An apple a day keeps the doctor away, so with February being Heart Health Month these two gift sets will help you both smell good and do good. The Jerome Privee Pour La Maison Juicy Apple candle not only has a scrumptious fruity essence, but $5 from each candle sold will be donated to the American Heart Association. Visit www.perfumania.com to purchase fragrances that support this great cause.

Angel, the first perfume created by Thierry Mugler in 1992, has become one of the world’s timeless fragrances. This year, Angel celebrates its 15th Anniversary and we remember and embrace the gorgeous notes of patchouli and that special oriental and floral hint that keep us coming back for more.

Keep an eye out for Alien from Thierry Mugler. This is sure to be the next big thing on the scent scene.

Lancome’s newest addition to their Miracle line is the new fragrance, Miracle Forever. Seemingly gourmand, this lush scent boasts notes of blackcurrant, star anis, and almond flower nectar. You’ll want to hold on to this gem foreva! www.Lancome-usa.com

Queen of chic, Vera Wang has released her newest olfactory creation, Truly Pink. Modernly feminine, it contains lush floral notes of white freesia, lychee blossom, and peony. The earthy base dries down with hints of iris and sensual woods. Can you say elegance redefined for 07? www.Sephora.com

J.Lo was smoking at the recent Golden Globes, and her latest addition to her Glow fragrance collection is Glow After Dark. Mischevious and sexy like Lopez herself, the scent was created with Gabriela Chelariu of Fragrance Resources. The result : a sheer floral musk with notes of mandarin, passion fruit, jasmine, and patchouli.

The Glow After Dark Show, a new on-line reality series, will give fans the opportunity to audition to become one of five Glow Girls. Part reality show, part soap opera, part docu-drama, this webisode series of eight interactive shows will be aired on-line in April for all to view on www.glowafterdarkshow.com.

With so many fragrances on the market, it’s a true wonder that anyone can pick their favorite scent and stick with it. Some women decide to have a different scent for every day of the week, or even for different moods and occasions. What to choose and how to wear fragrance can be quite daunting, so here are a few tips from the expert perfumers at Drom Fragrances. Creating fragrances since 1911, Drom has used the expertise of their perfumers to perfect this art. Happy Smelling!

On How to Buy Perfume:
Drom perfumer , Pierre-Constantin Guéros explains that it’s vital when you searching for a fragrance to keep smelling the strip that the vendor gives you at the counter, so you can experience the all-life of the perfume and avoid any pungent surprises. For example: You can adore a perfume right after it’s been sprayed, but come to despise it after twenty minutes or even two hours. Give the scent a chance to dry down and you can get the full effect.

For maintenance of your favorite aromas, Pierre says if you find a limited edition scent, special summer or niche brand, buy two or three bottles of it and store it in a cold place which will preserve the perfume for two to three years. Despite the myths, you can indeed leave fragrances in the fridge, which will keep the notes of the scent potent. Bathrooms can be the worst place to store your perfume bottles, because the heat and humidity can alter the aroma.

On Wearing Scents:
During the bleak winter months, perfume evaporates faster on dry skin, meaning you’ll need to re-apply more often says perfumer Ikey Smith. Use more of your favorite scents during the winter rather than in the summer. Another tip on smelling great is to keep empty perfume bottles in your lingerie drawer and you’ll be greeted by a refreshing scent every time you get dressed.

Perfumer Agnes Mazin’s number one tip is DO NOT OVERUSE. Instead have 2-3 fragrances on hand so you can switch on and off especially when you become tired of wearing the same scent. She also recommends that instead of using a spray fragrance all the time, try using other fragranced accessories like body washes and lotions. It will give your nose a much needed rest.

When spraying a scent, target your wrists and elbows and other areas away from the nose. This helps to keep the fragrance fresh and new. Another no-no is rubbing your wrists together, once you’ve sprayed. Something I myself am also guilty of, Mazin advises that this disrupts the natural evaporation process of the fragrance which can alter the smell. So, spritz and let your wrists dry naturally.

Ever wonder if there are any advantages to using solid perfumes? Perfumer Alexandra Monet says that using these is a great way to get someone’s attention. They are not as diffusive as colognes and a dab behind your ears or in your cleavage can give you that come hither air.

Lastly, avoid the dreaded fragrance rut. After all, we wear perfume as much for ourselves as we do for other. Cautioning wearers not to overdose by dousing themselves to up the intensity rather take a break for a few weeks and then return to your favorite scent and you’ll be able to smell it as if it was the very first time you wore it.

