6 Best Smelling Elizabeth Taylor Perfumes

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Elizabeth Taylor was a famous actress of the silver screen for decades before she moved into the world of fragrances. While celebrity scents come and go, Elizabeth’s perfumes have stood the test of time and continue to be best sellers many years later.

For this list, I have selected six scents from the collection which could be considered the best of the bunch. As always, I have linked each out to its page on Amazon for more information and ease of purchase.

What are the Best Elizabeth Taylor Perfumes?

Best Winter Fragrance

Passion By Elizabeth Taylor For Women, Eau De Toilette Spray, 2.5-Ounce
Passion is warm, slightly spicy, leathery, and musky. It is a fairly intense oriental/woodsy type of perfume that has been popular for decades now. I’m referring to modern bottles, the original releases, had much more intensity.

It opens up softer, with some floral highlights. Then, Passion moves forward into a woodsy, dry, and somewhat smoky phase. The spicier notes, come through an hour or so, into the wear.

Leathery and dry woods, with spice, and a lingering sweetness from the opening act. Passion is one for the colder months, all the way. Sure, it’s lost a step over the years, but it still has plenty of power and depth.

Most Popular Liz Taylor Scent

White Diamonds By Elizabeth Taylor For Women, Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.3-Ounce
The most famous of all of the scents by Elizabeth Taylor, White Diamonds has become an absolutely classic fragrance. Notes include: sandalwood, tuberose, lily, jasmine, oakmoss, amber, patchouli.

This is the best seller, but is White Diamonds, the best overall fragrance? No, I don’t think so. However, it is a classic composition of great floral notes and aldehydes, with a more complex character than many other perfumes in this price range.

Sometimes, people seem to bash this one based on its popularity alone. I think the powerful opening, can put people off also. Though, I will say as it develops, you get a full bouquet effect with a really nice lily note and the tuberose being the highlights.

Again, this is an old school sort of scent. So, it might not have the full appeal for some modern wearers. Think of it as being in the same vein as Chanel No. 5, not necessarily smelling exactly the same, but having a very similar style.

Top Newer Liz Taylor Perfume

White Diamonds Legacy– Obviously, there haven’t been a ton of new releases from this line. However, there has been some activity as a brand in the past few years.

One of the two using the White Diamonds moniker, is Legacy. Which is actually a great little perfume that has flown somewhat under the radar.

Legacy is a more modern white floral than its namesake White Diamonds. This one has gardenia, orange blossom, and jasmine leading the floral heart. Gardenia is the most noticeable of them.

But, you do get a musky and jasmine play in the dry down. Early on, the citrus notes are joined by a slight spice. Then, we get a great creaminess and a light sweetness throughout.

Not the same as the original, but quite a similar structure, just updated to today’s tastes.

Best Summer Scent

Diamonds and Sapphires by Elizabeth Taylor for Women, Eau De Toilette Spray, 1.7-Ounce
This one is a blend of fruit and floral notes. It is a scent which smells rather green/floral/melon that is both versatile and moderate.

The melon note with the lily and peach, gives Diamonds and Sapphires a watery-almost aquatic juiciness to the composition. The next phase brings on the floral array, consisting of: jasmine, ylang-ylang, and heliotrope.

Diamonds and Sapphires is a clean and fresh (near soapy) perfume. It isn’t as bold or in your face as Passion or White Diamonds. If you want, something lighter and versatile, this is a good pick.

Balanced Fruity Floral

Forever Elizabeth by Elizabeth Taylor for Women, Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.3-Ounce
Forever Elizabeth is a floral perfume with fruity notes that initially take center stage before the rest of the scent develops.

Notes include: jasmine, apple, musk, amber, dewberry, and blackberry.

This one switches away from the pure floral ingredients or boldness of the others, to deliver a delicious, and easy to wear perfume. The opening act gives you plenty of that crisp and water apple and the berry notes, which are really highlights.

That opening then shifts into a light musky floral fragrance, with the fruitier notes playing more of a supporting role. This is a great all around scent, that isn’t super heavy, and can be worn casually or to the office.

