How to Transition Your Signature Scent for Fall

With the first whiff of pumpkin spice in the air, it seems we’re all ready to switch things up for fall. While some are more stoked to start layering their looks with cozy knits, others could be particularly pumped to play with the darker shades in their makeup palettes. Though we mostly concentrate on the visual tweaks, the perfume we decide to pick up can have a big impact as well. “It’s an invisible accessory, but it is an accessory [nonetheless],” says Rachel ten Brink, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Scentbird. “It’s how you finish a look.”

Sure, you might have a signature scent that you wear all year-round, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with other aromas to help set the seasonal mood. We spoke with a number of perfume experts to score their tips and suggestions on how to make the fragrance-focused shift this fall.

Woman spritzing wrist with perfume.

Complement Your signature Scent Family

There’s a bit of debate on how to adjust your perfume for the season since it’s so personal, and most of the experts we spoke with understand that there are just some scents that people prefer to stick to. But understanding the notes in your favorite fragrances as well as the seasons can help you determine which top, heart, and base might enhance them for fall. “The idea of staying within perfume families is a safe bet and gives you the foundation with which you’re trying to operate,” says St. Clair Scents founder Diane St. Clair.

Many of the perfumes we gravitate toward have a common note. For instance, when someone says they like fresh scents, it means they’re likely drawn to the citrus accord of notes like bergamot, lime, grapefruit, and so on. Although these bright scents take center stage during the summer months, thanks to their lightness and quick evaporation, Alexander Vreeland, president of Diana Vreeland Fragrances, says they can be worn all year round if there’s a formula built to make them last. “We have three citrus fragrances in our collection, but, in fact, we have found that people who fall in love with them often wear them into the winter months,” he explains. “Even though this is a citrus scent, it is often worn year-round.” He pointed to Smashingly Brilliant ($185), a citrus scent with a strong bergamot and lemon finish. St. Clair’s Frost ($65), an homage to a poem by Robert Frost (not specifically a winter scent, however), also combines citrus notes of bergamot and Meyer lemon with clove absolute.

You could also look for contrasting notes that sync up with the season by becoming familiar with your go-to’s fragrance family, similar to the color wheel. For instance, spices like cinnamon, cardamom, patchouli, incense, and more are most commonly connected with fall since they not only flavor Starbucks’ signature seasonal drink offerings but are also synonymous with a variety of pies baked around the same time. These can work well with sweeter scent categories, like soft florals or juicy, fruity flavors. Tom Ford Velvet Orchid Lumière ($125) or Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb ($85) combine luscious blooms with hints of spice.

Woody notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, oakmoss, leather, and vetiver might make one think of warming up by a roaring fire. However, those scents can be a bit much. To help soften the fragrance, By Rosie’s founder Rosie Johnston loves to pair them with fresher fragrance families like herbal aromatics, fresh greens, and more powdery florals. Try Jo Malone’s Basil & Neroli ($68) or By Rosie Jane’s James ($50) for something green and earthy. “I don’t love woodsy notes, so I like to dilute them with something sweet like a vanilla; it can add a creamy feel or something green like fig just to lighten it up and not feel so heavy,” she says. “James is unique because it is so light for a fall fragrance. It’s grounded and earthy but still very sexy.” Or you could cut through some of the sweetness with a whiff of woody notes like Nest’s new Coco Woods ($74) — a favorite of ten Brink’s.

