It's always important to choose a fragrance that's really distinctive to display your individual personality, but personally i find it all the more important during the winter months, for the simple reason that nothing smells quite so good on a cashmere sweater or your favourite throw-on coat than a really personal fragrance. So behold the best of the best in my humble opinion, the go-to fragrances for winter 2014. Please note that there's no real placement of gender here, some of the perfumes are classified as for men and some for women, i'm not really one to care whether it's a mens or womens, as long as it smells good in general and on me. It's my list so I can do what I want :P
xx
P.S I'm genuinely curious as a rule what separates a strong summer fragrance from a strong winter one, if at all. If anybody happens to know i'd absolutely adore an email on the subject! Because i suppose the list i've composed is just excellent perfumes in general at the minute. Thanks in advance! <3
1. Christian Dior: Bois d'Argent & Gris Montaigne
Bois d'Argent , An intimate determined scent, Bois d'Argent embraces a precious ingredient and heart ingredient: Tuscan Iris Absolute . Powdery and slightly woody, this fragrance is enveloping, sensorial and fully unique, with a Top Note of Inscense Essence from Yemen, and emerging from a base note of white musk. As well as being an utterly delectable scent, It's also featured a few times on Baptiste Giabiconi's Instagram, and anything in the book that that man does we should totally take a leaf out of! Gris Montaigne: As described on the Dior website "Colour becomes a perfume" It commences with a Top Note of alluring Bergamot Essence, then delving further over time into a Turkish Damask Rose and Jasmine Sambac from Tamil Nadu, finally levelling out lightly on a base note of Macedonian Moss Absolute and Indonesian Patchouli. It's got quite a feminine scent but I still think it's an excellent androgynous fragrance, just in terms of the discreet decadence of the scent, I've already ordered my 200ml and waiting in impatient anticipation! <3
Aromatic with fresh spice, La Nuit de l'Homme isn't exactly new, emerging in 2009, but I think it deserves definite "classic" status. I tried on a tester about a month or so ago, and had two completely random sales assistant wander over as i was shopping later to compliment me on it, followed by a COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY unkown couple on the train home. Ever since, it's been my go-to preceding a night out, it gives me confidence, makes me stand a little straighter, and any night i put it on i always end up leaving the house in my skinniest of skinny jeans and my most fitted Fruit of the Loom t-shirt. The fragrance begins with explosive spicy accord to reveal cardamom with a fresh bergamot, cedar and hint of lavender (apparently representing strength of men!). Cumin and vetiver in the base ensure a sensual finale that's effortlessly elegant
In the case of not being able to afford a bespoke creation from Savile Row Legendary tailors Norton & Sons, you can still buy yourself a little bottle of the perfect smell of their workrooms, encapsulated in Penhaligon's beautiful Sartorial. Top notes of Violet Leaf, Black Pepper, and Fresh Ginger to name a few, with Heart Notes of Beeswax (very prominent, and smells phenomenal), Linden Blossom, Lavender and Leather with final Base Notes of Patchouli, Myrrh, Cedarwood, Oakmoss, White Musk, Honey, Vanilla and Amber. It's quite an eccentric fragrance, but one that only works to complement natural maculinity. A magnificent olfactory illusion of the Tailor's working rooms.
The most beautiful looking fragrance ever, it looks like Giorgio Armani has morphed into his true form as Midas and touched this water to ensure it's imminent success. Intermingled with the flecks of gold that give it this gorgeously opulent and appriporate appearance is a fragrance
spicy with hints of saffron at the outset, it chooses patchouli and dark woods in order to develop at heart note. Long Lasting, at the final base it gives itself up to the sensual harmonies of golden amber. I can imagine it being donned with a velvet tuxedo for a night at The Melbourne Club: unusual, but fantastically decadent with hints of exotic Arabian desert, in the most beautiful way of course. It's long lasting and all around excellent from morning to night for the man destined to living life in style!
To me this is one of the ultimate scents, not just in this list, but in my life. So much so that i've been saving a note from my paycheck every fortnight just to one own a big bottle of it. The bottles themselves are mostly sold small, and like most of the Tom Ford range, it's so expensive, but also like Tom Ford, the quality is there, and recognisable even to the most disbelieving of shoppers, and the style is instant and recognisable. Tom Ford gives us the god of scents, and makes us instantly smell sexy as hell. Never recieved more appreciation or compliment than when i wore this scent. A definite for an oak wood bar with large cigars, but also a definite hint to wear it out clubbing every once in a while, it's an expensive but ALWAYS DEFINITE way for you to get all the attention you deserve ;)
6. L'Artisan Paris: Mon Numéro 9
This fragrance strikes me as classy. No other words needed to describe it methinks, It's such a perfect achievement of class that all you have to do is spray some on your wrist, maybe on your neck and even in your hair, and watch in wonder and people's gazes turn from the regular and cursory to looks of awe, appreciation, even envy. Wearing this you're undoubtedly assured that these people want to be you and definitely smell like you! It opens on a gorgeous zesty Top Note, it's slightly tangy but ultimately uplifiting, before the pleasantly surprising contrasting tone of shiso leaf, coming to a beautiful crescendo with base notes of Cedrat and Rhubard Leaves,
You know what to get me as a present for any occasion, ever!
7.Maître Parfumeur et Gantier: Cédre de l'Atlas -Parfum à Pulvériser
Whilst stopping in at an old friend's apartment for a drink last night, I was struck by what an old-soul abode my 20 year old friend had picked, gilded furniture, a beautifully patterned chaise, artwork everywhere, and an absolutely marvelous scent to the entire place. I enquired and found out all about Maître Parfumeur et Gantier, and just exactly what i'd been missing out on! The perfect at home fragrance with the subtle but also distinctly luxurious blend of Cedar Wood, Lemon, Mint, Lavender and Sandalwood. Another amazing creation by the brand founded by one of France's most famed perumers Jean-François Laporte.
Definitely a modern and regal fragrance, it holds it's own and is destined for the confident fashionable man of the 21st century. The composition opens with fresh and spicy accords of green mandarin, pink pepper, nutmeg and birch leaves. Deep and intense woody character is provided by the heart of cedar, patchouli and vetiver. The base captures incense and animalistic notes. It's an absolute must, and an everyday favourite that always wins compliments. From rants to my friends about it's amazing EVERYTHING i know have three bottles of this amazing concoction in my drawer just waiting to be opened. Givenchy know what they're doing!
9. Chanel: 1932
Is there anything more iconic than Chanel! I think anything they release is pure magic and i've got just as good a review for their Les Exclusifs Collection. This particular release, names 1932 to commemorate the year of Chanel’s first High Jewelry collection, 1932 is just as dazzling as those diamonds and pearls. It's soft and woody, with a gorgeous heart note of enveloping Jasmine. I've only had a tester so far that i've used quickly. I don't need very much at all but it's the sort of lovely scent people catch and almost have to stop for a moment to breathe in and appreciate. So many good reviews from people about it. Would also adore it as a delicate home fragrance but it seems a little pricey for that at the moment. If i ever hit billionaire status i'll have a bottle dedicated to every room and a small one to carry on my person, that is how much i love it!