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…?
£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.
