Perfume is like an accessory. It’s that extra finishing touch before you head out the door. A fragrance is one of my favorite things to put on my skin before I dress. There’s something about having a unique signature scent that makes someone say, “What perfume are you wearing? It smells amazing.”
I can easily get headaches from strong fragrances so I really have to watch what I wear. For the muskier scents I love which lean on the stronger side, I only spritz once.
Savvy Tip: fragrance counters are always happy to create a sample for you to take home. Request a roller ball sample first. If they don’t have that then a spray will do. Try the perfume on at home after you shower and see how it smells after 30 minutes.
Perfumes, colognes and fragrances can be expensive so before you invest in a new signature scent, test it out first. I wish we had smell-o-vision through the screen that way we can purchase online without going in-store. At least you can pull up my list here next time you’re out shopping as a reminder of what to try.
Related Post: Most Popular Women’s Fragrances
Lavanila Vanilla Summer
Who can resist smelling like fresh mango, juicy pineapple, creamy coconut milk and island sugar cane? Best of all, this scent is free of phthalates, parabens and known skin irritants. Gentle on sensitive skin and very affordable.
This scent is on the lighter side but dries down sweet. I would spritz on wrists first and tap your wrists behind your ears. See how that works and spritz more if you need to.
Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom and Honey
This scent is sweet, light and fresh with a mix of succulent nectarine, peach, cassis and acacia honey. It will dry down into a nice balance of peach and honey. Since this fragrance is light, feel free to spritz generously.
Mugler Angel Croisière Eau de Toilette
Want to exude the scent of a citrus cocktail on a warm summer night? This is your fragrance with a fusion of mango, blackcurrant sorbet and Angel’s signature Patchouli and praline notes.
This fruity Oriental scent is on the medium side. A couple of spritzes should be enough.
Mugler Angel
Classic and unforgettable, people who know perfumes know this fragrance. This scent is on my top five favorites that I’ll wear year round. The unique blend of notes creates an exotic, sensual but sweet scent.
Notes: bergamot, tropical fruits, vanilla, caramel and patchouli. It’s not light or strong, a little goes a long way.
Parfums de Marly Meliora
This scent is a delicate cocktail of fruits and flowers that exudes romance. This is one of my top five fragrances that I try to use sparingly. It has a higher price point hence the sparingly usage.
Top notes: Red Berries, Raspberry; Heart notes: Rose, Ylang-Ylang; Base notes: Vanilla, Musk. Since it’s on the lighter side, you might want to spritz generously BUT this fragrance is a parfum which means a little goes a long way.
Flowerbomb Nectar by Viktor & Rolf
This fragrance is a deep variation of the original Flowerbomb with explosive notes of orange flower and tonka bean.
Top notes: bergamot oil, blackcurrant bud, living gunpowder (the living gunpowder offers mineral, smoky, metallic ambery notes and brings a fusing and vertical effect to Flowerbomb Nectar); Middle notes: orange flower, jasmine; Base notes: tonka bean, vanilla, patchouli.
Since this leans on the medium to strong side of scents, I suggest spritzing on wrists then tapping your wrists behind your ears or chest area.
Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf
I had to list this one because it’s timeless and never goes out of style. I also feel this is a scent most women can wear. The blend of florals is exotic but not overpowering. Light yet significant to wear year round.
Top notes: bergamot, green tea; Middle notes: Sambac jasmine, centifolia rose, freesia, orchid; Base notes: musk, patchouli. Although light in scent, a little goes a long way. A couple spritzes and off you go.
Trish McEvoy Sexy No. 9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk
Not to be mistaken for the sister scent sans “musk”. The reason why I love this one more than the “sans musk” version is because it’s sensual. It’s seductive, spicy, sweet and lush. This parfum is also on my top five fragrances I’ll wear indefinitely.
Top notes: juicy blackberry buds, Amazon lilies, mandarin; Middle: patchouli, tiare flower, osmanthus; Base: crystallized vanilla, velvet musk, cashmere woods, sandalwood, liquid amber.
Sexy 9 leans on the medium strength, a few spritzes and you’re set for the day.
Maison Francis Kurkdjan Baccarat Rouge 540
This luxe parfum is by far my FAVORITE fragrance and of course the most expensive. Definitely holds the No. 1 spot in my top five. Request a roller ball sample and it will last you.
Baccarat Rouge 540 lays on the skin like an amber, floral and woodsy breeze. It’s luminous and not overpowering. It dries down on a sweeter note but has this amazing sophisticated lingering scent.
Notes: jasmine, saffron, cedar wood, ambergris. A little goes a long way but I could literally go nuts and put some on in the morning and evening.
Perris Monte Carlo Absolue d’Osmanthe
This Italian fragrance exudes old world European summer nights. It’s a modern take on the centuries-old essence. The sweet aroma of Osmanthus Tree creates a vivacious and intriguing scent that is truly captivating.
Notes: Apricot, Leather, White Flowers, Osmanthus Flower, Jasmine Sambac, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Tolu Balsam. This parfum is on the strong side. I literally can only spritz once. It will last you all day, promise.
Chanel Allure Homme for Men
Yes you read this correctly. I know it’s a men’s fragrance but seriously this one smells amazing on women! I swear every time I wear this cologne, I get so many compliments it’s crazy. I actually like this more than the women’s Allure scent.
This fragrance has a crisp, warm and spicy scent. It’s hard to nail down why this is so intoxicating but trust me, it is.
Notes: mandarin, coriander, bergamot, tonka bean and vetiver. Surprisingly for a man’s cologne, it isn’t strong or overpowering. A few spritzes should last you all day.
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