It is no secret that Tom Ford perfumes and Tom Ford clothing have conquered the fashion world over the past decade and a half.
Thomas Carlyle Ford has achieved it all. One of the most famous American fashion designers and one of the biggest design names of the 21st century, he is associated with luxury, bold and controversial advertising and, most importantly, exclusivity.
The story is the same with Tom Ford perfumes. Tom Ford fragrances are among the most sought-after and most loved perfumes in the world.
The secret? Quality ingredients, a consistent and recognisable bottle design and the right marketing. With his clothing, too, Tom Ford has always played the card of sexual fantasy, or rather, provocation and desire.
He has even dressed Daniel Craig in his James Bond films. Can it get any cooler? We don't think so.
You simply can't go wrong with Tom Ford fragrances. Since we have always tried to keep this blog personal and down to earth, we will say it honestly: in our view, the Tom Ford brand is to today's fragrance world what Chanel was in the 20th century.
In this in-depth article dedicated to Tom Ford you will find:
- The top 10 list: choices for men, women and unisex
- The history of the Tom Ford brand and its perfumes
- The Tom Ford fragrance collection
- How to choose a Tom Ford perfume
- How to wear perfume
- The different fragrance families
In addition to the obvious candidates, we have included a few hidden Tom Ford gems that often go unnoticed. Read on to find out why you should join Tom Ford's exclusive club.
The top 10 list: choices for men, women and unisex
From a brand that makes such big and bold creative decisions, it is hard to pick just 10 fragrances and call them the best.
Tom Ford has rarely disappointed us, and after thoroughly testing numerous Tom Ford fragrances, here are our 10 best, which everyone should try.
10. Tom Ford – Soleil Blanc
Brand description: Tom Ford Soleil Blanc is an addictive, sunny floral-amber perfume accented with coco de mer. Bursting with seductive cardamom and refreshingly decadent ylang-ylang, the scent exudes endless sunshine and luxury.
Who will like Soleil Blanc: anyone looking for a high-quality fragrance that is the ideal companion for a summer holiday.
The fresh, floral scent is reminiscent of sunscreen, with tuberose at its heart.
This sensual, sunny fragrance captures the essence of the whole summer, with its lazy beach days and cocktail evenings, and bottles it. Genius.
Perfumer: Nathalie Gracia-Cetto
Concentration: EDP
Fragrance type: sweet floral
Release year: 2016
Dominant notes: coconut, ylang-ylang and tuberose
Target group: unisex
Age group: 18+
Seasons: spring and summer
Occasions: leisure, holidays
Longevity: moderate, with moderate sillage
Compliments: many
Likeability: high
Uniqueness: 4/5
Value for money: 8/10
Accords: sweet, white floral, oriental
9. Tom Ford – Métallique
Brand description: Forged with an elegant sheen, Tom Ford Métallique captivates its admirers with a pulsing flash of modern, resolute femininity: willful, radiant and in full bloom. A shining suit of armour woven from addictive aldehydes surrounds a heart of sensual white flowers like a metallic Venus.
Like an armoured, embroidered dress, a metallic shell of airy aldehydes opens the fragrance like a second skin; the clash of crisp green bergamot and pink pepper makes the first impression even more captivating.
Beneath this cool surface unfolds Métallique's floral heart, where delicate hawthorn and lily of the valley meet the intoxicating nectar of heliotrope.
An aura of ambrette seed brings warmth, together with woody shades of Peru balsam. The soft scent of vanilla and creamy sandalwood creates an addictive, contrasting finish that underlines the metallic character even more.
Who will like Métallique: an oriental fragrance dominated by vanilla, with an aldehydic twist. Aldehydes became popular thanks to Chanel No. 5 and create an airy, skin-close "second skin" effect.
Brimming with elegance, refinement and strength, Métallique appeals to modern women who want something unique yet wearable as an everyday scent.
With its transparent yet lasting character, it suits women who want to make a pleasant but distinctive first impression.
