Buying a fragrance for someone is incredibly difficult. It’s one of the most personal beauty products, and making things even more complicated is the fact that the same scent can actually smell differently from one person to another! A very good friend of mine is a nose at IFF (the company that makes the fragrances for countless luxury brands), so I’m constantly sniffing away at scents she has created, which was why it was especially exciting when Saffron James Parfums, a line established in 2007 by ex-Elle beauty editor Katherine Growney and inspired by the scents of her childhood in Hawaii, sent me a variety of samples to smell. Each of Growney’s scents come in 30ml Eau De Parfum and 9ml Mini Oil bottles and, like you’d expect from their inspiration, they are heavy on floral notes but — luckily for the musk lover that I am — not in any over-powering sense.

All of Saffron’s fragrances are multidimensional and change from spray to dry down, so if you’re like me and  don’t usually gravitate towards florals, odds are you still might be attracted to this line. In fact, each scent is so well-balanced I could even see men wanting to sport some of them (NANI in particular)!

Honestly, I liked all of the scents, but the one that stood out as the most distinctive and the one I’ve been most excited to wear out is UME. I could totally see this enticing someone — it enticed me! — which couldn’t be more perfect since I’m newly single! I should also add that many of my favorite scents dissipate quickly. I’ll spray a few spritzes and just a few minutes later the smell won’t be palpable anymore. Saffron’s scents linger for hours so don’t be surprised if 4-5 hours after spraying one of them on, you get a compliment.

See below for Growney’s description of each of her scents. Hopefully if you’re looking to buy someone a fragrance this holiday season her descriptions will help match the person’s personality to the scent!

PS- Don’t you just love the bottle cap!?

IPO (ee-poh): 1. Sweetheart. 2. In songs a sweetheart might be likened to flowers (pua). 3. An olfactory homage to the Pakalana flower. 4. A powerfully addictive scent with notes of Violet, Moroccan Rose, Orange Blossom, Tahitian Gardenia and Lemongrass.

LE’A (lay-a): 1. Joy, pleasure, happiness, merriment; sexual gratification, orgasm. 2. Arcturus the zenith star of the Hawaiian Islands. 3. An olfactory homage to the Plumeria flower. 4. A captivating scent with notes of Pink and White Plumeria, Pineapple Leaf, Passionflower and Hibiscus.

NANI (na-knee): 1. Beauty, glory, splendor. 2. Beautiful flower. 3. Good thing. 4. A fragrance created in honor of Hawaii’s last Crown Princess Ka’iulani. 4. An olfactory homage to the PÄ«kake flower. 5. A stunning, rich scent with notes of PÄ«kake, Pink Plumeria, Mimosa, Lily and Ylang Ylang.

PŪNONO (pooh-no-no): 1. Filled with sunshine, ever beautiful; flushed red, as the skin (to blush). 2. To make attractive with bright or red colors, to dress or appear gorgeous. 3. An olfactory homage to the Pua keni keni flower. 4. An intoxicating scent with notes of Ylang Ylang, Pikake, Carnation, Vanilla and Tunisian Opium.

‘UME (oo-may): 1. To draw, pull, attract, entice. 2. A sexual game for Hawaiian commoners. 3. An olfactory homage to the White Ginger flower. 4. A beguiling scent with notes of Ginger Absolute, Waterlily, Gardenia, Yuzu and Mousse de Chene.

Image: Saffron James Parfums

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I absolutely love perfume! Whenever I see those cutesy bottles, it’s like I am genetically programmed to run at them, spray them in the air just in front of me and smell the pretty (or horrid, sometimes, if I’m being honest) scent. It’s just too much fun.

And I buy fragrances, too. My problem is I forget to wear them. Oops…

So, I don’t have a true signature scent, which is sort of a shame because I think it’d be cool to have something that just “smelled like me.” This all leads me to the question: Do you have a signature scent? And what is it?

