The Smell of Success

Posted by Canadian Gift Guide on March 12, 2013 · 114 Comments

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.