Ask anyone what the best perfume of all time is, and I guarantee that at least one person you know will say Miss Dior. This scent is somewhat of an icon in the fragrance world, with the very first Miss Dior perfume launching back in 1947. In fact, it was actually Christian Dior's first-ever fragrance, named in honour of his sister, featuring notes of leather, gardenia, rose and patchouli.
Over the years, we've seen this perfume reinvent itself multiple times, while remaining true to its fresh, floral nature. If you didn't know, Miss Dior was the perfume to own as a teenager in the late noughties. Now, under the creative direction of legendary perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, the Miss Dior family is bigger than ever.
The brand has just launched its newest scent, Miss Dior Essence, and I was lucky enough to sit down with the Miss Dior ambassador, Natalie Portman, to learn more about this iconic perfume. As Portman tells me, much like many of us, her first interaction with the scent was in her tweens. "Perfume made me feel very grown up," she says. "Miss Dior in particular felt very strong but romantic." Below, Portman reveals her go-to Miss Dior perfume, alongside how she likes to wear the scent...
Portman is the face of the new Miss Dior Essence.
How Many Miss Dior Perfumes Are There?
There are currently six Miss Dior fragrances on offer, but the four that I really want you to know about are the eau de parfum, the parfum, the eau de toilette and the essence. I like to think of these as the hero Miss Dior scents. While they can all work for different occasions, Portman tells me that the newest iteration is her current daytime fragrance of choice. "I think that the essence is pretty incredible for every day," she says. "It’s so bold and feminine and has that extra energy."
However, when it comes to the evening, Portman reaches for Miss Dior Parfum. "I think you can go a little bit stronger in the evening for sure."
What Does Miss Dior Smell Like?
You're probably thinking, What's the difference between each scent? I've reviewed each Miss Dior perfume below, but first, a brief bit of history about each one.
If you grew up wearing this fragrance, then you're probably already familiar with the eau de toilette. This is the lightest, freshest, most delicate scent in the collection, and is a perfect introduction to the floral perfume. The eau de parfum was reinvented in 2021, revealing a sweet, floral, powdery aroma with a beautifully creamy base.
The two newer scents in the collection, Miss Dior Parfum and Miss Dior Essence, are both the brainchild of Francis Kurkdjian and offer a fruitier take on the much-loved classic, with the essence offering greater intensity through a high concentration of oils.
Can You Layer Miss Dior Perfumes?
Dior has lots of products on offer, from Miss Dior body washes to scented body creams, so that you can layer your fragrance. However, when it comes to layering the perfumes themselves, Portman likes to let each scent do its thing. "I don’t really layer them," she says. "I think Francis is such a great artist, I love enjoying what he’s put together."
Each Miss Dior Perfume, Reviewed
1. Dior Miss Dior Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Mandarin, blood orange, Grasse rose, lily of the valley, patchouli
As mentioned above, the eau de toilette is the lightest and freshest iteration of the iconic Miss Dior scent. This was the first Miss Dior fragrance that I ever owned, so whenever I smell it, I feel somewhat nostalgic. On first spritz, you'll notice zesty notes of blood orange and mandarin, before the beautifully sweet, fresh, delicate aroma of lily of the valley cuts through. Everything about this fragrance feels youthful and fun, and I'm yet to meet anyone who isn't a fan. If you ever get confused, think of the eau de toilette as the younger sister of the Miss Dior eau de parfum.
2. Dior Miss Dior Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Lily of the valley, peony, iris, rose, musk
"This scent is a warm, creamy delight that melts into skin like soft butter," says beauty director Shannon Lawlor. "It's inviting, comforting and lacks any sort of intense headiness. Upon first spritz, it's zingy, sparkling, fruity, and full of sweetness and energy—not things I tend to associate with a luxury fragrance. Give it a little bit of time, however, and it makes itself at home. A whiff of settled Miss Dior Eau de Parfum is the fragrance equivalent of cuddling up on the sofa with a cashmere blanket on a Sunday afternoon when the house is clean and your weekend social commitments are ticked off—it's cosy, inviting and beautifully wholesome."
3. Dior Miss Dior Parfum
Key notes: Mandarin, jasmine, strawberry, ambery woods
Created in 2024 by Francis Kurkdjian, Miss Dior has been reimagined to create this intense, fruity, floral scent explosion. Notes of jasmine heighten the floral accords, while the addition of strawberry adds a sweet, juicy touch. I recently wore this on a weekend trip to Dorset, and I had two women stop me on the train to ask me what perfume I had spritzed. This is the Miss Dior fragrance to try if you like your scent to turn heads.
4. Dior Miss Dior Essence de Parfum
Key notes: Elderflower accord, blackberry jam, jasmine, oak
The newest line-up to the collection is Miss Dior Essence. This fruity, sweet, syrupy fragrance is my favourite Dior scent of all time, and I love the fact that it contains very noticeable jasmine, staying true to the very first composition of the perfume in 1947. It features a fragrance concentration previously unreached for the Miss Dior line, creating this beautifully intense experience when spritzed onto the skin. That being said, it still feels light enough to wear daily.
The scent itself might be a work of art, but it would be rude of me not to mention the bottle, too. The frosted glass features the brand's iconic houndstooth pattern, finished with a statement black bow in grosgrain ribbon. A fashion accessory in its own right, this is the kind of fragrance that you want on full display.
Shop More Miss Dior Fragrances
Did you know that you can get solid versions of the Miss Dior perfumes? These are so great for on the go, as you can simply swipe them onto the skin and prepare for an influx of compliments.
The last time I used this delicately scented rose hand cream, a stranger asked after it on the tube—if that doesn't prove it's great, I don't know what will.
Pop this jar of body cream on your bathroom shelf, and be prepared for everyone to start using it.
This luxury body mist actually hydrates the skin while it works. Consider it a perfume and body care in one.
Elevate your shower routine with the Miss Dior body wash.
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