Chloe Absolu de Parfum
Ten years ago the first Chloe scent was launched and had various incarnations since, always using the rose. This year’s anniversary launch is the Absolu de Parfum, an intense interpretation of the signature fragrance. It gives a boost of vanilla around the rose, with a heady kick of patchouli. It’s a rich scent without being overpowering. The 50ml bottle is available for £63.75.
Romilly Wilde Idle Eau de Parfum
This is for the ones who like their fragrances bold, unusual and yet strangely discreet. Fresh notes of bergamot and green mandarin give it a spirited lively start. Linden blossom and jasmine inject floral prettiness, while angelica seed and cardamom give it musky warmth that lasts longer than most scents. It manages to be woody, musky and floral all at the same time. The 30ml bottle is available for £90.
Jo Malone English Oak & Hazelnut Cologne
Unusual scent combinations aren’t anything new at Jo Malone. This one has a hint of smoky wood that carries sweetness, mixed with earthy nutty notes and while it has a masculine tone, it retains a real femininity too. The 30ml bottle is available for £45.
Dolce & Gabbana The One Eau de Toilette
This is a new, lighter interpretation of the ever popular The One scent, with the same sensual warmth but an added fresh twist. Not as heady as its previous incarnation, this is a blend of Italian bergamot blossom, mandarin, white peach, lychee, jasmine, orange blossom and ylang ylang. All that fruity floral zing is tempered with a rich sweetness in the base notes thanks to vetiver, amber, vanilla and musk. The 30ml bottle is available for £43.
Tiffany & Co. Eau de Parfum
The initial hit of this delicate, feminine scent is sparkling and zesty green mandarin, which moves into a feminine floral heart of iris and a dry-down of sensual patchouli. The bottle is inspired by a cut diamond and it’s all wrapped up in a signature Tiffany blue box. The 50ml bottle is available for £72.
Floral Street Wonderland Peony
First the packaging deserves attention. Strikingly modern, the image of the peony is imprinted on the glass at the back of the bottle, so as one looks through the perfume, one sees the flower. And the box is a compostable carton that can be used for growing seedlings or herbs, or simply storing things. The peony element is complemented by a zesty blast of Sicilian lemon, pink berries, pink guava and raspberry flower, with a grounding base of cedarwood and vetiver. The 50ml bottle is available for £55.
Elie Saab Girl of Now Eau de Parfum
This is a delicious winter scent, with an almond heart and base notes that bring Christmas cakes and marzipan to mind. The sparkling top notes of orange, mandarin and pear give a zingy freshness to the sweetness of the almond, while the orange blossom and magnolia in the heart notes give it a floral femininity. The pretty bottle has duck-egg blue porcelain petals set into the art deco-inspired ridged glass. The 50ml bottle is available for £49.30.
Michael Kors Sexy Ruby Eau de Parfum
Here’s a sexy fragrance. The initial sparkling hit of raspberry, apricot and pepper dries down to ultra-feminine floral notes of orange blossom, rose and jasmine. The warmth and richness comes from the base notes of cashmere woods and vanilla bean. The red glass bottle is cut like a gemstone for an undeniably glamorous feel. The 50ml bottle is available for £66.
Annick Goutal Nuit Confidences Eau de Parfum
This is the sort of perfume that lingers in a room long after the wearer has left. The initial hit of bergamot and pepper moves into a seductive heart of frankincense and tonka bean. Vanilla and white musk give rich, sweet warmth in the base of the scent that remains on the skin. These powerful ingredients blend together to give a really distinct perfume. The flacon is reminiscent of the night sky with indigo glass fading up to clear, with a silken pompom around the neck of the bottle. The 50ml bottle is available for £85.
Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum
One spritz of this conjures up an abundance of white flowers on a hot summer’s night, somewhere exotic. It is heady with Indian tuberose and jasmine, delivering a double floral hit. The unusual lacquered bottle in a dusky pink looks more like porcelain than glass and has a real vintage feel. The 50ml bottle is available for £68.
Jimmy Choo Rose Gold Edition Eau de Parfum
Think of the girl who wears Jimmy Choo shoes and this is her fragrance: glossy and glamorous. It is a twist on the original Jimmy Choo eau de parfum, with a deeper and more intense blend. Fresh and sweet candid orange and tiger orchid meet the sweet heart note of toffee and the base of warming sandalwood and patchouli. The 60ml bottle is available for £54.
The Verdict
Romilly Wilde is ground-breaking and compelling in its blend, Tiffany & Co is a timeless classic and a guaranteed gift, while D&G is lively, sparkling and fresh. Jo Malone is out-of-the-ordinary with a subtle masculine tone and Floral Street thinks outside the box with eco-friendly utilitarian packaging. But our top spot for new fragrances goes to Chloe for another beautiful scent.