By Ruby Latif
Toronto
Scents can trigger strong immediate reactions that can alter our moods and uplift our spirits. Some of my fondest childhood memories are linked to specific scents. Every time I light a vanilla candle it reminds me of sitting on the counter and licking the batter from the bowl while waiting for my mom’s amazing cream and fruit filled cupcakes to bake.
Research shows that women have a stronger sense of smell than men, but both sexes have heightened levels of brain wave activity when the sense of smell is engaged. Many spas are cashing in on this knowledge. Aromatherapy has been used for centuries for its therapeutic properties and many top spas use essential oils in their spa treatments.
Essential oils derived from various plants have been shown to boost energy or calm nerves. Scents like chocolate and cinnamon are said to have arousing and sensual effects. Other scents like lavender and chamomile are well known for their relaxing effects while eucalyptus and mint have energizing properties (for those of you who are seeking a more energetic workout, I recently started dabbing a drop of peppermint oil underneath my nose- a must try!).
How people react to different perfumes and fragrances can be pretty personal; I really like citrus and sweet smells and tend to stay away from floral ones. I tend to wear lighter scents in the summer and in the fall and winter I find myself drawn to a spicier scent. I think your personal fragrance preference has to do with your personality. At a recent trip to Sephora (Bay/Bloor location), I found a great tool that you may find helpful when picking up a new fragrance. On the back wall of the store where the perfumes are, they have a “Find a Fragrance” touch screen – a computerized questionnaire that will ask you about ten lifestyle questions and then pinpoint your preferred scent.
For those of you who have an idea of the fragrances you prefer I have listed the top selling perfumes and colognes currently at Sephora below.
Top 5 Bestsellers at Sephora for women:
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Flowerbomb is the creation of Dutch duo Viktor & Rolf who are known for their elegant ready to wear fashion. This seductive blend bergamot-spiked tea and floral (orchid, jasmine, rose) creates a romantic mood, perfect for the fashion conscious lady. |
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Chance by Chanel has a burst of spontaneity and youthfulness. This elegant fragrance mixes sweet scents with spicy accents. “Chance was created for sparkling, unpredictable women who are in love with life. Romantic, spontaneous, optimistic and fiery”. –Chanel |
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Amazing Grace is a simple and light everyday fragrance. Its creator – Philosophy notes that it epitomizes the word grace and how one accepts winning and losing and how you view good and bad luck, the fragrance “embraces the essences of femininity”- Philosophy. |
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D&G has outdone itself with a medley of citrus, apple and floral scents are sure to uplift your mood. Notes of cedarwood musk are sure to get you noticed. |
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This super feminine fragrance uses bursts of grapefruit and strawberry infused with daisy to create an uplifting atmosphere of sunny summer day. |
Top 5 Bestsellers at Sephora for men:
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Bleu de Chanel has topped the chart with it’s woody aromatic fragrance which blends with a fresh citrus scent. This delightful find also comes in travel sizes for gym bags and suitcases- perfect for the man on the go. |
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This is by far my favourite fragrance for men. There are three fragrances in this collection, La Nuit De L’Homme, L’Homme Libre and L’Homme. Although all three have their own alluring appeal, I find myself drawn to L’Homme because it is a fresh woody fragrance that is infused of bergamot; it has been described bringing “modern luxury” and “timeless elegance” together. |
| This fragrance is true to the Gucci brand and uses the trademark of patchouli, cedar, sandalwood, and amber. What makes this cologne vibrant is the subtle underlining of the fresh scents of lemon, lavender, and spicy pink pepper. It is definitely a bold fragrance that would satisfy any guilty pleasure. | |
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Created by Giorgio Armani, Acqua di Giò Pour Homme is ideal for the working man. It is a cool aquatic fragrance that uses rosemary, bergamot and patchouli with hints of tangerine to capture your attention and hers. |
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True to its inspiration- gold, 1 Million is pure luxury. The fragrance blends Italian blood orange and peppermint with natural birch oil for a fresh spicy leathery essence. |
So here are my top picks; fragrances that I think have the magic smell. For Women: Pink Sugar by Aquolina, Prada Candy by Prada and Voyage by Hermes. For men: John Varvatos by John Varvatos and He Wood by DSquared2 .
What am I currently wearing: I like to develop my own unique scent. Jo Malone White Jasmine & MintCologneand Vanilla & AniseCologne. Take a trip to Holt Renfrew where you can explore different scents and mix and match your own unique one.
Surprising find: I am normally not a fan of celebrity perfumes or cologne; however I was very surprised to find the new fragrance Fame by Lady Gaga has piqued my interest. The fragrance is a black liquid, a first of its kind in fluid technology, which becomes invisible once it is airborne. It is a fantastic mixture of different floral fragrances that is encased in a well crafted bottle.
I hope you find the scent that uplifts and invigorates you! Information on the fragrances has been adapted from the Sephora website. For more information on these products please see: http://www.sephora.com
