Some scents whisper; others command attention. Cooler weather is ideal for warmer, bolder, and louder sillage that lingers long after you’ve left the room. If you want your fragrance to announce your arrival like a herald proclaiming your entrance to the court, choose one of these 5 genderless powerhouses to exude the confidence of royalty.
The Fragrance: Hibiscus Mahajád
The House: Maison Crivelli
The Nose: Quentin Bisch
The Notes: Hibiscus, Vanilla, Leather
The Inspo: Sipping hibiscus tea in the heart of a gemstone market
My verdict: Loud, daring, and utterly unique, this one merges lush florals with the distinct accords of leather and spearmint. I sprayed two spritzes of this masterpiece on a Friday and went away for the weekend; when I came home Sunday evening, the scent of Hibiscus Mahajád lingered in the room as though just sprayed. This is my favorite perfume to wear when I want to make a lasting statement.
The Fragrance: Guidance 46
The House: Amouage
The Nose: Quentin Bisch
The Notes: Hazelnut, Rose Water, Akigalawood
The Inspo: The tension between light and shade, fragility and strength, subtlety and ostentatiousness
My Verdict: The original Guidance took the fragrance community by storm upon its release in 2023 – this one is a slightly smoother, less powdery version. There is true genius in its complexity; once on skin, it becomes a veil of olfactive beauty that transcends any single note. If you love rose and want to try something truly distinctive, this is your pick.
The Fragrance: Vanilla Haze Extrait
The House: Fugazzi Fragrances
The Notes: Coconut Milk, Vanilla, Saffron
The Inspo: Late nights, locked eyes, and a hint of mischief in the air
My Verdict: When I first sprayed this, I audibly said, “wow.” The fluffy, sweet DNA of the original EDP lingers in the background, but this one is all about saffron and spice and would pair seamlessly with an all-black leather outfit. A bit more unisex, a lot edgier, and undeniably bold, it makes me think of its namesake note, vanilla pods – woody, dry, and resinous.
The Fragrance: Radical Rose Extrait
The House: Matiere Premiere
The Nose: Aurelien Guichard
The Notes: Immortelle, Rose Centifolia Absolute, Pepper
The Inspo: An overdose of rose – but make it dark and mineral
My Verdict: Jammy, deep, and syrupy, this is not your average rose. This is rose at midnight, rose dressed in black, rose breaking all the rules. Patchouli adds elegance and lasting power, while black pepper and saffron spice up the profile. This will last through the evening, up to the next morning if you need it to.
The Fragrance: Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait
The House: Maison Francis Kurkdjian
The Nose: Francis Kurkdjian
The Notes: Cashmeran, Grandiflorum Jasmine, Saffron
The Inspo: The poetic alchemy of crystal-making
My Verdict: Baccarat Rouge 540 has deservedly become a household name in the fragrance world. Because of that, some are hesitant to don this ultra-popular scent due to fear of redundancy. Enter: the extrait. This one has more jasmine, more saffron, more lasting power – it also has the addition of a bitter almond note and musk. I find it to be sweeter, denser, and richer, and I love it even more than the original.
