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!

 deep-euphoria-calvin-klein_100ml_angled
Calvin Klein Deep Euphoria – I have long been a fan of Calvin Klein fragrances, and I’d describe Deep Euphoria as an intense, heady floral with a musky dry down.
Via the brand: “The deep euphoria Calvin Klein fragrance enters a new olfactive category as the first vibrant chypre floral in the Calvin Klein portfolio with main notes of cascalone, black magic rose, and sensual musk, created by master perfumer Honorine Blanc of fragrance house Firmenich, in collaboration with renowned fragrance consultant Ann Gottlieb.”
 
Provocative. Sensuous. Intoxicating. Deep euphoria blurs the lines between fantasy and reality with its vibrant floral chypre scent. a piece of art, this sophisticated bottle was designed by Fabien Baron and inspired by a dark orchid about to bloom. A projection of fantasies through various experiences and transformations, deep euphoria blurs the lines between fantasy and reality.

b-balenciaga

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.

chloe-eau-de-parfum

Chloé’ eau de parfum — Chloé has a long reputation in the perfume business, I remember my mother wearing it in the 80’s. Back then it was a strong, lingering floral (if I recall correctly). Today’s Chloé is bright sunshine, fresh, light with a warm dry down. I love it.
Via the brand: “Chloé’s newly unveiled signature scent captures the creative, confident individuality of the Chloé woman. A fresh and feminine fragrance with an utterly innate sense of chic.
 Top Notes: Pink Peony, Freesia, Lychee
Heart Notes: Magnolia Flower, Lily of the Valley, Rose
Dry Down: Cedarwood, Amber, Honey”
bottega-veneta
Bottega Veneta — This was notably different on me versus Felicia, I’d say this scent is very responsive to body chemistry. On me it was warm with floral notes, on Felicia it was spicy and musky. Either way, intriguing and enticing.

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.”

giorgio-armani-si-intense-perfumeArmani 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

MAC ShadescentsSUCH 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!

 Via the brand: “Scent and lips create irresistible chemistry with M·A·C Shadescents, six new perfumes inspired by our most iconic Lipstick shades. Lady Danger thrills with notes of wild cherry and Ruby Woo goes bold with whiffs of deep red leather. Notes of saffron, incense smoke, and cordovan leather surprise and intoxicate in My Heroine. Candy Yum-Yum conjures tropical fruit and cotton candy and Velvet Teddy calls forth wild honey and creamy musk. Crème d’Nude evokes the vibrant sexiness of naked skin.
do-son-diptyque

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.”

Filed Under:

COMMENTS

pets says:
December 12, 2016, 9:14 am
I also like Carolina Herrera and some Elizabeth Ardens.
Kari says:
December 12, 2016, 10:41 pm
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.
Metiya says:
December 13, 2016, 8:03 am
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 www.metiyachique.com
Melissa says:
December 20, 2016, 2:51 pm
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.
FemaleAdda says:
January 17, 2017, 1:32 am
Balenciaga Intense it has amazing fragrance. Love this blog.