Best Fresh Fragrance

Violet Eyes by Elizabeth Taylor, Eau De Parfum Spray, 3.3-Ounce
Violet Eyes is a bit deceptive in its name, as the main floral notes are rose, peony, and jasmine. Not violet.

However, it is a good choice for cooler weather with its note of cedar taking center stage, later in the wear.

This is a sweet blend of peach and the floral notes up top. The cedar really powers through and you have a fresh semi-aquatic kind of aroma. The floral notes, then make a comeback to take over towards the end.

This one is a great performer, with a clean and pleasant profile. At the price point, Violet Eyes is a steal.

Burberry Brit for Men

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Despite the overwhelming popularity of my post on the top smelling Burberry fragrances for men, I had yet to do a review of Burberry Brit and thought that I would remedy that oversight today.

In this post, I want to give a general overview of Brit, my impressions of it, how well it wears, and whether or not it should merit consideration of a purchase.

Note: I have updated this review, a few years after posting the original, to give new thoughts and expand more upon Burberry Brit for Men.

What Does Burberry Brit Smell Like?

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Notes include: wild roses, tonka bean, green mandarin, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, cedar

Click here to try Burberry Brit:BURBERRY Brit for Men Eau de Toilette, 1.0 fl. oz

My Full Wear Review

My immediate impulse when smelling Burberry Brit is to compare it with other Burberry fragrances, such as London. Whereas London is more of a rugged, woodsy, tobacco type of scent, Brit strikes me as something much smoother.

The opening is fresh and delightful and one is immediately drawn into the subtle spice of the nutmeg/ginger/tonka notes; and the quite powdery aroma, which balances it out.

The mandarin and bergamot citrus notes are present at the top and provide their usual brightness. This is a nice contrast from the fresh spiciness of the rest of the composition.

The opening is really dominated by this subdued citrus and fresh spice combination. There is an air of sweetness within Brit during this stage of the wear, the citrus and tonka bean, seem to be creating that effect.

Yet, the cologne overall still has this green outdoorsy cleanliness during this time, as well.

What is interesting about Brit is that it contains wild roses but that it doesn’t give off the extreme rosiness of a cologne such as Dunhill Desire.

Brit isn’t in any way a loud cologne, I think it really does a fantastic job of taking different elements and working them together in harmony instead of having one dominate feature.

With Brit, you get a warm spice, fresh green/woodsy notes, with a hint of citrus provided by the green mandarin note, and a baby powder type of finish.

The dry down is the make or break period for most guys with this fragrance, I’d say. The dark powdery rose, isn’t going to be enjoyable for some folks, but it is very well done.

Again, it isn’t a super feminine or in your face rose. It’s smoothed out by tonka bean, a cedar base, with the same spices with the ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg notes.

Longevity, Sillage, and Versatility

Longevity wise, this is a really good performer and will typically last around 8 hours give or take. It isn’t a projection beast by any means but it does a great job at presenting itself as a moderate scent.

It’s always had solid sillage on my skin, consistent, but not a scent bomb. It’s more of a strong starter, then, lighter after a few hours. For much of the wear it’s going to be an intimate kind of cologne.

Nevertheless, in all my years of having various bottles of this scent, I’ve never been disappointed by its performance. It holds up well.

 

Burberry Brit is another safe option for the autumn or winter months, just like Burberry for Men (Also see: Brit vs Burberry for Men Comparison).

However, I think Brit would be a better wintertime wear. I’ll usually wear it on colder days, but occasionally I will put some on in the evening, as something casual.

Brit for Men isn’t a summertime fragrance, though, it can be worn in the more moderate temperatures of spring. Still, much better as a colder climate scent.

Brit is an option that can be worn safely at work or even for class. It’s not going to overpower and it smells quite clean and pleasant. Teen guys can wear it, but it doesn’t have that really youthful vibe, and has enough maturity to be worn by someone much older.

Overall Impressions of Burberry Brit for Men

Overall, I really enjoy this stuff. Brit is a great choice for everyday wear in the fall or winter months of the year.

