There’s nothing quite like perfume to instantly transport you to a different place and time. Ever since I first tried Givenchy Hot Couture at the tender age of 15, I was hooked. The glamour of the bottle, the act of spraying, the fact that you can have a piece of a designer brand for a fraction of the price…there are very few things I find more feminine or satisfying than giving myself that final spritz before walking out the door. As a result, I’ve spent years trying to hone in on my signature scent.
There are the perfumes that I WANT to be my signature; which, let’s be honest, is either because they are trendy, sound chic or have gorgeous packaging. Then there are the scents that are conversation starters. The perfumes that you get multiple compliments on every time you wear them, and that make you feel your most confident – to me, that is how can truly determine your signature scent contenders.
Quite recently, I’ve come to realize that much like little black dresses, you don’t need to have just ONE signature scent. I personally like to keep a mini arsenal in heavy rotation to wear on different occasions:
The Date Night | Cartier “Baiser Fou”
My boyfriend loves it, it makes me feel fancy, and it gives just the right hint of sweetness. Plus the translation of the name is “crazy kiss”. Need I say more?
Ingredients: Purple Orchid, White Chocolate
The Interview Scent | Aerin Lauder “Linen Rose”
Avoid the classic mistake of getting “liberal with the atomizer” (thank you Mrs. Doubtfire! HA.) and over-applying before your big interview. Even if you do get a little crazy, this pretty, light scent from Aerin Lauder just makes you smell LOVELY, no matter how much you spray. .
Ingredients: Orange Flower, Bulgarian Rose, Coconut Water, Vanilla, Amber
The When-In-Doubt Scent | “Mon Guerlain” by Guerlain
Free, sensual, strong, and feminine, you really can’t go wrong with this sweet, but mysterious scent. When people ask what it is, you’ll say, “oh, it’s just Mon Guerlain”, and sound super french and cool.
Ingredients: Lavender, Jasmine, Vanilla
The Work-Week Scent | CHANEL “Chance”
Maybe it’s because it’s CHANEL, maybe it’s because my girlfriends and I all wore it religiously in college, but this scent instantly makes me immediately want to summon my inner girl boss, and instantly helps me focus.
The Budget-Friendly, Anytime Scent | Pacifica “Tahitian Gardenia”
Honestly, this might as well be my signature scent because every single time I wear it, I get NONSTOP compliments. The best part? It’s 100% vegan and Cruelty-free. (Oh, and you can get it at Whole Foods, and it’s only $22!)
Ingredients: Gardenia, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Sweet Orange
The On-The-Go/Travel/Post-Workout Scent | DEREK LAM 10 CROSBY “Drunk on Youth” Parfum Stick
Packaging and portability matters here, as does ease of application. Can you beat a spill-proof, TSA-friendly, solid perfume stick? Designed with the modern woman in mind, the 10 fragrances in Derek Lam’s 10 Crosby line all smell like different levels of heaven, stay on the skin, and could not be more portable. Plus, you can apply it without bothering anyone with an overpowering spritz. My favorite of the bunch: DRUNK ON YOUTH.
Ingredients: Honeysuckle and Crisp Apple
Do you have a signature scent? Or are there any fragrances that you’re dying to try right now? I would love to hear from you in the comments below! If you liked this, be sure to tune into my Instagram for my daily beauty and fashion favorites.
All Photography by Scott White // @BloggerPhotographer
SHOP MY FAVORITE SCENTS:
Some old, some new, this is my roundup of my all-time favorite scents: