The Extraordinary Power of Scent: My Year in Fragrance
Credit: Future of Skincare / Ai Generated
*EXTRAORDINARY FRAGRANCES
*EXTRAORDINARY FRAGRANCES
Perfume is more than a blend of notes; it’s an invisible signature, a transportive experience that bridges emotion, memory, and self-expression. This year, I explored 14 exceptional fragrances, each offering an olfactory journey into the realms of artistry, innovation, and dreamlike escapism. These scents represent the best of tradition and creativity, blending evocative stories with groundbreaking compositions. Here’s a look at the fragrances that have defined my year.
Today, I’m thrilled to take you on a sensory journey through a realm I hold dear: the world of perfume. Fragrance has always been my obsession, a passion that I consider to be at the intersection of self-care, fashion, wellness, and sometimes even skincare. To me, perfume is something ethereal—a ritual steeped in mystery, dreams, and personal expression. It is both an extension of who we are and a statement of how we wish to present ourselves to the world.
Whether we cling to a single scent for years because it feels intrinsically “us” or change our fragrances as often as we change our outfits and moods, there is no “correct” way to wear perfume. It is a deeply personal journey that touches on chemistry, sensuality, well-being, aromatherapy, and luxury. A true work of art, a beautiful fragrance draws us in not only with its blend of notes but also through the universe that a brand builds around it—an evocative imagery that speaks to the invisible, elusive emotions the scent represents.
Since launching Future of Skincare, I’ve spoken little about perfume—only mentioning it in passing once or twice. Today, I’m taking the opportunity to dedicate an entire article to it, and what better time than the festive season? This article is a heartfelt selection of fragrances that have enchanted me throughout the year. Many of these scents were introduced to me by brands and PR agencies who seemed to understand my love for the enigmatic, the mystical, and the elevating power of fragrance. Perfume, for me, is a way of transcending the everyday; it’s about being lifted, transported, and reconnected to emotions, memories, and even something that feels otherworldly.
I call this collection “extraordinary” for several reasons. Some are innovative in the way they challenge traditional perfumery—whether that’s by rethinking the role of specific ingredients, removing them entirely, or blending aromatherapy with wellness science to create something as functional as it is delightful. Others are simply extraordinary in their craftsmanship, created by iconic houses and master perfumers to evoke dreams and magic. These are fragrances that, in a single spritz, take us out of our ordinary lives and infuse our day with a touch of magic, an extra dose of energy, and a pocket of beauty.
As we enter the holiday season, I wanted to share with you a panorama of the fragrances that have marked my year—those that have brought joy, introspection, or even a kind of spiritual connection. Each one is iconic in its own right, with a story that resonates deeply with me. I hope this selection will inspire you, spark some curiosity, and perhaps help you discover a new scent that speaks to you.
These perfumes will not leave you indifferent. They are meant to move you, stir something within you—whether it’s nostalgia, passion, calm, or pure delight. Whether you are looking for a gift, a new olfactory experience, or simply a moment of escapism, I invite you to explore these extraordinary creations.
Jalila Levesque - Founder and Editor in Chief / FUTURE OF SKINCARE 
Perfumer H / Rose
Perfumer H
Where Craft Meets Individuality
Founded by Lyn Harris, Perfumer H merges artisanal glasswork with bespoke fragrances crafted in a working laboratory in London.
Coup de Cœur: Rose
Rose is pure poetry in a bottle. This scent combines Turkish rose absolute with raspberry and soft musks, creating a vibrant, honest portrayal of the timeless bloom. It’s romantic yet grounded, the olfactory equivalent of fresh petals kissed by the morning sun.
Fascent / Sel à Vie
Fascent
Eco-Luxury and Layering
Fascent redefines fragrance with a playful approach to layering and eco-conscious design.
Coup de Cœur: Sel à Vie
Sel à Vie captures the essence of sun-drenched beaches, blending sea salt and driftwood with the lush sweetness of vanilla. It’s a nostalgic embrace of summer—a scent that feels alive with laughter and sunlit waves.
Les Eaux Primordiales / Ambre Supermassive
Les Eaux Primordiales
Exploring Nature and Beyond
Inspired by primordial waters, Eaux Primordiales marries innovative techniques with a connection to the natural world.
