Feel Fabulous with these Fragrances!

Fragrances truly can help you feel fabulous – it’s something we’ve always believed at The Perfume Society (indeed, partly why we launched, nearly a decade ago, now!) and no matter your mood, there’s a scent that can strike a chord to the very centre of your soul. Such instantly uplifting – or genuinely grounding – moments are to be treasured even more in the colder, darker days. That’s why we have put together the perfect edit of perfumes to see you through the season: from party-going room-rockers to more gently soothing scents; and with everything in-between. Need a wake-me-up moment of clarity, or something to make you feel instantly chic (and perhaps a little mysterious)? We’ve got you covered.

 

Indeed, we’ve tested all these ourselves to ensure you’ll feel fabulous from dawn to dusk, no matter the occasion, weather, or what your days holds… because feeling truly fabulous, to us, means allowing yourself to explore untapped facets of your personality, as well as creating a signature ‘you in a bottle’ feeling of recognition. The really fabulous thing, of course, is that perfume does this invisibly – so you don’t need to don a superhero costume or wear a ballgown to the supermarket or dye your hair magenta (unless you want to, which we highly encourage!) Instead, scents seem to work with our psyche ­– with the ability to both outwardly project our innermost personalities, or to bolster bravado, energy, or playfulness we might otherwise struggle to don the mantle of amidst the ongoing daily chaos of our lives.

How to Feel Fabulous in a New Fragrance?

 

Your taste in fragrance changes over the years – just as in food preference – and depends on weather, what you’ve eaten recently, your mood and hormones. So, take your time to explore a new scent out of your comfort range.

 

Spray on a blotter first and come back to it at hourly intervals. Write down your initial thoughts, then re-try a few days (and weeks) later.

 

Many perfumers trained for more years than a heart surgeon, memorising ingredients by connecting their smell to personal scent memories and images that immediately spring to mind, unbidden.

 

Smell has no distinct language. If you’re struggling to describe a scent, try likening it to fabric (is it velvety, suede-like, cotton fresh, silken or fluffy?) Perhaps it reminds you of music (played on which instruments? Fast or slow?) Or you might picture a place – imagine the air temperature and scenery it evokes…

 

Your nose gets used to smelling the same things, so avoid wearing the same thing daily. Try layering to re-awaken your senses or branch out with exciting new discoveries!

 

Like all artists, perfumers tend to have a certain style. If you fall in love with one (we’re predicting several) of these, research them online: we bet you’ll fall for others.

 

Scent molecules are volatile and evaporate at differing rates. Citruses are lightest, often found in top notes and disappearing rapidly; florals tend to be in the heart while base notes are heavier, woody or resinous. Make these stages last FAR longer by using matching or unscented body lotion, spray into your hair or on clothes (after testing on tissue!)

Undecided? Spray on a scarf rather than skin: you can take it off and sniff again, later! Spraying on fabric (or your hair) also helps make it last far longer as the molecules don’t warm up so quickly (or evaporate) as on skin. As does…

 

Use an unscented (or matching) body lotion or oil. Fragrance doesn’t last long on dry skin (or in hot climates). It clings far longer to moisturised skin – so slather up, then spray.

 

Fragrance samples are THE best way to try new things, dive nose-first into a whole new house you’ve never tried or perhaps a differing perfume family than you’d normally go for.

 

So, with all this in mind, may we tempt you to explore which fabulous version of you might be in store with each of the carefully curated scents we’ve chosen for The Fabulous Fragrances Discovery Box…?

Fabulous Fragrances Discovery Box

£23 (or £19 for VIPs)

 

ADSCENTURE Holographic

TOP NOTES: Magnolia, Bergamot, Mango

HEART NOTES: Sea Breeze, Jasmine Sambac, Rose

BASE NOTES: Tonka Bean, Cedarwood, Sandalwood

Utterly intriguing (even slightly metallic) floral shapeshifts to warm amber as it melds seamlessly with your skin. Fabulous For: keeping them guessing.

 

CREED Carmina

TOP NOTES: Black Cherry, Saffron, Pink Pepper

HEART NOTES: Rose de Mai, Violet, Cashmere Wood, Peony

BASE NOTES: Frankincense, Myrrh, Amber, Musk

Modernity infused with charismatic elegance, this sultry cherry scent is bang on trend and vibrating with energy. Fabulous For: falling in love.

