On The Scent

Looking for some truly outstanding and very affordable fragrances? Have we got an episode for you! This week, as challenged by you, we went on a scent safari sniffing our way around the new fragrances in one of the U.K’s most beloved high street shops. The results? Well, we were rather awe-struck with how wonderful they were, to be honest.
Suzy is totally in love with a new perfume shop she popped into for a (free!) half-hour hand and massage the other day; and we’ve also got some suggestions for a listener desperately missing their favourite (now discontinued) fragrance, and start this week’s episode with some lovely feedback about a previous listener prescription…
Listener feedback:
Anja:
‘Hello, after listening to your brilliant podcast episode over the weekend and the scent prescription on marocan scents one perfume came straight into my mind: Andi Tauer's L'air du Desert Marocain.
Thanks again for your podcast and hard work, it brings us all joy every week. I blind bought DS&Durga Big Sur Eucalyptus after Suzy described it and it so amazing and exactly whati was looking for (for years!) in a eucalyptus scent. Thanks, Anja’
Marks & Spencer fragrances:
We asked our Instagram followers to suggest a high street store to find some affordable fragrances in, and share our favourites. The top request by FAR was Marks & Spencer. So, we went to the Oxford Street store, and were SO impressed by the selection, layout, accessibility and thoughtfulness that’s gone in to the design - not only of the scents, but the space they’re displayed in.
Not only was the layout chic and welcoming, the shelves were well-stocked with blotters and testers, making it a truly inviting place to go and explore perfumes (both M&S own-brand ones, and a great curation of other brands).
First up, we sniffed the Summer Limited Edition duo (which we’d already promised to test for you a couple of episodes ago):
Suzy’s favourite:
Marshmallow Delight £12 for 100ml eau de parfum
‘Indulge in a scent that feels soft, sweet and irresistibly playful with this Marshmallow Delight eau de toilette from our Discover range. Juicy raspberry brings a bright opening, melting into fluffy marshmallow and smooth cream for a comforting, dessert-like finish.’
Nicola’s favourite:
Solar Fleur £12 for 100ml eau de parfum
‘Capture the warmth of sunlit skin with this radiant eau de toilette from our Discover range. A bright burst of mandarin opens the scent, softened by delicate jasmine and wrapped in the creamy sweetness of coconut milk. The result is a smooth, glowing fragrance that feels effortless and uplifting.’
Then we made a beeline for the brand new M&S Studio Fragrance collection - and were both completely blown away! The quality is apparent the second you pick up the bottles: stylishly pared back they feel satisfyingly weighty with good quality lids, and even the labels are slightly recessed - a very luxe touch, all for £22.50 per 100ml eau de perfume. And the SCENTS! Oh my. So many great ones to choose from (shall we do a whole series?) but we chose…
Suzy’s favourites:
M&S Studio Amber Crème
‘This Amber Crème eau de parfum is a refined and evocative choice. Sensual amber and rich vanilla combine with notes of rum, patchouli and crème anglaise to create a lavish, indulgent scent.
Top note: Brown Sugar Middle note: Tonka Base note: Amber’
M&S Studio Ginger Flower
‘Enjoy a fresh and contemporary scent with the Ginger Flower eau de parfum. The heart of the fragrance combines lively ginger with sweet citrus and orange blossom for an uplifting accord. Sensual white musk and blond woods create a warm, grounded finish.
Top note: Ginger Middle note: Orange blossom Base note: White musk’
Nicola’s favourites:
Darkest Vanilla
‘Enjoy a rich and velvety accord with the Darkest Vanilla eau de parfum. The sensual vanilla heart is complemented by warm amber, luscious tonka bean and dreamy patchouli. Notes of floral orchid and sweet brown sugar ensure a luxurious finish.
Top note: Vanilla bean Middle note: Tonka Base note: Amber
Sheer Musk
This Sheer Musk eau de parfum from M&S Studio is a subtly sensual choice. A heart of vegan sublimolide™ musk and ambrette absolute is complemented by floral rose and velvety orris. Cashmere and sandalwood notes create a grounded finish.
Top note: Pink pepper Middle note: Cashmere Base note: Musk
They really are knocking it out of the park at M&S - in the beauty area (our fave, obvs) but also in their fashion and accessories. So many reasons to be excited again about going in-store! We must go back to try more perfumes, though, don’t you think?
Nicola loved her Atelier Rebul mixing masterclass experience, and this is a house we want to tell you much more about (and smell our way through all their creations) in future episodes.
Meanwhile….
Suzy had the most incredible FREE half hour scented hand & arm massage at Norfolk Natural Living in their Lambs Conduit Street shop. This relaxing, unhurried ritual uses their all-natural products and ends with a bespoke fragrance discovery.
Suzy chose to finish with a layered spritz of:
Geranium & Tomato Leaf
‘Beyond the glass the garden breathes a little slower. Leaves stir with a soft whisper as the warmth begins to soften at the edges. The scent of crushed tomato vine lingers green and vivid against the rosy sweetness of geranium bloom. Neroli drifts through the shade like a pale ribbon of light while cool earth settles everything into an easy calm.
It is the sort of afternoon that asks nothing of you. Sun warming terracotta. Green stems rubbed gently between the fingers. A bright citrus breeze wandering through open windows carrying lime and eucalyptus with it. The garden smells alive and a little unruly in the loveliest way.’
(Layered with)
Rose Garden
‘The afternoon unfolds in layers of scent and light. I sit beneath the cedar tree, reading... The breeze is bright, alive, moving through the garden like thought. It brings the first shimmer of geranium leaf and Sicilian lemon, quick and green, a scent that catches the light like a silver blade. Then, the roses. They lean into the air, full and fresh, their sharp sweetness almost shocking after the citrus. The garden hums with life: petals opening, leaves trembling, sunlight deepening into gold.
This rose is no dowager; it’s an ingénue with perfect posture. Geranium keeps it clean and quick, jasmine gives it flesh, cedar lends gravity, and amber that quiet, golden hum anchors it all. The air itself seems to thrum, half floral, half mineral, alive with that peculiar English freshness that smells of rain remembered rather than falling.’
The fragrances start from £20 for 10ml and every one Suzy smelled was genuinely excellent (though we also need to go bs k here and try many more!)
Norfolk Natural Living have stores around the U.K. (as well as selling their products online:
You can enjoy the free Norfolk Natural Living hand & arm massage at selected stores (Cambridge, Southwold, Lambs Conduit St London, Woodbridge, Aldeburgh & Holt] by booking online, here:

