Many of us don’t think to switch fragrances according to the seasons. It can be costly to do so, and let’s face it, a lot of Latinas tend to stick to a fragrance for most of their lives. Many of us even “inherit” a particular choice from our mothers and abuelitas—time for a change!
During winter, we have an instinctive response to warm up our surroundings, and our personal fragrances are no exception: Colder months call for more dramatic, complex uplifting aromas that evoke the scents and moods of the season. Try these uplifting winter fragrances to brighten up the season!
THINK POWERFUL
Wintery perfumes are heavier; they have the power to make an impact but they shouldn’t however, be overwhelming to you or to innocent bystanders. One of the reasons these fragrances are stronger is because they need to penetrate through countless layers of clothing, while battling through mighty wintry winds. There’s another logical explanation as well: your skin is drier in the winter months and doesn’t hold fragrance as well as it does in the summer.
If you are a light-scent gal, you can update your current eau de toilette to a more grown-up version better known as eau de parfum. Don’t let the name scare you—these bottles contain (almost) the same notes as their lighter counterparts, but in a more concentrated way. They cost more, but the scents have more staying power and you need to a lighter hand when applying.
LET’S TAKE NOTES
Like music, perfumes give you different kind of “notes”—or aromas—from the first spritz. Heady notes such as amber, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, musk, and cedar, among others, are winter staples. Whether these are classified as Oriental, Earthy, Woodsy or Spicy, fragrances for colder seasons are mixed and matched with the same goal: the aromatherapeutics of making you feel warm, one sniff at a time.
Of course, not everybody enjoys a heavy scent. That’s why you need to buy with caution—keep an eye on those base notes you love, or even better, swap your favorite perfume for its body lotion version.
Read Related: Jingle Smells: 5 Bath and Body Products for This Winter
START SNIFFING…
It can be difficult to choose from such complex fragrances, especially when you’re a diehard fan of airy, summery aromas such as flowers or citrus. The trick here is to try them out, and choose something that makes you feel elegant, sexy and cozy.
Here are my favorites for those frosty months:
Tom Ford Black Orchid (from $70) • This very rare and luxurious scent combines woody and fruity notes.
Chanel No. 5 (from $120) • Timeless and sexy—what can we say about this classic that hasn’t already been said? Every woman should try it at least once.
Armani Code Pour Femme (from $40) • This is a seductive scent, yet fresh and bold. Its floral and citrus tones might be a welcome relief for those who don’t like spicy scents.
Dior Hypnotic Poison (from $53) • If there were an award for the most original winter fragrance, Hypnotic Poison would win it. It is indeed a hypnotizing and mysterious aroma, with strong vanilla and musk accents.
C.O. Bigelow Chemists Perfume Oil Amber ($15) • This essential oil is an inexpensive alternative for those who prefer simplicity. It’s spicy but still soft, and a great choice for those wary of going too heavy with their winter scent.
Houbigant Paris Orangers en Fleurs (from $180) • This fragrance offers a sophisticated blend of fruits and flowers, and is versatile enough to carry you into springtime and beyond.
Estée Lauder Sensuous (from $55) • This woody, amber essence is soft enough to be a timeless scent for wearers of all ages.
Christian Dior Oud Ispahan (from $155) • Leave it to Christian Dior to pull out all the stops with this totally Oriental, warm and incredibly elegant offering.
