Sweet and Smoky Scents for Fall 

As the cool breeze of fall starts to settle in we all know that summer is on its way out and fall is coming in, even though summer is trying to hold on, it would be wise to transition from light, airy summer fragrances to deeper, more complex scents that embody warmth, spice and richness. These scents capture the essence of autumn in a way that makes you feel both nostalgic and luxurious with every spray.

 Kay Ali Vanilla 28- The Great

Now this might be the greatest Vanilla scent of all time. Hear me out. Sweet vanilla orchid and jasmine as the top notes, warm brown sugar and crisp tonka bean as the middle notes, and the dry down is sultry amber, musk, and patchouli. This scent was the It Girl in 2018 and still remains a high favorite today in 2024. It holds its own weight by being sweet but not too sugary, spicy but not too harsh on the nose, and musk without smelling like burning firewood.

The nose behind this scent is Gabriela Cherlariu a senior perfumer working with Firmenich and world rewound fragrance and flavour company. She is very talented, dedicated to her craft, and has worked with many brands including Abercrombie and Fitch, All Saints, Bath and Body Works (who doesn’t love B&B), Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and many more. She is also the perfumer behind many of the Kayali fragrances including Déjà vu White Flower (another favorite of mine), Eden Juicy Apple, Lovefest Burning Cherry (released in 2022), Sweet Diamond Pink Pepper, Utopia Vanilla Coco 21, and Vanilla Royale Sugared Patchouli. Now most if not all of these fragrances are on my wish list. None of them smell like the other and they are very much in a league of their own. Kayali only puts out high-quality scents that are long-lasting, have strong sillage, and are moderately priced.

Smelling like That Girl won't be hard with any of these fragrances. Now I tend to spread the wealth in terms of scents that I own, making sure I try different brands; Gucci, Mason Margiela, and Marc Jacobs are just a few but for Kayali I wouldn’t mind having an array of their perfumes. A great scent to layer or wear on its own. Fun fact; if you allow the bottle to age like fine wine the scent gets deeper and richer. Although there is a lot of controversy regarding the scent stating that it should classify as an EDP and not an EDT opinions are subjective and so is mine, but I still think it’s the greatest vanilla scent of all time. 

Prada Candy 

Prada Candy was the scent that I always dreamed of having. As a young sales associate working for a retail store I had caught a whiff of the scent from one of my managers and instantly fell in love. Sweet but not powdery, caramel, vanilla, and benzoin to give the vanilla an extra kick I had to have it. Being a part-time employee and full-time student at the time didn’t give me a lot of wiggle room in terms of spending money but my interests were clothes and shoes at the time.

In 2022, I took a trip to Mexico with a group of friends. I had outfits packed and ready to go with all the right shoes and accessories the only thing missing was perfume. Of course, I had body sprays from Bath and Body Works but they weren’t the vibe I was going for. I needed something sensual but sweet. 

Prada Candy was that girl in 2011. Now I know I was way behind buying the fragrance in 2022 but we can all relate to wanting something when you were a child and not having the money to afford it. My mother and grandmothers always had classic scents and so the appeal for luxury perfumes was instilled in me from a young age. So, when I became an adult and was able to afford these things better believe this was my first pick up.

A reviewer off of frangrantica.com said that this perfume smells like cigarettes mixed with perfume. Reading that I pictured a young Scarlett who chain smokes in her fur leopard fur coat, fishnet stockings, and little black dress that's a bit too little.

 This fragrance is strong on a nice autumn day when the leaves are blowing in the wind and the air is crisp this scent is the perfect way to fulfill your gossip girl fantasies. I highly recommend a spray on each wrist and one on the back of your neck for security. Prada Candy is highly long-lasting so there shouldn't be a need to reapply for the next 4-6 hours but if you wanted to I wouldn't judge you either ;) 

By the Fireplace Maison Margiela 

Imagine your most luxurious self out on the town in Paris. You’re wearing an outfit that makes you feel the most confident, with a fresh hairstyle and new nails. You walk out of a restaurant with 4 other friends wondering where the rest of the night is going to go when a group of well-groomed men walk by and you get a whiff of wood, clover, and pink pepper. You’re intrigued because a good-smelling man could be hard to find much less a good-smelling man that has the same fragrance sense as you. By the Fire by Maison Margiela is the perfect unisex scent that leaves you wondering if you’re the player or the one getting played. Marie Salamagne a world-renowned perfumer knew exactly what she was doing with this scent, the emotions that are evoked transport me to a realm of warmth, sweetness, and spice.

I was first introduced to this scent in 2021 when I got a sample of it in my IPSY bag. I instantly fell in love with it and dare I say it’s been the one scent that allows me to channel my inner Naomi Campbell. Even though this fragrance was launched in 2015 it's still a fall 2024 staple with the secondary notes being chestnut, guaiac wood, juniper, and vanilla it's like walking around smelly like a sweet campfire. I’ve managed to hold on to this bottle and only use it in the fall because when else is it appropriate to walk around smelling like a fire with that being said paired with a light-smelling apple or cherry-scented oil this could be a great winter fragrance as well.

 Users on Fragrantica rate this as a long-lasting, unisex, and moderately priced fragrance. If you could get your hands on this scent I would highly suggest it but just in case you don’t like it there are still 95,174 perfumes from Maire Salamagne to choose from. 

Whether you’re drawn to the sweet sophistication of Kayali Vanilla 28, the bold caramel notes of Prada Candy, or the smoky warmth of Maison Margiela’s By the Fireplace, these fragrances are the perfect scents for fall.  Each one tells its own story, evoking a different aspect of the season. Layer them, mix them, or let them stand alone, you’ll find yourself reaching for these bottles all season long.