Making Scents

Fall is in the air — literally — at The Shops at Columbus Circle, where you’ll find the latest and greatest fragrances for your pulse points, your skin, and your home. Studies have shown that scents can affect your mood, since the olfactory part of the brain is linked to the area that processes emotions. So using these aromatic finds will leave you smelling and feeling good, guaranteed.

Want to create a signature scent? Jo Malone encourages fragrance combining for one-of-a-kind results. Start with Basil & Neroli Cologne, which is perfect for when the temperatures begin to drop. (Master Perfumer Anne Flipo says the notes create “the glow of warm sunlight.”) Layer it with English Pear & Freesia for a sparkling floral effect that will cheer you up on even the cloudiest days. Jo Malone also does complimentary consultations in fragrance combining.

At Sephora, the new 10 Crosby from fashion designer Derek Lam comes in 10 variations, all inspired by Crosby Street, a chic little strip hidden on the edge of New York City’s SoHo. The scents range from Rain Day, a fresh mix of tropical vetiver Haiti and citrusy neroli Tunisia, to the moody Blackout, infused with the essence of spicy chai tea. These are fragrances that are as sophisticated and nuanced as New York City itself.

Another perfume that Sephora is stocking that you will love: the new Nirvana Rose, which is the latest from Elizabeth and James, a line created by the twin actresses and style icons Mary Kate and Ashley Olson. The combination of geranium, vetiver, and May rose is mysterious but utterly feminine. The store will do free engraving on this fragrance and on all bottles 2.5 ounces or larger, making a bottle of perfume from Sephora a perfect gift, too.

For products that do double duty, check out the brand-new Harmonie Divine skincare line, which infuses the essence of the sea of Corsica. Using red algae to help regenerate cells and fight the signs of aging, it comes in both a cream and a serum. So you can have a glowing complexion — and be transported to faraway shores.

If you’re looking to spice up your interiors this season, make your way to Diptyque. The French perfumer is stocking a new La Madeleine candle that is buttery sweet — and aptly named. It will leave your guests wondering how your home always smells like just-baked madeleine cookies from the South of France. Now that’s a scent you’ll never forget.