March 23, 2011

On Fragrance

Courtesy of Luxxxe


Fragrance is another one of those intensely personal things. Perfume is the last thing I put on before leaving the house. To me, leaving my home without a light spritz of fragrance is akin to leaving the house without earrings- I simply don't feel dressed without either one.

I love the idea of a fragrance that friends and family associate with me or a signature scent. A part of me has always longed for a signature scent. Having to many choices can be overwhelming! For years I searched for a scent that was quintessentially me. When it comes to wardrobe building, I am confident in my ability to immediately discern what works for me, however selecting a fragrance takes precision and time. 

To be honest, I divert to my mother to scout out fragrances for me. There are few people who I turn to for advice on style. My mother is at the top of that short list and when it comes to fragrances she has exquisite taste. I discovered several delightful Chanel fragrances through my mom. 

I'm not easy to please when it comes to fragrance. I dislike scents that are heavy or overpowering. I relish fresh and subtle scents that are classic. A signature scent needs to provide a bit of intrigue and allure. My mother introduced me to Chloé and it has been my go to cooler weather scent for several years. I love how the fragrance becomes more complex and layered when it melds into my scarves, sweaters and coats. This fragrance makes me feel energized, elegant and chic. It contains many of my favorite notes- peony, magnolia flower and amber. I also love having a gorgeous perfume bottle to display on my vanity. A pretty bottle is no excuse to purchase a beauty product, but Chloé had me with the plated silver engraved top and hand tied ribbon. Once the weather changes, I will have revisit my search for a scent that embraces the lighter air. 

Do you have a signature scent? 

15 comments:

  1. this is an amazing fragrance...
    lovelove it

    http://lamodemary.blogspot.com/

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  2. i also like the idea of using different scents for warm v cold weather. rather than having a signature scent, different fragrances remind me of different periods of my life - i cant really use them now without feeling like im being transported back in time
    http://navyandbeige.wordpress.com

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  3. I used to wear carnal flower (I know, stupid name!) by frederic Malle all the time, but then it started to fade on me. So now I am flitting between jo malone's pomegranate noir and a jasmine oil I found in the bylanes of old Delhi.

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  4. I LOVE this parfum...I have the tester and I'm just obbbbsessed! Love the ad campaign too for it! I usually wear YSL babydoll!
    kisses
    xoThe Beckerman Girls

    www.BeckermanBitePlate.com

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  5. Chanel coco mademoiselle!

    http://thefashioninbox.blogspot.com

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  6. This is one of my obsessions too... The signature scent. The woman that can choose a perfume for her, and make it become a part of her personality in my mind is sexy and very confident (thing that I'll never be LOL)

    So in the end, I always change my perfume. But there is one that I really love and it's the one that in the end I'd always like to come back to: L'eau d'Issey from Issey Miyake. But I'm just too curious to be 100% loyal to it! Maybe one day...

    Al

    -The Red Dot-

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  7. Everytime I wear this, I get complimented. It seems to smell different on everyone!! I think perfume is magic!!

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  8. Beautiful photograph! My favorite is actually a little childish but I have worn the fruity Escada scents for years and years so that is a signature scent for me.

    www.featherfactor.com

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  9. Thank you all for taking the time to read, let alone comment. I read each and every comment and love them. It's humbling.

    Mary Ko, Beckerman Girls, The Line Sheet- Isn't Chloe the best?

    S- Having warm and cold weather scents is integral when you live in an area with such drastic seasons. I too, can associate different fragrances with different stages of my life. Smell is such a powerful sense.

    Ammu- Ah Frederic Malle! I like the Jo Malone scents. Your jasmine oil must be fabulous.

    Meekay- My mom introduced me to Mademoiselle. J'adore

    Goodbadfab- Thank you for the sweet comment.

    Al- Finding a signature scent is an obsession. It takes time. I think perfume can become part of your personality and certainly part of your style. I think my mom has L'eau d'Issey from Issey Miyake. Now I want to check.

    Featherfactor- There no such thing as a childish scent. Sometimes you just have to stick with what you like.

    Prêt à Porter P- I like the idea of having a fragrance for everyday and something special for evening.

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  10. My sister uses Chloe too, and I must say, it's an incredible fragrance - so distinctive but subtle at the same time. I use Jo Malone's Vintage Gardenia when I'm in the mood, but mostly I don;t wear anything - fragrance is new territory for me!

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  11. Lin- I think so too. It's hard to explain, but there is something very subtle about it. I was in love with Jo Malone's Vintage Gardenia a few years ago. Gardenias are one of my favorite flowers and the fragrance just made me so happy.

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  12. I'm in the process of picking a signature scent for myself and i find it difficult.Chanel coco is on the top of my list but I haven't tried cloe

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  13. Angie- It is difficult, but worth the time.

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  14. A few weeks ago I probably drove every perfume saleswoman mad, as I was on the hunt for my signature scent.

    I bought the new Miss Dior Cherie EDP, and although initially I started to wonder if it was the right one for me, I put some on just then and it is starting to grow on me. I think that after a couple of weeks, you are still new to it, and start to wonder if it's 'you.'

    If you love it at first, eventually you will fall properly in love with it, I think it just takes a while for something to become your signature scent.
    I'm actually about to write a blog post about how it's taken me a while to feel like it's 'mine' soon...after exams! Definitely a learning experience.

    I like your idea of fragrances for different weather as well. Wonderful blog post as always! It's like you are reading my mind, but also always bringing something unique and interesting to the table

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  15. Genevieve- The search for the perfect scent... You should do a post on this. I'm always curious about how other women find their favorite scents and favorite beauty products in general.

    I love the ads and aesthetic of Miss Dior Cherie. I haven't tried it yet, but Im curious. It takes time for scents to grow on you. I know exactly what you mean about it taking a while for something to become your signature scent and it being a learning experience.

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