There’s a list as long as our arms of the places we’re longing for this Christmas. From Belgian hot chocolate under Bruges market stalls to salty shores on golden beaches far, far away.
At least we still have the memories. During those long afternoons WFH (when we should have been sipping tropical cocktails), wanderlust is what’s kept those travel dreams alive.
For model Cheyenne Maya Carty, at Christmastime her heart is in Mauritius, her ‘second home’, where she goes every year to spend time with her grandparents.
The vivid aromas of local spices and fish fresh from the Indian Ocean are almost pinned to her nostrils, hardwired into her psyche, from carefree childhood holidays that made her feel at home again.
And today, it’s those familiar smells that appeal to her curiosity and light-hearted sense of adventure the way only scents can.
So, what if you could give the gift of escapism, this Christmas? For us, Michael Kors Wonderlust is the one that truly takes you there: the fragrance that captures those nostalgic travel memories and transports you back to all of the places your mind keeps wandering to.
One spritz of Michael Kors Wonderlust Eau Fresh, with its breezy blend of pink grapefruit and peony with muguet florals, is enough to bring the beachside into focus, in a year when travel has never felt further away.
Or for an adventure more exotic, there’s the oriental gourmand mist of Michael Kors Wonderlust Eau de Parfum with its silky almond milk and floral blend and Michael Kors Wonderlust Sublime, which is like a summer holiday in a bottle.
To reignite that thirst for new experiences, Chey talks us through her fondest memories of Mauritius and which scents are giving her *all* the festive feels this year.
Where would you rather be right now?
Mauritius, no question. I’ve been going there since I was young but as I’ve grown up, I appreciate it even more for the energy, the music, the smells, the welcoming spirit of the people and their kindness.
My mum is half Mauritian and my dad is from Jamaica, so both places have a special place in my heart. My boyfriend and I have made it a tradition to go back to Mauritius at Christmastime to stay with my grandma, and for me, it brings back lovely memories of childhood visits.
Like my grandma’s cooking – OMG, her cooking. The subtle hints of spice that I smell in the Michael Kors Wonderlust fragrance really remind me of her exotic dishes. She cooks an amazing fresh fish curry – like nothing you could recreate yourself without those West Indian spices or the local seafood. It’s like tasting the ocean.
What do you think of when Wonderlust grips you?
The fragrance makes me feel peaceful. It takes me back to that tropical island where I love to recharge and get ready for the year ahead. It’s like self-care for the soul.
Part of the beauty of Mauritius is that there are still areas on the island that are untouched. My grandma has this wonderful way of finding those hidden places, like deserted beaches, forgotten coves and secret picnic spots to explore.
Every time I feel like I’ve experienced every inch of it, I’m reminded of its raw and beautiful appeal. Pictures don’t really do it justice – it’s the sights and smells that capture it. I can almost taste the fresh pineapple that we take to the beach at Christmas – feel the soft and fragrant mango on my lips. That’s what takes me back.
If a fragrance like Michael Kors Wonderlust could bottle that escapism you’re longing for, why would you gift it, this Christmas?
Travel is a real luxury and it’s something not everyone gets to do. So, the freedom to jet off is something I never take for granted, and something I’m sure we’ll all feel more grateful for after the year we’ve had.
Memories of my travels over the years are very important to me because they don’t just last for a week or 10 days, you carry them around for a lifetime. When you’re on holiday, you feel like you’re glowing: you’re in your bikini, you’re on the beach, you’re living your best life. You’re instantly more confident.
If a fragrance can make you feel that free, that is an amazing thing. It can make you go back in time, back to a beautiful place, relive an incredible moment, just with the click of your fingers.
Want to give the gift of escapism this Christmas? Scroll down for Chey’s top giftlist picks of the season…
- Michael Kors Wonderlust Eau de Parfum, Michael Kors Fragrance
- Be Curly Intensive Detangling Masque, Aveda
- Nourishing Botanical Wonders, Darphin
- Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream, Origins
- Fresh Pressed 7 Day System with Pure Vitamin C, Clinique
- Pot Rouge for Lips Cheeks, Bobbi Brown
- Studio Fix 24-Hour Smooth Wear Concealer, MAC
Give, or self-gift, some paradise escapism this season with Michael Kors Wonderlust fragrances, and make your faraway fantasy a daily beauty-ritual reality. Shop now at Boots. co. uk
