The Christmas Gift Guide: Perfumes

Perfumes are tricky presents if you don't know well the receiver, so this kind of gifts is always advisable for a family member or a good friend. How could you discover what kind of fragrance could be a winner? A visit to a department store maybe a couple of months in advance and see among all the samples which one is the favourite. How many times have you been to the beauty department with a friend or relative and you've been spritzing fragrances on your wrist? I've picked few new and  also established labels for all the budgets.

*Women*  I've been using Thierry Mugler fragrances since when "Angel" came out in 1992 and I find these fragrances  absolutely delectable. The latest one is Aura with a beautiful green emerald bottle shaped  like a heart and at Debenhams you can have it engraved. It makes sense to have it engraved because all Thierry Mugler fragrances have a refillable bottle option. Aura is very sensual with green notes and a heart of Orange Blossom and Rhubarb. www.debenhams.com

*Unisex*  I've already written about Atelier Bloem fragrances when they've been launched in Liberty in April. I am going to focus on this one, "Black Tulip" where the notes comprise Vetiver, Bergamot, Jasmine and Violet among other ingredients. Don't think that with these ingredients the fragrance would be quite sweet, because it is very balanced making it perfect for both women and men. Atelier Bloem is exclusive for Liberty. www.libertylondon.com

*Women*  A very prolific perfumer is Annick Goutal with quite few fragrances under her silk belt. This one, " Nuit et Confidences" is very sophisticated where the Parisian touch is there to be seen. Vanilla, Bergamot, White Musk are just some of the ingredients for this elegant perfume that comes in a beautiful bottle with an adorning silky pompom. One of the stockists is House of Fraser. www.houseoffraser.co.uk

*Women* I love the purple colour of the bottle and the  notes are pure indulgence for "Delectation Splendide" by make up artist Terry de Gunzberg. Patchouli and Vanilla are among the ingredients for this evening eau de parfum. Liberty is among the stockists where you can find it. www.libertylondon.com

*Men*  It is just arrived in store the Dunhill London Icon Racing EDP. Launched in September at Harrods it is now available nationwide from the 2nd of October and it is a very masculine fragrance with notes of Bergamot, Grapefruit and Cardamom, as well as Lavender, Fresh Pepper and Vetiver. The bottle is beautiful and it protects the fragrance from direct daylight. Among many stockists, it is available at John Lewis. www.johnlewis.com

*Women* Created in Venice, the great selection of fragrances by Monotheme will be a lovely gift for a person who likes  fruity notes. The range is called " Il Libro degli Agrumi" or " The Book of Citrus Fruits" because each one is made using essential oil from a  citrus fruit like tangerine or orange or lemon. Marks and Spencer is among the stockists. www.marksandspencer.com

*Women*  There is a new fragrance in town or better eight thanks to Floral Street where the founder has created a collection of fragrances inspired by flowers and which shop has just opened in Covent Garden at 30 King Street London WC2E 8JD. Among the 8 fragrances I've been drawn by Ylang Ylang Espresso with notes of Tiramisu, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Coffee Beans and more. Also when from behind the bottle there is a light it becomes orange and purple. Find the whole collection at the shop or online. www.floralstreet.com

*Men* *Women*  These gorgeous leather cases are part of the Leather Treasures by Hermes where you can buy  a calf skin case and refills for some of its fragrances. While Hermes fragrances can be bought everywhere, these leather cases are available only online and at the boutique. www.uk.hermes.com

*Women*  I still remember my first grown up fragrance being a Gucci with a logoed pale blue box. And it was a Christmas gift from my grandmother. Gucci Bloom is the first fragrance from creative director Alessandro Michele, using ingredients like tuberose and jasmine notes. It can be found in all the top department stores with Debenhams offering a lovely gift set as well that comprises a bottle of fragrance and a EDP rollerball  so that you can freshen up the fragrance as the day goes by. www.debenhams.com

*Women*  This is the perfect gift for a teenager who is experimenting with fragrances. The Dark Romance by So...? Fragrance has got a bouquet of Bergamot, Mandarin and Pink Pepper as well as Jasmine and Violet among other ingredients. So...?Fragrance has got a range of  perfumes and body mists as well as dry shampoos and gift sets. Sold online or in many outlets including Boots, they will be a great gift idea for nieces and goddaughters. www.sofragrance.com

*Women*  Another exclusive for Liberty, this gorgeous fragrance by Vilhelm Parfumerie " Don't Tell Jasmine". Among the notes Jasmine is obviously at the front row followed by Kir, Lemon and Petal Musk. All Vilhelm Parfumerie fragrances are amazing and you can discover them only at Liberty.  www.libertylondon.com

*Men* This Stay Dench  fragrance will appeal to the tough boy, the rapper and the skaters, because it has been created by UK rapper Lethal Bizzle. As many of the youngest will know Dench is a slang for Great, used in many song by Lethal. This fragrance has got notes of Pink Pepper, Pineapple, Mint as well as Suede and Wood Accord among other ingredients. www.staydench.com

*Unisex*  Despite looking like an oriental brand for its packaging,  "Aristoqrati" by Moresque is an Italian brand relatively new, created in 2015. This fragrance was one of the first among the ten EDP in the whole range. Its notes are a bouquet of Nutmeg, Geranium from Egypt, Peony and Vetiver as well as Patchouli for that oriental touch and more. Find a stockist at www.moresqueparfum.com