Fall Fragrances

While I don’t completely overhaul everything in my beauty arsenal each season, I do like to make small changes here and there. Heavier moisturizer (currently testing this), more face oils (love this one), darker/bolder lips (this in Blood Roses will forever be a classic) and warmer, spicier and richer fragrances. I did just do a fragrance collection video (see that here), but I was still testing these so I chose not to include. And shortly after I shot the pictures for this post, I had a few more fragrances arrive that I have been testing and love them all so I will be sharing those soon. Here are three that will definitely be in rotation this coming fall and winter season:

1. Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille – In the summer I was wearing this one from Laura Mercier, but this Ambre Vanille is exactly what fall should smell like. I love vanilla based fragrances, but they can either be warm and inviting or sickeningly sweet. Thankfully, this one falls in the former category mixing notes of amber and vanilla with tangerine, coconut, almond and sandalwood. The sweetness is balanced nicely with a touch of citrus and woodsy notes. I have always been a fan of Laura Mercier’s makeup line, but her fragrances never made it onto my radar. Welp, that won’t ever be the case again – these are too good to overlook!

2. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Feminin Pluriel – I am already a HUGE fan of Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s delicate floral scent A la Rose and have recently been wearing Aqua Vitae Forte which is crisp and fresh, so it was nice to try something from the opposite end of the spectrum. While the Feminin Pluriel still has strong notes of iris, violet and jasmine, the vetiver and patchouli create a much deeper finish to this bold floral. A little goes a long way, so I only need one spray to last me all day long.

3. Jimmy Choo Illicit – I was having a spa date with a friend that works in PR and she gave me a bag of goodies to try from brands that she represents as I was leaving. Now let me be perfectly honest, I get very nervous when brands, publicists or even friends give me fragrances without me having any knowledge of what they smell like. I am VERY fussy when it comes to fragrance and sadly I have been in situations where I try something at an event or from a friend and am politely trying not to gag because I hate it so much. I pulled this out of the bag, crossed my fingers in my head and hoped I would like it. (Now of course she would understand if I didn’t – but I always hate having to be the bearer of bad news LOL) I put the bottle up to my nose and immediately remarked “I LOVE THIS!” and meant it. Ha! In fact, I wore it every day for a week straight after receiving it and it’s still on rotation at least once a week. It’s a spicy oriental with notes of ginger, rose, jasmine and honey-amber. While it ultimately feels like a fall/winter fragrance to me, it is light enough to wear in the spring/summer. Highly recommend giving this a try for a new fall scent!

Last fall and winter, I was all about my Nest Fragrances in Midnight Fleur and White Sandalwood (seriously, they are amazing). But since both are almost empty I figured it was time to branch out and put a few new fragrances in rotation. One is an old scent that I used years and years ago and rediscovered, while the other two are completely new to me. Here’s the fragrances I will be wearing this fall:

1. Tocca Beauty Margaux – I was instantly drawn to this fragrance as soon as I smelled it. Once I reviewed the notes, I knew exactly what drew me in – vanilla. I am a sucker for vanilla based fragrances, and the base notes of this are vanilla and  musk. There is still a hint of floral notes with amber, gardenia and violet so I don’t completely smell like a holiday candle, and it balances out the fragrance so nicely. This is definitely a more subtle scent for me and is enjoyable to wear either day or night.

2. Atelier Cologne Santal Carmin – Just by the look of the bottle, I knew I was in for a serious scent. This fragrance is bold, warm and absolutely intoxicating. From the first moment I sprayed it on my wrist, I could not stop smelling my arm for the rest of the night. The sandalwood and saffron really lured me in since they are two of my favorite notes, and the hint of dulce de leche was the perfect complement. At an 18% concentration, this is by far one of the longest lasting fragrances I’ve worn in awhile, yet it stays consistent the entire time while on my skin. It never loses that initial richness and depth that a fragrance has when first applied, and still smells amazing 8-10 hours later. A total splurge but worth every penny.

3. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir – Pomegranate Noir was the fragrance I discussed earlier that I used many years ago and recently discovered once again. This scent is not for the faint of heart as it is by far one of the most unique fragrances I have ever experienced, but that is what makes it one of my favorites. Its sweet notes of raspberry and plum are juxtaposed with stronger woodsier scents such as patchouli and frankincense making a second sniff always necessary. No one ever picks up this scent and smells it once – it’s just too different and unexpected to not go back for another sniff. Every single time I wear this fragrance I get compliments but it wears very differently than it initially smells in the bottle. But isn’t that the beauty of fragrance? It doesn’t reach its full potential until it gets onto the skin and mixes with the body’s chemistry.  

*pr samples included

What fragrances are you wearing this fall? I’d love to hear your recommendations!