Best The Favourite by Penhaligon's Alternatives & Similar Perfumes

Purple line

Perfumer: Karine Vinchon

A beautiful floral abstraction, sheer delight for the olfactive imagination: is it a lilac, or spicy carnation or all the aromas of many humble meadow flowers mixed in the spring rain?

The shady cool and crisp orris (made very dry with cedar and tonka) offers a floral riddle which every nose solves in his or her own way.

September 1757, Casino Venier, Venice

A powdery floral fragrance based on authentic 18th century cosmetic formulas.

A coquettish floral capturing the decadence of 18th century Venice, its rococo interiors and clandestine affairs: a powdery blend of black violet, blush rose, and chamomile nestled on an impossibly soft base of dusty iris and subtle, animalic amber. 

I was inspired while visiting Kew Gardens in London in May. Every May there are hundreds of blooming magnolia trees in different sorts, sizes, scents and colours. Usually it is a very rainy season and my inspiration was to create a scent of the water and rain on magnolia trees.  

The symbol of this modern perfume is an American modern dance pioneer Ruth St. Denis. She is not only a very talented performer, but also very feminine. 

Divine Dancer is an ethereal, watercoloured, light, fresh, feminine floral perfume. It is modern and vivacious fruity floral scent .

The Divine Dancer perfume is dedicated to one of the first American modern dance and ballet performers Ruth St. Denis.

Her vibrant and spirited art of dance, influenced by the East and South Asia, her divine body move and incredible costumes made Ruth St. Denis a worldwide well known star. Her body projects as Temple of femininity. 

When the dancer emerged from the darkness of the stage, her presence was immediately captivating, the air suddenly fragrant with her appearance. Adorned in jewels from head to toe, radiant in a special gold sari, her hair crowned in jasmine, she is an embodiment of divine feminine, mirroring the images of goddesses of Lakshmi and Saraswati but with the talented Ruth St. Denis touch of modern dance and ballet movement.

A sensual perfume with a powdery retro touch of orris and violets against the clean white musk background.   

Eau de Madame got inspired by the fields filled with irises and violets around Maine Gailard, the little French city where Feret are based.

Perfumer: Frank Voelkl

The charismatic and dashing French sailor steps from his sailboat, the late afternoon breeze ruffles his hair. The atmosphere is warm and salty. With graceful haste he seeks refined refreshment on a beautifully manicured lawn. Suave and impressive. With notes of green grass, sweet freesia and musk. 

The name Alyazia is associated with a rare and delicate gazelle, symbolising grace, elegance and natural beauty. With its traditional Bedouin roots, the name has a strong connection to the heritage of the Arabian Gulf. The fragrance opens with plush, tender violet, illuminated by a solar heart of wild strawberry and orange blossom. The cushioned base of iris, vanilla, tonka bean and sandalwood extends the “ahhhhhhh” of this comforting scent.

Perfumer: Julien Rasquinet

Iris Cendre acts cold and green at the opening with the help of bergamot and frankincense, but as the perfume unfolds and smoke lifts, orris appears in its creamy gourmand seductiveness.

In 1912, Houbigant's perfumer Robert Bienaimé picked up the ball from Paul Parquet (who earlier invented the whole fougere category while working for Houbigant at the end of the 18th century) and introduced Quelques Fleurs, one of Houbigant’s all-time great fragrances and the first multi-floral bouquet ever created.

The current owners of Houbigant take the heritage and history of the house very seriously and try to adapt the famous formulas from the 18th and 19th centuries to the 21st century's tastes and technologies while keeping the character and old-school flair as close as possible to the originals.

You might have read about Quelques Fleurs in books on perfume and the guides on the greatest perfumes of all time.

The current reincarnation is an adaptation of the original formula to modern times taste and it benefits from modern advances in perfume making.

Meet the 21st century Quelques Fleurs, a gorgeous romantic floral with a big history and an infinite number of floral facets.

Iles d’Or conjures Molinard's connection to the Mediterranean’s azure waters and the southern coasts of Provence. Guided by the scents of the dense Provençal maquis, this delightfully bright fern centred perfume explores the heated mix of lavender, sarsaparilla, and heather. With bright citrus and a floral essence one feels a siren song to this island of paradise.

Inspired by the mythical nectar of the gods, Ambrosia opens with the sweet, delicate notes of plumeria and mango, layered with the lush richness of peach, lychee, and coconut. The heart reveals the creamy depth of heliotrope, musk, and guava, while wafts of French orris, Mysore and Sri Lankan sandalwood, Indian tuberose and vintage Ethiopian civet evoke a divine atmosphere—capturing the essence of heavenly indulgence.