Marking the rebirth of the sun, and a renewal of hope and lighter days ahead, the Winter Solstice has enthralled cultures around the world for many centuries. That gradual waning of daylight hours – which, oh golly, has felt eternal and gloom-laden – is reversed, and in religious ceremonies, in the alignment of ancient monuments, and in households eager to fling back the curtains, we gratefully welcome the light again.
It takes time, of course, for us to notice the incremental extra minutes, then hours, that we can look to the sky and feel hopeful again; but there are things that can help. A brisk walk in whatever nature you can access (even twice around the block when you’re in a funk) can shake off some of the frosted cobwebs; and a generous spritz of a scent that has somehow captured the midwinter sunshine and magnified it – a perfumed prism of happiness, if you like – is fantastic for an instant uplift. These aren’t the balmy, beachy scents of summer, which can feel a little brash and jolting right now; but the gentle winter sunshine contained within can add a sparkle and genuinely can help boost your mood.
Until the sun feels like it’s in the right place again, please consider seeking these out to help you feel a bit lighter of spirit….
La Montaña First Light
A cool gasp of surprise as sunlight sets the top of a mountain ablaze, dew-sparkled fennel, the rosy-green fuzz of geranium and silvery pine needles warmed by a touch of balsam-burnished leather in the base.
£65 for 50ml eau de parfum in our shop
Moncler Les Sommets Le Solstice
Sun-glistened icicles viewed from the snugness of your luxury wooden cabin in a chic ski-resort. Smooth, powdery iris hugs cool violet and buoyantly radiant musk. It’s sipping Champagne wearing fluffy slippers time!
£175 for 100ml eau de parfum harveynichols.com
Moncler Sunrise Pour Femme
Moncler have clearly also been inspired by sunlit mountain peaks (and why wouldn’t you be?) this time the rays ripple through bursts of grapefruit, golden pear, velvety petals and a violet-dusted woodiness that lasts ‘til dusk.
£76 for 60ml eau de parfum houseoffraser.co.uk
Frederic Malle L’Eau d’Hiver
Soothing whispers of endless comfort swirl in exquisite minimalism, a blanket of iris covering frosted hawthorns, radiant hedione glistening through melting icicles, the sun low but bright and rising, slicing through sadness.
£240 for 100ml eau de toilette libertylondon.com
Edeniste Néroli Sensuel
Neroli doesn’t have orange blossom’s summer swagger, but it feels like light pouring into a room when the curtains are flung open. Crystalline pear and juicy white musk-swathed peach match the glittering, frosted aura.
£68 for 30ml eau de parfum in our shop
Cloon Keen Atelier Frosted Moon
Ethereal moonlight kisses frosted grass, sparkles of ice shards piercing beneath winter’s mantle to vetiver’s welcoming earthiness: spring’s bulbs warmly cocooned.
£120 for 100ml eau de parfum lessenteurs.com
Written by Suzy Nightingale