The 9 best Diptyque perfumes that are timeless, chic and sophisticated
Our in-depth reviews of the best Diptyque perfumes will help you choose your perfect luxurious scent from the famous Parisian fragrance house
Those in search of a luxurious and niche signature scent have no doubt stumbled across the best Diptyque perfumes. After all, the Parisian perfumery has a long history of curating iconic blends that are beloved all over the world. Between us, the woman&home beauty team has – meaning we practically know this fragrant line-up inside out.
Starting out as a bazaar in 1961, Diptyque forayed into fragrance a few years later with the launch of its first Eau de Toilette, L’Eau (which you can still buy today). Today, the brand plays home to complex and recognisable long-lasting perfumes, and some of the best perfumes for women in general. It's truly one for fragrance lovers who want something unique yet timeless.
Housed in the iconic oval bottles, each Diptyque scent has its own story. Take Orphéon, for example. It's a fragrant reimagining of the very Jazz bar the brand's three founders used to frequent together, just down the street from where the Parisian boutique first opened its doors. Others are inspired by the founders travels all over the world.
As far as we're concerned, Diptyque is the pinnacle of French chic and together (and individually, in some cases) they are an impressive collection. So, if you're struggling to choose a scent from this iconic brand, we're here to help narrow things down with in-depth reviews on nine of our favourites, spanning various olfactory families – from fresh perfumes to spicy scents.
The 9 best Diptyque perfumes to shop now, reviewed by our beauty team
RRP: £170 for 75ml | Notes: Rose, tuberose, musk | Available in: Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, solid perfume
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Aleesha Badkar
Nose-catching and intoxicating, Do Son is a fragrance that is inspired by one of the founders’ experiences of childhood summers spent in the picturesque Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. It also happens to be one of Kate Moss' favourite scents. Tuberose really takes centre stage in this fragrance, a sweet and floral affair, and it's married with orange blossom and jasmine on an amberwood base.
Even though it's fresh and delicate, it can still be detected on the skin later in the day, making it one of the best floral fragrances – and one to consider as a wedding day perfume. It's also available in both EDP and solid fragrance form, which are both good options to make a perfume last longer, too.
Who should wear this? Anyone who likes floral fragrances
RRP: £170 for 175ml (EDP) | Notes: Juniper berries, jasmine, tonka bean | Available in: Eau de parfum, solid perfume
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Naomi Jamieson, Aleesha Badkar
Lucy: I absolutely love woody fragrances, so this particular unisex fragrance from Diptyque is unsurprisingly one of my favourites. Despite this, I would say that it is also a scent for people who don’t like what you might refer to as "traditionally" woody perfumes. Along with the classic cedar at the heart of this fragrance, Orphéon has the sweet added depth of tonka bean and a little jasmine. Thanks to these richer notes, I found it lasted well on the skin, too.
Naomi: Diptyque's Orphéon is hands down one of my favourite scents of all time. It's enchanting and so timeless, reminiscent of clear evening skies. It's fresh and warm, all at once, which I think makes it ideal for year-round wear.
Who should wear this? Anyone who loves scents with a smokiness to them
RRP: £145 for 100ml | Notes: Orange blossom, juniper berry, patchouli | Available in: Eau de Toilette
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen & Aleesha Badkar
Lucy: Overall, I'd describe Eau des Sens as a mouthwatering scent thanks to the orange blossom, bitter orange and juniper berries. I definitely found it to be quite sweet at first, though warming patchouli also comes out in the dry-down, and it’s extremely wearable.
Preference-wise, I wouldn’t recommend it to those looking for something rich, opulent, woody and spicy – look to scents like Tam Dao or Eau Nabati instead for this kind of fragrance. But if you like fruity and citrus perfumes that sparkle, you'll love it.
Who should wear this? Anyone who prefers fresh, fruity perfumes to anything too intense
RRP: £170 for 75ml (EDP) | Notes: Fig leaf, green notes, fig tree | Available in: Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, solid perfume
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen & Aleesha Badkar
Lucy: If I had to give you a visual metaphor for the Philosykos fragrance, it would be picking a ripe, juicy fig straight from the tree and cutting into it. There’s an instant freshness that comes with the first spray, reminding me of cut grass, before settling into a sweet, green, woody and figgy concoction on the skin.
Fig is, in fact, the main note in one of the best Diptyque candles (which Victoria Beckham is reportedly a fan of), so if you like the Figuier candle, this perfume will be right up your street, too. It's easy to see why this is one of the most popular scents from the brand.
Who should wear this? Anyone looking for a fresh signature scent that works year-round
RRP: £170 for 75ml (EDP) | Notes: Bergamot, rose, patchouli | Available in: Eau de Parfum, solid perfume
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
I would describe Eau Capitale as being like the city of Paris, bottled; hazy, velvety and sophisticated. This is a classic chypre fragrance and a strong choice for those who like perfumes with patchouli in particular.
