Sarah Baker Perfume Sets – Treasure Boxes of Discovery!

Sarah Baker Perfumes is a house where glamour gets playfully reimagined and luxury is never just surface-deep – it’s a fragrant journey that gathers every sense and emotion for the ride. Sarah Baker herself is an artist whose creative impulses have always been fuelled by fashion and culture, her journey from gallery installations to olfactory artistry marked by a unique desire to make iconic style accessible, layer by scented layer. Collaborating closely with perfumers she admires – each creation is a true extension of her bold, camp-tinged aesthetic – Sarah’s fragrances, created by some of the world’s most daring niche perfumers, are conceptual, distinctive, and loaded with stories waiting for wearers to inhabit.

Says Sarah: ‘Perfume has a lot of connotations as being a glamorous, frivolous rich-person’s thing but it’s completely attainable – I just have to hold the bottles, and I love that ritual of putting on a perfume while getting ready for a night out.’

We think you’ll agree that her sense of joy and ritual spills into every Sarah Baker Discovery Set (each sold at attainable prices so you can try the samples before you decide which full-size bottle to buy); and you’ll find them all in The Perfume Society Shop. So shall we explore them together…?

 

 

 

Where else could you meet a collection that’s part treasure chest, part personality test? There are now several fabulous ways to dip your toes (or douse your wrists) in every facet of the Sarah Baker universe, mixing, matching, and exploring the full collection in combinations to suit your own mood and style. The Discovery Sets are a decadent perfumed passport, each one curated to showcase unique blends, punchy personalities, and inventive, decadent storylines you’ll definitely want to star in for yourself each time you spritz.

 

 

 

Starting with the Peach Trilogy Discovery Set (£27 for 3 x 2ml extrait de parfum): Peach’s Revenge is pure anticipation, creamy vanilla and caramel against velvet orris and a Renaissance mood. Pastel Rumours brings a fruity milkshake twist, ready for a Vespa ride and a swirl of gossip, while Loudo serves innocence with a wink – evoking childhood treats and clever nostalgia.

 

 

 

Craving something a little rebellious? The Unplugged Discovery Set (£27 for 3 x 2ml extrait de parfum) introduces Prism Head, capturing the scent of damp soil, cannabis, and wild mushrooms; Tartan Cask channels the Scottish Highlands with peaty whisky and a fireside snuggle; Loudo returns, sweet yet deliciously woody and forward.

For those hunting red carpet fantasies, the Red Carpet Discovery Set (£40 for 5 x 2ml extrait de parfum) parades Peach’s Revenge, with its deliciously addictive peachy passion; Altante – imagine a mermaid with shimmering beach vibes – and Gold Spot, a tribute to broadsheets in bed and butterscotch bonbons. Riders delivers horses, leather and tryst-worthy greenery, while Flame & Fortune races through a field of tuberose set ablaze, turning high-speed car chases into scent.

 

If the high life beckons, the High Life Discovery Set (£40 for 5 x 2ml extrait de parfum) lines up Peach’s Revenge, Charade (a cut-glass white flower meets leather), Jungle Jezebel (banana-bodied, bombastic, totally unique), Gold Spot and the unashamed eighties glamour of Leopard – best worn with shoulder pads and swaggering attitude.

 

Prefer off-the-road adventure? The Wilderness Discovery Set (£40 for 5 x 2ml extrait de parfum) lets you roam through Symmetry (oud in perfect balance), Altante, Greek Keys (yachting in the Med – fresh, oceanic, luxurious), Tartan Cask, and Loudo, all charm and delicious woods.

 

 

For the true connoisseur – or the endlessly curious – the Portfolio Discovery Set (£90 for 11 x 2ml extrait de parfum) is a true olfactory spectacle. Each vial nestles securely, reflecting a rainbow light like opening a jewellery box, and includes Peach’s Revenge, Symmetry, Flame & Fortune, Atlante, Charade, Jungle Jezebel, Gold Spot, Greek Keys, Leopard, Loudo, and Riders. There’s a beautifully designed leaflet that guides you through every scented story, with perfumer credits for each – making this set the perfect companion for explorative types and creative souls who love the unboxing as much as the sniffing.

 

 

 

 

Sarah Baker’s artistic and fun-filled, 80s opulence-exuding soul shines through in every Discovery Set – a luxurious, high-concept thrill for artists, dreamers, collectors, fragrance fiends, and anyone looking to add fun and sophistication to their scent wardrobe. Whether you’re searching for a specific mood, needing to match your style for a special occasion, or just want to get your nose into something gloriously offbeat and artistic, these boxed journeys are a must.

Book your scented escape by exploring all the Sarah Baker Discovery Sets in detail now – and star in the next great adventure, wherever you want it to take you, and whoever you choose to be…

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

A Spritz of Mexico – Scented Memories & Distant Dreams

To embark on a scented voyage is to let imagination and memory entwine, transporting the senses to far-off lands with every breath. This month, in further celebration of The Perfume Society’s travel themes, this time we set sail for Mexico seeking scented inspirations – an evocative land where sun-burnished citrus meets velvety cocoa, where blossoms unfurl in sultry warmth, and wafts of incense anchor your spirit.

 

 

Let these perfumes whisk you to vibrant evenings and lush gardens – even if your feet never leave home…

 

 

Mexico

4160 Tuesdays Drive Them Wild

“Inspired by Hollywood actress, dancer and legendary beauty Dolores del Rio, (María de los Dolores Asúnsolo y López-Negrete) whose second career as a film producer was to launch Mexico’s own film industry. Elsa Schiaparelli described her as the most complete of the many beautiful women she met.” – Sarah McCartney, founder and perfumer.

