Whether They're £30 or £300, the Most Expensive-Smelling Perfumes All Have This One Thing in Common
"Quiet" perfumes are the shortcut to smelling expensive and chic, and these are the best that fit the bill.
When it comes to perfumes, one of the most common questions I'm asked as a fragrance-obsessed beauty editor is what the most expensive-smelling perfumes are. Sure, the long-lasting fragrances and scents that walk into a room before you do tend to garner the most perfume compliments. But, I'd argue that it is the quiet perfumes that smell the most expensive.
Allow me to explain. When you look at the perfume trends and new perfume launches in recent years, many fragrances have quieter projections. They're sophisticated, demure perfumes that tend to feature musk or woody notes that keep a low profile. Skin scents have been a huge fragrance trend, and whilst there's a time and place for bold fragrances that command the room, there's something incredibly chic about wearing a scent that only you—and the ones closest by you—can smell.
It feels more personal, and to me, that's more luxurious than wearing a perfume that the entire room can detect (especially if you're someone who is looking for a migraine-safe perfume!) It's the equivalent of wearing a high-quality bag without shouting logos; they just feel more expensive. The good news is that you don't need to shell out hundreds of pounds on a quiet perfume. It's all about opting for the right notes.
Ahead, I've rounded up my favourite quiet perfumes and soft scents that gently linger. Whether you want a lightweight perfume, favour a
clean-smelling scent or want to create a soft halo of citrus, these elegant perfumes will leave you gently scented.
Best "Quiet" Perfumes
- Best Overall: Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, £125
- Best Luxury Quiet Perfume: Byredo Blanche Eau de Parfum, £220
- Best Affordable Quiet Perfume: Zara Energetically New York Eau de Parfum, £36
- Best Skin Scent: Phlur Missing Person Eau de Parfum, £99
- Best Musky Scent: Diptyque L'Eau Papier Eau de Toilette, £135
1. Escentric Molecules Molecule 01
Key notes: Iso E Super
Without a doubt, Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 is the original quiet perfume. It features just one singular perfume note—Iso E Super—which has the magical effect of smelling almost undetectable, but shrouds you in a quiet halo of clean, airy scent. It's a signature perfume of many on the Who What Wear UK team. It can be worn alone or layered with other fragrances as a perfume enhancer. to give them more depth.
Personally, I prefer wearing it alone on days when I want a low-key scent that won't overwhelm my senses. The fragrance molecule smells a bit different on everyone, but it has a transparent, woody-amber quality to it, which melds with your own skin chemistry. Trust me: this will get you tonnes of compliments, but won't ever give you a migraine.
2. Merit Retrospect L'Extrait de Parfum
Key notes: Bergamot, ambrette, pear, aldehydes, jasmine, rose, orris, rosemary, violet, vanilla, musk, moss
This is a perfume that makes me feel like I have my life together whenever I wear it. It's a sophisticated, grown-up yet modern scent that clings closely to the skin. That's not to say it's not a long-wearing perfume. Because of its potent perfume extrait formula, I can still smell it on my skin over eight hours later. Merit's Retrospect perfume is one of the best skin scents I've tried, with sparkling notes of golden pear, airy aldehydes and smooth, comforting musk on the dry-down, clinging close to the skin.
3. Diptyque L'Eau Papier
Key notes: White musks, mimosa, blonde woods accord, rice steam accord
This is not just my most complimented Diptyque perfume, but one of my most-complimented perfumes of all time. Put simply, it's beautiful. It's inspired by paper (stay with me), and smells like the clean smoothness of high-quality paper you might find in an artist's studio. It's unique-smelling; both musky and clean, with an unexpected twist of rice steam that makes it subtly sweet and creamy, but never sickly. It gets me compliments every time I wear it, but only by those who are close by, thanks to its quiet projection and understated scent.
4. Glossier You Doux
Key notes: Sweet violet, palo santo, frankincense, myrrh, ambrox
If you love the original Glossier You perfume, allow me to introduce you to its sophisticated older sister. With the same musky, creamy scent of the original, Glossier You Doux features creamy woods that make this skin scent all the more smooth and comforting—it's quite literally a hug in a bottle. It's musky, airy and clean-smelling. I reach for it when I want a sophisticated scent that will take me from a day at the office to dinner.
5. Byredo Blanche
Key notes: Aldehyde, rose centifolia, peony, violet, musks, sandalwood
Many of Byredo's perfumes are beautiful, quiet perfumes, but the best has to be Blanche. It smells like a white T-shirt or freshly washed linen sheets dried in the sun: cool, crisp, and soft against your skin. It has a quiet sophistication to it; an effortlessly clean kind of scent. One spritz lingers gently, making you feel like you’ve just stepped out of the shower all day long.
6. Zara Energetically New York
Key notes: Cardamon, jasmine, sandalwood
I've previously sung the praises of Zara's Energetically New York perfume, which was created by none other than perfume legend Jo Malone herself. Truly, it smells ten times its price tag. It's high on New York energy, with a crystalline scent—imagine towering glass skyscrapers on a crisp spring day, not a cloud in sight. It’s airy, clean and fresh, with a subtle kick of cardamom that gently settles into a warm, creamy sandalwood base. I can absolutely picture an off-duty NYFW model wearing it.
7. Acne Studios par Frédéric Malle
Key notes: Rose, violet, orange blossom, peach, sandalwood, vanilla, musk
This fragrance is a firm favourite with the Who What Wear UK team. Imagine the most luxurious laundry detergent you could buy, bottled. It’s fresh, clean and delicately powdery in the most elegant, modern way. A single spritz lasts for hours without ever feeling overpowering. Its floral musk makes it perfect for any occasion and easy to wear with absolutely everything. It's the white shirt of your fragrance wardrobe.
9. Phlur Missing Person
Key notes: Musk, bergamot nectar, jasmine, cyclamen, neroli blossom, orange flower, sandalwood, blonde wood, white musk
Missing Person went viral, with creators noting how this scent smells like a warm embrace with a loved one. And I agree. Both musky and soft, this scent is quiet, but incredibly comforting on those days when you want to feel coccooned. Soft florals melt into a lingering musky base that makes you want to nuzzle your nose into your skin.
10. Maison Francis Kurkdjian 724
Key notes: Aldehydes, bergamot, jasmine absolute, abstract white floral accord, sandalwood accord, white musks
You may know of Maison Francis Kurkdjian for its iconic Baccarat Rouge 540 perfume, but this is the complete opposite. It's lightweight, airy and glassy, with a crystalline quality that reminds me of the first breath of fresh air on a chilly spring day. It's a little citrussy, making it a great fresh, quiet perfume.
11. Commodity Paper Personal
Key notes: Iso E Super, cedarwood, sandalwood, amber
Commodity's perfumes are genius, as they're all available in three different "scent spaces" based on intensity: Personal, Bold and Expressive, allowing you to choose the level of projection you require. The Personal fragrances stay close to the skin, and Paper is one of my favourites. It's crisp, clean and comes alive on the skin with luminous woods and amber.
