This Is What Phlur Cherry Stem Actually Smells Like
Although Phlur was founded over ten years ago, it’s only since the iconic fashion content creator Chriselle Lim became the owner and creative director in 2021 that it has become one of the most coveted fragrance brands in the world.
Storytelling is at the heart of every Phlur scent, as well as championing ingredient transparency. Chriselle, who was dealing with personal difficulties at the time she joined Phlur, says that fragrance helped her heal – hence her decision to evoke memories, feelings and experiences that are universal to all of us through an unfailingly stylish collection of genderless fragrances.
Their newest scent, Cherry Stem, is a perfect example of the kinds of experimental blends and irresistible notes you can expect from Phlur. A cocktail of juicy, lacquered fruits (but with a twist), we couldn’t wait to try it out. To help you take a deep dive into this unique brand, we recruited three team members to review the latest launch (which is exclusive to Space NK), and handpicked some of the most distinctive Phlur fragrances that are guaranteed to please every nose.
What Phlur Says Cherry Stem Smells Like
We thought we’d break down the key notes in Phlur’s new Cherry Stem, to start. As the name suggests, black cherry is at the heart of the blend, but lush plum nectar and orange brandy also make an appearance. These are layered with ebony wood, sugared jasmine and red freesia in the heart and base notes, as well as hints of leather and caramel.
Ultimately, this cocktail results in a warm, irresistible scent, which the brand suggests can be layered with the bestselling Missing Person or Heavy Cream.
What Team Space NK Says Cherry Stem Smells Like
Researching the notes is a good starting point to discovering a new fragrance – but it’s through smell that you can really decide if it’s for you. With that in mind, we asked three members of the Space NK team with different tastes when it comes to perfume, to give Cherry Stem a spritz or two, and share their own description and interpretation of the scent.
“I love fruity fragrances (my signature scent is a pear and jasmine blend), so I was keen to try this! Cherry Stem definitely feels more ‘grown-up’ than some other Phlur scents – it feels most suitable for evening wear. I got a hint of black cherry, of course, but it was deepened by a woody, musky base and a leathery undertone. I will say I much preferred the scent more once it had settled on my skin; on the very first spritz, the blend was quite intense. I can think of a few friends I’ll be recommending Cherry Stem to, as they’d love how bold it is. Personally? I can see myself reaching for it when I’m going for a nice dinner (especially when the colder seasons come), but it’s a little too strong for my everyday taste. I love the colour of the bottle though – it’s so chic!" - Urmi, Editorial Content Assistant
“I’ll admit I have a bias when it comes to Phlur – I’ve been obsessed with the brand for a while! I get to try a lot of fragrances through work, but since I usually go for vanilla-based scents or musky roses, this was something new for me. It’s impressive how well Phlur have managed to achieve a sexy, mature cherry scent. It feels different to the others on the market, as it’s definitely packed with cherry, but I could also smell the woody, jasmine notes which I absolutely love. It feels much more captivating than others, so I will be adding it to my (hefty) collection and will be recommending it to anyone who has been slightly cautious of super sweet cherry scents in the past!" - Micha, Makeup & Fragrance Marketing Manager
“I usually reach for soft skin scents that feel intimate and subtle, rather than overpowering. I'm not a huge fan of cherry either as I usually find it quite sickly, but I was really taken aback by how much I liked Cherry Stem! It captures the essence of cherry, so it’s seductive and juicy, but feels musky and sophisticated rather than artificial. You can really pick up the jasmine underneath which balances it with an addictive, musky allure, and I also noticed the caramel comes through to warm the scent. In line with my seasonal wardrobe shift, it’ll be one I reach for as the days get shorter and evening plans become the standard." - Darcy, Editorial Content Co-ordinator
Meet the 10 best Phlur perfumes
PHLUR
Rose Whip Eau De Parfum, £32.00
Olfactory family: floral
Try it if: you want your florals to smell sexy
2025 is the year the rose gets reinvented and no more so than in Phlur’s latest fragrance, Rose Whip. Nothing like your powdery, pot pourri aromas of yesteryear this has been whisked with blackcurrant for a squeeze of fruity freshness and then blended with warming amber, cashmere wood and sensual musk to give it a sultry leather-like finish. Provocative and head-turning, it’s rose but not as you know it.
