Warm Up Your Winter
With the winter holidays coming up, it’s hard to ignore the desire to romanticize the season. While Texas is hardly the place to expect a white winter, one could still get into a festive mood with the right atmosphere and attitude. One way to help with this is perfume, as fragrance has the ability to positively affect the wearer’s mood. For winter, it’s best to look for fragrance notes related to citrus, berries and the gourmand. Perfect for personal use or as a holiday gift, here are some noteworthy picks to smell like a winter wonderland.
Bombshell Midnight by Victoria’s Secret
$69.95 for 1.7 oz | $89.95 for 3.4 oz
Fragrantica: 4.09/5 (23)
One of the newest additions to the Bombshell line, “Bombshell Midnight” is the perfect choice for the cold season. With notes of cherry, vanilla, peony and wood, it creates the image of a night in the forest. One spritz can bring the sensation of a crisp coldness with the mysterious allure of the woods.
MMMM… by Juliette Has a Gun
$115 for 1.7 oz | $150 for 3.3 oz
Fragrantica: 3.68/5 (4,415)
Just like its name suggests, this perfume has a delicious scent. Caramel and raspberry is mixed with jasmine and orange blossom and finished off with a hint of sandalwood. Together, this creates a light, fruity indulgence. “MMMM…” adds a soft elegance to its wearer reminiscent of thumbprint cookies.
Hypnotic Poison by Dior
$93 for 1 oz | $113 for 1.7 oz | $145 for 3.4 oz
Fragrantica: 4.09/5 (26,122)
A sensual perfume coming from the House of Dior, “Hypnotic Poison” is irresistible. This eau de toilette has only three notes – almond, vanilla, and jasmine – yet creates a complex image of a bitter delicacy. Where the world is cold, the wearer of this perfume is a frozen rose that refuses to fall apart.
Fresh Cream Warm Cashmere by Philosophy
$26 for 0.5 oz | $54 for 2 oz
Fragrantica: 4.28/5 (1,482)
Based on the original Fresh Cream, “Fresh Cream Warm Cashmere” takes the classic and twists it into the perfect gourmand fragrance. It is a slightly sweet combination of vanilla, orchid and tangerine. Like the name suggests, the scent is not overpowering, but instead a softened experience. The twist of citrus is, ironically, a perfect choice for winter to emulate the fruits’ blooming.
By The Fireplace by Maison Margiela
$35 for 0.3 oz | $85 for 1.05 oz | $165 for 3.4 oz
Fragrantica: 4.24/5 (17,107)
As a part of the Replica series, “By The Fireplace” brings back memories of winter nights spent indoors. As the fire crackles, there is a feeling of comfort amidst the harsh cold. This is a spicy perfume using notes of cinnamon and clove mixed with vanilla, reminiscent of a hot chai latte. It is also a perfect unisex choice as a gift for anyone to enjoy.
Tips and Tricks
When using perfume, there are a few tactics that can help increase the perfume’s longevity. First, consider the type of perfume: eau de parfums last longer than eau de toilettes because the former are less diluted by water. Next, know where your pulse points are. Pulse points (wrists, necks, chests, behind the ears and behind the knees) are areas of the body where the heart pulse is felt, meaning that these are the warmest areas due to blood flow. Applying to these areas help with longevity because the body’s warmth enhances the perfume’s fragrances. Finally, apply petroleum jelly to the pulse points before spritzing. Petroleum jelly acts as a barrier between the skin and the perfume’s oils, keeping the oils from being absorbed by the skin.
Written by Jordan Pierce, Photography: Zayna Sayyed, Social Media: Manuela Diez, Styling: Cindy Chen