New season new scent is what we say so if you’re on the lookout for a new signature scent, one of these may be for you.
As cosy weather approaches and the nights draw in, spritzing on your favourite summer fragrance isn’t quite the right vibe anymore. It’s time to pack away the zingy, fresh citrus notes in favour of comforting vanilla, sexy leather and warming tobacco. In short: you’re looking for a warm hug, covered in cashmere, by a crackling fire with hot chocolate on its way, in a bottle. And we’re pretty sure we’ve found just that a few times over. Read on to discover the best new perfumes for autumn 2022.
The celebrity adored autumn perfume: Phlur Missing Person EDP, £96 for 50ml
Whilst this is not a brand new fragrance, it launched in the US last year, it is now coming to UK shores and is a great option for autumn. It is already adored by celebs such as Miranda Kerr and Mollie Sims and is meant to evoke the memory of the scent of your lover on your skin. And whilst we’re not 100 per cent sold on that there is something exceptionally comforting about it. It’s a little bit musky, a little bit fruity, very sensual and gorgeously put together.
The best unisex autumn perfume: Dries Van Noten Orange Smoke Cologne EDT, £150 for 200ml
If ever there was the perfect, descriptive name for a fragrance, then this is probably it as it sums up exactly how it smells. There is enough citrus and zest from the orange to stop the smoky notes from becoming too much like you’re wearing a bonfire, but when married together they make a very sexy and seductive combination. As is becoming more and more customary now with fragrance, the bottle is refillable if you want to keep on wearing the scent (and we think you will) or completely recyclable if you’ve had enough.
The ‘meta’ autumn perfume: Paco Rabanne Fame EDP, £86 for 50ml
With a bottle that’s shaped like a female robot - wearing Paco Rabanne signature chainmail design - and that has a lid that can connect to your phone to help you further ‘explore’ the scent, this is just the beginning of how fragrance and technology are going to become interlinked. The juice inside is gorgeous. A mix of spicy incense with creamy vanilla that works day and night. It also contains a renewable, biodegradable molecule called Dreamwood that is similar to sandalwood to give it extra depth. Yes, the fragrance as a whole is slightly gimmicky and won’t be for everyone but if you have a young adult in your life that’s looking for a new autumn perfume or you need to gift, then this will speak to them like no other on the market.
The surprising autumn perfume: Gucci Flora Gorgeous Jasmine EDP, £55 for 30ml
Whilst you may associate jasmine with heady summer nights, here it has been cleverly teamed with sandalwood and benzoin (which smells like a very warming vanilla) to give it a slightly darker, more seductive feel. And we know we shouldn’t judge a fragrance by it’s bottle, but when it looks this cool then it’s really hard not to.
The spicy autumn perfume: YSL Libre Le Parfum, £62 for 30ml
Meet the fourth iteration of the very successful Libre fragrance range. And boy oh boy is this latest version just the perfect perfume for this time of year. It’s rich, full-bodied and super warm and fiery. The added addition? A touch of spicy saffron, which is also what gives the juice its slightly more fiery red appearance in the bottle. This is not a scent to wear hiding in the corner, it’s a bold and unapologetic perfume and that’s why we love it so much.
The reimagined classic autumn perfume: Dior J’Adore Parfum D’Eau EDP, £89 for 50ml
This new take on the classic fragrance has all the scent familiarity of the original but there’s something a little bit warmer, yet fresh about it. A bit like clean clothes for a cold day. And this is all because there isn’t a drop of alcohol in the perfume. It is, in most basic terms, simply water and flowers. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t pack a perfumed punch. It really does. It was created using a high-pressure nano-emulsion technique that creates a highly concentrated formula but with water at the base. It also means that the liquid itself is slightly milky so it’s almost like spraying a very decadent perfumed lotion onto your skin. And there are some serious luxe ingredients in there; jasmine, rose and neroli to name a few. If you are already a J’Adore fan then this will become your go-to scent.
The unisex autumn perfume: Diptyque Opsis EDP, £185 for 75ml
With the most amazing mix of earl grey tea, iris, musk and incense this is like no other scent you will have ever smelt before (which is pretty much Diptyque’s raison d’être). Inspired by a painting by one of the brand’s founding trio, ‘London’, which depicts the view of a stage from the wings and behind the curtains, this perfume sums up what that theatre may have smelt like and the bottle is adorned with ornate curtain tie-backs. Expensive, but my goodness what a treat.
The glam autumn perfume: Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Forever EDP, £47 for 30ml
Think of this as your LBD equivalent in perfume form. It will suit everyone, every age and goes with every outfit. In terms of what it smells like it is glamorous and out-there with some punchy notes of pink pepper, vanilla and vetiver but it’s not over-powering or too much, it’s just right.
The niche autumn perfume: Aēsop Eidesis EDP, £140 for 50ml
Perhaps not a brand that you would think of buying fragrance from, which makes it even more alluring as there’s nothing better than wearing something that hardly anybody else is. This is in fact the eighth scent to be added to the brand’s fragrance collection. It has quite an instant peppery hit that then dries down to leave you with a very sultry floral but earthy scent. It’s very much a scent for all genders and identities and will make your favourite knitted jumper feel even more comforting and warm.
The sexy autumn perfume: Guerlain Oud Nude EDP, £280 for 100ml
Inspired by nude tones, skin and sensuality this is a heavy, out-rich fragrance that is designed to almost smell like a second, sexy skin. There are notes of almond, cumin and sandalwood that give it a creamy richness but there’s also a touch of raspberry to add just a moment of fruity freshness.
The fruity autumn perfume: Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia, £55 for 30ml
If heavy, typical wintery scents aren’t your thing then this may be what you’re after. It’s not a new scent but for autumn it’s being presented in a newly crafted and gorgeously faceted bottle and it is a great fit for the season. As you would expect, it blends the fruity with the floral but in a very modern and sophisticated way (you won’t end up smelling like your nan). Instead, it’s more reminiscent of a fresh, crisp cold morning but the sun is shining on your face. In short: joy-inducing.
The new cult brand autumn perfume: Granado & Co Boemia, £110 for 75ml
There’s a definite smokiness to this but the lime, geranium and pepper give it a sense of lightness and fun that makes you think of warm and wild party nights in Cuba rather than a fusty gentleman’s club. We love the heritage bottle too.