Until now, it’s likely that your experience with fragrance has been entirely through a classic spray. Whether you prefer the freshness of citrus, the warmth of sandalwood or a floral-fuelled rose aroma, spritzes have been dominating the space - until now.
In 2023, the perfume world’s hot topic is rollerball fragrances. Now available from artisan perfumers, high street labels and luxury beauty brands alike, it’s the new trend everyone wants to try. Usually, they contain a perfume oil which has a higher concentration of fragrance when compared to the lighter sprays, so they deliver a powerful punch of fragrance in one easy hit - and should have a long-lasting effect, too.
As explained by Emmanuelle Moeglin, Founder of Experimental Perfume Club, “The benefit of rollerballs is that they can be in a perfume oil which is more targeted and longer-lasting, whilst sprays tend to evaporate more quickly - regardless of whether it’s an eau de toilette, an eau de parfum or an eau de cologne. They’re great for people who are on the go and like to re-apply throughout the day.”
Thanks to their compact size, they lend themselves to travel - especially when baggage allowances are getting smaller and smaller (Ryanair, we’re looking at you). Whether you pop one in your handbag, your wash bag, your suitcase, or perhaps all three, having a roll-on perfume stowed away means you’ll be ready for any fragrance-related eventuality.
And they don’t need to replace your favourite spray, either. Instead of lumbering an entire bottle around with you all day, they’re at the ready for a quick top up before you go to a work meeting, meet your friends for drinks or even for date night. All you need to do is apply it to your pulse points - your neck and wrist - for an instant refresh that’s sure to make an impact.
Moeglin continues, “you can use a spray in the morning to get the scent on clothing as well as skin but then using an oil based rollerball on pulse points and skin to give you a more concentrated and longer lasting scent.”
Find your new favourite scent in our edit below.
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Malin + Goetz dark rum perfume oil 9ml
Any fan of Malin + Goetz will be familiar with the spicy sweet aroma of Dark Rum.
The perfect summer fragrance, the balance of ripe plum and fresh bergamot with warmth of leather and rum is evocative of long, dusky summer evenings spent with friends in far-flung sun-drenched destinations. If you like it, you can treat yourself to the body wash and candle, too.
Buy now £27.00, Space NK
& Other Stories Arabesque Wood Roll on Perfume 6ml
& Other Stories has an impressive range of rollerball perfumes - and our favourite is Arabesque Wood.
Both woody and fresh, it’s the perfect unisex scent. With uplifting notes of lemon and ginger balanced with the depth of moss and amber, it’s a complex aroma that will keep you coming back for more - especially when you see the price tag.
Buy now £13.00, & Other Stories
Le Labo Thé Noir 29 Liquid Balm Perfume 9ml
Cult favourite Le Labo is my personal favourite. All of the New York-based perfumer’s scents boast an intriguing blend that never fail to impress. Throughout the day, you’ll be greeted with many exclamations of ’what scent are you wearing?’ - so it’s perfect for anyone who loves to be the main character.
Thé Noir 29 is one of the best sellers thanks to its masculine depth of cedar wood, vetiver and musk, which is lifted with more feminine notes of bergamot and bay - all of which is punctuated with the dry, tobaccoy goodness of black tea leaves. An aroma you’ll never get tired of.
Buy now £68.00, Liberty
Byredo Bal d’Afrique 7.5ml
Byredo is the Swedish perfumer on every fragrance afficionado’s lips right now - as is Bal d’Afrique, one of their best-selling fragrances.
Including top notes of African marigold and bergamot, heart notes of cyclamen, jasmine petals and violet, and bottom notes such as black amber and Moroccan cedarwood, it’s vibrant, rich and complex - and is sure to garner a compliment or two every time you wear it.
Buy now £52.00, Selfridges
Sana Jardin Fragrance Rollerball 10ml
If you like your fragrance to smell amazing and come with ethical credentials, look no further than Sana Jardin. With social change at its heart, the brand has empowered female harvesters from the rural flower-growing region in Morocco through training and consistent employment.
An entirely addictive scent, anyone who’s tried the likes of Le Labo Santal 33 or Bon Parfumeur’s 301 will know there’s no going back once you’ve tried sandalwood - and Sana Jardin’s rollerball is no exception.
Buy now £28.00, Cult Beauty
Miller Harris Roll On Lumière Dorée 9ml
For those who prefer floral notes, British perfumer Miller Harris’ Lumière Dorée is a botanic aroma infused with white blossom, jasmine and orange flower. Lifted by fresh bergamot and clean musk, it’s an easy-to-wear scent that’s perfect for the warmer months.
Buy now £35.00, Miller Harris
L:A Bruket 173 Perfume Oil 10ml
With only four bricks and mortar stores worldwide, L:A Bruket is an up-and-coming beauty brand worth knowing about. Famous for its beautifully smelling organic skincare, the perfume both smells amazing and has great hydrating benefits too.
A natural oil, it’s scented with Hinoki, an uplifting outdoor scent that’s revitalising, comforting and helps to relieve stress and anxiety.
Buy now £48.00, L:A Bruket
