What makes a perfume so popular? Is it because the brand ambassador representing the scent happens to be the It Girl of the moment? Or perhaps it’s a fan favorite of today’s top Hollywood celebs and social media sensations?
While all of the above could serve as the right answer, there ought to be a real reason why a certain fragrance becomes the popular choice of the rich and famous—and likewise the frag that can cause a stir on TikTok, and elsewhere. The list of highly-lauded scents is arguably endless. If you’re unsure where to start in the world of popular perfumes, we lined up a good bunch of signature scents that many love, and have gained their fair share of fame through time, plus, a few sassy like-scented recommendations to try.
Carolina Good Girl
A true testament to its fame, in 2021, Carolina Good Girl became the world’s most-searched fragrance in up to 42 countries, per a report by Glamour UK. An end-to-end sexy gourmand captured in probably one of the most iconic perfume bottles ever to come out in the history of perfumes. Carolina Herrera just knew what to do for women who want to feel sexy, fun, and trailblazing with a hint of mystery. Gourmand from the get-go, it opens up with almond and coffee notes at the top, carried by citrusy notes of lemon and bergamot to make it so fun to spray on. It’s followed by a bed of innocent and girly florals of tuberose, jasmine, and orange blossom that scream ultra-femme. Before landing on an intoxication of tonka bean, it exudes notes of chocolate, and sandalwood in the drydown.
It truly is a delicious gourmand without wearing you down that comes in a pretty bottle you’d love to have on your dresser, and wear to a night out for that extra oomph.
Similar scent to sniff: Kilian Princess
This is short for “I Don’t Need A Prince By My Side To Be A Princess”. It likewise has presiding notes of almond, tonka bean, and patchouli, but is a little more on the powdery and musky side.
Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau de Parfum
P8,500, Rustan’s
Kilian Paris Princess
P15,900, Rustan’s
Idôle by Lancôme
It Girl du jour, actress of the moment, and a style icon who keeps on slaying, that’s Zendaya for you. Wouldn’t we at least want to smell like her? Known for her empowering and unforgettable roles that advocate women’s empowerment, Zendaya aligns with Lancome Idole’s theme of chasing dreams and female main character energy.
The star stamp of approval aside, if you were a stickler for pear scents in your youth and want to take the sophistication up a notch, the latest and modern take on chypre florals from the French beauty giant Lancôme could certainly be your cup of tea. A dominant fruity pear is more elevated than juvenile, thanks to the accompanying top notes of fresh bergamot and sparkly pink pepper. This same freshness lingers as the heavy floral heart notes of rose and jasmine come into play. Pear and rose carry on and intertwine with a musky vanilla finish. It’s a clean and wearable fruity floral all year round, with a well-performing sillage to keep those compliments coming.
Similar scent to sniff: Memo Paris Sintra
This scent leans more on neroli and red fruity notes in the opening, with a milky rose and jasmine at the heart, and a caramel vanilla base. Memo Paris is one of the newest luxury fragrance houses inspired by the founder’s love for travel.
Lancome Idole
P7,750, Zalora PH
Memo Paris Sintra
235 €, Memo Paris
Versace Bright Crystal
Versace Bright Crystal refreshed its image to capture a new generation of fragrance lovers in a 2023 ad campaign with its ambassador Lily James, whose acting career identifies with the brand’s notoriety for glam and bold aesthetics with a touch of youthfulness.
For us, name a fresh aquatic floral that comes in a pink bottle and lasts for hours, and the Bright Crystal is top of mind without a doubt. Before you can call it basic, it’s worth noting that this is likely the perfume that started it all for the fresh fruity floral trend in the mid-2000s. It’s easily likable to wear just about anywhere from home to the office and back again. Its aquatic citrus yuzu top note blooms perfectly in our tropical weather and complements the touch of femininity of soft peony and magnolia notes in the heart. It is grounded by amber and musk in the base notes that are barely far from cloying.
Similar scent to sniff: Le Labo Baie 19
Have room on your credit card? Snag this equally crowd-pleasing number of vibrant grapefruit and soft violets. It exudes an oh-so-chic cedar drydown we can’t resist. Rumor has it that this luxury niche brand will soon be opening its doors in the Philippines!
Versace Bright Crystal
P6,600, Rustan’s
Le Labo Baie 19
$99, Le Labo
Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau de Parfum
Wear this and turn into that woman in charge in a snap. Fragrance campaign ambassadors Dua Lipa, Zoe Kravitz, and Kaia Gerber can attest to that.
Only the house of YSL could make a calming note like lavender bold and alluring, and leaves a scent trail for miles. Libre has “girl boss” written all over it. Could it be the subtle masculine undertone? We think master perfumer Carlos Benaim was definitely onto something. It’s got a beautiful neroli and honeyed citrus note of mandarin to turn on the elegance as it moves to a lavender and jasmine heart, before gracefully falling to a base of musky vanilla, with the help of ambergris to make this scent last for hours.
