Fragrance

New Fragrance Arrivals Everyone’s Talking About

Nectar, nuts and vanilla, oh my…

In the past few weeks, three new fragrance arrivals have delighted our clients and flown off our shelves. Delicious and indulgent with an intoxicating twist, each is destined to be the talk of the fragrance world for months to come. So what are you waiting for? Join the conversation!

ESCAPADE GOURMANDE
Maison Mataha

Our newest brand, Paris’ Maison Mataha, has only released one fragrance, but they only needed one to take over the world. Escapade Gourmande is nostalgic, creamy vanilla diffused through pale pink clouds of addictive white musk, forming an intoxicating, truly endless trail. It’s no wonder this fragrance had a mile-long waitlist before it arrived! 

For lovers of indulgent gourmands, Escapade Gourmande sets itself apart.
DELTA OF VENUS
ERIS Parfums

The bewitching, boundless creativity of this New York brand continues with this fruity sensation. In a sinfully decadent re-telling of Adam and Eve, the “forbidden fruit” takes the form of a guava accord so visceral, textured and immersive it’s practically virtual reality. It seriously must be smelled to be believed.
 
For lovers of juicy, delicious scents, Delta of Venus is a historic achievement with a dash of grown-up sex appeal. 
FACES OF FRANCIS
Vilhelm Parfumerie

Riffing on the memories and desires of painter Francis Bacon, famous for his disturbing deconstructions of the human form, Vilhelm has managed to find a gentle magnetic warmth underneath all that brooding. Featuring smoky wood, resins and a lovely pistachio accord smooth like organic nut butter, the first great fall fragrance is already here. 
 
For lovers of mysterious woods, Faces of Francis is artistic, confident and effortlessly wearable.

COMING SOON

A sneak preview… sampling now!

DODO JACKFRUIT EDITION
Zoologist

Balancing an almost-unheard-of jackfruit accord (think pineapple-banana-mango smoothie) with sparkling spices like turmeric and pink pepper, Dodo Jackfruit drops this tropical cocktail into a powdery-creamy-woody jungle. It’s just the kind of olfactory hallucination Zoologist is famous for, and luckily, this trip is a happy one. Subtly sweet and blissfully breezy, Dodo Jackfruit is a one-of-a-kind scented landscape from Toronto’s favourite mad scent scientists. 
 
Limited edition bottles will be available on August 25th, but samples are available now!

Discover our new fragrance arrivals!

Fragrance

Etiket’s Fragrance Favourites of 2022

A look at the Etiket team's most-loved fragrances from the past year.

This year, we saw many memorable, boundary-pushing fragrances arrive at Etiket. In fact, there was so much excitement coming in from so many different directions, there seemed no way to sum it all up. But more and more, nothing is ever just one thing; to borrow the title from one of this year’s best films, we are surrounded by Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. And one of the easiest ways to switch things up and transform with the ever-changing world is through scent. 

This year, we divided our favourite new fragrance arrivals into two categories: Light & Shadow. But even here, all is not what it seems. These shadowy scents may be dark, calming, and cozy, but they can also contain surprise: new textures, new ingredients, and an energizing sense of space. Similarly, these light fragrances are not without depth, and especially not without mystery. They may be cheerful, but they’ve got secrets. 

As you explore, you could ask yourself which category you’re drawn to, and whether any from the other category surprised you. More than anything, all ten fragrances make a tantalizing offer: isn’t it time for a bit of reinvention?

Want to try our 2022 Fragrance Favourites? Discover the Sample Pack here.

Light

Pony Boy Extrait de Parfum
JORUM STUDIO

Edinburgh perfumer Euan McCall is a virtuoso at capturing the wild textures of his unusual ingredients as if frozen in a strange still life. In his newest, tart rhubarb becomes a bewitching fog, cheekily caressing driftwood and pink lotus flowers, imploring another sniff.
London Funk EDP
VILHELM PARFUMERIE

The name is correct: this scent starts green and funky. But amidst the chaotic party of this avant-garde opening, a blissful, sexy-cool ambergris drydown is sneaking up on you, ready to steal your heart. 
Paragon EDP
INITIO PARFUMS PRIVÉS

A burst of juicy plum mingles with soothing palo santo and sage, the whole affair sluicing over polished sticks of sandalwood. A potion of confident ease, and a refreshing new take Initio’s signature magnetism.
Like This EDP
ETAT LIBRE D’ORANGE

This collaboration with Tilda Swinton finds the everyday smells of her highland cottage (and the breathtaking views outside) merging into a weightless, ecstatic dance of candied ginger, wildflowers, and singing earth. A textural marvel, and one of our perfume director’s all-time favourite scents. 
Ibiza Nights EDP
CARNER BARCELONA

An unapologetic sex bomb laughing in the face of “bad taste”, this perfectly-constructed signature pours glamourous sun-soaked florals over pear and vanilla and parties like it’s 1999. We love it.

