Heaven scent: The best autumn fragrances for women
New season, new scent: choose one of these autumn/winter-worthy perfumes to add a seasonal spin to your fragrance collection
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Ready to go out-out? So are we. Waft your new favourite autumn fragrance wherever you go, and benefit from a beautiful new bottle for your dressing table too. To avoid confusion when browsing, an eau de parfum fragrance is a bit more intense and fuller than an eau de toilette; the latter contains less perfume oil, and more water and alcohol, than an eau de parfum. And for olfactory novices navigating the fragrance descriptions that are ever more detailed, top notes are those you smell immediately after the perfume touches your skin; heart notes then kick in to form the essence of a perfume; base notes last the longest.
Here’s our pick of the best autumn fragrances for women…
Fenty Beauty eau de parfum
For its first foray into fragrance, Fenty Beauty has concocted a complex aroma inspired by the brand’s founder, Rihanna. Vibrant and intimate, this raw, sweet and spicy scent manifests uniquely on each wearer for a fragrance that remains deeply personal. Sensual floral notes of magnolia, musk, tangerine and Bulgarian rose mingle playfully with hints of vanilla, coconut, blueberry, geranium and patchouli for an enticing, unapologetic finish. “Fenty Eau de Parfum is for remembering what’s real. I made a fragrance for myself and am now sharing it with you. You never forget it,” says Rihanna.
Jo Malone Orange Bitters Cologne
Deepened with warming base notes of rich sandalwood and amber, Jo Malone’s latest seasonal offering is reminiscent of cosy autumnal evenings spent sipping spicy seasonal tipples. Brightening top notes of sweet orange and fresh mandarin meet zesty heart notes of bitter orange and succulent prune for a festive, fruity blend ideally suited to the changing of the seasons.
Gucci Beauty A Midnight Stroll eau de parfum
Inspired by the allure of witching hour, this darkly aromatic fragrance is centred around the intoxicating, resinous profile of incense. Blended with notes of fresh cypress and smoky cade wood, this alchemic scent is both simple and seductive and formulated to be worn alone, or layered with the perfumed oils, scented waters and eaux de parfum of Gucci’s The Alchemist’s Garden Haute Perfumery collection. We suggest pairing it with the brand’s opulent amber-based fragrance The Eyes of the Tiger for a sweet, warming scent.
Diptyque Eau Rihla eau de parfum
Diptyque gleaned inspiration for this enveloping, spicy scent from the maison’s many journeys through the Middle East (Rihla translates to “journey” in Arabic). Evoking the saga of a lengthy sojourn, the leather heart notes of this complex fragrance evolve throughout its olfactory progression, melding with lively pink peppercorn and woody Atlas cedar. Sweet iris and vanilla add a warming touch, while saffron brings a comforting softness that is lifted with the tart tang of raspberry.
Aerin Cedar Violet eau de parfum
The Virginian Cedarwood of this Cedar Violet eau de parfum, with a woody, smoky aroma, is actually from the evergreen conifer, while the Violet part is courtesy of violet leaves, which smell quite different to the flower that emerges later. Add muguet (lily of the valley), golden gardenia and jasmine into the mix and voila – Aerin’s subtly stylish seasonal offering.
Burberry Her eau de parfum
If you know anything at all about Burberry, you can be sure that this eau de parfum smells as stylish as the bottle is subtle, inspired as it was by an archival Burberry fragrance design. Her is the first ‘gourmand fragrance with a British twist’ by Burberry; the start of autumn is heralded by a burst of red and dark berry notes, lightened by a luminous, white woody accord. It celebrates London as the beautiful, bustling, creative metropolis that it is, created for women who are ‘effortlessly stylish, energetic, optimistic, adventurous and bold’. We’re on board with that.
Aesop Miraceti eau de parfum
We don’t know about you but any brand with the imagination to dream up a scent redolent of ‘perilous seafaring adventures aboard ocean-worn ships’ is worth checking out. Even better: Aesop’s Miraceti is one for all genders and, broadly, seafarers, storytellers and idealists. Ideal. Spicy top notes mingle with ‘warm balsamic, wood and the faint must of a whisky-filled cellar’.
Byredo Young Rose eau de parfum
We continue to be amazed by the depth of storytelling perfumiers are packing into their creations. An ‘ode to restless youth, Young Rose is a celebration of those looking to leave their mark on the world’. Sweet Damask rose is teamed with hot Sichuan pepper, earthy yellow sunflower seeds and iris; base notes include musk and ambroxan (a natural ingredient from clary sage, sometimes referred to as a wonder molecule). Byredo founder and Stockholm native Ben Gorham takes inspiration from travels far and wide to create his cult perfumes.
Maison Margiela Replica Autumn Vibes eau de toilette
Want the purest incarnation of autumn in a bottle? Choose this unisex fragrance. Very simply: inspired by walks in autumn. Which we love. Think fresh spices, golden leaves and warm woods. See if you can identify top notes of pink peppercorn, cardamom essence and coriander essence, heart notes of carrot seed essence and nutmeg, and base notes of cedar wood, moss and fir balsam. You can’t? Just enjoy it.
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