2024 Top Fragrance Picks (from my own collection)
With 25 fragrances to choose from, picking a top 5 may seem like an easy task. However, picking a favourite 5 from a selection of 25 of your most liked fragrances which were worth buying….. that is where the challenge begins.
This is a top 5 list of fragrances which I fell in love with and bought during 2024. Their existence I find essential for the everyday living of a human being (especially myself). I am a perfume enthusiast with a preference for ‘gourmand’ fragrances. If I don’t smell edible, then it’s not making my list.
1 - Alien Goddess by Mugler
Currently, one of my favourite fragrances of all time. It is soft and smooth without being overly rich and sickly. There is a sweet woodiness to it which is comfy and warm. It smells of a vanilla reed left in a new hotel room with fresh linen and cashmere throws which are laid upon a wooden bedframe. The bergamot in this fragrance is not overly potent but assists the fragrance with this rounded floral addition to avoid an overly decadent vanilla scent which is so popular amongst teenagers currently. It is a gentle and sophisticated vanilla which at first smelt to me as chocolate regardless of its lack of cocoa notes, but is due the sun-kissed smell from bourbon vanilla and coconut which is also velvety and recognisable. It is creamy and comforting and is my go-to date night scent. The bottle is almost empty but it is one of my definite refills although I usually like to try new fragrances instead of repurchasing, this is my exception.
2 - Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules Art & Chemistry
If you don’t own a Molecule fragrance, it is the one scent that I tell everyone is a must buy. Due to Molecule’s experimentation and concentration of an ingredient Iso E Super ,according to Escentric Molecules Art & Chemistry website, which may be seen as equivalent to a ‘fragrance glue’, it is one of the most long lasting fragrances I own. Due to its subtle and gentle woodiness, not much is needed and therefore, my 30ml bottle has last me over a year. I use my Molecule 01 as a foundation to my woody fragrances. I layer it under my Alien Goddess to extend its longevity and to add a hint of woody notes which converts my Alien Goddess to a darker, more evening time scent. I layer it under most of my fragrances to help them last longer. Molecule 01 is also known to be noticeable to others, as friends have explained to me previously, that although it is not an overwhelming scent, it is one that you can sense off the wearer. Molecule’s creativity is so interesting and the transformative abilities and science of their fragrances make it worth the spend. I think everyone should own a Molecule fragrance whether to wear on its own or to enhance other fragrances.
3 - Yum | Pistachio Gelato | 33 by Kayali
Wow. This is probably one of the most unique scents within my own collection. The frosted mint green bottle makes the bottle aesthetically pleasing to the eye. It already conveys to the eye what the nose is about to experience through its green and white packaging reminiscent of an ice cream parlour. Listed on the back of the bottle is its notes of “ Pistachio Gelato”, “Hazelnut”, “Sweet Rum”, “Whipped Cream”, “Marshmallow”, “Cotton Candy”. You can smell each of these notes in this fragrance strongly. The hazelnut gives it this smooth rounded effect which gives a slight nuttiness and slight richer elegance than what is expected from a typical ‘cotton candy’ fragrance. It is slightly sweet from its marshmallow note but it helps the pistachio blend into the fragrance so that it does not become a savoury affair. The rum note is sensational. It deepens the fragrance to pull it far away from the sweetness and lightness associated with these sweet gourmand fragrances and the rum makes it a rich, decadent, boozy delight which strengthens the scent. It is nutty and sweetly tipsy but lies on a fluffy cloud to allow airiness in to avoid an overpowering sickliness. To me, this perfume is an oxymoron as it matches light creamy treats and pistachio ice cream reminiscent of Summer with the drunken and generous habits of adding sweet booze like mulled wine, baileys etc, in this case sweet rum, to desserts at Christmas in the Winter time. This is truly GOURMAND.
4 - Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche by Estee Lauder
This is summer in a bottle. Do you ever put on your summer body lotions such as sunscreen or tanning lotions and wish there was a smell which reminded you of this prepping for the beach? Have you ever smelt the fresh whipped cream on top of your pina colada and been so excited that you want people to feel that same way about you? THIS IS IT. This comes on every sunny holiday with me. It smells of creamy pina colada. It is so rich in its coconut smell and is smooth but also fresh and bright. It has a slight citrus zing to it which is brightening and revitalising after a few too many cocktails at the beach bar the night before. It is a fragrance that you can smell off yourself and not only do you think you smell good enough to eat but you smell good enough to DRINK. This is a fresh, slightly sour, creamy gourmand that you feel if you could eat it, and did, (don’t drink your fragrances though please), that you wouldn’t be bloated and sickly, but feel brought back to life. Bathe me in this every Summer.
5 - Chocolate Greedy by Montale
For my last pick, we are straying away from main stream, or more known luxury brands and going to a nicher brand known as Montale. This so far is my only Montale fragrance but this one delivers so well that I would definitely like to try more. Chocolate Greedy to me, in the best way, smells exactly like Terry’s Chocolate Orange. It is bountiful in its chocolate scent which is smooth, slightly powdery, with its slight zest of orange. This is a fragrance which is so gourmand that it smells exactly like food such as chocolate tastes. Its velvety chocolate smell is reminiscent to the texture of chocolate. Once, I was told you could smell the scent of a Kinder Bueno because I had sprayed this perfume. I do not see this as an insult whatsoever. If you are someone that doesn’t want hints of gourmand elements but wants the whole smelling accurately to an item of food, is it chocolate? Then this one is for you. This is my little treat for when I’m missing a little sweet treat but want to indulge in the memory and smell of luxury chocolate.
Honourable Mention:
Muddled Plum by Molton Brown - this has a deep sweetness which reminds me of all the best bits of mulled wine without the alcoholic stench or the tangy almost vinegary burn on the tongue. This has been discontinued and this is my small petition to get it back.
Have you tried or heard of any of these? Do you wear anything similar?