Happy Fragrances: An Uplifting Trio

Happy Fragrances - Nuxe Prodigieux Floral Le Parfum EDP

What is happiness? Don’t worry, I’m not about to get all existential on you. Yet. In this case, I’m talking about happy fragrances that make me feel good when I wear them. Essential in our increasingly nasty world and sometimes the turbulence of my own inner world.

In fragrance-land, unsurprisingly there’s a whole happy genre now, with some spelling it out for us. I’m thinking of the rather good Clinique Happy and Chopard Happy ranges.

If fragrance is about emotions and feelings and upliftment is what I’m after, then this selection is guaranteed to put me in a good mood. I normally preach the virtues of giving a fragrance time to develop to truly appreciate it, but these work for me from the get-go and provide a hit of instant gratification. Not very spiritually enlightened, I know… But you get the point.

Happy Fragrances - Essential Parfums Orange x Santal EDP

ESSENTIAL PARFUMS ORANGE X SANTAL EDP* (NATALIE GRACIA-CETTO)

Let’s do some fragrance arithmetic, shall we?

Orange x santal = Yes, yes please.

There’s a most pleasing contrast of sweet and sour in the opening of this 2018 release from the French niche brand. There’s also fresh aromatics from basil and cypress. Sustainably sourced Australian sandalwood brings on the creaminess in the drydown, with a touch of earthy oakmoss. The price, as with all releases from this company, also makes me a happy boy.

Happy Fragrances - Essential Parfums Orange x Santal EDP

NUXE PRODIGIEUX FLORAL LE PARFUM EDP

The French pharmacy brand might be better known for their skincare products. But their fragrances are pretty good too. For example, this 2021 release.

There’s some lovely citric freshness in the opening from grapefruit. The freshness keeps coming with the lemon-ish floral note of magnolia and clean musk.

If you want to go all out, you can treat your skin (and nose) to the equally good Huile Prodigieuse Florale, the multipurpose oil for face, body and hair.

Happy Fragrances - Nuxe Prodigieux Floral Le Parfum EDP

GOLDFIELD & BANKS BOHEMIAN LIME EDP* (CARINE CERTAIN BOIN)

When the heat hits (as it often does in Johannesburg, even in winter), there’s only one thing to do. Apply Goldfield & Banks Bohemian Lime EDP.

Australian finger lime zings with zesty freshness, supported by the spiciness of coriander and earthiness of vetiver. What this 2020 creation for the Australian niche brand lacks in complexity, it more than compensates with its uplifting moreish-ness.

Happy Fragrances - Goldfield & Banks Bohemian Lime EDP

*These happy fragrances available in South Africa from Skins.

Gucci Intense Oud EDP: An Impressive Balancing Act

Gucci Intense Oud EDP

Almost 10 years after it was released in 2016, Gucci Intense Oud EDP remains one of my favourite ouds, designer or otherwise.

Who cares if it’s real oud or not. Aurélien Guichard knows how to create an effective semblance of the precious ingredient through the skilful work he brings to his own brand, Matiere Premiere, and others. He’s the man behind oud standouts such as Robert Piguet Oud EDP (2012) and Matiere Premiere Oud Seven EDP (2021).

Aurélien Guichard
IMAGE: Matiere Premiere.

From the bottle to the scent, Gucci Intense Oud EDP is solid stuff. It gets going with the slight fruitiness of raspberry and pear notes. The perfumer makes the most of the inherent fruitiness of frankincense while also taking it in a woody spicy direction, with soft hints of rose and orange blossom in the background. The oud effect is subtle but noticeable, with earthiness from patchouli and animalic leather adding to the warmth.

Gucci Intense Oud EDP

While wearable, accessible and versatile, it also manages to convey something mysterious, exotic and, dare I say it, oriental (now flagged as a sensitive geopolitical reference when I use Microsoft Word Editor to check my document). That’s an impressive balancing act.

If you’re looking for a challenging barnyard oud, Gucci Intense Oud EDP ain’t it. But if you’re looking for something commercial with quality, this is it.

It’s one of those fragrances that make me think when designer brands get it right, they can’t be beat (another fragrance from the Italian designer brand, Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Homme EDP immediately comes to mind). Take that, niche snobs. Ha! Ha!

Gucci Intense Oud EDP

It looks like it has been discontinued but is still widely available online and even in some stores for a most reasonable price.

Gucci Intense Oud EDP is available in South Africa from selected Woolworths, Edgars, Truworths and Arc Stores.