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Canwest News Service
Fragrance evokes the innermost sense of who we are. If we want to present a gift of scent, it's essential to get it just right- and that's not easy when there are some 300 new fragrance launches each year. In 2009, though, we saw several gorgeous new fragrances, packaged in even more gorgeous bottles. Here are just a few to choose from:
For women:
Estee Lauder Private Collection Jasmine White Moss
This is the most recent in a series of lovely fragrances created by creative director Aerin Lauder and inspired by her grandmother, the late Estee Lauder, and a fragrance formula she began (but never finished) many years ago. Private Collection Jasmine White Moss is a modern yet classic lush green floral chypre fragrance. An opulent white bouquet is surrounded by delicate moss and rich woods, with citrus top notes. It retails for a suggested price of $80 for a 30 mL eau de parfum spray and $345 for a 30 mL parfum spray, exclusive to Holt Renfrew (www.esteelauder.ca).
Lise Watier Folies Neiges
First there was Neiges, a lovely bouquet of white flowers. Now the Quebec designer has released Folies Neiges, a fragrance that is joyfully feminine and spontaneous. It is at once citrusy and filled with fresh spring blossoms, a happy scent for a winter day. The 100 mL eau de parfum spray retails for $75 at Sears, The Bay, London Drugs and Shoppers Drug Mart (www.lisewatier.com).
Jo Malone Vanilla & Anise
Fans of the English perfumer Jo Malone know how much she loves the intense, pure scents of the natural world, and her latest is no exception. But Vanilla & Anise might just be her sexiest fragrance yet – it's been shown that men consider the aroma of vanilla a true aphrodisiac, while women feel the same way about the scent of anise. Here she's captured the essence of the rare vanilla orchid, a fragile blossom that exists for only the briefest of moments. Luckily, the fragrance endures a bit longer than that. The 30 mL eau de toilette retails for $70 and the 100 mL is $118, exclusive to Holt Renfrew (www.jomalone. com).
Prada L'Eau Ambree
Amber is a luscious aroma to be sure, but it can be more than a little overwhelming. Prada's new take on it is surprisingly light and clean, without sacrificing its deep, warm, sensual notes. L'Eau Ambree is a fragrance that can be worn any time, anywhere, with subtle floral notes as well as patchouli, vanilla and opponax. Subtle and elegant, the cashmere sweater of fragrance, the 50 mL eau de parfum retails for $95, the 80 mL for $120, exclusive to Holt Renfrew (www.prada.com).
Notre Flore Collection, Labdanum and Mimosa, by L'Occitane
Those of us who love the ease and warmth of the Mediterranean will cherish the latest fragrances from L'Occitane en Provence's Notre Flore Collection. "Le Voyage en Mediterranee" features two new scents: the warm and enveloping Notre Flore Labdanum has citrus fruits and spices as a top note, labdanum (a fragrant resin similar to amber) at its heart, and a base of benzoin and vanilla; and the light, sweet Notre Flore Mimosa has violet leaf as the top, mimosa as the heart and almond accord as the base. Both retail for $92 for a 75 mL eau de parfum, available at L'Occitane boutiques, online at www.loccitane.ca or toll-free mail order at 877-212-0238.
Couture Couture by Juicy Couture
Juicy's latest fragrance is for the gal who likes to break the rules. It's bursting with fruit aromas like mandarin and pink grape and rich floral notes of orange flower, honeysuckle and star jasmine, with seductive sandalwood, amber and vanilla beneath. The eau de parfum spray retails for a suggest price of $76 for the 50 mL and $99 for the 100 mL at major department and drug stores (shop.elizabetharden.com).
Circus Fantasy by Britney Spears
For a star whose life was something of a circus for a good long time, it's interesting that Britney Spears would have chosen that for the theme of her most recent tour, album and now her new fragrance. Of course, Brit's Circus Fantasy seems to involve a lot less in the way of Shriners riding teensy trikes and a lot more in the way of dazzling music, dance and magic. Likewise her fragrance, which may come in a cheesy looking bottle, but is actually a luscious blend of rich fruits, tempting florals and creamy musks: you may detect sugar-coated raspberry, apricot blossom, blue peony, water lily, red sweetheart, sweet vanilla wood, creamy musks and violet candy. It retails for a suggested price of $63 for the 50 mL eau de parfum spray and $78 for the 100 mL, available at Sears and Shoppers Drug Mart stores (shop.elizabetharden.com).
Mariah Carey Forever
"Opulent" is the only way to describe Mariah Carey's latest fragrance, and it seems only fitting, for the recording artist, actress and philanthropist embodies the very ideal of opulence. Forever comes in a gorgeous Art Deco- inspired bottle, and a luscious bouquet of tuberose, gardenia, neroli and lotus blossom with a depth of exotic woods and white musk. It retails for a suggested price of $63 for the 50 mL eau de parfum spray and $78 for the 100 mL at select department stores across Canada (shop.elizabetharden.com).
The Body Shop Love Etc . . . Collection
Love comes in many forms. There's romantic love, for instance, passionate love, a love of beautiful things and the love we share for our planet. All those types of love are poured into The Body Shop's new fragrance. Love Etc . . . is the world's first eau de parfum made from community-trade alcohol sourced from organic sugar cane farmers in Ecuador. But this is no dowdy do-gooder fragrance. It was developed by the renowned "nose" Dominique Ropion, and is redolent with luscious notes of vanilla, jasmine and sandalwood. The 30 mL eau de parfum retails for $24 and the 50ml is $29.50, while the gift set with body wash and lotion is $60. Love Etc . . . is available at The Body Shop stores across Canada. For more info, visit www.thebodyshop.ca
For men:
Tom Ford Grey Vetiver
Designer Tom Ford knows what makes a man look good and, judging by his newest fragrance, he knows what makes him smell good, too. Ford has described Grey Vetiver as "the equivalent of the classic blue blazer, the beautiful watch, or the cap-toes shoe." Based on a rare essential oil, this is an easy- to-wear fragrance, subtle yet compelling, clean and spicy, with a fresh aroma of grasses, plants and leaves. A 50 mL eau de toilette retails for $100, exclusive to Holt Renfrew.
F by Ferragamo pour Homme Black
From the folks who bring you fine Italian leather goods and silk ties bedecked with sultry jungle cats comes a sophisticated new men's fragrance. F by Ferragamo pour Homme Black is an intense evening scent of woody amber with notes of black pepper, coriander, lavender and crisp apple. It retails for $89 100 mL eau de toilette spray, exclusive to Holt Renfrew (www.salvatoreferragamo. it).
