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On The Scent: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Nicola Bonn & Suzy Nightingale
On The Scent is the podcast destination for anyone fascinated by fragrance (or keen to learn more) – a place where perfume snobbery is stripped away, and fragrance is accessible to all. What began as a monthly sniff-in on the Outspoken Beauty Podcast soon became so popular in its own right (and with so many listeners sending in questions and asking for more) that On the Scent just had to go weekly - this time on its own perfumed platform! Encompassing everything from icons and all-time classics to what’s new on the high street to the more ‘niche’ indie brands; Beauty broadcaster and columnist Nicola Bonn and award-winning fragrance journalist and expert Suzy Nightingale give personalised perfume prescriptions, describe fragrances in such an intoxicating way you can almost smell them and help navigate the thousands of scents out there to find the truly incredible ones. Also expect interviews with well-known figures, delving into their favourite scents of all time and opportunities to get to know some of the most exciting perfumers in the world. Whether you’ve a collection of 500+ or are just starting on your scent journey, olfactory obsessives Nicola & Suzy are on a mission to find you fragrances that don’t simply smell good, but will re-connect you to long forgotten memories, engage your emotions and very likely blow your mind.
Latest Episodes
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- 3 days ago41 min
Series 8, Episode 16: Sumptuous, Textural, Stroke-able Scents
What does a fragrance feel like? This week, Suzy Nightingale and Nicola Bonn arefollowing their noses into the wonderfully tactile world of perfumery, where a scentcan suggest velvet brushing the skin, the smooth swish of nylon, or the crumblywarmth of freshly sliced cake. There’s oudh as soft as autumnal sun-warmed suede,a mineral hush reminiscent of earth after rain, and an aromatic breeze that arriveswind-whipped and bracing before settling into comfort.These perfumes invite you to think beyond notes alone. Some wrap around you;others seem to lift you into cool, open air or draw you into the glow of a city afterdark. Join Suzy and Nicola for an episode devoted to sumptuous scents you canalmost reach out and touch...The fragrances discussed in this episode are:Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Velvet Mood ExtraitVelvet warmed by desert sun is the irresistible idea here. Peach skin, delicate suedeand deep oud wood unfold in a slow, enveloping caress – soft, sensuous and richlytextured, with a sillage that seems to ripple across dunes beneath a starry sky.D.S. & Durga Ain’t That Sweet?The blissful comfort of a freshly sliced cake, with no apology for its sweetness.Cinnamon lends a spicy dusting, fresh floral lily keeps things lifted, and creamyvanilla melts into the skin, leaving a decadent trail that lingers like the last deliciouscrumb.Pigmentarium AereoAiry yet grounding, Aereo feels like finding a quiet moment after rain. Soft, mineralcashmeran suggests warm soil, pink pepper brings a flicker of clarity, and soothingmyrrh anchors it all in a clean, contemplative stillness.Aesop Unforeseen AerWind-whipped and refreshing at first, this aromatic fougère brings rugged, mineralheights to mind. Geranium, lavandin and rosemary create its cool rush of air, whilenutmeg lends a textured warmth as the scent settles into comfort.Prada Olfactories Nylon NoirPrada’s iconic nylon becomes something you can almost feel against your skin.Luminous jasmine gives way to a clean, enveloping nylon accord, before muskemerges in the dry-down, leaving a sleek, softly polished trail.Prada Olfactories Troubled MidnightA city after dark, where hot pavement meets cold air and light flares againstshadow. Smoky incense and patchouli bring depth to this warm amber-musk, whilea date accord adds a softly fruity glow – satin darkness in perfume form.
