When you’re a perfume enthusiast, you value your own opinion the most, but sometimes it’s fun to get an outsider's take on your scents. I let my husband, who knows nothing about perfume but has a nose for what he likes, rate my top 10 favorites. They’re mostly OG classics and in no particular order. Let’s see his reactions below.
1. Ani by Nishane
His Rating:
“Sweet. Citrus lemon. Like lemon meringue pie or cheesecake.”
Score: 7/10
My Thoughts:
Ani's blend of spices, vanilla, and citrus is magic, but to him, it’s a dessert. I’ll take it. It’s a sweet scent, after all, and I guess that lemon note really stands out.
2. Sunshine by Amouage
His Rating:
“I can’t explain it. Smells like something from my childhood… maybe apricots?”
Score: 9/10
My Thoughts:
The apricots (osmanthus) do give a nostalgic, sun-kissed vibe. Maybe it reminds him of summer days or some hidden memory. Either way, I’ll take the 9.
3. Levant by Ormonde Jayne
His Rating:
“Flowers and something tangy. Sweet, fruity.”
Score: 8.5/10
My Thoughts:
This fragrance is like a bright floral garden with a hint of citrus zest. He’s not wrong. That "tangy" note is probably the bergamot and orange shining through all the florals.
4. Oud Jaune Intense by Fragrance du Bois
His Rating:
“Smells like the outdoors. Like a place with flowers and trees... but trees with flowers on them.”
Score: 8/10
My Thoughts:
The mix of floral and woody notes definitely give off garden vibes. Love that he’s picturing a whole enchanted forest for this one, but I mostly get tropical vibes and pineapple candy.
5. Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
His Rating:
“Candy-coated root. Like the caramelized coating of a candy apple. Tobacco and vanilla.”
Score: 8/10
My Thoughts:
Root? I still love this perfume even though everyone is tired of hearing about it. BR 540 Extrait is known for being a sweet burnt sugar scent, but comparing it to candy apples? I never thought of it as carnival chic.
6. Hibiscus Mahajad by Maison Crivelli
His Rating:
“Flowers, lemon, and wet wood. Like they’ve been soaking for a long time. Has some tea in there.”
Score: 7/10
My Thoughts:
I guess it’s that mix of hibiscus, rose, mint, vanilla, and leather that’s confusing him. This is a 10/10 for me and definitely a crowd pleaser.
7. Mon Guerlain by Guerlain
His Rating:
“Smells like Christmas. Maybe some tobacco or tea. Powdery.”
Score: 6/10
My Thoughts:
Christmas? This is cozy vanilla-lavender blend, so maybe that’s where he gets the comfy holiday vibes. Still, a classic that I love, even if it didn’t blow him away.
8. Donna Born in Roma by Valentino
His Rating:
“Pink lemonade candy. Fresh, like an air freshener… or strawberry lotion.”
Score: 9/10
My Thoughts:
I don’t understand his description at all. The main notes are jasmine, vanilla, and woods. But Born in Roma always gets compliments for its sweetness, and apparently, it’s hitting the same sweet spot with him.
9. Delina Exclusif by Parfums de Marly
His Rating:
“Grapefruit and bergamot. Not chocolate, but almost like a Tootsie Roll. Musty, wet.”
Score: 6/10
My Thoughts:
Delina Exclusif is my favorite Delina and one of the ultimate rose perfumes. I guess the earthy notes are playing tricks on his nose. The original Delina is his favorite.
10. Deep N Desire Yacht by EBK
His Rating:
“Blueberry… but something is sharp in here. There’s something I don’t like.”
Score: 5/10
My Thoughts:
This one’s a bold, fruity explosion that reminds me of a blueberry/black grape muffin. I think the hazelnut is what’s bothering him.
Honorable Mention: Tihota by Indult
His Rating:
“Pure vanilla. Only vanilla.”
Score: 7/10
My Thoughts:
Vanilla lovers unite! Tihota is pure, sweet, and simple, but sometimes that’s all you need. This is my favorite "mainly vanilla" perfume.
While his ratings were all over the place, I appreciate the honesty. It’s fascinating to see how someone without perfume knowledge interprets the scents we obsess over. Sometimes it’s all about how a fragrance makes you feel or what memories it evokes. Do you agree with Bae's ratings, or do we need a scented intervention? Let me know in the comments.
I think he did pretty well considering LOL