No matter how much suede, motorcycle jackets, and boots I add to my fall wishlist or autumnal nail polishes I buy, summer will not let up here! That’s not stopping me from preparing for its inevitable arrival. I haven’t been this excited about dressing for fall since my years working retail, but now it’s better since I can actually afford to put together some of the looks I want. Thank you, God.
What’s a good look without a good scent, though? Sure, none of you can smell me through your screen—wouldn’t that be cool—but if I tell you the scent I’m wearing and you’ve smelt it too doesn’t that give you a better idea of the vibe I’m giving?
I’ve taken to changing my preferred fragrances between fall/winter and spring/summer. Spring and winter don’t happen for more than three or 4 weeks here so I don’t see the point in differentiating my fragrance wardrobe beyond two categories: warmer months and cooler months.
I decided to build my spring/summer scents at Oakcha and that got me through summer so now I’m faced with picking scents for fall and winter. While I like Oakcha and may end up buying a scent from them to save some money, I like it when my perfume bottles look noticeably different. That way I can easily tell what’s what without having to read the bottle.
While I don’t mind sweeter scents for the spring and summer, fall is about woody, ambery, smoky, powdery scents. Things that evoke coziness and warmth. I might snag one or two of these to add to the Victoria’s Secret scents I just got, but I’m a bit more concerned with picking up the boots, pants, and bag my fall/winter closet it missing.
If I make room in my budget these are the scents at the top of my list.
Margiela Autumn Vibes
I have a travel size of this scent and it was love at first spritz. It smells like an ideal fall day. I don’t know how else to explain it. It will 100% set the autumn vibe when you wear it. I haven’t sprayed this one on myself this fall yet. I’m waiting for a day when the high is 72ºF to pull it off the bench. Hopefully, I get to use it later this month.
I’d wear this all day long, but I’d have to reapply it a few times since it’s an EDT not an EDP. I haven’t smelled By The Fireplace, but I think I’ll love it. Woody and smoky? Sign me up.
Balmain Ébène
I haven’t smelled this one, but the notes remind me of Tom Ford Ébène Fumé with less smoke. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Ébène Fumé, but the addition of cinnamon and vanilla to Ébène makes me want to give it a try. I’m a sucker for a fragrance with vanilla notes.
Tom Ford Cherry Smoke
I’ve had my eye on Lost Cherry for a while, but I’m swapping it out of my wishlist for this one. I love how the smoky, leathery, and woody notes make it more earthy than the OG Lost Cherry.
I’d wear this one all day long. I know it’ll be a head-turner.
Kilian Paris Black Phantom “Memento Mori”
I have a travel size of this scent and I didn’t immediately love it. I wasn’t used to complex fragrances at that time so I’m glad I kept it. Normally if I don’t like a fragrance after a wear or two I give it away, but something made me keep this.
I fell in love with it when I wore it to dinner on a cool autumn night. The rum and coffee notes went well with the vibe of the evening so I want to have a full-sized bottle so I’ll always have this to set the mood. I’ve always described this as sexy danger because there’s a note in here that gives this fragrance a bit of an edge.
Xerjoff Golden Dallah
Admittedly I haven’t smelled this, but I’d be willing to blind buy it. I know I like 90% of the fragrance notes listed so I’m fairly confident that I’ll like it. I’ve also smelled a few other Xerjoff scents and loved all of them making me even more confident that I’ll like this one too.
I like this one as a spicier and less boozy alternative to Kilian’s Black Phantom. It’s still a good option for dinner, but it works for any nighttime activity. Maybe even day time depending on the sillage.
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle
I have worn this fragrance for years! I hooked my last boyfriend with this one. He’s now my husband thanks to this fragrance. I’m kidding about it being why he married me, but it smells amazing. I’ll probably always keep it in my fragrance wardrobe because it smells like our first date.
La Vie Est Belle is at a more affordable price point than the others here, but she packs a punch! It’s a sweeter scent than the others on this list, but it smells heavy—if that makes sense—so I’m not the hugest fan of wearing this in the spring and summer.
Mind Games Lionora
I have to save the best for last! I smelled this over the weekend and I was OBSESSED!! I let the salesperson spray it on the back of my hand and I couldn’t stop sniffing it all day long. It smelled like gummy bears at first and then more woody and floral after about an hour. After about two hours it smelled like woody, powdery perfection. I could wear this all year long, but I might put it away for winter since the top note is so fruity. If I end up splurging, it’s on this one. If I do, you know I’ll let you know!
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