One of our favorite West coast fragrance brands, Becker-Eshaya has brought their sweet smelling magic to the East coast with the creation of an exclusive fragrance line for Scoop NYC. Fragrance designers Kristen Becker and John Eshaya, worked together to develop Scoop NYC for women and Scoop Kids.

Scoop for women, boasts a unique floral bouquet with notes of pear blossom, tangerine, white peony, and jasmine. The musky bottom note lends a sense of sophistication while giving the scent an earthy base. Scoop Kids mixes fresh, fruity notes like strawberry, peach, berry, and pear with hints of greenery.

We spoke with Kristen Becker about the inspiration to bring the Becker-Eshaya work to Scoop.

BN: What made you decide to team up with Scoop NYC to develop fragrances for them?

KB: Scoop NYC was such as great supporter of “BE” when we launched a year ago and it was the only fragrance the store had ever carried. We were very willing and eager to design custom fragrances for them. Scoop and Becker-Eshaya share very similar style philosophies, and since John and I come from backgrounds in fashion, we really understand what the Scoop brand and style sense is all about. It’s fashion forward with a lot of mixing and matching to create a unique and individual look and yet it’s classic.

BN: Can you describe the process of creating the scent?

KB: We worked with our chemists to essentially bottle the Scoop look. Scoop for women is a sophisticated and modern perfume that was developed for the Scoop clientele. The Scoop girl is confident and worldly with selective tastes and distinct femininity.

The inspiration came from the stores themselves, the fashions they carry, the layouts, the colors, and most of all the women who shop there. As for choosing the actual notes, it’s not a direct translation from fashion to fragrance, so there’s a lot of interpretation. It’s more visceral, so when you smell the women’s fragrance, it just feels right that it would come from Scoop NYC.

BN: What is the Becker-Eshaya fragrance philosophy?

KB: At Becker-Eshaya, we subscribe to the “Fragrance Wardrobe” philosophy. You have a selection of favorite fragrances that essentially mirror your fashion wardrobe and you wear them accordingly. Whereas “BE” was inspired by your favorite pair of jeans with a distinct Southern California vibe, Scoop NYC is more of a New York fragrance that you wear with the same types of outfits you find at Scoop stores.

BN: Why did you create a scent for kids?

KB: Scoop carries a lot of kid’s lines so it was a natural progression to create a children’s fragrance. Plus, children’s fragrances seem to be really taking off and Scoop has that loyal customer that will easily buy the Scoop scent for their little ones. The notes are fun and every kid loves the smell of a fresh strawberry field.

BN: What does this collaboration mean for both Scoop NYC and Becker-Eshaya?

KB: Scoop is a very strong and established brand; creating a signature scent for them lends a lot of credibility to Becker-Eshaya, which as only been in business for a year.

BN: Lastly, what’s up next for the BE line?

KB: BE Becker-Eshaya will be launching a BE body lotion next month, plus we will be unveiling our second fragrance in September. This is a fall fragrance designed for the fall wardrobe. It’s gorgeous!

Scoop NYC fragrances are available exclusively through Scoop NYC stores and www.scoopnyc.com.

Fashion icon Valentino, has released his latest effort in the world of fragrance, dutifully named Rock’N Rose. Fragrance expert Will Andrews explains, “We have created a fusion of accords that separately and together define the multi-layered, character of the Rock Princess who Valentino wants to celebrate.” Leading off with a touch of innocence, notes of muguet, bergamot, black currant, and leafy greens, give way to sophisticated rose, gardenia, and orange blossom. The mischievous base of this scent is a luxe blend of sandalwood, heliotrope, combined with vanilla, orris and musky notes. This is a true must-have for rock royalty; Valentino is calling you Kelly Osbourne and Jade Jagger, so go get a whiff and rock out! Visit www.neimamarcus.com.

Penhaligon’s Lily & Spice is More than Nice

Traditional English perfume house Penhaligon’s is ringing in the New Year with their latest return to tradition with the perfume Lily & Spice. The heady scent captures purity and elation with a focus on the white lily, a special flower known in Christian mythology as the flower that was born out of the tears of Eve after eating the forbidden fruit.

In the English garden, the white lily is one of the most celebrated flowers, Penhaligon’s ingeniously blends notes of saffron, and brown patchouli to create the tempting elixir. This is the perfect scent for playing up the duality of a woman, a cocktail in femininity: one part sex kitten, one part chaste virgin. For more information visit www.penhaligons.com.

