Scent of a Real Woman: Rich Hippie and Other Earthly Delights

We just don’t get it. Why, why would you want to douse yourself in the smell of a spoiled hotel heiress or a burnt-out 20-something singer with a propensity for flashing her lady parts? Honestly! Why not smell like the exotic, feminine woman you are? If you’re anywhere near the Tucson area, we suggest you march right into Salud Spa Bar where you can create your own custom scent. Mine is a heady combo of their Le Bliss and Desert Bloom fragranced oils, which I had made into a Body Mist ($20). If Tucson is out of your GPS range, check out Rich Hippie, a collection of spirited perfumes made in tiny batches, without chemicals, from organic flowers and plants. The creator of the line, perfumer Nannette Pallrand, is so fastidious about the purity of the ingredients that she’s even made sure that the alcohol that preserves these precious concoctions is distilled from organically grown grapes. Genius. You could practically drink the stuff but luckily, dabbing it on your pulse points is much more gratifying ($225 and up or $15-$35 samples). Another favorite to check out is the Susanne Lang Collection. The Vanilla Coconut is outrageously intoxicating worn alone but the perfumes were also formulated for personal layering or “playering” to create your own scent. The Layers Wardrobe collection includes six luscious aromas and may we say, makes a lovely gift ($72 for collection, $52 for individual scents). Susanne Lang is also available online at Apothia.com. Ummm. Now, doesn’t that smell good? Photo: Both me and the Spa Boy are gah-gah over Rich Hippie’s Bohemian Wedding perfume. Citusy overtones give way to a clean yet exotic scent, $225 for 1/2 oz.