Perfumania invites the public to celebrate and meet with fragrance experts to discover discounted scents.
Press Release –
Feb 1, 2023
NASHUA, N.H., February 1, 2023 (Newswire.com)
– On the weekend of Feb. 3, Perfumania is offering grand opening specials at the launch of its 108th store. Over 1,000 fragrances, from the most popular to the hard-to-find, are on sale. Director of stores John Morris invites customers to experience the highly trained sales associates in person.
The first 100 visitors receive complimentary fragrance sample packs. All customers can take advantage of a buy one, get one 50% off sale on select items. With each purchase of $129 or more, customers will receive a free sterling silver plated necklace with a CZ Heart charm. Due to the store’s location, all purchases are not subject to sales tax.
“We are thrilled to bring our latest Perfumania store to the shoppers of Pheasant Lane Mall. In addition to offering over 1,000 well-known brands of authentic fragrances, we continue to introduce new exclusive fragrances to the market, appealing to the Fragrance Aficionado, who prefers to lead than follow. Our fragrance experts ensure that our customers find the perfect scent,” says Dennis Bowerman, Vice President of Merchandising.
For more information on the Perfumania grand opening and a chance to win a $500 gift card, visit its contest home page.10 secondary winners will receive a $100 gift card.
Perfumania is the go-to source of discounted authentic fragrances since 1980 with over 100 stores nationwide. Their fragrance consultants provide personalized service and expert advice about today’s most popular and classic fragrances and hard-to-find fragrances. Their immense selection of high-quality products offered at substantial savings allows them to meet the needs of today’s fashion-conscious, value-oriented customers. As many large retailers pivot to online stores, Perfumania’s growth in their brick-and-mortar division is a testament that excellence in customer service, product knowledge and product value continue to prevail. Visit our website to learn more.
I was never a fruity-fragrance person until I tried one deliciously juicy launch (Tom Ford Bitter Peach, if you must know) a few years back, which essentially had a fruitifying snowball effect on my entire perfume collection. All of a sudden, I couldn’t get enough, and it’s pretty much been the same story ever since. Of course, I’m not talking about the saccharine, completely obvious fruity numbers of our youth. (Please don’t make me name them.) I’m talking about incredibly refreshing, innovative takes on the category that can easily appeal to any type of scent wearer—whether you typically tread fresh, floral, sweet, or even spicy.
The top-selling men’s grooming brand is launching two new universal fragrances, Valley Mist and Canyon Incense – bottling the breathing landscapes across California
Press Release –
Jan 23, 2023
LOS ANGELES, January 23, 2023 (Newswire.com)
– Following the success of the brand’s signature scent, Pacific Cannabis, men’s grooming and lifestyle brand Baxter of California announces the launch of Valley Mist and Canyon Incense, two new, California-inspired fragrances as part of its expanding collection of lifestyle products for men.
Baxter of California has bottled the essence and spirit of California to bring consumers two new fragrances inspired by some of the state’s most beautiful landscapes. Since 1965, Baxter of California has created products that embody the Southern Californian lifestyle and effectively care for the body and hair. These new fragrances capture the landscapes and aromas that are synonymous with the state – Valley Mist, inspired by the state’s vast orchards located in the low fertile grounds between mountains, and Canyon Incense, inspired by the fresh scents in the winding canyons across the state.
“We are so excited to share our new fragrances with the public,” says Jose Figueroa, Associate Brand Manager of Baxter of California, “Pacific Cannabis has been such a staple scent for our consumers, and we’re elated to connect with an even wider fragrance-loving audience with the addition of Valley Mist and Canyon Incense to our fragrance collection.”
Valley Mist is a daytime scent inspired by the morning mist of the fertile grounds and orchards in Southern California’s valleys. The fresh zest of the breeze contrasts with the sun-drenched sweetness of the fruit on the trees. The fragrance opens with bergamot, lemon and ocean mist. The fresh heart notes include fir needle, pine needles and jasmine leaf, and the fragrance finishes with base notes cypress tree, driftwood and sheer musk.
Canyon Incense is a nighttime scent inspired by the cooler, fresher air found in the twists and turns of the state’s canyon landscapes. This leafy, woodsy scent blends into the spicy warmth of the fading sun. This scent opens with notes of bergamot, nutmeg and apple peel. Earthy heart notes include canyon rock, amber mist and tonka bean, and the scent is rounded out with a base of guaiac wood, red cedar and sandalwood.
Baxter of California’s Valley Mist and Canyon Incense fragrances will be available in 3.4 fl. oz/100 mL bottles at baxterofcalifornia.com and retailers including Ulta, Macy’s and Amazon.
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ABOUT BAXTER OF CALIFORNIA
Since 1965, Baxter of California has been a pioneer in understanding and meeting our personal care needs. Our curated range of hair, skin, shave, and body essentials and lifestyle products are all tested by master barbers at our award-winning Baxter Finley Barber & Shop in Los Angeles. Our products are designed for quality and versatility to provide consumers with everything they need to confidently be who they are.
Break out your bedazzled velour tracksuits! Juicy Couture is trending again (and, dare I say, more glam and fabulous than ever). While its blinged-out hoodies and low-rise sweatpants will always make my Y2K-loving heart go pitter-patter, it’s the brand’s mouthwatering fragrances that will always bring back the best memories of MTV premieres, celeb gossip magazines, and boyband drama. Juicy Couture, a Los Angeles–based lifestyle brand founded in 1997, launched its perfume line in 2006 with the release of its eponymous eau de parfum, Juicy Couture. Designed by Harry Fremont, it was an instant hit and opened the doors to the release of 20+ flirty fragrances.
Keep reading to find out which Juicy Couture perfumes have kept up their much-deserved hype.
As a self-proclaimed fragrance person, I’m always intrigued by the scents people choose to wear. For instance, what makes the ideal job-interview fragrance? First-date fragrance? Perhaps my most burning question when it comes to scents is the most personal—what’s the perfect wedding-day fragrance?
