One of my red flags when it comes to fragrance is that I sometimes judge a scent by its bottle. Not entirely – I will still try the fragrance – but I admittedly get more excited about it if I like the packaging. It may be shallow, but it’s the truth. That said, here are some of the most beautiful and unique fragrance bottles I’ve come across (and whose scents I love, too).
New York Flowers by Bond No. 9 is absolutely stunning, especially in person. The flowers on the bottle look and feel hand-painted, and the gold foil adds subtle glamour. This fragrance truly doubles as a decorative luxury trinket. The scent matches the vibe – it’s feminine and playful, and my favorite note is the Kir Royale accord (probably because I just returned from France, where I lived off of them for 3 weeks).
Pivoting from pretty playfulness to old-fashioned elegance, behold Penhaligon’s Bluebell. The apothecary-inspired glass bottle, vintage-looking label, and baby blue ribbon exude a coquettishness that pairs perfectly with the brand’s English eccentricity. It looks like something that Anne of Green Gables would find sitting on the vanity of her friend’s older sister. One of my favorite facts about this one is that Princess Diana is said to have worn it; it’s a lovely floral aroma I can envision her enjoying. Verdant, spicy, and fresh, it’s a very unique scent that transcends time.
Tears From the Moon by Gucci, part of the Alchemist’s Garden collection, is housed in a flacon that is charmingly similar to that of a magic potion in a fairytale. The white ceramic is embossed with shining gold, and I particularly love the etched bow. Spraying this on feels like adorning myself with an elixir. The scent is similarly gorgeous – an airy, aquatic peony with a hint of musk. The entire collection is underrated – part of Gucci’s haute perfumery line, each scent blends the art of alchemy with modern perfumery, drawing inspiration from the four elements: earth, air, water, and fire.
The flacons from The Harmonist, similarly, are deeply influenced by the five Feng Shui elements: earth, metal, water, wood, and fire. The ethos of the brand is to empower clients to enact balance and harmony in their lives with scent. Gracefully shaped, they are reminiscent of elegant vases. A scent I love from their line is Sacred Water, an aquatic and spa-like ode to its namesake meant to bring tranquility and reflection. The bottles are also refillable – the refills come with convenient gold funnels – adding to the appeal of this sustainable brand.
Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the Good Girl bottles by Carolina Herrera, particularly Good Girl Blush, my personal favorite. These sleek glass stilettos are beautiful, and the light pink of this flanker is the epitome of femininity on a dressing table. As the name suggests, it is a light, girly hue, reflecting the delicate floral bouquet inside. Rosewater, vanilla, and ylang-ylang unite for a dainty, slightly sweet fragrance. If the original Good Girl was too mature or strong for your nose, try this one – she is the younger sister.
