On The Scent

This week, we’re getting into the Halloween spirit with scented storytelling, catching up on fragrance news and sniffing our way through everything from fizzy cola and whisky warmth to sultry florals and swelling seas. There’s news of a fragrant shopping destination returning to London, too, plus plenty to tempt you into adding another scent to your wish list.Our two-times award-winning Halloween Scented Stories bring together spooky storytelling and fragrance, pairing a tale with scents to conjure its atmosphere. Watch @onthescentpodcast on our Instagram stories or catch up in Highlights (the circle beneath our bio).On The Scent Magazine available to purchase in print or read online / weekly news blogs (and you can listen to On The Scent podcast and get links to all the fragrances mentioned at onthescentmedia.com)We know a lot of our listeners will be excited to visit @thepopupperfumery again this year! Details:10 - 14 NovemberA collaborative project between independent fragrance brands and retailers. A space for scent lovers to shop and meet perfumers and founders.Opening hours:Tue- Fri: 12pm - 6.30pmSat: 12pm - 7pmLocation:41 Store StreetLondon WCIE 7DBFragrances Nicola mentioned:Valentino Vendetta Donna‘The olfactive pact between the solar carnality of tuberose, the addictive brightness of a red orange nectar accord and the unctuosity of enveloping woods creates a bold and sensual presence, designed for a confident and magnetic woman. Narcotic tuberose from Colombia opens with warm, solar carnality, whilst an exclusive red orange nectar accord brings addictive, liqueur-like sweetness. Sandalwood anchors the base with creamy, magnetic sensuality.’Viktor & Rolf Bonbon Cola Fizz‘A fragrance designed for those who crave the effervescent pop of an ice-cold cola and its sliced lemon during a hot summer day. A sensorial whisper that says: treat yourself.Double the delight: layer with Bonbon Berry Jelly or Bonbon Caramel Crunch to reinvent your gourmand signature. Crave it. Collect it. Spray it.’Maison de L’Assie Rivière Siam‘Life and the quiet beauty all around us. Riviére Siam opens contemplative yet bright with delicate citrus and balmy florals, capturing the golden warmth of the sunset viewed from the riverbanks.Top Notes: orange blossom, bergamot, lavenderHeart Notes: suede, osmanthus, sandalwoodBase Notes: musk, amberwood, vanilla.’Chefs mentioned:Jozef Youssef of Kitchen Theory:https://www.instagram.com/jozef_youssef?exln=MXJwYjAxN3VrOW82YQ==Pratap Chahal of That Hungry Chef:https://www.instagram.com/thathungrychef?cplk=c2VqYXZzb29oYjhoFragrances Suzy mentioned:Jo Malone London Vanilla Scotch:‘Scotch accord: A warm accord evocative of aged oak barrels and golden amber.Heart Note: vanillaIt adds an enveloping and sensual warmth.Base Note: amberA note that wraps the fragrance with woody warmth, imbuing the fragrance with sensuality.’Chloe Atelier des Fleurs Cedrus de Nuit‘Elevate your fragrance collection with Chloé Atelier des Fleurs Cedrus de Nuit Eau de Parfum, which captures the sensual allure of Parisian nights through a rich floral composition. This scent reveals the queen of the night flower, blending honeyed and spiced notes with dark vanilla and resinous benzoin for a captivating experience.Immerse your senses in the intoxicating aroma of jasmine, gardenia, vanilla, and magnolia, creating a fruity and musky floral bouquet that is both exotic and creamy. The deep cobalt blue bottle, shaped with undulated glass, reflects the elegance and mystery of the fragrance within.’Goldfield & Banks Pacific Rock Swell‘Celebrating 10 years of Goldfield & Banks, Pacific Rock Swell Extrait de Parfum marks a new chapter in the Pacific Collection, building on the legacy of Pacific Rock Moss with a richer, more textured and intense expression of the ocean.Fresh oceanic bursts and crisp citrus meet sun-warmed woods and cool mineral clarity, while seaweed introduces a darker, more textural depth. Marine and captivating, it captures the moment before the break, when the tide gathers power and the ocean begins to rise.’Roja Elysium Absolue‘A new chapter in the Elysium legend, Roja's Elysium Absolue is created for the woman who shapes her own destiny. As she journeys across a fantastical wonderland, sensual roses unfurl in her wake, their beauty enhanced by the sweetness of fruits. Radiant, captivating and endlessly alluring, this eau de parfum paints a vivid vision through a harmony of floral elegance and luscious notes.Top Notes: fig, lychee, raspberry, cassisMiddle Notes: rose, ylang ylang, neroli, tuberoseBase Notes: pink pepper, patchouli, vetiver, orris butter, elemodor cyclescent, benzoin, sandalwood, ambergris, musks.’Experimental Perfume Club Cigarette After S**‘The ritual of a cigarette without the smoke.Warmth first, the kind that settles into skin rather than fills a room. Musk and ambroxan build a raw, sensual heat, while tonka and sesame soften it into an ashy, woody warmth. What lingers is the comfort after it, the pause afterwards, worn close to the body, for the wearer's pleasure.Key notes: tonka bean, rice, sandalwood, suede leather, white musk, ambroxan, white moss.Composed from: The mineral spice of Cardamom Moss, the toasted gourmand of Tonka Sesame and the creamy depth of Sandalwood Musk, blended into a third scent none could be alone.’

