» Wave: Scents & Sensibility
Latest 7 previews some of the hottest new fragrances and learns the art of application for long-lasting results
1. The Body Shop Love Etc…
£12 from www.thebodyshop.co.uk and The Body Shop stores nationwide
Light and floral, this scent reflects summer and young love, which is complemented by bright, fresh packaging. An affordable price tag but an extra spritz is required often.
2. Davidoff Cool?Water – Ice Fresh
£28.50 from The Fragrance Shop, Churchill Square, Brighton
Packaged in a process blue iced box reminiscent of a vodka drink campaign, this is a crisp, refreshing and long-lasting scent perfectly suited to summer. However, it’s too light for autumn; think of this as the aftershave equivalent of Pimm’s.
3. CK In2U – Heat – HIM
£28.50, available from The Fragrance Shop, Churchill Square, Brighton
Light with a citrus scent, Heat isn’t an inappropriate name. The packaging, on the other hand (blue and green), reflects the product well. Long-lasting, this a lighter alternative to the classic CK One.
4. Coleen Summer
£16.99 from The Fragrance Shop, Churchill Square, Brighton
Possibly like Coleen Rooney, this is light and sweet, and doesn’t hang around for that long. With a flowery smell tailored to the Haribo generation, this is just the thing for the beach.
5. J-Lo Blue Glo
£26.99, available The Fragrance Shop,?Churchill Square, Brighton
A lovely and fresh perfume; a surprisingly delicate but grown-up floral fragrance in a fab bottle with glamorous silver chain accessory. This gently fades through the day so you can vamp up with a new scent for night-time.
6. HaraJuku – LoveRs Fragrance – ‘G’ – Sunshine Cuties
£14.50 from The Fragrance Shop, Churchill Square, Brighton
Laced with coconut, this fragrance takes you back to lazy beach holidays. But like all good holidays, it fades to a distant memory. Funky girly packaging targets the younger generation; it’s deceiving too, as the actual size of the bottle is small in comparison to the lid and box.
7. Sex Pistols
£19.99, exclusively launched at The Fragrance Shop, Churchill Square, Brighton
This looks pretty funky, with its packaging inspired by the band’s record sleeves, and although it doesn’t say it’s specifically aimed at men, the aroma is distinctly musky and quite heavy, hanging around even after I’d washed my skin.
8. Tom Ford – For Men
£40–£54, available from Debenhams, Churchill Square, Brighton, www.debenhams.com
Elegant black and gold packaging and a classic ribbed glass bottle to match. This is a soft masculine fragrance that lasts all day, mellowing rather than fading. Complex floral notes blend with wood, leather and tobacco; a mature choice that I felt comfortable wearing. It was certainly not intrusive, but at the same time it clearly makes a statement.
9. Tom Ford – Grey Vetiver
£50, available from Debenhams, Churchill Square, Brighton, www.debenhams.com
“Vetiver immediately evokes for me the classic man,” says?Ford about his latest fragrance. This time the packaging is in silver but equally elegant. Dry and classy, the scent stayed with me, hardly fading but never obtrusive. Addictively attractive, this is certainly a quality fragrance.
10. Tom Ford – Black Orchid
£42–£80, available from Debenhams, Churchill Square, Brighton, www.debenhams.com
Back to black and gold, and this time aimed at both men and women. This is a sultry and heady fragrance; deep, rich and fascinating, much like its origin – a rare hybrid flower. Some might find it heavy, almost church-like, but I loved it and would wear it often but never when dining, as it would drown any kind of food.
Roni Raithatha from The Fragrance Shop on How To Wear your favourite scent:
Wave Also Tried…
Gucci – Guilty
£34.50–£59.50 from The Perfume Shop stores, www.theperfumeshop.com
Just released (25 August!) Gucci’s brand new fragrance is already my favourite scent to take into autumn. Still light enough for mild summer evenings, this has a lovely floral scent that lasts. With chic and distinct Gucci packaging, this isn’t too grown up, but it definitely isn’t teenage either.
Estee Lauder – SensUous Noir
£32–£43, from Estee Lauder counters nationwide, www.esteelauder.co.uk
This heavier, night-time version of the popular Sensuous fragrance reminds me of P Diddy’s fragrance Unforgivable Woman. Top marks for the packaging and price tag, but this scent is less seductive than it thinks.
Elemis – Exotic
£35 at selected Debenhams, John Lewis, Selfridges, Elemis spas and salons, www.timetospa.co.uk
Perfect for the evening, this is woody and spicy with cinnamon and sandalwood notes and only a hint of floral fragrance. A unique scent that left me warm and relaxed; this also comes with a great velvet tie bag.
Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia Cologne
£34–£80, available from?September 2010, mail order: 020 7720 0202 www.jomalone.co.uk
Subtle, fresh and modern; a light fruity fragrance with intense woody undertones. Subtle and long-lasting. Like all Jo Malone products, this is a gorgeous everyday scent; stylish with a hint of understated luxury.
