As a beauty editor, I’m often asked for my signature scent. Whilst some have a shelf full of fragrances that they rotate throughout the seasons, I wear my go-to throughout the year for almost every occasion. I like a fresh scent that isn’t too sweet or heavy—it needs to blend well with everything (should I want to layer it) and be noticeable but not overpowering. So once I discovered Molton Brown’s Heavenly Gingerlily, which achieves all of the above, I never looked back.
Light with delicate florals, this scent has been a bestseller for the brand for over 20 years. Jacques Chabert, the master perfumer behind it, was inspired by the sweet aromas he smelt when taking a walk through a botanical garden–his interpretation has top notes of ginger, cardamom, tuberose and lily with a vanilla and cedarwood base. Although the notes are fruity and a little sweet, they are balanced with the spice of the ginger, so if you aren’t already a fan of the British fragrance-makers, then this is a great entry product into the their world. Then there’s the limited edition packaging of the bath, body and hand bottles–adorned with climbing pink lilies, it’s a tempting one-off design that has launched just in time for spring and definitely deserve a space on your vanity.
Founded in 1971, Molton Brown is a beauty industry leader known for their eclectic range of unique and innovative scents that are as pleasing to the eye as they are to the nose. Proudly environmentally conscious, they were one of the first to open a cruelty-free hair salon in the UK (since their conception they have actually never tested on animals), and today only work with cruelty-free third-parties and suppliers. Adding to this, the ‘Return. Recycle. Reward’ scheme gives customers 10% off when they bring old bottles to store, and the brand’s Elsenham facility has been powered 100% by renewable energy since 2016, making them pioneers in the sustainable beauty sphere. As well as their eco credentials, they are hugely popular for their travel-size collections, and you’ll often see its products in some of the swankiest hotels and restaurants. And of course, there are the gift sets. (Who hasn’t bought the hand wash and lotion for their lucky loved ones?) But Molton Brown has a much bigger place in my life than its fail-safe last-minute gifts. Each scent is offered as an eau de parfum and an eau de toilette, but it also has a range of bodycare and home products to match, so when you find a scent that you love, you can use it in multiple stages of your routine.
Of course, you don’t just have to have one fragrance. Many of the brand’s scents blend beautifully, so you can layer one scent on top of another, adding depth and different dimensions. I personally love to pair Heavenly Gingerlily fragrance with the Orange & Bergamot body lotion, which also has floral top notes but a woodier base. Using a body lotion after a shower can really help lock in a scent, enabling it to linger for longer on your body.
In recent years, the self-care trend has allowed us to really consider our wellbeing in a holistic sense. Whilst it’s become an all-encompassing buzzword that can mean doing almost anything that will boost your mental health, be it exercise, a decent night’s sleep or even dietary choices, for me it’s all about everyday pleasures that I often found in my beauty regime. Introducing a little luxury to my routine, starting with my shower or bath, where I recently started using Molton Brown’s Bath & Shower Gel instead of cheaper alternatives, gives me a moment of sheer indulgence at the start or end of my day.
The same can be said for adding a little luxury throughout my home. I’m extremely house proud, so naturally, I love to host. An impressive hand wash is one of the easiest (and actually most affordable) ways to make your home feel opulent. Keeping my favourite fragrance by my kitchen and bathroom sinks allows me a moment of indulgence in between the busyness and chaos of daily life. It goes without saying Molton Brown’s bottles are an aesthetic delight, especially with the intricate illustrative florals of the limited edition packaging, but the Heavenly Gingerlily scent never fails to garner multiple compliments from whoever uses it. Our sense of smell is so closely related to memory, so whenever I wash or moisturise my hands, I’m quickly transported to summer evenings on holiday in France with my partner or celebratory dinners with my closest friends, where I wore that very perfume.
No matter the occasion, be it a holiday, dinner date or weekend excursion, fragrance is always the final detail in my getting-ready routine. And when I have enough time, this routine can be the most joyous part of my day. I love thinking about what to wear or how to do my makeup based on the weather or my mood. If I’m running errands, just nipping out for a few hours or need a perfume top-off, I’ll use my eau de toilette (which, by the way, is the best formula for scent layering, if you love to combine your fragrance), but if I know I’ll be out all day or doing something that requires my scent to have more impact, I’ll use the eau de parfum. A signature scent is kind of like your favourite lipstick: On occasion, you’ll feel the urge to try another, but ultimately, you always go back to the one that feels most “you.” For me, that’s Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily.
