Le Lion
Chanel
The latest launch from the House of Chanel’s Les Exclusif range of fragrances, Le Lion refers to Mme Chanel’s affinity with her astrological sign: Leo – a reoccurring motif for the fashion house and a symbol of her renowned pride and strength. A scent built around a core of warm intense amber balanced out with the freshness of lemon at first spritz, it soon nuzzles down to a base of smooth vanilla, sandalwood and patchouli. Uplifting and cosseting in equal measures, perhaps this is the tonic we all need in 2021. Buy it here.
Osmanthus
L’Occitane
If you want to switch up your winter fragrance for something more floral this spring, L’Occitane’s Osmanthus fragrance is packed with flowery and fruity notes that won’t fail to lighten your mood. With a splash of apricot and pear – kept from being sickly sweet with a kick of bitter orange oil – the ‘hero heart’ of Osmanthus then comes through for an unashamedly floral explosion, ending with a woody cedar and sandalwood finish. Fresh, uplifting and with all the sustainably sourced credentials you’d expect from L’Occitane. Buy Osmanthus here.
Scarlet Poppy Intense
Jo Malone
The bold vermillion bottle of Jo Malone’s latest fragrance, Scarlet Poppy Intense, is just as arresting as the scent itself. This is truly the perfect spritz to awaken you from your lockdown slumber. Inspired by the wild poppies of both the English countryside and the dramatic plains of Asia, the fragrance unravels with powdery ambrette, before the bold, unabashed poppy accord hits; mellowed finally with moreish tonka bean and its notes of almond, tobacco and vanilla. A bold scent for those looking to shake things up. Buy it here.
Perfect
Marc Jacobs
Launched in 2020, Perfect, with its top notes of seasonal rhubarb and daffodil, is just the thing for spring. The initial sparkle of juicy fruits and bright florals is swiftly softened by a comforting heart of smooth almond milk and a base of soft cashmerean. A perfect clash of elevating florals and grounding, soothing notes for a modern, spring fragrance. Shop Perfect here.
Spring Equinox
Ffern
Ffern blends only one batch of its artisanal fragrances each season, which is then released to an eager – and usually oversubscribed – waiting list on the equinox. A unisex scent, it is hand-blended in Devon and, for SS21, Ffern has drawn inspiration from a spring morning in an English greenhouse. To recreate this idyllic vision, it relies on earthy vetiver and ginger, with fresh pink pepper to mimic the soil and peppery, young green shoots. With zesty bergamot and green mandarin to evoke the lush green foliage, jasmine provides a quiet reminder of the spring blossom beyond the window panes, whilst the hero centrepiece is surely the orange tree – grown over winter in Victorian hothouses – from the petitgrain in the leaves and twigs, to the neroli from the orange flowers and the juicy, bitter rind of the fruit itself. If you’re lucky enough to bag a bottle, enjoy it, in all its seasonal glory. If not – get ready for summer. Buy this season’s delight here.
Bitter Peach
Tom Ford
Tom Ford’s fragrances are known for being unapologetically bold and Bitter Peach does not disappoint. As sensual as the fruit, the sweet peach flesh is balanced with Sicilian blood orange oil and a heart of spicy rum-infused Davana oil, drying to an incense smoke, dark patchouli finish. Forget what you imagine peach to smell like; this is Tom Ford’s take and it is darker, sexier and utterly delicious. Shop it here.
Orpheon
Diptyque
A ‘woody Chypre’ in fragrance speak, Diptyque’s newest scent was inspired by Orpheon, the bar next door the brand’s original boutique in St Germain, Paris. Imagine the faint linger of a glamorous woman’s scent mixing lazily with smoke curling through the candlelit bar, brought to life with fragrant botanical spirits served over a resinous, woody bar. Translated in olfactory terms as jasmine, tobacco, juniper and cedar, this is an all-in-one utterly transporting scent. Diptyque is a master of evocative scent stories and this one doesn’t disappoint. Buy it here.
Etui Noir
Miller Harris
Miller Harris’ latest fragrance, Etui Noir was designed to capture that familiar, cosseting masculine scent you get when you throw on your partner’s jacket at the end of the night: a mix of tough, earthy notes of leather and vetiver blend with a tender, sensual heart of powdery iris, cashmere wood and incense for that snuggly, back-of-the-cab-ride-home scent. Explore more here.
Riviera Neroli
Autograph
Yes, an M&S fragrance for under a tenner. Before you turn your nose up (literally) – believe us, it’s worth a whiff. Created with layering in mind, it can be worn alone or with other scents in the range, allowing you to craft your own unique fragrance – and even if you bought all three you’d still have change from £30 and a whole wardrobe of combinations to choose from. The Riviera Neroli captures that orange-blossom, heady morning scent of the Mediterranean, with fellow citrus friends bergamot and grapefruit for company. The zesty highs are matched with comforting base notes of vanilla and musk for a sweet, comforting finish. A great pick-me-up to throw in with your weekly shop. Shop Riviera Neroli here.
By Lydia Mansi
April 2021
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