Fragrance Is My Specialist Subject—These New Perfumes Will Be Future Icons
As a beauty editor, I often get asked what my favourite part of my job is. Although there are so many things I could say, one thing I love more than anything else is getting to write about fragrances on a daily basis. I've been obsessed with trying different perfumes for as long as I can remember, as there's something so transformative about wearing a new scent. Even if I'm having a bad day, one spritz of my favourite fragrance has the power to make me feel that little bit better.
With winter well and truly on its way, lots of brands are bringing out new perfumes for the season ahead. My inbox is pretty much full of press releases and my desk is overflowing with samples, so I've been spending the last few weeks sorting through everything and selecting the stand-out fragrance launches from the last couple of months.
I've included my top picks below, and trust me when I say that these scents are not to be missed. From brand new designer fragrances to high street favourites, keep on scrolling for the best new perfume launches for winter, and get ready to take your fragrance collection to the next level this season. If you're struggling for Christmas gift ideas, I happen to think that all of these fragrances would make the perfect presents...
7 of the Best New Perfume Launches for Winter 2024
- Best festive fragrance: Jo Malone London Fir & Artemisia
- Best luxury fragrance: Tom Ford Amber Intrigue
- Best unique fragrance: Escentric Molecules M+ Molecule 01 - Patchouli
- Best skin scent: Phlur Vanilla Skin
- Best high-street fragrance: M&S Discover Frosted Vanilla
- Best warm fragrance: Byredo Desert Dawn
- Best expensive-smelling fragrance: Victoria Beckham 21:50 Rêverie
1. Jo Malone London Fir & Artemisia
Key notes: Artemisia, fir and leather
Firstly, we have to talk about how stunning this bottle is. It would make the most beautiful Christmas gift, and I don't know anyone who wouldn't love this festive scent. With bright, earthy, woody notes of fir and artemisia, it reminds me of freshly-cut Christmas trees and cold winter walks.
2. Tom Ford Amber Intrigue
Key notes: Date accord, sandalwood, amber and labdanum
New from Tom Ford, this fragrance is perfect for those of you looking for a grown-up gourmand scent. Rich, syrupy dates are grounded by smooth, creamy sandalwood and warming amber for a sensual finish. Trust me, this is truly intoxicating.
3. Escentric Molecules M+ Molecule 01 - Patchouli
Key notes: Iso E Super and patchouli
If you're a fan of Escentric Molecules' signature scent, then you will love this launch. Combining the comforting aroma of Iso E Super with two qualities of patchouli, this fragrance has a musky, sophisticated scent that will cocoon your skin in the cold winter months.
4. Phlur Vanilla Skin
Key notes: Vanilla, pink pepper, sugar and sandalwood
This might be Phlur's best launch to date. If you like a more polished vanilla scent then I highly recommend giving this a go. Yes, it's sweet, but it also has this spicy, woody base that adds incredible depth. If I could bathe in this perfume I would.
5. M&S Discover Frosted Vanilla
Key notes: Vanilla, jasmine and pear
Vanilla seems to be a big theme this winter, and I'm not mad about it. If you didn't know, M&S do some of the best affordable perfumes out there, and the brand's newest launch sounds perfect for this time of year. The limited edition Frosted Vanilla scent features notes of sweet vanilla and juicy pear, and it smells almost good enough to eat.
6. Byredo Desert Dawn
Key notes: Spiced cardamom, rose, cedarwood, sandalwood and vetiver
Byredo is easily one of the chicest perfume brands out there, and the newest scent is a warming cocktail of rich, woody notes. It opens with cardamom and rose before a base of sandalwood and cedarwood shines through. It's a little bit spicy, a little bit smokey and a little bit musky, and is the perfect antidote to those cold winter mornings.
7. Victoria Beckham 21:50 Rêverie
Key notes: Vanilla, cedarwood and tonka bean
Victoria Beckham's latest addition to her brand's fragrance offerings is not to be missed. In fact, this is one of the most expensive-smelling perfumes I have ever come across, and I'm recommending it to everyone I know this winter. It has vanilla at the heart, but the addition of cedarwood, tobacco and plum make this an incredibly sophisticated, smooth, sensual scent with subtle hints of sweetness throughout.
Shop the Best Autumn Perfume Launches:
Hermès Barénia
Key notes: Butterfly lily, miracle berry, oakwood and patchouli
New from Hermès, the Barénia fragrance smells just like a sunny, crisp autumn day. The scent is as invigorating as it is captivating, with a citrusy opening and a woody, earthy base. The bottle is inspired by the Collier de Chien bracelet and looks just as chic as you would expect.
