On The Scent

A perfume can set a scene before a single word is spoken. It can suggest a damp cellar, a candlelit room, the warmth of someone standing nearby, or the chilling sense that someone isn’t alone. Having previously won two Fragrance Foundation Jasmine Awards for these Scented Stories, this year’s spooky tale was perhaps the most thrilling yet!

In this episode, Suzy and Nicola take listeners behind the scenes of their Halloween Scented Story for 2026, revealing why they chose the fragrances they did, and how those scents helped drive the narrative. Neither knew what the other would write next, so each instalment meant following a trail of scented clues, and occasionally leading the other somewhere decidedly sinister…

But stay listening, as we’ve news of an exciting new fragrance house who would’t exist if the founder hadn’t been a fellow listener of On The Scent Podcast, and thrillingly there are FREE samples of both scents for the first twenty listeners who say the secret password when visiting the forthcoming Pop Up Perfumery.

First: for Suzy and Nicola, as storytellers, scent is an incredible device for imagination. Adding sensory descriptions doesn’t simply decorate a story: it draws us further inside it.

Characters become more understandable, the spaces they inhabit become easier to picture, and details emerge about the time of day and even the temperature of the air. A room becomes much more vivid through the imagined smell of its damp stone walls, its fading flowers or the books slowly decaying on its shelves.

And this isn’t only a way of telling stories. It’s a brilliant way for fragrance lovers to explore their own collections and appreciate familiar perfumes anew.

Allowing the imagination to run wild while smelling, rather than searching only for individual notes, can conjure a landscape, a person or a moment that hasn’t happened yet.

Giving the imagination permission to follow wherever a fragrance leads can reveal so much more, creating a truly fascinating, emotionally resonant connection with a scent. So, settle down with a warming cup of something comforting and listen as Suzy and Nicola revisit the perfumes that brought their story to life - and a few characters who refused to stay silent…

Halloween Scented Story 2026:

Dare you join us for this year's Halloween Special?

Will you experience a scented story of horror so treacherous that it will chill your bones and linger in your memory for years to come?

If so, continue at your peril...

1: Nicola

Her childhood was full of abandon. She lived in nature. She played with the animals. Green ran through her veins.
Juicy, vibrant, head-soaring green.
She was free.
@olfactive_o New Earth

Until she wasn’t...

It all started when she heard the lizard whispering to her. Telling her that her father was there. Telling her that he wanted trouble

Her father

So famous
So revered
So violent
So evil

He had not died peacefully
@SERGELUTENS De Profundis

She was being taken back there
Back to him
Back to where it all started
She could feel it
And there was nothing she could do to stop it this time.

2: Suzy

The tick of the clock, dusty wood, a sputtering candle ominous shadows

@borntostandout.official Saint Petal
The scent of dark leaves, bruised petals falling

Creeping down the staircase that night was embedded in her memories forever...

To reach her father's secret lair, one must access the damp, vaulted cellars, so cold each exhaled breath lived on as a spectre.

Wet stone, damp moss, clusters of mushrooms clinging to the wall. whole worlds,entire ecosystems exist alongside us,
if only you dare notice

@nasomatto Micodelirio

3: Nicola

His office lay hidden in the basement. It had once been a grand ballroom but now provided a backdrop where his darkest obsessions could play out.

@rpparfums Fracas
Powdery Tuberose. The smell surrounded her. Hugged her. It was her mother. Her spirit was there. Comforting her.
Telling her to turn back. Begging her not to let him take her once more.

She tried to hard to run but she kept being dragged back. Round and round she went.
The peeling walls. The self aggrandising red carpet. The only way she could go was forward. To him.
@zoologistperfumes Moth

4: Suzy

Some grandeur still remained: lavish ceilings, arcane symbols inscribed in gold, evil eyes to protect… from what he attempted to conjure & control?

She must find his secret, and face him at last…

She could hear him working in an adjacent room & knew she had to work fast. But what was he hiding amidst the treasures on his desk?

Intricately gilded Murano glass glistened, the scent of precious spices subtly simmering, orange blossom & incense drifting, a drowsy, luxurious warmth washing over her...
@themerchantofvenice Renaissance

Shaking her head to keep alert, she tiptoed to the pride of her father's arcane collection: an ancient sarcophagus.

Empty, he'd said.

But something seemed to stir within.

