• Facebook
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• X

The new year often sees resolutions made, most commonly losing weight, drinking less or perhaps giving up nail-biting. It’s not always about making resolutions, though, especially when most are given up within the first few weeks.

According to research by yougov.co.uk, 47% of people felt the need to set wellness routines, with only 6% sticking to their resolutions.

67% of those surveyed said they were more focused on their looks than their feelings.

We all know how we feel with a new fragrance. Many will see a fresh calendar page and maybe the January sales to purchase a new year perfume instead of a resolution that may not last.

We often purchase the same bottle of perfume throughout the year, our comfort classic that reminds us of memories made. Some men and women perhaps change their scent to match the seasons.

Unless you’ve been gifted a new perfume for Christmas that you have never tried, the same scents return for the following year, and we never get to try a different one.

Perfume adverts

Christmas time is the perfect excuse for a new fragrance, and we see countless TV ads with designer fragrances and celebrity endorsements on our screens.

That last push from the advertising companies to pop a perfume advert between every commercial possible as we begin watching endless Christmas films and shows.

I notice the popularity of summer-scented perfumes advertised during the run-up to Christmas each year.

Whilst there is a hugely popular selection and best-sellers throughout the year, I always associate floral, sweet and delicate notes for the spring and summer seasons.

We need lighter scents on the skin for the hotter months.

La Vie Est Belle by Lancôme, Angel by Thierry Mugler, and Daisy by Marc Jacobs appear on our screens most commonly during Christmas, when men and women frantically search online and in the shops for the perfect gift.

Each of these perfumes is more suitable for summer, yet they are highly advertised during the run-up to Christmas.

Related article: The Best Summer Fragrances For Women

Advertisers know what sells, and we are all guilty of buying a fragrance endorsed by our favourite celebrity.

Despite an economic crisis, they significantly influence our purchases, and sales rocket yearly.

For me, Christmas and winter should have woody and oriental scents. Those strong fragrances turn heads and work well during the colder season.

Perfumes with heavy notes, such as sandalwood, patchouli, and vanilla, are much better suited for winter wear.

Such notes are too heavy for summer, where we should look for more floral and lighter scents.

New year perfume

Perfumes such as YSL Black Opium or Paco Rabanne by Lady Million are known for the cold, winter, and festive seasons.

When we purchase a fragrance, whatever the season, we should always concentrate on the base notes.

These notes will last the longest and that others around us will smell and be influenced by.

We predominantly see female scents advertised more than male fragrances, even though men’s fragrance world is just as favoured.

Whilst there is no hard and fast rule about wearing selective perfumes to suit the seasons, and it is a personal choice, I believe that winter scents should be on our screens for that time of year.

If you’re not fazed by trying a new scent and steering away from your traditional scents, a new fragrance could be just around the corner.

The great thing about trying something new in the perfume world is the readily available samples to try beforehand.

We could potentially spend a fair amount of money on a new scent, so it is essential to try a sample first and leave the smell on the skin for a few minutes to determine if it is right for you.

I’m sure many people have bought perfume and never worn it. Too strong, not scented enough, or the wrong fragrance notes can all contribute.

Sales of perfume and scented skin care products skyrocket during Christmas more than any other time of the year.

We will always see timeless classics such as La vie Est Belle by Lancôme, possibly why it appears on our screens every year. It is also perhaps one of the most versatile scents.

Other scents, such as Jo Malone’s Wood Sage & Sea Salt cologne for men, have become popular over the past 12 months, even though it’s more aimed at summer.

Popular winter scents for women

Deep and warm autumn notes are a popular choice with this 2014 perfume. Passion and energy in a bottle, this classic woman’s perfume has a seductive theme with its vanilla and coffee fragrance notes.

On its first spray, Black Opium has many fruity notes to enjoy. Once we get to the base notes, we smell the deep winter sense as patchouli, coffee, and vanilla strike through.

Top notes: Green mandarin, cinnamon, pear

Middle notes: Orange blossom, Jasmine Sambac and solar notes

Base notes: Vanilla absolute, patchouli, coffee and vanilla orchid, bourbon vanilla, Madagascar vanilla.

Black Opium- YSL

Decadence Eau So Decadent-Marc Jacobs

Many women who already wear Daisy by Mark Jacobs will know that it contains very floral notes, so when Decadence Eau So Decadent was released in 2017, we had a more velvet and woody aroma that instantly pours out sophistication and sex appeal.

Top notes: Plum, saffron, Iris

Middle notes: Orris, Bulgarian Rose, Jasmine Sambac.