Coup de Cœur: Ambre Supermassive
Ambre Supermassive is an ode to amber’s warmth, infused with fruity and spicy notes like peach, saffron, and vanilla. It’s cosmic yet grounded, evoking the infinite allure of galaxies and oceans alike.
Chanel / Comète
Chanel Les Exclusifs
Heritage Meets Modernity
This collection reflects Gabrielle Chanel’s visionary spirit, combining rare materials with timeless elegance.
Coup de Cœur: Comète
Comète radiates starlit glamour with cherry blossom, heliotrope, and iris. It’s luminous and sensual, like a constellation shimmering across velvet skies.
Vyrao / Mamajuju
Vyrao
Fragrance as Energy
Vyrao blends master perfumery with energetic healing, crafting scents that uplift the spirit.
Coup de Cœur: Mamajuju
Mamajuju is grounding yet vibrant, with Australian sandalwood, rum absolute, and pink pepper creating a warm, earthy embrace. Wearing it feels like reconnecting with the earth after a rainstorm—centering, awakening, and beautifully balanced.
Noziglia / Noir d’encre
Noziglia
Art and Fragrance Collide
Noziglia crafts perfumes inspired by light, memory, and artistic expression.
Coup de Cœur: Noir d’Encre
Noir d’Encre is an ode to the depth of black ink, with iris, myrrh, and musk creating a velvety, luminous composition. It’s moody and magnetic, evoking the interplay of shadow and light.
Brume Orpin / Oratoa
Brume Orpin
A Journey Through Scents
Brume Orpin celebrates the artistry of French perfumery, blending sustainability with exquisite craftsmanship.
Coup de Cœur: Oratoa
Oratoa is a fragrant adventure, melding Moroccan rose, cedarwood, and leather into a rich, layered journey. It feels like tracing constellations under a starry sky—warm, inviting, and timeless.
Maison Violet / Pour Rêver
Maison Violet
Legacy of Elegance
Since 1827, Maison Violet has been crafting fragrances that celebrate individuality and French heritage.
Coup de Cœur: Pour Rêver
Pour Rêver envelops you in the gourmand warmth of chestnut, cocoa, and creamy vanilla. It’s an invitation to dream, a cozy cocoon that soothes and delights.
Bibbi / Ghost of Tom
Bibbi
Fragrance and the Subconscious
Bibbi invites wearers to explore the depths of their psyche through narrative-driven scents.
Coup de Cœur: Ghost of Tom
Ghost of Tom envelops you in smoky tea, papyrus, and black amber. It feels like an intimate secret, whispering of forgotten realms and unseen presences.
Maison Douze / Eau Mystique
Maison Douze
Astrology Meets Perfume
Maison Douze intertwines zodiac inspiration with perfumery, crafting scents that reflect cosmic energy.
Coup de Cœur: Eau Mystique
Eau Mystique is as enchanting as its name, with notes of peach, myrrh, and patchouli creating a mystical, oceanic allure. It’s a scent for dreamers, wrapped in the mystery of moonlit waters.
Parfums de Marly / Palatine
Parfums de Marly
Sophistication Reimagined
Parfums de Marly blends 18th-century craftsmanship with modern creativity.
Coup de Cœur: Palatine
Palatine opens with mandarin and violet, settling into creamy sandalwood and musk. It exudes confidence and grace—a floral symphony for the bold and free.
Ôrəbella / Salted Muse
Ôrəbella
Where Skincare Meets Fragrance
Bella Hadid’s Ôrəbella combines alcohol-free scents with nourishing bi-phase formulas.
Coup de Cœur: Salted Muse
Salted Muse is a salty-sweet embrace of sea salt, lavender, and amber. It’s aquatic and comforting, like sunlight dancing on ocean waves.
Velvetvelo / Archimède in Love
VelvetVelo
Eco-Luxury and Velocity
VelvetVelo creates water-based fragrances that respect the skin and environment.
Coup de Cœur: Archimède in Love
Archimède in Love is a tender blend of raspberry, rose, and geranium. It feels like a watercolor painting come to life—soft, fluid, and deeply romantic.
Initio Parfums / Musk Therapy
Initio Parfums
The Science of Emotion
Initio merges ancient techniques with modern science to create transformative, mood-enhancing scents.
Coup de Cœur: Musk Therapy
Musk Therapy combines creamy sandalwood with magnolia and cassis, creating a velvety, soothing embrace. It’s an olfactory hug, radiating calm and well-being.