Once, crowds had gathered to peer into the sarcophagus & shiver delightedly.
Now, cold air seemed to emanate, filling the room with the scent of rain-soaked lilacs (another of her mother's favourite flowers) - the electrical sizzle of lightning & thunder's smoky rumble
@hereticparfum NOSFERATU

Was it... was that where he'd kept her?

5: Nicola

The face of her step mother appeared
before her. She knew now what had happened. It was all becoming clear.
She shivered. White, frost kissed petals started to tumble around her. Her blood was cold, her mind clear. Was this the beginning of the end or the end of her beginning?
@grove_england Snowdrop

But wait....what was this?

She felt a tender, warmth surrounding her soul. It was suffocating the fear... dispelling the evil of her father and step mother. Her mother was here and she was never going to leave her again.
Iris powdered the snow with comfort. Her mother's childhood home provided a sense of safety.
@tobbaparfums Tendresse D'Automne

6: Suzy

Hiding behind a statue, in the side room her stepmother’s rasping voice whispered: “well she never suspected the perfume. Give your daughter a bottle. Then her inheritance will be ours...”

Now she understood.

The fortune had been her mother’s. With her daughter gone, nobody would stand between them and the money.

She remembered the beautiful bottle. Her mother touching its stopper to her throat.
The sudden pallor. The dropped glass.

Behind her, stone scraped against stone.
A hand emerged from the sarcophagus.
Green olive gleamed against luminous lilies, freesia and voluptuous tuberose. Bog cedar and papyrus whispered beneath: half swamp, half flower, darkness reborn in radiant bloom.
@daanddurga Resurrected Corpse Flower

Her stepmother fled into the caves leading from the cellar.
He ran, terrified, upstairs. Managed to scramble onto the roof.

Above him, a pink cloud gathering strength: her mother’s life-force. Crackling with power reborn.
He raised his hands.
The lightning struck.
Only his shadow remained, evaporating into burnt black dust.

The inheritance was hers, now, but she left the mansion untouched. Nobody dared enter to retrieve its treasures.
Outside, autumn blazed in impossible colours. Quince & cedar tangled, branches scratched windows, a faint honeyed woodiness haunting moss-softened shadows.

His books slowly decaying. Bottles gathering dust.
@imaginaryauthors The Abandoned Mansion

Far away now, she dressed her new bedroom in her (& her mother’s) favourite colours.

But the scent surrounding her was her own choice.

Lavender hushed the night. Golden myrrh unfurled beneath a hug of almond and vanilla. She wore it as her own protective cloud.
@jomalonelondon Myrrh & Tonka

She’d painted pink clouds drifting across the wooden walls.

And sometimes, just sometimes she could swear she smelled puffs of powder, tuberose, and rain-soaked lilacs,
lulling her to sleep…

They never found her stepmother.

Local superstition says her furious screams still echo through the miles of cellars & caves beneath the mansion.

If you hear them, don’t stop to listen.

The moment you hold your breath
something in the dark holds hers.

And she’s been waiting…so long…
so long…

THE END

GIVEAWAY NEWS:

The first twenty listeners to visit @thepopupperfumery this year and say the password ON THE SCENT PODCAST to Pia or Nick (who will be manning their own @olfiction stand) will receive free samples of the newly launched @namilia fragrances (two fragrances: one sample of both!) When they’re gone, they’re gone, so don’t delay in making yourselves known!

Details of The Pop Up Perfumery:

