Best Sérénade by Vertus Alternatives & Similar Perfumes

HAF translates to summer and is pronounced "haarv".

A niche perfume with an intense burst of citrus gradually unfurls to reveal vibrant florals conjuring up the heady sunshine of a summer’s day.

A carefree fruity progression of sweet citruses, honeyed jasmine and delicious mango.

Nirmala means “pure” in Hindi and the perfume is a bright generous formula akin in its vibes to the colorful Holi festival of colors. A celebration which involves people throwing colored powder on each other and squirting each other with water guns.

This fragrance captures the essence of a Chinese summer — the tingling mint and cool eucalyptus of dusky mountain air, the aromatics of shiso, lavender and chamomile as the darkness deepens, the grounding woods and greens of cypress, vetiver and galbanum. A dream of summer rewritten — nostalgic and gently magical.

Perfumer: Jin Yongshan

A confident potion and a tribute to those who are not only prepared to take a gamble, but relish it, laughing in the face of adversity. For here is an ode to modern day British entrepreneurial optimism, life is moving fast, fortunes are being made and lost, but let’s face it, the journey is where the thrill is at its most potent.

Brash and loud is not Audacity’s style; it is far more refined. This unisex fragrance oozes a level of confident subtle sophistication, with it’s aromatic, citrus qualities ascending from an oriental woody base. Audacity is quietly noticeable, daring and bold, but sees no need to shout about it’s merits; people take notice anyway.

Spiritually, number two symbolizes balance, a reminder that we are all connected. When we attune our inner self with our outer experiences, a profound equilibrium emerges. Kajal II, with its peach and bright aromatics playing against deep oakmoss, sandalwood and musk, is a tribute to this serene duality.

Perfumer: Rosendeo Mateu

Perfumer: Chris Maurice

A smell-good-like-you-feel-good perfume, reminiscent of carefree hangouts with friends powered by “herbal inhalants”. Mainstream is a beautifully modulated cannabis fragrance, its grapefruit and lime kick-off nicely balanced by the long guaiac wood, patchouli and vetiver fadeout. 

Step out into the world clean-with-a-sheen thanks to the dewy freshness of this smile-bringer. The initial grapefruit/mandarin kick opens up into creamy magnolia and tart apple, underscored with woody vetiver and cedar.

Symbolically, three is a powerful number which represents the wholeness of a completed cycle — the past, the present, the future. We are not defined by our hardships, but by how we confront them: the discipline of optimism, the courage of resolve. Kajal III, with its burst of ginger and citrus anchored by cleansing lavender and enfolding amber, has been created to honor all forms of determination and fortitude.

Perfumer: Kevin Mathis

Time-honoured accord of roses and jasmine with dashing notes of orange blossom and bergamot but veers away and deepens with patchouli, cedar wood and fanned with a big hearted warm amber molecule, expertly synergised to create a perfectly balanced but hypnotic and opulent perfume.

Ambre Royal is to be treasured and trusted for it is both strong and sensual, warm but powerful.

Within the grand halls of the Tang dynasty, a solitary dancer, Yuyi, steps into the light. Her grace feels almost celestial, a fragment of heaven quietly descended into the mortal world. One dance is enough to captivate an entire city. Celestial Robe traces her steps with this fougere, starting with the zesty opening movement: tart orange, lemon and rhubarb, with pine and grapefruit adding sharpness and clarity. Galbanum underscores the green aspects, as a bouquet of woods (cedarwood and guaiac wood) and plush musk and ambergris round off the choreography.

Perfumer: Fanming Meng