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- Fragrance
By
and
Updated on February 21, 2024 12:48PM
Fact checked by
Anna Harris
Fact checked byAnna Harris
Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor.
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There's nothing that bolsters our confidence and sets the mood quite like a sensual, empowering fragrance. Many of us switch up our everyday fragrance to something a little different for a romantic night out. For some, nothing screams date night like a floral scent. And for others, something a little muskier sets the right tone. There's also always the option of layering scents to create your own ideal blend. But no matter what your preferred date-night fragrance is, it's nice to have options.
Sometimes the easiest way to sniff out the perfect-for-you scent is by asking around. To help you in your search for your best flirty fragrance, we asked beauty editors to share theirs. Ahead, the dish on the fragrances they can't stop spritzing and what makes them so special.
01of 17
Tom Ford Santal Blush
"I'm quite partial to warm, woody scents with a little bit of spice. I think they're inherently sexy in a makeout-by-the-fire kind of way. This one is special because it's all those things (sandalwood and such) with a hint of floral for added flirtiness." — Hallie Gould, editor in chief at Byrdie
02of 17
Gucci Guilty
"Some might call this scent the definition of 'basic,' and I don't disagree—but that doesn't make me love it less. The heady mix of amber and floral notes instantly makes me feel more seductive—as it should, because this is literally the perfume I wore when I was seducing an ex-boyfriend(so much so that he still says whenever he smells it nowadays, he instantly thinks of me, which is always nice, no?). Plus, Lindsay Lohan wears it, and we could all benefit from channeling our inner LiLo every so often." — Faith Xue, executive beauty director at Bustle Digital Group
03of 17
Armani Beauty Sì
"My husband gifted me this scenteither for Christmas or my birthday, and although I was kind of ambivalent about itat first, it's oddly become such a magnet. From the doorman to my Uber driver to my friends, people are always commenting on my perfume and asking me what it is. It's so strange but also a bit flattering." — Lindsey Metrus Malhado, director of commerce at People and Entertainment Weekly
04of 17
Vilhelm Parfumerie Smoke Show
"It says it right on the bottle: This fragrance is smoldering and spicy, with an opulent, festive feel—it's very Gatsby.The slight hint of rose is a nice femininetouch to round out all the smoke and leather.I love spritzing this on before a night out—it never fails toput just a littleswagger into my step." — Victoria Dawson Hoff, head of content and community at Perelel
05of 17
Dior Pure Poison
"It's either a throwback or a classic, depending on how you look at things. Either way, there's no denying it belongs in thesultry category. It makes me feel powerful, like a woman who commands attention. The blend of florals with amber and musk is the perfect balance of femininity and masculinity." — Deven Hopp, brand director at Versed
06of 17
Krigler Lovely Patchouli 55 Classic
"I never thought I was a fan of patchouli until I met this iconic fragrance from the (equally iconic) Krigler Perfume House. I had the amazing opportunity to sit down with Ben Krigler himself, and as we sat at the café of the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills (where the brand has their one and only West Coast location), I lived everyone's best daydream, sampling and sniffing the entirety of Krigler scents. However, it was #55, a warm, sweet and spicy meld of patchouli, vanilla, amber, musk, and red fruits, that stole my heart almost instantaneously. It was love at first sight, and if you have a weakness for Old Hollywood glamour, you'll also appreciate that it was Jackie Onassis' signature. It's a bit intense for daytime, but it's perfect come nightfall." — Erin Jahns, senior beauty director at Who What Wear
07of 17
Comme des Garçons Floriental Eau De Parfum
"I like to call this spicy bottle my little magic trick. Anytime I'm out with this on—one whiff of its heavy notes of labdanum, sandalwood, vetiver, incense, pink pepper, and plum liqueur captivates nearly everyone I come in contact with. It's one of those scents I have to prepare myself to wear because people flock when I have this on." — Maya Allen, beauty expert and editor
08of 17
Escentric Molecules Molecule 01 Eau de Toilette
"Molecule has been my everyday fragrance for the past four years, and I admit that I don't really ever switch it up. My biggest rule with perfume is that you should be very close to the wearer to be able to smell it—I'm not a fan of fragrances that create a cloud of aroma or linger forever in a room. Molecule is discreet yet impactful and adapts to its wearer. I regularly get compliments when I wear it, though I almost always forget I have it on. It has a super-subtle sandalwood scent, so it's perfect for day to day. When I wear it, I feel authentically me but enhanced, which makes me feel confident and comfortable." — Dacy Knight, founder at Nobuko
Byrdie Tip
For occasions when you want a little something more—say, for a date—do a few more spritzes or even layer another fragrance with it (Molecule is excellent for layering).
