Allow me to start by saying that you don’t need any external validation on your perfume choices. Adore a spicy floral? Please, spritz away. Go feral for sticky-sweet gourmands? Be my guest! Your signature scent should be, well, signature—completely unique to you and your perfume preferences—but that doesn’t mean a “Wow, you smell so good” compliment ever goes unnoticed. Consider it the cherry on top of your scent sundae—not a foundational component by any means, but one that does make the overall dish taste a tad sweeter.
Who What Wear beauty editors have a special knack for collecting these compliments like Pokemon cards (we’re fragrance-obsessed; it’s kind of our thing), so I asked them to share the standout blends that legitimately stop people in their tracks. From dates to dog-walkers to strangers at bars, people can’t help but praise these 13 perfumes.
The Most Complimented Perfumes, At a Glance
WWW Editors’ Most Complimented Perfumes of All Time
Best Fruity: Phlur Mood Ring Eau De Parfum
Phlur
Mood Ring Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Fruit gummies, orange flower, glazed musk
Smells like: Rich, skin-like, and juicy
Size: 1.7 ounces
Our review: WWW beauty director Erin Jahns considers this fruity perfume one of her favorites, especially when combined with the juicy fig notes of Father Figure, a Phlur best-seller. “Like most epiphanies in life, I stumbled across this particular combination by accident,” she shared in a review. “Mood Ring had just launched and landed on my doorstep, but I was already wearing Father Figure, one of my all-time favorite perfumes ever created.
“I spritzed Mood Ring on my wrists and chest without giving it a second thought just to get a sense of the smell, and a few hours later, I was freaking out. Two dog-walking strangers had asked me what perfume I wore while I was out for an evening stroll, and I was on a complete perfume high from the way the two scents had intermingled on my skin. Since then, I have yet to go on a date or go out in public and not get told that I smell so good.”
Best Gourmand: Henry Rose Dave Eau De Parfum
Henry Rose
Dave Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Chantilly vanilla, tonka bean, cocoa shell
Smells like: A lover’s embrace
Size: 1.7 ounces
Our review: “I don’t think I’ve ever gotten as many compliments on a perfume as I have with this one,” says beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock. “The warm, creamy, and slightly nutty combination of chantilly vanilla, tonka bean, and cocoa shell pulls people in. It’s warm, intimate, and alluring, which is why I maintain that it’s the perfect date-night perfume. Don’t let the name put you off of it. Michelle Pfeiffer, the founder of Henry Rose, created it as an ode to her husband, David E. Kelley. She previously told Who What Wear, ‘It’s sophisticated and bold yet also really comforting and familiar.’ I have to agree.”
Best Fresh Perfume: Aesop Tacit Eau De Parfum
Aesop
Tacit Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Yuzu, vetiver, basil
Smells like: Golden hour on the Mediterranean coast
Size: 1.7 ounces
Our review: “For fall, I’ve been craving woody fragrances with a bright, citrus note that’s vibrant and uplifting,” shares associate beauty editor Maya Thomas. “While I do love this perfume for summer, it’s become one of my favorite picks once temperatures begin to drop. Its sun-soaked yuzu note opens up the scent with warmth that’s echoed by a gorgeous, vetiver heart. It’s finished with fresh and herbaceous basil to keep things grounded. Although I do love layering it with other citrus-based scents, this is one I prefer to wear alone, and it lasts all day without needing another spritz.”
Best Vanilla: Tom Ford Vanilla Sex Eau De Parfum
Tom Ford
Vanilla Sex Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Vanilla tincture India, vanilla absolute, sandalwood essence
Smells like: The perfect combination of coziness and glamour
Size: 1.7 ounces
Our review: I’ve long adored Tom Ford’s captivating, sultry vanilla scent, but it’s had a resurgence in my fragrance cabinet as of late—mainly because when I sprayed it in the office recently, I was immediately met with a chorus of, “Oh my god, what perfume did you just use?” and “Wow, that smells heavenly.” The blend expertly toes the line between familiar and mysterious, and while it absolutely shines on its own, I like to layer it with another Tom Ford favorite (Oud Voyager, if you’re curious) to give it even more of a seductive edge. According to one of my coworkers, that combination “smells like a chic French apartment.” I’ll take it!
