I’m a Scent-Obsessed Editor, and I Recommend These 15 Nordstrom Perfumes to Anyone Who Will Listen
I collect perfume the way other people collect key chains, postcards, or any other trinket. I love the chic glass bottles and the amber-colored liquid inside. I love the way they evoke different times, places, and people. Most of all, I love the thrill of discovering a new staple scent that you know you’ll wear for many years to come.
It won’t come as a surprise, then, that I’m passionate about the perfumes I recommend. I often come back to the same ones, recommending them over and over again to anyone who will listen. Funnily enough, you can find all of them at Nordstrom. Ahead, see 17 of my tried-and-true perfumes. (Some are on sale.)
Chloé
L’Eau de Parfum Intense Set
Notes: Rose, strawberry, ambery woods, cashmeran, cedar
I’ve been a fan of Chloé perfumes for as long as I can remember. My mom wore the brand’s iconic 1975 eau de toilette throughout my childhood, and I’ve associated Chloé scents with sophistication ever since. The new L’Eau de Parfum Intense fits the “quiet luxury” bill. It features a modern blend of fresh (not powdery) rose, strawberry, and amber woods, creating a soft, alluring, and expensive-smelling scent. The entire Who What Wear beauty team swears by it, which is why we think this three-piece kit might sell out during Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. It includes a full-size bottle of Chloé’s L’Eau de Parfum Intense as well as a travel-size bottle and a a body lotion.
By Rosie Jane
Leila Lou Eau de Parfum
Notes: Pear, jasmine, freshly cut grass
Pear is such an underrated fragrance note. It’s fresh, fruity, and slightly aquatic in nature, and it really shines in this scent, along with the other notes—jasmine and freshly cut grass. To me, this scent is light, fresh, and breezy. It’s as carefree as a summer day and as comforting as my favorite pair of worn-in jeans.
Diptyque
Ilio Eau de Toilette
Notes: Prickly pear, bergamot, jasmine, iris
Inspired by the sun-drenched Mediterranean sea, Ilio, which means “sun” in Greek, is an elite summer scent. Featuring notes of prickly pear, bergamot, and jasmine, it’s a fruity-floral fragrance that transports me to a seaside cliff at golden hour. I can almost hear the waves crashing on the shore. I can almost feel the warm sun touch my skin. And I can see the glittering water stretching out for miles.
Diptyque
L’Eau Papier Eau de Toilette
Notes: White musk, steamed rice, mimosa, blonde woods
Here’s another perfume from the iconic French fragrance house I love—Diptyque’s L’Eau Papier Eau de Toilette. With notes of white musk, steamed rice, mimosa, and blonde woods, it’s inspired by blank paper. As such, it’s a scent that whispers rather than screams. It’s light and clean-smelling and reminds me of freshly washed laundry or just-showered skin. It inspires creativity, imagination, and unbridled expression. It’s pure potential, bottled.
TOCCA
Giulietta Eau de Parfum
Notes: Bulgarian rose, ylang-ylange green apple, pink tulips, lily of the valley, iris pallida, vanilla orchid, lilac, heliotrope, cedarwood, musk, amber, sandalwood
Inspired by the Mediterranean island of Corsica, this scent can only be described with one word: delicate. Thanks to floral notes like Bulgarian rose, ylang-ylang, tulips, lily of the valley, and lilac, it’s a true floral fragrance with a bite of crisp green apple. It’s soft, fresh, and whimsical—the perfect perfume for lovers of traditionally feminine fragrances.
TOM FORD
Café Rose Eau de Parfum & Travel Spray Gift Set
Notes: Turkish rose, dark coffee, ylang-ylange, coriander, patchouli, cardamom, incense resin, sandalwood
Imagine stepping into a coffee shop that’s filled with fresh-cut flowers. The bitter warmth of the espresso beans combines with the scent of roses and delicious, spiced baked goods. That’s Tom Ford’s Café Rose Eau de Parfum. With notes of Turkish rose, dark coffee, and incense resin, it’s moody, cozy, and luxurious, and I guarantee it’s as crowd-pleasing as a warm cappuccino.
Le Labo
Thé Matcha 26 Eau de Parfum
Notes: Fig, bergamot, bitter orange, sesame, cedarwood, vetiver, matcha tea accord.
