Who doesn’t love being asked what perfume they’re wearing? But which fragrances earn the most compliments?
New research from Cult Beauty has identified the fragrances that receive the highest proportion of positive comments. The analysis examined Cult Beauty’s 50 bestselling fragrances and reviewed every customer review to determine how many buyers explicitly mentioned receiving a compliment.
Rather than focusing on scents simply trending on TikTok, the analysis looks at fragrances people actually wear, repurchase, get stopped in the street for, and refuse to keep secret.
The 10 most complimented scents
| Rank | Fragrance | Compliment rate | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Eau de Parfum | 33.04% | 38 of 115 |
| 2 | Le Labo THÉ NOIR 29 Eau de Parfum | 25.86% | 15 of 58 |
| 3 | Le Labo Another 13 Eau de Parfum | 20.19% | 21 of 104 |
| 4 | Le Labo SANTAL 33 Eau de Parfum | 20.00% | 21 of 105 |
| 5 | BYREDO Animalique Eau de Parfum | 18.71% | 26 of 139 |
| 6 | Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette | 18.52% | 10 of 54 |
| 7 | BYREDO Mojave Ghost Absolu de Parfum | 16.67% | 9 of 54 |
| 8 | Kilian Angels’ Share Eau de Parfum | 14.89% | 14 of 94 |
| 9 | BYREDO Bal d’Afrique Eau de Parfum | 14.57% | 51 of 350 |
| 10 | Kilian Love, Don’t Be Shy Eau de Parfum | 14.46% | 36 of 249 |
Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Eau de Parfum
Compliment rate: 33.04% (38 of 115 reviews). Topping the list, Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady Eau de Parfum is a dark, velvety rose that trades delicacy for a more commanding presence. Blackcurrant and cinnamon meet patchouli and incense, creating a rich scent designed to linger. One review noted, “Prepare to be stopped by strangers and asked about your parfum! A well-defined rose scent, truly a classic.” No one can argue with that.
Le Labo THÉ NOIR 29 Eau de Parfum
Compliment rate: 25.86% (15 of 58 reviews). Warm, spiced, and smoky, Le Labo THÉ NOIR 29 Eau de Parfum is more reminiscent of an evening beside an open fire than a cup of tea. Black tea leaves meet cardamom, cedarwood, and a hint of tobacco, creating a cosy scent without tipping into sweetness. One review said, “I wore this perfume for the first time this weekend and received compliment after compliment, with strangers asking me what perfume I was wearing”, while another called it “absolutely gorgeous” and a “Huge compliment getter!”
Le Labo Another 13 Eau de Parfum
Compliment rate: 20.19% (21 of 104 reviews). Clean, musky, and magnetic, Le Labo Another 13 Eau de Parfum has a distinctive “your skin but better” quality. Ambroxan and musk are layered with citrus and jasmine without becoming overly soapy. Unisex and long-lasting, it has become a firm favourite among those looking for something understated but distinctive. One reviewer said, “I get the most compliments from this than any other perfume and it lasts all day.”
Le Labo SANTAL 33 Eau de Parfum
Compliment rate: 20.00% (21 of 105 reviews). The fragrance world’s most imitated scent needs little introduction. Le Labo SANTAL 33 Eau de Parfum blends sandalwood, cardamom, and leather into a smoky, unisex fragrance with an instantly recognisable character. Its distinctive profile may help explain why it continues to attract attention.
BYREDO Animalique Eau de Parfum
Compliment rate: 18.71% (26 of 139 reviews). Skin-close and a little bit feral, in the best way, BYREDO Animalique Eau de Parfum leans into musk and orris root for a scent that feels intimate rather than announced. It is the kind of fragrance people notice when they lean in, rather than from across the room, giving it a quietly distinctive appeal.
Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette
Compliment rate: 18.52% (10 of 54 reviews). Rum, tobacco leaf, and vetiver make Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette smell like a smoky bar at midnight, in the most flattering way possible. Warm and slightly boozy, its distinctive character can be difficult to place at first sniff, making it an intriguing choice for those who want something less predictable.
BYREDO Mojave Ghost Absolu de Parfum
Compliment rate: 16.67% (9 of 54 reviews). This is the richer, more concentrated sibling of one of BYREDO’s most-loved scents. BYREDO Mojave Ghost Absolu de Parfum takes the original’s jasmine, sandalwood, and musk and turns the volume up, giving it a deeper, more lasting presence.
Kilian Angels’ Share Eau de Parfum
Compliment rate: 14.89% (14 of 94 reviews). Named after the portion of whisky that evaporates during barrel ageing, Kilian Angels’ Share Eau de Parfum is a warm, boozy gourmand built on cognac, oak, and tonka bean. It has an indulgent character and a premium price to match, while its rich, dessert-like profile makes it a distinctive choice for evening wear.
BYREDO Bal d’Afrique Eau de Parfum
Compliment rate: 14.57% (51 of 350 reviews). With more than 350 reviews, BYREDO Bal d’Afrique Eau de Parfum has a substantial body of customer feedback. African marigold, neroli, and violet meet vetiver for a fresh, floral fragrance with enough woody depth to feel grown-up. Its established appeal shows that a fragrance does not need to be new to remain popular.
Kilian Love, Don’t Be Shy Eau de Parfum
Compliment rate: 14.46% (36 of 249 reviews). Marshmallow, orange blossom, and vanilla make Kilian Love, Don’t Be Shy Eau de Parfum one of the sweetest scents on the list. With 249 reviews, it also has a substantial body of customer feedback. Soft, cosy, and slightly nostalgic, it has the comforting character of a familiar favourite.
Key brand standouts
The same names also appear repeatedly across the top 10. Le Labo accounts for three entries with THÉ NOIR 29, Another 13, and SANTAL 33, while BYREDO has three of its own with Animalique, Mojave Ghost Absolu, and Bal d’Afrique.
The results suggest reviewers return to a relatively small group of brands when it comes to fragrances that attract compliments, with several of the same names appearing across the rankings.