The Category Is Compliment Magnets—9 Sultry Nordstrom Perfumes That Attract Attention

Fragrance notes: Black pepper essence, vanilla, suede accord

This perfume earned a global following after sparking some serious internet buzz. It's finally available in the U.S. after months of not-so-patient waiting. With notes of black pepper, vanilla, resin, saffron, and suede, it doesn't ask for attention—it demands it. Sultry and seductive, it's the kind of scent that leads people to do a double-take as you walk past them (and maybe even run after you to ask for your number). It was intended to capture the essence of YSL's iconic leopard print, so it has a similar chic, rock n' roll vibe.

Fragrance notes: Turkish rose, blackcurrant, raspberry, cinnamon, patchouli, sandalwood, amber

This perfume was released 15 years ago, and since then it's reached peak icon status (it's still #1 on my vanity). The exceptionally elegant, French-girl fragrance belongs to the chypre category. Chypre fragrances are often described as complex, mysterious, and alluring, and this one is no exception. It features an unbelievable concentration of 400 flowers for every 100 ml bottle. It's an expensive-smelling perfume that pairs best with a vintage bottle of wine and a view of the sparkling Eiffel Tower at midnight.

Fragrance notes: Gardenia and velvet musk

Cartier describes this a "feline floral fragrance," and I think they're right on the nose (pun intended). A top note of gardenia might seem sweet and summery, but rich, velvety musk lends it an undeniable sultriness. Like the panther-shaped bottle, it has a certain feminine mystique that will draw people in.

Fragrance notes: Vanilla caviar, rum liquor absolute, lavender

This new fragrance is a decadent twist on the original Libre Eau de Parfum. The notes of vanilla caviar and rum liquor read like the menu of an exclusive Parisian restaurant, while the soft lavender note adds an air of French-girl effortlessness. The brand says it's "dripping in sensuality," and I agree. The fact that it's limited-edition makes it all the more precious.

Fragrance notes: Lemon, centifolia rose, patchouli

Imagine the brightness of lemon co-mingling with sophisticated rose, and finally, a veil of spicy-musky patchouli descending over it all. That, my friends, is Diptyque's Rose Roche Eau de Parfum. Created to evoke a desert rose, it's a sophisticated surrealist dreamscape, bottled in an objet d'art. Lovers of patchouli-centric perfumes will make this their new signature scent.

Fragrance notes: White florals, vanilla quartet, coffee accord

This is the perfume version of a rich, vanilla latte or a dark espresso martini (take your pick). It features a quartet of creamy vanilla notes that descend into a seductive base note of black coffee. Warm, spicy, and long-lasting, this fragrance is made for intimate dinner dates and catching glances across a velvet-seated bar.

Fragrance notes: Pink pepper, bergamot, tuberose, osmanthus, jasmine, patchouli, oud, sandalwood

I love tuberose more than any other fragrance note. It's a night-blooming flower that has a rich, sophisticated, and creamy quality, and it really shines in this exquisite scent. Designed to evoke the flower's "carnal, narcotic notes," this perfume is magnetic, effortlessly pulling people towards you.

Fragrance notes: tonka bean, cedarwood, jasmine

Inspired by jazz clubs in the heart of Paris's Saint-Germain quarter, this certifiably cool scent features notes of polished wood (symbolic of the iconic Orphéon Bar) and tonka bean (symbolic of curling tobacco smoke). A light touch of jasmine lends it a lively effervescence that evokes the lilting music floating out into the street from the clubs' doors.

Fragrance notes: Black truffle, bergamot, black orchid, black plum, noir gourmand accord, patchouli.

If there was ever a perfume that evoked the inky darkness of midnight, it would be Tom Ford's iconic Black Orchid Eau de Parfum. Decadent and expensive-smelling notes of black truffle, black orchid, and black plum create a sultry and mysterious scent. It's been an editor-favorite for years, and has accompanied many of us on first dates, dinner rendezvous, and red-carpet events. One Who What Wear beauty editor once called it "the fragrance equivalent of a smokey eye, a little black dress, or a stiff drink," and that's lived in my head rent-free ever since.