Sunshot oranges burst on the skin – a radiant hip-wiggle of blood orange and mandarin, swirling with vanilla’s creamy glow and magnificent orange blossom. As daylight fades, cocoa-dusted musks and velvet oakmoss whisper beneath, grounded by the addictive flourish of tonka. Effervescent and sultry, this is sunlit passion transformed into fragrance – wild, joyous, and alive with the promise of hidden gardens waiting to be discovered.

£120 for 50ml eau de parfum In the Perfume Society Shop

 

 

OFFICINE UNIVERSELLE BULY Eau Triple Mexican Tuberose

Here, the famous tuberose of Mexico reigns with sun-drenched majesty – creamy, narcotic, spiced with the gentle warmth of clove and a silken sweep of vanilla. Ylang-ylang and musk shimmer at the edges, weaving a diaphanous veil that caresses the skin. Inspired by Aztec gardens, this scent is dappled with pools of tropical sunlight and velvet blossoms, a fragrant reverie of simple pleasures and a slowly simmering, scented allure.

£143 for 75ml eau de parfum selfridges.com

[NB: Those who purchase the Luxurious Fragrances Discovery Box will receive *one* of the travel-sized Buly fragrances as part of their box, and it could just be the Mexican Tuberose if you’re lucky – though ALL are stunning!]

 

 

 

 

Christian Louboutin Loubikiss

A hypnotic embrace where white floral petals drift on the eve of Día de los Muertos – jasmine sambac, grandiflorum, and voluptuous tuberose bloom beneath a moonlit altar crowned with memory. Soil-warm musk and amber woods ground the reverie, like incense swirling through hushed chapels. Every inhalation conjures a Mexico sparkling with colour and reverence, each note a lingering, bewitching kiss whispering eternal love.

£235 for 90ml eau de parfum harrods.com

 

 

 

Arquiste Flor Y Canto

A tapestry of blossom-laden air unfurls – marigolds weaving gilded glimmers through a cool Mayan temple, narcotic tuberose swags drenched in sunlight and heady scent memories. Each breath conjures the ancient spirit of Mexico, mingling sacred warmth and vivid bouquets in a tribute to its living heritage. A gorgeously radiant yet addictively scented serenade to celebration, wearing this invites you to lose yourself in the blissful magic of the moment.

£180 for 100ml eau de parfum bloomperfume.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Schütze Cuadra

Practically radiating the shimmering heat haze of a sultry day in Mexico, Cuadra is one of artist, photographer, musician (and now perfume creator) Schütze’s architecture-inspired scents. Evoking the brilliantly hued building of Cuadra San Cristobal by modernist Luis Barragan, it’s a journey in a bottle. Intriguingly laced with dark coffee, jasmine, hay, eaglewood and tobacco, it swaggers with barely restrained passion – and puts that Mexican destination firmly on our bucket list.

£95 for 50ml eau de parfum paulschutzeperfume.com

 

Woven through these fragrances the very soul of Mexico seems to shimmer – exuberant and contemplative, wrapped in memory and brimming with sunlight. Let these scents transport you – no matter which you seek to try for yourself – to distant landscapes, stirring dreams of journeys yet to come, and creating fragrant memories that will follow wherever you roam…

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Dreaming of Spain – Siestas & Sun-drenched landscapes

There are certain moments when scent, more than any other sense, can whisk you far away – to sun–drenched terraces, mysterious winding lanes, to the laughter and colour of a memory you’ve not visited for years. Just a single breath of the right fragrance can transport us back to the golden haze of our favourite holidays, reawakening the bliss of those memories via the warmth of our skin.

This summer, as wanderlust stirs and daydreams take flight, why not let your fragrance collection become a virtual departure lounge? Close your eyes, inhale, and let notes evocative of Spain – with its radiant coasts, bustling street markets and ancient wildflower–strewn hillsides – open up like a doorway to the places you most wish to be. Here, at The Perfume Society, we invite you to discover scents that conjure up the essence of Spain, each bottle a passport to a delicious reverie, whether you’re longing to explore new shores or simply to turn an ordinary day into something marvellously sunlit.

 

 

 

Memo Paris Iberian Leather

With every spritz of this, you find yourself wandering age–worn pathways along Spain’s ancient spice routes, golden saffron  scattered by an osmanthus breeze that carries secrets of centuries past. The heart is deep – unfurling with radiant amber that glows in the skin’s warmth, like dusk gilding the arches of a Moorish palace. There lingers a shadow of distant fires, of proud traditions and whispered stories, blending with the dusky glow of resins.

As the fragrance deepens, the powdery iris and crushed spices – both comforting and exotic – mingle with the smoky opulence of leather, conjuring visions of precious parcels traded in sun–soaked markets. There’s a sense of richness here, a fragrance that feels like an ancient tapestry running through the hands, velvet–soft and wreathed in adventure. It is Spain distilled, bold and mysterious, carrying you to the heart of its history with every breath.

£235 for 75ml eau de parfum harveynichols.com

 

 

 

 

Invictus Aqua by Paco Rabanne

From the Spanish design house renowned for its boldness, here is an olfactory plunge along the glittering coastline of southern Spain. Crisp marine notes awaken the senses as if you’re diving into a crystalline pool, sunlight fractured on the water’s surface, that intoxicating rush of sea–air energy enveloping your skin. An invigorating wave of aquatic freshness surges forward, mixing translucent violet leaf with a cooling breeze that calls to mind the wild, azure beauty of Spanish resorts at their hottest midday – when salt crystallises on sun–kissed skin and the horizon blurs with heat.

As the fragrance settles, a quiet transformation takes place: the marine sparkle gives way to a depth both unfamiliar and compelling. Amber wood emerges, rich and sensual, meeting the freshness in a bracing contest that echoes the eternal dance between land and sea. It’s a scent for epic daydreams – for becoming a hero of your own sunlit odyssey, and allowing yourself to make the fragrant adventure’s daydream a reality.