Lightly Layer with Simpler or Single-Note Scents

If the prospect of literally sniffing out the perfect scent sounds too involved, there are other ways to achieve a similar effect. St. Clair admits that while they can be hard to find on their own, formulas that focus on one note, such as Demeter’s fragrance library, can be layered to enhance your go-to fragrance or combined with others to create something completely customized. Ten Brink agrees, saying, “You can absolutely [layer single notes if available] do that, but I will say that it gets tricky when you start to create it on yourself from scratch because again, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”

But fragrance houses are making it easier to do so by offering ancillary scents that can be spritzed over each other. Ten Brink clued us in on how Kenneth Cole for Her ($85) was recently re-released with a set of three unisex fragrance add-ons to amplify the aromas, and the supplementary Intensity scent would be a fit for fall since it adds a splash of spice to the mix. Thierry Mugler also just unleashed a new unisex cologne collection (available for $70 each) that the brand calls an “olfactory rainbow” that allows you to layer them on in whatever hue that suits your mood. Two of the scents would be suited for the season: Love You All (the blue one) blends notes of blue licorice and white amber to give you the warm fuzzies, and Run Free (the purple) offers an intense, electrifying rush with a combination of purple ginger and a vibrant Akigalawood for that ever-alluring spicy, sultry finish.

Separate the Smells

Whether it’s your go-to formula, something more seasonal, or a completely customized concoction, St. Clair suggests, “Put one on your wrist and one on your neck, but keep them separate.” This allows all the notes to have a little added breathing room, so they can diffuse more gently than if they were applied one on top of the other. She adds that you can add a spritz to your strands, which can also help diffuse your preferred perfume, or your scarf, which is great for those warmer aromas that will keep you extra-cozy as the temperature drops.

You might also look to body care buys like lotions and body creams; their oils hold onto scents for much longer than a fragrance spritzed on dry skin. Diana Vreeland’s signature Body Cream ($125) was meant to serve as a subtly scented base for its line of perfumes. “We envisaged it as a base for fragrances so that they stay longer and stronger on your skin,” Vreeland explains, though you could easily snap up a fall-fragranced body butter and spray your signature scent at your pulse points.

Whatever option you decide to test-drive, just know it’s all about trial and error to find something that smells seasonal and uniquely you. And if you don’t dig the results, you can always wash off the layers of scents and try something else altogether. As ten Brink puts it, “The beauty of fragrance is that if it really smells terrible, you can go take a shower. [Or] you can just go to the bathroom and wash your hands, and it’ll be done.”

Do you swap out your scent according to the season? Let us know @BritandCo!

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The most wonderful time of the year is finally here, complete with bright and colorful decorations everywhere, holiday music and movies on repeat, and endless amounts of hot chocolate. But with this joyous season comes a reemerging question that some of us dread: “What gift should I get for my loved one this year?!”

Fortunately, TikTok has you covered with the latest gift-giving trend emerging in recent years — burr baskets! This holiday-themed gift basket is almost like a stocking stuffer, but cozier. Like the spooky “boo basket” trend during Halloween, burr baskets are a great way to show someone you’re thinking of them during the hustle and bustle of this time of year. Whether you’re still looking for the perfect gift for your special someone, or looking to add some finishing touches to your holiday list, here are some suggestions to make your burr basket sparkle like freshly fallen snow!

Here are 5 must-haves for your beautiful holiday burr basket!

Amazon

1. Don’t Forget the Basket!

Before you think of anything you want to add to your boo basket, you have to get a crucial step out of the way – getting an actual basket to store all the gifts in, duh! Don’t worry, you don’t have to go too crazy with this part; even a simple container like this INough storage box from Amazon will do the trick. In addition to the variety of colors and patterns offered, there is also a built-in drawstring sack that helps to keep everything in place while adding to the holiday theme. Looks like Santa has some competition!

2. Something Cozy

It’s no surprise that most people like to bundle up and stay indoors as the weather gets colder (myself included), so why not use this gift-giving trend as an opportunity to give your special someone things to keep them warm? Personally, when winter rolls round, there are two clothing items that become essentials in my loungewear routine – fuzzy slippers and fuzzy socks.

If you’re on a budget but also searching for the perfect UGG slippers dupe, look no further than Land’s End Suede Furry Lined Slippers! Not only do these shoes have a fuzzy faux fur interior to keep your toes warm and toasty, they also have durable rubber soles, making them perfect to wear whether you’re on the go or staying at home. Plus, these slippers are currently on sale for $35 for the holidays. Compared to $100 and up for a pair of UGG slippers, it’s a deal you can’t refuse.

