Considering today is National Fragrance Day, what better time to discuss what types of scents you should own in your personal fragrance wardrobe? Scent expert Kim Berg of Drom Fragrances gave us a rundown on the kinds of notes and scents that are most appropriate whether you're heading into the office or going out on a date. Click through to see her matchups.
Not sure if you've noticed, but the beauty industry is brimming with some of the most successful (and übertalented) women. And they've done a lot to make us look beautiful, from inventing the first at-home hair-coloring system to concocting arguably the most iconic fragrance in the world. In honor of Women's History Month, flip through and pay your respects to just a few of the women who built up the beauty industry.
There are many elements to attraction, but smell is an important sense that plays a major role between two people. We spoke with Dr. Stephen Snyder, a psychiatrist who specializes in relationships, and he gave us an interesting look at how nature, scent, and perfume all work together with the laws of attraction.
Dita Von Teese is a woman who clearly knows what she likes. She's perfected her signature vintage look for over 20 years, so when it came to developing her own fragrances, dubbed Dita Von Teese ($25-$75) and Rouge ($20-$50), Dita knew exactly what she wanted. "I believe perfume is a vital stepping stone to glamour, so I wanted to create a perfume that has a high level of sophistication and is a kind of perfume that maybe one of my idols like Rita Hayworth or Marlene Dietrich would have worn," she says. Her collection of fragrances and Von Follies lingerie hits HSN April 23, and the 40-year-old burlesque star tells us everything from her skin care secrets to looking good in lingerie.
Fragrant oils have long been used throughout history, but leave it to the French to transform the art of perfumery into what it is today. From many raw materials being grown in the fields of Grasse to Coco Chanel's first-ever fragrance, French perfumes have made their mark in pop culture. In tribute to Paris Fashion Week, we're taking a look back at vintage perfume ads of some of the most iconic French fragrances.
When it comes to selling a fragrance, models are often frolicking through fields or seducing men, but Sofia Coppola created the perfect balance of sweet, fun, and sexy for Natalie Portman and Miss Dior. The playful film features Natalie in gorgeous Dior dresses and accessories and feminine makeup, all to the soundtrack of Grace Jones singing "La Vie en Rose." Now if only we could score that wardrobe every time we spritzed on Miss Dior.
Gourmand lovers, take note: Jo Malone London is out to satisfy your love of sweets with its newest limited-edition lineup. The Sugar & Spice collection features five new colognes ($60 each) inspired by delectable British treats. Plus, the bottles have been packaged with a little extra color to add a little whimsy to that iconic Jo Malone style. So grab a spot of tea, and take a closer look.
Juicy Couture's latest fragrance, Couture La La ($90), captures the modern Juicy girl with a new take on the original scent. The latest bottle design is reminiscent of the classic flacon with a striking update: a neon-pink ribbon and punk-inspired charm detail. The feminine scent is a blend of fruity notes like mandarin and red currant mixed with peony and violet florals anchored with soft musks and woody notes. Plus, with Karlie Kloss as the face of the new scent, we're sure the edgy floral will breathe new life into the brand's established fragrance line.
The Chloé fragrance franchise has been on the rise ever since it relaunched the namesake scent back in 2008. Coty, the fragrance house responsible for the brand's recent scents, is finally introducing an eau de parfum for the See by Chloé branch, according to WWD.
The new fragrance, featuring notes of apple blossom accord, jasmine, vanilla, and sandalwood, is influenced by the fun, youthful vibe of the See by Chloé apparel and accessories, and the radiant bottle is inspired by the shape of a birdcage. Available in three different eau de parfum sizes ($58-$98), there will also be complementing body lotion ($45) and a shower gel ($40) within the line. Described as "mischievous" with a "rock 'n roll edge," look for these See by Chloé scents in department and specialty stores this February.
Any fine perfumer knows that categorizing scents can be a complicated process. There are florals and chypres, orientals and gourmands, fougère and fresh, and even more subcategories. If you have trouble understanding the lingo, here's how you can expand your aromatic vocabulary.
The first step is to determine the notes. Top notes disappear quickly, middle notes are the heart of the fragrance, and about 30 minutes in, the base notes take over. All of these ingredients combine to reach a heady aroma. And some scents fit more than one fragrance mold. Find out which category is your favorite and which notes to look for when you read more