£30.50 for 100ml eau de parfum thefragranceshop.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Experimental Perfume Club Fig Neroli

Picture yourself in a lush garden at the height of summer – the crunch of green leaves beneath bare feet, sunlight filtering through fig trees heavy with fruit. Neroli’s sparkling brightness is softened by billows of verdant fig, creamy and delicate, as if the juice of the fruit itself has been captured in the air. Vetiver and basil bring earth and vibrancy, swirling together with petitgrain’s green–gold lilt.

Beneath it all, peppermint flickers cool and sweet, echoing the sensation of dipping toes in a hidden spring. The base of cedarwood and soft benzoin wraps the whole experience in the kind of soothing comfort that lingers on the skin – a memory you carry with you, like the soft glow after a perfect day. Wearing this feels like escaping to a secret haven, tranquil and wild, where the spirit of Spain’s orchards and meadows sings on the breeze.

From £35 for 10ml experimentalperfumeclub.com

 

 

 

 

Shay & Blue Blood Oranges 100ml

Shay & Blue Blood Oranges

Sun–struck terraces glisten with juiciness here, every drop of scent alive with the memory of orange groves in the heat of the day. The Spanish Sanguinello variety is at the heart – tangy, vivid, almost ruby–stained – conjuring up the zing of citrus markets, the laughter of friends beneath striped awnings, the fleeting sweetness of a perfect moment.

The aroma is a celebration: lush, bursting with sparkling energy, sunlight caught in a bottle. There’s a playful sophistication, too – as the fragrance sways between that lively freshness and the gentle warmth of the afternoon, calling up the taste of citrus on your lips, the stain of juice on your fingers. It is pure, distilled holiday happiness – an invitation to enjoy the brilliance of summer, wherever you find yourself.

£65 for 100ml eau de parfum perfumesociety.org

 

 

Loewe Un Paseo por Madrid Casa de Campo

You stroll beneath towering trees in Madrid’s beloved park, dappled sunlight softening the world to watercolour hues. Sandalwood hums with gentle familiarity, edged by musk’s subtle sensuality. Violet petals float on the air, a powdery tracery that feels like walking through soft shadows after rain.

But it’s the Spanish rockrose that anchors you firmly to the land – wild, aromatic, unmistakably Iberian. Its honeyed, herbal depths capture the very soul of the Spanish countryside, evoking memories of sun–baked earth, blossoming wildflowers, and evenings painted amber and mauve. This is a scent made for quiet reflection – for letting the world slow, as though each step through the park lingers a little longer.

£255 for 100ml eau de parfum harrods.com

 

Let these fragrances transport you, stitching together happiness and blissful, wistful longing with every note. Even if your feet remain at home, let your senses journey where your spirit craves to be – savouring the carefree bliss of a summer spent beneath Spanish skies.

 

Meanwhile, if you’re still craving more – do have a read of our suggested scented journey with La Montaña – another house who fully embrace the fragrances of Spain, this time in the form of stunning scented candles. Because why not transform your home into a summer space of holiday scent memories, too?

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Scent Souvenirs: A Guide to Holiday Fragrance Shopping & Memory-Making

Ah, the thrill of fragrance shopping when on holiday! If you’re anything like us at The Perfume Society, as soon as you arrive on your long-lusted-after trip abroad you’ll be checking out the scented goods provided in the hotel’s bathroom (many a holiday has been made by the discovery of something fragrantly fabulous awaiting your pleasure in the shower!)

And of course, there’s the promise of new perfumes to purchase while you’re away.

 

 

 

 

Yet, in the gilded haze of sunlit boutiques and bustling local markets, how can you truly discover if a perfume is about to become your new olfactory soulmate, rather than just a fleeting infatuation fuelled by piña coladas and unfamiliar skies?

Holiday perfume shopping is as much about mood and memory as it is about scent. The fragrance that sets your heart afire on a moonlit Mediterranean terrace may not raise a flicker amidst the drizzle of the daily commute. Here’s how to make your fragrance quest rewarding, thoughtful, and joyously memorable – wherever you may roam.

 

 

Before You Travel

  • Research: Jot down names of renowned local fragrance houses, perfumeries, and hidden boutiques. Delve into local blogs or ask well-travelled friends for insider recommendations.
  • Go beyond the obvious: Concierge staff, local shopkeepers, or even your taxi driver might tip you off to markets and out-of-the-way shops where treasures await far from tourist-busy thoroughfares.
  • List your loves and loathes: Knowing roughly which scent families appeal (gourmand, citrus, floral, woods) can help steer your nose in the right direction when overwhelm sets in.

 

 

 

In the Boutique: Testing Like a Pro

Treat scent discovery as a slow, delicious journey – not a sprint to the till. Some thoughtful tips to make sure a fragrance truly suits you:

  • Begin with blotters: Spray potential choices on paper blotters first. This allows the opening notes to reveal themselves without settling fully on your skin.
  • Label everything: Write the scent’s name on the blotter and add a few notes (in your phone or a notebook) about your first impressions – an invaluable step should your testing pile grow unruly.
  • Narrow your shortlist: Once you’ve whittled down your options, choose a maximum of two or three to try on your skin. Any more and your nose may check out before you do.
  • Apply thoughtfully: Spritz on pulse points free from jewellery, as metal can affect the scent. The inner elbow or top of the arm is often recommended.
  • Let the fragrance evolve: Step outside the shop. Stroll, have a coffee, let the scent settle. Fragrances unfurl in layers – top, heart, and base notes all have their moment. What begins as sparkling lemon may melt into sultry amber over a few hours.
  • Return only if love lingers: If a scent still entrances you after a few hours (and in the soft company of your own skin), it may be time to bring home a bottle.

