When I was a little girl I dreamt of having my own dressing table, covered in beautiful bottles and jars of magic potions that would transform me into the grown up I so desperately wanted to be. I remember my mum spritzing on her fragrance, albeit rarely and saved for special occasions, and my grandmother having an array of deliciously scented treats to play with; they both had 'signature' scents that they would be given time and time again as a staple Christmas gift (although both are long since discontinued,) that if I were to smell today I'd be transported instantly back to my childhood. Although my fascination with fragrance started early, I've never really had a signature scent. I've had perfumes that define an era or a moment in time, but never one that's stuck with me for longer than a year or two. But looking back at the last twenty years there are certainly five key scents that stand out as real moments in my fragrance journey, and they've carved my tastes to what they are today. As John Lewis celebrate their huge portfolio of scents and help me to find my new signature (more on that later!) it provides the perfect opportunity to take a look at those fragrances that have meant a lot to me, and potentially rediscover some old faves.
1. CAROLINA HERRERA '212'
This was the first 'proper' perfume I ever owned, excluding the classic teen choices (Exclamation and Charlie I'm looking at you!) that are more pure alcohol than actual scent. Aged around 15 I was allowed to...