- 1 weeks ago45 min
Season 8, Episode 15: Pitti Roundup Part Two – The Fragrances That Stopped Suzy in Her Tracks
Suzy & Nicola are back for part two of their Pitti Fragranze roundup, continuing their deep-dive into the perfume launches, houses and ideas that made this year’s Florence fair feel so full of possibility.Having attended Pitti Fragranze for thirteen years, Suzy felt this was one of the most exciting editions yet. Alongside the return of classical perfume structures reinterpreted for contemporary tastes, she noticed a growing confidence in brands drawing upon personal heritage, local materials, food culture, landscape, ritual and memory. In this episode, the pair explore some of the fragrances that most vividly expressed those stories.From a Chinese-French house capturing the transient scent of sun-dried osmanthus, to Korean brands evoking fire-charred ingredients, graceful calligraphy and fine-dining balances of flavour, this episode travels widely through fragrance’s newest creative terrain. There is also a decadent, night-time gourmand journey through Bandra in Mumbai; a woody incense scent from Reserve en Afrique; and two beautifully emotional creations from Italian poet-perfumer Meo Fusciuni.Listen for a perfume that smells of roasted chestnuts, fermented tea and Korean seaweed crisp; a vivid, herbal peach; a “new century” Parma violet growing in a cold spring garden; and a cocoa-rich love story that charts the bitterness and sweetness of heartbreak…https://fragranze.pittimmagine.com/en/events-calendarReserve en Afrique – WoodooReserve en Afrique’s Woodoo is a woody, resinous composition built around the warm, meditative pull of incense, balsams and dry woods.It opens with ginger and olibanum, giving the fragrance both brightness and a slightly peppery, ceremonial character. Labdanum, iris and white flowers arrive at the heart, adding a soft, ambery texture: floral, but shadowed by resin and a certain velvety darkness. The base of musk, benzoin, cedar, tonka bean and cypriol brings a long-lasting warmth, with dry woods, sweet balsams and a gently smoky earthiness.The name suggests ritual, mystery and a connection to wood, smoke and spirituality, and the composition seems to play with all those ideas. This is not necessarily a loud fragrance, but one that gradually develops its presence on skin: incense-lit, softly floral, smooth with tonka, and grounded by a woody, mineral base.Reserve en Afrique draws inspiration from African landscapes, stories and olfactory traditions, translating them into contemporary fine fragrance. Woodoo feels like a particularly atmospheric example of that approach: a scent that uses familiar perfume materials, but lets them tell a more transportive story.Cent.PM – eau de penséeEau de pensée, the debut fragrance from Chinese-French house Cent.PM, begins with an intensely personal memory: founder Haoyuan recalling the childhood ritual of sun-drying osmanthus blossoms in a field.Rather than trying to make a literal flower portrait, Cent.PM treats the memory as something unstable and shifting. The perfume is intended to capture that instant when an old recollection suddenly brightens into focus, only to blur again as past and present overlap. The opening is vibrant and light-filled, with notes including neroli, pink pepper and mandarin lending a sparkling, green-citrus lift. From there, the fragrance becomes more veiled and contemplative, eventually settling into a warm, close-to-the-skin afterglow.Osmanthus can be a fascinating material in perfume: floral, but also capable of suggesting apricot, tea, suede and a certain honeyed, almost leathery softness. Here, its role appears to be as much emotional as olfactory, carrying the atmosphere of childhood, sunshine, landscape and passing time.Cent.PM approaches fragrance as a meeting point between cultures, materials and memory. Its name and first release suggest an interest in the fleeting, in-between time of late afternoon: a moment for reflection, imagination and sensory recollection.Sisology – Être toiKorean house Sisology’s Être toi is a tender, uplifting fragrance built around the idea that being fully oneself is its own kind of beauty.The scent opens with freesia and peach, combining clean floral freshness with soft, gently juicy fruit. Rose sits at the heart, bringing a familiar, romantic bloom, but the fragrance’s real appeal lies in the ease of its overall structure. Patchouli, woods and amber provide a warm, lightly earthy base that gives the composition depth without overwhelming its airiness.Sisology describes Être toi as a perfume for the easy laugh, the hopeful heart and the comfort of sincerity.
