Perfume

A Fine Romance Deserves a Fine Fragrance

Marilyn Monroe had her Chanel 5#, Michelle Obama wears Creed Love in White, and what does your special lady wear?

As nearly everyone know, scent is the strongest, most intense way to evoke memories. So buying perfume is really a "must" for any romantic relationship. This is the gift box you will definitely need to "check"!

So, how to get started?

First off, as you might already know, women have very strong likes and dislikes when it comes to fragrance. You are definitely going to want to do a little fact-finding before you decide on the right scent for her.

Go to a department store perfume counter and try out a few testers to get started.

Second, (and this is a very important second!), you need to find out if the woman you are buying for is chemically sensitive. This means she won't be able to wear some of the traditional perfume you would find at the department store counter.

Good alternatives can be essential oils found in health food or natural food stores. Try pure fragrances with only flower extracts like rosewater or lavender oil.

Timeless Classic Scents

1. "Number 5" by Chanel
Introduced in 1921 and a favorite of Marilyn Monroe, this is the bestselling perfume in the world. An ultra feminine perfume made from the rare flowers Ylang-ylan, Jasmine, and May Roses. Vetiver gives the perfume its distinct fiery note, while sandalwood adds warmth.

2. Joy by Jean Patou
Rose and jasmine are the primary scents for the most expensive perfume of 1949. Joy is the second most popular perfume sold, and in 2000 was named perfume of the twentieth century at the FiFi Awards.

3. Shalimar by Guerlain
Shalimar entered the perfume market in 1921 but it wasn’t until four years later that the unique bottle with its grandiose top – discovered in an art exhibit in Paris – was premiered. Since then, the perfume has epitomized feminine allure. The key notes of lemon and bergamot are set off by jasmine and vanilla infusions

4. "L´Interdit" by Givenchy
Created in 1953, for Audrey Hepburn. Hepburn loved the perfume so much that she initially insisted it be kept off the market to ensure that she would be the only lady using it – hence the name, which means forbidden. A vibrant mix of fruity scents including pears and strawberries is balanced out with earthy aromas such as cloves, Sandelwood, and frankincense.

5. "Calèche" by Hermès
Since its debut in 1961, Calèche has been a favorite for its classic pairing of flowery and woodsy notes.

6. "Opium" by Yves Saint Laurent
Opium reveals Yves Saint Laurent’s fascination with the Orient. His concept of complex femininity is conveyed in an opulent scent which mixes strong herb-infused accents with sweeter ones like mandarin, jasmine, and vanilla. Confidence is a must if you’re going to wear this bold perfume.

7. "Miss Dior" by Dior
With the debut of Miss Dior in 1947, the house of Dior founded its much beloved make-up and perfume line. The scent combines sage and gardenia with floral rose and jasmine accents, and is given a more complex note with patchouli. Dior reinvented the classic scent in 2005, presenting Miss Dior: a light yet sweet scent complimented by cherry and caramel tones – more accessible than the original.

8. "Pour Femme" by Bvlgari
An ensemble of orange blossoms, bergamot, rosewood and ylang-ylang make for a clear and refined scent, which is complimented by a hint note of mimosa. Finally, Florentine iris, vetiver, and a breath of musk give Bvlgari Pour Femme a warm touch.

9. "Fleurissimo" by Creed
This perfume was a gift from Prince Rainier of Monaco to Hollywood star Grace Kelley for her wedding in 1972. Three costly ingredients – and nothing else – comprise this fresh scent: Bulgarian roses, Florentine irises, and Indian tube roses.

10. Pomegranate Noir by Jo Malone
As a young girl, Jo Malone was already intrigued by and active with scents and perfumes. In 1994, she opened her first store in London, producing bestseller after bestseller. In 1999, she sold her idea to the beauty giant Estée Lauder, but her scents remain her own. For instance: the cologne Pomegranate Noir, a delicate blend of red pepper, raspberry, plums, and patchouli.

And, if you can afford it...the most expensive perfume of all time is "No. 1" by Clive Christian which retails for between $800 - $900 USD.
No. 1 is designed to be equally appealing to both men and women with scents of Indian jasmine, mandarin and sandalwood in a luxury lead crystal bottle.

Source: NPD Group, www.worlds-luxury-guide.com

Celebrity Scents

1. White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor

2. Celine Dion by Celine Dion

3. Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker

4. Glo by J.Lo

5. Curious by Britney Spears