On The Scent

It’s time for us to delve into the many messages and DMs you send us, asking for help to solve your perfume problems with our scented suggestions, and this week we’ve everything from someone who’s been dreaming of a particular perfume for years and wants to know if there’s a replacement; a burlesque performer searching for the next va-va-voom fragrance to match her act, and a listener who’s reques...

We are absolutely thrilled to have legendary makeup artist, founder and fellow fragrance fanatic @trishmcevoy as our guest for this brand new episode of the podcast! Anyone who has stepped up to a Trish McEvoy counter cannot fail to fall in love with her fragrances, too, and here we delve deep into their inspirations and the emotions they conjure. During our so-insightful chat with Trish, we not o...

In this episode Suzy and Nicola explore affordable and simply beautiful fragrances that are perfect for Spring. Whether you feel like a fragrant change or are longing for a perfume that encapsulates the spirit of the season but don't want to spend a fortune, this episode for you. Nicola's list: @loccitane_uk_ire Cherry Blossom @isseymiyakeparfums A Drop d’Issey @clarinsuk Eau Dynamisante Suzy’s Li...

A night-blooming flower that’s been called the diva of the fragrance world, and which Victorian ladies were forbidden to wear in case it caused ‘amorous madness’, the tuberose is an addictive, often divisive and irrefutably hypnotic ingredient which we’ll fully explore in today’s Fragrant Focus episode… @rpparfums Robert Piguet Fracas @sergeslutens Tubereuse Criminelle @sergeslutensDempteuse Encag...

Following on from our evocative scent memories episode, today we’re indulging in some of our favourite fragranced products that aren’t perfumes, but which we love to slather on and surround ourselves with whenever we can! Suzy’s List: @letpetitmarseillais Le Petit Marseillais Extra Gentle Orange Blossom Organic Shower Cream @escentric_molecules Escentric Molecules Escentric 05 Body Wash @rogergall...

Smell and memory are so entwined - we bet most of you have had an experience of smelling something and suddenly being propelled back in the past. Smell is the only sense fully formed in the womb, a super-power we possess that’s the closest thing to time travel. So, this episode is a little bit different, in that we’re indulging in our personal scent memories - some of our favourite smells in the w...

In celebration of National Fragrance Day we're publishing a documentary about Frederic Malle's Portrait of A Lady that Nicola made for her other podcast Outspoken Beauty. It is a true love letter to the fragrance and features Frederic Malle himself. Suzy heard this before she met Nicola. She has since said that the minute she heard it, she knew that the two of them could be friends.....the rest as...

We had so many rose fragrances to talk about that there was no way that we could fit them all into one episode so welcome to rose part two. Suzy has a wonderfully varied list of rose fragrances to tantalise you, from deep, dark and smokey to light, frivolous and whimsical. Here's what we talk about: @paulsmithdesign Rose @ostens_official Rose Oil Isparta @jovoymayfair Rose Millésime @chantecailleu...

Often called ‘The Queen of flowers’, the rose can be either a symbol of purity with an innocent scent, or of wild passion, with a dash of accidental Roman murder thrown in for good measure. Either way, we’ve been obsessed by the scent of roses for centuries, with classical and contemporary perfumers alike vying to capture these magnificent blooms. From Cleopatra’s carpet of petals to the rose fiel...

In this episode we have great fun answering your brilliant prescriptions and there are lots of fabulous fragrance recommendations that we're sure many of you will want to try. Here's what we mention: Suzy is wearing: @initioparfumsprive Atomic Rose Nicola is wearing: @isseymiyakeparfums a drop d’Issey Answers to Listener Questions: @perfumersworkshop Tea Rose @jovoymayfair Rose Millésime @chanteca...

In this episode we’re delving into our fragrant bookshelves for some recommended reading on the subject of scent. From perfume guides and fascinating historic snippets to more academic studies that will blow your mind, we’ve even some suggestions for fragrantly-themed novels. Whatever your level of interest, there’s a book out there for you, so if you’re ready to feed your fragrant frenzy, get rea...

In this episode we're talking about some of the fragrances that we can't get enough of at the moment including the scent of a cleansing balm that is making Suzy very happy indeed. Then it's over to you and the brilliant prescriptions that you've been asking for. Here's what we talk about in this episode: Nicola’s fragrant loves: @histoiredeparfums This is Not a Blue Bottle 1.6 @sanajardin Incense...

