Teen Vogue

A couple of weeks ago, I escaped to Kauai for some much-needed relaxation and happily soaked up the sun (slathered in SPF, of course), the surf, and the amazing smell of hibiscus and gardenia that hung in the air . . . aaaahh. Sadly, it only took one week back in bustling NYC to turn that heavenly trip into a VERY distant memory. Maybe that’s why I’ve been loving 

Saffron James Parfums

, a charming line of essential oil-based scents inspired by the indigenous flowers of Hawaii; even when I’m walking the city streets past piles of garbage and fume-spewing taxis, wearing one of the yummy scents helps me pretend that I’m still back in tropical paradise. I’ve tried out 

Le’a

, a superfeminine eau de parfum featuring notes of pink and white plumeria, pineapple leaf, and hibiscus, as well as 

‘Ume

, a bolder, spicier mix consisting of ginger absolute, waterlily, and yuzu. But my fave is definitely 

Ipo, 

a much lighter floral fragrance with notes of Moroccan rose, orange blossom, Tahitian gardenia, and lemongrass. Mmm, doesn’t that sound like the most intoxicating concoction ever? :)