All The Fragrances Jenn Loves & Wears
Tommy Girl was my first ever fragrance (if you don’t include Impulse and Charlie body sprays). I was living in America, aged 12, and having the time of my life: hot summers at swim club, first boyfriends, weekends hanging out at shopping malls, school dances, the true American dream. The bright and floral scent isn’t necessarily my style these days but I rediscovered it a few years ago and, surprisingly, still love it. Pretty, clean and uplifting.
My mother has worn Chanel No5 for as long as I can remember. Each year it’s her Christmas present from my dad and despite being frugal with her spritzes (to make it last 365 days) it’s now so synonymous with her for me. She passed the Chanel baton to me when I was 16 via Coco Mademoiselle. In Sixth Form it was ‘my’ scent (my best friends had Gucci Rush, Ghost and Burberry Brit – a list that probably ages me) and I still love it decades later. I don’t wear it daily but it’s perfect when I’m feeling nostalgic, especially the hair perfume version. I find it lingers longer than the original.
There’s a stigma around vanilla fragrances. Lots of people think they can be very sweet and unsophisticated, but the ones I love are of the smoky, nutty, grown-up variety. I –would say they’re gourmand adjacent – think dark bourbon and spicy tones rather than sickly sweet cake. Diptyque’s Eau Duelle is so unique (I can identify it immediately on other people) combining a hit of vanilla with notes of bitter black tea. Alternatively, Celine’s Black Tie has incorporated hints of musk and cedar for a more masculine take.
On my wedding day I decided to wear something new rather than an old favourite – something I could always pinpoint to that day. I avoided the temptation to go girly and feminine (rose or jasmine, for example) and instead booked in for a consultation at Jo Malone London to run through the brand’s many options. I settled on a mix of Myrrh & Tonka and Mimosa & Cardamom, which resulted in a warm, sweet, smooth, smoky, creamy finish. Seven years later, I still have the original bottles and wear a spritz of each on our anniversary.
There are a few fragrances that I like to steal from my husband. The argument over whether all scents are unisex is ongoing but some of his are really masculine. Aesop’s Aurner and Le Labo’s Thé Matcha are worn by both of us.
I don’t believe in changing fragrances with the seasons – I choose mine daily depending on my mood, plans or outfit. Sometimes I even find a ‘summery’ scent can pull you out of a funk in the depths of winter. That said, there are some summer classics: Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc is like a posh sun cream in the best possible way. Dior’s Eden-Roc is a left-field choice for me as it’s all mineral, citrus and salt but I love it – it’s incredibly fresh and aquatic, like sea air.
There are certain scents I find always turn heads, no matter how frugal the spritz. Matiere Premiere’s Vanilla Powder is one – so sophisticated and a bit sexy, with just the right amount of sweetness. Le Labo’s Thé Noir 29, which is perhaps more often worn by men, is strong, unique, and has amazing silage (the ability to fill the air) and longevity.
I always have a candle burning at home, whatever the season. Experts say it’s a waste of time and money to do that as you’ll lose the notes but I believe it looks nice and the scents are even better. Plus, I find lots of candles just don’t project sufficiently on their own. Loewe’s, however, are brilliant and I love the singular notes they’re based on, like pistachio, liquorice or my favourite – Tomato Leaf. They are so chic too.
I’m not such a big fan of diffusers as I feel that I go a bit nose blind to them. They work better if it’s a small space with the door closed. One exception is by Bamford, specifically in the Candied Orange scent. It’s wonderfully strong, and the scent is like a sexy Italian man (I imagine).
I’m very aware that fragrances have become prohibitively expensive. Most I’ve written about here are in the range of £150. And sadly, in many cases, you do get what you pay for – finer ingredients, a longer-lasting finish. But there are exceptions to the rule. Marks & Spencer is really leading the affordable charge. Its Discover range – £12 for an EDT, £16 for EDP – is incredible. You also can’t beat Caudalie’s Soleil de Vignes body oil. There used to be a body fragrance version which seems to have been discontinued but I’d argue this is better. Finally, the classic Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess is always in my rotation. Like the Caudalie scent, it’s like a holiday in a bottle – warm, coconut-y and feminine.
I admire people who are decisive enough to have a signature scent but that could never be me. I’m lucky that so many land on my desk: new brands, new notes, innovative ideas – and thus my collection is ever-growing. More recent additions include a few Dries Van Noten fragrances – Santal Greenery being a favourite – that are housed in the most beautiful bottles, D.S & Durga’s Jazmin Yucatan (which launched in 2020 but only came to my attention this year) and Mineral Milk by Dedcool, which was released this spring.
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