 

EAU.MG Flor Funk

TOP NOTES: Pear, Violet Leaf

HEART NOTE: Orange Flower

BASE NOTES: Moss, Musk, Sandalwood

Orange flower delivers an immediate hit of sunshine, while juicy pear trickles to a mossy, snuggled base. Fabulous For: dancing in the rain.

 

ESCENTRIC MOLECULES 01 + Black Tea

NOTES: Iso E Super, Black Tea

Addictive as the iconic original, shot through with sophisticated leather and hay-like facets, it’s an all-day wrist-sniffer. Fabulous For: causing a sensation.

 

GOLDFIELD & BANKS Ingenious Ginger

TOP NOTES: Australian Ginger Accord, Bergamot, Lemon

HEART NOTES: Magnolia, Jasmine, Rose, Mandarin

BASE NOTES: Australian Sandalwood, Patchouli, Vanilla, Musk, Cashmeran, Amber

Radiating with a gilded sparkle – like a handful of glitter thrown joyously in the air – it’s succulent yet warmly sizzling. Fabulous For: spontaneous parties.

 

GRANADO Expediçāo

TOP NOTES: Bergamot, Lemon, Black Pepper

HEART NOTES: Iris, Frankincense, Pine

BASE NOTES: Amber, Cedarwood, Sandalwood

Delicately evoking a ‘journey through the Atlantic rainforest’ the beautifully verdant notes and woody base hints at hushedness. Fabulous For: escaping.

 

LANCÔME IDÔLE

TOP NOTES: Pear, Bergamot, Pink Pepper

HEART NOTES: Rose, Jasmine

BASE NOTES: White Musk, Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedar

Gorgeously, a perfume that feels perfectly ‘you’, radiating understated confidence, with a trail that always beguiles. Fabulous For: everyday chicness.

 

MALIN + GOETZ Strawberry

TOP NOTES: Bergamot, Strawberry, Pink Pepper

HEART NOTES: Jasmine Petals, Woodland Greens

BASE NOTES: Cedarwood, Oakmoss, Musk, Orris Root

Never sickly, the strawberry here’s deconstructed, cleverly celebrating the lifecycle from dewy leaves to budding fruit. Fabulous For: mindful moments.

 

MIZENSIR Palissandre Night

TOP NOTES: Nutmeg, Ambrox, Cetalox

HEART NOTES: Cypriol, Cistus, Elemi, Guaiac Wood

BASE NOTES: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Musk

Contrasting misty, cool and resinously warm notes, the stillness invites you to wander a moonlit forest at midnight. Fabulous For: Night Owls seeking space.

 

PARFUMS DE MARLY Althäir

TOP NOTES: Orange Blossom Absolute, Bergamot, Cinnamon, Cardamom

HEART NOTES: Bourbon Vanilla, Elemi

BASE NOTES: Ambrox, Guaiac Wood, Praline, Musk

Leading the new wave of gourmand fragrances, a freshness, and hints of smoke balance the luscious sweetness. Fabulous For: sophisticated seductions.

 

PICTOR PARFUM Flash

TOP NOTES: Pink Pepper, Ginger, Raspberry

HEART NOTES: Creamy Rose, Ylang Ylang

BASE NOTES: Powdery Musk, Vanilla, Tonka Bean

Taking inspiration from artistic imagery and the process of photography, brightness zings to dreamy creaminess. Fabulous For: being your best self.

 

ROBERT PIGUET Notes

TOP NOTES: Bergamot, Clary Sage

HEART NOTES: Geranium, Orange Flower, Costus

BASE NOTES: Oakmoss, Vetiver, Tonka Bean

Embracing the connection between music and scent, and the legendary designer’s favourite ingredients. Fabulous For: contemporary vintage glam

 

PENHALIGON’S Quercus Hand & Body Wash / Lotion

TOP NOTES: Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Bergamot, Galbanum

HEART NOTES: Jasmine, Lily of the valley, Cardamom

BASE NOTES: Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Musk, Amber

From the Latin for ‘Oak’, it’s simply timeless, nostalgic yet always right for right now. Speaking for you, silently assuring. Fabulous For: effortless elegance.

