Prelude
Scents have always played an integral part in my life being the main sense that ties me to memories and eras. For some that comes from sound (like music for example), but nothing triggers a more visceral reaction of heartache and nostalgia than the smell of that first crisp fall day. Nothing brings me back to my grandma's place quite like the unique blend of musky old building and old wood.
Last year, my friend Summer took me to Scentrique, a perfume shop in Vancouver, and that was the first moment I discovered niche perfumes. I have never been a typical floral, powdery perfume girl and I found myself getting sick of most popular perfumes quite early in my teens.
The first perfume that really spoke to me was Santal 33 by Le Labo. It's well-overplayed now but the creation of that perfume was a pivotal moment both in my life as well as the perfume industry.
I wore that perfume to death over the course of my late teens and twenties and now for the first time I'm really starting to explore scents again, and I'm absolutely loving the journey. (Thank you Summer, I love you.)
Anyways, that was my long-winded introduction to some new favourites that I've found through sampling. A financially-saavy woman knows not to blind-buy perfumes and to always try a sample first.
Whether you get that sample for free at a perfume counter or by purchasing it via a decant site (Scentrique does paid samples if you're in Vancouver) it's super important you actually spray the perfume and wear it over the course of a few days before deciding to buy the full-size. This will save you so much money (and headache) because it's the only way you can be sure you'll love it.
A financially-saavy woman probably wouldn't purchase multiple discovery sets and samples all at once but you can't win them all. I've been on the most fun adventure with all my new samples lately so here are 3 of my absolute favourites so far. I'll probably make this a series as I continue on my perfume journey so stay tuned if you're also looking for some new scents.
3 perfectly-autumn scents
I've never been a fan of sweet gourmand scents (for the perfume newbies like me, gourmand means any scents that reference edible things) so I was SO taken aback by Dahab by Kajal. Upon first spray it instantly gourmand—the top notes are granny smith apple and bergamot (a citrus). The middle notes are passionfruit, cedar, and coriander, and then it ends with musk, amber, and patchouli.
I made an entire TikTok review on this scent but this smells like the first crisp days of fall when it's still sunny and warm. You're sitting in a log cabin with the fire place on and a cashmere blanket wrapped around you. Oh, and there's an apple pie baking in the oven.
I never knew that apple scents could be sensual but this is warm, sophisticated, and alluring all while smelling photo-realistically...apple. It's an absolute joy.
Dear Polly by Velhelm Parfumerie
Vilhelm was one of the perfume houses I was really intrigued by purely because of their strong (and unique) branding. Their bottles are beautiful and the entire brand features a bright yellow that definitely stands out amongst the other niche brands. I got their discovery set and have tried 4/6 perfumes now but Dear Polly stood out immediately.
All of their scents are uniquely beautiful—they're scents that feel familiar yet like nothing you've ever smelled before. Dear Polly felt the most like me. It's a warm, familiar scent with a lovely musky undertone. This actually shares the same top notes of bergamot and apple but it smells completely different than Dahab. The middle note is Ceylon Black Tea, and then it ends with Oakmoss, Musk, and Black Amber.
The Ceylon Black Tea is definitely what stands out to me (Vita lemon tea, anyone?) but it's offset with the most beautiful warm, slightly smoky, slightly musky base. I can definitely see this becoming a new everyday scent for me.
This is probably the most ubiquitous pick of this list but I am absolutely enamoured by Another 13 by Le Labo. My go-to scent profiles are always woody, musky, and warm and this subtle scent gives all that and more.
It is more of a skin scent, meaning it's a scent projects closer to the skin. It also wears super differently on everyone, which I love.
The notes are complicated but here they are:
Top: Pear, Apple and Citruses; middle: Ambrette (Musk Mallow), Amyl Salicylate, Moss and Jasmine; base: Iso E Super, Cetalox, Ambrettolide and Helvetolide.
Amber always brings a warm touch to scents and I guess apple seems to be a new fave of mine (?). Iso E Super is a synthetic that gives of a very cozy, warm, woody, amber-y scent. Cetalox is another synthetic that replaces ambergris. What all this means is this is a beautiful cozy scent that just reminds me of bed, soft skin, and intimacy.
I have so many more samples to try and I honestly can't wait. I've been posting more perfume related content on TikTok so if you're interested, go and follow me there.
