On The Scent

Nicola Bonn
  • 4.8 (66)
  • FASHION & BEAUTY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

On The Scent is the podcast destination for anyone fascinated by fragrance (or keen to learn more) – a place where perfume snobbery is stripped away, and fragrance is accessible to all. What began as a monthly sniff-in on the Outspoken Beauty Podcast soon became so popular in its own right (and with so many listeners sending in questions and asking for more) that On the Scent just had to go weekly - this time on its own perfumed platform! Encompassing everything from icons and all-time classics to what’s new on the high street to the more ‘niche’ indie brands; Beauty broadcaster and columnist Nicola Bonn and award-winning fragrance journalist and expert Suzy Nightingale give personalised perfume prescriptions, describe fragrances in such an intoxicating way you can almost smell them and help navigate the thousands of scents out there to find the truly incredible ones. Also expect interviews with well-known figures, delving into their favourite scents of all time and opportunities to get to know some of the most exciting perfumers in the world. Whether you’ve a collection of 500+ or are just starting on your scent journey, olfactory obsessives Nicola & Suzy are on a mission to find you fragrances that don’t simply smell good, but will re-connect you to long forgotten memories, engage your emotions and very likely blow your mind.

  1. 12/19/2025

    Season 7, Ep 17: On The Scent Live Part 2 - A Perfume Prescription Special

    In this, the second part of our look back at On The Scent Live, we're reading out (and playing live) some of your AMAZING perfume prescriptions from the two events. As ever they were fantastically creative, emotional and in some cases utterly bonkers (which is what we love!) Here are the fragrances that we mention: @beaufortlondon Terror & Magnificence @sergeslutens L’orpheline @tombstone_fragrances Sweet Coffin @nealsyardremedies Remedies to Roll Relaxation fragrance oil Lavender & frankincense Layered with either… @rubini_profumi Nuvolari @mschf MSCHF Smells Like WD-40 @fischersund Útilykt No. 101 Fragrance No. 8 Fragrance (All 3 found in their Langdegi (Light) Discovery Set @bdkparfumsparis Rouge Smoking Ormonde Jayne Sybarite @thameen Centre Stage @jorumstudio Firewater @kajalperfumes Lamar Noir @jorumstudio Unspoken Gesture @vallense Source @ellakparfumsparis Rose de Pushkar @infiniment Coty Ambre Antique @millerharris L’Air de Rien @hunq_amsterdam 006 Boxer @andy_tauer L'Air du Desert Marocain @jouissanceparfums Les Cahiers Secrets @dsanddurga Portable Xmas Tree Candle@trudon Enchanted Night Holiday Collection 2025 - Fir 'Christmas Tree' Luxury Scented Candle. @edeniste Wellbeing layered with their Energy fragrance: @juliettehasagun Powder Love @adscenture Turkish Delight Gri Gri Moko Mauri (available / sample @shymimosa) @fischersund 101 @ostens Rose Oil Isparta @fredericmalles Portrait of a Lady @matierepremiere Radical Rose eau de parfum @officine_universelle_buly Eau Triple Damask Rose @xerjoff Rose Gold & Amber Gold layering duo

