, enchanting, feminine, intoxicating, mysterious, sexy, sophisticated, spicy — all that a woman can be. Top notes of this alluring fragrance by Charlotte Tilbury features a blend of top notes such as lemon, peach, black pepper, fleurotic heart notes of jasmine, frankincense, tuberose and violet, plus psychoactive pheromone base notes of fire tree, Iso E Super, patchouli and ambroxan. This is a wonderful summer fragrance because it attracts love, light, power and positivity. The fresh, and confidence-boosting top notes develop over 15 minutes. The intoxicating floral extracts in the heart trigger desire and resonate over five hours, and the pheromone notes in the base are activated by body heat and last up to nine hours, which is wonderful for a romantic summer night because it’s not over powering.
Emozione Eau de Parfum by Salvatore Ferragamo is incredibly feminine. This floral fragrance with woody undertones is for the woman who is classic, contemporary, elegant, emotional, passionate, sexy and stylish. The delicate powdery opening which makes it a clean, feminine, musky and soft — a wonderful scent for a sensual woman who sometimes may feel a bit vulnerable. Emozione Eau de Parfum is so beautiful, that it may even make you fall in love all over again. Give it a try and spray it on a scarf — it is simply mesmerizing!
GUCCI GUILTY for him and for her is the one and only lovers’ fragrance! It’s available exclusively at Sephora and Macy’s. GUCCI GUILTY has a liberated and sexy vision. It’s for those who are in their sexual prime. This perfect for lovers who are free like a bird with no care in the world. Creative Director Alessandro Michele celebrates individuality, the allure of the undefined and emancipated sexuality. The GUCCI GUILTY campaign was shot in Venice, Italy, by Director and photographer Glen Luchford. It was filmed as a set of flashbacks, that builds sensual intrigue, showing the before and after of an intimate experience shared by Jared Leto with models Julia Hafstrom and Vera Van Erp. The trio explore each other and their surroundings in a liberated expression of sexuality. The campaign’s powerful statement: #GuiltyNotGuilty says it all in its liberating reveal of sexuality, that’s free of expectations and rules. Per Alessandro Michele, “I just want people to feel free. If you walk along the street, in any city or metropolis of the world, you realize there’s a kind of marvelous anarchy that characterizes youth, but also people of all ages.” Check out the super sexy campaign video here! Seeing Jared Leto (who won an Oscar for playing a female character) roaming Venice with two pretty female lovers explains what the brand articulates about beauty — that it is shifting without gender and sensuality born from unexpected places.
Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs - Jardin Secret is a must try for all those who desire a feminine, luxurious, uplifting fragrance. It is for the woman who is young at heart, as this is a modern take on a classic fragrance. Houbigant Paris was founded in 1775 by Jean-Francois Houbigant. The legendary French perfume house, Houbigant Paris, has captivated connoisseurs for over four centuries with a line of luxury fragrances and groundbreaking discoveries in the formulation of perfumes. Continuing to innovate, Houbigant perfumes are made using a combination of traditional and elaborate techniques to ensure the finest quality. For those who desire to experience an amazing parfum, Houbigant Paris is making the refined new again by revisiting their iconic scent, Quelques Fleurs. The new Quelques Fleurs Jardin Secret is Houbigant’s scent-interpretation of the Secret Garden. It was created by one of the world’s most promising Italian noses, Luca Maffei and Elisabetta Perris, creative director of Houbigant. The hypnotic and rich floral scent with citrus blends, is surrounded by sleek wood notes, and captured in a stunning bottle design. For all those who love white florals, you will be very impressed with this uplifting, feminine, woody floral scent that lasts a long, long time. Try it during the winter, because it's like spring in a bottle and will cheer you up, no matter how cold and grey it can be during the winter season.
L’eau d’Issey Pure Eau de Parfum by Issey Miyake, available at Sephora, is like that of delicate flowers a drop of water. Think beautiful, innocent, pure and simple, as this fragrance is reminiscent of cool, crystal clear waters of the ocean and water drops floating gracefully on a radiant bouquet of feminine flowers. It complements one’s skin and aura, so it smells different on everyone. This fragrance is natural, elegant, and feminine. The notes are: Maratima, Ambergris, Lily of the Valley, Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Damask Rose, Cashmeran.
L’Officine Universelle Buly, which was originally founded in the late 18th century, offers luxe unisex beauty and fragrances and home products, created from the most innovative cosmetic techniques. Its products are made with all natural ingredients sourced directly from purveyors all over the globe, with formulations deeply influenced by ancient recipes. The brand was recently re-born in Paris under the direction of husband and wife, Ramdane Touhami and Victoire de Taillac Touhami. They expanded the company — Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo, and they opened its first U.S. shop recently over the spring in Bergdorf Goodman, on Fifth Avenue, NYC. For those who want to go back in time to experience the original Art Deco Building, you must visit it at Bergdorf Goodman’s beauty level, which was designed to look like 1920’s vintage. There’s even an authentic Buly poster advertisement from the Art Deco period, which Ramdane and Victoire de Taillac Touhami founded at an antique market in Barcelona!
