It’s almost Christmas, and I have the first of my annual gift guides to share with you today – I’m talking about some beautiful fragrances that would be perfect for both giving and receiving – enjoy!Let’s start with Prada Paradoxe EDP. Prada has launched their first new fragrance line in eight years, with Paradoxe Eau de Parfum, based on the theme of liberation and self-expression. Paradoxe is a floral amber scent, opening with fresh bergamot, juicy tangerine and pear. The heart of light, crisp neroli, blends with floral notes of orange flower and sensual jasmine, leading to a base of amber accords blended with a new musk molecule, Serenolide, giving vibrant warmth and depth to the scent.

Paradoxe is and all-round fantastic fragrance, it’s feminine and sensuous, yet still fun and playful. It’s a crowd-pleaser than many will enjoy, and would make a fantastic Christmas gift.

• Top Notes: Calabrian Bergamot Heart, Tangerine Essence & Pear Accord
• Heart Notes: Neroli Essence and Neroli Bud Essence, Tunisian Orange Flower Heart Absolute Blossom & Jasmine Sambac Absolute
• Base Notes: Amber Accord (Ambrofix™), Laos Benzoin Resinoid, Madagascar Premium Bourbon Vanilla Infusion & White Musk Accord (Serenolide™)

Next we have Zarkoperfume – e’L EDP. Light and fresh, e’L EDP has been created for ‘the self-conscious, luxurious woman, who finds herself in the hustle and bustle of every day life.’ Zarkoperfume is a Nordic brand, and this fragrance really reflects that. e’L is is fresh, green and slightly sweet, with an overall soft, watery aroma. The fragrance has a prominent green tea and aquatic notes, it’s the perfect every-day fragrance for those looking for something fresh and easy to wear.

• Top Notes: Pomegranate & Soft White Florals
• Heart Notes: Greens, Green Tea India & Ozones
• Base Notes: White Sweet Musk & Blond Woods

And I also had to include Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Forever Eau de Parfum– after loving the original I Want Choo fragrance, I couldn’t wait to try the newest launch in the line. I Want Choo Forever, however, is quite different to the original. The original I Want Choo was very much a peach based scent, whereas I Want Choo Forever is all about dark juicy cherries – I love cherry scents so this was music to my ears and nose!

I Want Choo Forever is a sweet, gourmand fragrance, opening with intense notes of spicy pink peppercorn, rose and bitter almond oil, a heart of sweet black cherry liquor, seductive jasmine sambac and vetiver then leads to a dry down of earthy moss, blended with warm vanilla and tonka.

If I Want Choo is the perfect daytime scent, then I Want Choo Forever is the night-time equivalent. This is a wonderfully fruity, juicy, and deliciously addictive fragrance – fans of the original will love this, as will those that enjoy cherry fragrances, or gourmand scents in general.

• Top Notes: Rose, Pink Peppercorn & Bitter Almond Oil
• Heart Notes: Black Cherry Liquor, Jasmine Sambac, Vetiver
• Base Notes: Moss Accord, Vanilla, Tonka Beans.

Next up is Moncler Pour Femme Eau de Parfum – Moncler Pour Femme really is an underrated gem, opening with notes of crisp, powdery snow and sparkling bergamot, this is an instantly soft, powdery, cocooning scent. The floral heart of jasmine sambac and heliotrope then make way for the base of sweet, creamy vanilla and mountain woods.

Moncler Pour Femme is a beautifully sweet and feminine scent that’s rich yet relaxing, it’s just like a big warm hug in the softest blanket – beautiful!

• Top notes: Powdery Snow Accord & Bergamot
• Heart Notes: Jasmine Sambac & Heliotrope
• Base Notes:Vanilla, Mountain Woods Accord.

I also have Guerlain Rosa Rossa Forte– the latest launch from Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria line is a beautiful woody fruity floral – ‘Rosa Rossa Forte, majestically blooming sweet roses bathed in light, paired with a juicy white peach over a deliciously woody base.’

Rosa Rossa Forte is a wonderful fruity floral scent, I don’t notice any peach myself, this is a rose dominant scent through and through. The blackcurrant takes centre stage at the opening, then velvety rose notes soon appear, leaving you with a warm, sweet dry down of vanilla, patchouli and woods.

