As a beauty editor, I'm lucky to have tried a lot of perfume. Fragrance is one of my all-time favourite things, and during my career I've amassed an extensive selection of the best perfumes (my current collection stands at around 60 bottles, and new scents are always being added into the mix).
For me, perfume can be a powerful force. A spritz of a fragrance can set the tone for how you want to feel that day. It's also strongly tied to memories, which is why so many people choose a special perfume for their wedding day, or proclaim a scent as their "signature" fragrance. And, of course, it's always fun to switch up your choice with the seasons. Summer fragrances and autumn perfumes are amongst some of my favourites in my collection, and I rotate these like I rotate pieces in my wardrobe as the temperatures change.
Of course, perfume is totally personal and subjective to everyone—some people love floral perfumes while others stick to skin scents—but there are certain brands that always generate compliments from others whenever I wear them. Similarly, if I happen to ask a friend what perfume they're wearing, it's often one of a handful of very specific brands or niche perfumes that are mentioned time and again. And who doesn't love being complimented on their fragrance?
How do you find your signature scent?
Before we get into which of the best perfume brands might be home to your future signature scent, however, I was interested to know if fragrance experts had any intel on how to actually choose one. “Fragrance is all about personal style and while I’m a huge fan of having a fragrance wardrobe, invariable there is usually one fragrance that most of us keep coming back to over and over,” says MarieAnna Ferdinand, EVP Fragrance Development from Le Monde Gourmand. Ferdinand speaks to how a true signature scent should not only make you feel good, but should be something that you genuinely love and makes you feel like yourself. “A musky skin scent could be the perfect choice for those with a minimalistic style, while a spicy floral scent might be a good signature for someone who loves bold patterns and colours,” she explains. However, choosing a signature scent really is about what brings you joy when wearing it.
What should you look for when selecting a perfume?
Of course, the most important factor when choosing a perfume is whether you love the scent itself. However, Ferdinand does point out that there are some other important factors to consider when selecting one. “Perfume oils and eau de perfumes are going to generally give you a longer wear on the skin given the higher percentage of fragrance oils,” she explains. So if you hate touching up your scent throughout the day then do bear that in mind. Similarly, the types of notes can also have a bearing on longevity. “Light citrus and sheer florals will not last as long as amber, woody or musky fragrance notes,” says Ferdinand. “If longevity is important, you should start with well moisturized skin and consider layering your fragrance with scented lotions, oils or mists in the same scent.”
Luckily, I'm not one for gatekeeping fragrances, so I've made note of the best perfume brands that have garnered the most compliments from others. Keep scrolling to discover them all...
The best perfume brands
1. Diptyque
When I think of Diptyque fragrances, three words come to mind: Fresh, chic and intriguing. The brand's scents are unlike anything else I've tried and I'm yet to meet a Diptyque perfume that I didn't like. The French perfume brand has created so many beautiful and chic scents, which have become just as iconic as its candles. In fact, Diptyque has a number of celebrity fans, including Victoria Beckham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Shop Diptyque:
Key Notes: White musks, mimosa and blonde wood.
One of Diptyque's most popular perfumes is Philosykos, a beautiful take on fig, which encompasses the entire woodiness and greenery of the fig tree as well as the sweet fruit.
Key Notes: Fig leaves, fig tree sap and fig tree wood.
One of Diptyque's newer scents, L'Eau Papier is inspired by paper and has a sweet yet woody quality—I've had compliments whenever I've worn it.
2. Chanel
Most fragrance lovers have a history with Chanel. It was maybe the first "grown-up" fragrance that they were bought, or for some, No.5 might have been the signature perfume of a loved one. There is a Chanel fragrance for everyone—and any of the bottles will look chic on any dressing table.
Shop Chanel:
Key Notes: Pink pepper, jasmine, amber, patchouli, white musks and vanilla.
Chance is one of my personal favourites. My mum wears it as well, and it always makes me feel chic and pulled together when I do.
Key Notes: Amber, labdanum, vanilla and bergamot.
If you're someone who likes to make a statement, you have to try Le Lion de Chanel from the Les Exclusifs collection. Inspired by the founder's star sign (Leo, in case you were wondering) and is bold, courageous and majestic—a real statement perfume.
3. Jo Malone London
There's a reason why so many choose Jo Malone London for their wedding scent. I've pointed many brides in the direction of the brand, which creates incredibly elegant perfumes that are based on just a couple of fragrance notes, and I think it's this simplicity which makes it one of the best perfume brands.
Shop Jo Malone London:
Key Notes: Lavender, omumbiri myrrh and tonka bean.
