Is Fragrance Giftable?
Fragrance

Is Fragrance Really Giftable?

As the holiday season rolls around, we’re often asked about the best way to select a fragrance as a gift. Here are some steps to help you achieve a fragrance gifting triumph.

As the holiday season rolls around, we’re often asked about the best way to select a fragrance as a gift. Many people like the idea of gifting fragrance, especially for a loved one who’s often within smelling distance. But the wide variety of fragrances available and the personal nature of scent make it a particular challenge, especially if you’re not a diehard fragrance lover yourself. However, contrary to popular belief, it is possible to get them a fragrance they’ll love! In a perfect world, you could just buy them another bottle of their favourite, in which case, you’ll be done before you know it. Assuming that’s not an option, here are some steps to help you achieve a fragrance gifting triumph.

1. Don’t think so much about ”notes” or ingredients; think about personality

Perfumes are often described by what fragrance “families” they belong to. Are they sweet? Floral? Woody? Animalic? And while knowing your recipient’s taste in ingredients can help, often fragrances can vary just as much within families as between them. Instead, we suggest thinking first about the personality or style of the person you’re buying for. Are they bold? Reserved? Dramatic? Fun? Distinctions like fancy or casual, and for work or for play, can often help narrow the field better than deciding between cedar and vanilla.

To this end, we’ve compiled a Fragrance Gift Guide with nine categories of fragrance lovers (or the fragrance curious). Look for ones that feel like they describe your recipient’s disposition, taste in clothes, or the way they greet the world.

2. Stick to the safe bets (and beware some tricky ingredients)

There are two reasons that ingredients do matter a little for gift giving: skin chemistry and scent associations. Scent is closely tied to memory, which can make the exact same smell feel different to different people. Additionally, perfume changes subtly once it hits skin, making it harder to estimate how certain perfumes will smell on any particular person. To maximize your chances of success, we recommend sticking to more versatile scents with crowd-pleasing ingredients and styles.

Try: Escentric Molecules

This brand is a hit for a reason. Without getting too technical, many of their most-loved perfumes aren’t really “perfumes” in the sense that vanilla isn’t really a cake. Instead, their line of “Molecule” scents (numbered 01-05) are suspensions of a single versatile base note in alcohol. Translation? They’re the frame, not the painting. This means that they adapt to anyone’s skin and amplify the best qualities of their natural scent. The result is a wear-it-anywhere automatic jaw dropper that can also layer beautifully with any other scents in their collection.

Try: Malin + Goetz

These fun, modern fragrances are a nice bridge between “nice smell” and “proper perfume” (and we mean that in the best way possible). They’re inspired by easily-identifiable smells, and evoke them in an accessible way. They’re already well loved for their addictive body products, and their packaging is effortlessly chic. And worst comes to worst, buying someone a fragrance named “Cannabis” is sure to at least make them smile (but it would also smell great on almost anyone anyway).

Be careful with: buying something ”fresh”

“Fresh” is a concept in perfume that’s become such a cliché it hardly means anything. If they’ve told you they like “fresh” fragrances, or you have a memory of them smelling “clean”, this could be helpful, or could be a trap. Because of the way scent is tied to memory, “fresh” could mean anything from citrus to mint, light flowers to aquatic, and even white musk. Try to narrow your search by thinking of their personality, or if “fresh” is all you have to go on, consider any Heeley fragrance with a white label.

Be careful with: Floral for the sake of floral

Flowers are foundational to the history of perfume. They also could be the most polarizing ingredient of them all. Not only can people have strong reactions to heavily floral scents, but the way that flowers show up in a composition ranges from “shrieking” to “invisible”. This doesn’t mean you should stay away from any fragrance which lists flowers among the notes; most will have some somewhere. However, if a fragrance is described as both rich/intense and predominantly floral, you might want to get them to try a sample first (unless you or they are experienced fragrance buyers).

