Day to day, I’m pretty steadfast when it comes to fragrance; I know what I like and I stick to it. After all, how else will anyone know I’m approaching before I’ve rounded the corner if not by my signature fragrance (Guerlain Eau De Cashmere, FYI)?!
When December rolls around however, all rules go out the window; forget signature scents, I want to be showered, slathered and spritzed in fragrances that have me counting down the days until Christmas.
That means instead of musky ouds and creamy florals, I switch my whole routine to scents of sweet berries, even sweeter hot chocolate and, when I need a break from all that sugar, fresh pine and fir trees.
And I’m not just talking about perfume; everything from shower gel to lip balm gets a festive-themed makeover in my house. I’ll even switch out my autumnal home fragrances for candles that bring a more Christmassy vibe.
So, it’s unsurprising that over the years I’ve tested A LOT of products on my mission to find the best beauty buys that smell like all our favourite parts of Christmas.
The best Christmas-scented beauty products
Here’s my pick of six of the best to get you in the festive feels…
Skandinavisk Skog Hand Cream, £20
I always have endless hand creams scattered around my person: on my desk, in my handbag, next to my bed, all ready and waiting for dryness to strike.
This one by Skandinavisk is my latest obsession, perfect for if you want a light wintery scent that whisks you away to the forests of Scandinavia.
Alongside pine needles, it also contains notes of lily of the valley and musk for a fresh yet heady scent. Plus, as it’s unisex, this will make a great stocking filler for anybody in your life, so be sure to pop one for him and two for yourself into your basket.
Philosophy Candy Cane Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, £16
For me, nothing says the holidays are coming like switching my regular shower gel for one of Philosophy’s festive scented options.
This year, I’ll be reaching for its Candy Cane scented soap, which combines zingy peppermint with warming vanilla, resulting in what feels like a cosy Christmas hug every time you step into the shower.
And, if just washing your bod isn’t enough of a candy-cane scented fix for you, this can also be used as a shampoo and bubble bath too.
Molton Brown Merry Berries & Mimosa Body Lotion, £31
If you’re looking for a grown-up Christmas scent, then Molton Brown’s Merry Berries and Mimosa range is for you.
Combining raspberry and red berries with mimosa flowers, it’s sweet without being sickly and reminiscent of mulled wine stewing at the Christmas market.
Available in both a shower gel and body lotion, it’s also ideal if you want to scent layer to make the delicious fragrance last even longer.
Glossier Swiss Miss Balm Dotcom, £10
Glossier’s latest balm dotcom has been going viral on TikTok as nobody can quite believe just how much it smells like hot chocolate.
Designed in collaboration with U.S, hot cocoa brand SwissMiss, it blends notes of cocoa, vanilla and spun sugar for an extra-sweet hit of chocolatey goodness.
If you haven’t tried balm dotcom before, definitely pick this baby up ASAP! It not only smells great but also contains castor oil and beeswax for a super soft pout.
Rituals Good Fortune Foaming Shower Gel, £10
If you’ve ever received a clementine or orange in your stocking, the zingy citrus scent will undoubtedly take you back to cosy Christmas mornings.
This limited-edition shower foam has the perfect nostalgic fragrance, combining uplifting mandarin and grounding patchouli to create a luxurious festive scent.
I’ll be using this from Christmas through to New Years Eve, as in Chinese culture mandarin is thought to bring about blessings of luck and prosperity – and what better way to manifest for 2023 than with a spot of beauty self-care.
Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace, from £49
Picture this: you’re curled up on the sofa as wood crackles welcomingly in the fire. Someone hands you a bowl of freshly roasted chestnuts and you can feel their warmth through the bowl. Yep, that’s what this perfume smells like: woody, spicy, sweet and oh-so-seductive.
This is the type of fragrance I want to spritz over my pyjamas before snuggling under a blanket for a cosy night in.
Even better, Maison Margiela also has an accompanying candle, meaning your room can smell as good as you do – minus the need for a an actual fire.
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