Best Aquatic Scent: Molton Brown Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Eau de Parfum
Molton Brown
Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Violet leaf, jasmine, marine notes, cedar, musk, cypress
Smells like: A misty, oceanside cliff
Size: 3.4 ounces
Our review: “Historically, I’ve been known to gravitate towards clean, skin-like fragrances with a hint of florals, but this Molton Brown fragrance was the one that completely changed my mind about what a woody aromatic perfume could be,” notes Thomas. “It captures the earthiness of a rocky shoreline and the swell of the waves below with an intoxicating blend of aromatic fig leaves, ginger, cypress, and jasmine against a base of opulent leather and base. The compliments always roll in when I wear this, so it’s a must in my everyday fragrance lineup.”
Best Going-Out Fragrance: Perfumehead Cosmic Cowboy Atomizer
Perfumehead
Cosmic Cowboy Atomizer
Key notes: Cinnamon bark, tobacco leaf, cacao blanc, black musk
Smells like: A nightclub on the Sunset Strip in the 1970s, per the brand
Size: 1.7 ounces
Our review: When it comes to fragrance layering, Jahns also adores the sizzling combination of Perfumehead’s Cosmic Cowboy and Canadian Tuxedo. “Before going out, my best friend practically jumped on me the second she got to my apartment, shrieking, “Oh my god, what perfume are you wearing?!” she recounts the first night she tested the famous duo. The concoction has since remained her favorite party perfume (aka, a fragrance that especially shines after dark), noting that it “has quite literally caused strangers at bars to sniff my neck and head and tell me how good I smell (creepy, but also telling!).”
Best Spicy Perfume: Cult Gaia Zan Eau De Parfum
Cult Gaia
Zan Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Pink pepper, Guatemalan cardamom, white incense, ambrette, Virginia cedarwood, ambrox, sensual musks
Smells like: A lilting bouquet of florals, wood, and spice
Size: 1.7 ounces
Our review: “If I had to choose a favorite perfume, it would be this sandy pink pick from Cult Gaia,” declares associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia. “Not because it earns me some of the most compliments out of my extensive collection (though that certainly doesn’t hurt it), but because of how gorgeous the modern Art Deco bottle looks on my desk and how beautiful this scent makes me feel when I wear it. This warm floral is drenched in spices, woods, and earthy accords that dance together in a chic, rich-smelling waltz.
“Though its profile sounds quite heavy, the scent itself is light and pretty—like a ritzy, flower-adorned hotel lobby in a desert destination, with local plants and rich fabrics decorating the grand foyer. I can’t tell you how many luxury beauty and fashion events I’ve attended where a publicist, editor, or brand founder has hugged me and immediately asked where my magnificent perfume was from. Imagine their surprise when I tell them that one of their favorite fashion designers makes one of my go-to scents!”
Best Amber: Dime Dans Les Bois Eau De Toilette
DIME
Dans Les Bois Eau De Toilette
Key notes: Red saffron, almond, fir balsam, night jasmine, sweet amber, ambrox, cedarwood, ambergris, moss
Smells like: Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540
Size: 1.7 ounces
Our review: “I keep this chic little bottle on my bag to ensure I smell intoxicating at all times. I’ve spritzed it everywhere—on planes, after a workout class, in the office—and I’m not kidding, every time someone asks me, “What did you just spray? It smells so good,” shares beauty branded content editor Emma Walsh. “I’m always happy to let them know this clean fragrance is the perfect dupe for Baccarat Rouge—it has the same notes of cedarwood, saffron, and amber. I also love Dime’s 7 Summers scent—a warm, woodsy gourmand that’s absolutely divine.”
