I’m what you could call a fragrance person. I have upwards of 50 perfumes in my room at any given time, I wear a different perfume every day to match my mood (and my outfit), and a “you smell good” compliment is the highlight of my day. Needless to say, I’ve tried many, many different perfumes. I have scents I keep going back to, and some that I’ve tried once and never touched again.
There’s nothing worse than spending money on a scent and only using it once, so I scrolled through Sephora’s entire fragrance section (yes, the whole thing) to find 10 scents that I would actually buy for myself. In case you didn’t know, Sephora’s biannual Savings Event is starting today, so now is the perfect time to snag a new perfume.
Here are the details of the savings event. Rouge members (who receive 20% off) get access from October 27 to November 6, and both VIB and Insider members get access from October 31 to November 6. VIB members receive 15% off, and Insiders receive 10% off. Use the code TIMETOSAVE at checkout.
Key notes: amber, bergamot, vanilla. My obsession with Dedcool’s cool-girl scents knows no bounds. Taunt is what I might call an almost-fragrance: it falls into the category of perfumes that make you smell like a better version of yourself. It’s warm, amber-laced, and simple—like if your favorite sweater was a scent. It’s great on its own and even better layered.
Key notes: nude musk, sweet rose. I keep a travel-sized version of this fragrance in my bag at all times. It’s one of those scents that goes with everything and works for every occasion. It’s a subtle musk at its core, and it has just a touch of rose to open it up.
Key notes: vanilla absolute, white tulip, black amber. Everyone and their mother is putting out a vanilla scent right now. Boy Smells’ version is delightfully unexpected. Vanilla scents can be one-note—or worse, cloying—but this one is perfectly balanced, with interesting notes like white tulip and black amber that make it not your average vanilla.
Key notes: ylang ylang, Tahitian tiare, ambergris. Ellis Brooklyn has an entire collection of bops, but if you’re wondering which scent you should try first from the brand, it’s Salt. Salt is the most interesting, alluring skin scent I own. It smells like salty skin on the beach during one of those perfect summer days that feels neverending.
Key notes: fig, jasmine dew, sandalwood. It’s a testament to how good a fragrance is when every beauty editor I know is obsessed with it. Such is the case with Phlur’s Father Figure—the warm, woodsy scent has been a favorite among all my editor friends ever since it was launched. It’s the perfect combination of succulent fig and woods, and it smells absolutely divine on skin.
Key notes: pink pepper, iris, abrox. Glossier You is an icon for a reason. It smells different depending on who wears it, which is purposeful—the brand has always said it’s missing an ingredient: you. The peppery, lightly floral, ambery scent is one of the easiest fragrances to make your own.
Whenever the air starts to get a bite to it, I like to pull out By the Fireplace. It’s the ideal cold-weather scent—like a cozy fireplace that you can take with you, thanks to notes like clove, chestnut, and vanilla.
Key notes: Turkish rose, Bulgarian rose, coffee. I have a hard time throwing my support behind rose scents, but this one from Tom Ford is exactly what I want a rose to be. The addition of coffee gives it a jolt of energy and smells impeccable on skin.
Key notes: pear, rose, vanilla. Vanilla Woods is the perfect mix of fruity, floral, and sweet. Sweet scents aren’t really my jam, but this one is just sweet enough. It’s a very easy scent to mix into your fragrance wardrobe, and it’s also made with sustainable ingredients.
Key notes: orange blossom, damascena rose, grandiflorum jasmine. Warm florals seem to be the upcoming fragrance trend of 2024. If you’re looking for a gateway, look no further than Francis Kurkdjian’s new interpretation of Dior’s iconic J’adore. It’s a warm floral that still feels modern.
