How to choose from a buffet of holiday scents
It was literally a smorgasbord of scents at Luxasia Philippines’ Holiday Scent Buffet, where they classified perfumes by fragrance family, for ease of comprehension and selection. When dozens of designer brands release fragrances for the holidays —usually perfume pairs for him and her — what’s the best way to find a signature to wear to all those holiday parties and gimmicks? Read our guide to find out.
Citrus/fresh scents
Are you fan of freshness? Go for something with citrus, like Issey Miyake’s aquatic sea scent Super Majeure.
Or how about a citrus-floral like Nina Ricci Bella, the third addition to the Les Belles de Nina range? With crisp green mandarin, rose, vanilla and a bottle that looks like a green apple, it’s Nina Ricci’s take on the modern princess.
Floral scents
Somehow nothing says “feminine” quite like florals. Case in point: Calvin Klein Women, the first fragrance developed by CK’s chief creative director Raf Simons. Inspired by the power and strength of women, it’s a floral-woody with a heart of orange blossom, magnolia and jasmine that manages to be sweet and sophisticated at the same time.
Another stunningly femme floral is Bulgari Rose Goldea, a sensuous rose-musk that’s now available in a gorgeous, limited-edition bottle decorated by floral artist Jacky Tsai.
Nina Ricci’s Les Belles de Nina range
Tiffany & Co. Eau De Parfum Intense is a richer, deeper version of the house’s signature scent, a floral musk with crisp mandarin to open, a powdery iris heart and sensual amber base.
Chloe Absolu is also a more intense version of the OG signature Damascena rose aroma, deepened with another kind of rose, Centifolia, patchouli and vanilla.
Want to attract the attention of the opposite sex? Check out Narciso Rodriguez’s scents because they all have hearts of sexy musk. His latest, Rouge, is a fiery floral of Bulgarian rose and iris sure to evoke mystery, passion, and (hopefully not fatal) attraction.
Fruity scents
Those who love the freshness of Calvin Klein’s CK One will appreciate the new flanker CK One Platinum, in which the unisex scent is softened and made more festive with spicy apple notes up top, pink pepper and cinnamon in the middle and amber beneath to warm up all that coolness.
Undeniably for women with its round pink bottle is Lanvin Eclat de Nuit, a floral-fruity cocktail with black currant, jasmine, praline and sandalwood that will get its wearer — and everyone in her vicinity — in the mood to party.
Bulgari Rose Goldea and Narciso Rodriguez Rouge
Gourmand scents
Dolce & Gabbana scored Game of Thrones’ Dragon Queen with The Only One, a sophisticated yet seductive perfume with notes of violet, coffee and vanilla fronted by Emilia Clarke.
With delicious notes of honey, blood orange and caramel, you’ll want to be touched by the scent of scandal — Jean-Paul Gaultier Scandal, that is.
Jimmy Choo Fever is another addictive, sensual juice dripping with black plum nectar, heliotrope and vanillic tonka bean.
Want to be as cool as Cara Delevingne in London? Try Burberry Her, a floral gourmand with crushed berries underpinned by violet, wood and amber.
Sweet yet sophisticated: Calvin Klein Women
Oriental scents
Are you feeling lucky? Paco Rabanne’s Lady Million Lucky is a winner with its mouthwatering raspberry, hazelnut and rose heart, and honeyed sandalwood base.
Prada Candy Sugar Pop is not as sweet as it sounds, with a tangy twist of citrus bergamot and white peach sweetening up to a vanilla-caramel base.
In today’s gender-fluid world, orientals are not just for women. Coach Platinum is a fresh, woody oriental scent for men with black pepper, Cashmeran, vanilla and leather.
Ferragamo Uomo Signature is another macho oriental bottling Italian elegance with its notes of grapefruit, pepper, star anise, cardamom, leather and patchouli.
Prada’s Candy range with the new Sugar Pop (center)
Woody scents
Are you a manly man with heroic tendencies? Dolce & Gabbana’s woody, spicy The One Grey is the one for you, especially since its face is Kit Harington, aka Jon Snow from Game of Thrones.
Carolina Herrera 212 VIP Black is made for partying late into the night, with its top notes of absinthe and fennel, heart of hazelnut and honey, and musk base.
Bulgari Man Wood Essence is for the urban male who likes to escape to nature, with its woody accord of cypress and cedar wood mixed with green coriander and Italian citrus zest.
Paco Rabanne’s 1 Million fragrances are inspired by gold, extravagance and wealth. 1 Million Lucky is made for fun and games, with green plum, hazelnut and honey, while 1 Million Privé is about opulence and red-carpet glamour, with cinnamon, hookah tobacco and myrrh.
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