Of course, every bride is different. Some brides choose a scent based on nostalgia (whether their mom wore it or it reminds them of something), some brides choose a scent that they wear every day, and some brides opt for a light fragrance that enhances their natural scent. No matter what, a wedding-day fragrance should feel like an encapsulation of who the bride is, which can be easier said than done.
I decided to ask 12 people who work in the beauty industry what scent they wore on their wedding day and why they decided to wear it. Keep reading to learn about the perfumes they chose to wear on their wedding day.
I don’t know if it was the VMAs or MTV Movie Awards [in] like 2015. This very lovely man put my hair into this insanely tight ponytail. And then the makeup, I had pink lips, and the way she did my skin, I was so pale-looking. I had no color on my face. And super, super dark eyebrows, and really chunky mascara. I hate those pictures so much. I’m like, “Why wasn’t anybody there to help you?”
You’re like, “If I could delete one thing…”
Oh my god. No, I’m okay with it. A lot of the cringe moments from my public appearances in the past I’ve embraced. I was so embarrassed with this Marge Simpson costume I did years ago for Heidi Klum. I did the yellow makeup myself. Now I’m like, “Honestly, good for you, girl. You tried it, you did it.”
You tried it, that’s what’s important. Switching gears a little bit, I know it’s been about a year since your book came out. How has your life kind of changed since it was published?
I mean, I used to kind of not love it when people would come up to me. I was just thinking about this recently, so it’s funny you’re asking this. It was normally a girl being like, “You’re my boyfriend’s hall pass,” or a guy being like, “I’ve loved you forever, can we take a picture?” Now it’s young women who are like, “I love this part of your book.” Obviously, I felt like from having that out into the world, being able to start the podcast, and living in New York and having someone be like, “I listened to that episode. I have so many thoughts about blah, blah, blah.” I feel so much more connected with the world. Not fans, just people, in general. And I’m really, really grateful for that.
If you don’t have a Givenchy perfume in your collection, where have you been? Since launching its first fragrance in 1957 after a rumored impactful encounter between the bran’s founder, Hubert de Givenchy, and award-winning actress Audrey Hepburn, the brand now offers a selection of over 30 masculine and feminine eau de parfums, eau de toilettes, body lotions, shower gels, and hair mists (their L’Interdit shower oil has been on my wishlist for way too long). While I will forever be a fan of their best-selling perfume, Irresistible, I’ve taken it upon myself to try as many Givenchy fragrances as I can and determine which ones are just as good (or better) than the cult-classic.
Keep reading to see which Givenchy perfumes should make it all the way from your shopping cart to your vanity.
I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’m a perfume obsessive. However, when I call myself a perfume snob, it’s less about the price that I’m willing to pay for a decent perfume—I’ve got expensive scents and affordable ones in my collection, designer and high-street—and more about the artistry and expert noses that have gone into creating a fragrance. One thing that I’ve learned from amassing such a considerable perfume collection is that you can really tell when a genuine expert has had a hand in creating a scent. For instance, & Other Stories and Zara both stock an array of innovative yet purse-friendly fragrances that smell decidedly expensive. Their secret? The high-street shops teamed up with Byredo’s Ben Gorham and Jo Malone CBE respectively to ensure that their high-street scent offerings smelt incredible.
But when it comes to celebrity perfumes, I’m downright dubious about the time, effort, and expertise that have gone into creating them—especially in 2023 when celebrities are popping out new beauty brands by the bucketload. However, when Britney Spears’s perfumes had a huge resurgence, I did a little digging and was surprised at just how many celebrity scents remain in the lists of most popular perfumes—some nearly two decades after they first launched. And if they’re still selling at that rate, then at the very least, some of them must smell good, right?
Ahead, I spritzed my way through many, many fragrances to come up with a list of the nine best celebrity perfumes, from Jennifer Lopez’s to Jennifer Aniston’s, that not only smell great but I’d be genuinely happy to wear. Keep scrolling to see them all.
Sofia Coppola’s 2005 award-winning film Marie Antoinette offers vibrant images of pastel hued robes à la française, decadent sweets, romantic flings, and sky-high hairstyles with the cascading curls so commonly associated with the 17th century French royal court. Since my first viewing of the film, I’ve been on the hunt for little ways to incorporate that colorful and luxurious Rococo energy into my lifestyle; whether it’s applying rosy blush to the apples of my cheeks, styling a sweet toile-print, or investing in high-end fragrance brands that make me feel like a queen in my own right.
Luckily for me, the influence of the French royal court on the world of fashion and beauty are unrivaled. Evidence of this cultural reset can be found in the luxurious perfume selection of Parfums de Marly. Its founder and creative director, Julien Sprecher, created the brand as a pure expression of his passion for perfumery and history. Enamored and inspired by the perfumed court of Louis XV (more specifically his royal residence, Chateau de Marly and his love for the Marly Horses), Sprecher has since launched 30+ high-end fragrances.
With each fragrance holding its own gorgeous olfactory signature, it’s no wonder why Parfums de Marly fragrances have been trending for weeks on TikTok. Trust me: they’re so good, even Marie Antoinette would be jealous. Read on to discover which of the brand’s feminine fragrances have me falling head over heels.
Looking for a cool-meets-clean perfume that will set you apart from anyone you come into contact with? It’s time for you to meet Heretic’s line of unique, edgy, and all-natural fragrances.
If its effortless, minimalist-chic perfumes bottles aren’t enough to sell you (they happen to look amazing on counters and vanities), then let me provide a quick introduction to one of the best natural fragrance labels on the market. Launched in 2015 by founder, perfumer, and creative director Douglas Little, Heretic Parfum has dared to challenge everything we expect from our fragrances. According to its website, the brand’s overarching vision and mission is to “show the provocative side of naturals and the dirty side of clean.”
Read on to learn what it is that makes these fragrances so “dirty” and how this brand has continued to define itself.