- L’Officine Universelle Buly Triple Water based fragrances are very unique indeed, and is just perfect for the hot summer weather. It’s very personal and sentimental, in that it will adjust to each individual person’s specific body chemistry. What’s amazing about it is that it doesn’t stain your clothing so go ahead and put some under your arms, wear it when you’re wearing your whitest whites or your very special wedding gown. L’Officine Universelle Buly has invented the first water-based perfume for the skin, that also balances with each one’s skin, allowing one to express him or herself authentically and naturally.
Phlur is a conscientious brand that offers cruelty free, vegan perfume and works very closely to ensure that its products are ecological. Founder, Eric Korman has more than two decades of experience working for some of the world’s best consumer brands. Phlur, a play on the French flower “fleur” and pH level of skin, creates sustainable fragrances that help change everyday precious moments into the most special memories. Two of my favorite unisex fragrances for summer by Phlur are:
- Hepcat is a definitely a fragrance for fierce individuals to try, as it’s powerful and strong, thanks to its woody, leathery scent, fun and modern vibe. Additional notes are vetiver, oud, and tobacco. This certainly is not the fragrance for you if you like smelling girly, but there’s no shortage on the sex appeal you’ll exude when wearing this. A little bit goes a long way, as it will last all day or all night long.
- Olmsted & Vaux is very versatile is charming, mysterious, strong and very impressionable. This amazing scent is great for summer, thanks to its dewy, citrusy, fresh, woody. This perfume was inspired by a morning walk through Central Park, and named after the Park’s architects. It’s definitely a must fragrance to try, especially to remember a romantic stroll through the park, or an unforgettable trip to NYC.
POP by Stella McCartney, available at Sephora, was inspired by female friendship and independence. POP is a modern scent for the modern woman. The fragrance opens with initial notes of tomato leaves, violet leaves, and green mandarin. Heart notes of violet, tuberose, and plumeria and lasting notes of sandalwood, cedarwood, and musks add to the impression. This is a bold, authentic, fun and irreverent fragrance. It creates an authentic circle where women can inspire, create, and be themselves while not fearing social norms or losing sophistication. It is the perfect scent for empowered young women. This has a very nice fresh floral scent, that’s ideal for summer. The warmth of sandalwood and cedar will make this fragrance last through fall. Also, the sandalwood and tuberose notes were extracted using bio-mimicry, thus saving thousands of trees and flowers — which makes this brand and fragrance very environmentally and socially responsible.
Ralph Lauren Fragrances Collection is the ideal fragrance for the passionate world traveler. The collection consists of unisex fragrances centered around the pleasures of travel. My favorites from the collection are: Legacy of English Elegance, Portrait of New York, Riviera Dream, Song of America and Treasures of Safari. Pair the fragrance with kidskin leather sleeves made in Italy, by Ralph Lauren, body cream, candles and travel diffuser, for the most decadent, luxurious and unforgettable travel experience ever!
- Legacy of English Elegance: i) Rose: “Exquisite and full-bodied Damascena Rose is enhanced with fruity Black Currant accord and subtle Patchouli to create a classically feminine scent that balances fresh green notes with warm honey wood accents, reminiscent of a lush London garden.” ii) White Tea: “Leafy and subtle woody notes of Maté leaves open the smooth White Tea accord. Fruity Apricot and the floral texture of Osmanthus add graceful accents to the aroma of tea leaves for this delicate blend that honors a grand tradition of high tea in the English countryside.
- Portrait of New York: i) Vetiver: “A rich fragrance of pure distinction, the smoky woodiness of the finest Haitian Vetiver is enhanced with contrasting fresh Green Cardamom and fiery Black Pepper, capturing the enchantment of a New York City soirée. ii) White Lily: “A dramatic bouquet inspired by the grandeur of Ralph Lauren’s Madison Avenue Mansion, featuring captivating White Casablanca Lily, a voluptuous white floral with hints of peach, nuanced with creamy Madagascar Vanilla and spicy Pink Pepper.”
- Riviera Dream: i) Lime: “The freshest essence of Lime is masterfully captured and nuanced with aromatic Lavandin, vivid Bergamot and Cedrat for an invigorating fragrance that conjures the pristine brightness of a coastal retreat.” ii) Orange Flower: “The purity of Orange Flower blossom is captured in the freshest way. A luminous fragrance that carries the elegance of a garden party, featuring a sparkling blend of delicate Orange Flower bloom with Neroli and accented with juicy Mandarin and warm amber woods.”
- Song of America: i) Sage: “Rugged yet refined, Sage possesses a rare balance of green, aromatic and chocolate notes. This spirited blend of herbaceous Sage, fruity Green Fig accord and earthy ambery Fir Balsam is inspired by the majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountains.” ii) Magnolia: “The rare bloom of Magnolia offers a brightness and velvety floral texture. The fragrance opens with bright Lemon and finishes with woody Patchouli, translating the warm brilliance of an early spring sunrise into a fragrance of casual grace.”
