This season's smells: Fruity or foresty

IN STORE

Provocative, seductive, warm, fun or even spicy... the way you smell can be one of the most lasting ways to make an impression. The thing with perfumes is that not only do they smell pleasant, once sprayed, they mysteriously mix with the natural scents of your body to create an aroma unique only to you.

So, though perfume aficionados may have a smell sense strong enough to detect the faintest whiff, no two people will smell exactly the same despite wearing the same perfume.

There are, of course, those timeless scents that are almost like the "pair of blue jeans" in every wardrobe but every season, designers create scents that are just right for the weather. Fruity or minty for summer or spicy and warm for winter. Here's looking at some new smells to breathe in...

For the ladies

Nothing to beat flower power in these hot and humid months. For women who want to smell their best, Burberry The Beat is a cool, new option that instantly energises you with a youthfulness that comes from its sparkling, floral and woody fragrance.

It's sexy, feminine, energetic and vibrant... what with its smoky and sensual wooden and musk tones, blended carefully with the aroma of bluebells and even traditional Ceylon tea! For Rs 3,950. Wear it during the day or for a more informal evening out.

On the other hand, if you are young and want to wear something special for the evening, try Miss Dior Cherie, the new fragrance from the house of Dior.

It is an ode to nature and flowers "" in keeping with the typical trend this season "" but the notes are interesting enough with orange and Calabrian bergamot dominating. However, the first thought this one evokes is jasmine mixed gently with orange blossoms. For Rs 5,000.

Rainforests, roses in a bottle...

The Davidoff Adventure, an out and out men's perfume, has been inspired by, well, adventure. The concept of wild nature with bright colours and hot spices has been blended to produce notes that will remind you of the humid freshness of the rainforest and the sensuality of exotic woods. For Rs 3,750.

Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste, on the other hand, is a young fragrance typically Bvlgari in its sophistication. Inspired by the aura of the amethyst gemstone, the floral scents it exudes are so refreshing, they remind you of rose gardens... and morning dew. For Rs 3,500.

Again, in keeping with the trend this season, Azzaro's new fragrance for men, Chrome Legend, is also packed with scents extracted from nature... flowers and forests.

An intense, fresh smell with notes of citrus and fruit that leave you thinking of green frosted leaves and sea spray. And to bring it all under control, there are also undernotes of woody and musky amber essences. For Rs 3,200.