My Top Fragrances
That Smell Like Luxury

Kandor living • Beauty

Kandor Living Top Five Fragrances
Whether you’re dressing up for a special occasion or running errands, it’s nice to finalize your outfit with a fragrance that resonates with your personality. Scent is super personal and has the power to leave a statement to the world – which can be a confidence booster. Choosing your signature scent requires time and patience rather than testing out a bunch of samples at the fragrance counter. Fragrances are made up of different layers (notes) that work together to create the overall presentation of a fragrance – which takes time. These consist of the top notes (the fragrance you recognize upon immediate application), heart notes (the scent that comes through once the top notes evaporate – which generally unfolds after 15 minutes of applying the fragrance), and the base notes (forms the foundation of the fragrance and tend to be heavy, rich, and long-lasting). That being said, it takes time and some experimenting to figure out which scents you gravitate to. I used to pride myself on only owning one perfume for years – Si Armani was my first love. Then I discovered Le Labo and became obsessed with discovering more luxury fragrances so I started to expand my fragrance collection. If you’re looking for a nice luxury, signature fragrance to add to your collection, I highly recommend starting at Nordstrom. Nordstrom carries a wide range of quality, luxury fragrances like Byredo, Le Labo, and much more and offers free shipping and returns. My favorite fragrances mentioned below are sold at Nordstrom and will be linked below.

Byredo Mojave Ghost

Byredo Mojave Ghost

If you’re wondering if this fragrance is as good as Bad Bunny says it is, the answer is yes! Byredo is one of my favorite fragrance brands due to its high-quality scents and minimalistic aesthetic. Their scents are so personal and intoxicating that I could buy every candle and fragrance they carry. Mojave Ghost is my favorite fragrance in the entire line. This fragrance is inspired by the rare plants that dare to flourish in the Mojave Desert. I am attracted to anything with sandalwood, so I knew I would love this. This fragrance is divine and exotic, it contains woody and floral notes that blend beautifully, which makes it perfect for springtime – making it the perfect genderless fragrance. It is incredibly long-lasting yet not too strong or overpowering.

$225 | 1.7 oz

Top: ambrette, nesberry

Heart: magnolia, sandalwood, violet

Base: cedarwood, musks, vetiver

Le Labo Thé Matcha 26

Le Labo Thé Matcha 26

LE LABO Thé Matcha 26

While Santal 33 is a classic and will forever be in my collection, Thé Matcha 26 is my favorite fragrance in the entire Le Labo line. After discovering Santal 33, I was interested in finding another Le Labo fragrance to purchase simply because I love the brand and appreciate how long-lasting their fragrances are. I was partially drawn to this scent because of the name, and I love Matcha! Upon application, you can detect woody notes. After a while, it starts to give off a sweeter aroma. Despite being called “Thé Matcha,” it doesn’t smell like Matcha at all. I get more subtle floral and fruity scents. It smells delicious, it’s very soft and sweet and is long-lasting. Thé Matcha 26 is perfect for everyday scent or a lovely night out. If you’re searching for a fragrance that whispers sweetness and sophistication, give this one a try!

$99 | 0.5 oz

Bergamot, bitter orange, fig,  cedarwood, vetiver, matcha tea accord, and sesame notes.

Armani Sì Eau de Parfum

Armani Sì Eau de parfum

As I mentioned earlier, I went years of owning one perfume – which happens to be Sì Armani. I was first introduced to this perfume in 2017 when I heard Kathleen Lights rave about this perfume. I was intrigued by the presentation of the perfume. The way she described this perfume was enough to convince me to purchase this. With notes of fruity florals and woody vanilla, Sì Armani makes the perfect combination of sweet and sexy and is the confident woman’s perfume. This fragrance is perfect for special events and it is very long-lasting. Even days after applying this, I could smell this perfume on my clothes – almost as if I just sprayed it on.

$130 | 1.7 oz

Top: blackcurrant

Middle: airy florals

Base: musk blond wood

Replica Jazz Club

Replica Jazz Club

Replica jazz club

If I had to pick a unique fragrance on this list, it would be this one! I was hesitant to try this fragrance because I’m not drawn to spicy or smoky scents. However, this one took me by surprise with how they could manage to make something inspired by cocktails and cigars that smell so intoxicating and sexy. Although Jazz Club is advertised as a cologne, I find this fragrance to be more on the genderless side where anyone can wear it. Jazz Club contains a beautiful blend of woody, smokey, and sweet notes, making it perfect for the fall and winter months. You will first notice the enticing notes of boozy rum accord and tobacco leaf followed by a subtle hint of vanilla. Think of this scent as the perfect fragrance with the cool, avant-garde girl in Brooklyn.

$85 | 1 oz

Top: pink pepper, primofiore lemon, neroli oil

Middle: rum absolute, clary sage oil, java vetiver oil

Base: tobacco leaf absolute, vanilla bean, styrax resin

Le Labo Santal 33

Le Labo Santal 33

Le Labo Santal 33

Of course, this cult-favorite is included on this list! Despite its widespread popularity, Santal 33 manages to maintain its cult following due to its exquisite appeal. Inspired by the tranquility of the American West Coast, it is a unisex fragrance that unveils sandalwood in its most authentic form, followed by hints of leather and musk. This scent transports me to walking in a vintage leather clothing store or staying at the Public Hotel. I find Santal 33 to be such a versatile scent where I can wear this for any occasion, all year round. It lasts such a long time on my clothes without feeling overwhelming. I’ve noticed the longer it stays on, the more appealing it is. If I had to choose how I want my house to smell all the time, this would be it!

$322 | 3.4 oz

Australian sandalwood, ambrox, cedarwood, cardamom, iris, violet, smoky wood alloy, leather accord, and musky notes

Byredo Gypsy Water

Byredo Gypsy Water

byredo gypsy water

Yes! Another Byredo fragrance has made it to my favorites! If you haven’t guessed already, Byredo is my favorite fragrance line – I’m in love with the brand identity and aesthetic. Gypsy Water is currently my go-to, everyday fragrance. I love how subtle and special this scent is. I’ve never smelled something as sweet and soothing as Gypsy Water. Imagine sitting around a campfire in the deep forest surrounded by fresh and crisp pine. This screams nature in the summertime! You can easily detect the amber and vanilla after a while. One con I would like to point out is that this scent is very subtle and can be hard to detect. Although it is one of my favorites, it is the most frustrating one that I own. I do love the scent and I find it to be so unique and so beautiful. However, the scent is not as strong as I would like it to be. The best way I can compare it is to imagine watching a movie with low volume where it’s on just enough for you to hear, but too low to make out the words. This fragrance still lingers after a while, I just wish it had a higher intensity. However, I love the smell of Gypsy Water and find it so lovely that it’s still one of my favorites!

$225 | 1.7 oz

Top: bergamot, juniper berries, lemon, pepper

Middle: incense, orris, pine needle

Base: amber, sandalwood, vanilla