When the cold arrives, your clothes, your make-up and your perfume change too. In winter we crave warm, enveloping scents with more body, ones that go with coats and scarves and last all day. And you don't need to spend a lot to find one that works.
Women's perfumes for winter: 4 options from divain
Winter is when perfumes with a warm base really shine: divain.093 (iris, orange blossom, tonka bean and praline, for daytime), divain.542 (gardenia, ylang-ylang, incense and chocolate), divain.162 (rose, tea, tonka bean and vanilla) and divain.050 (lychee, white lily, amber and vanilla). All four are recommended for winter on their product page.
Comparison of the 4 winter perfumes
| Perfume | Top notes | Heart notes | Base notes | Family | Intensity | Season / occasion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| divain.093 | Blackcurrant and pear | Iris and orange blossom | Patchouli, tonka bean, vanilla and praline | Floral | Intense | Winter · day |
| divain.542 | Jasmine, gardenia, ylang-ylang, bergamot, Amalfi lemon, mandarin, blackcurrant and truffle | Spices, fruity notes, lotus flower, orchid, gardenia, jasmine and ylang-ylang | Vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli, amber, incense, vanilla, Mexican chocolate and white musk | Oriental | Intense | Winter · night |
| divain.162 | Bergamot, almond, gunda and red berries | Rose, tea, Taif rose and liquorice | Anise, tonka bean, vanilla, patchouli and iris | Oriental | Moderate | Winter · night |
| divain.050 | Lychee, mandarin, peach and bergamot | White lily, plum, jasmine and lily of the valley | Amber, musk, vanilla and vetiver | Oriental | Intense | Winter · night |
Notes, family, intensity and season taken from each perfume's product page.
- For daytime: divain.093, floral and intense, with a gourmand base of tonka bean, vanilla and praline. Its product page describes ‘a long-lasting, enveloping trail’.
- For dinners and events: divain.542, the most complex of the four, with white flowers over incense, amber and chocolate.
- If you don't want anything too strong: divain.162, moderate in intensity, with rose and tea over tonka bean and vanilla.
- If you love fruity scents: divain.050, which opens with lychee, mandarin and peach and dries down to amber and vanilla.
Here's which perfume to wear in winter, which notes to look for and seven divain perfumes for women, men and unisex, with their notes so you can choose with confidence.
Which perfume should you wear in winter?
Fragrances with a richer base work best in winter: orientals, woods, spicy scents and gourmands. With cold weather and drier skin, perfume evaporates faster, so a slightly more intense scent will last you longer.
- For daytime and work: woody perfumes or ones with a fresh touch, of moderate intensity.
- For evenings and special occasions: orientals and gourmands, more intense and with more sillage.
- Look at the base notes: amber, vanilla, patchouli, sandalwood, leather and tonka bean last the longest and shine in the cold.
Winter perfumes for women
divain.1096 · amber floral
Pink pepper in the opening, a radiant jasmine heart and a warm base of vanilla and amber. Elegant, with a spicy edge and a creamy trail that lasts for hours. Perfect for dinners and winter plans.
divain.1084 · woody gourmand
Rum, caramelised apple and warm spices in the opening; incense and orris at the heart; and a base of dark chocolate and oud. Sweet and addictive without being cloying. For the evening.
Winter perfumes for men
divain.1324 · gourmand oriental
Mandarin, bitter orange and cardamom in the opening; maple syrup, cinnamon and lavender at the heart; and a warm base of amber and patchouli. Intense and seductive, made for winter nights.
divain.331 · woody musk
Lavender in the opening, a heart of iris, ambrette musk and pear, and a base of cedar, vetiver and a touch of leather. Sophisticated and strong, ideal for everyday wear in winter.
divain.224 · fougère
Mint, green apple and lemon in the opening; tonka bean and geranium at the heart; and a base of vanilla, vetiver, oakmoss and cedar. Fresh at first and warm later: the one to choose if you want a fresh winter perfume.
Sweet unisex winter perfumes
divain.1091 · amber gourmand
Sugar, rum and cinnamon in the opening; cocoa, coffee, vanilla and tonka bean at the heart; and a base of labdanum and soft woods. Very sweet and enveloping, with a dark edge that makes it grown-up.
divain.1087 · vanilla oriental
Anise and ginger in the opening, almond and flowers at the heart, and a base of vanilla and leather. Warm and balanced, of moderate intensity: a sweet scent for everyday wear.
Affordable winter perfumes
A good winter perfume doesn't have to be expensive. All the perfumes on this list offer divain quality and longevity at an affordable price, and if you'd like more options there's our selection of affordable perfumes. You can also explore our winter perfumes for women and winter perfumes for men.
How to choose your winter perfume
| If you're looking for… | Try |
|---|---|
| An elegant floral for dinners | divain.1096 |
| An intense sweet scent for the evening | divain.1084 or divain.1324 |
| Something sophisticated for daytime | divain.331 |
| A fresh touch with a warm base | divain.224 |
| A gourmand to share | divain.1091 or divain.1087 |
How to make your perfume last longer in winter
- Moisturise before applying: cold weather dries the skin and it holds scent less well.
- Apply to warm spots: neck, wrists, chest and the inside of your elbows.
- Scent your clothes too: scarves and jumpers hold fragrance for hours; test on a hidden area first.
Frequently asked questions
Which notes are best for winter?
Woody notes (sandalwood, cedar, vetiver), orientals (amber, vanilla), spices (cinnamon, cardamom, pepper) and gourmands (cocoa, caramel, rum). They project well in the cold and feel warming.
Why does perfume last less in winter?
Because skin is drier and holds scent less well. Moisturise first, choose higher concentrations and fragrances with dense base notes such as amber, resins or woods.
Can you wear the same perfume all year round?
Yes, there's no rule against it. Even so, warm, dense perfumes shine more in autumn and winter, and fresh, citrus ones in spring and summer.
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