What kind of Santa Claus are you? A grinch or a fairy godmother? Lavish or prudent? Regardless of your intrinsic nature, BeautyNews has scoured the market to bring you the best of the “naughty” and “nice” gifts, designed to fit snugly into your stocking and within your own budget.

We’ve listed the necessary gifts that will leave skin spotless, clear and dazzlingly beautiful throughout 2007. These tried and true products are a sure bet to work. Period. So relax, enjoy the yuletide literature, and shop happy!

The “Naughty” List (spend away, bad girl!)

Clarisonic Skin Care Brush

We brush our hair, our teeth”¦why not our skin? The makers of the famous Sonicare toothbrush have created this brush that expertly cleans your skin to make it zit-free, smooth and refine pores. The brush works deep within pores to loosen dirt and oil (bye, bye blackheads) and helps your skin absorb products faster. The best part about this brush is that it contains two heads (one for sensitive skin), and has an inbuilt timer that beeps when you’re supposed to move on to another spot on your skin. Yes, it’s smart!

StriVectin-SD Skincare Holiday Gift Set

We didn’t believe it at first, either! If you haven’t used Strivectin to help you erase your stretch marks and wrinkles, then there’s no better time to start than this Christmas. The four-piece gift set includes all the goodies that will help you or the lucky recipient turn back the hands of time: Strivectin-SD stretch mark cream (expect magical results ““ really and truly!); Strivectin-HS Serum that whittles away deep wrinkles and large pores with the speed of light; a NanoExfoliant that improves hydration and elasticity of the skin; and a Hand Cream that improves discolorations. The set retails for $129 and is a steal, considering the results you get. Naughty or Smart? You decide. Available at Sephora.

Laura Mercier’s Limited Edition Body & Bath Gift Sets

The richness of honey, crème brulee and almond coconut milk is brilliantly reduced to a six ounce glass jar filled with joy. The Almond Coconut Milk Trio ($65) comes in a striking deep red faux lizard box, and contains three jars with a honey bath, a souffle body crème and a scrub that leaves a deep and rich fragrance long after you’ve rinsed off the suds. My favorite, the Crème Brulee Trio, contains an unexpected treat: a sugary candle, along with a honey bath and crème. The Clementine Collection Gourmande Duo ($50) contains a Clementine Honey Bath and Honey Dipper.

Life is rich, savior it.
Life is lovely, revere it.
Life is a mystery, uncover it.

- Mother Theresa

Lancome‘s Secret De Vie

This Super Luxe cream combines six ingredients that intensely restore skin to give it instant and visible results. Soft as silk and rose petals, the cream gives instant radiance to the skin, and makes a perfect stocking stuffer for that special someone. Retails for $225.

Claus Porto 12 Month Soap Gift Box

Don’t know what to buy for that finicky mother-in-law of this year? If she’s less than merry, give her the gift of clean with the 12 Months of Soap Gift Box from Claus Porto, the ultra-chic Portuguese purveyor of luxury fragrances and bath accessories. Their most popular fragrances are all captured here in this exquisite gift box of rich shea butter soaps, one for each month of the year, gorgeously wrapped and perfect for displaying in the loo during the holidays. Her winter nights will be clean and bright, so sit back and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Claus Porto Soaps are available at www.lafcony.com.

Fresh Pink Jasmine and Cannabis Santal

“˜Tis better to give than receive, and every beauty junkie will have the new Holiday Gift Collections from Fresh at the top of their wish lists this season. The embellished jewel boxes were inspired by 18^th century brocade embroidery, wall coverings, and steel plates. The Pink Jasmine Gift Collection includes the entire Pink Jasmine fragrance portfolio, the Pink Jasmine eau de parfum, nourishing Pink Jasmine body cream, and shea butter enriched Pink Jasmine soap all to pamper that special someone on your “Nice” list. And put the spark in his holiday with the Cannabis Santal Gift Collection which features the eau de parfum of this knockout scent, as well as a limited-edition vegetable based shea butter Cannabis Santal scented soap to keep him smelling divine when you’re snuggling around the fire. For more information visit fresh.com.

The “Nice” List (you’re good. good with money, good gift-giver, just plain ole good)

MD Skincare’s Cult Classic
Dr. Dennis Gross‘ iconic two step Alpha Beta Daily Facial Peel combined with the new All In One Facial Cleanser With Toner will leave your skin clear as a summer’s day, zit free over time, and erase fine lines and wrinkles. A $97 value when purchased individually, it retails for $72 at Sephora. Don’t give this to the girl with highly sensitive skin, but for the rest of us, it’s probably the best facial peel out there.

