They say winter is the most magical time of the year, although I would have to disagree. In addition to slippery sidewalks and static hair, there’s chapped lips, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), crowded subway stations, and coming to terms with how bad you are at wrapping presents.
But peel off all the heavy layers that make you sweat during your ride and take some time to relax, and you might start to feel some sense of the warm, festive vibe that all those holiday movies promised. And if you ask us, finding the right scent definitely helps.
From Maison Francis Kurkdjian to Kayali, the biggest perfume houses have tackled fragrances that feel like the comforting hug we’ve been craving all season — and whether you can’t get enough of warm vanilla notes or cool winter florals are more your thing, there’s something that fits every budget.
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Kayali Yum Boujee Marshmallow 81 Eau de Parfum Intense
“A fragrance with this name is a far cry from the musky, spicy scents I’m usually drawn to. However, Kayali won me over earlier with another sweet concoction, Burning cherryso it piqued my interest to try this latest offering. Yum Boujee Marshmallow creates a first impression that is nothing like its name. The fragrance is bright, lively and undeniably fruity and floral, based heavily on top notes of freesia, lemon and apple. It’s almost a little too strong for my nose, but thankfully has a lovely drydown. It’s warm and musky in the base, balanced with hints of sweetness that’s really wearable. Here it lives up to its marshmallow name, with hints of whipped cream and vanilla. This new launch is reminiscent of the sweet body sprays from my teenage years, but much more elegant and sophisticated (and much less elegant). I can still smell it on my clothes at the end of the day.” — Esther Newman, contributing writer
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Kayali Yum Boujee Marshmallow 81 Eau de Parfum Intense, $, available at Sephora
DS & Durga Big Sur Eucalyptus Eau de Parfum
“I share Big Sur Eucalyptus with my partner. it is the ultimate genderless fragrance. At first, it’s a burst of fresh, woody, green crispness thanks to eucalyptus, rosemary and wet wood, but as it settles on the skin, it takes on a warm and spicy feel with hints of cardamom and dried leaves. It’s the perfect balance between a breath of crisp winter air and the warmth of an oversized hoodie. I also love the stylish bottle, which takes pride of place on my bedside cabinet.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director
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DS & Durga Big Sur Eucalyptus Eau de Parfum, $, available at Nordstrom
Zara Shades Of Lust Eau de Parfum
“It was my first time trying a Zara perfume and I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised. Not only does Shades Of Lust come in an intricate glass bottle that looks a lot more expensive than it actually is (and looks strikingly similar to Guerlain perfumes), the longevity and projection are both incredible for the $23 price tag . Just one spray on my wrists fills my nose – and my immediate surroundings – with a lovely scent of white peach and orange blossom, which takes several hours to fade. Anyone who loves fruity floral scents will be totally in the know, especially if you’re already a fan of peach-centric scents like Parfums de Marly Valaya or Kilian Paris Good Girl Gone Bad.” — Venus Wong, senior author
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Zara Shades Of Lust Eau de Parfum, $, available at Zara
Jo Malone Fir & Artemisia Cologne
“To my nose, this fragrance is not feminine or masculine. The woody note of fir is the star here, and there’s a quiet dash of something minty and bitter in the background. I usually don’t like patchouli as I find it too masculine for my taste, but here it is subtle. This scent reminds me of the holidays as it is warm but not spicy. Don’t expect strong staying power, but I think this works perfectly here. It stays close to the skin, making it quite a familiar and warm scent. If this did have a strong projection, it would be too imposing (decisive, even). Overall, this fragrance reminds me of hugging someone you love while wearing a thick sweater.” — Tanyel Mustafa, senior writer
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Joe Malone Fir & Artemisia Cologne, $, available at Blue mercury
Merit Retrospect L’Extrait de Parfum
“At first sniff, Retrospect gives the impression of grandma’s perfume, but hear me out: it’s elegant, like you discovered her vintage Chanel jacket hiding in the back of the closet and her scent still clings to the fabric. It’s familiar and comforting. The pear top note hits you first and while that initial blast is strong, it dries down and starts to smell more unique and leathery. This is where it starts to shine. The flowers (jasmine, iris and rose) peek through and the aldehydes cut through with a sharp, clean zing. The notes of musk, jasmine and moss then linger for hours, enveloping you in a warm, nostalgic embrace. I love wearing it with knits — there’s something so comforting about it on a cold winter’s day.” — Humeara Mohamed, Contributing Writer
Store Value
Value Retrospect L’Extrait de Parfum, $, available at Value
Maison Francis Kurkdjian APOM Eau de Parfum
“APOM, which stands for ‘A Part of Me’, is the fragrance I turn to whenever the winter blues hit me. I like to think of it as bottled sunshine that feels surprisingly appropriate for cold and gloomy days. The main characters are ylang-ylang and neroli, both of which are notes that bring back some of my happiest memories of traveling to Southeast Asia (as those types of scents feature heavily in spa products out there). The two flowers are highlighted by the orange blossom, which creates a scent profile that is much more sophisticated than your average floral fragrance. Amber and white musk notes further enhance the fragrance, making it a more warm and nostalgic experience. This fragrance has The White Lotus Season three (which happens to be set in Thailand) has writing all over it, and I’ve been reaching for my bottle whenever I need to channel my rich aunt.” — Venus Wong, senior author
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Maison Francis Kurkdjian APOM Eau de Parfum, $, available at Nordstrom
BDK Parfums Rouge Smoking Eau de Parfum
“From Kayali Burning Cherry to Zara Cherry SmoothieI have an obsession with cherry scents. They are often tart and syrupy in equal measure and therefore much more nuanced than your typical fruity perfumes, which can be overly saccharine. At first spritz, BDK’s Rouge Smoking is quite similar to Kayali’s offering, thanks to notes of cherry, sunflower almond blossom and bergamot, but the drydown is where it stands out and triumphs. It goes clean and comforting (that would be the white musk, vanilla and cashmere wood) and I’ve never known a scent that clings to skin and clothes like this. The staying power is incredible. It’s a sexy grown-up cherry scent that transcends seasons but works especially well in winter. I always look forward to spraying it.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director
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BDK Parfums Rouge Smoking Eau de Parfum, $, available at Neiman Marcus
Chanel No.5 Limited-Edition Eau de Parfum
“Despite the influx of tourists over the festive period, I appreciate seeing all the festive decorations around London. One of my favorite rides was the via New Bond Street, which is currently decorated with lovely Christmas lights in the shape of Chanel No.5 bottles. I’ve definitely developed a stronger love for this classic scent since entering my 30s, especially with how the sharp and piercing aldehydes interact with my body chemistry to create a luxurious, soapy scent that smells like nothing else. For the festive season, Chanel released a special edition of No.5, with a bottle draped in hand-woven silk to create a ‘snowfall’ effect. The fabulous packaging makes it even more of a collector’s item, if you ask me.” — Venus Wong, senior author
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Chanel No.5 Limited-Edition Eau de Parfum, $, available at Chanel
Jo Loves Black Cashmeran and Tonka Parfum
“This would be the perfect addition to any winter fragrance wardrobe. With spicy cardamom, heavy ginger and a hint of rum, it’s like a warm tea masala with a slab of dark chocolate on the side — rich but never bitter thanks to the vanilla tonka bean, which lends a subtle sweetness. Whenever I wear this, I feel so strong.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director
Store Jo Loves
Jo Loves Black Cashmeran and Tonka Parfum, $, available at Jo Loves
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