“Out of the hundreds of perfumes I own, this one gets me the most compliments by far”

While my make-up skills may be questionable and my hairstyling capabilities are below par, if there’s one thing I do know, it’s fragrances. I’ve been dousing myself in perfumes since before I was allowed to wear lipstick, and as such, I’ve developed a passion for scent. It will then come as no surprise that my perfume collection is vast (it’s definitely in the hundreds, but I’m too scared to actually count).

For many years, I wore a signature scent (Tom Ford’s Velvet Orchid Eau de Parfum, in case you were wondering), but now there are too many heavenly smells to choose from, so I swap them daily depending on my mood. If I want something cosy and comforting, I go for Maison Margiela’s Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette. If it’s date night, I’ll spray Fenty’s alluring and intriguing Eau de Parfum Fragrance. Picking my scent is almost algorithmic to me. 

I may sound indecisive, but it’s also the only way I’ll ever make a dent in my fragrance wardrobe before they turn bad. Champagne problems, I know. 

As my perfume changes daily, I notice when people compliment me on how I smell or enquire about which fragrance I’m wearing. While I haven’t started an actual notes document tallying my findings (it’s on my to-do list), there’s one fragrance that trumps them all when it comes to compliments: Kilian Paris’s Fièvre Verte Eau de Parfum. 

Kilian Paris Fièvre Verte Eau de Parfum

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While many Kilian fragrances have risen to fame (Love Don’t Be Shy was Rihanna’s go-to for years), Fièvre Verte has refreshingly stayed under the radar, but I think it’s time for it to get the hype it deserves. There are no perfumes like it in my collection, and it’s the perfect blend of a fresh yet woody fragrance.

Inspired by absinthe (yes, you read that right), this liquor features a blend of fresh patchouli, smooth vetiver and warm sandalwood, as well as comforting vanilla and liquorice, which gives it a slightly medicinal twist. It’s slightly bitter but without the kick that usually makes my nose twitch, and it manages to last all day on my skin.

I’ve lost count of how many people have complimented me on how nice I smell while wearing this, and people have chased me afterwards for a link to where to buy it. I’m yet to find a smell that comes close to it; it’s truly unique. So, if you’re into warm, dark and green fragrances, add this to your wish list.