Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.
—Dr Seuss

I’m not talking about the “your skin but better” trend in fragrances, although those could do it for you. We all probably have certain outfits that make us feel the most like ourselves, that are comfortable and look good, that we put on without having to think much about it. The same goes for perfume, as some scents just “fit.”

Unsurprisingly, mine overlapped significantly with my list of top favorites. When I went through my inventory to narrow them down to five, it became challenging as several perfumes are wonderful in every way, which made it harder to discern that they were still an accessory to wear—rather than evoking a visceral reaction that “this is me.” Or, me-er than me.

Olfactory NYC Leo: This was one of the first fragrances I bought when I started seriously exploring perfumery over 5 years ago. Main notes are cedarwood, suede, fig, and patchouli; my version was customized with a higher proportion of the fig-cedarwood accord. Light and relaxed.

Le Labo Ylang 49: The sample in the discovery set I had purchased (on the same trip to New York when I bought Leo) was so juicy that I was hooked, and when my work friends later pooled together a gift card for a full bottle, I didn’t hesitate to choose this rose-ylang-patchouli modern chypre floral. Ylang 49 is very versatile, assertive enough for work meetings yet cozy enough for a nap.

Parfum d’Empire Osmanthus Interdite: This appeals to my minimalist side and feels more put together, with osmanthus tailored in the direction of tea, suede, and apricot without the maltol.

Hermès Galop d’Hermès: This one may be more aspirational, as it’s more refined and elegant than I normally feel, but not at all in a distant way. It’s as comfortable and beautiful as a favorite soft leather jacket, which is apt as the notes are of a soft, smooth leather paired with Turkish rose and osmanthus.

Fischersund No. 101: This olfactory tribute to downtown Reykjavík in summertime is very down-to-earth, quite literally in some of the notes. It paints a smelly picture of a garden with both natural and manufactured elements, including a tinge of cigarettes and rubber tires. These are not notes I normally gravitate to, but somehow this perfume as a whole has felt very “me” each time I’ve worn it. Although I started to question this at the drydown, No. 101 was the one that inspired me to write this post, so here it is. The vibe is definitely casual.

Each of these was a love at first sniff—there was no hesitation or waiting for them to grow on me. Importantly, they also did not disappoint after the initial top notes evaporated, which was lucky as most of them were purchased on the spot after said first sniff (not generally recommended!)

The latest perfume that I have felt a similar reaction to is Meo Fusciuni Little Song, featuring the tricky note of coffee along with rose. I tried it twice (once on paper, once on skin) and did not happen to buy it on those occasions. However, the holidays are fast approaching, so it may yet materialize…

Which perfumes make you feel youer than you?