Top 10 prettiest perfume bottles! Part 1 of 2

Hey, gummy bears! Today, I'd like to do a little 'show and tell' of some of the prettiest perfume bottles in my collection, so prepare for a photo heavy post! I often get asked about my collection - if you've been reading Shoes and Glitter for a while, you've probably seen quite a few of my bottles in various recommendations posts. I currently have over 160 different perfumes, as well a stash of miniature fragrances and samples. I've been collecting them for about six years now (contrary to the popular belief, fragrances can keep for decades if stored properly), and at least a third of my perfumes are gifts from family, my boyfriend, etc. A lot of people see collecting fragrances as an expensive hobby, and whilst it can be heavy on the wallet - I actually can't remember the last time I paid a full price for a bottle of perfume. Thanks to things like online sales, tester sizes and TK Maxx, most fragrances can be purchased for a small fraction of their original prices. But, that is a post for another time! Today is all about the prettiest bottle designs, and I'm really excited to show you my favourites. Perfume bottles can be like little art pieces in themselves, and I enjoy looking at them just as much as I like to actually use them. Hope you enjoy!

Lolita Lempicka - L De Lolita
This has to be my favourite bottle design of all time! Honestly, the photo does not do it justice. This looks like a little sparkling gem hidden at the bottom of an ocean, or something that's been crafted by mermaids! I absolutely adore the delicate blue glass, and the golden detailing around the bottle cap. Lolita Lempicka has some of the most beautiful perfume bottles - they all have that very unique, almost whimsical feel to them. Midnight Couture is another favourite of mine, but I have yet to get my hands on it.

What does it smell like? Like freshly baked cinnamon cookies! This might seem a little odd considering that the bottle evokes more of a marine/aquatic feel, but it is still a beautiful scent (you can read more about it in my winter fragrance recommendations here).

Van Cleef & Arpels - Oriens
This gorgeous bottle design was inspired by one of Van Cleef and Arpels' best-selling jewellery pieces - a ring called The Arbre Aux Songes. The multi-faceted jewel cap looks a little like a flower surrounded by silver leaves, and it gleams beautifully in the sunlight. Although the bottle looks like it's worth a million dollars, this is actually one of the more affordable perfumes in my collection. I have the largest size, but you can easily find a 50ml version for about £20 online!

What does it smell like? If you're familiar with Dior's Miss Dior - Oriens is like a slightly less sweet, and more affordable version. It's quite versatile and easy to wear all year round; perfect for anyone who enjoys feminine, fruity floral perfumes.

Nina Ricci - L'Air du Temps
Whilst I absolutely adore this classic, timeless design; it's the concept behind it that makes it one of my favourites. L'Air du Temps was launched in 1948, shortly after the World War II. The two doves on the top (hopefully you can see that in the photo!) are a symbol of peace, whilst the scent itself was intended to reflect the aura of hope and optimism - something that was very much needed at the time. This is one of those perfumes that I don't actually wear much, but I still love it and I'm happy to have it in my collection.

What does it smell like? You can definietly tell that this is a more of a 'dated' perfume. It smells very strong, floral and spicy; nothing like the kind of fragrances that are produced these days. Personally, I find it a little difficult to wear, but it might be a good option if you want something classic and elegant.

Guerlain - Idylle
This is probably one of the most expensive-looking bottles in my collection! Shaped like a golden drop, this bottle is luxurious and elegant - much like the scent that's hidden inside it. I always used to display it as a centerpiece of my collection (before I started storing my perfumes in drawers), and I've no doubt that it would look beautiful on any vanity, desk, etc. You really can't go wrong with Guerlain, especially when it comes to bottles - they always look so elegant and expensive!

What does it smell like? Like a big bouquet of fresh lilacs. This isn't my usual kind of perfume, but I still enjoy it on special occasions. It smells very feminine, floral and elegant; but it's also quite versatile and suitable to wear all year round.

Hermes - Elixir des Merveilles
This simple, bubble-shaped bottle is absolutely gorgeous! Honestly, the photo doesn't do it justice. I absolutely adore the intense, orange colour; scattered with little silver dots which make me think of stardust or rain. The entire Merveilles collection by Hermes is beautiful, with Elixir and Pegase (which I have yet to get my hands on) as two of my favourites. Hermes isn't as mainstream as most other brands featured in this list, but it's definietly worth checking out, especially if you're after a gorgeous-looking bottle!

What does it smell like? This is actually one of my favourite perfumes of all time! It's so exotic and unusual - definietly not for everyone, but worth checking out if you're looking for something unique.You can read more about it in my winter fragrance recommendations here.

Part II of this post will be up in a few days!

What are your favourite perfume bottles? Does packaging matter to you when purchasing beauty products?