Concentration: EDP
Fragrance type: floral aldehydic
Release year: 2019
Dominant notes: aldehydes, vanilla and ambrette
Target group: women
Age group: 30+
Seasons: spring, autumn and winter
Occasions: leisure, work, evenings out
Longevity: moderate, with moderate sillage
Compliments: average
Likeability: average
Uniqueness: 4/5
Value for money: 8/10
Accords: aldehydic, oriental, powdery
8. Tom Ford – Grey Vetiver
Brand description: With its elegant and refined heart of natural vetiver, masterfully blended with sunny citrus, rich spices and precious woods, Tom Ford Grey Vetiver EDP captures the essence of charismatic and provocative masculinity.
Who will like Grey Vetiver: this is one of the best vetiver-based fragrances on the market, if not the best.
It suits any setting and can be worn all year round as a signature scent. Spice-enriched grapefruit slowly gives way to a masculine, modern base of vetiver and oakmoss.
A professionally elegant vetiver that never turns sweet or youthful. Pleasantly minimalist, strict and versatile, it is a great fragrance for the workplace, with excellent longevity and sillage.
Perfumer: Harry Frémont
Concentration: EDP
Fragrance type: woody citrus
Release year: 2009
Dominant notes: grapefruit, vetiver and oakmoss
Target group: men
Age group: 30+
Seasons: all seasons
Occasions: leisure and work
Longevity: very good, with moderate sillage
Compliments: average
Likeability: average
Uniqueness: 4/5
Value for money: 9/10
Accords: citrus, woody, aromatic
7. Tom Ford – Lost Cherry
Brand description: The caramelised sparkle of exotic black cherry and liqueur, touched by tempting almond, gives way to a blend of Turkish rose and jasmine sambac that captures all the senses. This rich perfume is pure fantasy.
Like a juicy fruit waiting to be eaten, Tom Ford Lost Cherry is powerful and mouthwatering. Notes of cherry liqueur and bitter almond flow into its heart and give it a candy-like sheen.
Who will like Lost Cherry: the name says almost everything. The bittersweet opening of cherry and bitter almond turns into a warm and rich base of vanilla and liqueur.
The fragrance is not as long-lasting as some other Tom Ford scents, but for as long as it lasts, it is one of the most beautiful club fragrances you can wear today.
To our noses it is more feminine than masculine and very addictive, one of the most interesting and intriguing scents we have sniffed lately. Use it carefully and wisely.
Perfumer: Louise Turner
Concentration: EDP
Fragrance type: fruity oriental
Release year: 2018
Dominant notes: sour cherry, bitter almond and liqueur
Target group: unisex
Age group: 18+
Seasons: autumn and winter
Occasions: leisure and evenings out
Longevity: moderate, with moderate sillage
Compliments: many
Likeability: high
Uniqueness: 5/5
Value for money: 9/10
Accords: fruity, sweet, oriental
6. Tom Ford – Neroli Portofino
Brand description: For Tom Ford, this fragrance perfectly expresses the cool breeze of the Italian Riviera, its sparkling clear water and lush greenery. A reimagining of the classic eau de cologne, it features crisp citrus oils, surprising floral notes and an ambery undertone that leave a bright yet substantial impression.
Who will like Neroli Portofino: it is a version of classic colognes such as Colonia and 4711, with Tom Ford quality. Neroli, musk and citrus bloom together here.
One spritz of Neroli Portofino instantly takes us back to a summer holiday by the Adriatic Sea, to a light and carefree life.
There is something truly special about a perfume like this. A fresh and clean scent that makes you smile every time.
Perfumer: Rodrigo Flores-Roux
Concentration: EDP
Fragrance type: citrus floral
Release year: 2011
Dominant notes: orange blossom, bergamot and neroli
Target group: unisex
Age group: 25+
Seasons: spring and summer
Occasions: leisure and evenings out
Longevity: moderate, with moderate sillage
Compliments: few
Likeability: average
Uniqueness: 3/5
Value for money: 8/10
Accords: aromatic, green, floral
5. Tom Ford – Costa Azzurra
Brand description: Costa Azzurra captures a feeling of light sensuality and a pure, unhindered escape. The invigorating aroma of sea air, fresh aromatic notes, evergreens and citrus sets the mood and melts into deeper woody notes: a crisp blend of cypress, oak and aromatic herbs.
