Asian trends and technology dominated the beauty industry in 2018, and with its long tradition of looking eastwards for exotic ingredients, the fragrance world was already well ahead of the game. Now, perfumers are getting experimental in the Oriental category, cutting through classic notes of orchid, ylang-ylang and vanilla with invigorating new scents of juicy lychee and fresh bamboo.
A still from 2005’s Memoirs of a Geisha
Floral Street Wild Vanilla Orchid Eau de Parfum, £55 A Bakewell tart start dries down to fresh bamboo and milky sandalwood.
Paco Rabanne Pure XS For Her, £80 A perfume that oozes sex appeal. >>
Guerlain Shalimar Soufflé De Lumière, £74 The original glamorous Oriental, warmed up with fruity jasmine.
Byredo Eleventh Hour, £105 Nepalese pepper, sticky fig and creamy wood.
Estée Lauder Beautiful Belle Eau de Parfum, £52 Lychee and fizzy white flowers – the whole office loved this one.