10 Perfect Perfume Scents

I’ve always loved perfume, although I don’t have a signature scent. In fact I rarely wear it anymore because it gives my daughter migraines. But that doesn’t extinguish my love for this particular beauty product. I all scents, both floral and spicy. I love light, airy scents and I love slightly heavier sexy scents. There are, in fact, few perfumes that I don’t like.

Perfume goes back thousands of years. The Egyptians are generally credited with the invention of perfume. However, others believe that it goes back even further than that. It was originally used in religious rituals but that changed when perfumed balms and ointments were used for medicinal purposes. Eventually, even that gave way to the use of perfumed oils and creams for cosmetic purposes. But it was the French that finely refined the product and ultimately defined how it would be used today.

Now perfume is a essential part of most women’s cosmetic regimen. Although a lot of women choose a single scent and stick with it for an extended period of time, I always loved experimenting. I often changed my perfume to suit my mood, which confused my colleagues and friends until they got the hang of my different choices and what they meant.

Because I love so many different scents, I learned a lot about them over the years. I’d like to share that information. Here are some of my very favorites.

Chantilly is a scent that has been around for quite a while; since 1941 to be exact. I wore it when my husband and I were dating. From the Design House of Dana, Chantilly is classified as an Oriental fragrance. I definitely agree. This one possesses a spicy blend of sandalwood, moss, and orange blossoms.

This is a strong scent so I don’t recommend it for daytime wear. It also isn’t one that everyone will enjoy because it carries a definite “kick.”

Chantilly retails for about $15 for a 2 fl. oz. bottle. It can be purchased in most drug stores as well as most discount department stores.

The Design House of Chloe launched Chloe Narcisse in 1992. Unlike its sister fragrance, Chloe, Narcisse is classified as a sharp, oriental/floral fragrance. I agree. It is an unusual blend of oriental spices and flowers.

This perfume is perfect for the woman with two sides to her personality; the professional businesswoman and the sex kitten. However, I consider it more of a daytime fragrance, since I like to kick up a notch at night.

Chloe Narcisse is moderately priced at around $25 for a 1.7 fl. oz. bottle. It can be purchased in fine department stores, some drug stores, and even a few discount department stores.

Coco is one of my all time favorite scents. It is classified by perfumers as a classic. From the House of Chanel, Coco launched in 1984. I love its unusual blend of ingredients, which include mandarin, pimento, and coriander with rose, carnation, and cinnamon. Those are mixed with its base fragrance of amber, vanilla, and honey to make a truly memorable perfume.

Of all the perfumes I have worn over the years, I received more attention from the men when I was wearing Coco. While floral scents seem to appeal more to women, this unusual mixture of spice and flowers seems to appeal to the male of the species.

This one can be worn during the day or evening and is well suited to the young professional.

Coco is not inexpensive at close to $90 for a 1.7 fl. oz. bottle. It can only be purchased at the finest department stores and online.

Design has been one of my favorite scents since its inception in 1985. From Paul Sebastian, perfumers classify it as a soft floral scent. I think that describes it pretty well. This perfume is refreshing blend of honeysuckle, carnation, rose, citrus, and warm musk.

This scent can be worn day or evening because it is very soft and light. In fact, it makes the perfect transition perfume from work to play.

Moderately priced, Design retails for less than $20 for a 1.7 fl. oz. bottle. I’ve only seen this perfume at certain fine department stores.

Escape, by Calvin Klein, was launched in 1991. It is classified as a luxurious fragrance. I agree that it is definitely luxurious, but it is also very fruity. It combines apple, mandarin, plum, and peach with rose, musk, and sandalwood to make a very unique fragrance.

This scent is a little heavier than many of the others I’ve listed here. It has some similarities in “tone” to that of Poison. Escape is recommended specifically for romantic wear as opposed to daytime. It has a bit of a “kick” to it that some people find a little too grating.

Escape retails for near $40 for a 1.7 fl. oz. bottle and can be purchased in most fine department stores.

Glow is one of the newer fragrances that I fell in love with instantly. From Jennifer Lopez, Glow is a soft, sexy scent with a delightful fresh note. It combines citrus fruits with sheer florals and adds in a soothing vanilla and musk.

Glow is an extremely feminine scent with more than its share of sexy sensuality. It’s light enough to wear all day long, although I’m not sure I’d wear it to the office if there are too many men around. It commands attention and you’re bound to get it.

Glow retails for just over $30 for a 1.7 fl. oz. bottle and is available at most fine department stores.

Poison is one of my very favorite scents. Made by Christian Dior, this perfume is definitely not for everyone. It can be overpowering if not applied correctly.

Launched in 1985, Poison is technically classified as a combined oriental/floral fragrance. I’m not sure I totally agree, since the obvious thing most people pick up on is its delightful berry undertone. Other ingredients include amber, honey, and other miscellaneous spices.

This is a perfume made especially for romantic interludes and extremely special occasions. I don’t think it is suitable for a professional business situation.

Poison is not inexpensive. A 1.7 fl. oz. bottle retails for around $50 at better department stores.

Red Door, by Elizabeth Arden, was launched in 1989. It is classified by perfumers as a flowery fragrance. I agree. This one is all romance and rose petals. It is an ultra feminine scent that combines red rose, violet, jasmine, lily of the valley, and orchid with just a hint of honey thrown in.

Although this one can be worn during the day, because it is fairly light, it is also perfect for that romantic evening when you want to be remembered, leaving just a hint of your presence behind as you leave the room.

Red Door is around $30 for a 1.7 fl. oz bottle and can be purchased in most fine department stores.

Safari, by Ralph Lauren, was launched in 1990. It is classified as a gentle, floral fragrance. I disagree because there is a definitive spicy tone to this scent that you cannot miss. That comes from its blend of rare oils, citrus, and green florals.

This is, however, a relatively light fragrance, which definitely makes it perfect for office wear.

Safari retails for $55 for a 2.5 fl. oz. bottle and is available only in selected fine department stores.

White Shoulders is a classic scent. My mother wore it and I love it as well. It was launched in 1949 from the Design House of Evyan. Perfumers classify it as a floral fragrance. I totally agree. It is an amazing blend of some of Mother Nature’s most precious flowers. These include gardenia, lilac, and jasmine with an amber and oakmoss undertone.

This is an extremely feminine scent. It is fairly light and airy and not at all overpowering; making it perfect for day or evening wear.

White Shoulders is reasonably priced at $20 for a 2.75 fl. oz. bottle.

That’s ten wonderful fragrances for the woman searching for something new and exciting to add to her perfume repertoire. I hope those of you who opt to try one or more of them will let me know what you think.