https://tinyurl.com/Norfolk-Natural-Living-Massage
Listener Prescription:

Joanna Caccavo:
Dear Suzy and Nicola,
First of all, a big congratulations on the new magazine! It is absolutely mouthwatering and Suzy’s prose is exquisite - I MUST read more! I am also eager for a perfume prescription for an affordable ($100 or under) very iris-forward fragrance. I’m accustomed to seeing iris perfumes raved about online, but they tend to be quite pricy. However, I recently blind-bought Zara’s Romance d’Iris Elixir, which is almost an iris soliflore and about $70, and I fell head-over-heels in love! I know that iris is a note in many fragrances, both expensive and inexpensive, but in my (admittedly limited!) experience it’s usually quite subtle. Surely there must be other affordable super-iris-y perfumes out there? (They needn’t smell only of iris, but I’d like that to be the dominant note.) Thank you! :)
Meira:
Hi! I’m reaching out because I’ve heard you are experts in tracking down lost or discontinued fragrances. I’ve been on a long quest to find Ananya by The Body Shop (the original 1980s/90s version).
​It holds so many memories for me, and I’ve been struggling to find it anywhere. Since it seems to be unavailable to ship to Europe, I was wondering if you could help me find it or, if not, recommend a fragrance that is a very close match in terms of scent profile (tuberose, peach, coconut, and sandalwood).
​Any guidance or tips you could provide would mean the world to me. Thank you so much for your time and help!
Suzy suggests:
Chopard Casmir
‘Casmir was launched in 1992. The nose behind this fragrance is Michel Almairac. Top notes are Peach, Coconut, Mango, Fruits and Bergamot; middle notes are Geranium, Jasmine, Floral Notes and Lily-of-the-Valley; base notes are Vanilla, Amber, Sandalwood, Musk, Patchouli and Woodsy Notes.’
Kayali Eden Sweet Peach | 35
‘Sweet, luscious, and velvety, Eden Sweet Peach | 35 Eau de Parfum is pure happiness in a bottle. On first spritz, sweet-and-tangy peach and crisp red apple...

We’re back with a whole new season of On the Scent Podcast!

While we had a break on the main pod, we’ve still been recording our Patreon exclusive episodes every week, which you can catch up with on patreon.com https://www.patreon.com/u84518038

Meanwhile, we’ve been busy attending some incredible new launches, many of which you’ll hear about in this episode, and Nicola and her husband, Chris, got to have bespoke fragrances made for them by Nicola Pozzani, the Global Fragrance Ambassador and Bespoke Perfumer for Floris London! She’s talking us through the entire process here, and you’ll hear some recordings she made in the historic Jermyn Street perfumer’s office on the day.

Suzy also got to experience something rather wonderful, visiting the newly appointed Chanel salon in Harrods for a ‘Grand Parfumeur’ session revealing the fascinating symbolism present in Chanel’s life, aesthetics, and the new Extrait perfumes. She also attended the jaw-dropping launch of BDK’s three new fragrances, each inspired by spectacular fabrics.

