At the beginning of 2021, we launched #EscentualScents, a perfume blind trial that puts how a fragrance smells in the spotlight. We believe that you should wear what you want, when you want regardless of which brand made it, who they market it to, or how it looks. That said, we can’t deny that some perfume bottles are too good to ignore, and judging from a poll we did on Twitter, some of you can’t either.
Question time! When you’re buying a perfume what influences you….
— Escentual (@escentual) July 10, 2020
In this round-up, we’re sharing the best-dressed scents. Many are outright pieces of art, while others are paving the way for a more sustainable industry. Here are the fragrances that, for one edit only, I encourage you to judge by their bottle…
1. Best Sustainable Style
Name: Acqua di Parma Colonia Futura Eau de Cologne
Fragrance family: citrus-woody
Colonia Futura is instantly recognisable as an Acqua di Parma fragrance. That said, it’s different to all others; this bottle was two years in the making. The stylish flacon may look like the rest of the range (chic and refined), but the Futura bottle is recycled glass, has a recycled cap, and its label is marble lining waste. Like other Acqua di Parma scents, Futura comes in an iconic hatbox, which along with the bottle, you can recycle or re-purpose.
2. Best Show-Stopper
Name: Marc Jacobs Perfect Eau de Parfum
Fragrance family: floral-woody
If Marc Jacobs Perfect were an outfit, I’d envision Lady Gaga wearing it to an award ceremony. Perfect’s bottle turns heads for all the right reasons; it’s bold, beautiful and well, perfect. It takes inspiration from bold femininity; you can see this via the lid’s eccentric decor; there’s everything from bows and balloons to a banana, domino, trainer and even a cat. It’s quirky, fun, and as much an ornament as it is a perfume bottle.
3. Best Transformation
Name: Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Eau de Parfum
Fragrance family: warm-floral
If there was ever a time to use the term “glow-up”, it’s now. I Want Choo is, in my opinion, Jimmy Choo’s best bottle yet. Yes, their bottles have always been unique and dressing table-worthy, but there’s something about this one that screams glamour. The attention to detail is incredible, from the lockable round gold cap and JC monogram logo to the feminine silhouette.
4. Best Understated Style
Name: Initio Musk Therapy Eau de Parfum
Fragrance family: woody
One of my favourite quotes is, ‘simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’ by Leonardo da Vinci. Indeed, there isn’t just beauty in the bold; often, minimalistic designs are some of the most captivating and timeless. Musk Therapy is a prime example of that. The pure white fragrance bottle has clean, sharp lines with a golden Initio logo on its front. The weight of the bottle – even the cap is heavy – is a testament to the craftsmanship that’s gone into every detail.
5. Best Innovation
Name: Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey IGO Eau de Toilette Spray
Fragrance family: aquatic-floral
At first glance, you may miss why IGO is so innovative; its brilliance is hidden. Discreetly tucked away in its cap is 20ml worth of perfume so that you can leave the bottle behind at home when you’re out and about or travelling. It’s the best of both worlds; convenient, and also, you don’t miss out on having a stunning bottle to display and enjoy. What’s even better is that you can buy the 20ml cap separately, too, so once you finish it, you can replace it.
6. Best Newcomer
Name: Parfums de Marly Greenley Eau de Parfum
Fragrance family: citrus-aromatic
The future favourite is… Greenley! The brightest bottle in the line-up, Greenley is one for the dressing table, without a doubt. The glass bottle has a green tint, which goes hand-in-hand with its name. It’s not the hue that makes this flacon a star for me, though; it’s the extra touches. The front is embossed with the iconic Parfums de Marly double horse logo, as is the triangular cap, which magnetically locks into place – scent satisfaction as its finest!
