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Casual

Glam

Sporty

LORY WILLIAMS

By Jan Moran

LEGENDARY STYLE MAKER and couturière Coco Chanel once said, “Perfume is the unseen but unforgettable and ultimate fashion accessory.” Her greatest perfume, Chanel No. 5, was created in 1921. Decades later, it remains among the world’s bestselling fragrances.

In recent years new fragrances endorsed by fashion designers, supermodels and now celebrities have increased the available scents. “Today there are more than 1,100 fragrances in the U.S. market,” says Mary Ellen Lapsansky, executive director of the Fragrance Foundation in New York City.

Choices are plentiful because fragrance is one of the most cherished gifts, touching deep emotional chords. Whether that special spritz is for a loved one or for yourself, making your way through the fragrance forest can be a daunting journey. But it doesn’t have to be.

Fragrances, like wines, are divided into groupings based on attributes. It’s easy to use Cthis knowledge to help guide your selections.

hoosing the

This guide will help you create your fragrance wardrobe and streamline your holiday gift shopping.

Romantic. Dreamy, nostalgic, passionate. Think bountiful floral bouquets for women and warm wooded scents for men.

Feminine—Baby Phat Goddess, Estée Lauder’s Beautiful, Jessica McClintock’s Silk Ribbons, Elizabeth Taylor’s White Diamonds

Masculine—Baldessarini, Ralph Lauren’s Romance Men Silver

Glamorous. Elegant and sophisticated. For cocktail evenings and grand galas, these festive fragrances are unforgettable. Consider rich floral bouquets or spice-laden Oriental ensembles for women and elegant wooded themes for men.

Feminine—Burberry Brit Red, Chanel’s Allure, Chanel No. 5, Estée

Fragrance family. Michael

Edwards, author of the annual Fragrances of the World books, classifies scents into 13 families, ranging from floral to citrus to Oriental (spicy). Simply follow your nose to discover which fragrance family appeals to you.

Lifestyle. Today, fragrance is a fashion and lifestyle choice. Annette Green, president emeritus of the Fragrance Foundation, coined the term “fragrance wardrobe.” She advises having at least four scents to fit a variety of lifestyle occasions.

Sheer, fresh fragrances are ideal for casual and summer wear. In cool weather, robust fragrances will last longer. For professional settings, choose discreet scents to let your business savvy shine through. Indulge your romantic side with the richest, most elegant essences for intimate evenings and glamorous galas.

Formula. Fragrances are composed of intricate blends of essential oils. Eau de cologne and

The Costco Connection Costco is offering a range of the best scents for your dollars from the ranks of the hot and new and the tried and true. Selection will vary by warehouse location.

 

eau de toilette incorporate smaller amounts of these pure fragrance compounds and are meant to be used lavishly and refreshed often. Eau de parfum and parfum are more concentrated.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re partial to Chanel No. 5 or Live Jennifer Lopez. As Michael Edwards says, “A great perfume is a work of art. It can lift our days, haunt our nights and create the milestones of our memories.” C

 

Jan Moran, a Costco Executive member, is a fragrance expert and the author of Fabulous Fragrances II (Crescent House Publishing LLC, 2000). Her Web site, www.fabulous fragrances.com, offers a database for retailers and consumers.

right fragrance

Lauder’s Knowing, Estée
Lauder’s Tom Ford Amber
Nude, Guerlain’s Shalimar
Masculine—Givenchy Pour
Homme, Calvin Klein’s Obsession,
Givenchy’s Pi

Career. Clean, crisp, confident. Understated scents make good business sense. Cool aquatic themes and airy fragrances are appropriate for professionals.

Feminine—Chanel No. 19, Prescriptives’ Calyx

Masculine—Azzaro’s Chrome, Giorgio Armani’s Acqua di Giò Pour Homme, Salvatore Ferragamo’s Subtil

Casual. Easy to wear. Think blue jeans, T-shirts and sweaters. Fresh fruits and soft florals for women; sheer wooded or aromatic scents for men.

Feminine—Estée Lauder’s Pleasures, Live Jennifer Lopez, Lacoste’s Touch of

Pink, Lancôme’s Miracle So Magic!

Masculine—Estée Lauder’s Pleasures For Men, Lacoste’s Style in Play, Hummer2

Sporty. Liquid energy. Citrus invigorates the senses and boosts the energy level. Zesty citrus and herbs have universal appeal.

Feminine—Calvin Klein’s cK One Masculine—Ralph Lauren’s Polo Sport

Cruise or summer. Fanciful and fun. Think sandals, sunglasses and sandy beaches. Sunny fruits and bleached woods enliven this casual category.

Feminine—Britney Spears’ In Control Curious, Escada’s Rockin’ Rio, Estée Lauder’s Beyond Paradise and Pacific Paradise

Masculine—Davidoff’s Cool Water, Calvin Klein’s cK One—JM