A whopload of new fragrances have recently crossed my desk so I thought I’d cover a few now and some more later. I tried to photograph them earlier but I’m not happy with the gloomy light situation (clouds, can you just go away already?!) so note that I’ll be updating this post as the day goes on with proper bottle shots. I hope.

So! Are you ready to get cracking?

First up, we’ve got Givenchy Ange au Demon Le Parfum and Accord Illicite (price R1 175 for 40ml and R1 635 for 100ml, exclusive to Stuttafords.)

A musky-woody-floriental, Givenchy’s new scent is pretty much sex in a bottle and has found a happy home in my perfume collection. It actually comes in two parts in that you’ve got the basic fragrance that’s a mix of tangerine, jasmine and orange blossom on a sensual bed of amber, musk and patchouli plus a tiny vial that contains ‘an illicite accord’ of leather, vanilla and yet more patchouli and musk.

The illicite accord is supposed to be added to your pulse points in teensy drops after you’ve spritzed on the ‘main’ scent on days when you want to rev things up but I’m a ‘use your best silverware everyday’ kind of person so I’d want to wear them as a duo day or night. Eventually, I’ll run out of the accord before the regular scent and this makes me super sad as I could honestly bathe myself in the former. To me, it could best be summed up as ‘dark vanilla’ and it’s addictive as all hell. Here’s hoping Givenchy catch on as to how lustable it is and bring the fragrance out all by itself.

If you like ‘dark’ sexy scents like Tom Ford Black Orchid (one of my absolute favourite fragrances in the world), this might appeal to you too.

Moving on, let’s talk about the hotly anticipated Alaia Paris Eau de Parfum (R1 625 for 100ml, selected Woolworths stores).

This is another interesting scent in that while it’s made up of several notes, you’ll struggle to identify them individually. This was actually Alaia’s goal and he most certainly achieved it in that despite several sniffs of my wrist, it’s hard to pull descriptor words from my brain other than ‘sexy skin’, ‘warm sun’, ‘moody musk’, ‘expensive’ and ‘clean’.

Inspired by a childhood memory of his grandmother throwing cold water against a hot wall in Tunisia (crazy, I know), the scent’s notes include pink pepper, freesia, peony, animalic notes and musk. Together they all merge to create this delicious, mutable mix that could easily be worn day or night come rain or shine by a more sophisticated young (or more mature) woman as opposed to a girl.

I think that if you appreciate musky fragrances like Narciso Rodriguez For Her (another personal favourite), you might fall madly in love with Alaia Paris. I know I have. Aside from finding a permanent home in perfume line up, it’s fast becoming a ‘go to’ scent because, while it’s similar to the aforementioned, it’s much less potent and sits a lot closer to your skin so you could happily douse yourself with it and still not over do it.

Anyway, speaking of Narciso, the American fashion designer has created yet another fragrance – Narciso Eau de Toilette (R630 for 30mls, R895 for 50mls and R1 245 for 50mls).

While the Narciso line is a different one to the crazy successful Narciso For Her, you can instantly tell they’re ‘sisters’ in that they both have that woody-musky ‘typical Narciso’ scent. However, I can pick up more white flowers in Narciso and its Bulgarian rose comes through (to my nose) as a sweet patchouli that totally overshadows the musk. It’s the kind of sensual, feminine scent that’s best suited to colder weather and after dark.

The official note structure, however, is peony and Bulgarian rose up top and a musky heart resting on a bed of vetiver and cedar.

If you’re a fan of the Narciso fragrance family, definitely give this a sniff. Also, if you like sweet, patchouilicious scents like Issey Miyake Pleats Please and Kim Kardashian Fleur Fatale then this is probably going to hit home for you too.

Last but not least, let’s talk about Rihanna’s new fragrance, Rogue Love Eau de Parfum (R445 for 30mls and R595 for 75mls).

A fruity-white floral with a good lick of caramel going on, Rihanna reckons her new scent is all about that moment when you’re struck by the first rush of love.

Notes-wise, there are loads of petals and fruits in the mix but if I’m to simply you’re looking at juicy red berries, orange and peach up top (the peach comes through especially strong); a white floral heart with an indiscernible dash of coconut and a warm, woody dry down with lots and lots of caramel.

To my nose, this is almost identical to Juicy Couture’s Viva La Juicy and a quick google reveals the note structure is pretty much the same – berries and orange on white flowers with a woody-caramel dry down. If you already own one, I don’t think you’ll need the other, but if one has caught your attention make sure you smell both before deciding which one you like best. If it’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that perfumes really do develop differently on everyone.

Comparisons aside, this is the kind of sweet, flirty scent that’ll go down well with a younger ‘girlie’ girl who enjoys a heady, white floral with mega staying power. Seriously. Just one spritz and you’ll be smelling it all day.

See anything you’d be keen to try yourself?

Love, love

Leigh