Did you notice how the second trend in the last post on fragrance seemed to fit with the fashion trends I posted about on Monday? A little fantasy is a good thing in the best of times, so in tough times, go ahead and indulge. The experts may be on to something here but I guess we'll know soon enough, as 2010 is fast approaching. Here are the last two fragrance trends from beautypress.com.
Be your own nose: Once reserved for only
those-in-the know, personalized, custom fragrance is gaining
popularity, thanks to newer, more accessible ways to get it. The $10,000
bespoke blend still exists, but customized perfume is happily now at a
realistic price point, about the same that you’d pay for a bottle of fine
fragrance from a niche perfumer. Look for custom fragrance bars at
department and chain stores, where you can sample single notes.
Another custom trend: Perfume parties that let you create your own
formula with three or four harmonizing blends. A consultant guides you
through the notes and accords, and you walk away with a true signature scent. “Women want
something that reflects their individuality. Everyone is focusing on
what’s the wisest way to spend their money now, and this is an affordable
luxury that you can honestly call your own,” says Phillips, who also
works with The Perfume Studio, a company that organizes custom
fragrance parties and seminars. Designing your own fragrance is well
worth the investment—you spend time getting to know what you
like, experiment with different aromas, and leave with a memorable
transporting experience.
Tell a tale: Perfume companies are
realizing that it takes more than a whiff
of the scent to get people interested. “Right now, story telling is
especially relevant. People want to know how a fragrance is made and the
work that has gone into it, as well as tap into its emotional connection.
Fragrance sends a very personal and emotional message,” says
Greene. And with more than 1000 perfume launches last year, a story is
the advantage a new fragrance needs to stand out. “There’s a real
quest for authenticity at the moment. When you know why the perfumer
chose the notes and his inspiration, the whole experience draws
you in and becomes more genuine,” says Celene Aguilar, director
of US sales and marketing for L’Artisan Parfumeur. How to get the
story told? Salespeople, of course, but companies are also experimenting
with innovative new outlets, like social media, blogs, dvds and
short films, that ultimately, leave a lasting, and fragrant impression.
There you have it - a peek into the near future of fragrance from some experts who are involved in it every day. Now you're in the know for your next visit to the fragrance counter.
