It’s in those terms that Rochelle Bloom, president of the Fragrance Foundation, the educational non-profit center devoted to fine fragrance, explains the fact that 7 out of the 10 top sellers in the US have remained the same in the last 10 years. The notiong of “modern classic”, thus defined. The only thing remaining to be clarified is what smells “good”.

Apparently Forbes reports several interesting tidbits, one of which is that perfume companies are not playing their distribution channels smartly: Mary J.Blige’s new fragrance is sold through the Home Shopping Network, so buyers buy before even sniffing! And they do let on about what makes for the popularity stakes: “According to the NPD Group, a market research company that tracks fragrance sales, the top five best-selling prestige fragrance brands sold in U.S. department stores in 2009 were:

1. Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle (2001)

2. Giorgio Armani’s Acqua Di Gio Pour Homme (1997)

3. Estee Lauder’s Beautiful (1985)

4. Dolce and Gabbana’s Light Blue (2001)

5. Chanel’s Chanel No. 5 (1921)”

White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor is a firm favourite in the top-10 of mass appeal, ever since its launch in 1991.

Ancilary products are another way of adding cachet & sales to the scented routine. Nourish your skin with skin care lotion and add Sarah Jessica Parker perfume for extra results.That would be one example of toping up the experience, wouldn’t it.

In contrast the Top 10 Best Selling Fragrances in France according to popular L’Internaute are:

1. Angel by Thierry Mugler

2. Lolita Lempicka by Lolita Lempicka

3. Flower by Kenzo

4. Allure by Chanel

5. Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel

6. J’Adore by Dior

7. No.5 by Chanel

8. Shalimar by Guerlain

9. Dior Addict

10. Samsara by Guerlain