I Tested Every Byredo Perfume—These 10 Are the Best
Mojave Ghost, Mixed Emotions, and La Tulipe top our list.
Byredo doesn’t need much of an introduction. To know the luxury brand is to love it. Since its inception in 2006, the fragrance-turned-home-makeup-and-leather-goods line has gained undeniable notoriety. Gypsy Water has become a best-seller at every retailer that carries it, the brand boasts celebrity fans ranging from Rosie-Huntington Whitely to Victoria Beckham, and new launches continue to delight the loyal fan base. The allure is easy to understand—each and every new fragrance launch is designed to elicit an emotion or memory.
The unisex range of scents are equal parts unusual and unexpected. You won’t find a “dupe” or layered concoction that rivals the expertly crafted formulas—they’re designed with highest quality ingredients, and of course, a unique edge or surprise note that distinguishes them from typical offerings. There are earthy, woodsy blends, fruity-florals, and musky eau de parfums to choose from, but the best Byredo perfume for you—well, that’s going to have to be your call.
To help guide you on your fragrance journey, the Marie Claire team tested every single Byredo perfume out there—from La Tulipe to Biobiotheque. Here, we’ve found the 10 best blends the brand has to offer.
The Best Byredo Perfumes
- The Best Overall Byredo Fragrance: Gypsy Water Eau de Parfum
- The Best Floral Byredo Fragrance: La Tulipe Eau de Parfum
- The Best Warm Byredo Fragrance: Bibliotheque Eau de Parfum
- The Best Earthy Byredo Fragrance: De Los Santos Eau de Parfum
- The Best Sweet Byredo Fragrance: Vanille Antique Eau de Parfum
I’d go so far as to say Gypsy Water is the brand’s most famous fragrance—and it’s no surprise the blend attracts so much attention; it’s highly unique. Technically it falls into the woody family, but with notes of bergamot, lemon, pepper, and incense, you’re constantly left guessing where the fragrance will land. It’s layered, complex, and filled with whimsy, but grounded all in one. It transcends seasonal constructs and is accompanied by intense staying power. It’s a signature scent if there ever was one.
Customer Review: “I initially opened this and didn’t like the smell right away, but I let it sit on my skin for a minute and wow I could not believe I’ve never tried this before. It’s so divine. It’s warm and sexy and could almost pass as unisex, and I absolutely love it.” — Nordstrom
“I’ve never been one to gravitate towards floral fragrances, but I was intrigued by Byredo’s La Tulipe for that exact reason. My first thought: Tulips have a smell? As it turns out, some tulip varieties do; a delicate-yet-distinct aroma that’s perfectly captured in this perfume. The scent skews more toward freshly-cut bouquet than intense floral oil, with a bright and fresh quality that’s almost unplaceable (not surprising, considering the limited availability of tulip-inspired perfumes on the market.) I’ve yet to find anything quite like this, and would recommend it to anyone looking to switch things up or find a new everyday scent.” — Lucia Tonelli, Social Media Editor
Customer Review: “I looooovee this perfume! It is a very accurate tulip smell. It smells exactly like tulips! For spring and summer, this scent is perfect. It also has green notes, reminding me of flower stems so it is very fresh and delicious. I got the body lotion for this too because it just smells so good. I love floral scents in general but this one is the most refreshing and light scent!” — Nordstrom
“I love reading so much that I joke it’s a part of my personality. My apartment is overflowing with more volumes than any of my shelves can accommodate, and, to me, there’s nothing better than the smell of an old used bookstore. Thus, I’ve long been obsessed with Byredo’s best-selling Bibliothèque perfume, which is meant to conjure visions of reading a well-loved paperback while sitting on a cozy, worn leather couch. It has top notes of peach and plum, with a faintly musky base of violet and peony, culminating with notes of patchouli, vanilla, and leather.” — Gabrielle Ulubay, E-Commerce Writer
Customer Review: “This is my favorite new fragrance. I love the sweetness, the depth , and spiciness that this perfume has. It is a beautiful scent that lasts all day. I have received many compliments . I even spray it on my wrist when I go to bed at night so I can smell it while I am reading. It is lovely!” — Nordstrom
“Byredo describes De Los Santos as "a celebration of life" and it couldn't be any more spot on. I spray on the amber, orris, and sage notes when I need a pick-me-up, or admittedly, when I just want someone to say, “Damn, you smell amazing!” It also lingers for hours and hours, which in my book, is what fragrance should be about. — Deena Campbell, Beauty Director
Customer Review: “This smells amazing. Beautiful bitter herbal opening and clean dry down. The heart brings out the synthetic musk with some orris and citrus. The perfume settles on a heavy ambroxan base with olibanum in the background. It's a clean scent, good for summer and autumn. You'll be getting a lot of compliments wearing it. Lasting power is around four to five hours. Amazing drydown and very versatile.” — Bloomingdales
As the name indicates, this sensual fragrance has a primal edge. With base notes including tobacco leaves, amber, and sandalwood, you can expect a lingering scent reminiscent of raw emotion. That in mind, this eau de parfum isn't entirely rough or masculine. Citruses, suede, and hints of floral round out the complex identity. In the end, you're left with a fragrance that is equal parts fresh and mysterious. I personally like to reserve this particular scent for special occasions or big nights out.
