Season 8 • Episode 9: Correspondence Special – Finding Your Favourite New Fragrances
From a listener seeking a clean iris vibe replacement for a much-loved (and now discontinued) Armani Privé, to another searching for an emboldening scent to help her win a fight (literally!) there’s nothing Suzy and Nicola love more than receiving your questions and requests for ‘Perfume Prescriptions’.
It’s something they’ve always specialised in at On the Scent Podcast – it brings them such joy being able to match people to perfumes they’d perhaps never tried or even heard of). And my word, they get a LOT of DMs @onthescentpodcast on Instagram, and messages on the On the Scent Podcast Facebook group, and so it made sense they dedicate an entire episode to do a deep dive on these two fascinating fragrant conundrums...
In this correspondence special, we begin with some lovely feedback from a listener who made a new discovery via a previous prescription suggestion, then we dive into the two new requests, which are equally intriguing, and really showcase the kinds of questions they get so many of and adore researching (often for hours!) to find the perfect perfumes for.
Joanna said:
‘Dear Suzy and Nicola, I can’t thank you enough for your amazing affordable iris prescriptions! Both sound incredible and I will be definitely be hunting them down, especially Fragonard Belle de Paris! I especially want to thank you for your reviews of the new M&S perfumes. That episode came out shortly before my trip to England from the States, and I immediately added M&S to the itinerary! And WOW…
Sheer Musk and Darkest Vanilla are incredible! M&S perfumes are unavailable in America, so had my trip been just a couple of weeks earlier I would have been completely out of luck, as I would never have considered exploring M&S as a perfume haven without your expert recommendation. I humbly beg you to do full reviews of the rest of the Studio lineup! I feel that the interests of promoting truly exquisite super-affordable, unique fragrances warrant such a podcast focus. Thank you for all you do for the fragrance community!!’
Listener prescriptions:
Netta asked:
‘Hi! I recently discovered your podcast and I’m absolutely loving it. I’ve been binge listening and enjoying every episode!! I’ve always been obsessed with fragrance and smelling good, so it feels like I’ve finally found my people.
I was wondering if you could recommend a perfume that’s similar to the discontinued Armani Privé Pierre de Lune. I absolutely loved it and have never managed to find anything that captures the same feeling.
It had such a clean, soft, almost soapy quality while still feeling fresh and elegant. I’d be so grateful for any recommendations!
Many thanks in advance, Netta.’
Suzy suggested:
‘This modern and elegant fragrance opens with notes of mandarin, galbanum, orange and orange blossom which lead to the heart composed of iris, cedar and vetiver. The base is composed of incense and benzoin.’
Another stunning iris scentby Daniela Andrier. And only £42 for 100ml eau de toilette! ‘Belle de paris is elegantly cloaked in iris, a symbol of chic, and wears its incomparable scent. Its fruity head notes of green mandarin, neroli, and pear brighten a generous heart of iris absolutely adorned with violet and incense. Musk and white cedar form its base.’
‘‘Per sē is our scent identity and the olfactive translation of our core belief: There is No Scent Like the Present. It combines the now. The achromatic, and the individual in a sensory experience. “In creating Per sē, we aimed to capture the very essence of the present moment. This fragrance is unparalleled; it ebbs and flows with the dynamism of change, yet its core remains strikingly constant. Just as time never stops, neither does ‘Per sē’. It serves as evidence of the enduring within the ever-changing.” Crafting a symphony of achromatic elegance, Per sē is composed of a floral bouquet, orris butter, and violet leaves. Juxtaposed with clean aldehydes, bamboo, and a pinch of spicy pepper, a subtle underscore of ambrette seeds, angelica roots, and gentle musk complete the incompletable experience of the sensory now.’
Nicola suggested:
‘A tribute to the mythical love between Psyche and Eros, which led to the birth of their daughter, Hedone. One scent can convey this legend: musks. At the heart of Fleur de Peau, they are cottony, downy or soft. Highlighted with iris and ambrette seed, they reveal their full tactile dimension.
Absolute ambrette seed extract comes from hibiscus flowers. Its notes are extraordinarily rich: sweet, slightly animal, fruity (like pear and plum).’
Madeline @rocknrollgypsy_13 asked:‘
‘Hello Suzy and Nicola! Fragrance goddesses! Long time listener of the pod, I work on a vineyard in the Hunter Valley NSW Australia and listening to both of you have gotten me through some long, long days working by myself. My name is Madeleine and I was wondering if you could give me a perfume prescription to empower and ground me. Apart from being a musician, one of my other passions is Muay Thai.
