Inside a Winter Scent

Our sense of smell is inextricably linked to memory. Whether it’s freshly cooked biscuits like Mum used to make, that sweet smell of a baby’s head,or the combination of orange and clove at Christmas, one of the ways we reminisce is through aroma. It makes sense then, that people search for their ‘signature scent’, that cologne which becomes so synonymous with its wearer that one is reminded of them at the smallestsniff.Whether you’re still searching out your signature fragrance or have one you wear year-round, this post is for you. 

Why one signature fragrance isn’t enough.

Summer perfumes, with their fresh and citrus notes, are best worn when the days are warm as their lighter notes are projected by the heat in the air; these subtle elements are too easily muted by cold weather. Conversely, winter fragrances typically include heavier notes and larger molecules, allowing them to better project off the skin and carry beyond those thick winter scarves. If you try to make a summer fragrance perform over winter, you’re fighting a losing battle. 

How to find your winter scent.

Fragrances can be classified into one of eight families: Aromatic, Chypre, Citrus, Floral, Fougère, Leather, Oriental And Woody. Each category can be further split into multiple sub-families and with such a broad range of fragrances, there’s a scent for every season. If you’re searching for your winter signature scent and are overwhelmed by the options, you may want to pinpoint a subfamily and start from there.  Two of our favourite options for a winter fragrance are Woody Musk and Spicy Oriental. Woody Musks can be either floral or fruity and may have notes of sandalwood, pine, patchouli, vetiver or cedarwood.Spicy Oriental Ambers combines spices like cinnamon and cloves with woods including sandalwood and atlas cedar.Other notes that lend themselves fabulously to a winter perfume are ginger, nutmeg, star anise, vanilla, amber, myrrh and resin.If all of this information is making your head spin - the allbeauty team has you covered.

Our favourite winter scents…

Shopping for a new fragrance needn’t be an arduous task. If you want a short shortlist, why not try one of these top picks.

For Women

#1 With fruity top notes of apricot and pomegranate, this may not immediately seem like a winter perfume, however, the base notes of Diesel’s Loverdose Red Kiss provide a heavy base that offsets the lighter notes perfectly. With patchouli, vanilla and sandalwood, you’re sure to love this sensuous scent.#2 Award-winning and a firm favourite with allbeauty customers, Estée Lauder Knowing combines florals with creamy woods to create a seductive fragrance that you’ll adore. Amber and sandalwood dominate the base notes, while Rose and Plum balance out the top notes.#3 A more winter-friendly version of their classic Lady Million perfume, Lady Million Prive by Paco Rabanne is a delightful combination of woody notes, sweetened with honey, cacao, vanilla, and a touch of raspberry. Good enough to eat!

#4  A truly glamorous fragrance, Roberto Cavalli’s Nero Assoluto is a velvety scent which features orchid, vanilla and citrus juxtaposed against wood and ebony base notes.

For Men

#1 Wanted by Azzaro is an award-winning fragrance for men that combines fresh top notes of lemon and ginger with heavier middle and base notes. The scents of cardamom, vetiver and tonka bean make this a great winter scent.

#2 Another fantastic fragrance, this time from Boucheron, Quatre Absolu De Nuit Pour Homme sits within the spicy wood family and has notes of clary sage, lavender, nutmeg, black pepper, atlas cedar and vanilla.#4 Boss brings us Boss Bottled Oud Saffron, a sensuous scent that features saffron, rose, and oud - some consider this to be unisex due it’s effortless combination of masculine depths with warm florals. #5 Award-winning L’eau D’issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake is a classic scent that is incredibly versatile. A woody aquatic, it features top notes of juniper and bergamot with sage, vetiver, nutmeg, moss, cedar and sandalwood.Still not sure where to start? Our Fragrance Finder for Him or Her makes choosing your next signature scent a breeze. Try one out!

Visit our Winter Beauty Edition to keep you beautiful this Winter