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On The Scent

Nicola Bonn
On The Scent
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222 episodes

  • On The Scent

    Season 7, Ep 17: On The Scent Live Part 2 - A Perfume Prescription Special

    19/12/2025 | 1h 27 mins.

    In this, the second part of our look back at On The Scent Live, we're reading out (and playing live) some of your AMAZING perfume prescriptions from the two events. As ever they were fantastically creative, emotional and in some cases utterly bonkers (which is what we love!)Here are the fragrances that we mention:@beaufortlondon Terror & Magnificence@sergeslutens L’orpheline@tombstone_fragrances Sweet Coffin@nealsyardremedies Remedies to Roll Relaxation fragrance oilLavender & frankincenseLayered with either…@rubini_profumi Nuvolari@mschf MSCHF Smells Like WD-40@fischersund ÚtilyktNo. 101 FragranceNo. 8 Fragrance(All 3 found in their Langdegi (Light) Discovery Set@bdkparfumsparis Rouge SmokingOrmonde Jayne Sybarite@thameen Centre Stage@jorumstudio Firewater@kajalperfumes Lamar Noir@jorumstudio Unspoken Gesture@vallense Source@ellakparfumsparis Rose de Pushkar@infiniment Coty Ambre Antique@millerharris L’Air de Rien@hunq_amsterdam 006 Boxer@andy_tauer L'Air du Desert Marocain@jouissanceparfums Les Cahiers Secrets@dsanddurga Portable Xmas Tree Candle@trudon Enchanted Night Holiday Collection 2025 - Fir 'Christmas Tree' Luxury Scented Candle.@edeniste Wellbeing layered with their Energy fragrance:@juliettehasagun Powder Love@adscenture Turkish DelightGri Gri Moko Mauri (available / sample @shymimosa)@fischersund 101@ostens Rose Oil Isparta@fredericmalles Portrait of a Lady@matierepremiere Radical Rose eau de parfum@officine_universelle_buly Eau Triple Damask Rose@xerjoff Rose Gold & Amber Gold layering duo

  • On The Scent

    Season 7 Episode 16 - On The Scent Live: A Bumper Episode

    14/12/2025 | 1h 27 mins.

    Come and join us one and all for On The Scent Live. Whether you were there and want to relive the fun or you didn't manage to get a ticket and want to be part of it, we really hope you enjoy this bumper episode. You'll hear a combination of live recordings from both events and us reflecting on the scents we chose.Onto the events:Our wonderful helpers over both daysOn the Scent-ers Little Helpers:(Friday)William Borrell @vallensefragrancesAmanda Carr @wewearperfumeSharon Whiting @scentinelcomms(Saturday)Thomas @makingscentsmakesenseHester @peacock.vintageFRIDAY:****Nicola’s fragrances:1. Clive Christian E Cashmere MuskTop notes: Baies Rose, Sichuan Pepper, and Fresh Ginger. Heart notes: Fleuriste Fusion, Egyptian Jasmin, and Cashmeran. Base: Guaiacwood, Ambroxan, and Musks.2. Perfumer H Flower No.1A bouquet of white flowers to turn heads and capture the imagination. Tuberose (India), jasmine (Egypt), orange flower (Tunisia) and rose oil (Turkey) rest on a silken base of sandalwood, vanilla bourbon and white musk.3. Nest Hypnotic Ambergolden amber, Indian cardamom, dark woods, patchouli, incense, vanilla, and rose, Mirabelle plum oil.4. Frederic Malle Acne StudiosAldehydes, Rose, Peach, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk.5. Ormonde Jayne SybariteTop: Hazelnut, Timur, Pink Pepper and Pepper; middle notes are Vanilla, Butter, Orris, Jasmine and Rose; base notes are Vanilla Absolute, Woody Notes, Labdanum and Musk.****Suzy’s fragrances:1.Acqua di Parma BuongiornoTop notes: Lemon Essence, Spearmint Essence , Rosemary Essence , Codistillation Basil & Petitgrain essencesHeart notes: Lavandin Essence , Mandarin Leaves Accord. Base notes: Cedarwood Leaves Essence, Amber Accord, White Musks2.ANFORH KistTop: Sandalwood, Blonde Woods, Havanalite (pressed-linen polish)Heart: Sandalwood, Laotian Benzoin Resinoid (aged 24 months; smoky and resinous), Vintage Paperback AccordBase: Texan Cedarwood (fresh-sawn timber warmth), Cypriol, Cashmeran3.Amouage LustreTop Notes: Cardamom, OrrisHeart Notes: Patchouli, Sandalwood, CedarwoodBase Notes: Benzoin, Labdanum, Vanilla, Cypriol, Styrax, Tonka Bean, Myrrh4.Guerlain Shalimar L’Essence“Delphine Jelk has added the precious Madagascan vanilla tincture stemming from Guerlain's ancestral know-how to the ethylvanillin found in Jacques Guerlain’s original formula, giving Shalimar a new intensity.Discreet and subtle, bergamot illuminates the floral heart which blends rose absolute with the powdery elegance of iris. Little by little, Shalimar’s amber note unfolds. Used in abundance, vanilla infuses it with new facets – smooth and woody with a hint of leather.”5.Jeroboam Kun AmoEsperanto to English - kun amo. with love.A luminous and sensual perfume extract in which pear reigns supreme. Sun-drenched, luscious and seductive, the fruit mingles with a generous dose of sweetness and captivating aromas, underpinned by modern, ambery woods and the house’s emblematic musks.SATURDAY:****Nicola’s fragrances:1. Ormonde Jayne X’ian‘Nutmeg, rhubarb, musk and sandalwoodHEAD Black...

