Valentine’s Day is now just around the corner and hopefully you have everything sorted; the flowers, the card, the gift (of fragrance of course) and the clothes, but have you picked that perfect scent for the all-important date night?

If not, well shame on you, but it isn’t too late; I have some great suggestions for you. So whether you are trying to make an impression and woo your crush on your first date, or whether you’re taking your beau out for a slap-up meal or a trip to the movies and even if you just plan to have a quiet night in with a good meal, a DVD, your loved one and your matching onesies, I have the perfect fragrance for your date.

The First Date

First dates can be tricky. On the one hand you want to make a good impression without being too over-the-top, but at the same time you want to be true to yourself and allow your date to fall for the person that you really are. The best option is to wear whatever you feel comfortable in, but if you’re stuck for ideas then either of the following are good failsafe options.

For Her: Candy by Prada

Candy is about as much fun you can have whilst wearing a perfume. It’s a bouncy, flirtatious and downright mischievous blend of fuzzy benzoin and caramel that smells utterly delicious but never feels stupid or silly. Candy may be vivacious and confident but she’s also brainy and quirky enough to hold that special someone’s attention for more than just the first impressions.

For Him: Homme L’Eau Boisée by Guerlain

L’Eau Boisée is a more refined, classic interpretation of the original Homme’s mojito accord. Mint, lime and rum are contrasted by rich, earthy vetiver to create a masculine fragrance that is soft and elegant but also remarkably casual. It gives the impression of a relaxed and comfortable guy who appears well groomed with very little effort.

Out For Dinner

Whether you plan to take your loved one out for a romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day or if you are bringing out the wishful thinking and just hoping that said loved one will be kind enough to treat you to a gorgeous meal you will need to make sure that you pick a fragrance that is dressy enough for the occasion but doesn’t ruin the meal by being monstrously strong. After all, there’s nothing worse than a case of fragrant indigestion.

For Her: Hypnotic Poison by Dior

Hypnotic Poison is pretty much the most delicious thing on this planet that cannot be eaten (not that I’ve tried). What makes it so wonderful is how the matching facets of each of its ingredients are tessellated, namely the bitterness of almonds and jasmine, against the plushness of creamy vanilla to create something ultimately tasty. It really is very yummy, just be careful not to wear too much as you might just end up becoming dessert.

For Him: Fils de Dieu du Riz et des Agrumes by Etat Libre d’Orange

As far as foodie scents go (classified as gourmands in perfume speak) Fils de Dieu is perhaps the most unusual for the simple reason that it celebrates the savoury rather than the sweet. Taking cues from Thai cuisine Fils de Dieu stirs in coriander, coconut milk and lime with a pinch of musk to create an abstract representation of exotic food that is surprisingly wearable. Wear this is if you are adventurous with gastronomy and like to explore new flavours.

Off to the Movies

Why not relive your teenage years and head to the cinema for your date night? If you actually are a teenager then firstly, shame on you for make me feel old and secondly, listen up because I have some suggestions for fragrances that will compliment that rom-com you will inevitably end up seeing.

For Her: Cinéma by Yves Saint Laurent
Created under the direction of fashion renegade Tom Ford, Cinéma is a surprisingly laid back and sweet floral with touches of marzipan and vanilla. Whilst it may be not be as large and cinematic as its name would suggest, Cinéma celebrates understated glamour and would perfectly suit a relaxed and romantic trip to the movies. I’d sum it up as a fragrance for watching The Oscars rather than attending them.

For Him: Jeux de Peau by Serge Lutens

What could be better suited to a trip out to the cinema than a fragrance that smells of buttered popcorn? Nothing, and that’s why Jeux de Peau would be perfect for a date night at the cinema! Although it may be slightly unusual with its notes of apricot jam, freshly baked bread and immortelle (a floral note that smells like maple syrup with a hint of curry), Jeax de Peau is so snuggly that you almost have no choice but to cuddle up with it in front of a good film. Be warned, this one is seriously addictive.

Staying In

My kind of date night would involve a good movie, a serious amount of chocolate and my pyjamas with the addition of a partner/loved one to be purely optional. But seeing as we are talking about Valentine’s Day here we might just have to invite those loved ones to stay in with us. Staying in is all about comfortable romance so it is important to find a fragrance that has the right balance of cosiness and raunchiness.

For Her: 7 Billion Hearts by CB I Hate Perfume

Vanilla has the amazing talent of smelling both cosy and sexy and no vanilla-centric fragrance ticks both of these boxes more successfully than 7 Billion Hearts. The simplest way to describe it is by saying that it smells like the best vanilla extract in the world; it’s smoky, creamy and ever-so-slightly sour. I would classify 7 Billion Hearts as a richly textured fragrance that is irresistibly snuggly for the person who wears it and anyone who may just happen to be close by.

For Him: Kokorico by Jean Paul Gaultier

Kokorico is a quirky little number that feels like a mishmash of notes, namely fig, cocoa and woods. It is most definitely very comfy but what makes it fun is the fact that it’s also rather cocky in its brashness. It has a[ reassuring warmth to it that is inherently attractive and self-assured. Kokorico is a fragrance for the sensitive yet confident soul who likes nothing more than relaxing on the sofa with his favourite person, perhaps whilst showing off just a little bit.

There you have it, everything you could ever require to satisfy your olfactory needs for your Valentine’s Day date night. Wherever you decide to go and whatever you decide to do this Valentine’s Day I hope it is fun, fragrant and full of romance.