#WOOSHAPPROVED: THE BEST FRAGRANCES FOR SECURING MAJOR COMPLIMENTS

Ever had a complete stranger ask what fragrance you’re wearing? Whether it’s an Uber driver, a random server in a restaurant or someone on the bus, being told, in no uncertain terms, how good you smell is one of our favorite compliments. It means you have great taste (in scents, anyway) and that you wear your fragrance really well. We’ll take that all day.

Finding ‘the one,’ however is not easy. You might smell a fragrance on someone else and think, yes, that’s for me. Then you buy it and… it’s not. Similarly, the perfume you loved 20 years ago (Angel by Thierry Mugler, anyone?) just doesn’t feel right any more.

In all honesty, we’re not convinced a signature scent that stands the test of time really exists for everyone. Nor should it have to. Time moves on, seasons change, our moods fluctuate and it’s great to reflect all these changes with different scents.

Like most fragrance lovers, our line-ups consist of a few treasured classics like the iconic Chanel No. 5, Madonna’s much-loved Fracas De Robert Piguet and every Gen X-ers favorite juice, L’Eau d’Issey. But these also sit alongside some carefully curated new additions – some of which become new favorites, and others? Not so much. Well, you can’t get it right all the time, can you?

Anyway, we could talk about fragrance forever because something new and very exciting is coming for Woosh this year. We’ve been working on this project for a long time and, trust us, you’re going to love it just as much as we do ;) But patience, OK? We're getting there...

In the meantime, here are some truly beautiful fragrances that promise to earn you compliments every time you wear them.*

* Not all at once, however, that would be disastrous!

Henry Rose Jake’s House

If you’re yet to be acquainted with Michelle Pfeiffer’s genderless fine fragrance brand, allow us to introduce you to Henry Rose. Now five years old, the range launched in 2019 and prides itself on being safe (EWG Verified), sustainable (Cradle to Cradle Certified) and maintaining 100 percent ingredient transparency at all times. Knowing exactly what you’re putting on your skin? Yes, we are all over that.

One of the most popular and compliment-grabbing of the brand’s line-up is Jake’s House, a clean, light and refreshing fragrance that smells, quite honestly, like nothing else. They call it a ‘marine citrus.’ We call it freakin’ awesome and so addictive, you’ll want to smell yourself all day, every day. Because yes, it really does last that long.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540

A TikTok sensation that shows no signs of going anywhere, this high-end, super sophisticated fragrance is like pouring gold dust all over your skin. It’s that decadent. Remember those extremely popular power perfumes of the 1980s? The likes of Christian Dior Poison and YSL Paris that were the ultimate in luxury (if a little cloying for some!)? Well, this is their next generation love child – with slightly less headiness but all of the decadence and glamour.

Baccarat Rouge 540 is officially a woody floral with notes like amber, cedarwood, jasmine and saffron. And we know smells are hard to put into words (trust us, our writers have been doing it for years!) but think ‘money’ and you’ll be well on the, er, money. Granted, it comes with a hefty price tag to match, but it’ll get you noticed, for sure.

Le Labo Thé Matcha 26

We’re sure you’re well aware of Le Labo’s famed Santal 33 which is adored by almost everyone we know. But Le Labo – officially one of the world’s coolest fragrance brands – has some other equally as memorable, gender-neutral fragrances that always come packed with depth, character and incredible aromas.

Thé Matcha 26 is fairly new to us but one staff member smelt it on a male friend recently and could not stop following him around for the rest of the day – stalker, much?

The creamy, skin-like scent is packed with things like fig, vetiver, cedarwood and bitter orange, all of which are brought together by matcha tea. It’s understated, but unforgettable.

Brown Girl Jane Lamu Eau de Parfum

Founded by three black women in 2020 and the first black woman-owned fine fragrance brand to hit the shelves of Sephora, Brown Girl Jane offers everything you could ask for in a fragrance. Packed with clean and consciously sourced ingredients, each of the scents is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and totally void of harmful chemicals and toxins.

There are six fragrances in the collection, all of which are inspired by global culture and created to lift your mood and elevate your wellbeing. And the best one IOHO? Lamu, which is light, juicy and bursting with joy. It blends notes of lemon and coconut and, full disclosure, is fast becoming a go-to with the Woosh team when we want to instantly feel happy and summery.

Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club

So you remember all that chat about strangers asking you what fragrance you’re wearing? Spritz your skin with this baby and you are guaranteed to check that box regularly. Originally formulated as a male fragrance from Paris-based fashion house, Maison Margiela, this hugely-loved juice became so popular with all genders that it fast switched to a unisex scent.

Warm and rich with a little bit of smoke (hey, it is called Jazz Club, after all!) and a whole lot of spice, this fragrance is so addictive you won’t be able to resist a daily spritz. If you prefer to smell more feminine, it might not be 'the one' for you, but if you like a good night out and love the idea of evoking the feeling of expensive cocktails, heady cigars and that all-important jazz, you will love it.

Tom Ford Soleil Blanc

We’re huge fans of Tom Ford fragrances here at Woosh HQ. Give us a spritz of his original Black Orchid and we’re very happy bunnies. But, you know, one doesn’t always want to smell all rich and sensual, right? And on those such occasions, you’re going to want to reach for Soleil Blanc.

For fear of using one of the most overused phrases in the fragrance world, Soleil Blanc is 'like summertime in a bottle.' There, we said it. Coconutty, citrusy, beachy and warm this internet favorite packs a real punch, but fear not because it doesn’t smack you in the face and leave you gasping for air. It’s fresh, crisp and really quite lovely. It also gets serious bonus points for lasting forever.

Lake & Skye 11 11

Love wearing white, and like light and airy fragrances that leave people wondering what that awesome smell was after you’ve wafted by with a spring in your step? Then this is so your jam. Or juice, if you will.

A beautiful blend of white ambers and clean musk and, actually, nothing else (whaaaat?), 11 11 is a crisp, minimalist scent that’s all about ethereal, uplifting vibes and the feeling you get after your favorite yoga class. Don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s all air and no substance however, because this fragrance is truly something special and its subtle sexiness lingers on your skin way longer than expected. On top of the fabulous smell, we love the fact that it comes as a convenient rollerball fragrance oil. Oh and the brand promises to plant a tree with every online order. Respect.

Phlur Somebody Wood

You’ve likely heard of the internet sensation that is Phlur’s Missing Person. Or maybe you were part of the 200,000 person waitlist in 2023 after it sold out for the umpteenth time. Because, yes, that really happened. Well, Missing Person might be the brand’s signature scent but it’s not the only one it has up its fragrant sleeves.

Crafted by some of the best perfumers in the business, Somebody Wood is another total knockout and it’s one of our founder, Andrea’s absolute favorites right now. It’s all about smoky, earthy wood (hence the name), along with vanilla, spicy amber and a smidge of citrus thanks to delightful top notes of bergamot and lemon. Think warm cabin in the woods and you’ve got a sense of where this sensual fragrance will transport you.

Speaking of Andrea, does anyone else remember and pine for the now discontinued Tocca Solid Perfume in Brigitte? If you missed out on the gorgeousness of this perfume, it blended ginger spice (no, not that one!) with rose petals, rhubarb, iris and saffron. Honestly, it really was something else. And we miss it. So much so that we channelled our love of Brigitte and used it as the inspiration for an exciting new launch coming in the fall. Is it a solid fragrance? Or something else Brigitte Bardot-esque?

Sorry, you'll just have to wait and see...

P.S. Head over to our Instagram for a chance to win a special Fold Out Face & fragrance combo!