Perfume. It’s an evocative word, isn’t it? A smell that can bring back a moment in time, linger long after the scene has ended, and be the subject of heated debates.
All because of perfume. All because of its unique ability to evoke powerful memories and feelings in otherwise seemingly insignificant individuals.
Whether it’s the hauntingly beautiful floral scents of Yves Saint Laurent, the cool, creamy citrus tones of Burberry, or the dark muskiness of Dior, perfume has the rare ability to transport us back to a moment in time and place.
Perfume may also have the power to determine aesthetic and personal style. That’s why we’re so fascinated by it; it’s a tantalizing glimpse into the mind of the consumer, and it can shed light on an individual’s deepest, most intimate thoughts and feelings.
Which Do You Prefer?
Which perfume do you prefer? Is it Dior or is it Pattinson?
A quick glance at our poll results may give you a hint as to which one the American people prefer. With 67% of our respondents favoring Dior and only 17% opting for Pattinson, it’s clear that the French perfume house has a bit of a lock on the U.S. market. But does that mean you should be locked into buying only Francophile fragrances?
Well, maybe not. Because as it turns out, not all Dior perfumes are created equal. While we liked the light and floral scents of Dior’s most popular products, everyone’s favorite scented angel has an off-note of sorts. So let’s explore this notion of “equivalents” in more detail. Let’s compare the good with the bad, the beautiful with the beastly.
Dior’s Most Popular Perfumes
When we think of Dior, images of Audrey Hepburn in a yellow dress dancing with Gary Cooper in the rain may come to mind. But that’s not all the French house has to offer. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Like many other luxury brands, Dior has created a number of timeless fragrances, and they are some of the most popular perfumes in the world. Here are their top five best-selling perfumes, as of 2016.
1. Diorissimo
First off, let’s talk about the elephant in the room, shall we? We all know what this is. Everyone has an opinion about it, and many of us have probably even worn it. It’s been around for decades and has been regularly reissued, so it really is the Tiffany of the perfumist world. It’s also one of the most popular perfumes of all time, with sales of more than 160 million bottles worth of the stuff reportedly being sold annually. So, it’s kind of like the diamond of the perfumist world. Let’s not kid ourselves, we know exactly what this is and we’ve all been there. We’ve all smelled it. We’ve all taken a sniff, and many of us have probably bought a bottle just to try it out.
2. L’Homme Arseniy
Next on our list is another fragrance that’s been around for a while. Launched in the 1950s, L’Homme Arseniy is a masculine scent that’s been attributed to Russian president Vladimir Putin. We don’t know if that’s true or not, but the Russians certainly love it, reportedly wearing it more than any other scent. It’s also been described as a “mixture of citrus, green apple and lemon,” and it’s one of the most recognizable scents in the world. It’s been featured in numerous films and TV shows and has been the subject of numerous spoofs and memes. Like most perfumes, it’s very difficult to describe.
3. Dom Pérignon
The Dom Pérignon story began in the 1800s when a Benedictine monk named Dom Pérignon created a recipe for a sparkling wine. The recipe was so secret that even the monks weren’t allowed to know about it. It was a huge hit with the French aristocracy, and Dom Pérignon began selling the wine by the bucketload. It was only after the First World War that the recipe was revealed. Dom Pérignon remains one of the most recognizable luxury brands, known for its distinctive bottle shape and sweet, fruity aromas. The brand is owned by the French conglomerate, Pernod Ricard, and it’s one of the most popular perfumes among our sample group. It’s another scent that’s been featured in numerous films and TV shows and has been the subject of numerous spoofs and memes. Let’s take a quick trip to France, shall we?
4. J’Ai Décidément
J’Ai Décidément (meaning “I Have Decided”) is the best-selling fragrance in French history. Launched in 1981, it is described as a “feminine yet powerful scent,” and that’s a pretty fitting description. Not only does it evoke strength and determination in others, but it also lets you know exactly what you’re dealing with. The fragrance’s creators, perfumers Olivier Bonas and Thierry Despont, originally designed the scent to evoke the French fashion house’s founder’s niece, Agathe, who died in 1961. The scent was created in her memory. The popularity of the fragrance continues to this day, with an estimated 11 million bottles being sold annually.
5. Bouquet De Ceylan
The list wouldn’t be complete without including a fragrance that’s been around for more than 75 years and is among the most popular perfumes in the world. Ceylan is a mixture of jasmine, tuberose and ylang-ylang, and it was first introduced to the general public in 1946. It was named after the island of Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka. Ceylän is described as having a “striking and unique” fragrance that evokes “bright, lively and unforgettable” moments. It has been named one of the 100 greatest scents of all time by the International Fragrance Association. While we’re not sure why Ceylän is such an incredible scent, we’re confident that if you wear it, you’ll agree. It’s one of the most popular scents among our respondent group, and it has been included in multiple fragrance bundles.
That’s our list. These are the top five perfumes of all time, as voted on by you, our readers. If you want to learn more, be sure to check out our full poll results below.
Pattinson’s Best-Selling Perfumes
Like Dior, Pattinson also offers a range of timeless, elegant fragrances that maintain popularity today. Here are their top five best-selling fragrances, as of 2016.
1. A.m. Apollo
A.m. Apollo is an “adrenaline rush”-inducing fragrance that was launched in 2012, and it’s already become one of the brand’s most popular scents. It’s a “top-seller” for a reason; it truly is a unique and exhilarating scent. This scent is said to represent ‘the spirit of adventure and discovery”. Let’s explore the fragrance’s description further: it is a “glimmer of citrus blossom, resin and spices.” We love that it features spices! It’s one of those perfumes that really does embody the fragrance’s description. It’s also been described as “a blend of mandarin, citrussy and woody notes.” If you haven’t tried it, then why not? It’s been out for only a short while, so it should be available for purchase in most places.
2. Damask
Damask is the best-selling fragrance of 2017, as well as one of the most recognizable and popular perfumes in the world. First launched in 1968, Damask is described as a “fusion of wood and citrus.” Let’s explore the fragrance’s description further, “an invigorating blend of citrus and forest floor notes that are both uplifting and harmonious.” Like many other perfumes, Damask is very difficult to accurately describe. If you’ve never tried it, then why not? It’s been out for a while, so you should be able to find a bottle if you want to.
3. Eternity