I Asked 3 French People for Their Favorite Fragrances—They Said, "Try This"

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

Moving to Paris for a month as a New Yorker was the ultimate culture shock in the beauty department. New York women love their beauty routines. A fresh blowout and clean-girl makeup are practically required if you want to live in the West Village, but French women do it differently. Seeing people leave the house makeup-free with freshly washed hair grew to surprise me as I walked around the streets of the 7th arrondissement. One thing French women never neglect is a signature fragrance. A lot of my American friends dabble with many perfumes for different occasions, but French people rely on just one special scent to round out their collection. I had to learn more.

I’m quite outgoing, but when it comes to starting a conversation with strangers, I can be a little bit shy. I overcame this character trait of mine by speaking up on multiple occasions during my trip and asking French women, "Now where did you get that perfume?” Many of them smelled so divine I just had to ask. They all convinced me to try the perfume that they considered a second skin, and I fell in love with what they showed me. Below, see the three perfumes that French people recommended to me. You’re sure to be impressed.

1. Narciso Rodriguez Pure Musc

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

Before traveling to Paris, I heard on TikTok that every woman in France is apparently obsessed with this perfume called Musc. When I asked the woman on the plane next to me what perfume she was wearing, I learned that the rumors are true. I can tell you just by looking at her that she doesn’t have time to get stuck in the bottomless hole that is TikTok very often, but she happened to be wearing the most viral perfume of all time. 

We were on a flight from southern Spain to Paris, and she was a mom dealing with a lot from takeoff to landing. She was dressed as the epitome of the Parisian woman who loves to take vacations, and I could just tell she was a frequent flyer. She convinced me to try the Pure Musc and Musc Noir throughout our conversation, and it was my mission when I returned home to give this one a test.

Shop the fragrance:

2. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

My first Parisian friend was a very chic man who works in the beauty industry. As he’s the owner of a French bulldog and a home in the South of France, I just knew he had good taste. He swore by wearing all black for every occasion, and I was so here for that. We went to a restaurant with some friends, and on the way out, I exclaimed, "It smells like Baccarat Rouge in here,” to which he told me that it absolutely was. It’s his signature fragrance. I had never met someone who was wearing it so strongly, and he let me in on the fact that it was the extrait, not the parfum. J’adore.

Shop the fragrance:

3. Phlur Solar Power

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(Image credit: @_sierramayhew)

My neighbor in Paris was the epitome of the Gen Z French woman. Not too far off from a Gen Z New Yorker, just imagine someone who (and excuse my French) simply does not give a damn about anything. Effortlessly dressed in wide-leg trousers and graphic T-shirts, she didn’t initially seem like the type to wear a perfume, but our elevator was small, and I was quick to realize that she does wear one. I got the vibe that this person did not want to talk to me, but I worked up the courage to ask her for her favorite fragrance anyway, and she told me it was Solar Power by Phlur. I had never heard of this one, so I was excited to give it a try.

Shop the fragrance:

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Associate Editor

Sierra Mayhew was always destined to work in fashion, but she didn't know it at first. Growing up with no choice but to wear a rotation of school uniforms and activewear, her love for fashion really blossomed when she moved away for college and was able to finally define her very own personal style. Shortly thereafter, she interned at Elle magazine and instantly knew that editorial was for her. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, she worked for ShopBazaar, contributing regularly to Bazaar.com, and finally made her way toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , where she is an associate editor. When she’s not working, you can catch her always trying to catch a flight, trying Wholesale Replica Bag fitness craze in New York City, or exploring luxury vintage boutiques.