The Tom Ford Bible advised me to combine these two surprising fragrances—now, I can't stop using them.

      Here’s an intriguing tidbit for fragrance enthusiasts (we embrace you wholeheartedly!): Tom Ford has an exclusive collection of scent blends, accessible only through conversations with a House fragrance expert — or by delving into the depths of Reddit, though beware that any guides you find may be somewhat outdated. This collection is known as Private Blend Styling — as it certainly deserves such a stylish title — which eliminates the uncertainty of perfume layering by detailing precisely which bottles to use and how much to spray. (Yes, really; you'll receive a specific number of sprays for each scent.) I recently ventured to Tom Ford Beauty's first dedicated boutique in SoHo and, as a beauty journalist, I eagerly asked a range of scent-styling queries while trying out each delightful Private Blend creation. What are the go-to crowd-pleasing combinations? Which pairings are underestimated? What should someone mix if they prefer gourmand, woody, floral, fruity, and other notes? I explored all angles and walked away with several suggestions — one of which I can't stop spraying. If you haven't yet discovered the rich and alluring essence of Oud Voyager and Vanilla Sex, keep reading. I never would have thought to merge these two fragrances (thank you, Tom Ford fragrance guide!), but now I can’t envision one without the other.

      **About Oud Voyager**

      Tom Ford

      Oud Voyager Eau de Parfum

      Key notes: Geranium absolute, living red peony accord, floral oud tri-distillate, cypriol, oud, osmanthus

      The newest addition to Tom Ford's Private Blend line, Oud Voyager prominently features oud — a deep, smoky, and animalistic note that has been revered for centuries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This ancient ingredient is linked to wealth and luxury (so much so that it has earned the title "liquid gold"), but master perfumer Dominique Ropion wanted to elevate oud further by blending it with fresh, contemporary elements. "Oud is woody, but also animalistic, spicy, very deep, [and] slightly dark, so we needed to find something that strongly contrasts with that aspect," he explained during a brand master class. "Floral notes are the ideal way to achieve this." Specifically, red peony, which Ropion describes as "a very rich flower—complex, yet not heavy," and geranium, which adds an herbaceous—almost minty—freshness. "It has a rosy quality, combined with a richness and juiciness," shares Helen Murphy, Tom Ford VP of fragrance development. You'll also experience a floral oud tri-distillate—an exclusive mix of these three notes to amplify their effects—along with pink pepper, saffron, osmanthus, cypriol, patchouli, and musk. "The cypriol and patchouli enhance the oud notes, making it richer," Murphy notes. The osmanthus contributes a leathery nuance with an appealing, nectar-like essence.

      The result is an oud-dominant fragrance that exudes sensuality but isn’t as musky as some traditional oud blends. "Some ouds can be extremely animalistic," Ropion explains. "This one is woody, a bit animalistic, ambery… quite intricate." Given this particular type of oud—alongside the floral notes—I would suggest it's an excellent "starter oud" for those who may have previously avoided oud fragrances. It's deep and rich without being overpowering, and when combined with Vanilla Sex (more on that shortly!), its seductive allure multiplies.

      **About Vanilla Sex**

      Tom Ford

      Vanilla Sex Eau de Parfum

      Key notes: Vanilla tincture India, vanilla absolute, sandalwood essence, jasmine absolute, orris accord, animalis accord

      What more can be said about Vanilla Sex that hasn’t already been mentioned? If you're a fan of gourmand fragrances, you likely already have this delectable blend in your collection. Personally, it's one of the most complimented scents I possess; recently, I spritzed it at my desk and was immediately bombarded with questions from colleagues. ("Oh my god, what perfume did you just wear?")

      Its blend of two vanilla types, combined with sandalwood, jasmine, orris, and animalis, yields a warm, creamy dry-down that is tantalizing without being overly sweet. You can detect its sweetness without feeling immersed in dessert batter, a challenging balance to achieve in food-inspired scents. Similar to Oud Voyager, it emphasizes a dominant note (vanilla in this case) while maintaining complexity. It’s nostalgic yet contemporary, giving it a luxurious aroma. WWW beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock agrees, calling it one of her all-time — if not the absolute favorite — Tom Ford fragrances. "It’s warm, captivating, glamorous, and sensual. It’s modern yet has a hint of the seductive, Old Hollywood allure," she states in her review.

      **The Combination I Can’t Stop Spraying**