True fragrance lovers have an appreciation for more than eau de parfum and toilette. From luxurious body care to hand-poured candles, anything and everything scented becomes a moment to indulge. Below is a collection of smellgoods for noses everywhere – to wear, to burn, to slather on, to bathe in, or to simply enjoy.
Fragrances
Let’s begin with some of the most giftable fragrances of all time, in order from budget-friendly to premium. Each one is highly approachable and crowd-pleasing, yet still distinctive and never boring.
Gulf Orchid makes the best hidden gems. Mysterious Tahara Musk is a gorgeous, musky, clean breath of air that smells like a $200+ niche perfume but costs less than $30. It’s a no-brainer.
Cashmere Skin by Phlur is a warm and creamy, yet light and airy blend of almond, vanilla, and ambrette. It’s a body mist with the performance – and scent profile – of a luxury perfume.
Glossier You is an iconic scent and incredible gift (just make sure your recipient doesn’t already own it). It’s a woody, soft skin scent that smells divine on its own but also layers like a dream. This holiday exclusive duo is perfection.
For a fool-proof scent – even for those who are sensitive to fragrances – Lake & Skye’s 11 11 is amazing. This is a slightly ozonic skin scent that truly just smells like the most decadent laundry detergent ever. This limited-edition duo set is obsession-worthy.
In a similar vein, Dedcool’s Xtra Milk is a stunning, creamy skin scent that highlights airy bergamot and white musk. Try this duo if your recipient works somewhere that doesn’t allow fragrance, or doesn’t like perfumey florals.
Kayali’s new Freedom Collection is all about Musk. Musk Santal | 34 is for those who don’t love overly sweet scents. It’s not a challenging sandalwood in the least – it’s velvety, bright, and easy.
Musc Noir Rose by Narciso Rodriguez has all the qualities of a perfect gift – it’s an elevated, loveable, expensive-smelling musky rose, and has amazing performance. I genuinely don’t think anyone – niche and designer lovers alike – could dislike this.
If you’re looking to splurge, you can’t go wrong with Delina by Parfums de Marly. Lovers of niche fragrance regard this one as a cornerstone of modern perfumery, the basis for thousands of scents that followed in her footsteps.
If you’re looking to really splurge, go with Creed’s Aventus For Her, a zingy and fresh ode to femininity that dries down to an exquisite blend of woods. Your recipient will smell like money.
Candles
A premium candle is one of my go-to gifts; it’s such an effortless, foolproof choice. Here are some favorites.
Ormonde Jayne’s Étoile candle is the epitome of sophistication. Cardamom, cinnamon, tonka, and mandarin harmonize for a delightful ode to Christmastime. Just note – it will be difficult for you, the gift-giver, to part with this one.
Ranger Station candles, with their minimalist design and elevated, unisex scent profiles, are spot-on gifts for those who don’t enjoy the typical candles scent profiles like vanilla cupcake, citrus, etc. My pick is Speak Easy, a blend of cedar, musk, and sandalwood.
For history buffs, definitely go with Harlem Candle Co. Each scent is inspired by stories from the past, specifically the Golden Era in Harlem. My favorite is Lady Day, a spellbinding array of neroli, gardenia, and coconut milk.
Body Care
Gorgeously-scented body care makes a truly opulent gift. It’s an indulgence we might not purchase in daily life, but would delight in finding under the tree.
The Myth Spectacular Scented Body Oil by Ellis Brooklyn transforms the everyday routine into an upscale spa. The scent is my personal favorite from the brand, and translates flawlessly to oil form.
A few EOS products have gone viral recently for their outstanding scent profiles. I’d recommend gifting a duo of the body mist + body lotion in any of the following holiday-exclusive scents: Peppermint Cashmere, Cocoa Cashmere, or Caramel Cashmere.
Henry Rose, Michelle Pfeiffer’s fragrance brand, makes body cream in their lovely scents. My personal favorite is Flora Carnivora, an ethereal take on neroli. My favorite thing about these is how quickly they sink into skin.
Anything from Lush Cosmetics is an obvious choice – their scents are out of this world. For the holidays, I would go with something festive like Snow Fairy Milkshake Shower Gel (creamy, cozy, sweet) or Yog Nog Body Spray (buttery, warm, indulgent).
Le Monde Gourmand released a plethora of delicious new scents and products this year. A selection of their bath and shower products would make an excellent gift. My picks are the Perfumed Milky Body Wash and Body Icing Créme, both in Lait de Coco.
Discovery Sets
For fragrance fanatics, a discovery kit is a wonderland. You don’t have to worry about choosing the wrong scent, and they can experience the joy of scented exploration.
WA:IT is an emerging brand, a symbiosis of two cultures: Japanese and Italian. Their mindfully-made, clean scents are designed to nurture the body, mind, and soul. The Discovery Set is sure to excite any niche-lover.
The Wonders Collection Mini Perfume Deluxe Set from Tocca is an adorable assortment of tiny bottles containing six of the brand’s bestsellers, including Florence, Stella, and the brand-new, vanilla-centered Laila. The packaging is holiday themed and inspired by cathedral windows, and can be reused as a keepsake.
It’s the most wonderful time of year to support small businesses. Consider gifting a Discovery Set from an indie brand like Air & Weather, who make uniquely enchanting scents like Spilled Milk (comforting and nostalgic) and Lilac (dewy, hyperrealistic).
Imaginary Authors is an eccentric, vibrant brand that makes unusual, yet wearable, scents. A sample set like the Short Story Collection – you select the eight samples – makes an intimate, thoughtful gift, and your recipient will have so much fun sniffing through the vials.
