Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 18, 1994 TAG: 9412080003
SECTION: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PAGE: HGG-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Elizabeth Arden, following this logic, has saved the late fall season to introduce two new fragrances. Sun Moon Stars, from Karl Lagerfeld, is described as "modern, floral, oriental ... with accents of sparkling fruits, embraced by sensual oriental accords." Definitely put that one under someone's tree.
The second fragrance they've introduced is True Love. And as Clare Cain, vice president of fragrance marketing development for Elizabeth Arden, puts it, "a fragrance often speaks of romance. True Love embraces the deepest desire of the heart ... infused with a sensual floral bouquet that is as vivid and deep as love itself." That one goes under my tree.
Linda Whisman, area sales manager for Leggett cosmetics, said a lot of people reserve this time of year for fragrance buying. It's a good time to make a purchase, she said, because vendors offer gift sets, which make a great buy.
Lagerfeld's Sun Moon Stars, for example, will offer a collection of different gift sets that range from $37 to $50, according to Cain. In addition, she said that those who buy this fragrance during the holidays will receive a gift with purchase. And True Love is also offering gift sets.
Whisman said another set, this one by a very old and established company, Guerlain, is offered in their Samsara fragrance. The set includes a 1.7-ounce spray eau de toilette, a 1.7-ounce body cream, and a .5-ounce eau de parfum. Although it costs $65, it is valued at $95, according to Whisman.
The sets and the gift-with-purchase, said Whisman, are a good reason to do your fragrance shopping early.
Shopping, however, can be an experience in itself. Whisman warns not to test fragrances by smelling them directly out of the bottle, because ''it changes with your body chemistry.
Cain also advised not to buy a fragrance for someone else just because you like it. The best approach is to have an idea of what fragrances the person is presently wearing, which Whisman said can fall into many categories - floral, woodsy, oriental, spicy, sweet or citrus.
"If we find out what they've been wearing, we can steer them in a different direction. If a man's wife is wearing something he doesn't like, here's his chance," said Whisman.
Other fragrance tips from Cain include: Buy a fragrance for the beauty of the fragrance; leave it on your skin for 15 minutes before deciding; a fragrance allows one to have their own individuality - therefore purchasing one takes a great of thought.
Whisman added that many women wear one fragrance during the day and another for evening. Daytime scents are usually lighter and softer, while evening fragrances are heavier.
Both Whisman and Cain agree that the men's fragrance market is booming. Whisman said that one of the reasons for this is the greater variety of men's fragrances. It has even developed to the point of some androgynous fragrances, somewhat akin to the European market, according to Whisman. CKOne by Calvin Klein, she said, was developed for both men and women. She described its scent as "clean, pure, refreshing and light."
by CNB