Perfumes Worth Investing In | The Zoe Report

A signature fragrance can be just as important as a favorite piece of jewelry or that goes-with-anything pair of shoes. With that being said, there are many fragrances on the market that, along with their sweet scent, come with an investment-sized price tag. So why are some perfumes so expensive? As a fragrance fiend, I was curious too, which led me to connect with perfumer and cofounder of Fragrance With Benefits, Olivia Jan.

According to Jan, who studied at the prestigious ISIPCA perfume school in Versailles, to begin to understand why some scents are more expensive than others, you should think of fragrance as a recipe: Some ingredients are going to cost more than others.

"The role of the ingredients in a fragrance is the same as in a recipe," Jan explains. "For example, if you use fresh truffles or portobello mushrooms, your raw material cost will differ."

While unexpected, this produce comparison makes a ton of sense: Truffles typically start at $250 a pound, while portobello mushrooms usually max out about $6. Ingredients in fragrances similarly vary in cost.

And while synthetic ingredients don't always equal inexpensive in the case of fragrance, in many cases, natural ingredients are going to be more costly. For example, Jan notes that using a natural rose essential oil will be more expensive than a synthetic imitation. It’s all dependent on the time and labor that goes into obtaining the specific ingredient.

"If we take jasmine as an example, the harvest is tricky," Jan explains. "The flowers need to be handpicked, flower by flower, before the sunrise to keep the freshness of the fragrance. This very labor-intensive part makes this very precious and expensive."

Orris butter, a natural essential oil with a "violetty, powdery" aroma, is also a time-consuming ingredient to produce. "It takes about three years for the roots to grow [and] they need to dry for three more years,” notes Jan.

"After this lengthy process, the root is extracted with a low yield. This all together makes this ingredient more expensive than gold."

The amount of oil in a fragrance also matters (a lot). As Jan explains, the price of a fragrance is directly connected to the concentration of perfume oils. "The more you concentrate something, the more it will cost," she shares.

For example, an eau de cologne is the least concentrated perfume with about a five to eight percent concentration. Then there are the eau de toilettes that Jan says typically have a concentration of 10 to 14 percent. Lastly, we have the coveted eau de parfum, which Jan says is "the most precious extract” with a concentration of 18 to 22 percent.

6 Perfumes That Are Worth Their Price

In sweetly scented summary, a perfume’s ingredients, the time and labor that goes into production, and its concentration are all contributing factors to its overall cost. Looking at a fragrance’s concentration (is it eau de cologne or eau de parfum?) as well as the ingredients list can clue you into whether a bottle is worth its price.

Below, see six fragrances that are so worth it, thanks to their premium ingredients and formulation.

TZR Shop is The Zoe Report’s shoppable guide to editor-approved buys in fashion, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle. We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

ByredoFlowerhead Eau de parfum 100 ml$270If you enjoy notes of jasmine and rose, this floral-inspired scent is made just for you. It features dewy tuberose, warm amber, and lush sambac flower for a fresh and airy floral fragrance.View productMaison Francis KurkdjianBaccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum 70ml$425,435Crafted with top notes of Egyptian jasmine and saffron, alongside middle notes of bitter almond from Morocco, cedarwood, and musky, woody accord, this stunning fragrance is as balanced as it is long-lasting. (You have that high concentration to thank for its staying power.)View productClive ChristianOriginal Collection No.1 Masculine 50ml$850Although this fragrance’s price may give you sticker shock, it proves its worth with an impressive 20 percent perfume concentration. It features potent notes of 50-year-old Indian sandalwood, powdery musk, and vetiver for a warm, grounded scent.View productTom FordBlack Orchid Eau de Parfum$180This iconic Tom Ford eau de parfum features gorgeous notes of black truffle, bergamot, black orchid, and black plum. A base note of patchouli adds to the complexity of this bold scent.View productORMAIE28° Eau de Parfum, 100 mL$270This summery scent is full of lemon, bergamot, and pink pepper. Orange blossom, tuberose, and jasmine sambac lend an air of luxury, while the base notes of sandalwood and vanilla adds creaminess and warmth.View productDiptyqueVetyverio Eau de Parfum, 75 mL$205For an androgynous, unisex scent, look to this fragrance from French-based parfumerie Diptyque. It blends fruity, fresh grapefruit with smoky vetiver responsibly sourced from Haiti for a complex, interesting scent that draws you right in.View product

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