On The Scent (Nicola Bonn)

This week's On the Scent podcast is a sensory feast spanning art, astrophysics, architecture, cults, rituals and embracing your darker side (while finding the light).

Suzy was staggered by @marcantoinebarrois Aldebaran - a tuberose like no other that's wild, greenly sap-laden and coconutty cool, currently featured in an extraordinary art installation at Milan Design Week (on until 13th April, tickets here: 

Mission ALDEBARAN

eventbrite.fr

It's particularly mercurial: on Suzy it's ultra green, then cold, metallic and silvery, creamy and addictive; on @blublazerguy it was coconutty, while on @morebrandscents the intriguing paprika pepperiness really came through, so you need to try it on your own skin!

Meanwhile, Nicola’s been delighted about @debenhams upping their fragrance game with niche and heritage brands, including @bastilleparfums Un Deux Trous Soleil (childhood-evoking via sunshine and play dough!), @houbigant_parfum Quelque Fleur (vintage bouquet), and @molinardparfums Molinard de Molinard (70s chic).

@memo.paris takes us on two fragrant journeys: Portobello Road with its myrtle, rose and rain accord that Suzy's been editing on her skin, and Ithaque - an escape to the mythical Greek island with cedar, bergamot and blackcurrant.

Another tuberose that captured Suzy's heart is @manosgerakinis Wild Tuberose - green yet buttery, slightly salty and totally addictive with bergamot, jasmine and woods.

Nicola's fallen for @narcisorodriguezofficial For Her Intense with its vetiver/amber trail, juicy peach and white florals, while we were both surprised by @zadigetvoltaire ZADIG's billowing orange blossom, toasty sesame, fiery ginger and sandalwood.

Suzy's also raving about @thomasdemonaco collection at @lessenteurs, featuring Sol Salgado (sun-kissed skin with salt and linden), Fuego Futuro (a shamanic journey of smoke and incense), and Raw Gold (desire with davana, suede and vanilla).

Finally, both Suzy and Nicola chose @ateliernoite Flowers of Evil Candle with its mysterious datura flower, orange blossom and powdery orris - perfect for after sunset indulgence...

In this week's episode we're joined by the incredible Amanda Carr aka @wewearperfume who is the organiser of THE fragrance event of the year - The Barnes Fragrance Fair.

Get ready for all the gossip about what you can expect to find on the day (17th May..put it in your diaries) and a little bit of insight as to what it takes to organise an event that is getting bigger every year.

Remember that entry to the fair is free but if you'd like to come to one of the events then you'll need to purchase a ticket.

We'll be on stage at 9:30am with "Top of The Morning" and will of course have AMAZING goodie bags for you.

Here's the link and can't wait to see loads of you there xx

Main pod Mini Pod: The Fab Five - launches we’re loving 

 New minipod alert! On this bite-sized episode of On the Scent, we're still diving deep into five fabulous fragrance launches that have captured our hearts of late. Get ready for a tempting tour of these olfactory delights...

 The Fab Five:

@jomalonelondon Beach Blossom Cologne: A limited-edition escape to tropical paradise with zesty lime, refreshing coconut water, and warm tonka bean.    

@parfumsdemarly Valaya Exclusif : Refined luxury in a bottle, blending velvety almond, transparent white flowers, and creamy white woods for contemporary elegance.

@electimusslondon Moroccan Medjool : A sumptuous fruity amber that captures the essence of golden Medjool dates and the warmth of the Moroccan desert.

@angelaflanders Shantung Dream : A captivating orange blossom-based floral with warm amber base notes, inspired by the luxury of raw silk and Mediterranean summers.

@theharmonist Sacred Water: An energising blend of citrus, ginger, and orange blossom that embodies the power and fluidity of our vast oceans. 

Tune in to explore these scent-sational new launches in detail! 

In this jam-packed mini podcast, we discuss…

We are Fragrance Foundation Jasmine awards finalists! In the New & Visual Media category, for our Scented Story (the week-long creative project we did for Halloween, taking it in turns to tell a story evoking intriguingly uncanny fragrances using photographs and video we took, choosing music, spanning Instagram reels, stories and posts, and a special edition of the podcast. You can see this by clicking on the Story 2 highlights circle beneath our bio @onthescentpodcast on Instagram.

We are judges for the inaugural Marie Claire U.K. Fragrance Awards - and Nicola is now their monthly fragrance columnist! 

Tickets for our Top of the Morning show @barnesfragrancefair at 9:30am on May 17th are available from here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/top-of-the-morning-with-suzy-nightingale-and-nicola-bonn-tickets-1246339748739?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

Arkive Dry Shampoo The Reset (limited edition in Decorated Woods fragrance). We adore the so-affordable but utterly gorgeous Arkive fragrances, and Suzy was particularly excited to buy this dry shampoo scented with her favourite of the perfumes. 

