Making Scents of the Stars

Many of you will need some last-minute gift ideas for the music fan you love this Holiday Season. Instead of handing 'em a Christmas album with a 45-minute shelf life, why not pick up something that they will cherish the entire year? Maybe something like a star-themed cologne or perfume. After all, nothing says "I had no idea what to get you" like the stench of an artist's fragrance. Included below are several real fragrance varieties on the market, complete with user reviews from FragranceNet.com.

Fragrance: In Control

Inspiration:Britney Spears

Recommended use: Casual

Recommended age: Teen

Classification: Flowery

What it really smells like: Jayden James's diapers

The Lowdown: One of three Britney scents (Fantasy and Curious are the other two), In Control is apparently being marketed primarily to uninhibited cooch-exhibitionists and 25-year-old, twice-divorced mothers-of-two, of whom there must be many. And it seems that they are all desperately seeking just the right bouquet to don before leaving the babies with the nanny and going out all night.

User review: "This is by far the best fragrance by Britney. I got so many compliments on it! Even a co-worker in her late 40's asked about it! Fantasy was too strong and made my stomach sick. My fiancé made me wash it off...lol"

Fragrance: Moments

Inspiration: American Idol

Recommended use: Casual

Recommended age: Perfect for anyone

Classification: Oriental/spicy

What it really smells like: The innocence of American youth

The Lowdown: Yes, that American Idol. Perfect for the fan who can't wait for season six. Supposedly a women's fragrance, but it's rumored Taylor Hicks uses it for hair spray on his silver locks. Turns out there are worse ideas than William Hung's Christmas album.

User review: "This scent sings to me, every time I wear it. It's the ultimate guy magnet!!!"

Fragrance: Dessert

Inspiration: Jessica Simpson

Recommended use: Casual

Recommended age: Perfect for anyone

Classification: Oriental/spicy

What it really smells like: Big pimpin', family style.

The Lowdown: With Jessica's singing career taking a plunge ("Workin' 9 to uh...I'm so nervous!"), Father Joe now needs more inventive ways to pimp his daughters. Ergo, Pizza Hut ads, movies, Proactiv and now a fragrance line. Keep it up, girls. Daddy's got to have his morning eggs benedict at Chateau Marmont.

User review: "This is lovely and fresh smelling. Tastes nice too. I even spray it in my hair. People compliment it every time I am hugged!"

Fragrance: Magic

Inspiration: Celine Dion

Recommended use: Casual

Recommended age: Mature

Classification: Flowery

What it really smells like: The icy north Atlantic seawater that sunk the Titanic and baby's blood.

The Lowdown: For those who can't make it to Vegas for the live show, Celine Dion has quite a few scents in the fragrance game. (Seven to be exact!) Anyway, this is much better than "Cats."

User review: "I wouldn't wear anything else. I am 65+ and young at heart. Love it."

Fragrance: Unforgivable

Inspiration: Sean John, a.k.a. Diddy, P.Diddy, Puff Daddy, Puffy, Sean "Puffy" Combs, The American Dream.

Recommended use: Casual

Recommended age: Mature

Classification: Citrus/fruity

What it really smells like: Hard to say until the remix drops.

The Lowdown: Unforgivable? What is this rap media mogul trying to tell us? Coming next: cologne to commemorate the life of Notorious B.I.G.

User review: "Awesome scent that stays with you the whole day. Once you put it on, you won't believe the immediate response from not only the ladies, but also other fellas who really like the smell!"

Fragrance: Carlos

Inspiration: Carlos Santana

Recommended use: Casual

Recommended age: Mature

Classification: Oriental/spicy

What it really smells like: "Oye Como Va" infused with monotonous, noodly guitar and subtle notes of Spanish Harlem.

The Lowdown: Do you think when Santana was collaborating with Alice, John Coltrane's widow, on Illuminations, he ever thought, "This esoteric-enlightenment shit is great, but what I really want is my own spicy scent for men to purchase?" Is this guitar legend too high and irrelevant to even care? Don't ask him. He just cashes the checks.

User review: "My husband wears this cologne, and I love smelling it on him. I can't get enough of the spicy scent. One of the best I've ever smelled. More men should wear Carlos."

Fragrance: Just Me

Inspiration: Paris Hilton

Recommended use: Casual

Recommended age: Teens

Classification: Citrus/fruity

What it really smells like: Tinkerbelle's farts.

The Lowdown: As if making an album wasn't enough, now this heiress has to taint all of our senses. Hey fellas, luckily, Paris has a scent for us too -- Paris Hilton Man. What man would ever buy that? Is this a pyramid scheme?

User review: "I LOVE THIS COLOGNE! My friend just bought this and asked what I thought of it, I sprayed some on it was a little strong. 5 minutes later it smelt SOO good!! That's hot. THIS IS A MUST BUY!!"

Fragrance: Rush

Inspiration: Take off, ya hoser.

Recommended use: Casual

Recommended age: Mature

Classification: Woods

What it really smells like: Eau de Ayn Rand and essence de Canadian bacon. (That's French.)

The Lowdown: While not actually endorsed by the band, I'm sure Tom Ford and Gucci had to be inspired by the Canadian stalwarts when introducing this cologne in 1999. Our only hope is for an endorsement deal that includes a triple live LP recorded in Uruguay!