Fragrances 2006

For Women

Fresh Scents

Blu Mediterraneo - Arancia Di Capri  -- This light scent is swelling with crisp citrus and intense bergamot that is dry and refreshing; ideal for hot weather. Besides the woody base it also has a touch of sweet, soft fig to round it out. Also see the other editions to the Blu Mediterraneo  line by Acqua di Parma. 

Escada Into the Blue  -- This green aquatic, in key with the majority of Escada fragrances, is very floral with a warm peony heart over subtle woods and amber. Could be a great option for those who are a fan of other Escada frags.

Estee Lauder Beyond Paradise Blue  -- It shimmers like sun on crystal clear Caribbean water and envelops you like a blue lagoon with its bubbly citrus notes, soft floral middles, and sweet dry down. This is a light aquatic citrus with a touch of exotic floral. Perfect for spring and summer.

Boucheron Trouble Eau Légère  -- Light notes of bergamot and lotus dominate over fresh notes and a warm, creamy dry down of amber and vanilla in this new spin on the original intense Trouble.  Less seductive, but just as sexy, this is a great feminine spring fragrance.

Marc Jacobs Splash  -- This line offers a variety of scents for all your moods. There's the Violet, an oriental floral that combines warm, creamy spices and lush florals. The Ivy is also a spicy oriental but with more woods, a touch of mint and warm nutmeg.

Floral Scents

Agent Provocateur Eau Emotionelle  -- Currently only available in the UK, but expected to come to the US soon, this is the "little sister" of the original bombshell basic. It's less sexy and much more mild, but it has the same root of the original that so many have come to love.

Black Orchid by Tom Ford  -- Perfectly retro down to the last detail, the first fragrance by Tom Ford has got mod elegance written all over it. Perhaps the stately black bottle with its 23K gold plated accents speaks for itself, perfectly mimicking the perfume's exotic notes of black truffle, black orchid and black currant. Underneath the florals and fruits is a sultry woody base of lotus wood, patchouli, balsam and sandalwood.

Danielle Steel Eau de Parfum  --  This is a mature scent with a primarily floral heart, soft dry down, and a lacy green and citrus start.

Donna Karan Gold  --  Sweet, yet light, luxurious, sensuous, and warm, this is sophistication and elegance encased in an exquisite gold flask. The notes that makes up this silken fragrance include warm amber, elaborately feminine white lily, soft clove, fresh balsam, and exotic patchouli. You'll feel drenched in gold with this soft, sensuous floral.

Lacoste Inspiration  --  The pink peppercorn, pomegranate, plum, and mandarin give this scent a sporty zing and a rich white floral heart lingers over a sweet, powdery dry down. While it envelops the wearer, it is still fresh and  nothing too overwhelming.

Salvatore Ferragamo F by Ferragamo  -- This ultra feminine scent is a cascade of jasmine and sweetness.

Tocca Touch, Stella and Florence  -- Tocca,  a New York based company, is famous for its elegant clothes,  fantastic smelling candles,  and their bath and body  products. Now you can indulge in a new line of fragrances  that are as elegant, feminine, and luxurious as rest of the products by Tocca that you have come to know and love. These three scents are available now: Florence Eau de Parfum,  Stella Eau de Parfum,  Touch Eau de Parfum.  Also keep your eye out for the fourth addition to the collection in spring 2007 -- Cleopatra.

Versace Bright Crystal  -- Bold, but delicate at the same time, this fragrance makes a statement with sensuous pomegranate, alluring lotus, spicy amber and musk. Fans of Versace will love the attitude that comes with this elegantly bottled perfume.

Fruity Scents

Dior Midnight Charm  -- Lush, light, crisp, and elegantly floral with top notes of tart grapefruit. It's surprisingly rich for such an easy to wear fragrance.

Hilary Duff With Love...  -- The first fragrance by teen idol, Hilary Duff, is sweet and fruity but fresh enough so that the fragrance doesn't seem too much like the rest of the fruity florals that are so trendy lately. It is an excellent choice for a young woman with its flirty and fun loving attitude. Notes include pineapple and mango, with creamy chai and spice.

