My husband can’t stop praising my scent—this "Royal" fragrance, cherished by aristocrats, is the secret.

      "You smell amazing," my husband comments as I settle down next to him on the couch. It’s 6:45 p.m., and I’ve just spent over half an hour crammed with fellow subway riders, sweating beneath my wool coat while the train crossed the East River. I may smell like something, but "good" isn’t the word for it. I almost mention that the joy of being newlyweds must be affecting his senses, but then I catch a whiff—the sweet, crisp perfume I applied earlier that morning, still clinging to my skin with its warm, spicy embrace. I'm all for a cozy, winter-inspired scent that evokes the feeling of snuggling up next to a crackling fire, yet a sophisticated, opulent blend (especially one with remarkable sillage) makes my heart sing regardless of the season. This fragrance, in particular, exudes a sense of luxury—almost regal, as if it should be worn by a member of royalty. It’s rumored to be a favorite of Kate Middleton and Princess Charlene of Monaco, so perhaps I'm projecting, but I also suspect that its captivating elegance comes from one undervalued note: camellia. Let me explain why.

      First, I need to share the fragrance that ignited my obsession with camellia scents. Krigler's Extraordinaire Camelia 209 isn’t a brand new formulation (it debuted back in 2009 to commemorate the brand’s 105th anniversary), but it took me until this year to give it a try. I am so thankful I did, as it has become my daily signature scent. I have genuinely never encountered another fragrance quite like it; it simply smells like pure luxury. It starts off sweetly crisp, but not in a "grandma glamour" manner, especially as notes of cardamom, cedarwood, musk, peppercorn, and vanilla emerge during the dry-down. Initially, it presents as a bright, fresh citrus, but evolves into a musky floral that lingers long past the initial spritz. Camellia, true to its name, is the predominant note here, featuring two varieties of this special flower. As a fun fact, camellia is widely known as the "queen of winter flowers," ensuring that this is a seasonally fitting fragrance. In nature, camellias have little to no scent, but some types do produce a sweet, delicate aroma akin to jasmine or peony. In the fragrance industry, perfumers often create "fantasy notes" (conceptualized smells utilizing advanced synthetics) from this flower, highlighting its elegant, fresh characteristics or pairing it with complementary scents like citrus and musk to enhance its presence. However, camellia isn’t the most common note, despite being cultivated in Southeast Asia for centuries, so you won’t come across many camellia perfumes—but that’s exactly what makes the few available so unique. While not as prevalent as rose or jasmine, camellia exudes a sense of quiet luxury. Krigler's formulation certainly has a price tag to match (a 50-milliliter bottle costs $595), but based on my experience, the compliments it garners make the overall cost incredibly worthwhile. That said, the brand also offers a $45 sample in an equally luxurious gold container, which might be a more palatable option for your budget. (Just be prepared to fall utterly in love with the elegant scent.) Below, you can find both options, along with several other luxurious-smelling fragrances.

      Shop Camellia Perfumes

      Krigler

      Extraordinaire Camelia 209 Perfume

      Key notes: Bergamot, camellia, cardamom, cedarwood, lemon, musk, peppercorn, tea, vanilla. This is, needless to say, my current favorite camellia scent. The unique mixture is unlike anything I’ve encountered—it’s both fresh and sweet, bright yet musky. And it has impressive longevity; though pricier, it will last you nearly forever.

      Krigler

      Extraordinaire Camelia 209 Sample

      If you’re still on the fence, I highly suggest trying the smaller version first. Among perfume samples, this is arguably the most luxurious. Plus, the two-milliliter bottle has remarkable longevity, so it will last much longer than you’d expect.

      Moroccanoil

      L'Originale Eau de Parfum

      Key notes: Violet, camellia, citrus, muguet, velvet woods, vanilla, white sandalwood, musk, amber. I’ve always thought Moroccanoil produces the best-smelling hair products available, and their first-ever fragrance perfectly illustrates why. This citrus-floral scent features camellia, violet, and vanilla, creating a duo that is intoxicatingly luxurious. Beauty writer Shawna Hudson calls it one of her all-time favorites, stating, "This smells like it should be a lot more