It's True: Rosie HW, Kate Moss and VB All Wear This Cult French Perfume
There are many things that the French do exceptionally well, and one of those things is fragrance. French fragrance houses are considered some of the best in the world, and Grasse, in the southern part of the country, is considered as the perfume capital of the world. While luxury fragrance houses Chanel and Dior might spring to mind when you think of French perfume, there is one brand that has totally entranced celebrities, editors, and beauty lovers alike. The brand in question? Diptyque.
Diptyque is one of those brands that have the power to make any beauty editor's eyes widen at the mere mention of it. If you haven't yet tried the fragrances, you'll have no doubt seen the iconic candles flittered through your social media feeds, or on the mantelpiece of your most fragrance-obsessed friend. They've gained icon status for their beautiful candle scents (Baies is one of the most popular out there), but you could say the perfumes are more of a hidden gem. Those in the know will tell you how sophisticated Diptyue's perfumes are, with many choosing Diptyque as their wedding fragrance or signature scent.
One time I wore Diptyque's Eau Capitale (a rose and patchouli scent) to dinner with friends, and someone sat at the next table reached over and said: "I'm so sorry to disturb you, but what perfume are you wearing? It smells amazing." We soon got talking about our favourite Diptyque perfumes and she noted Eau Capitale down in her Notes app to buy next.
Among Diptyque's best-selling perfumes are Philoskyos, which is adored by countless beauty editors and many of the Who What Wear UK team, too. It's fig-based, but not sickly sweet thanks to the fig-tree bark and leaves notes which also make it fresh and earthy. But there are many more Diptyque fragrances that are guaranteed to earn you compliments—and many come celebrity-approved, too, boasting Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss as fans.
Ahead are the best Diptyque perfumes that editors and celebrities alike love and rate. Scroll on to see them and perhaps you'll find your new favourite scent.
The Best Diptyque Perfumes
1. Eau Rose Eau de Toilette
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Damask rose, centifolia rose, litchi, ambroxan
After deep-diving into Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's Instagram, we spotted a post of her bag which included Diptyque's Eau Rose eau de toilette, which features velvety damascena and centifolia roses but is kept fresh by encompassing the green freshness of rose leaves and the stem—it's like stepping into a florists and being surrounded by freshly cut roses. It's a great year-round scent that works for both daytime and evening.
2. Philosykos Eau de Toilette
Fragrance Family: Woody
Key Notes: Fig leaves, fig tree sap, fig tree wood, black pepper
Philosykos is definitely one of the best-known Diptyque perfumes with a loyal legion of fans in the beauty industry. This fig scent makes you feel like you're wandering through a grove of fig trees, with the sweet creaminess of the fruit balanced with the earthiness of the tree bark and the freshness of green fig leaves. Who What Wear UK's branded content editor Rebecca Rhys-Evans is a fan of Philosykos. "I am always drawn to the woody yet sweet notes of fig. Philosykos is a favourite not only because of its distinctively green, almost milky undertones, but because it was my signature scent when I met my partner," she says. Managing editor Poppy Nash is also a fan: "To me, it feels fresh, warm but not too sweet or sickly, and it instantly reminds me of my mum, who has been burning the Diptyque Figuier at home since before I can remember. So it makes sense then that Philosykos, with notes of fig leaves, Fig tree sap and Fig tree wood, is my favourite Diptyque fragrance," she says.In fact, Victoria Beckham told The Cut that she's also a fan of Diptyque's fig scents, and burns the Figuier candle in her flagship store in London. "Diptyque’s Figuier Vert candle has become our signature fragrance—everyone who walks in always talks about the amazing smell of the store, and that’s just because of the candle. I love the warmth of fig wood so much," she said. So, it's likely that she's also a fan of Philoskyos as a personal fragrance, too.
3. Do Son Eau de Toilette
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Tuberose, orange blossom, jasmine, marine accord
If you have a penchant for creamy white florals, then you'll love Do Son. In fact it's also one of Kate Moss's favourite Diptyque perfumes. Talking to WWD, she said, "So now, my perfume of choice is Do Son by Diptyque." Its fresh yet creamy tuberose and jasmine notes combined with floral orange blossom make this scent so pretty and ideal for springtime and summer months. For light and breezy scent, it has impressive staying power too, and it always gets me compliments when I wear it.
4. Diptyque Eau Capitale Eau De Parfum
Fragrance Family: Chypre
Key Notes: Rose, bergamot, patchouli, pink peppercorns
This perfume always has people chasing me to ask what scent I'm wearing. It is a deep and mysterious rose scent that is far from powdery, unlike many other rose perfumes. I'd describe it as a moody rose, which is perfectly complemented with patchouli, bergamot and pink peppercorns. I love wearing this for the evening as the scent really radiates from the skin.
5. Eau des Sens Eau de Toilette
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Orange blossom, angelica root, patchouli, juniper berry
Who What Wear affiliates editor Emily Dawes has long been a fan of Eau des Sens and even wore the scent for her wedding day. "I was always a fair-weather perfume fan, switching my scent up every time I came to the end of the bottle," she says. "That was until I discovered Diptyque Sens a few years ago and I haven't even bothered trying another scent since. It's fresh and citrusy, without being too sweet or girly (I always like my fragrances to smell unisex), and in my opinion, it works just as well in high summer as it does in the depths of autumn and winter."
