You might be an avid fan of citrus or aquatic scents year round but the best perfume in winter is neither of those zesty or refreshing fragrances.
When you consider the colder months, it's mostly woollens, jumpers and puffer coat season that we wear and, in a sense, our perfume wardrobe needs to reflect that.
Seeing as how we are mostly covered up for winter, it means our favourite scent will take a backseat to what we are wearing, but it doesn't necessarily have to, according to a perfume expert.
To understand more about wearing the best perfume in winter we spoke with Iember Gordon of The Fragrance Shop to find out what we should be doing to make sure we smell as good as we do the rest of the year.
Intensity, Application & Layering
Iember says there are three things we need fi think about when it comes to the best perfume in winter to wear. She says 'Light, barely-there clothing isn’t appropriate in winter and the same goes for your fragrance; you need a healthy roster of scents to suit the season. Provided you store your fragrances correctly (away from heat and direct sunlight), there is no reason why you can’t bring your winter favourite out each year when it begins to get cooler.'
As for application, your usual method of wrists and below your ears may not be sufficient. Iember says 'In the cooler months we tend to cover up more and skin doesn’t heat up as much, so don’t be surprised if your usual scent feels a little muted.'
'Start with fragrances you already wear and look at the intense or EDP versions, which have a stronger concentration,' she adds. 'You’ll find in winter the extra intensity will help the fragrance diffuse through layers of clothes, without the extra help from warm skin.'
Location & Layering
Be clever with your fragrance distribution Iember suggests, saying 'Don’t just spray on the usual hot spots and expect to get the same results. Longer sleeves and higher necklines will cover the scent applied to wrists and neck so instead, add a fragrance dimension to your clothing.'
She recommends a quick spritz on your clothes to make your fragrance more prominent 'Apply a mist to the cuffs of your winter coat sleeves, for example, enlivening the fragrance and allowing you to revisit it as you peel away your layers when stepping indoors,' she says.
'Just like you would layer your clothes during winter, try layering your perfume,' she explains. 'Applying your perfume in layers is just one way to get the most out of your scent. Look out for body cleansers and moisturisers that match your favourite perfume. Then it’s just a matter of incorporating them into your normal daily routine.'
Best Perfume In Winter?
So, what is the best perfume in winter to wear, what notes or accords should we be embracing until spring comes around?
Iember says 'If you think of how our fashion tastes change in winter (darker or deeper colours, richer textures) so do our fragrance taste. Personal preference plays a big part in what will define a winter fragrance, but there are certain notes that create a sense of warmth and comfort.'
'Spices, ambers, woods and gourmand notes such as Vanilla, Praline, Caramel and Chocolate all seem to make us feel warmer. Winter is all about warmth - the fragrances are generally rich and sensual and are defined by their heavier base notes,' she explains. 'Look for exotic spices and bold scents that enliven you and create a feeling of sensuality when the weather is bleak.' Something exotic and bold sounds like it would take the edge off the January blues, that's for sure.
