Editor's Note: In addition to our regularly scheduled content, this month we're doing a once-weekly feature on Travel Beauty. Lauren, our beauty expert, has whipped up some incredible insights, interviews {think major LA-based skin care expert} and giveaways. See below for what we're giving away this week!
Everyone should have their own unique fragrance, something they wear that distinguishes them from everyone else and is suited to their personality. Finding this scent isn't easy, but once you do, you know right away. I discovered my own special scent many years ago in France while backpacking. One whiff of Hanae Mori's Butterfly, a blend of strawberry, blackberry, ylang-ylang, Bulgarian Rose, almond wood and many other unique notes, and I was in love. So much so, that I didn't want to tell anyone what I wore, but after a while a handful of friends purchased the same scent and Sephora started carrying it, the secret was out.
Butterfly is still a special fragrance to me, yet I do wear different scents depending on where I'm going. For example, I spritz Juicy Couture's Viva La Juicy when I go out with the girls, and Bond No.9's Saks Fifth Avenue For Her to brunch or as a daytime scent. Vacations call for different fragrances. Depending on your destination, the scent you'd wear while lying on the beach in Mykonos is different than what you'd wear while exploring the Kalahari Desert or shopping on 5th Avenue.
Here are my picks for the best fragrances for different trip styles. Let us know your favorites!
The Beach [trip style = beach]
This type of fragrance should be light and tropical. I immediately think of Comptoir Sud Pacifique's Vanille Abricot, a shockingly delicious blend of Apricot, Papaya Pulp, Jack fruit, Vanilla and Sugar Candy. The brand's Aloha Tiare would also be the perfect beach fragrance, with its exotic notes of Tiare and Frangipani flowers, ylang-ylang, Monoi, Coconut, Vanilla and Soft Musk.
Big City Trip [trip style = urban]
I know the perfect fragrance for big city travel: Velvet Rope by Apothia. It's fresh and exciting and was actually inspired by an icy cold martini! Blending Vanilla, Jasmine, Grapefruit and White Musk, this sexy scent pairs well with Christian Louboutins and the blackest eyeliner.
Rustic Countryside Travel [trip style = weekending]
When I think of the countryside, I think of flowers, especially Gardenias. Bond No.9 Saks Fifth Avenue For Her is a light, elegant blend of Jasmine, Tuberose, Gardenia, Vetiver and Vanilla, which I wore on my wedding day. This white floral fragrance instantly evokes feelings of green rolling hills and fields of wildflowers. Like all Bond fragrances, the bottle is gorgeous.
Exploring The World [trip style = active & adventure]
Adventure travel and exploring calls for a light, fresh, subtle scent. I recently tried Caudalie's Fleur de Vigne and think it's the perfect fragrance for a trip like this. With notes like Grapefruit, Grape Flowers, Pink Pepper, White Rose, Watermelon, Mandarin and Cedar, it's a warm fragrance that is never overbearing and gives you a hint of this fresh scent.
Win It!
August is travel beauty month at Trip Styler and we're giving away a fantastic gift each week. This week, one lucky winner will be able to travel with their favorite scent wherever they go with Travalo, the coolest pocket-size, refillable, spill-free and lightweight perfume atomizer. This genius invention gives you up to 65 sprays of your favorite fragrance and refills in seconds, directly from any perfume spray bottle. Perfect for your carry-on, no matter what trip style you choose!
How to Win
Comment on any Trip Styler post {this one or any other}.
Bonus entry 1: Subscribe to our email list {top right}.
Bonus entry 2: "Like" Trip Styler on Facebook.
{Open to residents of Canada and the USA. Entries will be accepted Aug 3-9. Winner chosen at random and announced Aug 9, and has two days, after prizing notification, to make contact.}
[photos sources online]