The British perfumes deserving of a spot on your dresser
While haute couture may reside in the ateliers of Paris and the finest leather handbags arrive courtesy of Italy, some of the world's best fragrances have been blended care of our own home-grown talent. We're spoiled for choice when it comes to the best British perfume houses, from established names like Jo Malone to independent brands that have amassed a cult following such as Ffern.
British perfumers often lean heavily into inspiration drawn from the great British countryside, referencing plants and elements from our wild landscapes, well-tended gardens and breathtaking (somewhat bracing) coastlines. Beyond quintessentially British perfumes, there's a new wave of fragrance brands exploring innovative technology and concepts, from promoting wellness and sustainability to tapping into natural ingredients for their mood-enhancing benefits.
Below, find our edit of the best British perfume brands and the juices that deserve shelf space in your fragrance cabinet.
Ffern
Ffern offers up a distinctive approach to perfumery, creating limited-edition fragrances four times a year to coincide with the onset of each season. These curated small-batch perfumes are made for every individual on Ffern's highly-subcribed ledger, which you can join a waitlist for here, avoiding excessive waste and unnecessary consumption.
Each of the ingredients in Ffern's perfumes is inspired by the season, and you can read extensive descriptions about each and every one used on its website. It's as if fragrance had an exclusive members club, but all that's required for access is a true appreciation of perfumery and natural ingredients.
Vyrao
Every element of Vyrao's fragrances is steeped in mysticism, from the names to the supercharged Herkimer diamond crystals that dwell inside each of the perfume bottles. This brand is relatively new to the fragrance scene, having launched in 2021, but it has quickly become one of the most exciting and experimental British perfume brands, tapping into energy, spirituality and wellbeing across its range of subversive scents.
The spicy sandalwood and rum-soaked Mamajuju is one to mist when you hit a 4pm slump; the key notes have been shown to boost memory by up to 61 per cent according to IFF’s proprietary Science of Wellness program.
Lbty.
London's most-loved heritage store Liberty has enhanced its lifestyle offering with its interpretation of home fragrance and perfumes. Much like its infamous fabrics, Liberty's perfumes are rich and complex; think of them as beautiful olfactory tapestries that reveal more as you wear them.
Those who often make a pilgrimage its Carnaby flagship should try Tudor. The warm, woody scent artfully distils the inimitable essence of its historic home.
Penhaligons
You can't help but be charmed by Penhaligon's eccentric curation of perfumes, and with a rich history stretching back to its beginnings as a barbershop in 1870, it's no wonder that the brand has been granted two Royal Warrants and become the favourite of many a royal, including Princess Diana.
You'll find a very well-dressed collection (note the bows on each bottleneck) of characterful perfumes in its fragrance family, as well as inspirations hand-picked from every corner of British culture, from cocktails to royal residencies. Refresh your senses with a spritz of Highgrove Bouquet; the zesty lime blossom and cedar-based scent was created in collaboration with King Charles (then Prince of Wales).
Jo Malone
Jo Malone is the matriarch of British perfumery, and while she no longer helms her namesake brand, her legacy lives on through its offering of elegant, timeless fragrances. Classic British scents are at the core of Jo Malone, with perfumes such as English Pear & Freesia and Sea Salt & Wood Sage evoking the elements of the British countryside.
If you're drawn to clean, fresh scents, Silver Birch & Lavender is instantly invigorating; it'll clear your mind for the day ahead.
Jo Loves
On the subject of legacy, the eponymous Jo Malone’s first ever job was at a florist on Chelsea’s Elizabeth Street, so it’s apt that her Jo Loves London flagship is based at the very same address given that the brand centres on the power of the personal in fragrance, and in particular, memory. Whether inspired by a far-flung family holiday as is the case with Mango Thai Lime or blended with great British days out in mind (opulent Amber, Lime & Bergamot recalls a trip to the Hurlingham Club), Malone excels in creating truly original fragrances that are both inventive and comforting.
One Bazaar editor saves Amber, Lime & Bergamot for best thanks to its rich, head-turning qualities and effervescent citrus top notes. It’s just the tonic for a dark winter's evening.
Eau De Boujee
If it's uniquely indulgent perfumes you're looking for, Eau de Boujee's curated range of fragrance offers an expansive olfactory journey within each bottle. Its scents combine the most unexpected and enticing cocktails of notes, from the leather harness accord in Quir to the spice-infused incense proffered to the wearer in Gilded, making it one of the most intriguing independent perfume brands to familiarise yourself with. Choose the latter scent for a distinctive winter signature scent that's rich and zingy all at once.
Sana Jardin
There are so many things to love about Sana Jardin, not least its commitment to making space for more sustainable and socially responsible supply chains in fragrance. Each of its perfumes seek to enhance our moods, capturing the healing power of flowers and the positive effects they can have on our energy. Master perfumer Carlos Benaïm has worked on creating dynamic and distinct fragrances with the brand, crafting an olfactory library which houses scents from sparkling citrus to evocative amber and enchanting rose.
If we could wear just one during the colder months, Berber Blonde would be our pick for a spot of winter sun; energising orange blossom and warm musk will transport you to hotter climes.
Miller Harris
Founded by industry-revered perfumer Lyn Harris, Miller Harris has always sought to create beautiful storytelling through it's fragrances, combining Harris' extensive knowledge with botanical ingredients and British influence. Harris has now moved onto pastures new but the hallmarks of Miller Harris remain constant.
Every fragrance is beautifully complex and carefully thought out; The Stories collection, for example, is inspired by famous literary works, including F.Scott Fitzgerald's Tender Is The Night and Virginia Wolfe's To The Lighthouse, weaving olfactory notes with artistic inspiration. Mìneir captures the crashing sea and icy air present in Wolfe's most famous work. The aquatic scent has added depth thanks to base notes of moss, myrhh and patchouli.
Perfumer H
Lyn Harris’ independent venture, Perfumer H may seem to conform to a minimalist aesthetic at first sight, but her luxurious creations are steeped in detail. From the bottles made by the world’s finest glassblowers to the leading architect behind the design of her London fragrance ‘laboratory’, every aspect of a Perfumer H fragrance is meticulously considered and stylish.
As for the scents themselves, expect evocative takes on iconic British flora, fauna, natural materials and even the weather. Wear Ink Rewritten when a long day of work beckons; juniper wood, Turkish rose and papyrus will conjure up the hushed peace of a grand wooden library.
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