Gucci, Chloé, Marc Jacobs, Le Labo, And More — A Roundup Of This Season’s New Fragrances

2020 has unexpectedly changed our beauty buying habits, and this is something we’ve discussed profusely with both friends and beauty brands. No longer are we shelling top dollar for makeup (except eye makeup, obviously); skincare is top priority thanks to our newfound WFH / stay home habits, and with it, a close second — fragrances. We all want to smell good, so scents are really non-negotiable. Floral, fruity, radiant, or woody, we’ve sniffed out some of the latest launches so you’ll be able to shortlist them based on your favourite scent profiles.

1. Gucci Bloom Profumo di Fiori

There’s now a new Gucci Bloom scent! The latest floral fragrance is the fifth addition to the iconic Gucci Bloom series, and blooms to life with a fresh natural greenness, along with the rich and creamy depth of Tuberose. “Letting the flowers speak, fearlessly, was the real challenge when Alberto Morillas and I created this fragrance,” says Alessandro Michele, Creative Director of Gucci, who takes pride in being fully immersed in the house’s fragrance maison. In a honey yellow bottle, Gucci Bloom Profumo di Flori is a radiant variation of the much-loved white floral bouquet, with Tuberose Essence accompanying that familiar Jasmine scent, as Ylang Ylang, warm Sandalwood, Sun Drenched Wood, and Orris Concrete notes round off the scent’s main accord, giving it a magnetic appeal.

$146 for 30ml, $184 for 50ml and $247 for 100ml. available at Takashimaya, Tangs, and online at sephora.sg.

2. diptyque Othoniel Rosa

A limited edition scent crafted in collaboration with artist Jean-Michel Othoniel, this one’s a rose fragrance with distinct and surprising peppery notes. The journey of the scent starts with the Othoniel Rose, created by a rose breeder who had admired the French artist’s interpretation of nature through his sensual watercolour works, which was picked out by Othoniel himself due to its pure simplicity. He later went on to create stunning ink art pieces as part of the “La Rose du Louvre” display, one of which now decorates the Othoniel Rosa bottle. diptyque’s new scent pays tribute to the original artwork, opting to open with Pink Peppercorn, followed by Ambrette seeds and Akigalawood for an unusual spicy note. Black Pepper from Madagascar also adds to its exotic scent, while woody Vetiver forms the base of this homage to the delicate queen of flowers.

$215 for 100ml. available at diptyque Takashimaya S.C, Robinsons The Heeren, escentials at TANGS at Tang Plaza, and ESCENTIALS.COM.

3. Le Labo Citron 28

Le Labo’s soulful, layered scents and apothecary-style bottles are a hit among fragrance fans, though we’d recommend looking beyond the popular SANTAL 33 and heading down to the store to discover your personal favourite. Only in September, you’ll be able to get your hands on their limited edition City Exclusives, usually only sold at the boutiques within the cities they’re made for. CITRON 28, happens to be the latest addition to the line, with refreshing notes of lemon atop jasmine that’s inspired by Seoul’s vibrant, old-meets-new culture. Expect ginger lingering over the fresh notes as well, along with deeper cedar and musk that add complexity to this original scent.

$185 for 15ml, $450 for 50ml, or $675 for 100ml. Available at the Le Labo flagship store at Ngee Ann City, or ONLINE.

4. Hermès L’Ombre des Merveilles

A play on light and shade, the new Hermès L’Ombre des Merveilles fragrance is every bit as alluring as its sculptural bottle. Christine Nagel serves us a contrast with a swirl of mysterious Incense, an unbelievably light and radiant note that’s amplified by the night-toned Tonka Bean, just as the deep notes of Black Tea grace around the scent, elevating this woody-oriental number into something more fantastical. The round bottle sits on its side, and is flat on one side while rounded on the other — as if alluding to how the scent’s more than meets the eye. Resembling a magnifying glass, we’re reminded to see the world through a more magical lens, making the routine of spritzing on our scents a less dull affair.

$113 for 30ml, $174 for 50ml, and $249 for 100ml. Available at Hermès stores and online.

5. Chanel COCO MADEMOISELLE L’Eau Privée

Think of this as a night fragrance — but not really. Instead of an intense date scent, CHANEL’s latest olfactory offering is one that’s meant to accompany your beauty sleep, thus giving off soft, delicate notes that lull instead. The COCO MADEMOISELLE L’EAU PRIVÉE is a new, novel interpretation of the 2001 original, this time emanating a softer version of citrusy Orange notes, along with a heart accord of floral Jasmine and Rose. You’ll notice a delicate night fragrance with comforting musk notes at the end. Spray this light oriental fragrance just before bed, generously on your skin, hair, or negligée for to add an elegant touch to your nighttime ritual.

$139 for 50ml, and $198 for 100ml. Available at Chanel boutiques and counters.

6. Marc Jacobs Perfect

For those who can’t get enough of Marc Jacobs’ wildly popular Daisy line of scents, this new drop should pique your interest. Marc Jacobs Perfect is a celebration of optimism, self-acceptance and originality — and of expressing one’s true self. This mantra is conveyed via the bottle’s unique design of domed shoulders that frame the blush pink juice, and a cap crowned with mismatched, eclectic charms. The fragrance itself is also bright and feminine, an addictive floral scent that opens with juicy Rhubarb and Daffodil notes, a comforting Almond Milk heart, followed by a base of Cedarwood and Cashmeran that give a soft dry down finish, for a modern and feminine take on scent that you’ll be proud to flaunt.

$152 for 50ml), $184 for 100ml. Available 9 October at SEPHORA.

7. DKNY Be Extra Delicious

Remember the oh-so-popular DNKY Be Delicious fragrance that you’d spot at every girl’s vanity table in the 2000s? The original apple-infused floral scent — and its recognisable apple-shaped bottle — is now updated with a Gen Z-inspired twist, with the DKNY Be Extra Delicious. This time, there’s a tempting mix of sweet notes, including accents of creamy Caramel that play off the notes of Blackcurrant and Pear, along with a heart of Gardenia, Peony and Heliotrope. That candy fix is served at the end, wrapped in with Raspberries, just to make your experience a tad more irresistible.

price and launch details, tbc.

8. Chloé Signature Rose Tangerine

With actress Lucy Boynton as muse, the new scent by Chloé conjures up visions of a sunny day in a field of blooms, and suits a wearer with the same easy, free-spirited charm. The Signature Rose Tangerine has a sparkling radiant note that offers a different take to the brand’s rosy inclination, and opens with a burst of Tangerine, complemented with notes of Rose and Blackcurrant, with verdant undertones that accentuate the fragrance’s character. The clear scent then fades into base notes of Cedar and White Amber, for a contemporary finish. Of course, that fluted glass bottle deserves mention too, and is especially beautiful in the sunlight, while topped off with an orange-pink grosgrain ribbon.

$95 for 30ml, $136 for 50ml, $165 for 75ml. Available at Chloé counters at Takashimaya, Metro Paragon, Metro Woodlands, Robinsons The Heeren, Robinsons Raffles City, TANGS at Tang Plaza, TANGS VivoCity, Isetan Scotts, BHG Bugis and SEPHORA.

9. Jo Malone London Fig & Lotus Flower, Cypress & Grapevine

Jo Malone London’s latest Lost In Wonder collection comes inspired by the mythical Hanging Gardens, and consists of two alluring scents which realise that lush fantasy with a modern Jo Malone twist. Fig & Lotus Flower, is a luscious but graceful floral scent, with a soft aquatic note that sees the light notes of lotus unfurl into sweet, juicy fig; unlike most fig fragrances, this one’s less intense and more ethereal. For Cypress & Grapevine, the dark bottle depicts a moodier scent, this time of rich foliage. Fresh, clean cypress gets entwined with the woody notes of grapevine, which is grounded by amber for a sensual warmth. We hear about that intriguing ideation process from the creators of the scents themselves, here.

$110 for 30ml, $215 for 100ml. Available at Jo Malone london boutiques and via their concierge service at +65 9732 9737. Sephora, Takashimaya S.C. and SEPHORA.SG will also be retailing the Fig & Lotus flower Cologne.

10. Issey Miyake IGO L’Eau d’Issey

How elegant will these Issey Miyake fragrances look on your dresser? IGO, a new addition to the L’Eau d’Issey series, is a smart two-in-one concept that allows you to enjoy your scent on-the-go. The IGO cap itself holds 20ml of perfume, and can be detached and stashed away in your bag when you travel, while the iconic ISTAY bottle can be left at home as an aesthetic piece you can admire. The feminine IGO L’Eau d’Issey scent features a medley of rose lotus, white flowers and a woody base, while the men’s, Pour Homme, sees notes of yuzu, cinnamon nutmeg and sandalwood.

$179 for 80ml (L’Eau d’Issey). $144 for 100ml (L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme). Available at Sephora and SEPHORA.SG.