7 Scents That Will Transport You to the Tropics
by Katie Dickens, Condé Nast Traveler
If subzero temperatures, snow-dusted streets, and gray days have got you down, consider an olfactory trip to the tropics. Here are seven veritable vacations in a bottle to Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica, and beyond.
Courtesy LuckyScent
The scent: 14°S 48°E – Madagascar eau de parfum by Richard Lüscher Britos
The inspiration: Ambania, Madagascar
The remoteness and climate of Northern Madagascar created a hospitable place for unique flora to flourish; they mingle with the non-native varieties of vanilla and vetiver imported by the island’s inhabitants. This is reflected in this spicy, floral fragrance, which blends the indigenous ylang-ylang, citrus, and pink peppercorn with transplants like cocoa and vanilla.
($160 for 1.7 fl. oz., luckyscent.com)
Courtesy LuckyScent
The scent: Costamor Beachwood eau de parfum
The inspiration: Costa Rica
On the unspoiled coastline of Costa Rica, forests (rather than resorts) border the sea. Aquatic notes conjure images of the beaches’ crystalline waters, neroli and coconut reference the tropical backdrop, and cedarwood nods to the tree-lined landscape.
($75 for 1.7 fl. oz., luckyscent.com)
Courtesy Creed Boutique
The scent: Creed Virgin Island Water eau de parfum
The inspiration: Ginger Island, British Virgin Islands
Creed’s perfumer, Oliver Creed, went on a sailing trip around the Virgin Islands and was inspired to create this dreamy summery scent. The delicious blend of lime, coconut, and rum evokes sun-warmed white sand beaches (perhaps with a cocktail in hand) while turquoise water gently laps the shore.
($175 for 1 fl. oz., creedboutique.com)
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Courtesy Barneys
The scent: Aedes de Venustas Copal Azur eau de parfum
The inspiration: Tulum, Mexico
Though home to many a surf school and yoga retreat, this Riviera Maya town still has traces of an ancient, sacred site. Its Mayan ruins, lush jungles, and Caribbean coastal views finds a scent equivalent in this salty, woodsy blend; meanwhile, frankincense mimics the copal used by the Maya (copal means “incense” in Nahuatl).
($245 for 3.4 fl. oz., barneys.com)
Courtesy BeautyHabit
The scent: Olivine Atelier Amongst The Waves eau de parfum
The inspiration: Hanalei, Hawaii
This blissful scent almost perfectly re-creates the smell of a Kauai beach. The island state’s abundance of fragrant flowers is represented by a trio of lilies, which mingle with notes of ocean salt and black coconut.
($80 for 1.7 fl. oz., beautyhabit.com)
Courtesy Diptyque
The scent: Diptyque Do Son eau de parfum
The inspiration: Do Son, Vietnam
This exotic floral fragrance evokes memories of the resort town Do Son, a bayside getaway for Hanoi locals and visitors. Sultry florals like tuberose and jasmine sambac are warmed by musk and pink peppercorn.
($90 for 1.7 fl. oz., diptyqueparis.com)
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Courtesy Tom Ford
The scent: Tom Ford Azure Lime
The inspiration: Mustique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
What Mustique lacks in size, it makes up for in luxury. The once-private playground for British royalty remains a rarefied bit of heaven and happens to be designer Tom Ford’s favorite holiday hideaway. It’s his muse for this sparkling synthesis of the eponymous citrus fruit, mint, basil, and white florals.
($215 for 1.7 fl. oz., tomford.com)
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