Beauty SPOT

Pefume Perfection

Our tips for choosing the perfect perfume for you.

Spritzing your favourite fragrance is a subtle yet effective way to express yourself, telling the world who you are and what you are all about. Exotic notes exude your mystique and elegance. Florals are pretty, fresh and fun – perfect for a weekend picnic. Vanillas and musks are just completely irresistible.

Just ask anyone what first attracted him or her to their partner. Was it their conversational ability? Possibly. Looks? A definite maybe. Their scent? Absolutely. Wearing a gorgeous scent (which is not overpowering) is a surefire way to attract people to you. It’s all about chemistry…

“But Missy, with the choice of fragrances growing bigger by the day, how do I even begin to know where to start when it comes to buying perfume?” Easy!

Basically, perfumes fall into a range of different categories based on their dominant top notes. Each category suits a different occasion, and appeals to different people.

1. Woods - type perfumes evoke smells of the forest, and are usually very refreshing. They often tend to appeal to the older generation, making for great birthday pressies.
2. Orientals - these fragrances use strong spicy scents, and are well suited for special social occasions, but be cautious giving them to anyone you don’t know well – many people prefer to choose these stronger scents themselves. These can be soft, woody or floral.
3. The so-called “greens” are much lighter than the orientals, and are well suited to more casual wear. Because they make a less dramatic assault on the nose, they are also safer to give as gifts.
4. Waters - Modern “oceanic” fragrances are becoming more and more popular, particularly among the younger set who appreciate the intense but often quite unusual scents, which instantly bring to mind seaside scenes. Naturally, these are an excellent choice in the warmer months when we all have our minds on our upcoming holidays.
5. Citrus - Spicy fruity perfumes are also a good warm-weather choice, and can be a good all-round choice for the gal who wants to wear something with some traditional base-notes but is a little different to the classic floral scents.
6. Mossy Woods - Perfumers call these forest notes of oakmoss, woods and citrus Chypre fragrances. These are very fresh scents.
7. Dry Woods - A mossy-woody fragrance takes on a drier character with the addition of cedar, tobacco and burnt wood notes. The Dry Woods family is often called Leather, after the dry, smoky scent of Russian leather. Fresh citrus notes play an important role in most Dry Woods fragrances, lightening the deep, almost animalic heart notes.
8. Finally, classic floral fragrances are suitable for almost everyone and any occasion. But be wary of cheaper brands; as this is the most feminine of all the main groups, the ingredients smell the best when they are of the highest quality, which means that cheap brands can smell exactly that.

Ultimately, choosing a fragrance is a very personal choice, and some of you might prefer to stick with what suits you. But be willing to experiment, you may just discover a new gem.

Here are a few of our new and old favourites for you to try.

The New Breed – The Celeb Scent

Darling – Kylie Minogue

Sweet with just the right amount of spice

Kylie’s highly anticipated new fragrance lives up to the hype – this little lovely is fresh, sweet and subtle, with just a little added spice thrown in. Wear this one to a special occasion, when you are glammed up and glowing.

Family – Mossy Woods
Notes - Australian sandalwood, star fruit, freesia and boronia flower. It also includes a touch of white lily and a base note of precious amber.
Perfect for – That big formal occasion, like an anniversary or a wedding
Skin chemistry - Sits really well, settles very quickly
Lasted – Re-spritz at the end of the day for night time wear.
Overall Rating – 8/10

$85.00 for 75ml Available at Perfume Connection, and major dept stores.

With Love – Hilary Duff

Good enough to eat

A popular perfume with the teenage set, With Love is delicious and musky, with yummy notes of fruit and spice. You will spend a long time trying to think of what food this fragrance reminds you of. Definitely one of the stronger fragrances we tested, we issue a “go easy with this one’ warning for With Love.

Family – Woody Oriental
Notes - Exotic fruits, rich woods and sultry ambers. Top notes of mangosteen fruit and spices, mangosteen blossom, cocobolo wood, and a smoky base of wood, amber milk and amber musk.
Perfect for – Your teenage niece’s birthday present.
Skin Chemistry – Heavy on the skin, but you will smell delicious.
Lasted – I could smell it in my skin until I scrubbed it off.
Overall Rating 7/10

$59.00 for 30 mls Available now at Myer and Perfume Connection.

Fantasy – Britney Spears

Fun, fruity and flirty

Think what you will about Brit’s personal life – at least she knows a delicious scent when she smells one. My favourite out of the three (Curious and In Control make up the trio), this is a playful daytime fragrance, very fun and flirty.