Shadow

Indigo Smoke EDP
ARQUISTE

Cool mountain air at dusk, sparkling fireflies of freshness and an urgent waft of crisp pine smoke, billowing in softly over hours. This modern masterpiece unfolds like clockwork, overflowing with poetry, place, and a cinematic elegance.
Plum in Cognac EDP
SCENTS OF WOOD

A deeply pleasurable hug of scent, with wood-barrel-infused organic alcohol anchoring all that plummy, boozy, sophisticated gourmand depth. Smells inescapably familiar yet not quite like anything else.
Ambre Chromatique Extrait de Parfum
MAISON CRIVELLI

Amber and vanilla get their groove back in this colourful, hypnotic ode to luscious, off-dry warmth. Another addictive, forward-thinking work from “Ganymede” perfume star Quentin Bisch.
Musc Amarante EDP
L’ARTISAN PARFUMEUR

The delightfully bonkers premise of a collection inspired by garden vegetables reached its apex in this earthy, serene, strangely wearable pairing of white musk and beetroot. Its beauty, and versatility, just might surprise you.
Haltane EDP
PARFUMS DE MARLY

A sumptuous harmony of oud, leather and spice, vividly modernized with a kiss of sugary praline. This fragrance has all the refined luxury we expect from Parfums de Marly with added richness and a rugged edge.
2022 Fragrance Favourites Sample Pack
ETIKET

This set includes 10 samples of 0.7 ml each of our Top 10 Fragrance Favourites of 2022, packaged in glass vials with wand applicators.

Fragrance

Best-Selling Fragrances & Discovery Sets of 2022

Discover the most popular fragrances and discovery sets at Etiket in 2022!

Curious about which fragrances our clients were loving most in 2022? Below, you’ll find a ranking of some client favourites by units sold. And while the most popular scents aren’t necessarily the perfect ones for everyone, we can certainly understand why these ten have captured the imagination of fragrance lovers across Canada. 

Top 10 Fragrance Best-Sellers

1 – Molecule 01 EDT
ESCENTRIC MOLECULES

The original skin-enhancing wonder scent.
2 – Ganymede EDP
MARC-ANTOINE BARROIS

A fresh, futuristic and unforgettably luminous take on leather.
3 – No 02 L’Air du Désert Marocain EDT
TAUER PERFUMES

The never-ending cult sensation submerges you in waves of intoxicating spice.
4 – Passage d’Enfer EDT
L’ARTISAN PARFUMEUR

A whisper of mysterious incense, rendered with the delicacy of a haiku. 
5 – Tihota EDP
INDULT

Vanilla in its deepest, richest, most utterly delicious form.
6 – Luna EDT
PENHALIGON’S

A fresh floral twinkle in a summer night sky.
7 – Love & Crime EDP
EX IDOLO

A surprisingly complex elixir of cake-frosted intrigue.
8 – Hibiscus Mahajad Extrait de Parfum
MAISON CRIVELLI

Tart, indulgent, and as dazzling as a priceless jewel.
9 – Sunset Hour EDP
GOLDFIELD & BANKS AUSTRALIA

A peachy daydream of ambrosial summer love.
10 – Delina Exclusif Extrait de Parfum
PARFUMS DE MARLY

Marie Antoinette’s charm at its most opulent and indulgent.

Top 5 Fragrance Discovery Sets Best-Sellers

1 – Portraits Scent Library
PENHALIGON’S

This top-shelf collection from our bestselling brand has a deep and elegant signature for every taste. 
2 – Journey Book Discovery Set
MEMO

These whimsical, luxurious fragrances are inspired by the sights, sounds and smells of globe-trotting adventure. 
3 – Fragrance Discovery Set
ESCENTRIC MOLECULES

Explore all five original series of this revolutionary minimalist fragrance line and let the compliments start rolling in. 

4 – Short Story Collection
IMAGINARY AUTHORS

Portland’s iconically playful perfumery takes fragrance off its stuffy pedestal and into evocative new corners of the imagination.

