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Best Phlur perfumes and scents 2024 (tried and tested)
The brand has been all over #PerfumeTok, so we had to see if it was worth the hype
If you're a frequent #PerfumeTok viewer, you're bound to have come across Phlur. The perfume brand basically broke the internet when it launched 'Missing Person' back in 2022 and they've not stopped since; from the powdery floral 'Not Your Baby' to their most recent launch 'Strawberry Letter', Phlur have not missed the mark yet.
As a perfume-obsessive, I've noticed Phlur slowly taking over my fragrance collection, which is pretty unheard of for such a new internet-famous brand. Yup, they have produced hit after hit. Did we mention the aesthetically pleasing packaging? It's like a scented rainbow of joy.
It took a while, but you can now buy Phlur's extensive perfume offering in the UK (our bank accounts are shaking). And good timing too, as recently it seems like Phlur has been launching fragrances left, right and centre. As you can probably tell from the mile-long waitlists, these fragrances sell out speedily, so this brand is not one to sleep on. You snooze, you lose.
We wanted to see what all the fuss was about and thought it was about time we put our noses to the test to decipher which bottles from the bunch were really worthy of being included in our scent wardrobe.
After many spritzes, these are the Phlur perfumes that are worth the hype.
Best Phlur perfumes and scents
Arguably the brand's signature scent, Missing Person exploded on TikTok for making people...cry. Yep, that's right. It sold out within hours when it first launched and even racked up a 200,000-person wait list for restocks. If bottling up your feelings could literally be bottled, it would be this.
It may not be the first "skin scent" that's come across our desks but this certainly started a revival of the perfume trend. The skin-mimicking notes of musk and blonde wood smell like a loved one's t-shirt, which is exactly why it was causing all the waterworks on social media.
I didn't love this at first but it grew on me as I wore it. It's subtle, yet comforting and warm without being overly powdery. It might not be the longest-lasting fragrance out there, but there's something fresh yet nostalgic about this one. Think 'your natural smell but better' vibes.
Fragrance family: Floral musk
Top notes: Skin Musk, Bergamot Nectar, Sheer Jasmine
Heart notes: Fresh Cyclamen, Neroli Blossom, Orange Flower
Base notes: Sandalwood Australia Oil, Blonde Wood, White Musk
For those who love a masculine scent, this crisp and woody cocktail has to be your pick from the brand. I usually detest figs in fragrance (I know, don't come for me) but this is my exception. Don't let the fresh top notes of waterlily and fig fool you, this dries down to a rich 'clean' scent. Think of a freshly-showered man in a suit – this is him bottled. Makes total sense, right?
Unlike most fragrances in the 'green' family, this is earthly – think freshly mowed grass – without being powdery. It's musky but a bit gentler than the overpowering oud options out there, which is why it's my personal fave out of the lineup.
Fragrance family: Green
Top notes: Waterlily, lush fig, cassis buds
Heart notes: Orris root, iris flower, jasmine dew
Base notes: Skin musks, vanilla Madagascar, patchouli leaf, sandalwood
Out of the entire collection, this is the fragrance I've heard the least about and I'm not sure why. I've done a lot of scrolling on TikTok and I'm genuinely surprised that no one's spotted this is a Tom Ford Eau De Soleil Blanc dupe.
It's a super creamy 'white floral' that smells like you've been soaking in the sun on holiday – AKA, summer in a bottle. If you're a lover of vanilla (who isn't?) this needs to be added to your fragrance collection, ASAP.
Fragrance family: Floral
Top notes: Bergamot, lemon, wet geens, cyclamen
Heart notes: Golden gardenia, jasmine, tuberose
Base notes: Vanilla, skin musk, sandalwood, ambrox, cedarwood
Looking to be transported to a luxury cabin in the woods, complete with a log-burning fire? Spritz this on for size. If you're a fan of Maison Margiela's 'By The Fireplace', you're gonna love this.
This scent is all wood and contains a hint of smokiness, without leaving you smelling like an ashtray. The vanilla musk and amber notes add warmth to this – it's the fragrance equivalent of putting on a cosy woolly jumper – making it the perfect winter fragrance.
Fragrance family: Spicy wood
Top notes: Bergamot, lemon
Heart notes: Jasmine, saffron, cyclamen
Base notes: Sandalwood, vanilla musk, amber, moss, cedarwood
Inspired by the glow of sunlight, this fresh floral literally smells like salty skin after a dip in the Mediterranean Sea.
It might start off as your standard floral, thanks to notes of bergamot and jasmine, but it quickly settles into a musky skin scent. If you like Missing Person but want something a bit more potent with a summery twist, you'll love this.
