Destination fragrances: This way to the Beach

As the winter blues officially set in with today’s snow-sleet-freezing-rain reality, we’re daydreaming of far-off places much warmer and sunnier than the climate enjoyed—well, actually tolerated—here on Canadian soil.

But, since vacations cost time and money, many of us are frozen to our desks, destined to stare at exotic screensavers. Why not transport yourself, then, to a sparkling beach with the power of scent? These spritzes will supply that get-me-the-heck-away-from-the-snow mindset, without incurring the expensive travel time and costs.

So, this way to the beach.

Oscar de la Renta Santo Domingo

Based on the birthplace of Oscar de la Renta, Santo Domingo conjures up the experience of de la Renta’s native Dominican Republic with notes of Italian mandarin, cedrat, Italian bergamot, coriander, geranium bourbon, Indonesian patchouli, vetiver and tobacco. This is one sweet yet spicy spritz to enable beach-bound daydreams.
$150 (100 ml), www.oscardelarenta.com 

Bobbi Brown Beach

If this scent doesn’t scream beach getaway, we don’t know what does. With notes of jasmine, sea spray and mandarin, the aptly named Bobbi Brown Beach smells like sun, sand and sunscreen in a bottle.
$80 (50 ml), www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com 

Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche

The newest addition to the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess collection is Eau Fraiche. With top notes of coconut milk, sandalwood, vanilla, vetiver and myrrh; mid notes of amber, mandarin, Sicilian bergamot, lemon and orange; and a base of tiare flower, magnolia petals and orange flower, this spritz channels the mood of a tropical beach with the sunshine beating down, warming you inside and out.
$72 (100 ml), www.esteelauder.ca 

Diptyque Do Son

Inspired by a hot and humid port in Vietnam, Diptyque Do Son fuses together the warmth of the sunny locale with the freshness of the flowers native to the area. Tuberose, Turkish rose, jasmine sambac, pink peppercorn, benzoin, iris and white musk make up this floral toilette—the perfect combination to carry you away in a light warm breeze on a wintery February day.
$105 (50 ml), www.diptyqueparis.com