The Ultimate Scent Guide for Autumn

What is your scent pick for the new season? Emma Bangay sourced the must-know notes and fragrance families for a fruitful (or is that citrus-y?) autumn aroma!

Summer seems to scream for citrus scents, those that evoke the zest of luscious fruits or even the sharpness of the ocean spray. But in autumn, those aromas aren’t quite so endearing. 

As National Training Manager for Fragrances at Cosmax Prestige Brands, Dimitri Webber, explains, powdery fragrances are the biggest trend for the cooler months.

“[Autumn scents are] more subtle, more refined, more elegant and so French,” he explains. "Spring and summer fragrances are most of the time too aggressive and too light, being quickly replaced with more woody notes and roses in women’s fragrances, as the temperature drops," he adds.  

Fragrance Families

The most popular fragrance families for 2016 are woody, oriental and powdery.

Powdery fragrances are more melancholy than most, explains Dimitri: “Like grandmother's old loose powder makeup - cacooning, warm and comfortable in notes of violet, iris, rose and leather!"

Woody fragrances contain tropical, warm and woody notes such as cedarwood, sandalwood and creamy notes.

Meanwhile, Oriental has more incense, seeds and spices, such as pepper, tonka beans, vanilla, styrax and patchouli.

Everything Old is New Again

“More and more brands are bringing some nostalgic notes to their fragrances,” Dimitri explains. “We tend to buy products that make us feel good and forget about the world outside, with its wars, violence and aggression," he explains. "We like to assimilate fragrances with existing fragrances of the past that remind us of some comforting things such as home, family and a partner."

Winter Layers

When layering scent in the cooler months, Dimitri suggests spraying perfume on wool ("from a distance! It should never ruin fabrics") and layer the skin with body cream and shower gel.

"Spraying perfume on stockings is very French, sexy and long-lasting," he adds. "Just be sure always to take your clothes to the dry cleaners after winter to get rid of all the fragrances and start anew and fresh next year!"

Notes Explained

Each scent is made up of a three-tiers: top notes, heart notes and base notes. The most popular symphony of notes this season is diverse and delicious, Dimitri explains. 

• Top Notes:  strawberry, ginger, honey
• Heart notes: iris concrete, violet, orange blossom, nectar
• Base notes: sandalwood and patchouli still sexy and mysterious

Seduced by the options? Here are the top scents of autumn 2016, available from David Jones or Myer.

1. Narciso Rodriguez Poudrée: Available at Myer or David Jones stores
2. Tiger orchid Balmain Extatic: Exclusive to Myer
3. Elie Saab Rose Couture: Exclusive to Myer
4. Acqua di Parma Colonia Ambra: Exclusive to David Jones
5. Valentina Myrrh: Exclusive to Myer
6. Rosa Nobile Acqua di Parma: Exclusive to David Jones
7. Valentino Poudre: Available in Myer and David Jones stores