Stella McCartney’s latest take on her Signature fragrance Stella, is , Stellanude Eau de Toilette $43.00 1 oz.; 1.6 oz. $63.00; 3.4 fl. oz $81.00 and it is also available as a Linen Mist $59.00 4.2 oz. Stellanude is soft and feminine. It's meant to be an extension of her lingerie collection. The top notes in this floral fragrance include Moroccan rose infused with a hint of grapefruit (but you mostly smell the rose). The heart is of tender white peony, and a very slight, spicy hint of pink pepper. It's the bottom notes of Ugandan vanilla and grey amber that take the feminine to sensual, and enrich the overall scent with modern, sensual allure. Is Stellanude going to be your favorite new scent? Read the entire review on the Advice Sisters Blog

Back in the Spring, The Advice Sisters reviewed Badgley Mischka's first foray into the world of personal fragrance, called Couture. The gorgeous scent is a floriental -- my personal favorite. The designers worked with perfumer Caroline Sabas of Givaudan Fragrances to create a new fragrance that even the most sophisticated woman can relate to, along with any woman hoping for a bit of a "couture fragrance experience. For the holidays, there’s a gorgeous Holiday Gift Set $100.00 (a $140.00 value) that gives you several gifts in one. The first is the large, zippered, square box in gold metallic leather," lined in chocolate satin. Inside is the main attraction: Badgley Mischka Couture Eau De Parfum Spray (3.4 fl. oz.) (the bottle is to-die-for-gold and highly collectible), and a .5 fl. Oz. Parfum Elixir, which comes in a soft, brown velvet sack with two round, gold logo tags. The award-winning elixir itself comes in an impressive, gold metal pump engraved all over with the Badgley Mischka logo. I love this modern way to experience fragrance. The luxurious Parfum gel glides on to pulse points, leaving skin silky soft and sensually scented...for a long time! *want to know more? Read the entire review on the Advice Sisters Blog.

Gucci's iconic, Flora pattern (originally in a silk scarf specifically designed for Princess Grace of Monaco in 1966),  is the inspiration for a new fragrance for women, by Gucci.  Flora Eau de Toilette 1.0 fl. oz. $52 ;  1.7 fl. oz. $65; 2.5 fl. oz. $90 , like Princess Grace,  is ladylike, feminine and pretty. It is the type of fragrance that can cross over between generations, shared by a mother with a discerning daughter. It has the classic elements of a true floral fragrance, but what makes it a cross-over to younger women is that it has more modern elements, too. When you first spray Flora there is an immediately discernable smell of fruit mixed with flowers. In fact, the top notes are citrus and peony. But it gets more complex at the heart, when these notes are mixed with rose and osmanthus flower. You can sense the light, fruit and fruity quality of the rose, but it is immediately countered with the velvety, leathery aspects of the osmanthus. The base is a lovely counterpoint of sandalwood and patchouli (signatures of the Gucci fragrance world.). The result is not a classic floral at all, but one with playful and sensual notes as well. The scent is light enough for daytime, but impressive enough for evening. *want to know more? Read the entire review on the Advice Sisters Blog

For designers Dolce & Gabbana, "Anthology" describes a collection -- a wardrobe if you will--of five, fragrances that answer the fundamental human questions: “Who am I? Who do I want to be?”  The fragrances capture the essence of five eternal dramatis personae: The provocative "1 Le Bateleur" ; the irrepressible "3 L’Impératrice;" sensual "6 L’Amoureux;" daring "10 La Roue de la Fortune"; and hypnotizing "18 La Lune." If you're wondering why the fragrances are not simply numbered 1-5 it's because they are named also by the tarot card that inspired the scent. Some of these scents are directed towards men, and some towards women. But we all have a masculine and a feminine side, don't we? I personally tried just one : I tried sensual personality is  "6 L’Amoureux." The top notes are: Bergamot, Juniper Berry and Pink Pepper, with a heart of: Cardamom,Birch Leaf, and one of my favorite notes--Orris Root. The sensual base is made up of musky notes. It is just the type of fragrance I really like -- one that will adapt to you and your body chemistry to make it something special, something precious, and something you won't smell on everyone else. *check out the rest of the Dolce and Gabbana Anthology Collection on the Advice Sisters Blog