Target

A comfy getup isn’t complete without a fresh pair of fuzzy socks! My favorite kind of fuzzy socks are ones that are super colorful and have cute animals on them, like kittens, llamas or (admittedly) even characters from Bluey. These “Holiday Movie Crew” crew socks from Target fit that description to a tee; who wouldn’t find a rabbit and a bear watching holiday movies together adorable? There’s also a gift card holder included in the socks, just in case you’re looking for a creative way to include an extra gift.

Send A Friend

3. Something Comforting

Let’s face it – while the holidays are fun, it can also be extremely stressful. To me, one of the best ways to show someone you care about them is by giving them a care package filled with their favorite snacks, drinks, or even a stuffed animal that they can snuggle with when you can’t be there. If your burr basket recipient is in need of an impromptu spa day, one of the best care packages I would recommend is the Self Care Bundle from Send a Friend. This care package includes a pair of fuzzy socks, a wellness journal, a lavender bath soak, Bigelow lavender and chamomile tea and, of course, a fluffy friend! Not only can you choose from over 40 stuffed animals to include in your package, it will also contribute to a good cause; a portion of each purchase is donated to multiple nonprofits across the United States.

Amazon

If you’re well-versed in all things beauty and wellness, then you already know that one of the biggest trends that is currently taking the industry by storm is achieving a “snatched” face – or in other words, a defined jawline and cheekbones. While there are cosmetic procedures that can help to get this look, “natural” alternatives, like the use of facial massagers, have also gained popularity in recent years. If you’re looking for an affordable tool for your skincare guru, Pacifica Beauty’s Gravity Rebound Facial Massage Roller is the perfect option. The dual zinc alloy rollers help to cool the skin while adapting to the contours of your face to depuff and sculpt your face through lymphatic drainage. You can even store it in your fridge or freezer for an extra cooling effect. Personally, I’ve incorporated this roller into my morning skincare routine and it’s made a huge difference in getting me awake, refreshed and ready for the day!

Target

4. Something Yummy

Arguably one of the best aspects of the holiday season – besides spending quality time with your loved ones, of course – is the treats. As an avid baker, one of my favorite things to make are warm, gooey cookies. But if you’re baking for people who have dietary restrictions, sometimes it can be difficult to figure out how to bake treats that not only taste good, but that everyone can enjoy. Luckily, Sweet Loren’s premade cookie dough is here to help make holiday baking so much easier. These cookies are gluten-free, vegan and allergen-free, and also come in a variety of fun flavors including gingerbread and chocolate mint. Plus, if you’re a fan of eating raw cookie dough, you could eat these as is – no baking required!

Amazon

5. Something Fun for Everyone

One of my favorite holiday traditions is game nights with my family. Whether it’s an intense round of Uno or a simple game of Charades, game nights are a fun way to bring people closer together. If your burr basket recipient is also a fan of card games, consider adding the holiday edition of “What Do You Meme?” to their rotation. Here, you can combine image and caption cards to create the best holiday meme, or combine it with other “What Do You Meme” expansion packs for even more laughs. After all, laughter is the best medicine, and what better way to get your fix than through creating fun memories with your loved ones?

Looking for more holiday inspo? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter so you never miss a thing!

I definitely have my go-to’s when it comes to Trader Joe’s frozen meals. Their freezers host some absolute bangers – namely the Soup Dumplings, Spinach & Artichoke Dip, and Vegetable Fried Rice. They’re all on regular rotation around here! Trader Joe’s desserts like the Mint Chip Ice Cream and Lemon Bars are also some of the best items you can pick up from the frozen section.

