There’s no denying it: Long pendant necklaces dominated the past several months. Whether styled over T-shirts, dresses, or tanks, these statement-making accessories instantly add a cool, fashion-forward element to an otherwise neutral outfit, and there are myriad ways to show off your personality: a chic tassel, unique gemstone, and, for the beauty-minded among us, a vial of perfume.
Of course, beauty-inspired pendants aren’t exactly brand new. Remember that silver comb necklace from The Row’s pre-Fall 2023 collection? Scent lockets themselves have been around as early as the Victorian era as a way to easily mask funky outdoor odors. But as utilitarian beauty accessories skyrocket in popularity (Rhode’s Lip Case, Dior’s Médaillon, Celine’s Lipstick Necklace… need I go on?), it makes sense we’d see an uptick in modern fragrance iterations. And besides, smelling good on the go will always be a major flex.
“There’s something really appealing about taking an everyday essential and turning it into something you actually want to show off,” says Heaven Mayhem founder and creative director Pia Mance, who collaborated with Ouai on a pair of fragrance amulets (launching today!). Inspired by her Marlowe design, each necklace features a vintage vase-inspired pendant that houses Ouai’s Rue St. Honoré or Ibiza scents—one sophisticated and floral, the other playful and warm to span the spectrum of fragrance moods. “I love that they bring ‘What are you wearing?’ and ‘What scent are you wearing?’ into the same conversation,” notes Amanda Martinez, Ouai’s VP of marketing. “Fragrance is such a personal part of how we get dressed, and a perfume pendant makes that connection visible. You can choose your jewelry and your scent together, depending on your mood or where you’re going. It’s a fun way to make fragrance part of the whole look.” It’s also quite fun to see people’s reactions when you uncap your necklace and dab the tiny rod behind your ears—the ultimate fashion-forward party trick.
Pretty pendants may have owned spring and summer, but I’d suggest keeping an eye on this space as we head into the cooler, moodier seasons. If all the larger-than-life necklaces on major fall/winter runways have anything to say for it, I expect the trend will only reach bigger proportions. (Think even larger vials and chunkier silhouettes.) For now, though, scroll ahead to shop the most stylish fragrance necklaces on the market. FYI: They make for a luxurious holiday gift.
The Best Perfume Pendants to Shop
Of the two Heaven Mayhem x Ouai Amulets, the Ibiza iteration has been on heavy rotation. The sleek, black and silver drop pendant pairs well with every outfit, and the black tassel detail instantly adds some refined texture. As for the scent itself? The warm, intoxicating blend of cocoa, tonka bean, vanilla, and rum is perfect for romantic dinners and late-night dancing; it’s a good thing the statement piece also perfectly suits a cocktail dress.
A more delicate fragrance, Ouai’s Rue St. Honoré scent—a sophisticated floral with gardenia, violet, ylang ylang and white musk—feels right at home in this two-tone gold and silver vial. I should note, both pendants also come with a tiny funnel for easy pouring; make sure to keep it so that when you eventually run out of the juice, you can refill the amulet with any fragrance you’d like. Although, once you get a whiff of the Paris-inspired Rue St. Honoré, I doubt you’ll want to wear anything else. It’s the perfect day-to-night pick IMO.
It’s impossible not to smile whenever you catch a whiff of Victoria Beckham’s San Ysidro Drive perfume. The burst of passion fruit, pink peony, rose, saffron, black amber, and vanilla is just that uplifting (while somehow remaining completely elegant), so it makes sense why she’d create it in an on-the-go necklace format. Uncap it whenever you’re craving a jolt of creative energy.
This stainless-steel lariat-style pendant is simply stunning. Rather than a dabber or atomizer, it features a solid perfume formula you can apply with just your fingertip. Trust, the Kingside blend (pistachio, cardamom, amber, tonka bean) is bold enough to turn heads with a simple tap.
Actress Kelly Rutherford, a longtime fan of Veronique Gabai’s sophisticated scents, worked with the brand to design her very own 18k gold plated perfume pendant adorned with rose quartz. The treasure also comes with two 1.5ml vials: Rose Première, a radiant floral gourmand with mandarin, bergamot, rose, vanilla, pink praline, amber, and soft musks, and Eau de la Nuit, a mysterious, endlessly layerable blend featuring woods, amber, and musks.
One of Italian jewelry designer Elsa Peretti’s first-ever designs, this sterling silver pendant is such a timeless treasure. The hand-carved turquoise stopper adds a delicately vibrant touch, though you can also snag it in black if you’d rather keep it classic. The piece isn’t tied to a specific scent either, so feel free to personalize it with any fragrance oil you please.
This pre-loved buy would make such a chic gift for anyone on your list. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to house their signature scent in a one-of-a-kind designer piece? Bonus points if you choose a Celine perfume to pair with it, such as the crisp, ’60s-inspired Zouzou.
