GERANIUM No.4 by C.Atherley

The way that we apply fragrance, and use fragrance, has always been a subject that has divided perfume fans. However, this idea that a true “perfume” is something that is spritzed out of a bottle, rather than something that is contained within a product, has been hotly challenged over the past decade. Scented face care has built on Nivea and Estee Lauder foundations, shower gels transcended the famous offerings from Molton Brown, and perfumed candles have left Jo Malone London in the shade. The newest release to take scent into a new sphere is C.Atherley, and their stunning Geranium No.4 collection.

C.Atherley was founded by the ever-creative Cath Kidston-Padgham in 2023. Now, there can’t be anyone that hasn’t heard of the original Cath Kidston range, or seen her iconic designs, but this new company really is a labour of love. After exiting the original brand, Cath found inspiration in her greenhouse, amongst her beloved geraniums. She'd grown up with the plant, marvelling at the variety of scents released when you rubbed the leaves, and set out to recreate some of those magical scents within a carefully curated range of body products.

There are now four scents in the collection, and so let’s begin with a quick recap. Geranium No.1 focused on the Radens pelargonium with its lemony-rose aroma, Geranium No.2 brought to life the peppermint-edged Tomentosum pelargonium, while Geranium No.3 captured the citronella-like Mabel Grey pelargonium. For Geranium No.4 the company has chosen the undisputed queen of the family, Attar of Roses. The aroma released from this plant is a deliciously sweet rose, with a hint of Turkish delight. It’s found in nearly every garden, because the scent that it releases when hit by the sun is incredible.

C.Atherley has always resisted creating a traditional perfume, and have instead formulated some of the finest body products on the market today. Alongside their regular body washes, bath salts and hand creams, Geranium No.4 also welcomes the company’s first Face Oil and Face Mist. The rose ingredient has been used for centuries in face preparations, and so including it alongside their sweet almond base has resulted in a nourishing and hydrating face oil that is deliciously decadent. I was also treated to the latest version of their hand cream which, for any gardener, has to be the spring must-have.

So, what does the scent of Geranium No.4 actually smell like? Well, straight out of the bottle you get that promised hit of rose, but it’s immediately brightened by the cornmint. This vibrancy is then cleverly added to by the earthy spikenard, which gives a chocolatey darkness to the aroma, before the addition of rosemary adds an aromatic quality that almost hints at the traditional blending of bergamot and lavender. With a dry cedarwood in the base, that is also wonderfully soothing for the skin, you really are treated to an incredible realisation of the scent of the Attar of Roses pelargonium. Whichever product you choose from the Geranium No.4 range, get ready to smell incredible.

The Geranium No.4 collection consists of a full range of bath and body products, as well as the face oil and hand cream, and is available from the C.Atherley website at c-atherley.com with prices ranging from £10 to £39. You can also click on the image below to read Cath Kidston-Padgham's "Stephan's Six" interview from 2023. [Samples provided by C.Atherley]