For many of us, winter is the most exciting time of the year as we can eat, drink and be merry; but it’s also one of the coldest, rainiest times of the year, especially for those of us in the UK. This chilly weather can affect your mood and leave you craving some sun and warmth – but don’t worry, all of this can be solved by choosing the perfect fragrance. Whether you opt for a scent that’s a little cosier to wear when the cold weather is getting to you, or you opt for a more intense fragrance to boost your mood on those short winter days, fragrance has the power to lift your spirits even on the coldest day.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration to find your new signature scent for the season, you’ve come to the right place: I’ll be spotlighting my top five perfumes for winter. Read on to find out all about the latest perfumes that you’ll want to be wearing this season…
1. The Toasty Floral Flanker
Why It’s Perfect For Winter: During the colder months, it’s natural to want to reach for a more intense fragrance that we can indulge in as we’re snuggling up on the sofa; Marc Jacobs Perfect Intense is the perfume for doing just that. New for 2021, Perfect Intense is a bolder, richer and – I’d say – an even more addictive take on the fan-favourite Perfect Eau de Parfum. It takes the original scent and adds a generous sprinkling of toasted nutty facets for an aroma that oozes texture and personality.
What It Smells Like: To start, Perfect Intense riffs off the original Perfect as that uniquely bright daffodil note is now enhanced by a more heady, opulent jasmine note as we say goodbye to rhubarb. But it’s the heart where we really see the delicious warmth seep through as lashings of toasted almonds are scattered throughout, their soft nutty-gourmand nuances heightened by a dash of pink pepper. The sweet, cosy and moreish tones continue into the base as you’re wrapped up in a comforting blanket of sesame oil, sandalwood and cashmeran.
2. The Fiery Flanker
Why It’s Perfect For Winter: GIVENCHY L’Interdit Rouge is the perfect accompaniment to oversized scarfs, bobble hats and thick duffle coats; its spicy trail will keep you feeling warm and toasty even on the chilliest winter days. It has the same rich, opulent white floral tone as the rest of the GIVENCHY L’Interdit flankers, but adds a dash of spice to amp up the heat.
What It Smells Like: If you take GIVENCHY L’Interdit Eau de Parfum and throw it into a fire, you’ve got L’Interdit Rouge. Released in 2021, Rouge retains that same intoxicating, creamy white petal tone but it’s made that little bit sexier and more daring with its new fiery accents. It opens with a fresh, vibrant Sicillian blood orange note that’s ablaze with a red-hot spicy accord, which sears in the background and lingers through every layer. The heart welcomes that classic L’Interdit duo: orange blossom and sambac jasmine for a sweet, heady tone before the soft, sensual tones of patchouli and creamy sandalwood warm through from the base.
3. The Invigorating Aroma
Why It’s Perfect For Winter: BURBERRY Hero is one of those fresh, crisp scents that will make you feel upbeat and ready to take on the day no matter the weather. The Eau de Toilette takes you from winter day to winter night, starting with a bright, fresh mood that leaves you feeling gently energised before warming into a mellow, sensual tone.
What It Smells Like: BURBERRY Hero is a blend of invigorating freshness and comforting woodiness. A bright, sparkling bergamot note starts the show for that initial sense of citrusy optimism before the heart dominates with a soft, warm and resinous cedarwood, which feels like a stroll through a coniferous forest on a clear winter’s day. Then, the subtly enhancing spice of black pepper is paired with fresh and vibrant pine-like juniper berries for a lasting aroma that will make you feel ever so slightly warm and cosy, while still bringing the outdoors in when it’s too rainy and cold to venture out.
4. The Moreish Solar Scent
Why It’s Perfect For Winter: If you like to cling to the memory of warmer summer months as you crawl through the bleakest winter days, then Mugler Alien Goddess is the scent that will help you do just that. It has a playful, optimistic summery tone at first which will put a spring in your step, but it transitions into a rich floral heart with a touch of the gourmand. As it develops, it’s a scent that complements festive hot chocolate drinking, lattes laced with sticky hazelnut syrup or chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
What It Smells Like: At first, Alien Goddess is summer in a bottle; it’s light, it’s fresh and it’s fun. It opens with a refreshing wave of coconut water partnered with a sparkling bergamot note for a scent that radiates positivity. But then the warm, sun-drenched heart reveals itself. As a nod to the original Alien Eau de Parfum, a rich, modern jasmine note blossoms, but it’s the heliotrope facet that really stands out to me; the soft, creamy and vanillary flower creates an moreish gourmand feel that’s just what you want when you need a pick-me-up. The warm, cosy heliotrope note almost has a toasted, nutty almond feel to it, making the perfume feel like warm baked goods on a cold winter’s night. To wrap the scent up, Mugler offers a final treat for the senses; sweet, sensual Madagascan bourbon vanilla is paired with vibrant, woody cashmeran for a long-lasting, mood-boosting aroma.
Thierry Mugler Alien Goddess Eau de Parfum Refillable Review
5. The Spicy Signature
Why It’s Perfect For Winter: Extreme Journey is all about a feeling of warmth, making it the perfect partner for those long, drawn out winter evenings. The fragrance has been created to capture the rugged intensity of racing through Saharan sands, and its warm, raw aroma invites you to close your eyes and picture yourself scaling scorching-hot dunes. Who knows, you may even end up switching the radiator off with this Michael Kors scent blazing on your pulse points.
What It Smells Like: Michael Kors’ woody-spicy scent for men opens with a leading dry pink peppercorn note for an instant sense of warmth as it’s energised by a blend of bright citrus-aromatic facets. Then, the desert woods that dominate the heart kick in, adding the raw warmth and earthiness of patchouli and cedarwood to the fragrance as it blends with the dry spiciness of papyrus. At this point, you could be in the middle of a windswept desert, or you could be cuddled up in a winter cabin, sat in front of a roaring fire with your favourite tipple in hand as you read a novel. Finally, African myrrh and oak moss blend with a sensual, primitive leather accord, which clings to your skin for a rugged, smoked and textured finish.