It is a solid performer for school or work and safe to use in either environment. It isn’t necessarily a ‘sexy’ type of cologne but it smells damn good and is attractive enough with the ladies. I’d definitely rate it as a buy.

This has become my third most worn Burberry cologne at this point, as I usually go with Burberry for Men or London depending on the occasion, and which bottle I have.

(Edit: I have purchased a full bottle, in the autumn, and have been wearing it more than the others. I’ve been loving Brit for Men, as of late. I think it’s become my second favorite behind London now).

Still, Brit for Men is a fairly unique guy’s cologne, and does everything quite well.

Really, there haven’t been too many great releases from this brand in a long while. The Mr. Burberry series was decent, but nothing must have. Still, well over a decade later Brit just works, and is among this designers top scents.

Baccarat Rouge 540 vs Extrait

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Baccarat Rouge has become a ridiculously popular perfume since its release back in 2015. That hype level has gone into the stratosphere, since BR 540 Extrait was brought to market. Now, there is an even greater concentrate and at a much higher price point. But, the question is, which is actually better? Is Extrait worth the high cost? Which smells better? What’s the difference? Which lasts longer?

Tale of the Tape: BR 540 vs. Extrait 

Baccarat Rouge 540

Notes include: saffron, ambergris, cedar, fir resin, jasmine

Click here to try: Buy from Saks

Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait

Notes include: almond, saffron, cedar, jasmine, musk, ambergris

Click here to try: Buy from Saks Fifth Avenue

Read my review: BR 540 Extrait

Opening

Baccarat Rouge 540 kicks things off with the saffron and jasmine note splitting duties. It’s clean, sweet, and has that lemony tinge to it from the hedione (jasmine).

Underneath that, is the amber, fir and cedar notes giving this a fresh and resinous quality early on…which will become greater as it develops.

BR 540 EDP has a lighter airy fluffiness to it, that I don’t really get with Extrait.

BR 540 Extrait opens up with a bittersweet mix of the almond and saffron note. It’s smooth with a slight metallic aroma from the saffron, but the almond is the stronger of the two.

It’s going to dominate early on and is what really helps to set Extrait apart from the original EDP.

The jasmine is weaker early on, but you’ll get more of the watery sweetness later in the wear. To me, this one has less of the sort of ‘cotton candy’ aroma, it’s more of an impression that hangs in the air. Also, it smells spicier underneath.

Which is better?

It’s a pretty close contest, but I think that Extrait gets the edge for me. I don’t believe that it is leaps and bounds better. However, I enjoy the almond and heavier saffron up top versus the original. That one is great too, just Extrait is a bit better.

Edge: Extrait

Projection

I don’t find either of these to be absolute monsters in terms of their sillage. I think that they both open up strong, but quickly settle, closer to the skin.

In the case of BR 540 EDP, it goes from powerful, to sitting in the 2-3 foot range with its projection within an hour. But, it does stick around, just as a softer scent bubble.

Extrait, starts even stronger, but it will end up being a lighter moderate scent. Of course, you could just go crazy with the sprays and really make it pop for much longer.

Extrait wins this category, since it has the higher peak and keeps a higher level for the duration.

Edge: Extrait

Longevity

I will say, that both of these perfumes have fantastic longevity. With EDP, it’s usually a wider range of outcomes, on my skin. Usually, around 10 hours.

Though, that could be 8 and other times it hangs around for 12. It’s never been bad, Baccarat Rouge can sometimes just fall off a bit earlier for some reason.

With Extrait, the longevity is amazing. I’m not sure exactly when it finally fades away, but I’ve routinely detected on my skin 12-14 hours later.

At some point, you’ve got to shower, but this version of BR 540 will probably still be there when you do. The performance is extreme.

Edge: Extrait

Versatility

There’s not really a difference to me between them. They are both very versatile, but best used outside of the summer heat. They can work for folks young or old. Can venture into the nightlife and will get complements in the daytime, as well.

While each is unisex, they both do lean feminine. Though, plenty of men can and will be fine wearing a Baccarat Rouge perfume.

This one is a tie.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I’m not someone who is a massive fan of either of these fragrances. The hype really got insane for the past few years.

