Whether you’re packing your bags to get out of town or making the most of a staycation, this guide to fragrance shopping includes sound advice for anyone looking for an olfactory souvenir of your latest vacation.

Men’s fragrances often take inspiration from barber shops and tailoring. In his latest launch, The Cut for Penhaligon’s, Paul Guerlain pays tribute to fougère, keeping the notes sharp like scissors cutting fabric. In this interview he muses about his career, his family, and the unisex scents of today.

Our sense of smell has long been undervalued, and yet, as the author writes “The nose gathers what the camera cannot….”. In this article from Bois de Jasmin, the writer argues the case for the value of fragrance in history. What smells do you remember that define your life? A poignant reflection.

It’s common industry knowledge that the body spray category is one of the fastest growing in the fragrance sector. Sometimes considered as a mass market product, niche and premium brands are getting in on the game finding the reference bridges a gap between scent and bodycare with wellness benefits to boot.

Beauty retail in the UK is booming between the re-entry of Sephora, the Fragrance Shop’s new venture, Fragrae, and the acquisition of Space NK by Ulta. Now Boots, a trusted brand among Brits, will open a standalone fragrance shop in time for holiday shopping. The plan is to carry over 400 luxury and niche brands.

With wellness being a beauty buzzword, what does it mean when it comes to fragrance? Functional scents are said to boost mood, enhance mental clarity and calm the spirit. As the fragrance sector growth stalls, is this subsegment, backed by neuroscience, able to attract new customers? If the scents still provide olfactory pleasure, the chances are high. An interesting look at this trend.

There’s a continuing need for comfort in the world, and fragrance answers the demand with cocooning scents that soothe, calm and nurture. Nostalgia, strawberry notes, and wellness are just some of the trends in fragrance called out by Cosmetic Design Europe. Additionally, immersive experiences with scent are a means of making the purchase a memorable moment.