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.
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.
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.
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.
*These happy fragrances available in South Africa from Skins.