PHLUR
Golden Rule Eau de Parfum, £32.00
Olfactive family: floral
Try it if: you like juicy scents with a soft floral edge
Steering away from Phlur’s recent penchant for gourmands, while this does have a vanilla base and a sweetness owing to a twist of coconut and pop of pear and mandarin, it’s defined by the brand as a ‘floral’ - and we're excited to say we've got the exclusive of this new scent. Full of jasmine and orange flower and with a base of sandalwood it has more of a powdery drydown in comparison to the brands more recent fragrances such as ‘Vanilla Skin’. Bold and somewhat familiar, if you want an easy-to-wear scent, you’ve just found your match.
PHLUR
Discovery Kit 2024, £39.00
Escape into half-forgotten memories and joyous moments with Phlur’s Discovery Kit for 2024, featuring a selection of the brand’s best-selling fragrances into miniature, sample-sized potions. Inside, you’ll discover the alluring romanticism of Missing Person Eau De Parfum, the sugary sweetness of Mood Ring and a citrusy spectacle with Tangerine Boy. The result? A selection of poetic scents that will leave you longing for evenings wandering flower-dotted meadows or watching the sun soak the horizon in gold.
PHLUR
Missing Person Eau De Parfum, £32.00
Olfactive family: floral musk
Try it if: you like soft, warm and comforting scents
If you’re new to this scent and wondering why it went viral, believe us when we say it’s worth the hype. Its curious name hints at a lover one longs for, and these deeply sensual musings are achieved by notes of bergamot nectar, jasmine, neroli blossom and white musk. Warm and delicate, it’s a scent you’ll likely want more of.
PHLUR
Apricot Privée Eau De Parfum, N/A
Olfactive family: fruity warm
Try it if: you like grown-up fruity scents
Not for the faint-hearted, Apricot Privée is an unapologetically bold scent that’s wonderfully uplifting and decadent. This uniquely fruity fragrance opens with rich accords of plum, apricot and cardamom. A bouquet of jasmine and peony follows, and its agarwood, tonka beans, sandalwood and labdanum base gives a warm and woody feel.
PHLUR
Mood RIng Eau De Parfum, £32.00
Olfactive family: fruity floral
Try it if: you want to be reminded of your favourite childhood sweets
The sweetest escape is just a spritz away with this joyful and (literally) vibrant fragrance. Oozing a playful hint of childhood nostalgia with its top note of fruit gummies, the feelgood sensations are further heightened by dragon fruit pulp and sweet orange. Further accords of orange flower, jasmine sambac, patchouli and sheer amber make this scent a must for sugary seekers.
PHLUR
Father Figure Eau De Parfum, £32.00
Olfactive family: powdery woody
Try it if: you like natural fragrances
Lush and green, Father Figure’s perfumer took inspiration from secret gardens to create this vivid, skin-like scent. Waterlily, fig and cassis buds take the lead, which mix perfectly with orris root, iris flower and jasmine dew. Vanilla Madagascar, patchouli leaf, sandalwood and skin musk (the equivalent of a ‘no makeup’ makeup look in fragrance) further help create a natural and sensual effect.
PHLUR
Tangerine Boy Eau De Parfum, £32.00
Olfactive family: citrus spice
Try it if: you live for citrusy scents
Bright, bold and fun, this citrusy celebration was made for those with a zest for life. It starts strong with a vibrant opening of lemon, ginger and black pepper. Luscious bites of apple and tangerine mingle with jasmine petal and are rounded up by a sensual base of amber and moss. In short – if you love all things fruity and citrusy, this one’s for you.
PHLUR
Strawberry Letter Eau De Parfum, £32.00
Olfactive family: fruity amber
Try it if: you love bright, statement fragrances
Strawberry fans, rejoice – this is a bright, crisp and playful take on the sweetest fruit of all. Strawberry, plum and cassis may steal the scent show, but touches of wild lily, red poppy, apple blossom, tonka bean and sugared amber make this fragrance surprisingly chic and complex. We also love how the red bottle reflects the scent’s ultra-saturated essence.
PHLUR
Not Your Baby Eau De Parfum, £32.00
Olfactive family: floral spicy
Try it if: you prefer bold fragrances that make a lasting impression
Giving floral feels a spicy upgrade, Not Your Baby is a powdery affair that’s powered by cardamom and bergamot. Mimosa and violet add to the floral spectacle, and the intensity of this palette is perfectly balanced by underlying notes of milky vanilla, sandalwood and tonka bean. Be warned though – if you like statement scents, this is extremely addictive.
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