Top 10 (underrated) 2010s perfumes
After investing a significant amount of time exploring fragrances, reviewing online forums, watching perfume-focused YouTube videos, studying Pinterest boards, and listening to podcasts, I’ve curated a handpicked list of the top 10 perfumes from the 2010s for your consideration. Now, let’s delve into and analyze this list!
Alien Essence Absolue – Mugler
A rich, opulent 2010s perfume, Alien Essence Absolue by Mugler is an alluring blend of jasmine, vanilla, and cashmeran wood. Its warm, amber-y glow embodies sophistication and power, making it an unforgettable and mesmerizing fragrance.
This bottle starts with the ever-so-familiar, minimally gum-like jasmine note that resonated with the original, but consistently saves itself with the fading in of vanilla. Early on, heliotrope cuts the density of the jasmine nicely and warmingly, and the scent remains warm and cozy as it progresses, whereas I would describe the original as “cooler” throughout.
To that end, it’s slightly “boozy”, almost liqueur-like from time to time, and almost a teensy bit gourmand-esque, but definitely not “edible”. Towards the end of the fragrance, you are rewarded with a beautiful vanilla.
Shalimar Ode à la Vanille – Sur la route de Madagascar – Guerlain
This 2010s perfume is a limited-edition take on the classic Shalimar, Shalimar Ode à la Vanille – Sur la route de Madagascar by Guerlain is a tribute to the exotic vanilla from Madagascar.
After a very brief, rather medicinal-smelling beginning, the fragrance quickly starts with a strong vanilla, mixed with equally strong spices. Even though the spices are strong, they are a bit weaker in this scent compared to the EDT for example here.
It also quickly becomes resinous, which smells great. In any case, you can immediately recognize a Shalimar scent here in the Madagascar Flanker. The powdery vanilla also makes the scent soft and gentle, and it also almost feels like there’s iris in it.
I think the spices recede a bit later, but the resin gets a bit stronger in return, but the scent also gets a bit more tart. Even though frankincense or myrrh are not indicated, you can smell incense, but that would have to be the resin. In general, Madagascar is much less powdery and gentle than the other flankers.
L’Eau de Chloé – Chloé
L’Eau de Chloé is a fresh, lively 2010s perfume that evokes a sense of youthful exuberance. The fragrance begins with me bright spicy-citrus paired with a young rose. In the course I feel a slight powderiness, which I also know from the Chloe EDP, rise.
However, the scent always remains fresh and never sweet. The slight spiciness (chypre) makes it special for me and I never feel it as sharp or sour (unfortunately often a problem with me). It smells round and extremely well blended.
Florabotanica – Balenciaga
Daring and modern, Florabotanica by Balenciaga is a lush garden of roses and carnations enlivened with fresh mint and herbal nuances.
Immediately after spraying this 2010s perfume, I smell a minty rose with fresh leaves. After about 15 minutes, the mint says goodbye slowly but surely and the fragrance gets a nice, fragrant depth through vetiver and amber. The longer it lingers on the skin, the deeper the scent becomes. It has a very light soapy and powdery touch.
What I find beautiful about the fragrance is that you can smell the individual notes well. Only the garden carnation goes a little under, I think. The whole fragrance stands out positively because of its harmony. Now I understand the people who are so taken with it. It is only minimally sweet, rather a touch tart and very slightly earthy, so I think it is also well wearable by men. But you have to like rose in any case. What I also find unusual is that the fragrance contains no fruit notes. So what you find nowadays is also not too often in fragrances.
Dior Homme Intense (2011) – Dior
The 2011 version of Dior Homme Intense exudes confidence and elegance through its blend of iris, cedar, and rich ambrette. Its smooth, powdery finish has earned it a devoted following among fragrance aficionados.
The fragrance starts from the beginning very iris-heavy, almost “lipsticky”. This powderiness smells for some strongly like lipstick, which I can also understand to some extent. In the drydown, the iris-heavy opening remains and visibly gains woody chords; the fragrance absolutely does not seem like mass-produced goods, but stands out even in everyday life by this timeless elegance that it represents.
The durability and silage used to be extremely good, so my rating would definitely have been more positive. With the current batches, I have to say that the performance has already been dialed down a bit; however, I am not aware if any ingredients have been changed.
An overall beautiful 2010s perfume that offers a truly unique fragrance experience to the general public at “affordable” prices.
Molecule 01 – Escentric Molecules
A unique, minimalistic scent, Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules is composed of a single aroma molecule – Iso E Super. This innovative and subtle fragrance adapts to our body chemistry, creating a slightly different scent for each wearer.
When I applied the first time me Molecule 01 I thought okay, you take what sensual-woody was and what mysterious what then disappears again. From time to time again to sniffed my nose pulled, but my surroundings were flashed, here is yes also own skin chemistry was involved, meanwhile I took Molecule 01 more war, even if I believed that I the full extent of my body odor which connected with the Molecule 01 and in a unity will be a blind composition for me, whereby this sensual-woody minimal sweetness result can take place a constant sniffing.