What is niche fragrance, and where do you begin…?!

So what is niche fragrance? That word is often flung around in the fragrance world, but sometimes we don’t stop to wonder about it. So what does that term actually mean, and where should you begin your fragrance journey…?

[Psst! Scroll down to find out how you can try well over £1,000 worth of niche fragrance – if you got the full sizes – for just £19!]

‘Niche’ perfumery began by referring to fragrances made independently, so not owned by a large brand. They can also be called ‘artisanal’, and because they were privately owned, often were able to take risks that larger, more corporately-inclined companies could not.

These smaller houses sometimes had a single person behind them – acting as founder, perfumer, Creative Director and PR person (and probably chief tea-maker, too!) The founder might also be self-taught in perfumery, rather than the traditional route of studying chemistry and then training at schools such as ISIPCA.

It might be useful to think of ‘niche’ fragrance as the catwalk of the perfume world. Unique ideas are celebrated, and might seem completely wacky or out-there, but actually tend to create trends that ripple down to the high street. Suddenly the ‘shoulder pads’ of the scent world are everywhere!

As niche houses became increasingly popular, some more established, larger houses began introducing more daring fragrance collections we also term as ‘niche’ – referring to the more artistic, less traditionally commercial style of perfumery rather than the size of the house itself.

But where can you begin discovering niche fragrances? At The Perfume Society we know that not everyone happens to live near a perfumery stocking niche scents (or even a department store with a diverse selection) – and even if you do, it’s sometimes overwhelming to work out where to even begin. What’s more, because of various lockdowns meaning we couldn’t even get to the shops – and new Covid-19 health protocols meaning testers aren’t readily available to smell in-store – it can be even trickier to actually get your nose on niche fragrance!

Trying a fragrance sample at home is the best way to truly discover if you love a scent – you need to live with it on your skin for several hours. A Discovery Set means you can try the entire collection from a niche fragrance house, and our curated Discovery Boxes allow you to smell things you’d perhaps never have considered (or not heard of) before.

Because we understand you’re missing browsing, spraying and smelling, in the latest we curated a selection of some of the finest niche fragrances out there to try at home. Click here for a detailed description of each scent, and on the names of the houses to read all about their individual histories. There’s no better way to begin your discovery of niche than right here.

In the Niche Collection VI you’re getting to try well over £1,000 worth of fragrance (if you had to buy them all as separate full-sizes to try) for less than the price of your average Deliveroo! This is what’s included…

 

ånd fragrance Sånd 2ml EDP 2ml eau de parfum (full size £35 for 10ml)
Atkinsons 24 Old Bond Street 2ml eau de cologne (£99 for 100ml)
Brioni Brioni 1.8ml eau de parfum (£70 for 60ml)
Eight & Bob Annicke 1 2ml eau de parfum (£55 for 30ml)
Initio Addictive Vibration1.5ml eau de parfum (£190 for 90ml)
Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 7.5ml eau de parfum (£36 for 30ml)
J.U.S Parfums Sexycrush 1.2ml eau de parfum (£165 for 100ml)
Lalique Noir Premier Plume Blanche 1901 1.8ml eau de parfum (£210 for 100ml)
Paco Rabanne Pacollection Strong Me 1.5ml eau de parfum (£65 for 62ml)
St Giles The Writer 2ml eau de parfum (£130 for 100ml)
A’Kin Cleansing Micellar Water 30ml  (£12.50 for 150ml)

The Niche Collection VI Discovery Box is priced £19 + p&p* to VIP Club Members (£23 + p&p* to everyone else) – be sure to log into your account to take advantage of the special VIP Club price.

If this is your first time trying a niche fragrance, read our tips on how best to smell a new scent. Basically, you need to give it time to develop on your skin. Often the niche fragrances can be more complex (or just very different to more everyday mainstream scents you might be used to) so they can take you on more of journey as they unfurl throughout the day.

We do hope this helps explains things about ‘niche’ fragrance a bit more. One thing’s for sure: wherever you begin your niche fragrance journey, we’ve a hunch you’re going to fall madlly in love with many of them along the way…

By Suzy Nightingale