There’s no getting away from it – good perfume is expensive. It’s simply because of the raw materials: oils from plants and flowers can be extortionate, especially if they are rare or highly sought after. The other thing that makes fragrances more pricey is the way in which they are made. Perfumes are created in layers – made up of top notes, heart (middle) notes and base notes to give a scent more depth, but this is more costly because blending ingredients seamlessly takes expertise and time. All of which means more money. But here’s the thing: pricier, well-made perfumes last much longer, both on your skin and in the bottle, because you don’t need to use much. Undeniably, there are some nice-smelling scents that are much cheaper, however these tend to be more diluted, created with less precious ingredients (usually more alcohol than actual perfume) and you can guarantee that the scent will not last long. Many cheaper scents not only dissipate very quickly, they can also leave a strange, artificial “dry down” (think of it like an aftertaste) that bears absolutely no resemblance to the original scent. So when you do the maths, cost per wear, a pricier scent makes more financial sense. Still, it is expensive. One for the Christmas list…
1. Aerin Rose de Grasse Joyful Bloom £150, esteelauder.co.uk. The newest addition to Aerin’s sublime Rose collection
2. Guerlain Shalimar Millesime Tonka £90, selfridges.com. An ode to the glorious tonka bean
3. Hermès Violet Volynka £197, hermes.com. A heady scent that juxtaposes violets with soft leather
4. Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Forever £68, jimmychoo.com. A blend of black cherry liquor, jasmine and vetiver
5. Prada Paradoxe £59, boots.com. Neroli paired beautifully with jasmine
6. Bulgari Allegra Baciami Eau de Parfum £200, bulgari.com. Amber meets gardenia in this romantic scent
7. Ruth Mastenbrook Firedance £70, ruthmastenbroek.com. A smoky blend of apple, damask rose and patchouli
8. Vyrao The Sixth £165, vyrao.com. Uses ingredients to promote mindfulness
9. Loewe Earth £89, perfumesloewe.com. Truffle, mimosa, violet and pear, unusual but exquisite
10. Jo Malone London, White Moss & Snow Drop Cologne £115, jomalone.co.uk. A festive combination of moss, amber and cardamom
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