Sharing my September perfume tray, featuring three of my favorite new launches of 2025!
ALTO ASTRAL
Starting off with Byredo’s newest launch, Alto Astral. Portuguese for “high energy,” Alto Astral is the perfect name for this bright and sparkling fragrance. It truly is happiness in a bottle, evoking feelings of joy and play, and I can’t stop smiling while wearing it.
It opens with fizzy coconut water that has a clean, soapy quality. In the heart, there’s musk, jasmine, and incense, though I don’t pick up much incense myself. The magic, for me, is in the dry down: sandalwood, cashmeran, and amber transform the effervescent coconut into a creamy, almost lactonic coconut, softened by smooth jasmine. Yet, none of the brightness is lost—the scent remains airy while also rich. To me, it’s the ultimate harmony between clean and gourmand.
On my skin, it lasts around 5–7 hours, and about 7–8 hours on clothes. Some may see this as a distinctly summer fragrance, but I can’t wait to keep wearing it well into fall and winter!
VANILLA HAZE XDP
Next up is Vanilla Haze XDP by Fugazzi. As a longtime fan of Vanilla Haze EDP, and of the Dutch fragrance house overall, I was thrilled to see Fugazzi release an Extrait version of their beloved gourmand.
The opening brings crisp lemon, creamy coconut, and a hint of spicy saffron that fully blooms in the dry down. As it develops, there’s a strong burst of smoky clove, which gives this fragrance a more unisex quality than the EDP. The final dry down is smooth caramel and vanilla bourbon, rounding out the smokiness into a gorgeous, rich, sensual scent. On my skin, it lasts an incredible 7–9 hours, and about the same on fabric.
The brand describes this release as “All grown up, and seductively refined.” I couldn’t agree more. Where Vanilla Haze EDP is soft, airy, and delicious, the XDP version is sexy, bold, and intoxicating (while still very delicious!). It’s the kind of scent I’d wear when I want people to lean in close — and stay there. Definitely a nighttime fragrance for me!
CHERRY STEM
Finally, we have Phlur’s latest launch, Cherry Stem. First question: do we think the Phlur team ever sleeps?! They’ve been releasing hit after hit, and Cherry Stem is no exception.
It opens with black cherry and orange brandy, making it deep, boozy, and very juice-like. This transforms in the heart with soft jasmine, brightened by red freesia. The dry down of smooth leather, sweet caramel, and resinous ebony wood evokes the feeling of a late night out — picture yourself in a dark, sexy restaurant with someone special, cocktails flowing, and a luxurious atmosphere all around. On my skin, it lasts 3–4 hours, with a similar performance on fabric.
What I love about this take on cherry is how distinctly different it is from the classic cherry DNAs we all know (and might be a little tired of), the ones that lean candy-like and youthful. This, as the brand perfectly describes, is “luscious, enticing, and deep.” I highly recommend all cherry lovers to get their nose on this ASAP!