Customer Review: “I was not expecting to like this smell, but I did. It was not animalistic at all. The opening was fresh and floral, classic Byredo DNA. The dry down was a little bit deeper, maybe ambery. There was something powdery and a purple flower.” — Reddit
The biggest callout: This an extrait de parfum not an eau de parfum, so you can expect it to be more intense, longer lasting, and intensely, well, vanilla. The vanilla bean is intensely warm, but to my surprise, it’s not intensely sweet. Instead, there’s a smoky hint—almost like a burning marshmallow. I’m not fond of smelling too sweet, but this strikes the perfect balance. It’s the fragrance I want my sweater to smell like when I’m cozied up next to a fireplace in the dead of winter.
Customer Review: “It’s mature and sexy. It dries down to a warm woodsy, vanilla smell that people will comment on when they hug you. The initial scent can seem strong to some but the dry down is exquisite. I’ve had countless compliments since I purchased this.” — Nordstrom
Victoria Beckham can be counted as one of this fragrance’s many fans (including yours truly). It was one of the first skus to enter the Byredo family, inspired as an ode to the beauty of Africa. While it's technically unisex, it leans on the feminine floral side. Classic notes like bergamot, vetiver, and sandalwood are at the forefront, but niche additions, like African marigold, which is native to the fragrance’s inspiration, are what differentiate this from the masses of floral fragrances on the market.
Customer Review: “This is a lovely grown up perfume, which I am saving for special occasions like nights out. It is quite a mature fragrance, and very warm and will suit the autumn and winter months. It lasts a long time and I have been complimented and asked about the fragrance a lot.” — Bloomingdale’s
“Rose perfumes tend to be a little too powdery for me to wear everyday, but this one is different. The pink peppercorns add brightness and spice while the amber base notes make for a sensual and easy-to-wear scent that I wear daily. However, I’ve found that the scent lingers on my clothes in the loveliest way. This is also one of those perfumes where you know someone else is wearing it when you pass them on the street, so it’s perfect for wearers who want to stand out without opting for something that’s too heady.” — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor
Customer Review: “This is my all time favorite rose scented fragrance! It’s modern classy. The longevity of Rose of No Man's Land is commendable, as it stays close to the skin for an extended period, allowing you to enjoy its nuances throughout the day. The sillage is moderate, creating an intimate aura that draws people in without overwhelming them. The elegant and minimalist bottle design adds to the overall allure of the fragrance, showcasing the brand's attention to detail and commitment to craftsmanship.” — Saks Fifth Avenue
Mandarin is and will always be one of my favorite notes to be included in a fragrance. Its citrus tinge is sweet yet fresh and makes my nose tingle in a way that cannot be replicated. This particular mandarin-infused fragrance is balanced by leather (unexpected, yes), but it adds a depth that’s intriguing and all-consuming. I personally like to use a small spritz of this extrait and layer it with the Vanille Antique (see above) to create a warm cloud around my person.
Customer Review: “It's hard to be poetic when it comes to certain luxury items, but this scent truly encompasses just that! In truth after having the privilege (and it is) experiencing this for the first time in store, did I get goosebumps! Such a beautiful array of notes that captivate me!” — Saks Fifth Avenue
While having mixed emotions can leave you feeling unsure and even a bit shaky, this fragrance, which combines deeply different notes from a range of fragrance families, is oddly grounding. The cut of black tea extract sits right next to floral violet and sweet casis—it’s nearly impossible to visualize what this will smell like until it’s on your skin. It’s extremely different from anything out there and will leave a lasting impression on anyone lucky enough to smell it on your skin.
Customer Review: “Byredo Mixed Emotions perfume is a true masterpiece in the world of fragrances. The scent is both alluring and mysterious, making it perfect for anyone who wants to stand out from the crowd. The perfume is a perfect balance of floral and woody notes, which blend together seamlessly to create a unique and unforgettable scent. One of the things I love about Byredo Mixed Emotions perfume is how versatile it is. It's perfect for any occasion, whether you're heading to a fancy dinner party or just running errands around town.” — Neiman Marcus
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Samantha Holender is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.
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