Scents of a woman

EVERY Christmas I get a pang of sympathy as I see men and women milling around the fragrance counters, brows furrowed, noses tentatively sniffing countless bottles of perfume, hoping to hit upon the perfect one.

Perfume is an impossibly individual product. What makes some women want to bathe themselves in a fragrance can make other women want to open a window and let in some air. Scent is a subjective and mysterious sense. With that in mind, buying fragrance as a gift is a delicate area, but it’s a gift I for one am always happy to receive.

Try to discover what the person you are buying for generally likes — even if you can just narrow it down to sweet, woody or floral, or suggest the name of a perfume the person ordinarily wears. Your fragrance consultant will be able to make a solid suggestion that stands a good chance of being a hit. Here are some of the best on the market.