From new releases to cult classics, we round up the fragrances taking over TikTok.
Look, I’m a signature scent sort of person. I like having an established daily fragrance that feels like me and smells like me. For years, it was YSL’s addictive Black Opium perfume, and at press time I’m approaching my one-year anniversary of being a dedicated Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break fragrance wearer. Point being — when it comes to perfume I know what I like and tend to stick with it for a while. I may switch it up occasionally for the evening, but my love for one true signature scent remains.
So imagine my shock as a monogamous perfume user when my latest obsession became #perfumetok, a popular corner of TikTok where creators are making the often luxury world of perfumes more accessible.
@cyrafabulous smelling good is a MUST #smellgood #perfume #perfumetok #perfumetiktok ♬ GO2DAMOON – fendi.audios
After endless scrolls down the fragrance-filled #perfumetok hashtag (which has 2.1 billion views, btw), I found myself looking up dozens of cult-status perfumes and their notes on Fragrantica and knew that somehow I’d been swept up by #perfumetok.
Though perfume preferences are subjective, TikTok users seem to be in agreement about several beloved scents across the board. From Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540 to Mugler’s Alien Goddess, we’ve gathered 10 fragrances whose high-ranking hashtags warrant them a TikTok stamp of approval.
Scroll on to shop these fragrances and find yourself a new scent for the new year.
For the luxury lover: Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540
With nearly 250 million views on the #baccaratrouge540 hashtag, there is no fragrance more coveted on TikTok than this one. Pure opulence in a bottle, Baccarat Rouge layers the skin with woody and floral notes of radiant saffron, fresh-cut cedar and wind-swept jasmine. Can purchasing a $425 perfume be justified? #PerfumeTok sure makes a convincing case.
For the free spirit: YSL Beauty’s Libre
In true YSL fashion, this fragrance offers up a sleek and sexy scent with a slight edge to it. Built on bold tensions, the scent balances sexy with cool, masculine with feminine, and the elegance of Paris with the vibrant heartbeat of New York City. A floral blend of French lavender and orange blossom flower from Morocco, YSL Beauty Libre ($138) took seven years to master but the wait was well worth it.
For the floral fiend: Prada’s Paradoxe
Not only is this scent housed in a display-worthy reinvention of the iconic Prada triangle logo, but it perfectly captures the alluring essence of floral freshness within. Prada Paradoxe ($192) leads with fresh neroli bud extraction and warm bio-converted amber, leaving the subtle trail of a new revolutionary musk molecule behind.
For the hopeless romantic: Killian Paris’ Love, Don’t Be Shy
Rumoured to be Rihanna’s signature perfume, the Fenty Beauty mogul isn’t the only one who can’t get enough of Love, Don’t Be Shy ($342) by Killian Paris — #perfumetok is obsessed with it, too. Bursting with exhilarating notes of juicy honeysuckle, soft rose and marshmallow sugar accord, this fragrance channels the sweet innocence of a first love. Swoon.
For the daydreamer: Parfums de Marly’s Delina
Captivating and heavenly, Parfums de Marly’s Delina ($217-$420) is a sensual floral fantasy. Floral accords of Turkish rose, lily of the valley and peony come through upon spritzing, with the fragrance rounded out with creamy vanilla and cashmeran notes in the dry down.
For the sweet sophisticate: Mugler’s Alien Goddess
When it comes to Mugler’s Alien Goddess ($150), you either love it or you hate it — but either way you’ve definitely heard about it on TikTok. Whether you prefer the classic or the intense edition released last year, both scents deliver notes of intoxicating vanilla, bergamot and jasmine grandiflorum that last all day.
For the bold beauty: Narciso Rodriguez’s Musc Noir Rose For Her
Dubbed the “French girl perfume” in a viral TikTok video by perfume aficionado @ohuprettythings, Narciso Rodriguez’s For Her Musc Noir Rose For Her perfume ($130-$165) has swiftly become one of the app’s most sought after fragrances. This viral scent is part of the brand’s iconic For Her fragrance line, with standout notes of voluptuous tuberose, bergamot and vanilla that set it apart from the rest of the collection.
For the classic perfume collector: Kayali’s Vanilla | 28
The scent of classic vanilla is always captivating, and Kayali’s Vanilla | 28 ($113-$156) is no exception. Layered with Brazilian tonka, rich Madagascan vanilla orchid and creamy jasmine notes, this gourmand scent is an irresistible fusion of warmth and spice. If vanilla is the first note you look for in a fragrance, this ones for you.
For the effortlessly cool girl: Versace’s Crystal Noir
This dark scent finds the perfect medium between warm and spicy, making it the ultimate fragrance for a night out on the town. Sensual notes of ginger, gardenia and amber make up the unique perfume profile of Crystal Noir ($132), which will linger on the skin from dusk until dawn.
For the beach babe: Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Crush
Brazilian Crush ($26) is technically not a perfume but a body mist, though the hype around its scent endures in #perfumetok either way. Inspired by the cult favourite Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, this summery scent transports its wearers to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro with its pistachio and salted caramel notes.