We couldn’t do better than quote our brilliant guest Dr Kate Lister’s own bulgingbio: ‘a history sleuth with a passion for uncovering the wild tales of the past. Youmight know me from my bestselling books, “A Curious History of Sex” and“Harlots, Whores, and Hackabouts: A History of Sex for Sale,” where I spill thetea on our ancestors’ sex lives.’ When she’s not ‘deep-diving into historicalhanky-panky’, Kate hosts the award-winning History Hit podcast, Betwixt theSheets, where she and her guests (including an episode with Suzy on historicalfragrances) ‘time-travel through the sauciest and most scandalous stories inhistory.’But there’s something else that Kate’s become passionate about – other than hereternal quest for the best red lipstick in the world – which makes us love hereven more... In this episode we delve deeper into Kate’s burgeoning olfactoryobsession, which she fully admits was Suzy’s fault, as Kate purchased theperfumes Suzy spoke about when she was a Betwixt guest – and as we all know,it’s a slippery scented slope from there.You can listen to that episode here: https://shows.acast.com/betwixt-the-sheets/episodes/cleopatra-to-jane-austen-perfumes-of-powerful-womenFrom Kate’s early experiments with perfumes she and her peers dabbed anddabbled with in their youth, through to expressing her personality, and findingfragrances she’s now fallen madly in love with; of course, our conversations tookan historical turn. Among our discussions: what people in the past actuallysmelled like (did they stink, as many people assume?), the cultural controls overwhat women were supposed to smell of, why we have a deep longing to smelllike forest witches, and a disturbing revelation of how and why Lysol was firstmarketed to women.We think you’ll agree that Kate was an utterly fascinating guest, and we’redetermined to get her back for a Part Two! (Once she’s tried even more of thefragrance recommendations Suzy is going to send her. Sorry in advance, Kate...Dr Kate Lister’s Fragrance List:Body shop DewberryCalvin Klein CK BeGap Grass (the original)Gap Heaven (the original)Rook ForestHistoire de parfum Encens RoiHistoire de Parfum 1968Wales Perfumery Celtic Perfume Discovery SetLe Labo Santal 33Stora Skuggan SylphiumSuzy suggested: Andrea Maack Coven (and has a whole list of other suggestionsto send Kate)Kate’s favourite novel: Perfume: Story of a Murderer by Patrick SüskindSuzy also suggested Kate read Smells: A Culturial History of Odours in EarlyModern Times by Robert MuchembledAnd Suzy also insisted that Kate (and anyone equally fascinated by the scienceand history of our sense of smell) attend next year’s IFRA Fragrance Forum,which you can find out more about in a forthcoming blog feature athttps://www.onthescentmedia.com/You can watch videos of previous IFRA lectures on their website:https://www.ifrauk.org/fragrance-forum-2025

Can you imagine a whole day dedicated to wandering the streets of Paris and smelling their scented wares? Utter olfactory heaven, right?! Well, recently Suzy had a morning and afternoon to do just this, and in this week’s episode, she and Nicola retrace her steps and recall the gorgeous and inspiring Parisian boutiques she managed to visit, reviewing each of the fragrances sniffed and recounting the memories they evoke.Nicola also adds some personal recommendations of places to stop and watch the world go by and have a spot of lunch - should you be so inclined to follow the perfumed path Suzy took, and which Nicola so fondly remembers during her time of living in Paris.From exclusive Parisian perfumes not sold anywhere else, to newly launched scents, and the unique architecture and aesthetics that make these houses so worth your time - why not settle down with a (good) coffee and fresh croissant, and indulge in this Parisian fragrant fantasy of an afternoon with On The Scent podcast…Boutiques Suzy visited during a morning and afternoon in Paris…Maison Crivelli314 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, FranceDesigned by founder Thibaud Crivelli alongside Myriam Akl, the space functions as an "agora of perfume" combining personal objects collected ted from his travels, a stunning woven ceiling in the consultation room upstairs, signature terracotta tones, burnt wood curved