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I Tried All 22 Phlur Fragrances, and Here’s How I'm Ranking Them (with Original Photos)

From Must-Haves to Might Sit This One Out

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The perfume bottles in my collection are steadily growing. I think I’m in the double digits now. I wear them at bedtime, I test them out for work and I refresh my scent throughout the day. I’m constantly looking for new and innovative fragrances that stop people in their tracks—and I live in NYC, so quite literally on the MTA tracks. I want heads to be turning, questions to be asked about what I’m wearing and for people to look to me as their personal parfum connoisseur. All this to say that my compulsion for collecting perfumes cannot be curbed, so when a buzzy fragrance brand like Phlur enters the chat, I absolutely need to check it out.

Founded in 2015, Phlur explores every inch of the fragrance space, concocting everything from fruity floral numbers to woody citrus scents and anything in between. Though each scent smells wildly different, they’re made to layer, so you can create new alluring elixirs. And since many of the perfumes share one or more olfactory notes with one another, the complementary notes create a sense of harmony within the entire line.

I’ve been seeing the brand trending on social media for several years now, always alerted that Vanilla Skin is out of stock *again* or that Heavy Cream is a new fan fav. More recently, they’ve come up with another five brilliant formulas (I’m looking at you, Rose Whip), so I decided to take matters into my own hands and try out the entire line.

How to Layer Perfume to Create Your Own Signature Scent


How I Chose the Best Phlur Fragrances

While testing out each of the fragrances, I looked at the following:

  • Current popularity - Are they best sellers or popular online? Have they been trending on TikTok or Instagram?
  • Approachability - Does it contain notes that are generally overwhelming to the nose?
  • Strength - Will it stay on your body for long periods of time or does it fade too fast? Does it cling to clothes or other items like bedding or furniture?
  • Universality - Would most people like it if they smelled it? Could it be worn by nearly everyone?

Here is my personal ranking of 22 Phlur fragrances.

Best Sweet Scent

22. Caramel Skin

Phlur

Grounded in a way most caramel scents are not, Caramel Skin melds together sweeter, sugary elements with earthier musks and woody notes to create a bold skin scent that leans leathery. Part of Phlur’s “skin scent” family, it’s intended to read naturally on the skin. It’s sensual and deep from the caramel, warm milk, vanilla bean, brown sugar and musk, but does have a brightness to it from the bergamot in its opening. I will say though, of the skin scents, I think this ranks the lowest for me. Something about it reads a bit artificial, but perhaps it’s the way it lays on my own skin. For those of you that enjoy caramelly scents, this may just be a smash hit.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: body mist 
  • Olfactive Family: sweet, musky 
  • Top Notes: bergamot, caramel 
  • Middle Notes: warm milk, vanilla bean, caramel cream 
  • Base Notes: brown sugar, sandalwood, musk 

Best Tropical Scent

21. Coconut Skin

Phlur

Like fresh skin after a day at the beach, Coconut Skin reminds me of the faint scent of washed-off sunscreen that still lingers and a slather of aloe on warm, sun-kissed bodies. It’s grounded and leans slightly floral, but is rounded out by milky notes of coconut and caramel gelato. The most flowery of the “skin scents” Phlur has produced, it has a greener edge to it that is missing from Caramel Skin and Vanilla Skin and helps to differentiate it from the bunch. It feels like the “skin scents” West Coast-cousin in a bottle. It does feel quite neutral and wearable, so I think it deserves a spot in the center of this list.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: body mist  
  • Olfactive Family: lactonic, floral, ambery 
  • Top Notes: palm leaf, caramel gelato, coconut 
  • Middle Notes: frangipani, tiare blossom, jasmine absolute sambac 
  • Base Notes: liquid sandalwood, salted amber 

Best Powder Scent

20. Not Your Baby

Phlur

When you first apply Not Your Baby, it’s a muted, powdery floral fragrance. It’s a bit like taking a shower, then applying baby powder all over your skin. Earthy, milky and a tad spicy, Not Your Baby keeps the wearer on their toes. Vanilla notes in the base help to sweeten up the overall profile, but it stays sensual, and dare I say sexy, throughout the entire wear. Phlur’s description perfectly encapsulates it: A spicy floral that’s anything but innocent. Psst: If you love Not Your Baby, the candle version is on sale for $27.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: eau de parfum
  • Olfactive Family: spicy, floral, powdery, milky
  • Top Notes: cardamom, bergamot
  • Middle Notes: mimosa, violet
  • Base Notes: vanilla milk, sandalwood, tonka beans