Fragrance family: Floral
Top notes: Italian red mandarin, bergamot and jasmine absolute
Heart notes: Neroli and orange flower
Base notes: Driftwood, musk and sea salt
I thought I'd left fruity fragrances in my teens, but Phlur's Mood Ring has proven me wrong. Don't be scared off by the 'fruit gummies' notes, the sugariness is paired with mature amber and musk to make this one sophisticated scent.
It's not at all sickly and dries down to a very tasteful nostalgic sweet escape. I'm not sure how they've made happiness a smell, but it's impossible to be sad when smelling this one. Think of this as a classy fruit pastry, instead of a packet of gummy bears (no shade to Haribo).
Fragrance family: Fruity
Top notes: Pitaya pulp, orange, fruit gummies
Heart notes: Orange flower, jasmine sambac, marigold bloom
Base notes: Patchouli, glazed musks, amber
Citrus spice and all things nice, this reminds me of Tom Ford's vintage masculine zesty scents that transport you onto a boat sailing the Amalfi coast. Talk about picturesque.
Upon first spritz, this is seriously citrusy – like you've just stepped out of an orange orchard kind of citrusy. However, once settled, the amber and moss notes come into play to leave you with all the warm spicy good stuff. If a scent could be a temperature, this one would be scalding hot.
Fragrance family: Citrus spice
Top notes: Lemon, ginger, black pepper
Heart notes: Apple, tangerine, jasmine petal
Base notes: Amber, moss
Not to go too Destiny's Child on you, but I almost lost my breath smelling this one – it's that complex. I assumed this would be your standard food-inspired gourmand scent that's been all over TikTok lately (and for a good reason), but boy, did I presume wrong.
Immediately I can smell the juicy plum and fruity apricot notes, but it quickly deepens into something darker, thanks to the sandalwood and tonka bean elements. It's delicious. Somehow, it's flirty, sexy and yummy all at the same time – save this one for your next date night (thank me later).
Fragrance family: Woody fruit
Top notes: Apricot, plum, cardamom
Heart notes: Jasmine absolute, peony
Base notes: Agarwood, tonka beans, sandalwood, labdanum
Looking for something a little less sexy than Apricot Privee and after something more sweet? Strawberry Letter is for you.
Yes, it's packed with juicy fruits like plum, strawberry (obvs) and apple blossom but this fresh innocence doesn't make it any less grown up. In fact, it has me questioning why we ever ditched fruity fragrances in the first place. Once dried down, this gets a lot richer and earthy.
Fragrance family: Fresh citrus and fruits
Top notes: Cassis leaves, plum nectar and strawberry gariguette
Heart notes: Wild lily, red poppy and apple blossom
Base notes: Earthy woods, tonka bean and sugared amber
This is another on the more masculine end of the scent spectrum. Unlike Father Figure, Lost Cause is on the zestier side, thanks to notes of Italian Bergamot and cassis leaves.
It's less musky and instead smells like fresh sea air bottled. After some wear, the more floral orris and orchid base notes really come to life. So, if you're looking for a floral scent with a bit more oomph, this is your fighter fragrance.
Fragrance family: Fresh, woody, floral
Top notes: Italian bergamot, cassis leaves, crisp apple, rhubarb
Heart notes: Freesia, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley
Base notes: Maté absolute, orris concrete, Vanilla orchid
Upon first sniff, this smelt soapy and girlie to me but I quickly saw where it got its rebellious statement name from. To echo Johnny Castle, "Nobody puts baby in the corner".
It transforms from your standard pleasant floral into something a bit more firey and spicy, thanks to the gingery cardamom and bergamot top notes. If you love a slightly fresh powdery floral with a bit of a kick to it, this is going to be right up your street.
Fragrance family: Spicy floral
Top notes: Cardamom, bergamot
Heart notes: Mimosa, violet
Base notes: Vanilla milk, sandalwood, tonka beans
This candle couldn't be any sexier. If you're looking to flood your home with a waft of wintery oud, look no further.
With roasted chestnut, vetiver and wild birch, this brings all the moodiness without being so overly smokey that it smells like Bonfire Night 2.0. Think of a cosy night in, snuggling a cashmere blanket whilst sipping on a whisky – that's this.
I will say that this didn't smell quite as strong as I'd have hoped once it was lit – which might be an advantage to those who don't like a candle to be too overpowering – but the dark and stormy scent is yummy enough to rival some of the more expensive brands out there.
Fragrance family: Woody Gourmand
Top notes: Golden amber, cocoa, wild birch
Heart notes: Vanilla, roasted chestnut, cedarwood
Base notes: Peru balsam, smoky vetiver, tonka bean
Charlotte Bitmead (she/her) is the Senior Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. She has over six years experience writing about beauty and has previously written for ELLE and The Sunday Times Style, covering everything from politics to sustainability to inclusivity within the beauty industry. When she’s not writing in-depth features, testing out the newest skincare fad or trying to decide what nail art to get, you can find her overspending in bookshops or shouting at Arsenal matches. Find her on LinkedIn
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