- 2 weeks ago51 min
Season 8, Episode 14: Pitti Fragranze Roundup - New launches, brands & reasons to be excited…
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on in a fragrance trade fair, get ready for all the news as Suzy reviews this year’s Pitti Fragranze in Florence. There are some some thrilling new launches and brands to get excited by, and she reveals some of the trends we can expect to see filtering their way through to the wider fragrance world over the coming months.In fact, firstly a storm stopped play as we arrived in Florence, with Suzy’s plane stranded on the runway for three hours as lightning struck. Luckily the rest of the trip was exciting for all the right reasons!Suzy has been attending the Pitti Fragranze trade fair for thirteen years, and genuinely felt this was one of the best ever years. The overall vibe seemed to be a return to beauty - classical perfumery elements woven in new and intriguing ways, and with greater cultural diversity from brands showcasing their heritage and aromas they grew up with. We’ll be focussing more in this aspect - as well as talking about the trends Suzy saw emerging this year - in next week’s episode. But until then, enjoy this whistle-stop rundown of some of Suzy’s highlights of the show this year…Suzy’s top picks of the show (well SOME of them - there were a lot! We’ll have to cover some more in future episodes and on our Patreon page).Beaufort London Sunken TobaccoImagine an ancient, lead-lined wooden box of tobacco—lost in a shipwreck and submerged beneath the sea. Centuries later, the wreck re-emerges and its precious cargo is rediscovered. Barnacled and salt-encrusted, the lid is levered off - within, tobacco lies preserved in shadow and silt.Exposed at last to the sun, the furled leaves begin to bloom: warm, dark, faintly honeyed. Salt crystals glitter on wave-lapped rocks as the tobacco is laid out upon sun-bleached driftwood, its leathery richness threaded with mineral air, smoke, tar and sea-spray.A buried treasure, reclaimed from the deep - not pristine, but made stranger and more compelling by its long immersion. Sunken Tobacco is the scent of faded maps and flooded holds - of a sailor’s hoard brought blinking into daylight, still carrying the ocean in its grain.Four new Olfiction Lab Editions (coming soon! Expected launch on their website by end of November)BALSAMNeo-vintage amberAldehydes, Apple, BergamotJasmine, Ylang Ylang, MuguetPeru Balsam, Labdanum, Vanilla absolute, Fir Balsam, Benzoin, White Musks, OakmossSUAVENeo-vintage fougereNutmeg, Shaving soap, Cedar Leaf, Coffee CO2Lavender absolute, Lavender oil, Coffee absolute,Geranium, SageMusk Accord, Suede, Animal notes, Incense resin, Rectified Cedarwood, OakmossCASSISSIMOFruity floralBlackcurrant Bud CO2, Blackcurrant Bud absolute, Blackberry, Red MandarinChampagne accord, Tuberose absolute, Rose absolute Bulgaria, Geranium RosatMusk, Cognac oil, Vanilla syrup, Benzoin, Patchouli, Sandalwood AustraliaLASKIAISPULLAGourmandNordic Shrove BunsWhipped Cream, Marzipan, Raspberry Jam, RaspberryLeaf, OrrisVanilla sugar, Vanilla absolute, Tonka absolute, Tonka infusion, Benzoin, OpoponaxOLYMRAFounder: Born and raised in Greece, Dr. Frida Michailidou is an award-winning scientist whose work is deeply rooted in Greek botanical heritage, nature, and innovation. Previously a Lecturer and Collegium Fellow at ETH Zurich, she led the first scientific expedition to decode the rare scents of Mount Olympus using pioneering non-destructive technology. Recognised as an MIT Innovator Under 35 Europe and TEDx speaker, she is redefining perfumery through the convergence of science, sustainability, and the timeless spirit of Greece.‘Born from the rare botanicals of Mount Olympus, OLYMRA transforms myth, memory, and wild nature into modern extrait de parfum.Grounded in earth, inspired by the divine.’Persephone‘Deep. Intimate. Transformative.OLYMRA PERSEPHONE is a fragrance of dual worlds: one of light, one of shadow. Inspired by the mythic queen who walks between both, it captures a moment of transformation: the instant spring yields to desire, and dusk begins to bloom.The fragrance opens with bergamot, pink pepper, and cardamom; bright, spiced notes that shimmer like sunlight across stone. At its heart, a lush pairing of Damask rose, Centifolia rose, and the OLYMRA plant accord, a precise reconstruction of rare mountain flora, unfurls with velvet intensity. Beneath, a deep base of cacao, tonka bean, beeswax, grey amber, and hyrax evokes warmth, earth, and skin; the lingering traces of a myth reborn.OLYMRA
- 3 weeks ago50 min
Season 8, Episode 13: Getting Our Cosy On
