As a devout perfume enthusiast, I find that choosing a fragrance is something personal. In fact, it is the most subjective. Two people can smell the same scent and have completely opposite opinions. But why does this happen? Our sense of smell is connected to a part of the brain (the hypothalamus) that is responsible for reviving moments and concrete memories. Therefore, our perception is always unique, complex, and often unconscious.
However, everyone uses perfume. Everyone searches for ‘theirs’, the signature, and the one that identifies them. A few years ago, perfumery was reserved for a niche of the population, but today it has expanded to thousands of possibilities to choose from. Neo-gourmands have become fashionable; a renewed interpretation of clean perfumes has been given to make them more intimate; and there are even olfactory families that play with the natural pH of the skin to imitate it. Therefore, if you don’t have a sample, it is much more difficult to decide.
The good news is that as a beauty editor, I have spent a great deal of time in my life smelling new perfumes, talking about families, compositions, and notes with experts; and also interviewing noses and creative directors to understand their stories and motivations. Therefore, when someone asks me for an option I would consider, these six are always on my ranking.
The Best Perfumes: Long-Lasting and Elegant
Matière Première Parisian Musc.
Matière Première Parisian Musc. It is a minimalist yet very crafted fragrance, centered on musk with a clean woody touch. The result is a soft, modern, and very pleasant perfume, with a discreet but distinctive style. It is not invasive, but it is very elegant.
Shiu 25 by Le Labo.
Shiu 25 by Le Labo. It is the latest addition to the house and I must admit that it seems to be a real success. Inspired by Beijing, it pays homage to contemplative refuges for the being. It is a perfume that smells clean, special, and complex at the same time. Its longevity is impeccable, as is the sense of elegance and minimalism.
Guidance Eau de Parfum by Amouage.
Guidance Eau de Parfum by Amouage. It is perfect for those who love perfumes with presence. Created by perfumer Quentin Bisch and led by creative director Renaud Salmon, it reinvents Amouage’s signature trio of rose, incense, and ambergris, honoring the brand’s identity while innovating its fragrance profile. With unique notes of pear, hazelnut, and sandalwood, it adds modern grandeur to your day-to-day.
Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette.
Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette. It is one of my autumn favorites because it evokes the enveloping sensation of a fireplace in mid-winter in Chamonix in the 1970s. Warm, woody, and sweet, the scent transports you to a place where flames crackle in a comforting fire, the cozy veil of roasted chestnuts fills the air while it snows outdoors in a frozen landscape.
Tilia by Marc-Antoine Barrois.
Tilia by Marc-Antoine Barrois. Those who know me know it’s my favorite. It is inspired by a summer that seems to last forever and centers on the linden flower, accompanied by broom, jasmine sambac, and heliotrope. The result is floral, luminous, and slightly powdery, with that warm sensation reminiscent of the scent of blooming trees when the air starts to warm. Honestly, it is my favorite.
Valaya by Parfums de Marly.
Valaya by Parfums de Marly. Finally, this fragrance links the cotton undergarments worn beneath eighteenth-century dresses with that contemporary image of an impeccably white shirt. It smells of clean cotton, white flowers, freshly washed skin, and an ironed shirt.
