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09.23.09

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Phaedra

BOTTLE IT UP: Lola by Marc Jacobs mixes fruits, florals and spices in an eye-catching container.

Take a Whiff of This

By Jessica Fromm


PERHAPS it's because smell is so closely linked to emotion, but it's amazing what a great new perfume can do for self-esteem. Though they're just pretty scents in pretty little bottles, fragrances can do wonders in keeping one's spirits up. Here are five of the new olfactory offerings for the fall season.


Lola by Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs has been favoring kitschy, vintage-inspired bottle designs for his label's signature scents as of late, and we're not complaining. Though one should never buy a fragrance on bottle design alone, it is nice when a lovely new smell comes in an equally pleasing container. This rings true for his newest fragrance, Lola, which presents a curled modern rosebud on the cap in popping colors and an iridescent violet bottle that looks like a cute '80s knickknack. As for the fragrance, Lola is a more grown-up turn than Jacobs' past perfumes. It opens with a fruity splash of pear and grapefruit mixed with pink peppercorn, eases into an alluring undertone of fuchsia and geranium, then finishes off with a strong whiff of creamy musk and tonka bean. It's a versatile scent, and its dominate spices make it verge on the masculine.


Couture Couture by Juicy Couture

Juicy Couture has built a reputation for its fun, flirty fragrances for young women, and Couture Couture doesn't disappoint as the new "it" girl scent. Upon application, the first thing that will hit the wearer is a strong warm vanilla, followed by the feminine bloom of star jasmine and honeysuckle wrapped in pink grape and blushed plum. A sweet orange flower comes in at the end to finish off this breezy, vivacious perfume.

Pure White Linen Pink Coral by Estée Lauder

Estée Lauder has done several makeovers of its signature easy-to-wear scent Pure White Linen, and their most recent flanker, Pure White Linen Pink Coral, is a sweeter, more floral take on the classic. Coming in a basic pink bottle adorned with a little seahorse, the scent includes subtle notes of juicy red fruits, apple blossoms and Chinese berries, along with soft waves of heliotrope, camellia, honeysuckle and sandalwood. It's light, uncomplicated scent, perfect for when one wants to smell unpretentiously feminine.


Parfum Des Sens by Louis Feraud

Though the gaudy purple and gold Art Deco bottle screams "Look at me," Partum Des Sens by Louis Feraud is actually a very crisp, clean and fresh fruity floral with mass appeal. It mixes refreshing blasts of playful pineapple and mandarin orange with the sweet floral of cherry blossom, jasmine and girly rose. After it dries, gray ambergris, patchouli and vetiver come through.


Cristalle Eau Verte by Chanel

Chanel's Cristalle Eau Verte is a fresh-citrus floral take on the popular Cristalle fragrance. On first spray, wearers will feel like somebody is peeling a lemon right in front of them, that's how strong the wall of intense bergamot and Neroli notes are. Once it settles in, magnolia and other white florals appear. Overall, this is a clean, bright scent with Chanel's characteristic lasting power.


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