benches, sculptural totems, and a series of interactive exploration boxes for visitors.Ex Nihilo326 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 ParisDesigned like a contemporary art gallery combining architecture, lighting, and modern design. The Osmologue is an exclusive in-store technology system that lets visitors personalise and tailor signature fragrances to their individual preferences.Paris exclusives:Timeless Lovers‘An exclusive fragrance created for the Galeries Lafayette, as an ode to Paris, it embodies the city's universal elegance and its romantic spirit.Paris, the cradle of passion, proudly displays a flaming red color, reminding the typical red lipstick Parisian women wear. The fragrance opens with a spicy Pink Pepper top, then in the heart Cedarwood gently compliments a sensual yet sophisticated floral heart of Rose.Eventually, Leather & Amber notes with Agarwood bring depth and power to this Parisian love story.’Paname Palace by Ex Nihilo is a fresh, fruity unisex fragrance released in 2022. The composition opens with a bright and slightly spicy accord of bergamot, cinnamon, and pink pepper, leading into a heart where creamy fig is paired with rose and ylang-ylang. The base blends cedarwood, tonka bean, and vetiver, giving the scent a woody, softly sweet, and earthy drydown. This fragrance is available exclusively in the brand's Paris store.BDKVelvet Tonka Extrait‘Almondy and vanilla-infused, Velvet Tonka is an oriental gourmand creation dusted with icing sugar, built around tonka bean, almond and orange blossom.Velvet Tonka celebrates the tonka bean, between powdery softness and woody facets, like an oriental indulgence dusted with powdered sugar. Paired with almond and orange blossom, which lend it a luminous facet, it unfolds in a vanilla and honeyed accord, wrapped in amyris wood and tobacco. An addictive, velvety and translucent trail.’"The scent of tonka bean has always been reminiscent of Proust's madeleines for me. Brazilian tonka bean enriches the perfumer's palette and creations with its warm and sensual almond notes. I am particularly fond of its balmy character and its milky hay aspect, which makes it incredibly addictive." Perfumer Alexandra CarlinSolferino310 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 ParisLumiére d’Automne‘Inspired by autumn in Paris, where golden light dances across Haussmann façades and trees are dressed in amber hues. This gourmand fragrance unfolds around a roasted chestnut accord,creamy and addictive, blending into a comforting trail of vanilla and sandalwood.’‘The fragrance opens with notes of angelica, carrot seeds and ambrette, bringing a musky, aromatic breath. At its heart, roasted chestnut reveals a creamy, delicately smoky sweetness, evoking the melting flesh of a chestnut still warm from the fire. In the base, vanilla, benzoin and sandalwood come together to create a warm, enveloping atmosphere. An authentic olfactory stroll, celebrating the understated elegance and beauty of Parisian light in autumn.’"I wanted to capture the golden light of autumn in Paris and the comforting gourmand emotion of roasted chestnuts, memories that are inseparable from this season."Yann Vasnier – GivaudanAcqua di Parma205 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 ParisCreated in collaboration with French designer Dorothée Meilichzon, blending Italian craftsmanship with a Parisian aesthetic. It features signature architectural arches, high-gloss yellow lacquer accents, marmorino walls, and wooden totems shaped like the iconic Colonia perfume bottle. Features an intimate consultation space at the back of the boutique highlighting the Maison's history and iconic collections.Matiére Premiére306 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris‘The new 46-square-meter space reflects the brand’s philosophy. Designed by Swedish architects Halleroed, the boutique features limestone, wood, bronze, and handblown blue glass. Therefore, the space feels both refined and rooted in craftsmanship.Inside, visitors find two distinct areas. One displays the full fragrance collection. The other offers a sensory journey through raw ingredients. Because these materials change with the seasons, each visit feels new.’Fragonard207 