Top five Winter 2024 scents to elevate your senses
My winter morning routine starts with vitamin C, vitamin D, and spritzing on my favourite scent. Having a signature fragrance for the colder months brightens up the dreariness of grey, rainy days, making it an essential part of my daily ritual, akin to taking supplements. Fragrance has always intrigued me for its ability to connect with memories, conjuring specific moods and aesthetics. What captivates me most is the rich blend of history, culture, creativity, and science in perfumery. The diverse extraction methods and unique notes create a fascinating realm where chemistry intersects with anthropology. Recently, I launched a fragrance consulting business via X (formerly known as Twitter), crafting personalised fragrance profiles for clients worldwide based on their preferences and aesthetics, often conveyed through mood boards. My passion for fragrance dates back to my childhood, where I experimented with my mother's signature Issey Miyake and Jean Paul Gaultier perfumes, layering them with nostalgic Victoria's Secret body mists. It's remarkable how this early fascination from my youth has resurfaced in my teenage and adult years.
I've smelled what feels like a million fragrances by now, and I can confidently say that these winter scents have received the most positive responses, even from the pickiest tastes. These fragrances are guaranteed to boost your mood and keep you warm all winter.
Words by Aa'ishah Kajee
Haze – Who Is Elijah
An opening of clove and pink pepper spiciness, contrasted with the soft floral note of orange blossom. A woody cashmeran vanilla. It’s like a whirlwind of warmth, woody-ness and sensual cashmeran. She reminds me of the warmth from a fireplace whilst wearing a cashmere sweater. Every one of my senses are met with comfort when I smell her. A sweet, creamy, amber, nutty, woody vanilla. Slightly powdery. The notes are almost identical to “by the fireplace” by Maison Margiela, but the way it's formulated positions itself as a sweeter, softer, more gentle version of the cult classic. A gorgeous winter fragrance.
Orchidee Vanille – Van Cleef & Arpels
She’s my most recent fragrance purchase, with notes of lychee, vanilla, tonka bean and Bulgarian rose, this scent hits every spot in my brain. I’ve never smelt something equally as sparkly as it is gourmand. The longevity varies depending on the person (like most fragrances) but it personally lasts all day on me! All the notes are beautifully blended that it’s hard to distinguish any one particular note. Gourmand, woody, spicy AND warm floral notes, she’s absolute perfection. I can’t stop smelling my wrists every time I wear her.
Amande Tonka – Elie Saab
She smells like if Tom Ford vanilla sex procreated with a spiced caramel almond. The sandalwood keeps her grounded and traditional. The tonka bean wears so beautifully on the skin, keeping the dry down warm and spicy. She’s the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, sophisticated and sexy. The harmonious blend of sweetness, spice and warmth is just right for the winter months.
Lovefest Burning Cherry – Kayali
A gorgeous, sweet, woody, amber cherry. This makes me feel like I’m in the middle of winter at a luxury hotel bar, sipping on cherry liqueur, sitting next to a pile of freshly cut firewood by the lobby’s burning fireplace. Perfect for a late dinner out on a winter evening. She’s a seductive, sweet and boozy cherry. Kayali fragrances never miss.
Un Bois Vanille – Serge Lutens
A fragrance so good that both my brother and I use it. The most gender neutral vanilla fragrance I’ve smelt (next to Tom Ford tobacco vanille). The coconut milk note enhances the smoothness of the vanilla, similar to how olive oil on vanilla ice cream just enhances the smoothness of the ice cream rather than adding the flavour itself. A warm-spicy vanilla that is light enough to wear from day to evening. The dry down is even better than the initial scent when you spray it. I layer this with almost everything.
Round-up by Aa'ishah Kajee
For fragrance consulting enquiries, you can reach Aaisha at: cerisekida@gmail.com or dm her through instagram @cerisekida.
