Snow, snow, glorious snow scents

For one who gains strength from the sunshine of summer and days spent in the garden, winter is a cold, hard time. But looking out to my crisp January yard, lawn and pear tree capped with the past week’s pristine white fluff, it’s hard not to appreciate the beauty of wintertime. So, in the spirit of the season, we got to dabbling in a handful of perfumes inspired by our cold climes.

A CANADIAN FLURRY

Perfume-wise, we are reminded of Lise Watier’s blockbuster, Neiges, which was (the story goes) inspired by the first snowfall of the season. How very Canadian. The scent has won fans over for 20 years with its pretty whiteness—a pretty, almost soapy-fresh blend of hyacinth, lily of the valley, Christmas rose, jasmine, magnolia and orange blossoms with woody, musky undertones—and its snowflake-detailed bottle. EDP $69 (50 ml), www.lisewatier.com

A WINTER WALK

We turn also to Jean-Claude Ellena’s winter inspiration for Frederic Malle Parfums. His L’Eau d’Hiver has a certain bergamot-induced crispness which seems to envelop rounder, warmer notes of angelica, iris, hawthorn, jasmine, carnation, honey, heliotrope, caramel and musk. We are reminded of walking in the country on a winter day when the temperature lingers just at freezing, allowing the scent of the underlying woods and plants to quietly perfume the breeze. EDP, $245 (250 ml), www.fredericmalle.com; www.holtrenfrew.com

A SPARKLING ICICLE
Serge Luten’s L’Eau Froide also embraces the chill, the dry character of its frankincense note conjuring up the cold and calm of an old and empty church, says the perfumer. “Very cold, frosty, dazzling, resolute, permanent,” are the words of the marketer. EDP, $150 (100 ml), www.us.sergelutens.com

A FRESH SNOWBALL

Demeter’s Snow smells of air—of cool, sweet almost-nothingness. Yet, there’s something refreshing in this snowflake-inspired spritz, something almost cleansing. Pick-Me-Up Cologne Spray $20 (30 ml), www.demeterfragrance.com

So bundle up: pile on the down layers, the Sorels, the fur-lined toque, and get outside. Embrace the bracing, skin-tingling coldness of January and the dazzle of sunshine on all of that white stuff. After all, as the saying goes, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.