The Couturist's Guide to Fragrance

While some may say you're never fully dressed without a smile, I would add that an outfit isn't truly finished without a few spritzes of fragrance. I've always been a signature scent kind of girl, sticking to one fragrance until it runs out or I find a new formula I fall in love with. In fact, when I add a new perfume to my collection, I often buy the matching shower gel and lotion in order for a scent to really become my own.

Fragrances are important— they're one of the first impressions you make on people, plus they are often linked to memories (my favorite scent in high school, Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau Fresh always makes me super nostalgic). Perhaps I'm making this whole finding-a-signature-scent thing out to be a little more important than it is in the grand scheme of things, but for those of you looking to explore the wonderful world of fragrances in a more systematic way, I've broken down a few scent groupings plus listed some of my favorites.

Woody— Everything earthy, from patchouli to sandalwood, falls into this category. This is a fresh, often gender-neutral fragrance family, and has become a recent favorite of mine as it is great for combining with fresh floral scents.

Floral—This is my favorite type of fragrance! Rose, peony, violet and all other flower scents make up this ultra feminine category.

Musk—While musk is often associated with dusty closets, it is truly a "clean clothes" category.

Smoky—Think of camping when you hear "smoky"— wood chips, pine needles, campfires, etc.

Citrus—Bright citrusy fragrances have the freshness of florals with a little less sweetness. Paired with spicy fragrances, these can add a little bit of pizzaz to your aura.

Oriental—The scents of the East, including incense and green tea, fall into this category.

Aquatic—The fresh smell of the sea encompasses salt and bubbles.

Green— Grass, that is all.