We don’t need to tell you that your fragrance does say quite a bit about you. What you like, where your energy level is at, and even your personality might be discerned from the fragrances you gravitate towards. In the same manner, fragrances can be a tool of projection: you can use them quite effectively to communicate an initial visual impression—be it a sense of confidence, mystery or playfulness.
In the spirit of new beginnings for the new year, there’s absolutely no better time than the present to pause and reset your fragrance roster. While that may seem like we’re asking you to consider more mild-weight options, that’s absolutely not the case. This edit of fragrances—some perennial favourites with a few new releases thrown in—are meant to reintroduce a more refreshing scent profile that cuts right through headier bodies.
Think of this edit as the base on which to build on. The overall profile may be generally clean, but that really allows the opportunity to layer and mix to create ever more nuanced scents.
Istanbul-based perfume brand NISHANE has been around for only a decade, yet its growing presence in more than 120 countries is a mark of its niche extrait fragrances. A consistent top-selling fragrance across its entire repertoire, Hundred Silent Ways is part of a collection inspired by 13th-century poet Rumi. The fragrance starts with a citrus top note, which then settles into a vanilla body. The new Hundred Silent Ways X is a reworked version created as a celebration of the brand’s 10th anniversary and leans even more heavily on the original’s gourmand body, adding on leather to amplify the sensuality of the fragrance. The top notes remain prevalent, making this a thoroughly balanced scent.
L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Iris de Gris ranks top as the freshest fragrance in this edit. Part of the fragrance house’s Le Potager collection—a series dedicated to the use of vegetable notes in perfumery—Iris de Gris employs the use of a pea accord as the defining element of the fragrance. You smell it almost immediately, a crisp freshness that’s surprisingly reminiscent of a freshly picked and washed bag of peas. But of course, you won’t exactly be smelling like the vegetable. Iris and galbanum add refinement to the fragrance, with the mint (part of the concocted pea accord) lifting the fresh quality of Iris de Gris.
As classic as they come, English Pear & Freesia is a quintessential Jo Malone fragrance that is the perfect balance of sweet and sensual. It’s not cloyingly sweet in any way, thanks to the main King William Pear note that gives a juicy expression to the fragrance. As with many of Jo Malone scents, the patchouli base provides for the fragrance’s longevity—this one sticks to your skin for awhile despite being a lightweight cologne formulation. While English Pear & Freesia is categorised as a women’s perfume (but what exactly is the point of gender labels in the world of fragrances?), its floral notes lean on the lighter side and, if anything, add a touch of freshness to the overall scent.
Just like the previous fragrance on this list, H24 is created by Christine Nagel, the current in-house perfumer of Hermès. There’s a reason why Nagel is a celebrated perfumer and H24 is one of many examples of her refined take on perfumery. This eau de parfum formulation of H24 is headier than its eau de toilette predecessor but still retains a metallic note—thanks to the inclusion of sclarene—that’s signature to the fragrance. This metallic element cuts through to bring about a fragrance that perhaps isn’t for everyone. But the unique quality of it definitely sets the H24 apart from any other woody and musk-heavy fragrances out there.
The latest addition to Celine’s bath and body range—a range that was only introduced this year—is its first cologne. There’s an overall powdery radiance to Cologne Céleste brought about by notes of orris butter that ties it to the house’s refined haute parfumerie collection. Cologne Céleste, however, is designed to be an after-bath ritual meant to reinvigorate and soothe. The intended effect is brought about by the cologne’s more refreshing citrus and floral notes comprising neroli, orange blossom and sweet lemon essence. And as a way of bringing back old-school self-care gestures, Cologne Céleste can either be used as a splash (think Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone) or as a classic perfume with the removable metal pump included. Either way, the cologne is one you can easily incorporate as an everyday go-to.
Rather multi-faceted in essence, Gucci’s A Floral Verse is quite a journey, beginning with floral notes that then bring you to a green middle before settling down to a white musk base. A Floral Verse opens with Indian jasmine sambac that’s a splendid combination of floral, with semblances of warmth. The middle Sri Lankan black tea note provides a dry expression that counters the more floral elements of the Indian jasmine sambac, while at the same time infuses a dose of smokiness. The name may allude to a floral-heavy fragrance, but A Floral Verse is actually more green than floral, and layers easily with more robust fragrances.
Photography: Jayden Tan
Photography Assistant: Aisyah Hisham
The refined, luxurious fragrances are the best part of your grooming routine.
Jo Malone London is one of those names in the world of men's grooming that sparks instant joy. You get a little more excited when you see their soaps and shampoos in the shower of your hotel. When you're in a public bathroom and there's a Jo Malone fragrance or incense on the counter, you know you're in good hands. And when you use a Jo Malone cologne, you can be confident you're smelling delicious all day long.
No matter your preference for fragrances, Jo Malone has one—if not multiple—to appeal to your tastes. The brand excels in combinations that expertly layer notes and ingredients for deliciously intoxicating fragrances—a warm Myrrh & Tonka, a spicy Scarlet Poppy, a sultry Velvet Rose & Oud, a sweet, fresh Blackberry & Bay. If you're looking for your new favorite fragrance, you've come to the right place—there's a good chance it's Jo Malone.
BEST SMOKY COLOGNE
The velvety Asian scarlet poppy is beautifully balanced with rich tonka bean in this intense fragrance, which has enticing notes of vanilla, almond, and tobacco.
BEST WOODY COLOGNE
This scent transports you to the English highlands, where cypress is plentiful, and heather and amber bring an aromatic, woody flavor.
BEST FLORAL COLOGNE
For a light, airy, floral scent (perfect for summertime), look no further. Fresh notes of violet leaf, mallow, and heliotrope bring out a soft liveliness in this fragrance.
BEST WARM COLOGNE
Warm, rich, and ambery, this intense cologne in a limited-edition bottle decorated for Eid has amber and myrrh, almond and vanilla, honey and lavender—all the delicious, inviting scents in one.
BEST SULTRY COLOGNE
For an intoxicating nighttime scent, Jo Malone adds clove, Damask rose, oud, and praline into this opulent fragrance.
BEST SOPHISTICATED FRAGRANCE
It's all about elegance, with this one. Inspired by a silk red dress, this cologne has pomegranate, plum, and raspberry with darker notes of patchouli and frankincense for a perfectly balanced, intriguing profile.
BEST FRESH COLOGNE
This is one of Jo Malone's most iconic scents, and with good reason. Ambrette seeds, sea salt, and sage transport you to the shore, with a woody and fresh aroma.
BEST CLEAN COLOGNE
With grapefruit, English lavender, and silver birch, this light, clean cologne is deliciously citrusy and refreshing.
BEST UNIQUE FRAGRANCE
Amber and lavender—what a combination. The effect is magnetic, with a top note of petitgrain bringing out a subtly warm scent.
BEST VIBRANT COLOGNE
This scent is all about the playful nostalgia of childhood. Tart blackberry brings out a sense of joy, while bay leaves and cedarwood balance and ground the scent in the outdoors.
