These Must-Have Fragrances Bring Compliments Galore

“Fragrance is everything: it is the relationship between you and your mind, you and other people, you and this world.” - C. Joybell C.

Scents can set the scene, create a moment, trigger memories, and improve your mood. Take a minute to revel in the swoon-worthy aromas of some of the best fragrance brands in the business.

Fragrance is truly an integral piece in establishing our individual and personal presence in this world, creating an olfactory impression that others will remember today, tomorrow, and, for a lifetime.

Fragrance has also been proven effective in managing stress and bolstering integral facets of our livelihood including sleep, energy, and overall fitness. Fragrance can also evoke a strong memory response as well as feelings of nostalgia.

Road tripping last fall, we stayed at a lovely boutique hotel in San Francisco, Hotel G. The moment I walked through the front door, even though my eyes were wide, taking in the suspended gold sculpture of multiple “Gs” in the foyer, done in partnership with Creativity Explored), the lush greenery from the proliferation of plants, and the refinished wood floors with their satisfying, hollow squeaks and creaks, I was stopped in my tracks by the woody, sweet fragrance that immediately enveloped me.

As I frantically approached the front desk, I had to know the origins of the fragrance which was Air Aroma, so I immediately purchased a small vial of Cedar Mood oil. Now, every time I place a few drops of that liquid gold in my home diffuser I am instantly transported to that glorious weekend.

Businesses such as spas, salons and even medical practices can use a customer’s sense of smell to evoke emotion and create experience; hence why we see heated lavender neck pillows at a dentist’s office (to soothe and relax nervous patients), eucalyptus candles burning at the yoga studio (to assist with focus), and peppermint oil in the diffuser at your favorite boutique (energizing your shopping trip and increasing engagement by employees).

And with that, let us look at a handful of swoon-worthy home and personal fragrance brands that are certain to leave a lasting impression.

Acca Kappa

From candles to perfume to body care, Acca Kappa is truly serving La Dolce Vita in the form of fine fragrance. Created in 1869, the company was birthed by the Krull family. Nestled in the city of Treviso, the family business began with an iconic line of hair, body and toothbrushes, but expanded to include fragrances created from the resources around them; flowers, plants and herbs straight from the earth.

Another signature brand in a handful of standouts, Acca Kappa has an alluring home fragrance line that includes reed diffusers, candles and laundry detergent to layer fragrances and make your home, closet and person smell “molto bello” every day. Outside of the United States, they offer candles in traditional glass vessels, as well as a stand-alone formed wax variety, which utilizes a hydrogenated paraffin wax to release strong, consistent scent.

Here in the US, Acca Kappa offers their classic reed diffusers, as well as a litany of scents in their vegetable-based, triple cold-milled soaps, perfect for any powder room. My personal fragrance fave? Knowing that scientists state that smelling citrus can boost one’s mood temporarily, Acca Kappa’s bright and cheerful Mandarin & Green Tea diffuser is the ideal fragrance to usher in the delicate aromas of Spring.

Decorté

There is something about a classic cosmetics company steeped in rich history that absolutely appeals to me; we all want a little luxury in our life from time to time, and decadent salves, treatments and fragrance really get my inner bougie babe going. Any element of fragrance from Japanese beauty powerhouse Decorté is right up my alley.

While the brand was developed in the early 1970’s, it wasn’t until 2012 that it made its way stateside in a limited number of doors. Even with its finite release, Decorté had some of the biggest names and faces representing the brand - Carolyn Murphy, Kate Moss and Brie Larson have all touted the brand as a cherished commodity.

So, what is the next logical step for a successful skincare brand? Fragrance, of course. Taking inspiration from the enduring beauty of the Kimono, eye-catching ribbed glass bottles with wide ribbon fashioned as miniature versions of Obi belts house elegant fragrances, built upon a base of full-bodied but delicate rose notes.

Five different varieties of Kimono fragrances complete the collection, with one for every individual. Since many of us worship at the altar of fragrance layering (the key to scents going the distance), Decorté offers two sizes of Eau de Toilette spray as well as a luxurious body lotion and super emollient hand cream to enhance your personal fragrance environment.

On trend with my yearning for bright Spring scents, I can’t get enough of the New Limited Edition Kimono Sakura, with its buoyant florals; boasting peony, iris and Japanese cherry blossoms warmed up with notes of amber, Sakura is the fragrance to wear for Sunday brunch, a BBQ with friends, or just soaking in the sun.

Vacation

If you have come to know me through my pieces for Beautytap, you may have figured out that I’m a sucker for eye-catching packaging and seriously creative marketing. But know this; I expect top tier quality in terms of the products that are inside that packaging.

If we are talking a full fragrance immersion experience, start to finish; an olfactory envelopment that transports you back in time via heavy nostalgia (along with notes of freshly opened tennis balls and cucumber sandwiches, courtesy of the Ball Boy candle), then Vacation brand home fragrances are the choice by a landslide.

In my article last year, I played hype queen for the brand in regards to their sunscreen; then in a follow up article this year, I lavished the brand with praise over the candle created based on the “World’s Best Smelling Sunscreen.” But Vacation brand does not stop there; they, along with primary perfumers, have created a candle trio that will have your home, office or business smelling like a tropical all-inclusive getaway. Enter “Partial Ocean View Suite,” “High Ceiling Resort Lobby,” and “Well-Tipped Pool Boy.” The names are tongue-in-cheek and rely heavily on nostalgia, but the scents truly deliver.

