"No elegance is possible without perfume. It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory." – Coco Chanel.

The perfume industry is ripe with options, with almost every celebrity releasing an Eau de parfum before the Christmas sales start and small boutiques boasting a selection of obscure, artisan fragrances ripe for the picking. Of course, everybody has their own personal pick for the best on the market; keeping in mind that a perfume will smell different on every single wearer, reacting and mingling with the smell of body oils, deodorant, detergent and hair products in the eyes of the public no two perfumes are made equally. However, a little bit of thought goes a long way in the realm of fragrance; thinking deeply about your special one, putting time into perfecting your choice and considering not only price when selecting a perfume. Scent and memory go hand in hand, with unique fragrances evoking a feeling of nostalgia for a time in history, a specific emotion or a person. Giving the gift of fragrance this Christmas is a sweet way to ensure your loved ones are thinking about you with every spritz.

1/ Zadig & Voltaire "This Is Her!" 100ml

Zadig & Voltaire This Is Her!

Zadig & Voltaire's This Is Her! is creamy, delicate and romantic. If you enjoy sandalwood and were hoping for a toned-down, easily wearable and loveable version, this is it. Not overly sweet, making it signature scent material! "This is her!" is a great winter holiday scent & a remedy in a depressive foggy day. The beautiful perfume comes with a masculine partner, "This Is Him!" so if you and your sweetheart are lusting after complementary scents this Christmas, look no further!

Notes

  • The top notes are pink pepper, silkwood blossom and jasmine sambac, creating a complex and interesting head to an overall sweet scent. The pink pepper takes this from classic vanilla to something more sensual.
  • The heart notes are whipped cream, vanilla and chestnut.
  • The base notes are sandalwood and cashmere wood; this use of creamy wood mixed perfectly with the sweet heart notes and tones down their sugary qualities.

Available for €102.00 online.

2/ Narciso Rodriguez "For Her" 100ml

Narciso Rodriguez For Her

Born of simplicity and essentiality, guided by femininity and elegance. The "for her" line is Narciso Rodriguez's gift to women and a homage to their inner beauty. The patented heart of musc infused in every "for her" perfume takes its wearer on a sensory journey.

Discover the art of layering with Narciso Rodriguez's iconic "for her" fragrance collection. Originating in the Middle East, layering is a technique that allows the wearer to define their olfactive signature further. Combining multiple scents makes it possible to create a fragrance that is entirely your own. With the introduction of "for her" PURE MUSC, layering has become a central facet of the "for her" fragrance collection that allows you to customize your favourite "for her" scents for any occasion. Layered with the original for her eau de toilette, an element of sophistication is added that is sublimely sensual.

Notes

  • The top notes are peach and rose, making this scent velvety and delicate.
  • The heart notes use musk in their most unique fashion, with rich amber to add mystery and depth to the composition.
  • The base notes embrace the scents of wood to further the musk, with notes of patchouli magnifying the sensuality of the perfume.

Available for €98.00 in select department stores, online and all good pharmacies nationwide.

3/ Elle "L'Edition" 50ml

Elle L'Edition

Elle L'Edition is a fresh, delicately fruity floral fragrance – effortless enough to wear all day, elegant enough to wear all night. The aroma is playful, inspired by careless and bold femininity, under the influence of the brand's Paris heritage. This girly and feminine fragrance is sparkling and refreshing, making it the perfect pick for Summer and Spring.

Notes

  • The top notes are a fresh blend of mandarin, lemon, freesia & pear.
  • The heart notes use jasmine, peony, lily of the valley rose, and peach to create a bouquet of delicate and romantic fragrances.
  • The base notes are sandalwood, cedarwood and musk, adding some depth and richness to this light, a sweet perfume.

Available for €45.00  in select department stores, online and all good pharmacies nationwide.

4/ Elie Saab "Le Parfum Royal" 50ml

Elie Saab Le Parfum Royal

Bold, influential and ultra-feminine, Elie's Le Parfum Royal is fit for a modern-day queen. This rich and complex perfume is perfect for a crisp Irish winter; with a large bouquet of sweet notes, it may be a tad overwhelming in a hot summer, but it balances into a beautiful aroma in the cold weather. So if you want to warm up your winter wear, then a few spritzes of this beauty on your neck and wrists will have you turning heads as you walk by!

Notes

  • The top note is sweet and tangy tangerine, giving this rich scent a sharp and alluring tang.
  • The heart notes embrace a bouquet of Turkish rose, Bulgarian rose and neroli, adding a soft and familiar allure to the composition.
  • The base notes are a strong combination of amber, vanilla, patchouli and sandalwood; this adds a beautiful depth to the fragrance, taking it from bright and girly to deep and sensual.

Available for €73.00 in select department stores, online and all good pharmacies nationwide.

5/ Dolce & Gabbana "The Only One" 100ml

Dolce & Gabbana The Only One

Dolce & Gabbana's The Only One captures the essence of sophisticated and hypnotizing femininity. Its signature lies in the surprising combination of violet and coffee, giving life to an enchanting floral scent. Like the woman it represents, the fragrance is an intricate play of opposites. This rich perfume is the perfect signature scent for the winter; the aura is deep and complex, creating the feeling of sitting in a warm cafe on a cold winters night.

