Shweta Pandey is a Senior Content Writer at Hindustan Times, with over 12 years of experience in beauty and wellness journalism, specialising in makeup, skincare, and hair care.
Her career reflects consistent growth, moving from content contributor to senior writer. She now plays a key role in shaping editorial strategy, social media content, and ensuring high-quality, reader-focused content that aligns with evolving audience needs. Shweta’s core expertise spans makeup, skincare, hair care, and holistic health and fitness. She specialises in in-depth beauty product reviews, ingredient analysis, skincare routines, and evidence-based wellness advice. Known for her analytical and data-driven approach, she relies on verified sources, dermatological insights, and expert consultations to ensure credibility. Her field experience includes interviewing Bollywood celebrities, beauty and makeup professionals, tracking consumer trends, and simplifying the top picks. Shweta holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication, Advertising, and Journalism and has done Bachelor’s in Commerce from Delhi University. She believes in delivering reader-first insights that empower informed decisions while maintaining transparency, credibility, and trust. Beyond her writing desk, Shweta enjoys exploring new destinations, experimenting in the kitchen with delightful recipes, and staying in tune with the latest beauty and wellness trends. A change in season often calls for a change in our beauty routine, and perfumes are no exception. citrusy and aquatic fragrances feel refreshing during summer, winter is the time to explore deeper, warmer and more indulgent scents While fresh. Think creamy vanilla, rich amber, woody accords, sensual musk and comforting spices that leave a beautiful impression wherever you go. Colder weather can also influence how a fragrance develops and projects on the skin. Lower temperatures and drier winter air may affect how quickly certain fragrance notes evaporate and how noticeable a perfume feels. This makes winter a great opportunity to experiment with fragrances that have richer compositions and layered scent profiles. Whether you are looking for an everyday office fragrance, something elegant for a dinner date or a statement scent for festive celebrations, here is how to find the perfect winter perfume. Vanilla is one of the most popular fragrance notes for colder months, and for good reason. Its creamy, sweet and slightly gourmand character creates a cosy scent that feels comforting without necessarily being overpowering. Depending on the composition, vanilla can smell sugary, creamy, woody or even slightly smoky. If you enjoy fragrances that feel warm and inviting, look for perfumes that combine vanilla with notes such as sandalwood, amber, tonka bean or musk. These combinations add depth and make the fragrance feel more sophisticated. Vanilla-based perfumes are particularly suitable for evening outings, casual gatherings and date nights. Amber fragrances are ideal for anyone who enjoys rich, warm and slightly sensual scents. Often blended with vanilla, resins, spices and woods, amber-based perfumes create a beautifully layered fragrance profile. They can feel sweet, powdery, balsamic or woody depending on the ingredients used. If you want a fragrance that makes an impression without smelling overly floral, amber is worth exploring. It works particularly well for evening wear, special occasions and winter celebrations. Woody fragrances are a timeless choice for winter. Notes such as sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver and patchouli add warmth and depth to a perfume. They can smell earthy, creamy, smoky or slightly dry, making them versatile choices for different occasions. If you prefer understated fragrances, sandalwood-based perfumes are worth considering. Cedarwood and vetiver, on the other hand, offer a more earthy and sophisticated character. Woody perfumes are suitable for office wear, formal events and everyday use, especially if you prefer fragrances that are not excessively sweet. Oud is a popular fragrance ingredient in Middle Eastern perfumery and is particularly appealing during winter. Known for its deep, woody and sometimes smoky aroma, oud adds intensity and character to a fragrance.
She began her professional writing journey in 2011, entering the evolving world of digital lifestyle journalism as beauty and wellness content rapidly transformed in India. Over the years, she has worked with reputed digital media houses like India Today, the Times of India and Skymet Weather, steadily building credibility through well-researched features, product reviews, and trend analyses.
Modern oud perfumes often combine this note with rose, saffron, amber, leather or vanilla to create more balanced compositions. If you enjoy bold fragrances that feel luxurious and distinctive, oud can be a wonderful winter choice. However, its intensity varies considerably between perfumes, so it is always a good idea to test a fragrance before purchasing it. Winter is also a great season to explore perfumes with spicy notes. Cinnamon, cardamom, clove, nutmeg and pink pepper can add warmth and complexity to a fragrance. These notes are often paired with vanilla, woods and amber to create inviting scent profiles. Spicy perfumes are particularly appealing for evening wear and festive occasions. If you prefer something less intense, look for fragrances that combine cardamom or pink pepper with fresh citrus and soft woods. Not every winter fragrance needs to be intense. Musk-based perfumes offer a softer alternative for people who enjoy clean, powdery and skin-like scents. White musk, in particular, is often used to create a smooth and comforting fragrance. Musk also works beautifully when blended with vanilla, sandalwood, rose and amber. These combinations create a subtle yet elegant fragrance that can be worn to work, during daytime outings or for everyday occasions. If you enjoy fragrances that remind you of desserts and cosy treats, gourmand perfumes deserve a place in your winter collection. These fragrances feature edible-inspired notes such as caramel, chocolate, coffee, praline, honey and vanilla. They can be rich and indulgent, making them particularly suitable for evenings and special occasions. For everyday use, consider lighter gourmand fragrances that balance sweetness with musk or woody notes. Choosing the right fragrance is only part of the process. How you apply and store your perfume can also influence your fragrance experience. Moisturise your skin: Apply an unscented moisturiser before spraying perfume. Well-moisturised skin can help the fragrance feel more consistent. Apply to pulse points: Spray perfume on areas such as your wrists, neck and behind your ears. Avoid rubbing your wrists: Let the fragrance dry naturally instead of rubbing your skin together. Layer complementary scents: Use a matching body lotion or shower gel to create a more coordinated fragrance routine. Store perfumes properly: Keep your bottles away from direct sunlight, heat and humidity. A cool, dry cupboard is a better choice than a bathroom shelf. I tried the L’Oréal Paris Collagen Lifter hair care range for frizzy hair. Does it add volume without weighing it down? Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
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