Smallest Pepper Thinks Spice is Nice

It's only natural The Smallest Pepper likes a little spice in her favorite scent. Stephanie Givens blogs about fashion, food and fun under her nickname, The Smallest Pepper. A PR guru for Publicity Works by day, and writer and actress at The Actors Loft by night, Stephanie always has great taste, even if it does run toward the fiery. Here, the Southern Belle shares her favorite scents.

What is your favorite scent "in a bottle?"

Marc Jacobs Eau de Parfum.

What does it evoke for you?

It's young and sexy but accessible and effortless. It makes me feel like me but yummier. I usually only wear it when I go out — spritzing the nape of the neck and my calves makes me feel flirty. The gardenia is refreshing but there's heat from the white pepper. The spice is my favorite note because it's unexpected.

What is your favorite smell that can't be captured in a bottle, and why?

My favorite smell that can't be bottled is the ocean. I love that salty breeze. It's what I miss most from South Carolina — the coast.

Scented Pages: Frederic Malle On Perfume Making

Want an inside look at the art of scent? Book a trip to Barney's and pick up Frédéric Malle On Perfume Making.

In his book debut, Frédéric unveils for the first time how a perfume is made and his particular way of working.

The coffee table book recounts stories of his past collaborations with the most talented perfumers, their inspirations, complicities, and trade secrets.

It contains a forward by Catherine Deneuve, and illustrations by Konstantin Kakanias, and is published by Angelika Taschen for Angelika Books.

Frédéric Malle On Perfume Making will be available in March 2012 exclusively at Barneys and Frederic Malle Boutique ($149).

Editions de Parfums, founded in 2000 by Frédéric Malle, was created as a collaborative effort between Malle and the world’s leading perfumers. After years as a consultant for top French and International perfume businesses, Malle founded the company on the concept of returning quality, carefully selected product to a select group of people. Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle currently produces a series of 19 perfumes as well as scented body products and a home fragrance collection.

Bruce Willis Offers Fragrance Ode to New Wife

Despite his tough guy image, actor Bruce Willis has a soft spot for Emma Heming-Willis.

The action star has toned down the testosterone to lend his name to a romantic fragrance in his new wife's honor.

"Lovingly by Bruce Willis" features citrus fruits, white blossoms, sandalwood and musk. It follows his namesake men's fragrance, which came out in June, 2010.

Willis is gearing up to star in his fifth Die Hard movie, while Emma lends her face and elegantly draped body to Lovingly's ad campaign.

In a Bottle can't help but wonder if Demi's gotten a whiff?

Red Carpet Royal Halle Berry Reveals Passion for Fragrance

Halle Berry is preparing to serve as a presenter at the 84th Annual Academy Awards as she continues to promote her new fragrance, Reveal the Passion.

Ten years ago Halle made history when she won an Oscar for her portrayal of a single mother in Monster's Ball. She was the first African-American actress ever to win the Best Actress award.

In a Bottle wonders if Halle will be charged with opening the envelope and announcing Best Actress this Sunday. Viola Davis is expected to win for her role in The Help, and would be only the second African-American woman after Halle to do so.

In addition to her A-list acting career, Halle has launched a successful line of fragrances, including Halle by Halle Barry, White Orchid and Reveal.

As we wait for the Oscars, we'll indulge in her latest scent, a mix of Italian bergamot and dewfruit, with a heart of mangosteen, and drydown of patchouli and musk.

Should Your Perfume Match Your Shoes?

It isn't an age-old question. In fact, it's one we never thought to ask until now: Should your perfume match your shoes?

Nine West is giving gals the option with its new fragrance Love Fury and companion black stilettos.

The perfume's cap, in the shape of a sleek high heel piercing the mouth of the bottle, complements the classic black platform Love Fury pumps.

When worn together, what man could resist?

The fruity floral perfume ($55), and pumps ($89) are available at Nine West locations nationwide or at ninewest.com; as well as Macy's or macys.com.

Roberto Cavalli Celebrates Fragrance with Courage

Roberto Cavalli is celebrating the release of his new fragrance in style. The Italian fashion designer's signature perfume, which debuts this month, is classified as an ambery floral, with top notes of pink peppers, a heart of orange blossom and base notes of tonka beans.

Louise Turner, perfumer at Givaudan, created the fragrance, which Cavalli calls "a luminous and sexy print." The solid glass bottle is adorned with a tiger stripe necklace reminiscent of Cavalli's emblematic animal prints. It slides into a golden case shaped like a seamed sheath dress with a turquoise hip-belt, typical of the unique color work offered by the Florentine fashion house for more than 40 years.