 

5 – Discovery Set
VILHELM PARFUMERIE

Hedonism was never so approachable, modern and fun as in the delicious daydreams of social-media sensations Vilhelm Parfumerie.
Green Perfumes We Love
Fragrance

Earth Month: Green Perfumes We Love!

Read on for a list of all-natural and sustainable brands, as well as a curated list of their scents we think you’ll love.

Perfume is a luxury. And on days like Earth Day, when we audit the necessities and excesses of our lifestyle and their effects on the health of the planet, it can seem like luxuries are, by definition, out of sync with the natural world. 

However, there are fragrance brands making steps to work within the bounds of nature. Some produce perfume using only plant-based materials. Others have spearheaded initiatives in favour of sustainable production and radical transparency. 

Read on for a list of all-natural and sustainable brands, as well as a curated list of their scents we think you’ll love. 

ALL NATURAL PERFUME BRANDS

ABEL

Abel is the ultimate intersection of art, ethics and natural science.

Following a failed search for a natural perfume that was chic, modern and long lasting, Abel was founded in Amsterdam by New Zealander Frances Shoemack with a simple goal – to create the world’s best natural perfume.

Abel is made of 100% natural ingredients. Rather than clouding your personality with a consistent intensity, the beauty of all natural ingredients is their evolution on your skin, working with the natural chemistry of your body to create a unique scent.

Abel believes in the power and beauty of scent, and its ability to enrich daily life in a way nothing else can. Their scents prove that indulgence doesn’t need to have a negative impact on the earth, its inhabitants, or you. 

HIRAM GREEN

Since 2013, Canadian-born perfumer Hiram Green creates handcrafted fragrances made exclusively from natural materials.

All fragrances are developed and produced in small batches by Hiram in his perfume studio in Gouda, The Netherlands. He believes that natural fragrances need not be instantly recognizable as natural, or have less intensity or silllage than traditional perfumes.

His vibrant compositions have been praised by perfume experts and enthusiasts alike. Each Hiram Green scent is proof that polished, world-class perfume can be made solely from natural ingredients. 

SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES

HERMETICA

Hermetica is a collection of molecular fragrances inspired by the ancient practice of alchemy. Hermetica founders John and Clara Molloy created the brand on a foundation of sustainable manufacturing and ingredient transparency. Their bottles are made from recycled glass, and their boxes are made from biodegradable, recycled paper and zero plastic.

In addition, Hermetica has partenered with Planète Urgence, the French environmental non-profit organization, to finance the planting of more than 5,000 trees in Madagascar and Indonesia. With every purchase, you will be supporting reforestation programs in the region. 

Hermetica uses a blend of natural and molecular ingredients, and features a unique raw material index on their website which catalogs every ingredient in their formulations (a rarity in perfume). 

MAISON CRIVELLI

Maison Crivelli is a new French perfume house practicing a philosophy of slow perfume. Their scents showcase classic ingredients in surprising new blends, resulting in groundbreaking new synaesthetic scent experiences.

Their fragrances are bottled in eco-responsible packaging, with an eye to reduce waste. They use 100% cardboard boxes without plastic, hand crafted and created from artistic FSC Italian paper, and wrap them in biodegradable cellophane which is produced from wood. 

Their founder Thibaud Crivelli’s long experience with sourcing natural raw materials led him to support the Cœur de Forêt (Heart of the Forest) association, which supports the sustainable farming of patchouli in Indonesia. For every purchase of 3 bottles, Maison Crivelli finances the planting of one sustainable patchouli cutting.

GOLDFIELD & BANKS

Goldfield & Banks is the first luxury perfume house in Australia. It was founded to represent the majestic, varied landscapes the country is known for, as well as showcase the indispensable natural raw materials they produce, such as sandalwood, buddha wood, boronia, blue cypress, wattle (mimosa), and even oud. 

Working closely with Australian farmers, they prize traceability and quality in their materials. Their fragrances and ingredients are cruelty free and child labor free. Their bottles feature wooden caps made of repurposed driftwood, and are packaged in FSC paper boxes with biodegradable cellophane. 