It’s fitting that Sydney Sweeney is stationed someplace vacation-worthy. In season one of The White Lotus, her character Olivia—Gen Z angel of disdain—endures a Hawaiian family trip by thumbing through Nietzsche and Lacan. Lately, the actor’s location is similarly cinematic, albeit with less ennui. “I’m in Rome. Rome, Italy,” the Idaho native says on a recent video call, as if dispelling any confusion about the same-named cities in Alabama or Iowa or New York. There’s a rap on her hotel room door. Housekeeping has arrived, which sends Sweeney into gracious-guest mode. “Can you come back later, please?” she says, pivoting back to me with a bright apology. A deadpan voice off-screen issues her fate: “No turndown service tonight, Sydney.”
I joke that I half-expected her to trot out some Italian, given the subject of the afternoon’s conversation. Today, the 25-year-old joins Giorgio Armani as the face of its latest fragrance, My Way Parfum, putting her in the company of such fellow ambassadors Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson, and Adria Arjona. “I have only been here for three days now, so I haven’t picked it up yet. But that is my goal,” Sweeney says of her language studies. “I’ve downloaded Duolingo!”
Sweeney appreciates the sense of autonomy in My Way Parfum (launching January 30). It’s a slogan, she says, “but it also means so much, and it could inspire so much.”
Courtesy of Giorgio Armani.
The Armani announcement comes on the heels of a momentous year for the actor, whose performance in Euphoria—playing the determined, shatteringly vulnerable Cassie Howard—earned her one of two Emmy nominations in 2022. (Her work in The White Lotus also got a nod.) If the Nirvana generation seemed to know what teen spirit smelled like, what does Sweeney make of it? “I don’t really think that scent correlates with age,” she muses, shrugging off the idea that demographics shape a perfume—here, a Carlos Benaïm creation that blends iris pallida (powdery, with depth), Indian tuberous (bright and enveloping), Calabrian bergamot oil (for zing), and vanilla (from a sustainable operation in Madagascar). Instead, she says, fragrance is rooted in the “feelings it evokes and the memories that it may bring to you or to others.”
In the case of My Way, which took Sweeney for the first time to Morocco, the campaign shoot delivered on the perfume’s tagline: I am what I live. “I love traveling—it’s one of my favorite things in the whole wide world,” the actor says, her side-parted waves reflecting a buoyancy in her real-life demeanor. “The wanderlust and excitement that you see in my face was truly what I was experiencing in the moment.” Less a Sinatra reference, the name My Way for her speaks to independence. “It means determination and curiosity and adventure,” says Sweeney, whose offbeat hobbies include restoring a cherry-red vintage Bronco. “It means being yourself and not letting anyone get in your path.”
The fourth addition to the My Way collection, the Parfum continues in an eco-minded direction, with refillable bottles and raw materials sourced from sustainable operations.
Courtesy of Giorgio Armani.
That spirit of self-direction carries over to Sweeney’s current stint in Italy, where she is filming Immaculate, a psychological horror set at a countryside convent. She plays a devout woman headed for an unsettling turn of events; off-camera, Sweeney is a co-producer. Next up: a return to set for Euphoria’s anticipated third season, which will send the actor back into Cassie mode, luminous and fragile. The character’s obsessive beauty regimen was a collective flashpoint last season. “A lot of the tools that were used for her 4 a.m. routine were tools that I brought from home,” Sweeney recounts, singling out the ice roller she took to Rome (handy for depuffing en route to the makeup trailer) and a “floppy” LED mask that has a meditative benefit alongside its purported youth-preserving one. “I find that I can’t see my phone because of the light, so I’m just kind of taking a second for myself.”
While Sweeney professes to be less intense with self-care, she and Cassie do see eye to eye on Armani’s Luminous Silk foundation. “I make all my characters use it because it’s the best—but I also think that she would choose it herself,” the actor says, imagining her alter-ego in Neo Nude blush and a pink shade of Lip Power. Fragrance is another matter. “Cassie definitely wears perfume for others. She will put on whatever she thinks the guy she’s in love with at the time wants her to smell like,” Sweeney says. In a way, that plays out in a tear-strewn scene from season 2 as an overdose of rose—gifts from her clandestine lover. “I loved it because I love floral [scents],” says Sweeney, remembering a current of wind on set that magnified the heady effect. “It was honestly a beautiful, surreal moment.”
I have always been one of those people who love perfumes and fragrances. Oftentimes when we’re talking about the cherry on top of an outfit, people think of shoes or a great pair of sunglasses, which are important parts of an outfit, don’t get me wrong, but the real cherry on top is a great fragrance. Your scent says just as much about you as your outfit choice does. I love fragrance so much I bring a travel size perfume in my purse with me everywhere I go. I’m a believer in mixing perfumes too. Certain brands, such as Jo Malone London, are designed to be mixed and matched with their entire collection of scents. I personally love the combination of Wood Sage & Sea Salt mixed with English Pear & Freesia. I’m currently wearing a mix of Rose 31 from Le Labo and Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming. They balance each other out so well, with the Le Labo perfume being a little smoky and masculine and the Dior being light and sweet.
Certain fragrances gain the attention of fragrance lovers and become cult favorites. Some that come to mind are Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge or Le Labo’s Santal 33. Now whenever I hear about a new fragrance everyone can’t get enough of, I have to be the judge myself. I have high standards when it comes to perfume, and I need to really love a scent to spend the money on it, especially considering great fragrances aren’t usually cheap.
For me to invest in the right fragrance, it has to check four main boxes. It has to last a long time (for me, that’s at least five to six months), it has to be sweet but not overwhelmingly so that you would mistake me for a high school cheer captain, it has to be a little woodsy or smoky but not so that you’d mistake me for someone’s grandfather, and it has to have character and personality. I rounded up 30 fragrances that I’ve tried and believe are worth the hype and have earned the title of “cult-favorite fragrance,” including all of my current favorites that sit on my vanity while I write this.
Keep scrolling to see which fragrances made the cut.
