Why smell like everyone else?

As a kid, I remember my yaya dabbing some blue Johnson’s baby cologne on me after every bath. Even as a teenager, it became such a habit, to the point that I couldn’t sleep without cologne. Now as an adult, I can’t step out of the house without a scent on.

I get a lot of compliments on how I smell. As an adult, I feel I’ve become a bit of a snob when choosing what gets on my counter. Nowadays, I veer away from the more identifiable scents. Let’s be honest, they’re costly: why smell like everyone else?

READ: Scent sense: Valaya evokes the sensual cotton on the skin

Your choice of fragrance adds another dimension to your wardrobe. What creates this additional element are your select fragrance notes—which should be viewed like a song—layered with their highs and lows which together create a pleasing unique composition. I layer my favorite scents together, creating my own combination that uniquely works for me. Yes, you may layer scents even if they’re from different brands.

Here are five of my current favorite fragrances to add to your collection. All are unisex.

1. Santal Blanc by Van Cleef & Arpels

This is a floral woody musk fragrance for women and men. Santal Blanc was launched in 2019 and the nose behind this particular scent is Michel Almairac. Top notes are Fig Nectar and Mandarin Orange; middle notes are Sandalwood and Violet; base notes are Musk, Tonka Bean and Benzoin. I love Santal and believe me, I have put my nose to the test. In my opinion, Van Cleef has the cleanest, most crisp scent I have encountered. 

2. Irish Leather by Memo Paris

From Memo Paris’ leather collection and not for the faint of heart, this scent contains an intoxicating blend of pink pepper, clary sage oil, juniper berry, green maté absolute, flouve oil,  iris concrete, tonka bean absolute, leather accord, birch oil, and amber accord. This is a rich scent I love using during evenings or in cold weather. Available at Art of Scent.

3. II (Deux) by Trudon

This scent contains fragrance notes of green leaves, orange bigarade, pine, pepper, juniper, and cedar. I would suggest you visit Univers and experience this line. Even their candles are divine.

4. L’Ombre dans l’Eau by Diptyque Paris

Key fragrance notes include rose, black currant buds, petitgrain, and blackcurrant leaves. Its mix of floral, fruity, and a hint of herbaceous, makes this quite unique. Among the five scents, this may be the most mainstream, but I feel it has been quite overlooked recently. Available at Rustan’s.

5. Arabesque by Ormonde Jayne

This is a floral fruity fragrance for men and women. This is a new scent Ormonde Jayne launched in 2023. Arabesque’s top notes are saffron, black currant, black pepper, and bergamot; middle notes are rose and jasmine; base notes are agarwood (oud), musk, patchouli, and moss. Available at Art of Scent.

Story originally from RIA RECOMMENDS