Maybe this happens as we increase in age and wisdom or perhaps a pandemic simply puts everything into perspective.
Once Christmas has past and Twelfth Night over, all the twinkling lights and the decorations that have seen better days are put away for another year - and guess what, the shortest day is already three weeks gone. The Solstice has passed and on a fine day the dusk keeps off till nearly five o’clock. There’s a definite whiff of distant spring in the frosty air, and in a sunny spot, the first snowdrops are bursting out, gleaming like Queen Elizabeth’s pearl drop earrings.
But of course there’s another side to this time of year. The anti-climax after all those parties; the maxed out credit card and the clothes that seem to have mysteriously shrunk a size overnight. Oh the slog of opening another year, the long nights, the fog, the damp, that certain toxic feeling - what the Germans call “the tiredness of the New Year”.
So now you urgently need a tonic. Look on the bright side. Here’s a fresh unspoiled year, full of potential and promise. Seize the good moments and enhance them with a shot of sizzling scent.
For goodness’ sake don’t start feeling guilty - even if you’ve been over-generous with the pennies over Christmas you deserve a tiny treat. You owe it to yourself to keep in the pink. Self care is essential. How otherwise can you be at your best and able to brighten the day for others? Feel good and you’ll keep well! And in these strange times it is more than ever vital for us all to nourish and nurture our mental, physical and emotional health.
Fragrance is the answer! As we all know there is nothing like a new scent to lift, balance and alter the mood. Hitting the limbic system of the brain with amazing force and speed, the precious sense of smell changes our entire experience of the world inducing feelings of arousal, happiness, joy and comfort. Perfume lends you energy and confidence; fragrance empowers and energises. It boosts feelings of poise, elegance and assurance. It won’t impair your health or your waistline. And a bottle of beautiful scent lasts a long time. In terms of well-being it can provide far better value than a night on the town. Finding that unique fragrance truly is priceless.
Perfume is a talisman. Easily portable, in an exquisite flacon - and yes, Les Senteurs can provide excellent Travalo atomisers too! Fragrance can accompany you nearly everywhere to inspire, encourage and enchant.
Winter months can inhibit our sense of smell not least because perfume turns shy in cold weather and evaporates more slowly. So make sure you keep your skin warm - and well moisturised - to encourage your favourite fragrance to blossom like the rose. Skin care will also make the perfume cling closer and last longer; something we all aspire too.
So, after taking your morning shower or early evening bath, hold fire on applying your perfume. Instead, moisturise your skin while still damp and wait for it to absorb. Let your body temperature stabilise and then spray fragrance as desired. It will feel and smell much better. Softer yet more intense, attuned to you and your skin.
And yes, Gentlemen, this goes for you too.
As does perfume layering. Applying your fragrance sequentially in different forms adds amazingly to its tenacity. Body creams and lotions, oils, hair mists and soaps are all variously available. Use whichever works best for you. Layering makes you feel confident, luxurious, sensual and ready for whatever a winter world throws at you.
Another way of making perfume go further and last longer is to wear it in the manner that everyone did in the glamorous Edwardian era. That’s to say, not on your skin but on your clothes, accessories and furnishings. You will need only a touch of scent on your scarf, shirt or gloves to exude fragrance for days. Stick to natural fibres please and those that will wash easily. If you’re eco-minded and wash on the short cool cycle you’ll also probably find that a ghost of your perfume clings to wool, linen and silk even after laundering - and in a very attractive style.
Remember too that if you apply luxury perfume before you put your clothes on, it will linger far longer. This is simply because evaporation is slowed down beneath the covering of a dress or shirt.
Each of us will have our own favourite accord to guarantee spiritual and moral uplift. For those who are still searching - or maybe looking for a new style of magic - here are twelve of our perennial late-winter best selling fragrances to make your spirits soar on a jaded January morning:
Montabaco Verano by Ormonde Jayne
A seductive and profound scent of leather, wood and tobacco leaf with a good measure of grapefruit and a dash of cashmeran for added bravado.
Couleur Primaire by Les Eaux Primordiales
Never before has anyone come so close to the true scent of freshly-washed laundry! A miraculous antidote to dark thoughts and blue moods.
L'Eau d'Hiver by Frederic Malle
A fragrant portrayal of Winter: Jean-Claude Ellena’s beautiful creation provides that comforting, soft, sweet glow of warmth for winter days.
Passionate, warm and earthy, but kissed by the cool, fresh, silvery powderiness of moonlight.
Citrus Batikanga by Maison Crivelli
A tropical eastern market fizzing with colour and life; brilliant citrus fruits and spices: a feast!
L'Air des Alpes Suisses by Tauer
The bracing headnotes are fresh from the breezes over the bare mountains of the Alps, windswept and glacial.
Golden citrus notes of grapefruit and tangerine lead into a sweet incense heart of honey, vanilla, styrax and benzoin.
Silver Mountain Water by Creed
A fresh and contemporary scent inspired by the exhilarating crispness of alpine air: uplifting and energising.
No. 8 Cerulean Crystal by Arcadia
A scent evoking a sense of freedom: running carefree by the shores. A delicately crisp floral sparkling with fruity citrus notes.
Cold, tempting, mysterious and intoxicating: the glacial freshness of snow and ice blended with berries, botanicals, minerals & moss.
A wonderful deep dark spicy vetiver. Top accords vibrate with a hesperidic extravaganza of Calabrian bergamot and Sicilian lemon.
Paradise in the sun, Eden on a tropical isle, a South Sea extravaganza - transport yourself to another world.