image via bondno9.com
“The pearlized milk glass Eau de New York bottle (citruses-cyclamen-jasmine-vetiver) is studded with diamond-colored aurora borealis stones. Chelsea Flowers (peonies-magnolia-rose) is decked with emerald-colored stones. Chinatown (peach-gardenia-tuberose-sandalwood) features ruby-colored stones.”

I received several emails recently asking about fragrances, from both men and women. Scents are one of my favorite beauty items to shop for and talk about.

While most women are reorganizing their closets when the seasons change, I am reorganizing my fragrances! I have over 200 bottles of fragrances and I am the type that separates and wears them based on season. I wear lighter scents during spring and summer, richer scents in fall and winter. I also have a collection of scents that I consider “anytimers” that I wear year round.

Most of the scents I wear are Bond No. 9, Jo Malone, Prada & Gucci. I also have my favorite lower end scents but for the most part, I pick from the brands listed above.

The men in my life don’t usually buy and have more than just a few scents at a time and they tend to just wear what they like regardless of season. Notice that I say “the men in my life” because every man is going to differ on this.

Ladies & Gents, when you are looking for a new scent consider the following:

1) Is the scent age appropriate for you? This is the same as when buying clothes! Ask yourself if the scent works for you at your age or if it is too young or old for you.

2) What do you like? Do you tend to like wearing more florals, citrus or fruity scents over richer, woody scents? Think this over to avoid being the one who buys a scent just because it’s popular but you’ll never wear because you don’t really like citrus.

3) How YOU think YOU smell in it? Don’t let someone else sway your decision. Get a sample and wear the scent for a while and find out how your body responds to it. You many find that the scent does not work for you after all and it cost you nothing to discover this. This is also good to do to see if you will have any allergies to it.

I understand that some prefer not to wear scents or be around someone who does due to allergies or headaches. I have allergies. I get migraines from time to time.  Mine are triggered not by stress or foods but by scent; so I totally get it. A friend of time told me one day that she had a terrible headache and could not figure out why. I knew what the problem was, she was wear too much perfume and it was causing her headaches. I would still encourage a person to seek out a scent they are comfortable with, that does not trigger any reactions other than compliments of how fabulous they smell.

Never forget that custom blend fragrances are a good option, also. If you just can’t find a scent you like or your allergies prevent you from wearing mainstream, mass manufactured scents, look into creating your own custom scent. You may find a blend that works for you.