Sapna Shares Her Favourite Fragrances
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My parents both had pretty incredible fragrance collections. My dad travelled a lot for work and always brought back fragrances and colognes from around the world, both for himself and my mum – which naturally I borrowed. That’s where my obsession began.
One of the first fragrances I remember wearing was my mum’s Issey Miyake perfume. It was clean, fresh, not overly sweet and lasted forever. I still have a bottle now, which I never wear, but I will sometimes spritz it around the room to remember her. It has a layer of rainy notes to it, adding to its soft but not overly feminine freshness.
I’m drawn to a mix of scents. Anyone who knows me knows I’m guilty of layering at least three fragrances together every day. I love creating balance between something woody or musky and something fresh or slightly more feminine. That’s probably the reason Victoria Beckham’s San Ysidro Drive is my current favourite. With a soothing blend of saffron, rose and amber, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever worn and it’s the fragrance that earns me the most compliments.
My most recent fragrance empty is Jo Malone’s Lime Basil & Mandarin. I’ve repurchased it for years and have just finished another bottle. It’s a layering scent, so I’ll often put it on to balance out heavier, muskier notes and lean into that shower-fresh, rain-like quality that I love. My best friend's mum introduced me to Jo Malone when we were young – she wore Pomegranate Noir. Because the brand’s scents are unisex, it’s one my dad has ended up using too, so it also has some sentimental value.
I love discovering small fragrance brands. Paris is a great place for finding new scents – I picked up Anatomie Paris’s Musc Infidèle the last time I was there. I’ve also discovered the British brand Urina’s Children at Goodhood and I’m obsessed – its Queer Magic is one of my favourite scents.
Chanel’s fragrances are all classics. Perhaps it’s a cliché, but I have always been such a Chanel Mademoiselle girl. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn't come cheap – but it's one of those fragrances I’d beg for as a Christmas present then make it last for years. While it’s a little more feminine than what I tend to go for now, it’s a scent I’ll always recognise if someone walks past wearing it.
A scent can really personify someone. My best friends have great taste in fragrance and both of their signature scents are spot on. Both are from Diptyque – one is Do Son, which is always a popular choice. It’s a bright, energetic, fresh white floral fragrance with a twist. The other is 34 Boulevard Saint-Germain. It’s earthy and clean but with some warm, spicy notes.
Diptyque's Ilio is my go-to holiday scent. It evokes the sense of a sandy beach, sun cream and a fresh citrus breeze. Elsewhere, Vilhelm Parfumerie’s Basilico & Fellini has a really herby, minty, peppery edge that I love for summer nights. Finally, Fragonard’s affordable range is one I’ll always snap up in duty free. I actually love buying a new scent for holiday – whenever I smell it, it takes me back to that time and place.
In the winter, I opt for something a little warmer and sweeter. This is often when I’ll look at Ffern’s latest drop. This past season, I was layering Chloé’s Cedrus with Byredo’s Super Cedar or Le Labo’s Santal 33.
When I want to feel strong or powerful, I often go for a cologne. I’m a die-hard Acqua di Parma fan and I also love anything from Maison Francis Kurkdjian. All of his fragrances just feel extra luxe – my favourite is Gentle Fluidity Silver.
A good fragrance completes my look. I like seeing the two go hand in hand. For example, I could be wearing a simple outfit but elevate it with a rich and fun scent. Or lounging at home in PJs can be made into something even more comforting with a spritz of the right fragrance.
Liberty’s LBTY range is one people have been sleeping on. I’m a fan specifically of LBTY Maze and Zephirine. Beautifully crafted, the collection is genuinely unique – and the scents are really long lasting.
It’s a splurge but the Celine fragrance range is another of my favourites. ZouZou and Parade are my top picks – the perfect scents for cool girls.
For something a little more affordable, my go-to has always been the Maison Margiela Replica range. When The Rain Stops is one I return to a lot – it has an almost cotton-fresh feel that doesn't remind you of washing-up liquid. Lazy Sunday Morning and Beach Walk are also favourites.
If I could make my own scent, it would be a mixture of fresh-out-of-the-shower skin – think Portrait Of A Lady by Frédéric Malle – with a grassy undertone, and something deeper and muskier like neroli or cedar.
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