And if you don’t, what would you want it to be? Here are a few options I’m dying to try:

Jennifer Aniston: Personally, I think Jennifer Aniston’s new fragrance sounds utterly amazing. Described as “light,” “airy,” “clean,” and “wearable” in this Yahoo! Shine piece, it’s hard to imagine you could go wrong. I love the simplicity. I love crisp breezes, and ocean waves, and the scent of sunshine, and wind on clothes that dried outside. Stuff like that. Simple, sleek and amazing is the best… so I can’t wait to check out Jennifer’s creation. Cost = $55

Reese Witherspoon, “Live Without Regrets” : Here’s another actress who has a scent of her own. Reese teamed up with Avon to put out this fragrance, which is light but floral. In it, you’ll smell freesia, gardenia, jasmine, magnolia and muguet petals. Sounds like a perfect perfume for date night (and it’s easy on the wallet, too)! Cost = $25

Givenchy “Dahlia Noir” : This Givenchy fragrance definitely has a cozy, sweet appeal perfect for late fall, or anytime really. It’s a mixture of tonka bean, sandalwood, and patchouli with hints of rose, iris and mimosa. I’m so dreaming of spritzing on this super-girlie fragrance… and putting it on my Christmas list STAT. Cost = $90

Gucci “Guilty” : Finally, if you’re feeling daring, then this powerful Gucci scent is for you. It’s sheer and floral-based, with dashes of citrus and black pepper for a zing. Basically, it’s a little bit sweet and a little bit sexy. A great combination for any woman, right? Cost = $87

What is your signature scent? Or, which scent are you longing for this season? Sound off!

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I so miss the days when getting my mom a gift for Mother’s Day was as simple as drawing a stick figure on a piece of colored paper, or reaching for a stuffed animal on my shelf and telling her she could have it…ah, the good ‘ol days!

These days it takes a little more thought and, while I wish I could afford to lavish my mother in trips and jewels, my budget won’t allow for five-figure gifts at the moment. So in an effort to get more creative, I’m loving the idea of gifting my mother Halston Woman Amber Eau de Toilette Spray ($90 for 1.7 oz) this year. Why this particular fragrance, you ask? Well, it just so happens that it was designed by one of her favorite jewelery designers, Elsa Peretti. The designer’s collection sells exclusively at Tiffany & Co. and I’ve gifted my mother a number of her designs in the past (a pen, a heart-shaped paperweight, a heart-shaped jewelery keepsake box, and a variety of home items like a cake and a bread knife and candle holders).

This particular Peretti-designed bottle is a true classic and certainly as worthy of displaying on a vanity as any one of Peretti’s Tiffany designs. The ergonomic bottle was sculpted for Halston in 1975 and it looks as relevant today as it did back then. The bottle is coated in gold to reflect the warmth of Amber and the scent’s oriental notes; a blend of Ambers, Woods and Resins, and Wild Tuberose.

What are you gifting your mama for Mother’s Day this year?

Image: Elizabeth Arden

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Stepping foot inside Jo Malone‘s Madison Avenue boutique always leaves me feeling like a kid in a candy store. Their assortment of fragrances — all designed to be either worn alone or blended and layered with other Jo Malone fragrances, cremes, and bath oils so that each person can wear a scent that is wholly their own — are beyond enticing… staying on budget can be taunting! Following what has so far been my favorite of their limited edition collections, the Jo Malone Tea Fragrance Blends, the brand has just launched Sakura Cherry Blossom. The timing couldn’t be better now that D.C.’s cherry blossom season has ended. Let’s keep the celebration of this beautiful flower going!

