Unless I’m heading to the gym, I never leave the house without a spray of perfume. To me, there’s something about a scent that feels deeply personal and essential to getting dressed. My perfumes are inherently part of my brand; in the tens of thousands of options on the market, I have found the ones that naturally complement the scent of my skin and perfectly satisfy my woody, earthy, fresh, and sometimes citrusy affinities.
I’ve had a love for perfume since I was a young girl and fondly remember the days of using Gap brand’s eau de toilette and sneaking spritzes of my mom’s Clinique Happy. When my parents were shopping in department stores growing up, I distinctly recall bouncing between fragrance counters sampling whatever perfumes were contained in the most aesthetically beautiful bottles.
Here’s my personal, “six scents short list.” You’ll find that there’s a perfume for every season and unintentionally, all brands have a similar, modern and minimalist aesthetic.
This has been my signature scent for years and is one I’ll never give up. Of anything I’ve ever sprayed on my body, this one has received the most compliments by far - from friends, to coworkers, to complete strangers. You know if the chicest of salespeople in Barneys (RIP, tear) goes out of her way to inquire about your scent, you’re doing something right.
Coriander’s top notes are coriander (surprise!), pepper, and juniper needle, with heart notes of geranium, clove, and sage, and base notes of musk, magnolia, and mace.
It comes in 3 different sizes, including a travel roller ball which is oil-based so it’s easy to mix with body lotions.
Brendan and I have both been huge fans of D.S. & Durga since the beginning. Some of our most favorite scents are from the earliest days of the brand and unfortunately have since been retired, for example Boston Ivy circa 2011. The brand was founded in 2008 by Brooklyn-based husband-and-wife duo David Seth Moltz (previously a musician) and Kavi Ahuja Moltz (previously an architect). It started informally with David making some gifts for friends that turned out to be well received.
D.S. & Durga is incredibly unique because David is a self-taught perfumer who creates the brand’s scents from local and global inspiration. In contrast, the majority of perfumes on the market are created by a specific set of outsourced perfumers. As a result, David’s scents are extremely personal and his goal is to always make “big artistic statements in aroma”. Behind each scent is a story with images, videos, descriptions of who would wear the perfume and in what context, and a playlist. Hearing David describe his process on the Glossy podcast was incredible because he speaks so passionately about his process - he seeks to make his scents a complex and “great symphony.”
Kavi has been the brains and talent behind the brand, packaging, retail store look and feel, as well as constructing the brand story in Bergdorfs.
This perfume is quite aptly named. It smells like you’ve rubbed the natural oils of palo santo directly onto your skin. It’s woody with elements of musk and incense. To me, it feels like I’m being wrapped in fresh, palo santo essence, as if I’m waving the burning wood around my body but without the smokiness.
This has top notes of clary sage and mirabelle, heart notes of orris and ciste oil, and base notes for musks, ambroxan, and palo santo.
I personally find this scent to linger on my skin in the most alluring way.
Henry Rose was founded by actress Michelle Pfeiffer as a clean perfume brand. Similar to the D.S. & Durga Italian Citrus scent featured below, I use this primarily in the summer and warm fall months due to the light, citrus scent.
This perfume has top notes of neroli, grapefruit, bergamot and earl gray tea, heart notes of orange flower and jasmine, and bottom notes of moss, guaiacwood, and musk.
Other Notable Mentions
This one is a new addition for me and blends the masculine and feminine. I have seen this particular scent more often in men’s boutiques than women’s. I really love this for the summer evenings.
It has top notes of bergamot, green leaf, and pear stem, heart notes of fig, coconut milk, and iris, and based notes of blond woods, tonka bean, and moss.
Similar to Coriander, this comes in 3 sizes, including the travel roller ball.
D.S. & Durga - White Peacock Lily
I typically wear this scent in the winter; it pairs perfectly with a thick sweater and scarf. I love the way it almost smells warm as I get bundled up.
The perfume’s top notes are oleander, cabreuva rouge, and grapefruit pith, heart notes are white lily cream, Egyptian jasmine, and alabaster violet, and base notes are liquid ambrette seed, vanilla, and fog.
Note that when D.S. & Durga rolls out scents, they often release them only for a limited time. This scent has since been retired, but it can still be purchased at a few boutiques, including Garmentory and Smallflower, which emerged from the famed Merz Apothecary in Chicago.
My daytime summer spritz of choice is Italian Citrus. It’s light, fresh, and pairs well with tank tops, dresses, sunshine, and grapefruit or lemon cocktails. If you’re someone who is new to everyday perfume or more sensitive to stronger scents, this one may be the perfect match for you.
It has top notes as pressed lemon, chinotto, and blood orange, heart notes of green mandarin, violet leaf, and incense, and paired with base notes of copaiba balsam, musk ambrette, and oakmoss.
A Lower Stakes Way to Experience D.S. & Durga
The brand offers a 4-scent, customizable sample pack. You can choose Coriander, Debaser, and Italian Citrus without committing to a full bottle. If you’re looking for a 4th scent to try, I strongly recommend Durga. I’ve tried this in their new store on Abbot Kinney and love the jasmine and tuberose notes.
Perfume Storage Tip
While so many brands have made their perfume and cologne bottles beautiful for display, in order to maximize longevity, it’s best to store your scents in dark, cool, and dry places, such as a drawer.
Happy spritzing.
x jz
Images | 1 - 2 | @b.g.mckay, styled by me | 3 | Byredo | 4 | Sephora | 5 - 6 | DS&Durga | 7 | @b.g.mckay, styled by me | 8 | British GQ
Note: I do not get paid for nor make money off of this post. All opinions are my own.