  • On The Scent

    Season 7 Ep 16: On The Scent Live 2025 - A Bumper Episode

    13/12/2025 | 1h 35 mins.

    It's finally here...our On The Scent Live bumper episode.For those of you who couldn't make our 2 events, we hope you feel like you're there with us as you listen to this and for those who were there, we hope it brings back all the memories.On the Scent-ers Little Helpers:(Friday)William Borrell @vallensefragrancesAmanda Carr @wewearperfumeSharon Whiting @scentinelcomms(Saturday)Thomas @makingscentsmakesenseHester @peacock.vintageFRIDAY:****Nicola’s fragrances:1. Clive Christian E Cashmere MuskTop notes: Baies Rose, Sichuan Pepper, and Fresh Ginger. Heart notes: Fleuriste Fusion, Egyptian Jasmin, and Cashmeran. Base: Guaiacwood, Ambroxan, and Musks.2. Perfumer H Flower No.1A bouquet of white flowers to turn heads and capture the imagination. Tuberose (India), jasmine (Egypt), orange flower (Tunisia) and rose oil (Turkey) rest on a silken base of sandalwood, vanilla bourbon and white musk.3. Nest Hypnotic Ambergolden amber, Indian cardamom, dark woods, patchouli, incense, vanilla, and rose, Mirabelle plum oil.4. Frederic Malle Acne StudiosAldehydes, Rose, Peach, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk.5. Ormonde Jayne SybariteTop: Hazelnut, Timur, Pink Pepper and Pepper; middle notes are Vanilla, Butter, Orris, Jasmine and Rose; base notes are Vanilla Absolute, Woody Notes, Labdanum and Musk.****Suzy’s fragrances:1.Acqua di Parma BuongiornoTop notes: Lemon Essence, Spearmint Essence , Rosemary Essence , Codistillation Basil & Petitgrain essencesHeart notes: Lavandin Essence , Mandarin Leaves Accord. Base notes: Cedarwood Leaves Essence, Amber Accord, White Musks2.ANFORH KistTop: Sandalwood, Blonde Woods, Havanalite (pressed-linen polish)Heart: Sandalwood, Laotian Benzoin Resinoid (aged 24 months; smoky and resinous), Vintage Paperback AccordBase: Texan Cedarwood (fresh-sawn timber warmth), Cypriol, Cashmeran3.Amouage LustreTop Notes: Cardamom, OrrisHeart Notes: Patchouli, Sandalwood, CedarwoodBase Notes: Benzoin, Labdanum, Vanilla, Cypriol, Styrax, Tonka Bean, Myrrh4.Guerlain Shalimar L’Essence“Delphine Jelk has added the precious Madagascan vanilla tincture stemming from Guerlain's ancestral know-how to the ethylvanillin found in Jacques Guerlain’s original formula, giving Shalimar a new intensity.Discreet and subtle, bergamot illuminates the floral heart which blends rose absolute with the powdery elegance of iris. Little by little, Shalimar’s amber note unfolds. Used in abundance, vanilla infuses it with new facets – smooth and woody with a hint of leather.”5.Jeroboam Kun AmoEsperanto to English - kun amo. with love.A luminous and sensual perfume extract in which pear reigns supreme. Sun-drenched, luscious and seductive, the fruit mingles with a generous dose of sweetness and captivating aromas, underpinned by modern, ambery woods and the house’s emblematic musks.Saturday:****Nicola’s fragrances:1. Ormonde Jayne X’ian‘Nutmeg, rhubarb, musk and sandalwoodHEAD Black Pepper, NutmegHEART Cedarwood, RhubarbSOUL Musk, Indian...

