We know radio personality Ann Nicole Ng can talk. Besides hosting The Halftime Show on 987, the girl is also an effectively bilingual TV host. And there’s one topic that she can go on endlessly about: Perfumes.
Known as That Perfume Girl on social media, she is bent on a self-imposed mission to “help you smell, look and feel good”.
In an email interview with CNA Lifestyle, Ann Nicole explained the roots of her aromatic obsession: “Scents are powerful. I’m someone who feels a lot, which explains why I’m really connected to perfumes.”
“To me, perfumes are bottles of magical elixirs that represent memories, they conjure imagined fantasies and evoke emotions. You could smell something and be like, “this brings me back to high school” or “this reminds me of my honeymoon in Paris”.”
(Photo: Ann Nicole Ng)
But it’s not just the aromatic compounds that got Ann Nicole drawn to the intoxicating world of scents, “I personally love to see who is the nose behind a scent. A perfumer’s resume will reveal his or her unique style… knowing the nose will allow us to celebrate perfumers even more, who hardly get the credit they deserve.”
We quizzed the scent ‘nerd’ on all things related to fragrances.
DO YOU HAVE A SCENT HERO?
My grandmother. As a child, I would marvel at her collection of miniature fragrances from Chanel, Van Cleef & Arpels, Estee Lauder. Noticing my curiosity, she gave me her collection and bought me my first ever gift: A miniature fragrance – the Dalissime by Salvador Dali. That kickstarted my obsession and love for perfume. I still have that bottle and I’ll probably pass it down to my future grandchild.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT PERFUMES THAT YOU LOVE SO MUCH?
(Photo: Ann Nicole Ng)
Scents are powerful. I’m someone who feels a lot, which explains why I’m really connected to perfumes. To me, perfumes are bottles of magical elixirs that represent memories, they conjure imagined fantasies and evoke emotions. You could smell something and be like, “this brings me back to high school” or “this reminds me of my honeymoon in Paris”.
The celebrity fragrance market is huge in Australia. I once got my mum to bring an additional luggage on her trip to Gold Coast so she could bring back 15-20 full-sized celebrity perfumes for me. They cost me about S$500 in total but it was worth it. Thanks, Mum!
WHAT’S THE MOST EXPENSIVE PERFUME YOU OWN?
It might either be the Bond No 9 Madison Avenue or Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique Extrait de Parfum. They both retail for US$440 (S$593). As for perfume sets, my Melanie Martinez Portals collection set me back about S$500.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF A GOOD SCENT?
I’m always looking for creativity and interesting notes in perfume. Longevity isn’t super important to me (though that might change at some point) but for now, I’m here for the artistry and noses (perfumers) who don’t just create scents to appeal to the masses, but truly telling a fascinating story to the consumer. Because one can tell if a perfume is “lazily curated (aka basic)” and personally, I’d rather invest my money on something else. It might be from a smaller, unknown brand; it does not matter.
NICHE SCENTS ARE HAVING A MOMENT. WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON THIS?
I’m all for it. To be fair, I don’t think it’s a trend. Niche scents have always enjoyed success. It’s just gotten more eyeballs in recent years because of social media.
Niche scents are more layered compared to its designer counterparts. They are great for people who are willing to explore this complexity. Set foot into that space by starting from beginner options that might either be more affordable or “easy to understand”. Pick something that is versatile so you can get more bang for your buck.
I’m keen to try Fendi’s new luxury collection, which is interesting because each scent is inspired by a member of the Fendi family. Also the Cirque Du Soleil L’eau de perfume, apparently it smells like cotton candy, caramel apples and hot popcorn.
ARE THERE ANY BUDGET-FRIENDLY PERFUMES THAT IN YOUR OPINION CAN RIVAL HIGH-END OPTIONS?
Recently, I’m loving Teriaq by Lattafa Perfumes, which is possibly the first affordable Middle Eastern perfume created by master perfumer Quentin Bisch. He also created iconic feminine scents like Good Girl by Carolina Herrera, Delina by Parfums de Marly, Angel Muse by Mugler and more. The man has a knack for making women go crazy for his creations, and this is no exception. It is unique, spicy, warm, inviting caramel popcorn goodness.
DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE SCENT?
(Photo: Ann Nicole Ng)
I can never have a signature scent. Ha ha! I’m constantly reviewing and trying out new fragrances in my career. I have about 500 perfumes in total. But my good friends tend to say I smell “sweet”, “woody, “interesting” and “rich”. I guess these adjectives describe the type of scents I gravitate towards.
WHICH ARE THE STAPLES IN YOUR SCENT WARDROBE?
Although I love challenging and interesting scents, I know that they aren’t practical on a daily basis. I also enjoy good grab-and-go scents like Chanel No 5 L’eau, Christian Dior Gris Dior or even Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules, perfumes that I can just use without giving too much thought, especially when I’m busy.
WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS TO BUILDING A FRAGRANCE COLLECTION?
Given that Singapore doesn’t have seasons, we can simply break it down to five categories: Day, night, work/professional, date and sport.