The fragrance was created by Christine Nagel, who is the mastermind behind one of my all-time favorite scents, English Pear & Freesia, and the scent was actually inspired by the time when the cherry blossom trees (the “Sakura”), are in full bloom in Japan. The scent is  formulated with, among other things, rose, bergamot, mandarin, musk, and woody notes making for a soft, refreshing fragrance that isn’t overly floral since its balanced with woody and citrus notes. Jo Malone suggests pairing it with French Lime Blossom or Orange Blossom. I had a chance to preview the scent a few weeks ago before the official launch at a Jo Malone event and I can totally imagine myself wearing it on its own to start off an early spring morning (can’t wait till it finally feels like spring here in NYC!), but I’d be curious to see how it pairs with something woody like Wild Fig & Cassis for nighttime.

As an added bonus, for the first time ever, Jo Malone has accented this scent with a cute little pink bow.

Image Courtesy of Jo Malone.

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Prada’s Infusion fragrances have been incredibly popular, which explains why, in a short window of time, the brand has released four of them. The latest just launched at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and online. I’ve had roses on my mind ever since indulging in a cake topped with a glaze made of actual rose petals at my friend’s restaurant, La Grenouille, here in NYC so I couldn’t be more excited that there’s a less calorie-rich way for me to indulge my senses! Though I’m still dreaming about that cake…

The new scent, Prada Infusion de Rose, lived up to the lofty expectations set up by Infusion de Fleur d’Oranger, Infusion de Tubereuse, and Infusion de Vetivera (Vetiver is actually for men, but light enough that a woman could get away with wearing it). The scent’s look also follows suit with Prada’s other infusions. I love the bottle’s packaging, which was inspired by a Prada Spring/Summer 2008 print, and the simplicity of the actual bottle. Like the other Infusion scents, the Rose bottle is a refreshing change from all the overly frilly ones lining counters and the classic Prada silver plaque and degrade rose-inspired top adds just the right amount of pop.

The scent itself is light and sweet, making it a refreshing Spring/Summer option, when you don’t want to be weighed down by hearty musks or overly vegetal scents. It’s formulated with rose, mandarin, peppermint, mate, and beeswax. Beeswax struck me as a bit odd, so I asked a friend of mine – who’s a perfumer at IFF – about it and she said that beeswax is commonly found in fragrances and often added for a touch of sweetness.

You  can check-out the infusions here. Have you tried any of them? Which one is your favorite?

Images: Prada

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I’ve always considered deodorants to be an extension of the perfumes I wear, and just like perfume, I choose which one to use based on my mood and where I’m going. Work? Chanel Allure it is. Casual dinner? Hermes Hermessence Ambre Narguile does the trick. A night on the town? Nothing’s sexier than Tom Ford’s White Suede. When it comes to deodorant I operate the same way. By day I wear something lightweight like L’Occitane Purifying Roll-On Deodorant, and by night I either opt for the deodorant that matches the fragrance I’m wearing (i.e. if I opt for Donna Karan Cashmere Mist, I’ll smooth on the coordinating Cashmere Mist Anti-Perspirant). Easy enough right? Here’s where it gets tricky. I go to the gym nearly every morning, and I need a deodorant that can keep up with me without a strong, stomach flip-inducing smell.

While I love the odor of my Chanel Allure Deodorant spray and my Cashmere Mist Anti-Perspirant stick, they simply don’t cut it in a spin class. Much to my delight, I’ve found that the brands that work the best are the drugstore finds, and Secret has just come out with an amazing new one. Called Secret Natural Mineral, it’s an antiperspirant/deodorant that effectively fights wetness AND provides naturally derived odor protection. I attended a Secret-hosted event a few weeks ago and learned that it’s formulated with a new mineral-activated formula that has a naturally derived ingredient, calcium carbonate, to help neutralize odor. This is as opposed to other deodorant brands that just mask it, making it perfect for those intense, my-heart-is-going-to-fall-out-of-my-chest workouts.

The newbie stick comes in three selections: Eucalyptus Blossom, Lemongrass Mint and Unscented. I love eucalyptus and lemongrass, but out of courtesy to those around me, I always go perfume-free and unscented with my deodorants when I’m at the gym.

What’s your deodorant routine??

