Wonderful Winter Fragrances ― Here’s What’s New

Famous perfumeries and fashion-forward brands have launched new fragrances for the winter season. They make a welcome, personal gift from Christmas through Valentine’s Day. Here are a few of the head-turning scents that we are loving this season.

Feminine Fragrances Level Up

Guerlain ― Shalimar L’Essence

Celebrating the century mark, Shalimar, which was composed by Jacques Guerlain in 1925, has transcended the decades. It was the first amber perfume created in history, they say. It was the first perfume I ever purchased for myself, with its lemony backbone, blended with bergamot and jasmine.

Now, as Shalimar celebrates its 100th anniversary, the house has released a vanilla-forward expression of the timeless scent. Shalimar L’Essence is a modern, new, and intense variation. It’s a feminine update that wears like a soft hug. They call it “an ode to vanilla,” and it only comes in the Eau de Parfum Intense formulation.

Chanel – Chance Limited Edition Eau Splendid

This is the latest expression of the Chance with its floral and fruit backbone. Chanel describes it this way: “The bright, sparkling raspberry accord, with facets of crisp fruit, rose, and violet, soars before revealing a rich floral heart of rose geranium.” But one thing you’ll notice is its violet hue and the powdery scent of iris from Chanel’s fields in Grasse.

Gucci ― Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum Intense

A wonderful addition to the Flora line is the new Gorgeous Gardenia. “This new fragrance,” they say, “combines Italian Mandarin with a radiant heart of Gardenia and Hedione. Enhanced by green vibrancy and warm Sandalwood, it creates a lasting floral fragrance that envelops the senses in pure bliss.” It’s long-wearing and right for the season, as the most concentrated fragrance in the Gucci Flora collection.

Burberry ― Goddess Eau de Parfum

It’s described as a “unique gourmand fragrance, led by a powerful trio of vanillas, enriched with luminous lavender. The signature trio of vanillas from Goddess Eau de Parfum is amplified here with a fourth vanilla wood (vanilla SFE) that has a smoky character.” It’s an intoxicating, vanilla-forward scent with the softness of a cashmere sweater.

Confident Scents That Are Not Too Girly

Tory Burch ― Sublime 

Tory Burch says it, “an intriguing alchemy of leather blended with delicate rose and Osmanthus flower, earthy vetiver and bright mandarin.” Sublime has an earthy, Oriental tone that wears well in winter. It’s not sweet and powdery, but ideal for Big Sky country and ski trips.

Fulton & Roark ― Lady Bird

F&R launched two new scents this fall, Lady Bird and Contabando. Both scents are inspired by locations in Texas. While the brand is famously unisex, some colognes are decidedly more masculine. Lady Bird is a touch more feminine, with fruity, floral, and green notes.

This fragrance, they say, is named after Lady Bird Lake near Austin, Texas, and former First Lady ― Lady Bird Johnson. Fresh raspberry and pink peppercorn take the lead, with a riot of native plantings to follow ― bluebonnet, freesia, rose, and cedarwood. Lady Bird Johnson loved wildflowers, and the fragrance speaks to that history beautifully.

Jo Malone ― Sandalwood & Spiced Apricot Cologne

Jo Malone strolls into winter in style. The new Sandalwood & Spiced Apricot delivers a juicy and soft apricot opening with a hint of cardamom, followed by creamy sandalwood and warm vanilla. Unlike the often intense, heavy-hitters of seasonal fragrance, this scent isn’t overbearing. The traditional Jo Malone bottle has a swirling blue, green topper, making it extra festive.

Manly Musks and Leathery Notes

Chanel – Bleu de Chanel L’Exclusif

This is a new expression of perennial favorite Bleu de Chanel. L’Exclusif brings a new depth to the woody ambery notes. It’s an intoxicating and well-rounded scent with vanilla, jasmine, and citrus notes.

Fulton & Roark ― Contrabando

This season, Fulton & Roark explores Texas with two new entries. Along with Lady Bird (mentioned above), Contrabando speaks to wide open spaces in this green, woody, and citrus scent. Top notes of bergamot zest and Cucumber come through, as do base notes of patchouli, cedarwood, and soft leather.

They describe it this way: “This fragrance is named after the abandoned Western film set from the 1970s, turned ghost town in Big Bend National Park in Texas. It opens with the dry and earthy notes of Orris that collide with the scent of impending desert rain.”

Gucci ― Guilty Absolu de Parfum Pour Homme

“At its heart,” they say you’ll find, “a rich Rum Accord delivers warmth and depth, elevated by the radiance of Orange Flower Absolute. A touch of Red Chili Pepper adds a vibrant contrast, enriching the fragrance’s complexity.” Inside its gradient green glass bottle is the newest iteration of the Guilty line, with plenty of woody amber notes.

So, if fragrance is on your shopping list, these are the new ones to try.