Few beauty products trigger our emotions in the way fragrance can. If you’re wearing a fragrance right now, you may think that the scent you selected was on a whim, when in fact your emotions (and probably a little bit of your memory) chose it for you. The involuntary response we have to scent hits us at lightning speed. When you get a whiff of something — be it vanilla, musk, or jasmine — that odor has a fast pass to the parts of the brain that control emotions and memory. Et voila, you subconsciously bank the feeling and memory until you find something akin to that unique blend of notes again. We’re, at best, armchair psychologists, but we’d guess this is why fragrances make the perfect gifts.
And while we can make the case for a single signature scent (some just can’t be beat) there’s also a lot to be said for crafting a varied fragrance wardrobe. A lot of comfort can be found in wearing the same fragrance over and over again, but every day of our lives should be somewhat different from the last — memorable in its own rite. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to find the right one for you, so to make the process easier, we’ve categorized some of the best scents at Nordstrom by occasion and mood. Instead of trying to guess how a fragrance may smell by just looking at a long list of top notes, let us help you decide whether or not its vibe matches yours. And considering how popular fragrances are during the holiday season, it couldn’t hurt to reassess this list in order to find the perfect gift for anyone on your list.
For the reformed wallflower on Thanksgiving Eve
It’s the tradition we all love to hate: Thanksgiving Eve, hosted at your hometown’s local bar mere hours before the annual turkey trot. This year, you want to tantalize and titillate all those who once thought they knew you so well. Make an impression with this citrusy cologne that is bitter and vibrant, a liminal space between tangy and sweet without overpowering the senses (yours or others’). Some may even call this scent a happy surprise — its woody (even slightly musky) undertones are unexpected but welcome.
For the first-time buyer looking for their dream apartment on the UWS
You’re proud of the abundant savings account you’ve spent years building, so you’ll be damned if the threat of a 15 percent broker’s fee chases you away from that classic six. This velvety perfume asserts itself with the opening notes of mandarin, bergamot, and pear before blooming into the tender aroma of violet petals. Just when that landlord has you pegged for a softie, the scent will evolve into a powerful sandalwood, like a creamy liquid courage you can wear long after your credit check comes back (with flying colors).
For a 30th birthday party with bottle service
Now that you’re officially in your 30s, it’s about time you revel in the bawdy spectacle of downtown’s most infamous staples. Usher in the new decade with a multidimensional scent as intoxicating and indulgent as your night ahead. Though New York nightclubs don’t smell nearly as delicious as this hair and body mist — pink pepper and sugar make for an intriguing matchup — they can be equally hypnotic. A vanilla scent for the vanilla critic, this buildable fragrance is an undeniable crowdpleaser.
For the mystical desert retreat booked six months ago
If the original Mojave Ghost hums with a floral shyness, then the Ghost Absolu buzzes with a sweet sensuality that grounds the scent like an aromatic “om.” Delicate violet is blanketed by the sweetness of Jamaican naseberry, an intense dichotomy that will either snap you back to reality or leave you delightfully dazed. Complemented by warm musk, amber, and cedarwood, this captivating iteration of the cult classic fragrance is a sensory journey almost as inspiring as a pricey desert retreat.
For the situationship worthy of its own diary entry
This blend of dark amber and tuberose is simple but dangerously carnal, like flushed cheeks and foggy car windows. A legal and harmless narcotic that smells like butterflies in your stomach and the farthest corner of a smoky speakeasy, this Nordstrom-exclusive scent is its own aphrodisiac. Most dalliances you’re bound to forget, but this addictive clash of green, spicy, and earthy notes will make it an affair to remember. The heady amber, supported by a sensual but subtle tuberose, will have you falling head over heels — and telling your diary (or notes app) all about it.