NATURE-CONSCIOUS SCENTS TO TRY

Fresh: Tauer – Cologne du Maghreb (all-natural fragrance)

Green: Heeley – Vetiver Veritas (all-natural fragrance)

Citrus: Maison Crivelli – Citrus Batikanga (eco-conscious brand)

Classic Floral: Hiram Green – Moon Bloom (all-natural brand)

Modern Floral: Hermetica – Peonypop (eco-conscious brand)

Fresh Woody: Abel – Green Cedar (all-natural brand)

Rich Woody: Goldfield & Banks – Silky Woods (eco-conscious brand)

Musky: Abel – Cyan Nori (all-natural brand)

Sweet: Hiram Green – Slow Dive (all-natural brand)

Mother's Day Fragrances
Gift Giving

Mother’s Day: Scents Mom Will Love

A fragrance she'll love...

Scents can lift the spirit, bring back memories, and carve out moments of reflection, connection, and joy. For this Mother’s Day, we’ve selected a variety of products both nostalgic and forward thinking, and for both the body and home. From upgrades of classic perfume styles to new flights of fragrant fancy, these are sure to delight, surprise, and show how much you care. 

Ella
ARQUISTE
For the mom who’s fashionably old-school – a new twist on ultra-chic ladies perfume. 
Vivid Gardenia Soap
TAUER
A dramatically fragrant self-care moment. Like a new bouquet of flowers for every bath or shower. 
Fennel Soap
MONSILLAGE
Quirky, refreshing, garden-inspired soap from the beloved Montréal perfume house. 
Lavander and Goat Milk Soap
MONSILLAGE
The perfect touch of luxury for any mom who likes things subtly scented. 
Athalia
PARFUMS DE MARLY
A gorgeous, grown-up signature scent. A bit floral, a bit woody, totally sophisticated. 
Chiavi Candle
FORNASETTI
A gorgeously designed ceramic candle with a warm herbal scent. 
A Lilac a Day
VILHELM PARFUMERIE
A refreshing, modern recreation of a backyard floral favourite. Perfect on fabric too!
Aramara Diffuser
CULTI MILANO
An easy reed diffuser that feels like opening a window on an Italian orange grove. 
The Favourite
PENHALIGON’S
A modern floral with a perfect name for gifting. A delicate perfume fit for a queen!
Blanc Poudre II
HEELEY
Clean, fresh, minimalist and timeless. A perfect daily scent for creative moms. 
Tel Aviv
GALLIVANT
This breezy vacation in a bottle is a subtle, work-appropriate fragrance upgrade!
Eau Fraîche
MONSILLAGE
A joyful, transparent summer scent for any mom who hates heavy perfumes. 
Lilac & Willow
T.LEES
A breath of fresh air for any room, or a soothing accompaniment to bath time. 
Nurture
ABEL
This ultra-light, all-natural scent was designed for the sensitive noses of new moms. 
Premier Figuier
L’ARTISAN PARFUMEUR
A green, poetic fig scent for the mom who loves to change things up. 

Shop these gift ideas online at etiket.ca or stop by the store!

DISCOVER NAOMI GOODSIR AT ETIKET BOUTIQUE
Fragrance

Naomi Goodsir: Discover Perfumes Like Vivid Dreams…

The cult perfume house from Sydney-born, Grasse-based milliner Naomi Goodsir invites you on an unforgettable olfactory journey.  

Known for her avant-garde silhouettes and flashes of punk-infused fantasy, the aesthetic world of Naomi Goodsir balances inspiration with French savoir-faire. Founded in 2012, her namesake collection of perfume extends her uncompromising vision and impeccable craftsmanship to the realm of fragrance. These are statement perfumes of the highest order, and must be experienced to be believed.

Unique, polished and achingly beautiful, the fragrances of Naomi Goodsir are not for smelling like everyone else. However, for those willing to take the plunge, they are sure to hypnotize and delight all who enter their trail.

EXPERTLY ECCENTRIC

Founder Naomi Goodsir is a true original. Born in Sydney, Australia, avant-garde milliner Naomi Goodsir has created pieces for the English National Opera and Kanye West’s eponymous label, and has been exhibited by museums around the world. With creative director Renaud Coutaudier, she crafts perfumes as detailed and unmistakeable as her accessories, in collaboration with perfumers such as Julien Rasquinet, Bertrand Duchaufour and Isabelle Doyen. Her collection is an idiosyncratic olfactory ecosystem, full of emotion and mysterious textures.

THE COLLECTION

BOIS D'ASCÈSE - NAOMI GOODSIR
Bois d’Ascèse
NAOMI GOODSIR

“Bois D’Ascèsce smells like the most expensive country fireplace in the world, crackling in comfortable silence as a story begins to be told. Mysterious, slightly mystical, and quietly very confident, this is one of the most well-balanced, romantically polished woodsmoke fragrances we’ve smelled.

