As spring is in full bloom and our freedom tiptoes back to us, this week’s latest launches have a scent for every mood. Byredo Mixed Emotions sets the tone, with a fragrance designed to “reflect the nature of tumultuous times.” By Kilian offers Love Don’t Be Shy Extreme and we don’t mind if we do. Speaking of drama, who could fail to covet the theatrical red stiletto of Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl? Not us!
BOUGUE PROFUMO
LITA
An unapologetically immense swathe of rum-soaked, floral-licked lusciousness, perfumer Antonio Gardoni worked in collaboration with Luke Pritchard, lead singer of The Kooks, and his singer-songwriter wife Ellie Rose, to celebrate their new musical project: Duo. Gardoni says ‘I wanted to produce something that echoed their dark, smoky, lustful sound.’ Cue heady ylang ylang and plush gardenia wrapped in a tobacco and champaca infused heart, ripe jasmine harmoniously swooning to the sticky, resinous base. Encore!
£190 for 50ml extrait de parfum
bloomperfume.co.uk
BYREDO
MIXED EMOTIONS
Mixed Emotions has been created, so we’re told, ‘to reflect the tumultuous nature of our times’. Yet the fragrance itself seems to offer something of a welcome antidote to that: a beautiful, cool blend of maté tea, sharply sweet blackcurrant, Ceylon black tea, violet leaves, tethered by papyrus and birch wood. ‘A refreshing reminder that it is OK to not be OK – and that from unsettling experiences, a new reality might emerge,’ conclude BYREDO. Here’s hoping.
From £122 for 50ml eau de parfum
byredo.com
CAROLINA HERRERA
VERY GOOD GIRL
Embodying the spirit of fun, fabulous and fearless, even if you’re not ready to squeeze back into your actual heels; we know many who’ll be reaching for the instant glam of this so-collectible new version of the best-selling scent. Redcurrant and lychee make the mouth water before a swag of red roses garland the heart (we imagine them draped around the shoulders, like a feather boa), while the base swirls seductively with vetiver and vanilla.
£55.50 for 30ml eau de parfum
theperfumeshop.com
DOLCE & GABBANA
VELVET BLACK PATCHOULI
The dark, heady, shareable counterpoint to Dolce Rose is this woody-Ambrée, conjuring up a time when precious goods from the East would arrive in the ports of Italy, filling the air with the scent of the patchouli used to protect precious fabrics en route. Davana, blood orange, clary sage, tonka, caramel and sweet vanilla build a seriously intriguing construction that positively smoulders. One for patchouli-lovers – but also, one to convert patchouli refuseniks.
From £200 for 50ml eau de parfum
harrods.com
KILIAN
LOVE DON’T BE SHY EXTREME
Get ready to clutch your pearls, girls (and anyone who loves wearing the original), because this Kilian bestseller has been ramped up with an extra dose of Bulgarian rose. Part of the ‘Narcotics’ collection, they warn us that it’s now such an addictive pleasure that ‘sensitive souls are asked to abstain…’ With heady orange blossom up top and pillowy marshmallow in the base, the even-more-voluptuous floral heart won’t spare your blushes…
£225 for 50ml eau de parfum
bykilian.co.uk
