As a complete fragrance fanatic, some of the most-spritzed perfumes in my collection are by Diptyque. The much-loved Philosykos, with its green, figgy notes, is a beauty editor favorite. And for evening, I love the draw of Eau Capitale's mysterious rose and patchouli notes, one of the best long-lasting perfumes for a night out. In fact, they are probably two of my most-complimented scents from my fifty-plus-strong collection of perfumes (I told you I was a bit obsessed).
When I think about it, I don't think I've met a Diptyque fragrance that I didn't like—and that goes for the candles too, which I still buy myself now, even as a beauty editor. So when the news dropped that Diptyque was launching its latest fragrance, L'Eau Papier, its first since 2021, this month, I could not wait to try it. Anything new from Diptyque is enough to set any beauty ed's heart rate skyrocketing.
I wish that this article could be a scratch-and-sniff story. But until we have that kind of technology, here's what it smells like. When I smell Diptyque's L'Eau Papier, it makes me feel like I'm in the fanciest of paper mills (less Dunder Mifflin, more French, artisanal paper atelier) with reams of white paper unfurling from the walls. The scent is inspired by the way ink brush marks bleed into paper, which comes across in the clean, crisp notes of this scent—it quite literally smells like paper in the chicest way possible. I imagine this perfume being worn by someone who sends thank-you notes on expensive stationery.
Toasted sesame gives this perfume a fleeting nutty note, which paves the way for powdery, clean mimosa. The musks give it that creamy, skin-like scent you get after a day spent in the sun, which pairs so well with the blond woods that provide that papery feeling that you get when you open an old book—sweet yet woody, but clean and crisp.
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Key Notes: Toasted sesame seeds, white musks, mimosa, blond woods accord, rice steam accord
Put simply, this is a crowd-pleasing perfume. It's noticeable without being overbearing. Trust me—only those in the closest vicinity would notice it. It's understated, which is also what makes it so incredibly chic. I also think this perfume lends itself to being worn at any time of the year. Its clean, subtle scent makes it ideal for any season and situation, from work to weekends.
Its lightness means it's not the most long-lasting of scents, but the musky base notes do still linger on the skin long after the top notes have faded. If I had to liken it to other fragrances, it reminds me a little bit of the slight creaminess of Glossier You and the airy cleanness of Maison Francis Kurkdjian 724. If these two had a perfume baby, this would be the result. It's absolutely joining Eau Capitale and Philosykos as a mainstay perfume in my collection. Who knew paper could smell so good?
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