English Version | Merit and excellence

12 Oct 2023
By Vogue Portugal

The Fame Issue

For years they have been top sellers in perfume stores all over the world. As soon as they sell out, the empty shelves give way to waiting lists that are quickly replaced by new products, which then disappear again. These are the most famous perfumes of recent decades: we went to test them out.

Promises: to be confident and daring, thanks to the darkness of coffee, the luminosity of white flowers and the sensuality of vanilla. Vogue’s word: perhaps the presence of caffeine helps explain how a fragrance can be so addictive. Those who love Black Opium swear eternal love for it, and that's enough to keep this eau de parfum at the top of perfume sales. It's sweet without being too sweet. It's strong without being overwhelming. It's subversive, without challenging the personality of those who apply it. It's as if it embodies the power of the contemporary woman through olfactory notes that both contrast and complement each other. And we haven't even got to the best feature of Black Opium yet: it's a perfume that lasts, lasts, and lasts.

Promises: to caress the skin and "embody the alchemy of the senses." Vogue’s word: originally created for the emblematic Baccarat crystal house for its 250th anniversary (the number 540 represents the temperature needed to obtain the brand's iconic red), Baccarat Rouge 540 ended up becoming a symbol of modern perfumery, with thousands of fans all over the world - who distorted the "exclusive" concept of its launch and elevated Francis Kurkdjian's creation to viral status (just look at the number of videos on TikTok dedicated to it). Even so, the aura of mystery and elegance of the fragrance launched in 2016 has remained intact. The woody notes, blended with jasmine, saffron and amber, make this best-seller one of the most beautiful success stories of recent years. If our word isn't enough, know that it's Rihanna's favorite perfume.

Promises: to combine the brilliance of femininity with mystery, by combining sweet notes of jasmine with the rich aroma of cocoa. Vogue’s word: yes, the fragrance is wonderful. But is that what makes it one of the best-selling perfumes in the world? I can say that, in my case, it was the packaging that attracted me. So many years later, Carolina Herrera's iconic stiletto is still very much on my beauty shelf, even if I'm two sprays away from finishing it. But let's get back to the fragrance, which doesn't deserve to be downplayed. First, you feel the sweetness, the ode to femininity. Then, the energy and vivacity are exalted, thanks to the arrival of almond and coffee notes. And so, we are enveloped in a cloud as sensual as the packaging, which sums up the spirit of Good Girl.

Promises: to be a mix of sensuality, sophistication, daring and freedom, like the uneven plains of the American West that inspired it. Vogue's word: smooth, spicy, intoxicating, addictive. These are just some of the words that best define Santal 33, the cult perfume launched in 2011 by Le Labo that quickly became a (huge) bestseller. Now the iconic fragrance of an entire generation, it was one of the first to go genderless, focusing on the much-needed male/female pairing. It's hard to talk about it without falling into clichés, because almost all of us have worn this perfumery masterpiece at some point. Its thirty-three ingredients (hence part of the name, Santal means "sandalwood") have never been fully revealed, but the few that are known (cedar wood, amber, violet) justify that sensation of fire that remains long after the the flames have gone out.

*Originally translated from The Fame Issue, published October 2023. Full credits and stories in the print issue.

Vogue Portugal By Vogue Portugal
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