Jean Patou Sira des Indes  -- This is a sweet fruity floral reminiscent of India. The fruity side has notes of pear, banana, bergamot, and red berries. Sweet musk, amber and vanilla compliment the fruits while florals are interlaced throughout for a romantic, yet beautiful fragrance with a touch of exoticism.

KenzoAmour  -- Woody but soft, this is very much a comfort scent with lots of sweet dessert smells to it. Cherry, vanilla, rice, and even what smells like cocoa give this a sensuous, yet warm touch that is ideal for chilly winter weekends.

La Perla Charme  --  This is a delicate blend of orange and currant enveloped in florals such as rose, jasmine, and lotus.

Men's

Burberry London for Men  -- This is the ideal scent for Christmas time, with elements that remind you of sitting fireside by the Christmas tree. It has a very fine balance of sweet and green notes intertwined with leather and spice. Prominent notes include lavender, cinnamon, pepper, mimosa, oakmoss, musk and tobacco.

Calvin Klein Euphoria  -- This is the exact opposite of the feminine version. While slightly sweet with a touch of powder and leather, the green notes are strong and crisp giving this scent a fresh, even Christmas-like, as if you were walking through a pine forest under falling snow. Very endearing and comforting.

Prada Amber Pour Homme  -- Spicy, sweet and elegant with notes of bergamot, oranges and ginger, it has a soft floral heart with vanilla and tonka bean while remaining clean and fresh.

Ralph Lauren Polo Double Black  -- Ladies will crumble in their footsteps when they smell a man wearing this macho scent, a complex blend of coffee, exotic fruit, and warm winter spices. It's a cologne that evokes power, confidence, and cunning.Versace Man Eau Fraiche 

Late Summer '06

Take the chance now to enjoy light, crisp fragrances throughout the dog days of summer before fall rolls around and the leaves start to change. To see more of where this comes from, check out Now Smell This and the Fragrance Foundation FiFi. Both sites have lists of upcoming fragrances to be released both in 2006 and 2007.

For Women

Amarige Mariage by Givenchy : This is a lovely light fragrance, sparkly and bubbly with a nice balance of florals such as bergamot, magnolia, and jasmine, infused with citrus and fruit. Cinnamon, sandalwood, and patchouli offer a smooth, yet spicy contrast, making this a perfect anytime perfume. Could be one to avoid if you are not fond of patchouli as it is undoubtedly a large presence in this perfume.

Anna Sui Dolly Girl on the Beach : More exotic than the floral Dolly Girl,  it's less flirty and more sophisticated, but still very feminine. The top notes are fruity with a touch of citrus, peach, and apple, and mandarin . Simple freesia and rose balance out the exotic fruits and the finish is a lingering blend of wood, musk, and amber.

Betsey Johnson Parfum : Spunky tangerine, pear, and grapefruit are blended with sweet freesia and lily of the valley. The touch of sandalwood and amber round it out nicely. Does it fit the personality of this notoriously unique designer? It's just about what you'd expect from this creative muse, bubbling over with energy and charisma. It all about being girly.

Bond no. 9 Scent of Peace : Mild, floral, and well-balanced, this is an easy to wear fragrance by Bond, perfectly emitting the aura of peace when you wear it. great for summer and spring. Despite the fact that it is a unisex fragrance, it is really leaning more to the feminine end of the spectrum with strong notes of lily of the valley, and touches of grapefruit and cedar.

Calvin Klein Euphoria Blossom : Take the original Euphoria and tone it down about two notches and you've got a light, orchid-infused scent topped off with pomegranate and kumquat. Light musk and white amber smooth out the fruits and flowers to create a very wearable scent. If you liked the first, you will probably find this to be a great fragrance for a hot day in August when typically musky perfumes are too rich and heavy.

Comme des Garcons Guerilla 1 & 2 : Available at LuckyScent online or in a Comme des Garcons boutique, but try and find this elsewhere, and you'll be in for a surprise. The series of scents (part of a line of eight) are launched in randomly un-cosmopolitan settings in less than fashionable parts of town. While "2" is wearable, the word on the street is that "1" is best left alone.

Clinique Happy in Bloom : Plums, muguet, and freesia dominate.

Dolce & Gabbana The Light Blue : If you haven't smelled this one yet you might want to run and test it out before summer is over. It is perfect for hot summer nights, fresh, citrusy, bold, and barely sweet. Perfect for a sporty gal with a lively personality.

