Sweet scent of Eid

2009/09/19

SUZIEANA UDA NAGU

The festive season calls for fragrances that are carefully picked, whether you are attending a corporate open house or a small gathering with friends, writes SUZIEANA UDA NAGU

THE dawn of Syawal, which begins tomorrow, heralds a month of open house invitations and celebratory family gatherings where rendang, ketupat, nasi himpit, lemang and other Hari Raya Aidil Fitri staples will be served.

When the delicious scent of local delicacies are wafting up from the kitchen or buffet spread, it is best to keep the focus on the food and conversation rather than your strong perfume, advise perfume enthusiasts.

Indeed, the festive season calls for fragrances that are carefully picked.

“It must reflect the event you are attending,” says Tamara Root, the blogger behind For the Love of Perfume (fortheloveofperfume.blogspot.com).

For semi-formal family and friends’ reunion, she recommends those with light floral sillage (French for “a trailing cloud of scent left behind in the wake of a perfume”) or scents of delicate gourmand that reminds you of your favourite fruits, dessert or spices.

Britney Spears, Fantasy — which lists notes of red lychee, golden quince, kiwi, cupcake, jasmine petal, orchid, creamy musk, sensual wood and orris root — is a good bet as it has a “whisper of a floral note” which gives it the right blend of floral and gourmand scent.

Gucci, Flora by Gucci and Marc Jacobs, Daisy are also perfect for small Hari Raya gatherings with friends as they are fresh and perky yet light enough to be inoffensive to those with sensitive noses.

Male perfume lovers may want to give Calvin Klein, CK Man, which reviewers have described as “an original and individual scent that won’t scream its identity to the world even if it is worn by millions”, a try.

Another classic and global favourite is Giorgio Armani, Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme which fans say exude “sophistication and freshness” without being overwhelming.

For corporate open house functions, on the other hand, opt for stronger scents that spell “classic, opulent and sparkling”.

Celebrity judges (from left) Sazzy Falak, Siti Hasfizza Aswaty, Belinda Chee and William Kee

“Although you don’t want to offend other guests, you certainly want to make a good olfactory impression,” adds Root.

Calvin Klein, Eternity for Women’s fans say that the floral scent conjures images of a self-assured and dignified woman.

Meanwhile, Calvin Klein, Eternity for Men’s fruity scent evokes the spirit of the masculine yet sensitive man who is “dedicated to his family, work, health and happiness”.

Couple fragrances like these would make a wise choice for those who wish to make a lasting impression at that office Hari Raya party.

But if you want an “in between” aroma — one that is not air-thin yet not overpowering — consider layering the perfume you already own.

As most fragrances are sold with a line of other products of the same scent such as a body wash, deodorant and body lotion, you can layer these products one after another in the right order.

After layering, skip the regular way of spritzing your perfume — on pulse points on your body — and try “walking through” the scent.

Spray into the air and take a quick step in front of you to let the mist fall on your body, hair and clothes. Make sure your eyes, nose and mouth are covered as you do so.

This creates a long-lasting fragrance that is not overpowering. If you have not found your signature scent, do not miss the chance to take a whiff of the 21 new and classic fragrances nominated for this year’s Sa Sa Fragrance Fair & Awards.

Walk into any Sa Sa outlet from now until Oct 4 to vote for the fragrances of your choice and receive a RM20 instant rebate to buy any of the nominated scents upon submission of the completed form. Sa Sa will contribute RM1 to the Breast Cancer Welfare Association for every bottle of fragrance sold during the campaign.

A good deed does not go unrewarded. Your purchase will entitle you to a lucky dip on the spot in which you stand a chance to win a 1.31 carat GIA Certified Excellent Cut Diamond plus other goodies such as a range of nominated fragrances and gift certificates.

The winning fragrances will be selected based on ballots by a panel of celebrity judges — comprising television personalities Belinda Chee, Sazzy Falak and Siti Hasfiza Aswaty and Xandria Ooi, as well as Clove editor William KC Kee (which make up 40 per cent of total score) — the public (40 per cent) and sales of the fragrances during the campaign (20 per cent).

Prizes will be given away on Oct 6.