Winter Scents Worth Adding to Your Collection
Swap citrus notes with warmer frankincense, pepper, amber and myrrh for a sophisticated scent more suited to Christmas
Inspired by a winter fire, with the flames crackling, top notes of cloves, pink pepper and orange blossom blend with chestnut, vanilla and juniper for a full-on festive scent. Chamonix, £29.99 Noted.Aromas
This subtle and sophisticated scent with bergamot, orange flower, patchouli and amber is reminiscent of warm, smooth leather and softening soap. Saddle EDP, £130 Perfumer H
Fresh yet festive, and inspired by painter Balthus’s atelier in the Swiss alps, the top notes of honey, milk and lemon are balanced with a hint of blond wood and vanilla. Grand Chalet fragrance, £130 Astier de Villatte
Sweet violet blends with woody palo santo, frankincense and myrrh for a unique fragrance designed to be a little different on everyone. Glossier You Doux, £62 Glossier
Creed’s limited-edition Absolu Aventus, £340, makes a much-anticipated return for Christmas, incorporating the vivifying energy of zesty grapefruit and evocative pineapple with smoky Haitian vetiver.
Comfort and joy wrapped up in the spirit of the season, the woody fir contrasts with supple leather and aromatic artemisia in this festive scent. Fir & Artemisia Cologne, £124 Jo Malone
Part of her Collection of Emotions, Charlotte Tilbury’s lingering Joyphoria has a velvety heart of vanilla bean and cashmere wood, balanced with neroli oil, ylang yang and tuberose. Joyphoria EDP, £130 Charlotte Tilbury
Staying Power
The eternal conundrum – how to make your scent last longer
The Chemistry
Your body chemistry does have an impact on your scent. Not just on the final dry down but also how long it will last, that’s why a scent always smells slightly different on different individuals. Scent is also affected by diet (which also has an impact on your body chemistry). Anyone lacking in iron may find that a scent smells odd or even off, so look for a scent with heavier molecules such as vanilla and tonka bean which are more consistent due to their makeup.
Layer Up
If you love your summer scent but don’t think it translates so well into the darker winter months then consider layering your scent. Experiment until you find your own perfect combination, which will of course be unique to you, but always spritz the heavier scent first before layering the lighter one over the top.
In the Cloud
You can send a perfume mist into the air and walk through it to help intensify the scent, or spritz your hair brush before you use it, but don’t spray perfume directly onto hair or clothing as it can cause damage.
Moisturise
If your skin is dry perfume can evaporate more easily. Use an unscented body lotion to moisturise which helps the scent to stick to skin, or mix your favourite scent into your body lotion for extra staying power if there isn’t a ready-made version to complement it. Alternatively, dab a tiny bit of Vaseline onto pulse points – it acts as a lock for your scent.
Storage
Store your perfume in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight rather than in a steamy, hot bathroom.
On the Pulse
Blood is nearer to the skin’s surface on your wrists, collarbone, nape of the neck and elbows and the additional heat is what intensifies the perfume, but don’t ever rub it in. Spritz on your scent and allow it to settle before dressing (fabric can soak up and mask scent). Rubbing or crushing the scent will damage the all-important molecules causing the top notes to break down faster.
