Christmas is a time full of favourite smells. Mostly food – ham roasting, fresh strawberries in bowls on tables – and also the pine smell of Christmas trees in the house, and the spices of mulled wine warming your hand. Smell is so evocative of special times and creates lasting memories around occasions we associate with it. This is particularly embodied in the Valeur Absolue Vitalite perfum below which boots well-being with its fragrance. For these reasons, I think perfumes are a perfect gift for Christmas. Here are a few of the new fragrances in stores now that I have photographed in my home with my ole Singer sewing machine to add a vintage touch and these stunning white roses I picked up for myself because it’s also nice to give your self presents, too! Maybe you’d like to treat yourself to one of these perfumes, and choose one for a loved one. My husband really likes the John Varvatos one below and I’m taken with UNTOLD LUXE.
Here are my photos of the new fragrances that are my pick for Christmas…
NICKI MINAJ THE PINKPRINT
Sharing a name with her acclaimed album, The PinkPrint, this latest fragrance from singer Nicki Minaj joins the success of Pink Friday, Minajesty and Onika. It’s a feminine scent with tropical fruits pink grapefruit, bergamot and pasionfruit, a middle of fresh florals of orange blossom, heliotrope and rose, and a raw musky base of coconut, white driftwood, sandalwood, patchouli and skin musk. The bottle is something else, with pink fingerprints forming a corset on the Gaultier-esque torso with a golden face and pure white hair. The EDP spray 30ml retails for $59 and 50ml for $79, from Farmers and selected pharmacies and department stores.
VALEUR ABSOLUE VITALITE
With the incredible concept of combining fragrance with well-being benefits, Valeur Absolue Vitalite Parfum Elixir is the smell of summer. Its crisp, zingy green notes has freshness but also a sensuality with a heart of magnolia, says creative director Marie-Aude Bluche. The green peridots in the bottle have a positive energy which release blockages and balance the emotions. It also includes oligo-elements (magnesium, potassium) and Immortelle flower which stimulates the release of beta-endorphines known as the happiness molecules. 45ml retails for $115 at selected Farmers, pharmacies and department stores.
ELIZABETH ARDEN UNTOLD LUXE
This bottle brings an olde-world glamour to any dressing table, with its curling French flowers in antiqued gold that mirror my old Singer sewing machine’s artwork. The latest in the Elizabeth Arden UNTOLD story is UNTOLD LUXE, a limited edition scent designed for the woman who indulges in everyday extravagance. I do, it’s just that it’s a bubble bath. Luxe is a floriental, opening with pink pepper, bergamot, and cinnamon; a middle of orange flower, jasmine and rose, and a base of sandalwood, vanilla and white chocolate base. It is $149 for 50ml at all Elizabeth Arden stockists.
ELIZABETH ARDEN NYC PREMIERE
NYC PREMIERE is a celebration of the birthplace of Elizabeth Arden – namely, 5th Avenue, New York City. The city that never sleeps is embodied in this limited edition fragrance that captures the excitement of exclusive hangouts, front row at fashion week, and the lifestyle of the NYC woman. It sounds to me like Gossip Girl in a bottle. Top notes of sparkling mandarin, pink peppercorn and lily of the valley join night blooming jasmine, hyacinth, and wild orchid in the centre on a base of vanilla bean, benzoin, rich amber, skin musk, sandalwood and patchouli. Available from all Elizabeth Arden stockists for $79 for the 75ml edp spray.
JOHN VARVATOS DARK REBEL
Dark Rebel is a PERFECT title for a fragrance this week that Star Wars The Force Awakens comes out! Join the dark side of the force…or join the rebel forces…the choice is yours, either way you will be smelling fine, with this men’s EDP. The latest from top menswear designer John Varvatos continues his penchant for incredible-looking bottle packaging design with this pure black bottle wrapped in rubber cord with a cap featuring a fleur de lis detail. 75ml $137 and 125ml $180.
Megan Robinson
18th December 2015
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