Dolce & Gabbana The One : Jasmine is the one is this fragrance. However, mandarin and peach paired with vanilla and amber make for a balanced but sweet scent.

Giorgio Armani Armani Code for women : Sexy and feminine, but oriental and sweet at the same time. Honey vanilla and jasmine are paired well in this violet-inspired concoction riddled with spicy orange and ginger.

Givenchy Ange ou Demon : Announced to be an infusion of thyme, mandarin, and essence of saffron -- a curious combination of sweet and spicy. Orchid, lily, and ylang ylang are the middle notes, and the base notes are of tonka bean, vanilla, rosewood, and oak.

Guerlain Insolence EDT : This is a slightly confused scent as it is trying to be womanly and seductive but instead it comes off as young and girly because of the strong fruty notes of cough syrup like sweet red berries swathed in powdery violet and iris. Other notes include tonka bean, sandalwood, and white musk. The bottom line is that it is probably better for a younger woman.

Guess Gold : It's Guess Perfume for Women,  but in gold! Guess Gold has top notes of citrus, apple, pineapple and pink pepper combined with a floral heart consisting of hyacinth, jasmine, water lily and rose. The dry down is based on sandalwood, sweeet amber, and vanilla musk. Go to Guess.com to purchase it

Nanette Lepore Shanghai Butterfly : Similar to Dolce and Gabbana's Light Blue, but softer and more delicate. The middle notes of rose, gardenia, and jasmine cut the fruity citrus down and make it more floral, more feminine. While quite girly, it still remains sophisticated, and has a sense of allure to it.

Philosophy the Fragrance : This light, refreshing scent by Philosophy is perfect for the hot days of summer. The major notes are fresh and citrusy, making it ideal for an everyday comfort scent. Keep in mind that it is a unisex fragrance.

Prada Tendre : As beautiful and classy as the first, but just a touch more delicate. Major notes include patchouli, plum, verbena, sandalwood, and vetiver.

Sarah Jessica Parker Liquid Satin : Liquid Satin,  to be released in September, will be the second fragrance connected to the lovely Sarah Jessica Parker. It will even have a nearly identical set of notes in it as the original Lovely.  However, this particular scent will be alcohol-free! And, because of the silicone base, it is expected to coat the skin with a soft, satiny feel. There will be the option of a spray or rollerball version (perfect for flying). Here are the notes: mandarin, rosewood, lavender and apple martini; patchouli, paperwhites and orchid; cedar, white amber and musk.

Serge Lutens Chypre Rouge : Chypre Rouge,  a new unisex scent by Serge Lutens, which chypre lovers have been patiently waiting for but dying to try, has finally been released in the EU. It has been called striking and even enthralling. It evokes the feeling of being in a dark forest with notes such as pine, oakmoss, musk, patchouli, and amber. Sweet honey, honeysuckle, vanilla, and jasmine give it a caramelized sweetness that softens, warms, and smooths out the heavy chypre notes. Finally, there is a touch of spice to give it a zing. Read this review at Bois de Jasmin to get the full effect of this sensuous and exotic fragrance.

Tocca Eau de Parfum : Three new Tocca eau de parfums will be released in October based on popular candles and bath products. Florence, Stella, and Touch are their names and flowers and fruits are their games. Here are the notes: Florence (bergamot, grapefruit, iris, violet, blond wood, skin musks), Stella (bitter orange, blood orange, watery accord, freesia, orchid, lily, musk, sandalwood) and Touch (pomegranate, peach, tiare flower, gardenia, jasmine, balsam, sandalwood). Pre-order at Beauty Habit so that you can be one of the firsts to get one of these sought after scents! At Blogdorf Goodman, the word is that it's worth the wait.

Vera Wang Princess : This flirty perfume is geared towards young ladies (18-24 bracket) or for anyone who wants to feel like a youngster. Top notes are mainly fruity (guava, mandarin, apple), but it is largely a sweet fruity floral with a dry down of amber, vanilla, and pink frosting. Tiara not included, but the top and neck double as rings you can wear.

Yves Saint Laurent Cinema Festival d'Ete : Bold and feminine. Almond, amber, musk, and amaryllis are the major notes in this fragrance, while the citrus top notes are barely noticeable. This is a lovely combination of rich undertones and subtle sweetness. Perfect for a summer night.