Paris Hilton is a chameleon who seems to be able to change her persona at will.  From her hair styles, to her love interests, to her personal life, there's always something new to focus on. Ms. Hilton has put her name on many things, including handbags, shoes, and several excellent fragrances. The latest of her fragrance hits is Siren by Paris Hilton Eau de Parfum $55.00 3.4 fl. oz, $45.00 1.7.  It starts with top notes of exotic frangipani flowers and apricot nectar, with a heart of day blooming honeysuckle, rainforest orchids, budding water lily. But the drydown notes are vanilla beans and musk, with sandalwood to bring a more sensual and exotic vibe to the otherwise feminine fragrance. I think the notes jibe well with Ms. Hilton's personality: feminine and sweet,  sometimes, but also a bit spicy and seductive. As she matures, so do her fragrances. And the bottle is a gorgeous collectible:  a lean wave of sculpted, clear glass that curves like a mermaid's tail, with ribs fanning out like shell at the top, with a sculpted, frosted globe over the spray diffuser.  You want to grab it like an Oscar statue. *learn much more about Siren by Paris Hilton on the Advice Sisters Blog

If I could design a scent that I really loved, just for myself, it would be Nanette by Nannette Lepore  0.25-oz. rollerball $18.50;  1-oz. and 2.5-oz. sprays, $48 and $68, and a 3.4-oz. Body Lotion $40.00. In fact, designer Nanette Lepore said she created this fragrance for herself. It's a modern, floriental fragrance that is warm and sensual, significant, but not overpowering. Fun to wear, but not for little girls. It lingers and lasts for hours, To my nose, Nanette's amber and woody notes are the mainstay of the fragrance. They're what I relate to most: mysterious and lovely, smooth and almost vanilla-y at drydown. You just drink them in with your nose...and sigh, happily! I just barely smell the florals including the violet note (a nod to Lepore's 11-year-old daughter's name). The presentation of this modern but sensual fragrance is beautiful, too. Read the rest of the Nanette by Nanette Lepore on the Advice Sisters Blog.

Eau Flirt Eau de Toilette $98.00 3.4 oz. $66.00 1.7 oz $66.00; Rollerball Mini $19.00 is the latest scent from Harvey Prince (creator of Ageless Anti-Age Perfume which we blogged about back in February 2009) and also the world’s first perfume the company says is "clinically proven to make men flirt with women."  Attraction really is more than just in your eyes-- it is in your nose, too. When I wrote The Everything Dating Book 2nd Edition (Adams Media) I was asked to include information about smells and attraction. Living things, including human beings, do respond to something so invisible that you can’t even categorize it - pheromones. I won't go into the technicalities, but pheromones are chemicals that bypass conscious systems to trigger specific, often sexual, responses. Each of us has our own, unique pheromone molecule that carries a one of a kind, chemical signature. Eau Flirt is a fruity floral that is light and easy to wear.  Will it bring you true love? Who knows? But it's still a nice fragrance and a great gift idea.

Avril Lavigne is a young, Canadian singer/actress/ fashion designer, who has sold more than 30 million copies of her albums worldwide. She's been dubbed as the 'pop-punk princess' but she's more than edgy, she's supremely talented in everything she does. She just had her first runway show during Fashion Week, and she has launched her first fragrance, called Black Star Eau de Parfum $29.99 30 ml; $39.00 50 ml. It is a youthful, fruity floral, but quite an energetic one. The hot pink juice tarts with notes of crisp, green pear, followed by a heart of delicate pink hibiscus flower, and sweet, juicy black plum. The drydown is composed of yummy, textured dark chocolate, adding depth to what otherwise would be a light, fresh fruity scent. The vibe is young and girly, but also edgy and fun. It's not really complicated, but it's very delicious, pleasing, and uplifting. I'm guessing that Black Star is going to be a star product for holiday gift giving.

Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) has launched a new women’s fragrance called: Parisienne, created by perfumers Sophia Grojsman and Sophie Labbe of IFF. The scent is significant and lasting, undeniably lush and floral, but also sophisticated and sexy. It's a woodsy floral with some classic notes: Damask Rose, violet, peony, cranberry, patchouli, vetiver, musk and sandalwood. But it also has some interesting and more unique notes: vinyl gloss (in homage to the stiletto heel), and lacquer -- the scent of cosmetics, and of a hot night "up on the roof." Put it all together, and you've got the essence of a French woman! At first sniff, the scent feels strongly fruity, but not in the ordinary, top heavy citrus that so many fragrances, feature. Instead, you can really smell the berry. But it mixes quickly with powdery violet and rose. As the scent dries down, you really notice the rose. The notes are artfully blended into the patchouli, sandalwood and musk, to create a romantic fragrance that has staying power and packs a romantic punch. YSL Parisienne has all the sophistication, sex appeal, and mystery you'd ever want from a fragrance. Is Parisienne your nrew scent? Read more on the Advice Sisters Blog

