I’ve been working to build up my perfume collection over the last year because I love the idea of matching the perfume I wear to my mood and the feeling I want to take with me throughout the day. Scent plays an important role in our memories and can transport us to a particular time, place, or feeling. I’ve been paying more attention to how I set the tone for my day and create memories through the scent I wear.
My general approach to building a collection has been to focus on finding scents that work year-round so I can get the most use from them. That said, I think it’s important to have a few options that are specific to the season and feel special when you wear them. Maybe it’s a specific scent for the holidays or date nights. Whatever the season or reason, it’s good to have options.
This winter I’ve found myself gravitating to three perfumes. Here are three of my current favorite perfumes for winter.
J’adore Eau de Parfum by Dior
This isn’t a scent that gets talked about very often but it was the first perfume I ever liked enough to buy for myself and remains a favorite many years on. While it is a floral scent, it doesn’t have the bright, fresh notes you associate with spring. J’adore has deeper, warm tones that, I think, work well most of the year.
I’ve been reaching for this when the heavier smells of spice, leather, or tobacco don’t capture my mood. I tend to wear this when I feel more traditionally feminine. it also happens to be my boyfriend’s favorite scent and I often wear it when I’m going to see him.
Scent Profile
Ylang-Ylang, Damascus rose, Jasmine
Gentle Fluidity Gold Eau de Parfum by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
When I decided to get more into fragrances, finding a long-lasting, vanilla scent was my top priority. I appreciate that the vanilla tones in Gentle Fluidity Gold are spicier because I don’t like extremely sweet vanilla scents that smell like something from Yankee Candle Co.
I also appreciate how long this scent lasts on my skin. It’s strong enough to last all day with just two or three sprays. I have not experimented much with layering scents, but I think this would be a great scent to put on in the morning and layer another scent over in the evening.
Generally, I think this fragrance is great for year-round use. While it is a warmer scent, there is freshness and some sweetness to it that would make it a nice evening scent in the warmer months.
Scent Profile
Juniper Berries, Nutmeg, Coriander, Musks, Amber Wood, Vanilla
Whiskey 1969 by Thin Wild Mercury
TWM is a brand you probably have not heard of. It’s an LA-based company with a vintage Rock n’ Roll aesthetic. My sister found them through TikTok about three years ago and sent me a sample set of their L.A collection as a gift. I didn’t know much about perfumes at that point and wasn’t very interested. This past fall I came across the sample of Whiskey 1969 and was immediately obsessed.
This is a smokey scent that lingers for a long, long time. I don’t think it will be everyone’s favorite but I am a campfire enthusiast and when I smell this on my skin and sweater throughout the day, I am instantly in front of a warm fire and surrounded by a cozy feeling of contentment.
Scent Profile
Pink Pepper, Cardamom, Raspberry, Nutmeg, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood, Bourbon Amber
If you look at all of the scent profiles you’ll notice some commonalities; Ylang-Ylang, nutmeg, and amber are clearly scents I gravitate to. It’s amazing how the same scents can be mixed and portioned to create such different perfumes.
I’d love to know what fragrances you are loving this winter. What specific scents pull you in, and what feelings do they evoke in you?
Thanks for reading!
Rainy Day Rags 