Are you feeling the need for snuggly scents yet? Suzy and Nicola are leaning into the cosiness in this week’s episode and have been gathering together some of new launches and favourite fragrances they’ve been wearing as autumn approaches. The discussion ranges from ultra-sophisticated gourmands encompassing chocolate and lattes, to a bohemian rose, a truly fantastic new woody scent, and an American niche tobacco fragrance Suzy fell for years ago and a listener kindly sourced a sample of for her. Plus, the #listenerprescription this week is for a ‘friendship fragrance’ to link and be shared by a listener and her best friend who is moving far away...Tom Ford Tobacco Chocolat By Daniela Andrier‘TOM FORD has long been drawn to the sensual, masculine heat of tobacco – and now, the perfumer adds another iteration to its repertoire. Tobacco Chocolat is an eau de parfum founded upon the brand’s exclusive cocoa smoke accord, a note that fuses the rich, intoxicating quality of cocoa with the grounding earthiness of tobacco. Alongside this powerful core are a host of complimentary notes, from bright orange essence to balsam and patchouli, coming together to make a fragrance set to capture attention.Top Notes: cocoa smoke co-distillation, Orange EssenceMiddle Notes: peru balsam, chocolat noir grand cru delightBase Notes: patchouli cœur Indonesia, Ambrofix.’NEST New York Cardamom Latte ‘Like cashmere on bare skin, this spicy gourmand eau de parfum is endlessly wearable. The gentle heat of cardamom drifts through jasmine-laced air steeped in the creamy comfort of coconut milk.Cardamom Latte unfolds like the perfect pour—layered and immersive. Heat blooms into softness. Spice melts into cream. Steam diffuses into air. Transforming your atmosphere with warmth you can feel. An enveloping fragrance that surrounds before it settles. Because comfort isn’t static. It’s fluid.’Acqua di Parma Signatures of the Sun Cedar Virtuoso (& body cream)‘Cedro Virtuoso celebrates the sensorial warmth of creation—the moment when an idea begins to take shape and inner confidence turns sensibility into emotion. Like the different stages of a creative process, the fragrance unfolds like a warm embrace, encouraging creativity to rise from within. Between vivid, vibrant notes and deeper, cocooning tones that accompany the journey from intuition to realization is the fragrance’s distinctive singularity: a co-infusion of Virginia cedarwood and hazelnut, whose encounter shapes a creamy woody signature.’Miller Harris Scherzo Extrait ‘Developed at 30% concentration, Scherzo Extrait captures the vibrant spirit of the original Eau de Parfum while unveiling a deeper, more intoxicating signature. Bright, luminous sweetness meets newfound richness and warmth, allowing the fragrance to bloom with a more immersive intensity for lasting presence. The fragrance opens with the familiar rush of tangerine and davana, radiating vibrant fruity luminosity. At its heart, delicate peony blooms abundantly alongside crisp pittosporum, while a new dimension begins to emerge: a more sumptuous and velvety rose, enrobed in golden honey and entwined with creamy vanilla for a richer sensuality, its floral radiance enhanced by threads of incense to bring light and vibration. Together, they introduce a magnetic tension, guiding the fragrance towards more mysterious territory. At the base, shimmering oudh unfolds with greater texture, amplified by intensified patchouli and moss. The introduction of smooth amber woods brings warmth and refinement, creating a striking counterpoint to the fragrance's signature sweetness. As these richer notes emerge, they reveal new facets of its character. The result is a fragrance which is radiant yet mysterious, vibrant yet profound, with a more enduring and enveloping trail.’HEAD NOTES:Tangerine*, Davana* (herb with a fruity, sweet, tea like smell, member of the Artemisia family.)HEART NOTES:Rose Nectar Accord, Peony, Olibanum* (Frankincense), Pittosporum.LASTING IMPRESSIONS:Patchouli*, Vanilla, Oudh, Moss, Amber Woods, Sweet Note.Sonoma Scents Tabac Aurea ‘Tabac Aurea has an enticing golden amber drydown and a pipe tobacco note that is enjoyed by women as well as men. It’s smooth and softly gourmand, with notes of amber, woods, spices, tobacco, leather, tonka, labdanum, patchouli, and vanilla. The amber accord combines dry earthy notes with sweet elements and subtle fruity touches to create an addictive, beautiful, golden aura. One of our top three best-selling scents.’Ormonde Jayne SybariteNicola has been finding great comfort
- Sep 3, 202650 min
Season 8, Episode 12: New Iris Scents & a Fragrant Renaissance
