LUXURY BOX
What does “luxurious” smell like to you? Is it a perfume that makes YOU feel like a million dollars, or is it a fragrance that SMELLS incredible? It’s a question we’re often asked, and so we thought it would be good to gather together 15 outstanding examples for you to try.
So, whether you’re looking to discover the lights of the Aurora Australis, wanting to experience some equestrian excitement, or perhaps even explore the magic of London by moonlight, it’s time to open up the Luxurious Fragrances Discovery Box.
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MEMOIZE LONDON AURORA
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: FLORAL FRUITY
TOP NOTES: Bergamot, Marine Notes
HEART NOTES: Pineapple, Rhubarb, Melon, Jasmine, Cypress
BASE NOTES: Amber, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk, Cedarwood
MEMOIZE LONDON AURORA
One of the latest releases from Memoize London, and already a bestseller for them, Aurora is described as the “essence of enchantment”, and it definitely delivers on that promise. You have a fascinating marine quality in the opening, which then passes through a fruit medley of pineapple and tangy rhubarb. The floral aspect in here is delivered by a luxuriously smooth jasmine, before you land on a base that combines delicious amber and noble sandalwood in a finish that is reminiscent of relaxed evenings with a sensual undertone. This perfume is a great example that “luxurious” also translates as “graceful”.
Holly Hutchinson is one of our favourite brand owners at The Perfume Society, because she brings a background in luxury fragrance to each of her projects. Memoize London translates stories, moments and experiences into scents, challenging us by pushing the boundaries of what’s expected. With a social consciousness matched with sustainability, Memoize London is guaranteed to create your next scented memory.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: memoize london aurora
• What aromas would you use to conjure up the idea of “enchantment”?
• Do you have other fragrances that you would describe as “enchanting”?
• Is there a particular time of the year when you’d imagine wearing this fragrance, and why?
• What ingredients come to mind when you think of the word “sensual”?
• Which of your friends would love this fragrance, and why? From £197 for 100 ml EAU de Parfum memoizeperfume.com
Exclusive to Luxurious Fragrances Discovery Box get a 20% discount on 100ml using code AURORA20 at checkout at memoizeperfume.com
MemoizeLondon memoizeperfume
VANILLE LEATHER
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: WOODY AMBER FLORAL
TOP NOTES: Pink Peppercorn, Violet Accord
HEART NOTES: Tuberose Absolute, Jasmin Absolute, Orange Blossom Absolute
BASE NOTES: Madagascan Vanilla, Patchouli, Oakwood, Leather Accord, Orris, Benzoin
bdk
VANILLE LEATHER
Reinventing the leather fragrance style is something that perfumers are constantly exploring, but Dominique Ropion has absolutely nailed it here. He’s dressed up his leather accord with a bouquet of white flowers – honeyed tuberose, sweet jasmine and carnal orange blossom – but also boosted it with earthy patchouli and oakwood, so you almost get a dark chocolate quality within the scent. Throughout the fragrance you get breakout notes like pink peppercorn and powdery orris, but the Madagascan vanilla really is the sumptuous addition. “Luxurious” doesn’t get much better than this, and you’ll definitely be the centre of attention wearing it.
The words “exceptional” and “exquisite” are freely used in the world of perfumery, but they definitely apply to BDK Parfums. Launched by David Benedek back in 2016, he has developed an outstanding range of perfumes and candles that are a must for every collection. If you’re looking for a little piece of Paris at home, then look no further.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: bdk Vanille leather
• Which two ingredients would you love to see brought together in the same way as this perfume?
• Does this perfume feel “luxurious” to you, and why?
• Is there a particular time of day when you would wear Vanille Leather?
• The word “carnal” is used to describe orange blossom, but why do you think this is?
• How does the aroma of leather change in your mind depending on the texture?