In the photo at left, Cavalli is pictured at the amfAR gala in New York earlier this month, with actress and model Elisa Sednaoui, the face of his fragrance campaign.

During amfAR, Cavalli was honored with a Courage award for his outstanding contribution to the fight against AIDS.

Click here to see Elisa in the commercial Roberto Cavalli Eau de Parfum.

Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams Make Fragrant Premiere

"In a bottle" loves when fragrance and celebrity mingle, as they did at the premiere of The Vow earlier this month.

Romance, the celebrated women's fragrance by Ralph Lauren, sponsored the pink carpet premiere of the film, held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

The rom com, which stars Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams, has drawn $90 million at the box office so far, and is in theaters now.

During the premiere, Ralph Lauren Romance was center stage. The fragrance name adorned the pink step and repeat line along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where Channing made his entrance alongside Rachel wearing a Ralph Lauren Purple Label charcoal three-piece suit and furnishings.

The Romance logo also was featured on a Sweet Lady Jane cake served during the star-studded after-party at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Pink roses and Romance fragrances adorned every section of the venue and the Romance commercial, shot by renowned photographer and filmmaker Bruce Weber, was shown during the event.

In "The Vow," Paige and Leo (Rachel and Channing) are happy newlyweds whose lives are changed by a car accident that puts Paige in a coma. When she awakens she has no memory of Leo, who becomes determined to win back her heart and rebuild their marriage.

"The moving premise of The Vow reflects the Ralph Lauren Romance story about true love conquering all," said Guillaume de Lesquen, President of Ralph Lauren Fragrances Worldwide.

Ralph Lauren Romance was introduced in 1998. The fresh sparkling floral features sungoddess rose, lotus flower, night blooming daylily and musk coeur. On average, one bottle of Ralph Lauren Romance sells every minute in the U.S.

"The Romance fragrance transcends time and trends, and embodies the elegant and magical world of Ralph Lauren," said Master Perfumer Harry Fremont, creator of the fragrance.

Burberry Beauty Embodies BODY Mist

Rosie Huntington-Whitely, the face of Burberry's upcoming BODY Mist fragrance, put her best face forward during the Burberry Prorsum AW12 show yesterday.

Rosie was among first-row VIPs who brought Burberry Beauty from runway to reality by mirroring the make-up seen on models in the show — rich defined eyes paired with natural pink lips, and effortlessly flawless skin with gently contoured cheeks.

For the first time, the company's cosmetics line was part of Burberry World's Runway-to-Reality shop, which allows viewers to purchase looks from the catwalk on Burberry.com immediately after the show.

As the face for Burberry BODY Mist, Rosie no doubt smelled as delicious as she looked. The limited-edition mist is a lighter version of iconic BODY Eau de Parfum, featuring top notes of fresh green absinthe, illuminating peach and refined freesia; heart notes of natural rose absolute, iris and sandalwood; and a base of woody cashmeran, creamy vanilla, sensual amber and musk.

Burberry BODY Mist, $50, will be available at leading department stores nationwide as well as at Burberry.com beginning this month.

Get Rosie's look: In the photo above, Rosie is wearing Burberry Beauty's Fresh Glow Sheer Foundation; Sheer Eyeshadow in Pale Rose No. 12, Rosewood No. 9, and Midnight Black No. 9; and Lip Cover in Ruby No. 18.

Lana Del Rey: Perfume Lyric Worth Spritzing

We're obsessed with Lana Del Rey, and since she has a lyric about perfume in her song "Video Games," it's a perfect excuse to feature the new starlet on "in a bottle." For every hater, there are dozens of fans who think this talented girl has bottled a fresh cool style - old Hollywood glamour with a hint of ghetto fabulous. Take a peek at and excerpt of her lyrics, and check out her videos for "Born to Die" and "Kinda Outta Luck."

Video Games

Swinging in the backyard

Pull up in your fast car

Whistling my name

Open up a beer

And you say, Get over here

And play a video game

I'm in his favourite sun dress

Watching me get undressed

Take that body downtown

I say you the bestest

Lean in for a big kiss

Put his favourite perfume on

Go play a video game

It's you, it's you, it's all for you

Everything I do I tell you all the time

Heaven is a place on earth with you

Tell me all the things you want to do

I heard that you like the bad girls

Honey, is that true?

