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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Emma North

Best Diptyque perfumes for every mood and occasion

Founded in 1961 by three artistic friends, Diptyque began as a small boutique in Paris, selling fabrics, antiques, and decorative objects.

It wasn’t until two years later that the French brand turned its attention to scent, transforming the humble, purely practical candle into a luxurious, olfactory delight with the addition of expertly blended fragrant oils.

Five years on, Diptyque launched its first wearable fragrance, L’Eau Eau de Toilette. A warming mix of cinnamon, clove, geranium and ginger, the unisex scent marked the start of an enduring legacy, establishing the brand’s approach to perfume: imaginative, thoughtful and layered.

Best Diptyque fragrances at a glance

From that point on, Diptyque earned its reputation as one of the world’s most admired French fragrance houses, with a catalogue of scents any fragrance lover would be thrilled to have on their dressing table.

With so many to choose from and with scent being such a deeply personal experience, it can be a minefield when shopping for a new bottle. So, to help guide your nose in the right direction, I’ve rounded up the 12 best Diptyque fragrances to explore, wear and fall in love with.

How I tested

To find the best Diptyque fragrances, it’s safe to say I spritzed a lot over the course of several weeks. When testing, I did as I normally do with any perfume, and first sprayed it into the air for a good whiff, before applying it directly onto my wrists and neck. I considered each of the fragrance’s initial top notes, then detected the lingering heart and base notes of each fragrance. I also considered how the scents settled on my skin, their sillage and whether they lasted from morning to evening.

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Diptyque Philosykos Eau de Parfum

Best: fig fragrance

When it comes to fig fragrances, none truly compare to Philosykos. Immediately recognisable, it captures the essence of the whole fig tree, from its ripe fruit to its earthy roots, and turns it into something green, juicy and grounding.

It opens crisp and leafy, with a sharp green edge that feels fresh and natural. As it settles, softer, almost milky notes of sap and wood emerge, adding warmth and depth, without feeling heavy.

Immediately after spritzing, Philosykos fills your nostrils; a few hours later, its sillage softens, becoming more like a skin scent. And boy, does it last. One application will take you from day to evening, and even into the next day if it catches your clothing.

Buy now £170.00, John Lewis

Diptyque Do Son Eau de Parfum

Best: white floral fragrance

Do Son is Diptyque’s take on the classic creamy white floral, and it’s easy to see why it’s one of Kate Moss’s favourites. The model once called Do Son her ‘perfume of choice’, and it’s certainly a key player in my book.

The fragrance opens with a burst of tuberose and jasmine, livened up by subtle notes of vibrant orange blossom. Its creamy amberwood base gives depth and ensures the scent lingers. It’s light and feminine, perfect for spring and summer, but has enough presence to last through the day.

Buy now £170.00, Space NK

Diptyque Orphéon Eau de Toilette

Best: powdery fragrance

One of the brand’s bestsellers, Orphéon is inspired by 1960’s Parisian nightlife and now, it’s been reimagined as an Eau de Toilette. Still the same powdery, woody and expensive-smelling fragrance, this new version is slightly more vibrant and oozes just as much sophistication as the parfum.

Its most prominent notes are pink peppercorn, ginger, rose, magnolia and juniper berries, with just a hint of sultry tobacco smoke but this time, the EDT leans subtly towards notes of green tangerine and Japanese yuzu.

It’s nostalgic, grown up, and one spritz is enough to carry you through an office day to a night spent in a bustling city jazz club.

Buy now £145.00, Space NK

Diptyque Eau des Sens Eau de Toilette

Best: citrus fragrance

If you love bright, sparkling, slightly bitter citrus scents, then you’ll love Eau des Sens. At first sniff, there’s a burst of sparkling orange blossom, but leave it to settle for a few minutes, and you’ll really get the essence of a whole orange tree - from the fruit to the leaves and even the branches.

Although mostly citrus, the addition of angelica root, patchouli and juniper berries gives it some warmth and complexity, making this scent perfect for the daytime as well as the evening.

Not only does it smell uplifting and refreshing, it lingers on the skin for hours too.

Buy now £145.00, John Lewis

Diptyque Tam Dao Eau de Parfum

Best: woody fragrance

For anyone drawn to woody scents, Tam Dao should be on your radar. Leaning slightly more masculine for a unisex scent, the nose behind the scent, perfumer Daniel Moliere, was inspired by the intertwined trees of an ancient Asian jungle.

At first spray, you’re met with a flurry of cypress, myrtle and rose before settling into middle notes of sandalwood and cedar. At its base is a rich blend of rosewood, white musk and amber, resulting in a scent that feels expensive, warm and earthy.

In terms of staying power, it’s a strong scent but rather than overpowering and obnoxious, it tends to linger on the skin and dry down to a more subtle, smoky woodiness.

Buy now £170.00, Diptyque

Diptyque Fleur de Peau Eau de Parfum

Best: floral fragrance

Fleur de Peau isn’t your average floral fragrance that disappears within the hour. It’s one that has far more complexity, actually stays on the skin, and gives those near you a gentle waft of freshly cut blooms.

Thanks to notes like iris, rose and bergamot, it has a slight sweetness but with soapy aldehydes, along with warming ambrette, sandal wood and musk, it isn’t sickly or childish.

Its longevity is impressive too, with the scent still detectable hours after it’s applied.

