The 8 best unique fragrances for women over 40

Sonia Haria
Updated
Looking for a unique, heatwave-proof fragrance? Under-the-radar brands are the way to go, says Sonia Haria  - This content is subject to copyright.
Looking for a unique, heatwave-proof fragrance? Under-the-radar brands are the way to go, says Sonia Haria - This content is subject to copyright.

During the summer, particularly when it’s so hot, I don’t tend to wear perfume every day. A refreshing citrus body lotion usually does the trick. But a cluster of niche, independent fragrances landed on my desk this week and they are so delicious, I’ve been surrounded by a cloud of perfume.

Strangelove NYC is a small brand with a big cult following. Model Helena Christensen is its creative director, and the scents smell incredible – warm, sensual and musky. My favourite is Lost in Flowers, a dark floral scent with gardenia, lily of the valley and moss. It’s available in a spray and, brilliantly, a rollerball oil. One of its more unusual notes, magnolia champaca, is said to be a natural antidepressant and mood-booster. Rubbed on pulse points and the back of the neck, it warms into the skin and lingers all day.

I also love the clever Layers concept by Experimental Perfume Club, available at Liberty in London and online. Founder Emmanuelle Moeglin is a perfumer passionate about bespoke fragrance. Her Layers collection consists of three vials of scent – jasmine/osmanthus, sandalwood/musk and bergamot/incense – which can be blended together in proportions to your liking (each set comes with a pipette and a recipe card to help), so you can create your own concoction in the most luxe way possible. The individual ‘starter’ scents are lovely to wear alone, too.

How to | wear fragrance in summer

Laboratory Perfumes has been around for seven years but still feels like a very insider brand. There are only five scents, all evoking certain memories for British founder Aaron Firth. I love No 002 Gorse, a fresh, zingy perfume with a base of cardamom. Every part of the fragrance is UK-made, and the bottles and packaging are all produced using recycled materials. What surprised me was that these complex, beautiful scents are just £65 for 100ml. At that price, there’s no reason I shouldn’t wear them every day. 

I’m running out of space here to espouse all my favourite niche brands… So here’s my rundown of sensational scents, below.

perfumes
perfumes

  1.  Laboratory Perfumes  No 002 Gorse, £65 for 100ml  edt (libertylondon.com) 

    Splash on  this uplifting,  unisex scent all summer. Bliss. 

  2. Mizensir  Coeur de Cologne, £175  for 100ml edp

    Freshen up any outfit with this citrus cologne. 

  3. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Celestia Forte, £175  for 70ml edp (selfridges.com) 

    With notes of lime and mint, this is as bright as it gets.

  4. Strangelove NYC Lost in Flowers, £360  for 50ml (harrods.com) 

    A warming scent, perfect for balmy summer nights.

  5. Frédéric Malle Sale Gosse, £155 for 100ml (fredericmalle.co.uk) 

    Uplifting and powdery,  it smells of  clean laundry and freshly  cut grass.

  6. Le Labo AnOther 13,  £180 for 100ml edp (libertylondon.com) 

    This feminine musk-based scent is crisp and elegant. 

  7. Byredo Bibliothèque, £105 for  50ml edp (byredo.co.uk) 

    Spritz this plum and peony fragrance for  a sweet refresh.

  8. Experimental Perfume Club Layers Jasmine/Osmanthus, £95 for 50ml (libertylondon.com) 

    A clever concept that would be a brilliant gift for perfume lovers.