Hello, everyone, and welcome to another of my reviews. In this article, I’ll be reviewing the new perfumes from the local fragrance label Singapore Memories.
I’ve reviewed several Singapore Memories perfumes previously, back in 2019. Since then, the brand has not only introduced new scents, but has also overhauled the look of their perfumes to make them more gift-like.
Aside from the packaging, the bottle is also revamped. Previously, the scents came in large, faceted 100ml bottles – now the scents are housed in a nifty, 20ml bottle that’s more travel-friendly. As someone with numerous perfume bottles, I don’t mind downsizing, as it takes up less space on my shelf. The new perfumes are also now all EDP (eau de parfum) by default.
As the bottles are now smaller, this allows Singapore Memories to sell dual gift packs, enabling you to try out two of their fragrances in a convenient and cost-effective package.
As a recap, I’ve previously reviewed these scents from Singapore Memories: Orchids by the Bay, Peranakan Oud, Reves de Singapour, Aranda de Orchids (previously known as Aranda 1965), Vanda Miss Orchid (previously known as Vanda 1981), and the brand’s bestseller, Singapore Girl. To my knowledge, the formulation of these scents has not changed, so I won’t be covering them again in this article. Instead, I’ll be focusing on the brand’s new fragrances.
1) Orchard and Orchids (Women)
First up is Orchard and Orchids, a new scent for women. Singapore Memories describes the scent as “a captivating tribute to Singapore’s timeless beauty—where the vibrant orchards of today meet the graceful orchids of the past”.
The scent opens with top notes of Italian mandarin, juicy red berries, and delicate pear blossom, with heart notes of jasmine, frangipani, and gardenia, and is anchored by base notes of brown sugar and patchouli.
The result is an eminently fresh and floral perfume that wakes up the senses. Despite being labelled as a female scent, I find myself using Orchard and Orchids a lot as a day scent.
2) Floral Fantasy (Women)
Second is Floral Fantasy, another floral scent marketed towards women. In fact, Singapore Memories describes the fragrance as “the perfect gift or souvenir for women who appreciate fragrance with character and cultural depth”.
Floral Fantasy features top notes of patchouli, peach, and osmanthus, accompanied by heart notes of jasmine and a woody base note.
In comparison to Orchard and Orchids, Floral Fantasy is much more forward with its fruity and floral notes – it’s very tea-forward, and instantly reminds me of peach and jasmine green tea. I prefer Orchard and Orchids, but if you’re looking for a super fruity, tea-forward scent, then Floral Fantasy might be the perfect choice for you.
3) Orchids Essential (Unisex)
Third is Orchid Essentials, which is one of Singapore Memories’ most complex scents. The brand describes it as “a luxurious perfume crafted with native and essential orchid varieties found in the tropical paradise of Singapore,” and that it “represents the elegance, biodiversity, and cultural richness of the island”.
Despite being named Orchids Essential, the scent utilises a long list of floral ingredients. Firstly, the fragrance opens with top notes of pear, melon, magnolia, peach, mandarin orange, and bergamot, which Singapore Memories says is “an ode to Singapore’s lush gardens and clean air”. The heart notes consist of jasmine, tuberose, rose, orchid, violet, and lily of the valley, which are meant to evoke the imagery of vibrant blooms from the National Orchid Garden. Lastly, the base notes of vanilla, musk, cedar, and a hint of blackberry tie the scent together, providing depth and warmth.
Unfortunately, I was not a fan of Orchids Essential, which felt overcomplicated and overformulated to me. I prefer my scents to be clean and simple with easily recognisable notes, so the multitude of ingredients in Orchids Essential came across as too overwhelming for me.
4) Raffles Heritage (Men)
Last but not least, Raffles Heritage is the brand’s newest scent for men. Described as a “refined masculine fragrance that honours Sir Stamford Raffles”, the scent also calls attention to Raffles’ historical contribution to Singapore’s biodiversity and horticultural landscape.
Raffles Heritage opens with top notes of lavender, before delving into heart notes of iris, ambrette and juicy pear. Base notes of woody Virginia cedar and vetiver, which Singapore Memories says evoke the “strength and legacy of a pioneering spirit,” tie the fragrance together.
Raffles Heritage is my favourite out of the four new scents, with a clean and elegant scent profile that reminds me of the iconic Bleu de Chanel. Although it has strong floral notes of lavender and iris, the woody undertones of cedar and vetiver provide a masculine touch. For men seeking a fresh scent, Raffles Heritage will be right up your alley.
Conclusion – so Singapore Memories Perfumes “shiok” or not?
Singapore Memories has put a lot of effort into this refresh, especially in the aesthetic department. The packaging is one of the most beautiful and detailed I’ve seen in the perfume industry, and I have no doubt that they will suffice as great gifts. I also enjoy the new scents from the brand, with Orchard and Orchids and Raffles Heritage standing out in particular. Anchored by the unique premise of presenting Singapore-inspired scents, these scent offerings from Singapore Memories offer a distinctive take on perfumery that’s perfect for both locals and gifts or souvenirs for tourists.
Those interested in purchasing scents from Singapore Memories can use the promo code “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy 10% off all orders from its webstore. After the discount, the new perfumes would cost just S$31.50, with the dual package setting you back a mere S$49.50. Between the two, I would recommend opting for the dual package, as it offers better value for money. Whether as a gift or for own use, Singapore Memories’ refreshed perfume lineup represents a compelling choice for the casual fragrance lover.
View the full range of Singapore Memories’ offerings here.
P.S: Check out The Shiok Store here – it serves as a curation of my favourite products from my favourite brands.
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P.P.P.P.S Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