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris‘Founded in 1926 in Grasse, France, Fragonard is a family-run perfumery known for classic floral compositions and distinctive golden aluminum estagnon bottles. A stone's throw from the Jardin des Tuileries and the Place Vendôme, the Saint-Honoré boutique offers in a magnificent setting all the Fragonard ranges: perfumery, cosmetics, fashion, accessories and decorative objects.’L'OrangerThis is a special anniversary fragrance centered around its signature orange blossom heritage. Created by perfumer Daniela Andrier, it features a bright bouquet of bergamot, Italian green mandarin, and lemon petitgrain at the top, a heart of orange blossom absolute blended with lavender and French cypress, and a soft base of white musks and blond woods.Orange blossom has been Fragonard's signature scent since 2004, and the brand also celebrated the 2026 centenary with a special heart-shaped, orange-blossom-scented stamp issued by La PosteGuerlain356 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris‘Scent creations are stored in a temperature-controlled, UV-protected cellar designed similarly to a fine wine cellar (grand crus) to preserve the integrity of the perfumes. • Visitors can customize iconic bee bottles and flacons by selecting bottle colors, custom text engraving, neck threads, ribbons, and packaging. These custom designs are recorded in a serial-numbered logbook, and the bee bottles can be permanently refilled.’Maison Diptyque7 Rue Duphot, 75001 Paris‘Located in one of the French capital's most prestigious areas, halfway between a boutique and a cultural centre, you'll find iconic Diptyque creations and a range of artistic and cultural experiences, all in an architectural setting reminiscent of a Parisian aesthete's apartment. Designed like a 400m² Parisian aesthete's apartment featuring rooms such as a library, garden, home fragrance salon, bathing salon, and museum/exhibition spaces. Iconic and exclusive Diptyque creations, perfume refills, personalised engraving, gift boxes, recycling services, and rotating artistic or cultural events. Enjoy an exclusive personalised service in Le Salon Privé, where you can turn your inspiration into reality and create an extraordinary made-to-measure extra-large candle. 200 possible combinations of scents and finishes for a singular and precious...

Fancy a scented tour through unexpected florals (via toasted seeds and cool green leaves), autumnal sunsets in California, walled gardens where a warrior goddess might stroll, impeccably tailored heritage, and a gloriously gilded pop fantasy? Step right this way, because this week Suzy & Nicola are discussing perfumes for taking a calm breath, for making an entrance, for leaning into your own glow, and the pleasure of simply choosing the perfect scent to suit the moment.They’re also asking whether fragrance can influence mood, considering solid perfume in a new jelly-like form, and finding plenty to discuss in a line-up that moves from poised and polished to maximalist, sensual and gloriously escapist…Let’s dive in!Dries Van Noten Velvet VioletViolet is so often treated as a sugary, powdery floral that it is genuinely refreshing to find it approached from a greener, more fashion-conscious angle. Here, the leaf is the real focus, giving a cool, woody freshness that feels crisp and modern rather than cosmetic. Pink pepper adds a fizzy brightness, then the texture shifts. Toasted sesame is nutty and savoury, barley brings a softly cereal-like warmth, and vetiver with tonka bean leaves a smooth, earthy-gourmand glow on skin.The effect is tactile and surprisingly chic, with a lovely tension between freshly crushed green leaves and the almost skin-like warmth of toasted seeds. This is violet for those who usually avoid violet, and a quietly unusual choice for anyone who likes their florals with a little friction.Notes: Violet leaf, pink pepper, sesame, barley, vetiver, tonka bean.L’Objet AlentoNamed for a word that can mean breath, spirit, encouragement and vital energy, this is a perfume conceived as an olfactory pause. The opening is bright with juicy orange, though aldehydes give it a sparkling, airy lift that stops it from becoming too obviously fruity. Orange blossom flows through the heart with a