One exception to this rule is if you know they have a favourite flower. If so, find a fragrance that doesn’t just include it, but is overwhelmingly and exclusively inspired by it. Lilac lovers will likely love A Lilac a Day, orange blossom enthusiasts will likely swoon over Histoire d’Orangers, and if they grow real roses in their garden, Lustre should remind them of home. 

3. Smell for yourself, and even get a second opinion

It will not surprise you to hear that smells cannot be fully experienced through the internet (at least not yet). While many of our clients have learned enough about their personal taste to shop our fragrance selection online, buying a fragrance gift can put many of us back at square one. An excellent way to complete your holiday shopping would be to visit our Montréal boutique and sniff a shortlist of options. If this is a possibility for you, the same advice from #1 applies; when smelling each fragrance, try to think of the person’s energy, personality and style more than decide whether they’d like the actual ingredients.

For those who aren’t lucky enough to live nearby, we also offer the option to purchase samples online of almost any fragrance we sell. If you plan ahead, investing a small amount in an assortment of samples can help you seal the deal, or even sneak an option onto the skin of the actual person you’re buying for. And if the element of surprise is too important to give up, bring the samples around to someone who knows your recipient just as well (or even better) than you do. When seeking a second opinion, the question we’d recommend asking isn’t “would they like this?” as much as “do you think this smells like them?” Lastly, if you’re their significant other, remember to consider what scents you’d enjoy smelling on them as well!

4. Don’t forget the home!

If you’re still not ready to make a judgement call on a fragrance for skin, try a fragrance for space! Any room is enlivened by the invisible colour of a home fraIf you’re still too scared to make a judgement call about a fragrance for skin, try a fragrance for space! Any room is enlivened by the invisible colour of a home fragrance, and we carry a beautiful array of scents in various formats. Home scents are the perfect gifting sweet spot: something almost everybody loves, but many people often don’t buy for themselves.  

The range of diffusers from Culti Milano have been extremely popular, as well as their car sachets – a unique gift for anybody who drives to work. Local Montréal brands Les Citadines and T. Lees create artisanal, elevated scents for every taste, and Arquiste’s candles are vibrant, transportive and unique. Finally, for the ultimate luxury experience, the world-renowned house of Fornasetti makes candles which rise to the level of art objects – taking home scent from invisible accent to dazzling decor.

Finally, gifting fragrance with Etiket has one distinct advantage – free samples! Like most retailers, we can’t accept returns of used fragrance, even if it’s only been sprayed once. However, Etiket offers complimentary fragrance samples with every purchase. Simply request a sample of the scents you’re buying and we’ll happily include them so your recipient can try the sample on before they open the full-sized bottle. If it turns out it’s not for them, they can easily return the unused fragrance and get something for themselves. This also means that every bottle of fragrance you buy for someone else lets you try some free samples for yourself, and if that isn’t a reason to be generous, I don’t know what is!

Image source: @penhaligons_london

Skin Care

Our 10 Best-Selling Face Masks: They’re Worth The Hype!

Winter is the season for self-care. It's cold out, the air is dry and the days are short. All we want to do is stay inside with a warm cup of tea, take a bath and indulge in a lengthy beauty routine. On self-care nights, masks are a must. Discover our top 10 best-selling face masks!

Winter is the season for self-care. It’s cold out, the air is dry and the days are short. All we want to do is stay inside with a warm cup of tea, take a bath and indulge in a lengthy beauty routine. On self-care nights, masks are a must. We finally have the time, why not treat ourselves?

The thing with masks is that there are soooo many to choose from. It can sometimes be overwhelming to find the right one for your skin type and concerns. To simplify the process for you, we’ve listed 10 of our best-selling face masks. For each of them, we’re telling you what they do, who they’re good for and how you can benefit from them. Let’s discover them together!

HYDRATING FLORAL MASK

Tata Harper’s Hydrating Floral Mask is the perfect remedy for dry and dehydrated skin. In fact, this mask contains high levels of hyaluronic acid to recharge dry skin, replenish lost moisture and deliver thirst-quenching hydration. Not only that, but it smells amazing. The perfect addition to the self-care night in!

