December 2005 - Our sense of smell has the ability to elicit emotions and memories more so than any of our other senses. The smell of a warm apple pie is comforting, the smell of the ocean brings us back to our vacation on the beach...So what more perfect gift during the holidays than the gift of a fragrance, one that can express how you feel about someone, or remind that special person about times you’ve shared, or evoke a certain mood…

When picking out a scent, one of your first considerations should be when it will be worn. Some scents are meant for casual use, perhaps for weekend strolls through the park, others may be appropriate for work, and still others may be just right for nights out or romantic evenings in. This rule applies whether you’re looking for the perfect fragrance for a man or a woman ~ so take some time to think about the person’s lifestyle, and then get to sniffing, because there are a lot of wonderful scents out there to choose from this season!

Spray by the Rules

Just like you’re picking out a scent for that special someone, someone might be picking out a fabulous scent for you! You’ll want to make the most out of the gift by knowing just how and where to apply it (asking for a little help with this part is ok, too, since it just adds to the sensuality of the gift!) and how to make it last. When applying fragrance it is important to place the scent near your pulse points. These points are the warmest spots on your body and include the wrist, behind the ear, at the crook of the arm and knee, by the base of the throat, and at the ankles. Many people neglect the bottom half of the body, but that’s where the majority of your scent should be placed because scent rises.

To preserve your fragrance, it’s best to keep it away from excessive heat or cold. Keep the cap closed tightly to avoid evaporation, and keep the bottle out of sunlight. But make sure to use your scent, not just store it. There’s nothing sadder than a gorgeous fragrance that doesn’t get to be enjoyed!

When shopping for a scent, try no more than three scents at a time. If you try too many, your nose will not be able to distinguish amongst them. If you’re treating yourself to a little gift, spray/dab each scent directly onto your skin. That’s the truest test of how a fragrance will smell, since now it has a chance to interact with your unique body chemistry.

One last thing to remember is not to overdo it. Everyone should have a scent circle that extends no more than an arm’s length. You don’t want to be overpowering, it’s best to be subtle when it comes to scent, keeping it an intimate pleasure only those closest to you get to enjoy and appreciate.

Shopping For Him

One popular men’s fragrance this season is Touch by Burberry. It combines fresh mandarin and earthy oakmoss with a musty base of cedar and vetiver. It has very light, casual and earthy qualities that make it perfect to wear every day to work, out for coffee, or even to an early dinner.

Another scent designed to be worn during the daytime is Eternity for Men by Calvin Klein. It is a refreshing scent that combines greens, crisp jasmine, sage and basil along with rosewood for a light, easy scent that isn’t overpowering.

Aramis Life by Aramis is another good choice for men. It has more of a woodsy, spicy scent, so it has a little bit more of a kick to it than the previous fragrances. This scent is sure to leave an impression with everyone who catches a whiff.

Boss in Motion Blue by Hugo Boss is another spicy scent. It’s casual with just the right combination of sweet and spicy oils mixed in with aromatic woods. A very masculine scent, it is perfect for evenings.

For evening, a strong scent such as Aigner Essence by Etienne Aigner is perfect. Again, it has a very masculine scent to it and combines fragrant woods, tobacco, and spice to create an unforgettable fragrance that is perfect for that first date.

Shopping For Her

For woman, the choices are endless. Some favorites for the season include Very Irresistible by Givenchy, described as a unique, aromatic floral fragrance. Words like sensual, radiant, luminous, and elegant also capture this flowery scent, a surefire winner at the office or an early dinner.

Another perfect daytime scent, great for those family get-togethers during the holiday season, is D & G Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana. The scent is a refreshing mixture of rose, apple, musk and jasmine.

Sarah Jessica Parker’s new perfume, Lovely, combines lavender, orchid and amber with apple martini, paper whites and musk for a very original and feminine scent, perfect for the evening.

Eternity Moment by Calvin Klein also begs to be worn for the evening, evoking feelings of romance and mystery with its blend of Asian fruits, florals, musk and a surprise hint of raspberry.

Finally, the true romantic in you deserves Gucci II by Gucci. It is perfect for those sexy evenings with its elegant blend of tart and tangy fruits.

Scents can have almost magical powers, soothing us, exciting us, inviting us, energizing us and making us smile. For as many individuals and individual tastes as there are out there, there’s a fragrance that is bound to capture the exact essence of the moment, the person, the emotion. So if you give the gift of scent, you’ll be giving someone a little extra sensuality for the holidays ~ and if you receive a fragrance, allow yourself to enjoy all that it has to offer!