    1h 27m

  2. 12/14/2025

    Season 7 Episode 16 - On The Scent Live: A Bumper Episode

    Come and join us one and all for On The Scent Live. Whether you were there and want to relive the fun or you didn't manage to get a ticket and want to be part of it, we really hope you enjoy this bumper episode. You'll hear a combination of live recordings from both events and us reflecting on the scents we chose. Onto the events: Our wonderful helpers over both days On the Scent-ers Little Helpers: (Friday) William Borrell @vallensefragrances Amanda Carr @wewearperfume Sharon Whiting @scentinelcomms (Saturday) Thomas @makingscentsmakesense Hester @peacock.vintage FRIDAY: ****Nicola’s fragrances: 1. Clive Christian E Cashmere Musk Top notes: Baies Rose, Sichuan Pepper, and Fresh Ginger. Heart notes: Fleuriste Fusion, Egyptian Jasmin, and Cashmeran. Base: Guaiacwood, Ambroxan, and Musks. 2. Perfumer H Flower No.1 A bouquet of white flowers to turn heads and capture the imagination. Tuberose (India), jasmine (Egypt), orange flower (Tunisia) and rose oil (Turkey) rest on a silken base of sandalwood, vanilla bourbon and white musk. 3. Nest Hypnotic Amber golden amber, Indian cardamom, dark woods, patchouli, incense, vanilla, and rose, Mirabelle plum oil. 4. Frederic Malle Acne Studios Aldehydes, Rose, Peach, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk. 5. Ormonde Jayne Sybarite Top: Hazelnut, Timur, Pink Pepper and Pepper; middle notes are Vanilla, Butter, Orris, Jasmine and Rose; base notes are Vanilla Absolute, Woody Notes, Labdanum and Musk. ****Suzy’s fragrances: 1.Acqua di Parma Buongiorno Top notes: Lemon Essence, Spearmint Essence , Rosemary Essence , Codistillation Basil & Petitgrain essences Heart notes: Lavandin Essence , Mandarin Leaves Accord. Base notes: Cedarwood Leaves Essence, Amber Accord, White Musks 2.ANFORH Kist Top: Sandalwood, Blonde Woods, Havanalite (pressed-linen polish) Heart: Sandalwood, Laotian Benzoin Resinoid (aged 24 months; smoky and resinous), Vintage Paperback Accord Base: Texan Cedarwood (fresh-sawn timber warmth), Cypriol, Cashmeran 3.Amouage Lustre Top Notes: Cardamom, Orris Heart Notes: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Cedarwood Base Notes: Benzoin, Labdanum, Vanilla, Cypriol, Styrax, Tonka Bean, Myrrh 4.Guerlain Shalimar L’Essence “Delphine Jelk has added the precious Madagascan vanilla tincture stemming from Guerlain's ancestral know-how to the ethylvanillin found in Jacques Guerlain’s original formula, giving Shalimar a new intensity. Discreet and subtle, bergamot illuminates the floral heart which blends rose absolute with the powdery elegance of iris. Little by little, Shalimar’s amber note unfolds. Used in abundance, vanilla infuses it with new facets – smooth and woody with a hint of leather.” 5.Jeroboam Kun Amo Esperanto to English - kun amo. with love. A luminous and sensual perfume extract in which pear reigns supreme. Sun-drenched, luscious and seductive, the fruit mingles with a generous dose of sweetness and captivating aromas, underpinned by modern, ambery woods and the house’s emblematic musks. SATURDAY: ****Nicola’s fragrances: 1. Ormonde Jayne X’ian ‘Nutmeg, rhubarb, musk and sandalwood HEAD Black...