MOLTON BROWN
MESMERISING OUDH ACCORD &
GOLD
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: AMBER WOODY
TOP NOTES: Davana, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Bergamot
HEART NOTES: Saffron, Vanilla, Black Tea, Rose
BASE NOTES: Tobacco, Agarwood, Styrax, Olibanum, Honey
MOLTON BROWN
MESMERISING OUDH ACCORD & GOLD
How do you make a perfume that positively glitters when you spray it? Well that’s what happens from the first spray of Mesmerising Oudh Accord & Gold. The opening notes of black pepper and cardamom are given a brightness by the sharp bergamot, but the fragrance then broadens out to reveal precious saffron and black tea. This latter combination provides a rare airiness to these ingredients, before a wash of rose welcomes the star of the scent. A resinous base of oud and leathery styrax is accompanied by a honeyed tobacco quality, which absolutely makes this an ideal party perfume.
The often copied pinnacle of bath and body products, Molton Brown has been captivating us all since 1971. They’ve come a long way since their first Orange & Bergamot scent caused queues around the block, and their customers’ love for them has remained as strong as ever. The stores are still a go-to, but now it’s for niche fragrance lovers.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: molton brown mesmerising oudh accord & gold
• How does the fragrance make you feel when you smell it?
• Alongside the tobacco ingredient, what are the other aromas that you can pick up?
• What other tobacco fragrances do you own, and how is this one different?
• Which occasion can imagine yourself wearing this fragrance at?
• Black tea is a popular ingredient, but what other fragrances do you have that use it? From £140 for 100 ml EAU de Parfum moltonbrown.com
moltonbrown moltonbrown
MASTENBROEK
LONDON DUSK
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: WOODY
TOP NOTES: Golden Fig, Elemi, Coconut
HEART NOTES: Tonka Bean, Saffron, Incense
BASE NOTES: Sandalwood, Vetiver, Amber
MASTENBROEK
LONDON DUSK
Playful innocence within perfume is a blossoming trend at the moment, but also adding in a sophistication is the challenge. “Imagine a fragrance that awakens as twilight descends, a scent for adventures from dusk till dawn.” You’re greeted by an innocent blend of coconut and fig, supported by a touch of sparkling water, before a carefully measured saffron and incense provide a golden smokiness that hints at distant parties and the morning mist. This limited edition perfume then reveals an earthy vetiver mixed with a sweetened sandalwood, so there’s a sense of the night revealing the morning. Memories of London.
Ruth Mastenbroek is an internationally renowned perfumer who, in 2010, decided it was time to launch her own fragrance company. Recently joined in the business by her son Nic (who is the nose behind London Dusk ), it’s now very much a family affair. They both believe that “perfume is a personal statement”, and we can’t wait to see what comes next.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: mastenbroek
london dusk
• What time of day would you like to see brought to life in a perfume, and why?
• Does this perfume feel “evocative” to you, and why?
• Is there a particular time of day when you would wear London Dusk?
• The word “golden” is used to describe the smell of saffron, but why do you think this is?
• How does it make you feel knowing that this limited edition perfume won’t be available for long?
Exclusive to Luxurious Fragrances Discovery Box get a £20 discount on 100ml using code LONDONPS20 at checkout at ruthmastenbroek.com
From £150 for 100 ml EAU de Parfum ruthmastenbroek.com
RMperfumer ruthmastenbroekperfume
BRIONI SUAVE
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: AMBER WOODY
TOP NOTES: Pink Pepper, Cardamom, Mandarin Orange
HEART NOTES: Leather, Vetiver
BASE NOTES: Amber, Sandalwood
BRIONI SUAVE
Suave – adjective – “charming, confident, and elegant”. We could just leave this description at that, because the name really does match the fragrance. The bright and exciting opening of vibrant pink pepper and tart mandarin is also hit with a note of piercing galbanum, so you get that uplifting start we all need at some point in the day. It then weaves down onto earthy vetiver and smooth leather, before coming to rest on a resinous amber and sandalwood that has the merest hint of oud within it. This is the perfect accompaniment to the snappiest suit, which definitely describes Brioni.
Brioni was founded in Rome in 1945 and, from its very beginnings as a luxury fashion house, offered unique tailoring on a modern silhouette. With fans ranging from Rock Hudson through to Samuel L. Jackson, it was only a matter of time before fine fashion met fine fragrance. Designed to instil a feeling of well-being and confidence, it definitely “suits you”.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: brioni suave
• What aromas would you use to conjure up the idea of “suave”?
