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There’s something about being told you smell good that just hits different. Whether you’re leaving a fragrant sillage or a delightful whiff upon embrace, smelling good screams grown woman.
As I’ve gotten older, my perfume knowledge expanded, and my love for scent layering has grown. And with perfumeTok constantly introducing me to new brands, my fragrance wardrobe has also grown to my bank account’s dismay. From budget-friendly finds to luxury vials, trying new scents has become a form of self-care for me.
Brands like Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Bond No. 9, Creed, Parfums de Marly, and Kilian are popular luxury picks known for their price tags and memorable aromas. According to Darryl Do, Sr. Perfumer at Delbia Do Fragrances and editorial advisor for Perfumer & Flavorist Magazine, “The more exotic, rare ingredients result in a higher price which is also reflected in the nicer bottle and packaging.” As we get deeper into the cold weather, you might be considering dropping some coins on a luxury fragrance to take you into the season.
“I change my perfumes like my wardrobe – seasonal. Heavy coats match with heavier scents,” explained Do. When it comes to selecting the perfect luxury fragrance for you, Do recommends, “First, you have to like the scent. Some brands are aspirational, you have everyday perfumes and then night or weekend scents to up your scent game.” He offers this tip for the luxury fragrance newbie, “I suggest starting with fashion brands you wear and see if they offer fragrances.”
Good point. Because luxury fragrances cost more, they should be used sparingly (unless you got it like that – lol). Another tip is to try perfume samplers before committing to the full-size bottle. A lot of brands sell travel or sample-size sprays that can help you determine if the scent works with your body chemistry.
Whether you’re purchasing for yourself, BAE, or adding it to your shopping list, here are 7 tried and true (I’ve smelled every scent on this list) luxury fragrances for your scent wardrobe.
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Lancôme Not Your Rose Eau de Parfum
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If you love rosy scents, you will fall head over heels for Lancôme’s newly launched Absolue Les Parfums. The haute-perfumerie collection features 11 scents centered around the Centifolia Rose – born in Lancome’s Domaine de la Rose. Not Your Rose ($270) is a head-turning scent with lasting power. From my man to strangers on the street, it draws compliments everywhere I go. The simple but elegant bottle features an emblematic agora rose etched into the bottom of each bottle.
Perfumer Caroline Dumur envisages this scent as capturing “a rose [that] is…fresh, almost cold, and sensual, shaded with mystery. […] an enigmatic accord that takes us back to that ephemeral moment, just after the rain, [… highlighted] with Ambrette, gently iridescent.” The textured note of Rose Centifolia from the Domaine blends with soft, powdery Musk and a Moss accord that evokes the mineral warmth of an idyllic stroll in nature.
Bond No. 9 Gold St.
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Recognizable by the unique star-shaped bottle and distinguishable moniker, Bond No. 9 scents are more than showpieces on your dresser, they are stories in a bottle told through scent. As a native New Yorker, I remember the first time I saw the Bond No. 9 bottle on display at Saks — I was intrigued by the flashy flask-esque packaging, colors, and varieties (90 to be exact).
Gold St., launched November 1, is named after a small block in the Financial District and with a rich gold bottle, it lives up to its name. According to the site, “this bold, leather-forward fragrance makes a statement by combining gourmand, floral, and woody notes that create an especially layered, sumptuous olfactory cocktail to be savored.”
Bond No. 9 Greenwich Village
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Consider Greenwich Village ($320) your signature scent. This masterful blend is bold and sexy, making it a favorite scent from Bond No. 9. With oriental vanilla with a touch of light floralcy, Greenwich Village captures the structure and artsy vibes of the NYC enclave. This unisex fragrance warms into the skin and gets creamier over time. You’ll want to keep smelling yourself.
Viktor&Rolf Fragrances SpiceBomb
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Viktor&Rolf SpiceBomb Dark Leather ($140) is a charming scent and spinoff of the original SpiceBomb. Harnessing woody, leathery, tobacco, and spicy notes, this sensual fragrance is mysterious and refined. The signature grenade bottle, coated in matte black lacquer is a standout on the dresser.
“SpiceBomb Dark Leather is a close companion to the SpiceBomb range: rich in sensuality and an explosion of spices. We want to stay close to the SpiceBomb universe by evoking masculinity and sensuality from leather to skin,” said the designers Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren.
Fenty
Source: Fenty Beauty / Courtesy of Brand
Rihanna is known for creating timeless music, her grip on pop culture, and smelling like a goddess. So when the billionaire beauty announced she was releasing a fragrance, we lined up at the stores to get our hands on a Rihanna-approved scent. Fenty Eau De Parfum ($140) instantly became a fan favorite. It’s bold, identifiable, and leaves a long-lasting scent trail. One or two sprays of Fenty creates a scent barrier that moves with you. it’s perfect for winter thanks to its vanilla and spice. With a modest price tag, it’s a great entry point into high-end scents.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat
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Irresistibly sweet, powerful, and long-lasting – when it comes to popular luxury scents, Baccarat is top on the list. A little spray goes a long way with Baccarat ($335). This scent is a standout fragrance that garners attention thanks to its signature alchemy. With amber, floral, and woody breeze notes, it hits your nose and draws you in. Be prepared to receive endless compliments when wearing Baccarat. It not only smells amazing, it makes you feel just as good when you put it on.
Creed Green Irish Tweed
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This one is for BAE. All Creed colognes are intoxicating, but there’s something extra sexy about a man wearing Green Irish Tweed ($345). It screams sophistication and masculinity. And the sleek matte black bottle is a vibe. With a woody freshness, top notes like lemon, verbena from India, and peppermint, it is one of Creed’s best-selling fragrances because it lives up to the hype. This scent enters the room before you and lingers long after, leaving everyone who comes in contact with it thirsting for another whiff.
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