For as long as I can remember, I've always been into woody fragrances. Like a true L.A. woman, I was committed to Le Labo's Santal 33 ($90) for years and have only veered ever so slightly to experiment with similarly spicy scents laced with notes of sandalwood, bergamot, vetiver, and other decidedly savory aromas. Fragrances categorized as sweet or gourmand—the fancy name given to perfumes that smell almost edible with notes of honey, caramel, vanilla, and the like—just never called to me. (A brief stint with one of Paris Hilton's body sprays back in middle school was the first and last time I gravitated toward something that made me smell like I was dipped in sugar.) Too unsophisticated, I scoffed from atop my Le Labo–scented high horse. But that all changed when I finally got my hands on a bottle of Rihanna's favorite perfume, Kilian's Love, Don't Be Shy ($265).
It wasn't until very recently that I started seriously considering leaning into sweet perfumes, but a years-long love affair with Frédéric Malle's Portrait of a Lady ($85) and a more recent rendezvous with Tom Ford's Bitter Peach ($240) got me thinking that maybe, just maybe, I'm more into warmer, more syrupy notes than I'd let myself believe. Then, a viral TikTok video reminded me that my queen Rihanna is widely known as one of the best-smelling humans in Hollywood and that her signature scent is the key to this reputation. The candied notes of orange blossom, vanilla, and marshmallow I would have normally turned up my nose at were suddenly so intriguing to me. It's not that I'm naïve enough to believe that a price tag is always an accurate indicator of quality, but at $265 for a single bottle, I had a hunch that this fragrance would be something special. Spoiler alert: It is.
At first spritz, I almost didn't know what to make of the smells swirling into my nostrils. Do I smell… Fruit Loops? S'mores? What the hell is going on here? For so long, I had been concocting an imaginary scent profile of saccharine notes akin to the smells that might waft out of a candy factory, and that wasn't too far off. This stuff smells like cotton candy mixed with earl grey tea and juicy citrus fruit, topped with the confidence of having all your bills set to autopay without worrying whether you've got enough money to cover them all. That's right—this fragrance smells rich in more ways than one. I don't know why I expected anything less, seeing as Rihanna is the human embodiment of wealth, health, and happiness, but it was almost uncanny how quickly those same vibes started to seep into my own reality. From day one, I couldn't keep my wrists away from my face to take in long whiffs, nor could I pass a mirror without pausing to stare and take in the badassery I suddenly felt. Walking my dog, one of very few interactions with the world outside my home lately, transformed into a welcome opportunity to leave a trail of sumptuous goodness for the world to enjoy. I wanted to wear only my finest sweatpants and even felt more inspired to put on a little makeup from time to time to match the glam vibe of my new aroma. The scent starts off strong, so the first time I sprayed myself, I was seriously intimidated, but within a half hour, it settles into the skin so beautifully and stays there all dang day. This fragrance is life changing, friends.So in conclusion, I'm into sweet perfumes now. They're so fun and so extra and give a big middle finger to subtlety, which is an energy I can really get down with right now. There's still a time and a place for my woody faves in my scent wardrobe, but for the purposes of lifting my mood and raising my confidence with a single spritz, I definitely won't hesitate to reach for those warm, gourmand scents. If you want to be like me and Rihanna, I'd recommend Love, Don't Be Shy. If you're shopping for other options, keep scrolling for more sweet perfumes to try.Key Notes: Neroli, orange blossom, rose, marshmallow. This new, limited-edition launch is a more intense version of Rihanna's favorite Kilian scent, calling in stronger notes of rose and orange blossom for a crisper take on the ultra-sweet classic.Key Notes: Jasmine, saffron, cedarwood, ambergris. This is a great starter scent if you want to dip your toe into the sweet scent pond without sacrificing woody notes in the process. It's the perfect