Catch a whiff of these scents this spring/summer
I really hate being sick. I know, everyone hates being sick, but I really think I suffer more than the average Joe with the common cold. See, I only get sick about once or twice a year, and when I get sick, I get really sick. Case in point: I managed to get bronchitis and a sinus infection at the same time. It's lovely. The worst part about not feeling like myself is not looking like myself; cashmere cardigans and silk-lined jackets are traded for old, beat up tees and oversized hoodies. The only part of my beauty and fashion-junkie routine I keep up with while sick is smelling good. No amount of Guerlain Terracotta or DiorShow mascara will bring life back to my face, but just because I'm lolling around on the couch, delirious with fever, it doesn't mean I can't enjoy catching a whiff of something sweet (or musky or spicy). For fear of catching whatever it is I'm suffering with, no one will get close enough to be able to smell whatever it is I spritz on, but it cheers me up and makes me feel a little more like my healthy, non-sneezy self.
Not one to discriminate, I have a number of favourite fragrances; blame it on the French in me. Here are a few old classics and new scents for this spring that make me feel good no matter what my temperature is. Now pass the ice cream, my throat is sore.
FLORA BY GUCCI:
An obvious pick for spring with a name like Flora, Gucci's Flora is more than just a femme fragrance. The original “flora” floral patterned silk scarf was created back in 1966 for Monaco's Grace Kelly (of Hermés famed “Kelly bag”), and was revived once again on the bamboo-handled flora handbag a few seasons ago. With the scent having such serious credentials prior to its debut, it had big shoes to fill. Never one to disappoint, Gucci got it right and Flora is a light, pretty and fresh scent. Peony, citrus, patchouli, sandalwood and rose are combined to create a sexy, youthful scent that makes batting your lashes and walking with a strut seem perfectly natural, darling.
$80 for 50mL, available at fragrance counters and Sephora.
CKIN2U:
An old fave in my books, CK perfumes and colognes are effortlessly sexy and are the fragrance equivalent of your favourite jeans and a plain white tee. Euphoria, another CK favourite fragrance of mine, is a little more sophisticated and come-hither, while IN2U is easier to wear and goes with my tomboyish ways. Best for everyday use, I always get compliments when wearing this, and I truly believe it's because it smells a little manly and is pleasing to both genders. An unusual mix of pink grapefruit, bergamot, currant leaves, sugared orchid accord, white cactus, neon amber, vanilla soufflé and red cedar make this unique scent universally appealing and easy to love.
$60 for 100mL, available at CK beauty counters and Sephora
BALENCIAGA PARIS:
Balenciaga is one of my all-time favourite designers, so you can imagine my excitement when they announced their first scent since 1998. Floral, but not your average frou-frou fragrance, creative director Nicolas Ghesquière explains it is “not a romantic floral” but a mix of traditional and contemporary elements. Namely, violet leaves, cedar and patchouli. Not powdery like a typical lavender scent, Balenciaga Paris has depth and smells bright, a little peppery and quite mysterious, much like the label itself.
$130 for 75mL, available at Holt Renfrew
CHLOÉ EAU DE FLEURS NÉROLI:
Chloé debuted its first fragrance with much anticipation, and any it girl worth her Choos ran to the nearest counter to snatch one up promptly after its release back in 2005. This season, there will be thrice the frenzy as the newest fragrance comes in a collection of three eau de fleurs. The trio of scents, lavande, capucine and néroli are all each individually unique and diverse, but can be layered for a more dynamic and daring effect. My personal favourite, eau de fleurs néroli, is quite enough on its own for my taste. Néroli, commonly stirring up nostalgia, can often smell like something from a baby skincare line. To counteract that and bring sophistication to the scent, masculine woody and leathery notes were added, as well as a little citrus and musk to punch it up. Now that's the smell of spring.
