Fragrance is a powerful force, with scent acting as a portal to another city, reminding us of memories past, or evoking strong visual imagery in our minds.
There’s a term for this, known as the ‘Proust phenomenon’ or ‘Proust memory’, which refers to the involuntary evocation of an autobiographical memory through sensory stimuli (think taste or smell). It’s named after Marcel Proust, who wrote about how tasting a madeleine cookie dipped in tea made him recollect forgotten aspects of his childhood.
Ever smelt some Chanel N°5 and remembered having tea with your grandmother, or caught a whiff of Drakkar Noir and thought about your highschool boyfriend? Whilst they aren’t quite as sophisticated as a madeleine and tea combination, they’re definitely effective at triggering certain memories.
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To leave your sensory mark on the world, try one of these 7 best fragrances for women.
1. Goest Perfumes Realism
Los Angeles-based brand Goest Perfumes creates unisex fragrances that work with, not against, the natural scents of the human body. Definitively botanical, Realism EDT is perfect for those who love green, fresh scents. Glasses, herbs, and blossoms thrive under the heat of the sun, while heartier scents like black soul and crushed stems from a fruit tree provide body, supported by hay and cedarwood notes. Even it the middle of the CBD, Realism EDT transports you to the peaceful surrounds of a forest.
Brand: Goest Perfumes
Scent notes: crushed stem, soil, herbs, hay, citrus
2. Louis Vuitton Heures d’Absence
Created by master perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, the French fashion house’s fragrances are made for the olfactory epicurean. Delicate jasmine and rose de Mai from Grasse are enriched by green, powdery notes of mimosa, which intermingle with sandalwood and musk. A truly radiant, yet sensual fragrance.
Brand: Louis Vuitton
Scent notes: jasmine, rose, balsam, sandalwood, musk
3. BYREDO Casablanca Lily
One of a trio of BYREDO’s Night Veils range, Casablanca Lily was inspired by the Moroccan city. A diverse mix of cultures distilled into a bottle, Casablanca has notes of plum, gardenia, Indian tuberose, and rosewood, perfect for leaving a lingering impression.
Brand: BYREDO
Scent notes: plum, gardenia, carnation, Indian tuberose, rosewood, honey
4. NEST New York Black Tulip
Seductive and sultry, NEST New York Black Tulip blends Japanese violet and Indonesian jasmine with luxurious patchouli and pink peppercorn, with black amber plum and black cherry adding a sense of mystique to create a truly sensual fragrance. The ideal fragrance for a date night.
Brand: NEST New York
Scent notes: Japanese violet, Indonesian jasmine, patchouli, pink peppercorn, black amber plum, black cherry
5. Gucci Guilty Love Pour Femme
The feminine version of the Italian fashion house’s Guilty Love duo, Guilty Love Pour Femme is dedicated to contemporary love; paying homage to the vintage character of the Narcissus flower. Fresh notes of bergamot and grapefruit are underpinned by Narcissus accord and violet, with base notes of musk, patchouli, and amber, making for a lightly floral fragrance that celebrates liberty and self-expression.
Brand: Gucci
Scent notes: bergamot, grapefruit, Narcissus accord, violet, musk, patchouli, amber
6. Eric Buterbaugh Oud Saffron Flower
The brainchild of floral designed Eric Buterbaugh, Eric Buterbaugh Oud Saffron Flower captures the essence of luxurious insouciance in a bottle; with the richness of oud and saffron enhanced by honey notes, as well as hints of amber, vanilla, and suede. For the risk-taker who isn’t afraid to try something new.
Brand: Eric Buterbaugh
Scent notes: nutmeg, saffron, red honey, suede, clearwood, guaiac, vanilla, cypriol, oud
7. Maison Francis Kurkdjian féminin Pluriel
A classically feminine scent, Maison Francis Kurkdjian féminin Pluriel combines traditional fragrant florals like iris, rose, jasmine, violet, and orange blossom with vetiver and patchouli to create a timeless, multifaceted fragrance.
Brand: Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Scent notes: iris, violet, rose, jasmine, Lily of the valley, orange blossom, vetiver, patchouli
FAQ
The best fragrances for women are BYREDO Casablanca Lily, Maison Francis Kurkdjian féminin Pluriel, Eric Buterbaugh Oud Saffron Flower, NEST New York Black Tulip, and Louis Vuitton Heures d’Absence.
Words by T. Angel