Best Musk Scent

19. Soft Spot

Phlur

Soft Spot is a woodsy, floral fragrance with a twinge of musk. It’s got lovely hints of powder and has a garden-y feel to it. That said, the newest member of the Phlur family may not be everyone’s cup of tea. The fragrance can seem a bit animalic with the addition of a musk base note and may be a hit or miss for some. Each time I breathe it in, it seems to smell a little different. Honestly, I had high hopes for this one, but after trying it a few times, I was a bit disappointed. I just wish it was a tad more consistent. I did discover that it’s more approachable when layered with something like Vanilla Skin to create a sweeter, well-rounded fragrance.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: eau de parfum
  • Olfactive Family: musky, animalic, amber, floral, fruity
  • Top Notes: bergamot peel, mandarin, freesia
  • Middle Notes: jasmine petals, waterlily, vanilla orchid
  • Base Notes: amber, sandalwood, musk

Most Likely to Make You Wanna Go Outside

18. Solar Power

Phlur

A bright, botanical fragrance, Solar Power will have you itching to get outside and bask in the sunshine. It’s fresh with some ambery florals that appear in the middle of its wear. I imagine most people would like Solar Power because it blends well into the skin and isn’t overpowering. It’s a bit more masculine than some of Phlur’s other offerings, so I decided to rank it a bit lower on the list because it might not be popular amongst Phlur's target audience, which seems to be edgy women in their 20s-30s. Sun-drenched and like breathing in a gulp of fresh air, Solar Power is the epitome of summertime radiance. I know I’ll be soaked in it all season long. And lucky for you, all Solar Power products—which include a full size eau de parfum and a travel size version—are just under 40 percent off until stock runs out. RIP Solar Power. We loved you while you lasted.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: eau de parfum
  • Olfactive Family: musky, floral, fruity
  • Top Notes: Italian red mandarin, sun-drenched bergamot, jasmine absolute
  • Middle Notes: neroli, orange flower
  • Base Notes: driftwood, solar musk, sea salt

Best Woody Scent

17. Somebody Wood

Phlur

If Somebody Wood, I would. You probably would, too. This—you guessed it—woody fragrance is alluring and unique, taking a traditional fragrance profile and flipping it on its head. Notes of lemon, jasmine and vanilla add a sweeter tone to what would otherwise be a very masculine scent. This is a more approachable way to incorporate notes like sandalwood and cedarwood into your daily rotation. I traditionally associate those notes with candles, so I was worried I wouldn’t like it as a perfume, but I was pleasantly surprised by its easy-to-sniff qualities. It’s lowkey and not overpowering in the slightest. Because I personally don’t gravitate toward wood-heavy olfactory profiles, it’s ranked a bit lower for me, but knowing that many people do love it puts Somebody Wood squarely in the middle of the list. Consider adding this gem to the cart if you’re that somebody.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: eau de parfum
  • Olfactive Family: warm, musky, fruity, floral, amber
  • Top Notes: bergamot, lemon
  • Middle Notes: jasmine, saffron, cyclamen
  • Base Notes: sandalwood, vanilla, musk, amber, moss, cedarwood

Most Sultry

18. Vanilla Smoke

Phlur

When I was first introduced to Vanilla Smoke, I wasn’t entirely sure about the body mist, but I think with time, it’s grown on me. This is most definitely a late fall/early winter scent. Imagine you’re sitting on a log in front of a blazing fire in a snow-dusted forest surrounded by birch trees and balsams. That is Vanilla Smoke in a nutshell. Because it’s part of Phlur’s vanilla family, there is a subtle sweetness to the olfactory concoction. It is a bit heavy on the foresty notes which can be polarizing depending on your preferences, so I’d keep Vanilla Smoke in the middle of the pack. When it’s time to gear up for the colder months, definitely consider adding this one to your cart.

Fast Facts 

  • Fragrance Concentration: body mist 
  • Olfactive Family: sweet, smoky, ambery 
  • Top Notes: bergamot, pink pepper, birch 
  • Middle Notes: cacao blanc, cashmere vanilla, tonka bean 
  • Base Notes: incense, Peru balsam, amber

Best for Everyday Wear

15. Dragon Fruit

Phlur

If you’re in the market for a fragrance that’s fresh, fruity and fun, look no further than Dragon Fruit. This slightly sweet, sunshiny concoction is breathy and relaxing. It would make for a wonderful everyday scent, though might be too heavy on the fruit for some users. Phlur was trying to take you straight to an island escape with this one. Imagine the sun shining while sipping yummy cocktails out of a pineapple. That’s Dragon Fruit. She’s your cool AF bestie and will get drunk on the beach with you any day (smelling absolutely delicious, of course).

