Now that the warmer months are upon us, it’s the perfect time to explore a new fragrance. When you think of spring and summer, you think floral. There are so many great fragrances that combine the perfect blend of fruit & botanicals to create a fresh take for a summer aroma. We’ll highlight a few of our favorites and tell you why we love them. Keep in mind that perfume is not a one size fits all item. Scents can smell totally different on each individual, so it is important that you take them on a test drive. You need to see how they react with your unique body chemistry.
Where to apply: The pulse points are areas on the body where veins flow close to the skin. These spots emit heat, which helps a fragrance develop faster. The typical places to dab a scent are the neck, wrists, and cleavage. Maybe you haven’t thought about the inside of your elbows? Try it! It’s the perfect place to put on a little perfume. And speaking of putting on perfume….one of the easiest ways to put it on is with a roller-ball. Roll-on perfumes (or rollerballs) are neat, clean, easy to use and best of all super portable. On a scorching hot day a quick “roll on” and a lipstick touch-up can can leave you feeling fresh and fresh-looking in minutes.
1. CHANEL No 5 Premiere Spray
For the longest time I associated Chanel No. 5 with my mother. That and the rattle of her charm bracelet meant my parents were heading out for the evening. It’s a strong smell that makes me happy, but I associated it with maturity.
It wasn’t until I was purchasing it as a gift for my mother that I discovered the PREMIERE version and fell in love! It is a modern airy offering of the iconic floral scent. Chanel No. 5 is a complex blend of rose, jasmine, lily of the valley and iris layered over a warm woody base of sandalwood, vanilla, amber and patchouli.
2. GUCCI Bloom
I love Bloom as it really reminds me of being outside and all those fabulous smells… and after a long winter and a so-so spring, it’s definitely time to lighten up! Gucci Bloom is fresh and captivating, yet doesn’t take itself too seriously.
I love that! It truly is a more contemporary scent that captures the aroma of a thriving garden. With notes of tuberose and jasmine that create a rich white floral scent on the skin, it makes an impact—in a subtle way.
3. JO MALONE English Pear & Freesia
English Pear & Freesia…the name says it all. The freshness of just ripe pears wrapped in a bouquet of white freesia is layered over undertones of amber, patchouli and wood for a “golden olfactory sensation. “ While I don’t really know about its “golden olfactory sensation,” I can tell you this: I get compliments like you can’t believe when I wear it. While I love it especially this time of year, Jo Malone’s English Pear & Freesia is one of my go-to’s regardless of season. And when I see that pretty black grosgrain bow on a gift, it makes me happy.
4. JULIETTE HAS A GUN Vanilla Vibe
Juliette has a gun – I first became exposed to this edgy little label several years ago when I bought Miss Charming. This scent says beach to me. Vanilla Vibes is an addictive, elegant, vanilla fragrance that’s not overwhelming and can take you anywhere. It’s super-clean scent is achieved by the fusion of two opposites: natural vanilla absolute and sea salt. This little rollerball is reasonably priced and the perfect tuck-in-your-bag option…whether you’re outside walking the dogs or at a sporting event (cross body bag), at the gym (gym bag) or at work (purse). It’s the ideal sporty non-perfume perfume and especially good for those with sensitive noses who don’t care for “bigger” scents. (Or for people who are encouraged to be scent-free at work. You can cheat that a bit with this one.
5. CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle
True to Chanel this is a fragrance that gets noticed. It reads more playful than No.5 and leaves you thinking fruit? floral? – not quite sure but I love it!. Like No. 5 it has a complex aroma – top notes are orange, mandarin orange, orange blossom and bergamot; middle notes are mimosa, jasmine, turkish rose and ylang-ylang; base notes are tonka bean, patchouli, opoponax, vanilla, vetiver and white musk. This is a sassy scent that Chanel targets to the 20 and 30 somethings, but I think it is great scent at any age.
Try It Before You Buy (a lot) of It
Some of ou.r favorites come with a price tag that may be more of a commitment than you’re willing to make with a new fragrance. We understand that, so another option of taking these amazing aromas on a test drive is through their other, less expensive forms – soaps, lotions, bathing gels, and powders. The great thing about some of these options is that the scent can penetrate many areas of your body and depending upon your body chemistry, can be fairly long-lasting
Less Expensive Options:
“There are no women who do not like perfume,
there are women who have not found their scent.”
― Marilyn Monroe
