In addition to Jasminora, Guerlain’s Aqua Allègoria collection will receive another addition this spring: Rosa Blanca. Created by Guerlain in-house perfumer Thierry Wasser, Rosa Blanca includes the notes of peach, jasmine, rose and magnolia. The fragrance is described as a fresh, crisp rose. It debuts this month at the Guerlain counters. 2.5oz bottle, $59.

Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

Jennifer Aniston, an American actress and the star of the popular “Friends” sitcom, is the latest celebrity to jump into the scented waters. While I give Jennifer Aniston Eau de Parfum 3 stars, when compared to other celebrity fragrances it probably should get all five. Instead of the expected candy bar and bubble gum compote, we instead get a silky white floral bouquet over a delicious sandalwood and musk base. The result is polished and comfortable, the fragrance equivalent of nicely fitting jeans. Given that a perfect pair of jeans is an important piece in anyone’s wardrobe, having a perfume to convey the same impression is not such a bad thing at all. Not every single perfume needs to be the equivalent of an haute couture gown.

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Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

The moment I hear of Portofino, it evokes the vision of a picturesque Italian town on the Ligurian sea coast. I can also hear the waves rocking small fishing boats, the nasal sounds of the local dialect, and the general din filling a town square on a warm summer day. If I let my imagination take me further, I can even smell the bitter espresso, the rosemary encrusted focaccia from the local bakery and the dark salty sea breeze. Even though the touristy Portofino of today is miles away from the quaint fishing village it used to be, it never fails to inspire romantic fantasies. For this reason, Tom Ford named its orange blossom cologne Neroli Portofino, while Christian Dior later followed suit with Escale à Portofino.

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Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

The idea of effortless elegance is one of the most elusive and fascinating quests. The search for a perfect little black dress, impeccably tailored trench coat, perfect nude lipstick, and the right kind of shoes can seem endless. For someone like me who avoids trench coats and prefers red lips to nude, such “beige & pearls” ideas are much more appealing in perfume. Although I am not about to give up my dramatic and dark fragrances anytime soon, I love a fragrance that wears like an intimate veil, conveying a sophisticated, understated glamour. Love, Chloé was such a discovery for me last year, an unexpectedly beautiful and versatile fragrance from the house that so far has produced few things of interest since Chloé (Classic) in 1975.

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What are your recent perfume discoveries? What did you especially like? What did you end up buying?

While I very much enjoyed the new Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensée, my best discoveries have been rather rediscoveries from my perfume closet. I fell in love anew with Chanel No 22 parfum and wondered, “why, oh why do I keep neglecting this jasmine-incense gem.”

Thanks to March’s review of Yves Saint Laurent Cinema, I have another gourmand oriental to add my collection (and through online discounters it can even qualify for my “cheap & chic” category.)

Finally, passing by L’Artisan boutique, I sprayed myself with Havana Vanilla (renamed Vanille Absolument.) It surprised me with its luscious vanilla and tobacco interpretation, considering that I am ordinarily not a fan of such strongly vanillic fragrances. However, I would imagine that for any die-hard vanilla lovers, it is going to be a great discovery.