If I had to narrow my entire fragrance collection down to just ten bottles, these would be the ones I’d keep. The ones I reach for without thinking. The ones that feel like me.

Fragrance isn’t something I save for special occasions. It’s part of my everyday routine. I wear it to the grocery store, to run errands, to sit at home. The only places I skip it are tight spaces like airplanes or the dentist. Otherwise, it’s on.

I don’t believe in having just one signature scent. I like variety. Different moods. Different seasons. Scent is tied so closely to memory and emotion that wearing the same thing all year would feel limiting. I gravitate toward niche fragrances because they feel more personal and distinctive, which is why only two of these are widely available.

If these were the only ten I could keep for life, I’d be perfectly happy.

 

Traditionally perfumes and colognes have been marketed to men and women separately. And we do tend to separate certain kinds of scent notes with leaning feminine and certain notes with leaning masculine. Technically all scents are unisex and anyone can wear any scent. Fragrances actually smell different on men and women because the chemicals in a person's body interact with the chemicals in a perfume creating a unique scent.  I've pulled together a list of my favorite scents that I truly feel could be worn by either a man or woman. They are that good and you can share them with your romantic partner. 

 In the summer time I love a scent that transports me to a tropical paradise. Imagine the scent of the ocean breeze, while you sit on the sand lathered in Hawaiian Tropic SPF 8. When I think of a beachy scent I think of the fragrance notes: frangipani, tiare, ylang-ylang, & coconut. The perfumes on this list capture that feeling of the tropics and make you feel like you're on vacation in Hawaii, the Maldives, Bora Bora, Fiji or the Seychelles. Even if you're not traveling this summer, you can still wear these fantastic fragrances that transport you to a beautiful beach.

In the winter time you'll want to wear your heavy, dark, warm, mysterious fragrances because those fragrances do well in cold air. Winter air makes perfumes softer so it's my favorite season to wear perfume because you can wear bold scents. So wear all your heavy hitters now! But go easy on the trigger spray. You'll see a lot of repeats here from my fall fragrance list and my 2022 winter list. The list here has just been refined into my core favorites. This season I'm really into tobacco fragrances, this really hits you in the feels if you had a loved one who smoked a pipe. Transports me back to childhood. I don't mean cigarettes, but the scent of a sweet cherry cigar. And no I have no interest in going to a cigar bar, but I love the scent in perfumes and candles. The cold temperatures outside can really suck, but perfumes are the best mood-lifters.

With the cooler air, the leaves will be turning soon, we're drinking apple cider and eating pumpkin flavored everything. I'm excited for fall to drink hot chocolate, go apple picking, Halloween, Thanksgiving food, boot season and to sit by a cozy fireplace. This is the season that I keep my windows open at home for fresh breezes. So now that fall is here you can swap out your light summer scents and arrange your vanity with your warmer scents.  In the fall you want to opt for scents that are richer, spicy (cinnamon), creamy (vanilla), sultry amber,  woody and maybe even boozy. 

For me fragrance is about aligning my inner vibe so I'm projecting my aura outward. Whatever I want to feel, I pick a fragrance that amplifies that vibe for me. Your fragrance has to match your essence and style. It has to make your eyes sparkle and fit you. I'm too excited for fall because I'm ready to pull out the big guns and break out my fall fragrances! I'm all about to be smelling sexy and cozy. I can't wait!  Let's see what I got lined up for you because I'm loving this fall selection roundup of fragrances that capture the essence of sweater weather and evoke feelings of coziness with the notes of fall. 

I've heard people complain of packing liquids in their suitcase and TSA opens it but doesn't close it up right and everything leaks. I keep all my liquids in my carry-on. You're allowed to bring 3.4 ounce (100 ml) bottles in your carry-on. Buying travel sized perfume is also a great way to try out a new perfume instead of buying the full sized bottle. It's great for using at home too because you can keep in your purse for touch ups throughout the day. I also having a signature scent for a vacation to remember that destination by. 

Fall has arrived and here are the best fall fragrances that are worthy of a spot on your perfume tray. This season puts you in the mood for the holidays, you grab your pumpkin chai, make apple baked goods, and light your vanilla candles. For the fall season, I like to wear scents that are warmer, spicier, cozy and sweeter (like vanilla). Fall is all about sweater weather, but not super cold. So for your fragrances you don't want something too heavy for winter but something more than your fresh clean perfume that you wear in the summertime. All these fragrances make for an autumnal aesthetic. The fall season window is so small that it makes wearing these perfumes even more special.  If you want to turn heads around, if you love smelling good and changing up your perfume for the different seasons here are some scents that conjure up the coziness of the season. None of these fragrances are new to my collection, you've seen all of them before on my blog. 

