Best London by Burberry Alternatives & Similar Perfumes

Matilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon I, was known for her breasts (“le plus beau décolleté”) and her talent as a painter. She also hosted a celebrated 19th-century Parisian salon attended by the greatest artists and writers of her time. This namesake perfume is an olfactory salon of provocative white florals (ylang-ylang, narcissus, jasmine) given tropical succulence with passion fruit and papaya. Mathilde’s heady brightness is softened by iris and sandalwood.

This “divine flower” is a luminous, untamed floral that captures the serenity of nature in motion. It starts bright and light: lemongrass and passion fruit, opening up to peony and lily of the valley. Watery, ethereal cyclamen drenches the richness of jasmine, ylang-ylang and narcissus like dew over a meadow. The drydown is green, a mingling of eucalyptus and sage with peppermint, juniper and pine, grounded by 
Mysore sandalwood and a hint of vanilla bourbon.

From the ethereal perspective of the exquisitely adorned hummingbird, the world is an endless kaleidoscope of colourful, fragrant blooms offering up their tempting delights. An insatiable desire for sweetness propels the hummingbird as it floats from flower to flower, sampling the nectar with a gentle touch of its delicate tongue. Retreating to its lichen and moss-lined nest, it settles into the cozy cocoon and dreams of sweet ambrosia.

Hummingbird mingles light floral tones with delectable fruity nectars to create a harmonious balance. This diaphanous scent alights upon you in a pastel bouquet of honeysuckle, mimosa, lilac and peonies, with just the lightest dusting of natural sugars found in pear, cherry and honey. A finishing dollop of velvety whipped cream melds the tantalizing notes, completing this irresistible and opulent perfume.

Perfumer: Shelley Waddington

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The Sniff on Hummingbird:

"[it] settles beautifully and as it warms more floral notes develop. There was a strong lilac and something that reminds me of Viburnum – a sweet, almost jasmine-like smell."

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The soft, gentle, enveloping fragrance of Teint de Neige in its most concentrated version. Recalling images and atmosphere of the belle-époque, with sweet and powdery notes of jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang on a base of musk, tonka beans and heliotrope.

In amongst the botanical collections and wonders of a Victorian glasshouse often found is the Orchid; one of many botanical rarities that for decades was the jewel and marvel of many an Edwardian and Victorian botanical explorer.

Ophrys is a summery botanical potion of great standing, with green aromatic and floral undertones that capture daring romantic notions of an era gone by, a love for exploration, discovery and the classical splendour of the English garden in bloom one balmy late summer afternoon. Here we present to you an ode to the great Plant Hunters of yesteryear.

Iles d’Or conjures Molinard's connection to the Mediterranean’s azure waters and the southern coasts of Provence. Guided by the scents of the dense Provençal maquis, this delightfully bright fern centred perfume explores the heated mix of lavender, sarsaparilla, and heather. With bright citrus and a floral essence one feels a siren song to this island of paradise.

A voluptuous amber built around the formidable floral trio of magnolia, peony and Bulgarian rose. Adding spice to the headiness is nutmeg and cardamom, and the lusciousness is heightened by a custardy vanilla, with a playful wink of tangerine. Tender orange blossom further encourages the decadence. Laetitia features millesimé notes: like in fine wines and liqueurs, these are the extracts obtained from the best years of production.

Inspired by flowers frozen in ice and dramatic winter skies transforming into spring — a fleeting moment captured in scent. The crisp, green effect of cassis leaves is overlaid with blackcurrant sparkle, adding buoyancy to the syrupy rose. Matcha tea lends a brewed, vegetal quality.

The rose in Italian is “la rosa”. Reverse the perspective, come at it from a different angle, go right to left, and you get “Asoral”. This extrait burrows into the very essence of a young, dewy-petalled rose, taking you on a journey from the outside world to the inner you. This is achieved with a union of Turkish rose and Rosa Lani, a complex rose with vibrations of liquorice, tea and hay. Creamy magnolia, rosy-esque peony and soft musks add even more plushness, elevating Asoral to a radiant smile-bringer.

Perfumer: Cristiano Canali