10 - 14 November
A collaborative project

This week, we’re getting into the Halloween spirit with scented storytelling, catching up on fragrance news and sniffing our way through everything from fizzy cola and whisky warmth to sultry florals and swelling seas. There’s news of a fragrant shopping destination returning to London, too, plus plenty to tempt you into adding another scent to your wish list.
Our two-times award-winning Halloween Scented Stories bring together spooky storytelling and fragrance, pairing a tale with scents to conjure its atmosphere. Watch @onthescentpodcast on our Instagram stories or catch up in Highlights (the circle beneath our bio).
On The Scent Magazine available to purchase in print or read online / weekly news blogs (and you can listen to On The Scent podcast and get links to all the fragrances mentioned at onthescentmedia.com)
We know a lot of our listeners will be excited to visit @thepopupperfumery again this year!
Details:
10 - 14 November
A collaborative project between independent fragrance brands and retailers. A space for scent lovers to shop and meet perfumers and founders.
Opening hours:
Tue- Fri: 12pm - 6.30pm
Sat: 12pm - 7pm
Location:
41 Store Street
London WCIE 7DB
Fragrances Nicola mentioned:
Valentino Vendetta Donna
‘The olfactive pact between the solar carnality of tuberose, the addictive brightness of a red orange nectar accord and the unctuosity of enveloping woods creates a bold and sensual presence, designed for a confident and magnetic woman. Narcotic tuberose from Colombia opens with warm, solar carnality, whilst an exclusive red orange nectar accord brings addictive, liqueur-like sweetness. Sandalwood anchors the base with creamy, magnetic sensuality.’
Viktor & Rolf Bonbon Cola Fizz
‘A fragrance designed for those who crave the effervescent pop of an ice-cold cola and its sliced lemon during a hot summer day. A sensorial whisper that says: treat yourself.
Double the delight: layer with Bonbon Berry Jelly or Bonbon Caramel Crunch to reinvent your gourmand signature. Crave it. Collect it. Spray it.’
Maison de L’Assie Rivière Siam
‘Life and the quiet beauty all around us. Riviére Siam opens contemplative yet bright with delicate citrus and balmy florals, capturing the golden warmth of the sunset viewed from the riverbanks.
Top Notes: orange blossom, bergamot, lavender
Heart Notes: suede, osmanthus, sandalwood
Base Notes: musk, amberwood, vanilla.’
Chefs mentioned:
Jozef Youssef of Kitchen Theory:
https://www.instagram.com/jozef_youssef?exln=MXJwYjAxN3VrOW82YQ==
Pratap Chahal of That Hungry Chef:
https://www.instagram.com/thathungrychef?cplk=c2VqYXZzb29oYjho
Fragrances Suzy mentioned:
Jo Malone London Vanilla Scotch:
‘Scotch accord: A warm accord evocative of aged oak barrels and golden amber.
Heart Note: vanilla
It adds an enveloping and sensual warmth.
Base Note: amber
A note that wraps the fragrance with woody warmth, imbuing the fragrance with sensuality.’
Chloe Atelier des Fleurs Cedrus de Nuit
‘Elevate your fragrance collection with Chloé Atelier des Fleurs Cedrus de Nuit Eau de Parfum, which captures the sensual allure of Parisian nights through a rich floral composition. This scent reveals the queen of the night flower, blending honeyed and spiced notes with dark vanilla and resinous benzoin for a captivating experience.
Immerse your senses in the intoxicating aroma of jasmine, gardenia, vanilla, and magnolia, creating a fruity and musky floral bouquet that is both exotic and creamy. The deep cobalt blue bottle, shaped with undulated glass, reflects the elegance and mystery of the fragrance within.’
Goldfield & Banks Pacific Rock Swell
‘Celebrating 10 years of Goldfield & Banks, Pacific Rock Swell Extrait de Parfum marks a new chapter in the Pacific Collection, building on the legacy of Pacific Rock Moss with a richer, more textured and intense expression of the ocean.
Fresh oceanic bursts and crisp citrus meet sun-warmed woods and cool mineral clarity, while seaweed introduces a darker, more textural depth. Marine and captivating, it captures the moment before the break, when the tide gathers power and the ocean begins to rise.’
Roja Elysium Absolue
‘A new chapter in the Elysium legend, Roja's Elysium Absolue is created for the woman who shapes her own destiny. As she journeys across a fantastical wonderland, sensual roses unfurl in her wake, their beauty enhanced by the sweetness of fruits. Radiant, captivating and endlessly alluring, this eau de parfum paints a vivid vision through a harmony of floral elegance and luscious notes.
Top Notes: fig, lychee, raspberry, cassis
Middle Notes: rose, ylang ylang, neroli, tuberose
Base Notes: pink pepper, patchouli, vetiver, orris butter, elemodor cyclescent, benzoin, sandalwood, ambergris, musks.’
Experimental Perfume Club Cigarette After S**
‘The ritual of a cigarette without the smoke.
Warmth first, the kind that settles into skin rather than fills a room. Musk and ambroxan build a raw, sensual heat, while tonka and sesame soften it into an ashy, woody warmth. What lingers is the comfort after it, the pause afterwards, worn close to the body, for the wearer's pleasure.
Key notes: tonka bean, rice, sandalwood, suede leather, white musk, ambroxan, white moss.
Composed from: The mineral spice of Cardamom Moss, the toasted gourmand of Tonka Sesame and the creamy depth of Sandalwood Musk, blended into a third scent none could be alone.’

