Lipstick scents: the alluring history of the perfume pout

Lipstick scents have always been a huge part of cosmetics’ glamorous allure – from the boudoir to the boardroom and beyond – but now you can also wear va-va-voom versions of the pucker-up in perfumed form…

With so many of us masked-up to the eyballs (literally), unless you find your perfect bullet-proof formula, an actual lip colour sadly seems more unneccessary for the time being. Fear not: fragrances that smell exactly like the most glamorous kind of vintage lipsticks are out there, and there’s something about that so-distinctive smell that really does give the same feeling of a vixenish vermillion or scarlet slick of courage.

 

 

I got that red lip classic thing that you like,’ Taylor Swift sings. But have you ever wondered exactly why so many classic lipsticks smell the same? ‘In France, until the Revolution, people of the court would spritz their wigs with a blend of crushed iris roots and rice powder. This “iris-y” sillage remained,’ Juliet Has a Gun tells us – diving deep into the history of scented lipsticks to celebrate the launch of their Lipstick Fever fragrance (read on for our review…)

‘Violet made its appearance later, at the end of the 19th century, in the first solid sticks, but became the norm in the 1920s when lipsticks were flavored with a violet candy aroma, which was fashionable at the time. As lipsticks came in contact with the mouth, the beauty houses tended to perfume them with comestible ingredients. And the harmonies of iris, violet and raspberry have the advantage of being rather lovely when you run your tongue over your lips…’

 

 

There’s no doubt about it – the lipstick is a powerful symbol of self expression, celebrating the strength of femininity – and the scent of a lipstick only adds to its charms. We’re reminded of special occasions, of borrowing our mother’s lipsticks as a child, and reaching into a handbag to swipe on a bit of spirit-lifting colour when you’re feeling anxious. So if you’re missing a slick of courage, why not dress yourself in these fabulously lipstick-inspired scents…?

 

 

Juliet Has a Gun Lipstick Fever Oh this is joyous! ‘Iris, Violet absolute and Raspberry. Enhanced with woody notes (Patchouli, Cedarwood) to give it a little refinement and to echo the leather of the handbag so often inseparable from it,’ they say. We say: contemporary gourmands just got all the more desirable. Its wonderfully frivolous to wear, a scented accessory to twirl through the streets in!
£85 for 50ml eau de parfum harveynichols.com

 

 

Cartier Basier Fou ‘Mischievous and feminine soliflor whose delicious accents evoke the aroma of kisses with lipstick,’ Baiser Fou is developed by the in-house perfumer Mathilde Laurent, who chose the flower of orchid as the main ingredient. Playfully charming but exuding a gamine chicness nonetheless, this one’s a kiss-chase in a bottle.
£76 for 50ml eau de parfum theperfumeshop.com

 

 

Guerlain French Kiss We’re invited to succumb, with this scent, to ‘the charms of French Kiss, a glossy floral that celebrates the French art of kissing with a sexy rose, litchi and raspberry accord.’ The boudoir-inspired bottle echoes the scent itself – the kind of ultra refined va-va-voom only the French can do. Find yourself a chaise lounge, don your prettiest peignoir!
£185 for 75ml eau de parfum guerlain.com

 

 

Histoire de Parfums 1889 Inspired by the luscious red lips of Moulin Rouge dancers, this shamelessly naughty scent evokes layers of frilly petticoats and a Carmine smile. Swirls of sugar melt in Absinthe, a sprinkle of cinnamon amidst a plumptious booziness calms to a warm-skin snuggle of soft musk and something vaguely pain-au-chocolat-ish in the base.
From €38 for 15ml eau de parfum histoiredeparfums.com

 

 

Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose Ralf Schwieger’s Hollywood glamor, ‘Lipstick Rose smiles at you, like a dash of lipstick with its rose and violet-flavoured candy scent.’ Grapefruit sparkles up the fragrance’s central rose note, while musk and vanilla, with a hint of vetiver and amber, smoothly drapes the base. Flirtatiously fabulous, it feels grown up yet prone to giggles.
£180 for 100ml eau de parfum libertylondon.com

 

 

Estée Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge A pout-laden provocative contrast of distinctively different accords – rich roses drizzled by ripe fruits, with a seductive velvet creme. Its an intriguing kiss of a scent to seduce every day, described as ‘a true innovation in fragrance design, as complex and fascinating as the woman who inspires it.’
From £52 for 30ml eau de parfum esteelauder.co.uk

 

By Suzy Nightingale

Modern Muses pucker up with Estee Lauder's lip-smackingly good offer….