  • On The Scent

    Season 7 Ep 15: Holy Smoke! Our Favourite Incense Fragrances

    04/12/2025 | 31 mins.

    Incense is having a real moment and in this episode we're exploring why and also talking through some of our favourite incense scents.Why is incense so popular again? Incense has moved from temples and churches into living rooms,studios and perfume wardrobes; it’s become a chic, modern ritual asmuch as a smell.Trend reports link the boom to the hunger for spiritual and holisticpractices – incense is an easy way to pause, “set an intention” andcreate a little ceremony around everyday life.Incense vs frankincense “Incense” is the whole blend you burn – it might be on a stick, cone, coilor rope – and can contain resins, woods, herbs, spices and florals. “Frankincense” (also called olibanum) is one particular resin, tappedfrom Boswellia sacra trees in Oman, Yemen and parts of the Horn ofAfrica. Etymology you can play with: “frankincense” comes from Old French“franc encens” – high quality or “pure” incense – while “incense” itselfgoes back to Latin for “to burn.” When a perfume lists “incense” as a note, it may mean a full accord ofresins (frankincense, myrrh, opoponax, labdanum, elemi, woods,flowers) or a composition that highlights frankincense alone.What incense actually smells like Frankincense: resinous yet airy; earthy, piney, slightly smoky with asurprising citrus brightness. Myrrh: darker, spicier, slightly medicinal and very “churchy”, oftenassociated with ritual and antiquity. Opoponax: honeyed, vanillic, balsamic and comforting – it softens theharsher edges of smoke. Labdanum: rich, ambery, leathery and almost animalic; gives incenseperfumes that plush, warm body. Elemi: sharp, lemony, peppery resin that brings sparkle and lift to thesmoke. Woods (sandalwood, cedar etc.): add dryness, creaminess orpencilshaving smokiness and form the backbone of many incenseheavyfragrances.Quotes from perfumers: Francis Kurkdjian on why he loves Japanese incense at home: partlypracticality, because “it fills the room in five minutes, whereas candlestake ages.” Yasmin Sewell on the moodshift: “Where a candle may take twentyminutes to resonate in your space, when you light incense there is animmediate scent that fills the room.” Sewell again on why incense made more sense than candles for herbrand’s next step: “I felt that incense really connected with our values,since it’s been used in spiritual rituals for so long,” and “what I reallylove about incense is that it shifts the mood instantly.” Lyn Harris on her daily ritual: “It sets a spiritual tone to my day,” andincense is “an ethereal veil that lingers in the air.” She burns it in themorning to set her mood, sometimes midday to reinvigorate her senses,and even before bed so “there is a sensual haze passing over mynostrils before I sleep.” Chris Rusak on the psychology of burning it: incense is “a great vehiclefor empowerment or catharsis via controlled destruction” and “incenseuse is intentional. It requires fire or directed heat for full expression,which we must effect, contain, and control, in order to destroy it but notourselves.” How it’s harvested: frankincense resin oozes from cuts in theBoswellia sacra tree and dries into golden “tears”, sometimes called“frankincense tears” or “olibanum tears”. The jinn love story: a girl from the jinn falls in love with a human boy –forbidden, of course. As punishment she’s turned into a tree; her griefbecomes crystal tears that people burn on coal for healing smoke with abitter taste that mourns lost love. Ecology: frankincense forests in northern Ethiopia are under threat asthey’re...

