There are so many good perfume brands out there, from designer classics such as Chanel and Dior to niche brands such as Byredo and Diptyque. As much as I love all of these, there's something about wearing a more under-the-radar fragrance that makes me feel so special. Perhaps it's the idea that not many people know about the scent, or maybe it's the fact that these unique fragrances often earn me lots more compliments as they're less recognisable, but either way, I've made it my mission to try all of the lesser known brands out there to see which ones come out on top.
There's one brand in particular that has come recommended to me from multiple beauty editors. Not only does it look chic, but each fragrance has a meaningful story behind it, making each bottle feel even more noteworthy. If you're unsure which brand I am talking about, let me introduce you to Vilhelm Parfumerie.
Founded in 2015 by Swedish designer Jan Vilhelm Ahlgren, Vilhelm Parfumerie is an exciting, contemporary brand that is shaking up the fragrance industry. Each scent is created in Paris and comes housed in a bottle of spun glass with a bold yellow label. According to the brand's website, this saffron yellow shade "nods to a piece of Bakelite found in a Parisian flea market." Now that I think about it, I've seen Vilhelm Parfumerie's iconic bottles in the background of so many French women's posts on social media for years, so this intel all adds up.
Yes, the bottles are a work of art, but after spritzing them myself, I can confirm that the scents are even more spectacular. Below, I've rounded up some of the best fragrances from the brand, including bestselling scents, editor recommendations and even celeb-approved perfumes. Keep on scrolling to take your fragrance game to the next level...
The Best Vilhelm Parfumerie Perfumes to Try Now
- Best editor-approved Vilhelm Parfumerie perfume: Dear Polly
- Best celeb-approved Vilhelm Parfumerie perfume: Room Service
- Best fresh Vilhelm Parfumerie perfume: Morning Chess
- Best bold Vilhelm Parfumerie perfume: Poets of Berlin
- Best sweet Vilhelm Parfumerie perfume: Mango Skin
- Best floral Vilhelm Parfumerie perfume: Vilhelm Parfumerie x Liberty Peony Couture
1. Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly
Key notes: Bergamot, apple, ceylon black tea, oakmoss, musk and amber
If you've read our guide to the best perfumes of all time, then you'll know that we are big fans of this fragrance. It's perfect for this time of year, with a comforting yet invigorating scent filled with contrasting notes of warm musk, black tea and amber and zesty bergamot and apple. It was created as a love letter to the founder's wife, designed to embody the soothing ritual of making a cup of tea in the morning.
2. Vilhelm Parfumerie Room Service
Key notes: Mandarin nectar, blackberry, pink orchid, bamboo, violet, amber, musk and sandalwood
Rumour has it this is one of Victoria Beckham's favourite fragrances, and it's not hard to see why. The scent is inspired by Hollywood actress Greta Garbo. More specifically, it paints the picture of the star enjoying a floral, fragrant bath in her room at The Carlyle Hotel. Think notes of soft, powdery violet, sweet pink orchid and juicy blackberry.
3. Vilhelm Parfumerie Morning Chess
Key notes: Bergamot, tuscan leather, galbanum, patchouli and amber
If you like striking green scents, then you will love this fragrance. Morning Chess recalls the perfumere's memories of summers spent in a cottage on the Swedish coast huddled over a chessboard. Hints of woody galbanum and citrusy bergamot invigorate the senses and make this perfume the perfect antidote to sleepy winter mornings.
4. Vilhelm Parfumerie Poets of Berlin
Key notes: Blueberry, lemon, vanilla, green wild orris, sandalwood and vetiver
As the name suggests, this fragrance is an ode to the city of Berlin. This scent has a bold, sparkling aroma that will make you feel alive whenever you spritz it. Fruity blueberry collides with zesty lemon and green wild orris before a base of vanilla and sandalwood add a smooth, creamy touch.
5. Vilhelm Parfumerie Mango Skin
Key notes: Blackberry, mango, black pepper, wild orris, black lotus, jasmine, patchouli, vanilla and pink sugar
If you like fruity, gourmand fragrances then Mango Skin is definitely for you. Although this scent is focused around juicy mango and sweet vanilla, it has a sophisticated quality to it thanks to notes of patchouli, black pepper and jasmine. This is definitely my summer fragrance of choice.
6. Vilhelm Parfumerie x Liberty Peony Couture
Key notes: Black pepper, aniseed, French peony, Turkish rose absolute, incense and cedarwood
Vilhelm Parfumerie recently collaborated with Liberty to create an exclusive fragrance that has since become a bestseller. Soft, sweet, peony is at the heart of this scent, but hints of black pepper and aniseed give it a unique edge. This perfume is made to stand out amongst other floral scents, and will earn you compliment after compliment.
Shop More Vilhelm Parfumerie Fragrances:
With notes of black pepper, leather and Sicilian tangerine, this smokey, spicy scent is bound to turn heads.
Designed to capture the feeling of falling in love, Moon Carnival has hints of marshmallow, vanilla and passionfruit.
This fragrance is nutty, woody and earthy with aldehydes that add a clean edge.
If you like fig fragrances, then this is the bottle for you.
This warm fragrance feels so nostalgic, and hints of leather, whisky and honey give it a comforting, rich finish.
This refreshing, zesty scent is ideal for those cool, rainy mornings.
If grassy, herby scents are your thing, this is such a beautiful concoction of basil and green hay.
Notes of wild honey, ginger butter and black vanilla bean have me racing to checkout to try this for myself.
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