fresh, creamy radiance, before lactones, vanilla, ambergris and white musks soften into a cocooning, close-to-skin finish.It feels less like a perfume that announces itself and more like a gentle return to oneself. There is a luminous cleanliness to it, but enough milkiness, warmth and musk to make it feel sensual rather than merely fresh. A lovely choice for anyone craving comfort that still has a little glow about it.Notes: Top: Orange, aldehydes Heart: Orange blossom, fresh floral notes, lactones Base: Vanilla, ambergris, white musksL’Objet OjaiThis begins with the imagined warmth of a California afternoon, when the air is bright with citrus and green things, and the earth has started to hold onto the day’s heat. Bergamot, a green note and cardamom have a breezy, aromatic freshness, before the mango comes through with a rich, softly tropical glow. Bulgarian rose and saffron lend colour and texture, making the fruit feel more nuanced than merely juicy.As it settles, patchouli, frankincense and vanilla bring a dusky, ambery depth that is far more soulful than a straightforward fruity floral. It smells like sun on skin, fruit warmed on the branch, and a trace of incense carried through an open window. This is for days when a perfume needs to offer an instant sense of escape, while still feeling grounded and wearable.Notes: Top: Bergamot, green note, cardamom Heart: Mango, Bulgarian rose, saffron Base: Patchouli, frankincense, vanillaBoadicea the Victorious AndrasteThis is a full, dramatic walled garden scent, where hot brick, flowering vines, crushed greenery and aromatic herbs all seem to release their perfume at once. It has the kind of lavish, maximalist construction that Boadicea the Victorious does so well, combining cool eucalyptus and smoky Lapsang Souchong tea with saffron, thyme and a cascade of flowers. Honeysuckle, wisteria, jasmine and rose create an all-consuming floral richness, while powdered orris, ambrette, leather, fumed woods and vetiver darken the edges.There is a sense of strength to it, but it does not feel remotely austere. This is floral drama with a leather-lined, resinous, slightly feral undercurrent. It has the atmosphere of a garden after a storm, when everything smells wetter, greener, hotter and more alive. Wear it when you want perfume to feel like a form of armour, a flourish of theatricality, and a reminder to take up rather more space.Notes: Eucalyptus, Lapsang Souchong tea, saffron, thyme, honeysuckle, wisteria, jasmine, Lady Emma Hamilton rose, citrus notes, orris, ambrette, leather, fumed woods, vetiver.Huntsman x Truefitt & Hill CologneThe idea here is understated luxury, and it does that most convincingly by avoiding the kind of brash, traditional barbershop clichés one might expect. The opening has a bright, aromatic polish from bergamot, lemon, cardamom, pink pepper, saffron and elemi, feeling brisk but never sharp. Then the rose and violet arrive, adding soft floral refinement, while tobacco absolute gives the heart a gentle smokiness and richness.Vanilla pod, guaiac wood, tonka bean and cedarwood create a warm, smooth finish that gives this more depth than a conventional cologne. It is elegant without being fussy, and classic without smelling as though it has been preserved behind glass. The overall impression is of someone beautifully dressed, completely at ease and not remotely interested in making a fuss about it.Notes:Top: Bergamot, cardamom, pink pepper, saffron, lemon, elemiHeart: Damask rose, tobacco absolute, violet, petitgrainBase: Vanilla pod, guaiac wood, tonka bean, cedarwoodBritney Spears Goddess FantasyIf fragrance is sometimes about serious artistry, it can also be about joy, memory, confidence and indulging the part of oneself that would like to feel a little more fabulous. This goes wholeheartedly into that mood. Golden mango, mandarin and bergamot bring juicy, sunlit sweetness, while jasmine absolute, Turkish rose and orange blossom give the heart a lush, glamorous floral bloom.The dry-down is where the Fantasy family resemblance really comes through. Benzoin, vanilla buttercream and gilded musk create a warm, creamy sweetness that feels designed for unapologetic pleasure. It is bright, pretty and noticeably gourmand, but the citrus opening stops it