Just about every Christmas since I was oh, maybe 12 years old, my mom would get me a bottle of perfume. As a little one it was likely to be something by Yardley, Vanilla Fields, or all throughout high school, Sunflowers (I loved that bottle). When I came of age, Chanel No. 5. In 2014 I wrote this post about the most popular signature fragrances, and I added Flowerbomb to my collection. Now the holidays are around the bend, and if you’re anything like my mom, you’re doing research on the hottest new fragrances of the year to wrap up and place under the tree. Allow me to be of service. Here are the hottest scents of the season, just in time for holiday. Here’s your official Afrobella holiday fragrance guide!
B. Balenciaga Intense — First spray gives me heavy amber and musk. My friend Felicia declared, “this smells like Christmas.” B. Balenciaga Intense is definitely that — intense and sharp with floral and woodsy tones that turn to cedar.
Via the brand: “A deeper interpretation of the original fragrance, B. BALENCIAGA INTENSE is a vibrant and lavish mix that lures with an addictive, fruity hook of green tea, blueberry, and edamame, ultimately evolving to darker, dry woody notes of cedar, mahogany, and queen of the night. This combination of ingredients combines for an elegant and addictive fragrance.B. BALENCIAGA INTENSE celebrates the portrait of a woman as she unveils her darker, most essential self. She defines the modern woman’s profound power, confidence, and freedom to express emotion and sensuality, revealing a dramatic depth of emotion and raw femininity.”
Via the brand: “Bottega Veneta, the first fragrance for women is a complex and abstract mix of raw materials woven harmoniously. It is in the way of the intrecciato weaving technique, associated with the brand Bottega Veneta, that master perfumers Michel Almairac and Amandine Marie have composed a singular fragrance.From the very start, the olfactive identity of the brand appears through the original cross-combination of plum and pink pepper, which brings brightness and depth. A strong and charismatic note of sambac jasmine (a variety of jasmine less animal and more floral), reflects in the heart the elegance of the Bottega Veneta woman. Harmonious contrast between modernity and tradition, this fragrance continues to radiate through its specific leather accord, a symbol and signature of Bottega Veneta fashion design.”
Armani Si Intense — I liked the original Armani Si so much that I named it as a favorite here and listed it as one of 15 beauty products to have in 2015. And now they’ve gone and made Si Intense, which is everything I loved about the original but turned up and muskier and longer lasting. Y’all might smell me coming!
Via the brand: “Sì Eau de Parfum Intense is for the modern woman who says yes to her most vibrant emotions: seduction, love, and passion. Sì Eau de Parfum Intense has a 20% oil concentration, which is higher than the average Eau de Parfum. The fragrance comes in a luxurious black bottle with golden accents on the ring, base and the Sì logo. “Sì Intense highlights the warmth and elegance of the modern woman.”
Top note: Blackcurrant nectar
Middle note: Silky white freesia
Bottom note: Vanilla Chypre Accord
Scent Family: warm florals”
MAC Shadescents: SUCH a brilliant idea by MAC, to create perfumes inspired by their most beloved lipsticks. I’m really excited to try them out, to see if the lipsticks I’ve loved match up with scents that go with my body chemistry. I’m most looking forward to Velvet Teddy and I’m super curious about Crème d’Nude!
Diptyque Do Son — if you are lucky enough to be near to a Diptyque store, do yourself a favor. Go inside and smell everything. Every candle, every fragrance. Bask in the experience. Check out their skincare products. You are likely to fall head over heels for at least one fragrance. For me, it was Do Son. It’s a heady tuberose with a musk body.
Via the brand: – “Tuberose, Orange Leaves, Pink Peppercorns, Musk – Divinely mysterious tuberose unveils its powers of seduction on a bed of berries and flowers. It is embraced by the fresh sweetness of a sea breeze, like a pagoda on the edge of the Gulf of Tonkin.”
I also like Carolina Herrera and some Elizabeth Ardens.
I am definitely a scent snob and prefer not to smell like everyone else. I consider scents an important accessory, and I select my scent of the day (SOTD) based upon a memory, if I want to feel confident, etc. I believe that a woman’s scent should NOT be: overpowering, loud, cloying and causes excessive sneezing.
Ooh thanks for this! I have been thinking about trying a Balenciaga perfume since I was gifted some testers a while back. You said Bottega Veneta was different on you vs Felicia. Are you referring to Felicia Walker of thisthatbeauty by any chance?? X Metiya
http://www.metiyachique.com
I have recently fallen in love with the Tocca scents (if romance had a scent it’d be Stella). Where have i been lol? I wear Diptyque Philosokos and always get a compliment on it so I’ll stop at the store today in Grand Central and whiff Do Son and I’ve discovered Dior Hypnotiq. I have a sample of Si that I do like and am still on the purchase fence.
On a side note, I wish more people truly took the time to find a signature scent (Shalimar – dont judge lol) but mostly to understand how much scents factor into our lives. Especially men. I lament that no one has taught younger men how to turn a woman’s head by her nose first.
Balenciaga Intense it has amazing fragrance. Love this blog.