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: body mist
  • Olfactive Family: fruity, floral, sweet, amber
  • Top Notes: pineapple, dragon fruit, watermelon
  • Middle Notes: plum blossom, lotus flower, peony
  • Base Notes: sugared amber, vanilla bean, sandalwood

Best Fresh Scent

14. Lost Cause

Phlur

I gravitated toward Lost Cause throughout my Phlur testing because it felt very neutral and had a fresh cologne scent profile. It was powdery and tropical with a botanical dry down. The fragrance is soft and digestible and simply put, a safe option for almost anyone. I’d consider it a universally appealing perfume and wanted to make sure that it was closer the top of the list. If you’re looking for something that’ll make you feel invigorated, crisp and clean, this is the one to check out. It does skew a tad more masculine because of the inclusion of stronger, spicier olfactory notes like Italian bergamot and cassis leaves. Unfortunately, Lost Cause is a part of Phlur’s Farewell Sale, so snag all the freshness while you can.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: eau de parfum
  • Olfactive Family: fresh, woody, floral, fruity
  • Top Notes: Italian bergamot, cassis leaves, crisp apple, rhubarb
  • Middle Notes: fresh freesia, jasmine, Lily of the Valley
  • Base Notes: maté absolute, orris concrete, vanilla orchid

Most Nostalgic Fragrance

13. Apricot Privée

Phlur

Apricot Privée is like an elevated body spray from the 2000s. The fragrance is fruity and sweet with a dash of florals. Don’t be alarmed by the top notes. Though they pack a potent punch when first sprayed, things shift and soften as those top notes dissipate, so it has more of a skin smell. It’s a malleable and unpredictable scent, but one that I adored. We also have to wave goodbye to Apricot Privée as she’s part of the Farewell Sale, too. :( 

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: eau de parfum
  • Olfactive Family: warm, fruity, sweet, fresh
  • Top Notes: apricot, plum, cardamom
  • Middle Notes: jasmine absolute, peony
  • Base Notes: agarwood, tonka beans, sandalwood, labdanum

Most Unexpected Fragrance Profile

12. Amber Haze

Phlur

Amber Haze was the Phlur fragrance that most surprised me. When I think of amber fragrances, I’m typically imagining something deep, sharp and sensual. This fuchsia bottle was an unexpected delight. It’s a caramelly amber scent with solid, yet unassuming floral undertones. The addition of vanilla gives it a bit of sweetness that I usually associate with gourmand fragrances, something that Phlur has only just started exploring. It’s easy to wear and reminds me of a milder version of Sol de Janeiro’s Cheriosa 62. Amber Haze is muted and sophisticated, perfect for a date night.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: body mist
  • Olfactive Family: floral, musky, amber, sweet
  • Top Notes: saffron
  • Middle Notes: jasmine absolute (*responsibly sourced)
  • Base Notes: amber, vanilla, musk, oakmoss

Most Androgynous Fragrance

11. Tangerine Boy

Phlur

Tangerine Boy is a solidly androgynous fragrance. With fruit notes like tangerine, apple and lemon, as well as spicier elements like black pepper and amber, the perfume is deeply refreshing. It has an uncanny ability to smell like a freshly peeled orange with its tangy rind. The fragrance takes me back to my childhood snack time days, when I’d eat messy fruits, juice dribbling down my fingers, pith stuck in my nails. It is heavy on the citrus despite its varied olfactive profile, but because Phlur alludes to this in the name, they get to keep their higher ranking. You’ve been warned citrus haters! For everyone else, add this to your cart ASAP.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: eau de parfum
  • Olfactive Family: fresh, amber, fruity
  • Top Notes: lemon, ginger, black pepper
  • Middle Notes: apple, tangerine, jasmine petal
  • Base Notes: amber, moss

Most Well-Rounded Fragrance

10. Father Figure

Phlur

As with many of Phlur’s fragrances, Father Figure is a play on words. Fig is one of the most prominent olfactory notes in this slightly sweet, herby number. Light on the nose, Father Figure is definitely a hidden gem for the brand. It pulls from its floral notes for the duration of wear and reminds me of a wild garden, full of blooming buds and fresh fruit hanging from trees. The bluish-green bottle seems to be an ode to new bountiful harvests and earthly abundance. The fig note is apparent, but not always everyone’s vibe, so you might want to skip this one if you’re not a fan of the note in general, which is why this particular scent lands squarely in the middle of my list. Personally, I would take this one in both full and travel-sized options. It’s just that good.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: eau de parfum
  • Olfactive Family: fresh, musky, woody, floral
  • Top Notes: waterlily, lush fig, cassis buds
  • Middle Notes: orris root, iris flower, jasmine dew
  • Base Notes: skin musks, vanilla Madagascar, patchouli leaf, sandalwood

