How to Gift Luxury Fragrances, According to a Pro
October 30 | 5 minute read
Words by MECCA Memo
We might have an intuition about general likes and dislikes – but a preference for neroli over rose, or sandalwood over vetiver isn’t the kind of everyday conversation we have with friends and family.
If picking a fragrance for someone near and dear sounds like a challenge, try following these expert tips from Michael Edwards – an industry-renowned scent expert and creator of the Fragrance Wheel.
First up, consult the Fragrance Wheel
Not sure where to begin? Quiz your loved ones about their favourite fragrances.
"Ask people for the names of their three or four favourite fragrances; almost invariably, you'll find that at least two of them belong to a single fragrance family,” suggests Edwards.
Once you have their answers (or surreptitiously found out through some detective work), consult Edwards' seriously famous (and seriously accurate) Fragrance Wheel to determine the fragrance family (or families) these scents belong to. This approach will give you a good place to start and help you narrow down a scent that perfectly suits. Or if you really want to do a deep dive into the world of fragrance, Edwards' Fragrances of the World guidebook will set you up for gifting success!
Next, choose a sentimental scent
We all know the best gifts have a personal touch and when it comes to gifting fragrance this could not be more true. Edwards describes perfume as a "liquid emotion" that can powerfully remind us of the past and empower us in the present.
Follow Edwards' cues by selecting a scent that reminds the gift receiver of a happy memory, paying special attention to fragrances that carry scent notes that you know they'll love (this is where the Fragrance Wheel is your nose's best friend). To make this job even easier, head in-store where a MECCA Fragrance Specialist can help you choose a scent based on one of Edwards' 14 fragrance families.
Fragrances we know they'll love
One luxury fragrance you can gift with confidence is the ultimate mood lifter, Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540, with its cosy notes of woody amber and saffron that leave a long-lasting scent trail.
We'll also never forget the first time we casually sniffed, then inhaled, Dries Van Noten's Santal Greenery EDP. This is the perfect fragrance for those who love verdant green spaces (or, more specifically, plucking ripe figs off trees on neighbourhood walks!) with its blend of sandalwood and the lively, green leaf of fig.
Another fragrance that gift-givers can depend on is Perfumer H's Rain Cloud EDP, which is infused with bergamot, mandarin and orange flower, and smells like your glistening, blossoming garden just after a light, sunny shower.
Gifting for the signature scent-ers
Some people are gloriously devoted to their signature scent – and that deserves respect! So, instead of something new, we choose to gift their favourite in a brand-new form; a solid perfume, shower gel or luxurious body oil, for instance.
Edwards seconds this approach: “If I know the fragrances that you love, what I would do is buy one or more of the matching body products – a body cream, a body lotion, anything to give you pleasure."
And Edwards has a very compelling reason why this gifting route is an extra special treat for the receiver. "I know you're less likely to get them for yourself; you would probably treat yourself to the perfume, but not the matching body products, right?"
If your loved one loves Maison Francis Kurkdjian's 724 EDP, gift the matching body lotion, shower gel, body oil or hair mist.
Another option for those who subscribe to the one-and-done fragrance philosophy is to gift them with a complementary scent they can layer. One of Edwards’ personal favourites is L’Ombre Dans L’Eau EDP by Diptyque, which he recommends layering with the solid perfume on your pulse points.
If you'd prefer to steer clear of any wearable fragrances but still want to give the gift of smell, take cues from the Fragrance Wheel, and purchase a candle, room spray or car diffuser. For instance, if your giftee is a fan of rose and blackcurrant berries, Diptyque’s Baies candle or room spray never disappoints.
