As the leaves turn and the air chills we find ourselves drawn to cosy, sensual smells. And this is often reflected in our perfume choices. Gone are the vapid bluebells and fawning peonies. Our Summer fling with daisies is over. Autumn demands a fragrance that is heady and complicated, but in essence deeply comforting.
It’s the season we crave strong coffee (possibly laced with gingerbread) or pumpkin pie, we take long walks in evocative pine forests and build bonfires. Not only that but our skin changes too, so what better time to update our scent?
Tom Ford Private Blends
Tom Ford’s Private Blends have always been a good place to start. Take on Autumn with both barrels and opt for the leafy-crunchy, smoky ‘Oud Wood’, or try the bittersweet ‘Tobacco Vanille’ which carries hints of cigar smoke and dark chocolate. Purchase from £142.
Jo Malone Mimosa & Cardamom
Jo Malone’s latest addition to the cologne collection is ‘Mimosa & Cardamom’; a Bohemian scent created by Master Perfumier Marie Salamagne inspired by 1960s decadence and the Middle East. Honey-rich yet still floral, this is a fragrance for balmy September evenings when alfresco dining is just about an option (but take a sweater), a fragrance that is feminine but distinctly different. Purchase from £85.
Gucci Bamboo
Gucci’s most recent perfume creation ‘Bamboo’ (named after their existing range of accessories) opens with bergamot and settles down to a sandalwood base. A white floral, the simplicity of this one is that of crisp, clear mornings after a rainy night. Purchase from £49.
Penhaligon’s of London Tralala
Penhaligon’s of London ‘Tralala’ is an opulent fragrance, reminiscent of whisky, saffron, leather and incense. It was inspired by the fantastical universe of Edward Meadham and Benjamin Kirchhoff and was blended by Master Perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour. ‘Tralala’ is the choice for a night out in Soho (at The Box, maybe?) – accessorise with a velvet cape and an air of mystery. Purchase from £150.
Noble Isle Fireside
And finally Noble Isle’s ‘Fireside’ shower gel is a must for an Autumnal bathroom. Combining cinnamon and cypress with – bizarrely – beetroot, this is a luxurious pick-me-up and reminiscent of remote country inns in the Welsh valleys. Purchase from £20.
By Firgas Esack
Firgas Esack is a luxury lifestyle writer based in London.
