5 Perfumes You Need To Try

The world of fragrance has always been an enchanting playground for me.  As a child, I would watch my mom as she went through the routine of getting ready each morning.  Starting with selecting the most beautiful outfit, styling her hair, applying her makeup and finishing off with an incredible fragrance.  I remember the mist of the perfume as it settled in the air and, with that, my mom was perfectly dressed and ready for the day.  So began my love affair with fragrance.

Another vivid fragrance memory I have stemmed from the age of about seven or eight when my parents flew me down to stay with my godparents in Durban during a school holiday.  Onboard the flight, I sat next to a wonderful lady that worked for Estee Lauder.  During the flight, she pulled out a miniature of Estee Lauder’s Pleasures EDP from her handbag and gave it to me to enjoy the fragrance as much as she did.  It was such an incredibly kind gesture and I’ll treasure that memory (and that fragrance) forever.

As a true lover of fragrance as well as the memories they create, I wanted to share a list of the 5 perfumes that you need to try if you share the same love for fragrance as I do.  There are so, so many beautiful fragrances out there and these few have been at the top of my list of favourites for years.

Lancôme Hypnôse

This is another sentimental fragrance to me because my dad bought me this fragrance when I was about sixteen years old so this scent always transports me back to my teenage years.  I’ve been through so many bottles of this fragrance over the years because it is so unique.  It has notes of vanilla, gardenia and passionflower making it a truly beautiful light but long-lasting and very complimentary fragrance.  This is is the fragrance I have worn for the longest period of time and definitely deserved the first mention on my list of 5 perfumes you need to try.

Giorgio Armani Si & Si Passione

I love both Si and Si Passione.  While similar, they are also quite different.  Si contains the scent of musk, vanilla, rose and cedar.  It’s such a classy, feminine fragrance.  Si Passione is a little sweeter as it is a fruity fragrance and you can pick up notes of blackcurrant and pear with the floral scent of rose which is simply dreamy.

Thierry Mugler Alien

This will forever be one of my favourite fragrances.  Alien is striking and it will linger in the minds of those you’ve been around long after you’ve left.  I’ve spoken about my love for this fragrance here, here and here in the past simply because I love it so much.  It has an aura of its own and a sense of allure with its spicy, woody and amber notes finished off with the fragrance of white flowers.  It’s simply extraordinary.

YSL Black Opium

In keeping with my love for gentle vanilla fragrance, this is a musky scent complemented by notes of coffee, cedar, orange blossom and patchouli.  With that ingredient list, you simply cannot go wrong in my mind.  It’s a perfect everyday perfume that will turn heads with that beautiful combination lingering in the air.

Lancome La Vie Est Belle 

When it came time to choose my wedding fragrance, I kept coming back to the idea of using this one.  My incredible friend, Irina, actually gave me a bottle for my bridal shower and the decision was made.  It’s a light and sweet fragrance that makes it a gorgeous choice for a bride.  Iris flower, patchouli and vanilla are perfectly blended in this luxurious perfume.  I’m so glad that I settled on using this fragrance on my wedding day because now every time I wear it again, it will instantly remind me of the most magical day of my life.  If there are any brides reading this post, I’d definitely recommend this for you too.

I hope this post inspires you to a few new perfumes to broaden your perfume collection.  If you’d like to see me discuss the 5 perfumes you need to try in a bit more detail, be sure to watch this video!  I’d also love to know what your favourite fragrance is so please let me know in the comments.  Have a wonderful weekend! x