JASON ARSHAN
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New fragrances come out all the time. How does someone decide which ones are worth buying? The list below are some of the newest releases on the market. From the most anticipated mainstream releases to hidden gem indies worth discovering — I’m going to tell you all I can about each one so you can make an informed decision on what is the right fragrance for you. This list will be updating until we reach the gift giving holiday season, so be sure to bookmark this page and come back because you won’t want to miss what I have in store for all of you. There’s no gatekeeping at Pinappos. If I’ve gotten my nose on it, I’m going to talk about it. That includes my own debut fragrance — Love & Bastani! So make sure you read all the way through so you don’t miss a thing!
Invictus Parfum by Rabanne
It’s no secret that I love Rabanne. I dubbed the house “the hitmaker” and for good reason. They understand what smells good and they keep releasing hit after hit. Housed in an absolutely stunning art deco styled bottle, Invictus Parfum returns to the Invictus marine trend, this time taking a dive into the deep end of the ocean. It’s darker and the sweetness is intensified but its wrapped around the aquatic nature, thus avoiding the sweetness of the Victory editions of the bubblegum vibes Rabanne made famous. Rabanne has proven once again that there are still more angles to explore in the world of Invictus.
226 Club by Fulton & Roark
With the number of fragrances Fulton & Roark has released in such a short period of time, it may come as a surprise that this house hasn’t missed yet. This limited edition release is no different. Notes of lemon, black peppers, and orange bitters combine with tonic, star anise, vetiver, and cashmere woods to create a sparkling energetic concoction that smells like an invigorating rush.
MYSLF Le Parfum by YSL
MYSLF Le Parfum is a vibe. It’s that sweet intoxicating spiced scent I expect from a sequel to MYSLF, but this time the spices are sprinkled over enhanced floral notes. Whereas the previous version was full of energy, the new Le Parfum is more calming and relaxed. This is versatility for the person who recognizes that special moonlit mood of the night and enjoys that same vibe during the day.
Passion Poivree by Gentleman’s Nod
Gentleman’s Nod has done it again and as a Golden Pineapple Award winner this should come as no surprise to anyone. Passion fruit and spices are the stars, but it’s how it intermingles with grapefruit, lemon zest, the essence of leather and woods that makes this magic. This is a playful charm combined with intimacy and seduction.
Y L’Elixir by YSL
Fans of the Y line will find more to enjoy in the new L’Elixir. With the DNA of Ys before it, the new L’Elixir presents itself with a spotlight of a sharp metallic oud.
Single Shot by Nose of Gatsby
This stunning fragrance from the Golden Pineapple Award winning Nose of Gatsby is the epitome of summer. Heavily salted fruity notes blend to perfection in this summer masterpiece.
Goddess Eau de Parfum Intense by Burberry
Fans of the original Goddess may be very surprised by the Intense version. This is not your typical sequel, more of a reimagining, by taking the elements of the original and going in a completely different direction. Here patchouli and woods take center stage, while vanilla lingers in the background. Whereas the original leaned into a sweet, soft gourmand, the Intense version is rugged, edgy, and loud.
Purchase Goddess Eau de Parfum Intense
Phantom Intense by Rabanne
Like the new Invictus mentioned above, this is yet another Rabanne hit. Following in the footsteps of two amazing Phantoms before it, if you love the Phantom line you will love this too. Each pays respects to the other while bringing something new. The first, was an exotic tropical sweet and spicy concoction. The second leaned heavily into the sweet essence. Now the latest, Intense release seems to do it all. Opening with light sweetness and spice, with clean textured woods. As it dries down the sweetness becomes more pronounced alongside the tropical spices. Intense is a good name for this. While it’s not the sweetest or the spiciest, it’s sharper and more electrifying than its predecessors. In my opinion, there’s room for all Phantoms in yours collection, and this one needs to be part of it.
Spicebomb Dark Leather by Viktor & Rolf
The minds behind Viktor & Rolf’s latest Spicebomb understood the assignment. This opens up smelling much like the classic Spicebomb everyone knows and loves with the subtlest hint of leather in the background. Then as it dries down the spices move to the background and the leather becomes prominent. While I wouldn’t say the leather is necessarily dark, there’s definitely depth and texture, that gives it a truly luxurious leather feel.
Jasmine Rice by d.grayi
The Golden Pineapple Award winning house of d.grayi stuns again with Jasmine Rice, an ode its name jasmine rice. Rice is a big part of my life so I judge rice inspired fragrances with a bit more discernment than I might with other notes. The Jasmine rice is on point. I feel like I can smell each grain of rice, which to me, is an important part of the rice experience. Just beyond the rice, there’s subtle sweetness and an airy floral essence. This a unique scent for sure, but make no mistake about it, it’s a uniquely wearable experience.
Love & Bastani by Arshan Persia
My debut fragrance from the house of Arshan Persia was inspired by traditional Persian ice cream known as bastani. With notes of Persian saffron, vanilla monjammed, crushed pistachios, and Persian golab, this scent, is a fragrance lover’s dream. Credit to my perfumer Chavalia, known for her masterful work with the award-winning Pink Mahoghany, for perfectly capturing the delicious Persian ice cream treat. This one of a kind scent sold out at the Golden Pineapple Fragrance Festival where it had its world premiere, then sold out quickly again when it became available nationwide. Now on its 3rd batch, it’s nearing another sellout. The cravings for this scent, speak volumes to how special this is. Of course, I’m biased, as this is my fragrance, but the response to this release has been second to none.
With new fragrances seemingly released every week, these four fragrances are worth testing out to add to your fragrance collection.
© PRODUCT PHOTOS COURTESY OF RETAILER SITES
Having dedicated over a decade of his life to the psychology of scent, "the voice of fragrance" joined Pinappos with the express purpose of sharing his passion for perfume from a unique perspective. During this psychological journey, he has quietly built a reputation as one of the world's foremost fragrance connoisseurs.
