Refresh your fall fragrance wardrobe with these 5 perfumes

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A good fragrance makes a statement. In more ways than one.

I’m a big believer in the power of scent to change your mood, and even your confidence, on any particular day. Spritz on your favourite fragrance, even when you’re just wearing sweatpants while working from home, and you immediately feel more pulled together.

The power of scent has, of course, long been explored. Aromatherapy, or the use of scents for therapeutic measures, can be traced back thousands of years.

Modern fragrances build on that botanical baseline by tapping into everything from soft florals to silky vanillas to turn on our senses and make us reach for an elixir again and again. With this addictive approach in mind, we’ve rounded up five standout scents to hit shelves in this or recent seasons.

From an update to an icon to a fresh new release from a category up-and-comer, here are five of the best fragrances to try this fall:

The original Miss Dior perfume dates to 1947, which means this fragrance franchise has some very impressive staying power. The latest iteration sees a “contemporary, colourful and creamy” spin put on the perfume. Featuring Centifolia rose from Dior’s exclusive flower fields in Grasse, France, the fragrance unfolds with creamy vanilla, almond-toned tonic bean and milky sandalwood. It’s a delicious blend of floral and gourmand.

The followup to Merit’s first fragrance release, Retrospect, this new perfume extract is for those who like unique scents that boast some seriously good staying power. The spicy-floral fragrance features notes of pink pepper, honeyed floral, benzoin and oak wood. The concentrated elixir lingers on skin, leaving a warm, sensual trail of scent.

A pick for fans of fruity-floral scents, the new Prada Paradoxe Sweet Chemistry boasts a blackcurrant syrup accord along with orange blossom absolute and notes of neroli. The aforementioned elements are balanced by an unexpected base of “milk accord.” The combination of notes produces a sweet, juicy scent.

A fragrance that’s described as smelling like “spilled brandy on the wood table,” this warm, woody fragrance features notes of amber, citronella and the distilled alcoholic spirit. A gender-neutral offering with a hint of citrus, the fragrance leans into a more masculine feel with the brandy notes. But it’s a surprising scent for any skin. 

This Byredo release, like many of the brand’s elixirs, is utterly unique. Billed as an “ambery green musky fragrance,” the scent features green galbanum gum resin, blackcurrant and fizzy aldehydes, along with heart notes of iris and labdanum, and a base of warm vanilla and musk. The effect is a bit peppery and warm, but with a smoky tinge. It’s a scent that’s sure to prompt the question: “What fragrance are you wearing?”