I've always loved perfume, although I don't have a signature scent. In fact I rarely wear it anymore because it gives my daughter migraines. But that doesn't extinguish my love for this particular beauty product. I all scents, both floral and spicy. I love light, airy scents and I love slightly heavier sexy scents. There are, in fact, few perfumes that I don't like.
Perfume goes back thousands of years. The Egyptians are generally credited with the invention of perfume. However, others believe that it goes back even further than that. It was originally used in religious rituals but that changed when perfumed balms and ointments were used for medicinal purposes. Eventually, even that gave way to the use of perfumed oils and creams for cosmetic purposes. But it was the French that finely refined the product and ultimately defined how it would be used today.
Now perfume is a essential part of most women's cosmetic regimen. Although a lot of women choose a single scent and stick with it for an extended period of time, I always loved experimenting. I often changed my perfume to suit my mood, which confused my colleagues and friends until they got the hang of my different choices and what they meant.
Because I love so many different scents, I learned a lot about them over the years. I'd like to share that information. Here are some of my very favorites.
Chantilly is a scent that has been around for quite a while; since 1941 to be exact. I wore it when my husband and I were dating. From the Design House of Dana, Chantilly is classified as an Oriental fragrance. I definitely agree. This one possesses a spicy blend of sandalwood, moss, and orange blossoms.
This is a strong scent so I don't recommend it for daytime wear. It also isn't one that everyone will enjoy because it carries a definite “kick.”
Chantilly retails for about $15 for a 2 fl. oz. bottle. It can be purchased in most drug stores as well as most discount department stores.
The Design House of Chloe launched Chloe Narcisse in 1992. Unlike its sister fragrance, Chloe, Narcisse is classified as a sharp, oriental/floral fragrance. I agree. It is an unusual blend of oriental spices and flowers.
This perfume is perfect for the woman with two sides to her personality; the professional businesswoman and the sex kitten. However, I consider it more of a daytime fragrance, since I like to kick up a notch at night.
Chloe Narcisse is moderately priced at around $25 for a 1.7 fl. oz. bottle. It can be purchased in fine department stores, some drug stores, and even a few discount department stores.
Coco is one of my all time favorite scents. It is classified by perfumers as a classic. From the House of Chanel, Coco launched in 1984. I love its unusual blend of ingredients, which include mandarin, pimento, and coriander with rose, carnation, and cinnamon. Those are mixed with its base fragrance of amber, vanilla, and honey to make a truly memorable perfume.
Of all the perfumes I have worn over the years, I received more attention from the men when I was wearing Coco. While floral scents seem to appeal more to women, this unusual mixture of spice and flowers seems to appeal to the male of the species.
This one can be worn during the day or evening and is well suited to the young professional.
Coco is not inexpensive at close to $90 for a 1.7 fl. oz. bottle. It can only be purchased at the finest department stores and online.
Design has been one of my favorite scents since its inception in 1985. From Paul Sebastian, perfumers classify it as a soft floral scent. I think that describes it pretty well. This perfume is refreshing blend of honeysuckle, carnation, rose, citrus, and warm musk.
This scent can be worn day or evening because it is very soft and light. In fact, it makes the perfect transition perfume from work to play.
Moderately priced, Design retails for less than $20 for a 1.7 fl. oz. bottle. I've only seen this perfume at certain fine department stores.
Escape, by Calvin Klein, was launched in 1991. It is classified as a luxurious fragrance. I agree that it is definitely luxurious, but it is also very fruity. It combines apple, mandarin, plum, and peach with rose, musk, and sandalwood to make a very unique fragrance.
This scent is a little heavier than many of the others I've listed here. It has some similarities in “tone” to that of Poison. Escape is recommended specifically for romantic wear as opposed to daytime. It has a bit of a “kick” to it that some people find a little too grating.