Who will like Costa Azzurra: the new edition of Costa Azzurra is one of the best fragrance surprises we have experienced in recent years.
Forget the notes: this is how a proper summer fragrance is made. Juicy citrus on top, delicate woody notes in the heart and a salty, smoky accord at the base.
If we had to compare Costa Azzurra to other fragrances, it would be a blend of Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò Profumo and Tom Ford for Men, but better made.
The new Signature version of this fragrance is essentially the same as the old, now discontinued Private Blend edition. You can find Tom Ford Signature Costa Azzurra EDP 100 ml in the ESSENSA online shop, so get ready for the summer of your life. Also read our more detailed review: Tom Ford Costa Azzurra 2021: Mediterranean charm in relief.
Perfumer: Yann Vasnier
Concentration: EDP
Fragrance type: aquatic citrus
Release year: 2014 (Signature version 2021)
Dominant notes: driftwood, lemon and seaweed
Target group: unisex
Age group: 20+
Seasons: spring and summer
Occasions: any situation
Longevity: good, with moderate sillage
Compliments: many
Likeability: high
Uniqueness: 4/5
Value for money: 10/10
Accords: aromatic, woody, aquatic
4. Tom Ford – Black Orchid
Brand description: Tom Ford Black Orchid EDP is a luxurious and sensual fragrance made up of rich dark accords and a tempting blend of black orchids and spices, at once modern and timeless. Bottled in black glass, Black Orchid is a statement of iconic style and global glamour.
Who will like Black Orchid: Black Orchid is unlike any other fragrance and is instantly recognisable to fragrance lovers.
It leaves an impression, good or bad. In our opinion, Black Orchid is one of the best women's fragrances of all time.
It is made for the elegant and stylish woman who keeps her life firmly under control and is not afraid to make hard decisions.
Chocolate, truffle, patchouli and orchid make a fantastic combination, without the scent resembling a typical designer perfume.
This superlative fragrance is not for everyone and does not have to be. Soft, powerful and one of those "boss" fragrances that are worth discovering and enjoying. If the orchid is your flower, also read our review of Black Orchid Reserve.
Perfumers: David Apel and Pierre Négrin
Concentration: EDP
Fragrance type: oriental floral
Release year: 2006
Dominant notes: dark chocolate, truffle and patchouli
Target group: women
Age group: 25+
Seasons: autumn and winter
Occasions: work and evening
Longevity: very good, with moderate sillage
Compliments: many
Likeability: high
Uniqueness: 5/5
Value for money: 10/10
Accords: spicy, floral, oriental
3. Tom Ford – Oud Wood
Brand description: a composition of exotic smoky woods (rare oud, sandalwood, rosewood), oriental spices and sensual amber that brings out the rich and persuasive power of oudwood.
Smoky, incense-filled temples and a passion for rare, precious oudwood inspired Tom Ford's pioneering composition of exotic woods and spices. "Oud Wood envelops you in rare oud, exotic spices and cardamom, then reveals its rich and dark sensuality." – Tom Ford
Who will like Oud Wood: Tom Ford Oud Wood is probably the most popular Tom Ford perfume of all time and a representative of the Western oud genre, which was hugely popular in the 2010s.
The main reason Oud Wood has kept its popularity is that it is not a true oud fragrance, but rather the impression of a sacred wood.
Cardamom and tamed oud run through the whole of this wonderful and addictive composition, complemented by romantic vanilla and Brazilian rosewood and resting on creamy sandalwood.
Oud Wood is best worn as a signature scent on cooler spring and autumn days and milder winter days.
