This week’s latest launches are truly irresistible; from fabulous flacons to scents you’ll love at first sniff. Smoulder seductively with new Intense editions of Burberry Her and Mon Guerlain Eau de Parfum. Wrap yourself in Velvet Splendour and give in to the temptations of Penhaligon’s Terrible Teddy. Bvlgari adds decadence with Le Gemme Coralia.
BURBERRY
HER INTENSE
Imagine bramble fruits entangled with swags of jasmine and violet leaves; wearing this is like the last gasp of summer with luminous flowers catching golden sunlight, and the darker greenery and ripe berries a touch of frost on the breeze, presaging the change of seasons. Brilliant perfumer Francis Kurkdjian works his magic here, yet again, as ever a ‘nose’ who makes every fragrance radiate on the skin. A soft kiss of autumnal sunlight, glowing gloriously.
£49 for 30ml eau de parfum
theperfumeshop.com
BVLGARI
LE GEMME CORALIA
For the latest opulent, gem-inspired introduction to BVLGARI’s Le Gemme Collection, perfumer Sophie Labbé explains: ‘I really wanted to translate the fascinating beauty of the coral gemstone, its extraordinary Mediterranean origin, joyful and deep colour, and its secret power, in a unique olfactory journey.’ Dazzlingly bright pepper and mandarin essences, fruity-leathery osmanthus, soft orris, velvety musk and ambergris were the olfactory tools she deftly deployed to deliver its enveloping floral muskiness.
£239 for 100ml eau de parfum
harrods.comGOLDFIELD & BANKS
VELVET SPLENDOUR
Sumptuousness personified with a fluffy Australian mimosa snuggled up to decadently waxy orange blossom and luminous jasmine against a leathery, resinous backdrop of intriguing complexity. Drowsily splendid, this unfurls for hours on the skin as it warms, telling the story of a day spent in bed with your lover – a decadent plushness to sink into and sigh at the heliotropine-drenched dry-down, as you sip tea and eat buttered toast, while warming your feet on theirs…
£135 for 100ml eau de parfum
harveynichols.com
GUERLAIN
MON GUERLAIN EAU DE PARFUM INTENSE
‘A play on intensity’ is how co-creator Delphine Jelk refers to this new, richly-textured version of bestselling Mon Guerlain. Patchouli, white musk and lavender feature generously, but less expected is the note of heliotrope, teasing out Mon Guerlain’s almond facets. Vanilla Planifolia tincture reveals unexpected hints of leather – Guerlain are one of the last houses to use this tincture, which uses real vanilla pods infused in alcohol, for a rounded, utterly addictive sensuality.
£80 for 50ml eau de parfum
guerlain.com
PENHALIGON’S
TERRIBLE TEDDY
In this seventh chapter of Penhaligon’s Portraits, Teddy is a smooth mover, at once dangerous and enchanting – and, we’re also promised, is not quite what he seems. It’s fitting that the fragrance itself – capped by a golden rhino, on this occasion – is also packed with contradictions: luminous pink peppercorns juxtaposed with mysterious incense, dry cedar contrasted with smooth leather, supported by vetiver, patchouli and musk. A marriage of hot and cold that we’ve definitely warmed to.
£188 for 75ml eau de parfum
penhaligons.com