Image Courtesy of Secret.

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And this is why I am upset with Taylor Swift. I mean, the girl can certainly entertain — she’s got the Grammy-winning albums to prove it — but honestly, she can’t do anything else. Did you see “Valentine’s Day”? I just about lost spit my popcorn back at the screen when she opened her mouth. Now, the girl knows how to work publicity, I’ll give her that. Date your movie co-star? Bonus points. Write a song about the guy that ruined your shining award moment on live TV? Genius. But now she’s making her own perfume right after her new album came out. Why? I mean, aside from the obvious.

And you know, it wouldn’t bother me SO much. I’ll admit it: Britney Spears made some darn nice scents. I actually have a bottle of Curious in my cabinet that I use for a nice night out. But Britney at least admitted, “Well, it seemed like a fun idea. And the money doesn’t hurt!” (OK she didn’t actually SAY that, but it was out there.) But Taylor? Oh, no no. She is claiming artistic drive. “I have always loved how fragrance can shape a memory, the way certain scents remind you of events and people that are imprinted in your thoughts.” And THAT, my friends, is a direct quote.

OK, girly girl. You want to remember things in a special way? ThatÂ’s what your songs are for. And theyÂ’ve certainly made you enough money. And your greeting card line was endearing. Which works for you. But making people smell pretty is not really the same thing. I might be less cynical of your decision to do this if it werenÂ’t just seven days after your latest album release.

At least, if you’re going to do this to boost album sales, ADMIT you’re doing it to garner more publicity. In your statement, you could have cleverly stated, “I thought it would be a great way to follow up my new album.” Everyone knew it’s why you dated “the werewolf Taylor” (and conveniently broke it off around the time of the movie release), and they’ll all know it’s why you’re making a perfume with your name on it. Just be the grownup you claim to be and admit it.

P.S. IÂ’ll admit it. I bought your album. But now I just feel dirty about it. What do you guys think? Do you love the idea of her making a perfume line or hate it?

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/shankbone/4609673099

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Avon is marketing the scent for women who aspire to be their most sensual selves, tapping into their “innate elegance and sophistication. The irresistible fragrance makes every woman feel her most feminine with just a spritz.” OK.

Burns’ insight on the scent? “I really love this sensual fragrance. It makes me feel feminine and confident, just like slipping into a pair of beautiful high heels,” says the founder and owner of the Sundari brand.

It is pretty cool that theyÂ’ve tapped a model who, in their words, is about more than surface beauty.

The bottle, though, rather than focusing on something less frivolous, is apparently meant to be inspired by the “curve of a womanÂ’s calf as she slips into a pair of high heels, the bottleÂ’s base… reminiscent of a kitten heel.” IÂ’m not sure how I feel about that, but it does bring back visions of the leg lamp that RalphieÂ’s father puts by the front window in “A Christmas Story.”

References to high heels and slipping into things aside, the scent sounds like a winner if you like warm fruity florals.

The scentÂ’s top notes include black raspberry, freesia flower and violet leaf. Mid notes are rosewood, ultra violet and butterfly orchid, while the base notes are Cashmeran and orris root (a favorite scent of mine from the Ormonde Jayne brand).

ItÂ’s worth noting that Sundari, BurnsÂ’ successful Ayurvedic-based skincare brand doesnÂ’t carry any perfumes, so thereÂ’s no conflict of interest.

It smells like another success for the former model, who appears to have the Midas touch.

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/markusram/4100532862/in/photostream/

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perfume, courtesy of, well, pretty much any actress, singer or athlete in the spotlight right now. Thanks to Coty, Lady Gaga, the most manufactured singer since the Mickey Mouse ClubÂ’s proteges, now checking off the celebrity fragrance line item in her Q4 strategy plan.

But does anyone wear this stuff?