becoming too dense. Think glossy lips, warm skin, golden light and the sheer morale boost of deciding that one is, in fact, the main character.Notes:Top: Golden mango, mandarin, bergamotHeart: Jasmine absolute, Turkish rose, orange blossomBase: Warm benzoin, vanilla buttercream, gilded muskJoonbyrd Mood JelliesThese portable water-based solid fragrances are intended as little mood rituals, with each jelly pairing a different scent profile with Bacillus ferment and neuroscience-led wellbeing claims. It is always worth holding such claims lightly, because scent is personal and context-dependent. Yet there is something rather charming about matching fragrance to a desired state of mind, particularly when the format is so playful and easy to carry around.BlissApple gives this a crisp, cheerful lift, jasmine brings a soft floral bloom, and woods with labdanum provide a mellow, gently resinous warmth. It sounds like the most easy-going of the trio, designed for a comforting, sunny sort of uplift.Notes: Apple, jasmine, woods, labdanum.ConfidencePeach and saffron make for a warm, radiant opening, while oak moss and ambroxan lend dry, musky structure. This has the most polished, skin-scent-like profile of the three, with enough fruitiness to feel friendly but enough moss and woody amber character to provide presence.Notes: Peach, saffron, oak moss, ambroxan.PeaceViolet and orris create a soft, powdery hush, while vetiver and cedarwood add rooty calm. Cacao brings a subtle darkness and comfort, making this the most introspective choice. It feels made for the end of a busy day, when one wants a small personal pause rather than a big perfume performance.Notes: Violet, vetiver, cacao, cedarwood, orris.Also mentioned: Buy the just-published third print issue of On The Scent magazine here!https://www.onthescentmedia.com/shopAnd read the news and blog here:https://www.onthescentmedia.com/news

What does a fragrance feel like? This week, Suzy Nightingale and Nicola Bonn arefollowing their noses into the wonderfully tactile world of perfumery, where a scentcan suggest velvet brushing the skin, the smooth swish of nylon, or the crumblywarmth of freshly sliced cake. There’s oudh as soft as autumnal sun-warmed suede,a mineral hush reminiscent of earth after rain, and an aromatic breeze that arriveswind-whipped and bracing before settling into comfort.These perfumes invite you to think beyond notes alone. Some wrap around you;others seem to lift you into cool, open air or draw you into the glow of a city afterdark. Join Suzy and Nicola for an episode devoted to sumptuous scents you canalmost reach out and touch...The fragrances discussed in this episode are:Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Velvet Mood ExtraitVelvet warmed by desert sun is the irresistible idea here. Peach skin, delicate suedeand deep oud wood unfold in a slow, enveloping caress – soft, sensuous and richlytextured, with a sillage that seems to ripple across dunes beneath a starry sky.D.S. & Durga Ain’t That Sweet?The blissful comfort of a freshly sliced cake, with no apology for its sweetness.Cinnamon lends a spicy dusting, fresh floral lily keeps things lifted, and creamyvanilla melts into the skin, leaving a decadent trail that lingers like the last deliciouscrumb.Pigmentarium AereoAiry yet grounding, Aereo feels like finding a quiet moment after rain. Soft, mineralcashmeran suggests warm soil, pink pepper brings a flicker of clarity, and soothingmyrrh anchors it all in a clean, contemplative stillness.Aesop Unforeseen AerWind-whipped and refreshing at first, this aromatic fougère brings rugged, mineralheights to mind. Geranium, lavandin and rosemary create its cool rush of air, whilenutmeg lends a textured warmth as the scent settles into comfort.Prada Olfactories Nylon NoirPrada’s iconic nylon becomes something you can almost feel against your skin.Luminous jasmine gives way to a clean, enveloping nylon accord, before muskemerges in the dry-down, leaving a sleek, softly polished trail.Prada Olfactories Troubled MidnightA city after dark, where hot pavement meets cold air and light flares againstshadow. Smoky incense and patchouli bring depth to this warm amber-musk, whilea date accord adds a softly fruity glow – satin darkness in perfume form.