How the experts WEAR THEIR SCENT

Perfume experts share their favourite memories.

1 LEARN TO LAYER ‘Scent-layering is my top tip to make fragrances last,’ says legendary perfumer Jo Malone. ‘Start with your favourite body lotion and then top it off with a complementing perfume.’

2 DON’T RUB YOUR WRISTS ‘Spraying your fragrance onto wrists and rubbing them together does you and the scent no favours,’ insists Emilie. ‘This motion accelerates evaporation and can even alter the scent’s composition.’

3 ADD VASELINE ‘Hydrated skin holds onto the fragrance better,’ explains Octavian Ivaniuc, Miller Harris fragrance specialist. ‘Applying a little Vaseline to the pulse points can help your perfume last much longer.’

The new cult classics

We all have a classic scent we love, but get ahead of the curve and try one of these next-generation new favourites.

THE REVAMPED HERO

Chanel No5 L’EAU, Eau de Toilette Spray, from £71 for 35ml, chanel.com The most famous scent in the world has a spritely new sister. Sparkling notes of mandarin, rose and vetiver make this feel uplifting and bright.

THE FLORAL FAVOURITE Givenchy Irresistible Very Floral Eau de Parfum, £67 for 35ml, theperfumeshop.com Florals don’t have to be boring. This bursts with blooms, including two layers of rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang.

THE INVITING INTRIGUER

Byredo Animalique Eau de Parfum, £140 for 50ml, selfridges.com

We’re huge fans of Byredo and love this new launch, a warming combination of amber, bergamot, lemon and mimosa.

THE STYLISHLY UNISEX

Phlur Father Figure Eau de Parfum, £96 for 50ml, selfridges.com

An inviting combination of sandalwood and musks with fig and cassis, this feels fresh and invigorating, like a walk on a bright spring morning.

THE SUMMER STAPLE

Jo Loves With Love From Positano A Fragrance, £135 for 100ml, joloves.com Inspired by long holidays on the Amalfi coast, this blends orange oil and bergamot with spicy star anise. >>

‘My grandmother had a lean-to greenhouse off her kitchen and grew geraniums. For me, it was love at first sniff. When I smell geranium now (I love C.atherley Geranium No1 Bath Oil, £39, c-atherley.com), I’m right there in the greenhouse with my adored “Lally”.’

Jo Farley, editor at The Scented Letter ‘Walking down a beach, a stingray swam up next to me and stayed with me to the end. I realised creativity is all around us and we need to find it in every moment. Jo Loves Pomelo A Fragrance, £78 for 50ml, joloves. com, was the first scent I created for my new brand. It reminds me of sandy beaches, blue skies and new beginnings.’ Jo Malone CBE, perfumer and owner of Jo Loves ‘The smell of L’oréal Elnett hairspray whisks me back to the most magical moment. My father is a hair colourist, and one of his most beloved clients was Princess Margaret. One day, while my sister and I played with the rollers and brushes, she walked in wearing an enormous, emeraldgreen ball gown. She asked my father and his colleagues to help fit her tiara, as she was off to a gala evening nearby. She loved coming into the salon and seeing all the ladies, jaws on the floor, bewildered by her presence. Then off she went in a cloud of Elnett, as if it were the most beautiful and luxurious eau de parfum in the world. I am still hunting for a perfume that smells of it – Chanel Bois des Iles Eau de Parfum, £200 for 75ml, chanel.com, is the closest I’ve found – with decadent, steamy florals and deep, sultry woods.’ Alice du Parcq, perfume presenter and expert; Instagram

@aliceduparq ‘The very first thing I remember smelling is honeysuckle. We had it around the back of my first childhood home. Such a sweet, summery scent. In my 20s, I began to understand that scent could really change my mood and make me feel uplifted. I’ve worn COSMOSS Sacred Mist Eau de Parfum, £125 for 100ml, harrods.com, since I created it. It has become the scent that truly defines me.’ Kate Moss, supermodel and founder of COSMOSS ‘I love simple, evocative aromas like the smell of flowers and herbs, the freshness of rain and the scent of newly mown grass. My garden after the rain in summer inspired the fine fragrance in my products.’

Sam Mcknight MBE, hairstylist and founder of Hair by Sam Mcknight