by Karen Louise Hollis

Created on: June 15, 2010

Until a couple of years ago, I hadn't really bothered with perfumes. I felt they were unnecessary and extravagant and I'd prefer to spend my money on other things. Then I began to smell some lovely ones my friends were wearing, especially Jennifer Lopez's perfumes like Glow. But it was Christina Aguilera that converted me into a fan of perfume.

I bought Christina Aguilera's original perfume for my daughter one Christmas from Boots. It was on offer and I knew it was one she would like. It smelled lovely on her, so I tried a spray of it myself and fell in love with it. I still wasn't sure it was worth £20 of my money, but when I received a £20 voucher, I bought my own bottle and happily used it for several months.

It has a sweet, girly, light, kind of pale pink smell to me. There's a hint of muskiness, some vanilla in there and I think it's suitable for daytime or evening wear. (The Christina Aguilera Perfume site says it is fruity with tangerine and blackcurrant tea, peony, jasmine, plum, amber, vanilla and musk. Looks like I can smell the base notes the most then!)  I think it's worth the money.

The bottle is a really pretty one. It's shaped like an hourglass figure and is clear glass with a black lacy effect, as is the box. It's easy to hold, the top is secure and the sprays come out well. I would expect a 30ml bottle to last around six months, even using it daily.

I was interested to read on the Christina Aguilera Perfume website that the bottle's design is inspired by vintage glamour, as I love all that. I'm a big fan of Marilyn Monroe, Jean Harlow and Jayne Mansfield!

The only slight disadvantage I have found to this perfume is that it doesn't have great staying power. It lasts a few hours, but if I was going out again in the evening, I would need to reapply it.

Otherwise, I definitely recommend it. Even my husband commented I smelled nice and he - like many men - is not known for his great observation skills.

My original Christina was eventually all used up, but then another £20 voucher arrived in the post and off I went again to explore the perfume section. I had heard Christina had a new perfume out, so when I saw her By Night for only £19 for a 30ml bottle, I tried a squirt and decided to buy it. Hopefully I would love this one as much as I did her first fragrance.

The box is a dark red with black lace-look over it. The black and red theme continues inside with the bottle itself, which is the same shape as

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