This week Suzy & Nicola are pondering the resurgence of iris - one of the most traditional (and costly) notes in perfumery made modern by exploring it in surprising ways. From one of the all-time classic iris perfumes launching a new version after 114 years, to another historic house who’s just launched a dashingly debonair iris scent; and a brilliantly affordable iris from a high street shop that’s one of our star buys year… There’s a lot to love!After discussing what else we’ve fallen for lately, and Suzy’s perfume picks from an Australian brand’s stunning new East End boutique; we asked Scott (@blublazer guy) to answer a listener’s question about fragrances to wear while visiting Edinburgh.On the show:Guerlain L’Heure Bleu (new)Perfumer Delphine Jelk says she didn’t try ‘to modernise the original L’Heure Bleue from 1912, nor to revisit it, but to pay tribute to a masterpiece and to translate that emotion into the present through a new palette of ingredients.’ A ‘homemade iris tincture created exclusively for this perfume’ is woven into a fresher-feeling ‘ozonic blue sky accord to shiver’, together with ‘the softness of orange blossom’, on a base of vanilla, woods and musk, creating what Jelk calls ‘airy, powdery sensuality’.Creed Iris Debonair‘Unlock Iris Debonair, an addictive fougère floral capturing the allure of an aesthete's domain, where every room reveals an intentional art of living. Opening with a luminous stroke of bergamot co-infused with absinthe leaves, at the heart, crisp English lavender unfolds with cool, aromatic clarity. French iris pallida, suffused in pale blue, is magnetic and among perfumery's most precious materials.Head NotesBergamot & Absinthe, Pink Pepper, CardamomHeart NotesEnglish Lavender, Violet Leaf, Fig Pulp AccordBase NotesFrench Iris Pallida, Ambrette, Amberwood’Boots Last Note Echoes of You50ml fragrance priced at £12.99 from the debut "Last Note" collection. It features a sparkling pink pepper top note, a middle core of velvety iris and cashmere musk, and a warm amber base.Top: Pink pepperHeart: Iris, cashmere muskBase: Warm amberMerchant of Venice Renaissance‘By Calice Becker, this floral-leathery fragrance is inspired by Renaissance ideals of balance and harmony, housed in a golden-accented Murano glass bottle.Top Notes: Galbanum, Orange Blossom Absolute, SaffronHeart Notes: Iris, Indonesian Patchouli, Leather, AkigalawoodBase Notes: Ambrofix™, Vanilla, Frankincense (Incense), Musk.’Jo Malone London Rose & Oud Leather Cologne Intense (Harrods)‘The captivating fragrance is a tribute to the prevailing beauty of the flower and is brought to life by additional notes of patchouli and amber.Top Notes: oud, leatherMiddle Notes: damask roseBase Notes: patchouli, amber.’Thomas de Monaco Luisant Haze (Wild Iris)‘Luisant Haze expands the Gold Collection of Thomas De Monaco Parfums with a fragrance that approaches sweetness in a different way.At the heart of the composition is a reimagined tuberose. Not opulent or dense, but softened, diffused, and luminous. Sweetness appears here in a new form: airy rather than heavy, radiant rather than indulgent. Notes of fraise des bois, cotton candy, and tonka are lifted by white musks and amber facets, creating a transparent structure that stays close to the skin.’Givenchy L’Interdit Elixir‘L'Interdit Elixir evokes a precious talisman infused with power, created to unveil the magnetic strength within every woman.The scent opens with the voluptuous intensity of Black Cherry, illuminated by the delicate bitterness of almond essence. It melts into L'Interdit's iconic bouquet of white flowers, where Orange Blossom, Tuberose, and Jasmine reveal an opulent, almost carnal femininity, enriched by the profound woody nuances of pure oakwood extract.Faithful to Givenchy's art of contrast, L'Interdit Elixir balances shadow and light, sensuality and strength. At its most addictive, a warm, liqueur-like accord unfolds through the richness of Rum Absolute, Davana Essence, and Vanilla Extract, leaving behind a deeply enveloping trail. Fused with the skin, the fragrance becomes a captivating aura of confidence — a pure expression of empowered femininity.’Giorgio Armani I WILL‘A sensual strength forged through time, I WILL awakens tenacity with confidence and leaves an intense, unmistakable trail. Crea
- Aug 27, 20261h 1m
Season 8, Episode 11: Fragrant Glimmers & Bottled Scent Memories
