As a beauty editor, I’m lucky enough to have tried a lot of the perfume. Fragrance is one of my all-time favourite products, and during my career I’ve amassed an extensive collection of the best perfumes (my current collection stands at around 60 bottles, and new perfumes are always being added into the rotation).
For me, perfume can be a powerful force. A spritz of a fragrance can set the tone for how you want to feel that day. It’s also strongly tied to memories, which is why so many people choose a special perfume for their wedding day, or proclaim a scent as their signature fragrance. And, of course, it’s always fun to switch up your scent with the seasons. Summer fragrances and autumn perfumes are among some of my favourites in my collection, and I rotate these like I rotate pieces in my wardrobe as the temperatures change.
While perfume is totally personal and subjective to everyone, there are certain brands that always generate compliments from others whenever I wear them. Or, if I happen to ask a friend what perfume they are wearing, it’s often some very specific brands or niche perfumes that are mentioned time and time again. And who doesn’t love being complimented on their fragrance?
I’m not one for gatekeeping, so I’ve made note of the best perfume brands that have garnered the most compliments from others.
I’ve never met a Diptyque perfume that I didn’t like. The French perfume brand has created so many beautiful and chic scents, which have become just as iconic as the brands candles. In fact, Diptyque has a number of celebrity fans, including Victoria Beckham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
When I think of Diptyque fragrances, three words come to mind: Fresh, chic and intriguing. The brand’s scents are unlike anything else I’ve tried. One of Diptyque’s most popular scents is Philosykos (a beautiful take on fig, which encompasses the entire woodiness and greenery of the fig tree as well as the sweet fruit) but I’d highly recommend trying one of its newer scents, L’Eau Papier, which is inspired by paper and has a sweet yet woody quality—I’ve had compliments whenever I’ve worn it. And if you like rose and patchouli fragrance, try Eau Capitale. I’ve even had someone chase me across a restaurant to ask me what I’m wearing.
Key notes: White musks, mimosa, blonde wood
Key notes: Fig leaves, fig tree sap, fig tree wood
Key notes: Rose, bergamot, patchouli
Most fragrances lovers have a history with Chanel. It was maybe the first ‘grown-up’ fragrance that they were bought, or for some the scent of No.5 might have been the signature perfume of a loved one. There is a Chanel fragrance for everyone—and any bottle will look chic on any dressing table. Chance is one of my personal favourites (my mum wears it, and it always makes me feel chic and pulled together when I wear it) but there are also some under the radar gems that I need to share with you aside from its well-loved favourites. The Les Eaux de Chanel line features a collection of eau de toilettes that are inspired by Gabrielle Chanel’s travels, but the latest addition Paris-Paris, is a mainstay in my collection. Its bright like a bouquet of roses and a twist of citrus—it makes me feel like I’m in Paris during springtime when I wear it. However, if you are someone who likes to make a statement, then you have to try Le Lion from the Exclusifs collection. Inspired by the founders star sign (Leo, in case you were wondering) and is bold, courageous and majestic—a real statement perfume.
Key notes: Pink pepper, jasmine, amber, patchouli, white musks, vanilla
There’s a reason why so many choose Jo Malone London for their wedding scent. I’ve pointed many brides in the direction of the brand, which creates incredibly elegant perfumes that are based on just a couple of fragrance notes, and I think it’s this simplicity which makes it one of the best perfume brands. English Pear & Freesia is a best-seller, which smells like freshly picked, juicy ripe pear with a spring breeze of white florals. However, one of the most underrated scents from the brand (and one of my most complimented perfumes, hands down) is Myrrh & Tonka. It is dark, sensual and sweet without being overbearing. And, I can’t not mention one of the brand’s most-loved scents, Wood Sage & Sea Salt, which is a universal crowd-pleaser.