Best Citrus: By Rosie Jane Remi Eau De Parfum
By Rosie Jane
Remi Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Bright mandarin, fresh Cardamom, white amber
Smells like: A crisp fall morning
Size: 1.7 ounces
Our review: “The first time I wore this, I went to meet a friend for coffee,” shares McLintock. I hadn’t seen her in a while. After hugging her hello, she pulled back and said, “Okay, what perfume are you wearing? You have no business smelling that good.” I took it as a one-off compliment, but it wasn’t. On that day alone, I had two other people say something similar. I think it’s all thanks to 1) its projection and 2) its longevity. It’s one of those rare perfumes that lasts all day without the need for touch-ups. Plus, its notes are simple and balanced. Bright mandarin, fresh cardamom, and white amber seem to be the ultimate crowd-pleasing combo.”
Best Long-Lasting Scent: Amouage Guidance Eau de Parfum
Amouage
Guidance Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Frankincense, pear, hazelnut, saffron, rose, sambac jasmine, osmanthus, sandalwood, cistus, akigalawood, ambergris, vanilla
Smells like: Soft elegance
Size: 3.4 ounces
Our review: I can’t even begin to count how many compliments I’ve received since wearing Amouage Guidance. (Most recently, I was walking to the office bathroom when a coworker stopped me to ask what perfume I was wearing.) It definitely costs a pretty penny, but it’s one of the most long-lasting fragrances I own—just one spritz lasts well into the evening. That cost per wear has to amount for something, no? It’s also one of those fragrances I can immediately recognize on other people, and you better believe I’m telling them how good they smell whenever I catch a whiff!
Best Floral: Byredo Mojave Ghost
Key notes: Ambrette, nesberry, magnolia, sandalwood, violet, cedarwood, musks, vetiver
Smells like: Bright desert blooms
Size: 1.7 ounces
Our review: “It takes a lot for a fragrance to be a universal crowdpleaser. I tend to drape myself in more androgynous scents, which doesn’t seem to appeal to men as much (and could I care less? No!), but this one piques the interest of my friends, dates, and even Uber drivers. (No, seriously, I’ve been told during many a backseat ride that I ‘smell very good, miss.’) It’s a cult classic for a reason—musk, exotic fruit, and powdery florals enmesh without leaning too heavily any which way,” says Brascia. “It’s a perfectly confusing scent, but one that lasts all day and smells good to any nose. Try it and report back!”
Best Smokey Scent: Lore Disfruta Eau De Parfum
Lore
Disfruta Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Passionfruit pulp, white cedarwood, mezcal
Smells like: Mezcal margaritas on a sun-warmed deck
Size: 1.7 ounces
Our review: “I’ve only been wearing this perfume for a few weeks and already the compliments per wear (that’s a thing, right?) are exceeding my expectations,” says beauty and homes branded content director Stephanie Johnson. “It’s a cocktail-inspired scent that’s warm, citrus-y, and fruity — blending traditional notes like white cedarwood and passionfruit pulp with more abstract notes like ‘ice melting down glass’ and ‘mezcal magic.’ Think: Spending a warm summer evening outside with friends with a mezcal margarita in hand. My favorite compliment is when people ask me if this is an expensive bespoke perfume and I get to tell them it’s actually an under-$100 scent. For bonus compliments, show people the bottle — it’s artwork in and of itself.”
Best Designer Fragrance: Miu Miu Miutine Eau de Parfum
Miu Miu
Miutine Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Wild strawberry, gardenia, brown sugar, vanilla accord
Smells like: Untamed innocence
Size: 3.4 ounces
Our review: I have a thing for twisted, unexpected fragrances you can’t quite put your finger on—and that’s Miutine to a T. It combines playful notes of wild strawberry and brown sugar with refined gardenia, creating a juxtaposition of mischief and sophistication quintessential to the iconic Miu Miu girl. The bottle itself earns me tons of compliments (at least one person comments on it whenever they pass my desk), but the sweet, earthy juice is what really draws people in.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we’d truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
