How to Build Your Perfect Fragrance Wardrobe

A fun fact about me is that I have never been chill about fragrances, ever, so I want to start with a story.

A few weeks ago, I was in the aptly named Fragrance Room at Adore Beauty’s Head Office, chatting with my colleague Laura, AB’s Retail Marketing Specialist, when I picked up a bottle of Goldfield & Banks SUNSET HOUR.

To you, dear reader, it may be just another gorgeous Goldfield & Banks fragrance, but to Laura and me, it is the scent I wore as we gallivanted through Europe last year.

The moment I spritzed it, we looked at each other and described the exact same memory of one specific dinner in Porto, after a few glasses of wine on the banks of the Douro River.

Since odors take a direct route to the limbic system, including the amygdala and hippocampus, which are tied to emotion and memory, it is no surprise that Sunset Hour became linked to that trip and to a vibe of fun, warmth, and adventure.

A fragrance wardrobe is just a way of consciously sorting out your fragrance collection; a considered way of purchasing and using fragrances to make sure you’ve got choice in your collection.

The goal here is to make sure you’re not buying too many similar perfumes with the same notes - to use a baseball term, we want to "cover all bases".

First up, you need an overachiever in your fragrance wardrobe.

This is the fragrance you can fall back on for anything - from a morning coffee catch-up, to work, to an after-dinner party.

It’s the MVP of your fragrance wardrobe, if you handed awards out for that sort of thing.

My first favourite fragrance that fits this category is Prada Paradoxe. Any time I wear this fragrance I get comments - it’s the perfect fresh yet sensual floral scent that lasts.

If you’re after something a little bit moodier then BDK Pas Ce Soir EDP 100mlis my all time favourite. She’s definitely pricey, but she comes in a bank-account-friendly  travel vial that could fit into a Longchamp Le Pliage Mini Pouch.

Last up in this category is the gorgeous GIVENCHY Irresistible Eau De Parfum Rose Velvet 80mlg, a new drop at Adore Beauty. This scent is incredibly beautiful, with notes of blackcurrant, neroli, rose, and patchouli. So beautiful in fact that it became an office fave.

Now we’re going to get into our scent families - and you might be asking, what in the world are scent families?

Essentially all fragrances are sorted into one of four overarching scent categories - amber, floral, fresh and woody.

So speaking of, the next thing you need to build out your scent wardrobe is something feminine.

Think light and floral fragrances that have dimension to them. This ain’t 2005, even though I did adore Curious by Britney Spears back then.

As far as feminine fragrances go, I can’t go past Yves Saint Laurent Libre Intense EDP 50ml  Yves as my number one recommendation for anyone wanting an elevated floral scent. This scent is described as “floral with a twist, an expert blend of sensual orange blossom, herbal lavender and musk that puts a feminine spin on traditionally masculine notes.”

If you’re after something a little sweeter, give Kylie Jenner Fragrances Cosmic Eau de Parfum 100ml a try. With “notes of a sweet, fresh blend of star jasmine and blood orange” this fragrance is perfect for everyday wear.

And last but not least, I have to recommend Burberry Her Eau de Parfum 100ml. It’s a bit cheeky of me, as this fragrance could also sneak into the sweet category, but it’s worthy of a place on your shelf so I’m charging ahead anyway.

Much akin to the staple trenchcoat of the fashion house, this fragrance is perfect if you’re after something to elevate your everyday. The scent “opens with a dense burst of berries, with blackcurrant, blueberry and raspberry left to linger in an intense, floral fruity sweetness”.

Next up are the fresh, androgynous scents perfect for when you want a clean and crisp fragrance.

And I may be biased, but this is my favourite scent family. One of my favourite feelings in the world is slipping into a freshly made bed after an everything shower and I adore fragrances that make me feel the same way.

Juliette Has A Gun Ode to Dullness 100ml EDP is my first pick for a fresh scent, with notes of star anise, freesia, cashmere flower and sandalwood. It’s also complex enough to make people ask what you’re wearing - which is always the biggest compliment.

I also adore Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF 100ml . This is definitely more of a masculine leaning scent, but I wear it anyway because it’s a strong, combination that makes me feel confident. MYSLF “features notes of sparkling citrus and warm woods alongside a unique floral twist”.

And last but not least, we have the gourmand scents - the moreish fragrances that you wear to date nights, wine bars and events. Essentially any time you want to be your most confident, most delicious self.

If you’re reading this and wondering, Maddy what in the world are you talking about, to help get the message across, one of the most popular gourmand fragrances is Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium (a personal fave).

First up we have the delicious Commodity Milk Expressive 100ml fragrance, a scent “that offers a warm, nostalgic journey with every spritz.

Don’t be taken aback by the Milk name - this scent is incredibly wearable ,with “notes of sesame, warm marshmallow, cold milk accord, mahogany wood [and] tonka bean.”

Next up is the Goldfield & Banks SUNSET HOUR Perfume 100mlfragrance I mentioned earlier - another personal favourite. This fragrance is “a fun, fruity scent, with notes of mandarin, desert peach, jasmine, coconut and sandalwood.”

And last but not least is the Glasshouse Fragrances Midnight in Milan 100mL Eau de Parfum. “This luxurious fragrance opens with a powerful saffron top note, blending warm spices with buttery sweetness. Heart notes of rose, jasmine and ambergris add a romantic and sensual feel, while earthy, mossy base notes are elegant and aromatic.

A gorgeous warm scent perfect for a date night at dusk.