In this episode we’re partnering with Estée Lauder for the first in a new series: Fragrant Focus. This is where we take our time exploring a single scent - smelling it together and sharing our thoughts. And we have an exciting GIVEAWAY for you to enter! Listen and read on to find out how to enter, hear our reviews of Glimmer, and the beautiful inspiration behind its launch.We have a plethora of exciting new launches to tell you about, from niche names, designer and heritage houses alike. But we begin with an emotional journey to capture the scent of something very special to Suzy…MANE Dad’s RoseSuzy got very emotional about this olfactory delivery, as MANE - a fragrance creation house in the U.K. who’ve made scents for some of the biggest brands out there - managed to capture the scent of a rise her father planted for her when she was a little girl. One of MANE’s standout innovations is their ‘Jungle Essence™’ technology. In some ways similar to ‘headspace’ captures of previously unusable materials in perfumery, these essences are utterly unique and exclusive to MANE. And to see it in action is just MIND BLOWING!Jungle Essence™ is a patented, eco-friendly scent and flavor extraction technology created by the fragrance house MANE. It uses supercritical carbon dioxide (CO₂) to capture the exact, true-to-life aroma of a raw material—whether it is a spice used in men's cologne, a flower, or wood—without using harsh chemical solvents or high heat. You can hear all about the process in a special Patron only extra episode on patreon.com (search for ‘On the Scent podcast’ to find us)Penhaligon’s The Manoeuvres of The BaronessSuzy and Nicola got very excited about this latest character in the Portraits collection (and it’s an orange blossom - one of the notes they regularly swoon over!) Key notesOrange Blossom, Chantilly, Sandalwood‘Collector of secrets and quiet conspiracies, the Baroness has always ruled from the shadows. Orange blossom sparkles with influence next to Chantilly. A whispered order of sandalwood. She doesn’t outrun danger; she outsmarts it.’Jil Sander collectionBoth Suzy & Nicola were hugely impressed by the latest Jil Sander fragrances, and these were Suzy’s two favourites:Lily‘Caught by surprise by an enchanting perfume on a warm Florentine night.Lilies are white, sensual flowers that primarily release their fragrance after sunset.In Jil Sander Lily the aldehydes bring the flower's metallic, blooming facets to life, while the floral power of the CO₂ extracted Jasmine Sambac, the warmth of Benzoin from Vietnam, and the verticality of the upcycled Cypress structure and balance this luscious, radiant fragrance.This new majestic Floral White Flower fragrance magnifies the ephemeral into a lasting form.’Mahogony:‘The supreme energy of a tropical forest captured into a scent.For the depths of its hues where red turns to black, mahogany is one of the most fascinating trees.Jil Sander Mahogany pays homage to this exceptional expression of nature in a fragrance that fuses upcycled Cedarwood with the profound leathery facets of Cypriol from India, the fizzy, spicy notes of CO₂ extracted Ginger, and the aldehydes.A rich and sophisticated Woody Leathery fragrance that raises mahogany to new heights.’Nicola was so impressed by how realistic the Jil Sander Sesame was (though admits she may not be brave enough to wear it yet), while Suzy thought it was cosy and comforting.French Cowboy Mezcal Chocolate (available at Wild Iris)Suzy continues to be wowed by this exciting new niche house, and cannot wait for cooler weather in which to indulge in this one.‘Mezcal Chocolat is fueled by extraordinary raw materials. It hits like a shot of mezcal: it opens with a sparkling Lime Oil, sharpened by Olibanum from Somalia for smoky depth. To push it further, our perfumer added an ultra-rare Rhum extract (as costly as some of perfumery’s finest Iris!).Instead of just a synthetic cacao accord, Mezcal Chocolat goes all in on Cacao Absolute: the most precious form of cocoa, used here in unprecedented amounts. Its creaminess melts into a bed of woods: Virginia Cedarwood, prized for its soft smoky creaminess, and Cypriol Oil from India, adding shadow, depth, and a dark, earthy glow.’Byredo Future MemoriesAnother fascinating take on vanilla, and our hosts both adored the juicy blackcurrant note balance g the sweetness here. ‘Byredo captures the tension between now and next: an invitation to live fully, to choose deliberately, to i
- Aug 20, 202650 min
Season 8, Episode 10: Last of the Summer Scents? + Perfume Prescriptions
We’re hanging on to summer with the fragrance launches discussed, and in what we’re wearing this week, but there is a noticeable change in the weather here in the U.K. There have even been sightings of socks, jackets, cardigans and knee-high boots on the streets! A week ago, such items were unthinkable, but now we’re almost looking forward to the seasons changing again. ALMOST, but not quite yet. Not when there’s a plethora of new perfume discoveries to delve in to (many of which will prove incredibly versatile in cooler weather anyway, we feel). Quite apart from some exquisite new fragrant finds to welcome Nicola back from holiday with, we’ve two more of your utterly brilliant Listener Prescriptions to answer, and an exciting update from Madeline – the musician / vineyard worker / medal-winning