Signature scents: Six IMAGE staffers on their all-time favourite perfumes

There is no greater compliment than having someone tell you that you smell good. One of the most powerful sensory memory triggers, familiar smells have the power to fill you with nostalgia and transport you to a specific time in your life. From aromas of baked goods bringing you right back to your grandmother’s kitchen to fresh laundry landing you right back to your childhood bedroom, our lives are filled with scent associations that are ingrained in us for life.

I was recently on a bus and caught a whiff of a fellow commuter’s perfume that filled me with memories of an old college housemate. A couple of weeks back, a friend of mine scurried back from the bathroom to tell me that she had smelled the unmistakable fragrance of Beyoncé Heat in the bathrooms, and we spoke at length about the scent that defined our teenage years.

Though we may not realise it, our choice of perfume is creating memories for both ourselves and those around us. With that in mind, I reached out to team IMAGE to get the low-down on their go-to perfumes. Here are some of our signature scents…

Sarah Gill, Staff Writer, IMAGE.ie

“Though I’ve certainly gone through my fair share of trial and error perfume choices (Britney Spears Fantasy will, I’m sorry to say, always have a place in my heart), I’ve finally found my signature scent in the form of La Bougie’s Mission Fig. It started out with a simple gift of a Mission Fig candle from my mother at Christmas time, and once I eventually burned my way through it, I realised that there was also a reed diffuser, body lotion, essential oil, and perfume. It’s earthy and comforting, and just gorgeous in general.”

Jolene Reid, Business Development Manager, IMAGE Media

“My all-time favourite perfume is Dior Poison (all of the poison range). The scents are absolutely stunning. My second go-to would be Dior Addict, which is also gorgeous.”

Shayna Sappington, Branded Content Editor, IMAGE.ie

“I hold a special fondness for Chanel Cocoa Mademoiselle – a nostalgic, fresh and ambery scent from my pre-teen days. I first came across the perfume when flipping through one of my mom’s fashion magazines. Spread across the page, Keira Knightly was all sultry glamour with her razor-sharp cheekbones, coal eyeliner and the iconic pink perfume bottle pressed to her lips. I immediately unfolded the small perfume flap and inhaled the delicious scent. Later on, when I got a job at 16, I spent my first paycheck on a bottle for myself. Ever since I’ve kept it stocked on my shelf, and I’ll give myself a spritz on days I need a confidence boost or want to feel divinely feminine.”

Sarah Finnan, Deputy Digital Editor, IMAGE.ie

“When I was younger, the only perfume I’d wear was the With Love fragrance by Hilary Duff – needless to say, I was a Lizzie McGuire super fan. As I got older, Victoria Beckham’s Intimately Beckham was my go-to. Sadly, that perfume has since been discontinued but Wood & Sage by Jenny Glow is a near-perfect dupe (it’s also a note perfect replacement for the much more expensive Jo Malone version). I always have a bottle in my handbag and at under €15, it’s a real bargain too. Get on it girlies!”

Lauren Heskin, IMAGE Magazine Editor

“I’m not really a perfume woman (they usually set my nose on a twenty-minute sneezing fit) but when I do fancy a spritz, Diptyque Philosykos is the one I go back to most often. I love a rich musky perfume and Tom Ford Noir is my go-to evening choice, but the warm fig aroma of Philosykos is just delicious all day long. Plus, because I tend only to wear perfume on special days, the scent now reminds me of all the big events in my life. It’s like being wrapped in a comforting yet well-dressed hug.”

Hannah Stapleton, IMAGE Marketing Intern

“I use Jo Malone’s Nectarine Blossom and Honey. In my opinion, it’s the nicest smell in the world. Long-lasting and an amazing scent, it makes the price point a little more justifiable. My mam, Aine, has worn Jo Malone for years, having been inspired by her sister, who’s an avid fan, and my mam’s late best friend, Claire, would always bring home extravagant Jo Malone gift sets from the airport during her travels. Being who I am, I would always have a nose and nick the nice ones – none were Mam’s favourite Wood Sage and Sea Salt, so I was in the clear, I hope. It was through my thieving behaviour, that I found one of my favourite scents in the world, Nectarine Blossom and Honey. Waiting until my birthday or Christmas to ask for a bottle as a gift felt like the longest wait in the world! In a way, it brings me comfort more so than anything. The beautiful scent also helps, but it is the reminder of my mam, and her dear friend Claire, that makes my love for my perfume all that more special!”

This article was originally published in April 2023.