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BODY LOTION: Belle en Rykiel, $35, Sonia Rykiel

WHAT HAPPENS: Smooth on this scented lotion from French designer Sonia Rykiel after a bath or shower and carry a little Belle en Rykiel with you throughout the day.

WHAT WORKS: Sonia Rykiel’s 40th anniversary collection includes her latest fragrance, Belle en Rykiel. The body lotion makes a fragrant additional layer or stands alone quite nicely. It’s a light lotion that makes your skin feel soft without slickness. And the scent, reminiscent of cashmere, lingers.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: You’ll want to slather this wonderfully aromatic lotion on a lot, and it’s not exactly a penny pincher’s delight.

WHAT YOU’LL GET: The lotion comes in a 6.7-ounce matte gold tube with a fat, glossy gold cap. The lightweight lotion features a soft fragrance that includes frankincense and lavender combined with notes of red currant, coffee blossom, heliotrope and vanilla.

TO BUY IT: Available at www.beauty.com and Nordstrom.

CANDLE: Fragrance Combining Candle, $185, Jo Malone

WHAT HAPPENS: If you know someone who loves to throw caution to the wind by combining various fragrances around the house, then you’ll want to share Jo Malone’s trio of scented candles.

WHAT WORKS: This candle set is a hit on two fronts. The container is elegant and worthy of a special spot in your home this holiday season. But it’s the combination of the three fragrances that works beautifully —- individually or together —- releasing a warm, exotic scent that makes this candle a must-have.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: You can’t select the fragrances, so if there’s one or more you’re not fond of, then this isn’t the combo candle for you.

WHAT YOU’LL GET: Three white candles come in thick glass wedges that sit on a round silver tray with matching lid. The candles are wild fig & cassis, which gives off a woody, earthy fragrance; while Parma violets tea brings to mind a subtle version of its namesake flower; and eau de cologne tea provides a sweet and masculine aroma.

TO BUY IT: Available at www.jomalone.com and at select Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue stores

EAU DE TOILETTE: Kapsule, $110, Karl Lagerfeld

WHAT HAPPENS: Give him all three Kapsule fragrances, and you both can mix and match them and share in the latest fragrance frenzy from Karl Lagerfeld.

WHAT WORKS: While these are billed as unisex, the fragrances lean more on the slightly masculine side, so guys won’t have to worry about smelling “girlie.” But women who appreciate more assertive fragrances will find these accommodating, especially when they’re combined, which is what Lagerfeld intended. The blocky, geometric, jewel-toned spray bottles also are a hit.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: While these work for just about any man who enjoys using fragrances, some women might not find the scents feminine enough to wear.

WHAT YOU’LL GET: Each fragrance comes in a 2.5-ounce glass spray with a large square brushed metal cap perched at an angle. Floriental is redolent of black tea, ivy and violet, and comes in a ruby bottle. Woody, which comes in a deep blue bottle, offers a heady combination of cedar, moss and plum. Light is bottled in a smoky glass square, and the fragrance mixes musk with bitter orange and notes of nutmeg, cloves and a bit of jasmine.

TO BUY IT: Available through www.neimanmarcus.com and at most Neiman Marcus stores.

PERFUME: Feerie, $150, Van Cleef & Arpels

WHAT HAPPENS: If you know someone who appreciates the venerable jewelry house of Van Cleef & Arpels’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream collection, you might please them with this whimsical take on the fairy theme.

WHAT WORKS: The unusual flacon is one of those that will certainly demand attention. And the fragrance is perfect for those who like their perfume very feminine and sugary, with a little floral on the side.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: As soon as you spray it on, you get an assertive sweet berry hit that some might find a bit cloying. And, let’s face it, that metal twig could maim you if you’re not careful.

WHAT YOU’LL GET: The deep-blue faceted bottle is round and resembles a gargantuan gemstone. But it’s the cap that’s the real show stopper. It’s designed as a silver leafless tree that measures just over 5 inches tall and features a provocative fairy posing on a limb. The fragrance blends the scent of violets, black currant, Bulgarian rose and Egyptian jasmine.

TO BUY IT: Available through www.neimanmarcus.com and at some Neiman Marcus stores.

BATH GIFT SET: Pistachio Holiday Set, $50, Laura Mercier

WHAT HAPPENS: Fans of pistachio-flavored ice cream are going to love scrubbing with and slathering on these bath products.

WHAT WORKS: The chemists at Laura Mercier have totally nailed the rich perfume of slightly roasted pistachio nuts. The scrub not only smells fabulous, but it’s a gritty workhorse that has no trouble smoothing the roughest skin. The cream is one of the company’s elegant souffles, meaning it’s light and melts onto your skin, leaving it feeling soft and beautifully moisturized. And, of course, there’s the pervading scent of those pistachios.

WHAT DOESN’T WORK: Those who eschew pistachios might prefer Laura Mercier creme brulee souffle.

WHAT YOU’LL GET: The two square jars sit in a pretty white and pistachio colored gift box scattered with silver confetti. The cream and scrub are a pale pistachio tint, and the fragrance is inspired by decadent desserts. This one combines the essence of pistachios with praline, a bit of almond and hazelnut finished by whipped cream, giving the scrub and cream ethereal texture.

TO BUY IT: Available at Nordstrom and www.nordstrom.com

All prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail price.