Season 7 Ep 9: Re-Launches, Reformulations and Boudoir with Thomas Dunkley

In this week’s On the Scent Podcast we’re back with your #perfumeprescription postbag – finding perfect matches for every mood & memory. You write in with such gorgeous questions & we love nothing more than playing fragrant matchmakers!Sharon asked for a bright, zesty replacement for her mum’s beloved Bahoma Pomelo Grapefruit. We suggested  these citrus stunners:@boadicea_the_victorious Energizer – glowing grapefruit, vetiver & soft musks.@sana_jardin Air of Aquarius – lemon & rosemary serenity.@jamesheeley Pomelo Crush – crisp grapefruit & white florals.@hermeticaofficial Pomeloflow – radiant pomelo, rhubarb & jasmine.@ruthmastenbroek Signature – sparkling mandarin & soft woods.Susan asked about wellbeing fragrances following our discussion of the @ifra Fragrance Forum. Curious about how scent truly lifts our mood? Brands like @edenisteofficial, @esteelauder, @yslbeauty, @native, @pacorabanne & many more are exploring neuro-perfume science – using aroma to boost happiness, calm & focus.Finally, Robyn’s craving a sexy, cool yet cosy leather perfume. Try:@chanelofficial Cuir de Russie – smoky jasmine & birch.@tomford Tuscan Leather – supple leather & amberwood.@marcantoinebarrois B683 – saffron & soft woods.@millerharris Soufflot – hazelnut-tobacco leather cocoon.@beaufortlondon Coeur de Noir – inky leather, rum & pipe smoke.@headspaceperfums Styrax – amber, labdanum & animalic skin warmth.Listen to the full questions then let us know which scents would YOU pick for their prescriptions?  #OnTheScentPodcast

In this week's episode we're joined by the amazing @makingscentsmakesense Thomas Dunckley.Following Thomas and Suzy's hugely popular reel about the reformulation of Vivienne Westwood's Boudoir, we're chatting not only about that but about reformulations in general.It's a fascinating chat where the three of us delve into scent memory and how it can shift over time plus some of the reformulations that we've experienced over the years and what we think of them.

Tasha Marks @avmcuriousities is an award-winning scent artist and historian who recreated the smells of Marie Antoinette’s life at the current @vamuseum exhibition Marie Antoinette: Style. In this fascinating interview, she tells us how she constructed the aromas this doomed Queen would have known - from powdered wigs and courtly balls at Versailles, the wildflower meadows of Petit Trianon, to her eventual damp-filled prison cell. We’re also following up our previous Patreon episode of ‘Would Marie Antoinette Wear Now (on a budget), by asking which niche perfumes she’d plump for in modern day (if money were no object). We discuss…@maisonfranciskurkdjian á La RoseÀ la rose eau de parfum is a tribute to femininity, a declaration of love translated into a fragrance. A light and sensual fragrance showcasing two exceptional roses: Damascena rose and Centifolia rose. They build on one another to bring you a musky floral perfume which is in turn subtle and exuberant. @parfumsdemarly DelinaFrivolously pretty peony & lily of the valley swoon to damascena rose, brightened by lychee & rhubarb@officine_universelle_buly Rose de Damas Opulent rose bathes in milk spiced with hints of ginger, vetiver, cedar & musk for decadent beauty@leseauxprimordiales Iris PalladiumSilkily powdered, yet threaded with a silvery backbone, this shimmers with cardamom & violet atop the warmly woody base@byredo Blanche "Blanche explores the dynamic nature of the senses with an edge of floral freshness. Inspired by the delicacy of bodies slipping between fresh sheets, the crisp comfort of clean laundry, and the romantic whisper of heady florals. The scent opens with top notes of aldehydes and intoxicating rose centifolia. It then softens into vibrant peony and violet before settling into a base of soft musk accented with earthy sandalwood. A veil of scintillating scent awaits."@akrofragrances Bake"A gourmand fragrance made up of Tart Lemon notes, followed by sweet Vanilla and rich, nutty Praline."@dsanddurga Cognac ReignBaroque ‘n Roll via rouged cheeks, clouds of powder, ribbons of caramel, bergamot & toasty oak over rivers of fine French spiritSuzy also mentions some incredible historical costume accounts to follow, if you’re interested in seeing more of Marie Antoinette’s fashion influence: @asta.darling - who recreates the most exquisite gowns and attends lavish 18th Century balls in them at Versailles @americanduchess - who make period accurate shoes and accessories, plus post videos on everything from wig-dressing techniques to how women wore those corsets and ultra-wide skirts in everyday life.  

