Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in Volume 7 of B.H. Magazine, order your copy now.
The logic behind fragrance is simple: we want to smell good and be noticed. Like dressing well, it’s about feeling attractive, but because scent is subjective, wearing something that appeals to both you and others requires balance.
You may feel great permeating heavy waves of oud or birch tar, though they can be the olfactive equivalent of “coming on a bit strong”, while squeaky clean, safe scents may not get a second date. Subtlety – enough to make someone lean in for a closer whiff – usually wins, and a hint of humour never hurts either.
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Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford
Calling this icon of the Tom Ford lineup sexy is like calling water wet – there’s no denying that Tom Ford knows how to make people look and feel like they’re on heat. Tobacco Vanille remains one of the brand’s best-selling bottles for good reason.
The tobacco is sweetened with rich vanilla, dried fruits, and a generous touch of cacao, making it as smooth as velvet to wear. The sillage on this one is the perfect example of “little = long way”.
$420 for 50ml from davidjones.com
Come by Bogue
This new addition from Italian architect-cum-perfumer Antonio Gardoni (sorry, couldn’t resist) smells like summer afternoons. Civet, honey, and benzoin blend with vegetal fig and patchouli, creating something more feral than your average “green” scent with its usual fresh woodiness. It’s exactly what I imagine the literary figure Oliver Mellors would have smelled like to Lady Chatterley.
$379 from noah.com.au
Angel’s Share On The Rocks by By Kilian
An invitation to come back for a nightcap in a bottle. The OG Angel’s Share was a rather sticky, sweet affair. On The Rocks adds a twist: grapefruit, orange, and lemon sparkle over the deeper sweetness of caramel and cognac.
Its best feature is the chameleon-like shifts the fragrance undergoes while you wear it. From one moment to the next, different notes take centre stage – sharp citrus rind, oak-barrel woodiness, or sweet, smoky myrrh. It’s all about keeping them guessing.
$385 from davidjones.com
Le Labo Rose 31
An absolutely filthy rose is the only way to describe this combination of rose, cumin, cedar, and musk, with touches of oud and vetiver. Le Labo’s labelling often misdirects, but the rose here is unmistakable.
Rather than being overly floral or sweet, it’s incredibly funky. Cumin – often used in perfumery to mimic natural body odour – is applied here in exactly the way you might expect: reminiscent of your shirt (or sheets) the day after.
$362 for 50ml from lelabofragrances.com.au
Celine Nightclubbing
If Rose 31 is the fragrance of the morning after, Nightclubbing is the night of. Orris butter and galbanum act like an olfactive smoke machine, creating a sheer aura with a whisper of bitterness beneath. In the base, patchouli, vanilla, and musk add a smooth-as-suede softness to it all. The magic of this scent is in its subtlety – its impact comes from restraint, so resist the urge to over-spray. Let them lean in closer if they want more.
From $515 at celine.com
Il Giardino dell'Anima by Eight and Bob
There’s a reason the Amalfi Coast is such a popular destination for romantic getaways and honeymoons: it’s a sensory feast of food, views, ocean air, and gelato. Il Giardino dell'Anima captures all of that in a bottle.
Creamy pistachio and ylang blend with patchouli and musk for a gourmand that is mouthwatering without being overpowering or overly sweet.
$330 from fragranceartisans.com.au
Aventus by Creed
Yes, this may be one of the most hyped fragrances on the market – but the hype is justified. In an informal poll among female friends on the sexiest fragrance a man can wear, the verdict was nearly unanimous: 15 years after its release,
Creed’s Aventus remains undefeated. Its distinct combination of sweet pineapple, leathered birch tar, tart blackcurrant, and fresh apple simply hits the mark.
$559 from creedperfume.com.au