The Girl's Guide
Issue 76: Look Good, Smell Good, Feel Good
The first Girl’s Guide of 2023 is here! If you missed my last newsletter, find it here.
Find me on Instagram and Twitter so you don’t miss anything Girl’s Guide.
A Few Changes…
You may have noticed something different about today’s newsletter — from now on, it’s “The Girl’s Guide!” This newsletter will still highlight DC and DMV news, but I thought that with so many readers in different parts of the country, Girl’s Guide should branch out to interview women in cities from coast to coast! If you know a woman I should interview, let me know by replying to this email.
In addition, I will be publishing Girl’s Guide every other week starting in February. I hope to bring you guys even more thoughtful content and interesting interviews by spacing out the newsletters!
The Girl’s Guide In/Out List for 2023
BASED ON YOUR SUBMISSIONS
IN:
MIDDLE PARTS AND VOLUME
CIRCLE SKIRT DRESSES
READING
EMBRACING YOUR UNIQUE BEAUTY
BAKING
10-STEP SKIN ROUTINES
TRAVELING WITH FRIENDS
MEET-CUTES
SAFFRON
PICKING WILDFLOWERS
HATS
LETTER WRITING
BABIES!
OUT:
SEED OILS
HANGOVERS
GIFS
SHEIN
ROMANTICIZING ANXIETY
WATCHING TV
LIP FILLERS
FLUFFY COATS
EXPENSIVE COCKTAILS
Y2K
FLIGHT DELAYS
SOY CANDLES
DRESSES WITH PUFFED SLEEVES
New Year, New Perfume
The new year is a great time to try out a new scent as a way of starting fresh. My friend (and perfume guru) Rachel Altman has a guide with perfumes at every price point that I know you’ll enjoy. And while I can neither confirm nor deny the existence of Girl’s Guide’s male readers, any men who happen upon this list may find it helpful as they plan their Valentine’s Day purchases.
Follow Rachel on TikTok @basednotes.
Rachel’s 2023 Perfume Guide
By Rachel Altman
Happy New Year! Over the holidays, my phone was buzzing with texts from friends telling me what fragrances they found under the Christmas tree. If you also got inspired by unwrapping a brand new perfume, or you’re just looking to expand your scent wardrobe, now might be the perfect time to make a purchase of your own.
Fragrance is such a powerful art — it can evoke a moment in time, bring emotions to the surface, and shape the way people feel about you in any given setting. Let’s say you set a New Year’s resolution this week and you’re looking to stick to it. Picking out the right perfume may actually help give you the confidence to achieve your goals!
What’s your resolution for 2023?
Boost your career
Different work environments have different policies on fragrance — if you work in medicine, for example, you might have to wear a subtle “skin scent” or no perfume at all. But if your job allows you to get creative, putting on an office-appropriate scent can help you embody the gravitas, class, and professionalism that’ll launch you into your next promotion.
For the workday, you’ll want to focus on choosing a perfume with a soft projection that won’t choke out the rest of your desk block. Powdery notes like iris and violet can help you come across as more mature and elegant, and woody notes like sandalwood and cedar can give you an authoritative presence. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Gris Charnel by BDK Parfums ($190)
Linen Vetiver by Banana Republic ($90)
Get your flirt on
Whether you’re hoping to pique a new date’s interest or keep things romantic with your husband, perfume can help you make a lasting impression. All guys have their own unique preferences when it comes to fragrance. However, chats with male friends and some cursory online research did lead me toward one common favorite: sweet, gourmand scents.
Vanilla is particularly popular, but anything that smells edible — like caramel, whipped cream, or cake — is likely to have broad appeal. You’ll also want a scent that strikes the right balance by projecting enough to be memorable without overwhelming your date! Try these on for size:
Fresh Cream Warm Cashmere by Philosophy ($46)
Hit the gym
Wearing perfume on the treadmill isn’t for everyone, but it does have the potential to help you keep up your fitness routine. Spraying on the same fragrance every time you work out can get you into a routine that primes you to feel excited to go to the gym. Plus, if you’re put off by sweating, a good scent can keep you feeling fresh and lovely.
It’s important to pick something light, because your skin’s natural warmth from exercising can cause your perfume to project more. Citrus scents are also a smart pick, since they’re known for boosting energy and mood. Check out these options:
Eau de Cologne by Chanel ($225)
Mandarine Basilic by Guerlain ($105)
Vetiver Pamplemousse by Zara ($40)
Buy clean beauty
I know many women who are invested in building a clean beauty routine, and their choice of fragrance should be no exception. “Clean” perfumery doesn’t have one standard definition yet, but according to InStyle, brands that advertise as “clean” often do so because they minimize synthetic ingredients, include recycled materials, or are committed to sustainability.
If you have a conservationist streak, or if you just like to keep what goes on your body a little more au naturel, new options have flooded the market over the last few years. Test out these best-in-show scents from houses that specialize in clean fragrance:
Sandalwood Temple by Sana Jardin ($225)
Vanilla Woods by The 7 Virtues ($88)
Got more questions about fragrance? Looking for something special? I would be happy to help curate a personalized recommendation — just send me a direct message on Twitter! - Rachel Altman
Bulletin Board
Congrats to MATTHEW and BAILEY MAILLOUX, who welcomed their son JAMES MICHAEL MAILLOUX on January 2nd! See Matthew’s post here.
Congrats to CHASE WILDER and SARAH WEAVER on their engagement! See the announcement post that launched a thousand memes here.