Are you looking to have your own signature scent? Or do you want to try out a new one? Either way, we’ve got exactly what you need.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best perfumes not made in China on the market.
These perfumes were all sourced and made in places outside of China, like the United States, Europe, and more. This helps guarantee that you have a quality perfume with you made using safe and standard practices.
Smell good and feel good with our recommendations for the best perfumes not made in China.
1. No. 5 Perfume by Chanel
Rumor has it that the No. 5 Perfume by Chanel can trace its origins to 1921 when Coco Chanel asked Ernest Beaux to make a perfume that “smells like a woman, not a flower bed.â€
Now, whether or not that is true is not the point here. The point here is that if it was true, then Russian-born French perfumer delivered. The result? Arguably the most iconic and popular perfume of all time.
According to statistics, a No. 5 Perfume is sold every 30 seconds around the world. It’s endorsed and recommended by pretty much everybody. This includes celebrities like Celine Dion and Victoria Beckham, further adding to the sophisticated and classic image of this fragrance.
Nobody really knows what the secret is behind this fragrance. However, you could argue it’s because it’s made out of jasmine and May roses that are grown in Grasse, France.
Pros:
- Classic and iconic scent
- Stylish bottle
- Versatile
Cons:
- Perhaps too common
2. Tom Ford Noir
For the men out there, perhaps the best choice for perfume is the Tom Ford Noir.
Released just in 2021, the original Noir was quick to capture a huge chunk of the men’s fragrance market.
There’s a good reason for this. It was successfully able to capture the “outer person of the urban sophisticate†that men let the rest of the world see with the “intriguingly sensuous private man†that they had from others.
Unlike other men’s scents, the Noir doesn’t have an overpowering fragrance. It manages to give off a distinctive scent.
Yet, at the same time, it’s more subtle, thanks to its warm notes of Italian Bergamot, Black Pepper, and Patchouli, which they balance extremely well with other notes like Warm Vanilla, Amber, and Nutmeg.
If you’re looking for your first signature scent, it’s hard to go wrong with the Tom Ford Noir.
Pros:
- Not overpowering
- Scent lasts long
- Classy fragrance
Cons:
- Very common choice
3. Calvin Klein ck one Eau de Toilette
The CK One is one of the most popular fragrances of all time. It’s also an iconic scent that was the first to capture the need for a unisex perfume.
Launched in 1994, the scent sold roughly about $90 million a year in the 90s, largely due to how its citrus aromatic chypre fragrance was a good fit for both men, as well as women.
Today, the CK One remains a popular choice among both genders. It hasn’t changed much since, retaining its “bold and clean†and “one fragrance for all†scent.
If you’re looking for a daily scent for work and/or play, the CK One is a safe choice.
Pros:
- Unisex
- Affordable
- Light and pleasant scent
Cons:
- Packaging is not travel-friendly
4. Jo Malone Vetiver & Golden Vanilla Intense
Most perfumes have a rather similar smell. It’s not bad, but, you don’t exactly want to smell like everyone else.
So, if that’s the case for you, then you might want to take a look at the Jo Malone Vetiver & Golden Vanilla Intense.
It’s not cheap. It’s not the most expensive perfume either, but it definitely is not as affordable as others.
For the little extra that you pay, you’re rewarded with a warm and sensual scent that opens with a very citrusy combination of grapefruit tea and cardamom that’s washed over by woody vetiver and topped off by a hint of vanilla bourbon.
It’s a playful mix of fragrances that creates an exotic concoction that works extremely well for both genders.
The scent is quite strong and will linger for a while. In fact, it will stay close to your skin or pretty much an entire day, if not longer.
Pros:
- Warm and sensual scent
- Works for both genders
- Long-lasting
- Easy to layer with other Jo Malone scents
Cons:
- Expensive
5. Le Labo Santal 33
The Le Labo Santal 33 is what would happen if those old Marlboro ads with men wearing cowboy hats were turned into a perfume.
It’s a classic and manly scent. Yet, at the same time, it’s not overpowering and woody fragrance makes it a good fit even for women who traditionally prefer something more feminine.
The intoxicating mix of leather, spicy, and musky notes makes this unisex perfume a good choice.
The unique packaging is also quite the stand-out, and as a bonus, the scent is available in other forms. This includes everything from shower gels to lotions, soaps, and more, allowing you to further lock in the scent and make yourself smell how you would like to for days on end.
Pros:
- Unique packaging
- Alluring scent
- Handmade
Cons:
- Not cheap
6. Byredo Gypsy Water
Based on a fascination with Romany’s preferred nomadic lifestyle, the Gypsy Water evokes a feeling of exploration and freedom with scents akin to that of a deep and luscious forest with smoky campfires that create a fragrance that’s soft and woody yet with hints of spiciness to it.
While this scent is often recommended to women, it’s actually just as good of a fit for men as well.
Its versatile fragrance makes it a good fit for both morning and evening use, making it a good choice for a daily scent.
The fragrance can last for an entire day if not longer and it’s available in a smaller, more travel-friendly size for that quick top-up just before a meeting or going out for lunch with a client or special someone.
Pros:
- Ideal for everyday use
- Fragrance lasts an entire day
- Unique scent
Cons:
- Pricey
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter what kind of notes you want to hit or what kind of fragrances you prefer.
As long as you’re looking for the best perfumes not made in China, you’re sure to make the right choice with our recommendations.