I like them both a lot, but you don’t absolutely need to have either of them. So, I can be fairly unbiased between these perfumes, because I don’t have a desire to own a full bottle of either.

I like Baccarat Rouge EDP. It’s sweet, has a lovely airy aroma that catches your nose, with a smooth and candy-like aroma without being a hyper-sugary mess. The amber and resin from the fir is great, I love saffron, and the cedar freshness helps tie it all together.

Performance wise, you can’t go wrong with the standard EDP.

That being said, Extrait catches my attention more. I enjoy the almond and the greater weighting of the saffron early on. It being my favorite note in the blend, it’s something that I really appreciated.

Extrait de Parfum is more substantial, has a better use of woods, and is somehow thicker without the same level of resinous qualities. The dry down between the two is pretty close in terms of how they smell.

It’s just that Extrait does a better job with its performance and the mix is slightly different at that stage.

If I had to buy one, I’d pony up the money for Extrait. If you’ve never smelled either, I would acquire samples of each before committing to a full bottle, as it is a substantial investment. Or even consider, finding a cheaper smell-a-like version.

Winner: Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum

Turbulences by Louis Vuitton

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Still working my way through review write ups of the Louis Vuitton collection of fragrances. The number is beginning to narrow down, but of course the brand has now released some more that I’ll have to get to. Anyway, today’s selection is from their women’s collection and was brought out in 2016, Turbulences. What does it smell like? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

Key Takeaways

  • Tuberose-centric perfume
  • Light leather and a nice jasmine note
  • Good performance, not great
  • Discontinued

What does Turbulences by Louis Vuitton Smell Like?

Notes include: tuberose, leather, jasmine, may rose, musk, sandalwood

My Full Wear Review

Let’s see how Louis Vuitton describes it: An extreme tuberose to stir the heart. Discovering faraway lands can sometimes feel like soaring among the clouds. Inspired by a feeling akin to love at first sight, the perfume Turbulences pays tribute to the most narcotic of flowers: the tuberose.

Turbulences opens up with a strong tuberose note and jasmine, creating an aroma with some green-ish qualities. To me, I get plenty of musk in the opening act. Much more so than in the latter stages.

From there it will start to become a creamier and smoother experience. The Louis Vuitton leather note is introduced, after the initial wave passes.

The tuberose note begins to take more of the share from the jasmine. At this point, the jasmine feels like an impression of generic white floral notes. The perfume is somewhat dewy at times. The style of the floral accord is very much like a better version of Gucci Bloom, to my nose.

The dry down is mostly about the tuberose with some additional jasmine hanging around. The leather is going to still hold down the second spot and it is my favorite aspect of this perfume. It pairs very well with the floral notes, like it does with the jasmine in Ombre Leather.

Beyond that, the musk is in its much lighter state, and there is a dry woody/creaminess from the underlying sandalwood in the base. Turbulences is not all that complicated.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage is pretty moderate overall. For the first hour or two, Turbulences will project nicely off the skin, just not dominate the room. It gets lighter, but is never a complete skin scent for me until it is time for it to evaporate.

Not huge, but a very solid performer all around.

On my skin, I get 8-9 hour of wear from this Vuitton perfume. Again, not a marathon runner by any means. It never quit early on me during testing. At this price, I’d usually want to hit double digit hours of wear, but it is pretty close to that.

Seasonally, anytime outside of the summer or late spring. It isn’t super heavy, but it has enough of a body to make it feel a bit off in the heat. In a more temperate climate, Turbulences really gets to shine. Even better, when it is chilly.

I don’t find this to be sexy. More of a cozy and fragrance to enjoy personally. It can be worn safely to work and during the daytime. Just not a club beast or romantic wear. It is a well put together white floral, with a semi-formal vibe.

Probably going to work best for women in their mid-20s and up. Can be unisex, but definitely leans more towards the feminine and that’s how it was marketed, also.

Overall Impressions of Turbulences

Very good, if you’re a tuberose fan. Pleasant enough, if not. I like it well enough, but I’m not crazy about it, since I’m not a major lover of white floral perfumes. It seems like you’d have to be, if you’re going to fork over this much for Turbulences.

