October 18, 2021 at 06:30AM
I think it is often underestimated just how difficult shopping for perfume is. For starters, the stuff is expensive. While parting with a few quid on a foundation that isn’t quite right doesn’t feel like a huge financial loss (and with a bit of mixing you can usually find a way to make it work), dropping three figures on a perfume that isn’t all you hoped is more difficult to swallow.
We’ve all been there. You spritz something on counter and fall in love at first sniff, or smell something divine on someone and add it straight to basket, only to get the goods home, douse yourself in the stuff and realise it gives you a nauseating headache.
And to make perfume shopping even harder, we’re now faced with what feels like hundreds of snaps of painfully pretty bottles every time we log onto Instagram. But chic bottles don’t always mean chic scents. In fact, finding perfumes that smell as good as they look can be tricky business. There is one brand however that I fervently believe is seriously underrated in this realm.
There’s high chance you have already heard of Aerin perfumes. Their distinctive stone lids and beautiful gold hardware make them perfect Insta material. But you’d be forgiven for never having given them sniff. You see, unlike so many other Instagrammable perfumes around (no, I won’t name names), the scents of Aerin perfumes are enviably unique, long-lasting and universally wearable.
The brand, which was founded by Aerin Lauder (yes, she is the granddaughter of the Estée Lauder), is all about effortlessly beautiful living. Think classic scents but with an air of modern ease and luxury that make them the ultimate reach-for. Despite my 70-strong perfume collection, it’s Aerin scents that I find myself reaching for day in, day out. They are the epitome of laid-back luxury.
The fragrances themselves are easy-to-wear, powerful without being heady and become one with the skin in a way that has people thinking you just smell that good. In fact, I like to think of my Aerin collection much like I do my wardrobe. There’s the sort of free-flowing chiffon dress that oozes carefree nostalgia, the business suit that screams authority and the cosy cashmere jumper that radiates warmth and comfort.
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I’m the sort of person that likes my signature perfumes to be mine, so in a way I’ve kind of been putting off writing this story. Because the truth is, out of all of the perfume brands I’ve ever tried (name a perfume I haven’t smelled, I dare you), Aerin is the one the appeals most to the sort of person that likes to keep their signature scent a secret. The perfumes are unique enough to pique interest and wearable enough to have people asking after them.
So despite the fact it pains me a little to share the Aerin secret with you all, I sort of feel like it has to be done. Because while I’m the sort of girl that likes to keep delicious perfumes for myself, I sense Aerin Lauder is too, and it’s because of that she’s been able to create such delectable masterpieces over and over again.
Keep scrolling to shop the best Aerin perfumes out there…
Author Shannon Lawlor | Whowhatwear
Selected by CWC