    1h 27m

  3. 12/04/2025

    Season 7 Ep 15: Holy Smoke! Our Favourite Incense Fragrances

    Incense is having a real moment and in this episode we're exploring why and also talking through some of our favourite incense scents. Why is incense so popular again?  Incense has moved from temples and churches into living rooms, studios and perfume wardrobes; it’s become a chic, modern ritual as much as a smell. Trend reports link the boom to the hunger for spiritual and holistic practices – incense is an easy way to pause, “set an intention” and create a little ceremony around everyday life. Incense vs frankincense  “Incense” is the whole blend you burn – it might be on a stick, cone, coil or rope – and can contain resins, woods, herbs, spices and florals.  “Frankincense” (also called olibanum) is one particular resin, tapped from Boswellia sacra trees in Oman, Yemen and parts of the Horn of Africa.  Etymology you can play with: “frankincense” comes from Old French “franc encens” – high quality or “pure” incense – while “incense” itself goes back to Latin for “to burn.”  When a perfume lists “incense” as a note, it may mean a full accord of resins (frankincense, myrrh, opoponax, labdanum, elemi, woods, flowers) or a composition that highlights frankincense alone. What incense actually smells like  Frankincense: resinous yet airy; earthy, piney, slightly smoky with a surprising citrus brightness.  Myrrh: darker, spicier, slightly medicinal and very “churchy”, often associated with ritual and antiquity.  Opoponax: honeyed, vanillic, balsamic and comforting – it softens the harsher edges of smoke.  Labdanum: rich, ambery, leathery and almost animalic; gives incense perfumes that plush, warm body.  Elemi: sharp, lemony, peppery resin that brings sparkle and lift to the smoke.  Woods (sandalwood, cedar etc.): add dryness, creaminess or pencilshaving smokiness and form the backbone of many incenseheavy fragrances. Quotes from perfumers:  Francis Kurkdjian on why he loves Japanese incense at home: partly practicality, because “it fills the room in five minutes, whereas candles take ages.”  Yasmin Sewell on the moodshift: “Where a candle may take twenty minutes to resonate in your space, when you light incense there is an immediate scent that fills the room.”  Sewell again on why incense made more sense than candles for her brand’s next step: “I felt that incense really connected with our values, since it’s been used in spiritual rituals for so long,” and “what I really love about incense is that it shifts the mood instantly.”  Lyn Harris on her daily ritual: “It sets a spiritual tone to my day,” and incense is “an ethereal veil that lingers in the air.” She burns it in the morning to set her mood, sometimes midday to reinvigorate her senses, and even before bed so “there is a sensual haze passing over my nostrils before I sleep.”  Chris Rusak on the psychology of burning it: incense is “a great vehicle for empowerment or catharsis via controlled destruction” and “incense use is intentional. It requires fire or directed heat for full expression, which we must effect, contain, and control, in order to destroy it but not ourselves.”  How it’s harvested: frankincense resin oozes from cuts in the Boswellia sacra tree and dries into golden “tears”, sometimes called “frankincense tears” or “olibanum tears”.  The jinn love story: a girl from the jinn falls in love with a human boy – forbidden, of course. As punishment she’s turned into a tree; her grief becomes crystal tears that people burn on coal for healing smoke with a bitter taste that mourns lost love.  Ecology: frankincense forests in northern Ethiopia are under threat as they’re...

    31 min

  4. 11/27/2025

    Season 7 Ep 14: Christmas Gift Guide (that won’t break the bank):

    Nicola: Penhaligon's Festive Mini Set https://www.penhaligons.com/uk/en/p/festive-mini-set-for-her-5x5-ml--000000000065224079 Jo Malone London Festive Cologne Duo https://www.jomalone.co.uk/product/26322/127599/gift-sets/festive-cologne-duo Bamford Geranium Candle https://shop.claridges.co.uk/products/bamford-geranium-candle?srsltid=AfmBOopvh-fHP_E4r3friAxcOw4J40HInA0W1PQfVTCUGf2Ym_wb9mHM Neal's Yard Orange and Geranium Hand Soap https://www.nealsyardremedies.com/products/geranium-orange-hand-wash?_pos=2&_psq=orange+and+geranium&_ss=e&_v=1.0 Granado Gift Sets https://www.granado.uk/uk/amazonico-scented-suitcase Suzy: Meadowfarm Smoked Honey & Orange 1 Wick Candle £25 ‘This stunning new candle is inspired by my love of bee keeping. It’s a unique blend of bergamot, orange flowers and ylang ylang, with added honey notes and just a hint of smokiness from the amber. It’s summery and bright, yet has an intricate depth to it. This is guaranteed to be one of your new favourites, it’s perfect for summer but will work equally well all year round.’ https://meadowfarmlifestyle.co.uk/shop/candles/smoked-honey-orange/ Lords Fragrance House Cotswold Scented Hand Dipped Taper Candles £30 ‘Inspired by days spent with my best friend in the serene beauty of the English country side. This fragrance captures cottage gardens, surrounded by rolling hills, on sunny days spent laughing in the sunshine. A delicate blend of bergamot, lemon and orange, with heart notes of rosemary, lavender and mint, with a cedar and vetiver base. The perfect scent for those seeking a moment of calm.’ https://lordsfragrancehouse.com/products/monteverde-scented-hand-dipped-tapered-candles-copy Boujee Bougies Candles (now 50% off RRP!) £30 Tart: ‘What comes to mind when you think of tartness? We wanted to capture that delicious, mouth-watering, and life-affirming taste sensation. Tart is our vivid homage to fresh tarts and invigorating teas - a feel good tonic with irreverent and unexpected twists. Tart is lush with greenery – cool, refreshing herbal notes of mint and basil - and fizzing with fruitiness – the juicy flesh of green plum and blackcurrant. To make sure it’s zesty, we played with the crisp zing of lemon, rhubarb, and ginger, and served it all over ice with the sweet apricot facets of osmanthus. Tart is vibrant, fun, and uplifting AF. Scent impressionsMouthwatering, moreish, green-hued tartness Notes listMint, Lemon, Blue Ginger, Cassis, Green Plum, Rhubarb, Basil, Osmanthus, Moss, Musk’ a href="https://eaudeboujee.com/collections/boujee-bougies/products/tart-candle" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    56 min