Perfumer: Richard Herpin
Concentration: EDP
Fragrance type: woody spicy
Release year: 2007
Dominant notes: cardamom, sandalwood and oud
Target group: unisex
Age group: 20+
Seasons: autumn and winter
Occasions: work and evenings out
Longevity: good, with moderate sillage
Compliments: many
Likeability: high
Uniqueness: 4/5
Value for money: 10/10
Accords: woody, spicy, aromatic
2. Tom Ford – Tobacco Vanille
Brand description: Tom Ford reimagined the classic tobacco scent, adding creamy tonka beans, vanilla, cocoa, accords of dried fruit and sweet wood sap to create a modern, rich and heady impression of confidence and power.
"Tobacco Vanille is opulent, warm and iconic. It evokes an English gentlemen's club and leaves a powerful impression as it blends with rich spices, vanilla and tobacco flower." – Tom Ford
Who will like Tobacco Vanille: Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille is a unique and revolutionary vanilla fragrance, unlike anything you have come across before.
The rich bourbon vanilla takes your breath away. Warm, with just the right amount of sweetness. The tobacco is not the typical green or cigarette-smoke kind, but more like pipe tobacco, which gives the fragrance a rich, full, sweet and aged character.
It is the number one perfume for Christmas and the winter holidays, almost over the top in its effect. What amazed us most was this scent's ability to transport us to a Christmas market: vanilla-rich pastries, mulled wine and an overall feeling of warmth.
Perfumer: Olivier Gillotin
Concentration: EDP
Fragrance type: spicy oriental
Release year: 2007
Dominant notes: tobacco, vanilla and spices
Target group: unisex
Age group: 20+
Seasons: autumn and winter
Occasions: romantic moments, club nights, evenings out
Longevity: very good, with moderate sillage
Compliments: many
Likeability: high
Uniqueness: 5/5
Value for money: 10/10
Accords: oriental, sweet, woody
1. Tom Ford – Ombré Leather
Brand description: the tangible sensuality of rich black leather, accented by addictive patchouli and vetiver, wraps around you like a second skin. Floral jasmine sambac tones bring out the beauty of the wild desert, while layers of amber and moss evoke sun-warmed stone and sand.
"Ombré Leather is a deeply textured fragrance that leaves an impression of tangible sensuality. It makes you feel different, beautiful and desirable." – Tom Ford
Who will like Ombré Leather: listen up. We know there is no Tuscan Leather on this list, and we all know that Tom Ford Tuscan Leather is probably the best fragrance Tom Ford has ever released. But here is the explanation.
We believe Ombré Leather is the best marketing decision Tom Ford has ever made. First, the Private Blend Ombré Leather 16 (2016) was very close to Tuscan Leather and at the same price. It was discontinued, and in 2018 the fragrance was brought back in a new form as a more affordable scent in the Signature line. You can find Tom Ford Ombré Leather EDP 100 ml in the ESSENSA online shop; we wrote about it in more detail in the article Tom Ford Ombré Leather: a luxurious leather fragrance that captures the heart.
Perfumer: Sonia Constant
Concentration: EDP
Fragrance type: leathery spicy
Release year: 2018
Dominant notes: leather, cardamom and amber
Target group: unisex
Age group: 20+
Seasons: autumn and winter
Occasions: work and evenings out
Longevity: exceptionally long, with moderate sillage
Compliments: many
Likeability: high
Uniqueness: 5/5
Value for money: 10/10
Accords: leathery, ambery, spicy
The history of the Tom Ford brand and its perfumes
Tom Ford is an American luxury fashion house founded in 2005 by fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford.
In addition to perfumes, the brand also offers cosmetics, footwear, ready-to-wear and made-to-measure clothing, and other products.
Thomas Carlyle Ford was born on 27 August 1961 in Austin, Texas. He studied art history at Bard College at Simon's Rock and New York University, but dropped out of both to focus on acting in television commercials.
In 1986 he graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York with a degree in interior architecture.
Ford's breakthrough came in the 1980s and 1990s: he worked as a designer at Perry Ellis and then as chief designer of women's ready-to-wear at Gucci, until he was named creative director of the same brand in 1994.
