Spring is no longer in the air and winter is yet to come, but why should that stop you from embarking on new aromatic adventures? Why not perk up the sultry monsoon wafts with fresh colognes or audacious florals? Or take a pick from perfumes with marine inspirations and gourmand surprises? The middle of the year seems to be a good time to take stock of the best that’s buzzing on the perfume counters, considering all the new launches that are coming out around this time this year. Here’s our edit of 11 new fragrances that are worth a whiff.
1. Hermès Eau de Citron Noir
Finger lime, Buddha’s hand fruit, eureka lemon, kaffir lime… so many unusual varieties of citrus appealed to master perfumer Christine Nagel, but it was finally the smoky and distinguished black lime that stood out as the key note of his newest offering. The best part of this cologne is that it works for everyone (men or women), and at all times—from midday to midnight. It’s insanely fresh with seductive smoky accents, which is an unusual olfactory pairing. So what’s the inside story? The small, tangy lime is boiled in salted water and then dried in the warmth of the sun over many weeks, till it gradually takes on a deep brown, almost black colour and its aroma becomes mellow and smoky.
2. Chloé Nomade
This Chloé offering takes a detour from its signature inspired-by-rose notes and ventures into the green zone with Mirabelle plum, freesia and oakmoss. The attention-attesting scent is perfect for those who like to announce their arrival and leave a trail that lingers long after they depart. Interestingly, the nomadic spirit of French actor Araine Labed was captured in the Indian dunes of Rajasthan for its campaign visuals. Buy now
3. Calvin Klein Eternity Air
Exhilarating and uplifting, this one claims to be the new essence of infinite love. The Eternity Air male and female fragrances capture all of the different shades and textures of the sky, and manage to strike the perfect balance. In the feminine version, grapefruit oil, blackcurrant absolute, peony, and pear rest on a seductive base of cedarwood oil, ambergris and skin musk. The men’s interpretation is more sea breeze-inspired, with the presence of mandarin, juniper, lavender, green apple and violet leaves soaking in the utter richness of patchouli oil, sea moss and ambergris.
4. Mr Burberry Indigo
How about a scent that is reminiscent of crisp air along the British coast? The new aroma by Burberry features zesty and herbal top notes of lemon oil, blackcurrant and rosemary. Green violet leaf, driftwood and spearmint are layered over a warm and earthy base of amber, white oak moss and musk here. Try it for a casual and easy-going edition of the original Mr Burberry.
5. Bond No 9 New York Oud
Bond No 9 is an American perfumery brand that specialises in creating scents inspired by the sights and smells of NYC. And its latest offering is a play of contrasts where the traditional oud comes in a modern avatar, appealing both to western as well as eastern sensibilities. What you have is a rich blend of exotic oud, saffron and teakwood with patchouli, rose, vetiver and orange zest—the staples of western perfumery. Ideal for the woman who wants it all, this soft, sensual and utterly feminine fragrance is perfect for date night.
6. Yves Saint Laurent Y for Men
Targeted towards Gen Y, this new fragrance represents the balance between freshness and strength. The crispness of bergamot gets a spicy twist with a dash of ginger and sage. At the heart, the floral note of geranium absolute is spiked by the mossy feel of violet leaves. This one is far from fresh citrus fare, as an intense base of balsamic fir, cedarwood and marine ambergris locks all the ingredients in a potent cocktail. Great for the modern man who likes his scent to have an attitude.
7. Carolina Herrera Good Girl Légère
Good Girl Eau de Parfum Légère is a more floral and candied version of the original Good Girl. It is built around the pillar ingredients of tonka and jasmine as in the original, but blended in a way that the juice is softer and creamier. For this, perfumer Louise Turner substituted the intense tuberose with a greener ylang ylang. Thanks to the fraction technique of extraction, ylang ylang blends perfectly with jasmine and has none of the medicinal character traditionally associated with this ingredient. And if this doesn’t excite you, do take a look at the bottle. This one is a must-have in every fragrance collection
8. Prada Candy Kiss
An extension of the gourmand fragrances family by Prada, Candy Kiss has musk as its hero ingredient. Blended by Daniela Andrier under the creative direction of Miuccia Prada, this musky-floral lingers on the skin like an addictive olfactory composition. Evoking the scent of delicate white cotton, the musk encapsulates the wearer in a sensual cloud, infused with uplifting notes of vanilla and orange blossom. The packaging box features a kiss motif inspired by the iconic Prada lip print.
9. Mont Blanc Lady Emblem L’eau
A whiff of this fragrance transports you to a summer garden laden with fresh roses and creamy magnolias. Top notes of green mandarin, violet leaves and the aquatic accents of white peach and litchi give way to a heart floral of roses and magnolia, while the base note of white cedarwood mellowed with musk provides an unforgettable trail. The fruity-floral juice comes cased in a green jewel bottle.
10. Jo Malone London Tropical Cherimoya Cologne
The leading ingredient here is the fruit of Cherimoya, which smells and tastes like a pear but also has a voluptuous, sensual scent. Combined with tonka bean and copahu resin, it gives a powdery, sweet note. Overall, it’s like freshness packed with a punch. “The copahu resin is a beautiful ingredient from Brazil that’s not used very much; it has a subtle sweetness with woody undertones and a hint of smoky tea that makes it very elegant,” explains master perfumer Sophie Labbe.
11. Xerjoff Aubres
An Italian luxury brand that has a range of unique niche fragrances recently entered the Indian markets. Bright citrus and lush floral notes get together to create a zesty unisex scent. This oriental aromatic fragrance is a heady cocktail of lemon and bergamot, combining with a heart of basil, lavender and frankincense. The woody base of cedar, patchouli and amber makes it last for hours on the skin. Not exactly your usual fare, this one is for those who like their scents spicy and sensual.
The article first appeared in Vogue.in