  5. 11/20/2025

    Season 7, Episode 13: Scenting the Ballet & What We’re Wearing

    In the podcast this week, Suzy & Nicola talk fragrances they’ve been obsessed with wearing lately (& some are quite unexpected…) Plus, there’s an absolutely BRILLIANT #listenerprescription from ballet costume designer Isabelle, who asked for recommendations to scent her way through working on costumes for a 2026 tour of Don Quixote - dreaming of Spanish sunshine in the depths of a chilly English winter! Fragrances we can’t stop wearing… Nicola: @nosuparfum Been Trying to Meet You - wistful, hay & meadow-infused memories @nosuparfum Sain No More - Smoked herbaceous rituals welcome a fresh start @merit Retrospect - Nostalgia meets newness via juicy sparkles & second-skin @floraiku Sand & Skin - Amber-glazed skin, vanilla horizons & gilded dreams @bamford Geranium Candle – Instantly-uplifting botanical bliss Suzy: @angelaflanders Rose Sauvage – Dew-bright, berried wild rose bursts with sheer joy @headspaceparfum Rose - A rose frozen in glass, awoken by a silver bullet @bdkparfumsparis 312 Saint-Honoré - Couture chalky floral drifts chic clouds of comfort @memoizeperfume Imber - Succulent cherry, cassis & rhubarb spiced to a musky trail @juliettehasagun Powder Love - Marshmallow, sugared almond & a gentle hug #listenerprescription for Isabelle / Don Quixote ballet: Principal Lady @monegalperfumes Flamenco extrait – Raspberries, roses & sizzling saffron woodiness. Passion personified @lartisanparfumeur Histoire d’Oranger – Orange trees, dappled sunlight & tendrils of incense @parfumsmicallef Ylang in Gold – A solar shimmer of ylang-ylang, orange, fluffy vanilla & coconut for a glimmering finalé The Rascals @jusboxperfumes Studio 54 – Cocktails, cardamom-studded vanilla & naughty patchouli – for hedonists: flamboyant & ready for anything @rndl.ltd Together – Bergamot & mandarin, irresistible vanilla praline & a spicy trail of suede – the scent of friendship & assurance for scene-stealers The scent of Spain @lamontagnacandles Winter Oranges – The scent of a Valencian orange harvest, warmly spiced, evoking citrus-soaked sunsets & festive cheer @alvarez_gomez_perfumes Agua de Colonia Concentrada – Mediterranean lemons & aromatic herbs, bottled Spanish sunshine with historic soul

