Everyone I Know Asks Me Whether This £245 Perfume Is Worth the Money

Throughout my many years as a beauty editor, I have asked hundreds, if not thousands, of people what perfume they are wearing. I pride myself on being able to sniff out specific perfumes from across the room. The first time I ever stepped foot in the Who What Wear UK offices, the aroma of Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche filled the air. The person who sat next to me in a restaurant last week wore Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt. The mum of two that I sit opposite on the train most days is a big fan of both Marc Jacobs Daisy and Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium.

It is because of this slightly odd talent we beauty editors have that our perfume collections comprise mostly of under-the-radar scents. We all get a quiet kick out of knowing that our fragrance choices could stump even the most in-the-know of perfume buffs. For the most part, our taste in perfume is expensive. We get sent perfumes from all over the world, and it just so happens that the ones we tend to keep for ourselves are unique and different and therefore come with unique and different price tags.

So imagine my surprise when, a few months ago, someone stopped me in the street to ask if I was wearing Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 (£245). I spluttered my coffee, pulled myself together and politely replied that yes, indeed I was. After some casual chit-chat on its beauty, I swallowed my pride and asked her how she was so familiar with it. "I saw it on TikTok and just had to buy a bottle," she said.

From that moment on, I have smelled Baccarat Rouge 540 often. And whilst I'm over the moon that this previously under-the-radar, but very much coveted, perfume is getting the praise it finally deserves, my overwhelming emotion is one of surprise. Maison Francis Kurkdjian is not your standard perfume brand. It’s luxe. Really luxe. In fact, a 70ml bottle of Baccarat Rouge 540 will usually set you back a cool £245. Discovering that its new-found fame came courtesy of TikTok, an app that is considered one of the best ways to discover affordable beauty dupes, stunned me.

Now, I can barely go a day without receiving a DM or having a friend ask me whether Baccarat Rouge 540 is worth the money, so I thought I’d share my advice here. In short: Yes, this perfume is worth every penny of its price tag. It smells unlike anything you will have ever smelled before. It’s warm, comforting and a little bit sweet. With a blend of jasmine, saffron, cedarwood and fir resin, it’s difficult to pull out any individual note. Instead, they all blend together to create one of the most beautiful perfumes I have ever smelled.

It’s inoffensive enough to be worn in the day with a cosy jumper or white shirt, yet unique and powerful enough to finish off any evening look. In my opinion, there is no individual who wouldn’t be absolutely smitten with it. And as for the price, yes, it’s eye-wateringly expensive, but artisanal perfumery like this should be. It smells as expensive as it is and makes you feel indescribably wonderful. Honestly, if I were going to recommend spending £245 on any beauty product, it would hands down be this one.

Shop Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540:

What does Baccarat Rouge 540 smell like?

Described as an 'oriental floral', Baccarat Rouge 540 draws from multiple fragrance families. The top notes are saffron and jasmine, the heart notes are amberwood, ambergris, and hedione, and the base notes are made up of fir resin, sugar, cedar, ambroxan, and oakmoss. It's a very complex scent and while you'll find it smells floral and spicy on first spray, it becomes warmer, woodier, and sweeter throughout the day.

Is Baccarat Rouge 540 for summer or winter?

"It's one of those rare and wonderful fragrances that works well no matter what the time of year or day," says my fellow Baccarat Rouge 540-obsessive, freelance beauty editor Grace Day. "It's got a richness that works for winter, but also a spiciness that suits summer wear, just as its depth works for an evening fragrance but its sweetness means it doesn't feel too heavy for daytime." It's this versatility that makes Baccarat Rouge 540 such an appealing fragrance and deserving of the label, 'a future classic'.

Why is Baccarat Rouge 540 so popular?

"There's something truly addictive about Baccarat Rouge 540," says Day. "I think when you smell it you can really get a sense of the different layers and depths of the various notes—it's at first floral, then you get a hit of the spicy saffron followed by the warm, woody heart notes. Finally, the rich, sweet notes of cedar, sugar, and fir resin come through. It almost leads you on a journey once you've started smelling it."

Another reason for Baccarat Rouge 540's popularity is its potency. "You only need a couple of sprays and you'll be able to smell the scent on yourself all day (and night) long," says Day. "Plus, you'll get so many compliments from those around you. I've noticed that even after washing my clothes, I can still smell Baccarat Rouge 540 on them for days after."

This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.