Similar scent to sniff: Zara Golden Decade
You can save a couple of grand and still get the same luxurious jasmine lavender vanilla vibe that’s a (slightly fresher) dead-ringer for YSL Libre.
Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau de Parfum
P8,960, Zalora
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62
Hailey Beiber and Selena Gomez stock up on this like mad. Fragrance influencers across the board—whether they’re on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram will all tell you why you need to have this baby in the bag. Think: You’re channeling the “clean girl” aesthetic on a beach with a pistachio caramel cupcake in hand. Cheriosa 62 has creamy nutty top notes of pistachio and almond dancing into solar floral notes of heliotrope and girly jasmine. It blends into a yummy drydown of salted caramel vanilla. Spray this liberally on the hair and skin to smell simply delicious from head to toe. Don’t be surprised if you turn heads left and right on vacation!
If that’s not enough, pair this luxuriously good hair and body mist with the iconic Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Bum Bum Cream.
Similar scent to sniff: Laura Mercier Eau Gourmande Ambre Vanille
Possibly one of the first few “niche fragrances” ever to hit Philippine shores back in the day. Ambre Vanille is a sexy but light and airy vanilla that is oh-so-yummy but not overly sweet. While Cheriosa 62 is a little more out there for fun in the sun, Ambre Vanille is a softer sister, daydreaming in her boudoir.
Brazilian Crush™ Cheirosa 62 Hair And Body Fragrance Mist
P2,520, Sephora PH
Laura Mercier Ambre Vanille Gourmande Eau Gourmande
P4,520, Rustan’s
Maison Francis Kurkdijian Baccarat Rouge 540
The one fragrance that started it all. It’s rightfully described as a masterpiece of modern perfumery that’s a total standout. This extra-special creation was made by Maison Francis Kurkdjian and Baccarat, a fitting creation to celebrate Baccarat’s 250th anniversary, and is associated with the prestigious crystal house for its exclusivity and luxury of a fragrance. One can’t deny how incredible a minimal list of fragrance notes of only six can make such an amazingly complex and luxurious scent.
The unique composition begins with a spicy note of saffron and sweet jasmine at the top. Resinous amberwood and salty animalic ambergris notes are found in the middle, finishing with a soft woody cedar at the bottom. While it’s ideally worn in colder climates, it can be dressed for a night out or on everyday occasions, too. Baccarat Rouge 540 maintains itself as a permanent piece in the MFK collection. To no surprise, it has a strong following among fragrance users all over the world.
A few months ago, in a GQ special, when Olivia Rodrigo listed this MFK scent as one of the things she simply cannot live without, it sparked a TikTok frenzy with the #baccaratrogue540 hashtag gaining up to 530.9 million views at that time.
Similar scent to sniff: Mancera Instant Crush Eau de Parfum
Baccarat Rouge 540 is master perfumer Francis Kurkdijian’s reimagination of his previous 2018 creation, Burberry Her. Mancera Instant Crush is a serious doppelganger that’s more sparkly with ginger and bergamot top notes, with a bit of chocolate. Mancera is a niche perfume house founded by the father-daughter tandem of Pierre Montale in 2008.
Maison Francis Kurkdijian Baccarat Rouge 540
P10,250, Rustan’s
Mancera Instant Crush Eau de Parfum
$180, Mancera Parfums
Maison Martin Margiela Replica By The Fireplace
Maison Margiela doesn’t only make beautiful clothes, its best-selling fragrance line Replica is supremely cult status. It is a full, dreamy collection inspired by moments found in everyday life: be it endless sunny afternoons on the beach, the height of spring, an intimate date for two at a jazz joint, or a lazy Sunday morning in bed, to name a few.
By The Fireplace is one of the very creations in the collection that has gained worldwide fame for its uniqueness and excellent blend. Perfumer Marie Salamagne stayed true to her theme, all things warm and cozy in mind, by mixing smoky notes with sweet vanilla and clove, herbaceous juniper, and balsamic vanillas with soft cashmere notes in the drydown. By The Fireplace is not hard to like especially when you are in a mood for something cocooning. Picture yourself in a quiet moment curled next to the fireplace with a hot cup of cocoa and a hot guy (or girl) to snuggle up with on colder nights. It is glamorous and decadent with a cozy theme.
This scent has been dubbed as one the the “best TikTok-famous fragrances that are actually worth the money” and is among Esquire‘s shortlist of the best woody colognes for men.
Similar scent to sniff: Atelier d’Ors Lune Feline Eau De Parfum
This scent is likewise a prized creation of By The Fireplace’s nose, Marie Salamagne, for the haute perfumery brand born and raised in Grasse, Atelier d’Ors. Lune Feline is a warm spicy amber that can be worn by any gender, with an exquisite note of cardamom that just goes on smooth until the Tahitian vanilla drydown. While this isn’t a secret weapon for daily wear, Lune Feline could as well be the tried-and-tested dumb reach for special occasions.
Maison Margiela Replica By The Fireplace Eau de Toilette
P5,150, Rustan’s