For instance, a day scent might smell floral and invigorating and a date scent might smell gourmand and warm. Think about the kind of scents that might suit the various facets of your lifestyle. I go to many parties and events a lot, so I tend to have many night-time scents.
WHICH BODY PARTS DO YOU LIKE TO APPLY YOUR PERFUME?
(Photo: Ann Nicole Ng)
Mostly on my neck and clothes. It’s a common fact that people spray perfume on their pulse points but it doesn’t really work in Singapore. It’s constantly boiling here and our skin is accustomed to the heat. Conversely, the perfume on our pulse points will evaporate even more and fail to last. So I find that applying on clothes work better.
HOW MUCH PERFUME IS ENOUGH AND WHEN IS IT TOO MUCH?
There is no such thing as too much, but that’s just my personal philosophy. But I do know that some people have sensitive noses. It’s not about how much you apply, but the appropriate kind of perfume you use. Say, if I’m going to speak to kids for an event, I’d probably wouldn’t wear something spicy or challenging.
HOW DO YOU CREATE A BEAUTIFUL SILLAGE, OR SCENT TRAIL?
Firstly, use a beautiful smelling body wash and an easy-on-the-nose deodorant (my must-have) so you will smell clean and comforting from the inside. Even if you forget to wear perfume, you can still get through the day.
To create sillage, I usually put fragrance oil on my neck and layer it with a perfume. This layering guarantees that I smell delicious.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON PERFUME MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE?
Storing perfumes in bathrooms! That makes me cringe because it exponentially shortens the shelf life of perfumes. The best way would be storing them in their original boxes. It’s dark and cool inside, that’s what I do.
DO YOU SHOP FOR FRAGRANCES ONLINE? HOW SHOULD ONE SHOP FOR SCENTS WITHOUT FIRST TRYING THEM?
(Photo: Ann Nicole Ng)
All the time. Many perfumes are sold exclusively online or do not ship to Singapore. Fragrantica is ‘my best friend’ because it shows you the note breakdown and gives me an idea of what a perfume smells like. Of course, you can find many reviews online on YouTube or TikTok (shameless plug).
HAVE YOU EVER BOUGHT A PERFUME ONLY TO REALISE THAT IT DOESN’T WORK FOR YOU?
Many times! Caring is sharing, so I pass them on to friends, family and colleagues who would gladly adopt them.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH PERFUMES THAT ARE PAST EXPIRY DATE?
If you store them properly (in a cool dark place), you’ll find that perfumes last a majorly long time. My expired perfumes are passed down from my grandmother as cute keepsakes or fragrances that are discontinued. It’s my prerogative as a collector to keep them.
Continue reading...
Known as That Perfume Girl on social media, she is bent on a self-imposed mission to “help you smell, look and feel good”.
In an email interview with CNA Lifestyle, Ann Nicole explained the roots of her aromatic obsession: “Scents are powerful. I’m someone who feels a lot, which explains why I’m really connected to perfumes.”
“To me, perfumes are bottles of magical elixirs that represent memories, they conjure imagined fantasies and evoke emotions. You could smell something and be like, “this brings me back to high school” or “this reminds me of my honeymoon in Paris”.”
(Photo: Ann Nicole Ng)
But it’s not just the aromatic compounds that got Ann Nicole drawn to the intoxicating world of scents, “I personally love to see who is the nose behind a scent. A perfumer’s resume will reveal his or her unique style… knowing the nose will allow us to celebrate perfumers even more, who hardly get the credit they deserve.”
We quizzed the scent ‘nerd’ on all things related to fragrances.
DO YOU HAVE A SCENT HERO?
My grandmother. As a child, I would marvel at her collection of miniature fragrances from Chanel, Van Cleef & Arpels, Estee Lauder. Noticing my curiosity, she gave me her collection and bought me my first ever gift: A miniature fragrance – the Dalissime by Salvador Dali. That kickstarted my obsession and love for perfume. I still have that bottle and I’ll probably pass it down to my future grandchild.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT PERFUMES THAT YOU LOVE SO MUCH?
(Photo: Ann Nicole Ng)
Scents are powerful. I’m someone who feels a lot, which explains why I’m really connected to perfumes. To me, perfumes are bottles of magical elixirs that represent memories, they conjure imagined fantasies and evoke emotions. You could smell something and be like, “this brings me back to high school” or “this reminds me of my honeymoon in Paris”.
The celebrity fragrance market is huge in Australia. I once got my mum to bring an additional luggage on her trip to Gold Coast so she could bring back 15-20 full-sized celebrity perfumes for me. They cost me about S$500 in total but it was worth it. Thanks, Mum!
WHAT’S THE MOST EXPENSIVE PERFUME YOU OWN?
It might either be the Bond No 9 Madison Avenue or Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique Extrait de Parfum. They both retail for US$440 (S$593). As for perfume sets, my Melanie Martinez Portals collection set me back about S$500.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF A GOOD SCENT?
