If you know me, you know that I somehow find myself at a Sephora store once a week.
And while I love testing out all of the makeup newness and skincare products, I also LIVE for the fragrance section. I recently started following a bunch of awesome content creators who specifically focus on perfume content—yes, it’s a thing!—and it’s fun to go check out their recommendations IRL. (I keep a list in my phone.)
If you happen to be looking for a new perfume, or are planning to ask for one as a gift for the holidays, I put together a list of my top 5 luxury fragrances. In my opinion, perfume is truly the perfect holiday gift—especially when it’s one you’ve already smelled—because it leaves almost no room for error!
Here are five that I’d recommend trying out the next time you find yourself in a Sephora. Or, just take my word for it… I wouldn’t lead you astray.
Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt
Fragrance Family: Woody and Earthy
What I Love About It: When I first posted about trying Wood Sage & Sea Salt last year, I received so many messages from people telling me that it was their go-to everyday fragrance.
There’s a reason why Wood Sage & Sea Salt has a secret society of superfans. It’s truly a crowd-pleasing scent.
I like to describe it as being warm, fresh, and simultaneously unusual yet comfortingly familiar. Another thing I love about it is that it feels special, but not polarizing.
For example, if you work in an office or you’re around a lot of people and you want a fragrance that makes a statement but isn’t too in-in-your-face… this is your perfume. It’s clean and has universal appeal.
Notes:
- Ambrette Seeds
- Sea Salt
- Sage
Kilian Paris Love, Don’t Be Shy
Fragrance Family: Warm Floral
What I Love About It: I was trying to describe this scent in a recent video I made, and there were two things that immediately came to mind: a gorgeous bouquet, and a decadent slice of cake. It’s incredibly rich-smelling with a touch of sweetness, and if I passed by someone on the street who was wearing it, I would definitely stop them to ask what fragrance they had on.
Initially, I thought the addition of “luscious marshmallow” to the fragrance notes was rather unusual—but when you smell it, you realize that it’s actually the perfect descriptor. Combined with the orange blossom and vanilla, it’s a really beautiful combination of floral and sweet.
Notes:
- Orange blossom
- Vanilla Absolute
- Luscious Marshmallow
PRO TIP: If you’re not sure which scent you’d like most, or you just want to better understand your own scent preferences, I would definitely recommend checking out Sephora’s “Fragrance Finder” tools. They even have a short quiz you can take that will make suggestions based on how you answer the questions.
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Jasmine
Fragrance Family: Floral
What I Love About It: I’m a jasmine fan through-and-through, so it’s no surprise that I fell in love with Gucci’s new Gorgeous Jasmine Eau de Parfum. It’s definitely a more powerful fragrance, so if you prefer something super subtle, this might not be for you.
Personally, I find the combination of jasmine, mandarin, and sandalwood to be the ideal floral scent for me.
Notes:
- Mandarin Essence
- Grandiflorum Jasmine
- Sandalwood
Yves Saint Laurent Libre
Fragrance Family: Floral
What I Love About It: YSL Libre reminds me of a “girls night out” type of perfume. It’s powdery with bright lavender notes, and there’s something incredibly calming about the scent—almost aromatherapy-like.
The combination of floral and citrus—which comes from notes of Moroccan orange blossom—make it an ideal “fresh and clean” choice if you don’t necessarily like heavy scents for winter.
Notes:
- Lavender
- Orange Blossom
- Vanilla Extract
Dior Miss Dior
Fragrance Family: Warm Florals
What I Love About It: I have waxed poetic about how much I love Miss Dior. In fact, I just recommended it to a friend who was looking for the perfect wedding day perfume.
I’ve previously described it as smooth and velvety, and I stand by that! The notes of soft musk beautifully compliment the florals (like rose and lily of the valley) creating a scent that’s ideal for just about anyone, no matter the type of fragrance you’re typically drawn to.
Notes:
- Mandarin
- Roses
- Lily of the Valley
- Soft Musk
Are there other fragrances you’re excited about trying for the holidays? Drop them in the comments below!
This post was created in partnership with Sephora. All opinions are my own!
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