The autumn has arrived in Brussels – it was properly chilly yesterday and while I’m very firm in my belief that warm weather is preferable to cold, I do enjoy getting out my more autumnal fragrances. I don’t have much new to report to those who have been reading my perfume updates regularly, but I know some of you enjoy this type of posts and I’m always happy to talk about fragrances.

Everything I said in my autumn scents post last year is still valid and I wear them all, unless I’ve used them up. The late summer favourites also continue to be in rotation, but there are a few newbies I’m adding to the list.

1. Tom Ford London. This has probably been my favourite scent in the last month or two. With a few exceptions, I don’t think Tom Ford’s perfumes are extraordinary, but they often work for me very well. Which is rather unfortunate, considering the prices. This specific scent is a great mix of wood, leather and spices with a little smoke – relatively intense, but polished and accessible. The more I wear it, the more I like it.

2. Thierry Mugler Angel Muse. My perfume favourites tend to be niche and/or high-end, but I’m always overjoyed when I find a mainstream fragrance I really like. Muse is nice and comforting and very well done. You can clearly smell that it’s related to Angel, but vetiver makes it more sophisticated and hazelnut more friendly than the original. Even if you hate Angel, it’s worth trying this one: it’s gentler and easier.

3. Byredo Unnamed. Would I prefer Serge Lutens Bois de Viloette to this if I had a bottle of the former? Possibly. But it’s a moot point, as I don’t own BdV, while this nice woody violet is right here. I have done a full review, in case you’re curious.

4. Hermes Hermessence Santal Massoia. I love woody notes for autumn, as do about 6,7 billion other people, but it doesn’t mean I always want to wear something rich and dark. Hermes Hermessence line is known for its watercolour takes on classic perfume ingredients and Santal Massoia is a great example of that. It’s a light, transparent but still creamy sandalwood that is extremely easy to wear.

5. L’Artisan Parfumeur Timbuktu. This is the only perfume on the list that I don’t own, as I have just fallen for it. I had tried before, but it always smelled strange and confusing to me – and it IS strange and confusing, I think it smells like muddy vetiver, with some incense and spices and fruits. I know this doesn’t sound hugely appealing, but suddenly, I find it so compelling. I haven’t been to Timbuktu, but based on the book I read about it in September, this tribute in scent makes complete sense to me.

What have you been wearing?