Tom Ford is unquestionably one of my all-time favorite perfume companies. The aromas are enticing, the bottles are uber fashionable, the fragrance names are simply too wonderful (Fucking Fabulous, anyone?), and the sensation after spritzing one on is peak bougie.
But I also perfectly understand that the greatest perfumes from my favorite brand are really expensive, and getting to a Sephora or Nordstrom to try them all on before purchasing isn't always possible.
As a result, I worked hard to try every Tom Ford perfume on my skin, solicit feedback from coworkers and acquaintances, and compile a comprehensive list of my favorites. Here are my top choices:
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum
- Keynotes: Tobacco leaf, vanilla, spicy notes, cacao, tonka bean
- Size: 0.33, 1, 1.7, 3.4 oz
For me, Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille will always be the greatest aroma in the house. It consistently ranks high on "best of" lists because it is so warm and comforting without being cloying or plastic-y. The spicy tobacco notes are particularly prominent, giving this a smokey essence reminiscent of sitting in a cigar-filled jazz bar in the 1980s. However, when it dries on my skin, vanilla undertones emerge, muting the perfume slightly and making it much softer and sweeter.
Tom Ford Myrrhe Mystere Eau de Parfum
- Keynotes: Myrrhe, sandalwood, vanilla, leather, musk
- Size: 1, 1.7 oz
When I stepped into the office wearing this perfume as I began this test, Cosmo's deputy editor Madeleine Frank Reeves complimented me on how good I smelt and inquired what I was wearing, immediately elevating Myrrhe Mystere to the top of my list. This spicy scent is quite engulfing, making me feel warm and cozy the moment I spritz it on. Myrrh dominates, but as it dries, I detect layers of warm vanilla and musk, sandalwood, and leather. Currently, every one of my winter coats smells like this since I can't stop spraying it before I leave the house.
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Eau de Parfum
- Keynotes: Coconut, pink pepper, pistachio, amber, bergamot, jasmine
- Size: 0.33, 1, 1.7, 3.4 oz
If I'm on the beach, I'm probably covered with Soleil Blanc. This is the ultimate summertime scent, and once applied to my skin, it lasts all day (even after a day of swimming and consuming hot margaritas). My nose immediately detects creamy coconut and citrusy bergamot notes, but as it lays on my skin, I also notice warm pistachio, amber, and brilliant jasmine notes. It's definitely strong, but in a refreshing sense, not excessively sweet or cloying.
FYI: I always bring the Mini Shimmering Body Oil in this smell with me on vacation. It lasts long, gives my skin a glow, and I believe it works just as well as perfume.
Tom Ford Rose Prick Eau de Parfum
- Key notes: Rose, Sichuan pepper, turmeric, patchouli, tonka bean
- Size: 0.33, 1, 1.7, 3.4 oz
I'll be the first to confess that I didn't expect to enjoy this because I normally dislike rose perfumes (more on that below with Cafe Rose). But Rose Prick is the freshest, lightest rose aroma I've ever encountered—period. It's really mild, and I barely detect any powderiness. Instead, I pick up on the hot Sichuan pepper, turmeric, and the herbal.
There is a patchouli note. It's more medicinal—like a rosewater skin mist—than my grandmother's rose perfume (sorry, grandmother).
Tom Ford Bitter Peach Eau De Parfum
- Keynotes: Peach, blood orange, rum, vanilla, sandalwood
- Size: 0.33, 1, 1.7, 3.4 oz
Don't get it twisted: this delicious, pleasant scent is anything but "bitter". It's a very fresh yet drunken take on a fruity scent, thanks to a lot of peach and blood orange combined with rum, cognac, vanilla, and sandalwood. It's perhaps the most unusual of the Tom Ford perfumes I've tried. It feels like a more adult version of a peach body spray you'd spritz on your yoga pants and zip-up hoodie before heading to the theater to catch the new Hunger Games—but with a little more alcohol and woodsiness than straight fruit.