If you want to achieve flawless skin, try the new All Over Blemish Solution, which has a consistency of air! It feels like silk and silicone gliding over your skin (you won’t believe this lotion contains 2% Salicylic acid). But try it to believe it. There’s nothing on the market quite like it.

Earthworks Bath Truffles

These truffles will melt any girl’s heart. They look, smell and feel like patisserie winners and they melt delightful under running water to sweeten your bath. Filled with natural oils, shea butter and cocoa butter, each truffle is handmade. Because they don’t crumble, you can remove them from the water, store them in a dry place and reuse them for another bath. Choose from Sweet Lime, Mandarine, Limone, African Jasmine, Japanese Flower and Rose Fragrances.

LaLicious Holiday Gift Set

Give her a delicious combination of LaLicious Sugar Souffle Scrub that will moisturize every inch of your body and Vanilla Body Butter. Choose from six different flavors that will make her mouth water. Only $50 and available at www.lalicious.com

Carol’s Daughter Moments Set

For a moment, let her experience the scent of the Caribbean this winter. Give her a bodycare set replete with body cleansing gel, shea soufflé, EDT atomizer, sponge and funnel to get her skin beautifully clean and smelling of the tropics. The set comes in six fragrances: Almond Cookie, Ecstasy, Groove, Jamaican Punch, Mango Mélange and Ocean.

L’Occitane’s Harvest Soap Set

Don’t break the bank on holiday shopping this season! Check out L’Occitane’s Harvest Soap Set featuring twelve mini guest soaps in four of their signature scents- verbena, honey, olive oil, and lavender. These top selling scented soaps are super elegant, so give them to even the meanest of Grinches on your list and we promise his heart will grow. For more information visit www.sephora.com.

One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all.
And sixty cents of it was in pennies.
There was clearly nothing to do but flop down
on the shabby little couch and howl.
So Della did it. – (The Gift of the Magi, O’Henry)

Vermont Soapworks Gifts

Who said good gifts have to be expensive? Vermont Soapworks is an organic line sure to please everyone with all-natural, heavenly-scented bath and body products. The Organic Lemongrass Zen Aloe soap is an all-purpose pleaser! See the complete line at www.vermontsoap.com. Moonshine Soaps also make thoughtful gifts for people you care about because they’re crafted with the finest ingredients and most aromatic fragrances. Packaged in silken bags with bows, they’re even presented as noteworthy and memorable. Visit www.moonshinesoap.com to choose your favorite type.

Philosophy Winter Skincare Set

Get the basic essentials to maintain clean and clear skin for only $30! The travel tote bag houses a one-step facial cleanser, the Hope in a Jar skin cream, and a luxurious Kiss Me lip balm, a week’s supply of the peptide/ vitamin c microdelivery peel (we give this an A+), and a bottle of the Amazing Grace shower gel. This is what we call a real steal of a deal!

Judith Jackson Scentual Soap Set

Fa La La La La in love with the Judith Jackson 3 piece Scentual Soap Set, featuring an adorable gift box complete with 3 Citresse soaps with a peaceful blend of coconut, palm oil, grapefruit, orange, and lemon to lift your spirits and relieve stress from your holiday travels. For more information visit target.com.

Lush Holiday Sets

For a real steal, treat the beauty junkie to a hatbox filled with fresh handmade soap and bath bombs from Lush with the Snow Wonder gift box. The Holiday gift sets range in price from $6-$60, and are filled with luscious bath fare from the Champagne Snow Shower jelly, red Holiday Bar, Puddy Holly Bath Ballistic that fizzes your bath water with spice and pudding fragrances, Egg Snog Lip Balm and Ice Blue Soap. We can’t get enough of Lush’s soaps, which moisturize every inch of your body (there’s no need to apply a lotion post shower), and they smell so festive to boot. Plus you could be one of the 20 lucky Golden Ticket winners (you’ll get $1,000 towards Lush products if you spot a ticket in your package). Now that’s a Christmas to remember!

We often think of fragrance in a literal sense, a pleasant aroma to wear on our person that can be neatly identified and categorized, say as a certain flower or fruit. Never do we realize that the history of perfume is based on much more and its true purpose is to evoke emotions and capture memories, and transcend the traditional notions of good and bad smells.

At Thierry Mugler, the inspiration to interpret the arts of literature and film through fragrance, came from the best-selling novel by Patrick Sϋskind, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, and the soon to be released film version directed by Tom Twyker. The story can best be described as a chilling olfactory version of The Silence of The Lambs. Like the base note of a good perfume, the memory of the movie lingers long after you’ve seen it.