• Do you have other fragrances that you would describe as “suave”?
• Is there a particular time of the year when you’d imagine wearing this fragrance, and why?
• What ingredients come to mind when you think of the word “confident”?
• Which of your friends would love this fragrance, and why?
brioni.official brioni_official
CREED AVENTUS
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: CHYPRE
TOP NOTES: Bergamot, Blackcurrant, Pineapple, Apple
HEART NOTES: Birch, Patchouli, Juniper, Jasmine
BASE NOTES: Musk, Oakmoss, Vanilla, Ambergris
CREED AVENTUS
What can you say about a fragrance that has taken the world by storm, and continues to be a bestseller 14 years after its launch? Aventus is the go-to for all ages, and owes much of its reputation to the disarming pineapple note that you enjoy at the beginning. It develops through resinous birch notes and floral jasmine, and on to an earthy oakmoss and animalic ambergris, but it really is the sum of its parts. Perfumer Jean-Christophe Hérault cannot ever have imagined the effect that this fragrance would have, but it has become a fragrance staple in many collections.
Creed is famous for the worldwide bestseller Aventus, but there is so much more to this company’s history. With a reputation stretching back to 1760, a clientele that included everyone from Napoleon to the future Queen of England, and links to both London and Paris, it’s a wonderful example of storytelling through scent. So, will you be its latest patron?
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: creed aventus
• How does the fragrance make you feel when you smell it?
• Alongside the pineapple ingredient, what are the other aromas that you can pick up?
• What other fruity fragrances do you own, and how is this one different?
• Which occasion can imagine yourself wearing this fragrance at?
• Ambergris is a popular ingredient, but what other fragrances do you have that use it?
GOLDFIELD & BANKS
MYSTIC BLISS
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: WOODY AROMATIC
TOP NOTES: Fig, Mint, Cardamom, Cassis
HEART NOTES: Kunzea, Clary Sage, Caramel, Geranium
BASE NOTES: Incense, Cedarwood, Orris, Sandalwood, Labdanum, Vetiver
GOLDFIELD & BANKS
MYSTIC BLISS
Creating a perfume inspired by the Southern Lights, also known as the Aurora Australis, is something only Goldfield & Banks could have attempted. Under the nose of Florian Gallo we’re treated to an expansive scentscape beginning with a fig and cassis pairing, shot through with a green cardamom and clary sage, before a recreation of the native kunzea flower adds an aromatic purple hue. In the same way as the lights shift, a restless incense then appears along with a sweetened amber accord to complete a truly mystical and mesmerising experience. It makes you want to see them in person.
Goldfield & Banks are based in Australia and pride themselves on building their perfumes around authentic native essences that are found in the country. Drawing on inspiration from deserts, coasts and forests, they combine fashion with sustainability to create truly fabulous fragrances. We love companies with strong eco credentials at The Perfume Society, which is why we love Goldfield & Banks.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: Goldfield & banks mystic bliss
• Is there a natural phenomenon that you would like to have translated into a perfume, and why?
• How does this perfume display a luxurious quality to you?
• Is there a particular time of day when you would wear Mystic Bliss?
• The word “scentscape” is often used to describe a perfume, but what does the word mean to you?
• Which ingredients would you use to show the idea of a “restless” nature in a fragrance?
From £138 for 100 ml EAU de Parfum selfridges.com
PARFUMS DE MARLY VALAYA
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: FLORAL FRUITY
TOP NOTES: Bergamot, Mandarin, White Peach
HEART NOTES: Orange Flower, Nympheal, Vetiver
BASE NOTES: Akigalawood, Ambrofix, Musk
PARFUMS DE MARLY
VALAYA
Deliciously delicate is a description that perfectly sums up this radiant fragrance that explores scented contrasts within a wonderfully luxurious perfume. Effervescent notes of white peach and bergamot positively dance with the lily of the valley in the heart, and create a veil of scent that drapes effortlessly on the skin. This is added to by a dry vetiver for that promised contrast, but there’s also a touch of orange blossom to add a weightier floral quality to the lighter white sprigs. With a final touch of patchouli and a whisper of oud, be prepared to turn heads wearing this.
