Before I Forget, This Dark-Horse Perfume Just Might Change Your Life

Recently, I wrote about how I was getting back into the world of designer fragrances after a long hiatus in which I only wore more niche perfumes such as those from Byredo, Diptyque, and Le Labo. While it’s true that these perfumes still make up the foundation of my fragrance wardrobe, and you’d have to pry them out of my cold, dead hands if you wanted me to get rid of them, I’ve since opened myself back up to other offerings. And by other offerings, I mean the shiny glass bottles of various sizes, shapes, and colors that adorn the aisles of the department store. That’s right—I’m heading back to the designer-clad perfume counter of yesteryear. This time, I’m diving into a brand that I used to know and love but have since strayed from. I didn’t stray for any particular reason other than that, as a beauty editor, I have a lot of fragrances to test, so it’s been a minute since I’ve been back to it. Well, as the saying goes, there’s no time like the present, so let’s get into it.

By “it,” I mean Giorgio Armani fragrances, which are as sleek and clean as the aesthetic of the designer’s clothes. It’s been a week since I’ve been wearing these scents, and I’ve already promoted a few to hold a permanent place in my fragrance collection. Keep scrolling to find out which ones are worth a spot on your vanity, too, according to my nose.

Although this is Giorgio Armani’s newest fragrance, it has already become a centerpiece on my vanity. It’s a classic floral that sits somewhere between sweet and powdery as well as youthful and mature—never veering too far in either direction. Because of its medial scent, I feel as comfortable wearing it to the office as I do to a late-night dinner-an-drinks situation. This versatile, crowd-pleasing quality can be attributed to its eclectic combination of notes, which includes bergamot, orange blossom, tuberose, jasmine, white musk, and cedarwood.

I may have started this list with Giorgio Armani’s newest fragrance, but I’m going to follow up with my favorite fragrance. I’m not just talking about my favorite Giorgio Armani fragrance. I’m talking about one of my favorite fragrances of all time. I’ve kept a bottle of this perfume on my dresser for years, and that’s not going to change any time soon. Sì Eau de Parfum is soft yet strong, floral yet musky, and buttery and bright. With notes of black currant nectar, orange blossom, vanilla, and rose, it’s easily one of the chicest fragrances I own. It’s like the Sophia Loren of designer fragrances.

Armani has launched multiple iterations of Sì Eau de Parfum. (Perhaps we can chalk it up to the success of the original.) This one, called Sì Intense, features notes of black currant nectar, rose, patchouli, and benzoin resin. Its scent is certainly similar to that of the original but a bit heady and dark. Whenever I indulge in a spritz, I envision slipping into a dark corner of a cocktail lounge with a drink in hand.

The third version of Sì Eau de Parfum is much fruitier than its forebearers thanks to a note of sparkling pear alongside rose and woody vanilla. I generally prefer flowery fragrances over fruity ones (with a few exceptions—namely anything citrus), so I prefer the others versions over this one. However, if you’re the opposite of me and you love a fruity fragrance, or at the very least, you like a balanced fragrance that’s equal parts fruit and flower, then this version is for you. Even though it’s not my absolute favorite from the brand, I can still appreciate it for what it is: a complex and sophisticated perfume.

Remember when I said there were multiple iterations of Sì Eau de Parfum? I wasn’t kidding. This is the fourth one I tried. How does it differ from the last one, you ask? Well, take the aforementioned Sì Passione, and add notes of jasmine and patchouli. You’ll end up with this—a fragrance that’s both fruity and floral and called (what else but) Sì Passione Intense.

Acqua di Gioia is another classic from Giorgio Armani. Inspired by the Mediterranean coast, this fragrance is fresh and slightly citrusy thanks to notes of lemon, jasmine, and cedar. I’m a sucker for citrus scents, especially in the hot summer months when I want to smell bright and clean like I just returned from vacationing on the Amalfi Coast, so this is another favorite.

The brand describes this fragrance as “luminous,” and I think that’s a really good adjective for the scent, which is inspired by the golden hour of the Mediterranean. Notes of jasmine and gardenia keep it in the floral family, while a base of warm woods gives it a certain subtlety.

This scent was inspired by the Mediterranean breeze. As such, it features notes of peony, patchouli, and mineral accord. To me, it smells fresh and slightly salty, which is exactly what I would expect from a fragrance created to mimic sea air. It reminds me of another fragrance I love, Skylar Salt Air Eau de Toilette ($78).