There’s something about particular scents that you just want to own. That you need to make yours. Because for many of us, fragrance is not just a part of our daily routine; it’s a personal signature, a form of self-expression that speaks without words.
In my personal journey with different perfumes and brands, I often like to mix it up, steering clear of the cliches that waft about every woman at the dinner party. I’ve wanted a perfume that if someone had to smell it—or something similar—out of context, they would immediately think of me. Perhaps, it’s a silly romanticized ideology, but it’s something I’ve held onto.
That being said, I’ve always been open to new brands and brands that push the boundaries in their fragrant concoctions. Over the years, Byredo has stood out as a storyteller and as a brand that I’ve developed a personal relationship with.
Founded by Ben Gorham, Byredo’s philosophy centers around translating memories and emotions into wearable art. The brand’s gender-neutral fragrances marry traditional ingredients with innovative notes, addressing individualities rather than societal expectations and conventions. Whether it’s the mystique of a nomadic lifestyle, the whimsy of old books or the warmth of African culture, Byredo has a way of capturing moments in glass bottles.
In this article, we’ll traverse through the luxury landscape of the best Byredo perfumes, exploring the nostalgia behind each scent and helping you find the fragrance that resonates with your individual story.
Pssst…if you’re also looking for a unique home fragrance, Byredo candles are some of our best scented candles, creating intimate spaces for deep relationships and reflection.
Why you can trust Luxe Digital? As luxury enthusiasts and highly discerning individuals, we’re obsessed with unearthing new brands that tell a unique story, while meeting our unwavering standards for quality and craftsmanship.
As one of our best perfume brands, Byredo is a personal favorite amongst our editors. We tried them all with a real commitment to understanding the story and nostalgia behind each scent before picking our top selection. And while we know that fragrances are subjective, we sought feedback from different individuals in order to determine which Byredo perfumes were most popular overall.
For more on how we test products in general, see our HAPPY philosophy for buying luxuries on our website.
The 11 best Byredo perfumes
Bal d’Afrique
Byredo’s Bal d’Afrique is a tribute to African culture, inspired by founder Ben Gorham’s own travels around the sun-drenched continent. It opens with a vibrant burst of African marigold, buchu and bergamot, dancing with a warm base of Moroccan cedarwood and vetiver.
Evoking the nostalgia of spirited celebrations, the gender-neutral fragrance is one of our best women’s perfumes and arguably the best Byredo scent. Bal d’Afrique whispers tales of distant lands and dreams, capturing the warmth, art and boundless energy of Africa.
| Smells like: | Colorful fabrics adorning wind-swept washing lines. |
| Scent family: | Floral |
Mojave Ghost
Named after the Mojave Desert, a vast landscape in the rain shadow of the Nevada mountains and Transverse Ranges, Mojave Ghost by Byredo is both ethereal and realistic. Reminiscent of a mirage in the isolated desert, the hauntingly beautiful scent captures the essence of natural dichotomies.
Mojave Ghost Byredo perfume starts with a delicate, almost supernatural whisper of ambrette and nesberry, echoing the elusive allure of the Mojave Desert. While hints of magnolia, sandalwood and violet are a nod to the life that thrives in arid solitude.
| Smells like: | Survival and elegance amidst stark wilderness. |
| Scent family: | Woody |
Gypsy Water
Gypsy Water by Byredo is a nomadic melody, an ode to the free spirit and mystique of the Romani culture. It begins with a fresh, invigorating burst of bergamot, lemon, pepper, and juniper berries – like the first light of dawn over a hidden forest glade.
Giving way to a heart of incense and pine needles, the vibrant bouquet evokes images of ancient dances around crackling campfires under starlit skies. While comforting base notes of amber and vanilla round off the evening under warm blankets and whispered tales of far-off lands.
| Smells like: | The free-spirited bohemian soul wandering through nature’s untouched beauty. |
| Scent family: | Woody |
Rose of No Man’s Land
Byredo Rose of No Man’s Land is a poignant homage to bravery and hope. The ode opens with a tender touch of pink pepper and Turkish rose petals, akin to a gentle dawn breaking over a solemn battlefield. The delicate introduction blooms into the resilient beauty that is raspberry blossom, representing grace amidst turmoil.
Rose of No Man’s Land finds peace in a base of papyrus and amber, much like a soothing embrace in the quiet after a storm. This scent is a tribute to the nurses of war, intertwining strength and softness, reflective of roses blooming in adversity.
| Smells like: | Seeking beauty amidst suffering. |
| Scent family: | Floral |
Blanche
Byredo Blanche is a serene, pure expression, like a blank canvas or freshly fallen snow.
It whispers with subtle notes of white rose and pink pepper, delicate and crisp, like the first light of dawn casting a pale hue over tranquil landscapes. In quiet splendor, the scent blooms into a heart of soft blooms, such as peony and violet, before settling into a base of blonde woods and musks.
