From whisky to vanilla slices, these are our favourite winter fragrances
IMAGE VIA @FICIFOLIAFRAGRANCES/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY MARYEL SOUSA
Warm and indulgent.
In some seasons, we know exactly what fragrances to reach for. Spring calls for florals (groundbreaking!), and summer begs for tropical scents like piña coladas and pool water. But as the weather grows cooler, the choice becomes somewhat less obvious. Should winter fragrances be cocooning and comforting, like vanilla and amber, or should they be dramatic, with notes of smoke and spice?
We like nosy people. Don’t be shy, head to our Beauty section for more.
We don’t have an answer, but perhaps that’s the beauty of winter scents – they leave room for you to choose your own adventure. And when the cold weather has you stuck inside for months on end, that’s a pretty exciting prospect. Wherever you’d like your perfume to take you this season, whether to snow-laden mountaintops or to a smoke-filled whisky bar, we’ve rounded up our favourites to help you choose.
By The Fireplace by Maison Margiela
View this post on Instagram
Feel transported to a cabin in the snowy mountains with this warm, comforting scent inspired by nights spent by the fireplace. Its notes are sweet, with chestnut, vanilla and orange blossom; spicy, thanks to pink pepper and clove; and smoky, like guaiac wood.
Get it here.
Portrait of a Lady by Éditions de Parfums By Frédéric Malle
View this post on Instagram
If you spend your winter months curled up inside, your nose in a book, this scent is for you. With more than 400 rose blooms in every bottle and notes of blackcurrant, patchouli and incense, this dramatic and multifaceted fragrance honours the tragic fictional heroine of Henry James’ novel The Portrait of a Lady.
Get it here.
Munlark Ash Parfum by Mihan Aromatics
View this post on Instagram
A scent inspired by the bark and needles of evergreen trees, this fragrance conjures an image of hiking through the mountains in the crisp air. Its scent is ancient yet familiar and as quiet as an early winter morning.
Get it here.
Cashmere Skin by Phlur
View this post on Instagram
With layers of almond, vanilla and balsam, this creamy fragrance wears like a sweater – warm and comforting. Don it alongside your favourite knitwear and feel a bit more prepared to take on the cold.
Get it here.
Whisky by Perdrisat
View this post on Instagram
Like the drink it’s named for, Whisky is a warming, full-bodied fragrance with subtle notes of sweet cinnamon that emerge as it wears. This Melbourne-made perfume also features traces of rose and a lit cigarette, making it a romantic choice for cosying up next to a first date this cuffing season.
Get it here.
Kitten Fur by Demeter
View this post on Instagram
Demeter has captured the sweet essence of kitten fur – a warm, musky scent that cosies up to you like a lap cat. It’s powdery, comforting and understated, perfect when you need a pick-me-up from the winter blues.
Get it here.
Best in Show by Ficifolia
View this post on Instagram
Just like a vanilla slice, garnished with nutty praline and served alongside a hot cup of coffee, Best in Show is indulgent – the perfect winter olfactory treat. With its sweetness balanced by base notes of musk and vetiver, this fragrance is delightfully sensual and surprisingly complex.
Get it here.
Tea Service by Chasing Scents
View this post on Instagram
Imagine sitting down to yum cha on a blustery winter day, with a steaming cup of tea before you on the white tablecloth. You’re greeted by a harmonious blend of sweet, fruity, musky and earthy notes that deepen the longer it steeps. It’s comforting, cosy and delicious, just like this fragrance, with its top notes of jasmine and oolong tea and delicate musky base.
Get it here.
Nosferatu by Heretic Parfum
View this post on Instagram
Inspired by Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, Heretic Parfum has created a vampiric fragrance that’s perfect for winter wear. It’s cold and pale, like a chill down the spine; damp and earthy, like frost melting off a mountaintop. Rather than warming the wearer, this scent leans into cold, making it entirely unique.
Get it here.
Eidesis by Aesop
View this post on Instagram
A woody scent inspired by Greek myth, this frankincense-forward fragrance is rich in spice, with notes of cumin and pepper, yet remains light and understated. Marketed as a unisex scent, this can (and should) be worn by anyone this winter.
Get it here.
For more on seasonal fragrances, try this.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
