And we are back with part 2 of my Best In Beauty series. This time, it’s all about the pretty and smelly things. That’s right, we are chatting about my five favourite fragrances of 2023. It will surprise no one to learn that 2023 was a fantastic year for fragrance. There were so many incredible launches and new brands making their way to the Aussie market. And my collection exploded as a result. This list was very nearly a top ten. But because my makeup list was long, I wanted to keep this short and smelling sweet. As always, these are all fragrances that I tried for the first time in 2023. But the majority were in fact 2023 launches. Let’s get into the list.
SOL DE JANERIO BRAZILIAN CRUSH CHEIROSA 62 PERFUME MIST – $38.00 for 90ml (sample size shown)
NOTES – Top: Pistachio, Almond. Middle: Heliotrope, Jasmine. Base: Sandalwood, Salt, Vanilla, Caramel
This was one of the last additions I made to this list. It was between this and Glossier You. What cinched the win for Sol De Janerio was the fact that a) I’ve only had the Glossier for a couple of months. And b) I took this on holiday with me and I’ve been unable to stop reaching for it since. I’m such a sucker for a good creamy gourmand. And the notes of caramel and pistachio are basically catnip for me. This won’t be the only pistachio fragrance you’ll see on this list *winky face*.
ELLIS BROOKLYN FLORIST EDP – $51.00 for 10ml
NOTES – Top: Bergamot, Pear, Lily Of The Valley, Lemon. Middle: Gardenia, Tuberose, Honeysuckle, Jasmine Sambac. Base: Ambroxan, Virginia Cedar, Australian Sandalwood.
Probably the biggest outlier on this list, Florist was by far my favourite floral perfume of the year. While gourmands are usually my jam, I’ll never turn down a predominate gardenia or jasmine note in a perfume. And Florist is basically zesty, floral heaven. The lemon is what makes this really something special for me. This is a perfume that instantly puts me in a good mood. No matter the time of year.
DEDCOOL FRAGRANCE NO. 1 “TAUNT” – $48.00 for 15ml
NOTES – Top: Dew Drop, Bergamot. Middle: Floral Notes, Cassis. Base: Vanilla, Amber
Easily the perfume that I put the biggest dent in in 2023, Taunt is pure childhood nostalgia. I did manage to figure out what this reminded me of. There was an old Impulse body spray that I used to adore when I was 12-14. Can’t for the life of me remember the name. But Taunt is the grown up version of that. A new bottle is, without question, in my future.
OAKCHA X PAUL REACTS MISS GIRL EXTRACT DE PARFUM – $77.00
NOTES – Top: Bitter Almond, Sour Black Cherry, Saffron. Middle: Warm Tobacco, Jasmine Sambac, Turkish Rose, Tonka Bean. Base: Moss, Sandalwood, Rich Amber, Vanilla, Caramel
Paul Reacts, take a bow, you and Oakcha made my favourite fruity fragrance of 2023. I wish you could see the dent I’ve made in this bottle. Because there was an entire month where I wore nothing but this (it’s banned at work now as a result. Thanks mum). It’s sweet, it’s cherry, it’s warm, it’s sensual. It takes two iconic fragrances and does it better. If this is still out there if you read this in the future, you need it in your life!
KAYALI YUM PISTACHIO GELATO 33 – $148.00 for 50ml
NOTES – Top: Pistachio, Bergamot, Ice Cream, Hazelnut, Rum, Cardamon. Middle: Lily Of The Valley, Peony, Pear, Jasmine, Geranium, White Peach, Raspberry. Base: Whipped Cream, Marshmallow, Cotton Candy, Turkish Delight, Tonka Bean, Sandalwood, Cedar, Cacao.
But let’s be real, was there any competition for my number one spot? Because I’ve been tripping over my own dick tell y’all just how much I adore Yum since I bought it early in the year. Again, just look at the dent (it would be bigger if I were allowed to wear it to work, mum…). This is my go to whenever I just want to chuck on a perfume. It’s so light and creamy. It’s still my number one from Kayali and I really don’t see anything beating it in the near future. Unless Kayali brings out a lemon yuzu fragrance. Then I might be in danger…
So, those are my favourite fragrances for 2023. A couple of quick honourable mentions. Vilhelm Parfumerie Room Service, MFK Gently Fluidty Gold (honestly should have been on my list last year), and the aforementioned Glossier You. Though I’m holding space to have that appear on the 2024 list. Let me know your favourite fragrances in the comments below. And I’ll see you with my skincare picks on Tuesday.
Cheers and love
Emily xo