CORPUS EQUUS - NAOMIR GOODSIR
Corpus Equus
NAOMI GOODSIR

A vivid recreation of clean saddle leather saddle that blurs the line between racehorse and racecar. Dark, dry resins mingle with something akin to burnt rubber, infusing the scent with animalistic alertness. It’s intense but also polished, crisp, energizing, and even, in a strange way, refreshing.

CUIR VELOURS - NAOMI GOODSIR
Cuir Velours
NAOMI GOODSIR

A langorous take on leather, with fruity facets of immortelle sparkling in the long rays of afternoon sun. The brooding atmosphere is playfully subverted with a whiff of sweet tobacco and… lipstick? Like lounging in a luxurious pied-a-terre awaiting a hedonistic summer’s eve.

IRIS CENDRÉ - NAOMI GOODSIR
Iris Cendré
NAOMI GOODSIR

A portal to the earthy soul of iris root, with its green and buttery aspects in full display. It wears like an invisible texture, both fudgey and feathered, surreal and edgy, as if Alexander McQueen and Iris van Herpen traded notes. A poetic nature documentary filmed in visceral virtual reality.

NUIT DE BAKÉLITE - NAOMI GOODSIR
Nuit de Bakélite
NAOMI GOODSIR

An avant-garde scent both reckless and controlled, gritty and operatic, with milky, humid tuberose anchored by pungent green galbanum and earthy woods. Wild, alchemical, hallucinatory, full of movement and bracing nature, it feels like wearing a sculptural piece of scent couture. Astonishing.

OR DU SÉRAIL - NAOMI GOODSIR
Or du Sérail
NAOMI GOODSIR

Though tobacco-inspired, to us this fragrance smells as cheerfully intoxicating as a hot toddy. Tangential references to oak, maple, rum and coconut are decadently set ablaze, but even with all that warmth, “Or du Sérail” remains comforting and approachable, imploring others to get closer.

SAMPLE THE COLLECTION

Shop Naomi Goodsir’s Discovery Set: A perfect way to immerse yourself in the world of Naomi Goodsir. 

This set features 2ml spray samples of all six fragrances in the collection. It also includes illustrated blotters to experience each olfactory artwork in its purest form. 

Discover Naomi Goodsir at etiket.ca or in-store!

Discover our most attractive scents
Fragrance

Most Attractive Fragrances

Whether we're single or partnered, most of us want to be alluring. So, if attraction is the goal, how do you want to smell?

Most of us want to be alluring in some way, whether we’re single, partnered, or something in between. And there is perhaps no sense more tailored towards intimacy, or the prospect of it, than the sense of smell. Smell is a primal sense, hijacking memory and emotion, triggered by a poetic process in which a tiny piece of what you smell must breach your physical boundaries and enter your olfactory sensors in literal physical communion. 

So, if attraction is the goal, how to harness the sense of smell?

First and foremost, we need something that makes us feel confident. A study showed that women rated men’s attractiveness higher when they were wearing a scent, even if they only looked at a picture of the man and couldn’t actually smell what they were wearing. In other words, scent helps us feel like we’re projecting our best selves. But while confidence is key, for Valentine’s month, we decided to dig a little deeper. We dove into the history of sensory research, discovering which raw materials have been shown to be attractive, stimulating, and emboldening. From there, we curated a list of scents that are sure to make an impression. 

Musk was one universal choice. It mimics an animalic rush of intimacy, warm and slightly forbidden. Arquiste’s Él is like wearing a tailored suit to a glamourous tropical disco, and dries down to an intoxicatingly sexy musk; never veering too far into old-fashioned funk. For a more carefree sex appeal, all-natural brand Abel manages to capture an addictive salt-kissed skin musk effect in Cyan Nori – and perhaps there’s nothing sexier than effortlessness.

Speaking of effortlessness, the abstract molecular aura of Escentric 02 by Escentric Molecules takes the magnetic skin-enhancing magic the brand is known for and adds an effervescent freshness. It features hedione, a molecule similar to aspects of jasmine, which has been shown to possess aphrodisiac qualities. And like all Escentric Molecules scents, it smells even better to those around you.  

The history of perfume is filled with winking nods to intimacy. The fragrance 1725 by Histoires de Parfum is a modern reinterpretation of the seminal perfume Fougère Royale, a civilized scent for nobility which, as scent writer Luca Turin has noted, featured an irreverently dirty drydown. This version, suitably dedicated to Casanova, is cleaner and more delicious than its historic reference. It adds a layer of elegant vanilla to the composition, an ingredient also cited for its attractive powers. 

