Signature Scents: A Beginner’s Guide to Old Favourites and New Classics

Editor — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 10:07:05 +0000

People often talk about picking a signature scent as if it has to be static – one perfume that you should fully commit to for the rest of your days. But this doesn’t have to be the case.

Traditionally, women tended to remain loyal to a perfume they first encountered in their late teens or early 20s, at least until they could afford to try something new. Now many women are more open to swapping perfumes according to their outfit, the occasion or the time of day. The ‘signature’ aspect comes from viewing fragrances as a fluid but important extension of personal style.

With this in mind, don’t feel that you have to settle for just one option when you’re picking a signature scent. There are lessons to be learnt from both traditional and experimental camps of thinking.

We’ve put together a quick guide to some of the best perfumes for women, which includes the old favourites and new classics of the fragrance world, to help you discover a signature scent you can make your own.

The Old Favourites

Ghost

Calvin Klein Obsession

Launched around the same time as Ghost, Obsession by Calvin Klein was the teenage choice of the 90s. A nostalgic favourite, its distinctive blend incorporates many scents including mandarin orange, sandalwood, cedar and amber. An oriental and spicy fragrance, Obsession is an edgy but classy perfume that’s perfect for evening wear.

The New Classics

Thierry Mugler Alien

The moodier counterpart to Thierry Mugler’s bestselling Angel, Alien is a brave but sophisticated fragrance you’ll instantly fall in love with. It’s composed of three main lines: a warm amber base, a woody heart, with top notes of light Indian jasmine.

Marc Jacobs Daisy

One of the prettiest looking perfume bottles around, Marc Jacobs Daisy makes an attractive addition to any dressing table, which is always a plus. A sweet and youthful perfume that’ll put you in mind of summer days, this is a future icon in the making. Combining strawberry, violet leaf and blood grapefruit, Daisy is an easy to wear floral fragrance.

These are just some of the most popular fragrances available today. There are plenty of other options out there, and the only way you’ll find out what suits you is by trying them out. Drop us a comment and let us know when you’ve found your own personal favourite.