Tag: berry

Wrapped in Brambles – Blackberry Scents to Welcome Autumn’s Arrival

Get ready to feast your senses on a bounty of blackberry scents, because as the exuberance of summer yields to autumn’s golden hush, a shift occurs in the air – a coolness, a softening, a whisper of change that rings with the promise of misty hedgerows and brambly adventures. Let’s explore…

 

Yes, okay, part of us wishes the beautiful summer sunshine could have carried on awhile longer; but there’s also beauty to be found in the days when the earth’s palette deepens, shadows lengthen under coppery light, and nature offers up the succulent yield of late harvest. Plump, wild blackberries, their skins inky and glistening with dew and tinged with the sense of transition.

The poet Sylvia Plath once marvelled at coming across a lane laden with blackberries, sharing that sense of wonderment at seeing them en-masse, and at the world proffering us such jewelled, juicy gifts:

Blackberrying by Sylvia Plath

Nobody in the lane, and nothing, nothing but blackberries,
Blackberries on either side, though on the right mainly,
A blackberry alley, going down in hooks, and a sea
Somewhere at the end of it, heaving. Blackberries
Big as the ball of my thumb, and dumb as eyes
Ebon in the hedges, fat
With blue-red juices. These they squander on my fingers.
I had not asked for such a blood sisterhood; they must love me.
They accommodate themselves to my milk bottle, flattening their sides.

How wonderful, then, to now allow ourselves to revel in fragrances which seize upon this luscious note, bottling late summer’s last hurrah and welcoming the cosy embrace of the colder months ahead. We feel blackberry-centred scents can marry both worlds: they fizz with fun and fruity brightness, yet linger with spice, woods, and warmth, offering a sense of sensory escape and snuggle-worthy hugs with every spritz.

Now then, which of this lusciously juicy crop of blackberry perfumes would you pick first…?

 

 

Shay & Blue Blackberry Woods 100ml

Shay & Blue Blackberry Woods

This is a dusky stroll through an enchanted forest as twilight seeps through the branches. Created by Julie Massé, we’re plunged into the heart of blackberry season, the first cool nip in the air raising goosebumps on your arms, fingers stained purple from the sweet-tart juice of berries picked at their prime. Sparkling zesty orange flutters at the top alongside the signature sleekness of blueberry, painting a scene of sweet anticipation. The fragrance blossoms into a creamy heart of magnolia and orange blossom, their soft florals lending a gentle embrace before being enfolded in the comforting warmth of musk and cashmere wood. You’re left with the sensation of leaves crunching underfoot and the woodsmoke of dusk in the distance – a perfectly woven olfactory scarf for autumn’s arrival.

£65 for 100ml eau de parfum in the Shop

 

 

 

 

Lalique Amethyst

Unfurling like a freshly embroidered berry tapestry, this exuberant ode to hedgerows is groaning with the bounties of blackcurrant, blackberry, mulberry, and a whisper of blueberry for extra piquancy. Nathalie Lorson crafts a vibrant opening – nutmeg’s spicy prickle meets the tangy, jammy explosion of blackberry, underscored by the gentle freshness of blackcurrant. As the fragrance deepens, its heart reveals the silky, powdered blush of peony, a subtle dusting of rose peppered with spice, and the hypnotic warmth of ylang ylang. The base emerges soft and feathery with vanilla and musk, evoking the last rays of late afternoon sun glinting through a many-faceted amethyst gem, glowing with the remembered heat of summer and the anticipation of autumn’s many mysteries.

Currently £44.50 for 100ml eau de parfum superdrug.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jo Malone London Blackberry & Bay

Ah, now this conjures a rush of childhood memories – muddy boots stomping through tangled brambles, cheeks flushed from crisp air, baskets overflowing with glossy fruit. The initial impression is a bold, tart burst – blackberry juice bursting beneath your teeth, blackcurrant and bucco tree essence lending their green snap to a portrait of autumn hedgerows. Bay leaves in the heart – fresh, herbaceous galbanum and leafy verdancy – signal the moment when fruit and foliage are entwined. Anchored by cedarwood’s dry, charismatic depth, the fragrance lingers like the memory of a wild ramble, wrapping your senses with the promise of comfort and exploration.

From £56 for 30ml Cologne jomalone.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Salvatore Ferragamo’s Signorina Misteriosa

Effervescent as the last sparkling sip of summer, we find this quickly drapes itself in intrigue fit for long, candle-lit evenings. Wild blackberry and neroli fizz vivaciously atop the fragrance, beckoning you closer to an opulently plush heart of orange blossom and tuberose – florals that unfurl in sultry, petal-soft waves. Finally, the base, a mesmerising black vanilla mousse, emerges like dusk itself – sweet, enigmatic, almost edible, cocooning you in an irresistible, velvety warmth as night falls outside.

