Hands down, the best compliment you can receive on a casual day or a special night out is that you smell great. I love experimenting with different scents, so if you’re looking for the perfect perfume to wear this Valentine’s Day, look no further because I have constructed the perfect perfume guide that’s accommodating to all preferences.
Deciding Which Scent Works for You
Often times, scents are described as fresh, floral, oriental (now changed to amber due to impropriety), and woody but for the average person, what does this mean? These descriptive terms are used to group together multiple different kinds of scents based on its essence. Fresh notes are a group of scents that typically smell more citrusy, earth-like, and very crisp. Woody scents are warmer and more mysterious in nature where cedarwood, sandalwood, and amber are often used. Floral scents tend to smell like fresh flowers, fruity, or powder-like with common notes being rose and jasmine. Amber scents are the ones that’ll feel more luxurious where it’s both sweet and warm. Some common notes used in this group are vanilla and cinnamon. It’s important to note that not everyone prefers the same type of scents therefore it’s important to choose one that you like and are comfortable with. For a more detailed look, you can view the popularly used fragrance wheel.
Fresh Scents
Maison Marigiela’s ‘REPLICA’ Under the Lemon Trees: This spray is a fresh citrus and fruity scent which has key notes of calamansi accord, coriander, and musk. Moreover, this unisex and award-winning scent was designed to remind consumers of the southern Italian countryside.
Elizabeth Arden’s Green Tea Scent Spray: This green tea inspired spray has an amazingly fresh scent. The top notes consist of bergamot, caraway, lemon, and orange zest, the middle notes consist of green tea, peppermint, jasmine, and fennel, and the base notes include amber, oakmoss, and musk. For those that prefer fresh scents, this one is for you.
Floral Scents
Gucci’s Flora Gorgeous Gardenia: This beautiful perfume is inspired by Miley Cyrus’ Rockstar personality. It comprises key notes of pear, white gardenia and brown sugar. This unique combination makes this the perfect floral scent with a hint of sweetness.
Dolce and Gabbana’s The Only One: Although this perfume is expensive, it’s a classic favourite for many. The key notes for this scent include citrus, violet, and coffee. The violet makes it floral and fresh while the seductive coffee scent mixed with a vanilla and patchouli base creates the perfect floral scent with a balanced combination of warm and sweet.
Charlotte Tilbury’s Scent of a Dream: This perfume was created to be a unique floral experience with top notes of lemon, peach, and black pepper. It also consists of jasmine, frankincense, tuberose and violet and a base of fire tree, patchouli, ambroxan, amber, musk and many more unique ingredients.
Amber Scents
Yves Saint Laurent’s Opium: This classy and elegant perfume is a woody and spicy scent with a touch of floral. It holds woody notes of cedarwood and sandalwood with tangerine, plum, lily, rose and cloves. Many consumers of this scent describe it as enchanting and mysterious.
Kilian’s Love, Don’t Be Shy: This beautiful perfume originally came out in 2007 but it continues to be a favourite for many, including Rihanna. The warm floral scent consists of an amber base with a soft combination of orange blossom, rose, honeysuckle, and marshmallow sugar accord making it the perfect Valentine’s Day perfume.
Woody Scents
Dossier’s Woody Sandalwood: This spray is a favourite for its wonderful scent and the brands vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free nature. The key notes include musk, sandalwood, and amber with top notes of violet leaves and cardamom. This spray also happens to be a dupe to Santal 33, another fan favourite.
Maison Marigela’s ‘REPLICA’ By the Fireplace: This is a soft, warm, and spicy scent that consists of vanilla combined with chestnut, clove oil, and orange flower. This spray is also known to be long lasting.
Combination Scents
Mademoiselle by Coco Chanel: This scent is a perfect mix between floral and woody and a classic Chanel perfume. The creators describe this scent as a composition reflecting the young and fierce Coco Chanel. This beautiful perfume holds a base of patchouli and vetiver with jasmine, rose, and orange notes. This is my all-time favourite perfume and has become my staple scent.
Gucci’s Mémoire d’une Odeur: This gorgeous unisex perfume has an earthy and woody scent that smells heavenly. Its key notes include Roman chamomile, coral jasmine, and vanilla with just the perfect balance of warm sandalwood and cedarwood. It’s the perfect perfume for those that prefer a timeless scent.
Ultimately, Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love. While you should try new scents and styles, remember to choose what you’re most comfortable with and what compliments who you are.