A signature fragrance is deeply personal. It reveals quite a bit about who you are and how you’re feeling. Just like a handbag or pair of sunglasses, fragrance is an accessory. The ideal perfume collection has sufficient range to reflect and enhance your essence at any given time. Easier said than done, it can be challenging to find a scent that feels like you. To help you navigate a vast marketplace of pricey duds and comically basic recommendations, L'OFFICIEL is sharing the best of the best. Some may be reminders of familiar favorites, and others will inspire you to try something new. Regardless, each of the following fragrances is more than worth the splurge.
If Cherry Punk were a person, they would probably be wearing Vivienne Westwood and a distressed leather jacket. Holding a cigarette in one hand and a boozy cherry beverage in the other, this unique scent is a compelling romanticization of London circa 1970.
Room 1015 Cherry Punk, €130, Room 1015
This is one of those aromas that garners endless compliments. Fruity top notes of rhubarb, lychee, and bergamot are grounded in a cashmere, velvety musk. It’s sweet, almost edible, while still quite subtle and enigmatic.
Parfums de Marly Delina Royal Essence Eau de Parfum, $355, Saks Fifth Avenue
Gourmand fragrances smell almost edible. Think caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and so on. If this sounds up your alley, Pistachio is a must-try. Described by perfumer D.S. as “a fragrance with no story that just evokes the fun of pistachio,” this is about gourmand as it gets. With added notes of cardamom and patchouli, its sweet aroma is far more elegant than it sounds.
D.S. & Durga Pistachio Eau de Parfum, $190, D.S. & Durga
Timelessly flattering for men and women, Baccarat Rouge never goes out of style. Blending notes of jasmine, saffron, and cedar wood, this sophisticated fragrance enhances any occasion.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau De Parfum, $325, Saks Fifth Avenue
Le Labo’s plant-based, genderless fragrances have soared in popularity over recent years. Although many gravitate towards the Santal 33, the brand’s best-seller, Thé Noir 29 offers a truly captivating depth. With notes of bergamot, fig, and tobacco, this fragrance is like Santal 33’s cool older sister.
Le Labo Thé Noir 29 Eau de Parfum, $220, Saks Fifth Avenue
Vanilla Diorama is an ode to a mysterious dessert beloved by the late Christian Dior, the Diorama Gourmand. Its recipe remains unknown, apart from its use of orange-glazed vanilla pods. These surviving aromas became the reference notes of this inviting fragrance.
Christian Dior Vanilla Diorama, $450, Christian Dior
You probably heard about it on TikTok. Eauso Vert’s Purple Noon fragrance is widely praised for its irresistible marriage of amber warmth with the romance of a spring floral.
Eauso Vert Purple Noon, $165, Eauso Vert
Gypsy Water is Byredo’s most popular fragrance for good reason. The opposite of stuffy, seemingly contradictory smells of sandalwood, lemon, and campfire converge into an intoxicatingly carefree aroma.
Byredo Gypsy Water Eau de Parfum, $200, Saks Fifth Avenue
Combining light notes from the Mediterranean with a mysterious grunge, Indigo is most definitely a cool girl fragrance. Floral, warm, and sultry, this perfume's complex aromatic profile is perfect for all-year-round wear.
Nest New York Indigo Eau de Parfum, $86, Sephora
A few minutes after spraying, this fragrance unfolds into a beautifully sophisticated scene. Inspired by Paris nightlife in the early ‘60s, Orphéon’s notes of tobacco, cedarwood, and juniper berries feel joyfully conversational yet elegantly intimate.
Diptyque Orphéon Eau de Parfum, $205, Saks Fifth Avenue
After learning that most fragrances—yes, even the luxury ones—contain potentially toxic ingredients, actress Michelle Pfeiffer sought greater transparency. Her fine fragrance brand, Henry Rose, uses all-natural ingredients without sacrificing sophistication. Flora Carnivora is flirty and light, just in time for spring.
Henry Rose Flora Carnivora, $120, Credo
Ombré Leather by Tom Ford is a warm unisex aroma that errs on the side of masculine. Merging florals with the lux sensuality of black leather, this scent is both sophisticated and highly unusual.
Tom Ford Ombré Leather, $150, Saks Fifth Avenue