We couldn’t do better than quote our brilliant guest Dr Kate Lister’s own bulging
bio: ‘a history sleuth with a passion for uncovering the wild tales of the past. You
might know me from my bestselling books, “A Curious History of Sex” and
“Harlots, Whores, and Hackabouts: A History of Sex for Sale,” where I spill the
tea on our ancestors’ sex lives.’ When she’s not ‘deep-diving into historical
hanky-panky’, Kate hosts the award-winning History Hit podcast, Betwixt the
Sheets, where she and her guests (including an episode with Suzy on historical
fragrances) ‘time-travel through the sauciest and most scandalous stories in
history.’
But there’s something else that Kate’s become passionate about – other than her
eternal quest for the best red lipstick in the world – which makes us love her
even more... In this episode we delve deeper into Kate’s burgeoning olfactory
obsession, which she fully admits was Suzy’s fault, as Kate purchased the
perfumes Suzy spoke about when she was a Betwixt guest – and as we all know,
it’s a slippery scented slope from there.
You can listen to that episode here: https://shows.acast.com/betwixt-the-
sheets/episodes/cleopatra-to-jane-austen-perfumes-of-powerful-women
From Kate’s early experiments with perfumes she and her peers dabbed and
dabbled with in their youth, through to expressing her personality, and finding
fragrances she’s now fallen madly in love with; of course, our conversations took
an historical turn. Among our discussions: what people in the past actually
smelled like (did they stink, as many people assume?), the cultural controls over
what women were supposed to smell of, why we have a deep longing to smell
like forest witches, and a disturbing revelation of how and why Lysol was first
marketed to women.
We think you’ll agree that Kate was an utterly fascinating guest, and we’re
determined to get her back for a Part Two! (Once she’s tried even more of the
fragrance recommendations Suzy is going to send her. Sorry in advance, Kate...
Dr Kate Lister’s Fragrance List:
Body shop Dewberry
Calvin Klein CK Be
Gap Grass (the original)
Gap Heaven (the original)
Rook Forest
Histoire de parfum Encens Roi
Histoire de Parfum 1968
Wales Perfumery Celtic Perfume Discovery Set

Le Labo Santal 33
Stora Skuggan Sylphium
Suzy suggested: Andrea Maack Coven (and has a whole list of other suggestions
to send Kate)
Kate’s favourite novel: Perfume: Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind
Suzy also suggested Kate read Smells: A Culturial History of Odours in Early
Modern Times by Robert Muchembled
And Suzy also insisted that Kate (and anyone equally fascinated by the science
and history of our sense of smell) attend next year’s IFRA Fragrance Forum,
which you can find out more about in a forthcoming blog feature at
https://www.onthescentmedia.com/
You can watch videos of previous IFRA lectures on their website:
https://www.ifrauk.org/fragrance-forum-2025

Can you imagine a whole day dedicated to wandering the streets of Paris and smelling their scented wares? Utter olfactory heaven, right?! Well, recently Suzy had a morning and afternoon to do just this, and in this week’s episode, she and Nicola retrace her steps and recall the gorgeous and inspiring Parisian boutiques she managed to visit, reviewing each of the fragrances sniffed and recounting the memories they evoke.

Nicola also adds some personal recommendations of places to stop and watch the world go by and have a spot of lunch - should you be so inclined to follow the perfumed path Suzy took, and which Nicola so fondly remembers during her time of living in Paris.

From exclusive Parisian perfumes not sold anywhere else, to newly launched scents, and the unique architecture and aesthetics that make these houses so worth your time - why not settle down with a (good) coffee and fresh croissant, and indulge in this Parisian fragrant fantasy of an afternoon with On The Scent podcast…

Boutiques Suzy visited during a morning and afternoon in Paris…

Maison Crivelli
314 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France

Designed by founder Thibaud Crivelli alongside Myriam Akl, the space functions as an "agora of perfume" combining personal objects collected ted from his travels, a stunning woven ceiling in the consultation room upstairs, signature terracotta tones, burnt wood curved benches, sculptural totems, and a series of interactive exploration boxes for visitors.

Ex Nihilo
326 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris

Designed like a contemporary art gallery combining architecture, lighting, and modern design. The Osmologue is an exclusive in-store technology system that lets visitors personalise and tailor signature fragrances to their individual preferences.

