Best fragrance of the summer: Space NK’s Laughter
I first discovered Space NK when I was about 12, reading a UK magazine publication that I can’t recall the name of at the moment. Though I’d never tried Space NK products specifically, I was fascinated by founder Nicky Kinnaird’s story, recounting her memories of peaking into other people’s bathroom cabinets as a child, in order to discover their beauty secrets. I could identify. (NB: that’s a 10-year-old off-the-top-of-my-head recollection of an editorial blurb that’s stuck with me. Be nice.). I always meant to try an actual Space NK product, and this summer I did just that.
Space NK’s Laughter eau de toilette is one of the best fragrances I’ve tried in the last year, and I’ve tried hundreds. Created with Kinnaird and world-renowned perfumer, Christopher Sheldrake, the scent is intended to evoke sun-drenched orange groves near the southern Mediterranean. Despite the abundance of citrus-inspired fragrances on the market today—especially in the summer, Laughter maintains a stunning uniqueness that is as bold as it is delicate. Top notes of bergamot, grapefruit and lime drift above juniper berry, angelica root and verbena, anchored by sensual patchouli, musk, amber and ginger. Equally spicy, woodsy and fresh, this fragrance has invited more compliments and Oh-my-god-what-are-you-wearings than any I’ve worn in ages. The scent lasts a bit longer than most EDTs—about 4-6 hours, and is almost unisex.
