Thoughtful Christmas Gifts: Top 5 Perfumes
There are so many fragrances available that you might get overwhelmed when shopping for a loved one. Even with all the gift options out there, perfume and cologne is a great thing that you might not buy for yourself. Having another option can open up the conversation for occasion, mood and even relationship.
Here are my top 5 picks for anyone your list. Some of these celebrity perfumes are unique, cost effective and best of all loved by everyone! Even if you might not LOVE the celebrity, you just may fall in love with their blended scent this holiday season so give it a chance!
1. Kenneth Cole Mankind
Kenneth Cole launches a new men’s fragrance called Mankind that have resulted from the new partnership with Parlux: “The fragrance is meant to speak to that Renaissance guy. He is accomplished but humble, he is strong but sensitive. He’s got a very clear sense of…where he is, where he’s going and how he’s going to get there. He’s very much focused on looking good but also doing good.” (wwd) . The fragrance is advertised with cheeky slogans such as “Join the Evolution “and “Your ape will either grow more hunchbacked or erect”.
The fragrance is developed by Claude Dir as aromatic – woody. Fresh aromatic elements of cardamom, tarragon leaf, ginger and pineapple lead to masculine elements of cedar, vetiver and cinnamon that provide warm sensuality. Then comes the base of sandalwood, oak moss, tonka bean and skin musk.
Chad Lavigne designed the bottle. The fragrance is available as 30, 50 and 100 ml Eau de Toilette. Mankind was launched in 2013.
2. Jay Z Gold
“Gold Jay Z” is his first fragrance developed for men and composed with the help of Firmenich perfumer Ilias Ermenidis.
Top notes await us with a union of ginger, grapefruit, blueberry and cardamom. The heart emphasizes masculine vetiver incorporated with pink pepper, lavender and violet leaf on a base of amber, peace, teak and vanilla. Its olfactory character is described as a white fougère and it really has that scent, quiet, fresh, elegant and serene, gently heated with the warmth of amber and vanilla. Jay Z Gold will be available in bottles of 15, 30, 50 and 90 ml EDT, accompanied by perfumed products for face and body. The outer package completes the new edition’s glamor with agolden relief surface. Gold was launched in 2013.
3. Rihanna Rogue
Rihanna launches her fifth fragrance and the first masculine one in her collection, called Rogue Man. After the successful releases of feminine fragrances Reb’l Fleur in 2010, Rebelle from 2012, Nude from 2012 and Rogue from 2013, the pop icon opted for a masculine version of her latest fragrance.
The perfume was developed by Frank Voelkl as an oriental – woody. In the top notes there are bergamot, clementine, black pepper and rosemary. The heart consists of cedar, jasmine, vanilla orchid and labdanum, leaning on the base of sandalwood, patchouli, amber, musk and tonka bean.
Rogue Man comes out in September 2014. Its advertising campaign shows the singer and a tattooed model. Rihanna posted on on twitter: “Ladies! This September wake up next to your man smelling like this! Makes you wanna steal his Tshirts”
4. Clique by Roble
The cocktail they are trying to create in the top notes is a blood orange margarita and while that is the inspiration that never really comes together on my skin. What does come together is much less ambitious and much more pleasant. The blood orange is very prominent and the tartness of that citrus is enhanced with a wedge of lime and a sprinkle of smoky chipotle pepper. Those three notes work wonderfully together and I really enjoy the choice to go for spicy and tart with a bit of smoke. The note list promises tequila and triple sec but on the days I wore this I never found those notes. The heart is made up of iris, jasmine, violet, and tuberose. This is a recipe for heady floralcy and it arises out of the top notes with a restrained intensity at first and then blossoms to life as the tuberose and the iris take the lead. After that dessert needs to be even more luscious and honey and chocolate provide that opulent aspect as they are bracketed by a doughy accord which is called “Challah bread” in the note list and piquant cinnamon which recalls the chipotle pepper in the top notes. The final moments of Clique by Roble are true blue gourmand and it manages to keep its sweetness under control and it never became too much on the days I wore it.
Clique by Roble had 6-8 hour longevity and above average sillage.
I have my favorite gourmands in my collection and usually I find the more recent releases to be working the same territory over and over. Clique by Roble has some of that familiarity in the use of the chocolate and honey in particular but the choice of things like chipotle pepper and blood orange shows a little more imagination than usual. It is that which makes Clique by Roble a gourmand worth seeking out if you are a fan of this style.
5. Halle Berry Wild Essence
Halle Berry launches her seventh perfume in a row in summer of 2014. The fragrance is named Wild Essence, and Halle explains the inspiration for its creation: “The essence of a woman is in body and soul and becomes more sensual in nature, so with my newest fragrance I wanted to go deep into the rainforest where I could capture the primal richness of nature in an effortless scent.”
The composition is announced as very sexy and sultry combination of fresh citrus notes and white flowers, wrapped in sophisticated and light woods of sandalwood and patchouli. Top notes include Sicilian bergamot, black currant and mandarin. The heart includes freesia in bloom, linden blossom, cotton flower and white roses. Silky musk, white patchouli, crystal amber and sandalwood form the base of the fragrance.
The fragrance is available as 15 and 30 ml Eau de Parfum with an accompanying collection.
