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The bottles of perfume in my possession are steadily growing. I think I’m in the double digits now. I wear them at bedtime, I test them out for work and I refresh my scent throughout the day. Plus, I sweat. A lot. And I am always trying to make sure I smell my best despite the persistent perspiration. All this to say that my compulsion cannot be curbed, so when a buzzy fragrance brand like Phlur enters the chat, I need to check it out.
Founded in 2015, Phlur explores every inch of the fragrance space, concocting everything from fruity floral numbers to woody citrus scents and anything in between. Though each scent smells wildly different from the other, they’re made to layer, so you can create new alluring elixirs. Many of the perfumes share one or more olfactory notes with one another. The interwoven element of complementary notes creates a sense of harmony within the entire line, while still allowing the notes to thrive on their own.
I’ve been seeing the brand trending on social media for several years now, always being alerted via ads that Vanilla Skin is out of stock *again* or that Strawberry Letter is a new fan fav. More recently, they’ve come up with another brilliant formula (ahem, Soft Spot), so I decided to take matters into my own hands and try out the entire line.
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How I Chose the Best Phlur Fragrances
While testing out each of the fragrances, I looked at the following:
Here is my personal ranking of 17 Phlur fragrances.
17. Phloria
A powdery, floral wonder, Phloria, has been with Phlur since 2022. The fragrance’s short, but mighty run is coming to an end, as the brand announced that it’s being discontinued. I personally enjoyed Phloria, as I’m keen on the strong notes of jasmine and bergamot, but these notes may be a bit too heady for the average user. If decadent floral fragrances with some fruity garden notes are up your alley, you might want to check it out before it’s discontinued. And lucky for you, all Phloria products—which include an eau de parfum, body wash and body lotion—are 50 percent off until stock runs out. RIP Phloria. We loved you while you lasted.
16. Soft Spot
Soft Spot is a woodsy, floral fragrance with a twinge of musk. It’s got lovely hints of powder and has a garden-y feel to it. That said, the newest member of the Phlur family may not be everyone’s cup of tea. The fragrance can seem a bit animalic with the addition of a musk base note and may be a hit or miss for some. Each time I breathe it in, it seems to smell a little different. Honestly, I had high hopes for this one, but after trying it a few times, I was a bit disappointed. I just wish it was a tad more consistent. I did discover that it’s more approachable when layered with something like Vanilla Skin to create a sweeter, well-rounded fragrance.
15. Solar Power
A bright, botanical fragrance, Solar Power will have you itching to get outside and bask in the sunshine. It’s fresh with some ambery florals that appear in the middle of its wear. I imagine most people would like Solar Power because it blends well into the skin and isn’t overpowering. It’s a bit more masculine than some of Phlur’s other offerings, so I decided to rank it a bit lower on the list because it might not be popular amongst Phlur's target audience, which seems to be edgy women in their 20s-30s. Sun-drenched and like breathing in a gulp of fresh air, Solar Power is the epitome of summertime radiance. I know I’ll be soaked in it all season long.
14. Not Your Baby
When you first apply Not Your Baby, it’s a muted, powdery floral fragrance. It’s a bit like taking a shower, then applying baby powder all over your skin. Earthy, milky and a tad spicy, Not Your Baby keeps the wearer on their toes. Vanilla notes in the base help to sweeten up the overall profile, but it stays sensual, and dare I say sexy, throughout the entire wear. Phlur’s description perfectly encapsulates it: A spicy floral that’s anything but innocent.
13. Somebody Wood
If Somebody Wood, I would. You probably would, too. This—you guessed it—woody fragrance is alluring and unique, taking a traditional fragrance profile and flipping it on its head. Notes of lemon, jasmine and vanilla add a sweeter tone to what would otherwise be a very masculine scent. This is a more approachable way to incorporate notes like sandalwood and cedarwood into your daily rotation. I traditionally associate those notes with candles, so I was worried I wouldn’t like it as a perfume, but I was pleasantly surprised by its easy-to-sniff qualities. It’s lowkey and not overpowering in the slightest. Because I personally don’t gravitate toward wood-heavy olfactory profiles, it’s ranked a bit lowerfor me, but knowing that many peopledoloveit putsSomebody Woodsquarelyin the middleof the list. Consider adding this gem to the cart if you’re that somebody.
12. Dragon Fruit
If you’re in the market for a fragrance that’s fresh, fruity and fun, look no further than Dragon Fruit. This slightly sweet, sunshiny concoction is breathy and relaxing. It would make for a wonderful everyday scent, though might be too heavy on the fruit for some users. Phlur was trying to take you straight to an island escape with this one. Imagine the sun shining while sipping yummy co*cktails out of a pineapple. That’s Dragon Fruit. She’s your cool AF bestie and will get drunk on the beach with you any day (smelling absolutely delicious, of course).
11. Amber Haze
Amber Haze was the Phlur fragrance that most surprised me. When I think of amber fragrances, I’m typically imagining something deep, sharp and sensual. This fuchsia bottle was an unexpected delight. It’s a caramelly amber scent with solid, yet unassuming floral undertones. The addition of vanilla gives it a bit of sweetness that I usually associate with gourmand fragrances, something that Phlur doesn’t do often. It’s easy to wear and reminds me of a milder version of Sol de Janeiro’s Cheriosa 62. Amber Haze is muted and sophisticated, perfect for a date night.