I wanted to share my favorite summer perfumes that I have on rotation right now.  I wear about 5-8 core fragrances per season. I like to switch up my scents with the seasons because hot temperatures call for lighter fragrances. This list of fragrances is inspired by the summer season with beachy scents, light florals, zesty citrus, tropical, and herbal notes. Each of these scents offer you an excursion. It instantly boosts my energy and mood and transports me on a vacation.

Smelling my perfumes uplifts my spirts so I even wear them to work from home. I don't feel the need to save my fragrances for special occasions. Fragrance is more than an accessory to my outfits, wearing fragrances daily is part of my self-care routine.  You automatically look good when you smell good.

In the summertime I apply perfume on my wrists, neck, inside of elbows, and behind my knees for when you walk past people who are sitting. You should never rub your wrists together after applying perfume, you will rub off the top notes. You can also spray your hair if you like. Scent is our most powerful sense when it comes to memory.

Scents can be an instant mood lifter.  After a gloomy winter, Washington, D.C. just had the Cherry Blossom bloom a little early this year.  Hyacinths, daffodils, tulips, and jasmine are in bloom now, next month will be the lilacs and wisteria. Yes I know the whole schedule because I love going out to look at all of them. With a new season, comes a fresh perfume rotation. You automatically look good when you smell good. The only time anyone will complain about your perfume is if you spray too much. "Ladies a man will never remember your handbag, but will always remember your perfume." Oliver Creed (perfumer)

If you're also heading back to the office soon I wanted to share some recommendations for good office fragrances. I still want to smell good but offend as few people as possible. My requirements to fit this list are fragrances that are  relatively neutral, meaning not overly sweet,  spicy or strong, yet still sophisticated,  classy and professional. 

For work I always under spray, so 1 or 2 sprays max. I stick to scents that have a soft note and are clean, crisp, light and non-offensive. Sandalwood is a safe note for an office setting. I want fragrances that stay close to the skin and don't project strongly as I don't want to smoke anyone out. Here are some work friendly fragrances from my collection and all of these fragrances are absolutely safe and would be perfect for the office. 

As you switch your wardrobe for the different seasons, you should also change your fragrances with the seasons. In the winter time you'll want to wear your heavy, dark, warm, mysterious fragrances and that's because those fragrances do well in cold air. Winter air makes perfumes softer so it's my favorite season to wear perfume because you can wear bold scents.  I enjoy fresher scents in the summer and sweeter more gourmand scents in the winter. If you've gone the whole winter so far with no one smelling you (because you work from home and aren't dining indoors) wear all your heavy hitters now! But go easy on the trigger spray. The cold temperatures and ice on the ground can really suck, but perfumes are the best mood-lifters. Wearing fragrances every day is part of my self-care routine. I don't feel the need to save my fragrances for special occasions. So, I've round up my favorite winter perfumes to elevate your vibe, even if you only wear them at home or to the grocery store.

With the change in weather and cooler temperatures, he's going to want to transition from his fresh summer scents to colognes that evoke the aroma of autumn. A few of the colognes on this list have cardamom as a scent note which is a spice frequently used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking. I love cardamom and use it in any pumpkin recipe, desserts, oatmeal, Indian curry and chai. It's also an ingredient in Trader Joe's pumpkin pie spice mix. It's hard to describe what it tastes like but it's in the same spice family as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric and cloves; its a warm spice with a vibrant, rich aromatic flavor. Here's your fall fragrance lineup.

Since my 10 Best Colognes for Men post went viral, I wanted to make a separate list of top summer fragrances for men. In the summertime when you're sweating and it's very hot outside  you want a fragrance that's a little bit more on the fresher side. I included a few aquatic scents which are fragrances with an aquatic vibe coming from sea salt notes and greenery.  Wearing a fragrance is always a finishing touch for a lasting impression, which is harder to make with your casual clothes in the summer. Not so if you have a great scent that is lighter, brighter and fresher. When purchasing cologne know the difference in concentrations; the eau de toilette may be cheaper but doesn't last long. Always store your fragrance bottles in a cool dry place, not in your bathroom.  To make your fragrance last longer, apply unscented lotion to your skin before applying your cologne.

