Fans of Kenzo anxiously await each new fragrance debut, and the brand-new FlowerbyKenzo Essentielle ($92) will not disappoint. A distilled-down version of the original FlowerbyKenzo scent, the fragrance unfolds with a floral blend (rosa damascena and jasmine) that resolves into the powder-fresh pop that is signature Kenzo. Lingering hot notes are evoked with pink berries and pepper to finish with a zing. Available at kenzousa.com. –Caroline Rath, ModernLuxury.com
Photo: Kenzo.
Scent can transport us in a way that none of the other senses can. Take Tocca's latest fragrance, Giulietta ($68), an alluring eau de parfum that sweeps you away into a classic Italian romance. And well it should, having been inspired by the love affair between famed director Federico Fellini and his wife and muse, actress Giulietta Masina. The fragrance's top notes of Bulgarian rose, tulip, ylang ylang and green apple all hearken to the isle of Corsica, where the couple would escape to imagine Fellini's next masterpiece. Available at sephora.com.
Each of our close female friends has her forte, be it dishing about romance, lending out fabulous finery or simply making us laugh. A good fragrance arsenal boasts a similar array of strong suits, with a variety of scents designed to capture unique moods or indulge different whims. Perhaps that's what Benefit had in mind for its new fragrance trio, Crescent Row ($36 per 1-ounce eau de toilette spray). Each of the collection's three scents has its own personality: Laugh with Me Lee Lee offers a woodsy floral, Something About Sofia conjures Asian blooms, and My Place or Yours Gina is a woodsy Asian blend. As for the packaging? To die for—think shiny golden canisters reminiscent of Martini shakers. Choose your bestie or call upon all three. Available at sephora.com.
In a follow-up to Lancôme's popular Hypnôse fragrance, perfumers Christine Nagel, Nathalie Feisthauer and Ursual Wandel have created a new winning formula, Hypnôse Senses, releasing in the United States later this year. Stunning model Daria Werbowy has been chosen as the poster child to promote the sexy scent, an alluring combo of pink peppercorn, mandarin essence, rose leaves and tonka that's currently available in Europe and Great Britain. Available at lancome.co.uk.
–Richard Nahem, JuliB
Photo: Lancôme.
You don't need to work at the Copacabana to get your hands on a sexy, playfully exotic scent. Marc Jacobs' new Lola perfume ($65-$85) flaunts sensual notes like pear d'anjou, fuchsia peony, rose and vanilla, create an alluring and rich fragrance fit for a ravishing showgirl in Rio. And the bottle's vinyl flower cap only adds to the flirtation. Available at bloomingdales.com.
Photo: Bloomingdale's.
Need to freshen up your fragrance but can't bear to toss that bottle in your clutch? Instead of fretting over a potentially spilled scent, get on-the-go spritz salvation with Bond No. 9 New York's Nuits De Noho Perfume Token ($85). The glam gold compact can be refilled with any one of six best-selling Bond No. 9 fragrances (including faves like Chinatown and Scent of Peace), so you can switch it up after you've finished the first batch—just swipe the container clean, refill and go. Available at saksfifthavenue.com.
Photo: Saks Fifth Avenue.
Need to jump-start your mid-summer mood? Experience Versace's new Versense eau de toilette spray ($49 for 1 ounce, $65 for 1.7 ounces, $85 for 3.4 ounces). The super-sexy fragrance's top notes of bergamot, green mandarin and prickly pear—sounds almost like a yummy cocktail, no?—dry down to a woodsy musk, leaving a positively delicious scent. Now, about that drink... Available at sephora.com.
–Jennifer Crutcher, JuliB
It's one thing to look pretty, and quite another to have something pretty to look at. Beauty-industry pros know we want both, so they’re bringing in big-gun design talents to package potions and products in bottles an aesthete would be proud to display. Diesel’s new Only the Brave fragrance for men was inspired by artists, icons and rebels, and is modeled after founder Renzo Rosso's hand—including his RR tattoo. Guerlain's Rouge G de Guerlain lipstick compact was created by a famed jewelry designer of the Place Vendome: Lorenz Baumer, who was inspired by a bar of gold. La Prairie's upcoming fall fragrance release, the Life Threads collection, elegantly combines architectural and fashion-derived elements. And Shu Uemura’s latest line of cleansing oils is decorated with drawings by Japanese contemporary artist Moyoco Anno.

Summer scents often lean toward citrus, but Diptyque's L'eau de Tarocco ($135) mixes the season's calling card with a hint of spice. Inspired by the caravans that once carried spices across Asia, the fragrance mixes Persian saffron, rich cinnamon, cedar and incense with a fresh blend of oranges, grapefruits and roses. Spray this on, and you might just leave a caravan of slack-jawed suitors in your wake. Available at barneys.com.
Sure, John Varvatos' Artisan fragrance ($55-$75) is technically for men, but don't let that stop you. With its handwoven rattan flask and modern, woodsy citrus blend, the signature scent conjures summer-perfect visions of linen frocks, big straw hats and lazy afternoons. Still a little shy? Get it for the man in your life instead. Available at johnvarvatosfragrance.com.
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