A guide to Floral Perfumes

Floral fragrances are one of the earliest styles of perfume which were produced in the French perfume houses of yester year. They used aromatic oils such as jasmine, orange blossom, carnation, rose and lily of the valley to create truly feminine scents that were dabbed on decadently by the wealthy. Today, floral fragrances are still one of the most popular types of perfume with millions of bottles being sold each year. However some have received a bad reputation as being ‘old fashioned’ in recent years. But with new scents such as bluebells, raspberries and apples being used to create more modern types which blend floral with fruity, there is something for everyone.

Be Delicious by DKNY is a prime example of a modern floral fragrance. It contains top notes of apple, violet leaf and magnolia to create a flowery, yet fruity scent. This perfume even comes in a bottle reminiscent of a ripe apple. Following the success of Be Delicious, DKNY also released Be Delicious Fresh Blossom. The fresher smell of this scent is produced by top notes of sun-kissed apricot and grapefruit.

For those looking for something a little more traditionally floral, Cacharel’s Anais Anais is a must. This perfume has top notes of orange blossom, lily and honeysuckle for a sensual feminine scent. A best seller since its launch in 1979, this fragrance is timeless as it is light and therefore suitable for all ages and occasions.

A celebrity jumping into the female floral fragrance market is American pop phenomeno
Christina Aquilera who recently launched her new eau de toilette Inspire. Designed to encourage the wearer to reach for their dreams, this scent has top notes of freesia, citruses and mango for a light, fun scent.

Floral fragrances aren’t just confined to the female market though. There are plenty of floral colognes available for men too. One such example is Joop! for men. This aftershave combines top notes of orange blossom with mandarin and lemon for a wonderfully flowery yet fruity scent.

Another example is Caroline Herrera’s 212 which has a refreshing flowery scent. With top notes of Lavender and Grapefruit this aftershave is popular amongst young men as it isn’t as heavy as some of the muskier scents on the market.

So next time you visit the fragrance counter in your local store, try a few different floral scents. You might be surprised by the wide range of different fragrances available – there truly is something for everyone’s taste.