Season 8, Episode 9: Correspondence Special – Finding Your Favourite New Fragrances

We cannot tell you how much we LOVE receiving your questions and requests for‘perfume prescriptions’ (something we’ve always specialised in at On the ScentPodcast – it brings us such joy being able to match people to perfumes they’dperhaps never tried or even heard of). And we get a LOT of DMs@onthescentpodcast on Instagram, and messages on our On the Scent privateFacebook group, so here we are dedicating an episode to do a deep dive on twofascinating fragrant conundrums...Sometimes the prescription requests we get are to help find a ‘replacement’ for abeloved signature scent that’s since been discontinued – to which we say, there’sprobably never going to be an exact match, but we can definitely guide you towardtrying some scents that match the vibe, the feeling that fragrance gave you whenyou wore it, and the way it slotted into your life like a puzzle piece. We also get alot of requests for very specific scenarios, sometimes quite abstract themes orintimate moments our listeners are seeking to scent! But when we think aboutthem more broadly, there’s ways of applying these scenarios (and the things thelistener needs to take from them: strength, motivation, comfort, energy...) toaspects of our own lives.In this correspondence special, we begin with some lovely feedback from a listenerwho made a new discovery via a previous prescription suggestion, then we dive intothe two new requests, which are equally intriguing, and really showcase the kindsof questions we get so many of and adore researching (often for hours!) to find theperfect perfumes for.Let’s begin!Joanna said:‘Dear Suzy and Nicola,I can’t thank you enough for your amazing affordable iris prescriptions! Both soundincredible and I will be definitely be hunting them down, especially Fragonard Bellede Paris!I especially want to thank you for your reviews of the new M&S perfumes. Thatepisode came out shortly before my trip to England from the States, and Iimmediately added M&S to the itinerary! And WOW…Sheer Musk and DarkestVanilla are incredible! M&S perfumes are unavailable in America, so had my tripbeen just a couple of weeks earlier I would have been completely out of luck, as Iwould never have considered exploring M&S as a perfume haven without yourexpert recommendation. I humbly beg you to do full reviews of the rest of theStudio lineup! I feel that the interests of promoting truly exquisite super-affordable,unique fragrances warrant such a podcast focus. Thank you for all you do for thefragrance community!!’Listener prescriptions:Netta asks:‘Hi! I recently discovered your podcast and I’m absolutely loving it. I’ve been bingelistening and enjoying every episode!!I’ve always been obsessed with fragrance and smelling good, so it feels like I’vefinally found my people.I was wondering if you could recommend a perfume that’s similar to thediscontinued Armani Privé Pierre de Lune. I absolutely loved it and have nevermanaged to find anything that captures the same feeling. It had such a clean, soft,almost soapy quality while still feeling fresh and elegant. I’d be so grateful for anyrecommendations! Many thanks in advance, Netta.’Daniela Andrier (well known for her love of iris) created Pierre de Lune, featuringviolet, iris, cassia & woody notes.Suzy suggests:Prada Infusion d’Iris‘This modern and elegant fragrance opens with notes of mandarin, galbanum,orange and orange blossom which lead to the heart composed of iris, cedar andvetiver. The base is composed of incense and benzoin.’Fragonard Belle de ParisAnother stunning iris scent by Daniela Andrier. And only £42 for 100ml eau detoilette! ‘Belle de paris is elegantly cloaked in iris, a symbol of chic, and wears itsincomparable scent. Its fruity head notes of green mandarin, neroli, and pearbrighten a generous heart of iris absolutely adorned with violet and incense. Muskand white cedar form its base.’27 87 Per sē‘Per sē is our scent identity and the olfactive translation of our core belief: There isNo Scent Like the Present. It combines the now. The achromatic, and the individualin a sensory experience.“In creating Per sē, we aimed to capture the very essence of the present moment.This fragrance is unparalleled; it ebbs and flows with the dynamism of change, yetits core remains strikingly constant. Just as time never stops, neither does ‘Per sē’.It serves as evidence of the enduring within the ever-changing.”Crafting a symphony of achromatic elegance, Per sē is composed of a floralbouquet, orris butter, and violet leaves. Juxtaposed with clean aldehydes, bamboo,and a pinch of spicy pepper, a subtle underscore of ambrette seeds, angelica roots,and gentle musk complete the incompletable experience of the sensory now.’Nicola suggested:Diptyque Fleur de Peau‘A tribute to the mythical love between Psyche and Eros, which led to the birth oftheir daughter, Hedone. One scent can convey this legend: musks. At the heart ofFleur de Peau, they are cottony, downy or soft. Highlighted with iris and ambretteseed, they reveal their full tactile dimension.Absolute ambrette seed extract comes from hibiscus flowers. Its notes areextraordinarily rich: sweet, slightly animal, fruity (like pear and plum).’Madeline @rocknrollgypsy_13 asks:‘Hello Suzy and Nicola! Fragrance goddesses!Long time listener of the pod, I work on a vineyard in the Hunter Valley NSWAustralia and listening to both of you have gotten me through some long, long daysworking by myself. My name is Madeleine and I was wondering if you could give mea perfume prescription to empower and ground me.Apart from being a musician, one of my other passions is Muay Thai. As a femalefighter I compete quite regularly, recently coming back from a life changing trip toBangkok where I competed at the WBC games winning a silver medal for Australia.It was a tough fight and I know I could’ve done more to win that gold, but my mindalways seems to stop me before I even step over the ropes. My mentality issomething I always battle with, self-doubt, self-confidence and self-belief is alwayswhat I struggle with. This is a weird kind of prescription, but I would like somethingto wear before my fights, something that is empowering, fires me up, grounds meand makes me feel like I am an unstoppable force going into the ring to face myopponent. Think a goddess of war, powerful, strong, unbreakable and fierce.Something to spray on before I warm up, or walk into the ring that grounds me,centres me and reminds me of who I am.I am open to anything, as my love for perfume has grown so much since listeningto you both. Much love always, thank you for all you do.Madeleine xx’Nicola’s answer:Olfactive O New Earth‘I am the host who cooks to the rhythm of the seasons, the one who pulls up anextra chair before you’ve even asked. I believe in the beauty of things made byhand - the thumbprint in the clay, the worn-in softness of a family heirloom. Thereis quiet joy in walking the same path every day and noticing the first green shootsof change. For me, luxury resides in the weight of a heavy linen shirt and thesimple, rhythmic task of chopping herbs from the windowsill pot. I am a life lived inthe present tense.NOTES:Luminous top: shiso, pink peppercorn, spearmint, elemi Present heart: deep-leafimmersion, armoise, geranium, chamomile blue, cardamom, clary sage Rootedbase: hay absolute, fir balsam, oakmoss, myrrhMOMENTS:Nurturing my sourdough starter Fantasising of a life in the wilderness Leaving thebookshop with just one more A cup of tea in the garden Seeking out the perfectsoulful escape’Amouage Meander‘The Amouage Meander eau de parfum explores the exhilarating feeling ofhappiness in a land covered by fog – think lush green mountains and runningwaterfalls covered in steamy clouds. Translating this surreal landscape using notesof frankincense and vetiver, the rich greenery with cypriol and jonquille, and thecaramel-hued earth with sandalwood, carrot heart and orris root, this uniquefragrance captivates the senses and doesn’t let go even hours after being spritzedon the pulses.’Suzy’s answer:Eris Parfums Ma Bête‘MA BÊTE (My Beast) caresses you with the suggestiveness of perfumed fur. Acollision of the floral and the animal, MA BÊTE combines a regal Tunisian Neroli withspices and a 50 percent overdose of Antoine Lie's own animalic cocktail.’‘Ma Bête is a fierce beast with raunchy elegance.’ – Antoine Lie (Perfumer)Aldehydes, Tunisian Neroli, Indian NutmegIndian Cypriol, Honduran Styrax, Indian Jasmine SambacVirginia Cedarwood, Indonesian Patchouli, Synthetic Animalic Accord‘After interviewing Master Perfumer Antoine Lie for Scent and Subversion, Barbaraasked him to help her create a collection of fragrances as bold as her favouritevintage perfumes but for a modern audience.Named after ERIS, the Greek goddess of troublemaking and disruption, ERISPARFUMS is inspired by muses — divine, human, and fragrant — that exemplifyunconventional beauty and...