Wearing a scent defines you. Whether it’s fresh, citrusy, musky, floral or a combination, it is your signature. A fragrance is personal and unique to the wearer because body chemistry creates a unique signature that is expressed by the individual. Perfume has traditionally been one of the fail-safe gifts of the holiday season.
Your scent identifies who you are. Hollywood has made movies on this topic like The Scent of A Woman starring Al Pacino, where he identifies a woman is single and surprises her by correctly identifying her perfume scent as Fleurs de Rocaille, thus giving him the opportunity to talk “politics.”
The concept of fragrance is seductive as well.
“I wear perfume to make me feel sexy,” said Gail Jenkins who wears CK One by Calvin Klein, a citrus aromatic fragrance for women and men launched in 1994 by Alberto Morillas and Harry Fremont. CK One top notes are pineapple, orange, papaya, bergamot, cardamom and lemon; middle notes include nutmeg, violet, jasmine and rose; base notes are sandalwood, amber, musk and cedar. “I love the way it makes me feel,” said Gail Jenkins.
The perfume industry revenues are significant. According to Mintel, the marketing research firm, the fragrance industry was estimated at roughly $30 billion in 2013.
There is an increasing demand for natural fragrances as well as rising popularity for celebrity and youth-oriented scents. Many celebrities sign on with perfume houses with the goal of associating their name with a signature scent such as Julia Roberts and Lancome with La Vie Est Belle, rated one of the best perfumes for women. Its key ingredient is iris, with jasmine and orange blossoms giving it a pleasant scent. Taylor Swift Women’s Wonderstruck has a rich and fresh scent and it has lasting power with hints of vanilla and raspberries.
In addition, there is a growing sector for men’s cosmetics and toiletries. According to Trendsetter.com, Creed by Aventus has the strength and vision of Napoleon, featuring a bouquet of fruity notes including blackcurrant, bergamot, apple and pineapple, while birch and patchouli give the blend a smoky confidence irresistible to women. 1 Million by Paco Rabanne captures warm cinnamon, mandarin, grapefruit and minty citrus notes entwined with leather and patchouli.
Tom Ford’s pricey Private Reserve classic is making its return at $300 a pop. The primary scent is thuya, combined with potent Atlas cedar and sandalwood, presenting a wood combination—rich, dry, velvety and lightly spicy. Black pepper and juniper in the top notes ratchet up the sparkling energy, while warm, earthy patchouli and vetiver in the drydown radiate natural depth.
Whatever you choose, the scent you wear identifies you.
