“Perfume puts the finishing touch to elegance — a detail that subtly underscores the look, an invisible extra that completes a man and a woman’s personality. Without it, there is something missing.” – Gianni Versace
So what are the top perfume choices in 2021, and how to choose what suits your taste? “Trendify” asked beauty consultant from Faces and Mazaya, Ahmed Abdeltawab.
According to Abdeltawab, there is no difference in the products available in different stores such as Mazaya, Debenhams, Fortune or Wojooh. The only difference is in each store’s sales policy, regarding offers or discounts. And each store has a couple of exclusive brands that only they have the authority to sell, which makes the store stand out from others.
Abdeltawab added that not all the 2021 editions of international brands made it to Egypt. This was due to the pandemic restrictions, shipping customs and US dollar price issues. However, examples of brands that did make it to Egyptian stores were Yves Saint Laurent or Carolina Hererra.
“The concept of perfumes changed, we started saying “fashion” instead of “fragrance”, as now people “wear” their perfume as if it is a clothing item,” explained Abdeltawab.
The most selling perfumes are women’s fragrances, such as the Carolina Herrera CH Limited Edition, the 212 VIP Rosé by Carolina Herrera, a Floral Fruity fragrance, La Vie Est Belle by Lancôme or Good Girl by Carolina Herrera. The differences between each perfume could be the type of flower from which the fragrance is extracted, the concentrations.
The trends for women this year are sweet, sugary or fruity fragrances. Sweet fragrances are usually worn at night, as they are soft and refreshing. Try to avoid musky and spicy fragrances during the day as they could be disturbing or make a person somehow nervous.
For men, sweet fragrances are in trend as well, and from the top sold brands this year is Ultra Male by Jean Paul Gaultier. It has been produced since 2015, but still remains from the top fragrances in 2021. It is a classic fragrance suitable for males in their twenties or thirties.
The top two fragrances trending for men this year are Sauvage by Dior, which is not typically sweet but fresh, aromatic, classic and suitable for soirees, it is suitable for all tastes at any time of day. The other top perfume, Bad Boy by Carolina Herrera, which has the same description as Sauvage, is long lasting and fresh with a sweet soft touch from the vanilla and a hint of citrus. Homme by Dior is also a strong classic for morning use, which is also a customer favourite.
People with allergies from strong scents will not be affected by these perfumes, if they’re the original ones. The only component that would affect them in these products is the alcohol, which is the atomizer in the bottle responsible for releasing the perfume oil through the sprayer. The original product would contain the least amount of alcohol, and that is why it is recommended to buy originals for those allergic or easily irritated by perfumes, explained Abdultawab.
Abdultawab recommends fresh and light scents such as lemony, minty or herbal scents for those who are irritated by perfumes. For women, Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana is from the top 5 picks for fresh scents, and Bad Boy by Carolina Herrera or Sauvage Eau De Toilette, for men.