New Orleans might never smell so good

January 21, 2007|Find/Fragrances, Patricia Harris

NEW ORLEANS -- Although the vial- and mirror-filled quarters of Bourbon French Parfums are nearly as close as a midnight embrace, the staff encourages shoppers to linger. They know it takes a good 10 minutes before your body chemistry begins to interact with a scent , and that you should never buy perfume at first spritz.

Founded in 1843 by French immigrant August Doussan, this venerable blender and vendor of exotic fragrances features a man's cologne in the citrus formula favored by Napoleon Bonaparte as well as a woman's scent ("Voodoo Love") based on the potions of the Crescent City's most famous voodoo queen, Marie Laveau.

Owner Mary Behlar, who bought the shop in 1991, has crafted some elegant scents of her own, like "La Pluie" (The Rain).

But if you can't commit to an off-the-rack fragrance, the shop's custom-blend specialists will help you create a signature scent based on your body chemistry and fragrance preferences. The shop keeps your custom formulation on record for future orders of products ranging from perfume to powder, to aftershave balm.

The staff advises using the scents judiciously. "Put a dab of perfume on one wrist, rub your wrists together, and rub them behind your ears. You can always add more, but you can't take it off."

Bourbon French Parfums, 805 Royal St. 504-522-4480, 800-476-0303. neworleansperfume.com. Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Prices $6.50-$210. Signature scent consultation $85 for women (includes one ounce of perfume), $55 for men (includes four ounces of cologne).