In fact, for some people, there is nothing more alluring than waves of unctuous vanilla. For this reason, we’d be remiss if we didn’t include a fragrance tailor-made for sex appeal:  Absolute Aphrodisiac by Initio. Unabashedly swooning, the fragrance glows with an eternal, narcotic vanilla warmth, deepened by amber and musk. 

It surprised us to learn that fruity notes have also been shown to stimulate attraction. Habdan by Parfums de Marly contains one of the most surprisingly well-structured uses of fruit we’ve smelled in fragrance, using the crisp snap of fresh apple to enliven incense with devilish panache. 

Fruity notes also enhance the plush textural symphony of Phi: Une Rose de Kandahar by Tauer. The fragrance is a velvety ode to rose, a material which studies have shown increases the perception of attractiveness. In fact, the natural Afghani rose oil used in the formula is so unbelievably rare the perfumer himself warns it is sometimes impossible to produce. Even if you didn’t know what went into making it, the scent feels like an intoxicating, ultra-luxurious cuddle, and would make anyone want to get a closer sniff. 

Rose isn’t the only flower that has been shown to have powerful emotional effects. Lilies, even in synthetic reconstruction, have been shown to have a stimulating effect. Long the realm of classical, stately compositions, lily becomes vibrant, ultramodern and achingly fashionable in Lys Sølaberg by Maison Crivelli. A smoky, wood and amber undercurrent cements the allure and keeps it wearable for all genders. 

For those who want to make a seductive impression, woods and resins are an excellent go-to. Autoportrait by Olfactive Studio blends musk, incense and moss with vetiver, an earthy ingredient that has been shown to heighten attraction. It’s a versatile, daily signature with a coy excitement sizzling beneath the surface. There’s something about it that smells youthful and commanding at the same time, projecting spontaneity and confidence. 

In the same family, Pachuli Kozha by Nishane might be one of the most lusciously sensual smoky fragrances we can think of. Top notes of aphrodisiac ylang-ylang brighten a delicious current of black pepper and honey, which pours lavishly over the brooding embers of incense and patchouli. It’s impossible to wear and not feel your confidence soar. 

Can Perfumes Have Textures?
Fragrance

Can Perfumes Have Textures?

When speaking about perfume, we often use words borrowed from other senses. To me, an important sense to invoke in our understanding of perfume is touch. Obviously, smells don’t have physical textures or temperatures. But thinking about the tactile qualities of a perfume can be a gateway to their emotional heart.

When speaking about perfume, we often use words borrowed from other senses. Ingredients become “notes”, like ones you might play on a piano (which is why a perfumer’s desk is referred to as an “organ”). A fragrance can be too “light” for us, and while it’s sometimes unclear whether we’re describing physical weight or colour, our noses can’t truly perceive either. Scent is steeped in sensory metaphor.

To me, an important sense to invoke in our understanding of perfume is touch. Obviously, smells don’t have physical textures or temperatures. But thinking about the tactile qualities of a perfume can be a gateway to their emotional heart. 

Perfumers thinking texturally has led to breakthroughs in the world of fragrance. It often requires a metaphoric leap in the mind of each nose; if one forgets about what an ingredient actually is, what might it make you think of? Perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena uses a signature green tea effect to create a luminous quality, like transparent flowing water, which made hits of fragrances like Bvlgari’s Thé Vert and Hermes’ Un Jardin en Méditerranée (you can sample his work at Etiket in Dia Woman and L’Eau D’Ambre Extrême). Similarly, Olivia Giacobetti pioneered the use of fig and other fresh effects to make fragrances that seem airy and subtly cool to the touch, as she does in Premier Figuier and Passage D’Enfer

On the other side of the spectrum, perfumer Sophia Grojsman’s work often feels fuzzy and thick because of her trademark “hug me accord”: an abstract blend of synthetic jasmine, violet, musk and cedar molecules which makes her fragrances seem cozy and warm (like in Lancome’s classic Tresor). And Andy Tauer has created a rabid cult following with his unapologetic waves of hot spice, which add a dry crackling heat to scents like L’Air du Désert Marocain and Cologne du Maghreb. Composed with care, a perfume can imply closeness or distance; glass, cloth, paper, powder or liquid; warm or cool; movement or stillness. 

