Perfumes That Will Completely Take Over 2022
What can be more sensual or self-affirming than the ritual of applying perfume? Spritzing on your favorite perfume is more than just part of your daily morning routine. A scent can be an invisible statement about who you are and how you feel that day. It can tie your look together, give you confidence, or even act as an extra layer of armor as you face the day. As Coco Chanel once said, "No elegance is possible without perfume. It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory."
If you want to find a new "ultimate accessory" for 2022, we've got you covered. We've found some of the best scents that are set to take the world by storm in the coming year. From timeless classics in the perfume industry like Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and Chanel, to more modern perfumers like Henry Rose, Byredo, and Jo Malone, here, you'll find that tantalizing new signature scent you've been looking for.
Yves Saint Laurent's Black Opium offers a sexy, rocker-chic scent
Yves Saint Laurent's iconic Black Opium Eau de Parfum has been a staple in the perfume industry for years. And in 2021, it was still going strong — in fact, it was the fifth most popular perfume in the U.K. If you're a perfume aficionado, you've probably come across this scent before. It comes in a chic, sparkly black bottle with a soft pink label that suggests sophistication, style, and sensuality. Looking at the bottle, you'd think this perfume would be perfect for New Year's Eve — and you wouldn't be wrong. Yves Saint Laurent calls it their "rock couture fragrance."
The perfume has top notes of pear and mandarin, heart notes of vanilla, orange, and white flowers, and base notes of black coffee, cedarwood, musk, and patchouli. It's a sensual, feminine, late-night cocktail of scents.
And in 2022, this perfume is set to be just as popular as ever. As Camron Collard of MicroPerfumes tells The List, "This intoxicating update of YSL's legendary Opium fragrance is proving to be as sought-after as the original. Black Opium is a true modern classic."
Glossier's iconic You perfume suits everyone
Glossier has become a recognizable makeup and skincare brand, known for its cute candy-colored packaging and its "no-makeup makeup" philosophy. The brand only offers one perfume, You, which has quickly become legendary since its launch in 2017. As the Evening Standard explained, this perfume is a little different. Unlike other perfumes, You promises to amplify your own unique scent. Or as Glossier put it, "It's not one of those perfumes you wear to become someone else. Mostly, it smells like you: soft, warm, familiar." This light, warm perfume has notes of pink pepper, amber, iris, and white floral.
In its first four years, this perfume has already amassed thousands of devoted fans. The Evening Standard reported that the perfume has become a best-seller for the brand. As one Glossier You fan wrote for Vogue, "It has become part of my identity and what I think of as the smell of my skin." Clearly, Glossier's You is an addictive fragrance that becomes your signature scent as soon as you try it. And we're sure that the perfume will continue recruiting new devoted fans in the next few years. As Collard says, "Ask anyone under 30, it's the new Santal 33."
Chloe's signature scent is an old-school classic that never goes out of style
Few women's perfumes are more iconic than Chloe's original fragrance. In its famous bevelled glass bottle with the little pink bow around the neck, this scent looks like it belongs on a vintage dresser. And in many ways, it does. The fragrance became an instant classic for women looking for that chic, French girl scent. You probably remember some of the classic ads over the years starring the likes of Anja Rubik, Clemence Poesy, and Chloe Sevigny. Plus, quite a few celebrities use Chloe perfume religiously, including Ashley Graham.
This perfume offers a fresh, light, feminine, floral scent, with notes of peony, rose, magnolia, cedar and ambergris. Chloe describes it as being "fresh and romantic, confident and distinctive."
In 2022, you can expect to see this famous perfume continue to perform as well as ever.
Henry Rose's Windows Down Eau de Parfum is the dreamy, gentle scent of your dreams
Henry Rose is the fragrance company launched by actress Michelle Pfeiffer in 2019. As she told Allure at the time, she had decided to create the line of perfumes because she wanted a natural alternative that would suit her sensitive skin. Her Windows Down Eau de Parfum has taken the world by storm. Allure and W Magazine listed it as one of their top perfumes of the year.
According to the Henry Rose website, this perfume is a fresh, bright, soft scent with notes of grapefruit, bergamot, neroli and soft Earl Grey tea. It also comes in a modern, minimalist clear bottle that will look chic on any dressing table. The perfume even has a flawless five-star rating.
It's clear that this perfume's iconic status is just beginning, and we think it's safe to say that 2022 will be the year of Windows Down.