This feeling can be both good and evil. For the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, is not your typical Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Rather, it is a mixture of Hitchcock-like suspense and romantic lushness. What the movie accomplishes successfully is to open the audience’s eyes to the power of fragrance. Ben Whishaw gives a stellar performance as the main character, and Dustin Hoffman adds a touch of comic relief to an otherwise dark movie, as the erstwhile perfume expert Giuseppe Baldini.

Grenouille, born into a wretched world of Paris in the 1700s, is an orphan who possesses a remarkable ability to detect the subtlest scent: from the essence of virgins, yellow plums, jasmine, the smells of a tannery and a dank cave, which are some of the scenes in the film.

One of the most powerful images is when Grenouilles revels in the scent of the first virgin he sees and is taken by. He accidentally kills her, and tries hard to distill the essence of her scent. The memory of this beautiful maiden comes back repeatedly in the film, as a metaphor for his ultimate obsession: to create the world’s most powerful fragrance.

Ultimately, he commits more than thirteen murders for his quest to get the perfect blend of perfume notes. Each murder is not savagely described or detailed (for this gracious bit of omission, we are grateful), but the uneasiness does not cease from the first moment till the last. But he does succeed in creating a fragrance that makes people love each other in such a pure, extraordinary way. When you walk away from the movie ““ which is more than two hours long ““ you will never again look at a perfume in the same way.

In an effort to recreate key moments throughout the book and film, Thierry Mugler, in partnership with International Flavors and Fragrances perfumers, Christophe Laudamiel and Christophe Hornetz, developed 15 custom-made scents which create an olfactory journey reminding us that perfumery is both an art and a cultural experience.

Recreating atmospheres and moments from the book and film, these 15 essences range from disturbing to divine to sensual and breathtaking, with names like Baby, Paris 1738, Atelier Grimal, Virgin No. 1, Boutique Baldini, Amor & Pysche, Nuit Napolitaine, Ermite, Salon Rouge, Human Existence, Absolu Jasmine, Sea, Noblesse, Orgie, and Aura.

A truly original project tying the mysterious realm of perfumery to literature and film, the perfumers used several modern day techniques to truly capture the perfumes and scenarios of the novel. For Baby, the perfumers “Les Christophs”, interviewed mothers asking them to describe the aromas of their own babies in order to develop the sweet-sour and milky scent. Also used was headspace, an analysis technique to isolate aromas in a pure and living environment. This was done to capture the scent of live flowers, milk, and various other ingredients.

The limited edition Perfume Coffret from Thierry Mugler is an exquisite collection that includes 14 “perfume” related compositions and an Aura fragrance enhancer created by Vera Strubi, president of Thierry Mugler Parfums.

After reading the novel and viewing the cinematic interpretation on film, one cannot help but be entranced by the odors of the time. One whiff of each essence from the Perfume Coffret and you are immediately transported back to various moments and scenes from the story. It can only enhance the sensory experience and allow us to understand the true power of scent.

Forget lumps of coal this year and fill the stockings of your nearest and dearest with solid versions of their favorite fragrances, home scents, and min- gift sets. We’re letting the big man in the red suit and you (!) in on the secret with these adorable stocking stuffers for everyone on your list.

Home is where the holiday is when you spread the essence of the season with the Natale Room Spray from Santa Maria Novella, where for over 400 years, 100% natural, essential oil based fragrances have been lovingly distilled onsite in Florence, Italy. One spritz is all it takes to transport you to an Italian winter holiday with the scent of pomander, Sicilian oranges, Tuscan pine, cinnamon bark, and nutmeg. This is hands down, my favorite seasonal scent of the year, so stock up and you can get whiff of the holidays whenever you’re longing for them. For more information visit www.lafcony.com.

For the fashionable couples on your list, celebrate in style with a little luxury from Penhaligon’s. Their Holiday 2006 collection features everything from chic black and white gifts sets of Ladies and Gentlemen’s Scent Libraries, with 10 sample vials of classic fragrances, to His and Hers Christmas Crackers complete with leather valet key rings, party crowns, and New Year’s resolutions.

For the complete Holiday Collection visit www.penhaligons.co.uk.

