Scent Shifting: 5 Chic Perfume Lines To Know Now
You’ll want to wear them all winter and beyond …
MASTER PERFUMERS FOR LESS
Browsing the newly revamped perfume area in Brown Thomas Dublin, I spotted a brand that I hadn’t seen before. The Essential Perfumes Paris collection made me stop in my tracks, firstly because the perfumers’ names are front and centre (an idea that comes from the great Frederic Malle) – and they include some of the most renowned in the business, from Dominique Ropion to Anne Flipo and Calice Becker (Dior J’Adore … say no more). And yet the perfumes are priced at less than €100 for 50ml, representing great value in an ever-inflating market.
We’ll be returning to spray Ropion’s Velvet Iris and Fabrice Pellegrin’s Patchouli Mania. There are 10ml travel sizes for €22, so you can really get to know the scent before investing in a full size, and a discovery set (€26) that makes a very welcome gift for anyone who’s even vaguely interested in fine fragrances. They’re all unisex, and well worth investigating.
A SUBTLE TAKE ON WINTER
While Amouage is becoming more widely known, this luxury Oman-based line, founded in 1983, is not mainstream. Firmly on the luxury side of scent, it focusses on high-quality ingredients. The newest arrival, Opus XVI –Timber, really packs a punch with the most wintery, woody notes, from fir balsam and frankincense to Palo Santo, vanilla bourbon, sandalwood and cedarwood. This is a head-turner that leaves an atmospheric warm and smokey trail behind it. It smells like a forest from a fairytale. With lumberjack shirts making a return in fashion, Timber could be the perfect accompaniment. From €365 for 100ml. Find a selection of Amouage scents at Brown Thomas.
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ALL ABOUT OUD
Jo Loves is the brand founded by English perfumer Jo Malone after she sold her acclaimed cologne brand to Estée Lauder. As you’d expect from the entrepreneur and nose behind game-changers such as Lime, Basil & Mandarin, her scents continue to surprise and delight. Jo Loves Pomelo is arguably as vibrant and beguiling as LBM, while the latest addition, Oud Pomelo, combines the original fresh, bright notes with an earthy backdrop of oud. It’s a good choice if you’re an oud novice, as it’s not too heavy or rich. €159, 100ml, at Space NK.
ONE TO WRITE HOME ABOUT
The name Montblanc is synonymous with the finest luxury pens, but have you discovered their perfumes? With oud being the key note of the season, we highly recommend investigating Montblanc’s new Star Oud, a gently festive blend of spices, woods and amber. Its heavy glass reminds us of a bottle of ink. Makes a stylish gift for guys (though many women will want to wear it, too). €152 at Brown Thomas.
COMING SOON …
We were introduced to Solférino perfumes last week, and hear they’re on their way here, which is good news since this Paris-based brand puts the spotlight on master perfumers, including Anne Flipo and Fabrice Pellegrin, in a sophisticated collection of ten perfumes inspired by moments in the city. The boxes are particularly pretty. I’m dying to smell Paris Radieux, described as a luminous white floral with white gardenia and jasmine, created by one of my favourite perfumers, Yann Vasnier. Sounds like a perfect wedding fragrance. €175 for 70ml, currently exclusive to Selfridges.
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