fighter we helped find new fragrances for last week! In this week’s episode we discuss: Jo Malone London Sea Salt & Bergamot‘Plunge into the exhilarating surf of the Celtic Sea. Immersed in the wild waters, every wave carries a fresh minerality. Joining a burst of bergamot, driftwood anchors this sea-salt fresh scent. Experience the untamed beauty of the British coast. Top Note: bergamot(Brightens with its sparkling, citrus freshness) Heart Note: sea salt(The crunchy nature of sea salt accord brings both texture and a sense of freshness and purity to the heart of the fragrance) Base Note: driftwood(Suffused with the saltiness of the sea, this accord brings a light woodiness to the fragrance)’ Jo Malone London Iris & White Musk Cologne Intense (recommend to listener in last week’s episode seeking clean / soapy iris fragrances!) Harrods ‘The Iris and White Musk Cologne Intense from Jo Malone London is a light and airy scent that’s perfect for everyday use. It marries powdery iris with creamy white musk, resulting in a distinctive aroma that’s ideal for layering with other fragrances but can also be worn alone.’ Ex Nihilo Demon Dancer (Harrods)‘Ex Nihilo recreates the defiant freedom of dance in motion.Inviting you to move to your own rhythm, Ex Nihilo’s Demon Dancer is a call for ‘unapologetic self-expression’. Inspired by contemporary dance performance, the fragrance ignites an inner fire through energetic fruity notes that flow with freeing freshness and grounded intensity. Top Notes: rhubarb, bergamot, peppermint, blood orangeHeart Notes: orange blossom, blackcurrantBase Notes: georgywood, akigalawood, ambrofix, musks, tonka bean.’ Une Nuit Nomade Sun Bleached ‘Clean Linen Accord • White Flowers • Bergamot •Ambrette AbsoluteMuscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, also known as the White City. The sun drowns the immaculate walls with its rays. It is a bright light that makes eyes squint. Omanis wander the streets, elegantly wearing their dishdashas, a long white tunic decorated with a pom-pom that is delicately dipped in perfume. 'Sun Bleached' is adorned with freshness, in an accord of clean linen, white flowers and a zesty flight of citrus fruits as if biting into a piece of orange, with white musks and sandalwood rounding off its explosiveness.’ Connock London Pelago‘A sun-drenched Mediterranean fragrance with bright citrus and aromatic herbs, evoking the warmth of golden afternoons along sunlit shores. Top Notes: orange, bergamot, lemon, mandarin, grapefruit.Heart Notes: rosemary, neroli, petitgrain.Base Notes: amber, vetiver.’ Roger & Gallet Neroli Solid Perfume ‘Discover your Néroli Wellbeing Fragrant Water in a new solid format to put on the neck, the neckline and the wrists. An alcohol-free perfume merging soflty with the skin. A new way to boost and facet your trail all day long. Enriched with rose essential oil, known for its relaxing benefits, the solid fragrance is a real caress onto the skin. Its rich and unctuous texture with vegetal waxes encapsulates the olfactive notes and keep the trail longer. A small and nomad format with an addictive gesture, to bring everywhere, wherever you are.’ French Cowboy Pear Pavlova‘Almond, Ambrette Seeds, Jasmine, Meringue, Pear, Pink Pepper, Powdery Musk, Vanilla. Ashley Santiago is the youngest perfumer at Givaudan and the co-founder of French Cowboy. California-born with Mexican-Caribbean roots, she honed her craft in Paris, New York & Singapore: blending global flavour with French
- Aug 13, 202634 min
Season 8, Episode 9: Correspondence Special – Finding Your Favourite New Fragrances
We cannot tell you how much we LOVE receiving your questions and requests for‘perfume prescriptions’ (something we’ve always specialised in at On the ScentPodcast – it brings us such joy being able to match people to perfumes they’dperhaps never tried or even heard of). And we get a LOT of DMs@onthescentpodcast on Instagram, and messages on our On the Scent privateFacebook group, so here we are dedicating an episode to do a deep dive on twofascinating fragrant conundrums...Sometimes the prescription requests we get are to help find a ‘replacement’ for abeloved signature scent that’s since been discontinued – to which we say, there’sprobably never going to be an exact match, but we can definitely guide you towardtrying some scents that match the vibe, the feeling that fragrance gave you whenyou wore it, and the way it slotted into your life like a puzzle piece. We also get alot of requests for very specific scenarios, sometimes quite abstract themes orintimate moments our listeners are seeking to scent! But when we think aboutthem more broadly, there’s ways of applying these scenarios (and the things thelistener needs to take from them: strength, motivation, comfort, energy...) toaspects of our own lives.In this correspondence special, we begin with some lovely feedback from a listenerwho made a new discovery via a previous prescription suggestion, then we dive intothe two new requests, which are equally intriguing, and really showcase the kindsof questions we get so many of and adore researching (often for hours!) to find theperfect perfumes for.Let’s begin!Joanna said:‘Dear Suzy and Nicola,I can’t thank you enough for your amazing affordable iris prescriptions! Both soundincredible and I will be definitely be hunting them down, especially Fragonard Bellede Paris!I especially want to thank you for your reviews of the new M&S perfumes. Thatepisode came out shortly before my trip to England from the States, and Iimmediately added M&S to the itinerary! And WOW…Sheer Musk and DarkestVanilla are incredible! M&S perfumes are unavailable in America, so had my tripbeen just a couple of weeks earlier I would have been completely out of luck, as Iwould never have considered exploring M&S as a perfume haven without yourexpert recommendation. I humbly beg you to do full reviews of the rest of theStudio lineup! I feel that the interests of promoting truly exquisite super-affordable,unique fragrances warrant such a podcast focus. Thank you for all you do for thefragrance community!!’Listener prescriptions:Netta asks:‘Hi! I recently discovered your podcast and I’m absolutely loving it. I’ve been bingelistening and enjoying every episode!!I’ve always been obsessed with fragrance and smelling good, so it feels like I’vefinally found my people.I was wondering if you could recommend a perfume that’s similar to thediscontinued Armani Privé Pierre de Lune. I absolutely loved it and have nevermanaged to find anything that captures the same feeling. It had such a clean, soft,almost soapy quality while still feeling fresh and elegant. I’d be so grateful for anyrecommendations! Many thanks in advance, Netta.’Daniela Andrier (well known for her love of iris) created Pierre de Lune, featuringviolet, iris, cassia & woody notes.Suzy suggests:Prada Infusion d’Iris‘This modern and elegant fragrance opens with notes of mandarin, galbanum,orange and orange blossom which lead to the heart composed of iris, cedar andvetiver. The base is composed of incense and benzoin.’Fragonard Belle de ParisAnother stunning iris scent by Daniela Andrier. And only £42 for 100ml eau detoilette! ‘Belle de paris is elegantly cloaked in iris, a symbol of chic, and wears itsincomparable scent. Its fruity head notes of green mandarin, neroli, and pearbrighten a generous heart of iris absolutely adorned with violet and incense. Muskand white cedar form its base.’27 87 Per sē‘Per sē is our scent identity and the olfactive translation of our core belief: There isNo Scent Like the Present. It combines the now. The achromatic, and the individualin a sensory experience.“In creating Per sē, we aimed to capture the very essence of the present moment.This fragrance is unparalleled; it ebbs and flows with the dynamism of change, yetits core remains strikingly constant. Just as time never stops, neither does ‘Per sē’.It serves as evidence of the enduring within the ever-changing.”Crafting a symphony of achromatic elegance, Per sē is composed of a flora
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About On The Scent
On The Scent is the podcast destination for anyone fascinated by fragrance (or keen to learn more) – a place where perfume snobbery is stripped away, and fragrance is accessible to all. What began as a monthly sniff-in on the Outspoken Beauty Podcast soon became so popular in its own right (and with so many listeners sending in questions and asking for more) that On the Scent just had to go weekly - this time on its own perfumed platform! Encompassing everything from icons and all-time classics to what’s new on the high street to the more ‘niche’ indie brands; Beauty broadcaster and columnist Nicola Bonn and award-winning fragrance journalist and expert Suzy Nightingale give personalised perfume prescriptions, describe fragrances in such an intoxicating way you can almost smell them and help navigate the thousands of scents out there to find the truly incredible ones. Also expect interviews with well-known figures, delving into their favourite scents of all time and opportunities to get to know some of the most exciting perfumers in the world. Whether you’ve a collection of 500+ or are just starting on your scent journey, olfactory obsessives Nicola & Suzy are on a mission to find you fragrances that don’t simply smell good, but will re-connect you to long forgotten memories, engage your emotions and very likely blow your mind.
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