 

 

 

Holiday Scent Wardrobe: Experiment, Play, Discover

Don’t rely on finding ‘the perfect perfume’ to buy in an unfamiliar destination. The playful spirit of travel is the perfect perfumed permission slip for olfactory experimentation you can pre-plan and then delight in while away.

  • Sample-sized wonders: Small vials or discovery sets are ideal for packing light, breezing through airport security, and indulging in a different note each day. They invite adventure – try fragrances beyond your usual comfort zone, mirroring the freedom of exploring a new city, climate, or wardrobe.
  • Seasonal and situational flair: Hot climes, balmy nights, and wearing different fabrics or styles of clothing can transform how familiar notes behave – and how you feel wearing them. Embrace the chance to discover something entirely new about yourself as you do about your destination.

 

 

 

The Holiday Purchase: A Scent for All Seasons?

It is immensely tempting to fill your suitcase with sun-drenched souvenirs for the senses. But pause and consider that what sings here might not harmonise at home. Like a beloved local aperitif that falters in the British chill, some scents might not travel as well as you’d hope. What to do then, to ensure that bottle doesn’t stay sad an neglected, gathering dust on a shelf somewhere back home?

  • If the love fades back home: That is no failure, and we’re not going to judge. You may adore it again one day, or perhaps it’s an invitation to explore layering to create your own personalised perfume that’s part you on holiday, part you at home again?
  • Consider other olfactory options: Instead of only concentrating on perfumes, seek scented bath oils, soaps, or body lotions as gentler olfactory reminders. These small luxuries cue instant ‘holiday mode’ for the spirit, acting as portals to memory and mood, whenever you need a holiday from the everyday.

 

 

 

Fragrant Take-Aways – Our Top Tips for Scented Holiday Success:

  • Do your research beforehand & seek out little-known local brands.

  • Take a good selection or small samples with you – have fun trying new scents!

  • Take your time: rush only guarantees regret.

  • Explore with intention but allow for delightful diversion.

  • Make notes on everything – even impressions can be fleeting.

  • Keep in mind the fact temperature can seriously skew our sense of smell.

  • Be open to serendipitous discovery off the beaten retail path.

  • Remember: the purpose is perfumed delight, not a trophy bottle for the shelf.

 

In the end, holiday fragrance shopping is a dialogue with scent memories and your true self. The right perfume to bring back with you shouldn’t be seen as just another scent – make sure it’s one that has its own story, a secret perfumed portal that serves as a fragrant return-ticket to places and feelings you never want to leave behind…

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Olfactory Odes to Italy – Fragrances Capturing a Nation’s Soul

Italy has long been a land where artistry, nature, and sensuality entwine, and nowhere is this more evident than in its fragrant legacy. While France is often crowned the perfume capital of the world, the roots of European perfumery run deep through Italian soil.

The Renaissance courts of Florence and Venice were cradles of olfactory innovation, and it was Catherine de Medici who, upon marrying into the French royal family, carried the secrets of Italian scent to Paris – her perfumer, Renato Bianco, later known as René le Florentin, helped ignite France’s passion for perfume. From the ancient Roman baths to the bustling apothecaries of Florence, Italy’s devotion to fragrance has shaped the very way the world experiences scent.

Even today, Italian perfumes – and those inspired by this so-beloved holiday destination – are celebrated for their luminous citrus, sun-drenched florals, and a certain effortless elegance that captures the spirit of la dolce vita. It is this sense of place, memory, and emotion that continues to inspire perfumers and perfume lovers alike, drawing us back, time and again, to the heart of Italy.

Oh, let’s go there now, shall we…?

 

 

 

 

The Merchant of Venice Rosa Moceniga Elixir

A trio of roses unfurls in this opulent tribute to Venetian gardens, where Turkish rose, rose absolute, and a rare essence from the Villa Mocenigo Park intertwine with sparkling notes of orange, lemon, and pear. Vanilla, musk, and Amberwood lend a creamy, golden warmth, creating a fragrance that is at once lush and luminous – a modern ode to the eternal romance of the rose.

£206 for 100ml eau de parfum elixir escentual.com

PS: If you’d like to properly swoon at some Venetian photos, and learn all about the history of the original Rosa Moceninga eau de parfum fragrance, do have a fragrant flit to read my fulsome account of a gorgeous press trip I was lucky enough to go on (including a visit to the astounding Museo del Profumo), some years ago, in: A fragrant voyage to the city of romance

 

 

 

 

 

Acqua di Parma Buongiorno

A radiant greeting to the day, this scent is a celebration of Italian mornings – aromatic and sparkling with lemon, rosemary, and spearmint, brushed by basil and petitgrain. A heart of mandarin and lavandin glimmers, while the base of cedarwood, white musks, and amber evokes sun-warmed terraces and the tranquil luxury of simple pleasures.

£143 for 50ml eau de parfum libertylondon.com 

 

 

 

 

 

Tocca Stella

Blood orange and bitter orange dance with watery notes in this vivacious composition, conjuring the sunlit charm of Italian citrus groves. Freesia, lily, and orchid lend a flirtatious floral heart, grounded by sandalwood and musk. Stella is an exuberant, breezy fragrance – effortlessly sensual, brimming with the spontaneity and passion of an Italian summer.

£85 for 50ml eau de parfum theperfumeshop.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laboratorio Olfattivo Pompelmo

A tribute to the bittersweet beauty of grapefruit, Pompelmo is crisp and lively, with zesty grapefruit and earthy vetiver at its core. Pink pepper and mastic add an aromatic lift, while patchouli in the base brings a sophisticated depth. The result is a fragrance that feels both invigorating and refined, capturing the brightness and complexity of Italian citrus.

