How to Gift Luxury Fragrances, According to Michael Edwards
November 26 | 5 minute read
Words by Clayton Ilolahia
What fragrances do they enjoy?
When Michael Edwards published his first Fragrances of the World guidebook 40 years ago, it was because he realised something: “It seems like an unsolvable problem when, in fact, it is quite easy to find out what fragrances someone is likely to like.
“Ask people for the names of their three or four favourite fragrances; almost invariably, you would find that at least two of them belong to a single fragrance family.”
Like wine, people typically prefer red or white. If red, do they prefer a crisp and fruity pinot noir, or a woody and spicy shiraz? MECCA Fragrance Specialists can recommend similar fragrances based on Michael Edwards’ Fragrance Wheel of 14 fragrance families.
If someone enjoys fragrances from the soft floral family, why not gift Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s 724 EDP, an effervescent soft floral perfume with citrus accents? A person who enjoys fragrances from the amber family may like Ellis Brooklyn’s Vanilla Milk EDP a delicate vanilla scent with accents of frangipani and sandalwood.
“If I know the fragrances that you love, what I would do is buy one or more of the matching body products.”
Michael Edwards
Gift products for layering scent
People may have a signature scent to which they are monogamous. If so, explore other products available in the collection that have the same perfume.
Says Edwards, “If I know the fragrances that you love, what I would do is buy one or more of the matching body products – a body cream, a body lotion, anything to give you pleasure. I know you're less likely to get them for yourself; you would probably treat yourself to the perfume, but not the matching body products, right?”
If they love Maison Francis Kurkdjian's 724 EDP, try the Body Lotion, Shower Gel, Body Oil or Hair Mist.
One of Edwards’ favourites is L’Ombre Dans L’Eau EDP by Diptyque, which he discovered “years and years ago”. Those loyal to the scent might enjoy the Solid Perfume, which can be applied to pulse points and layered with the eau de toilette or eau de parfum spray.
Diptyque’s Baies candle or room spray, with similar notes of rose and blackcurrant berries, is the perfect companion to the perfume. There's also a car diffuser (a personal favourite) for those wanting to travel in complete style!
If in doubt, include a sprayed tester card with the gifted fragrance or invite the receiver to smell the fragrance in-store before they open your gift.
Looking for more gifting inspiration? Shop the MECCA Gift Guide here.
Or if you need an extra hand finding just the right thing for that special someone, try our gifting quiz!