09of 17
Pinrose Gilded Fox
"It's not sexy in an ultra-feminine way. It's not sweet or gourmand. This has much more of a dark, smoky,earthy sultriness. It smells of cocoa, cardamom, bittered rum, and amber. The brand describes it as a hypnotic, foxy scent meant to be worn to a Gatsby-esque party, a spiked hot chocolate in hand. I'd totally also wear itto abeach bonfire or on adate at a moodywine bar." — Amanda Montell, author, former features editor at Byrdie
10of 17
Maison Louis Marie Bois de Balincourt Eau de Parfum
"Like Hallie, I am also drawn to woodyscents—charred and smoky for nighttime flirtations (hence my other pick), but I love fresher,earthier versions of the scentfor daytime. This fragrance is sexy in the way that jeans and a T-shirt are inherently sexy—the sandalwood scent is intoxicating but clean, almost like a second skin. It's the perfect fragrance for lounging in bed. I'm also thrilled that Maison Louis Marie launchedan eau de parfum version of this scent, too! I'll take it in every way, shape, and form (including the candle, $38), TYVM." — Victoria Dawson Hoff, head of content and community at Perelel
11of 17
Le Labo Santal 33
"Okay, so I'm sure you've heard of Le Labo's Santal concoction, but it has a cult following because it'sjust that good. It's unisex, it's woody, it's aromatic, and it features noteslikecardamom, violet, and leather. Leather!Leatheris so sultry. Plus, Le Labo mixes itsscents to order, so the fact that it's all my own is romantic, too. I have the perfume oil,eau, and room spray; just saying." — Hallie Gould, editor in chief at Byrdie
12of 17
Givenchy Ange ou Démon
"This is a little bit sweet, but not overwhelmingly so—it's more of a 'can't put my finger on it' kind of sweetness. The floral notes are light, as are the musk and woody notes. Altogether, it's a delicate fragrance, one that makes people lean in a little bit closer to smell it." — Deven Hopp, brand director at Versed
13of 17
Tom Ford Black Orchid
"This perfume is the scent equivalent of a slinky black slip dress paired with a (faux) fur stole—it's what I imagine someone like Adriana Lima would wear on a night out. Black Orchid is unlike anything you've ever smelled before—it's pungent and attention-grabbing, but not obvious or obnoxious. Plus, after an hour or so, the perfume settles into your skin and leaves the faintest sweet patchouli-tinged scent trail behind. " — Faith Xue, executive beauty director at Bustle Digital Group
14of 17
Dolce & Gabbana Pour Femme Intense
"This one is similar to Tom Ford's Santal Blush in that it hasthat same sandalwood-y, floral notes—but, dare I say, way moreintense. See what I did there? I like to wear it during the winter because it's musky in all the best, most mysterious ways, and smells of neroli, jasmine, and tuberose, to boot." — Hallie Gould, editor in chief at Byrdie
15of 17
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Hi-Fi Eau de Parfum Spray
"When I do want to play with another scent for layering, I typically turn to something from the Derek Lam 10 Crosby line. To me, every scent in the collection has a distinctively '90s appeal (think Calvin Klein Eternity or Obsession). My favorites for a night out are Hi-Fi and Blackout. Hi-Fi is playful and flirty with notes of pink peony and French narcisse. Blackout is a bit more assertive, with a sweet and spicy combo of osmanthus and chai tea—sort of darkly romantic while feeling dangerous to the right degree." — Dacy Knight, founder at Nobuko
16of 17
Diptyque Oud Palao Eau de Parfum
"This little jewel of mine proved the fact that scents are connected to our psyche. A quick spritz of this woody scent makes me feel like the ultimate badass. After I put on my heels and touch up my red lipstick, it puts the icing on the cake for a night out. The alluring notes of oud, rose, cypriol, sandalwood, vanilla, and patchouli make me feel so womanly. It's dominant but not in an overpowering way—in a way that allows me to steal anyone's attention." — Maya Allen, beauty expert and editor
17of 17
Dedcool Xtra Milk
"I've lost count of the number of times that this sweet, yet sexy fragrance has gotten me a compliment...followed by "What are you wearing?". From Uber drivers and flight attendants to doctors at urgent care, everywhere I go–whether the situation is appropriate for a discussion about perfume or not–there's someone asking me the name of the fragrance I'm wearing. Even on days when I haven't sprayed it and the scent just lingers on my hair or clothes, its trace is enough to evoke a reaction. I love it so much that I have the matching Milk Linen Spray ($40), so my sheets envelop me in the same comforting bergamot, white musk, and amber notes for dreamy sleep." — Lisa Desantis, contributor at Byrdie