Warm Up Your Winter With These Toasty Scents
June 4 | 6 minute read
Words by Danielle Gay
As the temperature drops, scents turn bolder and richer, while the winter air calls for a shift in how to wear and apply these more intense concoctions. To mark the season, we’ve curated an edit of the best winter fragrances to add to your rotation.
Wrap yourself in these cosy scents – fireplace, optional!
What Makes a Fragrance a Winter Scent?
Rest assured, there’s no need to completely change your fragrance wardrobe come winter – a little layering goes a long way. Lovers of floral scents can simply trade in lighter top notes for warm accords like amber or musk, while those who wear citrus should look to ground brighter compositions with spice for a winter-ready aroma. If you usually gravitate towards skin-forward scents, reach for creamy gourmands or smoulder with a smoky base.
And if you love gourmands? It’s your time to shine! The science says their dense, resinous bases perform better in the cold – trade your tropical favourites for rich, edible notes like vanilla, tonka, praline or caramel, and prepare for them to last even longer.
How to Wear Perfume in Winter
The bad news? Cold air compresses scent molecules, meaning fragrances don’t project as far during the winter months. In other words: alongside opting for stronger base notes, your application method needs a rethink. Winter dressing reveals less skin, so concentrate on applying perfume to the pulse points that remain exposed, like the neck and wrists.
Before heading out the door, put your winter wardrobe to work by spraying perfume directly on wool coats or knitted scarves – this will trap and carry the scent. Finish with an extra spritz on beanies, headbands, hoods or head coverings.
Pro tip: make layering your priority. Invest in fragranced body lotions, hair mists or all-over scented oils to deepen the scent profile and prolong the wear of your new winter aroma.
