During my time as a beauty editor and self-proclaimed perfume savant (it’s a passion—what can I say), there have been particular brands, fragrance families, and bottles that I, and pretty much everyone I know and love, go absolutely wild for. My fellow beauty editor Courtney Higgs and I have a separate running chat solely dedicated to our current scent obsessions, and to this day, I’ve never recommended a perfume to a loved one that hasn’t become an object of obsession in their life. Additionally, some brands and cult-classic perfumes are so iconic, beloved, and studded with best-selling bottles that it’s impossible not to make the overarching conjecture that they’re practically return-proof and bona fide compliment getters. Parisian fragrance house Diptyque is one such brand.
From the carefully articulated melding of notes cozied into each bottle to the artistic packaging, there’s a lot to love about Diptyque, and it’s by far one of the most adored perfume brands of all time. Quite honestly, I’ve never sniffed a Diptyque perfume that didn’t strike my fancy—each bursts with character and unexpected perfection—but there are three perfumes in particular that have earned a permanent spot on my dresser. Oh, and it’s not just me—this particular trio is consistently found within the brand’s best-sellers list, and they also earn top ranks at popular retailers like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus… you get the idea! So, without further ado, I’m sharing my personal favorite Diptyque perfumes of all-time, along with eight more honorable mentions in the best-of-the-best category. Keep scrolling!
Fragrance family: Floral. Key notes: Tuberose, orange blossom, jasmine, marine accord. Do Son is such a classic scent, and almost every single fragrance-loving human I know (whether they’re in the beauty biz or not) owns a bottle. It’s floral and fresh, but not preciously so. If you ask me, nothing is worse than a perfume that’s so flowery it becomes stuffy, and this best-selling perfume from Diptyque is the antithesis of that. It’s the perfect balance of cool and delicate. It’s the Diptyque favorite I recommend above all others.
Fragrance family: Woody. Key notes: fig leaves, fig tree sap, fig tree wood, black pepper. Philosykos is definitely one of the most instantly recognizable perfumes—not just within the Diptyque family, but on the market in general. Each and every spritz is truly transportive (something I love in a fragrance), and owning your own bottle is the next best thing to booking an actual trip to the Greecian mountains. Philosykos is a true ode to the fig tree, but somehow it’s not overbearing thanks to how the brand has balanced the tribute. You get a crisp greenness from the fig leaves, a smooth creaminess from the fruit itself, and that inherent earthiness from the white wood.
Fragrance family: Woody. Key notes: sandalwood, cedar, cypress, myrte. Tam Dao is one of Diptyque’s reigning bestsellers, but I will say it’s a wildcard in that you will definitely really like it or you definitely really won’t. Like Philosykos, it’s classified as “woody,” but where Philosykos has a subtle undercurrent of juicy fruitiness, Tam Dao is a modern take on a classic warm and woody perfume; it’s heavy on the sandalwood and cedar, so if that’s not your vibe, you’ve been forewarned. That said, I’m not typically a huge fan of woody scents, but this one has slowly but surely completely won me over.
Fragrance family: Fougère (aka—”fern”!) Key notes: patchouli, géranium, menthe, oxyde de rose. If I hadn’t been so set on just choosing three personal Diptyque favorites, this relatively new addition (it’s been around for a few years now), would definitley be in my top selects. I’m pretty sure I scrunched up my nose when I first received it; how could a minty fragrance possibly work? Alas, leave it to Diptyque to create something that not only works, but is also completely brilliant and unique. The blend of notes is inspired by Greek myth which makes it feel all the more dreamy as you wear it.
Fragrance family: Floral. Key notes: Damask rose, centifolia rose, litchi, ambroxan. Rose lovers, this one is for you. Fluttery, exquisite, and artfully inspired by the diverse group of scents a rose takes on in its lifetime, it’s the quintessential ensemble for anyone who loves a beautiful twist on an old classic.
Fragrance family: Floral. Key notes: ylang-ylang, pink peppercorn, ginger, vetiver. Ylang-ylang is a darkhorse note in so many beloved perfumes, so it’s no surprise it leads the charge in this best-selling fragrance from Diptyque. It’s floral, but has a complex aftertaste thanks to subtle hits of spice and green woodiness.
Fragrance family: Oriental. Key notes: vanilla, pink peppercorn, cypriol, calamus. Admittedly, I have yet to smell this perfume from Diptyque, but the reviews and ratings across the internet are too good to ignore. (And considering how much I adore vanilla scents, I know this is a must-try for me!) Inspired by travel and as a tribute to vanilla, the star ingredient is anchored by duskier nuances à la smoky cypriol, spicy pink peppercorn, and dewy calamus. So no, this isn’t your teeny-boppery cotton candy vanilla, friends.
Fragrance family: Floral. Key notes: pink peppercorn, roses, vetiver. This is a brand new addition to Diptyque’s perfume lineup, and it’s already become so popular, it’s currently sold out. However, definitely keep this one on your radar if you’re someone who has a soft spot for rose, but craves something with a little more vim and vigor. (The pink peppercorn here gives this debut some zip.)
Fragrance family: Floral. Key notes: rose, blackcurrant buds, petitgrain, black currant leaves. In addition to the above powerplays, part of what makes this perfume so magical are the strategic additions of bergamot, mandarin, and musk. It’s a little bit floral, a little bit fruit, and ever so slightly heady, but in a really whimsical way. If you stepped out into a faraway land or fairytale, this is what I imagine it would smell like!
Fragrance family: Floral. Key notes: orange blossom, angelica root, patchouli, juniper berry. “A composition that creates confusion. It caresses the skin and makes your mouth water like an indulgent treat, awakening you with its freshness… ” intriguing, no? If the brand’s rich description of this best-selling perfume isn’t enough to spur your interest, perhaps the decadent mixture of orange blossom, angelica root, patchouli, and juniper berry will.
Fragrance family: Oriental. Key notes: oud, rose, vanilla, incense. I really avoid describing any kind of beauty product as “sexy,” but I just really can’t yelp it here because this perfume’s intoxicating blend of rose, oud, vanilla, and incense is, sorry, undeniably sexy. SO. Tread with caution. That’s all I’m saying!
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