My Year in Perfume 2016

If I wasn't a perfume hoarder before, 2016 sure gave me that label, having almost drowned in the sheer amount of fragrance I've tested out over the course of the year. I've absolutely adored writing my 2016 round-ups (check out my beauty and candle edits) and this is my final one, in which I'll be giving a whistle-stop tour of all the fragrances that have stolen my heart through the year. Here you'll find only those that have gotten the most use, and ones that I'm still in love with to this day. I'll link up my 2014 and 2015 edits too, it's always nice to compare how people's taste's change (as well as have a good laugh at how bad my photography was). 

SPRING

I'm going to start with spring, and typically it's the season of light, pretty florals and that's exactly what I've gone for. A great new addition to my perfume collection has been Chloé Love Story* (review). It is a really feminine, romantic scent, inspired by the Love Locks on the Pont des Arts in Paris, and has a main note of orange blossom. It is quintessentially Chloé, but offers a twist on the signature line of fragrances, plus the packaging gives me all the heart-eyed emoji feels. The other springtime appropriate scent that I love is Elie Saab L'Eau Couture (review). This one is lighter than Love Story, but still has that orange blossom theme. This time around, it is combined with a delicate note of green almond and vanilla to mirror the airiness of the floaty fabrics used to create Elie Saab's couture gowns.

SUMMER

This year, I couldn't resist the Calvin Klein CK One Summer 2016 scent, as the central theme was mojito and we all know just how much I love a long muddled mint, lime and rum, especially in the hot summer months. The fragrance didn't disappoint, combining those essential mojito notes with fruity guava and creamy coconut to offset the classic unisex vibes of CK One. Although I didn't technically discover Leighton Denny Light & Dark Delightful* (post) in the summer, I really wish I did. It is juicy, sweet and uncomplicatedly fun, with notes of red fruits, watermelon, coconut sorbet and vanilla. My last summer fave is on the complete opposite end of the scale. Penhaligon's Luna* (review) is a beautiful take on rose, with notes of juniper berry (GIN!) and bitter orange. It had me covered for all kinds of dressy events, from summer weddings to afternoon teas with its elegant vintage feel.

AUTUMN

I'm going to start off my autumn picks with long-time favourite, Diptyque Philosykos. To me, it's just autumn in a bottle and I'm never going to get bored of it's slightly green, slightly coconutty, woody fig scent. A new addition to the stash this year was Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 (review). Composed of one single molecule, Iso-E Super, this is meant to smell different on everyone. On me, it smells very cool and woody, it's a bit masculine and addictive. It also adds a velvety fuzz to other fragrances. I like to combine it with my next Autumn favourite. I actually had a hard time categorising Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt* as it's one that's great for year-round wear. It smells precisely like the name suggests, with the addition of fresh citrus and ambrette seed, giving that cool marine-like touch, inspired by the rugged cliffs of the English coastline.

WINTER

As the cooler weather approaches, suddenly my heavier fragrances can rejoice as they can be spritzed to my heart's content, without cloying up the air like they often can in the summer heat. A scent that I discovered last year, and recently upgraded to a full size is ALAIA Paris. This is the fashion house's first fragrance, which takes inspiration from Tunisian terracotta. It contrasts cool mountain air and pink pepper with the warm, sensual base of leather. I'd happy smell of this everyday. Another favourite for the colder weather is the Laura Mercier Eau Gourmande Almond Coconut Milk for its sweet, rich, boozy vanilla scent that really does smell delicious. Lastly, I have a fun, affordable favourite, that is just perfect for the festive season, and that is Zoella Beauty Bake My Day. This gingerbread-laden body mist just screams of Christmas and I've really enjoyed putting this, as well as the hand cream, to good use this season.

I've tried A LOT of perfumes this year, many of them samples thanks to The Perfume Society and Fragrance Shop Discovery Boxes. I'm very fussy when it comes to scent, so a lot of them have been tested and gone straight back in my archive box (yes, that's a thing) rather than in my daily rotation. The most memorable...? Prada Candy Kiss was a standout, a feminine cotton, orange blossom and musk scent that is perfect for lazy Sunday mornings. Tom Ford Black Orchid was also a welcome addition, a sensual cocoon of its rich warm scent of Black Orchid accord, black truffle, plum, patchouli and vanilla. It completely trumps Velvet Orchid for me!

What has been your favourite scent from the past year?

- Post contains PR samples -

- This does not affect my views and I will always give my honest opinion of a product -