Best Girl of Now by Elie Saab Alternatives & Similar Perfumes

Hélène Napoleone was the daughter of Napoleon’s last lover, Albine de Montholon, and although it was never confirmed if the now-exiled Emperor was indeed her father, he did give her his name, so…? Her namesake fragrance is a vivacious bouquet of fruits and florals, headlined by sparkling pear and creamy magnolia. The charm deepens with the amber base, warmed by sandalwood and patchouli.

Spiritually, number one represents beginnings, focus and determination. Kajal l, with its fresh, engaging warmth, has been crafted to underscore one’s innate dignity and charisma. Cassis, grapefruit and mandarin provide the big “hello!”. Guaiac wood, cardamom, orange blossom and cashmeran draw people in, while a soft vanillic cloud of sandalwood and oud extend the allure.

Perfumer: Christian Carbonnel

Spiritually, number two symbolizes balance, a reminder that we are all connected. When we attune our inner self with our outer experiences, a profound equilibrium emerges. Kajal II, with its peach and bright aromatics playing against deep oakmoss, sandalwood and musk, is a tribute to this serene duality.

Perfumer: Rosendeo Mateu

Comes on juicy and fluffy before revealing its true character. Co-created by Allie Goodbun, a showgirl at an iconic Parisian cabaret, Pear Pavlova mirrors her qualities as a dancer: the duality of lightness with strength. Aquatic pear and airy meringue are anchored by musky ambrette seed and heady jasmine sambac to give it unexpected va-va-voom.

Distant Hills in Silence is a meditative, woody-aromatic perfume inspired  by twilight on a mountain peak and the quiet whispers of wind through the pines. It opens with resinous frankincense and elemi blended with clean green leaves and clary sage, before shifting into a bright citrus clash of mandarin, bergamot and lemon. Chilly black pepper sharpens the feel, before a mossy and powdery fusion of patchouli and violet lends a cold shadow to the composition.

Perfumer: Maxime Exler

Inspired by shards of sunlight streaming through the trees, Shaft of Light summons warmth and well-being. In this case, the light is shining down upon grapefruit and lemon trees, and creamy white florals including magnolia and gardenia. Warm tones of sandalwood, patchouli, and oakmoss call forth nature's life-affirming power.

Sun soaked dayz and disco nights, this scent captures the character of Ibiza with white florals and aromatic star anise. Chic, cool, joyful!

Mallow is the story of a candy flower that explodes in the infinite sweetness of violet powder. You do more than smell Mallow. You listen to it, you see it, you drink it and you touch it. Borne aloft by the vanilla-marzipan of heliotrope and plush sunshine of orange blossoms, this extrait is a haze of violets softly radiating from your magnetic self.

Hasbaya is a city in Lebanon, and Néroli Hasbaya is inspired by a Lebanese dessert called mouhalabieh, a milk pudding flavoured with orange blossom and pistachio. This extrait opens with incandescent neroli, wrapped in nutty’n’buttery hints of pistachio and almond. Orange blossom reveals its full depth in the base, and the creamy richness of sandalwood and Peruvian balsam enhance the enfolding trail of this radiant perfume.

Perfumer: Céline Perdriel

Ah the wiliness of youth! You think that fresh face shines with only innocence, until a feral cunning presents itself. Disco Inferno starts off playing the game with happy-sappy pear and peach blossom, frangipani and pineapple. Then you realise oud and soft woods are at work behind scenes, allowing that innocent visage into places they should never be allowed.