What Fragrance to Purchase for Who!

Apparently Christmas Eve is the day in which the most units of perfume are sold annually, I imagine it is a combination of pay day looming and of course, the last minute rush in securing a special gift for a loved one. If you are out and about on the 24th you will notice the long queues at fragrance counters and of course The Perfume Shop being swamped. If you are hoping to purchase a bottle or two of scent this festive period let me help make the process a little easier...

What Fragrance to Purchase for Who!

Light, Clean and Airy Fragrances

If the person you plan on treating doesn't often wear perfume or perhaps is not all that acquainted with the fragrance world, this is the perfect category to peruse. I'd also recommend clean fragrances for those you don't particularly know all that well, in my case a few aunts and cousins.

Light, clean and airy fragrances are easy to wear, don't overpower and are as close to suit all as I imagine you will find. My personal favourite picks are: Chloe Eau de Toilette (£42/30ml via Boots -link) - a light, powdery clean yet floral scent that features notes of white rose. This is a great youthful choice. Inspired by the British rain and Spring blooms, Burberry My Burberry Eau de Parfum (£65/50ml via John Lewis - link) is of course bright, gentle and clean but with green an fresh notes of sweet pea. Last but not least we have Gucci Bamboo Eau de Parfum (£44/30ml via Boots - link), like freshly washed, line dried laundry - Gucci Bamboo is airy soft and ever so delicate with notes of Lily and Bergamot. The fragrance for those who loathe anything overwhelming yet hate boring.

What Fragrance to Purchase for Who!

Sporty

I guess this category somewhat speaks for itself, a range of scents aimed at those who are fairly active and enjoy sport - as someone who would rather clean the whole house top to bottom than go to the gym, I of course don't have a barrel load of suggestions. My fail safe suggestion would be Lacoste Touch of Pink Eau de Toilette (£26/50ml via Superdrug - link): sweet, floral, zesty and uplifting with notes of blood oranges, jasmine, violet leaves and carrot seed. The perfect choice for any go getter - it also seems to go down really well with teens, sporty or not.

What Fragrance to Purchase for Who!

Unusual

We all know at least one person who enjoys something a little more unexpected, now unusual and fragrance don't always go hand in hand. Luckily for those struggling to find the ideal unconventional gift I have two fragrance suggestions that will please and amaze this coming Christmas Day. First up we have YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum (£44/30ml via Boots - link) a luxe and more-ish combination of Black Coffee and Vanilla notes. It truly is a magical scent. For those who happen to be topping the Nice List, the perfect treat has to be a bottle of The Beautiful Mind Series Volume 1 Intelligence and Fantasy (£95/100ml via Cult Beauty - link). Not only is this a beautiful combination of pink peppercorn, sandalwood and gardenia but it has been inspired by Christiane Stenger – the youngest ever Grandmaster of Memory. A real talking piece that is for sure.

What Fragrance to Purchase for Who!

Classic

I was going to list a few Chanel options but feel that everyone and their Mother most likely owns a bottle of the iconic Chanel No.5 Eau de Parfum, rather I want to suggest something equally as loved but perhaps lesser known? For those with more mature and classic fragrance taste may I put forward Guerlain Shalimar Eau De Parfum (£48/50ml via House of Fraser - link), a sophisticated oriental scent with notes of vanilla, jasmine and rose. I am by no means an ageist, you like what you like but in my experience this fragrance seems to be mostly enjoyed by my Grandmother - she does have great taste in all fairness.

What Fragrance to Purchase for Who!

Deep, Intense and Full Florals

For the person who likes to make a statement and an unforgettable one at that, or perhaps you know someone who enjoys stashing aside a special bottle of scent for a night on the tiles? Either way I have a few suggestions that are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face come the big day. First up we have Gucci Guilty Eau de Toilette (£34.40/30ml via Escentual - link), intense yet sparkling with notes of Lilac, Geranium, Peach. A fragrance that doesn't get nearly enough recognition has to be Liz Earle Botanical Essence No.15 Eau de Parfum (£49/50ml via John Lewis - link) , a heedy, warming, rich and spicy scent that contains natural essences of Clove, Bergamot, Cinnamon and Pink Pepper - the perfect Winter fragrance. Lastly I recommend Giorgio Armani Si (£47/30ml via Boots - link), a classic in the making that is a sultry, chic composition of Jasmine, Neroli and Patchouli oil.


What Fragrance to Purchase for Who!

Romantic Florals

You can't go wrong with a romantic floral fragrance particularly with those in their 20's and teens - I promise I'm not generalising and fully appreciate that we all have our own tastes, such statement is really just to help make gift giving that little easier. An easy to wear rose based scent that suits all occasions has to be Stella McCartney Stella Eau de Parfum (£44/30ml via House of Fraser - link) a stunning blend of Amber and Rose. Floral scents don't come much more dreamier than Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum (£49.50/50ml via John Lewis -link) - an intense and difficult not to love explosion of floral notes that lingers on the skin all day and night long. A slightly more grown up but equally beautiful, floral fragrance is Lancome La Vie est Belle Eau de Parfum (£45/30ml via Boots - link), a luxe blend of Iris Pallida, Jasmin Sambac Absolute, Orange Blossom Absolute and Patchouli Essence come together to create a memorable floral fusion.


Aquatic 

Not everyone likes particularly feminine fragrances and yet they may not want an overly aquatic scent, for those I recommend aquatic based scents with a twist. First up we have Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue Eau de Toilette (£50/50ml via Debenhams - link) - a light, fruity refreshing scent that is perfect for chasing away the Winter blues. A luxe choice for the very deserving would have to be Tom Ford Mandarino Di Amalfi Eau de Parfum - clean, glamorous and uplifting. Yes this is a gentle aquatic scent but thanks to fruit accents and calming mint notes this stands out from the crowd. The beauty of  Tom Ford Mandarino Di Amalfi Eau de Parfu m(£145/50ml via John Lewis - link) is that it is entirely unisex and loved by all.

I hope this makes the struggle of festive fragrance shopping a little easier.