I Tried ByFar’s New Daydream-Inspired Perfume Collection—Now I’m Hooked for Life

Out of all the amazing fragrances I’ve had the opportunity to experience during my time as a Beauty Editor (as well as a fragrance novice before beginning my career), I’ve always considered fragrance as something worn not seen; the invisible accessory my outfits need to reach their full potential. But what if I told you an accessory brand has completely revamped that idea; creating a way for your favorite fragrances to not only be worn on the skin as expected, but also styled and displayed however you may desire. By Far, a designer accessory brand founded by sisters Valentina Ignatova, Sabina Gyosheva, and Denitsa Bumbarova, has done just that; recently launching a line of nostalgia-provoking refillable that meant to be used in correlation with their stylish charm bottles. Whether you decide to wear these charms on of the brand’s trendy bags or hooked to your jeans, there’s no denying that these fragrances are meant to be experience in an olfactory and visual way. 

“We wanted to craft fragrances that would capture our memories and fantasies,” begins Ignatova, CMO and Co-Founder of By Far. “To achieve this, we invited three world-renowned perfumers, Fanny Bal, Jean-Christophe Hérault, and Caroline Dumur, to bring our vision to life. Each fragrance oil is handmade in Grasse (a Unesco World Heritage site in the South of France famed as the cradle of perfumery) and is an alluring testament to the rigorous craftsmanship of these three talented perfumers.” Drawing from their heritage as an accessory brand aiming to create beautiful and sustainable products, the brand’s goal to, “create a revolutionary product that combines craftsmanship, sustainable ingredients, and product design,” led to the fashion-forward development of the line’s portable and refillable fragrance charm bottles.

In other words, By Far has created a way from fragrance to be completely visible to the eye, transporting its wearer from private to public spaces through the simple act of attaching the charm bottles to a bag or a belt loop as a unique form of self expression. While the uniqueness of this fragrance line truly does speak for itself through its unmatched combination of style and functionality, it has also set itself apart from others thanks to the collection’s dedication to sustainable practices.

They’re approach to sustainability is as simple as it is impactful. “We strongly took our impact into consideration and managed to create a truly distinctive product by incorporating smart and innovative processes such as refilling and customization,” says Ignatova. Each charm contains a 20ml bottle crafted from 15% recycled glass while the bottles refill bottles are designed to be 100% recyclable. Additionally, each perfume is formulated without UV filters or synthetic colors and are infused with recycled rose essential oils.

Since its launch early this year, they’ve quickly gained recognition as a line to be watched in the fragrance industry. One of their bestselling eau de parfum, Daydream of Someone I Knew, was recently selected as a finalist in the Design & Packaging category of the Fragrance Foundation UK Awards 2023 as well as earning a nomination for their notable newcomer award. At the center of the By Far Daydream collection is an unwavering dedication by the brand to offering personalized fragrance experiences for customers through the exploration of identity. In fact, Ignatova sees this line of fragrances as an invitation to be part of the creative experience and process. Now that we’ve formally introduced you to the Daydream Collection, keep scrolling to discover a few of our favorite finds. Consider this a gateway to your new favorite line of fragrances.

Key notes: Earl Grey tea accord, jasmine absolute, oakmoss. One of the brand’s instant bestsellers, Daydream Of Someone I Knew, has undoubtedly become one of my favorite fragrances to reach for throughout the day. Warm and familiar, this perfume uses an all-embracing blend of Earl Grey tea accord, jasmine absolute, cozy amber, and oakmoss for a scent evoking only the happiest of daydreams in its wearer. This one also happens to be Ignatova’s favorite as it, as implied by its charming name, is reminiscent of someone she once knew.

Key notes: Cactus accord, jasmine absolute, sandalwood essence. For anyone also drawn towards dewy and clean fragrances, this is one you’ll definitely want to add to your collection. The brainchild of perfumer Fanny Ball, Daydream of A Splash is from notes of succulent cactus, naked sandalwood essence and bright jasmine and infused with geranium essential oil to encourage peak serenity and relaxation. Like all of the fragrances belonging to By Far’s Daydream collection, it’s also genderless and versatile.

Can’t decide which fragrance you’re most drawn to? No worries, By Far has got you covered with a sample set. A fun way to discover each of the fragrances in the Daydream line in seven mini vials, the set includes (from left to right) By Far Daydream of Passing Clouds, By Far Daydream of a Bingo Queen, By Far Dream of a Rose Garden, and more. This way, you can fall in love with each of the fragrances before stocking your Daydream Charm Bottle with your favorite fragrance selection.

What’s a review of the Daydream collection without gushing over the product that sets this line apart from all others: the Charm Bottle. Available in six vibrant shades to match anything and everything you’re wearing, this refillable painted aluminum charm case contains a 20ml, 15% post-consumer recycled glass bottle for your chosen fragrance. I love pairing my Emerald Charm Bottle with my Fran Bag in the color Kraft.

Let’s talk sets. The fragrance line’s duo perfume sets includes a perfectly curated set of two of the line’s fragrances (I’ll be wearing these layered), two of their refillable charms, and two attachment bracelets in gold and silver. This one, pictured above, features the perfumes By Far Daydream of Passing Clouds and By Far Love Trance. One of my favorite things about this scent is how versatile it is. Whether I’m in the mood for the airy, cleanliness of Passing Clouds or the romantic florals of Love Trance, I know I’ll look and smell amazing.

Key notes: Rosemary essence, rose essence, rosewood. If you’re interested in trying the combination of one refillable fragrance and a charm, consider investing in this pairing. The fragrance, blooming with fragrant florals, is created from a blend of refreshing rosemary essence, rose essence, and rosewood infused with mint essential oil. If you’ve kept reading this long, you know what to do: fill up the recycled glass bottle found inside the charm and take it with you for a perfume spritz on-the-go.

What better way to add even more style to a finished outfit than by attaching your charm with the Daydream collection’s Leather Bracelet. I view these as effortless jewelry for wherever you decide to clip on your charm. Offered in both a gold and silver finish, the chain link bracelet is crafted with the addition of supple Italian leather.

With so many options, it can be hard to settle on one bracelet accessory. Luckily, you don’t have to. By Far also offers their charm bracelets in a gold and silver metal finish without the leather strap. We’ll never say no to taking the minimalist approach when it comes to styling our wearable fragrances.

Up next, This Heady Floral Fragrance Has Been My Signature Scent Since 2014