A FLAME IN YOUR HEART by 4160 Tuesdays

The dramatic growth of independent perfumers and niche brands shows no signs of slowing any time soon. Whilst this offers wonderful choice from which customers can discover new creators and fragrances, it also brings the inevitable “rush to market” scents and “pop-up companies”. These often disappear as quickly as they arrive, and finding a permanent place within the perfume industry becomes harder with each year that passes. One company that has trailblazed British niche perfumery, and continues to be a benchmark for creativity, is 4160 Tuesdays. So, what better way to celebrate this than with A Flame In Your Heart.

4160 Tuesdays was the brainchild of Sarah McCartney, and this ground-breaking London perfumery first launched in 2011. Originally based in East Acton, Sarah started by creating fragrances that drew on personal experiences and surroundings. From The Lion Cupboard to Time To Draw The Raffle Numbers, and of course the exceptional Dark Heart of Old Havana, these cemented her reputation as a scented explorer and fragrance magician. Award nominations followed, experimental collections were released, but Sarah never lost sight of her aim to make perfume accessible to all. It’s this openness that has secured her reputation.

When Sarah McCartney launched 4160 Tuesdays, and still very much today, there was a perception that perfume was something that you wore to hide behind, to create a fake persona, or to impress. The connotation was that it was filling a gap or making up for something that was lacking. Sarah’s approach couldn’t have been more different. The fragrances from 4160 Tuesdays have always been spoken about as emphasising an individual’s characteristics, adding confidence, and ultimately just smelling bloody lovely. These perfumes were made to be worn, enjoyed, and to be the scented backdrop for everyday life.

A Flame In Your Heart was launched in 2023 and, in Sarah’s words, was almost an antidote for all of those perfumes that claimed to be able to make people fall in love with each other. It was instead created to just make the wearer feel "gorgeous", because then hopefully their happiness would transfer onto the person that they’re with. It definitely makes sense. It was a bit of a return to her original 2010s style, with traditional resins and ambers, but it was unmistakably a Sarah McCartney fragrance. So, if happiness is what you’re looking for, with perhaps a side order of romance, it’s time to ignite A Flame In Your Heart.

The fragrance opens with a peppery dark chocolate note alongside the promised kumquat, so you get those wonderful citrus and pine facets. This darkly uplifting start is then added to with an airy rose that seems to lock onto a whisper of patchouli, which then expertly sets the scene for what is to follow. The resin combination in the base conjures golden incense alongside a leather tone, thanks to the delicious styrax and benzoin, before the sensual labdanum offers that warmed skin aroma that is irresistible. Through the fragrance you also have a smooth tonka bean, with its hay and almond nuances, and this adds the perfect support to a truly delicious amber perfume.

A Flame In Your Heart is available from the 4160 Tuesdays website at 4160tuesdays.com priced at £50 for 15ml, £80 for 30ml, £120 for 50ml and £190 for 100ml. [Sample provided by Sarah McCartney]