The Best Winter Fragrances of 2018: from Chanel and Tom Ford to Diptyque and Jo Malone

If you’re a lover fragrance and also happen to be super organised, then it’s very likely that you’ll have a fragrance wardrobe. Much like your typical closet, where you have clothes that are more suited to specific seasons, in your fragrance wardrobe fresher, more floral notes feel more summery and rich, warming scents are typically reserved for winter fragrances.

If you feel like you’re not totally au fait with fragrance, which by the way is nothing to be embarrassed about for it is a confusing and overwhelming, yet completely personal subject, then head over to our Marie Claire Perfume Directory, a one-stop-shop for everything fragrance related. If you’re not yet at the wardrobe stage, and just want to find a beautiful scent for all year round, then take a look at our round-up of the best perfumes for women.

So as we head well and truly into winter, delve into the heart of winter with our edit of the ultimate warming fragrances.

Jo Malone White Moss & Snowdrop, £96 for 100ml Net-A-Porter

Every winter Jo Malone create a fragrance just for the festive period and it somehow always captures the scent of Christmas. This year is no different. Even though we have no idea what white moss or snow drops actually smell like, the combination of the two with the addition of cardamon and amber is exactly what the Yuletide smells like. The perfect scent to be worn with a deep red velvet dress.

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Prada La Femme Velvet Edition, £295 for 100ml Harrods

You would be led to believe that this Prada fragrance is meant for earlier in the year because of its top note of mandarin and base note of tuberose – both very popular in summery fragrances. However, the middle note of Frangipani flower and Ylang Ylang add a depth that means it works well on colder nights too. Plus velvet is the fabric of the season.

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Hugo Boss The Scent Private Accord For Her, £49 for 30ml

At first, you could be forgiven for thinking that this is a summery fragrance (that’ll be the mandarin top notes), but as soon as the base hits you realise that actually you’ve just bought yourself a stunning winter scent that combines the sensual scents of tonka bean and cocoa.

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Byredo Eleventh Hour, £160 for 100ml Space NK

As soon as you spray Byredo’s Eleventh Hour, you can smell the wild fig straight away. It clings to your skin and lasts throughout the day. You’ll also pick up on a slight aroma of rum. It’s sweet, but there’s a pepperiness to it as well. You’ll love it if you like Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir.

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MiN New York Plush, £220 for 75ml Harrods

At first this perfume smells really spicy and masculine, which is down to the clove bud and galbanum, but give it a bit of time and it dries down to becomes really floral, thanks to the jasmine, iris and orange blossom. Give it even more time on the skin and suddenly you’ll get aromas of musky and vanilla. It’s a super sophisticated fragrance that takes you on a bit of an olfactory journey.

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Tom Daxon Midnight Saffron, £155 for 100ml Liberty London

This is an evening scent through and through – not only because of its name, but because the lavender note is strong so it immediately puts you into that cosy, nighttime feeling. Douse yourself in it, put your best cashmere jumper on, and watch a good film with a cup of hot chocolate.

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Ouai Rue St Honorè, £46 for 50ml Cult Beauty

On dark wintery days, this fragrance will be that burst of light that you’re in desperate need of. After the initial notes of violet, gardenia and ylang ylang settle down, the musk comes through for a sophisticated edge. If you love the smell of Ouai’s hair products, then you’ll recognise the scent immediately.

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AllSaints Sunset Riot, £49 for 100ml

This winter sees the launch of the first ever fragrances from high street giant, All Saints. There are three in total, each one is unisex and a reflection of the brands contemporary vision. Our favourite is Sunset Riot, a not-too sweet amber fragrance, with notes of orange flower and cedar wood. But it’s the pink peppercorn that makes this scent addictive.

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Le Labo Tonka 25, £180 for 100ml John Lewis

All hail Tonka 25 – the first new fragrance from Le Labo in three years. It’s dark and seductive and you will fall in love with it straight away. Think of it as Santal 33’s wintery cousin.

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Tom Ford Lost Cherry, £219 for 50ml Selfridges

If you like a sweet perfume, then look no further than Tom Ford’s latest fragrance. It’s pure play – from the cheeky name, to the rich fruity scent that comes from the black cherry and cherry liquer.

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Chanel N°5 Red Edition, £130 for 100ml John Lewis

There’s nothing different about the juice – it’s classic N°5 with a festive twist. If you already have the normal bottle, we still think this is a great investment. Just look at it. You need this one too. If you’re new to the perfume, what a great way to be introduced. It’s an incomparable scent that reeks of sophistication.

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Diptyque Trente-Quatre Boulevard Saint Germain, £105 for 100ml Space NK

This fragrance was created to capture the scent of the original Diptyque boutique in Paris on the Boulevard Saint Germain. How on earth was that done? They’ve taken notes of spice and amber, to reflect the aroma of the brand’s fragrances and candles that could be found in store,  and wood, which in a nod to the wooden furnishings.  It’s a complete scent explosion.

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If you’d rather not part with the money at the moment, then these would make a fine addition to your Xmas list.

You’re never too old for a Xmas list.