If you prefer matcha over coffee, you’ll love this scent from Le Labo. Fresh, green, and zen-like, it doesn’t overpower the wearer; rather, it elevates and accentuates their natural scent. It’s subtle and sophisticated, perfect for fragrance minimalists.
TOM FORD
Vanilla Sex Eau de Parfum
Notes: Vanilla Tincture India, vanilla absolute, sandalwood essence.
Since I can’t choose just one, I’m also recommending Tom Ford’s Vanilla Sex Eau de Parfum. This is one of my all-time-favorite Tom Ford fragrances. With two potent forms of vanilla, as well as creamy sandalwood, it’s warm, sultry, and sophisticated. I think it’s intoxicating and the kind of scent you want to wear on a date because it draws people toward you.
BYREDO
Rose of No Man’s Land Absolu de Parfum
Notes: Saffron, black currant, pink pepper, black raspberry, peony, rose, patchouli, black amber, papyrus
If traditional floral fragrances bore you, I beg you to try this one. Unlike basic rose scents, this one is deep, strong, complex, and almost smoky, thanks to punchy notes of saffron, pink pepper, and patchouli. It’s the perfume I’d like to wear to a dimly lit jazz club or an exclusive NYC after-party. You get it.
D.S. & Durga
Debaser Eau de Parfum
Notes: Bergamot, green leaf, pear stem, fig, coconut milk, iris, blonde woods, tonka bean, moss
D.S. & Durga is known for its unique portfolio of interesting and understated scents. This one is no different. With some of my all-time-favorite fragrance notes, like bergamot, pear, and tonka bean, it smells fresh, herby, and creamy all at once. Inspired by “August humidity,” “music,” and “young romance,” it’s the perfect perfume for someone who likes to subtly stand out from the crowd.
HENRY ROSE
Smyth Eau de Parfum
Notes: Granny Smith apple, melon-pineapple sorbet, apricot nectar, star jasmine, white tea, sheer white woods, sandalwood, layered musks, amber
It’s no secret I’m obsessed with Henry Rose. The clean, genderless fragrance brand, which was created by iconic actress Michelle Pfeiffer, combines incredible storytelling with expertly crafted scents. This one, called Smyth, is a newfound favorite. With watery notes like Granny Smith apple and melon-pineapple sorbet, plus apricot nectar, star jasmine, and white tea, it’s a fresh, juicy scent that I could never get sick of.
Jo Malone London
Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne Duo
Like Henry Rose, Jo Malone is a fragrance brand that almost never misses. I love so many of its scents, but the iconic Wood Sage & Sea Salt will always be at the top of my list. Fresh, clean, and slightly aquatic, this perfume is a must for anyone who wants to smell chic and sophisticated. Right now, you can stock up on it via this kit. It includes a full-size and travel-size bottle.
PHLUR
Father Figure Eau de Parfum
Notes: Waterlily, fig, cassis buds, orris root, iris flower, jasmine dew, skin musk, Madagascar vanilla, patchouli leaf, sandalwood
I describe this scent as “green.” It’s lush and verdant, like bamboo shoots that are covered in dewdrops, and it’s one of my favorite fragrances from the cool-girl brand Phlur. It’s a longtime favorite of Who What Wear’s beauty director, Erin Jahns, too. Enough said.
Frédéric Malle
Portrait of a Lady Parfum Spray
Notes: Rose, red fruits, cinnamon, benzoin, incense, patchouli, sandalwood, castoreum
This iconic fragrance was released 15 years ago, and it’s still as relevant as ever. It’s a chypre scent, meaning it belongs to a category of fragrances that typically feature citrus top notes, floral middle notes, and mossy or earthy base notes. It has an almost unbelievable concentration. Apparently, 400 flowers go into a single 100-milliliter bottle. But don’t think that means it’s heady and overbearing. In fact, it’s quite the opposite—elegant, enigmatic, and surprisingly androgynous.
Valentino
Donna Born in Roma Eau de Parfum 2-Piece Gift Set
Notes: Black currant accord, jasmine flower, bourbon vanilla
I think Valentino’s Donna Born in Roma Eau de Parfum is one of the most exceptionally elegant designer perfumes that money can buy. It features a dark and juicy top note of black currant, a sweet floral middle note of jasmine, and a warm and rich base note of bourbon vanilla. Together, these notes convey a soft strength. It’s the perfect homage to one of my favorite cities on the planet, Rome.