In the early 1990s Ford worked at Gucci mainly behind the scenes, and his contribution was mostly overshadowed by Dawn Mello, who was the public face of Gucci in those years.
Ford's years as Gucci's creative director are remembered as the time when the brand regained its lost glory. By 1999, when Gucci Group acquired Yves Saint Laurent, the company was worth more than 4 billion dollars.
As creative director of Yves Saint Laurent (1999–2004), Ford won several Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) awards, introduced a host of new styles and pulled the classic fashion house back into the mainstream.
Ford also took part creatively in the making of several famous fragrances, which are praised to this day as some of the best ever released. They have since been discontinued:
– Gucci Pour Homme
– Gucci Envy for Men
– Gucci Rush for Men
– Yves Saint Laurent M7
– Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Pour Homme
Tom Ford left Gucci Group in 2004 and in 2005 founded his own brand together with his business partner Domenico De Sole. In the same year a partnership was signed with Estée Lauder to create Tom Ford Beauty cosmetics and fragrances.
Ford also announced a partnership with Marcolin Group to produce and distribute eyeglass frames and sunglasses.
The first Tom Ford boutique opened in 2007 in New York at 845 Madison Avenue. In September 2010, Ford presented his brand's women's ready-to-wear collection, with guests including Beyoncé, Julianne Moore and Lauren Hutton.
Tom Ford Black Orchid was the first fragrance released under the Tom Ford Beauty name, in 2006. It is a rich blend of truffle, orchid, patchouli and dark chocolate.
Praised by women and men around the world, the fragrance is ranked in quality alongside Chanel No. 5 and Guerlain Shalimar.
In 2007 Tom Ford launched the Private Blend fragrance collection, which focuses on niche perfumery: bolder and more complex fragrances at a higher price.
Tom Ford has described Private Blend as his "personal fragrance laboratory" and has suggested that layering two or more fragrances is encouraged in order to create your own unique scent.
The three most popular fragrances in this line are:
– Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
– Tom Ford Tuscan Leather
– Tom Ford Oud Wood
In 2023, Estée Lauder Companies acquired the entire Tom Ford brand; the fashion line is produced under licence by the Ermenegildo Zegna Group. Tom Ford himself stepped down as creative director at the same time.
Ford has described "the Tom Ford customer" as an international, cultured, well-travelled person with disposable income.
The celebrities Ford has dressed include Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Hanks, Johnny Depp and Ryan Gosling.
Tom Ford has also directed the films "A Single Man" and "Nocturnal Animals".
The Tom Ford fragrance collection
Tom Ford perfumes are divided into two collections: the more creative and more expensive Private Blend and the more affordable but still distinctive Signature Collection.
In this in-depth guide we also cover the sub-collections of these two lines, to make it easier to choose which Tom Ford fragrance journey you want to experience.
The price range varies widely depending on which line and bottle size you choose.
Does more expensive always mean better? Not always: even our number one pick comes from the Signature line.
Remember that you can wear whatever you like, no matter what the perfume's label says. Put simply, it is just marketing. Whether you are a man or a woman, you can wear any fragrance on this list.
We don't think any other fragrance brand has gone as far with unisex fragrances as Tom Ford. One more reason to try them. To read more about unisex fragrances, see the article Fragrances that don't ask gender: is the time for unisex perfumes?
Let's take a closer look at the Tom Ford fragrance range.
The Private Blend collection
Tom Ford introduced the Private Blend line in 2007 with the words: "Here I have the opportunity to create very special, original fragrances that are not limited by the traditions of mainstream fragrance making."
Earlier fragrances in the line include:
– Oud Wood
– Noir de Noir
– Tobacco Vanille
– Tuscan Leather
– Amber Absolute
– Velvet Gardenia
– Black Violet
– Purple Patchouli
– Bois Rouge
– Moss Breches
– Neroli Portofino
– Japon Noir
This unisex line is also meant for layering with one another, to create your own special scent profile.