As a female fighter I compete quite regularly, recently coming back from a life changing trip to Bangkok where I competed at the WBC games winning a silver medal for Australia. It was a tough fight and I know I could’ve done more to win that gold, but my mind always seems to stop me before I even step over the ropes. My mentality is something I always battle with, self-doubt, self-confidence and self-belief is always what I struggle with.
This is a weird kind of prescription, but I would like something to wear before my fights, something that is empowering, fires me up, grounds me and makes me feel like I am an unstoppable force going into the ring to face my opponent.
Think a goddess of war, powerful, strong, unbreakable and fierce. Something to spray on before I warm up, or walk into the ring that grounds me, centres me and reminds me of who I am.
I am open to anything, as my love for perfume has grown so much since listening to you both. Much love always, thank you for all you do. Madeleine xx’
Nicola’s answer:
‘I am the host who cooks to the rhythm of the seasons, the one who pulls up an extra chair before you’ve even asked. I believe in the beauty of things made by hand - the thumbprint in the clay, the worn-in softness of a family heirloom.
There is quiet joy in walking the same path every day and noticing the first green shoots of change. For me, luxury resides in the weight of a heavy linen shirt and the simple, rhythmic task of chopping herbs from the windowsill pot. I am a life lived in the present tense.
Nurturing my sourdough starter Fantasising of a life in the wilderness Leaving the bookshop with just one more A cup of tea in the garden Seeking out the perfect soulful escape’
Top Notes: shiso, pink peppercorn, spearmint, elemi
Heart Notes: deep-leaf immersion, armoise, geranium, chamomile blue, cardamom, clary sage
Base Notes: hay absolute, fir balsam, oakmoss, myrrh
‘The Amouage Meander eau de parfum explores the exhilarating feeling of happiness in a land covered by fog – think lush green mountains and running waterfalls covered in steamy clouds. Translating this surreal landscape using notes of frankincense and vetiver, the rich greenery with cypriol and jonquille, and the caramel-hued earth with sandalwood, carrot heart and orris root, this unique fragrance captivates the senses and doesn’t let go even hours after being spritzed on the pulses.’
Suzy’s answer:
Eris Parfums Ma Bête‘MA BÊTE (My Beast)
‘It caresses you with the suggestiveness of perfumed fur. A collision of the floral and the animal, MA BÊTE combines a regal Tunisian Neroli with spices and a 50 percent overdose of Antoine Lie's own animalic cocktail.’‘Ma Bête is a fierce beast with raunchy elegance.’ – Antoine Lie (Perfumer)
After interviewing Master Perfumer Antoine Lie for Scent and Subversion, Barbara asked him to help her create a collection of fragrances as bold as her favourite vintage perfumes but for a modern audience.Named after ERIS, the Greek goddess of troublemaking and disruption, ERIS PARFUMS is inspired by muses — divine, human, and fragrant — that exemplify unconventional beauty and subversive glamour.’
‘Brocéliande is a bewitching, mystical concentrate. Delightful with its citrus entrance and sweet notes on a caramel and cinnamon undertone, Broceliande then reveals a fragrance of indecipherable power. Let yourself be seduced by the full bark of the oak casks. As it dries, the bark reveals gentle whisky aromas.
Deep down, the juice settles into a desirable, musky mystery. Combining the power of the forest with the magic of the animal world, SORADORA sign Broceliande like a wild, secret blend that calls forth and stirs up our most unpredictable instincts. Here's to your impulses.’
‘Inspired by the Purple Heart medal, awarded for acts of valour, this fragrance salutes courage in all its forms. Anyone can be a hero in their day-to-day life, and even the smallest of courageous gestures can make a big difference.Flipping the olfactory pyramid upside down, The Heart of Valour opens in a darker place, then moves towards the light. Sometimes all it takes is an act of courage to move from dark to light, because the fragrance then opens up into a luminous, optimistic and unique scent. A heroic and unique journey, an ultimately sumptuous and rewarding scent.
The Purple Heart opens with rich, sweet, sumptuous black plum and black cherry, then as it settles, the other notes begin to sparkle through. The earthy violet and purple rose are complemented by the salty liquorice which adds a real sense of intrigue to the fragrance. The longevity of The Purple Heart is amazing, it lasts at least 8 hours on the skin, settling into a much softer and smoother fragrance as the hours go by.’
Want to get in touch with feedback or prescription questions for Suzy & Nicola? Message via a DM @onthescentpodcast and they’ll try to get back to you or answer on the show!
