I love fragrances, and I’m not sure what I love most about them – the bottles themselves or the liquids within them. I’ve been guilty of buying a perfume I didn’t love just to see the pretty bottle on my vanity.
When I was 10 years old, Santa left me a red-patent leather backpack under the tree. Inside was the tiniest bottle of Lancôme Trésor. 
It was, no doubt, from a gift-with-purchase bag that I’m sure my mother had gotten when she bought her signature Mars lipstick. But it made no difference to me – I was immediately hooked, not on the scent exactly, but on the ritual of perfume: how the scent could evoke a mood, how the glass bottle was like jewelry for your vanity, how something so small and attainable could be so luxurious. I fell in love with not just the scents, but the bottles they came in. In fact, many of the scents I’ve bought over the years are because I loved the way the bottles looked. I’m positive that my passion for perfume is what helped pave my way to design school. Here are a few of my current favorite bottles, and scents:
Everything Tom Ford does is a lesson in luxury. His scents are gorgeous, especially the Private Blends collection.
D.S. & Durga is a new line. I haven’t tried their scents yet but I’m into their rustic and natural looking packaging.
While I’ve never owned this scent (it never worked for me) I’ve always been in love with the bottle. Such a clever design, and so beautiful as well.
Hermes doesn’t do wrong when it comes to design, and their perfumes bottles are no exception. I love them all, especially this new scent with its matte white top and heavy glass bottom.
Byredo has beautiful scents and beautifully minimal packaging. Leave it to the Swedish to create something so striking!
Jo Malone is another minimal-chic line, but the bottles have edges that make them look like cut crystal. So chic. I love Red Roses, especially how the liquid has a paler-than-pale blush hue.
Frederic Malle scents have such a sexy look. My favorite scent from this line is L’eau d’Hiver.
The Bond No. 9 ‘Scents of New York’ don’t actually smell like New York – that would be terrible. Instead they are artistic interpretations of many of the city’s famous places. I don’t love all the scents, but Chinatown is definitely a favorite. I love the unique shape of the bottles as well.
Prada Infusion d’Iris is my all-time favorite. I’ve been wearing it religiously for 4 years. And I love the clean, simple and striking bottle with it’s textured cap and slightly green-tinted liquid. I almost love the EDP frosted bottle better, but the parfum scent in the clear bottle is my go-to.
What are your favorite scents? Or bottles? Or both?
