September is ‘fragrance month’ at Escentual HQ. It’s the time of year that we see an influx of new scents launching, all with one aim: to become the best fragrance of 2019, and the Christmas number one!
This year, we wanted to do something special to celebrate, and we came up with the #MyEscentual Fragrance Blind Trial. We sent 20 perfume experts, 8 anonymous scents, to sniff out the best – without the influence of the brand or bottle! Want to know who came out on top? The results are now live here, and we’re so excited to share them with you – finally!
Curious, but short on time? Here’s a quick rundown…
Fragrance A
The Sweet Bouquet
Paco Rabanne Lady Million Empire Eau de Parfum Spray
The bottom line: This floral-chypre perfume appealed to everyone’s sweet tooth. Hailed as sugary, young and pink, it was voted the perfect spring scent.
Reminded the experts of: MUGLER Angel, Jimmy Choo EDP and GUERLAIN La Petite Robe Noire.
What the experts said: “A sweet and powerful scent on my skin, striking me as fragrance aimed at a younger female market.” – Nick Hogan, thescentedgent.com.
Fragrance B
The Head-Turner
Montblanc Explorer Eau de Parfum Spray
The bottom line: The longevity of this woody-aromatic aroma stole the hearts of our experts, as well as its masculine freshness.reshness.
Reminded the experts of: DIOR Sauvage, Paco Rabanne XS LA For Him and Creed Aventus.
What the experts said: “This is a very good fresh woody scent that will appeal to men of all ages.” – Daniel Naughton, youtube.com/MrSmelly1977.
Fragrance C
The Fail-Safe Masculine
Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Wood & Wood Eau de Parfum Intense Spray
The bottom line: Experts loved the modern freshness of this woody fragrance, and dubbed it the ultimate everyday masculine.
Reminded the experts of: GOUTAL Eau d’Hadrien, Paco Rabanne Invictus and Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme.
What the experts said: “I thought it wore very pleasantly, and I really loved the spicy-aromatic top note. You could see it on pretty much any guy and it would smell great and suit him.” – Nick Gilbert, Fragrance Expert.
Fragrance D
The Quality Composition
GUERLAIN Mon Guerlain Eau de Parfum Intense Spray
The bottom line: Even without its luxury bottle and brand name, Mon Guerlain Intense still took the top spot for quality! Experts also voted its bold floral juice best for date nights.
Reminded the experts of: GUERLAIN Mon Guerlain, Elie Saab Le Parfum and Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb.
What the experts said: “With an interesting complexity, sophistication and a beautiful blend of notes, I felt this fragrance was high quality – an impressive scent for any occasion.” – Carl Rodger, Fragrancetwentyeight.
Fragrance E
The Fresh Classic
Diesel Spirit of the Brave Eau de Toilette Spray
The bottom line: The underlying warmth of this fresh aquatic scent took experts by surprise; it was also voted the best fragrance for work.
Reminded the experts of: Miller Harris Wander, Chanel Allure Homme Sport and Davidoff Cool Water.
What the experts said: “Light, crisp and aromatic, it’s a classic “clean and fresh” fragrance, quite invigorating and bright.” – Maria Angelidou, greekgoddess.london.
Fragrance F
The Modern Rose
Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Rose & Rose Eau de Parfum Intense Spray
The bottom line: Described as pink, rose and vibrant by most, Rose & Rose stole the show and won overall favourite, with 83% of the experts saying they’d buy it!
Reminded the experts of: Miller Harris Rose Silence, YSL Baby Doll and Paul Smith Rose.
What the experts said: “I ended up wearing it for a couple of days. Interestingly, it’s not a perfume I’d necessarily choose normally – but I liked the sweet freshness. People commented on it.” – Alice Smellie, Beauty Journalist.
Fragrance G
The Exotic Cocktail
KENZO WORLD POWER Eau de Parfum Spray
The bottom line: Power’s fruity-floral scent transported our experts to the beach! Described as feminine and empowering, it was voted a winning night out fragrance.
Reminded the experts of: MUGLER Womanity, Hermes Twilly, Calvin Klein Reveal.
What the experts said: “Very strange – a saline white floral that is metallic and mineral up top, evoking cool stones and water, but much warmer in the base with vanilla and amber.” – Thomas Dunckley, thecandyperfumeboy.com.
Fragrance H
The Handsome Aquatic
Jimmy Choo Urban Hero Eau de Toilette Spray
The bottom line: Voted best for every day, Urban Hero was described as woody, blue and prized for both its longevity, and handsome character.
Reminded the experts of: Paco Rabanne Invictus Acqua, 212 on Ice For Men and Ralph Lauren Polo Blue.
What the experts said: “Powerfully masculine and spicy, this fragrance is hard to ignore. It has phenomenal staying power but will be too strong for some.” – Katie Wright, Beauty Journalist.
Special thanks to all of our experts!
Thomas Dunckley, Nick Gilbert, Dariush Alavi, Sophie King, Sarah Binns, Chris Wilkinson, Jade Cascarina, Carl Rodger, Leah Flavell, Lauren Sayles, Maria Angelidou, Alice Smellie, Daniel Naughton, Samantha Scriven, Meg Says, Lucy Taylor, Nick Hogan, Katie Wright, Louise Woolam.