Alexandra Balahoutis, botanical perfumer, and founder of Strange Invisible Perfumes, creates fragrances with natural essences mixed to portray a feeling as much as a distinct or expected representation. In other words, a rose scent will not necessarily smell just like what you expect of a rose. The idea is to create a vibe, not necessarily to reproduce a specific flower or fruit. The latest is "Fire and Cream" srp. $145.00 1.7 fl. Oz.; Parfum 0.25 fl. oz $195.00. Inside a simple round spray bottle is a striking, amber colored juice that immediately brings up an imagine of a brilliant sky at night, full of oranges and reds, heat and flame. The fragrance starts out with orange: top notes of hydro-distilled orange and orange blossom. The heart is golden rust: tuberose, frankincense, and white lavender. The base notes add the spice and brilliance: vetiver, sandalwood and patchouli. At first you smell spice, but at drydown, you get the "cream." Not cream actually, but a creamy undertone that mixes with the spices like a chai latte. One of our reviewers insisted the fragrance was loaded with nutmeg. My initial impression is that Fire and Cream smells like an exotic bazaar, full of incense and aromatic spices. But there are also hints of the florals that keep it from being too intense. The scent is wildly sensual, and very unusual. *learn so much more about Strange Invisible Perfumes and Fire and Cream on the Advice Sisters Blog

Prada L’Eau Ambrée Eau de Parfum 30, 50 ($76) and 80 ($104) ml Eau de Parfum, and in an 80 ml refillable atomizer ($117; refill with funnel $78) is a striking scent, but it speaks softly. It is, "discreetly impressive." Created by perfumer Daniela Andrier of Firmenich, the first, fleeting impression, is of bright citrus--actually, Italian mandarine and lemon. But the heart includes romantic florals: May rose and gardenia jasminoides. The drydown is where the real action occurs, as patchouli, Somalian oppoponax, vanilla, and modern amber mix to create a soft, sheer, amber scent. The name L’Eau Ambrée means "Ambery Water," and as it dries down, it does cover your skin with a amber as sheer and soft as a Summer cashmere sweater. The scent is beautifully blended and balanced, is neither fruity, nor floral, not oriental. It's sheer enough to wear year-round day or evening, so it would make a great signature fragrance. There's nothing heavy or demanding about it--spray with wild abandon and you still won't knock anyone over with too much fragrance. *read the rest of this review on the Advice Sisters Blog

During Spring Fashion Week 2010, I was treated to a blogger's  preview of some of Victorias Secret’s holiday offerings. Everything, from the packaging, to the products, to the prices, was amazing! There were so many gorgeous and affordable holiday gifts, I was honestly, dazzled.  There were dozens of specially packaged presents: bath & body products, fragrances, and makeup.  So many, there is no way I can review them all here.  One I especially liked that I think works for girls and women of virtually all ages, is four gifts in one:  The Love Spell Set $22.00.  This is a wonderful gift and a good value, featuring  a plum satin zippered carry bag with an enameled, Victorias Secret logo tag, into which re nestled three bath & body products scented with Love Spell fragrance: Two plastic bottles contain 4.2 fl. oz of a pearly, hydrating Body Wash,  and a pump bottle of refreshing Body Mist. There's also a generously-sized 8.4 fl. oz . bottle of very nice , hydrating Body Lotion. The Love Spell fragrance is fresh and tart and fruity, featuring notes of cherry blossom, peach, and white jasmine. It’s a fun, happy way to start (or end) your day. The set is an impressive gift but it is so affordably priced, you’ll want one for yourself, too. It even comes with a pretty, scalloped gift tag so you can just fill in your name (and that of your lucky recipient), and you're ready to say "happy holidays."

I have always loved the packaging for Tova's fragrances. Chic, elegant, simple boxes with simple, white, black-rimmed labels and inside, crystal-clear bottles that look like rectangles of pure ice, topped with sparkling squares of plastic over the silvery diffuser caps. And now there's a new fragrance to add to her line: Tova Signature Platinum $36.00 1.7 fl. oz. It's a new formulation that pays homage to her original, Tova Signature scent. This new, back-to-the-future treat has jasmine, bergamot, lavender, and East Indian sandalwood. It also has a higher level of musk than the original, and a higher concentration (32.5%) of the fragrance (so it's going to last longer). Should you get TOVA Signature Platinum? Read the rest of the review on the Advice Sisters Blog