Suite is giving fresh hotel linens and sea salt-tinged air, while Lobby comes correct with big florals and notes of high-fashion magazine paper (hear me out, it’s INCREDIBLE). Finally, Pool Boy delivers via notes of sunscreen, coconut, chlorine pool water and unadulterated lust (very Mrs. Robinson-esque). These three, along with the original Vacation brand candle, got me through the dreary, rain-soaked days of winter and ushered my senses into a place where clothing is optional, and cocktails required.

Diptyque

Diptyque is a tale as old as time - a trio of creatives, bonded by friendship, decide to open a boutique featuring all the mesmerizing bits and bops that make their hearts sing. It just so happens that one of those products becomes one of the most coveted fragrance brands in the world. For myself, buying my first Diptyque candle was the waxy equivalent of a Louis Vuitton Never Full Monogram bag; a classic, iconic piece that I had pined for, one that every time I used it, would bring me unbridled joy.

From the custom artwork on their unique packaging (which includes the jumbled, somewhat coded letters on the fragrance label - a hand-created font developed by Desmond Knox-Leet, one of Diptyque’s original trio) to the storytelling behind each fragrance, complete with memories of travels and trinkets, Diptyque weaves a beautiful bouquet into any boudoir through the layering of their fragrances.

This rapture comes in form of personal fragrance, candles, a variety of haute-couture level diffuser types, and room sprays. While quintessential fragrances like Baies and Figuier are the hot tickets, if you love an earthier, heady fragrance try the Patchouli or Oud candles that create a magical, opaque and almost carnal atmosphere. Or if you want to keep it light and lively, the newest limited release, Fleur de Cerisier, captures the fullest, fluffiest cherry blossom scent and pairs them with light musky notes; a literal burnable breath of fresh air.

Sorella Strega

A brand crafted to channel her creativity during the dreaded COVID era, Sorella Strega is the brainchild of Dena Giuliani, a career architect, interior designer and lifetime creative. This line of candles, room mists and tinctures draws upon Dena’s rich Italian heritage and old world witchery; crafted by hand using 100% natural coconut soy wax, organic oils and herbs and cotton wicks.

Each small batch crafted candle not only infuses beautiful scents into a space (my personal favorites include L’Uomo Mare, Invocare and Strega Luna). These memorable aromas evoke a connection to childhood memories and life moments through the senses and intentions of the heart and it is pure joy.

Nette

Founder Carol Han Pyle works with master perfumers to create layered, complex fragrances with the most delightful ingredients, including the very best in coconut soy wax. I’m currently obsessed with the crisp, green brightness of tomato leaf and basil in the Laide Tomate candle.

She then took it one step further, taking into consideration the “long game” for a candle (usually, the landfill). Partnering with preeminent glass blowers and expert ceramicists, the team created clean design, modern vessels that are food grade safe and destined for future use as your favorite wine glass, pencil cup or vase for seasonal peonies.

Plus, Nette has both the olfactory and visual elements on lock when it comes to personal fragrance; gorgeous scents like Rose Garden (a big, bloomy swirl of neroli and rose cut with vanilla bean) encased in a sculptural glass bottle is a wonder on skin and looks smashing on your

Boy Smells

If you read my feature on the brand from last year, you know that this girl is a fierce fan of Boy Smells and the duo of Matthew Herman and David Kien can do no wrong. At their core, they set out to create a beautiful home fragrance category in the industry, and they are casually (or not so casually) killing it. Boy Smells has fragrance layering, truly the key to a lingering olfactory experience, down to science.

Whether it is the currently sold-out Body Duo of hand wash and hand lotion partnered with their Genderful Fine Fragrances or their knockout candles combined with the new room sprays, every single body can create a bouquet in their living space that truly expresses their personality. I’m a bit of a purist though; the fact that my very favorite fragrance is available in all forms minus the room spray? I am so here for it.

Henry Rose

In high school, I was completely enamored with Christian Dior’s Fahrenheit Eau de toilette; but I felt I wasn’t ready to challenge social norms and wear men’s fragrance as a woman. Then CK One came along and introduced me to the boundless world of unisex fragrance.

Fast forward to 2023 and unisex fragrance reigns supreme; but one company is upping the ante regarding gender-free fragrance by creating an exclusive selection of scents that are not only swoon worthy, but also EWG Verified and Cradle to Cradle Certified, keeping sustainability front and forward with the brand. With that, I would like to introduce Henry Rose by Michelle Pfeiffer (yes, THAT iconic Michelle Pfeiffer).

Pfeiffer and the team of perfumers at Henry Rose truly put in the work to develop this curated selection of fragrances, working with limited ingredients to stick to the end goal of creating scents with minimal toxicity, they created a line of eleven scents. They took off like zingo when first introduced and continued that success with the coordinating candles.

Available in 6 different scents, the matte black vessel adapts to any interior (or exterior) setting and fills your space with lush fragrance; from the lavish notes of petitgrain in Queens & Monsters to juicy grapefruit notes in Windows Down, each clean candle burns beautifully (courtesy of a custom blend of coconut, soy and vegetable waxes).

Last Light has become my personal favorite; sitting on my couch, mug of tea in one hand, book in another, swathed in the earthy nature of the patchouli, it makes for the coziest of Sundays.

Well, there you have it, an exhaustive of the best personal and home fragrances. Whether you are trying to find the perfect scent for yourself, your home, your workplace, or simply eager to create a magical mood for your morning commute, these visionary brands provide loads of aromatic options for any person, space or place.

Smell ya later, baby.