HIGH notes

The 5 best new perfumes to spritz

Pumpkin spice lattes have been ordered, toasty candles have been lit and deep nail polishes have been applied. But of course, an autumn refresh wouldn’t be complete without adding some new olfactory treats to your routine. As well as being a wonderful mood booster, perfumes are the perfect invisible accessory to elevate your cosy season style. From warm, rosy scents to musky and fresh, these scents will garner you compliments all season long.

THE GROWNUP GOURMAND: LANCÔME IDÔLE NECTAR

Step outside your comfort zone with an edible confection. Lancôme’s latest creation is testament to the brand’s ability to find nuance in gourmand perfumery notes. Anything but predictable, Idôle Nectar is sweet without being too overbearing for a sophisticated sugar high. You almost want to ask for a spoon. A trio of jammy and fresh roses keep things airy at first spritz, before yummy caramel and slightly salty popcorn literally beckon you to come closer. The addition of vanilla splashed in boozy rum completes this intoxicatingly good-smelling scent.

R1,100 for 25ml, R1,820 for 50ml or R2,360 for 100ml from select Woolworths, Edgars, Foschini and Truworths stores as well as www.superbalist.com

THE FLORAL WITH AN AMBER AURA: YVES SAINT LAURENT LIBRE LE PARFUM

Admit it: You already have a bottle of OG Libre on your vanity. You can’t scroll through Instagram without spotting YSL’s truly modern warm floral scent in the background of a beauty post – and its spicy little sister is equally appealing. Everything from the covetable bottle featuring gold chains around the neck to the indulgent use of saffron, ginger, mandarin orange and bergamot says luxury. Even though it commands attention, Le Parfum isn’t brash. Dainty whispers of bourbon vanilla, honey, tonka bean and vetiver help it maintain a subtle sexiness.

R1,450 for 30ml, R2,050 for 50ml or R2,650 for 90ml from Woolworths, Edgars, Foschini and Truworths stores

THE FRIENDLY FLORAL: BERDOUES FREESIA & COTON

French fragrance house Berdoues bridges the gap between affordable scents and niche perfumery. If you don’t like heady scents for autumn/winter, try this pretty, crowd-pleasing floral that will bring a little mood-boost to colder months. It belies its price tag with an incredible wear time. Mandarin orange and bergamot melt into delicate freesia, cotton flower and jasmine, cocooned in the embrace of cashmere wood and white musk. Not too sweet and light on the woody notes, it’s perfect for anyone beguiled by floral perfumes. You won’t be disappointed.

R525 from www.orleanscosmetics.co.za as well as select Foschini and Truworths stores

THE OPTIMISTIC MUSK: ELIZABETH ARDEN WHITE TEA EAU DE PARFUM

Light and luminous, this floral woody musk is the scent of fresh optimism. A lot of DNA from the original eau de toilette is there, but it feels like a more uplifting rendition with restrained musk that lingers beautifully on skin. It’s softly enveloping with white tea, mate, jasmine and rose water, dampened by clary sage, Italian mandarin and splashes of sea notes. By the time it dries down to its musk, tonka bean and amber wood finish, you’ll be entranced. This is a scent that will see you through brisk days and cosy nights. Wear it when you need a confidence boost.

R750 for 30ml or R1,130 for 100ml from Woolworths, Edgars, Foschini and www.takealot.com