We were invited to An Ormonde Jayne Mothers Day event at their London boutique. celebrate our mums, and help them choose a fragrance. Nicola’s mum chose a set of travel sizes, as she fell in love with so many. Suzy’s mum wasn’t mobile enough to attend in person, but chose Ta’if, as she felt the description matched her personality (and it’s now her favourite!). Suzy chose Levant for its sunny, radiant optimism. Nicola has fallen for the subtle charms of Xian. 

Suzy has her hands on a bottle of the gorgeous new Memo Portobello Road fragrance and teases with a description she’ll continue in the next episode, along with a hint of their next fragrance, which beckons a Greek sun-drenched island (yes please!) More to be revealed next time…

Our latest #listenerprescriptions special episode is here! We've been overwhelmed with incredibly inventive, creative questions from our listeners that we simply couldn't wait to dive into. [See our Stories for direct links!]

First up is Emsy, seeking a fragrance for a transformative period in life while dealing with chronic pain and preparing for an exciting theatre production. For under £100, we suggested @ruthmastenbroekperfume Dagian with its refreshing lime, mint and orange blossom notes, @experimentalperfumeclub Bergamot Incense which brings complexity to this radiant citrus, and @joloves Pomelo Oud.

Then Cemile, writing a masters thesis on Circe, needed a scent embodying this witch goddess's duality of savagery and elegance. We prescribed @paul_schutze Tears of Eros, a narcotic green incense rich with resins, @mapoftheheart Purple Heart V.5 with its dark heart of salty liquorice and purple rose, and @montblanc Patchouli Ink which perfectly melds ink, paper and passion.

For Stephen, a tattoo artist working in close proximity with clients, we recommended @akrofragrances Ink with its notes of black ink, tar and vetiver, Gri Gri Tara Mantra (the eau de parfum for tattooed skin!), @vyraoworld Witchy Woo, and @beaufortlondon Coeur de Noir with its dominating ink accords.

Finally, Grace is expecting a baby in May and wanted a soothing yet distinctive scent for labour. We suggested @e11evenfragrance Perfume Oil with its floral geranium and rose notes, @moltonbrown Reviving Rosemary, and @ilapothecary's aroma rollers.

Tune in to hear our full fragrant recommendations and the stories behind them! 

This week, you join us for a fragrant journey through a scented sleepover and a quest to find perfect perfumes for an actress playing Lady Macbeth, & a concert pianist (no less!)

We’re talking about the delicate allure of Roger & Gallet Osmanthus, the olfactive grandeur of Amouage Epic Woman, and the operatic drama of Merchant of Venice Maria Callas. We'll also explore the tempestuous beauty of 4160 Tuesdays Tempest Rose and tease an exciting upcoming collaboration with author Joanne Harris.

But that's not all! We tackle two intriguing listener prescriptions that will captivate your imagination. An actress seeks a powerful scent to embody Lady Macbeth on stage, while a pianist desires a fragrance to echo her passionate performance and boost her confidence. From smoky gunpowder to mossy forests, we explore scents that evoke strength, witchery, and wild nature.

Prepare to be spellbound by fragrances that transport you to moonlit covens, ancient ceremonies, and the very essence of power. Whether you're stepping onto the stage or into your own spotlight, this episode promises to awaken your senses and inspire your inner performer.

Don't miss this aromatic adventure that blends intrigue, Shakespeare, music, and the transformative power of perfume. Tune in and let your imagination run wild...

We discuss: 

@kga_beauty_pr #kgascentedsleepover 

@rogergallet Osmanthus 

@amouageofficial Epic Woman 

@themerchantofvenice Maria Callas

@4160tuesdays Tempest Rose (and founder and perfumer Sarah McCartney’s forthcoming collaboration with @joannechocolat new novel – a prequel to Chocolat!)

Then there’s two of the most artistically intriguing #listenerprescription questions we’ve ever had: one from Gemma Varnom – an actress soon to play Lady Macbeth, who’s looking for a suitably powerful perfume to wear on stage; and another from a pianist about to give the performance of her life – seeking a scent that might echo the passion of the music while boosting her self-confidence. 

For Gemma (the actress portraying Lady Macbeth):

@beaufortlondon Tonnere

@zoologistperfumes Moth

@andreamaack Coven 

@papillonartisanperfumes Spell 125

@vallense Source

For Astri (the concert pianist):

@fredericmalle Portait of a Lady

@frassai Blondine 

@ramonmonegal Flamenco Extrait de Parfum 

@lorchestreparfum Piano Santal

We've got a cracking Listener Prescription special for you, and let us tell you, it's a real corker. You wouldn’t believe the range of questions we receive, and this week’s episode of On the Scent podcast really showcases the breadth of the people and feelings, places and personas that fragrance can conjure. 

From scenting an Irish adventure and matching the weather, to choosing a fragrance to wear for a loved one’s funeral, and even creating a whole new perfume persona for reinvention – our listeners never fail to surprise us with their diverse and deeply touching requests.