After talking about the celeb-filled celebrations of The Fragrance Foundation Awards, with more being more, there’s much talk of what’s on the current ‘can’t stop wearing list’ (which includes a latex and lipstick scent Nicola adores, a mushroom fragrance Suzy’s obsessed by, and a reconnection with a past perfume love).

On this week’s episode…

Floris London Bespoke Experience:
https://tinyurl.com/florisbespoke

BDK Stellar Silk
‘Stellar Silk unfolds around the milky, textured richness of a creamy, precious sandalwood. At the top, a spicy spark of ginger and cinnamon bark is delicately dusted with saffron. Then, the floral heart of iris unfolds, echoing the intimate caress of fabric against the skin, enveloped in vanilla, tonka bean, and the profound warmth of benzoin tears. In the base, sandalwood and musks carry and extend the trail with gentle intensity. Like a precious thread of silk, Stellar Silk lays a veil of sensuality across the skin. A fragrance of passion, it radiates as a luminous halo, balancing depth and lightness to create an enduring, timeless elegance. Around the silk, a universe of luxury emerges, defined by a noble material exploring with subtlety the porous boundaries between masculine and feminine wardrobes. The softness and delicacy of the fabric flirt with the sensuality of evening gowns, evoking Haute Couture silhouettes where creative freedom blurs boundaries, reminiscent of designs by Yves Saint Laurent or Valentino Garavani. In the airy, whispering rustle of muslin, an ode rises to the preciousness of a millennia-old material, noble and treasured.’

BDK Silver Ceremony
‘Silver Ceremony is conceived in resonance with the precious radiance of sequins. At the top, bergamot, green mandarin, and lemon illuminate the fragrance as light strikes metal, sparkling with a crystalline, vibrant, almost icy freshness, heightened by the spicy brilliance of ginger and pink pepper. In the base, woody notes unfold, dominated by cedar, set with patchouli and oud, and faceted with the amber nuances of labdanum. A textured creation, rich in energy and vibration, where freshness accentuates depth and warmth anchors luminosity. Constructed like an architectural masterpiece in which movement and stillness coexist, it is at once solid and fluid. Like a luminous, shimmering, ethereal garment, Silver Ceremony reveals itself as a fragrance with an electric, magnetic, incisive, and radiant signature. In the 1960s, when Paco Rabanne was celebrated as a metallurgist, he boldly wove metal into his creations, sculpting dresses with the precision of an architect. Thierry Mugler conjured robotized silhouettes, evoking a visionary, almost cosmic futurism. As for sequins, with their meticulous artisanal craftsmanship, they endure as a luminous and precious signature of Haute Couture, illuminating the most sophisticated ensembles with a radiant brilliance.’

BDK Oud Paradiso
‘Oud Paradisio unveils itself: a fragrance at once powerful, captivating, opulent, and audacious. Dominating with majesty is a dark, enveloping oud wood. At the top, the fresh, citrusy brightness of bergamot is enlivened by the juicy, succulent sweetness of frosted pineapple, while a subtle veil of incense and saffron whispers through the composition. The exquisite floral heart unfolds as a precious trio of roses, two essences and an absolute, imbuing the composition with elegance and depth. The warm base marries shadowy oud with cocoa, creating an arrangement rich in intensity and sumptuous voluptuousness. Sensuality blossoms among a woody warmth, nuanced with subtle restraint. Its assertive character is sculpted by the animalic accents revealed through the potent olfactory presence of oud essence. Complex and surprising, Oud Paradisio is a nocturnal perfume steeped in mystery. In fashion, leather claims its nobility without forsaking its innate animality, which imparts strength and commanding presence. Designers have challenged leather, shaping it into a second skin, Claude Montana in the 1980s with exaggerated shoulders crafted for fearless, audacious personalities. More recently, Rick Owens has celebrated this material with brilliance, transgressing its codes with boldness, even a hint of provocation. Animalistic by nature, leather embodies strength, power, and confidence.’

Atelier Rebul Istanbul
‘Discover the hidden scents of Istanbul with this eau de parfum. The glittering notes of bergamot is blended with spicy notes of cinnamon, saffron and clove, as well as floral and woody notes. The fragrance of our Istanbul collection is truly striking and unique.’

Vyrao Ludatrix
‘Naughty notes of lipstick and latex entwine with powdery rose, energising sichuan pepper and courage-enhancing orris to cast Ludatrix’s enticing and empowered spell. Tantalising ambrette for igniting arousal is layered with voluptuous cedarwood, sandalwood and olibanum for positivity and protection, while a potent blend of ambrox and musk sparks sensuality. Bold and boundless desire, bottled.’

Nasomatto Microdelirio
All we’re told is ‘The fragrance is the result of a natural vital delirium, evoking a flourishing ecosystem of organic disobedience.’ Suzy senses ultra-realistic petrichor (rain soaked earth), creamy mushrooms, leaf-mulchy forest floor, vetiver, perhaps some beetroot fruitiness (?) and bags of patchouli earthiness.