If you love to smell really, really good—like, strangers-chase-you-down-the-street-to-ask-what-you’re-wearing good—you’ve come to the right place. Especially if you want that status of olfactory charm without sharing it with the rest of the perfume-wearing masses. Don’t get us wrong. We love the well-known, largely worn signature scents from designers like Dior, Gucci, and Tom Ford, and we stand by our statement that every single person who wears perfume should own at least one bottle of Chanel in their life (pick your poison here), but there is just nothing chicer than finding the ultimate niche perfume that doesn’t hail from a super-famous designer label. If you’re truly looking for a unique, signature scent, you’re far better off trolling the niche perfume market to find your fragrance soul mate.
Unlike more mainstream perfumes, niche fragrances are produced on a much smaller scale, are not available in the popular retailers you might spot at the mall, and aren’t household names. (Although, a few on our list may well get there.) Instead, you’ll typically find the best niche perfumes at a fancy fragrance boutique, a perfume specialist, or exclusively through their own websites. That said, some might offer limited selections at super-upscale retailers like Saks, Neiman Marcus, or Bergdorfs. These types of scents are rare, *usually* expensive, and sometimes even a little bizarre in their inspiration. For example, one brand on our list, Serge Lutens, offers a fragrance inspired by the scent of teeth called Dent de Lait. Yes, really.
If you’re like us and in the mood to find a new signature scent to debut as the world starts to open up again, you’re in luck. Below, we’re sharing 10 of the best niche fragrances (in our opinion, at least) in addition to a selection of runners-up you might be into as well. Keep scrolling! Your next new perfume obsession is waiting to be discovered just below.
Releasing its first fragrance in 2011, the brand has built quite a roster of intriguing perfumes, no matter your scent preferences. And in true Jimmy Choo fashion, the bottles make a statement even before you fall in love with your new signature scent. Below, we’re sharing 10 of the best Jimmy Choo perfumes—keep scrolling!
The landscape of beauty is ever-changing, as new products launch and industry icons receive packaging touchups or formula tweaks. In 2022, we saw innovations in texture, formulation and ingredient blends — and experts seem to agree: It was a blockbuster year in beauty.
Beauty editors spend their days testing all of the latest hair, makeup, skin-care and fragrance drops, usually before they even hit the market. And while they may try hundreds (if not thousands!) of new products each year, there are only a select few that make the cut as newfound favorites.
We asked 13 beauty editors — experts in all things dabbing, blending, smoothing and judging — to share their picks for the very best product launches of 2022. Ahead, see the 33 they chose.
“You couldn’t head out for your morning cup of coffee without running into a celebrity skin-care line this year, but the one that surprised me in the best way was Hailey Bieber’sRhode Beauty. The Barrier Restore Cream, in particular, stood out for a few reasons: Not only did she consult veteran cosmetic chemists and trusted dermatologists to fine-tune the formula, she also kept the ingredients simple yet effective. My sensitive skin is a big baby… but it drank up every last drop of this stuff — no irritation or breakouts in sight.” —Kelsey Castañon, content director, Popsugar Beauty
“Coming from someone who spent half of every middle school P.E. class trying to unstick my hair from my lips, I thought my lip gloss days were in the rearview. Then, I tried this launch from Tarte’s Maracuja line, which is technically more of a ‘bloss’ — a hybrid between a balm and a gloss — than the sticky alternative you might have worn in the early aughts. Still, it gives my lips that Juicy Tube-level shine without the sticky feel. It doesn’t hurt that I also love every single color (I have all nine of them stashed in a different purse, travel bag and makeup drawer) and that the hydrating formula is perfect year-round.” —Castañon
“The name speaks for itself: This Merit serum does exactly what it says. It gives you great skin. For the clean beauty brand’s first foray into skin care, it tried its hand at something so simple, but so efficacious. The niacinamide and hyaluronic acid simultaneously brighten and hydrate. On days when I’m rushing or just want to have a nice morning glow for the gym, I apply this and feel like a new woman.” —Asia Millia Ware, fashion and beauty writer, The Cut
Dior La Mousse Off/On Foaming Face Cleanser, $47, available here
Photo: Courtesy of brand
“This cleanser hasn’t made its way off my shelf since it launched in the spring. I knew I loved it when I was traveling and forgot my skin-care bag, and when I went to Sephora, it was the first thing I reached for. Dior got everything right, from the creamy foaming texture to the way it leaves skin hydrated and deeply cleansed. It’s the one cleanser that I recommend to every person I know. There are so many cleansers on the market, but for me, this one changed the game forever, which says a lot. And it’s luxury beauty at an affordable price. Definitely a top-tier launch.” —Ware
Cay Skin Deepwater Nourishing Lip Mask, $22, available here
Photo: Courtesy of brand
“I know the girls love Laneige (myself included), but Winnie Harlow absolutely did something with her brand’s lip mask. Whether I’m going to bed, the gym or just re-hydrating my lips midday, it effortlessly glides across my lips for the ultimate nourishment. I honestly haven’t touched another lip mask since I discovered this, and I have everyone from my boyfriend to my best friends obsessed with it.” —Ware
Jori Daily Leave-On Acne Treatment Mask, $52, available here
Photo: Courtesy of brand
“As someone who grew up with cystic acne, I’m pretty skeptical about most over-the-counter treatments, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It’s labeled as a leave-on mask, but I use it as a spot treatment whenever I see or feel a breakout coming on. It has 2.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide that allows it to get deep into the pores, as opposed to just sitting on the surface of your skin (which reduces the usual irritation I’d get from using anything with benzoyl peroxide in it). I apply the tiniest amount to an incoming spot one to two times a day, and it stops it right in its tracks.” —Jenny Jin, beauty director, PureWow
Supergoop Every. Single. Face. Watery Lotion SPF 50, $34, available here
Photo: Courtesy of brand
“I’m always on the search for a sunscreen that outperforms the last, and this one from Supergoop is a standout this year. The brand calls it a ‘watery lotion,’ and I can confirm that it has a thin, watery consistency that spreads easily and absorbs without much effort. I’ve worn it during sweaty summer days in LA and in crisp fall weather while visiting family in Korea recently, and it never feels too heavy on my skin. On that note, the lightweight texture is comparable to some K-beauty formulas I’ve loved throughout the years like Innisfree and Make P:rem.” —Jin
