The phrase ‘what’s your sign?’ has been shrouded in shame for decades. From its status as the unofficial motto of every 00s teen to the mortifying moment where a recent Bachelor contestant revealed herself as a Gemini, confusing her astrophysicist beau for an astrologist.
Cliché-laden zodiac-based convos are classically equated with ‘ditz’ (not to go nerdy, but Professor Trelawney’s vibe even seemed flighty in the world of Harry Potter, where paranormal was the norm). 2019, however, has practically doubled as an astrology comeback tour with star signs reigning supreme once more (it’s a revival almost as glorious as T-Swift’s return to the charts – FYI she’s a sassy Sagittarius… that checks out).
And star sign status updates are no longer solely served to us in monthly magazine columns; with popularity of astrology apps skyrocketing, said updates are now dictating our daily lives down to the minute. TBH, Mercury’s flight through Retrograde nearly ruined me, and a ‘Co-Star’ alert a few weeks back warning to “stay home today” had me legitimately weighing up my work-from-home options with unwavering trust.
The moral of the story: zodiacs are back in a big way, but this time around, they’re holding weight even outside the classic realms of life and love; in fact, we’re deeming them power players in not only calculating compatibility with a partner, but also with a perfume. Here’s how to find your perfect fragrance, star sign style.
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Aquarius
Traits: Independent, mysterious, free-spirited, and eccentric
Scent: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity Silver EDP ($261, mecca.com.au)
As the sign synonymous with a love for adventure, an Aquarius needs an eau that’s equally as eccentric. Appease your love for mystery with a multifaceted mix – this Maison Francis Kurkdjian splash features 49 impossible-to-pin-down fragrant elements that are bound to keep people guessing (a perk for any Aquarius, as being pegged as a basic vanilla lover or god forbid, a rose fan, is your idea of a crisis). The complexity of this concoction might even pose a challenge to your own intellectual side – guessing every note will be no easy feat, but hey, we’ll give you juniper berry and nutmeg to start you off.
Pisces
Traits: Imaginative, compassionate, selfless, and sensitive
Scent: Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Flowers Of Happiness ($110, davidjones.com)
The kind-hearted creatives of the clan, those who embody the Pisces sign are endlessly giving of their sparkly (albeit sensitive) selves. You wear your heart on your sleeve, not far from where you spray your scent, so it makes sense that your spritz should be as welcoming and warm as your Piscean personality. A familiar floral will highlight your joyful generosity, whilst also offering enticing escapism (and to a field of flowers no less), when the world gets too much for your gentle soul. This Pisces-approved pear and peony blend from Lancôme literally has happiness in the name – it’s a no brainer.
Aries
Traits: Fearless, energetic, charismatic, and opinionated
Scent: Dolce & Gabbana The Only One 2 EDP ($189, myer.com.au)
Aries signs are the anti-wallflowers. Impulsive, energetic and outspoken, a need for individuality is your number one trait; you take pleasure in your status as the trailblazing trendsetter of the gang, and so you need a cologne that’ll complement your confidence. This Dolce drop is packed with the same fiery fearlessness embroiled in your bones – boasting a blend bursting with blackberry, coffee and tonka bean, it’s practically charisma in fragrance form. Plus, being the first of the zodiacs, Aries ladies are generally fans of anything new, so it’s a good thing this scent only hit shelves earlier this year.
Taurus
Traits: Reliable, practical, devoted, and stable
Scent: Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia EDP ($149, davidjones.com)
We took extra time with this one, because in true Taurus fashion, once they’ve tried it, they won’t ever change it – the bull is the associated animal for a reason. The Earth sign that embodies the ‘treat yourself’ mentality in an ironic twist, Taurus’ have a love of luxury and a tendency to dig their heels in, so a crisp concoction from a lush label is ideal (granted it’s not a limited edition release). Good thing you can’t go wrong with Armani, and seeing as this scent has been going strong since 2011, we’re optimistic about its longevity. With a splash of lemon, a sprig of mint and a sprinkling of brown sugar, it’s contemporarily cool but not overly trendy, just the way a trusting Taurus likes things.
Gemini
Traits: Inconsistent, indecisive, curious, and affectionate
Scent: Prada Les Infusions Mimosa EDP ($210, myer.com.au)
Ah, how to describe a Gemini? Let’s go with versatile. Look for fragrances with complex layers to suit your diverse and ever-changing interests. You bore easily, so the key is to opt for a scent that will surprise you with every spritz. This Prada perfume is bound to keep your nose on its toes, towing the line between bright (mandarin, mimosa and rose) and broody (musk, vetiver and cedarwood). It’s a zesty-meets-heady splash that can’t quite make up its mind on who it is, just like a Gemini themselves. Prepare for an influx of ‘what are you wearing’ style queries – and choose to either reveal or deflect, based on which celestial twin is joining you today.
