Recipes of perfumes from the monks’ of Santa Maria Delle Vigne or Santa Maria Novella of Florence, Italy, were recorded from 1221. In the east, the Hungarians produced around 1370 a perfume made of scented oils blended in an alcohol solution – best known as Hungary Water – at the behest of Queen Elizabeth of Hungary. The art of perfumery prospered in Renaissance Italy, Lancome makeup and in the 16th century the personal perfumer to Catherine de’ Medici (1519–1589), René the Florentine , took Italian refinements to France. His laboratory was connected with her apartments by a secret passageway, so that no formulae could be stolen en route. Thanks to Rene, France quickly became one of the European centers of perfume and cosmetics manufacture.
Chypre perfumes are more ambiguous, having affinities with both the Oriental and Woody families. For instance, Guerlain Mitsouko is under Mossy Woods, but Hermès Rouge, a more floral chypre, is under Floral Oriental. Nonetheless, connoisseurs of perfume can become extremely skillful at identifying components and origins of scents in the same manner as wine experts. Created by Paul Parquet in 1884, it is one of the most important modern perfumes and inspired the eponymous Fougère class of s.
Shop designer Estee Lauder NIGHT REPAIRs and discover your favorites from Burberry, Calvin Klein, CHANEL, Giorgio Armani and more. Whether you’re shopping for fragrance gift sets for a special occasion or replenishing your favorite scent, you’ll find women’s perfume, men’s cologne, lotions and sprays in luxurious scents. Choose colognes with earthy and woodsy scents or clean, refreshing aromas. If you’re not sure how much intensity you want in a fragrance, we have you covered. If you want something more light and refreshing, you’ll love the subtle scents of eau de parfum and eau de cologne.
As the fragrance settles, look out for soft, powdery hints of jasmine flower. If you want to try out the herbaceous “green” scents Aftel mentioned, then senior commerce writer Sarah Han’s pick, Gucci The Alchemist’s Garden 1921 Eau de Parfum, is your best bet. As the name states, this is a more intense combination of florals, herbs, and fruit.
You’ll even find travel size fragrances in all your favorite scents that are the perfect size for your makeup bag or purse. Tuberose is one of the most popular floral aromas in fragrances, but it’s tricky to find a scent with the note that isn’t overwhelming. Luckily, contributing editor Marci Robin, who’s tested more perfumes than she can remember, says that Tom Ford’s Tubéreuse Nue Eau de Parfum is by far the best. This fragrance balances the floral intensity with a blend of soft and spicy notes like sichuan, peppercorn, musk, and suede accord.