Spring has sprung, and with it comes the debut of fresh new fragrances, signalling brighter days, dreamy, lingering evenings, and, Irish weather permitting, the occasional beach stroll.
Read on for my pick of the best new releases that will uplift, inspire and look pretty in your bathroom cabinet.
Collection of Emotions by Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury’s first foray into fragrance was Scent of a Dream, launched in 2016. I remember it as a rather lovely fragrance – juicy, fresh and memorable. Over the years, it slowly faded into the background before eventually disappearing from view. So, when news emerged that the brand was launching a comprehensive new collection “powered by emotion-boosting molecules”, my curiosity was piqued. After all, Charlotte Tilbury is not known for doing things by halves.
Collection of Emotions comprises six fragrances, each housed in opulent, jewel-toned glass bottles that draw inspiration from 18th-century potions and perfume design. True to Tilbury’s style, the fragrances boast delightfully theatrical names: More Sex; Love Frequency; Joyphoria; Magic Energy; Calm Bliss; and Cosmic Power (€150 each from Brown Thomas).
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Supposedly inspired by the unique emotions we experience, the brand employed the International Fragrance Foundation’s Scentcube algorithm and enlisted the expertise of three acclaimed perfumers – Anne Flipo, Juliette Karagueuzoglou and Dominique Ropion – to breathe life into them. Tilbury says each fragrance “serves as a portal, whisking you through various dimensions and empowering you to select how you wish to feel today”.
Somewhat predictably, the fragrance that grabs me the most is Calm Bliss, as I could use some of that in my life. It’s a very appealing fragrance – top notes of bergamot and neroli mingle with orange flower and a watery accord, and dry down to a soothing base of warm tonka bean and pure white musk.
A pleasingly fun collection that will appeal to all.
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Cheirosa 59 Perfume Mist by Sol de Janeiro
Once again, I find myself reaching for the phrase “summer holiday in a bottle” when writing about Sol de Janeiro. And it proves apt once more when describing their newest fragrance release: Cheirosa 59 Perfume Mist (€24 for 90ml from Brown Thomas). Arguably one of the most delectable summer-inspired fragrances I’ve had the pleasure of encountering.
An intoxicating, juicy, summer-scented fusion of vanilla orchid, sugar, violet and sandalwood, this is the kind of fragrance you want to keep spritzing again and again. It’s fresh, juicy, head-turningly yummy and utterly transportive – like I said, summer holidays. The new scent also comes encapsulated in Cheirosa 59 Delicia Drench Body Butter (€21 for 75ml from Arnotts) – a thick, creamy, decadently divine moisturising cream with the same intoxicating scent. Out of this world.
Báinín Eau de Parfum by Cloon Keen
Galway perfumer Cloon Keen has knocked it out of the park yet again with their newest launch: Báinín (€130 for 75ml). Appealingly described by the brand as akin to “the softest strands of creamy-white wool, capturing the pure innocence and exquisite plushness of this timeless material”.
Pronounced “bawneen”, which translates to “little white” – this is a whimsical ode to the ivory-coloured skeins of wool that traverse traditionally knitted Aran jumpers and, according to the brand, the tweed of the collarless jackets worn for generations by Aran fishermen. It’s a comfortable, warm, delicate fragrance reminiscent of a walk on the beach on a cool, crisp spring day; bright and fresh, with sunshine bursting through the clouds and the hint of a rain shower in the distance. Notes of bergamot, thyme and clary sage interweave with a heart of wool accord, gorse and jasmine absolute, among others, and hug-like base notes of cedarwood, musks, sandalwood and coumarin.
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A clever innovation from Hello Sunday, “The one for your eyes” SPF50 Mineral Eye Cream (€24 from Boots) offers lightweight SPF50 protection and a sprinkle of under-eye brightening magic. Its thin, easily applied formula effortlessly melts into the skin, brightening and smoothing while safeguarding the oft-neglected delicate skin under our eyes from UVA and UVB damage.