*This episode is in partnership with Ormonde Jayne*In this fabulous episode, recorded before our lovely live event in the Royal Arcade, we're getting to know the utterly incredible Linda Pilkington.Prepare to hear about the scents (and bottles) that helped shape Linda's passion for fragrance, the incredible travels that Linda went on that have shaped so much of what she does today and how making a candle for a Chanel boutique was the start of her spectacular brand and career.We'll also be sniffing and celebrating the brand new Ormonde Jayne fragrance Sybarite (which is available exclusively at their glorious boutique in the Royal Arcade)and exploring the Reimagined Four Corners Collection which totally took our breath away.Enjoy getting to know this truly brilliant woman.

Hello and welcome to this week’s episode of On the Scent, where Suzy and Nicola are diving deep into the world of oud (or Oudh – however you like to spell it!) today. Get ready for a fragrant journey through smoky woods, golden honey, contemporary twists and opulent blends — all celebrating the many faces of this legendary ingredient, in order of intensity.We discuss…@andotherstories Arabesque WoodLemon and ginger glimmer atop a heart of tangerine and watery notes, swirling through earthy moss and amber to reveal an oud embraced by sunlight and citrus, mysterious yet uplifting.@marksandspencer Smoked OudAn earthy impression of smoked woods and musk deepens within spicy sandalwood, conjuring a quietly powerful warmth that lingers on skin, wrapping you in a gentle cloak of incense.@neverfullydressed 001Spices gather atop a velvet cloud of coffee and rose, rum and plum. Oud sways through vanilla and tobacco, sweetened amber and Kashmir fusion flowing into a night-time dream of skin and bohemian outfits.@florislondon Honey OudGolden English honey melts with rich rose and deep oud, the sweetness alive with vanilla and velvet, a bouquet glowing softly, seducing and whispering close.@maisonfranciskurkdjian Oud Satin MoodDamascena rose and violet melt seamlessly into a shimmering oud, entwined with vanilla and amber. Like silk on skin, it envelops you in plush warmth and luxurious depth.@neelavermeire MohurSpiced cardamom pirouettes with moghul roses over subtle leather and almond milk, shadows of history blooming with Indian grandeur and British elegance, golden and ornate.@vallensefragrance SourceOpulent mandarin and black pepper lead to smokey heart notes of frankincense and cypriol, praline and amber glowing in warmth and mystery, conjuring anticipation and timelessness.@rpparfums Oud DeliceProvençal honey and caramelised amber blend in a confit of oud, patchouli and vetiver. A feast for the senses, luxurious and moreish—amber and oud swirled with a gourmand golden glow.@kajalperfumes Lamar NoirBergamot and green apple lend their brightness to tropical fruits and violet, rose and vanilla blooming in a luscious embrace. Leather and oud ripple throughout, sensual and balancing.SO many outs we love, in fact, that we couldn’t fit them all in one episode! Watch out for Part Two of our must-sniff list, coming soon…

In this week's episode we're telling you all about our upcoming Ormonde Jayne event. We also have a plethora of exciting new fragrances to tell you about, including the iris that has totally stolen our hearts.Here's what we talk about:Our @ormondejayne event:Brand NEW (boutique-exclusive) fragrance, Sybarite…Goodie bags and lots of fragrant joy guaranteed!Tickets: £15 http://tinyurl.com/ormonde-jayne-sybariteWednesday, October 8 · 6:30 - 8:30pmLocation: Ormonde Jayne, Royal Arcade (Albemarle Street side on the corner opposite Browns Hotel)28 Old Bond Street London W1S 4SR@pittifragranze highlights Part 2:@borntostandout.official Dirty Milk@rhizomescents @headspaceparfum Rose@hellenisteparfums les bras de Morphée@leaumaliz Church BellsSuzy attended @florislondon Honey Oud body products launch, with a mind-blowing honey tasting by @honeysommelierNow with matching shower gel & body moisturiser available#listenerprescription@amouage Epic Woman@januaryscentproject Selperniku

