.png)
Fragrances have always played a special role in my life, especially on days when words can’t quite describe how I’m feeling. The beauty about fragrances for people like me is that they help to set the tone for the day, which is why in the morning, it’s important for me to walk out the door wearing a particular scent. Upon learning about the opening of the all-new Escentials boutique in Suria KLCC, the first thought that came to my mind was that I’d be walking into a perfume haven like the ones I’ve seen in London, and guess what? My prediction was right.
Located on the ground floor of the iconic shopping mall, the 53 sqm space sits at one end of the beauty zone and right across the Cos store, where shoppers and fragrance lovers wouldn’t miss it thanks to the warm lighting and atmosphere, as well as the variety of fragrances that’s available here.
Escentials, a niche beauty omni-retail concept store of Luxasia, was birthed and grown in Singapore 15 years ago. To date, Escentials has opened three stores and partnered with more than 70 of the finest beauty brands in the world. In total, the Suria KLCC boutique carries eight brands comprising of five exclusive perfume brands – Amouage, Bulgari, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Penhaligon’s and Van Cleef & Arpels, alongside two brands that carry not just fragrances but home, bath and body products too – Acqua di Parma and Björk & Berries, as well as By Terry that offers makeup essentials and skincare.
I thought that spending time at the Escentials boutique was a refreshing way to take a short break from the busy streets of KL. Trust me when I say that you’re not going to be able to leave this place in a jiffy because there’s just so much to discover about yourself through the products that are available here. Ahead, you’ll find our top picks from the store:
Penhaligon’s
Even before entering the boutique, the first range of fragrances that got me excited was Penhaligon’s that’s beautifully arranged in a display unit adorned with floral designs. Founded by William Penhaligon who started his career as a barber in London, all of Penhaligon’s perfumes carry a strong and classic vibe that’ll take you back in time to the Victorian era. If you’re unsure which fragrance would suit you best, fret not cos there’s a fragrance profiling game that you can try on a touchscreen in store to guide you through your personality and help you narrow down some scents to match your taste. If I had to pick a favourite, it’s got to be Penhaligon’s Portraits – The Coveted Duchess Rose EDP as I’m usually drawn to floral scents like this one, but with something extra. Filled with sunny, citrusy notes from mandarin on top to floral rose notes and backed by woody and musky undertones, this perfume is perfect for those who enjoy releasing subtle hints of their elegant side but would prefer to exude a strong façade to the world most of the time.
Penhaligon’s Portraits – The Coveted Duchess Rose EDP (75ml) retails at RM1,240.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
On the right side of the Escentials boutique, you’d spot a pink series of fragrances from Maison Francis Kurkdjian which’ll remind you of the beautiful holidays that you must miss a lot by now! Founded in 2009 by renowned perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian and Marc Chaya who’s the CEO and co-founder of the Maison, the fragrances are designed in the tradition of luxury French perfumery and will give you a chance to dream and explore your adventurous senses through its creations. From the variety of fragrances that were available in store, my favourite’s got to be the Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP. Suitable for both men and women, this perfume was released to celebrate the French manufacturer of crystals, Baccarat’s 250th anniversary back in 2015. The top notes of jasmine and saffron made me visualise myself in a foreign land, surrounded by nature, after which came the fresh and sweet scent of ambergris. A few hours later, the journey changed and it smelled like a good aftershave thanks to the cedarwood used, and I must say, it was exactly how I visualised a perfect holiday with my dream man to be!
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP (70ml) retails at RM1,200.
Björk & Berries
I hadn’t heard of Swedish eco-luxury brand, Björk and Berries, prior to discovering it at Escentials. In a nutshell, the brand is owned by CEO, Isabelle Lewenhaupt and her family, and is based in the north of Sweden where they’ve got their own mountain garden in which a few select ingredients are grown. With a philosophy to be kind to the skin, people, animals and nature, Björk and Berries takes pride in being a sustainable slow beauty brand that uses natural and organic ingredients, and this message shines through all its products. A quick glance at the available range in store tells me that besides unisex fragrances, it’s got bath and body products too, and after taking a good whiff of the scents, I can conclude that they’re easily likeable and come with a unique touch that makes you want to smell them again and again after a little while! My favourite from the brand is Never Spring, followed closely by Fjällsjö and Mareld. Björk and Berries’ EDPs are inspired by Sweden’s volatile seasons and its unique nature, and Never Spring is a green and crisp scent with notes of lemon and cedarwood that, together, represents a longing for spring which never seems to arrive. In addition, if you’re into simple yet aesthetically-pleasing bottles, you’re bound to like this series!
Björk and Berries Never Spring EDP (50ml) retails at RM490.
In the meantime, check out the beautiful space before you head there!
Featured image: Escentials
Edited by: Lester Liang
.svg){kind=small}