£83 for 100ml parfum Cologne frmoda.com

 

 

 

 

DOLCE&GABBANA Devotion Man

Sicilian lemons shine in this evocative scent, inspired by the tradition of serving espresso with a twist of lemon. A spark of citrus is joined by the richness of patchouli and the subtle depth of coffee, creating an addictive, woody-spicy blend. Devotion Man is both a nod to Italian heritage and a modern classic – a fragrance that lingers like a cherished memory.

£83 for 50ml eau de parfum thefragranceshop.com

 

Italy’s fragrant legacy is woven through centuries, from Renaissance palaces to sunlit piazzas, and these perfumes are its modern storytellers. Each of the scents we’ve selected here in this little olfactive edit represents an invitation to journey through landscapes of citrus, blossom, and warmth, capturing the spirit of a country where scent is both an art and a way of life.

 

How glorious that to wear these fragrances is to carry a piece of Italy with you – wherever you may wander – which we can all travel to whenever we want, with a single scented spritz. Bellissimo!

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

A Scented Summer Journey with La Montaña

Sunlight dapples through open windows, the air shimmering with the promise of summer. There’s a sense that the world is perfumed with possibility, and that every gentle breeze carries whispers of holidays yet to come, and gardens in full, fragrant bloom.

 

Yet, so often, still, for some reason scented candles are tucked away with the jumpers and heavy throws, reserved for the colder months when their flickering glow feels like a small rebellion against the dark. But as candles are no longer needed for light or warmth, we feel a perfumed pact must be made: to embrace the olfactory joy of fragranced flames, even as the days stretch long and golden.

Because home fragrance can become a portal, a means of summoning the essence of summer indoors. The right candle can conjure blossom-filled breezes, evoke the languor of balmy afternoons, transport one to far-flung destinations, or unlock blissful scent memories that linger long after the sun has set.

 

 

La Montaña

 

 

We’ve long loved La Montaña candles at The Perfume Society (and especially for their marvellous selection of unique summer home scent options). Created as a celebration of Mediterranean life, inspired by the founders’ move to a remote Spanish mountain village; each candle is hand-poured in the UK by artisan candlemakers and crafted from a sustainable blend of organic soy, rapeseed, and beeswax, free from palm oil, sulphur, and parabens, if such details concern you.

We feel what really sets them apart is their ability to evoke vivid memories and atmospheres – every fragrance beautifully designed to transport you to a specific moment or place, from sun-warmed herb gardens at dawn to balmy, jasmine-filled nights. With a high percentage of natural and essential oils, these candles not only fill a room with authentic, layered scents but also offer a clean, long-lasting burn. Their collectable labels, reminiscent of nostalgic 1930s travel posters, add a touch of artistry to any space, making each candle both a sensory and visual delight!

Let’s light the fragrance flames of your desire and set the scene to explore the perfumed possibilities…

 

 

 

La Montaña’s First Light Candle captures the hush of dawn in a Spanish mountain village, where wild mountain herbs, fennel, rosemary and the dewy freshness of pine needles awaken the senses. There is a gentle clarity here, a sense of new beginnings and the cool promise of the day ahead.

 

 

 

Candle Fig Grove La Montana

For those who yearn for sun – drenched orchards, the La Montaña Fig Grove Candle (£39) offers a green-tinged escape. The scent is lush with the creamy sweetness of ripe figs, underscored by the freshness of their leaves and a whisper of milky sap. It is a fragrance that feels both grounding and uplifting, as though reclining beneath broad, leafy branches, sunlight gently filtering through.

 

 

 

La Montaña Siesta Candle lulls the spirit with its tranquil blend of lavender, juniper, and thyme, softened by a breeze of orange blossom. This is the scent of a lazy afternoon, the world hushed and drowsy, cicadas singing in the distance. It invites a gentle surrender to stillness, a reminder that summer’s greatest luxury is time itself.

 

 

 

La Montana Cloudburst candle

When the sky threatens rain, the La Montaña Cloud Burst Candle brings the exhilarating freshness of a summer storm indoors. Notes of bergamot, galbanum, and lavender mingle with the mineral clarity of petrichor and the green snap of cut grass. Each inhale is like stepping into the garden after rainfall, the air charged and sparkling, leaves glistening with droplets.

 

 

 

Candle Galán de Noche La Montaña

Finally on our scented summer day evoked though candles, as dusk falls, the La Montaña Galán de Noche Candle unfurls its heady bouquet. Inspired by the night – blooming jasmine that scents Mediterranean evenings, this fragrance is rich with narcotic white petals, a touch of orange flower, and the subtle warmth of ylang ylang. It is hip-swaying-ly sultry and hypnotic, a scent that lingers in the memory like a half-remembered dream.

All La Montaña candles can be found in single-wick (£39) AND three-wick sizes (£100) (for serious home scent wow-factor!) in our shop

Summer’s story can be written in home scents, each candle a chapter waiting to be lit. Let the perfumed glow of these fragrances fill the home, transforming even the simplest moment into something extraordinary. For the true joy of summer is not only found outside, but in the scented sanctuary created within…

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Scents of place – perfumes to travel the world with (without leaving your sofa)

Perfume has a transportive power, a magic that no other art form can quite capture – the way a single spritz can conjure a far-flung destination, whisking us to distant shores or hidden mountain paths without so much as standing up from the sofa. Fragrance, with its invisible tendrils, is the ultimate passport for the senses. It’s a means of travel that requires no packing, no queues, and no jet lag – only a willingness to explore, and allow yourself to be transported by that scent you select.

Perfumers, perhaps more than any other creative, are inspired by the world’s landscapes. Their formulae are often love letters to places real and imagined: a sun-drenched cove, a bustling souk, a windswept coastline, or the shimmering heat of a desert at noon. The raw materials they choose are the palette – coconut and citrus for sandy beaches and sunshine, pine and moss for mountain air, sea salt and driftwood for bracing walks along the coast.

 

 

Sometimes, it is the memory of a place that is distilled; other times, it is the longing for somewhere never visited, a dream bottled and made wearable.

