These Are Predicted To Be The 10 Most Popular Fragrances This Christmas
Present shopping made easy
Perfume is, of course, a festive gifting staple, but choosing something so personal for someone else can be tricky – especially when there are so many glinting bottles vying for your attention.
The woman’s fragrance market is expected to hit over Dhs2,600 million in the last quarter of this year and, according to research by Escentual.com, sales of premium fragrances are already up 4% on last Christmas. 2019, it seems, is set to be the season of the designer scent.
Of course, all those blockbuster brands are well aware of our predilections towards perfume gifting, which is why so many new options hit the shelves around this time of year, each one backed by an increasingly glossy campaign. But between the iconic classics and the new, buzzy bottles, it can be near-impossible to narrow down a winner for each of your recipients.
To make your decision-making process a little less laborious, Escentual.com has revealed the 10 fragrances tipped to top the sales charts this year – and a few of them may surprise you. Here, discover the full list, as well as the story behind each one.
[1]
Coco Mademoiselle
PREDICTED TO SELL: 390,720 BOTTLES
CHANEL
harveynichols.com
Dhs540
Proving our long-held opinion that you can never go wrong with Chanel, the house’s much-loved Coco Mademoiselle is predicted to become the best-selling perfume by a very long way this festive season.
Created by perfumer (and long-time Chanel collaborator) Jacques Polge in 2001, and worn in the glossiest of campaigns by Keira Knightley ever since, Coco Mademoiselle is an unrivalled oriental fragrance, softened by a floral heart of mimosa, jasmine and rose.
[2]
Libre
PREDICTED TO SELL: 215,800 BOTTLES
YSL
escentual.com
Dhs230
One of the biggest fragrance launches of the year, YSL’s Libre is set to become the second most-popular perfume this Christmas. True to form, it’s a scent for night owls with a heart of heady jasmine sambac enlivened by mandarin and sweetened by a vanilla note in the base. It’s the perfect party perfume for New Year’s Eve.
[3]
N°5
PREDICTED TO SELL: 193,800 BOTTLES
CHANEL
selfridges.com
Dhs270
Perhaps the most iconic scent of all time, No5 remains a go-to for Christmas gifting. Created by French perfumer Ernest Beaux over 98 years ago, this highly complex yet instantly recognisable scent features a bouquet of florals at the heart, kept fresh with a citrussy bergamot top note.
[4]
Miss Dior
PREDICTED TO SELL: 137,300 BOTTLES
Dior
debenhams.com
Dhs370
Steeped in romance, Miss Dior is the perfect pick for a loved one. Combining a campaign starring Natalie Portman, and a masterful reinvention of rose notes (sweet and fresh, rather than powdery), it’s clear to see why this Dior creation has been a star scent for over a decade.
[5]
Idôle
PREDICTED TO SELL: 130,700 BOTTLES
Lancôme
escentual.com
Dhs230
Lancôme first new fragrance in seven years has successfully captured the attention of Gen Z. With feminist powerhouse Zendaya as its face, responsibly sourced extracts inside, and an ultra-slim bottle that can be kept and refilled, this sparkling rose scent marks a shift in the industry.
[6]
Black Opium
PREDICTED TO SELL: 121,600 BOTTLES
Yves Saint Laurent
debenhams.com
Dhs240
Originally created in the 1970s, Yves Saint Laurent’s spicy oriental Opium was reinterpreted in 2014, and soon captured a new, younger market. Unlike the original, Black Opium features a warming top note of coffee, which soon gives way to the decadent heart of tuberose and jasmine sambac.
With its glittering black bottle and hedonistic campaign starring Zoe Kravitz, it’s the perfect present for any rebel at heart.
[7]
Alien
PREDICTED TO SELL: 114,100 BOTTLES
Mugler
selfridges.com
Dhs212
Even if you’re not familiar with this blockbuster scent, you’re bound to recognise the gilded purple bottle. The fragrance itself is equally arresting, with intoxicating jasmine and a cashmere-laced musk base taking centre stage.
[8]
J’adore
PREDICTED TO SELL: 105,500 BOTTLES
Dior
selfridges.com
Dhs355
Miss Dior might be romantic, but the Charlize Theron-fronted J’adore is guaranteed to seduce. A lingering base of neroli warms the initial sparkle of melon and pear, conjuring an air of old-Hollywood glamour.
[9]
La Vie Est Belle
PREDICTED TO SELL: 113,600 BOTTLES
Lancôme
escentual.com
Dhs220
Last year’s Julia Roberts-fronted campaign brought Lancôme’s La Vie est Belle firmly back into our minds. Instantly feminine, the powder-laced scent is based around a heart of iris, with orange blossom and blackcurrant completing the gourmand trail.
[10]
Lady Million
PREDICTED TO SELL: 137,600 BOTTLES
Paco Rabanne
escentual.com
Dhs190
Since 2010, Paco Rabanne’s Lady Million has been the olfactory backdrop for so many teenage nights. Bitter orange, neroli and honey-sweetened amber combine to create the ultimate fragrance to wear on the dancefloor.
From Harper’s Bazaar UK