Autumn evokes scents of vanilla, woods, amber, and spice, and this season, hints of fruit are joining the parfumerie mix . Here are our picks for fall 2011—some are new to market, some have been awhile for quite some time. All have “scentsational” power.
Best for Her
From the fashion house of Valentino comes Valentina. New to market this fall, this fragrance was inspired by Italian flavors and features fresh floral, fruity and oriental notes. The diverse variety of scents results in a rebellious, sensual and strong—yet elegant—perfume. It starts off with Bergamot from Calabria and white truffles from Alba that were infused withAmalfi orange blossoms, sweet jasmine, tuberose and wild strawberries, which make up Valentina’s heart, which rests on a base of amber, cedar and vanilla.
Beyonce’s new fragrance, Pulse is a citrus-based floral fragrance that pays homage to the superstar’s favorite flower: the orchid. Pear blossom and frozen bergamot make up the top notes, and the heart of the fragrance is Bluebird orchid—this is the first time the flower is being used in a scent. Notes of peony and intensive midnight blooming jasmine add a delicate balance to the base, which is warm and sensual, featuring Madagascar vanilla, musk and precious woods.
Recently launched, Chloé Eau Intense features an oriental floral composition and powdery notes. A more concentrated version of Love Chloé, this fragrance blends dense and downy powder with peru balsam and features a slightly sweet, animal and resinous scent, along with vanilla absolute, which was chosen for its roundness and leathery effects. Hints of vanilla and amber make this a wonderful scent for autumn months.
Guerlain’s Idllye Eau Sublime, which follows Idylle Duet—a limited edition fragrance that flanked the designer’s 2009 launch of Idllye and featured rose and patchouli— is the continuation of the rose’s story. This time, the focus is on rose and water, with accords of chypr, jasmine, lychee, musk, peach, patchouli and musk added to create a refined fragrance that further explores the fruity and floral aspects of the original cheerful and very wearable Idylle.
Lancôme’s Tresor has always been known as a romantic and sensual scent. Tresor Midnight Rose, which launched in September, plays up the essence of the original with notes including cedar, jasmine, peony, pink pepper, raspberry, rose and vanilla. Either of these fragrances capture the essence of dark and mysterious October nights.
Jil Sander’s Eve, which also recently launched, is all about sensuality and clean lines, featuring subtle blends of delicate fruits and flowers. Veiled in chypre to give just enough of a musky weight for the fall, Eve is sophisticated and feminine with hints of grapefruit and blackcurrant as its top notes. Arabian jasmine, wild rose and violet comprise the heart of this fragrance, which also features cashmere accords and Indonesian patchouli at its base.
Best For Him
Hugo Boss’ Just Different has a freshness and signature frozen mint accord. The heart notes are light and fruity, complimented by freesia, basil and coriander. The base notes of patchouli, cashmeran, oilbanum and labdanum create a smooth, rich dry-down with a soft warmth that is perfect for autumn days.
L’Occitane’s Eau des Beax is a sensual, exotic and mysterious blend of cypress and incense. Its masculine woodsy undertones are complimented by hints of a dry, sweet vanilla, which despite what one may think, is not feminine in scent at all. It is not overpowering and has got great staying power, lasting 10-plus hours following application.
Referred to as the “final chapter in the Dior Homme fragrance trilogy,” Dior Homme Intense is a sophisticated, sensual and intense eau de parfum for night. Hibiscus seed, Virigina cedar and vetiver embellish subtle musky accents, resulting in a precious woodsy sent that is masculine and refined.
Dab on Lalique’s Encre Noir for your black-tie affairs. Featuring a dark and spicy, yet seemingly simple and elegant presence, it features middle notes of Haitan vetiver, Vetiver Bourbon, and cypress woods and base notes of musk and cashmere wood.
Try L’Instant de Guerlain Extreme, an eau de parfume with all-day strength. Notes of patchouli, cedar, and dry cocoa are married with bergamot, mandarin, jasmine, magnolia, iris, ylang-ylang, musk, amber, benzoin and vanilla for a fragrance that one can not resist leaning in to sniff.
If you’re looking for an elegant and sophisticated fragrance, A*Men Pure Malt may be for you. Created to honor traditional Scottish whiskey, it is known for its smoky, woodsy and spicy aromas.
Dior’s Fahrenheit is still a favorite, more than 10 years after its launch. Instantly recognizable and now a classic, this cologne is warm, spicy, and sensual with a woodsy undertone. Some say it mimics the scent of gasoline, leather and grass. Undeniably bold, this scent is unique and a best pick for those men who wish to set themselves apart.
Best For Him & Her
Giorgio Armani’s Emporio Armani Diamonds Black Carat for Him is woodsy and spicy. Recently launched, the fragrance features bergamot, cocoa bean, Szechuan pepper and vetiver. Armani also launched a version for women, aptly named Emporio Armani Diamonds Black Carat for Her. The fragrance is a fruity floriental blend featuring vanilla, freesia, rose and benzoin.
Bulgari’s Black is a bold and unique unisex scent. Urban in spirit, vibrant and evocative, it combines fragrances of burnt rubber, tea and vanilla. The result is sophisticated, sensual and intriguing.
Calvin Klein’s CK Shock is a best pick for both men and women this season. The her version features sweet floral tones embodied with vanilla, blackberry and passion flower whereas the version for him is spicy, with oriental flair, and base notes of tobacco, black pepper and musk.
