Scent Notes: The Perfume Index
My hunt for the best, longest lasting perfume
I became obsessed with finding a signature perfume about three years ago.
Up until then, my scent library was mostly contained to whatever new body spritzes Bath and Body Works released, those cloying body mists from PINK, and the one time I asked for a Lancôme perfume for my birthday because I knew Emma Watson repped it. Sometime between the graduation from broke college student to still-kind-of-broke-but-now-full-time office worker, I found myself craving the familiarity of go-to scent.
Shop the whole Perfume Index here! (Note: If you buy, I might get a portion of the commission.)
And it wasn’t just perfumes I was obsessed with—there were candles, oils, diffusers, lotions, anything that went towards creating a scentual (lol) experience that corresponded to my personhood and lifestyle.
Through this journey, I’ve discovered that are a lot of really pleasant smelling things out there—and a lot of them don’t last that long. This transitioned my hunt to not just finding a great signature scent, but a signature scent that would waft around me from morning to late into the night. The kind of scent that turned heads and made people think “who is she?”
In the last three years, I’ve amassed a small collection of perfumes courtesy of gifts, PR sends, and a few purchases of my own to create what I like to call my Perfume Index—a Rolodex of go-tos for various and specific use cases. Here’s what I’ve found.
NOTE: I’ll be updating the Perfume Index every so often as I discover and fall in love with new scents.
The Perfume Index
Le Labo Santal 33
Fragrance concentration: Eau de Parfum
Longevity: 10/10
Pros: Will prompt a stranger to ask what perfume you’re wearing; great longevity
Cons: Pricey
Overall Ranking: 10/10
Scent notes: I don’t even own this perfume, and I’d still recommend it in a heartbeat. I’ve only worn once when a friend generously spritzed me with a spray like a fairy godmother before a night out. I woke the next morning shocked to find residual dregs of the woodsy, sultry, smooth scent still tickling my nose. Longevity aside, this is a showstopping scent that friends have said Uber drivers will even ask them about. It’s certainly on the pricier side—but, compared to some options, I’d consider this a fair deal for a super high-quality perfume.
BVLGARI Le Gemme Sahare Eau de Parfum
Fragrance concentration: Eau de Parfum
Longevity: 10/10
Pros: Lasts forever; smells like you’re a wealthy Parisienne widow about to indulge in a four-course meal after buying out an art gallery
Cons: Expensive; bottle is pretty but a little unwieldy
Overall Ranking: 9/10
Scent Notes: This scent inspires visions of midnight walks in rose gardens bathed in starlight, but that’s not the reason it sits at the top of this list. A few sprays of this perfume lasts forever. 9-to-5, 5-to-9, whatever you need. Full disclosure, I did not purchase this perfume myself—it was gifted to me by the brand, which I mention to preface a quick note on the price. This is an expensive perfume and definitely ranks as a luxury I don’t think I could splurge on regularly (if at all). But if it happens to be in your budget (jealous), then this is definitely a worthwhile bottle to invest in.
A custom fragrance from Olfactory
Fragrance concentration: Eau de Parfum
Longevity: 7/10
Pros: Scent is super unique to you and your tastes; costs under $100
Cons: Shorter wear time
Overall Ranking: 8/10
Scent Notes: It’s hard to describe a perfume from Olfactory because there isn’t just one perfume to get—rather, you craft your own, tailoring it to your exact tastes, or in this case, scents. You start by selecting from nine core fragrances, which you then customize with accord scents. Though Olfactory markets their fragrances as an Eau de Parfum—which should last longer—from my experience, this scent only seems to last a few hours. Still Olfactory earns its spot on this list for the novelty of its business model and competitive, under-$100 price point. Scent is such a beautiful and intimate experience on its own, but adding in the customization Olfactory gives makes it so much more personal.
Glasshouse Fragrances Perfume Pencils
Fragrance concentration: a variation of Eau de Parfum (though probably not as concentrated)
Longevity: 7.5/10
Pros: Great to take on the go; smell feels refined and expensive, but doesn’t cost an arm and a leg
Cons: Limited scent options
Overall Ranking: 7/10
Scent Notes: Okay, so this isn’t exactly your typical perfume, but I still love it for the convenience. Glasshouse describes their perfume pencils as a direct application version of an Eau de Parfum. While you’re not going to get the wear time of Santal 33, I do find rubbing a few dabs of this behind the ears will last me a few hours when I’m in dire need of a quick refresh. The Kyoto in Bloom scent in particular offers a pleasant musky floralness that reminds me of old-school designer perfumes your grandmother might wear. I often find myself tucking a few of these in my bag whenever I’m traveling, and they’ll keep me smelling fresh for a few hours on a plane or train.
L’Eau Sézane
Fragrance concentration: Eau de Toilette
Longevity: 6/10
Pros: Pleasant, refreshing scent that’s great for everyday wear
Cons: Lower concentration
Reading your journey, it seems you're really enjoying the diversity of what the fragrance world has to offer. Why find a signature scent, if what matters is a whole wardrobe of fragrances that can cater to your mood and preferences at any point in time?