Because I truly can’t escape from the grasp Trader Joe’s has on me, my fridge, and my wallet, I scrolled through several recent Reddit discussions under r/traderjoes to feed my curiosity about exactly which Trader Joe’s frozen meals other people like me are loving and why. The responses have my cravings going crazy!

Scroll on to see the best Trader Joe’s frozen meals to shop, according to Trader Joe’s shoppers.

Trader Joe's

Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese

“Their mac and cheeses are fire,” as one Redditor put it. One of the most frequently-mentioned macs was this Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese, which is crafted with a classic cheddar and, of course, authentic green chiles straight from Hatch Valley, New Mexico.

Trader Joe's

Roasted Garlic & Pesto Pizza with Deep Fried Crust

“Best I’ve had so far is the Roasted Garlic [&] Pesto Pizza," one person wrote. I have to agree that TJ's kills it in the frozen pizza department!

I really adore their Organic Roasted Vegetable Pizza and (not technically a pizza) their Burrata, Prosciutto & Arugula Flatbread.

This iteration includes all the cheese (mozzarella, provolone, Parmigiano Reggiano, and burrata), fresh pesto, and roasted garlic on a delish deep-fried crust – TJ's describes it as "perfectly crunchy and dreamily airy, chewy, and pillowy."

Trader Joe's

Chicken Gyoza Potstickers

"The potstickers are amazing and such a good price," one TJ's fan said. For just $3.99, you get one pound of these amazing bites. I've bought them over and over and over again and can verify that they're worth the hype!

Stuffed with chicken, cabbage, onion, soy sauce, sesame seed oil, and ginger powder, you can cook 'em any way you like, including steamed, microwaved, or pan-fried.

Trader Joe's

Vegetable Fried Rice

“Vegetable fried rice and any flavored chicken (teriyaki or mandarin is my go-to) then I fix up the fried rice with some extra diced garlic, fresh green onions if I have them," one Redditor offered for an easy meal idea. "It's sooooooo good! Also I bought a bottle of Panda Express mandarin chicken sauce and it really elevates the frozen chicken! Totally recommend.”

I have got to try this combo ASAP. I really like the Vegetable Fried Rice because it's easy to prepare and always has such an enjoyable texture – it's never dry.

Trader Joe's

Family Style Meat Lasagna

“It's really quite good. It's a real bargain at $7," one person said about the Family Style Meat Lasagna. "You could probably make a homemade lasagna four times as big for $28, but you couldn’t make one this size for $7 if your life depended on it. And did I mention it’s really good?”

Okay, I'm sold. I don't even have a family to feed, but I could see this family-style frozen meal being perfect for leftovers!

Trader Joe's

Quiche Lorraine

The Trader Joe's Quiche Lorraine was mentioned quite a bit between Redditors! It's made with a flaky pastry crust, 20% uncured ham, and Swiss cheese, all embedded in a soft egg custard that impressively retains its moisture when you heat the already-cooked frozen pastry back up.

I already love the Broccoli & Cheddar Cheese Quiche so much, so I'm definitely adding this pick to my list for my next TJ's run.

Trader Joe's

Vegetable Biryani

"[The] veg biryani is surprisingly cheap and tasty," one Redditor noted.

This $3 heat-and-eat Trader Joe's frozen meal has a "diverse blend" of flavors to help you shake up your mealtimes. You'll find some yummy rice, seasoned veggies, and delightfully tender vegetable dumplings to top it all off.

Trader Joe's

Outside-In Stuffed Gnocchi

"I love the frozen gnocchi," one thoughtful user wrote. "My kitchen is teensy and I don’t have a dishwasher, so I hate cooking full meals. If I want to have a more “hearty” dinner, I just cook some chicken, chop it up, and throw it into the bowl with the gnocchi. It works great as a diverse base for meals."

Trader Joe's also offers frozen Cauliflower Gnocchi, which I particularly love to serve with grilled chicken and broccoli for an easy dinner.

Trader Joe's

Spicy Thai Shrimp Fried Rice

"Thai shrimp fried rice is my all time favorite," someone else wrote.

