2 Floral perfumes we love right now

The latest of Hermes' famous garden-inspired fragrances is redolent of Chinese gardens. For inspiration, the brand's in-house perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena visited China's Suzhou and Hangzhou, as well as the ancient gardens of the palaces in Beijing.

Mr Ellena describes the experiences: "I remembered the scent of the pools, of the jasmine, the wet stones, the plum trees, the kumquats and the giant bamboo. The Sichuan pepper bushes were as thorny as roses and the leaves gave off a lemony scent."

The result is a light citrusy perfume with white flower and green notes.

#2 DIPTYQUE FLORABELLIO EDT
$144 for 50ml, from Escentials boutiques

This is an "olfactory image" of a path which leads from apple blossom woods to the coastline. Light green and fruity-floral notes of the apple blossom intermingle with the leathery scent of osmanthus absolute, the aroma of fennel essence, and a breezy, salty accord. The surprising base? Bitter roasted coffee.

This story was first published on The Straits Times Urban on May 22, 2015.