In the summer, I wear scents that are light and fresh in the following olfactory categories: zesty citrus, breezy beachy, or green scents which are all going to be lightweight.  In the summer you should avoid heavy and gourmand scents.  Just like you swap out your dark nail polish for lighter shades in the summer, swap out your perfume for something brighter and sunnier. You want to pick scents that make you feel clean on a really hot day.  A summer scent  is often overlooked, but very important as it can literally make any outfit and a first impression. I can't stress this enough on my blog. Here's why it's so important, after people see your outfit they then smell you as you get closer, so it hits another one of their senses.  

{photo credit: IG: excuse.my.sillage}

Consider this your Father's Day Gift Guide - Fragrance Edition. I divided this list up by season. In the winter time is when he will wear his powerhouse fragrances that smell woody, smoky and spicy. But in the heat of the summer, he's going to want to wear a lighter citrus or aquatic scent.  Wearing a fragrance in the wrong season could have disappointing performance as some perfumes work better with certain temperatures. Winter make perfumes softer so that's when you can wear bold scents.  It's good to have a broad range of fragrances for different occasions just like you have different types of outfits for casual, sexy and professional occasions.  All of these sophisticated fragrances will definitely boost the swag of your man. Having a signature scent helps one to feel more put together, it's the whole package and has a big impact on one's overall look and style.

By now you guys know how much I love talking about fragrances. My mom is the most important person to me, she's my best friend, my biggest admirer and supporter. She's amazing but she's not into perfumes so I love gifting her fragrances that I think would be right for her. These are fragrances that remind me of mothers in the sense that I picture them on a woman that's nurturing, that makes you feel safe and gives you that certain feeling.  Mother's Day is the perfect occasion to give perfume as gifts as the world of perfume is hard to navigate and to know what's good and what's bad. These are my recommendations of very popular fragrances that are super feminine, elevated, sophisticated and worth your money. I think these 9 fragrances are perfect gifts for Mother's Day and something my mother would wear. My heart goes out to those of you who no longer have a mother. 

Sephora Spring Savings Event starts Friday for Rouge members and April 13th for VIB members.  I absolutely love fragrances and my love for fragrances is growing more and more each day. I'm a fan of switching up your fragrance wardrobe depending on the season. I really enjoy wearing fresh florals during the springtime. Come summer, I wear scents that are lighter and fresher to feel clean on a really hot day. Also keep in mind that a lot of scents will burn off fast because your body heat is making them burn so quickly. 

My fragrance wishlist is never going to end. Once you're in this fragrance game, you're in it for life as you're never really done. There's no exit plan or strategy to get out of this! And it's an expensive hobby.  I'm definitely a fan of buying the smallest size a perfume comes in as I feel I will never get through a whole perfume bottle and it's good to sample before committing to a full size bottle. Above is pictured some of my larger samples. I think people who smell good are automatically more attractive. Have you thought about what fragrance you're going to wear when we come out of lockdown?  If you looking for some new fragrances that leave a stunning scent trail and turn heads, here are my recommendations on what to pick up while it's discounted.

 "The way you smell can make as much as an impression as the way you look." - Tom Ford

Perfumes make me smile, they make me happy and brighten up my day when I smell them. I feel you're not fully dressed without perfume. Do you have a favorite perfume but can't smell it a couple hours later? Well I got you covered! Most of my perfumes are from niche brands (not from fashion houses) because I don't want to smell like everybody else, but those also tend to be a bit pricier. So if I'm going to spend all that money on a perfume, I want everyone to smell me! And  I want to make sure when I go out for date night that my perfume projects. 

Perfume can be the finishing touch that pulls your look together and gives you confidence just from the scent you are wearing. But finding the right scent for you is like finding your dream partner. Perfume shopping can be a bit overwhelming, trying on so many scents and none fitting right. The possibilities are endless with what type of perfume you can wear which is why I could never commit to one signature scent to wear daily. I only lightly dabbled in perfume before the pandemic, but now I really got into it!  I've been enjoying wearing perfume everyday to work from home. It's fun picking out what fragrance I'm in the mood for that day, it makes me free great regardless if I'm not leaving my home. 

I went to Sephora a number of times in Spain and they had a line of perfumes by Loewe that reminded me of the hotel in Miami Beach, though probably no relation. They were light and perfect for summer! I even saw it at the airport duty free but thought I would wait to buy it at home, but sadly I can't find it here. If anyone knows where I can buy these please let me know!