Christine Nagel, Hermès’ renowned in-house perfumer, spent years crafting the perfect chypre (a complex scent traditionally composed of citrus, floral, patchouli and oakmoss) for the brand’s new perfume, Barénia. Inspired and named after the flexible calfskin used in Hermès’ iconic bags, Nagel considers it a new classic. This the contemporary version features notes of bergamot oranges harvested while still green and tangy; Madagascar butterfly lilies; and toasted oak reminiscent of a delicious, warming rum. “This is the first time he’s done a combination like this for the brand and it’s amazing,” Levy says.

Diptyque’s Orphéon is one of Levy’s all-time favourites. “If I want to feel good about myself, it will take me to a very happy place,” she says. This sentiment is quite apt, considering that the scent is an olfactory tribute to the Parisian jazz club frequented by the brand’s founders in the 60s. So what did their happy place smell like? Cigarette smoke, gin cocktails and the much-loved wooden bar counter (plus a dash of sophistication, of course). Orphéon’s blend of warm and spicy tonka bean, woody cedar and crisp juniper berries reflects this beautifully.

A rose is still a rose, as Emily Dickinson once said, but this is not your average perfume scented with petals. Frédéric Malle and perfumer Dominique Ropion have created a dark and elegant interpretation of the classic floral note. It has earthy, spicy notes such as Turkish rose, patchouli, sandalwood and frankincense. Blackcurrant and raspberry add another fruity element to the formula that ties everything together. Even though it’s marketed as a women’s perfume, Levy notes that many men like to wear it, too.

The flamboyant women of the 80’s TV series Dynasty If it had a distinctive scent, Baccarat Rouge 540 would be it. The scent is bold and powerful (evoking the grand suits of the time), yet still dazzling, like the sparkling sequin dresses worn by wealthy characters. The maximalist scent blends notes of jasmine, cedarwood, saffron and ambroxan (an amber woody scent) to create a seductive and long-lasting aroma perfect for a night out. Levy says it’s distinctive enough to attract attention. “And it’s very well done.”

“This scent is so magnificent,” says Levy about Guerlain Angélique Noire, which is produced using the best raw materials from the brand’s L’Art and La Matière perfume collection. A play on opposites, the scent combines the green, herbal bitterness of angelica flower with deliciously creamy vanilla. It’s infused with pink pepper, pear, cumin, and cedar for a unique scent that’s green, sweet, and elegant at the same time.

When it comes to luxury scents, Levy says: You can’t beat Shalini Perfumes. Founder Shalini Kumar started her career designing for Valentino and takes a haute couture approach to fragrances. In addition to working with master perfumer Maurice Roucel, the brand uses only the purest botanical ingredients and bottles its blends in ostentatious containers filled with an antique-style bulb atomizer, a curved crystal, or an ultra-luxe Lalique flacon (which comes at a cost). a whopping $3,000). best selling Inspired by the night air of Dubai, Jardin Nocturne blends oud from ancient times. Aquilaria trees in Assam contain invigorating jasmine, smoky sandalwood and spicy saffron for a scent that is both mystical and sensual.

It’s been 10 years since Byredo’s cult classic Mojave Ghost burst onto the scene. To celebrate this milestone, the brand launched a limited-edition eau de parfum that reimagines the desert-inspired scent. Fans of the scent will continue to enjoy the blend of floral (nesberry, magnolia and violet), forest (sandalwood and cedar) and musk that make up the iconic scent. But now the formula mixes in alcohol for a lighter, more subtle effect. Another notable difference is that the brand replaces vetiver with amber, which adds sweetness. After all, the skin-friendly formula (less likely to irritate skin that reacts easily) actually lasts longer and can be misted all over your face. hair and body.

Even though he debuted back Chanel Coco Mademoiselle from 2001 remains as strong today as ever. “I still think it’s distinctive,” Levy says. “It is extremely complex and you can never go wrong using it.” The fragrance aims to capture the spirit of young Coco Chanel and stimulates the senses with vibrant orange notes grounded in sensual touches of jasmine and May rose. Complemented by earthy patchouli and vetiver, this A bold and classic scent like the visionary himself.

born into one Kilian Hennessy, a historic family of cognac producers, knows a thing or two about beautiful glass bottles. “And the juice itself is amazing,” Levy says of the brand’s impressive fragrance portfolio. Hennessy after all Beloved works with top noses, including master perfumer Calice Becker, who is responsible for creating Don’t Be Shy. Sweet scent – ​​an ode to joy your first love – opens with bright and floral orange blossom, followed by a rush of sugary sweet marshmallow It dries to a sensual amber color.

The stunning night skies of the American West inspired Le Labo’s legendary Santal 33 perfume, and city kids ran with it. Its intoxicating leather, sandalwood and iris scent has become so prevalent that it has even inspired memes. (It’s also our top pick in our overall rankings best perfumes for women.) But ultimately it’s a smoky woody scent; a light, genderless scent expression – is still here to stay.

Is it the detailed backstories that make DS & Durga scents so intriguing, or the unique blends dreamed up by self-taught perfumer David Moltz? “He created something special with peanuts, and then the rest of the world followed suit,” says Levy, one of our top gourmet scent picks in our best women’s perfumes story. Either way, you feel the focus and thought that goes into these different scents every time you breathe. For the fan-favorite Debaser, citrus-bergamot is tempered with juicy figs. Iris, coconut milk, tonka and dry yellow woods complete the scent, which evokes a moist rainforest full of ripe fruits.