It's better than I ever even knew

They say that the world was built for two

Only worth living if somebody is loving you

Baby, now you do

Artist Gwen Joy Shares Olfactory Inspiration

Artist and model Gwen Joy finds fodder for her creations virtually everywhere, from discarded dolls and handbags to pop culture references and wild imaginings. She is among artists featured in "Homage," a group show at Rivers Edge Gallery that opens tonight with a party at 6 p.m. and runs through March 30. Gwen's work can also be seen at Green Zone through March 1; and Madonna University, Feb. 21-March 27. Of course, you can always check out her Joy Toys, jewelry, purses, pillows and paintings at www.gwenjoy.com. In the meantime, she shares her latest olfactory inspirations with "in a bottle."

What is your favorite fragrance "in a bottle"?

I have two, both by Banana Republic. One is called Cucumber and the other is called Fig.

What do they evoke for you?

They are both very clean and simple smells, not overly fussy. There is a freshness and perkiness about them that I love! They put me in a rad and concise mindset, perfect to enjoy life and accomplish a ton in a day.

What is your favorite scent that can't be captured "in a bottle" and why?

I love the smell of cloves, dark chocolate and Indian food. Yum.

Mellow Chamomile by Gwen Joy

Queen of the Roller Ball

Taylor Swift is always the Belle of the Ball, but is she Queen of the Rollerball? We're talking about fragrance rollerballs, of

course. These clutch-sized versions of favorite scents allow gals-on-the-go — just like the recent two-time 2012 Grammy winner herself — to carry a little magic on the road. Swift just released a rollerball version of her popular Wonderstruck fragrance, an enchanting blend of freesia, apple blossom and raspberry at the top; vanilla, honeysuckle and white hibiscus

at its heart; and notes of golden amber, sandalwood and peach. $18 at Sephora.

Rollerballs allow you to ramp up the glamour with a quick spritz of fragrance no matter where you are. If you stumble into a red carpet situation and want to amp up the glam factor, excuse yourself to the ladies and spritz on

some instant couture with Viva La Juicy Eau de Parfum. This almost edible blend of juicy mandarin, wild berries, caramel woods and praline, comes in a rollerball too. $19 at Ulta.

Want an array of fragrances for any out-and-about occasion? Try the Sephora Favorites Roller

ball Collection for Her, a set of seven full-size rollerball

scents to rotate, gift away, or carry all at once if your handbag is big enough. The collection includes Viva La Juicy, along with Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gioa, Coach Poppy, CLEAN Shower Fresh, Hanae Mori Butterfly, LaVanila Vanilla Grapefruit and Paco Rabanne Lady Million, $48 at Sephora.

There's another major contender for Queen of the Rollerball - Gwen Stefani. Her Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style Mini Rollerball Coffret is a fun way to sample all five Harajuku fragrances (Love, Lil' Angel, Music, Baby and G) in one inexpensive and adorable package. All florals, the scents range from sparkling and fruity to vanilla and woody. Your tween will love this little gift set, and so will her mom! $15, limited edition, exclusive to Sephora.

Master Nose Captures Europe In a Bottle

Ever wondered what goes into a perfume? Now, you can get a behind-the-bottle glimpse. Master Perfumer Christophe Laudamiel (shown at left) has released a complete fragrance formula to demonstrate the complex Trade Secrets of the industry.

The scent, called "Community," is designed to capture Europe in a bottle, using ingredients that represent countries and regions throughout the EU. The rich, citrus-based fragrance features bergamot and mandarin developing into a fresh and elegant sensual heart.

"It features European environments, from crisp Nordic air, off-shore sea breeze, wet stones and moss, majestic forests and sculpted woods combined with essences of Mediterranean uplifting and colorful feelings," Laudamiel explained in the notes to his precious formula.

Community was commissioned by the International Fragrance Association for an event at European Parliament last month. According to Stephen Weller, Director of Communications for Brussels-based IFRA, the scent and its accompanying formula were handed out to politicians as a tangible symbol of the importance of unified Trade Secrets laws to the fragrance industry.

"If Trade Secrets are weakened, our industry would be extremely vulnerable to counterfeiters and competitors from around the world," Weller said. "We would like to see Trade Secrets legislation harmonized across the the European Union."

European commissioners have agreed to study the issue further, Weller said, and for now, their exclusive bottles of Community will serve as continued inspiration.

The scent contains 57 ingredients, both natural and synthetic, and was made in an extremely limited edition.

"Christophe told me if this was a commercial product it would never see the light of day, it uses such fine ingredients it would be too expensive," Weller said. "I wish I could spray it for you right now."

Even if you can't indulge in the fragrance, you can imagine what it might smell like from reading the formula, which includes Laudamiel's notes on each ingredient. "He's cleverly described the materials within it and what role they play within the formulation, how they interact with others and what they represent," Weller said.

Click to view and download Christophe Laudamiel's "Community" formula.