The best fragrances to bag you a second date
From Penhaligon's to Hermès, these will get your date moving
Words: Gentleman's Journal
With Valentine’s Day approaching, there’s little doubt that you’ll be trying to impress a potential date in the next few days. And one way to do that is, of course, by unsheathing a new fragrance in order to pique his or her interest. Scent works in wonderful ways.
In which case you’ll want to choose a new scent carefully. Here are the best bottles we suggest you buy right now. These are the ones that have staying power and in turn will make your date hang about.
Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club
Made for the evening, Maison Margiela's heady Replica Jazz Club eau de toilette has classic notes and coppery tones. Sweet liquor, rich leather, and smoke mingle together to make it as sexy, sensual and alluring as a cosy night in a dark corner of a jazz club.
Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette
£94.30
Molecule 01
Molecule 01 is unlike anything else on the market. Discarding the more conventional ‘top-, middle- and base-note’ makeup, it’s a barely-there fragrance that consists of one key aroma chemical – Iso E Super – which blends and mixes with the wearer’s pheromones, therefore creating a distinct and individual olfactory experience for anyone who walks past – sort of like a customised scent.
Because you can’t pinpoint its heart or base, and due to the fact it has no obvious resemblance to any specific note, it creates an alluring and ambiguous scent which fades in and out throughout the day.
Byredo Mixed Emotions Eau de Parfum
Comforting notes of maté and the sharp sweetness of cassis sit within a woody fragrance, while a reassuring scent of black tea mingles with striking violet leaf. The scent is meant to be a reflection of the turbulent times we live in, but it actually also smells really good. It has a seductive, intangible scent which makes it super enticing.
Acqua di Parma Colonia
Colonia is scent that comprises of fresh ingredients including lavender, lemon, rose and sandalwood. Over a century on from its introduction, Colonia still sets the benchmark for scent makers and remains a connoisseur’s cologne, boasting a fandom that’s included Cary Grant. Akin to a flawless white shirt crafted in the corners of Jermyn Street, it’s elegant, timeless and crisp, and, thanks to its lightness, is great to spritz on throughout the day – ideal for when you want to make an impression 24/7.
No. 89
Akin to Colonia, No.89 by British perfume institution Floris hasn’t moved with modern trends. And that’s no bad thing – why fix something that isn’t broken? This traditional fragrance, with its soapy barbershop and cedarwood quality, is the smell of a true gent: one who knows his oxfords from his derbies and only buys his work shirts from Turnbull & Asser. It’s gone down in history as the signature scent of one James Bond, so don’t be surprised if this fragrance gives you the the erotic and masculine gravitas of 007 himself.
Penhaligon's Halfeti
Love bottled up. An intoxicating, mysterious fragrance made using vigorous grapefruit, Levantine spice, black rose and rose tangle, Penhaligon's Halfeti is a sure fire winner. It's a pretty intense fragrance, but for that reason you need to remember that you needn't much and a little goes a long way.
Terre D’Hermès
One of the world’s most iconic grooming products from one of the world’s most iconic brands, Terre D’Hermès is a contemporary classic, and although it has 21 per cent essential oils, it’s heavy on citrus, wood, pepper and spice. This winning blend, which has a profound and balanced depth, is perfect to spray when you want to stand out from the crowd and leaves a lasting aroma in your trail.
Dries van Noten Cannabis Patchouli
Grounded and earthy, this is a scent that isn't overpowering, but is intriguing enough to get a date interested. "This fragrance is like a light and dark olfactive pattern of fresh green leaves of clary sage aromatics rubbing against the woody leaves of patchouli," says Nicolas Bonneville, renowned perfumer. Bergamot and cedar leaves sit at the top of this refreshing scent, while sage incense, patchouli and musk give it an intriguing appeal. It's sensual, warming and not too intense that your date will scarper.
Now read our guide on how to get it right this Valentine’s Day
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