Here’s what the Fashion Journal team smells like
image and words by daisy henry
A perfume for everyone.
When I set out to buy myself a perfume for the first time (as opposed to being gifted fragrances at every birthday growing up), I did the inevitable. I trawled through shops, alternating between spraying fragrances and sniffing coffee beans to clear my nose. I would often end up with a headache and walk out unable to distinguish one perfume from another.
After some trial and error, I decided to be patient, letting the perfume find me. I waited until I was in the right mood, spritzing a little onto my wrists when I walked into a shop I liked and let it linger for the rest of the day. Since then, I’ve found two perfumes that I love to alternate depending on the event and season.
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While not everyone has a signature scent, there’s something special about people associating you with a particularly nice smell. When I catch a hint of YSL Libre, I know my colleague, Molly is somewhere nearby. When someone smells fig leaves, I hope they think of me. So, if you’re looking to go monogamous with your perfume, take these tried-and-tested favourites as inspiration.
Gypsy Water by Byredo and 1270 by Frapin
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Picked by: Lara Daly, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor
This is so basic of me to say but I think Byredo Gypsy Water is realistically my signature scent. It was all I wore from about age 19 to 25. It had a real moment about 10 years ago but I loved it so much I kept wearing it for years. It’s probably the fragrance my boyfriend, friends and family would smell and say, “that smells like Lara.”
I actually still like it, but I moved on to a more niche perfume called 1270 by Frapin. It’s made by an old French cognac company, so it’s a little bit boozy and smokey but still gourmand. To me, it smells like an espresso martini or a fancy chocolate with Cointreau. It’s my signature scent only for winter and special nights out since it’s so expensive.
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Philosykos by Diptyque
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Picked by: Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor
Philosykos is my special occasion, date night, balmy weather signature scent. It captures the essence of summer perfectly with its notes of fig leaves, wood and white cedar. It’s what you’d imagine yourself naturally smelling like after a day in the sun, island hopping in Greece and swimming in the ocean.
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Libre by YSL
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Picked by: Molly Griffin, Fashion Journal’s Advertising and Partnerships Manager
Although my signature scent might be a tad basic (it’s been named an ‘it girl’ perfume on TikTok), I love it and will continue to wear it forever. YSL Libre was my first grown-up scent as I started drifting away from the very sweet, floral scents of my youth. The strong orange and lavender tones make the scent feel bold and I find it lingers way more than other perfumes I own. It does feel more like a wintery fragrance than a summer scent but I find myself reaching for it year round.
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On A Date by Maison Margiela
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Picked by: Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor
I’m lucky enough to have a small selection of fragrances and change what I wear daily, based on my mood. Right now, I seem to be picking up Replica On a Date by Maison Margiela the most. It’s quite feminine and sweet, in a similar world as the scents I was drawn to in my teen years (Fantasy by Britney Spears, Flowerbomb by Viktor and Rolf, For Her by Narciso Rodriguez). I’m also loving Autumn Vibes, also in the Replica range, for something a little more woody. It’s perfect for the turn of the season.
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Retrospective by Merit
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Picked by: Lara Daly, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor
Lately, I’ve been into the idea of a signature ‘work scent’ that I only wear to the office, something I can spritz on and be in pro mode. Lately it’s been Retrospective by Merit which smells like a chic woman with her shit together.
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Marrakech Intense Eau de Parfum by Aesop
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Picked by: Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor
After years of receiving perfumes as gifts (most notably Daisy by Marc Jacobs, because, of course), Aesop’s Marrakech was the first fragrance I spent my own money on. I wanted a signature scent that felt my own and wasn’t chosen for me, so I naturally turned to the place where everything smells good: Aesop.
I weighed up multiple scents (Karst was a close second) but couldn’t get past the notes of sandalwood. I typically struggle with fragrances that sit too heavily on my skin and get headaches shockingly easily but this is the perfect balance. It’s the only perfume where I’ve finished the whole bottle and repurchased it.
Get it here.
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