We all have that one person in our lives who has everything and is impossible to shop for during the holidays. Really wow them this year with these exotic treasures from Yves Saint Laurent. The Opium Collector Edition eau de toilette bottle and Collector Powder for Eyes and Complexion is a gorgeous duo inspired by traditional Chinese art, features a deep black lacquered bottle and compact adorned with the traditional symbol of purity and splendor, the lotus flower. The iconic Opium scent is a seductive spicy blend with notes of mandarin, bergamot, patchouli, and amber. The Opium Collector Powder for Eyes and Complexion is a miniature version of the white lotus flower image with colors of fine, light powder which can be used alone or layered on eyes and face for an illuminating effect. The ultra-soft formula leaves your skin glowing and smooth. For more information visit www.neimanmarcus.com.

Stella McCartney is doubling our pleasure for the holidays with Stella in Two, a fresh interpretation of her signature Stella scent. The new duo features, Stella in Peony and Stella in Two Amber, a solid perfume compact, which can be layered or worn alone depending on your mood.

Stella in Two Peony, is a floral journey dotted with notes of black pepper, patchouli, and cedarwood. Stella in Two Amber, a solid perfume, contrasts with a concentrated musk. The adorable brushed metal case is completely portable making it a must-have for your holiday travels. Try dotting your pulse points with Amber to go from day to evening. For more information visit www.bloomingdales.com.

Embracing the holiday season is all about enjoying the sights and smells of your favorite things like evergreen, sugar cookies, or even freshly fallen snow. Fresh has teamed up with Sephora to create three magical gift sets based on their signature ingredients of lemon, rice, and sugar. A sweeter alternative for those seasonal cravings, the beautifully decorated boxes contain the signature scents and some adorable extras like scented soaps and body lotions.

Another seasonal gift offering from Fresh is their new Fragrance Quartet, containing a treasure trove of Fresh scents like Lemon Sugar eau de Parfum, Sugar Eau de Parfum, Sugar Blossom Eau de Parfum, and Sake Eau de Parfum. The regal silver gift box is so divinely decorated you don’t even need to wrap it, but if you really want a holiday treat you can have complimentary gift-wrapping done at one of the Fresh boutique locations. With plenty to celebrate, these gift ideas are a way to make giving the gift of fragrance simple and chic. Fore more information visit fresh.com or visit a Sephora retail location.

Super Hot Gift Alert! In Victorian times, women were known to always have their favorite scents on hand. Channeling the Victorian ages Modern Alchemy just upped the gift-giving ante with their ultra feminine solid perfume filled pocket watch. This ornate locket adorned with a black satin bow is so chic you can apply fragrance touch ups on the go in true style. Three lockets with three different scents, lily of the valley, cassis bud, and yuzu flower make for dynamite perfumes that can be layered or worn alone. Any woman with an ounce of style, will be putting this at the very top of her beauty wish list this season.
Available at www.dlcompany.com.

There might be twelve days of Christmas, but this year Aroma M Perfumes is celebrating the holidays with the 11 Fragrances for 11 Years Limited Edition Gift Set. Made in Nepal, the raspberry pink paper sampler box channels East Asian packaging and décor with its delicate bamboo clasp holds 11 mini flacons candy wrapped in brightly decorated Yuzern papers designed to match the ingredients of each fragrance and to create an overall kaleidoscope effect. Just some of the exquisite scents that are included are Geisha Marron, the newest perfume oil from Aroma M and the always classic O-cha eau de parfum. The price is right for this stocking stuffer, at an affordable $39, you can give a gift that will wow any fragrance fanatic. Available at www.luckyscent.com.

The upcoming holiday season presents a treasure trove of aromas and sweet indulgences for the senses. Fragrances like hot apple cider, fresh evergreen and spiced pumpkin pie are just a few delicious scents that will hover in the air. To celebrate and complement the party of fabulous smells this November, here are some of the breakout stars of the scent set.

Channeling the strong, sexy exuberance of the glam girls of the “˜70s, try the first fragrance from Miss Sixty. The edgy Italian fashion label has created a wild blend of tangy rhubarb, contrasted with jewel flower and heliotrope which dries down with warm base notes of amber and cherry wood. Fresh, yet subtle as the same time, it’s a real psychedelic trip for your nose. Miss Sixty is available exclusively at Sephora locations nationwide.

The ever intriguing Tom Ford introduces Black Orchid, his first women’s fragrance this month. A timeless statement through scent, Ford was seduced by the Black Orchid flower. Luxurious and sensual, the scent uses rich dark spices, black truffle, ylang ylang and bergamot with black currant. Notes of floral and fruit dry down with lotus wood. Finally, the scent is balanced out by patchouli, incense, vetiver and hints of vanilla and sandalwood. For more information visit, www.neimanmarcus.com.

