It can be rather daunting trying to buy gifts that show you care but don’t break the bank, so we’ve a line-up of perfect perfumed present ideas that showcase fabulous fragrances but happen to be brilliantly priced. In fact, these are pocket-friendly enough to even consider treating yourself, too, don’t you think…?
Florals, but absolutely not as you know them – this was the driving passion that launched British niche house Floral Street in to the perfume world, and has since seen them become a global, award-winning scented success story. Find out why with this brilliant set, which offers a whole wardrobe of contemporary eaux de parfums, all ‘powered by flowers’.
Chypre Sublime An utterly modern take on this sophisticated fragrance family, blending incense with Damask rose absolute, midnight violet, pink pepper and geranium, on a stunning base of benzoin, labdanum and olibanum.
Black Lotus The classic English-Rose dressed in a black leather jacket. Intoxicating, spirited, bohemian and alive. Complex and multi-faceted, the sweet honeyed scent of centifolia rose adds depth to lighter, spicy nuances by way of red peppercorn and saffron.
Arizona Bloom A dry floral amber. A sense of freedom and happiness — scented and bottled.
Electric Rhubarb White florals and powdery sandalwood are combined with the scent of English Rhubarb and an unexpected blast of salty sea air.
Neon Rose You will never have smelt flowers like these. Freshly chopped jasmine draped around your neck. Roses around your wrist. And yet no roses were harmed in the making of this showpiece – these buds were cooked up in a lab for extra punch. Crisp, green Angelica leaves bring a botanical dimension, while fresh Bergamot floats overhead.
Wild Vanilla Orchid It’s vanilla, but not as you know it. A raw-edged confection of creamy vanilla beans, blossom, cassis and citrus, dressed in a bunch of just-plucked jasmine. Offsetting the lingering sweetness; bamboo and sandalwood bend and fold underneath.
Ylang Ylang Espresso A strikingly modern blend of red rose, ylang ylang and jasmine cross paths with a soothing cloud of just-brewed coffee, fresh cream and Sichuan pepper – sustainably harvested from the foothills of the Himalayas. A fragrance to get lost in.
Floral Street Discovery Set £16
A cult house, created by maverick duo Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz in New York, back in 2004; their easy-to-use, easy-to-understand skincare rapidly became a word-of-mouth favourite, and now their incredible, ground-breaking perfumes revolving around a central ingredient (surprisingly explored), are absolutely a fragrant force to be reckoned with.
Bergamot – a citrus orchard in bloom, with the spice of bitter fruit, bell pepper and ginger, with undertones of earthy musk and woody notes.
Cannabis – rich and herbaceous, with soft, floral notes of muguet and magnolia, on a base of earthy cedarwood, patchouli and sandalwood.
Dark Rum – a refreshing dark and spicy aroma, sweetened with plum and bergamot, with notes of leather, rum and creamy milk.
Leather – a formula of muted florals with smooth leather while rustic wood notes call to mind the softness of a well-worn vintage find.
Stem – luscious notes of green hyacinth, muguet, mandarin leaves, and green elements from wild freesia, all softened by a trio of modern musk molecules.
Vetiver – a combination of fresh citrus peel twists that are warmed by savoury celery seed, amber and guaiacwood.
Malin + Goetz £22
Albert Fouquet was the young Parisian aristocrat, who founded beloved NICHE house, Eight & Bob. His life was turned upside down one evening in the French Alps, where he attended a high society soirée and was introduced to the strikingly beautiful Annicke. This collection was created as a contemporary fragrant tribute to Fouquet’s love – and you’ll be bound to fall…
Annicke 1 – an ode to the extraordinary beauty and elegance of a woman with feminine floral aromas of lily of the valley, peony and jasmine
Annicke 2 – deliberately sensual and irresistible with harmonious notes of fruity fig and mandarin that uplift the senses, and hazelnut that brings a delicate touch of sugar
Annicke 3 – inspired by the sophisticated and glamorous charm of the early 1920s as white rose unfurls an air of vintage femininity across a dancefloor
Annicke 4 – inspired by an enchanted forest with woody and earthy undertones of Cashmeran and oakmoss, with spring-like floral notes of rose, ylang ylang and jasmine
Annicke 5 – discover the art of seduction via rich notes of full-bodied plum, golden honey with a dash of spicy rum and a base of sensual patchouli
Annicke 6 – personifying the complex dimensions of a woman, through juxtaposing notes of Sichuan pepper, bergamot and carnation
Annicke £20
Having launched new iterations of their best-selling Molecule 01, a fragrance that showcases the artistry and depth of synthetic molecules and has become a global superstar, the first three of the M+ collection showcases the iconic original boosted with the most beautiful accompanying notes. Truly original, utterly addictive, they’re all-day compliment-getters for sure.
Molecule 01 + Patchouli – has a cool, rather aloof woodiness to it.
Molecule 01 + Iris – iris is luxury, with a creamy powderiness.
Molecule 01 + Mandarin – radiates off the skin, with a citrus zing.
Contemporary artist Sarah Baker’s photography, sculpture and films are inspired by ‘fashion, luxury and celebrity’, but little did she know that when she created a fictional fragrance house as part of her artwork, her passion for the project (and the public’s reaction to it) would result in a real-life fragrance house. Vibrant, evocative, powerfully playful yet totally wearable, these are luxe for less!
Bascule: Horses, hay and leather. The sun-ripened notes of succulent fruit, woods and prominent green notes. Equestrian.
Far from the Madding Crowd: A picnic in the countryside. Botanics, deciduous fruits, wild flowers and woods. Meadows.
Flame & Fortune: White flowers, spice and citrus heated until it catches fire in the dryness of the fragrant desert. Dramatic.
G Clef: Jazz-inspired. Coastal, citrus and woody and notes of a fougére. Californian or Mediterranean? Savoire Faire.
Symmerty: The fragrance hub of the Ancient World. Combines oud, with the freshness of a cologne tradition. Classical.
Sarah Baker £25