Private Blend comes at a high price and is aimed at fragrance connoisseurs and anyone who wants to experience true niche perfumery. It surprises and opens your eyes to what is possible in modern perfumery.
Fragrance lovers, actors, musicians and people from many other fields praise the Private Blend fragrances: they simply work.
Quality ingredients, exclusivity, complexity, bold ideas and much more. There is something here for everyone.
Even better, this range can be found in many good perfumeries. Many of the fragrances focus on one main note, such as leather or vanilla.
Oud Wood, Tuscan Leather and Tobacco Vanille are widely recognised as some of the best fragrances ever released.
The Signature collection
The fragrances in the Signature Collection bring Tom Ford's luxury to a wider audience and are more accessible in price.
This does not mean that these fragrances are of lower quality or not worth seeking out. They simply sit in the price range of designer fragrances, to compete with other big perfume brands such as Dior and Hermès.
The compositions are dense, perfectly balanced and give far more for their price than you might expect. If you are only just getting to know the brand, we recommend starting with this collection to get an idea of where to go next.
Tom Ford's first fragrance was Black Orchid, released in 2006, and it belongs to the Signature line. According to its creation story, a grower was asked to breed the darkest flowers possible, to which black truffle, ylang-ylang, bergamot and vanilla were then added.
To this day Black Orchid remains one of the peaks of modern women's perfume. To read more about Tom Ford fragrances for women, see the article Tom Ford perfumes: a guide for women.
Highlights of Private Blend
The Private Blend fragrances that have generated the most talk include:
– Bitter Peach
– Lost Cherry
– Rose Prick
– F*cking Fabulous
No, you are not imagining it. It is a play on words.
Noir
The Noir sub-collection of the Signature line includes several seductive fragrances, such as Noir Eau de Parfum, Noir Extreme, Noir Pour Femme and Noir Anthracite. They suit evenings, glamorous parties and business attire.
Noir EDP is dark, woody and floral, while Noir Extreme is sweet and spicy. Anthracite is smoky and exotic in character.
Oud
Spicy and woody Oud Wood is Tom Ford's most popular fragrance and has its own line within Private Blend. Fragrances in this line include Oud Minérale, whose woody composition is watery, and Tobacco Oud, the boldest, focusing on dark tobacco and oud. Oud Fleur is different: it contains floral blooms and focuses on rose.
Portofino
Intended above all for summer, holidays and those good times when you want to recall the most carefree part of the year.
Neroli Portofino, Neroli Portofino Acqua and Fleur de Portofino are made of citrus, herbs and light musks to make your day sunny and bright.
How to choose a Tom Ford perfume
Tom Ford has released more than 100 fragrances, and choosing the one that suits you best can be confusing.
Here are our tips for narrowing down the choice:
- Think about how much you want to spend.
- On a smaller budget, start with the Signature line, for example Noir EDP.
- On a bigger budget, start with Private Blend, for example Tobacco Vanille.
- Interested in woody fragrances? Try the fragrances of the Oud line and Grey Vetiver.
- Interested in fresh fragrances? Try Costa Azzurra and the Neroli Portofino line.
- Love floral perfumes? Your best choices are Rose Prick and Black Orchid.
Don't stop exploring, and enjoy the wonderful aroma of each fragrance. None of them is boring, and each brings something new.
How to wear Tom Ford perfumes
At first glance, perfume may seem like just scented alcohol that you spray on and that's it. Yet there are subtleties to wearing perfume correctly.
If you have ever wondered why your perfume lasts only an hour or two, the reason may be that you are wearing it wrong. Here are some of our favourite tips for wearing your favourite perfumes.
1. Choose the right concentration
Once you have found your favourite perfume, one of the most important things is to choose the right concentration and learn about fragrance strengths.
Concentration shows the proportion of fragrance oils in the perfume. It varies from perfume to perfume and, together with other factors, affects how the fragrance is perceived, its longevity and its sillage.