Paris exclusives:

Timeless Lovers
‘An exclusive fragrance created for the Galeries Lafayette, as an ode to Paris, it embodies the city's universal elegance and its romantic spirit.

Paris, the cradle of passion, proudly displays a flaming red color, reminding the typical red lipstick Parisian women wear. The fragrance opens with a spicy Pink Pepper top, then in the heart Cedarwood gently compliments a sensual yet sophisticated floral heart of Rose.
Eventually, Leather & Amber notes with Agarwood bring depth and power to this Parisian love story.’

Paname Palace by Ex Nihilo is a fresh, fruity unisex fragrance released in 2022. The composition opens with a bright and slightly spicy accord of bergamot, cinnamon, and pink pepper, leading into a heart where creamy fig is paired with rose and ylang-ylang. The base blends cedarwood, tonka bean, and vetiver, giving the scent a woody, softly sweet, and earthy drydown. This fragrance is available exclusively in the brand's Paris store.

BDK
Velvet Tonka Extrait
‘Almondy and vanilla-infused, Velvet Tonka is an oriental gourmand creation dusted with icing sugar, built around tonka bean, almond and orange blossom.

Velvet Tonka celebrates the tonka bean, between powdery softness and woody facets, like an oriental indulgence dusted with powdered sugar. Paired with almond and orange blossom, which lend it a luminous facet, it unfolds in a vanilla and honeyed accord, wrapped in amyris wood and tobacco. An addictive, velvety and translucent trail.’

"The scent of tonka bean has always been reminiscent of Proust's madeleines for me. Brazilian tonka bean enriches the perfumer's palette and creations with its warm and sensual almond notes. I am particularly fond of its balmy character and its milky hay aspect, which makes it incredibly addictive." Perfumer Alexandra Carlin

Solferino
310 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris

Lumiére d’Automne
‘Inspired by autumn in Paris, where golden light dances across Haussmann façades and trees are dressed in amber hues. This gourmand fragrance unfolds around a roasted chestnut accord,creamy and addictive, blending into a comforting trail of vanilla and sandalwood.’

‘The fragrance opens with notes of angelica, carrot seeds and ambrette, bringing a musky, aromatic breath. At its heart, roasted chestnut reveals a creamy, delicately smoky sweetness, evoking the melting flesh of a chestnut still warm from the fire. In the base, vanilla, benzoin and sandalwood come together to create a warm, enveloping atmosphere. An authentic olfactory stroll, celebrating the understated elegance and beauty of Parisian light in autumn.’

"I wanted to capture the golden light of autumn in Paris and the comforting gourmand emotion of roasted chestnuts, memories that are inseparable from this season."
Yann Vasnier – Givaudan

Acqua di Parma
205 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris

Created in collaboration with French designer Dorothée Meilichzon, blending Italian craftsmanship with a Parisian aesthetic. It features signature architectural arches, high-gloss yellow lacquer accents, marmorino walls, and wooden totems shaped like the iconic Colonia perfume bottle. Features an intimate consultation space at the back of the boutique highlighting the Maison's history and iconic collections.

Matiére Premiére
306 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris

‘The new 46-square-meter space reflects the brand’s philosophy. Designed by Swedish architects Halleroed, the boutique features limestone, wood, bronze, and handblown blue glass. Therefore, the space feels both refined and rooted in craftsmanship.Inside, visitors find two distinct areas. One displays the full fragrance collection. The other offers a sensory journey through raw ingredients. Because these materials change with the seasons, each visit feels new.’

Fragonard
207 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris

‘Founded in 1926 in Grasse, France, Fragonard is a family-run perfumery known for classic floral compositions and distinctive golden aluminum estagnon bottles. A stone's throw from the Jardin des Tuileries and the Place Vendôme, the Saint-Honoré boutique offers in a magnificent setting all the Fragonard ranges: perfumery, cosmetics, fashion, accessories and decorative objects.’

L'Oranger
This is a special anniversary fragrance centered around its signature orange blossom heritage. Created by perfumer Daniela Andrier, it features a bright bouquet of bergamot, Italian green mandarin, and lemon petitgrain at the top, a heart of orange blossom absolute blended with lavender and French cypress, and a soft base of white musks and blond woods.

