The Perfume Lover’s Guide to Finding Your New Favourite Fragrance
Words by Emily Kerr
Knowing what perfume family you like, and ultimately what notes you prefer, is a fantastic springboard for fragrance discovery and makes narrowing the choice for a new scent a bit easier. It could be that you’re committed to the gourmand fragrance family and crave a new, niche scent within it, such as Thameen’s Not Telling Extrait de Parfum. Maybe your signature scent is running low and you're in the market for something similar or better suited to the current season. Or perhaps a particular fragrance house or perfumer has captured your heart (and nose), inspiring you to explore other notes with a similar vibe. Whatever your reason for seeking a new fragrance this autumn, we've got the ultimate guide to scent alternatives you might not have considered.
Floral Fragrances
Often classified as the most romantic and broadest of the aromatic fragrance family, an added blend of citrus, fruit or wood notes create a diverse olfactory signature. If you are after a scent that promotes timeless femininity with a twist (thanks to the addition of peach notes) try Parfums de Marly’s Valaya Eau de Parfum or for a soft powdery scent, spritz Guerlain’s Eau de Cashmere Eau de Toilette.
PARFUMS DE MARLY, Delina Eau de Parfum, 75ml, £255
Treat yourself to a different kind of bouquet with Parfums de Marly’s Delina Eau de Parfum. Composed of Turkish roses, delicate peony and a fruity blend of lychee, rhubarb and long-lasting bergamot, expect to smell fragrant all day. It is no wonder this scent is widely popular.
MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN, 175 Anniversary Edition Reflets d'ambre Eau de Parfum,70ml, £230
If there is a luxurious fragrance worth the investment it is Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s 175 Anniversary Edition Reflets d'ambre Eau de Parfum. Powerful spicy notes of pink pepper blended with jasmine and a precious amber accord certainly has this scent passing the ‘what are you wearing?’ test.
Woody Fragrances
Rich, seductive, with the ultimate balance of warming earthy under tones and a touch of figgy sweetness, Veronique Gabai’s Délices des Bois eau de parfum is a scent not to be looked over in this fragrance family. For a bolder scent opt for Montale’s Arabians Tonka Eau de Parfum – a true rare, spicy woody fusion.
CREED, Millesime 1849 Eau de Parfum, 100ml, £295
Cedar, warm thyme and laurel notes bring a dry depth to Creed’s Millesime 1849 Eau de Parfum while head notes of jasmine and Calabrian bergamot add a light, energetic touch. Let this scent transport you to an early morning walk in a cool, but sun-beamed woodland in the heart of the mountains.
TOM FORD, Oud Wood Parfum, 50 ml, £330
A sweeter, richer take on Tom Ford’s smoky best-selling sister the Oud Wood Eau de Parfum. The Oud Wood parfum’s touch of vanilla warms the exotic blend of woods to ignite the senses in a head turning aroma.
Fresh Fragrances
If light, sparkling and bright is your elixir for a refreshing start to the day opt for Mancera’s French Riviera Eau de Parfum – the ultimate pick-me-up in a bottle. Or if crunchy fennel and green garden herbs is your cup of (iced) tea, Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Aqua Media Cologne Forte Eau de Parfum will have you reaching for the bottle again and again.
GOLDFIELD & BANKS, Pacific Moss Pure Perfume, 100ml, £138
If there is one fragrance you are packing for your summer holiday for its memory-bottling benefits, let it be Goldfield and Bank’s Pacific Moss Pure Perfume. Crisp sage and lemon notes strike a mouth-watering, wearable aroma that will take you from the beach to the restaurant, and everywhere in between.
MAISON MARGIELA, Replica Sailing Day Eau de Toilette, 30ml, £60
A light and airy alternative to a fresh fragrance has to be Maison Margiela’s Replica Sailing Day Eau de Toilette. A unique aquatic accord takes you out to sea on a summers breeze as salty red seaweed notes wash over you with each cooling spritz.
Gourmand Fragrances
Highly addictive aromas and a sophisticated source of comfort are just two of the reasons foodie fragrances are trending. Feed your sweet tooth with Maison Crivelli’s x Jordi Fernandez Oud Cadenza Extrait de Parfum (think dates coated in syrup and cinnamon), top this with Xerjoff’s Erba Pura Eau de Parfum for a good-enough-to-eat vanilla delight.
JO MALONE LONDON, Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense, 50ml, £112
If you enjoy a scent less sweet but equally as delicious, try Jo Malone London’s Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense. Warm almonds and smoky Tonka bean lead to a rich fest for the senses and an interesting combination.
DIPTYQUE, Eau Duelle Eau de Parfum, 75ml, £153
In a decadent display of bourbon vanilla Diptyque’s Eau Duelle Eau de Parfum is brought to life with woody undertones, rockrose and spices in a bottle of surprises. Spitz this for your daily sugar fix.
Citrus Fragrances
If you enjoy a fragrance that brings the energy and packs a punch the chances are Parfums de Marly’s Perseus Eau de Parfum will be your new favourite scent. The words modern and playful spring to mind when it comes to this citrus wonder. In an instantly recognisable fragrance family, try Maison Crivelli’s Citrus Batikanga Eau de Parfum for something a bit different (think of a sparkling zing heightened by chilli).
LOEWE, Agua Eau de Toilette, 50ml, £79
As radiant as the bottle in which it is held, it is impossible not to hold your head a little bit higher after spritzing Loewe Agua Eau de Toilette. Empowered by Sicilian bergamot, tangerine and white pepper this strong fragrance is sure to elicit confidence.
ACQUA DI PARMA, Signatures of The Sun Oud and Zagara Eau de Parfum, 100ml, £250
Soft and delicate aren’t normally terms you’d expect to find in a citrus fragrance but Acqua di Parma’s take on its Signatures of The Sun Oud and Zagara Eau de Parfum masters this with easy layers of Zagara orange flower, ylang ylang and lemon.
Seasonal Scents
Embrace the cold, crisp air with a range of fragrances that will take you from cosy coffee catch-ups to an evening soirée.