 

 

 

 

The link between scent and memory is profound, rooted deep within the limbic system of the brain. This is why a fragrance can so vividly evoke the atmosphere of a place – the salty tang of the ocean, the resinous hush of a pine forest, the golden warmth of sun-baked earth. Even when the weather outside is resolutely British, a perfume can transport us to climates and landscapes utterly removed from our own. Each note is a brushstroke, painting scenes as vivid as any photograph, as stirring as the most evocative travel writing.

In the coming weeks at The Perfume Society, we will be grouping popular holiday destinations and matching them to scents that encapsulate their spirit. For now, consider this an invitation to embark on an olfactory journey – to explore how perfume can be your ticket to travel anywhere in the world, all from the comfort of home!

 

 

Here are five fragrances that bottle the essence of place, each one a journey waiting to unfold…

 

 

 

Goldfield & Banks Pacific Rock Flower

A sunlit reverie of Australia’s wild coastline, this fragrance opens with a shimmer of lemon and eucalyptus, as bracing as sea spray caught on the wind. The air is tinged with salt and the delicate hush of coastal white flowers, while cocowax and coral flower conjure visions of perfect, sun-warmed sands. Tuberose and mimosa bloom in the balmy breeze, their sweetness softened by the earthy serenity of moss, cedar, and sandalwood. Each spritz is a wave of ethereal beauty, echoing paradise beside the endless blue – a blissful escape to the edge of the world.

£100 for 50ml eau de parfum harveynichols.com

 

 

 

Roger & Gallet Vanille Soleil

This is sunshine bottled – a radiant, golden melody that dances with the spirit of endless summer. Vanilla is illuminated by jasmine and ylang-ylang, lifted to exhilarating lightness, while a whisper of sea salt evokes a Mediterranean breeze. Tonka bean and musky amber wrap the scent in a warm, languid embrace, like skin after a day in the sun. Far from the cloying clichés of vanilla, this fragrance resurfaces as a captivating refrain – addictive, luminous, and a true ode to modern joy, perfect for brightening even the greyest day.

£39 for 100ml eau de toilette escentual.com

 

 

 

 

Manos Gerakinis Sillage X

A temporal odyssey inspired by the sunlit Mediterranean, this fragrance opens with a zest-laden breeze of lemon and bergamot, spiced with cardamom and peppery fennel. The heart is a tapestry of vetiver’s earthy complexity, dusted with orris and draped in supple leather. As it settles, patchouli, moss, and amber weave a mirage of memories, while musk whispers of adventures yet to come. Sillage X celebrates the passage of time – past, present, and future – in a scent that feels utterly timeless, both contemplative and exhilarating.

From £50 for 10ml eau de parfum shymimosa.co.uk

 

 

 

Memo Paris Abu Dhabi

A sensory tribute to the oasis city, this fragrance is woven with the sweetness of dates – emblematic of Abu Dhabi’s Al Aïn – and adorned with spicy notes that shimmer like desert heat. Vibrant orange and piquant ginger sparkle atop a heart of plum and orange flower, while woody accords form a sturdy warp to the weft of Al-Sadu patterns. The base is a mirage of vetiver, patchouli, and amber, conjuring the deep, sensual richness of Middle Eastern nights. Each wear is a journey through sun-baked sands and opulent palaces, a hypnotic and unforgettable escape.

£235 for 75ml eau de parfum harrods.com

 

 

 

 

 

Wales Perfumery Coast

Let’s travel now to the Welsh coastline – bracing, windswept, and utterly invigorating. Lemon, mandarin, bergamot, and lime burst forth like sunlight on saltwater, while ozonic notes and seaweed evoke the tang of the Celtic sea-air. Driftwood and amber anchor the composition, conjuring memories of secluded beaches, rainbow blushed harbour villages, and endless coastal paths. As the scent warms, it becomes woodier, echoing the rugged beauty of sand dunes and salt marshes. Coast is a bliss-filled lungful of wild, green freshness – an ode to the untamed majesty of Wales.

£81 for 50ml eau de parfum in the Shop

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Travel-friendly fragrances for holidays

There is a certain thrill in assembling a holiday wardrobe – one that extends beyond kaftans and sandals to the very scents that accompany each adventure. The beauty of perfume travel sizes, minis, and samples lies in their effortless ability to slip into hand luggage, transforming the art of packing into a fragrant game of possibilities.

These little travel-sizes and vials are practical, yes but we like to think of them as veritable perfumed passports to olfactory escapism, allowing travellers to curate a whole scent wardrobe for every mood and moment encountered on the go…

Current UK Travel Restrictions for Liquids

For those navigating UK airports, holiday liquid restrictions remain a moving target. As of now, the majority of UK airports still require all liquids in hand luggage to be in containers of 100ml or less. Every bottle must fit comfortably inside a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag no larger than 20cm x 20cm, with a total capacity of no more than 1 litre. This bag must be presented separately at security. Larger containers should be packed in hold luggage. While a handful of airports have installed next-generation scanners and promise a future where these restrictions will ease (PLEASE! We perfumistas are begging you!) the reality is that rules can change with little notice – even at airports with new technology. Airlines may also have their own policies, so it is always wise to check the latest advice before setting off.

 

 

 

Why Travel with Perfume Minis and Discovery Sets?

The joy of travel-sized fragrances is twofold: practicality and pleasure. These petite bottles comply with security regulations AND allow for a delightful, sensorially aventurous variety on holiday. Why settle for a single signature scent when one can carry a wardrobe of fragrances, each ready to match a new day’s adventure or evening’s whim? A holiday is, after all, the ultimate invitation to experiment. Just as one might don a silk kaftan or bold jewellery abroad – outfits that feel out of place at home – so too can perfume choices become more daring, exotic, or playful.

