Beauty Blog

With the ease of online shopping, I really don’t understand why anyone actually steps into a mall during the holidays anymore. Personally, I can’t deal with the crowds, especially the ones at the perfume counters at the dreaded department store –fragrances are the perfect holiday gift, and everyone knows it.

I love gifting perfume and cologne, too, but I’d rather do it from home since the deals tend to be better online, anyway. One of my favorite sites to nab a great deal is Scentiments.com, where they have an amazing selection of designer fragrances that won’t crush your budget. They have all the big names, latest trends and classic favorites for men, women and even kids. Plus, I like them because they guarantee that you get the best price possible. How’s that for keeping the holiday stress at bay? I love it.

Here are the ones I’ve already chosen this year:

Juicy Couture 3.4 oz Spray for Women by Juicy Couture $46 (old price=$85)

The bottle alone makes this a must-give. Plus, the mix of notes (Watermelon, Mandarin, Pink Passion Fruit, Marigold, Green Apple, Water Hyacinth, Crushed Leaves, Tuberose Absolute, Wild Rose, Princess Lily, Tuberose, Caramel Creme Brulee, Vanilla, Precious Woods, Patchouli) makes it so unique and right for just about every woman. It’s fun and sophisticated.

Acqua di Gio for Men 3.4 oz spray by Giorgio Armani, $49 (old price=$65)

I love, love, love this scent for men. Can cologne be classic and contemporary at the same time? Because Acqua di Gio is. I’ve heard that Armani’s inspiration for this super-masculine scent was an island on the Mediterranean Sea. It has a definite marine note along with Mandarin, Bergamot, Neroli, Persimmon, Rosemary, Nasturtium, Jasmine, Amber, Patchouli, Cistus. It’s good for dads and boyfriends, and how often does that happen?

Click here to check out more discount perfumes and colognes at Scentiments.com.

I’m a fan of Bond No.9 because their perfumes and colognes are always super sophisticated, unique, hip and full of wry wit. Now, the New York fragrance house has upped the luxury ante by partnering with Saks Fifth Avenue to bring us Saks Fifth Avenue for Him and one for Her, too.

This is the first time that a specialty store has ever created a signature scent, which is now available exclusively at Saks.  It’s the latest entry into Bond No. 9’s collection, which is made up of euax de parfum representing the different neighborhoods of New York. Other scents in the line include the margarita and cinnamon laced Coney Island, the gelato-inspired Little Italy and Bleeker Street, which smells of art, fashion and dessert.

Saks Fifth Avenue for Him has top spicy notes of chili, black pepper, cardamom and bergamot along with incense, guiac wood and amber. My take is that it’s a modernized version of warmly classic male scents. It’s the scent of a mover and a shaker–a work hard, play hard kind of guy.

Saks Fifth Avenue for Her is primarily jasmine and tuberose with gardenia, vetiver, and vanilla also part of the mix.  I really love this scent–it’s bold but not overwhelming.  It says I’m here but doesn’t scream it.  It’s the scent of a chic woman who disdains logos and peacocks personalities but doesn’t mind getting noticed.