My top 9 perfume picks

Though we can’t see it, our fragrance says more about who we are than the skirt on our hips, the pop of colour on our fingertips or the shade of lippie on our lips. Christian Dior once said, “a woman’s perfume tells you more about her than her handwriting” and who am I to question the man?

Whether we know it or not, we all use perfume to express and associate ourselves with a particular ‘mould’ or type of being. Our perfume is a way of giving others an insight into who we are without having to shout it from the rooftops.

To explain what I mean, here are nine fragrances that, for me, hit all the right notes:

For whenever I need a pick-me-up:

Clinique Happy Perfume Spray, 30mL, $52
Is it fair to say this perfume is nothing short of wonderful? The sparkling floral fragrance has a vibrancy that arouses pure happiness and makes my world sweeter, softer and brighter. Seriously! With an intoxicating blend of citrus, ruby red grapefruit, boysenberry bush flower and Hawaiian wedding flower, it’s a staple for those hazy, seemingly endless summer days.

For the girl behind the perfume:

Diptyque L’Ombre dans l’Eau (‘Shadow in the Water’), 50mL, $120 (mecca.com.au)
Those who know me well say this is my signature scent. I love how this fragrance is truly indelible, a combination of feminine, alluring and mysterious scents that linger long after sprayed. It’s no surprise; Diptyque are known for creating nomadic and elegant colognes that evoke a wild sense of romance. Thanks to the unusual harmony of Bulgarian rose and the leaves of the blackcurrant bush, L’Ombre dans l’Eau is one for the ages.

For sentimental value:

Bobbi Brown Beach Fragrance, 50mL, $95
Beach reminds me of my carefree childhood holidays, defined by sunshine, the sea breeze and melted ice-cream dripping down my arm and into the sand. This fragrance captures those memories and bottles them up for me to wear whenever I’m feeling nostalgic and pining after the ocean. It’s a light, happy blend of sand jasmine, sea spray and mandarin – the essence of summer.

For my more adventurous-self:

IN BLOOM Molten Store Demeter Fragrance, 30mL, $29 (moltenstore.com.au)
Incredibly flirtatious, this fragrance is, for me, a reminder of a summer adventure kept for safekeeping. This limited edition darling of the perfume world evokes the sweet rain and mild breezes of the Hawaiian valleys, and celebrates the scent of vanilla orchids found along the Hamakua Coast.

For when I’m feeling empowered:

Lush Breath of God Bottle Perfume, 27g, $39.95
Sure to turn heads, this unisex perfume has a polarising scent full of paradoxes. It manages to smell like fresh air and rain while giving off a deep smokiness. Thanks to a hit of lemon, neroli, rose and jasmine, it also has a zesty-sweet punch. It’s like two perfumes in one, and whether or not you love it, all I ask is that you to give it a go.

For the wanderer in me:

Byredo Gypsy Water, 50mL, $158 (mecca.com.au)
My bohemian heart adores this vibrant and subtly woody bouquet. A fusion of smoky incense, warm amber, and lemon, pepper and juniper berry extracts, it’s perfect for the not-so-floral-hearted. It reminds me of deep forests, smoky campfires, and camping under inky blue skies – a truly nomadic fragrance.

For self-worth for women everywhere:

Trilogy Jua, 7.5mL, $21.95
Its beautifully wild aroma aside, this limited edition perfume oil was developed to raise funds to educate and empower women in Africa. Meaning ‘sun’ in Swahili, the all-natural oil’s base of hand-pressed sunflower oil is imbued with a sense of warmth and sunshine, and contains notes of freesia, frankincense and mint. It’s a bespoke perfume of natural ingredients bursting with floral flavour. Here’s to girl power!

For iconic style and worldly glamour:

Tom Ford Black Orchid, 50mL, $162 (David Jones)
This luxurious potion is super sensual and decadently dark – I dare you to try to forget it. With traces of black orchid, spices and woody notes like patchouli and sandalwood, its scent is strange, rare and mysterious. The dramatic fragrance unfolds with a blend of black truffle and ylang-ylang mixed with blackcurrant. An alluring mix of modernity and timelessness, with an aura of opulence and power.

For the new me:

Byredo Mojave Ghost, 50mL, $164 (mecca.com.au)
Another offering from Byredo, this gem is my new favourite. Byredo fragrances are sublime and refreshing, and Mojave Ghost is no exception. Inspired by the ghost flower that blossoms in the desert despite all odds, this scent is just magical. With top notes of jamaican nesberry and magnolia, and violet at the heart, it is intense and unexpected. Santa, if you’re listening….

What does your perfume say about you?