The best fragrances to transport you right now
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As we emerge from the chill of winter, there's a palpable shift in the air – a delicate dance of scents that herald the arrival of spring. Like a breath of fresh air after a long slumber, spring brings with it a symphony of fragrances that can awaken the senses and stir the soul.
At the heart of this spring's scent palette are the blossoming flowers that blanket the landscape in a riot of colour and fragrance. Delicate blooms release a sweet, floral scent that dances on the breeze and fills the air with a sense of serenity, while fresh, green notes enliven darker scents like ouds. But spring's scent journey doesn't end there; as we start to embrace our year’s travel plans, there’s an ideal scent to pair with your trip or inspire you for your future holidays.
For those seeking to capture the essence of spring in a bottle, there's a perfume to suit every taste and mood. These are the best fragrances to consider buying this season.
Aesop Ouranon Eau De Parfum
Best for: grounding retreats
Inspired by the ancient trade routes of Petra where spices and other fragrant commodities were sold, this scent has an earthiness that feels both exciting and grounding. With a host of incredible notes – petitgrain, myrrh, hay and frankincense – it’s like a scented jaunt through some of the most incredible parts of history while still anchoring us to the future.
Price: £140
Website: lookfantastic.com
Narciso Rodriguez For Her, Musc Nude
Best for: a week in the Amalfi coast
Like the scent of skin but heightened, Musc Nude takes its woody base and warmth from cashmeran and sprinkles sparkling jasmine floral notes over the top. Although warmer weather often signals a shift to citrus notes and light florals, if you prefer a scent with more longevity and depth, a spritz of this will transport you to a gloriously sunny enclave, enveloped by the scent of skin, being warmed by the golden sun.
Price: £63
Website: lookfantastic.com
Estée Lauder, The Legacy Collection Azurée Legacy
Best for: a break in St-Tropez
Frederic Malle, the legendary perfume editor, has combined forces with leading perfumers to reimagine some of Estée Lauder’s most iconic and historic scents. This exclusive collection houses five classics reinterpreted for modern-day audiences, but it's Azurée Legacy that truly evokes cinematic memories Mediterranean with evocative spices, warming sandalwood and fresh vetiver.
Price: £250
Website: harrods.com
Penhaligons AlUla
Best for: ancient exploration in the Middle East
Inspired by the ancient city of AlUla located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this incredible historic market city was once the hub of the fascinating incense trade routes that linked the region to India, the Persian Gulf, Europe and beyond. It opens with fragrant cardamom, and sweet plum, then reveals smoky tobacco and frankincense that lingers on the skin. With strong, weighty notes, it’s the ideal scent to wear for the warmer spring and summer nights because it evolves on your skin during the day, drying down to a whisper by dusk.
Price: £110
Website: harrods.com
Serge Lutens La fille Tour De Fer
Best for: a weekend in Paris
Inspired by the harder edge of Paris that our TV shows and romanticised notions of the city ignores, (hello Emily In Paris) this scent plays with that polarity. Although Paris is known as the city of love and classic style, which is represented in this scent by rose and violet, there's also a free-spirited, rebellious culture to the city, delivered here by peppercorn to add an unexpected kick. In true homage to its inspiration, this scent is utterly unforgettable.
Price: £135
Website: harveynichols.com
L’OBJET Rose Noire
Best for: long stays in Sri Lanka
There’s nothing quite like the scent of the warm evening air laced with the freshest, sweetest florals. This incredible fragrance combines multiple varieties of rose, alongside fiery white pepper and earthy Ceylon Tea to create a complex scent that transports you away instantly. One spritz and you’re living your best digital nomad life on a far-flung beach, enjoying the change of pace as the dusk starts to fall and the blooms start to come alive.
Price: £135
Website: l-objet.com
Jo Malone London Red Hibiscus Cologne Intense
Best for: evoking memories of the Caribbean
If you’re a fan of fruity scents but loathe the sickly sweetness that often comes along with them, this scent from Jo Malone London could be your new warm-weather favourite. The jasmine, vanilla and red hibiscus combine to create a decadent sweet moody appeal, but it’s the hit of mandarin that keeps it light and refreshing. If you close your eyes and spritz it, you immediately feel the beat of sun on your skin, and your senses awaken to the warmth of a tropical island breeze.
Price: £150
Website: sephora.co.uk
Louis Vuitton Pure Santal
Best for: multi-location travels
Sandalwood is an enduring favourite in perfumery for good reason; it seems to capture something indescribable between a comforting warmth with a hint of surprise. This newest addition to the Pure Perfumes collection allows you to wear this musky sandalwood scent alone, or layered with other scents to give them a softer, creamier profile. If you have a favourite scent you can’t bear to be without, this is the perfect way to give it an entirely new personality for the season, or the duration of your trip.
Price: £895
Website: louisvuitton.com
Mugler Alien Hypersense
Best for: travels off the beaten track
Mugler’s fragrances have become iconic due to their stand-out, and sometimes polarising, appeal. Designed with Dominique Ropion, the incredible Master Perfumer who composed the original version in 2005, this version of Alien benefits from sweet pear accords, creamy cashmeran and fresh green mandarin. It’s like arriving at a destination you were unsure about; before realising it’s everything you imagined and so much more.
Price: £95
Website: mugler.co.uk
Dior, Miss Dior Parfum
Best for: day trips around the UK
Genius perfumer Francis Kurkdjian has put his olfactive stamp on the Parfum edition of Miss Dior, the iconic first scent created by Christian Dior in 1947. This modern reimagining fuses florals and gourmand notes, and tempers them with amber and woods. While the Eau De Parfum version has more white florals, there’s added depth to the Parfum that makes it intriguing and dark; it’s ideal for cooler climates that are just starting to thaw.
Price: £78
Website: dior.com