Most Mature

9. Golden Rule

Phlur

The first of Phlur’s fragrances to be housed in an opaque bottle, Golden Rule stands out from the rest. Featuring a reflective, metallic gold finish, this perfume is sophisticated in a very grown up way. It feels different than other Phlur perfumes and mists that I’ve experienced, mature in a way that doesn’t read ‘old.’ With a fruity opening, it’s a burst of surprising freshness that settles into a lactonic floral. Rich notes of coconut milk, vanilla cream and benzoin (which smells like a woody vanilla) swirl together with pink pepper, jasmine blossom and sandalwood to create a gorgeous garden for the nose. It may lean too flowery/powdery for some, but it’s a high rank for me because not only is it new, but it’s done to perfection. Golden Rule is the rule of thumb.

Fast Facts 

  • Fragrance Concentration: eau de parfum  
  • Olfactive Family: lactonic, floral, fruity 
  • Top Notes: mandarin splash, pink pepper, golden pear 
  • Middle Notes: orange flower water, jasmine blossom, coconut milk 
  • Base Notes: benzoin, sandalwood, vanilla cream

Most Likely to Stand Out in a Crowd

8. Mood Ring

Phlur

The thing that sold me on Mood Ring was the way Phlur advertised it to me. A striking fluorescent green bottle a la Charlie XCX’s ‘Brat,’ surrounded by gummy bears (because they’re a top note in the fragrance line’s makeup.) Mood Ring is pure fun. A fragrance profile I’ve never seen tapped into before, this olfactive combination is equal parts fruity, sweet, ambery and floral. It’s a dizzying delight for your nose and makes you want to keep searching for the next note to appear. I might be partial to this one because I’m loving the color chartreuse right now, but it’s been incredibly successful with Phlur’s customer base, selling out more than once and marked as a best-seller on their site.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: body mist
  • Olfactive Family: sweet, fruity, amber, floral
  • Top Notes: pitaya pulp, sweet orange, fruit gummies
  • Middle Notes: orange flower, jasmine sambac, marigold bloom
  • Base Notes: patchouli prisma, glazed musks, sheer amber

Best Fruity Scent

7. Strawberry Letter

Phlur

A sensual and fresh ode to strawberries, this fragrance is full of notes like strawberry gariguette, apple blossom, tonka beans and red poppy. Incredibly wearable and bright, Strawberry Letter is perfect for the warmer months. What’s exciting about this strawberry iteration is that it’s not overly sweet. It digs into the earthier elements of the bush fruit, channeling some woody notes while staying crisp. When The Box Tops crooned these lyrics from “The Letter”: My baby, just a wrote me a letter, I don't care how much money I gotta spend, Got to get back to my baby again. They knew exactly what they were talking about. I can’t live without Strawberry Letter and neither should you.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: eau de parfum
  • Olfactive Family: fruity, floral, sweet
  • Top Notes: cassis leaves, strawberry gariguette, plum nectar
  • Middle Notes: wild lily, red poppy, apple blossom
  • Base Notes: earthy woods, tonka bean, sugared amber

Most Interesting Olfactory Combo

6. Mango Mood

Phlur

An intoxicating blend of mango and berries, Mango Mood is a well-rounded and full-bodied fragrance that smells a little bit like a fruit compote. It’s deep and sultry in a sweeter, floral-y sense. The addition of notes like pink pepper, wild orris, black lotus and jasmine sambac absolute, as well as vanilla, patchouli and brown sugar create a sensation for the nose that’s both heady yet refreshing. The mixing of stone fruit and berries is a combo I don’t see often in the beauty world and reminds me of Brigeo’s Mango and Cherry Balancing Shampoo (a product that I will always recommend). Mango Mood does something similar with its formula to create a captivating fragrance. It’s a body mist that I’ll be splashing on when I’m jonesing to enchant those around me. I feel like the masses will love this one, too.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: body mist
  • Olfactive Family: sweet, fruity, fresh, spicy
  • Top Notes: black currant, pink pepper, mango
  • Middle Notes: wild orris, black lotus, jasmine sambac absolute
  • Base Notes: patchouli, vanilla elixir, brown sugar

