Beautiful fragrances have always been an indulgent treat which is why they make such a great Valentine’s Day gift. If you’re looking for a new scent and need a little inspiration, take a look at our list of passionate perfumes sure to get you in the mood for love.

Jo Malone Red Roses

Nothing says romance like roses so it’s only natural that Jo Malone Red Roses EDT would be a hot V-day favourite. A blend of seven of the worlds’ most fragrant roses with the addition of crushed violet leaves and lemon, it could’ve easily been obnoxious, but is actually surprisingly fresh and sheer. It exists in candle-format too, so you can surround yourself with the scent without having to rack up an Elton John-style flower bill.

Estée Lauder Beautiful Love

For years Estée Lauder has marketed Beautiful, a classic floral, as their ‘wedding perfume’; the one to wear when walking down the aisle and into the arms of your one true love. Thus, Beautiful’s slightly more modern flanker, Beautiful Love, gets the same treatment, making it one of the most romantic best-sellers on the shelves.

Vera Wang Lovestruck

A sparkling fruity floral, Lovestruck is Vera Wang’s sweet-smelling interpretation of love at first sight. Just one spritz promises to conjure up that crazy, heady feeling you get when the planets align and you first lay eyes on your soul mate. Still, kismet aside, we can’t decide whether we love or hate the completely over the top bottle....

Ralph Lauren Romance

Another scent that was created to evoke the feeling of falling in love is Ralph Lauren Romance. A fresh woody-floral, its notes include rose (but of course), as well as violet, patchouli and musk. But seriously; just look at the ad. Doesn’t it make you want to splash out on killer riding boots so as to set off into the countryside and get swept off your feet? Preferably by a hot male model? Sigh...

Agent Provocateur by Agent Provocateur

British lingerie company Agent Provocateur know all about romance. Still, you don’t have to squeeze into their frilly thongs to wear the brand on your bod. Their bespoke fragrance is a sexy-smelling floriental full of sensual notes like rose (again!), ylang ylang and musk.

Shopping for a scent?
Looking for a new fragrance? Now’s a good time to buy because you can take advantage of several value for money Valentine’s Day gift sets and special offers. Here are just three of our favourites:

Katy Perry’s Purr is usually R495 for a 50ml bottle, but this month you can snap up a bottle of the same size along with a cutesy tote and purse for just R420.

Like Davidoff’s Cool Water Woman? Foschini’s got a great special on at the moment in that you can snap up a 100ml bottle for just R575. (They’re usually R755 so that’s a R185 saving.)

The Body Shop’s put a White Musk Libertine gift set together. For R350 you can take home a 60ml EDT as well as a matching body lotion and shower gel (250ml each).