Orange blossom has been Fragonard's signature scent since 2004, and the brand also celebrated the 2026 centenary with a special heart-shaped, orange-blossom-scented stamp issued by La Poste

Guerlain
356 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris

‘Scent creations are stored in a temperature-controlled, UV-protected cellar designed similarly to a fine wine cellar (grand crus) to preserve the integrity of the perfumes. • Visitors can customize iconic bee bottles and flacons by selecting bottle colors, custom text engraving, neck threads, ribbons, and packaging. These custom designs are recorded in a serial-numbered logbook, and the bee bottles can be permanently refilled.’

Maison Diptyque
7 Rue Duphot, 75001 Paris

‘Located in one of the French capital's most prestigious areas, halfway between a boutique and a cultural centre, you'll find iconic Diptyque creations and a range of artistic and cultural experiences, all in an architectural setting reminiscent of a Parisian aesthete's apartment. Designed like a 400m² Parisian aesthete's apartment featuring rooms such as a library, garden, home fragrance salon, bathing salon, and museum/exhibition spaces. Iconic and exclusive Diptyque creations, perfume refills, personalised engraving, gift boxes, recycling services, and rotating artistic or cultural events. Enjoy an exclusive personalised service in Le Salon Privé, where you can turn your inspiration into reality and create an extraordinary made-to-measure extra-large candle. 200 possible combinations of scents and finishes for a singular and precious...

Fancy a scented tour through unexpected florals (via toasted seeds and cool green leaves), autumnal sunsets in California, walled gardens where a warrior goddess might stroll, impeccably tailored heritage, and a gloriously gilded pop fantasy? Step right this way, because this week Suzy & Nicola are discussing perfumes for taking a calm breath, for making an entrance, for leaning into your own glow, and the pleasure of simply choosing the perfect scent to suit the moment.

They’re also asking whether fragrance can influence mood, considering solid perfume in a new jelly-like form, and finding plenty to discuss in a line-up that moves from poised and polished to maximalist, sensual and gloriously escapist…

Let’s dive in!

Dries Van Noten Velvet Violet
Violet is so often treated as a sugary, powdery floral that it is genuinely refreshing to find it approached from a greener, more fashion-conscious angle. Here, the leaf is the real focus, giving a cool, woody freshness that feels crisp and modern rather than cosmetic. Pink pepper adds a fizzy brightness, then the texture shifts. Toasted sesame is nutty and savoury, barley brings a softly cereal-like warmth, and vetiver with tonka bean leaves a smooth, earthy-gourmand glow on skin.
The effect is tactile and surprisingly chic, with a lovely tension between freshly crushed green leaves and the almost skin-like warmth of toasted seeds. This is violet for those who usually avoid violet, and a quietly unusual choice for anyone who likes their florals with a little friction.

Notes: Violet leaf, pink pepper, sesame, barley, vetiver, tonka bean.

L’Objet Alento
Named for a word that can mean breath, spirit, encouragement and vital energy, this is a perfume conceived as an olfactory pause. The opening is bright with juicy orange, though aldehydes give it a sparkling, airy lift that stops it from becoming too obviously fruity. Orange blossom flows through the heart with a fresh, creamy radiance, before lactones, vanilla, ambergris and white musks soften into a cocooning, close-to-skin finish.
It feels less like a perfume that announces itself and more like a gentle return to oneself. There is a luminous cleanliness to it, but enough milkiness, warmth and musk to make it feel sensual rather than merely fresh. A lovely choice for anyone craving comfort that still has a little glow about it.

Notes: Top: Orange, aldehydes Heart: Orange blossom, fresh floral notes, lactones Base: Vanilla, ambergris, white musks

L’Objet Ojai
This begins with the imagined warmth of a California afternoon, when the air is bright with citrus and green things, and the earth has started to hold onto the day’s heat. Bergamot, a green note and cardamom have a breezy, aromatic freshness, before the mango comes through with a rich, softly tropical glow. Bulgarian rose and saffron lend colour and texture, making the fruit feel more nuanced than merely juicy.
As it settles, patchouli, frankincense and vanilla bring a dusky, ambery depth that is far more soulful than a straightforward fruity floral. It smells like sun on skin, fruit warmed on the branch, and a trace of incense carried through an open window. This is for days when a perfume needs to offer an instant sense of escape, while still feeling grounded and wearable.

