Beauty: Scents by design

Prada Eau de Parfum Intense and Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb. Pictures / Glenn Jeffrey

Can't afford the Prada jacket? Never mind, there's always the perfume. Fragrance is so democratic, because the clothes that cost as much as a family holiday will always be out of the reach of most, but the scent is a different story. And this lot is some of their best work yet.

Prada Eau de Parfum Intense
$245 for 50ml

In keeping with the trend to make a second fragrance more intense, Prada has come out with this. It has the same sandalwood, patchouli and amber that came with the first, but this time the amber has been stepped up so it's deeper, richer and more powerful.

From selected Farmers stores.

Narciso Rodriguez Her Eau de Parfum
$150 for 50ml

First there was the eau de toilette. We loved it but, as we're always keen to move on to the next thing, we can hardly wait for the new eau de parfum. It's a more intense version of the lighter, musk-based fragrance with floral hits of rose and peach, amber and wood. The thing with perfume is you get caught up in all the kooky details, like the fact that the bottle was painted pink from within - something Rodriguez, an admirer of ancient Chinese snuff bottles, was keen on from the start.

From Smith & Caughey's.

Chanel Allure Sensuelle
$168 for 50ml eau de parfum

Coco Chanel was among the first designers to put her name to fragrance. They are some of the most legendary perfumes so when renowned nose Jacques Polge wanted to make Allure, a floral oriental success story, more sensual, you knew it would be exceptional. And it is. It's also as more intimate. A complete head-turner.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb
$120 for 30ml eau de parfum

The avant-garde Dutch design duo's first fragrance looks like a pretty little cut-glass grenade for those who believe in making perfume, not war. The explosion is of flowers - tea, bergamot, jasmine, orange, freesia and patchouli have given their all for this. Even those not fond of floral fragrance should take to this.

From selected department stores and Karen Walker stores.

Paul Smith Floral
$120 for 100ml eau de parfum

The white lacquered bottle may be unexpected - weird even - and hard to hold but it is what is inside that matters. And that doesn't disappoint. The water lily, citrus, ginger, magnolia, orchid, musk, amber and wood components give the fragrance a lust for life. An easy-to-wear scent that doesn't take itself too seriously.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.