Holiday Fragrances to Gift Your Loved Ones Based on Their Personality
There’s no better way to ring in the holiday season than with the gift of giving. Whether you’re shopping for Hanukkah or Christmas festivities, a fragrance is practically guaranteed to spread cheer to your loved ones. Unsure of which scent your significant other will prefer? Start by choosing notes that coincide with their personality. The only exception: those who possess Grinch-like qualities, of course...
If they are romantic…
...invest in a scent that doubles as the quintessential symbol of love: the rose. “Rose is becoming popular again, as it represents femininity and romance,” says Sue Phillips, fragrance designer and CEO of DIY perfume emporium The Scentarium by Scenterprises. “Our Exotic Modern Rose Perfume with notes of cognac, clove and Moroccan rose violet leaf is the ideal combination of ingredients. It’s a modern, exotic fragrance that captivates and accelerates romantic moments.” To increase playfulness and flirtatiousness, consider purchasing a floral fragrance. “Those with floral notes like jasmine, tiger lily, and slightly sweet undertones add a hint of sensuality" asserts Natalia Outeda, founder of FRASSAÏ, the first woman-owned perfume house from Argentina. FRASSAÏ A Fuego Lento merges sweet and sultry, with a mix of Orange flower, black currant, and nocturnal jasmine to arouse the senses.
If they are shy…
...purchase a perfume sans an overwhelming aroma, such as a gentle floral. “Shy people prefer their fragrances to be soft, subtle, and discreet,” Phillips explains. “Frangipani, green and white teas, cyclamen, bergamot, and sage are ideal subtle ingredients.” Outeda agrees, noticing those who are shy leaning toward scents that are closer to the skin. “Blond musks, sacred Ashok flower, salted butter caramel, cocoa, and vanilla create an enveloping feeling," she states. Although it’s often difficult to connect with someone more secluded, a particular perfume choice can also serve as an opportunity to bond. “Gourmand notes of vanilla, saffron, gardenia, agarwood, and magnolia blossom double as an aphrodisiac and will break down any social-interaction barriers so you don’t have to,” says Matthew Miléo, former in-house fragrance expert at Chanel Beauty and founder of beauty brand MILÈO. “Find a fragrance with an unexpected, spicy accord like pink pepper, fresh ginger, or even frangipani flower for permanent icebreaker status that says ‘I’m ready when you’re ready.’” Miléo’s number-one recommendation: GUERLAIN Gourmand Coquin, a fragrance with notes of black pepper, rose, smoky tea, and chocolate subtle that reflect a sense of mystery as well as surprise in those who are introverted.
If they are sporty…
...gift a light, fresh scent that will go hand in hand with their active lifestyle. “Freshly sweet citrus and fruity florals like neroli paired with crisp herbaceous notes of pine and marigold will always win the heart of a sporty person,” says Miléo. Scenterprises Fresh Tonic Sport is a lightweight perfume specifically catered to this personality, complete with juniper berry oil, which is “ideal for diffusing due to its calming and grounding effects and ability to cleanse the air,” Phillips explains. But if your significant other is particularly competitive in athletics, try adding a touch of blue to their fragrance. “Blue spikenard, blue cypress, blue lotus, or blue tansy will add a refreshing and chic hint of floral mintiness, perfect for any leader of the pack,” Miléo confirms. MILÈO Maroc D’Azur is a facial oil/perfume hybrid, featuring key ingredient Moroccan blue tansy, inspired by the blue-colored Moroccan city of Chefchaouen.
If they are intellectual…
…balance out their analytical tendencies with simple notes that establish a sense of calm. “Woody, amber, and resinous notes work really well for intellectuals, as they help the brain to focus and the mind to settle,” Miléo explains. “Rock-rose, ginger lily, buddha wood, cedarwood, and frankincense are also extremely soothing and act as mental clarifiers.” However, if you aim to match their personality more closely, consider the intellectual’s likely penchant for education and learning when choosing a scent. "Fragrances that tell a story [a la literature class] with deep woods, incense, and green galbanum are ideal," Outeda asserts. FRASSAÏ Tian Di Eau de Parfum--formulated with Chinese incense, star anise, peach elixir, and red chrysanthemum--transports one to Xiwangmu’s peach tree on Mount Kunlun, where once every 3000 years, the peaches ripen and a banquet takes place. In the garden where the tree resides, it is believed that one sniff of the fruit achieves immortality, a myth that an intellectual may enjoy delving into.
If they are confident…
...cater to their tenacious tendencies with bold, strong notes that immediately catch one’s attention. “A distinctive, ‘heady’ scent like gardenia is bold, confidence-building, and always a head-turner!” says Phillips. Scenterprises Heady Floral Perfume is a prime example: formulated with gardenia, ylang-ylang, orange flower, carnations, and tuberose, it serves as a striking blend of scents. However, if you are keen on bringing out a more vulnerable side to your self-assured loved one in time for the holidays, Miléo recommends a fragrance with soft florals such as “jasmine, mimosa, and pink champaca,” which are subtler notes that are still worthy of taking center stage. Kat Von D Saint Eau de Parfum combines jasmine and tiaré flower with notes of mandarin, caramel, and sparkling Mirabelle plum to create a captivating fragrance that does not overwhelm upon a whiff.