Lush Ginger
‘A fragrance of the sensation of tasting ginger for the first time and feel it warming your body. Ginger is combined with flowers – mimosa, geranium, rose, ylang ylang and jasmine. A touch of juniper berry makes the composition vivid and fruity.’

Goldfield & Banks Ingenious Ginger
‘Ingenious Ginger is a floral amber perfume inspired by the lush Atherton Tablelands. red back ginger blends with bergamot, mandarin, magnolia, vanilla, amber and australian sandalwood.

A world-first exploration of Australian Red Back Ginger, this best-selling Eau De Parfum offers an instant sense of nature in a blissful and sultry destination.’

Buy issue 1 of On The Scent magazine and feast your eyes on the fabulous fragrant features, news and reviews in print! Get your copy here:

https://www.onthescentmedia.com/shop

In this episode we’re catching up with the joyous beauty and fragrance journalist and broadcaster, Alice du Parcq, for part TWO of her mega-list of fabulous fragrances. (If you haven’t already, do go and listen to Part 1 (episode 11) where Alice hilariously explains how one of her favourites is forever entwined with frogs legs… Meanwhile, here we delve into those she’s adored for decades and more recent scent discoveries made on a shopping trip with Sali Hughes!

Part 2 of Alice’s Fragrance List:

@ysl Kouros

@ysl Rive Gauche

@guerlain Cuir Beluga

@guerlain Bois d'Armenie

@guerlain Tonka Imperiale

@lartisanparfumeur Bois Farine

@acquadiparma_official Colonia Essenza

@diorbeauty Éden Roc

@fredericmalle Musc Ravageur

@celine Black Tie

@loccitane_uk_ire Terre de Lumière

@tomford Métallique

In this episode we’re thrilled to welcome self-confessed fragrance obsessive, Alice du Parcq.

From the age of 17, Alice worked in the beauty departments of Tatler, the Telegraph, The Times and Glamour magazine and was Beauty Director at Conde Nast Brides and Easy Living for over 10 years. Since going freelance she’s written for British Vogue, Red, Stella, Stylist, Sunday Times Style (the list goes on), is now Contributing Editor at Glamour & writes for Space NK’s magazine. Phew!

During lockdown Alice began regular Instagram lives called Desert Island Spritz, which Suzy was honoured to be a guest on, but now we’re turning the tables to find out which fragrances have been her favourites for summer, lifelong loves, lockdown saviours and daily go-to’s…

During our chat, these are the fragrances we mentioned:

@ukgap Gap Heaven
@guylarochefragrances Drakkar Noir
@helmutlang Helmut Lang Eau de Parfum
@millerharris L’Air de Rien
@calvinklein Obsession
@creedboutique Creed Angelique Encens
@guerlain Mitsouko
@jeanpaulgaultier Le Male
@bentleymotors Bentley Momentum
N.C.P Olfactive 704 Incense and Musk
@cliniqueuk Aromatics Elixirs
@jomalonelondon Basil & Neroli
@diptyque L’Ombre Dans L’Eau
@chanelofficial Le Lion
@nivea_uk Nivea Sun (use Alice’s code to get 20% off! ALICE20)

We’re utterly thrilled our guest for this episode is @salihughes - a hugely influential journalist with her regular Guardian column, a broadcaster, author of the books Pretty Honest & Pretty Iconic, and who can often be found ferreting around in celebrities’ bathrooms for her fascinating YouTube series ‘In the Bathroom With…’ As if that wasn’t enough, she’s also Co-founder of @thebeautybanks - an organisation that gets donations of self-care and hygiene products directly to those in need.

We could have talked to Sali for hours, but in this episode we’re delving deep into the fragrances Sali uses in her emotionally-supportive toolkit. We just know you’re going to LOVE listening to this joyous (and often revealing) discussion.

Fragrances that formed part of Sali’s childhood:

@yardleylondonuk English Lavender
@officialbiba perfume (1970s)
@diorbeauty Miss Dior (the original)

The scents Sali uses now as…

Signature scents:
@chanelofficial No5
@yslbeauty Rive Gauche
@fredericmalle L’Eau D’Hiver

Confidence-boosters:
@chanelofficial Coco
@ormondejayne Ormonde Woman
@guerlain Mitsouko
Va-va-voom sexy (for herself):
@celine Nightclubbing

Immediately calming:
@johnsonsbabyuk Baby Lotion
@nivea_uk Creme
@fredericmalle Cologne Indélébile

Wild card:
@heeleyofficial L'Amandiere Extraits

Find out more about @thebeautybanks & how you can help: https://www.beautybanks.org.uk

Read Sali’s books:

Pretty Honest https://tinyurl.com/PrettyHonest

Pretty Iconic https://tinyurl.com/PrettyIconic