Family – Woody Oriental
Notes - red lychee, golden quince and exotic kiwi, yummy cupcake, jasmine petals, white chocolate orchid, creamy musk and sensual woods.
Perfect for – A shopping spree
Skin Chemistry – Give this one about 10 minutes to get the full benefit.
Lasts – as long as it takes to empty your bank account shopping.
Overall rating – 8/10

$85.00 for 50mls Available at Myer, David Jones, Perfume Connection and selected independents.

Designer Scents

Rock & Rose - Valentino

A modern scent perfect for a rock princess

Rock princess’s need no longer smell of moshing bodies and cigarettes. This fragrance is inspired by modern women who combine a Rock 'n Roll attitude with elegance and style. This one will appeal to your boyfriend – innocent with a definite edge.

Family – Floral Oriental
Notes - bergamot, black currant, floral notes of orange blossom, gardenia, muguet, and rose, finished off with a flourish of sandalwood, musky notes and vanilla.
Perfect for – Seeing your fave band, of course!
Skin Chemistry – A little strong at first, but settles well.
Lasts for – the concert, and the post drinks
Overall Rating 7/10

$89.00 for 50 ml Available at Myer.

Princess – Vera Wang

Romance in a bottle

Yum is a word that comes to mind when you try Princess. It’s such a romantic and softly sweet scent that I would be more inclined to wear it at night. Although, on second thought, it would be a shame not to wear it all day every day. One for the girlie girls.

Family – Soft Oriental
Notes – Mandarin, meringue, pink guava, Tahitian tiare flower, vanilla and forbidden woods.
Perfect for – A first date.
Skin chemistry – Initially quite strong on the skin, takes about 5 minutes to settle.
Lasted – Quite good staying power.
Overall rating – 9/10

$80 for 50ml Available at Myer, David Jones and Perfume Connection.

The Classics

J'Adore – Christian Dior

A strong scent well loved by the clubbing crew

J’Adore is a much loved fragrance for the social set, it’s scent lingering in many a club and pub across Australia. This is one scent that makes its mark – everyone within a 10 foot radius will recognise your perfume of choice. Apply carefully – one quick spritz on the wrist and the neck is enough!

Family – Floral
Notes - Ivy leaves, orchids, amaranth wood and blackberry musk.
Perfect for – A flirty night out with your girlfriends.
Skin chemistry – J’Adore takes its time to settle into your skin – the first strong hit is evident for a few hours.
Lasts – Forever
Overall Rating – 6/10

.$120 for 50ml,available at Myer, David Jones and pharmacies.

Poison – Christian Dior

Classics last forever

Talk about a true classic. First launched in 1985, this fragrance has lasted the test of time. This perfume epitomises the whole idea of seduction, elegance and mystery, and many of those who loved this scent way back in 80’s are still loyal fans today.

Family – Floral Oriental
Notes - Honey and wild berries.
Perfect for – A glam night out at the best restaurant in town.
Skin Chemistry – Settles straight away, and gives a richer scent from the skin
Lasts – Very long lasting.
Overall Rating – 9/10

$80 for 30 ml Available at Myer and David Jones

For the Boys

Unforgivable – Sean John

Hot, Hot, Hot

I am in love with this scent by P.Diddy – it’s sexy, it’s clean, it’s rich, it almost makes me want to become a male so I can wear it. (Note the word ‘almost’). It’s been described as ‘addictive’, which is actually completely true. Give this to your other half and enjoy!

Family – Water
Notes – Wet citrus.
Perfect for – Your man to wear on a big night out with you.
Skin Chemistry – If you think the spritz from the bottle is good, wait till it settles on his skin.
Lasted – Diminished by the end of the night.
Rating – 10/10

$89.00 for 75 ml Available at David Jones and Perfume Connection

Aramis – Estee Lauder

One for the ladies man

This very successful scent leaves a lasting impression – you won’t forget this man quickly. Popular belief within the males ranks says this striking scent is quite effective at attracting the ladies, but you can judge that for yourself. It must be doing something right though – Aramis has been around since 1965.

Family – Dry Woods
Notes - crisp citrus notes and fresh green leaves, clove and cardamon. Patchouli, sandalwood and smooth leather notes.
Perfect for – the lad who fancies himself a ladies man.
Skin Chemistry – There is no ignoring the presence of Aramis – this stays strong from start to finish.
Lasts for – Dinner and dancing
Overall Rating – 8/10

$64 for 60 mls, Available at Myer, David Jones and selected independents

L'Homme by Yves Saint Laurent

The masculine top on this bottle will look ace in the bachelors bathroom

Tried and tested in the Missy office on our one resident male, L'homme has done wonders to raise the profile of our producer, Ben. Could it be the delicate blend of light and sparkling
notes of lemon and bergamot - or is it the deeper, masculine woody character? We may never truly know. But hey, we can certainly say that wearing L'homme, Ben has certainly moved up the spunk stakes.