We're diving deep into how fragrance can comfort us during difficult times, enhance travel experiences, and even help us embody our most fabulous selves. It's a rollercoaster of emotions and scents, and we can't wait for you to join us on this olfactory journey.

So, pop in those earbuds and let us guide you through our suggestions – and let us know any scents that spring to mind in answer, too!

Here are the questions we answer & scents we suggest:

For Ashley:

@cloonkeen Báinín - Meaning 'little white', evokes the softness of ivory wool, embodying innocence and plushness in a timeless garment. A delightful blend of freshness and warmth, it carries hints of coastal gorse, dewy herbs, and petrichor after a cloudburst. (Named after the homespun wool used in Aran jumpers and tweed jackets worn by Irish fishermen for generations).

@cloonkeen Roísín Dubh – A mystical Irish rose, Róisín Dubh blends Damascena rose with dry paper and inky patchouli.

The scent deepens into smoky incense, black pepper and tobacco absolute, creating a brooding base.

Named after a rebellious 16th-century song, Róisín Dubh has become a cherished symbol for Irish writers.

@cloonkeen Castaña – A delectable haze of singed yet creamy chestnuts and golden caramel unfolds into a voluptuous blend of Haïtian vetiver, cardamom, and red pepper.

Enriched by delicate cassia absolute and lush jasmine blossoms, it’s a masterpiece.

@laboratorioolfattivo Nun – Nun evokes the primordial waters of Ancient Egypt, symbolising rebirth and the Sun God. Waves of citrus and pear wash to a surging, luminous heart of lotus, jasmine, and ylang-ylang, worshipped by a woody, musky base.

@memo.paris Irish Leather – Irish Leather blends a leather accord with the fresh essence of juniper berries and bitingly green mate. Featuring a fizz of pink pepper, herbaceous clary sage, iris & tonka on a smoked amber base, it pays homage to the Irish roots of Memo Paris' co-founder.

@perfumerhlondon Rainwood – Capturing the essence of the (okay, Scottish) Highlands with grounded beauty, snapped stalks of galbanum and elemi coalesce with clean pepper and droplets of myrrh; all grounded by wet, woody juniper and cedar and patchouli leaves.

For Becca Monet:

Pocket-sized, calming and strengthening roll-on scents for wellbeing from @aromatherapyassociates, @neomwellbeing, @tisseranduk, or @marksandspencer.

For Hannah (& ‘Glory Magnolia’!):

@jovoymayfair @jovoyparis Psychédélique – A groovy time capsule, this scent struts its stuff with the swagger of a '70s rock god. Patchouli takes centre stage, belting out woody notes with the gusto of a Woodstock headliner. It's the olfactory equivalent of a vintage vinyl, crackling with retro charm and rebellious...

Get ready for this week’s NEW episode of On the Scent! We're celebrating #nationalfragranceweek with a packed show full of olfactory delights.

Wondering why there's still no #PerfumeBottleEmoji? So are we! Plus, exciting news for our Australian listeners – Suzy will be speaking via live link-up at the @geelonglibraries Fragrance Fair on 22nd March, exploring how to write about fragrance in this influencer-dominated world and unpacking the DNA of Australian fragrance houses.

Get tickets here! https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/events/calendar/item/8dd479c244e0cbf.aspx

We're swooning over @dsanddurga Brown Flowers with its “aging vials of umber hues”and faded grandeur, while Nicola can't stop raving about her latest obsession – Micallef Hypnotic Musk.

Discover why @matierepremiereparfums Vanilla Powder hair perfume is SO worth spritzing, and join us on a mysterious adventure with @maisoncrivelli Safran Secret – a sensual composition contrasting bright saffron with warm, diffusive woods.

We revisit a true British classic with @bronnley English Fern, a timeless blend that's been delighting fragrance lovers since the 1930s, and explore @beautypie La Botanista.

Fancy a new home scent? Nicola adores the new Côte d'Azur collection from @baobabcollection Candles. And to round things off, we celebrate @juliettehasagun's 15th anniversary with their iconic Not a Perfume – the 'clean white t-shirt' of the fragrance world.

Tune in for all this and more fragrant chat – your senses will thank you! 

Valentine's Day is on Friday but instead of talking about fragrances that will make other people fall in love with you, we're chatting through the fragrances that we think you might just fall in love with.

During the episode we mention:

Marc-Antoine Barrois Tilia 

Officine Universelle Buly La Douzaine

Fragrance Du Bois Cavort

Micallef Secrets of Love O Féminin

Amouage Love Delight

Amorecco Lickable Parfum 

1. @ormondejayne Woman
2. @matierepremiereparfums Radical Rose
3. @rochasofficial Tocade
4. @diorbeauty Patchouli Imperial
5. @fredericmalle Synthetic Jungle

1. @tothefairestlondon Cecile
2. @penhaligons_london Constance
3. @frederialle Portrait of a Lady
4. @chanel.beauty Le Lion
5. @glossier You

• What We Wear to Feel Fabulous: