The world of perfume is one that never stands still, whether that’s due to trends or regulations. Customers’ tastes change over time, and what's fashionable quickly becomes outdated. Similarly, a growing list of restricted ingredients means discontinuations and reformulations. Some classic perfumes have stood the test of time, even with tinkering along the way, so companies are once again revisiting the archives for renewed inspiration. One of the latest to dust off the formula books is Atkinsons, and the result is the successful Reserve Collection which celebrates “iconic heritage, pure preciousness and distinctive intensity”.
Music has a link with perfume that is engrained in the very fabric of every scent that you smell. The mention of “notes” and “chords” is often cited as the main similarity, but we often forget to reference the emotional response that both of these can have on the wearer. The way a piece of music swells and crescendos absolutely mirrors the way a perfume reveals its layers, from those sparkling opening notes to the deeper base ones. This link between music and perfume is something that Leonie Sherif has based her whole Sense 'N' perfume range on, and the latest Sunburn scent is just waiting to be played.
With a seemingly never-ending barrage of rain, mist and wind, you could definitely be forgiven for craving anything that is going to remotely signal that spring is actually around the corner. It feels as though winter has now rumbled on for far too long, and the promised warmth is showing no signs of arriving anytime soon. Unfortunately I can’t control the weather, but I can point you in the direction of a little scented sunshine. So, grab your passport because we’re heading to Menton, the undisputed home of the lemon, to discover the deliciously tangy Eau de Menton Citron d’Été from Prestige de Menton.
Who wouldn’t like to turn the clock back and relive moments from the past. You could make different choices, take different routes, or just revel in the situations that made you who you are today. Reliving these memories can often be achieved by smelling a fragrance that puts you squarely back in your chosen moment, but what if you want to relive an entire decade? The department store shelves are groaning with the tried and tested perfume releases, but how about plumping for a new scent that conjures up the past? Sabotage from Art de Parfum cleverly takes us to the 90s, and it’s a decade not to be missed.
Grasse is world-famous for its fragrant flowers, which have been cultivated for centuries to supply the perfume houses, because the region’s climate and soil nurture iconic blooms like jasmine, May rose, orange blossom and tuberose. Still harvested with great care, these flowers are prized for their complex scents. Jasmine adds sensual warmth, May rose brings soft elegance, and orange blossom offers luminous freshness. Together they form the heart of many classic fragrances. Among these flowers, tuberose stands out for its creamy, intoxicating depth, and the latest perfume to capture this is T-HÉRITAGE from Galimard.
When we talk about fragrance notes in a perfume, our thoughts can often go straight to the ingredients rather than considering the texture. However, it’s often the latter that resonates more with a customer. These sensory references play on our emotions, and help us to “feel” the scent in action rather than merely rely on the smell. The idea of texture obviously links perfectly with the world of fashion, and so it’s no surprise that many of these clothing companies have explored the world of fragrances. Hugh Parsons is one of the most recent “reboots” to re-enter the market, and so how would you like a trip to Notting Hill?
And so we find ourselves at the end of another incredible year of exciting perfume releases, where variety has most definitely been the scented key word. Amber fragrances proved to be very popular this year, with quite a few new ones vying for the crown, but there were also an array of new brands that each brought with them unique philosophies as well as some really innovative processes. So, as we approach the end of 2025, it’s time to once again look back at twelve months of reviews on stephanmatthews.com and, by channelling my inner Blyton as usual at this time of the year, pick My Favourite Five.
It’s time to hold onto your hats as we hurtle headlong into the final stretch before Christmas. It’s the moment when many people suddenly realise that they’ve unfortunately left everything to the last minute, and that those promised “delivery times” just aren’t going to cut it. That’s when the humble high street can come into its own once more. You’d probably be surprised by how many perfumes and colognes are still available for you to buy in person, and that they come conveniently gift-wrapped! So, if you’re looking for the ideal fragrance to buy for the man in your life, look no further than the new Versace Man Eau Fraîche Extrême.
The world of perfume is an ever-changing one, with new releases promising a uniqueness which often fails to truly materialise. Whatever the blurb might say on the press release or in the advert, companies are generally locked into the acceptable cycle of what customers want. The latest “trend” might see a flurry of pretenders to the throne of the original, and so finding something in the industry that does grab the attention is definitely worth celebrating. So, with Christmas just around the corner, and a welcoming space still under the tree, it’s time to discover Prem Rouge from the newly launched Dilli House.
