Out of all the beauty categories this year, fragrance and fragrance were my favorites. I tried several new brands this year with discovery sets and some of your suggestions and found some new loves.
Now that we’re nearing the end of the year, I’m rounding up my Top Favorites starting with fragrance by fragrance category.
Citrus aromas
Celine Parade
Citrus fragrances are my favorite, and this is the category I usually gravitate towards. Celine Parade remains a favorite. I think it’s one you can wear all year round, but the citrus notes definitely give it a fresher spring to summer vibe.
NOTES: Bergamot, Neroli, Vetiver, Musk, Oakmoss
Chanel Paris-Biarritz
THE Chanel Les Eaux de Chanel still my favorite line in the Chanel perfume line. I love how fresh they feel. Paris-Biarritz it remains my most worn of these.
NOTES: Sicilian accord of mandarin and lily of the valley
Fresh & Clean
Celeste – Celine cologne
I love fresh and clean scents, but ones that aren’t too soapy. Celine Cologne Celeste it is a pure citrus and this is in a different form than their eau de parfums. The bottles for this series are in a larger and taller bottle format for one Toilet water, Aromatic body and hair oil and Bath milk. I bought the body oil and the cologne and I love them both. Both have a very clean vibe, almost like a fresh body wash, but not too soapy.
NOTES: Angelica, sweet lemon scent, petitgrain, neroli accord, ambrette butter and iris butter
L’Eau Sezane
Sezane L’Eau Sezane it was a perfume i blind bought just last week. This scent was sprinkled all over the box for one of my orders and I fell in love with it instantly! I thought about it for several weeks but couldn’t get the scent out of my head. It is very fresh, clean with an almost green feel. The lasting power isn’t the best with this one, but I still think it’s worth checking out and it’s something I don’t mind reapplying throughout the day.
Top notes: Essence of Italian Mandarin, Essence of Italian Lemon, Essence of Petit grain Bigarade
Middle notes: Neroli, Water Jasmine, Peony
Base notes: White Musk
Soft Leather Scents and Musks
I love the idea of a leather-like perfume musk, but musks can be difficult for me. Some are too powdery and don’t wear well on my skin, so the ones I lean towards have a warmer vibe.
Phlur Missing
Phlur Missing remains at the top of my list for Phlur. I think it’s either going to be hit or miss depending on how it works with your body chemistry, but I think it’s one of the best leather-like musky scents I’ve tried. Sephora has theirs Perfume for Everyone Event now through 12/24, so if you’ve had your eye on fragrances at Sephora, you can save 20% off full-size fragrances with code AROMA20.
NOTES: Top: Leather Musk, Bergamot Nectar, Pure Jasmine
Heart: fresh cyclamen, neroli blossom, orange blossom
Base: Australian sandalwood oil, blonde wood, white musk
Guerlain Musc Outreblanc
Guerlain Musc Outreblanc Eau de Parfum it’s one of the nicest clean smelling musks I’ve tried. It has a powdery feel to it, but it’s not too powdery for me. Lasting power is extremely good with the L’Art and La Matiere series. I really like that you can customize and personalize the bottles when you order directly from Guerlain. You can change the plate on the lid, the color of the ribbon, the stamp and also have it engraved. This has been on my wish list for several years and I am THRILLED to finally have a full size.
NOTES: Orange Blossom Absolut, Bulgarian Rose, Musk, Ambrette, Pallida Iris Butter.
Parfums de Marly Valaya
Parfums de Marly was pure love this year. My favorite was Valaya. It is very strong and has a blend of bergamot, vetiver and mandarin mixed with musk. I bought it in both full size and travel size and I love the mini to carry around or travel with.
NOTES: Bergamot, Mandarin, White Peach, Orange Blossom, Nymph, Vetiver, Akigalawood, Ambrofix, Musk
Glossier You Doux
Glossier added two new scents this year and I decided to pick it up Glossier You Doux. I only recently got it, but it’s very unique and easily becoming a winter favorite. It has a comfortable creamy skin like atmosphere. It’s earthy and leathery. The notes mention violet, which I’m not usually a fan of, but it sweetens this fragrance in a really beautiful way and somehow gives it a fresh vibe. Travel size 8ml is available at More shiny if you want to try it first. For the full size you can save 20% off at Sephora now through 12/24 with code Fragrance For All Event AROMA20.
NOTES: Sweet Violet, Palo Santo, Frankincense, Myrrh and Ambrox
Fruity floral
Creed Spring Flower
Looking at the perfumes I wear I realized that I don’t have many fruity florals that I love. Creed Spring Flower is the only exception and their renewal is 10/10 pure heaven. It’s floral yet fruity with great lasting power on me. It’s bright and youthful. A travel size is available in this beauty Women’s Set of 5 pieces.
Top notes: Bergamot, Grapefruit, Green Notes, Lemon
Heart notes: Apricot, jasmine, peach and white flowers
Base notes: Ambroxan, Cedar and Musk
Vanilla
Celine and Phlur
I’m not a big fan of most vanilla fragrances. They usually come off a little too strong, gourmand or bitter on my skin and in hot humid weather it usually doesn’t wear well on me. There are a few exceptions that I really loved this year. I used a few travel sizes in their entirety before I decided to go with the full size bottles.
Phlur Vanilla Skin it’s a solid win for me. I love it in both perfume and hair and body mist publications. It’s warm and sweet without being too sweet. I love the sandalwood blend in this to give it that warm gourmand vibe.
Top: Pink pepper, pink apple, sugar crystals
Heart: Lily, Jasmine Petals, Cashmere Wood
Base: Benzoin, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Xylaloe
I think Celine makes great vanilla fragrances. Black tie it is one of the best vanillas that is sweet and slightly smoky. It’s rich and dense without being too heavy. Lasting power is very strong.
NOTES: White butter iris, cedar, tree moss, vanilla and musk
They added a new one this year called ZuZu. I bought this in a travel size to try and while I really like it, I think the Black Tie is better. ZouZou draws powderier.
NOTES: Benzoin, Tonka Bean, Patchouli, Labdanum, Vanilline and Musk
Unique Stand Outs
Creed Virgin Island Water
The last two references are about Creed. Water of the Virgin Island it remains the best summer holiday scent with its coconut and fruity vibe. It’s a classic and 100% worth it.
NOTES: lime, bergamot, tropical fruits, coconut milk, coconut water, jasmine, white flowers, tonka bean and white musk
Aventus for her
Aventus for her it’s another unique find and I find it more elegant and sophisticated. It’s crisp and floral and fruity at the same time. I don’t think there is anything else like it. There are some woody notes to it that add a very unique touch.
NOTES: Green Apple, Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Lemon, Rose, Lilac, Ylang-Ylang, Blackcurrant, Pineapple, Peach, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Musk and Ambroxan
I’ve had a lot of other loves this year, but these are my top favorites. I can’t wait to see what comes out this coming year. Please share your favorites with me! I love hearing about your scents.