For the three-day destination wedding in Italy
Spending a week in Europe calls for reinvention. Even with an itinerary, you have no idea what each day will call for, making this discovery kit a trusted plus-one. From Another 13’s animalic and creamy ambroxyde to Santal 33’s recognizable spice, this Nordstrom-exclusive set is exactly what your carry-on is missing. And while the latter are fan favorites, you won’t be disappointed when introduced to Thé Matcha 26 (a matcha tea accord) and Thé Noir 29 (a child of the citrus and woody families), two scents with notes of warm fig center stage.
For the first date at a restaurant with “$$$$” in its Yelp review
Strangers can smell your Champagne taste from a mile away — it’s probably why your latest app match knew you’d appreciate a dinner reservation of this caliber. The enduring blend of vanilla and bourbon is rich and first-class but far from pretentious. Even with woody notes, such as cashmeran and guaiac wood essence, this feminine perfume finds its sweet spot with an overflow of jasmine. You’re a modern woman who knows what she wants, which naturally includes a decadent fragrance — and never splitting the bill.
For the family Christmas trip to Minnesota (that you wish was in Tulum)
No, that’s not the sound of ice-cold margaritas clinking together or waves crashing on the sand — that’s just a windshield brush carving ice off your family’s rental minivan. Maybe one day you’ll spend the holidays somewhere less bone-chilling, but for now you’ll have to imagine the tropical timeout. Immerse yourself in the savory scents of paradise with these travel-size hair and body mists. While Kaanapali Coast uses a blend of coconut milk and vanilla, and Malibu Peach focuses on savoring its fruity and jasmine notes, both capture the essence of sun-kissed skin on a beach and all-you-can-drink fresh coconut water.
For the nonstop traveler who changes her personality in each city
You relish your chameleonic sensibility, and sticking to one scent just doesn’t make sense for a nomad, does it? Today, you’re somewhere that calls for the ripe and mellow English Pear & Freesia, a scent that captures the freshness of pear and white florals, but next week your personality will align better with the charming essence of Peony & Blush Suede, a cologne that blends peonies with suede and red apple. If there’s one thing you’re going to do, it’s switch things up in every zip code.
For the dating defeatist spending Saturday nights with ancient art
Who needs a “good morning” text when you can celebrate yourself on a date in the Medieval Art collection? Though you prefer a solo night out these days, that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on primping — signature date night scent included. This perfume’s ylang ylang keeps you grounded while the warm cinnamon allows for a sumptuous sense of self not even a “u up?” message could crack. As a spicy romantic who isn’t afraid of a little solitude, it’s no surprise this sensual fragrance that contains multitudes embodies your poised essence so well.
For all of those New Year’s Eve parties you RSVPed to
With only hours before the new year commences, there are at least four parties you promised you would attend — and not one has the same aesthetic. There are going to be major vibe shifts throughout the night, and you need to keep up. Because that invite to a Greenpoint rave gives Lost Cherry, a penetrating dose of sweet and spicy, while an Upper East Side townhouse screams utter luxury like Soleil Blanc. Tobacco Vanille and Oud Wood will showboat in any situation, so it’s best to keep them on hand in case you need a foolproof recourse.
For the “gallerista” hopping through Chelsea on a Thursday night
Any good gallerista knows that Thursdays are the new Fridays. Where else can you get free wine, stimulating conversation, and first dibs on up-and-coming art? Driven by your unstoppable instinct and innate curiosity, you can relate to this elegant perfume. Like you, it’s elusive and surprising — in fact, it’s a first for the brand. This chypre perfume (a distinctly woody scent) is best worn by those with a refined palette who can truly appreciate the sophistication of its balsamic notes.
For the divorced CEO with a new lease on life
An original girlboss, there’s really nothing that can hold you back — including a pompous spouse who refused to settle in arbitration. If you want flowers, you buy them yourself. You’re catching fire and the notes in this bottle blaze just as hot as your renewed essence: bold, unforgettable, and insatiably sensuous. Think of this as the sun-kissed version of the original Libre scent. With the same creamy accords, this scent turns up the heat with just a little less musk and a lot more coconut and lily flower.
This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our advertiser, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.