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

Serge Lutens Jeux de Peau, which translates from French as “play on skin” or games “involving skin,” certainly engages in plenty of olfactory tricks. Christopher Sheldrake and Serge Lutens have never been shy about exploring difficult notes. I still marvel at the technical genius of La Myrrhe, in which a traditionally heavy, unctious and dense note of myrrhe seems effervescent and luminous. Or the harsh, diesel fuel note of methyl benzoate in Tubéreuse Criminelle that makes the white tuberose appear even fresher and brighter. In Jeux de Peau, the notes that are pushed to the point of discomfort are the caramelized, charred accords that evoke toasted bread.

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Ever since Olivia Giacobetti created the intensely green and milky fig accords for her L’Artisan Premier Figuier and Diptyque Philosykos fragrances, there have been more and more variations on this appealing theme, from the green fig branches of Hermès Un Jardin en Méditerranée to the ripe black figs of Thierry Mugler Womanity. It was only a matter of time before these vivid leafy notes trickled down to the home fragrance market. Diptyque Figuier, L’Artisan Parfumeur Interieur Figuier and L’Occitane Feuille de Figuier are my favorite fig home fragrances, both for their quality and the interesting perfumes. They capture the crisp, vibrant scents of crushed green leaves and the milky, pleasantly bitter impression of unripe fruit covered in sap.

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Although the earliest uses of fragrances were for the divine purposes (a word “perfume” is derived from the Latin “per fumum,” meaning “through smoke,” the smoke of sacrificial offerings,) the link of perfume and romance is likewise a strong one. With Valentine’s Day coming up, I thought that it would be interesting to talk of romantic fragrances.

What perfumes do you find romantic? Do you have specific favorites to wear on romantic occasions?

For me, it is very simple–a romantic fragrance is above all the one that makes me feel beautiful, and many different scent can evoke this feeling. My selection runs gamut from opulent roses like by Kilian Rose Oud to sensual musks like Narciso Rodriguez for Her, from mysterious chypre like Sisley Soir de Lune to lush orientals like Tom Ford Black Orchid. When a perfume envelops me seductively the way Guerlain L’Heure Bleue or Frédéric Malle Lipstick Rose do, I find it irresistible. In a different spirit, Caron Nuit de Noël has a strong aura of romance for me, given its suggestion of a quiet, snowy evening spent in front of the fireplace.

Edit: simply could not avoiding mention my favorite lush florals like Serge Lutens A La Nuit, Frédéric Malle Carnal Flower (my wedding perfume), Ormonde Jayne Frangipani and by Kilian Love & Tears. They always put me in a romantic mood!

Photograph by Tim Walker, Wadhwan, Gujarat (India) from egodesign.ca.  Thanks to Marcello for sharing this beautiful, romantic image with me.

I love how winter forces me to slow down and dream. I love how it transforms the gray city landscape into an etude in white and black. I love its holidays, its scents and its sounds. So, I forgive it the cold that numbs my limbs and makes my nose as red as Rudolph’s, the hassle of flights canceled and trains delayed and many other inconveniences. Yet, like all passionate relationships, my love affair with winter has its ups and downs. When the sun is gone for too long and the snow storms alternate with icy rain showers, my affection for winter’s caprices is tested. With little to do but embrace the harsh winter we have been having on the East Coast this year, I have turned to my favorite winter activities and my perfumes for solace and comfort. My fragrances have been my saviors, warming me up when I needed an extra layer against the chill and reminding me of spring when the dull, gray winter light began to feel oppressive.

Candelight Dinner For Two : Cartier L’Heure Fougueuse for me / Prada Infusion d’Homme for him

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This month Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire has received a richer floral flanker, La Petite Robe Noire Modèle 2, created by Thierry Wasser under the creative direction of Sylvaine Delacourte. It includes notes of bergamot, lemon, galbanum, iris, orange blossom, marshmallow, white leather and musk. It has launched in Paris already and is going to be available from Bergdorf Goodman this month.