These 13 Perfumes Will Make You Smell Like a Chic Parisian

As a beauty editor with an affinity for all things scented, I am a strong believer that perfume is not something defined by notes but rather personality. I identify perfumes by the feelings they evoke. It might sound a little odd, but before I settle on a new fragrance, I consider what sort of person the perfume might be and what sort of person I can imagine wearing it. To me, fragrance is a form of escapism that helps to better how I feel about myself on any given day.

Over the years, I have experimented with a range of fragrance personalities. During the winter months, for example, when I need a boost, I often find myself reaching for what I like to call offence-on-the-senses scents—ones that smell sumptuously deep, warm and strong, evoking a sense of power. Come summer, I tend to lean towards lightweight, care-free scents that ooze that sort of laid-back, cool-girl personality I wish I had. And while my fragrance personalities very much change with the seasons, as well as my mindset and style, there is one particular fragrance personality I find myself drawn to all year long—something I call the French-girl perfume.

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(Image credit: @ANNELAUREMAIS)

A French-girl perfume does not lean towards any particular olfactory family or note but instead embodies a deeper sense of cool effortlessness. Much like French-girl makeup, skincare and fashion choices, French-girl perfumes are minimalist but punchy, effortless but luxurious, and seem so perfectly natural that they leave the recipient of the scent wondering if you just smell that good. And this is something I want to embody all the time. 

If you too would like to embrace the effortlessly chic scent personality of the French girl, keep scrolling to shop the 13 perfumes that will leave you smelling (and feeling) as though you're meandering the streets of Paris as a local. 

1. Nuxe Prodigieux

2. Serge Lutens Fleur d'Oranger

3. Maison Francis Kurkdjian À La Rose

4. Dior Bois d'Argent

5. Frédéric Malle Cologne Indélébile

6. Diptyque Orphéon

7. Caudalie Thé des Vignes

8. Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel Paris-Paris

9. Guerlain Angélique Noire

10. Maison Margiela Flower Market

11. Chloé Naturelle

12. Hermès Twilly d'Hermès

13. Sana Jardin Berber Blonde

Next up, if you're a fan of Le Labo 33, you'll want to know about these perfumes.

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Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.