Scent is one of those things that is quite often overlooked: women get ready in the morning, they're running late and quite often the last thing that they do is brush their teeth before rushing out the door and heading to wherever they're needed. We think that's a mistake. It only takes about 8 seconds to pick up one of those pretty bottles sitting on your vanity (or night stand or bathroom counter or wherever else you might have it) spritz some perfume on your neck and wrists and then make a mad dash for the door. Those 8 seconds are beyond valuable too - they last all day: strangers who walk past you will notice a hint of scent, your clothes will have that "you" smell to them and when you come into close contact with friends or someone special they'll notice a little something special about you.
Choosing a fragrance is almost as intimate as choosing lingerie. There are a world of choices out there and you have to decide what you're comfortable with, what is the most flattering and what you want other people to think. Whether you like floral scents, something more hardy or a spicy tone, the easiest thing to do is go to your nearest department store, find one of the helpful associates and ask to smell one perfume from all the major groups. Once you've determined which group of scent is the most pleasing to your nose then you can begin narrowing it down. Remember: there is no right or wrong answer. Just because your mom (or grandmom or aunt or best friend) wears a specific scent, doesn't mean that you have to. It doesn't even mean that you have to like it. You get to choose what you want to wear.
Remember in between sniffings to take a deep whiff of the ever-present coffee beans. This will help cleanse your nose and remove any lasting trace of the perfumes you sampled earlier so you get a good feel for what each fragrance actually smells like. Once you narrow it down to between 1 and 3 specific scents, take a break. Go sneak a peek at the shoes and maybe even try on a pair. After a few minutes have passed, come back a sample each of the fragrances you're contemplating again and see if your opinion has changed.
Keep in mind that there is not a single rule on the planet that says you must only have one perfume. We personally have 6 different fragrances that we rotate throughout the week depending on our outfit and perhaps more importantly, our mood. If you absolutely can't choose only one, maybe both are perfect for you.
Below are our favorite perfumes, in no particular order. What are some of your signature fragrances?
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| A lighter version of Coco, Coco Mademoiselle has become Chanel's best selling fragrance in recent years, overtaking the famous Chanel N5 for the first time in history. Lighter yet still spicy and sensual it's perfect for cocktail dresses or anytime you're feeling sultry. Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle, 3.4 oz, $120 |
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| French for 'life is beautiful', La Vie est Belle is on the lighter side but still all woman and perfect for any workday. Lancome's La Vie est Belle, 3.4 oz, $108 |
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| Fun, fresh and flirty, Live Colorfully will help boost even the worst Monday. Wear it anytime you need a pick me up or when you're feeling especially energetic to help maintain the mood. Kate Spade's Live Colorfully, 3.4 oz, $95 |
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| Daisy Eau So Fresh is a lighter twist on the classic Daisy: lighter and more fruity, this version is a perfect wear-anytime fragrance when nothing else seems to fit because it goes with everything. Besides, who can resist that bottle? Marc Jacobs' Daisy Eau So Fresh, 4.2 oz, $95 |
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| Chanel N5 may be the classic Chanel fragrance, but for us it was just too heavy and serious which is why we were so excited to see N5 Eau Premiere. Much lighter and softer than the original, Eau Premiere is becoming one of our favorite everyday scents - still chic but fun at the same time. Chanel's N5 Eau Premiere, 3.4 oz, $130 |
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| Last but not least, Pretty is exactly what it sounds like. A light, pretty fragrance perfectly suited for most outfits and events but reminds us most of dressing up for church on Sunday: it's very ladylike. Elizabeth Arden's Pretty, 3.3 oz, $65 |
Photos courtesy of Chanel, Lancome, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs and Belk.
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