All fragrance products fall into one of the following main categories (longevity is approximate):
| Product | Proportion of fragrance oils | Approximate longevity |
|---|---|---|
| Eau Fraîche | 1–3% | up to 1 hour |
| After Shave / Mist | 2–4% | 1–3 hours |
| Eau de Cologne | 2–4% | 1–3 hours |
| Eau de Toilette | 5–15% | 3–8 hours |
| Eau de Parfum | 15–20% | 6–12 hours |
| Parfum | 20–40% | 12–24 hours |
The choice is made easier by the fact that most perfumes come as either Eau de Toilette (EDT) or Eau de Parfum (EDP). We write about concentrations in more detail in the article Understanding perfume concentrations.
2. Find the right fragrance for the season and occasion
Another important point before buying a perfume is to choose a fragrance for specific occasions and seasons.
This depends largely on your lifestyle, your workplace and which part of the world you live in. A daytime fragrance is usually lighter, citrusy, sparkling and less long-lasting. We usually associate such fragrances with spring and summer.
Evening fragrances, on the other hand, are stronger and denser, with "heavier" notes. They are usually associated with autumn and winter.
3. Always spray fragrance on clean skin
The best way to wear perfume is directly on the skin. Perfumes are designed to react to our skin and body heat.
That is why we do not recommend testing fragrances only on blotter strips, which do not give a true picture. The warmest parts of the body give the best results, and here are six recommended places to spray perfume:
- the wrists
- behind the ears
- the neck
- the base of the throat
- the chest
- the inner elbows
4. Less is more
You have found your favourite perfume and you enjoy it to the fullest. Spraying generously, you are surrounded by the most beautiful cloud of scent. You are happy :)
But one day you notice that the cloud has shrunk so much that you can barely smell your perfume, and you start wondering whether the perfume has gone off or what might be wrong.
If this has happened to you, don't worry: you are not alone with this problem. Many people spray too much perfume and their sense of smell gets used to the scent. The solution is to limit yourself to 2–4 sprays.
5. Moisturise dry skin
As is well known, oilier skin holds fragrance better than dry skin. That is why it is a good idea to apply an unscented cream to your pulse points and the rest of your body before applying perfume.
A small amount is enough, and moisturiser is best applied after a shower.
The different fragrance families
Fragrance families are a classification system used by the perfume industry to divide fragrances into groups.
Over the centuries these families have changed along with technology, and the fragrance wheel has also been redesigned several times. Knowing the fragrance families helps you narrow down your choice of favourite perfumes and tell fragrances apart.
Fragrance notes and accords
Put simply, notes are the ingredients of a perfume, and accords are "fantasy notes" created from several notes to produce one clear scent impression that could not be recreated any other way.
Examples of accords are leather, amber and marine notes, while examples of notes are bergamot, rose and vanilla. Although this may sound simple, there are a few other things to consider.
Perfumes consist of several notes and accords made from a blend of natural and synthetic ingredients to form an overall scent profile.
These notes and accords are divided into three groups known as the fragrance pyramid:
– top notes
– heart notes
– base notes
Each stage of the pyramid is carefully thought out, because ingredients evaporate at different rates.
For example, top notes such as citrus evaporate faster than sandalwood and agarwood, which sit in the heart or base of the perfume.
In modern perfumery, accords are important for blending two or more notes into a harmonious and distinctive scent.
Although this process is more complicated than it may seem, it is always good to know how your perfume is put together and when you can expect more natural than synthetic ingredients.
In short, the terms "notes" and "accords" are often used in marketing to explain what the consumer can specifically expect from a given perfume.
Next, we introduce the four main fragrance families:
Floral
Floral fragrances can be built around either a single flower (soliflore) or a bouquet of flowers. Nature has given perfumers a wealth of ingredients thanks to the many different flowers around the world.
As classic and old as the citrus (fresh) family, the floral family leans more towards the feminine side. Recently, however, several floral fragrances, such as Black Orchid, have proved that men can wear florals and smell great.
