Hot scents

ANNICK GOUTAL L'ILE AU THE EDT

$179 for 50ml, available at Escentials boutiques from next month

Inspired by Jeju Island in South Korea, the name of this juice literally means "island of tea" in French.

Jeju is known for its green tea plantations and volcanoes. The perfumers of this scent were taken by the poetry of the tea fields and the wild wind. The result? A refreshing yet seductive blend of mandarin, tea absolute, osmanthus and white musks.

 PENHALIGON'S OSTARA EDT

$205 for 50ml, available at Penhaligon's boutiques

This fragrance takes its cue from the life cycle of a daffodil; from bulb, to bud and, finally, a blossom.

This light and fresh scent opens with juniper, violet leaf absolute and spearmint. This is layered against sparkling aldehydes, blackcurrant and clementine notes. The blend settles into a powdery base of vanilla, amber and white woods.

JO MALONE TUDOR ROSE & AMBER COLOGNE

$105 for 30ml, available at Jo Malone stores

A deep and dark scent that references the Tudor era in British history, when war raged while the spice trade boomed. A rich and deep scent with rose absolute, clove, ginger and amber.

KENZO FLOWER IN THE AIR EDT SUMMER EDITION 

$89 for 50ml, from Kenzo counters

A fruitier version of the brand's fresh-floral Flower In The Air; composed of redcurrant, pomegranate, guava, rose, freesia and white musk accords.

ATKINSONS LOVE IN IDLENESS EDT

$218 for 100ml, available at Atkinsons at Robinsons

The Heeren and Escentials boutiques from the end of next month

A subtle and sexy chypre (a category of perfumes composed of citrus, floral and mossy accords) first created during the roaring 1920s. In the updated pink-tinted cocktail are notes of raspberry and violet leaves, iris, violet flower, orris root, heliotrope, tree moss and patchouli.

CRABTREE & EVELYN PARISIAN MILLEFLEURS FLOWER WATER

$88 for 100ml, from Crabtree & Evelyn stores

An old-fashioned flower water with narcissus, rose, tuberose, violet, pink peppercorn, French juniper, cypress, benzoin and woods.

DOLCE FLORAL DROPS EDT

$99 for 30ml, available at Dolce & Gabbana counters

Made to smell like freshly picked white flowers covered with dew, this fragrance is composed of white amaryllis, neroli leaves, water lily and sandalwood.

NE'EMAH DESERT ROSE EDP

$130 for 100ml, from Sephora stores

Inspired by opulent Dubai, this perfume is a heady and sensual bouquet of jasmine, orange blossom, mandarin, peach, as well as patchouli and musk.

CLINIQUE AROMATICS IN WHITE

$53 for 30ml, from Clinique counters

A bold and alluring concoction of crisp violet leaf, cistus with an amber tone and spicy Sichuan pepper at the top; rose water, orange flower and patchouli at the heart; and musk and amber gris at the base. This scent is a modernised version of the classic Aromatics Elixir.

JIMMY CHOO BLOSSOM EDP

$72 for 40ml, available at Jimmy Choo counters, Sephora and Sasa stores from May

A sparkling and floral fragrance made for a night out. Top notes of citrusy berries are layered on sweet peas and roses, while white musk and sandalwood linger on the skin.

This article was first published on March 27, 2015.
Get a copy of Urban, The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.