Winter Blues? These Sultry Fragrances Will Ignite Your Senses and Warm Your Soul

As we settle into winter, you’d be forgiven for feeling a little lacklustre of late.

A relentless string of gloomy weather is enough to make even the most optimistic feel a little flat (hello).

And while I make it no secret that I’m not a winter girlie, despite moving to what feels like the coldest place on earth at times (I know it isn’t, I’m just being dramatic OK), I can always rely on beauty for a much-needed pick-me-up.

One thing that never fails to lift my spirits is fragrance.

We know that scents yield an incredible ability to shift and set the mood. Some can even make our hearts flutter.

So, naturally, as temperatures drop, we’re drawn towards fragrances that feel warm and comforting, like a big olfactory hug.

For some, smoky and woody scents offer a reprieve from cool conditions as if you were sitting by a crackling fire. For others, bright, summery fragrances serve as a reminder that sunnier days will eventually return.

At Adore Beauty, we’ve got fragrances that fall into both of scent families and beyond.

Ahead, I’ve rounded up just six of my current favourite fragrances that’ll have you feeling oh-so-cosy from the first spritz.

who is elijah HAZE.

What: who is elijah HAZE 50ML

A bold fragrance for all genders, Haze pays homage to the disco, big hair and decadence of the 1970s.

Spicy top notes of pink pepper and clove make a bold statement but are anchored by a smoky vanilla base that gets more intoxicating as it settles on the skin.

Part sexy, part sweet, exactly what the doctor ordered.

Notes:

• Head: Pink pepper, orange blossom and clove.

• Heart: Chestnut, guaiac wood and juniper.

• Base: Vanilla, Peru balsam, cashmeran and cedarwood.

Here's what one AB customer said about who is elijah HAZE:

"I am now on my 4th bottle of Haze. I absolutely love this fragrance and every time I wear it I get multiple compliments on how beautiful I smell even from complete strangers male and female alike.

It opens with crisp vanilla tobacco, has exceptional staying power and dries down to a soft sweet smokey scent. 2-3 sprays last all day and the 100ml bottle lasts me a good 6 months.

The packaging is very protective, understated and elegant and the perfume is vegan which gets a huge tick from me. This could easily be a unisex fragrance.

Love love, love this perfume."

Goldfield & Banks White Sandalwood.

What: Goldfield & Banks White Sandalwood Perfume Concentrate 100ml

Sandalwood is the main character of this warm woody scent that’s inspired by the red cliffs and wildlife-rich waters of Kununurra, Western Australia, from which it was harvested.

Sparkling spices are tempered by a heart of sweet powdery Turkish rose for a fragrance that feels both inviting and delightful.

Notes:

• Head: Moroccan thyme and Comoros Islands pepper.

• Heart: Turkish rose and Spanish saffron.

• Base: Australia white sandalwood and amber.

Here's what some AB customers said about Goldfield & Banks White Sandalwood:

"This was one of my favourite G&B scents. It's slightly spicy but also floral and very unique. Not at all musky. The scent lasts all day!"

"Another incredible scent from Goldfield & Banks, Sandalwood is one of my favourite scents. It lasts all day!" - Peta.

Recreation Beauty AT NIGHT WE DANCE EDP.

What: Recreation Beauty AT NIGHT WE DANCE 50ml EDP

If you love ambery, woody, warm scents, then you’ll love At Night We Dance by Recreation Beauty.

Inspired by late summer nights and cocktails at sunset, this sultry beauty combines spice, musk and warmth with a hint of citrus for a sensual scent that’s seriously addictive.

Notes:

• Head: Brazilian orange, pink peppercorn and thyme.

• Heart: Violet, magnolia, cinnamon, lavender and clove.

• Base: Musk, frankincense, sandalwood, amber, vetiver and Amyris.

Here's what one customer said about Recreation Beauty At Night We Dance:

"Most perfumes give me headaches, and I’d pretty much given up on ever finding a decent vegan perfume.