One of the most under-rated scents from the brand (and one of my most-complimented perfumes, hands down) is Myrrh & Tonka. It's dark, sensual and sweet without being overbearing.
Key Notes: Pear, freesia and patchouli.
English Pear & Freesia is a Jo Malone London best seller, which smells like freshly picked, juicy pear with a spring breeze of white florals.
4. Byredo
Scroll through any in-the-know influencer's grid and you'll spy a bottle of Byredo amongst their collection. Loved by fashion and beauty aficionados alike, the black-domed bottles have become somewhat of an icon thanks to their dream-like names and brand founder Ben Gorham's abstract yet intriguing interpretations of scent.
Shop Byredo:
Key Notes: African marigold, bergamot, buchu, cyclamen, violet, Moroccan cedarwood and vetiver.
Ask any beauty editor and they'll rave about Bal D'Afrique, a woody scent that captivates anyone who smells it.
Key Notes: Plum, cinnamon, leather, violet, birch woods, patchouli and vanilla.
A personal favourite of mine is Bibliothèque, which is inspired by old libraries and the sweet scent of the pages of leather-bound books. It's an autumn/winter scent I loyally return to every season.
5. Le Labo
Fashion and beauty editors fawn over Le Labo—you'll most likely find one of these apothecary-style bottles on their desk or dressing table. Santal 33 is one of the brand's best sellers—in fact, it was so popular in New York at one point that articles were written about just how many people were wearing it.
Shop Le Labo:
Key Notes: Australian sandalwood, papyrus, cedarwood, cardamom, iris, violet and ambroxan.
So, what makes it so popular? The Santal 33 scent is based on sandalwood, and this take smells so luxuriously expensive yet understated.
Key Notes: Ambroxan, jasmine, moss and ambrette seeds.
Another 13 has proven to be just as lusted-after as their super-popular sister scent, too.
6. Maison Francis Kurkdjian
You'll have no doubt seen Maison Francis Kurkdjian all over your social feeds, mostly in part to the runaway success of Baccarat Rouge 540. The now iconic red bottle has become synonymous with smelling expensive.
Shop Maison Francis Kurkdjian:
Key Notes: Saffron, jasmine, ambergis, amberwood, cedarwood and fir resin.
With notes of saffron, ambergis, amberwood and cedarwood—this perfume is quite literally a compliment-generator.
Key Notes: Aldehydes, Calabrian bergamot, sweet pea, Egyptian jasmine, mock orange, white musk and sandalwood.
724 smells clean, fresh and understated thanks to aldehydes, which give that freshly laundered scent. It's the perfume equivalent of a crisp white shirt in your wardrobe—it suits any occasion.
7. Dior
Dior is one of the most luxurious perfume houses in the world, and while you may be familiar with the brand's iconic Miss Dior, J'Adore and Poison scents, there are so many other fragrance gems in luxe line La Collection Privée Christian Dior.
Shop Dior:
Key Notes: Sea salt, mineral notes, citrus, jasmine, coconut, pine tree and labdanum.
My favourite by far is Eden-Roc, inspired by the French Riviera hotel of the same name (which was exactly where Sofia Richie Grainge got married, FYI). One spritz and you're transported to this coastal location, surrounded by pine trees, fresh sea air and the sun beating down on the lush gardens that surround the hotel.
Key Notes: Labdanum, rose, patchouli, saffron, oud, sandalwood and cedarwood.
If you prefer something more mysterious, try Oud Ispahan. With notes of oud, patchouli and rose, it makes you feel expensive in just one spritz and is seriously long-lasting. It will walk into a room before you do.
8. Tom Ford
There is something about Tom Ford fragrances that scream luxury, whilst the tongue-in-cheek names add a playful tone (what other perfume house could name a fragrance F*cking Fabulous?). The juice inside the bottles is just as lust-worthy.
Shop Tom Ford:
Key Notes: Bitter orange, neroli, bergamot, citron, pistachio, petitgrain, cardamom, pink pepper, caraway, tuberose, Tunisian orange blossom, ylang-ylang, jasmine, galbanum, coconut, vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin and amber.
Eau De Soleil Blanc remains one of my favourite summer perfumes, ever. It smells of sun-kissed skin, like you've spent the day on the beach getting your hair salty and applying coconut-scented sun cream.
Key Notes: Rum, myrrh, olibanum, saffron, coriander, orange, lime, barley, coffee, plum, frangipani, narcissus, artemisia, rose, Madagascar vanilla, suede, tobacco, mahogany, patchouli, oakmoss, and violet.
Vanille Fatale, on the other hand, is a go-to evening scent that attracts compliments like a magnet, with it's hypnotic cocktail of rum, suede, vanilla and tobacco that makes you feel like you're in a private member's club.
