Winter is still set at freezing over here in London and the ski season is well underway, so why not embrace the cold with these beautiful winter warming scents.
Jo Malone Oud & Bermagot Cologne Intense
This deeply rich, rare scent has a dark, dangerous edge. The mysterious, smoky character of oud, a revered wood that is central to Middle Eastern fragrance traditions, radiates with the clarity of crisp bergamot and an orange granite accord. Hypnotic.
£95 (100ml) / www.jomalone.co.uk
Tom Ford Private Blend Café Rose
Tom Ford’s Jardin Noir collection reveals the forbidden sides of four of perfumery’s treasured blooms: narcissus, hyacinth, rose and lily. Each one is contained in a black opaque glass bottle with a lavender label. We especially adore Café Rose; three precious rose essences dance with exotic spices and dark coffee. All the while romantic, it awakens dervish passion. Incense resin, amber, sandalwood and patchouli surround this wicked allure with sensual, creamy depth.
£300 (250ml) / www.tomford.com
Angela Flanders Figue Noire
This exotic, creamy, flowery fragrance contains notes reminiscent of noix de coco and tuberose. The initial richness of ripe purple figs rests upon a wonderfully dark, sexy base. Poured into a golden flask, it’s pure winter magic in a bottle. Londoner perfumer Angela recently won Best New Independent Perfume at the 2012 FiFi Awards for her compelling fragrance, Precious One – exotic and seductive chypre is combined with tuberose and jasmine top notes, all floating on a base of oak moss with a deep and intriguing base of vetiver and a touch of sultry cive – well worth sniffing out.
£85 (100ml) www.angelaflanders-perfumer.com
Molton Brown Myrrh Muske & Cypress Medio Candla
This limited edition candle is brought to you from London via Persia and captures the warmth of the season that’s not quite gone by yet. Opulent and totally atmospheric, we love the top notes of cardamom laced over base notes of black pepper, moss and patchouli.
£36 (180g) www.moltonbrown.co.uk
Evody Musc Intense
This vibrant citrus cocktail has been folded into a velvety softness of woods and crystalline musk to create a perfume of temptation and sensuality. Citrus top notes of bergamot and mandarin heart hit the floral explosion of freesia. The woody base combines jasmine with cedar, along with Kashmir wood, musk and tonka bean. An unusual mix that is incredibly captivating.
£70 (50ml) www.harveynichols.com / www.evody-parfums.com
Armani Prive Rose D’Arabie
From Armani’s luxe collection ‘Des Mille Et Une Nuits’, this beguiling beauty lingers softly through an icy cold night, or as Armani say, the lament of the desert. Damascus rose, amber, oud and leather are spiced up with flashes of saffron with a harmony of golden amber for a stunning oriental journey.
£190 (100ml) www.armanibeauty.co.uk
Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa Oud
A heady, sensory Middle Eastern inspired liquid by the Italian fragrance powerhouse. The persistent lingering of oud oil makes it a characteristically intense male scent. Light citrus notes typical to this brand unexpectedly blend with warm, magnetic notes of Russian coriander and hints of leather with sandal and musk.
£130 (100ml) www.acquadiparma.com
Miller Harris Terre De Bois
Green and fresh tones contrast with a sensual and woody base composed of vetiver, Malay patchouli and verbena. A touch of Persian fennel, juniper and clary sage create a full and rounded heart that is finished off with accents of citrus and spice. Perfect by the log fire.
£38 (185g) www.millerharris.com
Bella Freud Je t’aime Jane
Fashion designer Bella Freud leaps out of her box with a beautiful range of black glass robed candles. This candle shines bright with the scent of tiger snow Lily when it blooms. The fragrance is cut through with fresh green leaves and water stem with a hint of cold winter snow. Totally feminine and pretty on all accounts.
£37 www.bellafreud.co.uk
La Perla Divina Gold
This Italian lingerie brand has been inspired to accentuate on floral notes with an oriental dimension for a deeply sensual composition. It includes citrus and fruity notes of bergamot, mandarin and caramelised wild strawberries. At the heart, spicy frankincense is blended with orange flower and rose, with base notes of patchouli and amber. An addictive aroma wrapped in gold.
£55 (80ml) www.harrods.com