The Smell of Success
For the last seven years, Cosmetics magazine has been honouring the top perfumers in the world via the Canadian Fragrance Awards – the country’s premiere event and awards show recognizing which scents have captured the noses of the nation. I’ve perused the scents and many of them are ones I’ve featured right here on the Canadian Gift Guide. After perusing everything, I came up with a few categories of my own to help guide you to some gift-giving success! Advance warning – I definitely grouped these scents together by the ‘look’ and not the category. Although in some cases, they overlap (see: Prettiest Bottle!)
Prettiest Bottle: BCBG MAX AZRIA – $86
Never underestimate the power of a perfume’s bottle in convincing you of its perfection. Of all the nominated scents this year, I was definitely drawn in by the debut fragrance for BCBG MAX AZRIA. The romantic fluttery pink petals (with a butterfly at the core representing the brand’s own logo) channel the very pink sweetness of the scent itself: strawberries and cherries float to the top with hints of sandalwood and violet.
Most Intoxicating Exotic: Roberto Cavalli – $80
I’m not a huge ‘oriental’ scent person usually (although my sister, the expert on that scent category, certainly is), but this, this I like. The layers are remarkably simple and shockingly equally detectable – African Orange Flower is ramped up with lush vanilla and exotic tonka bean, all with notes of benzoin and the still remarkably trendy pink pepper. The result is a notice-me scent best worn by bold girls.
Made For Men: Calvin Klein Encounter – $87
The entries into the men’s category may be fewer, but the colognes are no less delightful to take a deep inhale of. Personally I love the dark storminess of Calvin Klein’s Encounter. Maybe it’s because Alexander Skarsgard is the face of the fragrance, but there’s something very mysterious and nighttime (and sexy!) about this blend of cardamom and agarwood mixed in with powerful notes of cognac and rum. Despite the boozy undertones, don’t think your guy will walk around smelling like a gentleman’s club – instead, picture a sifter of brandy in one hand and a sexy smile on his face, and you’ll get the sophisticated feeling with just one spritz.
Most Dramatic: Lady Gaga Fame – $59.99
Typically speaking the fragrance world is dominated by petal pinks and champagne golds. So when you add black into the mix you know you’re getting something special. And when you add black liquid to the mix? Well that’s one-of-a-kind. What else would you expect from Lady Gaga; one of the music industry’s most singular personalities? I originally described Gaga’s debut perfume as ‘springtime at night’ and I stand by that descriptor. It’s got a surprisingly honey-sweet side despite the exotic ingredients, but don’t be fooled: it’ll still cause a splash.
Best In Show: Florabotanica by Balenciaga – $90
Sure technically no one asked my opinion, but the fun of the Fragrance Awards is that every last one of us has a voice. And since I know you were all dying to hear my top pick, I can tell you that my vote would definitely go toward the fresh woodsy floral of Balenciaga’s new release (with Kristen Stewart as the spokeswoman). It’s earned top honours on my vanity table, and I hope it earns the same nationally!
Want to cast your vote + view all the nominees for the 8th Annual Canadian Fragrance Awards? Two such places you can do so are the Chatelaine website and the Loose Button Facebook Page (hint: you can actually win an insane fragrance prize package from Loose Button). Want to win two of these sensational scents for yourself? One lucky lady will soon be smelling like Roberto Cavalli’s bold & gold scent, while a dapper gentleman will soon be mirror Alex Skarsgard’s musk when they walk away with a bottle of Calvin Klein Encounter. Here’s how to enter:
1) Leave a comment by March 26th with your top female & male fragrance picks. (You can see ’em all here)
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address or IP address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around March 27th to select the winners, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Get your friends in on the voting process! You can Tweet about this contest up to 5 times over the promotion period. Just leave a link back to your Tweets in the comments and be sure to tag @cdngiftguide in them.
Ed Hardy skulls and roses is my favorite woman’s fragrance and Calvin Klein’s Encounter is fav men’s
So Elixir Purple for woman and James Bond 007 for men
Calvin Klein’s Encounter for the men’s and BCBG MAX AZRIA for the woman’s favourite. (Valentino was a close second 🙂
Wisteria and James Bond 007
BCBG Max Azria for women’s, and Boss Bottled Sport for men.
My top female pick : BCBG Max Azria
top male pick : Calvin Klein’s Encounter
My top female pick-Gucci Première
Top male pick-Fan Di Fendi pour Homme
I tweeted- tweet name wildcardacehigh (louise gilbert)
My fave female scent is Burberry Body and for the male scent I choose Kenzo Homme Sport.
tweeted
My female pick is Elie Saab La Parfum and my men’s choice is Viktor and Rolf Spice Bomb
BCBG MaxAzria for women & Hugo Boss Sport for men
TWEET1
Favourite female scent is BCBG MAXAZRIA and fave men’s is Calvin Klein Encounter.
My faves are Fan di Fendi for men, and La Petite Robe Noir by Guerlain, for women.
My favorite female scent is Givenchy Dahlia Noir and in men’s it is Nautica Aqua Rush
Florabotanica by Balenciaga – $90 For ladies, hugo boss sport for men.
My top female pick is Vince Camuto Women (gorgeous bottle) & my top male fragrance pick is Lalique Hommage a L’Homme.
