Is there anything more awe-inspiring than gazing up at a starry sky? That sense of celestial wonder has long been a source of inspiration, but you wouldn't necessarily expect it to inspire perfumers with their perfume creations.
If the best new perfume launches are anything to go by at the moment, many professional noses are looking to the skies and endeavouring to bottle the smell of stardust, a moonlit sky or the dazzling trail of a shooting star. And who doesn't want to smell as otherworldly as that?
Celestial-inspired perfumes aren’t just about smelling beautiful. They also evoke a sense of wonder, transporting you to another world and even channelling the energy of astrology with every spray. From sparkling skin scents that mimic the shimmering cluster of constellations, to deep, mysterious notes that mirror the glow of a midnight moon, there's a celestial perfume to inspire us all.
Whether you’re a star-gazer, a horoscope devotee or simply someone who loves a scent with mystical lore behind it, celestial perfumes invite you to adorn yourself in the wonders of the stars.
Ahead are my favourite fragrances inspired by the moon, the stars and the cosmos.
Best Celestial Perfumes
1. Maison Crivelli Tuberose Astrale
Key notes: Cinnamon bark, tuberose, osmanthus, carrot seed, cistus, leather, musk
Tubéreuse Astrale is one of the most stunning fragrances I've ever smelled. True story: when I wore it to an event recently, I had over 10 compliments in under an hour. Its inspiration comes from Crivelli's memories of standing beneath a glittering canopy of stars, with the hypnotic, creamy scent of tuberose flowers blooming nearby. Its opulence is deepened by the warmth of cinnamon and a musky, suede-like base that makes it irresistibly seductive. A hint of velvety, peach-skin fruitiness lends a soft, mouthwatering smoothness, making the scent all the more unforgettable. It captures the sparkling awe of stargazing and the richness of a velvety midnight sky, and is hands down my favourite Maison Crivelli perfume.
2. Chanel Comète
Key notes: Iris, heliotrope, cherry blossom accord
The stars have long been woven through the lore of Chanel. Gabrielle Chanel, ever fascinated by astrology, looked to the stars for inspiration when creating her first fine jewellery collection. Amongst the standout pieces was a dazzling diamond necklace shaped like a shooting star (the very muse behind Comète), a fragrance that captures the shimmer of stardust and mirrors the necklace’s graceful, neck-hugging design through its skin-like musk. The scent itself is powdery, luminous and breathtakingly beautiful as it melts into the skin. Think heliotrope, soft iris, a delicate cherry blossom accord and a smooth, musky base. Though intimate and skin-like, its projection and longevity are phenomenal. The dry-down lingers for hours and never fails to draw compliments. When I first tried it, a few sprays filled the room, and even the next day, I could still detect its lingering sparkle in the air—it's quite literally bottled stardust.
3. Aesop Above Us, Steorra
Key notes: Cardamom, bergamot, elemi, frankincense, labdanum, cypriol heart, vanilla bean, cinnamon
This one makes you feel like you're sleeping under a star-strewn sky, with a glowing campfire flickering and crackling nearby. Above Us, Steorra (Old English for stars) is warming, ambery and spicy, enveloping your skin in a gentle glow. Like the golden hue of the bottle, it smells resinous with frankincense, smoky, earthy labdanum that unfurls on the skin and a hint of creamy vanilla bean. It's the cardamom that really comes across, however, leaving a sparkling trail of a bright, spicy shooting star twinkling on your skin. In true Aesop fashion, it's beautifully aromatic and grounding.
4. Sana Jardin Air of Aquarius
Key notes: Lemon, tangerine, petitgrain, bigarade, lavender, rosemary, neroli, jasmine, muguet, musk, ambroxan
Not only is this fragrance the perfect scent for your favourite Aquarius in your life, but it's a stunning scent all around, especially if you're into astrology. The concept came from Pluto moving into Aquarius, and the planet symbolises transformation. With uplifting citrus and herbal lavender and rosemary, it's an aromatherapeutic fragrance that quite literally boosts your spirits as you wear it. It's light, sparkling and radiant with an ethereal radiance that floats around you all day. And can we take a moment for the moon-like globe bottle top?
5. Diptyque Lunamaris
Key notes: Pink peppercorn, incense, rockrose
If you’ve ever wondered what moonlight smells like as it dances across a rippling midnight sea, this is it. The inspiration came from the smooth, radiant facets of mother-of-pearl and the reflections of the moon on calm ocean waters. It's an ambery scent, but one that hugs closely on the skin and has a luminous, spicy rose quality tinted with a touch of marine saltiness that's both cool and shimmering. It's radiant and luminous, just like a full moon.
6. Creed Delphinus
Key notes: Black pepper, incense, almond, pink pepper, heliotrope, orchid, orris butter, patchouli, tonka bean, amberwood, leather accord, bourbon vanilla
Creed took inspiration from the fragrance's namesake constellation, and this almond perfume instantly brings to mind the delicious, syrupy glaze of caramelised almonds. Delphinus is blended to evoke the sense of awe you feel beneath a starlit sky, and to me, it perfectly captures the gentle glow and comforting warmth of stargazing beside a crackling campfire. The almond note shimmers and glows as it intertwines with smoky incense, smouldering tonka bean and rich bourbon vanilla that creates a celestial glow on the skin. It’s warm, cocooning and comforting, like being wrapped in cashmere.
7. Maison Margiela Replica Under the Stars
Key notes: Black pepper, labdanum, cinnamon, oud, leather
Under the Stars is a hypnotic, deep scent that conjures the endless stretch of a dark sky and a tapestry of stars you'd see in the depths of the wilderness. It's smouldering and leathery, and the oud embodies the enigma of the night, exuding a dark, almost supernatural aura, whilst labdanum lends a whisper of carnal, earthy warmth. If you like oud perfumes, this is one for you.
8. Charlotte Tilbury Star Confidence
Key notes: Blackcurrant, jasmine sambac, jasmine, davana, patchouli, oakmoss
Those with an eagle eye may notice that there is a tiny star on all of Charlotte Tilbury's packaging. The star symbol has become synonymous with the makeup artist, so it's unsurprising that her latest perfume launch, Star Confidence, draws its inspiration from her lucky stars. This warm floral opens with juicy blackcurrant and melts into the skin with a creamy, golden aura, before drying down into an addictively woody oakmoss base. The notes have been especially chosen to help enhance confidence as you wear the perfume, too.
9. Vyrao Witchy Woo
Key notes: Moroccan orris, rose, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, frankincense, opoponax, white musk, patchouli, sandalwood, carrot seed
It's the season of the witch, after all, so I can't forget Witchy Woo and its celestial energy. It smells like someone who charges their crystals in a full moon and does tarot card readings. It's spicy, with nutmeg, cinnamon and frankincense that creates an aromatic, witchy aura to boost your creativity and confidence whenever you wear it. But what makes it even more magical is that inside every bottle is a herkimer crystal diamond, which has been energised by Vyrao's healer and is believed to clear and raise your energy.
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