A Summer Floral Fragrance Guide

Summertime is flower time in my book. Practically every turn you are greeted with ruffled peonies, towering irises and creamy honeysuckle (yes, even in Brooklyn!) whether planted in a garden or at your favorite flower shop.  This time of year is about lightening up and wearing fragrances that are not cloying, but rather give an air of freshness and happiness about them, basically what summer is all about.  I have rounded up some of my favorite for the season by flower type.  What fragrances are you wearing during these warmer months?

Spring's Best Rose Fragrances

Fragrances centered around the rose unfortunately have a bad reputation for being either too powdery, cosmetic or old-fashioned.  However, there is a new crop of fragrances centered around the rose that are just the opposite, they are bursting with freshness giving them a much more modern feel.  Working in the fragrance industry I smell a lot of different fragrances, but truth be told, I have always gravitated towards rose fragrances, my favorites being Stella by Stella McCartney, Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose and L'Occitane Rose 4 Reines.  I have rounded up some of the best new floral fragrances that combine an array of different varieties of this storied and romantic bloom.  If you are put-off by the idea of wearing a rose fragrance, I challenge you to smell some of the fragrances above because I know they will leave you hypnotized.  

Scenting the Season with Voluspa Candles

The smell of freshly cut fir trees, crackling fires and the smell of freshly baked gingerbread is what the holidays smell like to me.  They are nostalgic elements that when they are present I know this special time of the year has arrived.  Once December has arrived, I like to trade my floral scented candles for something a little woodier with more depth that can evoke the season even more.  I know that I have mentioned it before  but one of my favorite candle brands is Voluspa, not only do they have such luxurious packaging, but the hand-poured fragrances are so unique and can have a burn time for up to 100 hours.  One of my favorite seasonal collections is the Vermeil Collection, which incorporates festive holiday note nuances like balsam, chestnuts, cloves and cassis berries.   A new favorite from the collection is Branche Vermeil, which is a wonderfully woody candle with hints of sweet balsam, sugar and a bit of citron to create a rounded finish. I also simply adore the mercury glass finish that allows this candle to flicker even more when lit.  What are some of your favorite scents throughout the holiday season?  

A Fragrance Wardrobe {For the Home}

Building a fragrance wardrobe for your house is just as important as creating a collection of perfumes to sit atop your vanity.  Have you ever walked into a home that you cannot stop smelling because it is scented just perfectly?  My love for luxurious candles developed in college and has only gotten stronger since we have a home to call our own.  Burning a candle in any season makes a home feel cozy and well, like home.  There are many different candles to choose from but one thing to think about is choosing different candles in different fragrance categories (a floral, fruit or a wood) to create a home aroma that has depth and even lends a bit of mystery.  To better help you navigate the market, I have picked a few that are my absolute favorite and others that have recently caught my eye.  Do you have a favorite candle? Please tell!

Florals:: Nest White Narcisse* / Voluspa Gardenia Colonia / Votivo Red Currant*

Fruits:: Archipelago Kadota Fig / Aquiesse Pomegranate Sage

Woods::Voluspa Makassar Ebony and Peach* / Delirium Samurai Woods / Nest Moroccan Amber

*My favorites

Ingredient Love:: Linden

Working in the fragrance industry, I have come into contact with a lot of different smells; however, I continually go back to my favorite notes like gardenia, jasmine, honeysuckle, rose and linden, one of my favorites.  I first encountered linden in a bar of soap and then in person, while strolling around Versailles a few years back. The air was perfumed with an amazing floral aroma floating gracefully from perfectly shaped trees. I learned shortly there after that it was a linden tree and I was smelling the blossoms. Linden blossoms are delicate blooms that are shaped like yellow pom-poms and bloom in June here in New York.   They say that your sense of smell can trigger memories and it is true, when I smell these flowers in June it reminds me of the second date I went on with my fiancé that made me realize that he was the one.  

Library of Flowers Linda Parfum Crema / Pre de Provence Linden Soap

Fresh Linden Soap / Sisley Paris Botancial Face Mask with Linden Blossom

Diptyque Tilleul Candle / Kneipp Pure Harmony Bath Salts, Orange and Linden Blossom

Pre de Provence Linden Flower Body Lotion

The Best Floral Fragrances

Working in the fragrance industry, I come across and smell many different fragrances from around the world. Out of all of the fragrance categories, I adore floral fragrances - especially white florals with notes of jasmine, gardenia and tuberose.  I thought that a great way to end flower week (I hope that you enjoyed it) would be to share with you some of my favorite floral fragrances and let me tell you, I have quite a few.  I hope that everyone has a great weekend! I am excited because next week I have a great line-up of talented ladies holding down the fort while I am away.  Continue for more...