A beauty writer who has tried hundreds of perfumes, body lotions, candles, and more fragranced beauty products shares the best 32 scents to shop now, from brands like Lafco, Nest, Byredo, and Chanel.

Plus, my favorite candles and more fragrances.

New Year’s resolutions rarely pan out as intended, so I’m proud to have actually kept one: Three years ago, I vowed to scent my life beautifully in all respects, and upgraded everything from my body wash to even the cleaner I spritz on my kitchen countertop. Naturally, I also invested in a collection of perfumes, ranging from luxe classics to lesser-known aromas, many of which I prefer to keep secret—though, I promise to divulge, below. 

Given the countless fragranced beauty and home products on the market, it was admittedly challenging to choose among the hundreds I’ve tried. In an effort to be discerning, however, I whittled my picks as much as I could stand—and compiled the ultimate list of scent snob-approved picks—in case you, too, would like to surround yourself with lovely smells 27/4.

Best Perfumes

• Celebrity-Used: Henry Rose Sheep’s Clothing, $120
• Unanimously-Loved: Chanel Chance Eau Tendre, $113
• Everyday Scent: Byredo Mojave Ghost, $225
• Luxury Classic: Maison Francis Kurkdijan Baccarat Rouge, $210
• Fresh Lily Jasmine Eau de Parfum, $68 (Originally $98)
• Phlur Missing Person, $79 (Originally $99)
• Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom and Honey Cologne, $165

Henry Rose Sheep’s Clothing

$120 at Nordstrom

Anne Hathaway and I share an affinity for this light, pleasantly peppery fragrance from Michelle Pfeiffer’s truly exceptional line, Henry Rose. Pink peppercorn and a touch of rose create a subdued take on your traditional aromatic floral for a drydown that’s romantic without reading overly so. 

Chanel Chance Eau Tendre

$113 at Nordstrom

I gifted this fragrance to my sister years ago after beauty industry colleagues raved about it. Upon smelling it on her wrists, however, I immediately regretted not keeping it for myself. I’ve since procured my own bottle, and wear the fresh, clean floral perfume almost daily—and receive compliments almost as often.

Best Fragrance Gift Sets

• Most giftable: Tocca Mini Fragrance Gift Set, $28
• Kai Travel Set, $50
• Cool-Girl Collection: Henry Rose Rich and Spicy Mini Trio, $90
• Maison Louis Marie Luxury Gift Set No.04 Bois de Balincourt, $122  
• Le Labo Santal 26 Concrete Votives Set, $102 
• Marc Jacobs Daisy Gift Set, $55

Tocca Garden Mini Fragrance Trio Set 

$28 at Amazon

Every holiday season, I give at least two people one of Tocca’s annual holiday gift sets, which typically feature the brand’s signature scents packaged in objectively gorgeous glass bottles. This one includes my favorite of the bunch, Stella, which has notes of juicy blood orange.

Kai Travel Set

$50 at Dermstore

Using this hair and body travel set transforms even the dodgiest of vacation rentals into a five-star hotel experience. ICYMI: Kai is a favorite among Hollywood A-listers; even Oprah has praised its delicate, lightly floral scent in the past.

Best Scented Body Care

• Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper Bath & Shower Gel, $35 
• Philosophy Amazing Grace Body Wash, $25 (Originally $36)
• Mise en Scene Rose Hair Oil, $12 (Originally $19)
• + Lux Unfiltered N°32 Gradual Self Tanning Cream in Rosewood, $32 (Originally $36)
• Capri Blue Volcano Hand Cream, $11 (Originally $22)
• Kiehl’s Original Musk Bath and Shower Gel, $25 
• Salt and Stone Santal and Vetiver Body Wash, $29 (Originally $36)
• Malin+Goetz Eucalyptus Hand and Body Wash, $22 (Originally $28)
• Neom Lavender and Chamomile Intensive Skin Treatment Candle, $34 (Originally $47)

Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper Bath and Shower Gel

$35 at Amazon

My fiancé is fond of what are traditionally considered “masculine” scents. I, however, am not—and yet, we both drool over Molton Brown’s peppery, complex body wash. As one fan raved, it creates a “fiery shower experience that ignites the senses.” 

