If Compliments Are What You're After, These "Heavenly" Perfumes Always Overdeliver

Our choice of fragrance can hold a lot of meaning. After all, perfume can transport us to a specific place, person or memory—it really is time travel for the senses. Whether it be a holiday perfume that reminds you of a treasured place, or perhaps a wedding perfume that makes you fondly remember your special day, there's no denying the power of scent. And if you're yet to find your signature fragrance, you'll know the fun of trying the best perfumes in the search of finding The One.

Trying a new perfume can be like trying on an alter-ego, or a spritz of confidence when you want to feel your best. And sometimes there's nothing like wearing a fragrance that generates admiration every time you wear it. Tell me a higher beauty compliment than someone asking what perfume you're wearing—I'll wait. Like my search to find the most-complimented beauty products, I wanted to uncover what was the most-complimented fragrance of all time, I asked beauty editors and the Who What Wear UK team to share the fragrances that always generate comments when they wear them—positive ones of course! I'm talking about the scents that have people chasing you down the road to ask what perfume you're wearing or garner the most attention in restaurants, bars and bathrooms.

From floral perfumes to underrated scents, discover the fragrances that bring in the most compliments for us, ahead. You can thank us later.

The 16 Most-Complimented Perfumes on the Market, According to Beauty Editors

• The Overall Most-Complimented Perfume: Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, £115
• The Most-Complimented Floral Perfume: Diptyque Paris Eau Capitale Eau de Parfum, £160
• The Most-Complimented Musky Perfume: Byredo De Los Santos, £220
• The Most-Complimented Luxury Perfume: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum, £245
• The Most-Complimented Affordable Perfume: Huda Beauty Kayali LoveFest Burning Cherry 48 Eau de Parfum, £73

1. Diptyque Eau Capitale

Having tried a lot of fragrances in my job (you should see my buckling perfume shelf), I've noticed a distinct correlation between a certain brand and the many compliments its fragrances garner when I wear it. The perfume house in question? Diptyque.

When I wore Eau Capitale out to dinner recently, the woman on the table next to me leant over to ask what perfume I was wearing and promptly made her husband write down the name in his phone. It's a rose scent, but this is no powdery floral. Instead, it's a moody take on rose, combined with earthy patchouli that makes it all the more mysterious. When I smell this, I imagine a bouquet of dark, velvety red roses. Heavenly.

"I get compliments pretty much any time I wear a Diptyque perfume, with favourites including Fleur de Peau, Eau Rose and L’Eau Papier. But there's one that always has people asking what I'm wearing: Eau Capitale," says freelance beauty journalist, Tori Crowther in agreement.

"It's inspired by Paris, and for Diptyque, only a classic chypre would do. It's truly special. Rose is the star of the show here but it's certainly not your typical rose scent; it opens with bergamot balanced with peppercorn and patchouli, making it feel modern, clean and bold. I choose this when I want to feel confident for a day of work—that 'fake it till you make it' type of confidence—but it's also a beautiful date-night perfume," Crowther says. "It has great lasting power on its own, but my trick is to dab on the scent in its solid form and then spritz the parfum over the top. With impressive sillage, it always gets compliments."

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2. Diptyque L'Eau Papier

L'Eau Papier, on the other hand—which is one of the brand's newest scents—has also gotten me compliments every time I've worn it. Centered around musk, it has a creamy and clean quality—a nod to the crisp minimalism of paper, no doubt. Blonde wood and musk are combined with a creamy rice steam note, which gives a hazy, creamy and skin-like quality that feels like a comforting hug in fragrance form. It makes for a great everyday fragrance, and judging from the compliments, it's a real crowd-pleaser too.

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3. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540

"Mine is Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540," says Joy Ejaria, former social media editor at Who What Wear UK. "I got the Eau De Parfum and Extrait de Parfum for Christmas a couple of years ago, and every time I spritz the Extrait people ask what I’m wearing," Ejaria adds. "It has such strong staying power and is an expensive-smelling scent that commands attention."