Best Floral Scent

5. Rose Whip

Phlur

While it can be a polarizing scent, rose is one of my favorite notes in a fragrance. In fact, I think this is one of my favorites of Phlur’s newest launches. Cut with a fruity freshness, this rose perfume is a breath of fresh air for even the most cynical of perfume lovers. Rose Whip reads as younger, more wearable rose and is a delight to the nose. Uplifted with zingy notes of pink pepper and black currant, it opens with a wow factor. As it settles on the skin, you get the floral notes of rose and osmanthus (a honeyed stone-fruit type of floral) and earthy nutmeg. When it dries down, you get a bit less rose and more ambery goodness with woody and musky notes. You can tell grandma to keep her old-timey rose perfume and opt for this modern take on a classic note. I promise you won’t regret it.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: eau de parfum  
  • Olfactive Family: floral, fruity, ambery 
  • Top Notes: pink pepper, black currant 
  • Middle Notes: rose, osmanthus, nutmeg 
  • Base Notes: amber, cashmere wood, musk

The Scent with a Cult Following

4. Missing Person

Phlur

Another massive hit for Phlur is Missing Person. Since debuting in 2022, the fragrance has become a viral sensation on TikTok because of its uncanny ability to mimic the scent of a person close to you. Lightly musky, animalic, with just a hint of fruity florals, this fragrance almost resembles the feeling of being wrapped in a hug by your mom. Ever so slightly powdery, Missing Person is very easy to wear. It blends into the skin in a way that feels like you’ve got nothing on, yet still making you smell lovely. Warm and familiar, Missing Person *isn’t* one to miss.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: eau de parfum
  • Olfactive Family: animalic, floral, fruity
  • Top Notes: skin musk, bergamot nectar, sheer jasmine
  • Middle Notes: fresh cyclamen, neroli blossom, orange flower
  • Base Notes: sandalwood Australia oil, blonde wood, white musk

Most Likely to Make You Do a Double Take

3. Moonstone

Phlur

Moonstone, which shares a name with the iridescent white and blue gemstone, is totally magical. A floral fragrance with a sweet dry down, Moonstone was one of my favorites of the bunch. It’s alluring, mysterious and perfectly androgynous (with just a twinge of fruitiness). It was incredibly pleasant to smell and felt both bold and alluring at the same time. I’ll be reaching for this one all summer long—and apparently, I’m not the only one. The purple-bottled beauty is finally back in stock in both the regular and travel size after being out of stock for awhile, and I'm really hoping it stays that way.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: body mist
  • Olfactive Family: fruity, woody, sweet, amber
  • Top Notes: green apple, pineapple, black currant
  • Middle Notes: lemon zest, mandarin orange, jasmine, geranium
  • Base Notes: sandalwood, vanilla, amber

Most Likely to Be Sold Out

2. Vanilla Skin

Phlur

Vanilla Skin is a body mist that’s loved by the masses—and for good reason. It’s a well-rounded sweet and woody scent with a deep richness that can only be achieved by the perfect concoction of fragrance notes. I loved testing this particular scent out because it thrived on its own and made for a great layering fragrance. Lucky for you, dear reader, both the regular and travel size body mists are in stock right now, so get them while you can because they’re often sold out. Plus, the body mist has become such a cult-favorite that it’s made its way to an eau de parfum formula, meaning we’ll be smelling like Vanilla Skin a whole lot longer. 😍

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: body mist
  • Olfactive Family: sweet, woody, floral
  • Top Notes: pink pepper, pink apple, sugar crystals
  • Middle Notes: lily, jasmine petals, cashmere wood
  • Base Notes: benzoin, vanilla, sandalwood, agarwood

Best Overall

1. Heavy Cream

Phlur

Originally projected to be a limited edition addition to Phlur’s line-up, this citrusy lactonic spritz has rapidly become a viral sensation, selling out quickly during a number of restocks. Its unique makeup of citrus fruits, vanilla, whipped cream and milk notes that are grounded by florals and musk makes it a year round fragrance that melds into the skin perfectly regardless of the season. Light, airy and uplifting, it merges two well-loved olfactory categories: gourmand and fruity, in a blur of sugary sweetness that doesn’t overpower. Some users recommend layering it with Vanilla Skin for an extra gourmand kick. And as shocked as I am to say it, I think Heavy Cream may have dethroned the long-standing Vanilla Skin from its number one slot.

Fast Facts

  • Fragrance Concentration: body mist 
  • Olfactive Family: lactonic, sweet, fruity 
  • Top Notes: lemon sugar, marshmallow, orange 
  • Middle Notes: jasmine blossom, coconut cream, vegan ambrettolide 
  • Base Notes: vanilla mousse, salted caramel, whipped cream

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  • Has worked in media for the last eight years and has held positions at Boston Magazine, Boston Common Magazine and Northshore Magazine
  • Graduated from Emerson College in 2019 with a degree in Writing, Literature and Publishing with a minor in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

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