After the Fall : Autumn Fragrances

The weather is finally cold enough to be called fall without my resorting to irony. As such its high time to switch the summer fresh scent staples and head into deeper, darker, sexier perfume territory. All those heavy decadent scents that were too pronounced back in summer are just perfect for fall. Now is not the time for a whisper of lemon zest and a hint of lily - fall is when we have free reign to break out the tuberose and go wild so we might as well enjoy it. As such here are six perfume winners, tried and tested - no hyped up scents that fail to make the grade, no ridiculous celebrity perfumes (why would anyone even want to smell like Britney Spears at this point) , just six incredible warm, heady, sensual scents you should try right now.



Les Nuits d'Hadrien

Notes : Green Mandarin, tangerine, bergamot, Sicilian lemon, ylang-ylang, cumin, sandalwood, white musk, amber, vanilla

Everyone knows that Eau de Hadrien is pretty much summer in a bottle. Its the kind of bright, sunny citrus that you want to just bathe in the moment the temperature hits past 75. Nuits d'Hadrien takes that essence and deepens into something great for all year round. You still get that initial burst of rich lemon but its surrounded by spicy woody notes that are intoxicating. Best of all its always stays fresh and clean - a great bonus for anyone looking to change their scent for the season without getting into anything too intense.

Premier Figuier
Notes : Fig, fig leaf, milk of almond, sandalwood and coconut

Delicious. Absolutely and completely delicious. You'll be licking at your wrist it smells that good and while that prospect might not seem particularly enticing something has to be said about a sweet and infinitely addictive fig scent. There is something about this perfume that is completely quirky - if you want a break from the usual florals or zesty citrus blends Premier Figuier is delightful. And for an even more intense experience try the Extreme version.

Gucci by Gucci

Notes : Guava, raspberry, pear, Tahitian Tiare flower, orange blossom, spider lily, patchouli, honey and musk

Anyone who knows me knows that I've had my issues with Gucci since Tom Ford left. Sorry Frida, I just can't get excited about the clothes anymore but that doesn't stop me from enjoying the latest scent to the fullest. A smoky mix of patchouli, amber and enough fruit to make a smoothie that dries down into something musky and close to the skin. Gorgeous enough to make me forget all about the horror of those plaid pants they showed for fall. If anything this veers back to the houses 1970s disco roots - there is something very Studio 54 about the whole deal from the scent itself to the print ads and even the bottle its all just decadent.

Serge Lutens Un Bois de Vanille

Notes : Vanilla, Bitter Almond, Musk, Licorice, Sandalwood, Coconut Milk

Do you know that feeling of curling up by a fireside with a warm cup of tea on the coldest day of the year? This is that feeling in a bottle. Warm vanilla spice mingled with a creamy caramelized sugar and sandalwood. There is something comforting about it but at the same time its just a little dangerous. You can smell the hint of smoke that keeps this from being just another milk and cookies vanilla scent.


Narciso Rodriguez for Her

Notes: Honey Flower, Solar Musk, Orange Blossom, Osmanthus, Amberlyn, Vanilla, Tactile Musk, Tactile Woods, Vetiver.

Musk is one of those love it or hate it things. There's something animalistic about it that either you respond to or your don't. Personally I can't get enough of it but I know its not for everyone. Thankfully Narciso Rodriguez for her exists - a musk thats just dirty enough for the bad girls but still clean enough that you can pair it with pearls and a twinset without resorting to irony. Plus there is more than a fair amount of amber in the mix - a complete fall fragrance standby.


Carnal Flower

Notes: Bergamot, Melon, Eucalyptus, Ylang Ylang, Salycilates, Jasmine, Tuberose absolute, Orange Blossom absolute Coconut,White Musks

Alright. Here's where we separate the girls from the women. Carnal Flower is not for the faint of heart - its deep, entrancing and completely sexy. The words strong and powerful come to mind when I think of this. A blast of tuberose completely anthethetical to any you've had before. This isn't Fracas 2.0, its something new. A green freshly picked tuberose mixed with jasmine that dries down to a deep dark musk. Intoxicating and so luxurious. Its rare to find something that combines green and warm so expertly but this does.

What will you ladies be wearing this fall in the fragrance department? I've got my Carnal Flower right here but the new Tom Ford Black Orchid Voile de Fleur is also high on my list this time around.