Blanche is a scent that captures the essence of simplicity and purity, a clean and unadorned ode to tranquility.
| Smells like: | Soft linens drying in gentle breeze. |
| Scent family: | Floral |
Mixed Emotions
Aptly named, Mixed Emotions is a complex scent, mirroring the tumultuous journey of human emotions.
Embodying the contrasting facets of our feelings, it starts with an arresting clash of sweet blackcurrant and sharp maté. Hints of ceylon black tea and violet leaves mimic a reflective pause in a restless mind. While a conclusion of birch wood and papyrus is suggestive of the grounding strength and resilience discovered in moments of introspection.
Mixed Emotions is a fragrant embodiment of life’s ups and downs, a sophisticated interplay of light and shadow.
| Smells like: | Meditating on the complexity of human emotions. |
| Scent family: | Woody |
Bibliothèque
As one of our best men’s colognes, the genderless fragrance captures the soul of a grand library. A nostalgic journey through time-worn pages and whispered tales, Bibliothèque is a tribute to the enduring romance of classical literature.
Beginning its story with cinnamon and plum, the fragrant novel is sweet and inviting, much like the allure of a well-loved book. The comforting prelude develops into a battle of leather accord and violet, before concluding with a patchouli-rich, vanilla-infused ending.
| Smells like: | Old books and polished shelves. |
| Scent family: | Woody |
La Tulipe
Byredo La Tulipe is a vibrant, floral tribute to the first days of spring. It begins with a crisp, refreshing opening of rhubarb, cyclamen, and freesia – like a dew-kissed garden at dawn.
Swiftly blooming into the scent of tulips, the fragrance addresses the fleeting nature of seasons, while blonde woods and vetiver ground the bouquet in an earthy embrace.
La Tulipe is a celebration of renewal and nature’s awakening, reminding us to be present and appreciate small joys in life before they pass.
| Smells like: | The first bloom of spring. |
| Scent family: | Floral |
Sundazed
Byredo Sundazed is a radiant, euphoric fragrance. It’s a blissful summer day encapsulated in a glass bottle.
Reminiscent of warm rays kissing your skin, the sun dance opens with a dazzling burst of mandarin and Californian lemon. Interrupted by neroli and Arabian jasmine, the heart of the fragrance is an aromatic manifestation of a cool, gentle breeze on a hot day. While a comforting musk base is nostalgic of carefree days and childlike laughter.
| Smells like: | Spoonfuls of granita in the Sicilian sunshine. |
| Scent family: | Floral |
Slow Dance
Sensual and tender, Byredo Slow Dance is an intimate moment shared between two in twilight’s embrace. Setting the scene of dimly lit rooms and close encounters, the sultry scent takes the floor with opening notes of opoponax.
The intoxicating introduction evolves into whispered confessions and lingering glances, as geranium, labdanum and violet make their move. And like the lasting echo of a song long ended, the fragrance finds its finale in a soothing base of vanilla and patchouli.
| Smells like: | A memory held in the arms of someone special. |
| Scent family: | Woody |
Vanille Antique
Byredo Vanille Antique is a luxurious, deep fragrance, evoking the richness of history melded with modern elegance. It seduces with a sultry allure of freesia and plum, wrapped in amber and cashmere woods.
Reminiscent of ancient treasures and uncovered secrets, the opulent fragrance lingers for hours, recounting the hush-hush glamor of Old-School Hollywood. Settling into a decadent base of Madagascar vanilla beans and cistus oil, Vanille Antique finds its rest in sweet moments and everlasting memories.
| Smells like: | Delicate lace, draped over silk and wrapped in velvet. |
| Scent family: | Amber |
Byredo pronunciation
Byredo is pronounced as “bye-RED-oh.” The emphasis is on the second syllable, with a slightly elongated ‘e’ sound, blending a contemporary flair with its Swedish origins.
Byredo meaning
Byredo derives from “By Redolence,” suggesting the power of fragrance to evoke memories and emotions. It reflects the brand’s focus on creating scents that resonate on a deeply personal level.
Frequently asked questions about Byredo perfumes
Byredo’s “Gypsy Water” is widely recognized as their best-selling fragrance. Capturing the essence of a nomadic lifestyle with a blend of fresh soil, deep forests, and campfires, it offers a captivating scent profile.
Byredo perfumes are considered worth it by many for their unique, high-quality scents and artistic packaging. The brand’s longevity and distinctiveness make the perfumes a popular choice for those seeking a signature scent with a modern, sophisticated twist.
Byredo stands out for its minimalist yet elegant aesthetic and its unique, innovative scents. The brand blends high-quality, raw materials to create fragrances that evoke memories and emotions. This personal and artistic approach to perfumery, combined with luxurious packaging, is what makes Byredo so unique and special.
Byredo’s Gypsy Water is a woody and aromatic fragrance, evoking a serene forest scene. It opens with fresh top notes of bergamot, lemon, pepper, and juniper berries, transitions to a heart of incense, pine needles, and orris, and settles into a warm base of amber, vanilla, and sandalwood.
