Is there any better way to instantly lift your mood than a dab of your favourite perfume? Whether you’re a fan of fresh, citrusy scents or prefer a delicate floral, we all know that scent can trigger emotion, and the right fragrance can make us feel like our best selves – be it happy, sensual, confident or completely in control. But how do you find that perfect blend?
Enter Elixir, the latest addition to Elie Saab’s fragrance line. The Lebanese fashion designer is inspired by femininity and beauty, and he’s dressed some of our favourite powerful female role models – Beyoncé, Angelina Jolie and Taylor Swift among them. But while you don't often rock up to the office in a couture gown, Elie Saab’s latest eau de parfum promises to give you the same sense of confidence in a far more practical way for everyday wear (and with a much more wallet-friendly price point). Elixir is inspired by love potions – but put aside any thoughts about it ensnaring an unsuspecting partner, à la cult classic The Craft: this particular blend is designed to inspire wearers to fall in love with themselves, embracing their own strength and femininity. The face of Elixir is model Candice Swanepoel, who embodies this sense of strong femininity in the campaign shot in a glittering red gown with her dark-blonde hair slicked back.
Elixir comes in a chic glass and gold sphere that adds a touch of glamour to any desk or dressing table, while also feeling sturdy enough that you can throw it in your bag for on-the-go spritzing. However, this is so much more than a pretty bottle and the Elixir scent definitely doesn’t disappoint. The noses behind the scent are Aurélien Guichard and Jérôme Di Marino, a renowned duo of perfumiers who bring Elie’s vision of elegant femininity to life with a powerful floral bouquet. However, there’s no cloying, potpourri-style heaviness here – instead, you’ll find a sophisticated formula with notes of iris (specifically a variety that blooms in Elie’s native Lebanon) and a sensual heart of neroli and mandarin that’s joined by warm, amber tones of myrrh and benzoin.
What makes it really special, though, is the love accord. In the world of perfume, an accord is a handful of ingredients mixed to make a new and distinctive scent, and this one has been designed exclusively for Elixir. It’s a vibrant, one-of-a-kind blend that the brand says reproduces the sensation of a ‘strong feeling of attachment and seduction’. In short, it’s a fragrance that’s designed to encourage the emotions of self-love, although *warning* it may also work on others!
Thanks to this bewitching blend of alluring notes, Elixir never fails to cast its magic. The ideal transitional fragrance to wear throughout spring and summer, it’s also likely to elicit compliments and requests to know exactly what you’re wearing. And with the power to transform your sense of self, we’d say it’s an every season must-spritz. After all, who doesn’t love stepping out feeling an all-powerful version of themselves?
Head to the Perfume Shop to find out more, available from the 13th March.
