Today’s hottest scents look to the past

Not only are we opening up our hearts to men with hair on their chest and a set of brawny plumber’s pipes (dreamy James Denton from Desperate Housewives comes to mind) but we’re also hunting down a stronger, sensuous fragrance to match. “Consumers are drawn to rich scents again as their preferences are becoming more sophisticated and they are much more open to experimentation,” explains Susan Kelly, director of global marketing for LCI Cosmetics International. Add the in-your-face sensuality of girl bands such as The Pussycat Dolls and the proliferation of hip-hop hotties on MuchMusic (FYI: Baby Phat Goddess by Kimora Lee Simmons was last fall’s runaway fragrance hit), it’s no wonder our desire for perfumes that propel us into overdrive keeps growing.

To satisfy our lust, the fragrance biz is taking hot notes from years gone by and remixing them for the present. “There’s quite a range to try, from appetizing gourmand notes to sensual musks to sexy woods,” says Kelly. “Fine fragrances are often a complex mix of notes that bouquet these ingredients into a beautiful new aroma.” —Juliette Lie

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