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4. Byredo De Los Santos

"De Los Santos by Byredo," says Rebecca Rhys-Evans, branded content editor at Who What Wear UK. "Between my husband and I, we have many Byredo fragrances, but none bring in the compliments quite like De Los Santos. Musky, earthy and with strong top notes of sage, it's definitely a winter fragrance, one that reminds me of forest walks, roaring fires and Christmas candles," Rhys-Evans adds. "Give someone a smooch under the mistletoe wearing this and they're guaranteed to say 'Oof, you smell nice!'"

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5. Floral Street Ylang Ylang Espresso

"Mine is Floral Street Ylang Ylang Espresso," says Grace Lindsay, junior beauty editor at Who What Wear UK. "This is my go-to date-night fragrance for the winter months. Whenever I spray this, someone will come up to me and ask me what perfume I'm wearing, thanks to the unique blend of ylang-ylang, jasmine, coffee and fresh cream," Lindsay adds. "Trust me: this rich, sweet, woody scent will earn you so many compliments."

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6. Escentric Molecules Molecule 01

For Who What Wear UK managing editor Poppy Nash, Molecule 01 is also her most-noticed scent, which gets her compliments daily. "I am pretty sure all my colleagues (and friends, and family, and boyfriend) are sick of me talking about Molecule 01 but honestly, I cannot express how much I love it, " she says.

"My mum had a bottle long before it was stocked at the big retailers, and I remember her being complimented on it in the street, at parents' evenings and when we were on holiday. I started wearing it as a teenager—as soon as my mum let me have my first luxury perfume—and have received just as many compliments myself," Nash continues.

"I think I get at least one compliment daily (yes, daily!) and there's no denying the little confidence boost that gives me. It is woody, musky and ever so slightly sweet, but the beauty of the fragrance is that it smells different to everyone, so it's like your own personalised scent. It really is one of my absolute favourite beauty products, and I don't think I will ever stop wearing it!"

This is something Who What Wear UK beauty contributor and esthetician, Grace Day echos.

"I always get compliments when I wear Escentric Molecules Molecule 01, which is weird because I can’t always smell it very strongly on myself," she says. "As a skin scent, it’s designed to adapt to and enhance the natural smell of each wearer, so it can smell different on everyone and is hard to put into words—but for the most part, it's a warm, clean and comforting fragrance with a hint of sexy muskiness," Day continues.

"No exaggeration—when I wear this I cannot leave the house without someone asking me about my perfume. I once witnessed someone purchase it immediately after passing me in the supermarket, and it’s the only perfume my boyfriend compliments me on every time I wear it."

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7. Jo Malone London Fig & Lotus Flower

"Mine is 100% Fig and Lotus Flower from Jo Malone," says Maxine Eggenberger, deputy editor at Who What Wear UK. "I've been asked about it in restaurant bathrooms and by my friends at parties, and my mum bought it after asking for a quick spritz of whatever I had in my handbag. It's the only perfume my husband compliments me on every single time I wear it. As the name suggests, it's fruity and floral, but woody notes cut through to give it a warm, complex finish. I've read reviews saying it doesn't have staying power, but I've found I can smell it on my skin hours after I apply it."

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8. Maison Matine Bain de Midi

"No fragrance has ever earned me more compliments than Maison Matine's Bain de Midi," says Morgan Fargo, freelance beauty editor. "With warm and floral notes of gardenia, ylang ylang, bergamot and coconut, Bain de Midi reminds me of the first summer afternoon that's warm enough to decamp to the nearest green space and fall asleep in the sun. Elegant and warm without being sweet or cloying, people are (happily) shocked when I tell them it's £60, not £260."

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9. Kayali Lovefest Burning Cherry 48

"One fragrance guaranteed to get people talking is my signature scent—Kayali's Lovefest Burning Cherry 48," says Lollie Hancock, freelance beauty journalist. "It smells so good that I've had half of my office buy it for themselves based on my recommendation (does this make me an #influencer?), and on multiple occasions I've been stopped by strangers to ask for the name. The perfect balance of sweet, warm and spicy—thanks to notes of praline, guaiac wood and jasmine sambac—the black cherry really comes through with a sharp sweetness that's almost edible."