Its chypre status means that it's a little punchy, opening with zingy bergamot and pink pepper before wearing down to an earthy floral, down to the rose and patchouli at the heart of this scent. It has decent staying power, and I have been complimented many a time when wearing this fragrance.
Who should wear this? Anyone who wants people to notice and ask which fragrance they're wearing
RRP: £145 for 100ml | Notes: White musk, mimosa, blonde woods | Available in: Eau de Toilette
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Aleesha Badkar, Naomi Jamieson
Lucy: All white musk and blonde woods, this is an extremely light woody floral scent that has just a touch of sweetness. As an Eau de Toilette, L’Eau Papier is understandably lighter than its Eau de Parfum counterparts, but it also doesn't have a particularly high sillage or project that far – so, in theory, other people won’t be able to smell it on you unless they're standing fairly close. I still rate it very highly however, especially if you like the idea of a "skin scent" for day-to-day.
That said, it's a firm favourite of Digital Beauty Writer Naomi's, who says she finds it to be surprisingly long-lasting for the concentration: "Despite it being an Eau de Toilette, I would also count it among one of the best long-lasting scents, as it really clings to your clothes and hair," she says.
Who should wear this? Anyone who dislikes intense or strong perfumes, and/or who wants something layerable
RRP: £170 for 75ml (EDP) | Notes: Cypress, sandalwood, amber | Available in: Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Aleesha Badkar
Lucy: With a spicy opening, Tam Dao is all comforting sandalwood, cypress and cedar, combining for a fragrant and woody affair. I tested the Eau de Parfum, which settles down to a warm, incense-like base, though this scent is also available in Eau de Toilette for those who want it in a lighter form.
I'd go as far as to say that Tam Dao has this relaxing, almost cosy quality to it, which lasts well throughout the day. It also has a nice sillage and gives off a real air of sophistication, thanks to that signature depth.
Who should wear this? Anyone who's looking to change their scent for a comforting winter perfume
RRP: £170 for 75ml (EDP) | Notes: Pink pepper, Turkish rose, musk | Available in: Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Aleesha Badkar, Naomi Jamieson
Lucy: Fleur de Peau opens with an almost fizzy quality thanks to the fruity and floral notes of iris, pear and ambrette, extracted from hibiscus flowers. It has a slight sweetness to it, never too sickly, and there’s also something very comforting about it.
Better yet, this is no light floral fragrance that’s gone within the hour, as I found that it has an impressive staying power on the skin – the musky and almost creamy base was still very much detectable hours later. If you like flowery fragrances that have a bit more complexity to them than purely floral notes, try this.
We were also delighted when Diptyque released this in Eau de Toilette recently. As expected, it's lighter than the EDP but still with that same dreamy, distinctive powderiness. It mingles iris, magnolia and musk for a softer, more airy take, which some may prefer to the more intensive original.
Who should wear this? Anyone who likes floral fragrances but finds they're often flimsy and short-lived (this isn't)
RRP: £238 for 75ml | Notes: Bergamot, petitgrain, balsam | Available in: Eau de Parfum
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
Eau Nabati is a more recent addition to the Diptyque Paris brand; this gorgeous scent is both rich and opulent, but not too heavy, thanks to the fresh and green notes, which balance it out. Warming ambery notes are paired with the citrusy freshness of bergamot and petitgrain, conjuring a stroll through a warm and fragrant garden on a balmy evening.
This fragrance is undoubtedly luxurious, something that is also reflected in its higher price tag – but I'm sure you'll deem it worth it if amber fragrances are one of your favourite olfactory families.
Who should wear this? Anyone who wants to splash out on a really special, long-lasting perfume that not everyone will be wearing
🚨 Also consider
While the above guide features our experts' top overall favourite nine, the team as a whole has tested nearly the whole Diptyque collection, and there are a couple more scents that deserve a mention...
- Ilio: A returning summer favourite of both former Beauty eCommerce Editor, Aleesha, and Digital Beauty Writer, Naomi, this newer addition to the Diptyque collection is like a sunny afternoon at a chic Riviera beach club in a bottle. "I'm a sucker for anything that has that signature expensive Mediterranean creamy, floral, citrus smell," Aleesha says. "The powdery, floral opening followed by the hit of citrus and touch of fig is my favourite for summer. I'll still always love the orange sensation that is Eau de Sens for sunny days, but this chic spritz is my go-to for fancy summer occasions."
- Geranium Odorata: woman&home's Homes eCommerce Editor – and our in-house Master Perfumer - Laura Honey, spritzed this underrated number on her way through Duty Free, proclaiming: "It was so gorgeous! It’s really fresh and full of zest at the start, but it dries a bit sweet and mellow, like vanilla. It lasted ages, especially for how citrussy it smelt at first. So nice."
How we tested the best Diptyque perfumes
Selection of the best Diptuque perfumes tested for this guide
To write the most thorough possible guide to the best Diptyque perfumes, we tested and re-tested a broad range of scents from the French fragrance house, including long-time best sellers and newer releases.