$135 US for 100mL, available at saksfifthavenue.com
CREED SILVER MOUNTAIN WATER:
Despite the kind of cheesy name, Creed is one of the world's most exclusive and expensive perfumers. Famous fans over the years include J. F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and the Beckhams, to name a few. The House of Creed began custom-making scents for their clients back in 1760, and have continued to expand their ever-growing line of perfumes, colognes and unisex scents ever since. Silver Mountain Water, Mr. Oliver Creed's personal favourite, tops my list too. A unisex scent that is “as bracing as a pure mountain waterfall in springtime,” Silver Mountain Water evokes a fresh, clean, crisp scent that makes me feel sexy and a little rugged. Season-less and timeless as well as genderless, this is my favourite go-scent for anytime, anywhere.
$282.50 for 120mL, available at Holt Renfrew
Not one to discriminate, I have a number of favourite fragrances; blame it on the French in me. Here are a few old classics and new scents for this spring that make me feel good no matter what my temperature is. Now pass the ice cream, my throat is sore.
FLORA BY GUCCI:
An obvious pick for spring with a name like Flora, Gucci's Flora is more than just a femme fragrance. The original “flora” floral patterned silk scarf was created back in 1966 for Monaco's Grace Kelly (of Hermés famed “Kelly bag”), and was revived once again on the bamboo-handled flora handbag a few seasons ago. With the scent having such serious credentials prior to its debut, it had big shoes to fill. Never one to disappoint, Gucci got it right and Flora is a light, pretty and fresh scent. Peony, citrus, patchouli, sandalwood and rose are combined to create a sexy, youthful scent that makes batting your lashes and walking with a strut seem perfectly natural, darling.
$80 for 50mL, available at fragrance counters and Sephora.
CKIN2U:
An old fave in my books, CK perfumes and colognes are effortlessly sexy and are the fragrance equivalent of your favourite jeans and a plain white tee. Euphoria, another CK favourite fragrance of mine, is a little more sophisticated and come-hither, while IN2U is easier to wear and goes with my tomboyish ways. Best for everyday use, I always get compliments when wearing this, and I truly believe it's because it smells a little manly and is pleasing to both genders. An unusual mix of pink grapefruit, bergamot, currant leaves, sugared orchid accord, white cactus, neon amber, vanilla soufflé and red cedar make this unique scent universally appealing and easy to love.
$60 for 100mL, available at CK beauty counters and Sephora
BALENCIAGA PARIS:
Balenciaga is one of my all-time favourite designers, so you can imagine my excitement when they announced their first scent since 1998. Floral, but not your average frou-frou fragrance, creative director Nicolas Ghesquière explains it is “not a romantic floral” but a mix of traditional and contemporary elements. Namely, violet leaves, cedar and patchouli. Not powdery like a typical lavender scent, Balenciaga Paris has depth and smells bright, a little peppery and quite mysterious, much like the label itself.
$130 for 75mL, available at Holt Renfrew
CHLOÉ EAU DE FLEURS NÉROLI:
Chloé debuted its first fragrance with much anticipation, and any it girl worth her Choos ran to the nearest counter to snatch one up promptly after its release back in 2005. This season, there will be thrice the frenzy as the newest fragrance comes in a collection of three eau de fleurs. The trio of scents, lavande, capucine and néroli are all each individually unique and diverse, but can be layered for a more dynamic and daring effect. My personal favourite, eau de fleurs néroli, is quite enough on its own for my taste. Néroli, commonly stirring up nostalgia, can often smell like something from a baby skincare line. To counteract that and bring sophistication to the scent, masculine woody and leathery notes were added, as well as a little citrus and musk to punch it up. Now that's the smell of spring.
$135 US for 100mL, available at saksfifthavenue.com
CREED SILVER MOUNTAIN WATER:
Despite the kind of cheesy name, Creed is one of the world's most exclusive and expensive perfumers. Famous fans over the years include J. F. Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and the Beckhams, to name a few. The House of Creed began custom-making scents for their clients back in 1760, and have continued to expand their ever-growing line of perfumes, colognes and unisex scents ever since. Silver Mountain Water, Mr. Oliver Creed's personal favourite, tops my list too. A unisex scent that is “as bracing as a pure mountain waterfall in springtime,” Silver Mountain Water evokes a fresh, clean, crisp scent that makes me feel sexy and a little rugged. Season-less and timeless as well as genderless, this is my favourite go-scent for anytime, anywhere.
$282.50 for 120mL, available at Holt Renfrew