Christian Dior's sumptuous Vanilla Diorama is the grown-up Parisian scent you've been looking for
Dior is best-known for scents like J'Adore and Miss Dior, but this year is all about a new Dior perfume — Vanilla Diorama. This brand new 2021 perfume by fragrance titan Christian Dior is already making big waves in the industry. W Magazine named it one of their best new fragrances, noting that it is "perfect for anyone who desires sweetness with a grown-up, enticing musk to it."
With its clear, tall bottle and sophisticated amber color, it's a beautiful perfume to look at. And the smell lives up to the hype. With notes of vanilla, rum, patchouli, citrus, and cocoa, this is an addictive fragrance that is warm, inviting, and just a little sweet. If you're a fan of vanilla scents, this could definitely be your next signature fragrance. Plus, it's the perfect time to try this brand new perfume, as it's bound to become extremely popular in 2022.
Byredo's cult-favorite Gypsy Water is set to be one of the biggest perfumes of the year
Byredo's Gyspy Water is a classic in the making. It already has a huge fanbase: InStyle described it as having a "larger cult following than Soulcycle." Kate Bosworth even told Into the Gloss, "I'm dying to meet [Byredo founder Ben Gorham] because I'm really such a massive fan [of Gypsy Water]." When it has fans that include the likes of Bosworth, Sienna Miller, Rosie Huntingdon-Whitley, and Margot Robbie, it's no wonder the perfume is on just about every best fragrance list this year.
So what does this fan-favorite perfume actually smell like? According to Byredo's website, it "is an ode to the beauty of Romani culture, its unique customs, intimate beliefs and distinguished way of living." It has a unique mix of scents, with notes of bergamot, juniper berries, lemon, pepper, incense, orris, pine needle, amber, sandalwood, and vanilla.
With so many dedicated fans, this delicious, unique perfume is definitely set to continue climbing in popularity this year.
Jo Malone London's delightful English Pear and Freesia Cologne is a classic British scent
British perfumer Jo Malone has been a favorite for years. You've probably come across her chic glass bottles with their classic, old-timey black and white labels. Looking at the grown-up, no-nonsense packaging alone, you get a sense of Jo Malone's approach to perfume. With her, you'll always get a classic, timeless scent. And English Pear and Freesia is as classic as it gets. Nevertheless, it's still going strong.
Harper's Bazaar called it one of the best perfumes of the year in 2021, writing, "Sometimes, the classics simply cannot be beaten." The Guardian also mentioned the scent in their yearly roundup, noting how the perfume had teamed up with the U.K.'s National Trust to support the restoration of the nation's fruit trees.
If you want to smell like a British summer picnic in a sunny orchard, this is the perfume for you. With notes of pear, amber, patchouli, woods, and freesia, it's a light, fresh, enticing scent that you won't be able to get enough of.
Le Labo's iconic Santal 33 Eau de Parfum will only get more popular next year
There are few perfumes that are more hyped than the Le Labo Santal 33. As Collard puts it, "Santal 33 has become to millennials what Chanel No. 5 is to baby boomers: a timeless signifier of taste and style." You've probably seen the famous clear bottle with its old-school apothecary-style label before. This fragrance appears on just about every round-up of popular perfumes. In 2020, Red reported that it was one of the perfumes most frequently bought for women that year. Its fame dates back to 2012, when Alexa Chung told Elle that Santal 33 was one of her favorite scents. "I hate overly powerful, floral perfumes. This one is subtle, more masculine," she said. The perfume is also Jodie Comer's favorite.
It's no wonder this perfume stands out from the crowd. It is noticeably different from many of the overly feminine scents out there. According to the Le Labo website, the fragrance contains cardamom, iris, violet, ambrox, along with "spicy, leathery, musky notes." It's an enticing, unisex fragrance that is inspired by the "spirit of the American West." While it may not be for everyone, it certainly has plenty of devoted fans — and we're sure more people will discover this special fragrance next year. "We can't imagine a world without it, nor would we want to," says Collard.
Aesop's Eremia Eau de Parfum is a runaway hit for intellectuals
The skincare and fragrance brand Aesop has earned itself a cult following. With its expensive-looking amber colored bottles and old-timey apothecary feel, Aesop screams sophistication and class. Its perfumes certainly live up to the hype.
The Eremia Eau de Parfum is one of the most popular in the range. In 2021, The Guardian reported that it was the fourth most popular perfume in the U.K. GQ was also a big fan of the perfume, writing, "What you first sense is galbanum, an earthy green resin that smells like you're in a forest. Next up is iris with its subtle dry violet and timber. The final element is yuzu, a dialled down blend of grapefruit and orange."