SO many scents sniffed the last few days we can barely draw breath, but buckle-up buttercups, because in this new episode we discuss…Fragrant feedback: Why listener Astrid treated herself to a bottle of @perfumerh Steam (& has now fallen madly for Lyn Harris’ style of perfumery) following our #listenerprescription in a previous episodeThe second half of Suzy’s highlights from the recent @nicheshow London, including…@fumparfum Hot Milk - steaming mug of comfort & blissful nostalgia@kajalperfumes Topaz - chewy, crystallised citrus peel with [email protected] Midnight - urban night-scapes, simmering spiced rum, twinkling stars@thegateparis Secret Encounter - A tingle of anticipation via pink pepper, ginger & tonka-smoothed amberNicola was thrilled meeting the founder of @lessoeursdenoe & went mad for the kumquat / eucalyptus vetiver smoked seduction of Bohemian AbsintheMeanwhile, Suzy’s reminiscences about her trip to Florence & @pittifragranze show Highlights (part 1)…@beaufortlondon Sirenides — the NEW release she’d been aching to try, and it floored me. Myth-wreathed in wild waters, selkies shedding their seal-skin, stolen power, then poisoning the thief to take it back. Bitter almond drips, briny rock pools gleam, sodden fur snarls as it dries. Menacing. Mesmerising. Completely unforgettable.@eaudebougie & @vallense - made Suzy so proud for the British niche scent scene@lorchestre Bouquet Encore Latte - frothy, milky, dreamy steam swirling on skin@reserve_en_afrique - Vanille Mafonja sophisticated & unsweetened; Rouge Karkade enchanted with smoky hibiscus & pomegranate. (Available @soliflore_store)@jorumstudio Unspoken Gesture was nurturing, milky, expansive & cocooning@shekorperfume unveiled a meeting of minds: @sultanpasha78 of @sultanpashaperfumes created Ashar, a monsoon-rickshaw memory where rain flows off cotton shirts with notes of petrichor, bamboo, soaked earth. & Antonio Gardoni @bogue_profumo with Sylhet — dense verdant air, humid, something furred & prowling in the undergrowth.

The new @matierepremiereparfums Vanillas Powder extrait - Suzy is obsessed, Nicola has yet to try but is chomping at the bit. With the added guest note of tonka snd and an even greater concentration of vanilla, this is INCREDIBLE. @perfumerpia Pia Long’s book: Demo Accords A BOOK BY PERFUMER PIA LONGBOOK AND SAMPLE KIT NOW AVAILABLE TO PREORDER FOR ONE MONTH ONLY.Containing ten fully published perfume formulas, one piece of fiction and nine essays on political and personal topics, Demo Accords is a multidisciplinary collection of narratives where perfumery is part of the story and the stories are part of the perfumes.Pia says: “Completely self-published with the help of an indie press and some wonderful early supporters, we appreciate every pre-order as it will help us judge how many copies to print.”PRE-ORDER: https://demoaccords.comDemo Accords book pre-order price: £20Accords kit pre-order price: £55Book + accords kit  pre-order price: £70@ifrauk Fragrance Forum: Suzy cannot WAIT to attend this facing full day of talks from world experts on our sense of smell…“IFRA UK’s annual Fragrance Forum is back this autumn and will be examining the role that the nasal microbiome and the micro-organisms found in our nose and throat play in our personal and collective health.Taking place on Thursday 16 October 2025, we would love you to join us for what is set to be another fascinating day of talks, insights and conversation, chaired by Professor Barry C Smith, Director of the Institute of Philosophy at the Centre for the Study of the Senses, and Professor Stuart Firestein from Columbia University.”Register at http://evenium.events/ff2025Tickets are £30 for a full day of fragrance talksAttending the @nicheshow in London was fascinating - some really interesting new brands there. SO many fragrances smelled, which Suzy will catch up with next time. But two of the standouts were… @ode.ona (gorgeous new brand available @gather.fragrance online niche store, & launching in 2 weeks @libertylondon & @wild_iris_perfumerie)Dawn Earth: Dawn Earth is a harmonious blend of moss and mastic, this earthy and refreshing fragrance is a bottled journey into the heart of the forest.Teapot Sonder: A toasted green tea fragrance that inspires appreciation. This woody blend of Hojicha and Guaiac Wood is your invitation to pause.Moonkissed Rhapsody: Moonkissed Rhapsody is a unisex fragrance of lavender and musk. This velvety and anchoring fragrance soothe all waves to reach calm waters within.And Suzy met the lively Nicole, founder of @galiarae - Now this is one of THE most glorious diffusers ever. First saw this featured on @blublazerguy’s Instagram, then got to see in-person at the Niche show. The artistry & attention to detail are second to none! It looks like an antique heirloom find, but the ceramic ‘matchbox’ (made in England) houses a terracotta stone you soak with their signature scented oil: an exquisite citrus-infused honeyed floral that smells of happiness. Suzy’s travelling to @pittifragranze in Florence (where she’s hoping - technology/ time notwithstanding - to record some snippets for our Patreon episode). She will return having had a thousand meetings and smelled a million new fragrances, bringing news of her faves next time we...

