I absolutely love perfumes! I love them so much so that I don't have a signature scent, I have several! LOL!
Although I have an extensive collection, every year, as my birthday approaches, I create a wish list of items that I'd like to purchase for the coming year or receive as gifts and it always includes some perfumes. I've learned to never buy a perfume on first encounter so I always spray the sample on my wrist and wear it throughout the day to see how it wears.
Things I look for when selecting a perfume:
Does it last? I prefer long lasting perfumes so I opt for Eau de Parfum vs Eau de Toilette (all the perfumes below are Eau de Parfum).
Does it come in 100ml or larger? Small sized perfumes always tend to finish so fast that I don't even bother with them.
Do I still like the scent once it changes? Perfumes change slightly based on how they mix with your body chemistry which is why I spray them on my skin versus on my clothes or the sample card. Also, the notes that make up perfume evaporate at different times which also changes the overall scent.
2017 PERFUME WISHLIST
Donna (Valentino)
Like it's name ('donna' means 'woman' in Italian), this fragrance is so feminine and ladylike it makes me happy from the inside.
Top Notes: Bergamot
Heart Notes: Iris Pallida, Rose
Base Notes: Leather, Patchouli, Vanilla
Price for 100ml bottle: £97/$133
Where to Buy: The Perfume Shop (UK) or Nordstrom (US)
Eros Pour Femme (Versace)
This a strong long lasting scent that fills the room when you walk in. It screams 'boss' and reminds me of Jessica Pearson from 'Suits' lol!
Top Notes: Sicilian Lemon, Calabrian Bergamot, Pomegranate
Heart Notes: Lemon Flower, Sambac Jasmine Absoulute, Jasmine Infusion, Peony
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Ambrox, Musk, Sensual Woods
Price for 100ml bottle: £99/$120
Where to Buy: House of Fraser (UK) or Macy's (US)
La Vie Est Belle (Lancôme)
This for me is a re-purchase and has got to be the most girly fragrance I have ever owned, it just exudes femininity! It's a perfect every day perfume as it lasts all day and just gets better with time. If you want compliments on your perfume, this is the one to go for, it always gets noticed.
Top notes: Blackcurrant, Pear
Heart notes: Iris, Orange Blossoms, Jasmine
Base notes: Tonka Bean, Praline, Patchouli, Vanilla
Price for 100ml bottle: £89/$122
Where to Buy: The Perfume Shop (UK) or Nordstrom (US)
Chloé (Chloé)
The first time I smelt this perfume I really wasn't a fan, its top note really put me off, but after trying it a second time I liked the sweetness of this fragrance. I'm not usually into sweet scents because they make me feel nauseated but this one doesn't seem to have that effect and I'd like to add it to my collection. The only downside to this fragrance is that it doesn't come in a 100ml size, the largest is 75ml.
Top Notes: Pink Peony, Freesia, Lychee
Heart Notes: Magnolia Flower, Lily of the Valley, Rose
Base Notes: Cedarwood, Amber, Honey
Price for 75ml bottle: £82/$132
Where to Buy: The Perfume Shop (UK) or Nordstrom (US)
Black Opium (Yves Saint Laurent)
I'm not entirely sure why I haven't purchased this one already since it's been on my hit list for quite a while but one word comes to mind when I think of this fragrance - potent. This perfume is definitely on the strong side and if you're not into that it may be a bit overwhelming. I generally don't like YSL fragrances but this one was formulated just right for me. This perfume also doesn't come in 100ml but it does come in 90ml which is close enough.
Top Notes: Pink pepper, Orange blossom
Heart Notes: Jasmine, Coffee
Base Notes: Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedarwood
Price for 90ml bottle: £91/$118
Where to Buy: The Perfume Shop (UK) or Nordstrom (US)
Did you guys notice that most of these perfumes had base notes of vanilla, patchouli and/or cedarwood and that most of these have jasmine heart notes? Knowing which notes you favour is a useful tool when selecting new perfume. Trying to get someone a gift and don't know which perfume to buy? See if someone in our Health & Beauty Forum can recommend the ideal scent.
These fragrances are all on the pricey side but perfumes are always worth the splurge. Also, they come in such great bottles! To all my friends, family and fans (lol!) feel free to gift one or all of these to me! 😘
Please Note: The prices in US Dollars are not a direct conversion from GB Pounds, they are the prices listed on the American websites provided.