6. Diptyque Orphéon Eau De Parfum
Fragrance Family: Woody
Key Notes: Tonka beans, cedar, juniper berries
Who What Wear contributor and freelance beauty editor Shannon Lawlor rates this sophisticated scent. "No one does autumnal scents quite like Diptyque, and this particular fragrance has become my favourite perfume of all time. Blended as an ode to the Parisian bar, Orphéon is powdery, smoky and totally unique. The only way I can describe it is it's as if you're wandering the beauty aisles of Harrods and you walk past a counter full of makeup powders and perfume. It's that level of rich and inviting."
7. Tam Dao Eau de Toilette
Fragrance Family: Woody
Key Notes: Sandalwood, cedar, cypress, myrtle
Tam Dao is one of Diptyque's best sellers. It's woodier than Philosykos and really leans into the warmth of cedar and the creamiest of sandalwood. Thanks to these notes, it also makes it long-lasting. It's a very chic fragrance and also feels very grounding to wear.
8. Eau de Minthé Eau de Parfum
Fragrance Family: Aromatic
Key Notes: Patchouli, geranium, mint, rose
I remember the first time that I smelled this scent and how taken aback I was by how beautiful a mint fragrance could smell. To me, it reminds me of freshly picked herbs from the garden, muddled together with earthy patchouli, vibrant geranium and garden roses.
9. Eau Moheli Eau de Toilette
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Ylang-ylang, pink peppercorn, ginger, vetiver
Ylang-ylang is a beloved note in many perfumes, so it's no surprise it's the star of this fragrance. It's floral but has a subtle hit of spice and green woodiness which makes it so addictive.
10. Eau Duelle Eau de Toilette
Fragrance Family: Oriental
Key Notes: Vanilla, pink peppercorn, cypriol, calamus
Think vanilla, but the most complex and expensive-smelling vanilla. Eau Duelle's key note is steered away from becoming too saccharine by the anchoring effect of smoky cypiol, pink peppercorn and cinnamon-like calamus.Who What Wear contributor and freelance beauty editor Grace Day credits Eau Duelle as her favourite Diptyque perfume. "I'm not normally drawn to vanilla-based scents, but the way this blend combines the sweet vanilla with spicy peppercorn is so compelling and addictive. It's also such a potent scent—I find it lingers on my skin, hair, and clothes for hours after spritzing."
11. L'ombre Dans L'eau Eau de Toilette
Fragrance family: Floral
Key Notes: Rose, black currant buds, petitgrain, blackcurrant leaves
This one is a little floral, a little fruity and a little bit herbaceous, which makes it unusual but all the more wonderful. Diptyque say this scent is inspired by summer slumbers by the river, and it really has captured that whimsical daydream feeling of summer days.
12. Geranium Odorata
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: geranium, cardamom, tonka bean, vetiver
This one is cosy with a floral twist. The fresh geranium contrasted with warm, soft notes is a surprising combination, but like all Diptyque concoctions, it totally works.
13. Fleur de Peau Eau de Parfum
Fragrance Family: Floral
Key Notes: Musk, iris, ambrettolide, pink peppercorn
This award-winning fragrance quite literally translates as "flower of the skin" and it really does smell skin-like thanks to the addition of musk and ambretteolide. This is the kind of perfume that you'll want to bury your nose in time and time again.
14. L'Eau Papier Eau De Toilette
Fragrance Family: Woody
Key Notes: White musks, rice, mimosa, and blonde woods accord
Who What Wear contributor and freelance beauty editor Ata-Owaji Victor loves L'Eau Papier Eau De Toilette thanks to it's nostalgic musk. "Although I love switching out perfumes depending on my mood or outfits," she says, "during seemingly unending writing weeks, I love reaching for this scent with it's deep notes, which are reminiscent of perfume my aunties and mother would douse themselves in. Plus it's uberly fitting name that makes writing feel like whirlwind love affair."
15. Ilio Eau De Toilette
Fragrance Family: Fruity/Floral
Key Notes: Prickly pear, bergamot, jasmine and iris
Who What Wear junior beauty editor Grace Lindsay is never without the Diptyque Ilio fragrance in the summer months. "It smells like that first bite into a juicy pear while watching the sun go down behind the sparkling sea. Each note manages to be fresh and sweet while still remaining warm and comforting. Most of all, it reminds me of evenings spent on holidays with loved ones, and who doesn't want to smell like that?"
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Opening image: @rosiehw
Eleanor Vousden is the beauty editor for Who What Wear UK. She was previously deputy editor at Hairdressers Journal, health writer at Woman & Home and junior beauty editor at beauty website Powder. She has also contributed to Wallpaper and Elle Collections with written and styling work.Working as a beauty journalist since 2015 after graduating in fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion, she has been highly commended at the BSME Talent Awards for her work on Powder and also contributed to the title winning Website of the Year at the PPA Awards.Eleanor’s journalistic focus is to provide readers with honest and helpful beauty content. Through words, video and live broadcast, she has interviewed several celebrity makeup artists, hairstylists and top dermatologists throughout her career, as well as celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson. She has a particular interest in finding solutions for acne and eczema, which she has experienced firsthand. She has also amassed a large collection of fragrances and can never say no to a new candle.When she’s not writing or testing the latest beauty product or treatments, she’s on the seafront in her hometown of Brighton and Hove, where she lives with her partner and her miniature dachshund.
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