- Treasures of Safari: i) Amber: “One of the most treasured accords in perfumery, precious Amber accord is textured with dark Bourbon Vanilla, rich Labdanum resin and enveloping Benzoin to create a warm and velvety fragrance, painting a vision of a sunset over the Sahara.” ii) Oud: “Oud, one of the world’s most precious oils, is masterfully blended with smoky Guaiac Wood, smoldering incense and earthy Cedarwood to create an exciting, exotic scent with the spirit of the African Savannah.”
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Twist and Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum has a refreshing new twist! Recently this summer, Viktor&Rolf continued to push boundaries by inventing something that will make Flowerbomb last longer in an interesting way. They combined the freshness from the iconic floral bouquet at the heart of their original fragrance and reintroduced a timeless ritual — layer oils as a luxurious base to be complemented by Flowerbomb eau de Parfum. When blending Flowerbomb Twist and Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum, one creates a personalized ritual, creating a deeply impactful and memorable trail that will be sure to make your summer last throughout the year. I especially love the Rose Twist for a romantic summer morning stroll on the beach, and the Must Twist for a hot steamy summer night. The Jasmine Twist makes me feel bubbly, even after a long hard work day. There’s three sexy new twists for your every mood:
- Rose Twist evokes feelings of elegance and femininity. The ultimate queen of perfumery, the rose, brings out your inner goddess.
- Musk Twist inspires sensuality and desire, as it entices with the enveloping sensuality of musk. It’s understated yet alluringly powerful.
- Jasmine Twist brings you into a moment of happiness, as it illuminates and uplifts to turn your dreams into reality.
VITRUVI is a modern day aromatherapy brand that helps support women’s cooperatives in India and Kenya. It sources premium essential oil products from 30 plus countries and formulate them in contemporary ways for your daily rituals. From waking up to working out and getting ready to bed, VITRUVI helps you create your ideal summer fragrance. They design products that help you weave the science and benefit of scent throughout your day. VITRUVI experiments with rare oils such as peru balsam, rose absolute, neroli, myrtle, and cyprus as well as and resins that brings out unique aromas that you are likely not to experience anywhere else in the world. They also take pride to ensure the stability and longevity of each blend is monitored. The oils are gathered in small batches and bottled in chic environmentally friendly packaging. I especially love picking flowers, going to the beach, pool, picnics with friends, our kids and pets and going on vacations during the summer. However, the hot summer weather comes with unfriendly insects. Here are some essential oils that naturally repel insects:
- Mosquitoes: citronella, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, basil, clove, thyme, lemongrass, geranium, and lavender
- Fleas: cedarwood, citronella, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemongrass, lavender, orange, and pine
- Ticks: rose geranium, juniper, rosewood, thyme, grapefruit, and oregano.
I especially love lavender oil, because it smells clean, fresh, calming and very calming. Here’s an easy DIY on how to make your own lavender spray to use as a natural air freshener or to keep away mosquitoes:
- Add about 30 drops of your lavender essential oil to 1.5 to 2 ounces of distilled water in a clean spray bottle. For a stronger scent, add approximately 6-12 more drops.
- Spray as desired to keep away bugs and mosquitoes.
Wildfox Eau de Parfum is a Nordstrom exclusive. This must have fragrance of the summer was created by Wildfox Couture, the high-end, vintage inspired women’s knitwear designer brand. Wildfox fragrance is great for a woman who is appreciates luxury and who is also young at heart. This scent is inspired by the free spirited woman who dances to her own beat. The parfum exudes an unexpected note of absinthe and nods to the nostalgia of its LA roots with notes of incense and jasmine blooms reminiscent of LA in the spring and summer. This fragrance is so easy to love, as it’s light, modern, playful, youthful and sweet. It’s wonderful for year round, but it’s the best in the summer and fall. Top Notes are absinthe mist, apricot blush, incese. Mid Notes are jasmine essence, dewy honeysuckle, white camellia. Base notes are ambrox, musk, honey.
YSL Mon Paris is a sparkling fragrance inspired by Paris, the city of intense love! It’s for someone who is passionate, sensual and sophisticated. The scent makes one so happy — give it a try on a blue Monday at work. You’ll be so perky that it will feel like a Friday! A little bit goes a long way. This fragrance starts out rather sweet, and develops into a deeper, warmer smell which is ideal to wear during the day, and going on a romantic date in the evening. Red berries and pear immediately exude femininity and sensuality. The exotic white datura flower, the soul of the fragrance, embodies desire and seduces the senses. This modern and daring floral scent is balanced by creamy white musks and patchouli. The experience is a passionate and unforgettable whirlwind journey to Paris. Available at YSLbeautyus.com, department stores and retail boutiques such as: Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Sephora, Ulta Beauty.
