Scents of serenity: the luxury fragrances guaranteed to brighten any mood

There’s something about a favourite perfume or cologne that ignites the happiest memories; reminds us of elegant evenings out, a loved one’s signature scent, or just being ready to take on the world. But whether you’re sticking to a new, less structured routine or all dressed up with nowhere to go during lockdown, our collection of scent-sational fragrances will be certain to lift any mood… 

CLIVE CHRISTIAN: 1872 MANDARIN AND X NEROLI

These two fragrances from Clive Christian offer a suitably decadent fragrance for spring. Inspired by Queen Victoria – whose crown adorns each bottle of the brand’s perfume – both of these extraordinary fragrances contain orange blossom; an homage to the orange blossom broach Prince Albert presented to Victoria on their engagement, and the flower which became a symbol of their love.

1872 Mandarin is a vibrant and energetic citrus musk prefect for summer. Mandarin and green accords meet with aromatic juniper berry, before delving into sweet violet and a unique citrus fusion which gives longevity to flighty citrus top notes.

X Neroli is a fresh and exhilarating limited edition of the brand’s X fragrance, completed with accents of bitter orange and neroli flowers.. Floral and fresh neroli unfurls around green petitgrain while a tuberose heart settles into a soft cashmere and musk base with mysterious hints of vetiver and moss.

Exclusively available from Harrods and Clive Christian

THE ROYAL EXCHANGE AT HOME 

Perhaps an unlikely choice for fragrances, but The Royal Exchange’s At Home campaign is bringing together a wealth of luxurious scents for delivery during London’s lockdown, in addition to edible treats from Cutter & Squidge, Rococo and Fortnum & Mason, and office supplies from the likes of Mulberry, Aspinal of London and Smythson. Whether you’re shopping for perfumes or home scents, The Royal Exchange recommends:

Jo Malone London Lavender & Musk Diffuser: A relaxing Scent Surround Diffuser creates a sanctuary of calm in the home, with its cocooning notes of soft musk enveloped in English Lavender. Scent the road to dreams with the perfect bedside companion, the tranquil scent of Lavender & Musk helps relax and unwind for a good night’s sleep when placed on a table or dresser.  

Penhaligons ‘The Favourite’: Inspired by Sarah, the Duchess of Marlborough, who was known to be Queen Anne’s best friend, this deep floral scent evolves around the Mimosa – a warm, powdery flower that Penhaligons describes as having a ‘soft power’. With hints of freesia, violet and mandarin to develop bright confidence on skin, the perfume is deepened by base notes of Indian sandalwood and musk.

Available from The Royal Exchange

PARLE MOI DE PARFUM

Family run Parisian perfumerie Parle Moi de Parfum imagines that fragrances should reflect the wearer’s life. Each of its eight signature scents is given an evocative name – such as Une Tonne de Roses, Guimauve de Noël, Totally White and Tomboy Neroli – to reflect its unique blend of deep notes and sensual aromas. While all the brand's perfumes are avaiable from Selfridge's, those new to the brand should indulge in its Discovery Kit – available online – which provides samples of the brand’s perfumes to try. As fragrance designer Michel Almairac says, discovering a new perfume and using it for a couple of days is mandatory to choose a new olfactory signature. 

Available from Selfridges

LES SENTEURS: EXCLUSIVE SCENTS

London’s oldest independent perfumery, Les Senteurs, has been a haven for those who follow their nose since 1984. The Perfume Society describes the boutique as champions of the ‘slow-scent movement’, determined to take time in finding the right scent – or layering combination – for its discerning customers. Now offering home delivery, including samples of some of its most exclusive scents. Three to try:

Sylvaine Delacourte Ozkan: A perfume inspired by the Ottoman legend of Prince Ozkan, who fell in love with a vanished girl who smelled of orange blossom. A soft deep orange blossom fragrance with a piquant contrast of smooth leather notes. Highly sophisticated: for the fragrance connoisseur. Head notes of Italian-mandarin.

Tauer L'Air des Alpes Suisses: Conceived, labelled and hand-poured in Switzerland, this perfume captures the Swiss Alps in a bottle, with bracingly fresh head notes, hints of spices and the scent of red Alpine lilies at its heart and base notes of timber, beech and larch wood.

Maison Rebatchi Joyeux Osmanthe: A bouquet of osmanthus blossoms with delectable apricot notes modernises the base of tuberose. Then, fresh notes of honeysuckle and green notes are unveiled over a musky, woody amber base. 

Available at Les Senteurs

JULIETTE HAS A GUN

Cult favourite Juliette Has a Gun has become as famed for its rebellious attitude as for its scents, and prides itself on reinventing both femininity and couple with a focus on liberation. Since it was founded in 2006, the brand now boasts 14 fragrances to choose from – such as Sunny Side Up, pictured – and 6 luxury fragrances – including the best know Not A Perfume, which comes without any artificial chemicals and is now available in a super intensive eau de parfum. 

Available from John Lewis