middle ground.Key Notes: Mandarin oil, orange, jasmine accord, caramel. This indulgent scent is sweet without veering into the cloying territory. Plus, how pretty is that bottle?Key Notes: Musk, vanilla, almond, star anise, bergamot, orange. Reviewers of this unisex scent liken it to the smell of a root beer float. Intriguing!Key Notes: Cotton candy accord, raspberry jam, strawberry jam, candy apple, cream, hazelnut, vetiver, vanilla, praline. You may need to remind yourself that this one isn't edible. It's at once herbal, spicy, and sweet.Key Notes: Caramel, musks, vanilla, benzoin. The name says it all. This one straight-up smells like candy.Key Notes: Iris, patchouli, vanilla. This scent brings in powdery, floral elegance combined with earthy, musky, and sweet aromas for a full-bodied experience.Key Notes: Tonka bean, caramel, hay, praline. If you could imagine a perfect balance of warmth, milkiness, and smoke, this would be it. It marries a complex blend of spicy scents together with vanilla for a true gourmand experience.Key Notes: Coffee, white flowers, vanilla. This fragrance is warm, spicy, and intense. It's the kind of scent that enters the room before you do.Key Notes: Tobacco leaf, spices, tobacco flower, vanilla, cocoa, dry fruit accord, wood sap. Spray this one in the morning, and it will remain on the skin well into nighttime. It's creamy, fruity, and woody all at once without being confusing.Key Notes: Tuberose absolute, India Orpur, Szechuan peppercorn, suede accord. Soft and musky, this floral fragrance evokes a walk through a lush garden bursting with white flowers.Key Notes: Salted caramel, pistachio, vanilla, sandalwood, almond. It smells like vacation—point-blank period.Key Notes: Ginger, green tea, marshmallow. If you're worried Love, Don't Be Shy might be too sweet for your liking, here's a similar (but spicier) option to try.Key Notes: Vanilla orchids, tonka absolute, amber woods, musk, amber, patchouli, brown sugar. This quintessential vanilla perfume is pure and sweet without being sickly.Key Notes: Pear, orris, marshmallow. The name of this one might be slightly deceiving, in that it might lead you to expect an overly sugary scent. In reality, sparkling fruits jump out first, and the sweetness is really in the finish.Key Notes: Grapefruit, Italian lemon, lime blossom, lychee, mango flower, freesia, sandalwood, tonka bean, amber. There's nothing better than a mix of sweet and citrus.Key Notes: Mandarin, magnolia accord, neroli, frangipani flower accord, coconut essence, ylang-ylang, vanilla absolute, almond silk accord, sandalwood accord. A spritz of this sweet and floral fragrance will transport you to the Sicilian gardens that inspired its conception.Key Notes: Orange, patchouli, Turkish rose. If Chanel No. 5 is too overpowering for your taste, this warm, floral mist is a great alternative. It's definitely sweet but takes on a more cologne-like identity on the skin.Key Notes: Almond milk, coconut, cashmeran, vanilla. This one is almost bitter to start, but it soon gives way to a creamy, smooth, and sweet scent that melts so beautifully on the skin and wears close to the body. Next: You'll Always Get Compliments When You Wear This Type of Perfume in the Winter
I’ll be honest with you: Gift giving isn’t my love language. However, shopping and curating guides of cool and of-the-moment styles is my job, so when it’s time to shop for the people in my life, I’m pretty good at it despite my fatigue. During this time of year, the market is saturated with an overwhelming amount of attractive options and promotional deals, but I think I’ve mastered the art of holiday shopping, and I’m officially ready to share my secret.
Of all of the stores that I frequent throughout the year, Gap has its shining moment during the holidays. It has just about everything you could possibly think of to gift your loved ones. And as much as I love to keep my options open, by the time my Gap cart is full, I’ve checked off everyone on my list (and, of course, snagged some pieces for myself). I’m talking luxe outerwear, elevated basics, and cozy essentials that remain relevant throughout the evolving trend cycle. My fellow editors are also gift shopping at Gap this year, so I enlisted them for their top-tier recommendations below. Keep scrolling to see their picks.