The fragrances of Maison Crivelli make brilliant use of texture, and they do so in a modern way. Many of them have what I call a “holographic” texture: lifelike, shimmery, and light-reflecting. Creating fragrances with this effect allows the rich amber notes of Lys Sølaberg to feel approachable and relaxed. It allows bold ingredients like woods and spices to seem almost weightless in Santal Volcanique and Bois Datchaï. And it gives rose, which can smell surprisingly thick, even jammy in isolation, a new, breezy lifein Rose Saltifolia, as if the scent were dancing across your perception on a seaside summer wind.

Maison Crivelli fragrances also use textural elements to evoke extremes of temperature, which form surprising contrasts with classic ingredients. A sparkling, icy freshness makes the lavender, juniper and musk in Absinthe Boréale seem enrobed in a delicate frost. The juicy heat of chili and the earthy depth of vetiver makes the orange and bergamot inside Citrus Batikanga sizzle in the bustling heat of a tropical market. 

If all this sounds a bit far-fetched, like those sommeliers who tell you you must be able to taste butter in your chardonnay, don’t worry. The ultimate truism of fragrance is that all scent is subjective. But asking yourself which textures, colours or temperatures you sense when you smell a perfume, regardless of what you come up with, can help make sense of a fragrance’s energy, which will, in turn, hint at what it might feel like to wear it. For example, while everybody’s skin is different, a cool, airy or watery fragrance might leave a more casual impression on your skin than something dark, syrupy, sandy or hot. 

Finally, looking for textures is a way to rediscover ingredients or scent families you thought you knew. If you love earthy and smoky notes, but you can’t imagine wearing them to the office, you could step away from the hottest, driest Tauer scents, for example, and towards a more liquid and transparent scent like Smoke Show. If light floral perfumes often feel aggressive and headache-inducing, but you love the scent of real flowers, you could try finding scents that are less cool, bright and sharp and more velvety and warm. And if you thought you hated powdery fragrances because they always feel too “classic”, meet Crivelli’s Papyrus Moléculaire or Iris Malikhan, which both take the concept of powder in richer, darker, edgier, and more contemporary directions. 

David, Director of Fragrance at Etiket

Is Fragrance Giftable?
Fragrance

Is Fragrance Really Giftable?

As the holiday season rolls around, we’re often asked about the best way to select a fragrance as a gift. Here are some steps to help you achieve a fragrance gifting triumph.

As the holiday season rolls around, we’re often asked about the best way to select a fragrance as a gift. Many people like the idea of gifting fragrance, especially for a loved one who’s often within smelling distance. But the wide variety of fragrances available and the personal nature of scent make it a particular challenge, especially if you’re not a diehard fragrance lover yourself. However, contrary to popular belief, it is possible to get them a fragrance they’ll love! In a perfect world, you could just buy them another bottle of their favourite, in which case, you’ll be done before you know it. Assuming that’s not an option, here are some steps to help you achieve a fragrance gifting triumph.

1. Don’t think so much about ”notes” or ingredients; think about personality

Perfumes are often described by what fragrance “families” they belong to. Are they sweet? Floral? Woody? Animalic? And while knowing your recipient’s taste in ingredients can help, often fragrances can vary just as much within families as between them. Instead, we suggest thinking first about the personality or style of the person you’re buying for. Are they bold? Reserved? Dramatic? Fun? Distinctions like fancy or casual, and for work or for play, can often help narrow the field better than deciding between cedar and vanilla.

To this end, we’ve compiled a Fragrance Gift Guide with nine categories of fragrance lovers (or the fragrance curious). Look for ones that feel like they describe your recipient’s disposition, taste in clothes, or the way they greet the world.

2. Stick to the safe bets (and beware some tricky ingredients)

There are two reasons that ingredients do matter a little for gift giving: skin chemistry and scent associations. Scent is closely tied to memory, which can make the exact same smell feel different to different people. Additionally, perfume changes subtly once it hits skin, making it harder to estimate how certain perfumes will smell on any particular person. To maximize your chances of success, we recommend sticking to more versatile scents with crowd-pleasing ingredients and styles.

Try: Escentric Molecules

This brand is a hit for a reason. Without getting too technical, many of their most-loved perfumes aren’t really “perfumes” in the sense that vanilla isn’t really a cake. Instead, their line of “Molecule” scents (numbered 01-05) are suspensions of a single versatile base note in alcohol. Translation? They’re the frame, not the painting. This means that they adapt to anyone’s skin and amplify the best qualities of their natural scent. The result is a wear-it-anywhere automatic jaw dropper that can also layer beautifully with any other scents in their collection.

