The Only Perfume That Matters If You Want to Smell Rich and Unbothered
Alyssa Brascia
No one asked, but here's a fun fact about me: I'm low-key fragrance-obsessed. Spritzing scents has been a steadfast component of my beauty routine since then-iconic body sprays from Bath Body Works (Sweet Pea, anyone?) and Victoria's Secret (two words: Love Spell) entered my world in the early 2000s. My goal back then? To smell as cool as Britney, Christina, and the members of Destiny's Child. My taste has changed a lot over the last couple of decades, but to this day, I'm still dedicated to cloaking myself in any of the dozens of perfumes in my collection. My fragrance end game now? To smell rich. And I'm talking Oprah-level rich. Let me explain.
As a deeply imaginative person who regularly visualizes future versions of myself, I often use moments of stillness to let my mind conjure images of every aspect of me down the line. What will I be wearing? Where will I be vacationing? What will my body language be like? (A rotation of Balmain blazers in the Greek Islands and relaxed, confident shoulders, in case you were wondering.) In summary, future me is rich as hell. Someone who suns herself on lido decks and spends her Saturday mornings toiling about in her expansive orchard. (Now do you understand the Oprah reference?) The fragrance that teleports me to that rich, unbothered version of myself in mere seconds? Frédéric Malle's Portrait of a Lady ($295).
To be clear, Oprah has said that she doesn't even wear perfume, so those rumors about her smelling like a bed of roses on a warm spring day must be in response to her natural pheromones. A goddess! But for us mere mortals who don't naturally smell like a bouquet and still want to capture those big, wealthy vibes, this is a fragrance you need to know about.
The first time I smelled the spicy yet floral Turkish rose based fluid, I sat on a velvet couch across from the legend Frédéric Malle himself, and we mused about all things fragrance and luxury inside his eponymous flagship boutique on Melrose Place in Los Angeles. As I sat there, I couldn't help but think to myself, This is the chicest man I've ever encountered. And the exchange? Giggling and going back and forth with an impeccably dressed French gentleman about the art of crafting the perfect perfume. Well, that was simply one of the most cultured, bougiest experiences I'd had.
Aside from the fond memory, it's the fragrance itself that really hooked me. I was a staunch devotee of Le Labo's Santal 33 ($235) at the time and preferred woody, unisex fragrances, but this decidedly feminine aroma was good enough to make me reconsider. The second it hit my skin, I just knew I'd never tire of the way the delicate rose mingled with the hints of cinnamon, patchouli, and my beloved sandalwood. Something about this concoction just smells rich and expensive, and I knew anyone who caught my scent would want to know what it was. It's impactful but not overpowering, just strong enough to make a statement without being too cloying. In fact, fellow Portrait of a Lady fan andBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK editor Shannon Lawlor recounts here how she once smelled it on a woman in a train station and proceeded to chase said woman down to inquire about her perfume. Yeah, it's that good!
All this to say, Portrait of a Lady is a treat. For me, it's personal, but I'm confident that the complex notes and pure sophistication will make anyone feel just as fancy. If you're in the mood to embody your best, richest self, a spritz of this will get you there. And if you're shopping for other scents that exude similarly opulent energy, keep scrolling for more rich-smelling perfumes to try.
Shop More Rich-Smelling Perfumes
Key fragrance notes: jasmine, saffron, cedarwood, ambroxan
This TikTok-famous fragrance is one of the most popular perfumes out there right now, and for good reason. Fans continually call out how expensive it smells—at $335 a bottle, it'd better!
Key fragrance notes: saffron, orange blossoms, jasmine, plum, cedarwood
If you want to smell expensive but don't yet have the funds (we feel you), this fragrance from Dossier tells a similar scent story. Gathered in a bouquet of citrus fruits and earthen wood, this perfume evokes a warm sensuality that far outranks its humble price.
Key fragrance notes: green aquatic, ylang-ylang, jasmine absolute, orange blossom absolute, tuberose absolute, coconut, white musks cocktail
Here's another expertly crafted fragrance from the Editions de Parfums portfolio you'll want to sniff. It's a pretty, sophisticated blend of fragrant white flowers, coconut, and musks. Just heavenly.
Key fragrance notes: sandalwood, vetiver, amber wood
Despite its similar woody smell, I won't call this a Santal 33 dupe. Yes, it's got that sandalwood flair that's ever so popular, but it's an oil blend that wears a little closer to the body. If you want to save a few bucks and have a slightly different experience, though, this is a great alternative.
Key fragrance notes: neroli, orange blossom, rose, marshmallow
This perfume has been a longtime favorite of Rihanna's. If you ask me, that's all you need to know, but if you're inquisitive, check out my in-depth thoughts here.
Key fragrance notes: May rose, jasmine, citrus, aldehydes, bourbon vanilla
This one's largely considered the most popular fragrance of all time, and that's thanks to its mix of sweet and floral notes. It's a little powdery and certainly not for everyone but still an undeniably rich-smelling scent many will recognize.
Key fragrance notes: clove oil, chestnut accord, vanilla accord
This one is warm, spicy, and sweet all at once with a complexity that cloaks you in the scent of crisp dollar bills. (Figuratively, of course. Actual money doesn't smell so great.) The best part? It's totally unisex, so you can share it with anyone who'd also like to smell rich.
Key fragrance notes: bluebell, persimmon, white musk
It doesn't get more opulent than royalty, and Meghan Markle once said this was her signature daytime scent.
Key fragrance notes: green mandarin, lime essence, green tea extract, ambrette absolute
Bright, clean, and sophisticated, this fragrance is the sensorial equivalent of a ritzy New York gala during a soft snowfall (and the scent that likely trails the chic women who waltz around inside). Its forward-facing notes of herbal tea is balanced with a woody base, making this a personal go-to for everything from an office day to glittering dinner parties.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Courtney Higgs is a Cancer sun, Libra rising beauty enthusiast with six years of experience in the editorial space. She was previouslyBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's associate beauty editor after spending many years working at InStyle Magazine. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a BA in communication studies and pivoted to editorial after spending her college years working in the legal field. Her beauty philosophy is simple: She believes there are no wrong answers and that discovering our favorite beauty products and rituals is a journey, not a sprint. When she's not geeking out over products, she can be found adventuring around L.A. with her fiancé; watching reality TV with their French bulldog, Bernie Mac; or relating way too hard to astrology memes.
- Alyssa BrasciaAssociate Beauty Editor,Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing
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