Spring – Summer Scents: You Are What You Wear

Fragrance is a stylistic move that can be more important a choice than clothes and accessories because its impact goes beyond the visual. If you’ve ever had an employee whose perfume or cologne takes over the room, you understand the power of fragrance. But, in the best light, an amazing perfume or cologne can become a marker on a certain point in one’s life, just as a meal or a landmark can remind us of lovers in our past. But, mass marketed fragrances often smell the same and the longevity matches the price. You get what you pay for and that explains why companies like Bond No. 9 charge more–because quality comes with time and good ingredients, which in the scent world means less alcohol and more oil.

The downtown Manhattan-based woman-owned fragrance company has been celebrating Gotham since its inception, with each new fragrance commemorating a particular neighborhood. The fifth in Bond’s tribute to the late fame-whore and pop culture artist, Andy Warhol, is gasp, Montauk. Snobbery aside, the design is bold and the unisex summer fragrance is a mix of woodsy and fruity notes. Launching for Memorial Day, the inspiring imagery and bold packaging makes one think of Fire Island more than Montauk, but who we are to question Laurice Rahme? ($145 for 50ml) Anyway, she’s already tackled Fire Island, Coney Island and the Hamptons.

Avoiding celebrity brands may be the goal of some beauty consumers but Pure Orchid by Halle Berry ($28) is a pleasant surprise worth succumbing to. A sexy unusual blend, it’s almost like an exotic revealing dress that is saved for a special occasion. It’s simultaneously woodsy and sweet, and begs repeated sniffs. A product of fragrance giant Coty, the notes include Papaya Nectar Fizz, Blackberry Crème Concentré, Star Anise, Patchouli Leaf, and Sustainable Tonka Bean. The clear purple packaging is beach chic and is a great spring/summer scent, especially for date nights.

Stellanude is a powerful yet understated release from the eco-minded British designer and celeb child Stella McCartney. Among her many fragrance products, the notes of this scent may paint it as a citrus-floral blend, but it is beyond categories. Stellanude ($43-81) is boho chic, for that woman who is stylish without working too hard at her look. The light, season-free scent blends grapefruit, white peony bloom, pink pepper, Ugandan vanilla and Grey Amber. The result is a mysterious work-appropriate scent that translates well to evening.

Jo Malone has been a successful boutique personal care company for years, with classy scents worthy of respect. From home products such as candles, to skin care and fragrances, the offerings are clean and inspiring. The British luxury product company joined the Estee Lauder group in 1999, when it was acquired by the beauty giant. The latest collection is called the Fragrance Chronicles, The Story of Red Roses ($95). One 1oz Red Roses Cologne is accompanied by 0.3 oz bottles each of Ice Rose, Honeycomb and Moroccan Mint Leaf Colognes for a grouping that can be mixed or worn alone. Solo, the Red Roses scent is an ultra-feminine floral that screams spring. For a deeper version, add a touch of Ice Rose, and for a woodsy honey hint, add a bit of Honeycomb. For a crisp mint note, add the Moroccan Mint Leaf, which is amazing alone too, especially for summer.

Jo Malone followed up the Roses with The Kohdo Wood Collection. Comprised of two disinct scents, one for day and one for night, they are inspired by the Japanese art of incense appreciation. The Lotus Blossom & Water Lily is designed for day, and Dark Amber & Ginger Lily for night, though they can be mixed. The collection offers cologne ($55-100) and candles ($65), online and at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

Thierry Mugler created a love-hate scent years ago with the launch of Angel, making him a household name among beauty junkies. Whether you love or loathe his creations, his creativity is always deserving of admiration. His latest launch, Womanity, will hit stores in The States this summer. It promises to be a unique scent, thanks to the blending of fig and caviar, and a design reminiscent of Maria in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis. The creative process also claims to separate this from the pack, by extracting aromatic molecules and then reconstructing their “olfactory properties.” This isn’t a surprise coming from Clarins Group, one of the most underrated global beauty companies. The company also kept the green trend in mind during development and opted to make the box from packaging that is recycled and recyclable, with no inner holders or paper inserts.

Finally, as a confession, Kimora Lee Simmons‘ latest release, Dare Me, is a surprisingly addictive sticky sweet mass market product. Just $28, the ultra-sexy scent is like a hot summer romance, intense and fleeting.

Whatever your pleasure, know that with fragrances, you generally get what you pay for. The mass-marketed perfume sold at drugstores and big box retailers is to the beauty market what trendy cheap clothes are to the fashion market. If you want diversity in your scent collection without breaking the bank, know that most of them won’t last more than a few hours on your skin. If you want a quality lasting scent that fits your personality and that you may wear for years, try one with a higher oil content, or a custom fragrance from makers such as Neil Morris. As with everything else in life, this search requires an open mind.