Valentine’s Day is almost here and the ads, sales and crowds are coming in droves and you don’t know what to do, what to buy or where to go right? I know the feeling. Perhaps you are shopping for someone picky or just need to grab something special for the one you love. The fix? Fragrances.
In 2011, fragrance sales were up 13% according to according to data released by market researcher NPD Group. And, in 2012, that number continued to grow. Walk into any big name department store and fragrance displays are always front and center, especially during any holiday season. You will see old favorites like Chanel, White Diamonds and Elizabeth Taylor but more celebs than ever have taken to the fragrance market to promote their brand and hopefully increase their net worth.
But being a celebrity does not guarantee sales or a good fragrance. While Mary J, Blige’s My Life saw great leaps off the counters and through her Home Shopping Network promotion and her collaboration with skincare company Carol’s Daughter in its debut year, customer reviews rate the smell very low. Other fragrance entrepreneurs like Brittney Spears, Beyonce and Usher have hit the market strong with favorable scents and successful sales history. This has led more and more celebrities to enter the market and those who have fared well to continue to release scents in their namesake. Then you have celebs like Jennifer Lopez who has essentially hit the jackpot. With over fifteen fragrances currently on the market including Still, Glow, Miami Glow and Love at First Glow, and Deseo to name a few, JLO continues to be a top seller every year.
While some shoppers choose fragrances based on celebrity clout alone, the best sellers have made a connection to its buyer and have offered a little more than meets the nose. Purchase two of the three Rihanna fragrances and receive a free travel tote. This season, Beyonce’s Heat can only be purchased as a gift set. By packaging their scents as gift sets, consumers get more bang for their buck while retailers are essentially able to move more product off the shelf.
So when you hit that department store and are bombarded with several hundred fragrances at once, how do you know what’s good and what is worth buying. This past week I spent some time at several fragrance counters and I have come up with 7 scents that are worth your time and money. Whether you are shopping for yourself or someone who has everything, these fragrances make for the perfect gift.
Here are top seven must have celebrity fragrances…