For Men

Boss Selection : Spicy, fresh, and fruity. Mandarin, grapefruit, and red fruit top notes are rounded out with spice, slightly woody, and vetiver.

Cacharel Amor Pour Homme : Remember Amor Amor? Cacharel has just launched the men's version.

Davidoff Cool Water Graffiti : This limited edition Cool Water is a tribute to surfers and graffiti artists everywhere. There's no question that this summery scent is a direct take from the original Cool Water; citrusy, yet light, manly, yet not overly musky.

Guess Man : A perfect summer scent that is fruity, but refreshing and not at all sweet. Spicy nutmeg and ginger leng themselves perfectly to the underwoods, blue fir, balsamwood, sandalwood, and musk.

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Mâle : Keep your eyes out for a new Jean Pual Gaultier cologne  coming out in September. It's essentially Le Mâle,  but with a twist -- a Scottish kilt --  hence the title Kilt Collector's Edition. You can expect it to have the following notes (from NowSmellThis): wormwood, bergamot, cardamom, lavender, orange blossom, cinnamon, cumin, wood, musk, amber, and vanilla.

John Varvatos Vintage : The new John Varvatos Vintage  eau de toilette cologne is the second of the fragrances by Varvatos and is based off the designer's clothing collection. It is a classy yet rugged chypre fragrance that is as refined and elegant as it is unique. The notes are exotic, starting with fresh greens and crisp florals. Oakmoss, patchouli, and fir give it its warmth. Rare woods, tonka bean, tobacco, and leather give it a smooth dry down. This fragrance will whisk you to a far away land.

Spring '06

It is soon to be spring, and what a wonderful time for bringing in the new -- new fragrances that is! There are several sparklers that have begun hitting the shelves throughout the end of '05 and the start of '06. Surely with all these new scents released by the most popular designers, there is something to suit your every whim.

For Women

Allure Sensuelle, Chanel : The second Allure fragrance by Chanel is less sharp than the original oriental fragrance, bordering on the sweet side with aromas of red berries and flowers. It is not as sophisticated as the original, but it is still spicy and has good staying power.

Burberry London, Burberry : Reminiscent of a spring weekend in the metropolitan heart of London, this fragrance is a typical floral. Not too sweet notes of jasmine, peony, and honeysuckle compliment the oriental sandalwood and patchouli base. It's relaxed, yet sophisticated and modern.

Euphoria, Calvin Klein : This new release comes in an interestingly shaped, jewel-toned and silver bottle, which makes it stand out compared to its distant CK relatives. It is a mild, warm scent, including pomegranate and persimmon top notes over a spicy, woody base, complimented by lotus blossom and black orchid. The fruitiness is what strikes with this perfume. A nice change from the unisex scents of yesteryear.

Fantasy, Britney Spears : Her second fragrance is as colorful as Curious and perfectly suited for younger tastes. It is fun and floral with notes of lychee and orchid. The pink bottle with rhinestones screams fun and feminine. The solid perfume compact is a great addition to the line and would make an excellent gift.

Sinful Scents, Gendarme : Sloth, Greed, Lust... They are well crafted and perfectly packaged. These scents come in purse size tubes for easy portability and will suit your every mood. Excess smells like chocolate and amber, Greed like crisp new bills, Lust like a weekend fling on the beach, and Rage like crushed bouquets and burned love notes.

Hot, Ralph Lauren : The polar opposite from the citrus floral Cool, this is far from the classy Romance or Ralph. Hot's spunky, bright-colored packaging lures in a younger, more daring audience with strong woody base notes, warm spices such as cinnamon, and even maple.

Incanto Charms, Ferragamo : A beautiful, but busy, colorful bottle houses this extremely floral, sweet scent that highlights honeysuckle, passion fruit and jasmine. Definitely feminine, wonderfully springtime.

Love in White, Creed : Notes include orange zest, Egyptian iris, vanilla, and sandalwood make this a light but silky fragrance which is for the most part floral with citrus top notes and amber base notes. It gives off a sense of allure and exoticism, of someone well-travelled, and with an air of sophistication about them. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this perfume in America will go to UNESCO.