Oriental
The oriental fragrance family is equally popular with men and women. Oriental fragrances have dominated the fragrance market in the 21st century and have no intention of retreating any time soon.
Rich spices such as vanilla, cinnamon and clove, and balsamic resins such as benzoin, myrrh, frankincense and amber, are just a few of the prominent notes of this broad family.
Oriental perfumes often have gourmand ("edible") notes. This family is therefore often sweet, dense, sensual and powdery, and inspired by Eastern cultures.
Woody
The woody family leans more towards men and usually consists of a warm and rich composition. If you are a fan of forests, sawdust, earth and dry scents, this family may be just for you.
Woody perfumes fall into three main categories, but there are many more variations, because this fragrance family overlaps most often with others, combining fresh and resinous notes.
Woody perfumes are also often long-lasting, suit different seasons and, thanks to their warm heart, are increasingly unisex.
Fresh
The fresh family appeals to the widest audience and leans equally towards the masculine and the feminine. Perfumes have never been as accessible as they are now, and fresh fragrances have dominated the market since the early 1990s.
Of all the fragrance families discussed, the fresh family includes the most subcategories, because fresh notes go together with others like bread and butter.
They are easy to wear, often airy and simple fragrances. Fresh perfumes can be worn in any season and on most occasions.
Fresh fragrances often include sparkling fruits, aromatic herbs, lighter woods and musk.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to the most popular questions about Tom Ford perfumes and the brand.
Which Tom Ford perfume is the best?
In our opinion, the best Tom Ford perfume is Tom Ford Ombré Leather. It is a leathery, spicy fragrance released in 2018, whose most prominent notes are cardamom, leather and jasmine. A powerful unisex fragrance that is ideal for the evening.
Is Tom Ford a luxury brand?
Yes. Tom Ford is a luxury fashion house founded in 2005 by the American fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford. Its range includes ready-to-wear and made-to-measure clothing, perfumes and cosmetics.
Which Tom Ford perfume lasts the longest?
One of the longest-lasting Tom Ford perfumes is Ombré Leather, which stays on the skin for a very long time. It is a leathery, spicy fragrance with notes such as suede, cardamom and amber.
Is Tom Ford a designer brand?
Tom Ford is a designer brand that offers both more affordable and more expensive perfumes. The Signature Collection is aimed at a wider audience, while the Private Blend line is more expensive, with more exclusive ingredients, and much loved among fragrance enthusiasts.
Why are Tom Ford perfumes so expensive?
Tom Ford offers both more affordable and more exclusive, more expensive perfumes. Thanks to the brand's popularity, good marketing and, most importantly, quality fragrances, Tom Ford can charge a high price for its perfumes. At the same time, Tom Ford is one of those rare perfume brands whose fragrances are truly worth their price.
Are Tom Ford perfumes good?
Tom Ford perfumes are generally considered among the best in the fragrance world and are in great demand. Tom Ford perfumes differ from others in that they offer a niche perfume experience while being very wearable. This is an achievement rarely seen with other fragrance brands.
Which Tom Ford perfumes have been discontinued?
The better-known discontinued Tom Ford perfumes include Amber Absolute, Japon Noir, Purple Patchouli, Velvet Gardenia, Bois Marocain, Venetian Bergamot, Private Blend Costa Azzurra (2014) and Ombré Leather 16.
In conclusion
There are more than 100 perfumes to choose from, and some popular Tom Ford fragrances were left off the list this time. Here are some honourable mentions that are also worth trying:
– Tom Ford Tobacco Oud
– Tom Ford Noir Extreme
– Tom Ford for Men
– Tom Ford F*cking Fabulous
– Tom Ford Noir de Noir
– Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi
We hope you enjoyed this list and found something new to try. These are our favourite Tom Ford fragrances, and we look forward to new collections as well. Besides Tom Ford, you will find plenty of other interesting choices among men's perfumes.
Which Tom Ford perfume would you like to try?
This article is based on Scent Grail's English-language review "Top 10 Best Tom Ford Perfumes".