“Char was first described to me as ‘a comforting scent that’s basically a crisp, cozy fall day in a bottle,’ which is pretty accurate. Featuring tonka bean and ginger top notes, it gives a whiff of warmth and spice that lingers long after you spray it. Depending on my mood, I’ve been alternating between this and ‘Windows Down,’ a lighter, brighter citrus fragrance from the brand. Either way, I’ve gotten compliments from friends and family members whenever I wear these scents — including my mom, who stopped me mid-hug the other day and insisted I spray some perfume on her, too.” —Jin
Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50, $22, available here
Photo: Courtesy of brand
“The struggle to find brown girl-friendly sunscreens is still real, even in the year 2022. So I was extremely delighted to discover that not only does this SPF not leave behind a chalky white residue on my skin, but it’s extremely moisturizing. I love wearing this daily because I feel protected, whether it’s sunny outside or extremely cloudy, and it makes for an incredible base when I do wear makeup.” —Dana Oliver, founder and editor, Beauty for Breakfast
Milk Makeup Future Fluid Cream Concealer, $29, available here
Photo: Courtesy of brand
“I live for a multi-purpose beauty product, and Future Fluid wears many hats, from concealer and highlighter to foundation. I don’t have to overdo it with blending, as it melts right into my skin. And I still look like myself, which is a huge plus!” —Oliver
Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Serum Foundation, $34, available here
Photo: Courtesy of brand
“When Danessa Myricks’ Yummy Skin Serum Foundation launched in March, I knew I needed to get my hands on it immediately. Once I tried it, I fell in love with the formula. Honestly, it’s the only foundation I’ve used consistently this year. It feels hydrating (thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil) and gives my skin a beautiful glow.” —Olivia Hancock, beauty editor, Byrdie
Photo: Courtesy of brand
“Futurewise’s Slugging System has been a game-changer for my dry skin, especially the Slug Balm. I love slathering this jelly-like formula on my skin before bed. The moisture-locking occlusive helps prevent water loss, ensuring my skin remains plump and hydrated. And unlike other occlusives, this one doesn’t feel sticky or heavy on my skin.” —Hancock
Ami Colé On Point Precision Brow Pencil, $20, available here
Photo: Courtesy of brand
“I’m an Ami Colé devotee, so I always get excited when the brand launches something new. The On Point Precision Brow Pencil debuted in September and has quickly become my favorite brow product. The ultra-fine tip makes it easy to create precise, hair-like strokes. Plus, I love that all the shades are named after braiding hair colors.” — Hancock
“Sunscreen doesn’t need to be fun (after all, preventing cancer is fun enough on its own, IMO), but this fluffy sunscreen makes applying it on yourself or a friend a total delight. It comes straight out of the can just like whipped cream and smells like a hazy piña colada-doused afternoon in Miami. P.S. Any record collector will find this product charming, too, because it reminds me of the Herb Alpert ’65 cover.” —Margaux Anbouba, beauty editor, Elle
Photo: Courtesy of brand
“I never thought about how every liquid liner had a cone-shaped brush until I tried this brilliant redesign from Euphoria’s lead makeup artist Donni Davy. The brush is flat and paddle-shaped, so it makes tight lining your eyes or building even, inky cat eyes a breeze.” —Anbouba
Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm Powder, $36, available here
Photo: Courtesy of brand
“You only need a dab of this genius blurring balm-meets-foundation to cover skin in an ultra-flattering filter. Buff it into skin and everything looks miraculously smoother and luminous all day long.” —Anbouba
“As someone with curly hair who’s been searching for years, I can attest to the fact that finding a good gel isn’t easy — thankfully, the beauty customization experts at Prose created this one. This styling gel (which is tailored to my unique hair needs) has been one of my favorites this year for sleek buns and ponytails, half-up looks and more — without the flakes.” —Tiffany Dodson, associate beauty commerce editor, Harper’s Bazaar
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Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum, $68, available here
Photo: Courtesy of brand
“The primary ingredients (niacinamide, hylaronic acid, retinal, squalene) were ones I already used individually, so this serum allowed me to simplify my skin-care routine by combining them all. It’s a bit steep in price, but you only need a pea-sized amount to see a dramatic difference, so you get your money’s worth.” — Treasure Brooks, co-founder, The Meteor
“This product was great at evening out stubborn discoloration on my back and chest. Retinols and chemical exfoliants can be tricky on melanated skin, so it’s great when a brand like Topicals is formulated with us in mind. It has a nice consistency, no pungent smell and I think the packaging is so cute.” — Brooks
Initio Parfums Prives Paragon Extrait de Parfum, $370, available here
Photo: Courtesy of brand
“This under-the-radar fragrance brand won’t be so for much longer: Its latest launch — a unisex blend of palo santo and white sage — is hands-down my favorite fragrance launch of the year. It’s intoxicating and will literally stop people in their tracks. (True story: A complete stranger practically fell over herself at a Brooklyn hotel to tell me how much she liked this scent on me). The brand claims that the note blend has powerful emotional properties and was used for centuries by Inca shamans. I know nothing of this, but I can tell that you’ll use this sparingly to make it last as long as possible. It’s that good.” —Brian Underwood, beauty director, Women’s Health
Kate Somerville EradiKate Clarifying Acne Gel Cleanser, $44, available here
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“Acne products have undergone a major makeover this year, and in the words of Lizzo, ‘It’s about damn time.’ This is stuff people who have breakouts will actually want to use, and I consider Kate Somerville’s EradiKate line as part of this shift. This lovely gel cleanser with 2% salicylic acid — a trusted acne-fighting ingredient — foams beautifully, has a pleasant slightly herbal aroma, and looks snazzy on your bathroom counter. It’s a win-win for your skin.” —Underwood
Fresh Tea Elixir Skin Resilience Activating Serum, $55 (from $110), available here
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“It’s said that ‘good things come to those who wait,’ and we’ve been waiting a long time for this serum — Fresh scientists have been at it for 15 years, in fact. The results are a revelation: This blend of a proprietary tea compound, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and ceramide III boosts skin’s resilience against pro-aging stressors. And, like most Fresh products, it’s a joy to use — lightweight, soothing, just…wonderful.” —Underwood
“I can’t help but scream out its name everywhere I go. Dieux Skin’s Instant Angel is formulated with fatty acids, ceramides and glycerin to deeply moisturize skin. It comes at an amazing price point and is created by a brand that genuinely cares about its consumers. That, and it makes my skin look and feel happier and healthier each time I apply the buttery formula.” —Hallie Gould, senior editorial director, Byrdie
Chanel Éclat Lunaire Oversize Illuminating Face Powder, $88, available here
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“I love the size of this product; it’s absolutely massive. The finish is satin-y without sparkle and lights up my skin in all the best ways. Use it on your eyes, cheekbones and wherever else you’d like to sprinkle a subtle, golden rose highlight on.” —Gould
Iconic London Super Smoother Blurring Skin Tint, $32, available here
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“The perfect skin tint does exist, thanks to Iconic London. The formula is lightweight, but offers enough coverage for my full-beat babes and still looks great after a long day of work and events.” —Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor, Elle
Eadem Dew Dream Hydrating Cleansing Balm, $30, available here
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“Whether I’m drunk, tired or lazy, I always remember to remove every ounce of my makeup. Eadem‘s cleansing balm melts off even the most stubborn matte formulas with ease — without leaving my skin feeling stripped bare.” —Penrose
Danessa Myricks Beauty Lightwork Vol. IV Transcendence Palette, $125, available here
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“I haven’t been this excited about an eye shadow palette in a long time. I typically reserve pops of color for the inner corners of my eyes or the waterline, but the shades in this palette deserve primetime lid space. One swatch deposits the most insane amount of pigment and blends without any hiccups. And don’t stop at the eyes: Dust on your favorite shade along your cheekbones for extra oomph.” —Penrose
“For the first time, I started experiencing a flaky scalp this year and decided to try this new serum to see if it could help with the dryness. I was pleasantly surprised when this formula gave instant results. Just two to three drops, and my scalp felt and looked more hydrated after one use. ‘Instant,’ ‘after one use’ — I felt like a walking infomercial using this product. It’s been my go-to when I’ve washed gel out of my hair or after heavy heat application.” —Thatiana Diaz, editor-in-chief, Remezcla
Body by TPH Good Daze Vegan Hydrating Body Wash Gel, $9, available here
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“I’ve been longtime loyal to my Dove body wash, but this gel did have me choosing sides this year as I reached over for it most of — if not all of — the time. This gel has softened my skin and gives me a sensorial experience that blends well with the steam of my warm showers. My bathroom instantly turns into a spa, without the expensive tab. It’s perfect for the morning, with orange and ginger essential oils that make getting up much more pleasant for a not-so-morning person.” —Diaz
Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer, $30, available here
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“I added this product to my makeup routine as a bronzer, and I can confirm that it lives up to the ‘transforming’ of it all. I dust this onto my cheekbones and around the corners of my face, giving off a foolproof warm glow that’s lightweight. Two bonus takeaways: If you tan on vacation and your foundation shade is now a little off, this powder helps level out the tone, so you don’t have to buy a new one; and it could also serve as a soft eyeshadow. Truly transformational.” —Diaz
“It’s not easy to create a high-performance ‘clean’ mascara — but somehow, Ami Colé did it. With a formula that has 87% naturally-derived ingredients, including shea butter and jojoba oil, not only am I left with voluminous, long, fluttery lashes, but the formula also never flakes or dries out my lashes. This mascara has made me quit some of my high-end faves.” —Kayla Greaves, executive beauty editor, InStyle
Rose Ingleton MD SuperFruit Gentle Brightening Cleanser, $38, available here
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“I feel like I’ve been going on and on and on and on about this cleanser all year — and with an almost perfect five-star rating on Sephora.com and a few awards under its belt, it looks like I’m not the only one who’s obsessed. It’s made with Dr. Ingleton’s signature Jamaican SuperFruit Blend, sugarcane extract, hyaluronic acid and pro-vitamin B5. Expect your skin to feel nourished and supple — never dry! — after cleansing. Plus, it’s made with coconut surfactants, so it will still give you that satisfying lather, but without stripping your pores. No other cleanser can compete — sorry!” —Greaves
Relevant Skincare One and Done Everyday Cream, $38, available here
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“I have been traveling like a madwoman as of late, and my God, this one-and-done cream really saves my ass (and space in my luggage) every time. The impressive formula offers a blend of moisturizing plum oil, niacinamide, kigelia extract, buriti oil and more — plus SPF 40. After I wash my face, I simply slather this on and go about my business.” —Greaves
Please note: Occasionally, we use affiliate links on our site. This in no way affects our editorial decision-making. Some responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Jean Paul Gautier launched its first fragrance (we’ll share the inaugural scent later) in 1993, and since then, the brand has gone on to launch additional scents that have earned beloved followings. And not surprisingly, each perfume is housed in a bottle as a visual display for fashion, fun, and individuality. Keep scrolling for the all-time-best Jean Paul Gautier perfumes we highly recommend.
If you’re a beauty lover (and in L.A.), there’s nothing quite like stepping into Violet Grey’s brick-and-mortar store on Melrose Place. It’s lined with mirrors, plush fabrics, black lacquer, and gold accents, and the impact upon entering the tucked-away threshold is something like how I imagine Cinderella felt upon entering Prince Charming’s castle. The retailer and its iconic code of honor (aptly called the Violet Code) are known for carrying only the crème de la crème, so when I found out a new-to-market fragrance brand was launching there exclusively (first in-store and now, thankfully, on the retailer’s website), I knew it had to be special.
In a very pinch-me-wow-I-freaking-love-my-job moment, I was invited to privately meet Perfumehead’s founder and CEO, Daniel Giles, to learn everything there was to know about the collection, which features seven truly magical fragrant works of art.
Just moments into our meeting, I was stunned by the thought and supreme intention that went into the brand and each scent’s careful creation. Not to mention I was completely mystified as to how I could have such a guttural oh-my-effing-god reaction to each and every perfume Giles put in front of me. As a picky, jaded editor, that never happens. Never! What I couldn’t get over, however, was how good Giles smelled. Almost immediately after we sat down, I asked which one he was wearing, and he revealed the ultimate plot twist: In the most magical of olfactory accidents, a member of the Violet Grey team had layered two Perfumehead scents (Canadian Tuxedo and Cosmic Cowboy), and the end result was some time of alchemic witchcraft Giles and I could not get over.
The rest is history, and I am now primally obsessed with the glittering bottles of Canadian Tuxedo and Cosmic Cowboy standing atop my vanity. Say what you want about other big players like Byredo, Le Labo, and MFK (I mean, I love them too), but Perfumehead is the newest, coolest fragrance on the block right now, and I guarantee that by reading this, you are the first in your circle to know.
According to Elena Vosnaki, author and senior editor at Fragrantica.com and founder of Perfumeshrine.com, Portrait of a Lady has been duped numerous times, and the inspiration behind the scent has to do with the burgeoning trend of Arabian-inspired perfumery. “The perfume deals with a rose note and spices in a new, modern way that varies between the oriental and chypre theme with patchouli, natural and intense, dominating the heart of the composition,” she explains. “It is Arabian-inspired but clearly aimed at Western consumers. In a way, it recalls older rose chypres, like L’Arte di Gucci and Parfum de Peau by Montana. Yet modernized without much of the bitter oakmoss note and the too heavy, dirty ‘animal’ background. It feels groomed, not lived in!”
Growing up, the bottles of body sprays, lotions, butters, and eau de toilettes that lined my bathroom vanity were far sweeter than a dessert-filled episode of The Great British Baking Show. My rotation typically included the latest cloyingly saccharine launch from Bath & Body Works; Britney Spears’s Fantasy (or Curious); a pure-sugar scent that, not surprisingly, was called Pink Sugar; and anything else my collection of glossy magazines like Seventeen, CosmoGirl, and Teen Vogue was advertising. If it smelled like a frosted bakehouse cookie with sprinkles or the Cinnabon stand at the mall, I was—without a doubt—wearing it.
I’ll always love unapologetically sweet scents, but now, my tastes have graduated to fragrance blends that are warm and woodsy or grounded with spices, leathers, or classic florals. That said, signature sweet notes like vanilla are often at the heart of my all-time-favorite perfumes. They’re just far less overpowering. Being a beauty editor and all, I always have an overflowing stock of perfumes, so I decided to start a little experiment earlier this year. Instead of sticking to my signature fragrances, I went on a perfume-wearing spree, if you will, in which I wore a different scent every day for about of month, taking note of which formulas I liked best and which blends won me the most questions, comments, and compliments. In review, I noticed something intriguing: The top 12 scents all had a common, not-so-secret ingredient, vanilla (a result that very much proved my hypothesis that vanilla is still relevant post–seventh grade and outside the kitchen).
Below, I’m sharing the top 12 fragrances I’m currently obsessed with and which never failed to earn me compliments from strangers and loved ones alike. Keep scrolling! The best vanilla perfumes lie just ahead.
There have always been perfumes that take the world (or at least fragrance lovers) by storm. Those of us who existed in the ’90s and 2000s might recall the hype surrounding CK One, the world’s first marketed unisex scent. We might have begged our parents to buy us a bottle of Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers or Clinique Happy or the iconic Gap fragrances. Back then, we’d catch wind of these fragrances via TV commercials, magazine ads, or during trips to the department store beauty counter. But these days, all you have to do (aside from reading Who What Wear, ahem) is open up your TikTok app and see what’s trending on #PerfumeTok—though, I’m not talking about vabbing.
Granted, there are some major differences between the perfumes that were popular 20 years ago and the ones that are blessed with TikTok virality. One is the price point—a lot of TikTok-famous scents are niche and come with a hefty price tag, which is why I am here to guide you through some of the most popular perfumes on the clock app and help you know which scents are worth it. However, there are also some decently priced fragrance finds that have made it big. It’s really all about what you like. On that note, it’s a good reminder that fragrance is subjective, so a certain fragrance might be worth the money to me, but not to you, and vice versa!
The concept of this perfume is really cool: It’s supposed to remind you of skin, specifically the skin of a lover. Or an ex, perhaps? When I heard that, I was scared it was going to smell like Cool Water and Taco Bell. Now, let’s read the notes: skin musk, bergamot, jasmine, cyclamen, neroli, orange flower, sandalwood, blonde wood, white musk. To me, it smells like laundry and has a more masculine smell, so I suppose it could smell like somebody I used to know (cue Adele). I personally wouldn’t wear it (gourmand queen over here!), but I understand why people would be curious enough for it to sell out repeatedly. Hmm, if all of those people wear it, their lovers will think of them in the future when they smell it, and so on, and so on, so the cycle continues. Almost like a reverse Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Brilliant, if you ask me.
I’ve enjoyed every Ariana Grande fragrance I tried, and this one is no different. (I had two of her other scents on my desk at my old job as my “afternoon sprays.”) There are people out there who believe this to be an affordable version of Baccarat 540 (which we will talk more about in a sec below). While I can’t completely agree, I will say there are similarities. But you have to let it settle into your skin to fully experience it, as it can be intense at first spray. Top notes are lavender, bergamot, and pear, then it turns into coconut, praline, and vanilla orchid, ending with musk and woody notes. I’d say if you’re on a tight budget but are intrigued by Baccarat 540 and want a good gourmand, start with this one, but know that they are different!
These Sol de Janeiro sprays have me in a choke hold. They are not for the faint of heart, aka people who hate dessert scents. This one literally states “pistachio and salted caramel” on the bottle. I will say that ’71 is my favorite, but I love this one too, especially at $20 for the 90ml. While this one is body spray, you can also get the EDP. It’s definitely something I would have worn a lot more in my youth, but I can still appreciate it now. If you’re looking for more of a standard perfume (or hate extremely sweet scents), you may want to skip, but for the caramel lovers, please enjoy.
The name of this perfume doesn’t have to do with Penn Badgley, unfortunately. It’s named You because of the way that it’s supposed to adapt to your skin, resulting in it smelling different on everyone—almost like a “custom” fragrance. It is a completely different fragrance than anything I own. It’s bright and fresh because of the pink pepper note and also contains ambrette, ambrox, and iris. I like the clean, showery-fresh vibe of You. Although, it’s not my personal favorite. Still, I’ve worn this multiple times. For a gourmand girl, that’s a big deal!
J’adore Miss Dior. This is a classique floral fragrance that got a reboot in 2021 by François Demachy, and the reboot works, honey. Even though this has rose notes (Centifolia rose, to be exact), I haven’t had any headache issues with it, thank goddess. Other notes include iris, peony and lily-of-the-valley, then apricot, and peach, drying down with vanilla, tonka bean, sandalwood, musk. It smells floral, sweet, powdery, and creamy.
Now this isn’t a gourmand, so it isn’t my usual type of scent, but there’s something appealing about Gypsy Water. It initially comes off bright with its bergamot and lemon notes but dries down into incense and then into the amber and sandalwood. I have a big thing for incense; it’s sexy! I feel like if you also have a thing for it, or woody scents in general, you have to add this to your cart.
I’m a big fan of Parfums de Marly Oriana ($175) and was excited for this sweet, floral scent. I understand why it’s so popular on TikTok. It smells divine! There are notes of rhubarb, lychee, bergamot, Turkish rose, peony, Vanilla, musk, cashmeran, and vetiver. Unfortunately, I may be sensitive to heavy rose fragrances! I’m so bummed. But I still think it’s wonderful. If you love rose scents and have the chemistry for it, I can’t recommend this enough. I’m actually heartbroken that I can’t wear it. Have they invented some sort of shot (like allergies) that will desensitize me to rose? I’ll do it…
Where are all my fruity fragrance lovers at? This is a fantastic fragrance from Vilhelm Parfumerie that lives in the fruity gourmand category. While it’s called Mango Skin, it’s not super straightforward with the main fruit like, for instance, Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry. Instead, it’s a combination of fruit and sugar but doesn’t come across as a fructose overdose. The blackberry note is also evident, and it dries down into dessert: patchouli, vanilla, and pink sugar. It’s a dream scent, especially for warmer weather wear.
This newer perfume from the YSL fragrance family was a nice surprise for me. At first, you get hit with the lavender note, which I’ve discovered to be one of my favorite non-gourmand notes. Then it settles into a warm, woody vibe thanks to the vanilla musk. It’s the perfect balance of floral and sweet. It’s sleek and not at all granny-like, which people tend to think of when it comes to lavender. Plus, the bottle is so chic! Definitely a must for the floral gourmand fiends.
Baccarat Rouge 540, a collaboration between Maison Francis Kurkdjian and the French fine crystal brand Baccarat, is known to the TikTok girlies as the perfume that makes you “smell rich.” And at almost $350, I can see why! It definitely goes through a journey on my skin—it can be floral, woody, and even a little medicinal at times but overall is sweet. While it is not technically a gourmand, it is a very sweet and sugary fragrance, most likely due to the ambroxan. There are similar fragrances out there (some people claim that Ariana Grande Cloud, which I talked about above, is a decent dupe) but is definitely in a world of its own. It’s mysterious and complex, but not for everyone.
A longtime favorite of mine (I gave it a Beauty Crush Award when I was at HelloGiggles), Black Opium is a sophisticated fruity, vanilla and amber scent that is to die for. I have it in my “going-out perfume” category because it’s the type of perfume to put on when I know I’m going to have a good time.
When Lost Cherry first debuted in 2018, I remember it being a little controversial because the thought of a cherry-scented perfume made people pause. (One friend was afraid it would smell like cough medicine.) The thing is, Lost Cherry isn’t sickly sweet, nor does it remind me of cherry lip balm. While It is undoubtedly a straight-forward cherry scent, it’s darker, mature, and dries down into a warm, woody smell. I love how unique that is. When it first came out, I wore it every single day for months and still reach for it often. If you aren’t into cherries, pass, but if you are, this is a special scent that should be in your fragrance closet if you’re willing to spend the dough.
I love the smell of being in the woods and sitting around the bonfire, except I hate when the smoke gets in my hair. By the Fireplace is the answer to my dilemma. It envelops you in a comforting, warm, woody cloud that captures the essence of being in a log cabin in the woods without all the dusty smoke. The clove, orange blossom, and vanilla notes are a glorious symphony for my nostrils. No joke. I’m so obsessed with this fragrance and have been for a few years now. My husband and I even share it.
I’ll be honest. When I first heard the rumor that Love, Don’t Be Shy was Rihanna’s signature scent, I was immediately intrigued. Who wouldn’t want to know what theeRiRi smelled like? But then I read the notes (orange blossom, neroli, and marshmallow, my favorite) and knew this was going to be sumthin’ personal. After all, I am a lover of the gourmand! I’ve come to terms that I am always going to be searching for a “grown-up version” of Aquolina Pink Sugar, which was my own signature scent from the late aughts, and Love, Don’t Be Shy is currently that for me. After I got a sample and used it up fast, I knew it was my perfume soulmate. I bought it as a gift “from me to me” (I did the same exact thing with Rihanna’s actual scent, Fenty Eau de Parfum) and never looked back. If you have the same exact fragrance preferences as me: dessert-y gourmand or marshmallow note fan, then this is absolutely worth the moola.