Then I purchased the sample pack from Recreation, and now I am hooked on ‘At Night We Dance’.

It’s deliciously musky and ‘peppery’, yet subtle. I have had so many comments when wearing it. And the best is, it’s vegan and cruelty-free." - Emma.

Juliette Has A Gun Lust for Sun.

What: Juliette Has A Gun Lust for Sun EDP 100ml

Calling all sunseekers, this solar scent pays tribute to everything we love about summer. From tropical cocktails to bright blooms and the sticky ocean breeze.

Floral heart notes are balanced with vanilla and musk at the base for a sweet, warm and sensual scent that’s sure to cure your winter blues.

Notes:

• Head: Bergamot, freesia and coconut.

• Heart: Orange blossom, gardenia, monoi and ylang ylang.

• Base: Ambroxan, musk and vanilla.

Here's what one customer said about Juliette Has A Gun Lust for Sun:

"Hands down one of my favourite fragrances and I’ve tried a lot. It’s fruity and floral but not overpowering.

The vanilla is subtle, which is great because I don’t like a strong vanilla scent. The coconut smells divine and the floral scent I guess is the ylang ylang, which imma be honest, I don’t know what that is but whatever the mysterious 3rd note is, it’s what ties it all together.

The smell is strong in the sense that it only takes one or two sprays to really mesh with your body and it holds that scent for many hours. Which means this bottle is going to last me quite a while.

So while pricey, you get what you pay for. And I want a scent that is durable and going to last and something that does not fade throughout the day. This one is a winner in my books."

Kayali Musk 12 EDP.

What: Kayali Musk 12 Eau De Parfum 100ml

You know those fragrances that are almost always guaranteed to garner a compliment?

That’s Musk 12 by Kayali, a deliciously decadent fragrance that exudes confidence with every spritz.

Blending soft floral top notes with its namesake heart note and creamy base, this fragrance is the perfect companion for gloomy days and can be layered with complementary notes for a scent unique to you.

Notes:

• Head: Lotus flower, freesia and jasmine.

• Heart: Musk.

• Base: Vanilla and sandalwood.

Here's what one customer said about Kayali Musk 12:

"This perfume makes me excited about fragrances again. It is truly perfection in a bottle.

I agree with other reviews that the life of the fragrance is not lengthy but, the quality of the smell is truly remarkable.

It is subtle yet sultry and well-balanced. It’s hard not to adore. I am a big stan of this perfume and want to keep it in my collection indefinitely.

Wow, true job well done."

BDK Pas Ce Soir EDP.

What: BDK Pas Ce Soir EDP 100ml

In the mood for a cheeky flirt? This sultry scent which, translated, means “not tonight”, takes the wearer on a journey through the districts of Paris and a smoky evening at the cabaret.

Fruity and floral but never sickly, Pas Ce Soir conceals warm, resinous woods under a fresh opening with an unexpected tartness at the heart for a fragrance that’s warm, vibrant and sensual.

Notes:

• Head: Black pepper, ginger and mandarin.

• Heart: Moroccan jasmine, quince chutney and orange blossom.

• Base: Cashmeran, Singapore patchouli and amber woods.

Here's what one AB customer said about BDK Pas Ce Soir:

"Oh my goodness. Received a sample of this in an Adore Promo and will have to buy a full bottle.

Glorious opening with a luxurious dry down that lasts well. Like being in a seven-star hotel lobby it is so rich and heady.

It is a life you want this aroma and you will remember it. Yes a scent you will want to wear often as you feel special as it graces your skin." - Barbar.

After more fragrance inspo? Here are some other Beauty IQ articles you may like:

• Sorry, but You’re Going to Want One of These Under $50 Glasshouse Car Fragrance Diffusers

• Skip the Pheromone Perfumes, These Skin Scents Will Make Them Swoon

• We Asked a Famous Perfumer Everything You Need to Know About Fragrance