Wealthy, heat, luxurious and comforting, honey works splendidly in fragrances to stress floral notes, or add touches of amberiness. And with the profusion of gourmand fragrances on the market, honey-lovers can simply discover themselves in candy heaven. We love what the nostril Christine Nagel has to say about this ingredient:
‘Honey has two sides – half satan, half angel. In Ambrée constructions, it has a candy, comforting impact, taking you again to childhood. However a small contact in a female construction will be extraordinarily attractive…’
Are you already a honey-lover…? Then you definitely’ll know that honey is available in so many various varieties, every taking their odor (and color) from the flowers on which the bees that produce it have feasted. Orange blossom honey. Eucalyptus honey. Acacia honey: the variations are nearly limitless, generally woody, flowery, natural and even tobacco-y. The traditional Arab perfumers have been the primary to seize honey’s sweetness in perfumery, however at the moment the honey featured is usually an artificial observe – one which’s drizzled sensually over fairly a number of fragrances prior to now few years.
It’s over 15,000 years since man first harnessed bees’ busy-ness to provide this pure sweetener. (In response to cave work in Valencia in Spain, anyway.) Symbolically, honey stands for ‘the candy life’, prosperity, even immortality; the phrase itself comes from the traditional Hebrew phrase for ‘enchant’… When man and bee teamed collectively, it turned out to be a win-win scenario: bees received a protected place to stay (and a dependable meals supply, within the type of flowering crops) – and we received to reap honey and beeswax in unbelievably spectacular portions: a single beehive can produce as much as 200 kilos of honey every season.
Guerlain are identified for his or her love of bees after all, featured of their totally beautiful and iconic Guerlain Bee Bottles, which have been… ‘An icon for practically 170 years: timeless, the Bee Bottle is greater than a bottle, it’s an announcement: a valuable Guerlain signature and a craft image between custom and modernity.’ What’s extra, aside from utilizing honey of their skincare and as a observe in fragrances, Guerlain additionally fund quite a few Bee loving tasks to make sure the way forward for bees (and, subsequently, crops – and humankind! For with out the bees we’re really misplaced).
Guerlain explains: ‘First based in 2018 and launched globally in 2021, Guerlain’s Bee Faculty initiative was based on account of the model’s ongoing mission to show kids about bees and the way they positively have an effect on the environment. Almost 6,000 kids in over ten international locations have been in a position to be taught in regards to the varied points going through bees and biodiversity conservation. After discussions, question-and-answer classes, workshops, and video games to check their information, every little one receives a Bee Faculty certificates on the finish of the session. The programme encompasses significant initiatives and partnerships…’
With World Bee Day having been celebrated not too long ago across the globe, and with summer time scents in thoughts (now the climate lastly appears to be taking part in ball), what higher time to discover honey fragrances, with scents that evoke each the flirty harmless sweetness and the deeper, extra ‘devilish’ aspect of honey’s character, as Christine Nagel so superbly put it…?
Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Nettare Di Sole
A deliciously uncommon icy floral honey absolute that sings of summertime, the magnolia, rose and Sambac jasmine bathed in honey, as if infused with the solar itself, and rippled with that deliciously cool observe evoking dappled shade in a courtyard. Superb to put on at any time, I particularly adore sporting this when the warmth correctly simmers.
£89 for 75ml eau de toilette guerlain.com
Floris Honey Oud
A very good introduction to how oudh can be utilized in a nuanced method – nearly as a seasoning as an alternative of the primary flavour – this one is definitely scrumptious (as in, if it got here in a jar, I’d need to slather it on buttered toast and guzzle it, or maybe slather myself in it and roll on a meadow). The darkish, spiced honeyed observe deepens because the oudh kicks in. Intensely nuzzle-able, there’s nothing no matter to frighten the horses, right here.
From £22 for 10ml eau de parfum florislondon.com
[NB: Also available to sample as part of the Floris Private Collection set, for only £35, and including some of their most iconic scents].
Manos Gerakinis Methexis
The identify ‘MEΘEXIS’ derives from historic Greek, translating as ‘the communication between the divine and the human’. A feast for the senses, cocoa and honey luxuriously swathe fig, whereas blackcurrant ensures the proper steadiness of sweetness, swirled into the reassuring woodiness of cedar. A sprinkle of cinnamon ensures this so-sophisticated, intoxicating indulgence of a scent is seasoned to perfection. Divine!
From £50 for 10ml eau de parfum shymimosa.com
[NB: Try samples of the rest of the collection in the Manos Gerakinis Discovery Set, where for £35 you can explore his other scents].
Sarah Baker Charade
An absolute stunner of a scent, there’s a mellifluous segue between hypnotic floral notes of tuberose and ylang ylang, generously drizzled with honey that brings forth their headiness and makes them swoon into the dry, grassiness of vetiver and tea. Nestled within the base are deeper notes of leather-based, amber-y heat and resins resting on clean sandalwood and snuggly moss. Utterly beguiling…
£145 for 50ml extrait de parfum in our store
Marc Jacobs Honey
Created by grasp ‘noses’ Annie Buzantian and Ann Gottlieb, the sunny perfume opens with a refreshing bouquet of inexperienced pear, juicy, ripe mandarin and a cool, fruity punch. Then on the floral coronary heart you’ll discover a composition of orange blossom, peach nectar and honeysuckle, adopted by a warming base of that gloriously golden honey, creamy vanilla and silky woods. Delicious!
At present £39.99 for 100ml eau de parfum at theperfumeshop.com
Written by Suzy Nightingale