The Six Scents

The perfume industry's capital is Paris, but you can find its heart online at sniffapalooza.com Since 2004, founder Karen Dubin and manager Karen Adams have led some 500,000 fragrance lovers in exploring the compositional notes and emotional impact of perfume. Dubin, who owns too many scents to count, highlights the six she can't live without:

1) MITSOUKO By Guerlain; recalls Yves Saint Laurent Opium Key notes: Floral, oakmoss, peach Dubin: "A scent for a woman, not a young girl. Complex and mysterious. A true chypre. Makes men go weak in the knees."

2) BOIS DE PARADIS By Parfums DelRae; recalls Ralph Lauren Hot Key notes: Bergamot, French rose, cinnamon, blackberry, wood, amber Dubin: "Genius" of a fragrance that "captures the smell, the glow, of candlelight on skin."

3) AMBRE SULTAN By Serge Lutens; recalls Stella McCartney Stella Key notes: Oregano, bay leaf, coriander, myrtle, angelica root, sandalwood, patchouli Dubin: "I feel exotic, anointed with precious golden oils."

4) NEW HAARLEM By Bond No. 9; recalls Thierry Mugler Angel Key notes: Coffee, patchouli, vanilla, cedar, lavender, bergamot Dubin: "A true genderless fragrance" that is "comforting, with a dangerous, tangy bite."

5) POIVRE PIQUANT By L'Artisan Parfumeur; recalls Bulgari Thé Blanc Key notes: White pepper, honey, black licorice, milk Dubin: "My all-purpose go-to scent when I am experiencing fragrance confusion."

6) AIMEZ-MOI By Caron; recalls Lolita Lempicka Key notes: Anise, clove, violet leaf, tonka bean, heliotrope, musk, amber Dubin: "I imagine myself in Venice, dancing at a masked ball with a handsome stranger."