I Own Over 300 Perfumes, But These 7 Earn Me The Most Compliments
Welcome to Note to Self, Refinery29’s fragrance series exploring perfume beyond the bottle. Through intimate stories and scent memories, we’re unpacking the emotions, experiences, and identities behind the fragrances we wear — and why they can become such a deeply meaningful part of who we are.
If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say I own more than 300 fragrances. As a perfume content creator and certified fragrance specialist, scent is my entire job — and I don’t discriminate. My collection spans everything from niche houses like Ex Nihilo and Initio Parfums to budget-friendly gems (Zara’s fragrances, created in collaboration with Jo Malone, are seriously underrated).
While I have plenty of long-time favorites that I return to despite the constant stream of new launches, only a select few consistently stop people in their tracks. If you ask me, there’s no better feeling than someone complimenting your perfume. It validates your personal taste and leaves a lasting impression long after you’ve left the room.
With that in mind, I wanted to share the handful of fragrances that never fail to turn heads. Whether you’re looking for a new signature scent or want a perfume that people can’t help but ask about, these are the bottles that have proven themselves time and time again — and I’m willing to bet they’ll do the same for you.
Giorgio Armani Stronger With You Powerfully Eau de Parfum
Just when you thought the Stronger With You line couldn’t get any better, Armani dropped its best flanker yet. Stronger With You Powerfully gave me a literal nosegasm. It’s an addictive blend of juicy cherry, smoked chestnut, and rich bourbon vanilla that still stays true to the collection’s signature DNA of warm, smoky vanilla and fresh, herbaceous lavender. If you’re looking for a first-date fragrance that’ll have them leaning in and asking, “What are you wearing?”, this right here is the one.
Zara Fashionably London Elixir Parfum
Out of every fragrance in Zara’s Cities collection — created by Jo Malone CBE, no less — Fashionably London Elixir is the one I keep coming back to. It’s a sweet, airy rose, but nothing like the old-school, powdery florals you might be imagining. Instead, sparkling bergamot and clean, skin-like musk give it a fresh, modern edge. It smells effortlessly sophisticated and, on me, lasts more than eight hours on both skin and clothes. Talk about bang for your buck. If you’re after a bougie-on-a-budget fragrance that’ll work for literally any occasion, any time of year, start here.
Amouage Purpose Eau de Parfum
Amouage Purpose is a modern classic and one that will always have a place in my ever-growing collection. It’s a spicy, smoky, woody fragrance built around frankincense, pimento (yes, the pepper!), sandalwood, and akigalawood, a sustainable molecule derived from patchouli. Whenever I wear it, it never fails to attract compliments. I’m talking, “Wow, you smell unreal,” or “I could smell you before I saw you — I need to know what perfume you’re wearing.” It’s a true projection monster, so a little goes a very long way. The fact that it gets people talking comes as no surprise, since the brand recently took home two wins at the 2026 Fragrance Foundation Awards.
Balmain Carbone Eau de Parfum
Balmain Carbone was composed by one of the most prolific perfumers of our time, Quentin Bisch (think Carolina Herrera Good Girl, Chloé Nomade, and Parfums de Marly Delina), yet it feels incredibly special and unique. If you like fragrances in the realm of Amouage Guidance (creamy, spicy and rich — like an indulgent dessert), Carbone will be right up your street. It’s a beautiful composition of musky suede rose with woody touches that give it a more androgynous edge. Four to six spritzes and the compliments will be rolling in all day.
Phlur Cherry Stem Eau de Parfum
Phlur’s Cherry Stem may not be the most talked-about fragrance in the collection, but if you ask me, it’s seriously underrated. Juicy black cherry meets soft leather and warm caramel, while a subtle boozy edge keeps it from becoming tooth-achingly saccharine. It’s sweet without being sticky, with moderate projection that means you’ll catch those addictive little wafts throughout the day (or night). If you’re new to fragrance or want something that feels effortless and cool without trying too hard, Cherry Stem is the perfect place to start.
Byredo Bal d’Afrique Absolu de Parfum
When I smell this, it instantly transports me to the Caribbean — and I think that’s exactly why people comment on it so much. Who doesn’t want to feel like they’re on vacation every day? Bright bergamot and tart blackcurrant open the fragrance before melting into a delectable praline note, followed by a warm, woody, amber base. Despite the deeper notes, it remains clean, airy, and fresh. I love layering it with Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait to amplify the praline’s addictive sweetness.
Frédéric Malle Contre-Jour Eau de Parfum
Contre-Jour may have only launched this year, but it’s already become one of my most complimented fragrances. It was love at first sniff and showcases the beauty and complexity of immortelle, the everlasting flower, in all its honeyed, smoky glory. A generous dose of rose creates a stunning contrast, while soft sandalwood with a subtle herbal edge keeps the composition feeling natural and refined. It’s the kind of fragrance that makes people stop and ask what I’m wearing — not because it announces itself, but because it leaves behind a trail that feels expensive. If I had to describe it in three words, they’d be artistic, complex, and enigmatic. This is a scent for those who appreciate the finer things in life.
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