  • On The Scent

    Season 7 Ep 14: Christmas Gift Guide (that won’t break the bank):

    27/11/2025 | 55 mins.

    Nicola:Penhaligon's Festive Mini Sethttps://www.penhaligons.com/uk/en/p/festive-mini-set-for-her-5x5-ml--000000000065224079Jo Malone London Festive Cologne Duohttps://www.jomalone.co.uk/product/26322/127599/gift-sets/festive-cologne-duoBamford Geranium Candlehttps://shop.claridges.co.uk/products/bamford-geranium-candle?srsltid=AfmBOopvh-fHP_E4r3friAxcOw4J40HInA0W1PQfVTCUGf2Ym_wb9mHMNeal's Yard Orange and Geranium Hand Soaphttps://www.nealsyardremedies.com/products/geranium-orange-hand-wash?_pos=2&_psq=orange+and+geranium&_ss=e&_v=1.0Granado Gift Setshttps://www.granado.uk/uk/amazonico-scented-suitcaseSuzy:Meadowfarm Smoked Honey & Orange 1 Wick Candle £25‘This stunning new candle is inspired by my love of bee keeping. It’s a unique blend of bergamot, orange flowers and ylang ylang, with added honey notes and just a hint of smokiness from the amber. It’s summery and bright, yet has an intricate depth to it. This is guaranteed to be one of your new favourites, it’s perfect for summer but will work equally well allyear round.’https://meadowfarmlifestyle.co.uk/shop/candles/smoked-honey-orange/Lords Fragrance House Cotswold Scented Hand Dipped Taper Candles £30‘Inspired by days spent with my best friend in the serene beauty of the English country side. This fragrance captures cottage gardens, surrounded by rolling hills, on sunny days spent laughing in the sunshine. A delicate blend of bergamot, lemon and orange, with heart notes of rosemary, lavender and mint, with a cedar and vetiver base. The perfect scent for those seeking a moment of calm.’https://lordsfragrancehouse.com/products/monteverde-scented-hand-dipped-tapered-candles-copyBoujee Bougies Candles (now 50% off RRP!) £30Tart: ‘What comes to mind when you think of tartness? We wanted to capture that delicious, mouth-watering, and life-affirming taste sensation. Tart is our vivid homage to fresh tarts and invigorating teas - a feel good tonic with irreverent and unexpected twists. Tart is lush with greenery – cool, refreshing herbal notes of mint and basil - and fizzing with fruitiness – the juicy flesh of green plum and blackcurrant. To make sure it’s zesty, we played with the crisp zing of lemon, rhubarb, and ginger, and served it all over ice with the sweet apricot facets of osmanthus. Tart is vibrant, fun, and uplifting AF.Scent impressionsMouthwatering, moreish, green-hued tartnessNotes listMint, Lemon, Blue Ginger, Cassis, Green Plum, Rhubarb, Basil, Osmanthus, Moss, Musk’

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About On The Scent

On The Scent is the podcast destination for anyone fascinated by fragrance (or keen to learn more) – a place where perfume snobbery is stripped away, and fragrance is accessible to all. What began as a monthly sniff-in on the Outspoken Beauty Podcast soon became so popular in its own right (and with so many listeners sending in questions and asking for more) that On the Scent just had to go weekly - this time on its own perfumed platform! Encompassing everything from icons and all-time classics to what’s new on the high street to the more ‘niche’ indie brands; Beauty broadcaster and columnist Nicola Bonn and award-winning fragrance journalist and expert Suzy Nightingale give personalised perfume prescriptions, describe fragrances in such an intoxicating way you can almost smell them and help navigate the thousands of scents out there to find the truly incredible ones. Also expect interviews with well-known figures, delving into their favourite scents of all time and opportunities to get to know some of the most exciting perfumers in the world. Whether you’ve a collection of 500+ or are just starting on your scent journey, olfactory obsessives Nicola & Suzy are on a mission to find you fragrances that don’t simply smell good, but will re-connect you to long forgotten memories, engage your emotions and very likely blow your mind.
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