Penhaligon’s Potions & Remedies Fragrance Collection
17 August, 2023
UK brand Penhaligon’s have just launched a brand new fragrance collection – Potions & Remedies.
The theme for this collection is ‘Forgotten Formulas’. The brand paints a picture of yesteryear, where William Penhaligon creates his latest fragrant concoctions in his secret workshop…
‘The laboratory is lit by candlelight. Behind him, rare books on botany fill the shelves. Encyclopaedic classifications of herbs, plants, flowers, offering all manner of recipes and prescriptions to cure – or procure – altered states. Aphrodisiacs. Hallucinogens.Their natural powers were mesmerising. Seeking the Divine through the Mysteries of Nature is open at his desk.’
I’ve just picked up the samples set (find it here) so I’ll be giving my initial thoughts on each scent. Let’s take a look at the collection…
EAU THE AUDACITY
‘Side effects: you may discover your true self. A caution to all those who were of the persuasion that pleasures are best delayed, rules, there to be respected, convention, followed. You may find your world turned upside down! You may be on a one-way path to the discovery of new sensations, to intense delights, to new horizons of unimagined pleasure. How would it feel to dare greatly – with a little fear-not formula?’
- Top Notes: Black Pepper, Elemis Leaf & Orange Blossom
- Heart Notes: Frankincense, Rose Absolute & Saffron
- Base Notes: Ambergris, Leather & Vanilla
My thoughts: I have to say I love the name of this fragrance, and I think this is my favourite from the collection. Eau The Audacity is not exactly what I was expecting though. It’s a soft, smooth scent, it has a similar relaxing vibe to A Balm of Calm, while still being a completely different scent. There’s mostly frankincense and rose at the top, while the dry down leaves you with a lovely trail of sweet vanilla and soft leather.
VRA VRA VROOM
‘A word of warning: you may find that everything feels possible. As if inhabited by a dose of blooming Spring and a spoonful of the invigorating Enthusiasms, your energy is in abundance. This is a Nation without borders, (the possibilities are limitless), and a state where all feel free will. The re-dynamism of your daydreams, a quest fulfilled. Impatience replaces hesitancy. Nothing can stop you now.’
- Top Notes: Apricot, Bergamot, Clary Sage & Mandarin Orange
- Heart Notes: Magnolia, Osmanthus & Rose
- Base Notes: Ambrofix, Georgywood & Leather
My thoughts: Vra Vra Vroom really fits its description. This is a wonderfully bright and energising fragrance. It’s green but not overly so. Very citrusy and zingy with a really nice apricot note.
LIQUID LOVE
‘Be careful, you might fall in love. Proceed with caution… and wear with care. At first a gentle spritz of confusion, an enveloping sea of sensation, an absence of appetite, a tendency to day-dream, and at night, sleep that is deep and peaceful – or interrupted with dreams of desire! Soon however, one will be visited by an abundance of generosity and joy, unfaltering kindness, you want for nothing, your heart is open… you feel like you have wings, inexplicably confident and strong, and yet soft. Paradise is *sigh* all around. Suddenly and all at once.
Nothing will ever quite be the same.’
- Top Notes: Ginger, Pink Pepper & Turmeric
- Heart Notes: Chilli, Green Hazelnut & Rose Ultimate Extract
- Base Notes: Cashmeran, Musk & Sandalwood
My thoughts: I sampled this before reading the notes, and I was quite surprised. Liquid Love would imply to me a sweet, probably deep ‘red’ scent, but this is completely the opposite. The opening is quite sharp and green. After a while the scent calms down but still feels linear. This is probably the most challenging fragrance of the collection.
A BALM OF CALM
‘Be advised, you may find your problems vanish. As if by some mysterious conflagration of the planets, suddenly the impossible seems unimportant, the most terrible seems inconsequential, and the dramatically disastrous, insignificant. Breathe in. Breathe out. It’s time for a spray of serenity delivered in a cloud of peace-of-mind.’
- Top Notes: Cardamom, Clary Sage & Lavender
- Heart Notes: Geranium, Iris & Rum Absolute
- Base Notes: Oak Wood, Sandalwood & Vetiver
My thoughts: I feel like this fragrance was just what I was expecting – something calming, relaxing and peaceful. A Balm of Calm is soft, but not delicate, with sweet lavender and woods. I could imagine wearing this after talking a long bath following a stressful day. The perfect scent for relaxing and unwinding.
A KISS OF BLISS
‘Beware, you might find happiness quite addictive. And one day, the sun comes out.The birds are singing (they always were). The blues have bid farewell, and doubt has decamped! You too sing from the hilltops, and dance and twirl all night long. Your blessings are abundant, your arms full. There’s nowhere to go now. You’re here. With just a touch of this optimist’s ointment you’ll feel all the Hallelujahs.’
- Top Notes: Bergamot, Clover & Rose
- Heart Notes: Heliotrope, Jasmine Absolute & Matcha
- Base Notes: Moss, Musk & Patchouli
My thoughts: A Kiss of Bliss is a sweet, floral, uplifting scent. Another favourite from the collection, this is probably the most feminine and easy to wear, and the dry down is really soft and pretty.
The Penhaligon’s Potions & Remedies fragrance collection is available now at Penhaligon’s.