Notes: Top: Bergamot, green note, cardamom Heart: Mango, Bulgarian rose, saffron Base: Patchouli, frankincense, vanilla

Boadicea the Victorious Andraste
This is a full, dramatic walled garden scent, where hot brick, flowering vines, crushed greenery and aromatic herbs all seem to release their perfume at once. It has the kind of lavish, maximalist construction that Boadicea the Victorious does so well, combining cool eucalyptus and smoky Lapsang Souchong tea with saffron, thyme and a cascade of flowers. Honeysuckle, wisteria, jasmine and rose create an all-consuming floral richness, while powdered orris, ambrette, leather, fumed woods and vetiver darken the edges.
There is a sense of strength to it, but it does not feel remotely austere. This is floral drama with a leather-lined, resinous, slightly feral undercurrent. It has the atmosphere of a garden after a storm, when everything smells wetter, greener, hotter and more alive. Wear it when you want perfume to feel like a form of armour, a flourish of theatricality, and a reminder to take up rather more space.

Notes: Eucalyptus, Lapsang Souchong tea, saffron, thyme, honeysuckle, wisteria, jasmine, Lady Emma Hamilton rose, citrus notes, orris, ambrette, leather, fumed woods, vetiver.

Huntsman x Truefitt & Hill Cologne
The idea here is understated luxury, and it does that most convincingly by avoiding the kind of brash, traditional barbershop clichés one might expect. The opening has a bright, aromatic polish from bergamot, lemon, cardamom, pink pepper, saffron and elemi, feeling brisk but never sharp. Then the rose and violet arrive, adding soft floral refinement, while tobacco absolute gives the heart a gentle smokiness and richness.
Vanilla pod, guaiac wood, tonka bean and cedarwood create a warm, smooth finish that gives this more depth than a conventional cologne. It is elegant without being fussy, and classic without smelling as though it has been preserved behind glass. The overall impression is of someone beautifully dressed, completely at ease and not remotely interested in making a fuss about it.

Notes:
Top: Bergamot, cardamom, pink pepper, saffron, lemon, elemi
Heart: Damask rose, tobacco absolute, violet, petitgrain
Base: Vanilla pod, guaiac wood, tonka bean, cedarwood

Britney Spears Goddess Fantasy
If fragrance is sometimes about serious artistry, it can also be about joy, memory, confidence and indulging the part of oneself that would like to feel a little more fabulous. This goes wholeheartedly into that mood. Golden mango, mandarin and bergamot bring juicy, sunlit sweetness, while jasmine absolute, Turkish rose and orange blossom give the heart a lush, glamorous floral bloom.
The dry-down is where the Fantasy family resemblance really comes through. Benzoin, vanilla buttercream and gilded musk create a warm, creamy sweetness that feels designed for unapologetic pleasure. It is bright, pretty and noticeably gourmand, but the citrus opening stops it becoming too dense. Think glossy lips, warm skin, golden light and the sheer morale boost of deciding that one is, in fact, the main character.

Notes:
Top: Golden mango, mandarin, bergamot
Heart: Jasmine absolute, Turkish rose, orange blossom
Base: Warm benzoin, vanilla buttercream, gilded musk

Joonbyrd Mood Jellies
These portable water-based solid fragrances are intended as little mood rituals, with each jelly pairing a different scent profile with Bacillus ferment and neuroscience-led wellbeing claims. It is always worth holding such claims lightly, because scent is personal and context-dependent. Yet there is something rather charming about matching fragrance to a desired state of mind, particularly when the format is so playful and easy to carry around.

Bliss
Apple gives this a crisp, cheerful lift, jasmine brings a soft floral bloom, and woods with labdanum provide a mellow, gently resinous warmth. It sounds like the most easy-going of the trio, designed for a comforting, sunny sort of uplift.

Notes: Apple, jasmine, woods, labdanum.

Confidence
Peach and saffron make for a warm, radiant opening, while oak moss and ambroxan lend dry, musky structure. This has the most polished, skin-scent-like profile of the three, with enough fruitiness to feel friendly but enough moss and woody amber character to provide presence.

Notes: Peach, saffron, oak moss, ambroxan.

Peace
Violet and orris create a soft, powdery hush, while vetiver and cedarwood add rooty calm. Cacao brings a subtle darkness and comfort, making this the most introspective choice. It feels made for the end of a busy day, when one wants a small personal pause rather than a big perfume performance.

Notes: Violet, vetiver, cacao, cedarwood, orris.

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