Christmas gift ideas: the best new fragrances

Whether you choose a classic fragrance or a flirtacious scent, an exquisite bottle of perfume makes the perfect Christmas gift, says Emma Hill.

BY Emma Hill
30 November 2012

Part of Debenhams Beauty Club Hot Topics

Emma Hill present the best fragrances, all available at Debenhams Photo: (c) peter zelei

A beautiful scent presented in an exquisite bottle, encased in an enticing box. Takes some beating as one of the most lovely gifts. Yet scent is so personal, how do you go about choosing the right one?

To help you find the perfect match, here is an edit of some of the best new scents to arrive this year, split into those that spell sophistication and those with a more playful edge. There’s also a handful of fantastic ideas for the men in your life. Add to this some great discounts at Debenhams, and it’s Christmas wrapped.

Don’t miss Debenhams’ Christmas Extravaganza (December 4-9) for 15 per cent off* a great range of beauty, fragrance and lingerie.

Read: Why join Debenhams Beauty Club?

Modern Classics

They’re beautifully crafted and feminine – think ingredients such as rose, jasmine, iris and patchouli

1. YSL Manifesto Eau de Parfum 50ml £51 (was £60)

A rich, jasmine floral laced with lily-of-the-valley and blackcurrant. Sandalwood and cedar give it warmth and depth, and it leaves a sweet, lingering aroma of tonka bean and vanilla.

2. Lancôme La Vie est Belle Eau de Parfum 30ml £33.15 (was £39)

There is a delicate, dry hint of iris amid a feast of beautiful notes. Those who love jasmine and orange blossom will love it. You also get comforting, nostalgic hints of pear drop thanks to pear and blackcurrant. Notes of praline, vanilla and tonka bean add a delicious quality. This is gorgeous.

3. Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Eau de Parfum 50ml £51 (was £60)

It opens with black cherry, laced with almond and bergamot, leading to Bulgarian rose and a hint of iris. Liquorice and black tea add a slight masculine note, unusual and elegant. Very charming.

4. Salvatore Ferragamo Signorina Eau de Parfum 50ml £47.60 (was £56)

This begins with a spicy fizz of currants and pink pepper. There is jasmine, rose and peony blended with a sweet, creamy pannacotta note. It’s softly musky and woody, too. This is a super-pretty scent.

5. Givenchy Dahlia Noir Eau de Toilette 50ml £51.85 (was £61)

Inspired by the ink-black, scentless dahlia noir flower, the celebrated perfumer François Demachy has created a powdery, woody, floral chypre. It has rose, iris and mimosa, and a warm, woody dry-down thanks to sandal-wood and patchouli. Elegant and rich.

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Fun, flirtatious and sexy

From Lady Gaga’s first scent to Marc Jacobs’ irresistible Dot, these new hits have a few surprises and plenty of attitude

1. Marc Jacobs Dot Eau de Parfum 50ml £39.95 (was £47)

The bottle itself is enough to delight the receiver – and as for the scent, it’s mouthwatering. Following top notes of red berries, dragonfruit and honeysuckle, delicious wafts of jasmine and orange blossom and a hint of coconut come through. At its base there is vanilla and musk, and a soft, woody note – that’s a ‘driftwood’ note. Yes, really.

2. Balenciaga Florabotanica Eau de Parfum 50ml £45.05 (was £53)

This features rose and carnation with a dash of mint for a subtle kick. It also contains a woody, almost mossy scent thanks to vetiver, amber and caladium leaf. Its original style is bewitching – ideal for those who like something gorgeous and quirky at the same time.

3. Lady Gaga Fame Eau de Parfum 50ml £27.20 (was £32)

With notes of honey, saffron, apricot, jasmine, tiger orchid and more, its juice is black but becomes invisible as it hits your skin. This is one to turn heads.

4. Elizabeth Arden Red Door Aura Eau de Toilette 100ml £42.50 (was £50)

The younger sister to the original Red Door scent, this has a fresh raspberry and Sicilian bergamot opening with orange flower, rose and jasmine petals coming through. The scent that lingers is creamy, amber-y and musky – it’s lovely.

Christmas gift ideas: stocking filler fragrances

Great scents for men

Masculine, delicious, addictive and perfect for the men in your life

1. Joop! Homme Wild Eau de Toilette 50ml £33.15 (was £39)

There’s an initial pink-pepper kick, then it becomes deeply masculine and rather addictive. Not surprising if you think of its chief note, rum. It’s also laced with blond tobacco. Heady stuff.

2. Aramis Eau de Toilette 60ml £24.65 (was £29)

Bergamot and citrus notes lend this its cologne-fresh opening scent. Then herbal notes of patchouli and sage – which continue this classic, cologne theme – belie a deep, rich sandalwood and leather aroma. Both men and women absolutely love it. A true classic.

3. Dolce Gabbana Pour Homme Eau de Toilette 50ml £37.40 (was £44)

Opens with mandarin, bergamot and hints of neroli, develops with lavender, sage and a dash of pepper, then tobacco and mellow tonka bean come through. Super-masculine.

4. Paco Rabanne 1 Million Eau de Toilette 100ml £45.05 (was £53)

Grapefruit, mint and mandarin begin the cocktail. Then rose is given a spiced, cinnamon edge. After 10 to 15 minutes of warming on the skin there is an enticing blend of Indonesian patchouli, amber, leather and white wood – heady and exotic.

Christmas gift ideas: fragrance
sets for men

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for more details.

Prices in this feature correct at time of print.

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