12 Luxe Fragrances Actually Worth The Money
Best For Skin-Like Scent
By Your Side, £114 | Tsu Lange Yor
Key Notes: Pink pepper, frankincense, wood
Part of Troye Sivan’s cool-girl-approved lifestyle brand, ‘By Your Side’ is designed to sit close to the skin. Spicy pink pepper opens into smoky frankincense, before melting into a warm, woody base that feels quietly addictive. Minimalist yet memorable, it’s the kind of fragrance you’ll keep reaching for.
Available at TSU-LANGE-YOR.AU
Best For: Something Timeless & Understated
Monsieur Eau De Parfum, £160 | Bienaimé
Key Notes: Citrus, leather, woods
The revival of historic French house Bienaimé has quietly captured the attention of serious fragrance fans – think polished bottles, timeless formulas and a hint of Art Deco glamour. We discovered this one in Liberty’s iconic fragrance hall and have been hooked ever since. ‘Monsieur’ blends crisp citrus notes with supple leather and warm woods, making it a versatile, refined choice. If you love quiet luxury and want a signature scent that doesn’t feel overexposed, make this your next buy.
Available at LIBERTYLONDON.COM
Best For: Serious Fragrance Connoisseurs
Venenum, £220 | L’Artisan Parfumeur x Daphné Bugey
Key Notes: Sandalwood, saffron, musk
L’Artisan Parfumeur has been pushing creative boundaries since the 1970s, earning cult status among fragrance insiders. In fact, the brand’s most cult scent ‘Abayse’ is already an SL team favourite. ‘Venenum’, meanwhile, is a sultry, lesser known pick that mixes creamy sandalwood with spiced saffron and soft musk – the sort of scent that gets everyone’s attention when you walk into a room. Perfect for anyone looking to branch out from the mainstream crowd-pleasers.
Available at ARTISANPARFUMEUR.COM
Best For: The Fashion Girls
Déjà Minuit, £350 | Bottega Veneta
Key Notes: Jasmine, patchouli, amber
Bottega Veneta might be better known for its fashion but its fragrances share the same refined craftsmanship. ‘Déjà Minuit’ is intoxicating – think velvety jasmine, earthy patchouli, rich amber – and perfectly suited to evenings out.
Available at BOTTEGAVENETA.COM
Best For: A Minimalist Upgrade
E02 Extrait, £200 | Escentric Molecules
Key Notes: Ambroxan, green jasmine bud, herbs
A bold evolution of its cult-classic formula, this new fragrance stands at a 30% concentration, taking the signature mineral warmth of ambroxan to addictive new heights. It’s layered with fresh, green jasmine bud and has a dry, herbal edge for subtle but long-lasting finish.
Available at ESCENTRIC.COM
Best For: The Cool Girl
Santal Beauty, £225 | Bibbi Fragrances
Key Notes: Lemon, violet, sandalwood
Stockholm-based Bibbi Fragrances is known for its artfully composed scents that blend romance with restraint – with each one inspired by a vivid memory. ‘Santal Beauty’ captures the moment of a fleeting Parisian encounter, opening with notes of zesty lemon and warm saffron before revealing a floral heart of violet, magnolia and airy bamboo. It dries down to a creamy, sensual sandalwood base, softened with woods and crisp amber. Sophisticated yet addictive, it’s the kind of fragrance that lingers in the mind – and on the skin – long after you’ve left the room.
Available at LIBERTYLONDON.COM
Best For: A Mellow Daytime Scent
Sweet Do Nothing, £229 | D.S. & Durga
Key Notes: Desert florals, incense, honey
Brooklyn-based D.S. & Durga is a go-to for creative blends with a strong sense of place. ‘Sweet Do Nothing’ is reminiscent of a slow day in the Texan desert – think dusty florals, sun-warmed incense and a touch of honeyed sweetness. For anyone who likes their scent to tell a story, this one won’t disappoint.
Available at SPACENK.COM
Best For: A Herby Hit
London Funk, £220 | Vilhelm Parfumerie
Key Notes: Juniper, basil, sandalwood
Vilhelm Parfumerie is a niche house beloved for its cinematic storytelling and distinctive compositions. ‘London Funk’ is its playful, free-spirited ode to the city – bright juniper, basil and cardamom meet a hazy marijuana accord, fruity blackcurrant and salty driftwood, before settling into a warm base of vetiver, ambergris and creamy sandalwood. Vibrant and unexpected, it’s a mood-lifter for even the greyest of days – something we’ll all likely need before the year is out.
Available at LIBERTY.COM
Best For: A Coastal Feel
Lunamaris, £255 | Diptyque
Key Notes: Marine accord, citrus, florals
Diptyque’s reputation for chic, wearable fragrance precedes it, and ‘Lunamaris’ – part of the brand’s exclusive fragrance collection – is no exception. A sparkling blend of citrus, marine notes and airy florals, it captures the feeling of a morning swim in the Med. Fresh yet quietly distinctive.
Available at DIPTYQUEPARIS.COM
Best For: Prolonging That Holiday Feeling
Dioriviera, £255 | Dior
Key Notes: Fig, rose, musk
As part of Dior’s La Collection Privée, ‘Dioriviera’ is the olfactory definition of a jet-set summer. Juicy fig and airy rose are grounded by soft musk for a breezy, sunlit finish. It’s the one to pack for late-summer/early-autumn Côte d’Azur escapes – or to wear when you’re manifesting one.
Available at DIOR.COM
Best For: A Chic Evening Out
Rock The Myrrh, £275 | Dries Van Noten
Key Notes: Myrrh, vanilla, amber
The Belgian designer’s fragrance line has quickly become a fashion-insider favourite, marrying bold notes with beautifully designed bottles. ‘Rock The Myrrh’ tempers smoky resin with creamy vanilla and amber, creating a scent that feels as striking as one of Dris’s prints. Wear it when you want to feel confident.
Available at DRIESVANNOTEN.COM
Best For: A Long-Lasting Impression
Promise, £290 | Frédéric Malle x Dominique Ropion
Key Notes: Rose, apple, patchouli
Frédéric Malle’s Editions de Parfums line is revered for its roster of master perfumers and uncompromising formulas. ‘Promise’ is a statement maker: notes of lush rose and juicy apple are wrapped in earthy patchouli, creating a scent that’s both romantic and powerful. When you want people to remember you, wear this.
Available at FREDERICMALLE.CO.UK
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