Women’s: BCBG Maxazria
Men’s: Hugo Boss Sport
Gucci Premier for women and Calvin Klein Encounter for men
Calvin Klein Encounter for Men and Lady Gaga for women, I have this one and love it, thanks for the contest
for females Burberry Body for men Calvin Klein Encounter
Calvin Klein’s Encounter and BCBG MAX AZRIA
https://twitter.com/BeeWBedard/status/311643511961300992
spice bomb
Marc Jacobs Dot for her & Ed Hardy Skulls & Roses for Him
Womens: Dot Marc Jacob
Mens : Calvin Klein Encounter
Tweeted 🙂 https://twitter.com/kelgordon7/status/311807078484295680
Marc Jacobs Dot for the ladies and Calvin Klein Encounter for the men!
aah amazing its just amazing to have it on earth
Calvin Klein Encounter smells nice.
I would choose – Boss Bottled Sport for the men and Burberry Body for the women.
Womens–Byredo Black Saffron, Men–Viktor + Rolf Spicebomb
The Robert Cavelli for women and the Calvin Klein Encounter for women.
March 13–I like the ‘Floralbotanica by Balenciaga for women and Encounter by Calvin Klein for men.-Elva Roberts
James Bond 007 and Forever Red
I like Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire for women and Calvin Klein Encounter for men
Women- Chanel Coco Noir
Men- Calvin Klein Encounter
Ed Hardy skulls and roses for women and Calvin Klein Encounter for men are my top picks
I tweeted https://twitter.com/AliciaMillette/status/312014292037816320
Men – Calvin Klein’s Encounter
Women – Marc Jacobs Dot
Tweet #1 – https://twitter.com/apham17/status/312041493198172160
Ed Hardy Skulls & Roses For Her AND Kenzo Homme Sport
For her, Givenchy Dahlia Noir and for him, Calvin Klein encounter.
tweet – https://twitter.com/daynacw/status/312447355590955008
Hugo Boss Sport and Ellie Saab Le Parfum
Ed Hardy Skulls & Roses for Her and Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb.
Lady Gaga & Calvin Klein for sure!
https://twitter.com/BeeWBedard/status/312707842190749697
Female – Marc Jacobs Dot
Male – Calvin Klein Encounter
Tweeted – https://twitter.com/trulyuniquebabe/status/312739655441342465
Ed Hardy Skulls & Roses for Her and Calvin Klein
tweet 2:
Tweeted again – https://twitter.com/apham17/status/312940505984016386
My top female fragrance is Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire
tweet 3 – https://twitter.com/daynacw/status/313040297443614720
https://twitter.com/BeeWBedard/status/313084814624452608
Calvin Klein’s Encounter for the men’s
Wisteria for the woman’s
Calvin Klein’s Encounter — For men
and Taylor Swift’s Wonderstruck for women (I love this one!)
Calvin Klein’s Encounter — For men
Marc Jacobs Dot – for women
Chanel Coco Noir and Roberto Cavalli
TAylor Swift Wonderstruck for women
Roberto Cavalli – love it on my husband!!
Ed Hardy Skull & Roses, Only The Brave Tattoo Diesel
female – Valentino Valentina
male – Mont Blanc Legend
https://twitter.com/BeeWBedard/status/313451727829479424
https://twitter.com/BeeWBedard/status/313452177286914048
My top fragrance picks are Ed Hardy Skulls & Roses for Him and Balenciaga Florabotanica for her!
rebthecatsitter at gmail dot com
Have not tried any of these fragrances.
My signature scent has been Paloma Picasso for the past 21 year, post Vanilla phase.
My top female & male fragrance picks are “Chanel Coco Noir” for women, gotta go with a classic & “Mont Blanc Legend” for men ‘cos I like to packaging.
Bonus Entry #1: https://twitter.com/SoulSeeker0/status/313494873028296704
Thanks.
Tweet 4 – https://twitter.com/daynacw/status/313515106279501824
Calvins Klein Encounter for men, Marc Jacobs Dot for women thank you
Tweet #3 – https://twitter.com/apham17/status/313676289447981056
My picks would be Taylor Swift Wonderstruck Enchanted and Mont Blanc Legend.
Tweet~ http://twitter.com/glogirl3/status/313700333350178816
My favourites are Chanel Coco Noir and Boss Bottled Sport.
tweet 5 – https://twitter.com/daynacw/status/314224677960683520
Tweet #4 – https://twitter.com/apham17/status/314235596765806592
tweet
MEN’S Calvin Klein’s Encounter
WOMAN’S Burberry Body
tweeted https://twitter.com/ContestQueen/status/314561505259569152
Balagencia Florabotanica for women and Ed Hardy Skulls & Roses for men.
i just love ed hardy fragrances
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle and Calvin Klein Encounter
Marc Jacobs Dot for females and L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme.
My pick for womens is Chanel Coco Noir, and for men’s, Kenzo Homme sport
Tweet #1 https://twitter.com/slpemdb/status/315235497096118272
tweet 3
Calvin Klein’s Encounter is my favourite!!
tweet 4
Probably would choose the lady gaga fame 🙂
tweet
Lady Gaga Fame for the ladies and Hugo Boss sport for the men!
givenshy and boss
tweet
Chanel Coco Noir for women and Roberto Cavalli for men
tweet
Bonus Entry #2: https://twitter.com/SoulSeeker0/status/316380185857495041
Thanks.
Tweet #5 – https://twitter.com/apham17/status/316565707733221378
calvin klein encounter for men i liked on facebook!!!
https://twitter.com/slpemdb/status/316687142422204416 Tweet#2