    48 min

  6. 11/13/2025

    Sculpture of the Invisible x Perfume Prescriptions

    Listener @somestarrynight messaged us from Paris about the @maisonfranciskurkdjian installation at @palaisdetokyo (on until 23 November - so hurry if you want to see it!) As it happens, Laurent from @ostens_official shared smelling strips from the expo at a recent dinner, a reminder of scent’s communal, artful side. So although we can’t get to see it, we *have* smelled the scents created for it) Perfume: Sculpture of the Invisible (celebrating 20 years of MFK & @franciskurkdjian_official’s olfactive artistry - scenting galleries, theatrical performances, music, & places) “has opened up perfume to new forms and destinations, taking it out of the bottle.” - Jérôme Neutres, Exhibition Curator #perfumeprescriptions 17-year old listener Sadbh asks for starting points in perfume shopping, balancing jasmine, fresh ginger, roses, amber, and not-too-sweet vanilla Our guidance: @marksandspencerstyle Spiced Amber EDT: powdery depths, amber heart, cedar and geranium @marksandspencerstyle Apothecary Warmth EDP: cardamom, cinnamon, cedarwood, sandalwood for warming comfort Nicola notes that niche shop @bloomperfumery’s site suggests related scents when you search a name, and well-trained staff at perfume departments can be invaluable - don’t be afraid to ask them for help. @tocca Wonders Collection (stocked @theperfumeshop) – £55 for 6 x 5ml EDP: Florence Eau de Parfum: green garden bouquet of gardenia, tuberose, iris; Parisian romance. Cleopatra EDP: grapefruit, jasmine, patchouli—seductive and regal. Stella EDP: citrus and florals with Italian sunshine; breezy, radiant. Lucia EDP: sunlit lemon, vetiver, fig; slow living, luminous. Laila EDP: luxurious indulgence, confident sensuality. Colette EDP: citrus, floral, woods; Parisian literary spirit with daring edge. New fragrances @oliverbonas Fig & Tonka, Pomelo & Basil EDPs (£12.50 each) Mandarin & Jasmine, Warm Oud & Saffron EDTs (£20 full size, £9.50 rollers) Also at Oliver Bonas: @floralstreet_: Wild Vanilla Orchid (£28/10ml); vanilla, jasmine, cassis with bamboo and sandalwood. @ghostfragrances Orb of Night (£24/30ml EDP): Dark fruit, jasmine, roasted tonka—sundown to sunrise. We’re plotting a full episode on this topic of helping those who feel overwhelmed by choice / want affordable starting points, & will also crowd-source tips from friends of the pod! Nicola talks about the new scent from @granadobrazil Amazonica The wonderful Claire @paperbackperfumes asks for a green / woodland-like, non-powdery violet scent… Our picks: @murphyanddaughters Violet Perfume Oil (Melbourne): violet leaf heart, violet flower high note; green and sparkling @orizalegrand Violettes du Czar: violet-forward with green citrus undertones, smoky woods, iris in the background @molinardparfums Violette: violet with black currant, bergamot, lemon; layered floral notes @olfactivestudio Violet Shot: green grass, violet leaf, leather, patchouli; violet with edge