ULTRA PURIFYING CLAY MASK

Vivier’s Ultra Purifying Clay Mask is carefully crafted from red and white kaolin clay, alpha hydroxy acids and salicylic acid to draw out impurities, firm the skin and absorb excess sebum. This mask helps reveal flawless-looking skin without excess shine. If you have oily, acne-prone skin or are dealing with clogged pores, this may be the perfect mask for you.

MICRO-PEEL

The right amount of exfoliation is key to achieving a glowing complexion. In fact, an excess of dead skin cells can cause the skin to look dull. A once or twice a week exfoliating mask like the Micro-Peel Mask from Pro-Derm can be just what you need! Formulated with glycolic acid, this mask will help improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of pores and reveal a fresh, glowing complexion!

ANTI-POLLUTION MASQUE

Every day, our skin is exposed to environmental toxins such as air pollution, smog, cigarette smoke, gas exhaust, among other things. This exposure can cause premature aging of the skin, acne, collagen breakdown, hyperpigmentation, and other skin conditions. For that reason, it’s important to find products that combat this damage. Environ’s Anti-Pollution Masque is formulated with Japanese charcoal and special botanicals to help absorb pollutant impurities. Your skin will feel revitalized and smooth after this treatment mask!

SUPREME MOISTURE MASK

NUORI’s highly concentrated, yet lightweight moisturizing mask is the ultimate treatment for dehydrated and distressed skin. Grape and Damask Rose waters combined with natural Hyaluronic Acid effectively restore moisture levels, while botanical Squalene and Betaine strengthen the skin’s barrier function. Anti-inflammatory chamomile extract reduces irritation and restore suppleness, while Vitamin B3 revives skin tone, improves elasticity, and prevents moisture loss.

ULTRA HYDRATING MASK

This is another great hydrating mask for dry or dehydrated skin. Vivier’s Ultra Hydrating Mask is formulated with an exclusive blend of rich vitamins and extracts. This luxurious mask helps plump the skin, diminish signs of fatigue and soften fine lines and wrinkles. Restore your skin’s natural radiance in only a few minutes!

BRIGHTENING MASK

Dealing with hyperpigmentation? Or in need of a skin boost? Sahajan’s Brightening Mask is formulated with 100% natural ingredients to increase skin’s radiance. With potent natural and amino acid rich ingredients to help balance, tone and nourish the skin and AHAs to gently exfoliate, that coveted dewy glow is yours for the taking! Suitable for all skin types.

DETOXIFYING MASK

In need of a good detox? This at-home Charcoal mask uses a blend of Japanese white charcoal, clay and the naturally-occurring mineral Magnesium Aluminum silicate to minimize the appearance of pores while absorbing excess dirt, oil and debris trapped deep in the pores. Perfect way to wash off the week and start fresh!

HYDRATING B5 MASK

A cult-favourite SkinCeuticals product for a reason! Enhanced with a unique complex containing constituents of the skin’s natural moisturizing factor (NMF), this weekly hydration treatment re-establishes the water balance critical for maintaining skin metabolic functions at optimal levels. An intensive, effective hydrating mask for every skin type!

CURTAIN CALL MASK

Brightening masks can sometimes be harsh on sensitive skin, due to their acid contents. If this is the case for you, try Pai Skincare’s Curtain Call Mask. This Rosehip fueled rescuer boosts tired skin leaving it radiant and dewy. In ten minutes your complexion is audience-ready. Formulated to glide on evenly and polish off easily with the enclosed Muslin Cloth, the buttery cream leaves skin soft and dewy. Packed with calming botanicals and entirely free from irritants, it is ideal for sensitive or reactive skin!

Shop all of our best-selling masks today!

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Inscrivez-vous à l'infolettre d'Etiket et obtenez 10% sur votre premier achat sur Etiket.ca.