Bass notes: Vetiver, papyrus, liquidambar

Marc Jacobs Decadence Eau So Decadent 100ml 

Good Girl- Carolina Herrera

The perfume bottle alone has always fascinated me, although not the type that women can easily pop into their handbags. If you have a perfume decanter and the money to spend on this fragrance, it ticks all the boxes for a winter scent.

A favoured perfume launched very recently in 2021 and is often advertised on TV. This little gem smells just as good as it looks.

Whilst the fragrance notes appear very floral, the base notes bring out the winter theme for this delightful perfume.

Top notes: Litchi, red currant

Middle note: Rose

Base notes: Vanilla, vetiver

CAROLINA HERRERA GOOD GIRL 80ML EAU DE PARFUM BRAND NEW & SEALED

Popular winter scents for men

Viktor & Rolf- Spice Bomb

Viktor & Rolf have a male version of the ever-so-popular Flower bomb for women, the Spice bomb, which hit the fragrance world in 2005. The male scent was released in 2012.

The bottle alone screams masculinity compared to its female version, which has an elegant, feminine bottle.

With a powerhouse of fragrance notes, it’s of little surprise that this scent is just as popular as the female version.

Designed like a bomb from a James Bond film, this fragrance reaches out to its male customers with a beautiful combination of heavy base notes.

Leather, vetiver and tobacco will be the continued scent that lasts for the duration, whilst its top notes of grapefruit and bergamot give a gentle feel to the smell when it is first sprayed.

Top notes: Bergamot, grapefruit, pink pepper, and elemi ( an oleoresin obtained from a tropical tree commonly used in aromatherapy oils, varnishes, and perfume).

Middle notes: Saffron, cinnamon, paprika

Base notes: Tobacco, leather, vetiver

Another popular winter scent is the classic Sauvage by Dior. Packed with Spicy winter notes and belonging to the aromatic family, this 2015 release is a massive hit with men and an excellent scent for women to appreciate.

Top notes: Pepper, Calabrian bergamot

Middle notes: Lavender, pink pepper, vetiver, Sichuan pepper, patchouli, geranium and elemi

Base notes: Cedar, ambroxan and labdanum.

CHRISTIAN DIOR SAUVAGE 100ML AFTERSHAVE LOTION

Armani Code-Giorgio Armani

This masculine bottle is another classic for its woody notes and sits perfectly on the skin during winter. Launched in 2017, this was Georgio Armani’s first oriental scent for men.

Sensual, charming and with a combination of beautiful notes, this fragrance is designed for the modern man.

In the Asian family, Armani Code is a spicy fragrance launched in 2004.

Top notes: Bergamot, lemon

Middle notes: Star anise, olive blossom, guaiac wood

Base notes: Tobacco, tonka bean

Giorgio Armani Code 60ml Eau De Parfum Pour Homme

Gucci Guilty Absolute-Gucci

Gucci Guilty Absolute is the perfect option if you’re looking for a woody and masculine scent. Launched in 2017, its fragrance has all the notes for the perfect winter scent.

Top note: Leather

Middle notes: Cypress, patchouli

Base notes: Vetiver, woody notes

Gucci Absolute Pour Homme Eau de Parfum 50ml

D&G -The One

Another popular scent for men and a masculine classic launched in 2015 is Dolche & Gabanna’s The One.

If you like spicy and oriental fragrances suitable for winter, this fragrance fits the bill.

Top notes: Grapefruit, basil, coriander

Middle notes: Ginger, cardamom, orange blossom

Base notes: Amber, tobacco, cedar

Dolce & Gabbana D&G The One 30ml Eau de Parfum

 

 

Unisex winter scents

Tom Ford Black Orchid

If you like to complement your scent with your other half and struggle to find fragrances that do this, Tom Ford has the solution.

Launched in 2006, Black Orchid is an oriental scent suitable for men and women.

It has a beautiful combination of scents that balance well with the floral side whilst still keeping the fragrance suitable for males to wear.

Top notes: Plum, truffle

Middle notes: Rum, Ylang-ylang, black orchid

Base note: Patchouli

Tom Ford Black Orchid 50ml Parfum spray 

Baccarat Rouge 540- Maison Francis Kurkdjian

A popular unisex scent with heavier notes is the Baccarat Rouge 540, a popular choice since its release in 2015. In an elegant yet simplistic bottle, this fragrance is inspired by woody scents, with gorgeous hints of floral notes popping through.

Top notes: Saffron, Jasmin

Middle notes: Ambergris

Base notes: Cedar, fir resin

Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de parfum 100ml

Conclusion: A new year doesn’t have to be restricted to New Year’s resolutions.

Bringing a new scent into the home for the winter months can be just what we need to cheer us up and keep us out of the January blues.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter and follow the latest perfume trends, the world of candles and much more.

Have a question? Comment below.