Philosophy Amazing Grace Body Wash

$36 $25 at Amazon

Philosophy’s time-honored Amazing Grace scent—a delicate, slightly powdery blend of florals—was the first perfume I begged my mom for when I was 12, and I love it still to this day. The shower gel rendition smells exactly like its parent product, with a fresh scent that lingers hours post-shower.

Mise en Scene Rose Perfect Serum

$19 $12 at Amazon

I discovered an unlikely fragrance favorite in this hair oil; a best-seller from Korean beauty brand Mise en Scene. True to its name, it wafts a light, fresh, rosy scent that’s neither overpowering or ephemeral. 

Best Scented Candles

• Diptyque Sapin Advent Calendar, $155 
• Lafco Spiced Pomander Candle, $75
• Malin + Goetz Otto Candle, $51 (Originally $61)
• Homecourt The Kitchen Trio, $70 (Originally $85)
• Nest Santorini Candle, $90 
• Neom Perfect Night’s Sleep Candle, $14 (Originally $20)

Diptique Sapin Advent Taper Candle

$155 at Diptyqueparis.com

No fragrance collection is complete without a touch of Diptique. This oversized tree-shaped candle smells just like the real thing, and functions as a stunning centerpiece for my coffee table while also filling my apartment with the forest smells I woefully lack living in the concrete jungle (a.k.a. New York City). 

Lafco Spiced Pomander Candle

$75 at Lafco.com

For instant holiday ambiance—sans gingerbread or other on-the-nose, traditionally “holiday” notes—fire up this refined, cozy candle. Cinnamon and clove meld together for the olfactory equivalent of mulled wine.

Malin and Goetz Otto Candle

$61 $54 at Nordstrom

To smell this candle is to love it; in fact, it’s among the most-complimented candles I own, and the perfect crowd-pleaser to light prior to gatherings. It’s cozy and slightly gourmand without veering saccharine. 

Best Fragrance Tech and Accessories

• Pura 4 Scent Diffuser, $35 (Originally $50)
• Celebrity-Used: Vitruvi Stone Diffuser, $86 (Originally $123)
• Yierso Perfume Atomizer, $12 (Originally $15)
• Amazon Best-Seller: Marycele Candle Warmer Lamp, $29 (Originally $34)
• Aromatech Ambience Scent Diffuser, $149 (Originally $198)

Pura 4 Scent Diffuser

$50 $35 at Pura.com

I live in a small apartment; a space that hardly requires three of these powerful smart home diffuser devices—yet, I simply can’t resist jamming my outlets with them. Similar to your typical scented wall plug-in, the Pura uses liquid plug-in fragrance capsules to fill the space with yumminess. The key difference is the smart home aspect (you can set timers and fragrance intensities via the Pura app) and the fragrance selection, which includes many familiar scents from my favorite brands like Nest and Brooklyn Candle Co. In addition to running more than one in my own dwelling, I’ve gifted a Pura to my mom and sister. 

Vitruvi Essential Oil Diffuser

$123 $86 at Amazon

For an instant spa-like ambiance, nab yourself one of these minimalist-approved stone diffusers, which have been used by the likes of Gwynwyth Paltrow and Sarah Jessica Parker. I opt for calming oils like lavender in the evening, and zestier scents like orange oil during the workday. 

Yierso Perfume Atomizer

$15 $12 at Amazon

Any fragrance-lover who has yet to use an atomizer when they travel is missing out. Thanks to this nifty, now-$12 tool, I can decant any of my full-sized favorites into travel-sized vials. Because who said smelling delightful stops when you’re on vacation?

Shop more of my fragrance favorites, below.

Byredo Mojave Ghost

$225 at Nordstrom

Maison Francis Kurkdijan Baccarat Rouge

$210 at Nordstrom

Phlur Missing Person

$99 $79 at Nordstrom

Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom and Honey Cologne

$165 at Nordstrom

Capri Blue Volcano Hand Cream

$22 $11 at Anthropologie