Notes

  • The top notes are a sweet combination of bergamot and violet to create a lively and powdery head.
  • The heart notes are a blend of coffee and iris for a charming and complex mixture. This pulls the sweet and light head and base notes together.
  • The base notes are vanilla and patchouli, which lends a tactile, comforting quality, enveloping the senses in an opulent embrace.

Available for €119.50 in select department stores, online and all good pharmacies nationwide.

6/ Shiseido "Ginza" 50ml

Shiseido Ginza

Shiseido's fragrance Ginza can simply be described as spring in a bottle; its light, clean and sweet fragrance is delicate and romantic and the perfect choice for the elegant woman in your life. Shiseido explores the spirit of Ginza, the lively soul of Tokyo. Ginza is the fragrance for women who assume their femininity and its paradoxical facets: subtle yet intense, delicate yet strong, wise yet passionate.

Notes

  • The top notes are sweet pomegranate and pink pepper.
  • The heart notes are a delicate blend of sweet florals, embracing orchid, magnolia, freesia and jasmine for a gently romantic combination.
  • The base notes embrace patchouli, hinoki and sandalwood, blending these heartier notes into elegant florals for a distinct and memorable fragrance.

Available for €82.00 in select department stores, online and all good pharmacies nationwide.

 

7/ Issey Miyake "L’Eau d’Issey" 100ml

L’Eau d’Issey Eau de Toilette

L'Eau d'Issey is a timeless and distinctive fragrance; in a league of its own when it comes to recognition and evoking a sense of nostalgia, this fantastic fragrance epitomized early 90's glamour and sophistication. As the first aquatic floral fragrance for women, L'Eau d'Issey was a pioneer in expressing the purity and luxury of the essential. With one bottle selling every 14 seconds, this rich, complex, and jaw-droppingly sexy scent is the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one.

Notes

  • In the top notes floats a floral duo made of lotus and rose.
  • The heart notes convey a soft sensuality, combining a lily and fresh flower bouquet.
  • The base notes are that of exotic wood and amber, beautifully rounding out this unique and quintessentially iconic scent experience.

Available for €93.00 in select department stores, online and all good pharmacies nationwide.

8/ Ariana Grande "Cloud" 50ml

Ariana Grande Cloud

Considered the high street version of Baccarat Rouge 540, Cloud by Ariana Grande is light, sweet, girly and gorgeous. This scent can only be described as delicious, with a blend of various toasted treats; this is the optimal pick for the gourmand in your life! The bright a lively scent may not be the most sophisticated pick on the list, but its longevity makes for a beautiful choice for spritzing on your scarf before heading out.

Notes

  • The top notes are lavender, pear and bergamot, giving this scent a bright a girly smell.
  • The heart notes are whipped cream, praline, coconut and vanilla orchid, with whipped cream being one of the most distinct scents from this fragrance.
  • The base notes are musk and woody notes. This is most noticeable in the dry down, balancing out the sugary heart for a well-rounded blend.

Available for €40.00 online and in all good pharmacies nationwide.

9/ Ghost "Orb Of The Night" 50ml

Ghost Orb Of The Night

Orb Of Night by Ghost is a floral fruity gourmand fragrance; however, despite its seemingly rich and wintery top notes, it makes for a beautiful summer fragrance, evoking thoughts of warm beaches, hot nights and sweet orange blossom tarts.

Notes

  • The top notes are a sweet blend of mandarin, cherry, almond and bergamot.
  • The heart notes use freesia, orange blossom, ylang-ylang and jasmine to create a fresh bouquet, balancing the sweet and rich top and base notes.
  • The base notes are sandalwood, caramel, white musk and ambergris; this hearty and creamy base acts to ground the perfumes aura, taking it from sugary sweet to summery and sensual.

Available for €53.00 in select department stores, online and all good pharmacies nationwide.

10/ Cerruti "1881 Pour Femme" 50ml

Cerruti 1881 Pour Femme

Subtle and light, Cerutti1881 Pour Femme captures the beautiful smell of clean air. This scent may strike a note of nostalgia for most; being a hugely popular scent in the mid-'90s, this beautifully light fragrance has been a top pick for three decades, and for a good reason! This scent is the perfect everyday wear, not too dramatic or overwhelming but calm, collected and quietly confident; a stellar gift choice for the professional person in your life looking to add some glam to their everyday!

Notes

  • The top notes are mimosa, iris, rose, freesia, violet, lily-of-the-valley, jasmine and bergamot.
  • The heart notes are chamomile, iris, narcissus, geranium, galbanum, jasmine, coriander, Brazilian rosewood, orange blossom and tuberose.
  • The base notes are musk, sandalwood, cedar, amber and vanilla.

Available for €50.00 in select department stores, online and all good pharmacies nationwide.

- Gráinne