If there's one indicator of a good perfume, it's this: someone stopping you on the street to ask what you're wearing. It's a fantasy, right? Wrong, it happened to me whilst wearing a certain popular, and oh-so luxury scent...
Widely regarded as one of the best perfumes for women, Byredo Gypsy Water is a unique and distinctive signature, smouldering beneath the mainstream waft of fruity-floral celebrity scents. And yet it's namechecked as a must-wear fragrance by almost every Beauty Editor I know, as well as a roll call of A-list stars - like Sienna Miller and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
As the name suggests, this nomadic scent is an ode to Romani culture and is truly a treat for the senses (both mine and evidently the passersby, who end up chasing me down). The effect is intriguing, alluring and enticing, so much so, that I recommend it as the one, premium fragrance that is truly worth adding to your collection...
Why Byredo Gypsy Water is the luxe scent I always recommend
Layered with pine needles, incense and sandalwood, the standout note - and the one that initially piqued my curiosity - in this Byredo blend is juniper berries, which affords it that distinctive crisp and woody appeal that has inspired compliments with every wear...
RRP: £140 for 50ml | Notes: Bergamot, juniper berries, lemon, pepper, incense, orris, pine needle, amber, sandalwood and vanilla
This is the perfume equivalent of the perfect white tee - it's timeless, understated and impossibly cool. If you prefer your fragrances on the lighter, fresher side, this could be the ideal woody aromatic for you.
RRP: from £85 for 50ml | Notes: Bergamot, mandarin, lemon, juniper berry, pink peppercorn, jasmine, violet, incense, musk, sandalwood, amber, vanilla and cedarwood.
For those seeking a more budget-friendly alternative, Tocca Colette is touted as smelling similar to Byredo's Gypsy Water and shares several of the same standout notes, including bergamot, juniper berries and sandalwood.
RRP: £39 for 7ml | Notes: Vanilla, sandalwood and neroli
Another popular and aquatic alternative is this perfume oil from By Rosie Jane. It's perfect for applying to your pulse points for a lingering and intimate signature and offers a warm and fresh scent, described as being inspired by autumn and the mountains of Lake Tahoe.
Of all the scents in my fragrance wardrobe (as a Beauty Editor, I’m lucky enough to have tried many of the best perfumes on the market), this is by far the one that racks up the most compliments.
My husband loves it. My children - who have been known to turn their noses up at some of my most prized perfumes - love it. And I have experienced that greatest perfume plaudit of all - being stopped in the street by a stranger to ask what it is I am wearing.
What makes Byredo Gypsy Water so special?
I am the sort of person who is automatically turned off by popularity, be it music, fashion trends or films (The Holiday? I just don’t get the hype!). Byredo Gypsy Water is still fairly niche, which obviously draws me in like a moth to a sweet-smelling flame. Its uncommonness is probably owing in part to its hefty price tag. At £140 for 50ml, this is no impulsive lunch hour purchase.
After dropping enough hints to fill a copy of 'War and Peace', my husband very kindly bought me a bottle for Christmas 2021. I do tend to save it for special occasions - dinners out, family gatherings, date nights, and such - but that bottle is still going strong. If you’re lucky enough to ever receive a Byredo package, the experience of opening up the crisp white embossed box is almost as tantalising as the fragrance itself. Everything about Byredo feels like cool, understated luxury.
What does Gypsy Water smell like?
It's the perfect balance of crisp freshness with warm and inviting woody notes. It opens with almost aquatic hints of pine needles, juniper berries and citrus, which then simmer down into rich and comforting sandalwood and amber. It's reminiscent of a breath of fresh woodland air and is beautifully unique - a real staple for those who don't gravitate towards mainstream gourmands or florals.
How well does it last on the skin?
Is it one of the best long-lasting perfumes? Sadly not, at least for me. It is a cruel twist of irony that the most delectable fragrance on the planet does not linger on my skin. Having said that, just because my nose becomes impervious to the scent after a few hours, does not mean that others do not continue to enjoy it. I am assured by those in close proximity to me that it still emanates into the day.
I have found that layering the Eau de Parfum with the coordinating Byredo Gypsy Water Hair Perfume (available at Liberty) does improve the longevity of the fragrance. Still, nothing will put me off this enigmatic, fresh and woody fragrance. And until the compliments stop rolling in, I’ll keep on spritzing, sparingly, of course!
What celebs wear Gypsy Water?
If you're wondering who you'll have this signature in common with if you do end up investing, the list of Byredo Gyspy Water fans features the likes of Sienna Miller, Kate Bosworth and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
