Choosing Your Signature Scent: A Guide

There’s no adventure quite like finding a new signature scent. Deep and woody, light and fresh, flirty and floral or deep and oriental, there’s a perfume to suit everyone. Whether it’s eau de toilette or eau de parfum, light or heady, find the olfactory family that will capture you down to a T.

FRESH

Light, airy, invigorating

Fresh fragrances usually have two scent families in common: citrus and aromatic. Boasting tangy, tonic notes that make us think of our favourite summertime cocktails, each has a lighter feel. For daytime scents, perfumers may stop there, but sweet, spicy and woody notes are often added to create a depth that lasts. Appealing to those full of life, sparkling with spirit and always moving with energy, we choose fresh fragrances for the vibrant, attentive and reassuring people in our lives.

The scene

Lunching under a Mediterranean lemon tree

Fragrance notes

Think citrus notes like bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, tangerine and orange, with fragrant herbs like mint, rosemary and lavender. Aquatic and marine accords are the latest to add depth to fresh fragrances.

When to wear

Ideal for light spring and summer days, which melt and settle perfectly into balmy evenings. A popular scent family in men’s aftershave and more feminine fragrances alike, we spritz fresh scents on in the morning to keep mood and senses revived all day long.

FLORAL

Spring-like, powdery, intoxicating

One of the most popular types of fragrances - and usually a must in any women’s perfume gift set. With so many flowers to choose from, perfumers rarely struggle to create inspired and iconic scents. Whether it’s a soliflore (a scent based on one flower, like rose), or a fragrance that uses a whole bunch of florals, each is naturally elegant in all the right ways. We love floral scents for those who are determined and gentle, who want to make maximum impact in the most subtle - but memorable - of ways.

The scene

Passing by a rosebush on a morning countryside walk

Fragrance notes

Classic flowers like rose, peony, jasmine, magnolia, iris and lily of the valley, or more unique florals like frangipani, neroli, orange blossom, ylang ylang and violet.

When to wear

Every occasion is the right time to wear a floral scent. With lighter, delicate notes, floral perfume is perfect for during the day, but we also go for headier, more sensual ones for evenings out, in - wherever you like.

AMBER

Vanilla, spicy, warm

Known for the most surprising perfumes, amber scents have it all. Exotic and spicy, each one is never cold, but always warm - and always generous. Pairing beautifully with floral and woody notes, they stand out for their originality and never fail to make their mark. Each blend is seductive at its heart, tempting mostly to those who love to turn heads and breathe life into every party. The loyal friend who loves with a fierceness that can’t be matched.

The scene

Exploring a spice market

Fragrance notes

Deeper notes like amber, patchouli, vanilla and tonka bean make an appearance in most of these scents, while some have touches of leather, coffee tobacco and even Oud.

When to wear

Scents to make heads turn, oriental perfume is our go-to for autumn and winter evenings. Sensual, spicy and a great pick for all genders - our confidence booster in a bottle.

WOODY

Vegetal, authentic, sensual

Back to basics - but never in a bad way. Reminding us of earth and nature, woody fragrances put plants in power. With dry but warm, sensual and textured notes, they’re sophisticated and authentic all in one. A newcomer to fragrance families, but one that makes us think of times gone by, woody scents are a perfect match for the charming and reliable in our lives. The ones who love forest walks and endless adventures.

The scene

A walk in the forest, just after rainfall

Fragrance notes

The clue is in the name with these notes: cedar, sandalwood, Oud, vetiver and moss lend an earthy element to any woody scent.

When to wear

Woody perfume or cologne can be worn any time of the year, but we love wearing ours most in autumn. During crisp days out walking in nature or sitting beside fireplaces in cosy pubs - they ground and centre us, making them the perfect fragrance chameleon.