While we were on a between-seasons recording break [now back with Season SEVEN!] we've had so many more listeners writing in, looking to be united with their perfect perfume (often for extremely specific occasions, calling for suitably specific scents). So, in this week's episode we are playing catch-up - focusing on those #listenerprescriptions & finding THE ideal fragrances for situations encompassing......Celebrating a wedding anniversary in Portugal, overcoming imposter syndrome while attending lectures at Cambridge university, existentially scenting a flipped fairytale of a frog turned into a Queen, an emotional plea for the scent of hope, & a makeup artist's client seeking a bright, floral bouquet echoing a fancy plug-in. Blimey! We recommended...For Luci Tither’s Porto perfume suggestions:@clausporto Agua Clementina – shimmering citrus groves, orange sunlight, Douro river zest.@clausporto Agua Flores – white & gold petals at dawn, jasmine-laced Atlantic breezes, wild volcanic gardens.@clausporto Le Parfum – fig, watermelon & wooded mystery by the riverside. @bdkparfumsparis Nectar Oud – raspberry-leather with a sunset sparkle@kilianparis Moonlight in Heaven.For Astrid's confidence at Cambridge:@perfumerh Steam – crisp, morning-forest inspiration@diptyque L’Eau Papier – musky ink, rice-steamed pages@commesdesgarconsparfums 2 – clever ink shadows & noble woods.For Em’s primordial Queen:@storaskuggan Hexensalbe – enigmatic green magic@walesperfumery Forest – mossy, mulchy mystique@kingdomscotland Portal – botanical, pine-draped Scottish wonder@vyrao Mamajuju – spiced, clay-earth grounding@lartisanparfumeur Abyssae for magical, herbaceous roseFor Katie's fragrance of hope:@maisonfranciskurkdjian Kurky – spiced optimism@olfactiveo Skin – creamy, woody solace@ellisbrooklyn Vanilla Milk – comforting, velvety, vanilla dream@mabelleorama Lunar Dust – celestial, powdery woodsFor LauraSimonMakeup client’s 'Smell of Spring':@florislondon Edwardian Bouquet – green hyacinth, fresh florals, leafy light@alfredsung Sung – galbanum fresh,  verdant florals & creamy vanilla 

Season 7 of @onthescentpodcast is here, & for the very first time, we’re sharing a Patreon-exclusive deep-dive with ALL of you!This week we’re exploring salt in scent: how the mineral magic transforms a fragrance, adding texture, tempting the senses, & evoking everything from windswept cliffs to decadent desserts.We so enjoyed making this episode & couldn’t wait to share our thoughts on these briny beauties (lol!)The line-up:@jomalonelondon Wood Sage & Sea Salt: Imagine the bracing British coast, briny air, wild waves, & mineral cliffs, earthy sage grounding the sparkling saltiness.@shayandblue Salt Caramel: Gourmand temptation with caramel and vanilla, cut by a tang of sea salt, rich, indulgent, and impossible to resist.@penhaligons_london Changing Constance: Cardamom & pimento heat up salted butter caramel, finished with vanilla and tobacco for rebellious [email protected] Oudous Lux Solis: Honeyed pomelo & mandarin glisten over smoothly salty oud & patchouli - a golden radiance from sun to shadow (exclusive at Harrods).@sarahbakerperfumes Atlante: Sparkling yuzu & orris swirl through tidepools of seaweed & ambergris, as ancient & alluring as a siren’s song.@libertylondon LBTY Zephirine: Incense & green fig weave through velvet rose & suede in a palace garden by the sea.@isseymiyakeparfums Le Sel d’Issey: The freshness of the ocean meeting sun-warmed land, salt, incense & seaweed on a sun-bleached driftwood base.Our Patreon supporters get an EXTRA episode every single week (that’s 127 extra episodes so far ) among other perks. If you loved listening, tap the link in our Instagram bio @onthescentpodcast for all the extra episodes in the archive or go via this link