Parfums de Marly always strives to create fragrances that “dare to go against the grain”, and so deliver unique experiences that truly reflect a blend of the classic and the contemporary. It’s this pairing that has gained it a loyal following and, because of an instance on using the finest ingredients, creates fragrances that each have a unique olfactory signature.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: parfums de marly valaya
• What does the idea of “scented contrasts” mean to you?
• Do you have other fragrances that you would describe as displaying contrasts?
• Is there a particular time of the year when you’d imagine wearing this fragrance, and why?
• What ingredients come to mind when you hear that a perfume “drapes” on the skin?
• Which of your friends would love this fragrance, and why?
parfumsdemarly parfumsdemarly
MAISON CRIVELLI OUD STALLION
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: AMBER WOODY
TOP NOTES: Saffron, Cardamom, Nutmeg
HEART NOTES: Turkish Rose, Jasmine, Osmanthus
BASE NOTES: Oud, Leather, Tonka, Cedar, Patchouli
MAISON CRIVELLI OUD STALLION
Perfumes inspired by horses and horseracing might not be your first thought when thinking about luxurious perfumes, but when you start to visualise warmed leather and jasmine then you might change your mind. The warmingly spicy saffron and cardamom are speedily joined by a leather and oud pairing, so you have a lasting sensual intensity from the outset. However the appearance of a Turkish rose, with its powerful presence, adds a genderless quality to the perfume that is then given a dryness thanks to the cedarwood. There have been a few Horse inspired fragrances recently, but you’ll struggle to beat this one.
When Thibaud Crivelli launched Maison Crivelli in 2018 he promised us an unexpected experience because, in his own words, “a fragrance is an unpredictable and mysterious art form that is constantly evolving.” With a focus on sustainability and traceability, not just for the customer but also for the ingredient producing communities, this means your perfume really can make a difference.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: maison crivelli ouD stallion
• How does the fragrance make you feel when you smell it?
• Alongside the leather ingredient, what are the other aromas that you can pick up?
• What other leather fragrances do you own, and how is this one different?
• Which occasion can imagine yourself wearing this fragrance at?
• Cardamom is a popular ingredient, but what other fragrances do you have that use it?
maisoncrivelli maisoncrivelli
EDENISTE
OUD GHAZAL
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: WOODY SPICY
TOP NOTES: Black Cherry, Peppercorn, Cardamom
HEART NOTES: Oud, Labdanum
BASE NOTES: Musk, Vetiver, Cedar
EDENISTE OUD GHAZAL
Cherry notes are still very popular in fragrances, perhaps due to their association with childhood memories, but it’s given a decidedly more “grown up” quality here. The black cherry in the opening gives a more black forest gateau vibe, which is absolutely delicious, but there’s also a pepperiness that adds an arresting edge to the sweetness. The oud comes through, alongside a cognac note, before a bold labdanum makes its wonderful presence very know. A final touch of earthy vetiver adds a surprising brightness to the finish, and succeeds in delivering on its promise of being “a modern gourmet oud”.
Taking scented wellbeing to a whole new level, Edeniste worked with the world’s leading neuroscientists to identify the molecules that are proven to improve our emotional state of mind. In a world full of distractions and obstacles, founder Audrey Semeraro has given us all the luxurious lift to start our day with a scented spring or calm our unconscious concerns.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: edeniste
oud Ghazal
• Which ingredients do you find have a positive effect on your mood?
• Would you be more inclined to choose a perfume that has a proven wellness benefit, and why?
• How does the aroma of black cherry make you feel, and what memories does it evoke?
• Vetiver is often described as having the scent of hessian sacks, but how would you describe it?
• If you could add one ingredient to this perfume, what would it be and why?