• Top Notes: Rose Water & Blackcurrant Accord
• Heart Notes: Rose Essence, Peach & Pear
• Base Notes: Sandalwood, Vanillin, Patchouli, White Musk & Benzoin

Next up is Redolescent Hive Mind EDP – you may not have heard of this artisan fragrance brand, but it should definitely be on your radar. Redolescent fragrances each have autobiographical aspect, based on the creator, Kyle’s own life and experiences. Hive Mind shares his love of beekeeping – close your eyes an imagine you’re collecting fresh honey from a beehive – there’s the woodiness of the hive itself, warm from the sun, the distinctive smell of the gloves you’re wearing, and of course the sweet aroma of the yellow beeswax and honey.⁠
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Initially hive mind hits you with a blast of cedarwood and honey. The honey is wonderfully thick and sticky, but it doesn’t take centre stage, it’s very much there in the background sweetening the scent. After a while the cedarwood starts to mellow and you notice the neroli and jasmine at the heart of the fragrance, and finally he drydown is pure beeswax and honey, with a floral touch. ⁠
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Hive Mind is warm and comforting, yet fresh and uplifting. I’d say it’s unisex, the opening is a bit more masculine with the cedarwood, but it dries down quite sweet and feminine. I find there’s something very nuanced and endearing about this scent – I genuinely couldn’t stop sniffing my wrist the first time I wore it!⁠
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Notes: Queen’s Pheromone (Lemon & Ginger oils), Neroli, Jasmine, Honey, Beeswax & Cedarwood.⁠

I also have Michael Kors Gorgeous! EDP – described as a celebration of women and the confident female spirit, Michael Kors Gorgeous! is a bold floral woody fragrance that knows how to make an entrance. Gorgeous! is a wonderfully enticing fragrance. Opening with spicy pink pepper, fresh bergamot and mandarin, the heart is a bouquet of beautiful white flowers – jasmine sambac, tuberose, ylang-ylang, and orange flower, with a slight tobacco accord. The base is warm and woodsy with notes of cashmeran, cedarwood, suede accord, tonka bean, guaiac wood, styrax and benzoin.

I must admit I hardly notice the tobacco here, Gorgeous! is a beautiful white floral scent with smooth, warm woods. It’s an intense, yet somehow intimate fragrance, suitable for both day and evening wear – this scent would suit somebody that’s looking for a beautiful new signature perfume.

• Top Notes: Pink Pepper, Bergamot & Mandarin
• Heart Notes: Jasmine Sambac, Tuberose, Ylang-ylang, Orange Flower & Tobacco Accord
• Base Notes: Cashmeran, Cedarwood, Suede Accord, Tonka Bean, Guaiac Woody, Styrax & Benzoin.

Next is Armani Beauty Si Passione Eclat EDP – the latest flanker in the fantastic Si line is a new fragrance capturing the notion that passion lights up everyone’s life. Si Passione Eclat is a floral rose scent, combining bright and fresh notes of bergamot and blackcurrant at the top, leading to a floral heart of soft powdery centifolia rose and damask rose. The base includes clean and soft white musk, blended with addictive, warm Madagascar vanilla.

Si Passione Eclat is a wonderfully bold and luminous scent – a must-have for fans of the Si fragrance collection.

• Top Notes: Blackcurrant & Bergamot
• Heart Notes: Centifolia Rose & Damask Rose
• Base Notes: White Musk & Madagascar Vanilla

I also have a couple of beautiful fragrance gift sets. This Lancome La Vie Est Belle Gift Set would make the perfect gift for someone that loves the iconic La Vie Est Belle fragrance. This year’s beautifully packaged Lancome gift sets are available in a vast selection of options including fragrance, skincare and makeup. The set I have above includes:

● La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum 50ml
● La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum 10ml
● Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate 10ml

And lastly, Versace always offer the most beautifully designed sets at Christmas time. I have the Dylan Turquoise EDT Set – this is a floral, woody, musky fragrance inviting you to escape to faraway islands where the blue sky meets crystal waters, and the sea breeze caresses your skin. Fresh, zesty and luminous, Dylan Blue Turquoise opens with energetic Primofiore lemon, juicy Sicilian mandarin and pink peppercorn, leading to a heart of tropical Guava complemented by transparent Jasmine petals and the essence of Freesia. The base note of Clearwood contrasts with a blend of Vibrant Woods and White Musk leaving you with a beautiful clean and fresh dry down.

Or for those that enjoy Versace’s Yellow Diamond, this Yellow Diamond EDT Set would be a fantastic gift – Yellow Diamond is a transparent and airy floral fragrance, sparkling and and feminine. The fragrance opens with glistening citron, fruity pear sorbet, and fresh notes of bergamot and neroli. The heart includes floral notes of orange blossom, freesia and mimosa, leading to a dry down of ambery woods, vibrant palo santo and musk.

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