This season, tag-team with Santa on the “nice” list by buying her holiday gifts in one fell swoop with our handy dandy, fragrance shopping guide. We promise it’ll be the easiest and best way you’ve ever said I love you to all of the women in your life. Get ready to read this, press print and head to the stores.
If she likes pretty, floral scents…
Like a freshly cut bouquet, flowery perfumes are also considered to be a symbol of love and romance. From Chloe Fleur de Parfum’s (50 ml for $122 and 75 ml for $154, available at the Hudson’s Bay) sparkling composition and Gucci Bamboo Eau de Toilette’s (50 ml for $109 and 75 ml for $136, available at Holt Renfrew) confident blend to Issey Miyake L’Eau D’Issey Pure’s (47 ml for $125 and 88 ml for $153, available at Nordstrom) aquatic inspiration and NEST Dahlia & Vines’ (50 ml for $78 and 100 ml for $160, available at Sephora) garden-fresh scent, there’s a floral incarnation for every heartfelt sentiment you want to share.
If she prefers a dash of spice…
Renowned for their warmth and sensuality, spicy oriental fragrances, as they’re also called, come in a myriad of flavour-like scents and are ideal for fiery, passionate and fearless personalities. Luxurious Dolce & Gabbana The One Essence (65 ml for $136, available at the Hudson’s Bay)) is replete with glowing amber. Intoxicating Paco Rabanne Lady Million Privé (50 ml for $98, available at the Hudson’s Bay) oozes with sweet honey. Sophisticated Salvatore Ferragamo Signorina Misteriosa (50 ml for $123 and 100 ml for $155, available at Nordstrom) boasts black vanilla mousse, while luminous Marc Jacobs Divine Decadence (30 ml for $84, 50 ml for $115 and 100 ml for $140, available at Sephora) is sprinkled in saffron.
If sweet and fruity are her vibe…
Fresh and invigorating, these eaus are juicy and overflowing in sweet, tart and very- pleasant-to-wear fruity notes. The velvety peach adds a ripe, sweet flavour to Hugo Boss Boss The Scent (50 ml for $120, available exclusively at Hugo Boss boutiques). The floral side of saffron adds a sugared gourmand touch to L’Occitane Arlésienne (75 ml for $75, available at L’Occitane stores), while sour red currants and succulent raspberries add drama to Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge (30 ml for $72 ml and 100 ml for $130, available at the Hudson’s Bay).
If intimate, musky scents are her style…
Soft, skin-like almost transparent perfumes range between being barely there and an intense elegance—all with a hint of seductive musk. From Alaia Eau de Parfum Blanche’s (50 ml for $122 and 100 ml $162, available at the Hudson’s Bay) milky infusion of powder and solar notes and Narciso Rodriguez Eau de Parfum Poudrée’s (50 ml for $138 and 88 ml for $162, available at Nordstrom) delicate, earthy sense to Charlotte Tilbury Scent of a Dream’s (30 ml for $85 and 50 ml for $119, available at Holt Renfrew) use of woods and flowers and Calvin Klein Deep Euphoria’s (50 ml for $92 and 100 ml for $119 at the Hudson’s Bay) aquatic, floral musk sensation.
