I recently shared my top 5 budget fragrances that you can find at discount stores and promised that I would share my top 5 designer fragrances. I really wanted to go with my top five designer fragrances, but it was a bit difficult narrowing down my favorite five, thus my top seven.
Now, what I consider designer fragrances are fragrances made by top designers that you can find at higher-end department stores and specialty stores. The price is usually around $70 or more for a 1-ounce bottle. However, I typically purchase the biggest-sized bottle, which may be 2.5 oz to 3.4 oz, since they last so much longer.
I also tend to invest in the eau-de-parfum or EDP, as the eau-de-toilette or EDT scents don’t last quite as long. Generally, if you want a fragrance to stay with you, it’s best to acquire the actual perfume since it’s more oil-concentrated, but those can be very costly, so the EDP’s are the next best thing.
I’m also a sucker for beautiful bottles, but to be honest, it’s all about the fragrance. Some pretty bottles don’t always have a pleasant smell, while unassuming bottles may have the opposite. This list is my top 7, and while these are the ones that I just adore, my sniffer may differ from yours. So without further ado, here goes!
1. Prada Candy
Can you tell that my Prada Candy is number one? It’s currently my go-to fragrance and the one that I grab on my way out. I am in desperate need of a new bottle, which I plan on purchasing very soon. Prada Candy starts off somewhat sweet but dries down to a warm musky/floral scent, if there’s such a thing. This scent indeed stays with you, and even after a day or two, if you’ve spritzed it on your clothing, you’ll still smell it. The price tag is truly worth it.
2. Dolce & Gabbana The One
I fell in love with The One about 7 years ago, and it’s generally replaced whenever it’s finished. There aren’t a lot of fragrances that get that honor, especially after 7 years. The One is what I wear whenever I’m going out on a date night with my husband. It speaks class and will bring out the diva in you. The dry down on The One is spectacular, but even the initial spray will leave you wanting more. If you’re a fan of vanilla fragrances, then The One is for you!
3. Chloé Love Story
While I own both Chloé and Chloé Love Story, Love Story made my list. While Chloé is a classic, their Love Story just smells better to me. I’m a big fan of fruity florals, and Love Story is just that. Love Story will leave you feeling as sensual as the name suggests, with hints of jasmine and orange blossoms. Love Story is another one that I just can’t live without.
4. Burberry My Burberry Blush
This is another fragrance of which I own two of the three versions: My Burberry Black and My Burberry Blush. While I love My Burberry Black’s musky notes, My Burberry Blush is another fruity floral. With notes of pomegranate, which you smell when first applied, it dries down nicely with hints of rose and jasmine. It’s as sophisticated as the Burberry brand itself. I’m a huge fan of the brand, and this is by far one of my favorites from their collection.
5. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb
There is a lot of hype around both Victor & Rolf’s Bonbon and Flowerbomb. My daughter currently owns Bonbon, and not wanting to have the same fragrance as she does, I opted for Flowerbomb, and this is the BOMB! Believe the hype! This isn’t one of the fruity florals that I usually gravitate towards. However, I couldn’t resist the warm, sweet fragrance. With jasmine, orange blossom, and patchouli, this is a winner all around and doesn’t disappoint.
6. Cartier La Panthère Légère
There’s a bit of a backstory to this one. While in London last spring, Madison and I decided to make an impromptu trip to Disneyland Paris. While Disneyland Paris isn’t exactly in Paris, as the name suggests, it isn’t too far away. A 45-minute train ride took us to Paris, since it’s a shame to visit Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower. Then it was off to the Champs-Élysées, the world-famous shopping center of Paris, like 5th Avenue is to NYC, and the headquarters for Louis Vuitton.
One of the first stores that we happened to pass on our way from the Arc de Triomphe was Cartier, and I couldn’t help but go inside. Unfortunately, Cartier jewelry prices were entirely out of my price range, but luckily for me, their perfumes weren’t, and I decided to pick up the Cartier La Panthère Légère. As you can see from my bottle, I’ve barely used it since I want it to commemorate my trip to France. This is another floral, but it also has a musk undertone.
7. Carolina Herrera Good Girl
This is one that I received because I fell in love with the bottle before I even tried the fragrance. I remember when I asked my husband for this one, and his response was, “You don’t need it.” Come on! I mean, which girl doesn’t need a new perfume? He took one whiff of it and ended up purchasing it. My husband isn’t big on fragrances and thinks they generally all smell the same, but he loves Good Girl.
Good Girl is both sweet and dark at the same time; let’s just say that it brings out your sweet and ‘bad’ sides all at once and is very multiplex. This is another that lasts all day, just like the others, and is a must-buy!
“Give a girl the right shoe and she can conquer the world.”
Carolina Herrera de Báez
Here’s a bonus fragrance, making it 8. I told you it was tough narrowing down my choices.
8. Tory Burch Jolie Fleur Lavande
While I’m not big on Tory Burch’s products or consider her a top designer, I have to say that her Jolie Fleur perfumes outdid themselves, and I just had to add this one to the list. If you’re into powdery florals, then this is the scent for you. Jolie Fleur Lavande is a very feminine scent, and while you would expect it to smell like lavender, it really doesn’t. Instead, the dry down is one of Freesia, which is just magnificent.
While this list may be too extravagant for a few, they are just breathtaking, and I would suggest at least giving one a try, if not the entire list. If you would prefer something more budget-friendly, you can check out my top 5 budget fragrances.