Witness the rebirth of a classic: Baghari was originally launched by famed fashion designer Robert Piguet before the closing of his fashion house in 1951. It has now been resurrected from the fragrance graveyard. Baghari is a soft floral scent with top notes of Italian Bergamot, neroli, and violet. A sweet, warm heart of rose, jasmine, and orange blossom mingle subtly with a base of vetiver, iris, amber, vanilla, and musk. The quintessential romantic fragrance, wear this for those special holiday gatherings you share with loved ones. For more information visit http://www.neimanmarcus.com.

Fashion designer Matthew Williamson launched his namesake scent using natural ingredients and scented oils to create an exotic, modern blend. With top notes of bergamot, lime, cinnamon leaf, and ginger, the fragrance evolves with a sultry blend of jasmine, ylang, ylang, gardenia, and magnolia. Its rich base is mysterious in texture with vanilla, patchouli, sandalwood, and sensual musk. For more information visit www.matthewilliamson.com

Defying the norm is something designer Betsey Johnson knows a thing or two about. She continues to channel her free spirited fun with her first fragrance. A unique representation of all that Betsey Johnson embodies, the scent is playful and feminine, and starts off with juicy notes of pear, tangerine, and grapefruit, while freesia and lily of the valley lend a powdery undertone. Cedarwood, sandalwood, and praline dry it down for a warm base against amber and musk. The bottle, inspired by a vintage find Betsey picked up at an antique shop in the 80s, is a modern interpretation of all things she loves: antique chandeliers, mirrors and frames. The Betsey Johnson fragrance collection is available at Bloomingdales and Macys locations nationwide.

From Sisley Paris, the luxury skincare and makeup line, comes Soir de Lune, a wildly mysterious scent developed by Sisley Paris founders, Hubert and Isabelle d’Orano. Its name means “evening moon.” The fragrance has top notes of fresh citrus, bergamot, mandarin, lemon, and coriander. The floral heart evolves with rose, mimosa flower, jasmine, and lily of the valley. The hearty base is musky with undertones of honey, sandalwood, and Indonesian patchouli. Utterly feminine, Soir de Lune is perfect for the young at heart and those that want to feel glamorous day and night. Soir de Lune is available at Saks Fifth Avenue, www.saks.com.

Men’s fashion houses are all about launching fragrances these days. For the guys who want to look and smell good, here are a few stellar options.

Vintage from John Varvatos is the designer’s second fragrance inspired by his collection and his focus on heritage and traditional detailing. A truly masculine composition channeling old world craftsmanship, the scent is brisk and clean. Top notes of white lavender, absinth, wild fennel, and spicy cinnamon blend with cubeb peppers and juniper berries. A strong heart boasts oak moss and Canadian fir balsam with unexpected jasmine and orris. Woods are used as the base with compliments of tonka beans and Turkish tobacco to complete the scent. For more information visit, www.johnvarvatosscent.com.

Prada has also joined the club and introduced a men’s fragrance, Prada for men. The rich, complex scent marries fresh notes of bergmaot, neroli and mandarin with sensual amber and suede notes. Cardamom oil warms down the fragrance creating a lingering sexiness. Geranium, vetiver, and orange blossom reveal a clean, fresh shaven aroma that’s inviting and invigorating. For more information visit www.bergdorfgoodman.com.

Lastly, but certainly not least, Bulgari has created Pour Homme Soir, a new scent that blends intense notes of Darjeeling tea, bergamot, and papyrus. This completes the Bulgari collection of men’s fragrances and echoes the original Pour Homme, a contemporary, sophisticated blend including accents of guaiac wood. For more information, visit www.sephora.com.

Profumum Keeps it in the Family

One of my most favorite things about the origin of a scent is learning the history or story behind it. I was immediately attracted to the new cult Italian fragrance line Profumum not only for its rich history, but also because the line of eight gorgeous scents is exotic and truly unique in body and texture.

The story of Profumum began in the small Italian town of Sant Elena Sannita, where Celestino Durante, worked as knife cutter. He and his wife instilled within their children the pride of good craftsmanship. After surviving World War II, Celestino moved his family to Rome, where they opened a small shop, which eventually blossomed into a chain of stores selling handmade soaps and other beauty products. In 1996, his grandchildren started the exclusive Profumum fragrance line. Today they pay homage to Celestino by placing bronze statues of a knife cutter in their boutiques throughout Rome.