Because I canÂ’t imagine any grown woman walking into a shop and buying these scents. No doubt Katy Perry knows where her pulling power lies with her forthcoming Purr positioned properly in the kiddie market. JLo has already fronted more than a dozen signature scents. Mary J. Blige, Eva Longoria, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Kate Moss, Hally Berry, Tilda Swinton, Celion Dion, Puff Daddy, Elizabeth Taylor, Derek Jeter, SJP, Antonio Banderas, Stephanie Ferguson, Cliff Richard, Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, David Beckham, Posh and Becks together, Reese Witherspoon, Daisy Fuentes, Jordan/Katie Price, Coleen Rooney, The Saturdays, Shakira, Bruce Willis, Beyonce, Jessica Simpson, Gwen Stefani, Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue, Paris Hilton… EVERYONE who has ever had even fifteen seconds — never mind fifteen minutes — of fame has shamelessly slapped their name on a bottle of scent.

Forget a sex tape, itÂ’s a signature scent that you need.

Fragrance is a big seller. Most fashion houses survive by the sales of their scents and ‘accessoriesÂ’ (cheap, but visibly branded merchandise, so that you too can have a slice of the fantasy they sell). The perfume industry is valued at the tens of billions in the US alone. There’s no doubt celebs want a piece of that pie, especially when itÂ’s as easy as signing the dotted line.

Clearly scent sells. As does celebrity. And sex (have you ever seen an ad for a celebrity scent where theyÂ’re not semi-nude?). But to whom!? Who wants to smell like Britney Spears, or at least what they believe she smells like. Or JLo? If she has 16 fragrances, how do you decide which to wear, if any at all?

I have to know who buys these scents. How do you decide? In a market where no less than 100 fragrances are launched a year, many of them celebrity scents, how do you wake up one day and simply say “Hey, it’s feeling like a JLo number 7 sort of day.” More importantly who aligns themselves with someone like Katie Price via perfume choice (or anything, really)?

It simply baffles my mind that the celebrity fragrance trend, despite all the market research trend reports, has not disappeared or at least slowed down a ton. We havenÂ’t tired of it yet, even when a celebrityÂ’s star power (Brit Brit) seriously wanes.

All I can smell amidst the collective fug in the air is the scent of money (the bags and bags of it that those celebs are walking to the bank).

Do you wear celeb scents? Share with us which one and why you do! Or do you hate them? Which celebrity do you wish would launch a scent?

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/otodo/3576725694/sizes/s/in/photostream/

Sources:
stylelist.com/2009/12/26/celebrity-fragrance-whos-the-best-selling/
stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/category/beauty/celebrity-fragrances/
popeater.com/2010/08/04/mary-j-blige-my-life-hsn/
cosmeticsdesign.com/Products-Markets/Celebrity-scents-still-strong-but-fewer-new-names

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As I was researching the latest beauty trends (a girl’s gotta stay up-to-date), I came across a “latest and greatest,” that made me chuckle.

Fragrance lines for your fur-babies. No, itÂ’s not a case of the Mondays playing tricks on your eyes. You read that right. Pet perfume.

I personally have Chihuahuas, and they, much like cats, are convinced the house is theirÂ’s and they own us. So they let us sleep in their queen-sized bed, which just happens to be in our bedroom. And when your dog sometimes lays on your head, as these yappers have a tendency to do, you canÂ’t help but catch a whiff of puppy from time to time.

Maybe I shouldnÂ’t laugh about dog perfume. Maybe I should invest in some. Then instead of kibble, my pillow will smell like designer perfume.

Although, I think once I start spritzing perfume on my pooches, it may be a slippery slope to dressing my dogs like people and carrying them around in public. I wonder how much a diamond-studded collar costs. If IÂ’m going to give Stormy and Spanky signature scents, I should glam them up properly. Far be it from me to embarrass them at the dog park. What kind of self-respecting, perfume-wearing dog goes around without accessorizing?

So what do you think? Is pet perfume a beauty trend or fashion faux “paw?” Leave us a comment below!

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/tudor/4286416753

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