My scents for this past spring/summer season were floral and fruity - it's like they're the prescription to help you cope with the heavy weight of another drizzly summer in London. Jo Malone's English Pear and Fresia (for the second summer running), Le Mimosa by Annick Goutal and Kai EDT. So now rather than go on smelling like a trug of flowers, these scents have gone to the back of the shelf. And out with the cable knits, coats and scarves will come the perfumes that make autumn the spicy season. This year it'll be the new Miller Harris La Pluie for day and Tom Ford Violet Blonde for evening. As the nights draw in you want your fragrances to be rich, seductive and full-bodied - Tom Ford and Lyn Harris' specialities. 

New daywear - Miller Harris' La Pluie

This is the scent to top your leathers, knits and trench coat - La Pluie, or 'rain cloud' features warming Bourbon notes, calming Lavender and a heart of wet, white flowers. Think more balmy tropical shower than downpour in Dalston, as Ylang Ylang and Bergamot envelop you in a snug, sensual embrace. Available now, it's warm and womanly - perfect for wintery weather. 

A night out with Tom Ford Violet Blonde

After my first impression (that it was called Violent Blonde, a name I felt an instant affinity with) I haven't put the bottle down. It's as dark as it is light - a deep Orris sensuality, entrancing Jasmine Sabac and woody base, heightened by the dappled light of citrus Mandarin, sparkling Violet Leaf and soft Baie Rose. It's an instant hit of opulence, a sophisticated and unabashedly glamorous blend that whispers luxury through luscious lips. Frankly, it's a sexy bastard of a fragrance. By using the Orris root (in butter and absolut form) and Violet Leaf, Mr Ford has respun the Violet story for a modern audience. It lingers, it leaves a sexually-charged trail and it imbues power. What more could you want from a bottle this winter? It launches nationwide on October 3rd - stick it in your diary.

And there's always room for a little Chanel...

It is said that Chanel will appear at least once in the 5 top selling fragrances list each year. When you experience the newest member of Les Exclusifs, launching on October 14th, you'll know why. In the 1920s, Mme Chanel famously took jersey - then a shamefully utilitarian fabric, used in men's clothing and uniforms - and gave it the couture glow in her atelier. This year Jacques Polge - Chanel's revered nose - does the same for Lavender, giving new life to this seemingly mundane ingredient in this fragrance, aptly named Jersey. Forget the synthetic sting of a high street Lavender shower gel or that supposedly soporific fabric softener. Using an extraordinary species grown in Montpelier and unique steam extraction Jacques has revealed Lavender's seductive side. Rounded off with Rose, Jasmin, Vanilla and Tonka Bean, this sweet and powdery accord is my choice for the sunny, crisp days of winter. 

Text: Grace Timothy

OK, so summer's at an end. The Hawaiian Tropic goes to the back of your bathroom cabinet til next May and your panama is chucked on top of the wardrobe. The sunny days are over, yes, but that's no reason to remove sunscreen from your daily regime. If you're applying anti-ageing, brightening and anti-wrinkle products but eschewing sunscreen, you might as well flush it all away. "Applying sunscreen religiously is the best way to prevent dulling and premature ageing," says skincare expert, Dr Paula Begoun, "From the very first moment of sun exposure your skin is open to damage."

The thing is, the attack on your skin isn't confined to holidays - UV rays are coming for your skin all the year round. You're not even safe inside. Did you know , for example, that UV rays can penetrate glass? Studies have shown that there is a higher occurance of malignant melanomas on the window-side of drivers' skin. Do you work in an office with lots of windows? You could be sitting at your desk all day ageing slowly but surely if you're not wearing an SPF.

There's never been a better time to work an SPF cream into your daily regime, either. It's no longer about slathering on a thick, greasy lotion that leaves your pores clogged and your nose looking chalky. Here are a few of the best daily moisturisers that pack some serious protection.

Nia24 Sun Damage Prevention UVA/UVB Sunscreen SPF 30 £37 - Nia24 provides a sunscreen shield plus anti-ageing skin protection - the Niacin content stimulates DNA repair and helps reinforce the skin's natural barrier, preventing and repairing signs of sun damage. Happily it's also light and fragrance-free, sitting comfortably under makeup to quietly defend your skin.

Alpha H Daily Moisturiser SPF 50 £27 - Considering how quickly and seamlessly this lotion sinks in, the high SPF is quite extraordinary. It's also packed with antioxidants and calming aloe vera for smoothed-out, hydrated skin.

Invisible Zinc Silk Shield SPF 30+ £34 - This isn't foundation with an SPF, it's a skin-refining creme sunscreen which happens to cover imperfections and even skin tone. With Zinc Oxide protection to reflect the sun and block UV rays, the creme dries to a powder finish.

Clarins 50+ UVA/UVB Sun Wrinkle Control Cream for Face £17 - Clarins is one of the top premium anti-ageing skincare brands in our market, so it makes sense their Wrinkle Control Cream with the highest SPF going would deliver on both fronts. It's the beauty insider's product of choice - Nichola Joss, Emma Hardie and Adam Reed all packed it in their beachbags this summer.

Paula's Choice Resist Cellular Defense Daily Moisturiser SPF25 £25.15 - A great choice for skin that tends towards dryness, or those with sensitivities or rosacea. Paula Begoun called on her experience as a scientist and tester of every skincare product going to formulate the best alternative. You can trust this cream to offer optimum protection (including serious anti-oxidant clout) without irritating your skin.

And another thing... Cult Beauty started stocking US brand, FIX Malibu this summer, a fully-formed skincare regime based around repairing all manner of sun damage. September is the perfect time to start incorporating the products into your day. Featuring powerhouse ingredients like Salicylic Acid, Retinol and R-Lipoic Acid, FIX Malibu uses antioxidants and humectants to restore skin's peachy smooth surface.

Text: Grace Timothy

It's a sad, sad day when your favourite makeup is discontinued. I saw a grown woman cry the day Prescriptives announced they were packing up and leaving the UK, and I still miss little gems from the Prada collections. So it's no wonder some of these hard-done-by consumers choose to petition a hasty return to their cosmetic bags.

This autumn we see the return of Chanel's Le Vernis in Pirate - back by popular demand thanks to Chanel's Makeup Creative Director, Peter Philips, who was probably sick of women begging for old samples. Leighton Denny has revived an old favourite polish too - Supermodel was part of a limited edition set originally, but became his no.1 bestseller. It made a come-back this summer to strut over your nails once more.

Also responding to disgruntled shoppers is MAC. This season they're bringing back three eyeshadows - Palace Pedigreed, All Races, Tendersmoke - and the 226 blending brush. Further along the makeup counter rungs, Clinique have brought out an entire colour collection inspired by their iconic Black Honey Almost Lipstick. This one item was so popular, you can now match up your eyes and cheeks.

Finally, Boots have brought back a whole brand after it abdicated its UK stockists three years ago. Stila have returned, bringing their iconic Lip Glazes back to our shores. They've added some new products in that time of course, so we also welcome in the newbies, including One Step Correct and Forever Your Curl Mascara. Let's hope they stick around.

Text: Grace Timothy