Are you thinking of gifting (or asking) a fragrance? Try one of my favorite launches
As reassuringly traditional as Christmas itself is the idea that you’ll likely have wrapped up some fragrance for a loved one. Of course, when it comes to choosing that fragrance, you can simply look at what they already love and ply them with extra stock (it’s always appreciated). Or you can go for one of the blockbusters: you don’t need me to catalogue them here and they all come with a message akin to what songwriter Johnny Mercer would cite as you’re ‘glorious, glamorous, and that old standby amorous’. However, if you want to offer something different but also thought through, here (pictured clockwise from left) are some of my favourite scents from the past year…
- La Perla Beauty has been a major focus of this year’s growth, with some great fragrances. But, on balance, I’d recommend Invisible Touch eau de parfum (from £88, beautybylaperla.com). It’s a warm and musky sophisticated scent with a quiet ‘come hither’ quality and really is like spraying on great underwear (notes include rose petals, ylang-ylang and patchouli). Plus it comes in a beautiful bottle – and is refillable.
- Ordre Cosmique (£85, tothefairest.com) comes from new and independent perfume label FairestIt is well-worth your support. It’s a charming scent with a light, crisp feel plus a dash of sweetness and warmth, as well as oodles of positive vibes thanks to a blend of cardamom, water lily and cedarwood.
- Bon Parfumeur 702 (from £35, bonparfumeur.com) has key notes of incense, lavender and cashmere wood that manage to smell both traditional and modern. This scent has a spicy, warm and rebellious edge that elevates it from the traditional style world and adds a bit of edge.
- BamfordJust a few weeks back, I branched out into perfume with amazing results. Woodland Moss (from £25, bamford.com) is an earthy and woody concoction (think wintry walks in the forest) with patchouli, moss, pepper and tobacco also giving a slightly sultry vibe. Since it’s Bamford, there’s a focus on natural and sustainable ingredients including an organic alcohol that makes up 80 per cent of an eau de parfum.
- Zara Jo Malone CBE is the founder of Jo Loves. The company has now expanded its range of perfumes. Each of their creations are inspired by a different city. My favourite of all the eight is Amazingly Venice (from £5.99, zara.com). A mix of bergamot, red berries and myrrh, it definitely has a fruity zing – but there’s an elegant enveloping quality, too, rather than anything overly sweet. This is a great deal, especially for the price.
- Eau d’Hadrien (£132, harrods.com) by Goutal The modern classic has been rediscovered with the fresh and elegant Sicilian grapefruit, bergamot, and Sicilian lemon notes. It creates a pleasant aroma that is both refined yet optimistic. Why is this product in the new launch line? Because, to celebrate its 40th anniversary, it has for a limited time been rehoused in the original style of bottle – which, in my opinion, is far superior to the redesigned packaging. If this scent is a favorite, grab it quickly before they sell out.
- Moncler Pour Femme (£170, selfridges.com) is the brand’s first foray into fragrance. It’s a sweet and fresh number with jasmine, heliotrope and what they call a ‘powdery snow accord’. The fancy, LED-refillable bottles that have the brand name on the front and ticker taped across it are what trendy teenagers (and those who are lucky enough to be able to afford them) will love this product.
- Une Balade en Forêt (£29.20 for members, £75 for non-members, beautypie.com) byBeauty Pie has elements of a classic and very sexy men’s cologne to it (and could easily be unisex) with balsam fir, bergamot and cedar wood. It’s spicy, earthy and as warming as a longed for embrace and comes with an orange faux leather travel case.
- The Body Shop White Musk eau de toilette (from £16, thebodyshop.com) is a smell that many remember from their teenage years (it launched in 1981). Brought back from the archives this year, it’s sweet with a crisp cleanness and has an innocent charm to it and its notes of lily of the valley, jasmine and musk.
- Synthetic Jungle by Anne FlipoFrom Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle (from £38, fredericmalle.co.uk) is an instant lean-in-and-nuzzle joy of a perfume. It’s opulent yet fresh and green with jasmine, ylang-ylang, basil and patchouli – truly one of the most beautiful fragrances I’ve ever smelt.
@edwinaingschambers