Modern Muse by Estée Lauder has sought to scent your every mood – from everyday confidence, daring sophistication, flirtatious moments and nighttime glamour – there’s now a whole wardrobe of what we like to call ‘backbone in a bottle’. Something you can spritz on for an instant ambience-lift or complete change of pace – such is the magic of perfume (and one of the many reasons we love it so!)
At the moment, there’s an even more pressing reason to discover which Muse you are – read on for details of the great offer at The Perfume Shop

The original: Modern Muse – ‘Be an inspiration. Experience the fragrance that captures your style, your confidence, your creative spirit. An alluring contrast of sparkling florals and sleek, sensual woods. It’s a true innovation in fragrance design, as complex and fascinating as the woman who inspires it.’

The seducer: Modern Muse Le Rouge Gloss – ‘Shine on. Be an inspiration. A deeply seductive contrast of two accords as sexy-hot and high-shine as gloss. Succulent fruits, flowers, a hint of spice and a sensual, fearless edge of supple leather with dark woods.’

The mystery: Modern Muse NUIT – ‘A daring and addictive rum accord features amidst a plume of rich Jasmine Absolute for a bold and modern take on seductive femininity. Notes of precious Amber and sensuous Musk enhance the luxury allure of this unforgettable scent.’
The extrovert: Modern Muse Le Rouge – ‘Experience the fragrance that captures your glamour, your sophistication, your bravado. A sexy, provocative contrast of two distinctively different accords – rich roses awakened by ripe fruits, with a seductive velvet creme accord – provide an intriguing dual impression.’
To celebrate Valentine’s Day and romance that reaches beyond, there’s an even better reason to reach for Modern Muse, as customers in-store at The Perfume Shop can take away a FREE full size Estée Lauder Liquid Lip Potion with any Modern Muse purchase of 50ml or above. What’s more, you can choose between two shades: the cherry red “Naughty Naive” for a flirtatiously elegant look and the deeper crimson of “Quiet Riot” for an altogether more seductive feel.
The offer is available in-store at The Perfume Shop, from now until March 26th.
Now then, who will you be inviting to get a little closer to sniff your neck and perhaps, while they’re there, admire your perfect pout…?
Written by Suzy Nightingale

M.A.C's ShadeScents: perfumes to match your pout. Are you a Ruby Woo…?

M.A.C are renowned for their luscious, highly pigmented lipsticks and have now created a range of scents inspired by some of those all-time best-selling shades.
We’ve long been aware that colour and our perception of scent are closely entwined – in fact, we dedicated an entire issue of our magazine, The Scented Letter, to exploring the relationship between sight and smell –  so how wonderful to see this fully realised in M.A.C’s fragrant ‘ShadeScents’ collection. And having had a sneaky sniff of them, we’re convinced fans of the makeup colours will go wild for these, too…

mac_sku_s2km01_640x600_0RUBY WOO
Top: Wild Cherry, Pink Pepper, Saffron
Heart: Suede Violet, Orris, Rose petals
Base: Leather, Sandalwood, Mahogany

mac_sku_s2kn01_640x600_0 CANDY YUM YUM
Top: Pink Guava, Lemon Zest, Acai
Heart: Moroccan Iris, Cherry Blossom, Pink Lotus
Base: Cotton Candy, Tonka, Vanilla

mac_sku_s2kp01_640x600_0LADY DANGER
Top: Saffron, Tangerine, Wild Cherry
Heart: Jasmine, Red Berries, Violet, Orchid, Labdanum
Base: Black Amber, Cashmere, Patchouli

mac_sku_s2kr01_640x600_0MY HEROINE
Top: Angelica Seeds, Saaffron Bud, Labdanum
Heart: Incense smoke, Patchouli, Leather
Base: Oak Moss, Tobacco Leaves,

mac_sku_s2kt01_640x600_0CRÈME D’NUDE
Top: Bergamot, Neroli, Ambrette Seeds
Heart: Suede, Magnolia, Cylamen
Base: Velvet Musk, Sandalwood, Vanilla Bean

mac_sku_s2kw01_640x600_0
VELVET TEDDY
Top: Tobacca Flower, Bergamot, Ginger Zest
Heart: Golden Mimosa, Wild Honey, Vanilla Orchid
Base: Tonka, Liquid Musk, Papyrus

M.A.C ShadeScents £35 for 50ml eau de parfum
Buy them at M.A.C
Written by Suzy Nightingale