The fragrance those in the know choose over the viral
I've been a beauty editor for 10 years. Throughout that time, I've tested hundreds, if not thousands, of perfumes. Classic florals! Sparkling citrus! Mouthwatering gourmands! You name it, I've spritzed it. After separating the good from the bad and the downright delicious, I've noticed a theme. My favorite fragrances are transportive—they instantly drop me into a specific scene, whether real or imagined, with a single sniff. These "storytelling scents," as I call them, take me anywhere from an autumnal stroll through Stars Hollow to a sun-drenched Balinese beach, an expensive Italian villa, and beyond.
Recently, I came across a fragrance brand whose entire product portfolio is built on these kinds of whisk-away scents. Meet Iggywoo, a perfume label founded in LA by British perfumer Richard Saint-Ford. He created Iggywoo with the belief that perfume, like music and film, has its own atmosphere, which you can enter at any time; he calls it "scent escapism." As a self-taught perfumer, Saint-Ford creates "instinctively and without inherited rules," producing imaginative perfumes.
Iggywoo's six elixirs are unique, standing out amid a sea of internet-viral, smell-like-everyone scents. Even the names are distinct; monikers include Cashmere Show Pony, Pistachio Voodoo Child, and Fatasma Overglow, among others. So without further ado, allow me to introduce you to these IYKYK fragrances.
Lost in Vanillatopia
Notes: Damask rose, grapefruit, solar-amber-musk accord, skin musk, honeysuckle, vanilla accord, amber accord, tonka bean.
Vanilla is a classic gourmand note, which means it can veer into syrupy-sweet territory fast. While the cake-scented concoctions of yesteryear hold a nostalgic place in my heart, I don't necessarily want to return to them as a woman in my 30s. Instead, I want something warm, alluring, and golden. Iggywoo's Vanillatopia is just that.
The brand's so-called "fantasy accord" forms the heart of the perfume: it's a mix of solar amber and musk, and it breathes living warmth into the scent, as do subtle skin musk, smooth vanilla, and creamy tonka bean. Punchy grapefruit and nectar-filled honeysuckle brighten things up, while classic Damask rose forms a sophisticated foundation. It's equal parts chic and psychedelic. Bear with me here, but it smells like bottled sunbeams—complete with glinting specks of dust and rainbow-flashed reflections. Consider it a brave new horizon for vanilla lovers.
Bohemian Water
Notes: Bergamot, caviar lime, salt, neroli flower, passionflower, sea fennel, goldenrod, blue cypress, cedar
As someone who used to reside in Southern California, I find Iggywoo's Bohemian Water incredibly nostalgic and nearly irresistible. It's aquatic, woody, and slightly citrusy. Notes of bergamot, caviar lime, salt, neroli, and cedar combine effortlessly and offer an excellent sillage.
It's breezy, laid-back, and sun-soaked, effortlessly capturing the essence of the Malibu coastline. When I wear it, I can close my eyes and think back to standing cliffside at Point Dume, watching surfers bob in an endless expanse of blue.
Cashmere Show Pony
Notes: Toasted coconut, passionflower, plumeria, cashmeran wood
This is Iggywoo's take on a classic skin scent. Not just a memorable moniker, Cashmere Show Pony is warm and alluring. It radiates a come-closer aura, thanks to undulating notes of toasted coconut, passionflower, plumeria, and cashmeran wood. Sheer, slightly sweet, and almost animalic, it's a wear-everyday scent that suits every season and situation. I'd just as soon wear it to the office as I would to grab late-night dinner and drinks. Honestly, its subtlety is what makes it sexy.
Pistachio Voodoo Child
Notes: Pistachio, voodoo dancer lily, jasmine, pistachio accord, sandalwood, vanilla milk
Pistachio perfumes are on a generational run right now; the internet can't get enough of the salty, creamy, and subtly sweet scents. Iggywoo's take on the TikTok-viral trend is expectedly unique. Instead of wrapping the nutty note with a supporting cast of syrupy-sweet ones, it pairs it with powdered jasmine, smooth sandalwood, and the rare Voodoo Dancer Lily (a type of daylily that bears dark, near-black blooms). It's delicate and elevated, rather than bakery-bold. The brand puts it best when it says it "leaves the usual gourmand clichés behind."
Fantasma Overglow
Notes: Champagne accord, blood orange, ambergris, frankincense, cedar, amber, blonde driftwood, Royal Indian Oud
Where should I begin with this scent? If you want a fragrance that screams "unique" and leaves other people's senses swirling (in the best way), opt for Iggywoo's Fantasma Overglow. It opens with golden, sparkling champagne. Then, you're hit with a burst of blood orange. Rich frankincense, crisp cedar, and smoky oud quickly follow. It was created to capture "the euphoric feeling" when "the night starts to blur." It's warm, moody, and even slightly masculine. It's like drinking a cocktail (or two) in a hazy, velvet-clad bar, while occasionally catching the eye of someone special sitting across the way.
Cherry Love Extreme
Notes: Pink pepper, cherry, violet, rose, clove, cherry accord, vanilla bean, amber, sandalwood, patchouli
Cherry perfumes are hit or miss for me. Sometimes, I find them as delectable as the ruby-red fruit. Other times, I find them over-the-top, inauthentic, or even juvenile. Iggywoo's take is interesting. Even though it's the top-billed note, Saint-Ford admits he uses it "as a backdrop rather than the headline." So, in other words, it's tucked behind darker, spicier notes of clove, amber, and patchouli. Powdery violet and fragrant rose are also interwoven into the elixir. It's rich and decidedly unsubtle, yet stylish, too. That makes sense, considering it's inspired by "intense," "all-consuming" love. I'd place it in a pantheon of dark, spicy scents that also includes Byredo's Eyes Closed and Diptyque's Eau Duelle.
The Discovery Set
If you're not sure which scent would speak to you and you don't want to commit to a full-size bottle, add The Discovery Set to your online cart. It contains 2 ML vials of the brand's six signature scents. Or, you can buy the 2 ML vials for $10 a piece.
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