Eight Fabulous Fragrances for You: Be Scent-sational in Knightsbridge

Consider yourself the proverbial man about town? Parisian perfumer EX NIHILO might be your next obsession. Our pick of its Gangs of London collection is the Sloane Ravers Eau de Parfum made exclusively for Harvey Nichols. Sweet and woody, it combines a classic duo of patchouli and cedarwood with tonka bean and plum cream, tinged with spicy drops of saffron, nutmeg and clove – a scent designed to be remembered long after you’ve made your exit. 

If you prefer something a little less intense, we recommend Guess’s award-winning Uomo Eau de Toilette. Modern, fresh and with a distinct edge, this cologne opens with vibrant grapefruit, intense cardamom and fresh lavender, with sage, saffron and geranium at its heart and amber at its base. In layman’s terms, if you like your fragrances with a juicy, citrus vibe, this is the one for you.

Looking for something in between? Try Balmain Homme Hair Perfume. We know… But hear us out. This unique approach to perfume combines the iconic fragrance of Balmain Homme (citrus freshness of bergamot meets the woody aspect of dry sandalwood) with silk protein and Argan Elixir to keep your hair feeling sleek and smelling incredible. It has to be tried to be believed and you can find it stocked at Knightsbridge’s own Hayatt Pharmacy.

Perfume can be seductive and sexy, sure – but it can also be fun. Marc Jacobs Dot  (available at high-street favourite Boots on Brompton Road) is just that; a round bottle of sweet red berries, honeysuckle and orange blossom with a hint of warm vanilla topped off by a polka-dot butterfly cap. Chic, cheerful and girlish, this is a playful summer scent that makes you smile with every spray. 

For all the romantics who swoon over a beautiful bouquet, there’s Burberry’s Her Eau de Parfum Petals. This limited-edition perfume pairs floral notes of violet and jasmine with wood and creamy amber – it even has pink petals suspended in the bottle. Personalise the tag around the neck (for free) for a fragrance that is absolutely all yours. 

You might not know it, but high-street staple Zara is becoming a go-to for delicious, affordable fragrances. Its Love Explosion Special Edition is an eau de parfum that combines sparkling rose and attenuating vanilla. It makes for an outstanding everyday scent that will have people asking where you got it. You can say a small market outside Paris – we won’t tell. 

Unisex fragrances buck expectations of what a perfume or cologne “should” be. If you don’t like being put in a box, we recommend a visit to Atyab Al Marshoud on Brompton Road, the independent multi-generation cosmetics company first established in Kuwait in 1925. Its range of fragrances is bold and vibrant, with personality to spare. We especially love Marshoud4 White, which takes the traditional and alluring scent of oud and enhances it with the refreshing coolness of mint, the warm spice of saffron and the rich aroma of cardamom.

Finally, there’s Thameen’s Palace Amber Extrait d’Huile de Parfum. Exclusive to Harrods and with a price tag of £4,950, this unisex scent is the epitome of opulence. In the makers’ own words, it is ‘designed for the most exacting olfactive connoisseurs’, blends notes of amber, patchouli, sandalwood and vanilla, is encased within a crystal decanter and comes with its own lacquered box. For anyone wishing to smell… well… truly expensive, this is the perfume for you.

Catherine Hales is a London-based writer and editor