Photography courtesy of launchmetrics.com/spotlight
From the launch of Perfumehead at Holt Renfrew to Austin Butler’s role as the face of YSL’s latest fragrance, it’s been an exciting season for scent.
Date August 17, 2023
We’re halfway through 2023 and this year’s perfume launches have stirred up plenty of excitement. From revamped classics to niche scents inspired by memorable pop culture moments (more on that later), the world of fragrance is in full bloom.
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But what separates a good perfume from an absolute showstopper? It’s hard to say. More often than not, a scent can unearth a fond memory or even remind you of a place you dream of visiting. Either way, trying on a new fragrance is like stepping into a time machine: it either takes you back or flings you forward.
Ready to go for a ride? Here, the best new perfumes of 2023, including scents from YSL, Tom Ford, Cacharel and more.
Perfumehead at Holt Renfrew
Have you met Perfumehead yet? If not, allow us to introduce you. Launched in the fall of 2022, this Los Angeles-based niche fragrance brand has gained quite the reputation for its cinematic approach to scent. Think fragrances inspired by David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive, or Britney and Justin’s unforgettable double denim moment at the AMAs (that’s the coriander, cumin and tonka-infused Canadian Tuxedo, for those wondering). Founder Daniel Patrick Giles — who began his career at Holt Renfrew — built each of the seven extraits de parfum in Perfumehead’s collection as scents you can layer, inspired by the “osmocosm”—“osmo” meaning scent and “cosmo” as in universe. And in a delightful full circle moment, the brand is now exclusively available in Canada at Holts.
Juicy Viva La Juicy Sucré
All it takes is a glance at the bottle to understand that this fragrance is for the die-hard gourmand fans, if the name didn’t give it away immediately. Juicy Couture’s latest, Viva La Juicy Sucré is everything sweet rolled into one: think juicy mandarin, peach nectar, and fresh gardenia, topped with a layer of vanilla icing, a generous dollop of whipped cream and a pinch of cocoa powder. Hungry yet?
Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche Eau de Parfum
If you’re a fan of Chanel’s OG Chance fragrance, you’ll adore this summery twist on the scent. Made with a blend of zesty citrus, teak wood and jasmine, it’s comforting and fresh all at once.
Florence by Mills Wildly Me
Millie Bobby Brown is entering the celebrity fragrance world with an earthy new scent, and it’s a fitting addition to Brown’s ultra-popular clean beauty line, Florence By Mills. Wildly Me combines fresh bergamot and sage with woody sandalwood and tons of fragrant purple blooms like wisteria, violet and iris. Put it this way: if the song “Lavender Haze” was a scent, this would be it.
Aerin Rose de Grasse Rouge Eau de Parfum
When it comes to rose perfumes, no brand does it quite like Aerin. Rose de Grasse Rouge — the newest addition to the beauty brand’s rose premier collection — blends classic red roses with rose water and honeycomb, resulting in a romantic and timeless scent.
YSL MYSLF Eau de Parfum
This is not a drill: YSL’s new eau de parfum, MYSLF, is fronted by none other than Austin Butler. So if you ever wanted to know what the star smells like, imagine a combination of Calabrian Bergamot, sweet orange blossom and a touch of musky patchouli. A little fresh, a little earthy, and very, very sexy.
Cacharel Yes I Am Bloom Up Eau de Parfum
Available exclusively online at Shoppers Drug Mart, Cacharel’s latest addition to the Yes I Am collection smells as delightful as the lipstick-shaped vessel. One spritz delivers an explosion of sweet red berries and fresh peony with a lingering trail of sandalwood. It’s an instant fave — and affordable to boot.
Paco Rabanne Lady Million Royal Eau de Parfum
Can’t decide between floral or fruity scents? You can have both with Paco Rabanne Lady Million Royal, which smells like a bed of white flowers surrounded by sweet pomegranate. Very dreamy.
Tom Ford Café Rose
Is it just us or do rose fragrances seem to be making a major comeback this year? We love Tom Ford’s take on the trend, which infuses Turkish and Bulgarian rose with the addictive scent of coffee. It’s warm, mysterious and seriously long-lasting.
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Summer Vibes Eau de Toilette
Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue has been a beloved scent since it first came on the scene in 2001, and its latest reinterpretation is shaping up to be just as appealing. With a mix of bergamot, peach and cedar, it has that same woody-fruity essence, but with a little more zest.
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