Because there’s a unique magic in trying a new scent somewhere unfamiliar.

 

Travel has a way of coaxing out different facets of personality; a fragrance that feels too bold for daily life might become the perfect companion for sun-drenched afternoons or moonlit dinners. And because scent and memory are so intimately entwined, each time that fragrance is worn again, it conjures up a vivid rush of holiday nostalgia – transporting the wearer back to those carefree days, wherever they may be.

Perfect Perfume Discovery Sets for Holiday Packing

For those seeking holiday perfume-packing inspiration, these curated discovery boxes and brand scent sets offer a spectrum of moods and moments, all in travel and airport-restriction friendly sizes:

 

 

 

 

 

Liquid Sunshine Discovery Box£21 (VIP Price £17) 

  • Molton Brown Rose Dunes 1.5ml Eau de Toilette: A delicate, sun-warmed rose kissed with sea salt, evoking lazy afternoons on the dunes.

  • Ruth Mastenbroek Gaia 2ml Eau de Toilette: Earthy, green, and uplifting – like a walk through a wildflower meadow at dawn.

  • Parfums de Marly Valaya 1.5ml Eau de Parfum: Crisp, sparkling, and elegant, with a hint of fresh citrus and soft florals.

  • Lalique Soleil 1.8ml Eau de Parfum: Warm, radiant, and enveloping – imagine amber and vanilla bathed in sunlight.

  • Memoize Concordia 2ml Eau de Parfum: Vibrant, zesty, and joyful, with unexpected twists of spice and fruit.

  • Floral Street Sunflower Pop 1.5ml Eau de Parfum: Bright, cheerful, and playful – a burst of sunflower and citrus that’s pure summer in a bottle.

  • Jeroboam Oriento 1ml Extrait de Parfum: Rich, mysterious, and exotic, with smoky woods and a touch of spice.

  • skinSense Hydranet Face Mask 25ml: A refreshing treat for the skin, perfect for a summer skincare moment between sniffing sessions.

 

 

 

 

Box of 5 x 8.5ml bottles of the Escentric range from Escentric Molecules

Escentric Molecules Escentric Discovery Set (5 x 8.5ml) £40

  • Escentric 01: Cult-scented formula, minimalist and magnetic.

  • Escentric 02: Sparkling freshness, clean and uplifting.

  • Escentric 03: Arboreal concoction, green and woody.

  • Escentric 04: Hazy fantasy, soft and enveloping.

  • Escentric 05: Deconstructed Mediterranea, sunlit and breezy.

 

 

 

Granado Coleção Elixir Discovery Set (5 x 10ml) £48

  • Cedro: Noble, dry woods, elegantly comfortable.

  • Patchouli: Green, earthy, and rustic with a classic twist.

  • Sândalo: Creamy, soft sandalwood for comfort and sensuality.

  • Couro: Modern leather, sophisticated and embracing.

  • Tonka: Amber, woody, and creamy with a modern edge.

 

 

 

Sarah Baker High Life Discovery Set (5 x 2ml) £40

  • Peach’s Revenge: Succulent fruits, hypnotic and addictive.

  • Charade: Big white flower with rustic leather, sophisticated and contemporary.

  • Jungle Jezebel: Bombastic banana, bold and unforgettable.

  • Gold Spot: Film-star luxuries, butterscotch icecream and lazy mornings.

  • Leopard: Power fragrance, unapologetically dramatic.

 

The Takeaway

Whether dashing through airport security or indulging in the ritual of getting ready for an evening out, perfume minis and discovery sets are the ultimate travel companions. They offer flexibility, comply with ever-shifting regulations, and (we think most importantly!) invite us to embrace new experiences, both in scent and in spirit. After all, a holiday is not just about the places visited, but the memories made and the scents that bring them back to life, long after the sun has set on the journey….

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Beach day bliss – escape to the coast (no matter the weather!)

A gentle whisper of sea spray, a sunlit breeze, the promise of adventure: the magic of coastal escape fragrances is that they allow us to journey wherever we wish, whenever we wish. With each spray, these scents have the power to conjure the wildness of a blustery clifftop or the languid warmth of a balmy beach, regardless of the weather outside the window.

Here, a selection of evocative fragrances, each a bottled memory of the coast, invites the imagination to set sail. It’s true escapism in fragrant form, no matter what the actual weather is doing this weekend. So, where would you like to go…?

 

 

 

 

Ruth Mastenbroek Marlin

As the sun dips below Kent’s coastal dunes, this fragrance awakens like a balmy evening stroll through lavender fields kissed by salty air. Aromatic bergamot and thyme pirouette with English lavender’s herbal calm, while plum and amber hum a dusky serenade. Atlas cedar and fir needle anchor the blend, evoking sun-bleached driftwood and the quiet thrill of twilight over shoreline. It’s a scent for those who crave the serenity of empty beaches, where the only sound is the distant sigh of waves meeting sand.

£65 for 30ml eau de toilette ruthmastenbroek.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goldfield & Banks Pacific Rock Moss

Picture a cliffside path in New South Wales, where lemon-scented gusts whip through sage and coastal moss clinging to sunbaked rocks. This fragrance is the essence of a summer day distilled – citrus sharpness softened by creamy cedarwood, herbal whispers tangled with mineral freshness. It captures the moment when sea spray mingles with sun-warmed skin, a vibrant yet meditative ode to the Australian coast’s rugged beauty. Close your eyes and feel the crunch of crushed shells beneath bare feet.

From £100 for 50ml eau de parfum jovoyparis.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Acqua di Parma Arancia Di Capri La Riserva

Sunlight flickers through blood orange groves above Capri’s cliffs, their juice dripping onto rosemary-studded slopes. This scent is a two-month maceration of Mediterranean summer – zesty citrus bursting with saline intensity, basil’s green snap softening into suede’s golden embrace. It’s the olfactory equivalent of diving into turquoise waters, surfacing with salt-crusted hair and the tang of seaweed on your tongue. A richer, eau de parfum formulation that celebrates and somehow bottles the very scented soul of coastal Italy.