Key notes: Lavender, Omumbiri myrrh, tonka bean
Key notes: Pear, freesia, patchouli
Key notes: Sage, sea salt, ambrette seeds
Scroll on any in-the-know influencer’s feed and you’ll spy a bottle of Byredo among their collection. Loved my fashion and beauty lovers alike, the black-domed bottles have become somewhat of an icon thanks to their dream-like names and the founder Ben Gorham’s abstract yet intriguing interpretations of scent. So, what ones should you try? Ask any beauty editor and they’ll rave about Bal D’Afrque, a woody scent that has captivated anyone who smells it. Prefer something lighter? Mojave Ghost is as mysterious and beautiful as it sounds, which is is laced with creamy ambrette, sandalwood and musk—it radiates off the skin and is just asking for compliments. A personal favourite of mine is Bibliotheque, which is inspired by old libraries and the sweet pages of old leather-bound books. It’s an autumn and winter scent I loyally return to every season.
Fashion and beauty editors fawn over Le Labo—you’ll most likely find one of these apothecary-style bottles on their desk or dressing table. Santal 33 is one of the brand’s bestsellers—in fact, it was so popular in New York at one point, that articles were written about just how many people were wearing it. So what makes it so popular? The Santal 33 scent is based on sandalwood, and this take smells so luxuriously expensive yet understated. However, Another 13 and Thé Noir 29 have proved to be just as lusted after as their sister scent, too.
Key notes: Australian sandalwood, papyrus, cedarwood, cardamom, iris, violet, ambrox
Key notes: Bergamot, fig, bay leaves, cedarwood, vetiver, musk
You’ll have no doubt seen Maisons Francis Kurkdjian all over your social feeds, mostly in part to the runaway success of Baccarat Rouge 540. The now iconic red bottle has become synonymous with smelling expensive, with notes of saffron, ambergis, amberwood and cedarwood—it’s quite literally a compliment-generator. However, there are so many other scents in the brand that are deserving of as much attention. One of its most recent launches, 724, smells clean, fresh and understated thanks to aldehydes which gives that freshly laundered scent. It’s the perfume equivalent of a crisp white shirt in your wardrobe—it suits any occasion. And for rose lovers, À La Rose is the prettiest yet modern take on the flower that I have smelt thus far. It’s world’s away from the powdery roses around with a citrus twist and greenness of freshly cut stems snipped from the garden.
Key notes: Saffron, jasmine, ambergis, amberwood, cedarwood, fir resin.
Key notes: Calabrian bergamot, Californian orange, Bulgarian rose, Grasse rose, violet, magnolia, musk, cedar
Dior is one of the most luxurious perfume houses in the world, and while you may be familiar with the brand’s iconic Miss Dior, J’Adore and Poison scents, there are so many other fragrance gems in the brand’s luxe line, La Collection Privée Christian Dior. My favourite by far is Eden-Roc, inspired by the French Riviera hotel with the same namesake (which was exactly where Sofia Richie-Grainge got married, FYI). One spritz and you’re transported to the coastal location, surrounded by pine trees, fresh sea air and the sun beating down on the lush gardens that surround the hotel. If you prefer something more mysterious, then Oud Isaphan is a must-try. With notes of oud, pathcouli and rose, it makes you feel expensive in just one spritz and it’s seriously long-lasting. It will walk into a room before you do.
Key notes: Sea salt, mineral notes, citrus, jasmine, coconut, pine tree, labdanum
There is something about Tom Ford fragrances that scream luxury, and the tongue-in-cheek names are also amusing (what other perfume house could name a perfume F*cking Fabulous?). The juice inside the bottles is just as lust-worthy, however. Eau De Soleil Blanc remains as one of my favourite summer perfumes, ever. It smells of sun-kissed skin, like you’ve spent the day on the beach with salty hair and applied coconut suncream. Vanille Fatale, on the other hand, is a go-to evening scent that attracts compliments like a magnet, with it’s hypnotic cocktail of rum, suede, vanilla and tobacco that makes you feel like you’re in a private members club. Another new discovery is Soleil Neige, which my best friend recently bought and now I’m hooked too. It’s a delicious white floral that leaves a trail wherever you walk.
