There are a few things in life you can rely on with unwavering trust: that Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively will eternally be couple goals, that the housewives (of every city) will get wilder with each season, and of course, the most failsafe of all beliefs, that a nude lip will always save you in a makeup mishap. The same is true in the scent realm – yep, nude perfumes are a thing too. Just the way a swipe of nude lipstick makes you feel like the sexiest version of yourself, both undone and put together at once, a spritz of a nude scent will have the same impressive effect. And with kitschy scent trends coming a mile a minute, if you’re not partial to the scents that centre around unique elements such as moss or mojitos, it’s nice to know that the latest fragrance fad is about smelling like, well, nothing.
But in the case of bare eaus, it’s not about the ‘nothing’ notes we’ve come to associate with fresh fragrances; this style of scent isn’t about smelling like you’ve just showered, in fact, it’s almost about smelling as if you haven’t. The naked fragrance family is committed to embracing and enhancing the natural aromas we associate with skin: rounded, soft, sweet and mellow notes that warm on the body and smell as if they could almost be your natural musk. After all, what’s sexier than naked skin?
It’s a perfumed push to embrace your natural beauty, with a little vanilla and musk added in for good measure. Here’s our edit of noteworthy naked scents – they’re both bare and breathtaking.
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Costume National
Costume National So Nude EDP ($199, davidjones.com)
Nude goes niche with this cult-status sandalwood-cumin-cardamom fusion. It’s both intoxicating and gentle, evoking a woman’s natural allure.
Huda Beauty
Huda Beauty Kayali Vanilla 28 EDP ($120, Sephora.com.au)
A decadent drop inspired by the sophisticated scents of the Middle East, with rich Madagascan vanilla and the sweet softness of Brazilian tonka.
Lush
Soft and subtle yet somehow simultaneously smoky, it smells like the welcoming warmth of sipping a vanilla chai by a crackling fireplace. Bonus points for the hint of caramel; downright delectable.
Lancome
Lancome La Vie Est Belle L’Eclat EDT
It opens with the brooding vanilla-sandalwood-patchouli base you’d expect from the nude category, but the energetic iris and orange blossom heart offers a new take on naked.
Philosophy
Philosophy Pure Grace Nude Rose EDT ($65, mecca.com.au)
A nude scent for the loyal rose lovers; this multi-faceted mix begins as a fresh soapy floral, but is grounded by the grit of musk and cedar.
Rihanna
Nude by Rihanna EDP Spray ($49, chemistwarehouse.com.au)
Designed by Riri to act as a scent-ual second skin, it’s part sleek (sandalwood and musk), part sweet (vanilla orchid and guava), and altogether seductive.
Estee Lauder
Estee Lauder Sensuous Nude EDP
Not exactly a nude at first sniff, this complex concoction opens with bitter citrus, but it’s the way it marries musk, coconut and honey that somehow leaves it smelling neutral in the chicest possible way.
Love the sound of these. Nude scents are the best!
The EA Sensuous Nude would probably float your boat then. It's definitely not tame. I'm not sure why it's in this category, because it's not just a skin scent…it wafts way ahead of you. Nude lips suck lol
Yet to try these delightful fragrances, so appealing.
Looooveee Rihanna's Nude. One of the best perfumes I've tried and had, I use it so much. Only thing I wish was it would last longer because its so stunning, over any expensive perfume any day for me. Also I've got to try lush vanillary sounds so tasty
These ones might be for me.
Apparently delina by PDMarly smells like naked woman. Bottle looks super tacky. Scent and design, both not for my taste. xD
Huda Beauty fragrance looks promising.