10. Tangerine Boy
Tangerine Boy is a solidly androgynous fragrance. With fruit notes like tangerine, apple and lemon, as well as spicier elements like black pepper and amber, the perfume is deeply refreshing. It has an uncanny ability to smell like a freshly peeled orange with its tangy rind. The fragrance takes me back to my childhood snack time days, when I’d eat messy fruits, juice dribbling down my fingers, pith stuck in my nails. It is heavy on the citrus despite its varied olfactive profile, but because Phlur alludes to this in the name, they get to keep their higher ranking. You’ve been warned citrus haters! For everyone else, add this to your cart ASAP.
9. Lost Cause
I gravitated toward Lost Cause throughout my Phlur testing because it felt very neutral and had a fresh cologne scent profile. It was powdery and tropical with a botanical dry down. The fragrance is soft and digestible and simply put, a safe option for almost anyone. I’d consider it a universally appealing perfume and wanted to make sure that it was closer the top of the list. If you’re looking for something that’ll make you feel invigorated, crisp and clean, this is the one to check out. It does skew a tad more masculine because of the inclusion of stronger, spicier olfactory notes like Italian bergamot and cassis leaves.
8. Father Figure
As with many of Phlur’s fragrances, Father Figure is a play on words. Fig is one of the most prominent olfactory notes in this slightly sweet, herby number. Light on the nose, Father Figure is definitely a hidden gem for the brand. It pulls from its floral notes for the duration of wear and reminds me of a wild garden, full of blooming buds and fresh fruit hanging from trees. The bluish-green bottle seems to be an ode to new bountiful harvests and earthly abundance. The fig note is apparent, but not always everyone’s vibe, so you might want to skip this one if you’re not a fan of the note in general, which is why this particular scent lands squarely in the middle of my list. Personally, I would take this one in both full and travel-sized options. It’s just that good.
7. Apricot Privée
Apricot Privée is like an elevated body spray from the 2000s. The fragrance is fruity and sweet with a dash of florals. Don’t be alarmed by the top notes. Though they pack a potent punch when first sprayed, things shiftand softenas those top notes dissipate, soithas more of a skin smell. It’s a malleable and unpredictable scent, but one that I adored.
6. Mood Ring
The thing that sold me on Mood Ring was the way Phlur advertised it to me. A striking fluorescent green bottle a la Charlie XCX’s ‘Brat,’ surrounded by gummy bears (because they’re a top note in the fragrances makeup.) Mood Ring is pure fun. A fragrance profile I’ve never seen tapped into before, this olfactive combination is equal parts fruity, sweet, ambery and floral. It’s a dizzying delight for your nose and makes you want to keep searching for the next note to appear. I might be partial to this one because I’m loving the color chartreuse right now, but it’s been incredibly successful with Phlur’s customer base, selling out more than once and marked as a best-seller on their site.
5. Strawberry Letter
A sensual and fresh ode to strawberries, this fragrance is full of notes like strawberry gariguette, apple blossom, tonka beans and red poppy. Incredibly wearable and bright, Strawberry Letter is perfect for the warmer months. What’s exciting about this strawberry iteration is that it’s not overly sweet. It digs into the earthier elements of the bush fruit, channeling some woody notes while staying crisp. When The Box Tops crooned these lyrics from “The Letter”: My baby, just a wrote me a letter, I don't care how much money I gotta spend, Got to get back to my baby again. They knew exactly what they were talking about. I can’t live without Strawberry Letter and neither should you.
4. Mango Mood
An intoxicating blend of mango and berries, Mango Mood is a well-rounded and full-bodied fragrance that smells a little bit like a fruit compote. It’s deep and sultry in a sweeter, floral-y sense. The addition of notes like pink pepper, wild orris, black lotus and jasmine sambac absolute, as well as vanilla, patchouli and brown sugar create a sensation for the nose that’s both heady yet refreshing. The mixing of stone fruit and berries is a combo I don’t see often in the beauty world and reminds me of Brigeo’s Mango and Cherry Balancing Shampoo (a product that I will always recommend). Mango Mood does something similar with its formula to create a captivating fragrance. It’s a body mist that I’ll be splashing on when I’m jonesing to enchant those around me. I feel like the masses will love this one, too.
3. Missing Person
Another massive hit for Phlur is Missing Person. Since debuting in 2022, the fragrance has become a viral sensation on TikTok because of its uncanny ability to mimic the scent of a person close to you. Lightly musky, animalic, with just a hint of fruity florals, this fragrance almost resembles the feeling of being wrapped in a hug by your mom. Ever so slightly powdery, Missing Person is very easy to wear. It blends into the skin in a way that feels like you’ve got nothing on, yet still making you smell lovely. Warm and familiar, Missing Person *isn’t* one to miss.
2. Moonstone
Moonstone, which shares a name with the iridescent white and blue gemstone, is totally magical. A floral fragrance with a sweet dry down, Moonstone was one of my favorites of the bunch. It’s alluring, mysterious and perfectly androgynous (with just a twinge of fruitiness). It was incredibly pleasant to smell and felt both bold and alluring at the same time. I’ll be reaching for this one all summer long—and apparently, I’m not the only one. The purple-bottled beauty is currently sold out in both the regular and travel size, so I’m keeping my eyes peeled for a restock.
1. Vanilla Skin
Vanilla Skin is a body mist that’s loved by the masses—and for good reason. It’s a well-rounded sweet and woody scent with a deep richness that can only be achieved by the perfect concoction of fragrance notes. I loved testing this particular scent out because it thrived on its own and made for a great layering fragrance. Lucky for you, dear reader, both the regular and travel size body mists are in stock right now, so get them while you can because they’re often sold out. Plus, the body mist has become such a cult-favorite that it’s made its way to an eau de parfum formula, meaning we’ll be smelling like Vanilla Skin a whole lot longer. 😍
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