Spicebomb Extreme – Viktor & Rolf
Explosive and fiery, Spicebomb Extreme by Viktor & Rolf is a bold, attention-grabbing 2010s perfume packed with powerful notes of black pepper, tobacco, and amber.
In the opening, of course, the warmth and heaviness permeate immediately, even if at the beginning the grapefruit gives a minime freshness in the prelude, but the peppery balances it again; but the cinnamon, the well-dosed saffron then takes over quite promptly.
After that, the fragrance becomes visibly sweeter and heavier due to the vanilla-tobacco combination; amber is also perceived, but now not superficially or not concisely embedded. The durability of this fragrance is really very good (8-9h) and the sillage gives what; one is definitely well perceived over a longer time.
Overall, it is a really nice sweet-spicy fragrance with an oriental touch! Suitable for the masses with niche characters!
Acqua di Giò Profumo – Giorgio Armani
Sophisticated and invigorating, Acqua di Giò Profumo by Giorgio Armani is an enchanting 2010s perfume of marine notes, earthy patchouli, and smoky incense.
I bought it blind at the time because I already knew the other perfumes from the Acqua di Gio series and liked them very much. When I smelled it for the first time, I immediately fell in love with the fragrance.
The Profumo starts very citrusy, fresh and aquatic. On my skin, the very beautiful bergamot is in the foreground. As it progresses, it gains more depth with patchouli and incense. In my opinion, these make the fragrance so beautiful and give it a certain elegance and a tart and smoky note.
And the best part is that you can really wear the Parfumo anytime, anywhere. You feel refreshed right away when you spray it on. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like the Profumo. It is a pity that it was discontinued, but there is a successor. This I could unfortunately not yet extensively tested, but he is certainly a good alternative for those who love the DNA of the old Profumo as I do.
Naxos – XerJoff
Inspired by the island of Naxos, Naxos by XerJoff is a harmonious fusion of citrus, jasmine, and tobacco essence.
The Naxos belongs to the classics of the perfume scene. What should be said great about this hit of Xerjoff that has not yet been said? Fresh opening with lavender and lemon, which then transitions into a very smooth honey-cinnamon mix, then at some point joins the fine noble tobacco.
An all-around perfect composition in which no note would be somehow unpleasant or inappropriate. The Naxos is and remains one of my absolute fall and winter favorites and this I think will never change.
Whether fragrance, durability or sillage, with the 2010s perfume Naxos you get an all-around carefree package, about the price you can argue but what Xerjoff has conjured here will forever remain a timeless classic!
Angels’ Share – Kilian
A tribute to the art of Cognac-making, the 2010s perfume Angels’ Share by Kilian is a sumptuous composition of oak, cinnamon, and tonka bean.
A pleasant, full-bodied alcoholic cognac note rises to your nose. Cinnamon trickles lightly down on you. The gentle vanilla embraces you briefly and sandalwood joins in. You make yourself comfortable on oak wood.
On fluffy clouds high up around Christmas time it must smell like this.
The scent was a poem, the durability bombastic (1 spritz on my neck lasted all day), sillage good.
Angel’s Share might be too boozy on some days though.
FAQ
We know you might have some questions about 2010s perfume, so we’ve put together this FAQ to help you out!
What perfume was popular in 2009?
As we transitioned into the 2010s perfume, a few popular fragrances in 2009 were setting the stage. Some of these included Bleu de Chanel, Bvlgari Man, and Midnight in Paris by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Why is Molecule 01 so popular?
Molecule 01 gained popularity during the 2010s due to its unique composition and approach in the perfume world. At the core of this 2010s perfume is a single synthetic molecule called Iso E Super, which has a captivating, velvety, and almost addictive scent. Many people found Molecule 01 to work like a pheromone, adapting to their individual skin chemistry and creating a unique, personalized fragrance experience. This innovative approach to perfumery helped Molecule 01 garner a cult-like following.
Is 10 year old perfume still good?
The longevity of a 2010s perfume depends on several factors such as its ingredients, storage conditions, and whether it has been opened or not. Generally, sealed and properly stored perfume can last from 3 to 5 years. However, some perfumes may still be enjoyable after a decade if they have been stored well – away from heat, light, and moisture. We recommend giving your old perfume a sniff and if it still smells pleasant, you can continue using it. If it’s changed in color, texture or has an off-putting scent, it’s time to let it go.
If you liked this blog post about the topic: 2010s perfume, don’t forget to leave us a comment below to tell us about your experience with it. Do you love perfumes from different decades? Then read ASAP our posts about perfumes from the 1980s or the best fragrances from the 1990s!