Currently £64 for 50ml eau de parfum debenhams.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Girl Forever

That first glorious rush of blackberry is joined by the sunlit optimism of bergamot and juicy pear. It is nostalgia and modernity entwined, echoing the familiar warmth of the beloved icon with the joyful anticipation of new beginnings. Peony, iris, and jasmine bloom in the heart, like a floral crown tossed joyfully in the breeze, before settling into a gently enveloping base of amber, sandalwood, and cedarwood. This fragrance is a soft, nostalgia-laden embrace, wearable for crisp spells and those golden afternoons destined to become scent memories.

From £22 for 30ml eau de toilette theperfumeshop.com

 

With blackberry scents, it’s as though autumn reveals its playful side, yet at the same time invites us closer, urging us to wrap ourselves in the comfort of berries and woodsmoke, spice and memory, with an invitation to linger a little longer in the mellow magic of the season.

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Berry Different: Exploring Strawberry’s Multiple Personalities in Perfumery

The sweet, succulent allure of strawberries has long captivated perfumers, who’ve found myriad ways to capture both the cultivated and wild varieties of this beloved fruit in their creations. As we delve into some of the most intriguing strawberry-forward fragrances we’re wearing this February (and continuing well in to summer!), we discover just how versatile this note can be.

 

 

 

strawberry

 

 

 

Bluebell & Wild Strawberry is Molton Brown’s newest offering, presenting woodland strawberries in their natural habitat, intertwining with earthy violet leaf and dew-kissed bluebells. The strawberry here feels authentically forest-like, with that characteristic tiny-but-mighty intensity that anyone who’s discovered wild strawberries while walking will recognise.

£140 for 100ml eau de parfum moltonbrown.co.uk

 

 

 

 

strawberry

 

In Widian’s Luban, strawberry takes an unexpected turn, appearing in the opening as a honey-sweet prelude that mingles with resinous frankincense. This isn’t your typical fresh strawberry – instead, it’s a sophisticated interpretation that feels almost candied, creating an intriguing contrast with the spicy-resinous heart of the perfume.

£335 for 50ml extrait de parfum harveynichols.com

 

 

 

 

strawberry

 

 

Creed’s Fragaria captures sun-soaked strawberry fields in full bloom, where bergamot and mandarin amplify the fruit’s natural radiance. The strawberry note here feels warm and ripened, kissed by sunshine and bursting with vibrant energy – imagine walking through a strawberry field at the height of summer.

£260 for 75ml eau de parfum selfridges.com

 

 

 

strawberry

 

Pomona Vitalis by Electimuss London presents a voluptuous interpretation, where strawberry mingles with lychee and Calabrian bergamot. The result is a sophisticated fusion that transforms the familiar fruit into something altogether more opulent and complex.

£215 for 100ml extrait de parfum electimuss.com

 

 

 

 

 

strawberry scent

 

 

Soki London’s Empress takes a more abstract approach, where the strawberry note plays hide and seek with the wearer, sometimes appearing distinctly, other times melting into a sophisticated blend with patchouli and toffee notes. It’s a masterclass in how strawberry can be used as an accent rather than the star, creating intrigue rather than announcing itself too boldly.

£75 for 50ml eau de parfum intense theperfumeshop.com

 

What’s fascinating about these interpretations is how they demonstrate the remarkable versatility of strawberry in perfumery. From woodland wanderings to sun-drenched fields, from candied sweetness to sophisticated abstractions, each perfume house has found its own unique way to capture this beloved fruit’s essence.

 

 

Perhaps that’s why strawberry remains such an enduring note in perfumery – its ability to surprise us, even when we think we know exactly what to expect…

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Playing Gooseberry (& mulberry, blueberry, tayberry…)

Scents with berry notes aren’t a new thing, but we’re starting to see the less usual berry ingredients cropping up in fragrance formulas. Of course perfumers and fragrance houses are always looking for ways to entice, and in our earlier trend report we predicted that fruity fragrances are going to be everywhere. We’ve already sniffed several new crops of this vibrant fragrance family, and to get ahead of this trend, let’s take a look at some already-available scents who’ve embraced this distinctive and gloriously juicy trend by using the less often used berries.

February being ‘the month of love’, with the traditional Valentine’s it’s fascinating to note how often berries feature in romantically themed scents, and there’s a long history of berries and love being linked this way. Strawberries are perhaps the most obvious – being pleasingly heart shaped and often presented to loved ones, perhaps decadently dipped in chocolate. But those less-often usedfragrant berry notes also have many links to mythology and flower lore.

