In case you're new around here, we Who What Wear beauty editors are very into fragrance. With every new fragrance launch, we're always falling over each other on Slack to discuss the absolute best new launches and the classics that we can just never quit.
When it comes to perfume, I feel like I'm always coming back to some of my tried-and-true favorites. What can I say? At this point, I know exactly which fragrances will earn me tons of compliments per wear.
In 2023, however, I'm trying to branch out as much as possible with my fragrance choices. So many perfumes are incredibly interesting and unique, and it's high time that I put them center stage. My resolution is to wear a different fragrance every day for the first week of 2023 to test out some of the quirkiest fumes—see the seven I'll be testing below, plus some of each brand's more toned-down counterparts.
Key Notes: Rhubarb, Tulip, Powdered Musks
As the brand describes it, this scent is the perfect blend of delicate and dangerous. Tulip and rhubarb meet cannabis flower and musk for a truly unique scent experience.
Key Notes: Cetalox (Synthetic Ambergris)
As the name suggests, this is not a typical perfume. It's entirely made of synthetic ambergis, which is typically used as a warm fragrance base note, but here, it takes center stage, creating a scent that smells different on everyone who wears it.
Key Notes: Fresh Musk, Copaiba Oil, Salted Praline
Isn't it funny that the most interesting scent can be the simplest? This subtle scent hugs close to your skin, creating the cleanest-smelling fragrance.
Key Notes: Bergamot, Sandalwood, and Cedarwood
This is a scent for all the bookworms out there. It smells like the crisp pages of a well-loved novel.
Key Notes: Hinoki, Thyme, Frankincense
Hinoki wood mixed with thyme and frankincense makes the most grounding fragrance imaginable. It's meant to mimic a Japanese sound bath, making it incredibly cleansing.
Key Notes: Aldehydes, Cardamom, Oakmoss
This perfume is supposed to remind you of the frosty steam coming off of ice cubes in a crystal tumbler. It's fresh and invigorating.
Key Notes: Amber, Bergamot, White Musk
Unpopular opinion coming up: I would love to smell like sweet cream ice cream at all times. By mixing with your body chemistry, that's what this fragrance does.
Key Notes: Pear, Wild Freesia, Sandalwood
Wild freesia is the perfect balance to sandalwood, while pear is rarely seen as a scent note in perfumes.
Key Notes: Raspberry, Violet, Iris
Juliette Has a Gun perfumes are never boring, but this one takes it up a notch. It's pretty specific, but if you love the smell of lipstick, this is hard to beat.
Key Notes: Bergamot, Benzoin, Musk
Smelling like fresh laundry has never been easier.
Key Notes: Magnolia, Waterlily, and Musk
Magnolia is an unusual floral note in a perfume, but it's the star in this flower-centric scent.
Key Notes: Vanilla, Sandalwood, Coriander
Vanilla, but make it edgy. This fragrance blends classic vanilla with spicier notes like coriander and sandalwood for the perfect unexpected scent.
Key Notes: Orange blossom, Vanilla Absolute, Luscious Marshmallow
If marshmallows are your jam, this is guaranteed to be your new favorite scent.
Key Notes: Bergamot, Vanilla, Amber
Dedcool has perfected the art of sheer scents that make you smell like the most unbothered cool person in any room.
Next, This Scent Has Officially Eclipsed Baccarat Rouge and Santal 33 in NYC