Confirmed: These Perfumes Will Get You an Abundance of Compliments, Like “You Smell Expensive”

This wouldn't be a smokey perfume round-up without an oud, and our favourite that marries deep, woody intensity with a gourmand café note to soften the edges is Oudgasm Café Oud by Kayali.

As its name suggests, this fragrance is rich yet warm and creamy, making it intriguing, sensuous, and surprisingly wearable. It's the perfect pick for anyone who wants a smokey fragrance that feels luxurious without being too heavy or intimidating.

Nothing says depth, sensuality, and lived-in richness more than a smokey leather scent. Case in point: Malin + Goetz's Leather fragrance.

Smokey scents can feel intense, but this pick is a quiet luxury standout thanks to its refined blend of soft leather, smoked woods, and subtle spice. Unlike harsher leather scents, it's smooth, wearable, and ideal for anyone who wants a smokey, sophisticated scent that equally works for daytime chic or evening edge.

Instead of leaning on heavy leather or incense alone, Thé Noir 29 centres around smokey black tea and vetiver, which gives a natural, toasted depth that feels warm and refined rather than aggressive. Hints of fig, bergamot, and cedar balance out the smoke with fresh, slightly sweet, and woody facets, creating a sophisticated, intimate scent that lingers like a well-curated signature.

To sum it up, it's dark, dry, and bitter with a punchy performance, in the best way possible!

Zara fragrances are the GOAT, not only for their affordability but also for their scent longevity! And taking the gold medal for the best smokey standout has to be Ebony Wood. Its blend of smokey woods, deep amber, and subtle spices creates a scent that feels grown-up, mysterious, and deeply comforting. And while it nods to classic smokey notes like vetiver and ebony, it stays approachable and versatile, making it perfect for everyday wear.

Smokey perfumes can be bold and intense, but PHLUR's Vanilla Smoke strikes the perfect balance between cosy and charred. The vanilla brings creamy warmth and approachability, while the smokey accords add a soft, smouldering edge that keeps it from feeling sugary or simple. It's like your favourite candle got a chic, wearable twist!

When it comes to smokey perfumes, citrus isn't usually the first note that comes to mind; however, Orange Smoke by Dries Van Noten adds a fresh, unexpected twist to the genre.

Its radiant citrus opening of mandarin, neroli, and petitgrain gives brightness up front, while incense woven into the heart adds that mineral-smoke depth you want in a smokey scent. At the base, you'll find warm notes of myrrh and musk, which, together, create a fragrance that's both luminous and mysterious. Overall, the notes blend effortlessly, making for an unexpected yet delicious pairing!

During the winter months, there's a 100 per cent chance you'll catch a whiff of By the Fireplace on a colleague, friend or stranger's skin—after all, it is one of the most popular fragrances on the market! And that's because it's the epitome of cozy nights spent by the fire (and no, I promise it doesn't smell like straight-up campfire smoke).

Clove oil, guaiac wood oil, and cashmere are at the heart of the earthy woody scent, while the addition of roasted chestnuts and vanilla adds just a tinge of smokiness and an extra layer of warmth.

Tom Ford's Cherry Smoke layers juicy black cherry with smouldering woods and leather, creating a scent that is bold, indulgent, and unmistakably addictive. The sweetness never tips into sugary territory but instead, is wrapped in a smokey haze that adds depth, drama, and serious staying power.

It's the kind of fragrance that turns heads, lingers long after you've left the room, and makes smelling rich feel effortless.