    45 min

  7. 11/06/2025

    Haunting Fragrances & a Scented Story

    In this week’s episode we’re talking about atmospheric fragrances we love, which helped set the scene for our Halloween Scented Story. Because we believe just as reading a book can be an escape route; so too can perfume be a portal…  You can watch the whole story from the start by clicking on the Halloween highlight circle beneath our Instagram bio @onthescentpodcast Using those fragrances and describing them as part of our Scented Story, we infused the spooky tale with scents you can go and smell for yourselves (or perhaps have already experienced).  We so hope you enjoy this deep-dive into fragrance, mood, memory and scented scene-setting.  Meanwhile, we’d LOVE it if you were inspired to smell along with us by either collecting samples of the following scents or (as we’ know it’s not always possible), to imagine which fragrances you’d have used for each section.  We chose:  Chapter 1: Suzy @marcantoinebarrois - Ganymede Extrait @thesocietyofalchemists - Familiars 2: Nicola @erisparfums - Green Spell @pinewardperfume - Funerie 3: Suzy @millerharris - WANDER through the parks @headspaceparfums - Styrax @diptyque - L’Eau Papier 4: Nicola @perfumerhlondon- Dust  @naomigoodsir - Bois d’Ascèse @sergeslutens - Lait du Dent  5: Suzy @diptyque - Feu du Bois candle  @lorenzovilloresi - Teint de Neige  6: Nicola  @bienaime_1935 - Vermeil @the_virtue - Holy Smoke 7: Suzy @beaufortlondon - Sirenide @thesocietyofalchemists - ’Til Death @shopforas - Mushroom Forest @soulnotes.co - Soul Notes @marksandspencerstyle - Apothecary Reassure

    1h 7m

  8. 10/30/2025

    Season 7 Episode 10: Pomelo Picks, Mood-Changing Scents & Cool, Cosy Leathers

    In this week’s On the Scent Podcast we’re back with your #perfumeprescription postbag – finding perfect matches for every mood & memory. You write in with such gorgeous questions & we love nothing more than playing fragrant matchmakers! Sharon asked for a bright, zesty replacement for her mum’s beloved Bahoma Pomelo Grapefruit. We suggested  these citrus stunners: @boadicea_the_victorious Energizer – glowing grapefruit, vetiver & soft musks. @sana_jardin Air of Aquarius – lemon & rosemary serenity. @jamesheeley Pomelo Crush – crisp grapefruit & white florals. @hermeticaofficial Pomeloflow – radiant pomelo, rhubarb & jasmine. @ruthmastenbroek Signature – sparkling mandarin & soft woods. Susan asked about wellbeing fragrances following our discussion of the @ifra Fragrance Forum. Curious about how scent truly lifts our mood? Brands like @edenisteofficial, @esteelauder, @yslbeauty, @native, @pacorabanne & many more are exploring neuro-perfume science – using aroma to boost happiness, calm & focus. Finally, Robyn’s craving a sexy, cool yet cosy leather perfume. Try: @chanelofficial Cuir de Russie – smoky jasmine & birch. @tomford Tuscan Leather – supple leather & amberwood. @marcantoinebarrois B683 – saffron & soft woods. @millerharris Soufflot – hazelnut-tobacco leather cocoon. @beaufortlondon Coeur de Noir – inky leather, rum & pipe smoke. @headspaceperfums Styrax – amber, labdanum & animalic skin warmth. Listen to the full questions then let us know which scents would YOU pick for their prescriptions?   #OnTheScentPodcast

    52 min
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4.8
out of 5
66 Ratings

About

On The Scent is the podcast destination for anyone fascinated by fragrance (or keen to learn more) – a place where perfume snobbery is stripped away, and fragrance is accessible to all. What began as a monthly sniff-in on the Outspoken Beauty Podcast soon became so popular in its own right (and with so many listeners sending in questions and asking for more) that On the Scent just had to go weekly - this time on its own perfumed platform! Encompassing everything from icons and all-time classics to what’s new on the high street to the more ‘niche’ indie brands; Beauty broadcaster and columnist Nicola Bonn and award-winning fragrance journalist and expert Suzy Nightingale give personalised perfume prescriptions, describe fragrances in such an intoxicating way you can almost smell them and help navigate the thousands of scents out there to find the truly incredible ones. Also expect interviews with well-known figures, delving into their favourite scents of all time and opportunities to get to know some of the most exciting perfumers in the world. Whether you’ve a collection of 500+ or are just starting on your scent journey, olfactory obsessives Nicola & Suzy are on a mission to find you fragrances that don’t simply smell good, but will re-connect you to long forgotten memories, engage your emotions and very likely blow your mind.

Information

  • Creator
    Nicola Bonn
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    220
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Nicola Bonn
  • Show Website
    On The Scent

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