 

 

 

 

As Courtney Alexander, from the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University explains, in Victorian flower language, for example, ‘an elderberry branch signified remorse’, while ‘the cranberry blossom signifies that the receiver extend kindness to the giver.’ Meanwhile, ‘Gooseberries are also associated with a wide range of meanings’ (often rather nudge-nudge, wink wink ones) because ‘when British children ask where babies come from, they are told that they can be found “under a gooseberry bush.” This agrees with the Victorian flower meaning of the blossom: anticipation.’ And of course, ‘The phrase “playing gooseberry” signifies the third person and possible chaperone of a group where the other two people are dating.’

Whichever ripe berry you plump for, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect perfume, from our pick of the berry bunch this month…

 

 

berry fragrances

Gooseberry – Abercrombie & Fitch Authentic Self Woman

As bright and cheery as a sunny day in the English countryside. The vibrant yellow flacon hints at the explosion of freshness within – a zesty wake-up call that’s sure to lift your spirits on even the gloomiest of mornings. The star of the show is the tart, green gooseberry, which adds a delightful zing to the composition. Imagine biting into a perfectly ripe gooseberry, its sharp, tangy flavour bursting on your tongue. This vivacious note is beautifully complemented by the citrusy punch of lemon peel and the luscious sweetness of pear. As the scent develops, a beautiful bouquet of freesia, jasmine, and lily of the valley emerges, their delicate floral notes softened by a woody musk base.

£39 for 100ml eau de parfum thefragranceshop.co.uk

 

 

berry fragrances

Cranberry – Pictor Parfum Airbrush

Painting a picture of sophistication with its unique cranberry note, think of strolling through a misty landscape, the tart berries glistening with morning dew. The scent opens with a smattering of ripe cranberry, its sharp, slightly bitter aroma mingling with the sweetness of mandarin and the exotic allure of lychee. As it settles, the composition reveals a heart of rose and cyclamen, with an unexpected twist – the glamorous scent of waxy lipstick. The final brushstroke is a creamy blend of vanilla, dry amber, and soft musk, creating a truly flawless olfactive masterpiece.

£84 for 50ml eau de parfum In our Shop

 

 

 

 

berry fragrances

Tayberry / Loganberry / Sloe / Raspberry Leaf – Jorum Healing Berry

A veritable cornucopia of berry notes. This fragrance transports you to the Valley of Strathmore, where wild berries grow in abundance. Imagine crushing tayberries, loganberries, and sloes in a timeworn pestle and mortar, releasing their tannin-sweet juices. The scent is a complex tapestry of aromas, weaving together the herbaceous notes of artemisia and wild mint with the fruity richness of blackcurrant and violet leaf. As it dries down, the earthy warmth of raspberry leaf and orris butter emerges, grounded by a unique cereal accord that evokes images of sun-warmed fields.

£89 for 30ml extrait de parfum jorumstudio.com

 

 

berry fragrances

Blueberry – Shay & Blue Blueberry Musk

Created by perfumer Julie Massé, is a bewitching concoction that showcases the often-overlooked blueberry note. Close your eyes and imagine biting into a plump, ripe blueberry, its sweet-tart juice staining your fingers. This vivid note is paired with zesty orange in the opening, creating a sparkling, mouthwatering effect. The heart of the fragrance blooms with the heady white floral notes of magnolia and orange blossom, their creamy sweetness perfectly balancing the fruity top notes. As the scent settles, a sensual base of musk and cashmere wood emerges, wrapping the wearer in a warm, inviting embrace.

Try a 2ml sample as part of The Perfume Party Discovery Box (nine differing fragrance samples) £22 / £18 for VIPs In our Shop

 

 

berry fragrances

Blackcurrant / Blackberry / Mulberry / Blueberry – Lalique Amethyst

A true berry extravaganza created by Nathalie Lorson, this is a celebration of dark, juicy berries – blackcurrant, blackberry, and mulberry – with a hint of blueberry for good measure. Picture yourself in a sun-dappled forest, surrounded by bramble bushes heavy with ripe berries. The scent opens with a burst of spicy nutmeg mingling with the rich, jammy aroma of blackberry and the tart, slightly green note of blackcurrant. As it develops, a lush floral heart unfolds, featuring pepper-spiced rose, delicate peony, and intoxicating ylang-ylang. The base is a soft, powdery blend of Bourbon vanilla and sensual musk, creating a scent that’s as multifaceted and captivating as the amethyst-inspired bottle it’s housed in.

£63 for 50ml eau de parfum uk.lalique.com

 

These innovative fragrances prove that berries are more than just a sweet treat – they’re a versatile and exciting addition to the perfumer’s palette. From the tart zing of gooseberry to the jammy richness of blackberry, each berry note brings its own unique character to these olfactive compositions, creating scents that are truly unforgettable.

Written by Suzy Nightingale