Once a romantic gift proffered by lovers, perfume is now squarely in the gift domain of everyone. Mass marketing has taken the exclusivity out of the product. Scents may no longer be rare, but that means they are more affordable—and available in such astounding variety that women are no longer defined by ‘their scent,’ but by multiple scents, depending on their mood and even on the time of year. Whether the woman in your life has her faves or she likes the surprise of new and different products, perfume remains a gift of love, which makes it perfect for Mother’s Day!
[bond no. 9 nyc]
Park Avenue South
From the uber-trendy Bond No. 9, this new, subdued scent is best described as a dynamic, contemporary floral. Smelling faintly of green apple, the undertones are peach with a hint of amber.
$295 at Saks and Nordstrom
[creed]
Royal-Oud
This deliciously spicy scent is heavy and exotic, but be patient. It changes once it dries. Derived from the Agarwood tree, OUD has been used for centuries in Eastern religious celebrations.
$365 at Neiman Marcus
[krigler]
Pleasure Gardenia
An ode to the Japanese gardenia from Kyoto, this fragrance is feminine and exotic, with jasmine, vanilla and mimosa complementing the gardenia.
$320 at krigler.com, The Plaza Hotel, N.Y., and The Four Seasons Hotel, L.A.
[jo malone]
Plum Blossom
Light and airy, Jo Malone’s new Plum Blossom smells like the essence of spring. It’s offered in limited edition, available only for a few months!
$125 at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks
[tom ford]
Fleur de Portofino
Floral and exotic at the same time, this scent is a complex blend of acacia, citrus and Moroccan rose.
$215 at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom
[marc jacobs]
Daisy
As light as its name implies, Daisy is a fruity floral light enough for even the hottest days.
$53 at Fragrance.Net
