Its creeping up faster than you think....that Hallmark holiday that most of us dread every year.. VALENTINE'S DAY! We all know that fragrances (along with chocolates and flowers) are among the most popular gifts for this holiday, so hopefully we can de-mystify finding the perfect fragrance for your special someone.

First of all, you are going to want to look at what you want this fragrance to say about your man (or woman).  Is this person easy-going and bright, dark and sophisticated, or down to earth and romantic? You also may want to consider sticking to a Spring/Summer fragrance for a Valentine's Day gift as these seasons are quickly approaching.  What I recommend, is knowing what their current fragrance is, doing some research on the scent story, and pick a fragrance in a similar range, but maybe with an updated appeal! The #1 rule of shopping for fragrance is make sure to GET A RECEIPT and KNOW THE RETURN POLICY in case your partner doesn't share your scent sentiment!

WHAT DOES YOUR SCENT SAY ABOUT YOU?

POWDERY: Emotional and Innocent

For Her: Harajuku Lovers Baby by GWEN STEFANI ($33/oz), BENEFIT Maybe Baby ($32/oz)

For Him: BURBERRY Brit for Men ($35/oz), JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Le Male ($45/oz)

FLORAL: Sensual and Sexy

For Her: Flower by KENZO ($34/oz), DIOR Midnight Poison ($59/oz)


For Him: KENZO Power for Men ($34/oz), Eternity for Men by CALVIN KLEIN ($50/oz)


VANILLA: Calm and Collected

For Her: JO MALONE Vanilla Anise ($55/oz), MARC JACOBS Daisy ($45/oz)

For Him: SALVADOR DALI for Men ($35/oz), D&G 10 La Roue De La Fortune ($69/oz)



WOODSY: Energetic and Strong

For Her: AQUA DI PARMA "Magolia Nobile" ($165/oz), DONNA KARAN Cashmere Mist ($48/oz) 


For Him: Adventure by DAVIDOFF ($25/oz), THIERRY MUGLER A*Men ($40/oz)



CITRUS: An Organized Leader

For Her: STILA Mandarin Mist ($25/oz), BULGARI White Tea ($62/oz)

For Him: JOHN VARVATOS Artisan ($57/oz), DIOR Eau Savage ($52/oz)



MUSKY: Dependable and Focused

For Her: L by L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani ($31/oz), VERA WANG Princess ($45/oz)

For Him: The Beat for Men by BURBERRY ($35/oz), BULGARI Man ($58/oz)


AQUATIC: Sensitive and Thoughtful
For Her: Bond No. 9 Hamptons
$150/oz -
For Him: Hugo Boss Hugo Element ($39/oz), Bleu de Chanel ($59/oz)


AT THE END OF THE DAY, GO TO THE STORE...AND GET YOUR PARTNER WHAT YOU THINK THEY WILL SMELL GREAT WEARING!!!

They aren't makeup, skincare, or haircare...but the following items just might register on your radar this fall.

CHANEL Les Khakis de Chanel Nail Lacquer $25 - Select Department Stores
Designed by Peter Philips exclusively for Fashion's Night Out, these military-chic colors are the perfect complement to your fall wardrobe.

VERDICT: WANT!
Though they are chic and Chanel has some fierce nail colors, the $25 price tag is pretty steep.

GUCCI Guilty Eau de Toilette $55-$95 Select Department Stores
An enticing oriental floral scent, Gucci Guilty embodies rich amber and freshness of lilac.  This fragrance is about pushing boundaries and being a bold, independent  woman.

VERDICT: NEED!
Darker and more subtle than many summer scents while still having a carefree, fun attitude, this is your must-have fragrance for fall!

TOM FORD Black Orchid Lipstick $45 Saks 5th Avenue www.saks.com
With richly colored pigments and a semi-gloss finish, these are the lipsticks on everyone's mind this fashion week.

VERDICT: CAN'T HAVE!
Unless you are party of the Vogue beauty team or managed to snag one of the 20 available on Fashion's Night Out, this fabulosity doesn't go on sale until September 20th! Get in line ladies, because they are sure to sell out!

In the spirit of men's week, today we are going to discuss something everyone uses, but few people know how to use properly: COLOGNE. Cologne, often called Eau de Toilette, is the lesser concentrated mens counterpart to Eau de Parfum. Everyone has a favorite, but not all scents smell good on all people, and scent stories say ALOT about your personality!

BUYING THE RIGHT COLOGNE
1. Browse scents and spray scents you like onto a paper card. (Spraying on your wrist will combine scents and get confusing)
2. Make sure to smell coffee beans between testing, as it clears the scent palate.
3. Once you have settled on a few that you like, leave the store and continue to try the scent for 24 hours.
4. When you have chosen one or two that you really like, return to the store and try them on your skin, at which point you can decide if it works for you.

REMEMBER, lighter scents are suitable for daily/daytime wear, and heavier scents are better for the evening!



WHAT YOUR COLOGNE SAYS ABOUT YOU

CITRUS (Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon): You are fresh, sporty, and youthful. Life is casual and fun. Look for DOLCE & GABBANA Light Blue, LACOSTE Essential, and GIOGIO ARMANI Aqua di Gio.

SPICEY (Pepper, Ginger, Nutmeg): You are sophisticated, stylish, and confident. Look for CHANEL Allure, CALVIN KLEIN Obsession, and RALPH LAUREN Purple Label.

FLORAL (Lavender, Lily, Iris): You are a helpless romantic, with an exotic personality. Look for DONNA KAREN NEW YORK DKNY Men, DAVIDOFF Cool Water, and GIANFRANCO FERRE Ferre Men.

MUSKY (Sandalwood, Leather, Sage): You are a man's man. Down to earth, resilient, and outdoorsy. Look for JOHN VARVATOS Vintage, VALENTINO V, and HALSTON Z-14.

HOW TO WEAR COLOGNE
People should know you are there, not know that you are coming. Quantity is the most important rule when wearing cologne.
1. Aftershave is NOT cologne, and therefore the scent does not last as long. (LISTEN UP, ALL YOU AXE USERS!)
2. Hit the proper spots. Heat intensifies the scent so spraying on the neck is a good start. Many men also like to apply behind the ears and wrists.
3. Use in moderation. Don't ever use more than 3 sprays at once!
4. It is okay to reapply after a long period of time. If you applied in the morning, you can reapply mid afternoon (or right before happy hour!)

At the end of the day, fragrance is a personal choice, so have fun and try different scents! Often department stores have free samples, so try a few, and decide on your favorite! Also, Sephora has a great sample kit for only $70, allowing you to try several options, without spending a fortune on full size product!