By Luca CHAN | Reading time: 9 minutes
While today marks barely a fortnight away from the festive season, we say that it’s never too early to set the record straight and set the tone for Christmas. As Mariah Carey is defrosting and the onslaught of tinsel decorations imminent, what better way there is to count down to December 25 none other than spritzing perfumes that capture the essence of Christmas? In the iconic words of Coco Chanel, “A woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.” By today’s standards, we say that olfactory expression of self goes for men just the same. Fret not, these five timeless perfumes scoped out by yours truly reinvent and redefine notions of masculinity and femininity, rendering them accessible to men and women and everyone in between. Read on if you want to take your nose on a journey of self-discovery and smell nice along the way.
You may also like: Top 5 Must-Try Fall Baking Recipes
1. Tom Ford Noir de Noir
Forget Dior Sauvage, we declare that Tom Ford’s Noir de Noir is the dark horse, lesser-known cousin of beast mode fragrances in longevity and sillage through and through. Picture yourself going on a walk at dusk, getting whiffs of saffron and truffle from the mossy woods that you pass by, the result is an almost chocolatey aroma that exudes nothing but quiet confidence and leaves a trail everywhere you go.
The fragrance opens with a warm blend of floral accords, followed by an ambush of decadent dark rose and patchouli with a subtle dry-down of vanilla and oud that lingers softly on the skin. It is perfect for evening wear when you want to go for a mysterious vibe or when your heart tells you to pamper yourself before going to bed with generous spritzes, either way the understated glamour that it bestows on you shines on and on as you make your statement or get unready for the night.
2. Jo Malone London Scarlet Poppy Cologne Intense
The moment of truth: we are not joking in the slightest when we say if you want to smell and turn yourself into a literal cookie dough, this is it, Scarlet Poppy Cologne Intense by Jo Malone is the perfume you go for. Powdery and velvety, but not at the very least overpowering, you need no grocery shopping when you turn yourself into a full-course meal by spritzing Scarlet Poppy lavishly on yourself. This is no hyperbole, we will let the result speak for itself.
Scarlet Poppy Cologne Intense envelops you in an indulgent, rich and velvety iris as soon as you spritz it on your skin. As the powdery musk dries down, you get a sweet decadence of tonka beans and fig that wraps around you in a creamy, comforting finish that is equally intriguing as it essentially leaving you craving for more. Layer it by spritzing Jo Malone’s Poppy & Barley Cologne on your pulse points to get the most out of the musky notes.
3. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity Silver
Sleek and spicy, Gentle Fluidity Silver by Maison Francis Kurkdjian is cut out for those who play by their own rules and stir up intrigue everywhere they go. Picture yourself being graced by a crisp, refreshing morning breeze as you wake up from the festivities, feeling in equal measure youthful at the ungodly hours of dawn and hopeful because you’re the captain of your own soul.
Gentle Fluidity Silver opens with accords of juniper berries, nutmeg, and a tinge of bergamot, giving you a spicy kick that is both clean and fresh. If you’re sick of getting whiffs of Bleu de Chanel from people on the streets, try going for this instead to create an effortless aura that is distinctively yours and no one else’s.
4. N°22 Les Exclusifs de Chanel
Released a year after the iconic, timeless Chanel N°5, Chanel N°22 retains much of its twin sister’s signature powdery notes and ylang-ylang, only this time around what takes center stage is the full-blown explosion of aldehydes, which bears the same revolutionary and innovative spirit as its predecessor. By all accounts way ahead of its time and a gentle disturbance, perfumer Ernest Beaux’s stroke of genius has stood the test of time to bring Gabrielle Chanel’s vision to life; and grace us in its modern reformulation that elevates the aldehydic notes alongside its floral accords.
Chanel’s N°22 opens with a loud bang of aldehydes that instantly makes you swoon for more, on top of bringing to mind distant fond memories that both defy and redefine what a powdery aroma is capable of evoking. It is a go-to for anyone who loves the scent of clean soap and baby powder, as the dry down finishes in a vanilla and vetiver accord that lingers and suspends beautifully in the air. Complex and comforting, it is a given that you will be empowered and feel embodied the whole time you put it on. Anyone who likes to make a statement every now and then shouldn’t do themselves a disservice and not give this a try.
5. N°5 Chanel
Don’t be silly: we can’t possibly talk about Christmas without talking about Chanel N°5 – the perfume that reigns supreme all year round, especially during the holiday season. Unrightfully and outrageously dubbed by many as a ‘grandma/old lady scent,’ we would have none of that here because even if Chanel N°5 is indeed an old lady scent, it would be a tasteful and classy old lady scent for people who know exactly what they want because life is too short to get hung up over comments made by people in poor taste who don’t know any better.
Chanel N°5 opens with an entrancing note of aldehydes with a slightly citrusy accord that compliments rather than takes away from the powdery aroma, giving it a soapy and clean freshness that draws people closer to you. To be perfectly upfront, there really isn’t much to say about the legendary perfume N°5 Chanel that hasn’t already been said. After all, it is safe to say that nothing speaks louder than what Marilyn Monroe had to say about Chanel N°5 when she was asked what she wore to bed, “What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course. I don’t want to say nude but it’s the truth!” Do consider layering it with Chanel N°5 body oil to maximize impact, especially before bed, and by then you will finally come to know the reason why Marilyn said what she said.
READ MORE
Post-COVID Stagnation: How Ocean Park Lure Locals for Halloween?
Spook-tacular Styles: Halloween 2024 Costumes that Wow!
Fall in the City: Outdoor Cinema The Grounds Returns to AIA Vitality Park