Amouage Lilac Love Woman

Definitely one for your birthday or Christmas present wish list, this is floral fragrance fabulosity – albeit at a price. But, according to Sarah’s much-loved (and v. gorgeous) chef nephew Ross, it’s worth every penny. Lilac Love launched this year as the first in the new Secret Garden collection from Amouage, a fragrance company we have revelled in over the years. It’s a bouquet of flowery deliciousness, with top notes of jasmine, rose, gardenia, peony and heliotrope, replicating the lilac accord (that’s perfume speak for smelling like lilac…). Heart (middle) notes are orris, cacao and tonka bean, drifting down to a base of sandalwood, patchouli and vanilla.

Sarah had a sample phial in the car on her way to a lunch party and spritzed it on without thinking much about it bar a brief moment of thinking ‘that’s rather special’ as she sallied into the garden.

Then came the Abracadabra! moment. The first words from Ross were ‘You smell absolutely amazing’, repeated at intervals through the afternoon. And when your nephew is bouleversé by your fragrance, that’s a result.

Amouage Lilac Love Woman/£260 for 100 ml eau de perfume at harrods.com