Finding your fragrance is a process, but when you discover yours, there’s nothing better than embracing your signature (or seasonal) scent. With so many great options available, it can be challenging to know exactly what to look for. A good starting point is to understand what you actually smell — all fragrances can be categorised according to the four main categories: fresh, floral, spicy, and woody. There are various sub-categories within each of these categories, which can be combined to create unique scents. If you’re in the mood for something new, read on to discover the characteristics of each olfactive family, as well as our top picks, newly released, for the season.
Know Your Scent
Floral fragrances, on the other hand, are among the most feminine and romantic scents. Fresh scents typically include citrus notes like lemon and grapefruit but are also aromatic notes, such as basil and lavender. Popular notes include rose, jasmine and violet. Spicy scents are great for the winter months and often have notes of leather, warm spices, vanilla and tobacco. Woody fragrances are associated with notes like cedar, patchouli and vetiver.
FOR HER
Angel Nova by Mugler
This gorgeous fragrance includes notes of Damask rose and raspberry, as well as woody accords of benzoin. It comes in a beautiful star-shaped bottle in bright pink to reflect its floral and fruity composition.
100ml | R2 250
Boity Pink Sapphire
This locally produced scent is created by and named for South African celebrity Boity Thulo. The fragrance is a lovely balance of floral and mineral notes and boasts a delicate, elegant scent. Expect top notes of tangerine, sugar and wild marigold; heart notes of jasmine, French lavender and amber; and base notes of salt, moss and cedarwood.
100ml | R1 195
Bvlgari Omnia X Mary Katrantzou Floral
This fragrance is an exclusive edition in which fashion designer Mary Katrantzou has collaborated with Bulgari to create an uplifting and vibrant new offering. It’s a floral kaleidoscope — think gardenia and orange blossom. These notes are complemented by mandarin and fig leaf, as well as musk. The classic Omnia bottle has been reimagined as a sculptural vase holding a bouquet of flowers and colours.
65ml | R1 540
Guess Bella Vita
Playful and fruity, this fragrance includes notes of Italian lemon, juicy cassis and blackberries. Softer, more floral notes come through in jasmine, tuberose and vanilla orchid, while a warm blend of amber wood, tonka bean, praline and musk add a sensual sweetness. The fragrance was created as a tribute to the power of femininity and self-love.
100ml | R1 099
Valentino Born In Roma Yellow Dream
This fragrance is inspired by Rome, its warm light and its vibrant women. It combines musky and floral notes and includes hand-harvested bergamot essence, zesty Italian lemon and lychee accords. Peony flowers and Turkish rose essence elevate the scent, while white musk and Madagascan vanilla add a special sensuality.
100ml | R2 500
FOR HIM
YSL Y Le Parfum
This fragrance from Yves Saint Laurent was launched earlier this year and includes top notes of apple, ginger and grapefruit. Middle notes include sage, lavender and geranium, while base notes include tonka bean, cedar and patchouli. It’s an intense and elegant fragrance and comes in a luxurious black lacquer bottle.
100ml | R2 290
Emporio Armani Stronger With You Absolutely
This irresistible fragrance from Emporio Armani is made extra-special by a new rum accord, while sustainably sourced lavender combines beautifully with liquorice and fruity notes. Other key components include warm vanilla, harvested in Madagascar, and smoky cedarwood, which is carefully extracted in Virginia in the United States. The scent comes in a stylish glass bottle with smoky lacquering that darkens towards the base, lending a liquor-like hue.
100ml | R2 120
Acqua Di Gio Profondo Lights
Fresh and intense, this fragrance blends green mandarin with bright cardamom. Aromatic elements are at the heart of the scent — expect rosemary, cypress and balsamic notes. Base notes include woody vetiver and patchouli sourced in Guatemala from a program that promotes economic emancipation of local farming communities, preserves biodiversity, and ensures traceability of the ingredients.
75ml | R1 950
Hermès H24
This fresh and delicate scent combines sage, narcissus and rosewood. It’s an aromatic, slightly metallic fragrance with floral and spicy accords. The bottle design is clean and classic, while the paper case is 100 percent recycled and recyclable. H24 is the first perfume that truly expresses the contemporary man as seen by Hermès.
100ml | R1 929
Dunhill Driven
This fragrance from Dunhill draws inspiration from the brand’s archives — it’s a beautifully balanced combination of the traditional and modern. Expect hints of bergamot, red apple and amber in a mix of woody, citrus and floral notes. Additional notes include lime, plum, cardamom, vanilla and cedar, which all come together for an impactful scent.
100ml | R1 399