It’s pretty simple in its presentation, but does what it was designed for well. Not one of my personal favorites from Louis Vuitton, but well worth a shot, if this is your style of perfume.

The quality of the tuberose is definitely there and I did enjoy the pairing with the leather note. Performance is good and it’s not too unusual to prevent it from being a blind buy.

Louis Vuitton has discontinued this fragrance. So, you’ll probably have to pick up one of the remaining bottles on eBay or something along those lines.

The Scent Absolute for Him by Hugo Boss

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This is the last of the Hugo Boss ‘The Scent’ reviews, as I’ve covered all of the releases up to this point (I may have to double check that). I thought that I might as well end with what I consider to be the best of the series, The Scent Absolute.

The aroma, the performance, and entire package is just superior to the others, in my opinion. What does it smell like? How long does it last? Continue below for my full take.

What does The Scent Absolute for Him Smell Like?

Notes include: maninka, ginger, vetiver, Mondia root

Click here to try: Hugo Boss The Scent Absolute for Him Eau De Parfum, 1.6 Fl Oz

My Full Review

The Scent Absolute is probably the most closely related to the original cologne from this Hugo Boss series. That’s a great thing, as I really enjoyed how that one smelled, but it had terrible performance.

However, The Scent Absolute corrects that, gives me a fresh and spicier profile, and isn’t the powdery chocolate of Private Accord (which is nice, but I prefer the maninka fruit). Yet, Absolute is also the more linear of the two parfums.

Absolute for Him kicks off with the fresh spiciness of ginger. It’s a bold use of the ginger note and it actually has a bit of a lemony-quality to it. Very nice. This is paired with the signature maninka fruit of the line, giving the composition a fruity warmth.

It’s a fruity and spicy opening act, with somewhat rum-like booziness in the mix. It doesn’t actually have that as an accord, but the fragrance puts out that sort of vibe (mondia roots). Absolute is masculine, attractive, and is definitely unique while retaining that The Scent DNA.

Super easy to wear.

I mentioned that this is a linear fragrance. Well, there is a change. The spice burns off and you are left with a mix of the maninka and vetiver the rest of the way. Fresh, a touch of earthiness, and smoke.

That’s about all the development I get from this fragrance. Though, I don’t think it needs to go much further.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one starts out on the upper edges of what could be considered moderate (4-7 foot projection), before moving in to a lighter moderate (3-4 feet). It’s not a complete beast, but performs very well when compared to the others.

The Scent Absolute also has good longevity. Gets around 8-9 hours of wear. Again, don’t expect a monster projection beast, but this one does hang around for a nice long while and doesn’t flake out early.

Seasonally, this has autumn and winter written all over it. Not a totally heavy or dense fragrance, but that spice would kind of be off-putting in the heat of the summer months. If you have relatively mild springs where you live, it would work then too.

Absolute is masculine. Not a teenagers fragrance, but not exactly formal either. It can venture into the nightlife and is great for casual wear. This is more of a ‘sexy’, mass appealing cologne, that leans much more into evening wear.

I don’t find it to be particularly out of place anywhere, I just don’t consider it a jack of all trades kind of cologne.

Overall Impressions of The Scent Absolute

Overall, do I like The Scent Absolute? Yes, again, it is my favorite out of all of these colognes. If I had to buy one from the series, I’d go with Absolute, without question.

It isn’t a very complicated fragrance. Though, I love the sweet maninka fruit, and ginger is among my favorite notes. Together, it is damn near brilliant. The slight rum impression is an additional bonus.

I’m not as big of a fan of the vetiver dry down, but it’s solid overall. The performance at least gives you your money’s worth, unlike some of the others.

This is a very good perfume for him. It’s just not a total must buy for me, personally. If you’re a fan of the other ‘The Scent’ fragrances, this is one that you need to check out, and give strong consideration to purchasing.

I dig it and went through the entire sample pretty easily. If this scent sounds like your kind of thing, give it a try before it disappears from the market entirely.