These fragrances are pricey, but they’re practically works of art

In the beauty sphere, a beautiful package doesn’t always mean a winning formula, but often, great design is a signal that what’s inside the box, tube or bottle is the business. Here are six favourites.

Map of the Heart Gold Heart V.4 ($295). This Australian-designed, French-made fragrance brand was launched in 2014 by filmmakers Sarah Blair and the late Jeffrey Darling. The distinctive bottle, which was designed by Pierre Dinand, is based on an anatomically correct heart and fits perfectly in the palm of a hand. At the core of this fragrance, which was developed by master perfumer Jacques Huclier, are notes of cardamom, cinnamon and pink pepper, which give way to a heart of warm milk overdosed with saffron.

Amouage Gold Woman 100ml EDP ($599). While we are on fragrances, a standout for both bottle and contents is this hard-hitting floral comprising lily-of-the-valley, rockrose, frankincense, iris, jasmine, myrrh, civet and musk. The distinctive golden, hand-finished bottle is a pure joy to have and to hold. This is a keeper on all fronts.

Dior Forever Glow Luminizer in Blue Strobe ($102). When it comes to make-up packaging, we can always rely on Dior to raise the bar. The silver compact looks great in any handbag, while inside, the highlighter is packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid. While it’s on the cutting-edge of make-up technology, the quilting detail harks back to the chairs used at Christian Dior’s first couture show in 1947.

Merit Bronze Balm Sheer Bronzer ($52). We love the twist-up oval cream bronze bullet that makes for easy “no mirror” application to both cheeks and eyelids. Merit’s “less is more” beauty mantra is close to our hearts, and we love that the eye-catching gold packaging is made from 43 per cent recycled plastic, too.

Balmain x Trudon Ernesto candle ($270). A design ode would not be complete without a signature candle. This collector’s piece was developed by Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing and perfumer Emilie Bouge; its bold, hand-applied gold stripes are reminiscent of the traditional French Breton stripe, while the scent features cedarwood, nutmeg and leather.

Fluff Refillable Lip Oil ($59). Australian founder Erika Geraerts created this compact in 2018 in response to the beauty industry’s emphasis on over-consumption. It’s designed to feel like a “small jewellery object”, is made from zamac (a metal alloy), and shaped like a soft cloud with its clever refillable pans for lip oils, cream blush and bronzing powder.

ASK STEPH

What sunscreen should I buy for winter?
Well done for committing to sun protection throughout the cooler months. La Roche-Posay has just released its Anthelios UVMune 400 Ultra Invisible Fluid SPF 50+ ($36), which promises to be lightweight, and throw no white cast, so it’s perfect on its own or under make-up.

Send questions via Instagram, @mrssdarling.

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