When I Want to Smell Like a Chic French Woman, This Is the Perfume I Reach for

Anyone who knows me will know that I love sweet, sugary fragrances. Any perfume with notes of vanilla, caramel or candy floss is immediately a winner in my eyes. That being said, this year I made it my mission to find a signature scent that didn't fall into this category. Although I'm a huge fan of gourmand scents, I wanted to add a perfume to my collection that had a woodier, earthier base. Why, I hear you ask? Well, I don't know about you, but I happen to think that this fragrance family smells super chic and luxurious and makes a nice change from my usual go-to perfumes.

I already had some brands in mind when looking for my new perfume, including Byredo, Le Labo and Jo Malone. However, after browsing the fragrance halls at the likes of Selfridges and Liberty, I stumbled across a scent from one of my favourite French perfume brands, and it was love at first sight. If you're wondering which brand I'm talking about, it's none other than Diptyque. I'm sure you've seen the perfumes all over your Instagram feed thanks to the instantly recognisable bottles, and the fragrances themselves smell just as luxurious as they look. So, which one did I go for? After giving lots of the best sellers a try, I settled on Tam Dao, as one spritz had me feeling as if I was living my best Parisian life. Intrigued to know what it smells like? Keep on scrolling for the lowdown.

Diptyque Tam Dao Perfume Review

The Notes

First things first, what does this perfume smell like? This best-selling fragrance contains creamy sandalwood, woody cedar, fresh cypress and citrusy rosewood. It's refreshing, earthy and a little bit spicy, which gives it that sensual touch. Whilst I'm used to wearing perfumes that remind me of biting into a sugar-dusted donut, this is like sipping a sparkling cocktail in a candlelit bar on a side street in Paris. I've tried my fair share of perfumes over the years, and it's safe to say that this is one of the most unique I've come across. In fact, ever since adding it to my collection, I've had multiple people come up to me and compliment me on how I smell.

The Longevity

As with most Diptyque perfumes I've tried, this one definitely lingers on the skin. It's one of those fragrances that you spritz on your jumper and can still smell when getting undressed at the end of the day. That being said, due to the lighter, fresh notes, it's not as strong as the brand's more musky scents such as Fleur de Peau or Oud Palao. Although I didn't have to top it up throughout the day, I did find that I needed a few extra sprays when heading out in the evening.

The Packaging

One of my favourite things about Diptyque perfumes (aside from the mouth-wateringly delicious notes) is the packaging. If I'm spending a lot of money on a perfume, I want it to look good when displayed on my dressing table, and this brand always delivers when it comes to chic (and very French-looking) bottles. The monochrome packaging and signature circular logo instantly elevate the rest of my perfume collection, and I love getting out the bottle for a spritz when out and about.

The Verdict

As with most high-end fragrances, this perfume certainly isn't cheap. A 50ml bottle will set you back £95, and although this is an investment, I would definitely say it's worth it. Not only does using the fragrance feel like a luxurious experience, but the scent smells so much more expensive than it actually is. You don't need to use a lot to make an impact, so the bottle is bound to last you in the long run, and in my opinion, this particular scent works all year round.

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