The fragrance is "vibrant and fresh" with green, floral, and citrus notes. Whimsically, Aesop describes it as being suitable for "all genders, philosophers, flaneurs, romantics." In other words, this is a sophisticated, grown-up scent, that is reminiscent of an old Paris cafe, vintage designer clothes, or a dusty library. No wonder this unique perfume is so popular.
Tom Ford's Tubereuse Nue could be your dream fragrance for next year
From the moment you see the delicate white, pink, and gold bottle, you'll be intrigued by Tom Ford's new Tubereuse Nue perfume. W Magazine called it one of the best new perfumes of 2021 and it's easy to see why. With base notes of the tuberose flower, which is known as "Mistress of the Night," this fragrance is perfect for nights out when you want to put on something extra special.
In their press release, the brand described the scent as capturing "the duality of the notorious, heady scent with enticing spices to release an extravagant magnetism as night falls" (via The Zoe Report).
It certainly sounds intriguing. If you want to add some mystery and allure to your perfume collection this new scent is sure to do the trick — and we bet it'll be pretty popular in 2022.
Diptyque's famous Do Son fragrance is a timeless gem
Diptyque is famous for its complex scents, luxurious hand creams, and pricey, delectable candles. The brand's Victorianesque illustrated labels seem to belong in an old Parisian curiosity shop, and the fragrances are complex, interesting, and high-quality. The Do Son perfume is one of the company's most popular. With notes of tuberose, orange blossom, jasmine, and amber wood, it's a spicy, floral scent that is inspired by the exotic sea breeze in Along Bay.
Even though the fragrance was first released in 2005, it remains extremely popular. As Fabienne Mauny, the company's CEO, told Luxury Daily, this perfume contains the Diptyque signature, "which adds an unexpected and addictive quality to our fragrances." No wonder we can't get enough of it!
In 2021, Cosmopolitan listed Do Son as one of the best scents for winter. L'Officiel also mentioned Do Son in their 2021 round-up of top fall perfumes. This fragrance is definitely set to be a popular one all-year round next year.
Narciso Rodriguez's Ambree For Her will give you the 'scent of the sun'
Narciso Rodriguez has long been a titan in the fragrance world. His iconic baby pink and black bottles of Narciso Rodriguez For Her are widely recognizable. Now, his musky signature perfume has a new twist with the Narciso Ambree Eau de Parfum. In 2020, Red listed the perfume as one of the most popular scents that men bought for women that year. The perfume contains an unusual mixture of frangipani, ylang-ylang, amber, and cedar, for a woody, earthy, musky scent.
As Rodriguez told Harper's Bazaar Arabia, the perfume is for a "self-poised, confident, and cool" woman who "radiates the scent of the sun, mixed with amber and orange blossom in the most sensual way." Apparently, it's a scent inspired by Michelle Obama and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Based on that description alone, we are sold. Because Rodriguez is such a well-known perfumer and this scent is clearly a unique one, we're sure it'll be hugely popular in 2022.
Chanel's devine Mademoiselle is set to be big in 2022
Chanel is best known for their iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume. Marilyn Monroe once famously claimed that she wore the perfume (and nothing else) to bed every night (via The Guardian). While No. 5 will always be a classic, 2022 will be about a different Chanel scent — Coco Mademoiselle.
As the Chanel website claims, this scent is "the essence of a bold and free woman." With notes of amber, orange, jasmine, rose, patchouli, and vetiver, this fresh, feminine scent is like the younger sister to the slightly stuffy No. 5.
In 2020, a new version of the famous Mademoiselle scent was released called L'Eau Privee, intended for nighttime use. As perfumer Oliver Polge told Wallpaper, "[Mademoiselle] is an extraordinary fragrance, youthful yet elegant, that has influenced the world of perfumery for years." It's clear that people aren't tired of this fragrance yet, and it will remain influential for years to come.
Giorgio Armani's Si Intense Eau de Parfum is a twist on a classic that will be hugely popular
Armani's world-famous Si perfume is a long-time fan favorite. The fragrance has numerous well-known fans, including Maddie Ziegler and Cate Blanchett. And this year, it's gotten even better. "How do you improve upon a fragrance that was perfect to begin with?" asks Collard. "Well, Giorgio Armani has done it with Si Intense, an even denser, richer version of the original. With notes of cassis, rose and black currant, Si Intense a perfect new scent for 2022," he goes on to explain.
The new Si Intense perfume is a stronger version of the famous Si, perfect for the bold, confident, sophisticated woman. If you want to start 2022 feeling your very best, you can't go wrong with Si Intense — and it seems like this is one scent that absolutely everybody will be enjoying in the new year.