Cancer
Traits: Tenacious, loyal, emotional, and persuasive
Scent: Tom Ford Musk Pure ($380, davidjones.com)
As the natural nurturer with a harmonious heart, a Cancer’s fierce loyalty is often unfairly viewed by others as a sign of weakness. But let us be clear; loyalty to Tom Ford is anything but weak. This sweet and gentle scent is built around its musky base, but it’s the unique pepper-bergamot-honey hybrid that establishes it as an eau truly deserving of eternal fragrance fidelity. And with impressive persuasion powers under your Cancerian belt, you might just be able to convince friends and family to shell out for this bougey bottle every birthday.
Leo
Traits: Creative, passionate, stubborn, and humorous
Scent: Clive Christian No.1 Feminine ($532, davidjones.com)
A Leo wouldn’t be caught dead near a discount shelf, so an opulent olfactory experience is really the only option. Heralded as the ‘kings and queens of the jungle’ in line with the lion that represents them, Leo’s take great pride (and zero shame – modesty isn’t a thing in Leo land) in being the sign associated most closely with royalty. Luckily, Clive Christian (the only perfumer to whom the royal family have entrusted the use of their sacred crest) offers a tropical treat packed with pineapple, peach, iris and vanilla that’s the perfect fragrant fit. Adorned with a gilded gold crown, the bottles are also as obnoxiously OTT as the lion signs who will love it (I can say it, I’m one of them).
Virgo
Traits: Analytical, practical, shy, and detail-oriented
Scent: Chanel Chance EDP ($165, myer.com.au)
Oh, dear Virgo, you may be shy on the surface, but you are brave below it, and so you warrant a perfume that’s just as perplexing. Scents that open demurely but leave a lasting impression in the dry down are ideal, but we recommend staying within sweet territory to match your sugary personality. Chanel, being both classic and contemporary, was made for you. This blend is equal parts subtle and striking – it opens with iris and vanilla, before developing into a pink pepper and patchouli perfume that will help you hold your ground even on your demure days. Detail oriented as you are, you’ll also greatly appreciate the varied Virgo-friendly sensory journey this fragrance takes you on – enjoy the ride.
Libra
Traits: Social, gracious, cooperative, and charming
Scent: Valentino Valentina Pink EDP ($173, davidjones.com)
If you’re a social butterfly fixated on balance and harmony, it’s likely you’re a Libra, meaning you need a perfume that reflects your ravishing charm. Just like you, this vivacious Valentino scent is committed to creating positive partnerships, pairing together note combinations that are unexpected, and yet unforgettable once you’ve caught a whiff. Some are sweet (peony and musk), some are moody (rose and amber), and some are just downright delectable (strawberry and praline). Ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty, Libra’s are also all about aesthetics, so it’s lucky that this bottle is as bright, bubbly and beautiful as the scent it houses.
Scorpio
Traits: Brave, stubborn, magnetic, and romantic
Scent: Paco Rabanne Olympea Legend EDP ($164, myer.com.au)
Hell, we’ll say it: Scorpio is the sultry sign, and so their scent needs to be exactly that. In fact, they need a spritz that has the same scent-ual effect as strapping on a sky high pair of stilettos. Like their celestial spirit animal, the scorpion, Scorpios strike when least expected, and this passion-inducing Paco perfume works the same way. It draws you in with an unassuming eau of vanilla, plum and apricot, then snaps the scent trap with a moody mix of ginger, amber and sea salt. And similarly to the way that people’s post-Scorpio partners often pale in comparison (just ask your exes), every ‘sweet’ scent you try after the fact will struggle to seduce you with the same tenacity.
Sagittarius
Traits: Idealistic, impatient, outdoors-y, and independent
Scent: Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle ($180, davidjones.com)
Celebrated as the spontaneous sign that keeps their passport permanently attached to their hand, a Sagittarius needs a drop that reminds them of anywhere but home. This lush fragrance was designed to transport your senses to the sun-drenched Mediterranean, with the stunning sapphire stone adorning the bottle as sparkling as the seas of the scent’s namesake. With juicy grapefruit, summer-y gardenia and heavenly honeysuckle, it’s a scent as sharp as a Sagittarius’s tongue, but take comfort in the fact that it’s also available in a travel-friendly rollerball for when the wanderlust becomes too much to bear.
Capricorn
Traits: Disciplined, ambitious, sophisticated, and brave
Scent: Bvlgari Goldea The Roman Night Absolute ($182, davidjones.com)
If any sign warrants a particularly polished perfume, it’s Capricorn. The woman who takes ‘hustle’ from a cringe worthy inspirational quote to an actual goal-kicking mentality, you’re about as disciplined and ambitious as it gets. However, whoever said your sky high standards were impossible to please must not have met this Bvlgari scent. Plum and patchouli make for a mix as unpredictable and unapologetic as you are, and even the sweet notes of musk and vanilla are steered out of tart territory in the name of ultimate chicness. We’d caveat that you shouldn’t worry about wearing something so overbearing, but we know the thought wouldn’t even cross a Capricorn’s conscience.
Love the lancome fragrance
Finally have sniffed that goldea for capricorns, didn't buy, does not last
I prefer a more floral scent than the one for my sign
I don't like the sound of 'mine' but I do like Pisces, Libra and Sagittarius' choices