We also spritzed a broad range of different fragrances from various olfactory families, to ensure our final edit covered a variety of scents to suit different preferences. During the testing process, she took all of the following factors into account.
- Olfactory family and notes
- How it smelled initially
- How it wore in the hours after application
- How long it lasted on the skin
- Projection
- Sillage
- If it felt particularly suited one season, or year-round wear
- Price
When comparing fragrances from different brands as part of our fragrance guides, we would usually take packaging into account, too. But of course, the best Diptyque perfumes are all housed in beautifully illustrated oval bottles, so didn't sway us much between fragrances. However, it still deserves a mention as it contributes to their luxurious feel and reflects the brand's artistic roots.
Diptyue's Eau Nabati, Ilio and Eau Capitale perfumes
How to choose the best Diptyque perfume for you
Fragrance is arguably the most subjective of all beauty purchases, as everybody has different preferences in the kinds of perfumes they like to wear. That said, we can give you some starting points to help you find the best Diptyque perfume for you, alongside our in-depth reviews above.
- Consider your favourite perfumes: If you know you prefer certain kinds of scents, consider this before you begin browsing. Knowing the olfactory families you are drawn to will give you a starting place with Diptyque. You might have a favourite from another perfume house, like a Dior perfume, Tom Ford perfume or Jo Malone perfume that is a useful reference. Keep in mind the sort of notes you like, whether that's musky, floral or fruity.
- Intensity: As well as composition, consider how intense you like your perfume to be. This will influence whether you opt for Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette or a solid perfume. Eau de Cologne and Eau de Toilette are weaker concentrations, and therefore tend to be cheaper, while Eaux and Extraits de Parfum are more intense, and therefore pricier.
- Visit a Diptyque counter or boutique: Fragrance advisers have a wealth of knowledge about perfume generally, plus know their brand's fragrances inside out. Tell them a bit about what you want from your new fragrance and the kinds of scents you're usually drawn to and they'll suggest a few different options that should suit you.
- Do a wear test: Once you like a perfume you've sprayed on a blotter, then be sure to test it on your own skin. Fragrances can smell completely different wearer to wearer, so it's the best way to see if you truly like how it wears on you.
Your burning Diptyque perfume questions, answered
What's the best-selling Diptyque perfume?
While Diptyque does not disclose which of its fragrances is the overall best-seller, Do Son, Philosykos, Eau des Sens, Orphéon and Fleur de Peau are all listed as some of the most popular options on its website.
What's Diptyque's signature scent?
It’s difficult to choose just one scent that perfectly captures the brand, though the best-sellers are all very recognisably "Diptyque". Strong contenders would be Philosykos, Do Son and Orphéon, while L’Eau, L’Autre, and L’Eau Trois are the brand’s three oldest fragrances, having launched in 1968, 1973, and 1975, respectively.
What's the longest-lasting Diptyque perfume?
Perfumes with richer notes, such as Tam Dao, Eau Capitale or Eau Nabati from Diptyque, for example, tend to last longer on the skin than lighter blends. Eaux de Parfum will also last longer than Eaux de Toilette, as the former is a higher concentration of perfume ingredients. But, of course, the very best way to see which is the longest-lasting Diptyque perfume for you is to try a few in person, so that you can see how long they last on your skin.
What's the difference between Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum and solid perfume?
You may have noticed that for each Diptyque perfume on this list, we noted its form, whether that was an Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum or a solid perfume. Some scents are available in one or the other, while others are available in all three. This is useful to take note of as it indicates how intense the scent is, how long it lasts and the price.
Eaux de Toilette are a lighter type of fragrance and normally contain between 5 and 15% perfume oil, meaning the initial payoff is quite light and will only last for around four or six hours before you might want to top up again.
Eaux de Parfum, on the other hand, is heavier on the perfume oil, making up between 10 and 20% of the formulation. As a result, these linger for longer on the skin and will stay with you for eight hours, possibly even more.
Lastly, solid perfumes are often more intense still, as the concentration is even higher. With a solid perfume, you don’t need to apply much, but as they have a waxy consistency, the scent is confined to the area you’ve applied it to, where a spritzer reaches further or envelops you in a cloud of scent.
What's the difference between top notes, heart notes and base notes in perfume?
Fragrances are usually comprised of three "layers" of notes: top notes, heart notes (or middle notes) and base notes. Top notes are the first bit of the fragrance that hits you when you first apply it. They tend to be quite light notes, and won’t stick around for very long.
Heart notes come afterwards and will become more noticeable as the fragrance dries into the skin. They’ll outlast the top notes and will be sniffable for a good hour or so.
After that, comes the base notes which are the most intense part of the fragrance, once it's dried down and you've worn it for around an hour or so. These tend to be things like amber, musks and woods. You’ll notice these when the top and heart notes have faded away.
