I’m sure I’ve said it before, but I’m a bit of a perfume junkie. I love them. Far from having one signature scent, I always have several on the go at once. Different ones for day and night. Different ones for my mood. Definitely different ones for summer and winter. I have selected my favourite six scents for the festive season; some are new, some are not so new, but all are delicious, intoxicating, glamorously seductive fragrances that anyone is sure to delight in finding in their stocking!
One of my all time favourite scents, Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb (£76) has had a festive makeover for the Christmas 2011 Limited Edition. The metallic fuchsia bottle, draped in delicate ribbons, festoons the iconic bottle in fantasy and femininity. A bouquet of sambac Jasmine, centifolia rose and catleya orchid, the warm harmony of patchouli and benzoin creates a gorgeously sensual fragrance. The ultimate couture detail, the box is festooned in festive colours, dressed up in sparkling pink and ribbon patterns. As if the perfume alone wasn’t enough, the delicately scented Flowerbomb Bath Caviar is the ultimate indulgent bathtime treat (£60).
For the latest in the Penhaligon’s portfolio, the iconic perfume house turned to master perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour to create a complex choreography of perfumed desire. A corrupted floral oriental for those private moments when everything is anticipation. Amaranthine opens with a dramatic flourish of spices and tropical green. This unsettling lick of drama is beautifully ambushed by an unctuous accord of jasmine and ylang-ylang, a heady bloom renowned for its aphrodisiac properties, and clove swathed in spices, tea, musk and the rounded beauty of tonka bean absolute. Top notes include Green Tea, White Freesia, Banana Tree Leaf, Coriander Seed Oil and Cardamom Absolute with a heart of Rose, Carnation, Clove Oil, Orange Blossom, Ylang Ylang Oil and Egyptian Jasmine Absolute and a base of Musk, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Condensed Milk and Tonka Bean Absolute. Available in 50ml (£68) and 100ml Eau de Parfum (£95), as well as a limited edition 30ml Parfum housed in a hand-crafted crystal and silver bottle, at an eye-watering £399, complete with silver butterfly charm bracelet that sits around the neck created by jewellery designer Alex Monroe. Available from www.penhaligons.com
Maison Martin Margiela's 2010 unisex scent (untitled) has also had a festive makeover. The now iconic bottle design of simple lines, round stopper, silver thread baudruchage around the neck is a reference to bottles once used in apothecaries. The scent itself remains unchanged; the main element is galbanum, an emblematic raw material od artisanal perfumery. The freshness is accentuated by the bitterness of green boxwood and the herbal accents of mastic. In striking contrast, cedar, musk and frankincense stir up emotions with their dense, almpst patined warmth. With only 3,000 of the limited edition bottles available worldwide snap one up while you can. £62.50 for 50ml, exclusive to Selfridges.
Paco Rabanne's Lady Million is a vibrant, sensual, fresh, floral and woody, like the nectar of voluptuous flowers. A delicious scent with zingy top notes of bitter orange and fleshy raspberry with a heart of neroli, orange flower and Arabian jamine and base of honey and vibrant patchouli. The Lady Million bottle was designed by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance and exudes all of the delicateness of a multi-faceted cut. Such technical prowess owes much to an exceptional craft and quality of glass. And just like a diamond, the bottle does not have a specific base, but may be placed on any facet. From £33. Available nationwide.
Long before her signature scent became world-renowned, Antonia Bellanca-Mahoney ran an exclusive flower shop in East Hampton. It was the exquisite mingled scent of all the flowers in her boutique that inspired the creation of Antonia's Flowers. The stunning Tiempe Passate Eau de Parfum is named after a love song Antonia's Grandfather wrote in 1920. Cedarwood, amber, bergamot, montauk rose (named for its "saltiness") and clementine (for sparkle) combine to create a modern classic Eau de Parfum. The scent comes in a custom made velvet lined box with a pump included. £128 for 60ml. Available from www.spacenk.co.uk
Finally, I have always been a fan of Marc Jacobs' fragrances, and the latest incarnation, Oh! Lola, doesn't disappoint. A fun, flirtatious and fruity fragrance, Oh! Lola boasts tops notes of pear and effervescent raspberry, floral midnotes of peony, magnolia and cyclamen and a base of sandalwood, tonka bean and vanilla. Delicious! Available nationwide.
Love Laurel x
