Winter has arrived and shows no signs of retreat. Until it gets warmer, there are fragrances that pair nicely with the colder weather, especially those which are affordable yet distinct and alluring. Out of thousands of available colognes, I have chosen three that focus on warm and sweet notes, perfect for the winter season.
1 – Spicebomb Infrared ($40). I consider Spicebomb Infrared a hidden treasure in my collection, it’s intriguing and unique. The cinnamon, fruit and tobacco notes all complement each other to form a scent reminiscent of a fall candle. This fragrance has earned the place of being my most used in the winter; it’s been a staple in my collection ever since I started. The longevity and projection are moderate, lasting around six to nine hours, making it suitable for all occasions in the fall and winter months.
2 – Lattafa Khamrah ($30). Khamrah, from the fragrance house Lattafa, is single-handedly the most influential fragrance of the 2020s. It brought significant attention to Arabian perfumery and its ability to replicate high-end designer fragrances, with Khamrah being perceived as a duplicate of Kilian’s Angels Share. Through managing to create an affordable interpretation of a costly scent, the fragrance changed the industry. As a result, consumers started to focus on appealing scents instead of price or brand, bringing back the industry’s core values.
As for how it smells, Khamrah reminded me of a very sweet cinnamon roll, including notes such as vanilla, dates, cinnamon and tonka bean. Additionally, the longevity and performance are some of the best I’ve ever seen. One single spray on my neck, lasted a whole school day and a running session. Overall, this is a safe, unisex fragrance to buy without prior testing that guarantees quality, appeal and affordability.
3 – Valentino Coral Fantasy ($85). Valentino is a brand known for making fragrances with mass appeal. Still, one of their most recent flankers, Coral Fantasy outshines all other creations, despite having one of the most unattractive combinations of notes: red apple and tobacco. Directly after initial spraying, the fragrance evokes the scent of freshly made candied apples at a carnival. However, the fragrance begins to evolve and the tobacco notes start to integrate into the apple notes after one or two hours, creating a more complex and refined scent profile.
Despite a delightful and spicy fragrance typically meant for colder weather, I frequently use it in warmer temperatures. Being one the most versatile fragrances on this list and lasting around six to seven hours, I’d consider this a signature fragrance that fits into any collection.
Furthermore, fragrances are subjective and should be chosen based on personal preference, but the fragrances listed above, are still regarded very highly by many. With that being said, when choosing a fragrance for the colder seasons, I recommend making sure that there are spicy notes like pink pepper as well as notes like vanilla, cinnamon, tonka bean and amber.
by SIMON ARAGOZA