“I got my mom a massive winter coat last year for the holidays, and I swear every time I call her when the weather is even close to chilly, she’s wrapped up in it. As a result, I’m recycling the gift idea and getting this duvet-like style for the rest of my family.”“In my family, cashmere is a love language, so when it comes time to buy gifts, I always include at least one cashmere item. After spotting this bold orange option at Gap, I made up my mind that it would be the one for 2022.”“Much of my time during the holidays is spent with friends and family just lounging around, watching movies, looking through old photos, and drinking unusually large amounts of hot cocoa. This year will be no different—besides the fact that everyone I spend it with will be wearing some version of this hoodie.”“When we were kids, my grandmother would gift every one of her grandchildren with a robe during the holidays, but she hasn’t done it in forever. Since most of us are probably still using the last version she gave us, I feel like it’s probably time for an upgrade.”“Yes, I’m one of those people who spoils my dog. She will look so cute in this striped sweater. I actually may buy the matching one for myself!”“My mom, like me, loves a good knit. This cable-knit silhouette is perfection. It will be great for her everyday life.”“My husband has a pretty extensive baseball-hat collection, and I know he’ll adore this cool plaid style.”"Oversize shirting is trending hard right now, and I know my sister-in-law will be all about this chic plaid silhouette."“My boyfriend is always wearing beanies, which means he’s also always losing them. I love gifting him with a new one every season in a color that’s fun and vibrant.”“One of my friends recently had a baby, and I’m already anticipating her postpartum wardrobe needs. I think surprising her with a cozy new matching sweatsuit will do just the trick.”“My best friend is always asking for advice on what to wear. I’ve been trying to convince her to invest in a nice slip dress, so I’m taking this opportunity to gift her with one.”“My aunt is always complaining about her struggle to find a perfect cable-knit sweater, but thanks to this one, I can finally put her search to rest. I mean, could this be any more impeccable?”“One of my closest friends loves going skiing and is generally an outdoorsy type of gal. I know she’ll appreciate this beige beanie because it’s a muted tone that goes with everything and has a cute pom-pom.”“My mom is always complaining about how she doesn’t have any winter sweaters. Since she also lives in L.A., she doesn’t really need anything too heavy, but I think this cardigan is the perfect California winter sweater for her.”“My best friend is already shopping for a New Year's Eve dress, and I think I’m going to surprise her with this one. The neckline and cut are so cute, and I think she’ll love this gorgeous chocolate shade.”“My sister loves a good pair of boots, and these cowboy ankle boots are just so perfect. They’ll go with any outfit and are incredibly sturdy for winter. I may selfishly buy them for her because then I’ll get to borrow them.”“When I was a kid, my parents always dressed me in Gap sweatshirts—there are so many photos of me in them! My boyfriend’s sister recently had a baby, and this is the perfect set to gift her.”"My mom loves statement earrings, and I know she’ll find a way to wear this fun pair all the time."“My best friend is always complaining about how cold her apartment gets in the winter—this cozy robe is the ultimate gift to give her this year.”“My boyfriend is hard to shop for—he has such specific style! When I saw this oxford, however, I knew he would wear it all the time. It’s such a fun piece that’s still easy to incorporate into daily wear.”
I am a firm believer that if your head is cold, you are cold. That's why a hat is an absolute essential come fall and winter. As much as I love accessories, though, hats are so tricky. I love the way hats look on other people, but every time I put one on, I feel like an imposter. Enter, the beanie. It's the one hat that really looks good on everyone, and it'a a cozy accessory that keeps you super warm; there's nothing not to like. Now that the temperature has dipped, I won't leave the house without one; honestly, sometimes I even wear one inside.
If you're looking for a great hat, shop the 14 best beanies we sourced on the internet. We found options that are neutral and go with everything, as well as colorful picks that add a pop of color to any look. Plus, where would we be without a few pom-poms? These hats also make for great gifts, so if you're preparing for an upcoming birthday party, or want to get a head start on holiday shopping, these are awesome options. Just keep reading to shop our favorite winter accessory, a cute beanie.