I’m always looking for creativity and interesting notes in perfume. Longevity isn’t super important to me (though that might change at some point) but for now, I’m here for the artistry and noses (perfumers) who don’t just create scents to appeal to the masses, but truly telling a fascinating story to the consumer. Because one can tell if a perfume is “lazily curated (aka basic)” and personally, I’d rather invest my money on something else. It might be from a smaller, unknown brand; it does not matter.
NICHE SCENTS ARE HAVING A MOMENT. WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON THIS?
I’m all for it. To be fair, I don’t think it’s a trend. Niche scents have always enjoyed success. It’s just gotten more eyeballs in recent years because of social media.
Niche scents are more layered compared to its designer counterparts. They are great for people who are willing to explore this complexity. Set foot into that space by starting from beginner options that might either be more affordable or “easy to understand”. Pick something that is versatile so you can get more bang for your buck.
I’m keen to try Fendi’s new luxury collection, which is interesting because each scent is inspired by a member of the Fendi family. Also the Cirque Du Soleil L’eau de perfume, apparently it smells like cotton candy, caramel apples and hot popcorn.
ARE THERE ANY BUDGET-FRIENDLY PERFUMES THAT IN YOUR OPINION CAN RIVAL HIGH-END OPTIONS?
Recently, I’m loving Teriaq by Lattafa Perfumes, which is possibly the first affordable Middle Eastern perfume created by master perfumer Quentin Bisch. He also created iconic feminine scents like Good Girl by Carolina Herrera, Delina by Parfums de Marly, Angel Muse by Mugler and more. The man has a knack for making women go crazy for his creations, and this is no exception. It is unique, spicy, warm, inviting caramel popcorn goodness.
DO YOU HAVE A SIGNATURE SCENT?
(Photo: Ann Nicole Ng)
I can never have a signature scent. Ha ha! I’m constantly reviewing and trying out new fragrances in my career. I have about 500 perfumes in total. But my good friends tend to say I smell “sweet”, “woody, “interesting” and “rich”. I guess these adjectives describe the type of scents I gravitate towards.
WHICH ARE THE STAPLES IN YOUR SCENT WARDROBE?
Although I love challenging and interesting scents, I know that they aren’t practical on a daily basis. I also enjoy good grab-and-go scents like Chanel No 5 L’eau, Christian Dior Gris Dior or even Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules, perfumes that I can just use without giving too much thought, especially when I’m busy.
WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS TO BUILDING A FRAGRANCE COLLECTION?
Given that Singapore doesn’t have seasons, we can simply break it down to five categories: Day, night, work/professional, date and sport.
For instance, a day scent might smell floral and invigorating and a date scent might smell gourmand and warm. Think about the kind of scents that might suit the various facets of your lifestyle. I go to many parties and events a lot, so I tend to have many night-time scents.
WHICH BODY PARTS DO YOU LIKE TO APPLY YOUR PERFUME?
(Photo: Ann Nicole Ng)
Mostly on my neck and clothes. It’s a common fact that people spray perfume on their pulse points but it doesn’t really work in Singapore. It’s constantly boiling here and our skin is accustomed to the heat. Conversely, the perfume on our pulse points will evaporate even more and fail to last. So I find that applying on clothes work better.
HOW MUCH PERFUME IS ENOUGH AND WHEN IS IT TOO MUCH?
There is no such thing as too much, but that’s just my personal philosophy. But I do know that some people have sensitive noses. It’s not about how much you apply, but the appropriate kind of perfume you use. Say, if I’m going to speak to kids for an event, I’d probably wouldn’t wear something spicy or challenging.
HOW DO YOU CREATE A BEAUTIFUL SILLAGE, OR SCENT TRAIL?
Firstly, use a beautiful smelling body wash and an easy-on-the-nose deodorant (my must-have) so you will smell clean and comforting from the inside. Even if you forget to wear perfume, you can still get through the day.
To create sillage, I usually put fragrance oil on my neck and layer it with a perfume. This layering guarantees that I smell delicious.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON PERFUME MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE?
Storing perfumes in bathrooms! That makes me cringe because it exponentially shortens the shelf life of perfumes. The best way would be storing them in their original boxes. It’s dark and cool inside, that’s what I do.
DO YOU SHOP FOR FRAGRANCES ONLINE? HOW SHOULD ONE SHOP FOR SCENTS WITHOUT FIRST TRYING THEM?
(Photo: Ann Nicole Ng)
All the time. Many perfumes are sold exclusively online or do not ship to Singapore. Fragrantica is ‘my best friend’ because it shows you the note breakdown and gives me an idea of what a perfume smells like. Of course, you can find many reviews online on YouTube or TikTok (shameless plug).
HAVE YOU EVER BOUGHT A PERFUME ONLY TO REALISE THAT IT DOESN’T WORK FOR YOU?
Many times! Caring is sharing, so I pass them on to friends, family and colleagues who would gladly adopt them.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH PERFUMES THAT ARE PAST EXPIRY DATE?
If you store them properly (in a cool dark place), you’ll find that perfumes last a majorly long time. My expired perfumes are passed down from my grandmother as cute keepsakes or fragrances that are discontinued. It’s my prerogative as a collector to keep them.
Continue reading...