Buy now £170.00, John Lewis

Diptyque Eau Duelle Eau de Parfum

Best: vanilla fragrance

If gourmands are your thing but the thought of a super-sweet body spray turns your stomach, look to Eau Duelle. Suave, smooth and subtly sweet, it’s a gourmand designed for discerning grown-ups.

Pairing warm Bourbon vanilla with spices and resins, pink pepper and incense, it has a dry comforting quality to it. Far from cloying and sticky, it makes an excellent option for the winter months when you’re looking for a fragrance that feels like a warm hug.

More of a skin scent that gently reminds you it's there throughout the day, Eau Duelle doesn’t try to announce itself in every room. Instead, it wears close and lasts the day without becoming overpowering.

Buy now £170.00, Harrods

Diptyque Eau Moheli Eau de Toilette

Best: yellow floral fragrance

Like bright sunshine in a bottle, Eau Moheli is one for the summer months. Featuring an uplifting blend of ylang-ylang, pink peppercorn and ginger, it’s an instant mood booster and transports you to warmer, sunnier climes.

What sets it apart from typical yellow florals is its deeper base notes like vetiver, patchouli and benzoin, which balance the scent’s lightness and give it more complexity.

Light and easy to wear, it has a gentle trail but may need topping up by the afternoon.

Buy now £145.00, Space NK

Diptyque L’Eau Papier Eau de Toilette

Best: musk fragrance

If unusual skin scents are your raison d'être, you’ll love L’Eau Papier. Subtle, musky, with a hint of creaminess, this fragrance blends sesame, rice and mimosa, giving it a slightly nutty, soft floral character that’s easy to wear. You’ll also find a faint dry, paper-like note in the background, adding a crisp edge to the overall warmth.

As a skin scent, it’s quite subtle, only revealing itself to those who are closest to you. If you’re after a little more projection and longevity, you may find that a top-up is needed throughout the day.

Buy now £145.00, Harrods

Diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Parfum

Best: rose fragrance

Die hard rose fans will adore Diptyque’s Eau Rose. It blends damask and centifolia roses with a touch of lychee and a hint of bergamot, giving the classic floral a light, juicy lift that keeps it fresh, natural and modern. Soft green notes in the background add crispness, so the fragrance never feels heavy or old-fashioned.

Elegant, approachable and wearable, Eau Rose is perfect for anyone who loves rose but wants a scent that feels contemporary, like a fresh bouquet of the flowers, rather than powdery or dated.

Buy now £170.00, Diptyque

Diptyque Ilio Eau de Toilette

Best: summer fragrance

Inspired by the sun-drenched Greek islands, Ilio captures the warmth and brightness of a summer afternoon. Neroli, orange blossom and bergamot mingle with soft green notes, giving the fragrance a fresh feeling. It’s slightly sharp but tempered with a gentle warmth that envelops you without overpowering.

It sits slightly differently on each person, revealing more of the citrus on some skins and a subtle floral warmth on others. Spritz it on and it fills the air with a bright, sunny energy that lingers just long enough to be noticed.

Buy now £145.00, Space NK

Diptyque L’Ombre Dans L’Eau Eau de Parfum

Best: fruity fragrance

If you’re a fan of the brand’s Baies candle, Diptyque's L’Ombre Dans L’Eau is pretty much the perfume version.

The brand describes the scent as a ‘stroll through an English garden,’ and it’s hard to disagree. The fragrance opens with green, slightly tart blackcurrant leaves, immediately giving it a crisp edge, while soft, dewy rose petals add a delicate floral heart. There’s a subtle watery freshness underneath, like morning dew on a garden path, which keeps the scent light and airy.

Long-lasting, with moderate projection, it’s a solid choice for those who love a juicier, greener scent throughout the year.

Buy now £145.00, Diptyque

Verdict

My top pick for Diptyque fragrances has to be the crowd-pleasing Philosykos. Its unique scent profile, longevity and sillage don’t compare to other fig scents on the market, and it really is a fragrance that deserves every ounce of its stellar reputation.

Other fragrances worth their weight in gold include Orphéon, for its floral-woody composition that feels both sophisticated and wearable, and Do Son, whose creamy tuberose and orange blossom make it a timeless floral favourite.

What is the most popular Diptyque perfume?

Exact sales figures aren’t shared by Diptyque, but you’ll find these three scents consistently in top lists. Philosykos, with its juicy fig and green, leafy notes, is the one most closely associated with the brand. While Do Son, the soft, floral fragrance and Orphéon, the warmer, woodier scent are both also incredibly popular.

Do Diptyque perfumes last a long time?

Diptyque perfumes generally have good longevity on the skin, though how long they last will depend on the specific scent and how you wear it.

The brand’s Eau de Toilettes tend to be lighter and more subtle, and may require topping up throughout the day, whereas the Eau de Parfums are richer and more concentrated, lasting from morning to night.

What’s the difference between an Eau de Toilette and an Eau de Parfum?

Eau de Parfums contain a higher percentage of fragrance oils, (around 15-20 per cent), making them richer, more intense, and longer lasting. Eau de Toilettes have a lower concentration of fragrance oils (5-15 per cent), so they’re lighter and more subtle, and may require a touch-up if you want the scent to last all day.

It’s not just about strength; EDPs are often a little more expensive to purchase and have more depth and complexity, revealing different notes as they develop, while EDTs are more affordable and tend to hold simpler oil blends.

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