Fragrance Q and Q with expert AnthonyTippins
Anthony Tippins has worked at Nordstrom’s flagship fragrance department for almost 30 years and has many devoted followers. Earlier this month, I got the chance to sit down with Anthony and get his advice on fragrance, including wedding day scents for Princess Grace and Princess Diana. Enjoy!
Q: What is your go-to fragrance that you recommend for women?
A: I have several recommendations. “Love in White” from Creed is a perfect fragrance to wear every day. It has hints of Italian orange, orange zest, French daffodils, Bulgarian roses & vanilla. “Barenia” from Hermes is like a skin scent. It will start bright and then dry down to a more sensuous smell.
Q: What can a well-chosen fragrance do for a woman?
A: A great fragrance can help make you feel like the woman you wish to portray for the day. It can enhance your mood and speak volumes about which woman you are in the moment, confident, flirty, happy, or “don’t mess with me”.
Q: Do you recommend changing fragrances seasonally?
A: It’s always nice to switch up your fragrance, not only seasonally but whenever the mood strikes. You can complement your wardrobe with a certain scent. Every woman needs a fragrance library. Every day, you wake up as a different person, so why not let the fragrance convey that mood? Even from day to night, a fragrance change is welcome.
Q: Are there any scents that best help reduce stress and anxiety?
A: Yes. Lavender is great as both a home scent and a linen spray to sleep more easily. Gucci Alchemist Garden Moonlight Serenade is a beautiful lavender scent to soothe the senses.
Q: How much fragrance should I put on at a time? And when am I wearing too much?
A: Fragrances work best when applied to the skin. Spray and tap pulse points: wrist, elbow crease, behind the ears, and behind the knees. Fragrance rises, so apply lower. I choose to apply to my wrists and elbows, I feel that I smell it too much when I apply it near my nose. Light citrus scents can be applied more generously.
Q: What are the best fragrances for going to work vs going out and having a good time with friends?
A: The best fragrances for good times are whatever puts you in a good mood. Taking a light daytime scent and blending in a floral or woody, gourmand fragrance. It’s good to experiment.
Q: Should fragrance go beyond just smelling nice? Can it evoke any feelings or emotions?
A: Your fragrance is for you first. It will be with you as memories are made and remind you of people, times, and places. That creates emotions, good and bad. I don’t think anyone doesn’t want to smell nice, so choose what you like best.
Q: One of my favorite scents is Tabarone by Creed, which happens to have been Winston Churchill’s go-to. Can a woman wear mens perfume? Tabarone is all about tobacco, ginger, and light citrus, which, oddly….. I like.
A: Yes. It will not smell like a man because of your PH, but will add richer and deeper notes that won’t be too cloying in the skin. Some women’s fragrances are just a little too sweet.
Q: I also noticed that Creed created Fleurissimo for Princess Grace’s wedding day, inspired by her bouquet. Top notes are bergamot, violet leaves, and mandarin orange. I’m intrigued.
A: Fleurissimo is a beautiful floral. Feminine, light, and sparkling yet complex and rich.
Q: What did Princess Diana wear on her wedding day?
A: It was said that on her wedding day, Princess Diana wore Quelques fleurs. Very much like fleurissimo, it’s a rich elegant floral scent made by Parfum Houbigant.
Q: What is your personal favorite fragrance?
A: Hermessence Osmamthus Yunnan. Floral fragrance with a tea note.