Scents and Sensibility, Top Fragrances Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Close
Scents and Sensibility
10 fragrances that hit the right notes
Selecting the perfect perfume is a deeply personal choice involving style, emotion and memory. Getty Images Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. 2. Eternity Eau de Parfum by Calvin Klein. Like the namesake diamond eternity ring, this modern green floral is timeless. Since 1988 it has never waned in popularity. The classic blend of citrus, floral and woods — freesia, lily of the valley and spicy carnation — comes together in a light-handed way. It's more watercolor than oil painting. 3. Fracas Eau de Parfum by Robert Piguet. This black-bottled elixir started the white-floral trend in 1948. Everyone from Madonna to Martha Stewart loves the fusion of tuberose, gardenia, white narcissus and lily of the valley grounded with sandalwood and vetiver. As with any famous scent, ignore reviews that claim today’s Fracas (or whatever you wear) is not the “original.” All perfumes get silently updated depending on flower crops year to year, with the substitution of synthetics for banned animal-derived ingredients. The current Fracas, reformulated in 1998, is the real deal. Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > NIKLAS HALLE'N/Getty Images 6. Chanel No. 5 Eau de Parfum. This iconic 1921 scent says “expensive” in an elegant, tasteful way … like a quilted-leather chain strap shoulder bag. Chanel wanted a mysterious, complex fragrance, with none of the ingredients identifiable as a standout. It was the first perfume to use aldehydes (a synthetic that smells like clean linen dried outdoors) along with bergamot, lemon, roses, jasmine, lily of the valley, vetiver, patchouli and amber. Chanel’s secret sauce was Marilyn Monroe’s signature scent, so who can argue with that? Apply any scent to damp skin — preferably after a bath or shower — or over any plain body cream to make it last. 7. Hesperides Grapefruit Eau de Parfum by Fresh. This popular artisanal brand’s citrus blend of grapefruit, Italian lemon, bergamot, tangerines and oranges — with hints of jasmine, rhubarb and peach — arrived in 2007 but continues to be a crowd-pleaser with its truly uplifting and energizing aromatherapeutic effect. It is a great “work” fragrance that won’t get elevator glares. And believers swear it relieves stress headaches, too. Store your scents away from light, heat and humidity; a bedroom or closet works better than a bathroom or near a window. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe More on entertainment AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS