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.
We get it—holiday shopping can be so tough and overwhelming, especially if you’re on a budget and have a long list of folks to buy gifts for. Don’t worry, though. There are so many creative ways you can give next-level gifts without breaking the bank or seeming cheap. I should know. I’ve become somewhat of a pro at gift buying on a budget.
In the spirit of giving, I decided to share a few affordable beauty gift ideas that your friends and family will think you spent quite a few dollars on. Shhh, no one has to know. I also have to preface this by saying that I know the term “affordable” is relative. A few items on this list might be higher in price, but considering the brand and what’s offered, you’re still getting a hefty discount despite paying a few more bucks. Without further ado, keep scrolling for some luxury-looking items that won’t break the bank this year.
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.
At WWW, we’re pros at two things: Shopping (obviously) and sniffing out the latest and greatest scents to hit the market. In case you thought our love for fragrances stopped at eau de parfums, think again. There’s another category of fragrance that we absolutely lose our minds over and that’s candles. No matter the season, we aim to not only smell incredible ourselves, but to also have a home that’s filled with the soft, alluring scent of someone who really has their shit together.
Winter, specifically, is the perfect season for this. The weather is chilly, the wind is high, and that candle collection you’ve been waiting to bust out will fill the room with freshness and wonder. When friends come over, they know they’re in for a cozy treat. That being said, there’s such an array of winter-themed candles out there that it can be tough to know which ones are actually worth adding to your arsenal. Luckily, that’s what our trusty team of editors is here for. We happen to be experts in the matter and can confidently provide recs. Keep scrolling—we’re sharing all our favorite winter candles that set the chicest winter vibe below.
One of the biggest beauty bummers is when you find the perfect fragrance—whether it’s sweet and gourmand, woody and cozy, or any other scent profile—and it doesn’t last. You spritz it on in the morning, and less than an hour later, it’s like it’s totally dissipated from your clothes and skin. Sure, you can carry your perfume with you, but who wants to do that? Not only are they traditionally encased in heavy glass, but it’s also quite the risk to spill a potent perfume in your favorite bag.
What you should do instead is opt for a hair perfume. If you’ve never used one before, the concept might sound a little strange—even kind of pointless—but we swear they last longer than traditional fragrances. Plus, there’s something to be said about the intoxicating effect of hair perfume. Imagine, a breeze ruffles your hair and a delicate, sweetly scented fragrance wafts up to envelop you. Who doesn’t want that? Without further ado, keep scrolling to see our 15 favorite hair perfumes. These are the ones we use on repeat.
Your skin deserves the VIP treatment. When deciding which beauty products to invest in, pausing to consider how your skin may respond to a fragrance may not always be a top priority for all perfume wearers. But for people who have sensitive skin, knowing which fragrances won’t irritate your skin is a game-changer.
While the word “hypoallergenic” is tricky when it comes to perfume (fragrances are known allergens, after all!), there are some perfumes that are better for sensitive, allergy-prone skin than others.
When shopping for perfume, be sure to read the label if you fall on the sensitive side. Try to avoid perfumes that have ingredients such as acetone, linalool, phthalates, and parabens. These ingredients can irritate allergy-prone skin. Take the time to discover perfumes that are safe to use. Believe me—your skin will thank you in the long run! Read on to see the perfumes and brands that are best for allergy-prone, sensitive skin.
I’m not sure when, where, or why, but somewhere along the line, perfume gift sets began to accumulate a bum rap in terms of their giftability. Deeming them cliché, cheesy, or lazy, some people seem to think perfume sets, and fragrances in general, are an easy way out—thoughtless, they might say. However, we very much beg to differ.
First, wearing and choosing a fragrance is one of the most intimate and personalized ways to adorn and express yourself, and thus, gifting a fragrance, if some thought is put forward as to who your giftee is, is highly personal. So there’s that. Second, we don’t know about you, but perfume is one of those random categories of beauty we don’t necessarily splurge on for ourselves. A mascara that we’ll wear every day? Of course. A serum that claims to give us baby angel skin? Why not? But an expensive scent we may only wear on special occasions or when we’re feeling a certain way? Eek, immediate balk. Thus, gifting a loved one a beautiful, high-quality perfume set is a great way to show your love and appreciation for them, and we have a hunch it will make them feel downright special.
To lend a helping hand as people who receive, test, sniff, and sort all the best fragrances for a living, we’re featuring 25 of the best perfume gift sets we’d personally love to receive this season. From warm and spicy to fresh and clean to a little bit of everything, we’ve got your back. Keep scrolling!
If you’re anything like me and have 100 gifts to buy between now and the end of the year, the situation has gotten pretty urgent. You need gifts that are classic, thoughtful, stylish, and personal—and the only category I can think of that checks all of these boxes is fragrance. I just hit up Sephora (I forgot how fabulous its fragrance section is), and I was reminded that perfume is actually the best gift you can give someone. You can cater the scent you buy to their personality (or even to a memory), and honestly, it doesn’t get much more personal than that.
So my gift to you is an expertly curated list of the eight very best fragrances I found at Sephora. They’ll make everyone on your list very happy, whether you’re searching for a scent for your homebody friend, the one with impeccable style, or anyone in between. I’ve even got something for that outdoorsy friend. (We all have one.) Keep reading for the best personalized fragrance gifts.
As both a beauty lover and a bookworm, finding an intersection between the two can be difficult. That’s when I find a good beauty book, my excitement levels spike through the roof.
Below, find the best beauty-centric books out there for the avid reader who also happens to love makeup, skincare, fragrance, or hair. Whether you’re more interested in a book exploring the origins and staying power of red lipstick or a book about the politics and history of Black hair, there’s something for everyone on this list.
It’s official—Pantone’s 2023 Color of The Year was just announced, and it’s a bold shade that’s basically begging to be incorporated into your beauty routine. It’s called “Viva Magenta,” and as far as we’re concerned, it’s the perfect red-berry color for winter. If the color alone isn’t enough to convince you to shop for matching beauty products, Pantone’s explanation of the color and its effect will surely sway you.
“This year’s Color of The Year is powerful and empowering. It is a new animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint, an electrifying, and a boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta welcomes anyone and everyone with the same verve for life and rebellious spirit. It is a color that is audacious, full of wit, and inclusive of all.”
Now that’s a spirit we can get behind, especially on the verge of a new year. Keep scrolling to see 15 “Viva Magenta” beauty products to incorporate into your routine. These will certainly get you into a bold and colorful spirit.
We love all things beauty here at Who What Wear, but if there’s anything we love above all, it’s fragrance. We could talk about fragrance for hours on end and would not get sick of it. We’re constantly Slacking about new fragrance launches, our favorite perfumes of all time, and how a certain scent smells on our body chemistry. It’s truly a lifestyle.
I personally use fragrance as a way to enhance however I feel that day. When I first started wearing perfume, I wanted to find a signature scent or something I could wear every day that would remind people of me. (Funnily enough, I chose Tom Ford Black Orchid, which you’ll find on this list.) As I got older, I realized that fragrance could be more than something someone remembers about you. Fragrance can be a form of self-expression—the perfect finishing touch to an outfit, a way to evoke an old memory or a way to match how you feel.
Senior beauty editor Erin Jahns feels the same way about fragrance that I do. We set some time aside to decide definitively what we think the best fragrances of all time are. Don’t worry—we’ll still Slack back and forth about perfume, but now we have a guide to reference as a starting point.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: The post-Thanksgiving shopping blitz is plain exhausting. Even though we may not be hitting stores at the crack of dawn like we once did, the whole Cyber Weekend shuffle is a lot. Even if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the deals out there, I feel the need to let you know, friend to friend, that there are plenty of unmissable beauty buys to consider. And not just any buys, either. We’re talking about those bougie, luxurious picks that too often fall just outside your price range.
Well, it’s your lucky day because a number of those fancy beauty finds are seriously discounted. From life-changing skincare to iconic makeup and everything you’ll need to make your home and body smell super rich, check out 28 of the best luxury beauty products currently on sale.
Stop everything because Sephora is about to launch its Black Friday deals, and we could not be more excited for some savings on our favorite beauty products.
The retailer is known for its expansive brand offering and beauty deals in the lead-up to the festive season, so it’s safe to say that when we heard that Sephora was launching a week’s worth of savings from 11/21 to 11/28, we got our cards ready.
It’s that time of the year again! The sale season has kicked off with Nordstrom’s Holiday Sale, offering a selection of majorly discounted beauty items you’ll want to grab before they disappear again. As a Seattle native (the home of Nordstrom), lover of all this beauty, and an avid shopper, I’ve come up with a list of 15+ products I’m planning on grabbing for myself and my loved ones during Nordstrom’s Holiday Sale. If you’re looking for a little inspiration to get shopping (it’s never too early to start on those holiday presents, even if they’re just for you), here’s everything I have my eye on. Cheers to great beauty products for less!
Read on to find out which discounted beauty products have already landed in my basket!
Black Friday is the time to stock up on all things beauty. It’s the ideal opportunity to replenish your skincare and makeup favorites and take the plunge on that coveted fragrance you’ve had your eye on. But if there’s one Black Friday beauty item you should be bookmarking for a serious saving, it’s beauty tools.
In my experience as a beauty editor, I generally get the best Black Friday deals on beauty tools. Be it skincare gadgets or hairstyling tools, there are big discounts and savings to be had on beauty devices across the board.
I’m not going to call anyone out, but I will say there are a handful of people in my inner circle who make holiday shopping stressful—not because they’re difficult people but because they have irritatingly great taste. In years past, I’ve had more gifting-related breakdowns in shopping malls than I care to admit, all in a quest to find the perfect presents for the people who matter most to me.
I pride myself on my gift-giving abilities, so the stressful process is always worth the joy that comes on the other end. But this year, I’ve decided to put my sanity first and change up my shopping approach. What’s my strategy? I’ll be focusing on the one thing all my people have in common: really good style. The only thing missing from their near-perfect ensembles is a fragrance to pull it all together. The good news is Sephora‘s expertly curated selection of scents makes it surprisingly easy to find exactly what you’re looking for in a pinch—even for the most challenging people on your list. Keep scrolling for nine standout fragrances that would make exceptionally good presents for anyone with impeccable taste. (Even the bottles are just as chic as they smell.)
I don’t think anyone gets quite as excited as I do for Sephora’s annual Holiday Savings Event. If you’re a beauty fanatic like me, I’m sure you’ve got your eye on a few things already. But if you’re a VIB member at Sephora, this is your gentle reminder that starting today, you can receive 15% off through November 7 with the code SAVINGS.
Not a VIB? No problem. If you’re a Rouge member, you’ll receive 20% off through November 7. First-tier Insiders will receive 10% off starting November 3 through November 7.
As a bonus, all Sephora Collection items are 30% off regardless of tier—a true holiday treat from the retail giant. I know, enough talking, more shopping. If you’re curious about what I’ve got queued up in my cart, keep scrolling.
Lucky for us, you don’t have to book a trip across the pond to get your hands on a bottle. The 1.6-ounce size is available on Amazon for a very doable $26, which officially makes it the most affordable scent in our arsenal of French fragrance staples. What, exactly does the oil smell like, and why is it so special? Well, it has multitasking powers, for one. As a dry oil, it’s supremely hydrating, but it’s light enough to be used anywhere on the body—try it on your strands to make your next slicked-back style a snap.
Even though it soaks into the skin and leaves behind a noticeable satiny glow, it’s the opposite of greasy, and you’re also left with that now-famous scent featuring delicate notes of orange blossom, magnolia, and vanilla. Last but not least, there’s the 98% natural origin of the oil’s trademark ingredients. Seven precious botanical oils (tsubaki, argan, macadamia, borage, camelia, hazelnut, and sweet almond) team up to deliver an impressive host of benefits, such as anti-pollution protection, antioxidant-induced brightness, diminished stretch marks, and long-lasting moisture. Obviously, we’re buying about 10 bottles. Click below to get your own bottle and then keep scrolling to discover more best-selling French favorites from Nuxe and the other French pharmacy gems our editors go wild for.