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10. 27-87 Per Sē

"I know that people swap to more sultry scents come winter, but I like to smell like a clean baby all year round—a sophisticated one, mind. Per Sē by 27 87 smells like the freshest, most expensive hotel sheets on earth," says Humeara Mohamed, freelance beauty editor. "Then there's L'Eau Papier by Diptyque. I was initially drawn to it due to the name, what with being a writer and all, but the scent itself is deliciously comforting and clean. It's a little warmer than Per Sē, which makes it perfect for days when you want to feel toasty and hugged. Neither of these scents are overpowering—they're both a bit like a skin scent—so you can liberally douse yourself without worrying about choking someone in a lift. Then, just wait as the compliments come rolling in, because they will."

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11. Bvlgari Splendida Tubereuse Mystique

"Although I'm known for my affinity with deep fragrances, my most complimented perfume is what I like to call 'the head-turner'," says Ata Owaji-Victor, freelance beauty journalist. "Whether walking down the street, out on a date—or even once as I was leaving a petrol station—when wearing this scent I know I'm likely to not only be complimented but practically harassed until I scribble down the name. The perfume in question is Bvlgari's Splendida Tubereuse Mystique. It's an elegant and richly scented fragrance, featuring a heady tuberose middle note rounded off with vanilla and myrrh. It remains the fragrance I've repurchased the most to date."

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12. Atelier Cologne Rare Santal Carmin

"My most complimented perfume has to be Atelier Cologne's Santal Carmin," says Fani Mari, freelance beauty and wellness journalist. "It’s a very warm and woody scent with a touch of leather and spice. I love that it’s quite unique and not too heavy. It includes amber, which I love (especially for winter), as well as white musk, lime and bergamot. It’s one of my favourite 'beauty' products."

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13. Glossier You

"Last year I decided it was time to switch up my regular perfume (something that feels like a huge change to me so naturally, I'd put it off for a while). I'd heard great things about Glossier's You perfume, and when a recommendation comes from our expert beauty team, I definitely take note," says acting affiliate editor, Florrie Alexander. "Immediately, it became my everyday scent, especially because almost once a week I get asked what perfume I'm wearing. Yes, I've been stopped on the street and even questioned on the train about the scent I'm wearing. There's sweet notes that bring a freshness that feel very true to me, grounded by the sparkling pink pepper and adding depth to the scent. It's described as skin-scent enhancer, and from the reactions I've had I can attest that it does feel like a scent that suits the wearer, with so many of my friends saying "it's just.. well..you!". Truly, I'm Glossier You's biggest fan, and I've also put the roll-on perfume, the body cream and even the candle to the test to see if they live up to the hype of the eau de parfum. I'll save the anticipation—they do. Even when I feel like the scent has faded, I still get compliments on it so its definitely doing the work even when I've become used to the notes. Trust me, you'll fall for it just like I have."

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14. Acne Studios par Frédéric Malle

For Who What Wear UK's SEO Writer Ava Gilchrist, it's actually a polarising scent that has earned her the most compliments. "After getting my hands on Acne Studios' first fragrance last year, I decided to make it my signature scent for a trip I took to Italy with my boyfriend. The mixture of the warm Mediterranean sun and the freshly laundered bubble scent of the fragrance was so memorable that every time I wear it takes me back to my time abroad. This is something he tells me too. It's not a straightforward compliment, but I cherish his admission as a small gesture of appreciation for this shared memory. Wear this and you'll feel that same glow."

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15. Byredo Gypsy Water

"Before buying this perfume, I used to spray it every time I went into Liberty, it’s just that good," explains Who What Wear UK social media editor, Megan Storey. "A bit of a cult classic, it has notes of sandalwood and fresh citrus, and I can always tell when someone else is wearing it. Even if I’m in jeans and a t-shirt, this scent makes me feel put together– and it never fails to garner a compliment."

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15. Phlur Vanilla Skin Body Mist

Phlur's Vanilla Skin has quickly become my signature scent," says Who What Wear UK's junior fashion editor, Imani-Nia Francis-Tsolaki. "It’s warm, soft, and subtly sweet without being overpowering — think cosy, skin-hugging vanilla with a modern edge. It settles beautifully on the skin and feels effortlessly luxurious. I get complimented on it constantly, which only confirms how crowd-pleasing it is."

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