OMAN LUXURY
PARAMOUR
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: SPICY AMBER
TOP NOTES: Bergamot, Raspberry, Grapefruit, Saffron
HEART NOTES: Jasmine, Lily, Cinnamon, Rose
BASE NOTES: Musk, Amber, Vanilla, Patchouli, Leather, Caramel, Tonka
OMAN LUXURY PARAMOUR
It’s fascinating how perfumers can take similar ingredients but create completely different results. The leather accord that you find here in Paramour is dressed with a fruity citrus opening of mouth-watering raspberry and grapefruit, along with a disarming floral blend that adds an erotic edge rather than a romantic one. The deeper notes of the perfume reveal a sensuous sweetness thanks to the caramel and tonka bean but, as in previous fragrances, the anchoring quality of patchouli provides a darkness that perfectly satisfies the senses. This is a bit of a racy perfume, but it’s good to be bad sometimes.
We love travel at The Perfume Society, and so discovering Oman Luxury gave us the ultimate armchair vacation. Founded in 2012 by Muatasim, Muadh and Ahmed, it combines the traditional aspects of the culture with a dash of the modern day, and the results really are “passionate and inspirational”. So, are you ready to discover the heart and soul of Oman?
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: oman luxury paramour
• What do you think using the raspberry ingredient adds to this perfume?
• Do you have an idea of the ingredients that you’d use to conjure a hot country?
• Is there a particular time of the year when you’d imagine wearing this fragrance, and why?
• What ingredients come to mind when you think of the word “racy”?
• Which of your friends would love this fragrance, and why?
ORMONDE JAYNE
MUSCAT
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: SPICY AMBER
TOP NOTES: Saffron, Cinnamon, Date Oil
HEART NOTES: Rose Absolute, Frankincense, Incense, Halwa
BASE NOTES: Oudh, Vanilla, Oakmoss, Cardamom
ORMONDE JAYNE MUSCAT
Looking for the perfect fragrance that you can truly describe as “luxurious” is based on a lot of factors, including your fragrance history and your future desires, and so finding one that celebrates “discovery” is ideal. Muscat is inspired by the port and its surroundings, so you get to revel in golden saffron, spicy cinnamon, and the deepest rose absolute. However, the oud in the base is cleverly blended with earthy oakmoss and green cardamom, so it’s vibrant rather than heavy. With an added touch of ceremonial sweetened frankincense, you’re in for some scented discovery and just a touch of seduction.
There are some names that always elicit excitement, and Ormonde Jayne is one of them. Founded by Linda Pilkington, the company revels in the unexpected and continues to “redefine the world of scent”. Whether you’re still captivated by her original Champaca, or bowled over by the newer Bukhara, there’s always a guarantee of “craftsmanship, quality and distinction” in every bottle.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: ormonde
jayne muscat
• How does the fragrance make you feel when you smell it?
• Which other Ormonde Jayne perfumes have you tried, and how do they compare to this one?
• Alongside the saffron ingredient, what are the other aromas that you can pick up?
• Which occasion can imagine yourself wearing this fragrance at?
• Oakmoss is a popular ingredient, but what other fragrances do you have that use it? From £175 for 88 ml EAU de Parfum selfridges.com
ormondejayne ormondejayne
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE GOLD REGATTA
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: WOODY
TOP NOTES: Fig, Red Seaweed
HEART NOTES: Salty Woods, Immortelle
BASE NOTES: Amber, Vanilla
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE GOLD REGATTA
Overseas travel is often thought of as the ultimate luxury, and so having a perfume inspired by a far off place is the next best thing to actually being there. Inspired by the Regata Storica in Venice, which takes place on the first Sunday in September, the fragrance opens with a fig and seaweed accord that focuses on the textural saltiness rather than the sea itself. This then leads on to the honeyed immortelle and a driftwood effect, this time conjuring the position of the city, before a final impression reveals a sweetened amber. Now, where did I put my passport?
