Fragrance Files: The 10 Most Expensive, Splurge-Worthy Perfumes

Fragrance is a little luxury that can appeal to all budgets. If you're a fan of jasmine, lavender, or even ever-popular vanilla perfumes, it's comforting to know you can walk into any drugstore or Ulta and find your new signature scent for under $30. But what if your budget is bigger? Like, way, way bigger? Well, there are plenty of options for you too.

On this list of the best expensive fragrances, a 6.8 fl oz limited edition bottle of Oud Satin mMood from Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris will set you back $1,250—not just for what's in the bottle but because each vessel also took eight hours to hand-engrave with an intricate design in a Parisian workshop. Money also buys you exclusivity: there are only 350 pieces of this offering. And that's not even the most expensive perfume in this roundup.

So if perfumes, and luxury ones at that, are a need for you, take a look at this list of 10 most expensive scents to splurge on if you're ready to shell out some serious cash on a fancy fragrance. And even if you're not ready to commit to such a big purchase, a little (browser) window shopping never hurt.

Related article: Ariana Grande Is The Last Great Celebrity Perfumer

BEST UNISEX SCENT

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood

PROS

• For Oud Lovers

This woody floral scent is intoxicating for oud lovers. Each 200ML bottle took eight hours to engrave with a gold pattern inspired by mashrabiyas.

BEST EVENING SCENT

Shalini Parfum Jardin Nocturne Parfum

PROS

• Gorgeous Bottle

This scent—a blend of oud, jasmine, and saffron—rings up at $3,000 a bottle. The intricate Lalique crystal flacon "Le Tourbillons" is a representation of moonlight in a garden and is a sure way to elevate your vanity.

BEST WARM SPICY SCENT

Roja Parfums Roja Haute Luxe

PROS

• Infused with Gold

Infused with gold flakes, this warm and spicy scent uses a hefty dose of classic notes like bergamot, rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, patchouli, and more.

BEST FLORAL MIX

Tiziana Terenzi Assoluto Extrait de Parfum

PROS

• Bottle Makes a Great Keepsake

A third-generation Italian candle and perfume company, Tiziana Terenzi knows a thing or two about fine fragrances. This scent combines vanilla with bergamot, lemon, amber, blackwood, and musk for a fragrance that smells great on all genders.

BEST LIGHT FLORAL FRAGRANCE

Krigler CHATEAU KRIGLER 12

PROS

• Great Signature Scent

If you've ever wondered what an American actress turned Monegasque royal would smell like—look no further. This floral scent was a favorite of the late Grace Kelly and for good reason.

BEST WARM FLORAL SCENT

TOM FORD Rose Prick Eau de Parfum Decanter

PROS

• Lasts for Years

This giant 250 ML decanter is a must-have for anyone who truly can't get enough of rose fragrances. Plus, it just looks like the ultimate objet d'art on any vanity.

BEST FRESH FLORAL

Creed Les Royales Exclusives Jardin d'Amalfi Fragrance

PROS

• Great Summer Scent

This scent is a (very expensive) invitation to travel to the Amalfi coast. Notes of citrus, apple, and rose make this fresh scent perfect for summer.

BEST SENSUAL SCENT

Clive Christian No1 Feminine

PROS

• Best Fruity Scent

If you're a fan of complex fruity scents, this fragrance from Clive Christian opens with a burst of plum, bergamot, and white peach.

BEST GOURMAND

Amouage Love Tuberose Woman Eau de Parfum

PROS

• Perfect for Tuberose Lovers

This fragrance is meant to tell the story of unrequited love with gourmand notes of tuberose, chantilly cream, and vanilla.

BEST ANDROGYNOUS ROSE SCENT

House of Bo Rosario Parfum

PROS

• Made with Recyclable Glass

This fragrance smells as good as its hand-sculpted bottle looks. Citrus notes give way to a floral heart before drying down to reveal a sensual incense. It's a rose scent everyone needs in their collection.

What Makes Perfumes so Expensive?

The difference between a $20 perfume and a $200 perfume comes down to the design and raw materials used to craft the scent. A bottle that's flecked with gold or crystals and hand-crafted by an artisan glassmaker will, obviously, cost more than one far simpler. Many of the expensive fragrances on this last also utilize large amounts of expensive notes like rose, jasmine, and oud.

How To Shop For An Expensive Fragrance

Hearst

Look at Labels: While not all designer or fine fragrances will cost you a pretty penny, starting with a designer or heritage brand will more times than not mean a higher price tag. From there, think about the notes or scent families you love best.

Go Custom: Take signature scent to a whole new level by going custom. Making a custom scent with a perfumer isn't going to come cheap, but you will end up with a creation that's unique to you that you can cherish and wear for years to come.

Think About the Retailer: If you're at a high-end department store, chances are you're going to be around more expensive fragrance options. Experts there can help you test the waters to find the luxe perfume that's perfect for you.

Research Perfumers: Creating a perfume is an art, a skill, and a science. Do a little research on some of the most sought-after perfumers and try out a few creations of theirs.

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For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.

This article originally appeared in Harper's BAZAAR US.