By Jennifer Hussein and Annie Blay
Perfumes and toilettes will always be appreciated, but here at Allure, our current fragrances of choice are actually some of the best perfume oils you can find. Though the only difference you may notice is that perfume oils are usually in rollerball form instead of spray bottles, these fragrant elixirs are actually quite different than the traditional perfume formulas you may be used to. Shampoo Bottle
According to Givaudan perfumer Christine Hassan, conventional eau de parfums are hydro-alcoholic, which means they're based on a ratio blend of alcohol and water. "This allows for your fragrance to have a greater diffusion in the air," she explains. On the other hand, Hassan notes that perfume oils substitute these two ingredients for oils that you may have spotted in your skin-care products, like sweet almond or argan oil. These oil-based formulas not only make your skin feel super soft and nourished, but they're also longer-lasting than other fragrance formulations. Baby-smooth skin that smells great all day? We'll sign up for that.
So, what exactly makes these oils smell so good? Hassan says that they feature the same notes that you'd find in other fragrance formulas, just at slightly different ratios. "A fragrance oil may have more base notes and less top notes than an eau de parfum," she says. "This makes fragrance oils less diffusive and smell more powerful."
There's a rich variety of perfume oils on the market to peruse but we're here to help you widdle down your options and find your new signature scent. Below, check out the best perfume oils that deserve a spot in your fragrance collection.
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If you're looking to treat yourself to a luxury fragrance (that just so happens to be less than $100), grab Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle The Body Oil. Each spritz of this light, fruity-floral fragrance treats your skin to moisturizing ingredients such as jojoba and white meadowfoam oils. As the oils make your skin feel velvety smooth, your senses will encounter a refreshing burst of orange followed by rose and jasmine — with a dash of vetiver and patchouli thrown into the mix.
Say what you want about vanilla scents, this Madagascar vanilla perfume oil is a must-have. If you're apprehensive about smelling too sweet, this oil has a subtle hint of orchid and coconut to balance out any sugariness. Not to mention it pairs well as a base for perfume cocktailing — floral vanilla mimosa anyone?
Nothing says fall quite like a warm woody scent with a touch of sweetness. This is exactly what Phlur founder Chriselle Lim had in mind when creating Somebody Wood. The perfume oil version of the scent is even more fragrant, really highlighting the notes of sandalwood, vanilla, musk, amber, moss, and cedarwood.
Trying to make someone fall in love with you? Uma's Pure Love Perfume Oil could be the secret weapon you need. Sensual sandalwood mixes with sweet jasmine, rose, geranium, and neroli for an intoxicating scent that's sure to leave an impression.
If you need a powerfully invigorating scent, Ellis Brooklyn Sun Fruit Glistening Golden Body Oil is the answer to your prayers. The medley of fig, jasmine, and vanilla planifolia blend together to create a fresh, sweet, and floral scent that lasts all day.
Take a mental trip to the tea fields of Indonesia with Juara's Tiare Jasmine Perfume Oil. This medley of fragrant florals, including jasmine, Tiare flower, magnolia violet, green bamboo, and palm fronds, is the perfect refreshing scent to keep in your purse at all times.
We loved the body wash iteration of this woodsy scent so much that we honored it with a Best of Beauty Award back in 2015, so it's no wonder why the Byredo Gypsy Water Roll-On Perfumed Oil is at the top of this list. This pine needle- and incense-spiked roll-on is a pretty interesting take on classic woody scents, thanks to the addition of contrasting notes of lemon, vanilla, and smokey pepper.
The Dior J'adore Huile Divine has a drier texture than most oils, so you won't have to worry about greasy residue after spritzing this perfume oil on. It's also one of the best fragrances for those of you who prefer true-floral scents or fragrances that are easy to layer, thanks to its subtle pairing of rose and jasmine. There's also a dash of warm salt just to slightly amplify the intensity of this scent.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Baccarat Rouge 540 eau de parfum is pretty expensive (over $300, in case you're wondering), but did you know the scented body oil is just under $100? For a fraction of the price of the original perfume, you can treat yourself to a harmonious mix of warm amber, breezy jasmine, woody cedar, and vibrant saffron. Not only does this oil smell like mid-autumn walks through the woods, but it also includes a moisturizing cocktail of argan, sweet almond, and apricot kernel oils for a softer, suppler finish to your skin.
Maison Louis Marie's No. 04 Bois de Balincourt Perfume Oil, which literally translates to "Balincourt Woods," has a warm-woody profile that deserves to be paired with your favorite cardigan. This scent's key notes include sandalwood and cedarwood, but you'll also whiff hints of vetiver and amber. This warm, hazy fragrance also has a slight sweet-and-spicy side from nutmeg and cinnamon.
Yes, Gucci's The Alchemist's Garden Ode on Melancholy Perfume Oil is quite pricey, but true woody fragrance fans will enjoy and savor every drop. This fragrant concoction includes classic wood-inspired notes like cedarwood, cypriol, sandalwood, and patchouli as its foundation for an intensely crisp scent that's easy to wear on its own, or pair with another fragrance oil, toilette, or eau de parfum.
Seriously, this oil was literally made for layering, so feel free to mix and match with your favorite fragrances to create a truly original scent.
Lake & Skye's 11 11 Fragrance Oil is like a warm blanket for your olfactory senses. This unisex elixir is a balanced blend of musk and amber, a hazy pairing that's as classic as peanut butter and jelly — but not nearly as sweet. The candle version of this fragrance actually won a Best of Beauty Award back in 2020, so it's a guaranteed Allure-approved scent that you'll come back to as often as we do.
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