Try: Malin + Goetz

These fun, modern fragrances are a nice bridge between “nice smell” and “proper perfume” (and we mean that in the best way possible). They’re inspired by easily-identifiable smells, and evoke them in an accessible way. They’re already well loved for their addictive body products, and their packaging is effortlessly chic. And worst comes to worst, buying someone a fragrance named “Cannabis” is sure to at least make them smile (but it would also smell great on almost anyone anyway).

Be careful with: buying something ”fresh”

“Fresh” is a concept in perfume that’s become such a cliché it hardly means anything. If they’ve told you they like “fresh” fragrances, or you have a memory of them smelling “clean”, this could be helpful, or could be a trap. Because of the way scent is tied to memory, “fresh” could mean anything from citrus to mint, light flowers to aquatic, and even white musk. Try to narrow your search by thinking of their personality, or if “fresh” is all you have to go on, consider any Heeley fragrance with a white label.

Be careful with: Floral for the sake of floral

Flowers are foundational to the history of perfume. They also could be the most polarizing ingredient of them all. Not only can people have strong reactions to heavily floral scents, but the way that flowers show up in a composition ranges from “shrieking” to “invisible”. This doesn’t mean you should stay away from any fragrance which lists flowers among the notes; most will have some somewhere. However, if a fragrance is described as both rich/intense and predominantly floral, you might want to get them to try a sample first (unless you or they are experienced fragrance buyers).

One exception to this rule is if you know they have a favourite flower. If so, find a fragrance that doesn’t just include it, but is overwhelmingly and exclusively inspired by it. Lilac lovers will likely love A Lilac a Day, orange blossom enthusiasts will likely swoon over Histoire d’Orangers, and if they grow real roses in their garden, Lustre should remind them of home. 

3. Smell for yourself, and even get a second opinion

It will not surprise you to hear that smells cannot be fully experienced through the internet (at least not yet). While many of our clients have learned enough about their personal taste to shop our fragrance selection online, buying a fragrance gift can put many of us back at square one. An excellent way to complete your holiday shopping would be to visit our Montréal boutique and sniff a shortlist of options. If this is a possibility for you, the same advice from #1 applies; when smelling each fragrance, try to think of the person’s energy, personality and style more than decide whether they’d like the actual ingredients.

For those who aren’t lucky enough to live nearby, we also offer the option to purchase samples online of almost any fragrance we sell. If you plan ahead, investing a small amount in an assortment of samples can help you seal the deal, or even sneak an option onto the skin of the actual person you’re buying for. And if the element of surprise is too important to give up, bring the samples around to someone who knows your recipient just as well (or even better) than you do. When seeking a second opinion, the question we’d recommend asking isn’t “would they like this?” as much as “do you think this smells like them?” Lastly, if you’re their significant other, remember to consider what scents you’d enjoy smelling on them as well!

4. Don’t forget the home!

If you’re still not ready to make a judgement call on a fragrance for skin, try a fragrance for space! Any room is enlivened by the invisible colour of a home fraIf you’re still too scared to make a judgement call about a fragrance for skin, try a fragrance for space! Any room is enlivened by the invisible colour of a home fragrance, and we carry a beautiful array of scents in various formats. Home scents are the perfect gifting sweet spot: something almost everybody loves, but many people often don’t buy for themselves.  

The range of diffusers from Culti Milano have been extremely popular, as well as their car sachets – a unique gift for anybody who drives to work. Local Montréal brands Les Citadines and T. Lees create artisanal, elevated scents for every taste, and Arquiste’s candles are vibrant, transportive and unique. Finally, for the ultimate luxury experience, the world-renowned house of Fornasetti makes candles which rise to the level of art objects – taking home scent from invisible accent to dazzling decor.

Finally, gifting fragrance with Etiket has one distinct advantage – free samples! Like most retailers, we can’t accept returns of used fragrance, even if it’s only been sprayed once. However, Etiket offers complimentary fragrance samples with every purchase. Simply request a sample of the scents you’re buying and we’ll happily include them so your recipient can try the sample on before they open the full-sized bottle. If it turns out it’s not for them, they can easily return the unused fragrance and get something for themselves. This also means that every bottle of fragrance you buy for someone else lets you try some free samples for yourself, and if that isn’t a reason to be generous, I don’t know what is!

Image source: @penhaligons_london

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