Monthly favourites remain of my favourite things to watch on the internet but in terms of creating, they’re a little harder for me.

I would love to be the type of organised creator that can film a monthly favourites video at the end of every month but alas, sometimes I don’t think to do it until the next month is halfway through.

That’s why I try to do quarterly roundups of things I’ve been loving – still fun, but less commitment.

The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods, $162

Shop: The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods, $162

Vanilla is one of my favourite perfume notes so I love a linear vanilla perfume. This is one of the best I have come across. It smells like vanilla essence and condensed milk with a little hint of caramel underneath it.

It’s warming and cosy and it seems to float around you without being too heavy or cloying. I also love that this will last you a solid 8+ hours without ever becoming too much even in the heat. She’s perfect to me.

The 7 Virtues Candied Lychee, $162

Shop: The 7 Virtues Candied Lychee, $162

If you grew up with the hello kitty bubblegum body mist or pink sugar (or both) then may I present to you your next perfume obsession. Candied lychee is not too juvenile or cloying but it does smell like the next evolution of both those scents.

It smells like peony petals that have been soaked in lychee juice and topped with sugar crystals. It also smells like the colour pink, specifically the shade full pink (HEX code #FF80BF). 

Diptyque L’eau Papier, from $191

Shop: Diptyque L’eau Papier, from $191

Hear me out, this is the perfume for people who love journalling. It was inspired by calligraphy ink soaking into white paper and the act of writing. I describe it as what the folklore cardigan probably smells like.

In reality, it smells like a steaming bowl of rice that’s been topped with toasted sesame seeds. It is starchy, a little gourmand and oh so cozy. 

Setsuna Dancing in the Moonlight, from $25

Shop: Setsuna Dancing in the Moonlight, from $25

The woollies mudcakes are iconic but I’ve never loved the caramel one. It’s nice but if we’re craving caramel, my grocery store cake of choice is the sponge cake that’s topped with alternating peaks of caramel and cream.

This perfume smells exactly like that to me. It’s a caramel cake that isn’t very heavy or overwhelming or sickening.

It remains vanillic and airy and soft somehow and I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like it. Plus you’d be supporting a small Australian business and word on the street is they have a new launch on the way. 

Glossier You Fleur, from $56

Shop: Glossier You Fleur, from $56

Hi my name is Praise and I have still not smelt the original glossier you… I am however in love with it’s 3rd flanker aptly named You Fleur. You Fleur has the original ambrette and musk vibes of the original (or so I’ve heard) with some added notes of mineral salt, apricot skin and osmanthus.

The result is a skin scent that feels the way walking out of the ocean in slow motion would feel. It smells like you were wearing a light musky floral then swam in the ocean. It’s airy and solar and makes me want to rewatch Teen Beach Movie.

Dedcool Sunlit Blooms, from $52

Shop: Dedcool Sunlit Blooms, from $52

Another salty floral because I know what I like. Dedcool remains one of my favourite brands and this is another stellar scent from their line-up. This is an orange blossom perfume that could convert any orange blossom haters.

It’s fresh and a little green, not as intensely sweet as orange blossom can sometimes be and it’s all underlined with this fluffy and creamy salted vanilla cream in the base. 

D.S. & Durga I Don’t Know What, from $306

Shop: D.S. & Durga I Don’t Know What, from $306

I received a 5mL of this in a beauty loop and though I wasn’t sure about it at first, after a few wears I was hooked. This isn’t a musky skin scent like any I have encountered before.

This is a molecular, woody skin scent. If you’re not familiar with iso-e-super, it’s a molecular compound that at times can smell like static to my nose [in the best way].

This to me smells like a NYC it-girl, it doesn’t smell like a perfume, more like the olfactory result of her mysterious wealth and general coolness. It’s musky, woody and a little spicy, absolutely incredible on its own or layered with anything in your collection. 

Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa 59, $41

Shop: Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa 59, $41

This is without a doubt my favourite scent from Sol de Janeiro and it sparks so much joy. It’s a melted ice-cream vanilla sort of scent with this airy violet muskiness – a beautiful and easy to wear masterpiece.

If body mists scare you or you’re afraid that they might smell cheap or juvenile, start here, this brand has so many gems and this one is in my opinion the easiest one to like.

Plus, like all their other scents, Sol de Janeiro makes it super simple to layer by providing multiple body care products all in the same scent so you can incorporate the scent into every part of your routine. 

Ormaie L’ivree Bleue, $355

Shop: Ormaie L’ivree Bleue, $355

This is one of the chicest, almost gourmands I have in my collection. I picked up a bottle because they were 50% at Libertine and City Perfume and I had a memory of Hannah English talking about her love for this scent.

This is a boozy, cocoa, vanilla with some powdery purple florals. It’s not edible or overwhelming but it does have some sweetness in there.

I would describe it as smelling like a nightcap taken at a vintage makeup vanity and some cocoa powder dusted truffles. It’s one of the only things that makes cold weather bearable to me. 

Let me know what your favourites from the first half of the year are and if you have any recommendations, leave them down below too. 

xx