With the February mid-term break, everyone (myself included) seems to be posting about their #mountainvibes holidays. As much as I love the cold weather and snow, I’m definitely more of a sun-worshipper. I love to travel to warmer places (especially living in London) to get my vitamin D fix and completely unwind.
In the spirit of traveling to warmer destinations, I would like to introduce you to a new perfume series called Perfumes by Destination. For me, the type of fragrance that I wear is very much dictated by my mood, climate and surroundings. I also tend to select scents based on where I will travel to. For example, if I’m going on a ski holiday, I will opt for rich, warm and cosy scents. On the flip side, if I’m going to a sunny destination, I love to wear lighter and more refreshing scents. This leads us to today’s post, which is on my top perfume picks to take on a beach holiday.
Olfactive Studio Still Life in Rio
The first on the list is Still Life in Rio by Olfactive Studio. I discovered this scent and the brand a few years ago at a niche perfume exhibition in Milan called Esxence. A must if you want to discover some cool niche brands. Anyway, Olfactive Studio creates wonderful fragrances all inspired by photographs taken in various places around the world. Still Life in Rio is inspired by a breathtaking view of Rio de Janeiro as seen from the Corcovado statue at dawn. Isn’t it a beautiful source of inspiration?
When I think about perfumes inspired by Brazil, I imagine scents that are colourful, exotic and fruity. Still Life in Rio is just that. It takes me on an exploration of the tropical rainforest, passing by gigantic palm leaves and magical waterfalls, before arriving at a charming wood-crafted bungalow. There, I’m quietly resting on a white rope hammock, happily sipping on a tropical cocktail. Pure paradise…
Key Notes
Top: Yuzu, ginger, mint, lemon, mandarin
Heart: Jamaican hot pepper, pink pepper, black pepper, coconut water
Base: Rum, Brazilian copaiba, white leather
Olfactive Classification: Citrus
What to Expect
This perfume isn’t any ordinary citrus scent. It’s very hard to put your nose down (pun intended) on the composition of the perfume as no one ingredient is singled out. At first, the fragrance diffuses a vibrant citrus cocktail with notes of yuzu, juicy mandarin and tangy lemon. A much needed burst of freshness that is coupled with the spiciness of ginger. As Still Life in Rio continues to diffuse, it develops a slightly masculine character, which is reminiscent of an eau de cologne or citrus woody perfume. It’s not a sharp masculine note though, as it’s balanced out with a light milky tone coming from the coconut water. The overall impression is an abstract painting of a sophisticated cocktail that is beautifully balanced.
Still Life in Rio is definitely my go to scent for when it’s SUPER hot outside. For some reason, I love to wear it when I travel to Asia as the places I go to tend to be very humid and sticky. Usually, you would find it hard to wear anything (clothes included) during the day, but Still Life in Rio adds a very much needed refreshing touch.
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc
Soleil Blanc by Tom Ford definitely ranks amongst the top most luxurious beach-inspired scents. As you know, I have a soft spot for solar fragrances and the obsession is only growing. Soleil Blanc is inspired by “private islands where summer lasts all year” and this scent certainly takes me across the globe to a remote island. Imagine an endless strip of white sand in the middle of transparent turquoise waters. Heaven on earth. Or the Maldives, shall we say!
Key Notes
Top: Bergamot, pink pepper, cardamom, pistachio accord
Heart: Ylang ylang, Egyptian jasmine, tuberose
Base: Tonka bean, benzoin, coconut, amber
Olfactive Classification: Solar Floral Amber
What to Expect
Soleil Blanc opens with a creamy yet fresh facet that is brought on by a combination of bergamot and coconut. It has a prominent coconut note right from the start but has an ultra sophisticated feel to it. Very quickly the pink pepper comes into play adding a touch of spiciness to the perfume. Then, my all time favourite part of the perfume: the floral heart. A beautiful dance between jasmine and ylang ylang. The perfume closes with a radiant and balmy veil of benzoin and amber that caress the skin, just like a kiss from the sun.
Soleil Blanc can be worn during the day or on an evening out. It’s a very stable and long-lasting scent. As it’s a super glamorous perfume, I like to wear it with a white one-piece swimsuit during the day. At night, I would style it with a structured jumpsuit, chunky gold accessories and fire engine red lipstick.
Jo Malone Tropical Cherimoya
What a surprise it was when Jo Malone launched their vibrant, neon-bright limited edition Hot Blossoms collection! I always look forward to Jo Malone’s limited editions, and this collection is something completely out of the ordinary. It screams summer fun! My favourite scent is Tropical Cherimoya, yet another Brazil-inspired fragrance. In typical Jo Malone style, the brand takes the floral fruity territory to the next level by adding an unexpected Cherimoya fruit note. It’s an expression of tropical fruits but very much refined and filled with elegance. An unexpected fruity twist.
Key Notes
Top: Bergamot
Heart: Cherimoya fruit, pear
Base: Copahu resin, tonka bean
Olfactive Classification: Floral Fruity
What to Expect
To put it simply, Tropical Cherimoya is an intriguing blend of pear, white flowers and musk. The cherimoya fruit brings a fleshy pear-like green note to the fragrance, which makes it very addictive. This crisp, fruity greeness reminds me of a lush tropical foliage and exotic fruits. Transparent florals, reminiscent of white flowers, envelope and soften this juicy pear, before laying on a bed of shimmering musks. This perfume is ultra feminine and very easy to wear. It’s definitely more of a daytime scent, and I would style it with a white flowy dress.
Aerin Hibiscus Palm
I was still working at Estée Lauder the first time I smelled Hibiscus Palm. I remember everyone fighting over that one sample, which would mysteriously disappear, then reappear half empty… It’s safe to say that everybody was OBSESSED with this scent. So, when it finally launched, I was beyond excited to get my hands on a bottle.
Hibiscus Palm is inspired by a “palm-fringed, tropical island. It captures the island scent of brilliant sunshine on a lush beach.” Hmm… you may think this sounds similar to Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc, but the two fragrances couldn’t be more different. Soleil Blanc is much creamier than Hibiscus Palm and is all about the coconut accord. Hibiscus Palm, on the other hand, is filled with bright, tropical flowers with a hint of coconut milk. What really made me fall in love with this perfume is the exotic frangipani note. For some reason I immediately associate it with a beach holiday. Hibiscus Palm is for sure the type of sent you want to have in your beach bag.
Key Notes
Top: Lotus, hibiscus palm, ylang ylang, ginger
Heart: Frangipani, white flowers
Base: Coconut milk, vanilla, musk
Olfactive Classification: Solar Floral
What to Expect
Hibiscus Palm really is sunshine in a bottle. From the very beginning there is a prominent exotic flower note that is uplifted with ginger. Ylang ylang diffuses notes of fresh flower petals and a narcotic banana-like tone. Don’t worry, this perfume doesn’t smell like banana at all! It simply adds a fruity touch to the fragrance. Then, without much notice, there is a full on tropical flower explosion, which is led by frangipani. This overwhelmingly beautiful aroma is quietly softened by a swirl of coconut milk and musks.
Outfits & Accessories
Swimsuits: H&M, Calzedonia
Beachwear: Bagus
Jewellery: Hush, Accessorize
Beauty
Face: Lumene Invisible Illumination Instant Glow Beauty Serum, Tom Ford Bronzing Powder in 01 Gold Dust, Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Concealer in 2C Light Medium, Lumene Invisible Illumination Nordic Glow Palette
Eyes: Estée Edit Eyeshadow Palette, Too Faced Natural Eyes Neutral Eyeshadow Collection, Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in 01 Onyx, Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara in 01 Extreme Black, Estée Lauder Brow Now Brow Defining Pencil in 02 Light Brunette
Lips: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant
Disclaimer
Sample and images are my own. Quotes from brands.
Well you took me on quite a journey Josephine —- again beautifully written and you look as stunning as ever in photos 🥰. Well done and I’ll definitely be trying out one or two of the scents you have reviewed.
Author
Thank you so much Morag 🙂 If I had to pick one I would go with Olfactive Studio’s Still Life in Rio. There’s something special about this perfume. It’s a very interesting scent and quite out of the ordinary! x
Splendides descriptions et photos somptueuses qui donnent juste envie de partir en vacances et de se couvrir de parfum !!!
Author
Merci beaucoup pour le super commentaire 🙂