MAKING SENSE OF SCENTS

By THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS    

Perfume is the unspoken message of your inner soul, the signature expression of your irreplaceable personality and disposition, the one-of-a-kind reflection of the unique chemistry between your body and the fragrance you choose to wear.

Indeed, no item in your personal grooming arsenal says more about who you are than your cologne. Like a quality fashion accessory, a good perfume adds a finishing touch to what you’re wearing, and the essence you choose can reflect your style, your tastes, your very inner soul.

Coco Channel once defined perfume as “a woman’s most intimate signature – that alluring scent that lingers in a room long after she has departed.”

But finding the right scent for your distinct persona can be daunting.

Here are some simple guidelines to help you zero in on a fragrance that reflects that inner you.

When selecting a scent, the first step is to think about what kinds of smells you find most attractive.

Do you love the fresh fragrance of the forest? There are a lot of outdoorsy perfumes these days based around the scent of cedars and other woodsy odors, often with a hint of musk.

For a lighter, airier style, there are citric and other fruity options that are ideal for sporty personalities and perfect for daywear.

Or are you more into florals? If so, the romantic, feminine scent of roses or gardenias may be more up your alley.

There are so many different options of perfumes on the market today – from greens to fruity to spicy to oceanic to gourmands – that virtually every woman can find a scent that she feels is appropriate for her, that suits her own personality and style.

It is important to remember that every perfume smells different on every person because your personal chemistry plays a part in activating the scent, so even if you wear the same cologne as your best friend, it will not smell the same on you as it does on her.

Consequently, when trying on a new perfume at a department store, wait at least 15 minutes after applying it to decide if it is really you.

Meanwhile, here is an array of some of the latest new scents on the market to help you discover a bouquet all your own.

Burst of Flowers

When it comes to florals – which, by the way, make up the most popular group of scents – no one can out-fragrance that master of all things roses and jasmine, Dior.

And this season, Dior has created some brand new ways to J’Adore yourself with the introduction of its new formats of its two classic fragrances, J’Adore (a sumptuous combination of ylang-ylang, Damascena rose and Sambac jasmine) and Miss Dior (a romantic rendezvous of is a sublime duet of Grasse and Damascan roses infused with white musk and lush red berries).

In addition to the brand’s traditional eau de toilettes, perfumes and body creams, the Dior fragrance family now has scented body mists and super-portable (they fit in your purse and even pass through airport security) rollerball gels (the operative word here is “gel,” because these delicious little scents cling to your body to envelop you in fragrance all day long).

The J’Adore Brume Précieuse body mist can be spritzed on after a shower to caress your body with a fresh and vivacious cloud of fragrance and an ethereal texture that enhances and illuminates the skin, energizing it all day long.

The Brume’s unique formula is enriched with cotton nectar and has the legendary notes of J’Adore’s sensual rose and radient ylang-ylang, as well as jasmine extract.

And the roller pearl applicators of the Miss Dior fragrance family ensure that you can take your favorite fragrance with you wherever you go to retouch and freshen in a jiffy.

These smart new J’Adore and Miss Dior basics complement Dior’s already best-selling Hair Mist that lets you infiltrate your tresses with your favorite scent without damaging your follicles.

Mediterranean Orange

If you prefer a more citrusy scent, try Acqua di Parma’s latest edition to it Blu Mediterraneo collection, Chinotto di Liguria.

(After all, it was Acqua di Parma that first introduced the world to the citrus family of scents back in the early 1800s.)

Centered around the tantalizing aromas of the Italian Chinotto bitter orange, this fresh and lively scent also includes sparkling notes of mandarin, caressed with jasmine and geranium blended with a hint of spicy cardamom and rosemary.

The unisex Chinotto di Liguria fragrance is rounded off with the peace and tranquility afforded by a base of mask and patchouli.

Chinotto di Liguria is reminiscent of an early morning stroll along the rocky coastlines of Italy’s western Liguria.

Chinotto di Liguria is Acqua di Parma’s eighth interpretation of Blu Mediterraneo, and the tangy scent is also available in a lip balm and hand cream.

Acqua di Parma’s history began in 1916 in a small perfume factory and in recent years the company has grown to become one of the best known perfume companies ¿ in the in the high quality market niche.

In the 1990s, the brand was relaunched and, in September 2001, the luxury-focused LVMH Group signed an agreement with Acqua di Parma, providing the opening of shops in the major cities around the world, the development of new product lines and a further strengthening of selective distribution.

Today, Acqua di Parma is directly present in more than 20 markets, and its products are sold in more than 80 countries.

Mexican Aromas

Palacio de Hierro has just added two new fragrances to its exclusive Arquiste collection, a delicious array of fruity and floral scents that are intended to capture the rich tapestry of aromas of Mexico.

The two new scents – Guayabos, based on the lusty scent of the pungent guava fruit, and Limoneros, inspired by the bouquet of ripe green limes (a staple on every Mexican table) – are a true celebration of the country’s natural botanical heritage.

First introduced in 2016, the Arquiste fragrances are the artistic creations of internationally acclaimed perfumier Rodrigo Flores-Roux and fragrance entrepreneur Carlos Huber, both originally from Mexico.

Guayabos and Limoneros join the ranks of the previous Arquiste eau de toilettes inspired by Mexico, Azahares, Magnolias and Vetiveres, providing a fresh, airy addition to the collection.

Guayabos is the first commercial perfume centered around the guava fruit, and its tropical fruity attar is tactfully tempered with a blend of roses, bergamot, tangerine, Indian jasmine, white cedar and cypress wood.

The citrusy Limoneros, on the other hand, is seasoned with pink grapefruit, ginger, iris, vetiver patchouli and South African buchu.

Like a lime-scented breath of spring air, this succulent scent embraces the body with a vigorous embrace of freshness.

Both scents are unisex and can be worn by men and women alike.

All of the Arquiste fragrances are available in Mexico exclusively at Palacio de Hierro.