Miss Dior Cherie, Christian Dior : A flirty, light, and sweet perfume with a truly girly attitude. A perfect weekend in the city perfume when you just want to hang with the girls, shop, and do lunch.

My Queen, Alexander McQueen : The woman who wears this must love florals, as it is a blend of violets, heliotrope, and iris. Almond and vanilla add to the sweetness of this slightly oriental, but mostly floral fragrance.

Prada : Prada exudes luxuriousness and elegance, but somehow remains soft and sexy at the same time thanks to complex base notes and sweet top notes. While typically oriental to start, spicy patchouli, sandalwood, and warm amber, with hints of vanilla, bitter orange, and sweet mimosa, make it an up-to-date fusion where classic meets trendsetter.

Red Delicious, DKNY : After the fresh and citrus Be Delicious, Red Delicious takes a different road-- the sugar-coated one. While the red bottle hints at the heavy apple and red fruit notes, it does have an amber base to tone down the florals and fruits.

Un Jardin Sur Nile, Hermes : A light, crisp perfume for spring and summer that highlights citrus, floral, and woody notes is fresh and clean. It's easy to wear and perfectly compliments any spring frock. A Basenotes 2006 award winner.

V Absolu, Valentino : This is an exotic oriental floral that is elegant and sexy. It speaks luxury and intensity with citrus notes such as mandarin and grapefruit, cedar, soft vanilla, and rose.

Valentino V Ete : Notes of bamboo, lychee, violet, jasmine, geranium, peony, rose, cedar, sandalwood, gaiac wood, amber, musk and patchouli.

For Men

Acqua pour Homme, Bvlgari : Bvlgari never fails to be elegant and sophisticated, but this new water scent is also fresh and summery. Perfectly masculine, slightly sporty, and an excellent choice for wearing on the weekends. It is also a 2006 FiFi awards finalist for the best luxury men's scent.

Apparition Homme, Emanuel Ungaro : A simple yet classy bottle with red accents speak well for this nicely constructed cologne. It's woody, mossy, and spicy, but not very strong. Perfect for the sensitive guy. Licorice, mandarin, and vetiver stand out.

Baldessarini del Mar, Hugo Boss : Released in 2005, Hugo Boss won't let you down with this woody scent that has classic notes of amber and vetiver. It is refined, peppery, and has fresh green notes and citrus. Still it remains young and sporty like the other Hugo fragrances. Will it become a classic? It has a good chance of staying around, especially with a nomination for best new fragrance by Basenotes and FiFi. Get this for summer for a perfect day wear cologne.

Bond No. 9 : There are two new fragrances out, including Bleecker  and Hamptons.  This has New York trends and fashion all over it. Bleecker's bottle is fierce and hip, and in fact, it's unisex. Very fresh and woody with oriental base notes, spicy middle notes, and fruity floral top notes. Cinnamon, vanilla, cedar and jasmine stand out, but overall it is balanced. For a more floral marine and citrus scent (lime), that reminds you of the beach, try Hamptons. It's crisp, fresh, and perfect for spring and summer. Both scents have been nominated for FiFi awards.

Dior Homme, Christian Dior : Lavender, sage, and vetiver are some of the major notes in this scent nominated for fragrance of the year by FiFi. It is slightly powdery and floral, possibly too sweet for the manly man. In fact, it's almost edible at times, with hints of cocoa and caramel. Patchouli and amber carry the scent along an oriental trail, making it rich to start and elegant for the follow through. It could stand a bit more leather to make it less sweet.

Gaultier², Jean Paul Gaultier : This unisex scent is simple and light, however, very warm and sweet, making it a bit too feminine for most men. The nearly edible quality has been more of a turn off than a turn on for the majority.

Miel de Bois, Serge Lutens : Woody, aromatic, and oriental is what comes to mind with this scent. Miel de Bois is a perfect name, hinting at the honey notes, which aren't too sweet, but are rather light contrasted by slight musk and cedar.

Very Irresistible for Men, Givenchy : Seductive, green, and woody. It's reminiscent of fresh cut grass, mint, cedar, and mocha. Unfortunately, this scent is lacking in creativity and innovation, which is a major let down for many Givenchy devotees. Irresistible? Perhaps not for those who shy away from sweeter scents.