Beauty Clinic: I long for a lipstick-scented perfume
Q. I love nostalgic scents. I really want to buy a fragrance that smells of old-fashioned lipstick. Any ideas, please?
A. Absolutely – and over to Jo, here, who set up The Perfume Society a few years ago, and is a true expert. 'I agree with you: there's something wonderfully nostalgic and feminine about lipstick-style fragrances,' she says. 'They're among my favourites, too.'
The quintessential version is probably Éditions de Parfums Frédéric Malle Lipstick Rose, £170 for 100 ml. And over to Frédéric himself for his take on the appeal of this type of perfume. 'Classic lipsticks are scented with violet. Violet smells sparkling and sweet. It's somewhere between candies and flowers,' he explains. In a perfume, he adds, violet is 'retro, sophisticated, and brash. It's like a splash of pink lipstick on Warhol's Marilyn.'
There are others you might want to seek out, too. Chanel Misia – which was the debut fragrance by Chanel's new and talented 'nose', Olivier Polge – is a warm swirl of rosy, violet-y, face paint and lipstick notes, priced £240 for 200 ml at selected Chanel boutiques.
Maison Margiela Replica Lipstick On is another deliciously lipstick-y option worth checking out, price £95 for 100 ml at selfridges.com – and don't overlook the truly affordable cult favourite, Yardley April Violets/£9.99 for 50 ml at boots.com.
Last but not least, Sarah has this to say. 'My new favourite of this nostalgic type of fragrance is Roger&Gallet Extrait de Cologne Thé Fantaisie. My opera singer friend and I smelled it and said 'granny!' – and we both love it.' Find it priced £22.50 for 30 ml at beautyexpert.com.
And happy spritzing!