This fried rice makes the perfect complete meal in my opinion, since you get grains, veggies, and protein all in one easy-to-make bag. The Thai red chilis add some extra oomph to the flavor, too!

Trader Joe's

Frozen Steel Cut Oatmeal

"Frozen oatmeal!" another TJ's Redditor said. "My breakfast every single morning for years!"

This could make a super easy breakfast if you're n a pinch. Add some berries on top, and boom, you're ready to take on the day.

Trader Joe's

Vegetable Bird's Nests

"The vegetable nests… so good," another person wrote.

These $4 appetizer-worthy bites are essentially little bundles of julienned onions and carrots with chopped kale that have been fried in a tempura batter. Okay, crunch! You can easily make them in the oven, air fryer, or the pan.

Trader Joe's

Vegetable Pad Thai

"I stir fry it in a pan with some broccoli and add an egg at the end with some chili crisp," one home cook wrote. "So good."

And suddenly, I'm craving some noodles! These are seemingly super authentic, since TJ's says they're made by a supplier in Thailand. Each bite is "a little sweet and a little spicy."

Trader Joe's

Soup Dumplings

Soup dumplings FTW! Trader Joe's makes a few different flavors of them, but they're all tasty! Shoppers are still lovin' them, no matter the variety.

Soup dumplings are exactly what they sound like – warm, little pockets filled with some delicious broth and a hearty filling. What I like the most about 'em is how easy they are to heat up in the microwave for a very low-effort meal.

Trader Joe's

Butter Chicken & Basmati Rice

“The frozen Indian meals are so great," one user said. "They taste close to the real deal, plus I can fit them into my daily caloric goals so much easier than eating at my lovely local Indian place... dreamlike.”

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Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco are engaged — and the best part of the whole celebration has been seeing the reactions. Taylor Swift has made an official request to be flower girl, while Hailey Bieber showed some surprising love for the couple on Instagram. But Selena's reactions have been the sweetest of all. We've already seen some photos of a very-excited Selena from the night Benny proposed, but the producer just posted a couple of videos that will totally change how you look at the engagement.

Keep scrolling to see all the details on Selena Gomez's engagement ring — and Benny Blanco's proposal surprise!

Selena Gomez actually sang about her future engagement ring in 2015.

Benny Blanco shared a video of Sel after the proposal as they cheers two glasses of champagne, and Selena Gomez's engagement ring is on full display! I'm also obsessed with the fur coat she wore to the date — it's the perfect shade of bridal white.

The marquise diamond is the perfect cut for Selena because it's both classy and modern but it's also unexpected and romantic all in one. And fans are calling out how Selena sang about marquise diamonds in 2015's "Good For You," so she basically manifested her ring and didn't even know it.

How many carats is Selena Gomez's engagement ring?

Selena Gomez's engagement is estimated to be around four carats, according to Julia Hackman Chafé, a jewelry content creator and gemstone wholesaler (via TODAY). The larger marquise diamond is set on a chunky gold band made up of smaller .25 carat stones. Gorgeous! And if you're wondering how much is Selena Gomez's ring? “The diamond itself, if Benny chose a high-quality diamond, is probably around $75,000 and up,” Chafé said.

Benny Blanco also revealed his proposal to Selena wasn't your average picnic.

Benny also posted a behind-the-scenes look at his Taco Bell proposal picnic, and revealed the proposal took place on a soundstage! Talk about a real-life romantic movie moment. Ever since he popped the question, Selena's been "glowing," and these new videos and all the photos are totally proving it.

“They’re so supportive of each other,” a source told Peopleafter the couple got engaged. “He wants the best for her and she wants the best for him. They’re perfect together. They really are.” I just love love.

Did you know Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco's proposal was in a soundstage?! I literally had no idea, but I love that Benny was able to make it perfect. Check out our weekend email newsletter for more pop culture & celebrity news!