[unpaid/sample] I’m trying not to give into the summer’s end – the inevitable feeling of nights drawing in, freshness in the air and the changing landscape. It can feel unsettling but someone once told me to see it not as the end of something but as the beginning of something else and that small reframing is helpful. Things I can look forward to about autumn are a) getting the blankets out to sofa snuggle, b) hot chocolate and c) lighting candles, all of which aren’t nearly as nice in summer.

My fragrance taste tends to change across the seasons, more for home than body because a dot of Chanel No.5 or Jo Loves Pomelo is always right, and while I veer towards jasmine and citrus I can go a bit deeper to create a seasonal mood. I’ve had this Jonathan Ward Trio of room fragrances for ages but thanks to covid obliterating most of august, am only just getting to it and I think that has turned out to be fortuitous – September feels like a better time for these three than August. The box contains Afreet, Kiss In Rio and Assassin Belarus.

Afreet is a blend of blackberry leaf and neroli with black pepper, licorice root, black amber, jasmine and Guaiac wood and if you know your woods and ambers you will know that has depth with a side of lift from neroli and jasmine. A little bit tincture, a little bit antique furniture and a lot atmospheric – best for evenings with friends and great food. Assassin Belarus is black pepper, cedarwood, ginger, nutmeg, birch tar, patchouli, vetiver and peat so if you think Afreet is deep, meet Assassin. It’s as dark as they come, intriguing, spicy and resinous – best for dim lighting, fireside heat and late nights. Kiss In Rio is olibanum, bergamot, petitgrain, black pepper, cedarwood, jasmine absolute, leather, patchouli and oakmoss. Despite the olfactorily weighty notes, I find this rather light and optimistic – that smack of jasmine and sprinkle of petitgrain gives it a lift that freshens and soothes. Best for bedroom or bathroom to waken the senses.

The trio is a special edition (the mists are all alcohol free and use a dry oil composition so you can spritz your towels or sheets with no fear – or do the old trick of spritzing into the air and doing a quick walk through so you have an impression in your hair and clothes) and costs £58.50 HERE.

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