Let us spray

No matter the occasion, fragrance always makes a wonderful gift and will remind the wearer of the person who gave it to them.

Fragrances can be broken up into four main categories: Floral, oriental, fresh and woody.

The floral fragrance category is the most popular of all. Floral fragrances tend to include notes like magnolia, tuberose, lily of the valley, jasmine, gardenia, rose and peony. Floral scents can be fresh and juicy when fruit notes are added; or they can be warmed up with spicy notes. Within the floral category, there are many subcategories like floral oriental, fruity floral and soft floral. This means there really is a floral out there to suit each and every taste.

Often described as “exotic” or “seductive”, the oriental fragrance category is made up of rich scents that tend to be heady and opulent. Common notes include vanilla, myrrh and anise. Often, oriental notes are softened with amber or sweet notes. Within this category you’ll find soft Oriental’s that contain floral notes; classic Oriental’s with sweet and warm notes of vanilla, musk and cinnamon, and woody Oriental’s that contains earthy notes like patchouli and sandalwood.

Fragrances in the fresh category also tend to be hugely popular as they are very wearable and appeal to most people. They are often described as “clean” and “bright” with common notes including sage, bergamot and grapefruit. Within this category you’ll find citrus scents with zesty notes of mandarin or bergamot; green scents with notes of crushed leaves or freshly cut grass; and aquatic scents containing notes of sea spray or rain mixed with oceanic notes. There are also aromatics like lavender or woods that give a clean and fresh herbaceous scent.

Woody fragrances are often opulent and warm, containing notes like Sandalwood, incense, patchouli and oud. To tone down the warmth of these notes, you’ll find fresh, floral or citrus notes. Three subfamilies are included in this family, namely Mossy woods with sweet, smooth earthy notes like amber and oakmoss, dry woods with Smokey notes and leather aromas and true woods with aromatic scents like cedarwood, vetiver and sandalwood.

L’Interdit EDP by Givenchy is a wonderful gifting choice and is sure to resonate with most women. The heady notes of jasmine, tuberose and orange blossom sit alongside intense woody and earthy notes of patchouli and vetiver. The flacon is simple in design, yet supremely elegant.