Channeling emotions and memories with names like Acqua e Zucchero, Acqua di Sale, Antico Caruso, Thundra, Fiore d’Ambra, Patchouly, Santalum, and Ichnusa, the scents exhibit both sweet citrusy notes of orange blossom, cool aromas of salt and marine algae, as well as warm tones of fig-tree wood and amber. My two personal faves are Antico Caruso, a clean smelling blend of citrus, sandalwood, and almond, and Fiore d’Ambra, warmed with heavy notes of amber, giving way to soothing opium. Distinct, but not overpowering, this scent is a must-have for the fall season. It truly inspires the earthy palette of fall foliage and the wafting aroma of hearth fires on cool evenings. Acqua e Zucchero is a dreamy combination of orange blossom, wild berries and vanilla notes. A little whiff of this ambrosial scent is probably the closest your olfactory senses will get to Heaven.

Profumum fragrances are available exclusively at www.luckyscent.com and retail for $180.

Juicy, Juice”¦Couture, Couture”¦

Is it just me or has Juicy Couture spread its wings and finally moved beyond those matchy-matchy velour tracksuits and into the realm of real fashion royalty? Hooray, everything from their new line of shoes to their party dresses is totally wearable and gorgeous to boot!

Adding to their flirtatious fashion empire, Juicy Couture founders Gela Nash-Taylor and Pamela Skaist-Levy have also recently thrown their hats into the ring with the launch of their first women’s fragrance, Juicy Couture.

Inspired by the ladies’ deep love of Paris, and their fresh, youthful take on Marie Antoinette, haute couture, and decadence itself, the scent packs an irresistible punch. Bravo ladies! Thank you for creating a scent with a free spirit and light heart. Fragrance need not be a matter of life and death and in an industry where people tend to take themselves way too seriously, I can appreciate what the Juicy girls have done here. They’ve managed to channel their sense of fun into a fragrance and make the packaging just as delightful as the scent itself.

Overall playful yet striking, the scent is every pretty young thing’s dream with mouthwatering top notes of watermelon, mandarin, and pink passion fruit blended with fresh marigold and green apple and topped off with water hyacinth and crushed leaves. Middle notes of tuberose, wild rose, and princess lily open to a delicious base of caramel crème brulee and vanilla with precious woods and finally patchouli rounding it out. The classic decanter is fabulous in fun way, dripping with the signature Juicy Couture charms: a padlock heart, crown, or rhinestone “J” that can also work as necklaces. Along with the eau de parfum, the Juicy Couture Bath and Body Collections also feature shower gels, bath salts, candles, and body crèmes.

I received rave reviews at a dinner party recently, where my tablemates were dying to know what scent made me smell so divine. I replied, “C’est Juicy!”

The Juicy Couture Fragrance Collection is available at Bloomingdale’s locations nationwide.

La Dolce Vita Returns

Debuting this month from eponymous fashion house Tocca, is a trio of eau de parfums: Touch, Florence, and Stella. Touch is a reinvention and was one of the original Tocca beauty products. Sweet and floral on top with notes of pomegranate and Tahitian tiare flower, elegantly mingle with Egyptian balsam, jasmine, and heady gardenia, drying down with a subtle base note of sandalwood. Florence echoes the magic world of the 1950s Italian diva, romantic and unpredictable, notes of Italian bergamot underscore blue iris and fiercely feminine crushed violet petals are balanced out by bottom notes of blonde wood and skin musk. While Stella is a moody scent with a striking top note of bitter and blood orange, paired with white freesia and wild diamond orchids, and spicy lily creates an exotic tone softened by enduring notes of sheer musk and sandalwood.

Touch, Florence and Stella are available at select U.S. stores nationwide. For more information visit, www.tocca.com

SJP’s Newest Scent Accessory

Forever the style icon, Sarah Jessica Parker has launched Liquid Satin, an innovative, silicone-laced, alcohol-free formula that takes the Lovely fragrance and reinvents it for your skin. Liquid Satin is composed of top notes of fresh mandarin, rosewood, lavender, and apple martini layered with notes of patchouli, creamy orchid, and smoldering cedar, white amber, and musk. The Liquid Satin serum spray dries on skin with a delicate soft finish and is perfect for layering after a bath or shower or simply for dabbing on your pulse points. The serum spray, which closely resembles the original egg-shaped design of the eau de parfum bottle, also comes in a serum wand, an adorably chic gold pen small enough to slip into your purse for travel touch ups.

Lovely Liquid Satin is available at department stores including Nordstrom’s nationwide.