Something is clearly in the air, as we’ve had more requests for an episode on this ingredient than anything else. Iris fragrances can smell clean as freshly laundered linen, soft and supple as suede, or beckon the boudoir with hints of lipstick, powdered skin and hastily discarded silky underthings. Exploring the mythology and perfume history of iris, we’ll be looking at some classic scents and br...

In this episode Suzy and Nicola talk through some of the fragrances that they're wearing at the moment and why they feel so right at the moment. They also answer some of your brilliant prescription questions. Oh and there is slightly hysterical chat about the behaviour of ducks and pigeons.....it needs to be heard to be believed! Here's what they mention: What Suzy’s Been Wearing: @honore.payan Pa...

If you think fragrances with ‘chocolate’ listed as a note are all childish, sickly and unsophisticated, we’re serving up some suggestions that are incredibly chic, overtly opulent or simmering with unrestrained naughtiness. Renowned epicurean Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826) once said: “Those who have been too long at their labor, who have drunk too long at the cup of voluptuousness, who...

Sometimes we all need an extra boost of confidence, and in this episode we’re going to reveal some of the perfumes on our ‘Power List’ – the scents we spray to make us feel completely INVINCIBLE! Plus, we answer another of your questions… we’re getting through them! Still some more to go, but we’ve not forgotten: we simply had SO many last time. Please keep sending your DMs @onthescentpodcast - we...

It's a brand new year and whilst Suzy and Nicola are very much looking forward to exploring what fragrant treats 2022 has to offer, they also felt that they needed to reflect on some of their favourite fragrances of 2021. After a good old chat about the best of '21, they answer more of your brilliant prescription questions. (If you'd like to get your prescription answered please DM Nicola and Suzy...

The closer it gets to Christmas, the more messages we’re getting from listeners desperately trying to find fragrances for gifts, or replacements for much-loved but sadly discontinued scents. So today, we’re thrusting our hands into the mailbag and answering as many as possible while handing out the perfect perfume prescriptions. Recommendations for missing classics, budget-friendly versions, extra...

Patchouli is basically the ‘Marmite of the perfume world’ – those who fall firmly in the LOVE it camp have our passionately held views matched only by those who devoutly LOATHE it. Whatever you feel, get ready to forget all you thought you knew about this ingredient as we trace its history from scenting luxurious fabrics, being worn by courtesans, hippies & bohemians right through to very modern c...

In this episode Nicola and Suzy do a much requested follow up to their last home fragrance episode. Scenting our homes has become a form of escapism in the past two years for so many of us and in this episode they chat about candles that are festive, cosy, luscious, and just perfect for this time of year. Suzy's recommendations: @boujeebougees Gilt Candle @ginori1735 La Dama Black Stone/Purple Hil...

In this episode we’re tackling the tricky issue of gifting, with Grazia Daily’s Haydn Williams. Among other writing projects, Haydn also blogs, using the name ‘You smell great! What is it? Outside of writing, he works in the music industry and says his ideal day would involve satisfying all the senses with a classic barbershop shave and haircut, a wander round Liberty’s, a good meal, then a gig… F...

We’re starting a new series of ingredient-focused episodes, and in this one we’re exploring the history - and enduring appeal - of vanilla fragrances. Why do perfumers use it so often, what have scientific studies proven about its effect on us and why are vanilla scents proving so popular again, now…? Vanilla fragrances mentioned: @guerlain Jicky @chopard Casmir @diorbeauty Hypnotic Poison @rochas...

In this episode we are diving DEEP into our mailbag for a Listener Prescription Special. We’ve been totally blown away by how many DMs, comments & emails we’ve had the last few weeks, and how many of you are not only enjoying the podcast, but are connecting with fragrance on an emotionally helpful level… Suzy’s been wearing: @skinalchemists Equilibrium pulse point oil @guerlain Santal Pao Rosa Nic...

In this episode we’re joined by Ruth Crilly - aka A Model Recommends - who describes herself as “…erstwhile fashion model, dedicated beauty insider and prolific writer of nonsense.” In fact, Ruth brilliantly documents life updates, favourite beauty products & her fashion discoveries on her much-loved Instagram account @ruthcrilly, and on her website: https://www.ruthcrilly.co.uk But here we’re tak...

In this episode we’re sharing with you the scents we’ve been slathering ourselves in following our sessions of sniffing-around perfume shops. These are the ones that made it beyond “oh yes, I like that” to Lust Lists status. Plus we’re answering more of your questions and prescribing the perfect perfumes for you… Suzy: @naomigoodsir Bois d’Ascese @naomigoodsir Iris Cendre @zoologistperfumes Chipmu...