The 5 best Dior perfumes of all time, by a beauty editor
Searching for the best Dior perfumes of all time? You’re in the right place, as we have whittled down our favorite fragrance finds from the House of Dior that’s notorious for its elegant, sophisticated blends. Crafted from the finest ingredients, these fragrances are complex, refined, and really do last the distance.
Founded in 1946, the House of Dior made its first foray into the fragrance field with Miss Dior. A green, chypre scent, this fragrance was designed to “leave a trail of desire in a woman’s wake”. While it continues to be a cult classic, the French Maison has gone on to launch many more of the most beloved, best perfumes for women, including Dior J’Adore and Dior Addict.
With a particular interest in floral fragrances, many of Christian Dior’s perfumes feature a bouquet of blooms. And here, we’ve included some of our favorites. But we’ve also selected other, less obvious choices that celebrate ingredients like vanilla and sea salt. Have a read, pick the fragrance that speaks to you, then go and smell it IRL – it may just be your new signature scent.
THE BEST DIOR PERFUMES OF ALL TIME
(Image credit: Dior)
Two Dior fragrances were vying for our number one spot: Miss Dior EDP and Dior J’Adore. Both timeless classics, each with their own distinctive perfume notes – we would happily crown both these bottles as #1. But when pushed to pick between the two, the newer Miss Dior EDP has the edge. It’s fresh, floral, and exudes femininity with its striking bouquet of delicate rose perfume, fresh lily-of-the-valley, powdery iris, and apricot-tinged peony accord. At its base, comforting musks, sweet vanilla and creamy sandalwood leave a lasting impression.
Housed in the instantly recognizable bottle, adorned with the Miss Dior bow, it reminds us of our late teens when we first ventured into the world of ‘adult’ fragrances and became acquainted with Miss Dior EDT. Sweet, without being sickly-sweet, this scent became a signature for many. But it’s the latest incarnation, Miss Dior EDP, that now has our heart, with its slightly more sophisticated take on florals that’s less sweet and more vibrant – leaving behind soft musk in its trail.
(Image credit: Dior)
Dior J’Adore is an iconic fragrance that continues to be one of the brand’s best-sellers and has done for over 20 years. One sniff, and you’ll understand why. An ode to Christian Dior’s love for florals, the carnal blend, which launched back in 1999, celebrates different flowers from around the world. There’s ylang-ylang and Damascus rose from Turkey, Indian jasmine sambac, and jasmine grandiflorum from Grasse, aka France’s fine fragrance mecca. Together, these blooms create a pillowy soft scent that’s classy and modern.
While this scent was too sophisticated for our teenage noses, it became a big hit later in life as our tastes matured. Now, we can fully appreciate the white floral and musky blend that’s laced with refreshing fruits (think peach, pear, bergamot and melon). It’s sharp, sweet, and soft – all at the same time – and will make the wearer feel polished and put together. The perfect scent for summer, we can imagine spritzing this onto a crisp white linen shirt, paired with tailored shorts. Tres chic!
(Image credit: Dior)
Addictive by name, addictive by nature – Dior Addict EDP is an intoxicating, seductive scent that will have you coming back for more (in our case, much more). Not for the faint-hearted, this fragrance demands to be noticed with its lingering blend of fresh mandarin leaf, floral jasmine sambac, and creamy bourbon vanilla. In fact, if you’re wondering which perfume lasts longest, this Dior number is a top contender that will stick around from dusk until dawn.
Bold, confident, comforting, and nostalgic – Addict is a scent we want to wear while out dancing. Well, truth be told, it’s a scent that we did wear out dancing, a lot, during our twenties. That’s not to say it’s limited to this age group – but we’d now likely reserve this fragrance for cocktails or parties. If you’re yet to smell this scent, we’d describe it as warm, comforting, and sweet with the stars of the show being vanilla, sandalwood and spice.
(Image credit: Dior)
Searching for the best vanilla perfume? Turn your nose to this gourmand fragrance from Dior. Inspired by Christian Dior’s favorite pastry, named the Diorama Gourmand, this scent smells good enough to eat (in the best way possible). It’s creamy, comforting, and oh so moreish with its luxurious blend of Madagascan vanilla, rich cocoa, and boozy rum. One sniff of this scent and you can imagine the type of dessert it’s inspired by – all flaky pastry, dark chocolate, and soft vanilla, with a slice of orange on top. Divine
And while many vanilla fragrances fall into the sugary sweet camp, conjuring up the aroma of freshly baked cookies, this vanilla perfume is far more refined. It smells rich, not sweet, and gets better as it evolves on the skin with a woodsy, spicy dry down. We are hooked and highly recommend saving this one for special occasions, like weddings or birthdays. Expect lots of “you smell amazing” compliments while wearing it.
(Image credit: Dior)
It may sound cliché, but this really is summer, bottled. Inspired by Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc (aka one of the world’s most exclusive and glamorous hotels), this scent is designed to conjure up the hotel’s lavish atmosphere and picturesque setting overlooking white clifftops and the Mediterranean Sea. An aquatic perfume, Dior perfumer-creator Francois Demachy called upon sea salt and mineral notes to mimic the scent of warm, salty air.
As it develops on the skin, you’ll start to notice a suntan lotion scent that’s thanks to jasmine and coconut. The dry down is green and a little herbaceous which is an ode to the hotel’s beautiful gardens. Overall, it’s an elegant fragrance that’s sunny yet chic and would also make one of the best men’s colognes. Every time we spritz this on, it instantly transports our senses (and mind) to Cote d’Azur. Simply close your eyes, breathe in the smell and imagine basking in the sunshine atop the cliffs, listening to the sounds of the turquoise blue sea below. Heaven!
