We all have a favourite perfume or eau de toilette, a signature scent that we rely on day in, day out. But how about changing it up according to the seasons?
It might seem odd to choose your everyday perfume depending on the weather outside, but it makes a lot of sense. The seasons can bring to mind different smells, colours, feelings, tastes, so match a scent to the winter season and you'll be reminded of frosty walks, cosy hot chocolates and winter wonderlands. Often winter perfumes tend towards woody, heady ingredients, whereas florals and citrus smells are more common in spring and summer scents.
Obviously it's all a matter of taste, and choosing a new perfume is a very personal decision. Scents also make great gifts, so if you're looking for a fancy fragrance for a loved one, you've come to the right place. We've scoured the perfume shops to find the best new women's fragrances for winter that are ideal for a cold, frosty morning.
The Best Women's Fragrances For Winter
1 of 8Byredo Mumbai Noise Eau de Parfum
Experience the joy of a rich woody aroma, contrasted with notes of coffee and tonka beans. This scent is memorable, to say the least, and captures the warming, heady fragrances that are perfect for the wintertime.
2 of 8Juliette Has A Gun - Mmmm
The name of this fragrance - Juliette Has A Gun is designed to be said out loud. Appropriately it's a 'gourmand' (or food-inspired) fragrance with accords of vanilla, neroli and raspberry, reminiscent of sweets from childhood. It's a perfumer's ode to pleasure of sweet things, but without the calories. Delicious.
3 of 8Maison Mâtine - Bain de Midi
Bain de Midi (translates as 'midday bath' in French) from Maison Matine has an immediate hit of creamy coconut, but the floral notes of ylang ylang and tiare stop it veering towards eau de suntan lotion. There's a sweetness from vanilla in the base and the whole thing adds up to the smell of sunshine (and good times) - which we could all do with right now. It has a lightness, a deftness of touch and a really pleas-ing cleanness and purity. Also of note is the very reasonable price for a 50ml bottle of EDP. Now that is worth getting out of the bath for.
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4 of 8Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent
A mesmerising signature scent, Black Opium is an absolute classic. With top notes of bergamot, lemon and middle notes of lavender and rosemary, this addictive and all-encompassing fragrance should be your go-to winter scent.
5 of 8Miss Dior
Miss Dior is an ode to love. Feminine, romantic with a floral heart of Damascus rose and Grasse rose. Freshness comes from bergamot and there's rosewood and pink pepper to add depth of character. With Valentine's Day around the corner, this could be the ideal scent.
£83
6 of 8Goutal - Nuits et Confidences
Goutal has been a Paris institution for over 40 years making beautiful candles and perfumes. Nuits et Confidences is well suited to the chill of winter as it has the warming notes of tonka bean, vanilla and white musks. The fragrance was inspired by Paris at night - the characters, the romance and the intrigue. It is elegant and vibrant, very much like the city itself.
7 of 8Maison Francis Kurkdjian - Aqua Universalis
It feels slightly wrong to fit this scent into a 'male or female' category because, as the name suggests, it's for everyone. Francis Kurkdjian is a supremely talented perfumer. He has created a fragrance that is light, luminous and fresh. There's lemon and bergamot in the opening and then a beautiful lily of the valley note in the heart. All this is anchored by cedar and musk in the base. This one is an investment, but you won't regret it and it could become a signature scent.
8 of 8Jusbox - Sirens & Sailors
Jusbox is a perfume brand that expertly combines music and perfume. Each of its fragrances is inspired by a musical icon or genre, and Sirens & Sailors pays homage to Amy Winehouse and the Camden world which she inhabited. It's a musky floral with rose and osmanthus notes showing her feminine and innocent side, where as the heart notes of rum absolute and whisky hint at the darker side of Amy's nature. It's perfectly suited to the winter months as the lingering base notes are sweetened with vanilla and warmed with suede and musk.
Top tips:
Don’t waste the last drops of your fragrance. Instead, mix the remainder into an un-scented body lotion to make the scent last longer.
If you feel like you’ve applied too much of a fragrance use a make-up wipe to re-move it and start again.
What to read next:
Haydn Williams is a self-confessed fragrance addict. He consults for a number of brands, as well as running his own website on the subject. Follow his olfactory adventures on Instagram