Bottega Veneta Déjà Minuit
Key notes: Guatemalan cardamom and geranium from Madagascar
This autumn, Bottega Veneta released its first fragrance collection under the creative direction of Matthieu Blazy. Inspired by the brand's origin city of Venice, there are five fragrances to choose from, and I've got my eye on Déjà Minuit. Think spicy, warm Guatemalan cardamom mixed with intoxicating notes of geranium from Madagascar.
Kilian Old Fashioned
Key notes: Wheat absolute, cedarwood and tolu balm
Inspired by the popular whisky drink, Kilian's newest fragrance is perfect for this time of year. The cosy, sweet, slightly boozy scent features hints of soft honey and earthy hay, and it makes me want to curl up in front of a fire after a long winter walk with a warming cocktail in hand.
Balmain Carbone
Key notes: White musk, rose, suede, patchouli, sandalwood and cumin
Another fashion house that ventured into fragrances this autumn is Balmain. The brand released eight new scents, but Carbone has to be the stand-out fragrance for me. It opens with hints of sweet rose before revealing sensual white musk at the heart. However, once this perfume settles on the skin you are met with a haze of tobacco, suede and cumin. This bold scent is bound to turn heads.
Nobody's Child Selene
Key notes: Green tea, lemon, eucalyptus and jasmine
If you're looking for a slightly more affordable option this autumn, let me introduce you to Nobody's Child's new range of fragrances. Each and every one of these perfumes is a work of art, but this season I will be reaching for Selene. This fresh, sweet, delicate scent smells so expensive on the skin.
Diptyque Bois Corsé
Key notes: Café arabica, sandalwood and tonka bean
Here at Who What Wear UK we are big fans of Diptyque, so you can imagine our excitement when we heard that the brand were launching a brand new line of perfumes inspired by different raw materials. My choice? Bois Corsé. Inspired by tree bark, notes of black coffee absolute and sandalwood mingle with tonka bean for the ultimate warm, cosy scent.
Dolce&Gabbana Velvet Zafferano
Key notes: Cedarwood, black tea and Italian bergamot
New from Dolce & Gabbana, Velvet Zafferano is a rich, smooth, spicy scent with hints of warming cedarwood and zesty bergamot. Yes, the bottle is chic, but the fragrance is even better.
Valentino Sogno in Rosso
Key notes: Black pepper, juniper berries, orange blossom absolute, sandalwood, vanilla and milk foam accord
Inspired by the hedonistic spirit of Rome, Valentino has released a new haute couture collection of seven fragrances, called Anatomy of Dreams. Sogno in Rosso stood out to me thanks to the combination of bold, punchy black pepper and smooth, sweet vanilla.
Phlur Soft Spot
Key notes: Vanilla orchid, amber, sandalwood and musk
I have a thing for Phlur fragrances, and one of brand's newest scents, Soft Spot, has quickly become a personal favourite. This is a delicate fragrance that wraps you up in a musky, warm, slightly sweet aroma. It's like wearing your favourite cashmere jumper on a cold winter's day.
AllSaints Shoreditch Leather
Key notes: Fresh rosewater, saffron, leather accord, jasmine, sandalwood, vetiver and amber
If you're yet to try an AllSaints fragrance, I highly recommend popping down to your local store straight away. Sunset Riot has been a long-term favourite of mine, but one of the brand's newer scents, Shoreditch Leather, is great for this time of year. The fresh, spicy fragrance is inspired by the brand's iconic leather jackets, and smells just as cool as you would expect.
Yves Saint Laurent Libre Flowers & Flames
Key notes: Bergamot essence, desert lily accord, orange blossom absolute, lavender and vanilla Bourbon
If you like YSL's original Libre fragrance, then you will love the newest iteration from the brand. Enhanced with sweet floral notes and warming vanilla, it's a beautiful choice for all year round.
Jo Malone Hinoki & Cedarwood Cologne Intense
Key notes: Hinoki wood and cedarwood
If you want to turn heads, say hello to Hinoki & Cedarwood by Jo Malone. This fresh, woody scent has surprising depth, and the uplifting fragrance is sure to make a statement.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
Grace Lindsay is the junior beauty editor at Who What Wear UK. At the age of 18 she decided to train as a makeup artist before going on to study english and media at Goldsmiths University. It was during that time that she explored her love for journalism by interning at a small beauty start-up based in Shoreditch. Since then, she has worked at a number of publications including Marie Claire and Hello!, where her love for all things beauty continued to grow.
As Who What Wear UK's junior beauty editor, she covers everything from the latest hair trends to the stand-out makeup products of the season.
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