Who doesn’t long to ride a gondola through the waterways of Venice? Well, a little piece of the city, and Venetian life, is now available to all of us thanks to The Merchant of Venice. In this carefully curated collection, you get to experience grand journeys, exquisite ingredients, and all contained in ornate fragrance bottles that will have you swooning.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: the merchant of venice gold regatta
• How does this perfume’s inspiration of a regatta make you feel?
• Does this perfume feel as if conjures a distant city, and why?
• Is there a particular time of day when you would wear Gold Regatta?
• The word “textural” is used to describe certain ingredients, but how does this change the way you perceive its scent?
• Salty notes are very popular in current fragrances, but which other ones do you own that have this within them?
LACOSTE
ORIGINAL
FRAGRANCE FAMILY: FOUGERE
TOP NOTES: Bergamot, Cardamom, Pink Pepper
HEART NOTES: Lavender, Clary Sage
BASE NOTES: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean
LACOSTE ORIGINAL
There’s something so wonderfully comforting about reaching for a fragrance that has a familiarity and an instantly recognisable history, and that definitely goes for Lacoste. 40 years since their first fragrance launched, they’ve reinterpreted their legacy with the new Lacoste Original. This excitingly bright fougere explodes out of the bottle with pink pepper and bergamot before the vibrant heart of lavender and clary sage provide an aromatic edge reminiscent of the company’s crisply ironed polo shirts. With a final earthy patchouli and smooth sandalwood completing this fabulous fragrance, you’re guaranteed to feel smart, stylish and the epitome of sophistication.
We may not all be sporty, but a healthy dose of a Lacoste fragrance can still make us feel like we’re a Wimbledon champion – if just for a day! Founded in 1933, and with the famous tennis polo shirt arriving in 1952, the company finally entered the fragrance world in 1984 with the self-titled Lacoste. Game, set and match I think.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: lacoste original
• What other fragrances have you tried by Lacoste, and how do they compare?
• Do you own a fragrance that you would love to see “updated”, and why?
• Is there a particular time of the year when you’d imagine wearing this fragrance, and why?
• What ingredients come to mind when you think of the word “classic”?
• Which of your friends would love this fragrance, and why?
OFFICINE UNIVERSELLE BULY
OFFICINE’S EAUX TRIPLES
From its origins in 1803 through to its revival in 2014, Buly has always prided itself on its high-quality and imaginative uses of ingredients. Whether it’s the famous rice face powders or the exquisite eaux de toilettes, literally made with water rather than alcohol, the company is an Aladdin’s cave of tradition and heritage, and it’s just waiting to be discovered.
OFFICINE UNIVERSELLE BULY
OFFICINE’S EAUX TRIPLES
AL KASSIR: A sumptuous fragrance, with hints of sandalwood perked up by geranium and cardamom.
BERKANE ORANGE BLOSSOM: A bewitching armful of fresh orange blossom and leaves.
KOMI FOREST: Russia and its pine trees after the rain, with woody, mineral accords.
PERUVIAN HELIOTROPE: A romantic bouquet of white flowers, Tonka bean, and violets.
SCOTTISH LICHEN: The irresistibly green scent of the Highlands, bewitched with sage, galbanum, and patchouli.
MAKASSAR: An intense oriental blend of woody iris, amber, and blond tobacco.
ENGLISH HONEY: The waxy, powdery scent of honey, musk and cedarwood.
MEDINA OUD: A mystical fragrance, crafted with accords of agarwood, rose, saffron, and amber.
DAMASK ROSE: A magnificent bunch of roses, spiced with ginger and vetiver.
SUMI HINOKI: A deep note of smoked Hinoki wood, cypress, and incense.
MEXICAN TUBEROSE: Tuberose at its best, where white flowers are highlighted with vanilla, clove, and musk.
KISO YUZU: A fruity, green, frosty fragrance with yuzu citrus, mint and Japanese laurel.
SMELLING NOTES:
EXPLORE: officine universelle buly
• How does the fragrance make you feel when you smell it?
• Can you smell a particular ingredient?
• Does this fragrance bring back any memories?
• Which occasion can you imagine yourself wearing this fragrance at?
• Does this scent bring any fabrics to mind?
officineuniversellebuly officine_universelle_buly