Some love affairs are hot and fiery. There’s an instant spark, and they often burn out quickly. Others are slower and steadier. They build imperceptibly over time until, one day, you realize you’re in deep. These are the slow-burners.
As a beauty editor, I know better than anyone how well these relationship tropes apply to fragrance. Out of all the perfumes I’ve accumulated throughout the years, I fell in love with some of them instantly while I had to warm up to others. But here’s something no one tells you—sometimes, the slow-burner ends up being The One if you catch my drift. Yep, it’s true. A few of my all-time favorite fragrances were the ones I wasn’t so sure about at first.
Since I’m nosy, I wanted to know which slow-burn fragrances my fellow beauty editors have officially warmed up to and now can’t be without. Keep scrolling to see all seven of their picks. You never know which one is your scent soulmate.
Le Labo
Thé Matcha 26 Eau De Parfum
Notes: Fig, bergamot, bitter orange, sesame, cedar wood, vetiver, matcha tea accord
“When it comes to fragrances, I usually know by first whiff whether I love it, like it but not for me, or hate it. That being said, sometimes things like price and decision fatigue can cloud my judgment when shopping for a new scent. That was the case when I tested a number of cult-favorite fragrances at Le Labo last Christmas and tentatively decided that Thé Matcha 26 was my favorite of the bunch. Then came buying the tester and another tester and another. Finally, in September of this year, I caved and bought the full size. It’s creamy and skin-like and never feels overpowering.” — Emma Hughes, Associate Social Media Editor, Beauty
KORRES
Avgoustos Eau De Toilette
Notes: Mandarin, lavender, bergamot, fig, lemon tree leaves, orange blossom, ambergris, musk, cedar wood
“I’ll be honest. When I first smelled this fragrance, I made a face like I was disgusted. The fresh top notes, fruity heart notes, and traditionally masculine base notes weren’t in my wheelhouse. I didn’t know what to think. I put it down and went about my business. Cut to five minutes later, and I picked it up again to give it a sniff. Again, I wasn’t so sure about it. Another few minutes later, I came back again. This cycle repeated itself until I realized something. I didn’t dislike it at all; it was just a complex scent, and I had to get accustomed to it to truly appreciate it. These days, it’s one of my all-time favorite fragrances. I love how fresh, unique, and androgynous it is. I wear it three times a week, minimum.” — Kaitlyn McLintock, Associate Beauty Editor
PHLUR
Father Figure Eau De Parfum
Notes: Lush fig, jasmine dew, sandalwood
“I might be Phlur’s biggest fan, but that doesn’t mean I think every Phlur fragrance is an instant hit. When this scent debuted, I heard so many good things about it. Who What Wear’s beauty director, Erin Jahns, waxed poetic about it, and I saw countless positive reviews on TikTok. However, the green, herby scent threw me off at first. It smells traditionally masculine to me, and as someone who loves warm, sophisticated fragrances, I thought I just didn’t like it. Over time, though, I came to appreciate it for what it is—the ultimate cool-girl scent. Now, I can’t stop spritzing it. I love how fresh it makes me smell.” — McLintock
BYREDO
Eyes Closed Eau De Parfum
Notes: Cinnamon, cardamom, carrot, orris butter, ginger, patchouli, papyrus
“I love a warm, inviting fragrance, but I’m not one for overly spicy scents. That’s why I initially shunned this unique Byredo scent. Well, here’s my personal apology to it because it’s so, so good. What starts out as biting and spicy thanks to cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger notes rounds down to something warmer, creamier, and very alluring. While it’s a season-less scent, I tend to wear it most often in fall and winter because it makes me feel cozy and sophisticated.” — McLintock
Diptyque
Philosykos Eau De Parfum
Notes: Fig leaves, fig tree sap, black pepper
“If the aforementioned Byredo fragrance is my fall-and-winter slow-burn scent, then this is my spring-and-summer one. It’s fresh, slightly androgynous, and designed to pay homage to the fig tree. It took me a while to appreciate it, but I’ve come to love this fragrance. It transports me to a sunny fig tree orchard on the Greek coast.” — McLintock
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau De Parfum
Notes: Jasmine, saffron, cedar wood, ambergris
“This might be a hot take, but the first time I gave this a sniff, I did not understand the hype. Granted, I only smelled it out of the bottle and not on skin, so that was my first mistake. The second time I tried it, though, I completely fell in love and haven’t stopped wearing it since. I especially love the extrait version of the fragrance. It’s rich and warm and gives you such an It-girl aura.” — Shawna Hudson, Associate Beauty Editor
BYREDO
Young Rose Eau De Parfum
Notes: Sichuan pepper, ambrette seeds, Damascena rose, orris, musk, ambroxan
“Initially, I thought this smelled like every other rose fragrance on the market when I first sprayed it, but once it dried down, my opinion completely changed. Much like Byredo’s other most-coveted scents, it’s actually very layered and complex with complementary notes that give it such an edge. Sure, rose is a focal point, but notes of orris, pepper, and ambrette seeds give it an unexpected, spicy twist that I now can’t get enough of.” — Hudson
10 More Fragrances We Have a Burning Love For
maison millais
Funny Little Things Whispered at Very Important Dinner Parties Eau de Parfum
Notes: Green tea, suede, moss, cedar wood, amber
This fragrance brand is new to me, but I’m in love. Not only are the scents unique and complex (they have signature scent energy), but they come in the chicest little gold-glass bottles. I’m particularly obsessed with their playful, non-basic names.
Maison Millais
Nothing Short of Extraordinary Eau de Parfum
Notes: Lemon, fig, ambrette seed, white wood
Another Maison Millais perfume I love, this one is fresh, light, and slightly fruity.
Valentino
Donna Born in Roma Eau De Parfum
Notes: Blackcurrant, jasmine grandiflorum, bourbon vanilla
Warm and sophisticated, this fragrance is a modern-day classic.
Yves Saint Laurent
Libre Eau De Parfum
Notes: Lavender, orange blossom, musk accord
If you love warm, floral fragrances, you’ll love this elegant scent.
Glossier
Glossier You Doux Eau De Parfum
Notes: Sweet violet, palo santo, ambrox
One of Glossier’s new perfumes, this one smells soft, earthy, and woody.
Glossier
You Rêve Eau De Parfum
Notes: Buttercream, plum butter, ambrox
Meanwhile, Glossier’s Rêve is warmer, sweeter, and spicier.
TOM FORD
Vanilla Sex Eau De Parfum
Notes: Vanilla tincture, vanilla absolute, sandalwood
The Who What Wear team loves this sultry vanilla scent.
PHLUR
Vanilla Skin Eau De Parfum
Notes: Sugar crystals, cashmere wood, vanilla
Remember how I said I love Phlur fragrances? This sweet gourmand is no exception.
PHLUR
Coconut Skin Body & Hair Fragrance Mist
Notes: Coconut, frangipani, salted amber
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention this sheer, my-skin-but-better coconut scent.
Burberry
Burberry Goddess Eau De Parfum
Notes: Vanilla infusion, vanilla caviar, vanilla absolute
A trio of vanilla notes lead this strong and sophisticated fragrance.
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