£217 for 100ml eau de parfum libertylondon.com

 

 

 

Jorum Studio Rose Highland

No tame garden rose, this – imagine petals torn by Hebridean winds, flung against jagged rocks where gorse battles the elements. Saline air carves through sweet basil and clove bud, while rhododendron and jasmine cling like determined wildflowers. Vetiver and Atlantic oak rise like ancient cliffs, their ruggedness softened by ambergris’s sunlit warmth. It’s the scent of a storm rolling in across the Scottish coast, equal parts brutal and beautiful, demanding attention and inspiring romantic reveries.

£89 for 30ml extrait de parfum jorumstudio.com

 

 

 

 

Thomas de Monaco Grand Beau

The French Riviera in a bottle – pine resin dripping from sunbaked trunks, juniper berries crushed underfoot on a coastal trail. Tuberose and olibanum swirl like silk scarves caught in a sea breeze, their opulence tempered by vetiver’s dry intellect. Marine notes emerge like a sudden glimpse of azure through cypress trees, ambrette seeds humming with skin-warmed sensuality. This is the a stolen kiss in a hidden cove, all salt, shadow, and forbidden encounters so-elegantly evoked.

£230 for 50ml extrait de parfum lessenteurs.com 

 

 

 

 

Each of these fragrances holds a key to uncharted shores – let’s think of them as not mere perfumes, but portals. They prove that adventure needn’t require luggage or plane tickets (even if you’re craving that reality but can’t make it happen just yet). A spritz becomes a compass, guiding the spirit to where the horizon stretches endless and the air tastes of possibility. The coast, in all its moods, awaits in every drop. Oh, let’s go!

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale

Holiday daydreaming? Wear these sunny scents…

If you’re peering at grey skies and sighing, why not consider delving into your fragrance collection for a spritz of sunshine? We bet there are many scents sitting neglected on dressing tables and shelves around the U.K. right now, which you keep looking at, wistfully, and whispering ‘…not yet, my precious, We’ll wait for a nice warm day again.’

Well look – we’ve had some gorgeous spring weather thus far and cannot really complain at a blustery day or the rainfall the gardens have sorely needed. I mean, we DO, but we shouldn’t. Instead of glowering to match the mood, uplift it by raiding your stash this instant. Don’t you dare save these for summer – wear them now and make it happen in fragrant form…

 

VALENTINO_BORN_IN_ROMA_YELLOW_DREAM

 

 

VALENTINO BORN IN ROMA YELLOW DREAM DONNA

Celebrating ‘a new beginning, full of life, hope and optimism’ (YES please!) we’re imagining a golden sunrise over Rome – lemon coloured blossom carpets the pavement as a confident woman strides forth to greet the new day. Floral yet fruity (in the most grown up, effervescent way), this gives us vibes of just-washed hair gleaming in the sun, a vibrant yellow dress, heels kicked off, a musky trail followed in bare feet on sun-warmed cobbles.

From £35 for 10ml eau de parfum valentino-beauty.co.uk

 

 

 

 

GOUTAL_LE_TEMPS_DES_REVES

 

 

GOUTAL LE TEMPS DES RÊVES

Goutal effortlessly whisk us to the sun-drenched Mediterranean on a breeze of orange blossom absolute, neroli, bergamot and myrtle. Annick Goutal herself began her training in Grasse; now, Camille Goutal and Isabelle Doyen revisit the landscape of a thousand bitter orange trees and Provence’s garrigue (its characteristic aromatic trees and scrubland), introducing sandalwood and a bran absolute note for a pashmina-like, cocooning finale.

£152 for 100ml eau de toilette johnlewis..com

 

 

 

 

PARFUMS_SEL_DARGENT

 

 

BDK SEL D’ARGENT

Holiday sea breezes and azure waters: does anything get better than that? Lucky for us, Sel d’Argent features in BDK’s Collection Azur, and captures that shimmering coastal magic of the Mediterranean, with its clear blue waters (echoed in the flacon), and its salty accord – further freshened by grapefruit and bergamot. But this is more enduring than you’d expect from that initial freshness, warmed and softened in its sunset moments by come-closer elements of Timebrsilk, Cashmeran, Ambroxan and white musk. Dreamy, indeed.

£190 for 100ml eau de parfum selfridges.com

 

 

 

 

JEROBOAM_GOZO.

 

 

JEROBOAM GOZO

Holiday in a bottle? Well, this was dreamed following a meeting between Jovoy’s globetrotting founder François Hénin and Qatari social media megastar and A-list perfumista, Abdulaziz Al Ajail. As ever with Jeroboam, perfumer Vanina Muracciole translated the travel-lust vision into scent, swirling together a heady cloud of tuberose, cedarwood and Ambroxan to evoke ‘heaven on earth’: the Maltese island of Gozo. Let’s close our eyes and go-go there in our dreams!

£110 for 30ml extrait jovoyparis.uk

 

 

 

 

 

JUSBOX_NIGHTFLOW

 

 

JUSBOX NIGHT FLOW

Within their clever series of musically-inspired fragrances, here we get to spin a vibrant cocktail of saffron, raspberry and pink pepper that seamlessly segues into the darker floral heart of fruity osmanthus, smouldering davana and hypnotic jasmine sambac. When the base kicks in with a salty lick of ambergris atop patchouli, leather and tolu balm, you’ll be lost in the rhythm of this fragrantly alluring flow. Bring on summer party vibes with this perfume, we say!

£200 for 78ml eau de parfum harrods.com

 

Written by Suzy Nightingale