A lovely-smelling apartment is such a flex, IMO. I want people to step into my home and immediately ask what candle I’m burning or if I perhaps have a sheet of gooey, chocolate chip cookies crisping in the oven. My favorite comment of late? “Your apartment smells like an expensive winter chalet.” (I’m terrified of skiing, FYI, but I do love the luxurious aesthetic.) Once I added a very special (and terribly chic) launch into my home fragrance collection—and, nope, it’s not a candle—these specific compliments kept pouring in. Curious which secret scent I’ve been using on repeat? Keep scrolling.
(Image credit: Parfums de Marly)
Parfums de Marly is synonymous with intoxicating scents. (Its delicate floral confection, Delina, earned a top spot in our “best fragrances of all time” guide.) The French perfume house is straight up elegance, bottled. So when I got the chance to try its new home diffuser—a completely new category launch for the brand—suffice it to say I was game.
I expected a chic design—Parfums de Marly has the most ornate bottles, after all—but the luxurious base is like no diffuser I’ve ever seen before. Many vapor options on the market have that classic, cylindrical form, whereas reed diffusers typically feature a thicket of wooden sticks poking through the top. This Dry Diffuser, however, features a sleek, square-shaped base made from hand-crafted oakwood that honestly doubles as a piece of sculpture art.
It’s the perfect size to tuck away on a bookshelf or display on a credenza, and the elegant design makes the machine look like it’s meant to be there. Perhaps that’s why friends are stumped by the source of my delicious home fragrance until I finally point it out on my side table. It just seamlessly blends with my apartment aesthetic.
As its name suggests, it’s a dry diffuser, which is also what makes it so inconspicuous. Inside the oak base lies a hidden ventilation system that softly and silently releases fragrance into the air—no vapor whatsoever. You simply place your scent block of choice on the slotted portion of base (no need to lock anything in; you just set it down freely!), power on the diffuser, and marvel how quickly your home fills with scent. You can control the intensity and duration on the machine itself, or you can download the app to set it up from afar (because what’s more chic than being greeted by a faint cloud of Delina when you walk in the door?).
Parfums de Marly
Dry Diffuser
At present, the diffuser has four available scents: Delina, the iconic, aforementioned floral; Althaïr, a boozy, ambery-vanilla; Haltane, a nutty, herby, woody potion; and Délice d’Épices (aka Spiced Delight), a cinnamon- and honey-infused confection. I personally have been running the latter on repeat for the past several weeks, as it smells warm and cuddly without teetering too much into winter holiday territory. Imagine sipping a steaming mug of apple cider while curled up in a worn, leather armchair next to a crackling fire—that’s Délice d’Épices. It’s the epitome of cozy luxury, hence why my tiny, NYC apartment now smells like an expensive chalet.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can even layer two or more scents on the Dry Diffuser. Just place the two scent boxes side by side on the base, as you can see in the photo below. (FWIW, Delina, Haltane, and Délice d’Épices smell incredible cocktailed together.)
(Image credit: Parfums de Marly)
Parfums de Marly
Delina Scented Refill
Parfums de Marly
Délice d’Épices Scented Refill
Parfums de Marly
Althaïr Scented Refill
Parfums de Marly
Haltane Scented Refill
Okay, but let’s discuss the elephant in the room—the price. I won’t lie, the Parfums de Marly Dry Diffuser is an investment. The base itself is tagged at $395, and each refillable scent goes for $80 a pop. But allow me to demonstrate some mental math to convince you why it’s worth it. Look, Parfums de Marly fragrances aren’t cheap. One 2.5-ounce perfume is nearly the same price as the diffuser, and while they do last forever (I’ve had Althaïr for over a year and have yet to finish the bottle), I understand why you might hesitate before buying multiple potions.
This diffuser, however, allows you to sample different Parfums de Marly fragrances for a fraction of the price. Yes, the $395 upfront is nothing to scoff at, but the $80 price tag for each accompanying scent seems wildly marked down, when you think about it. In a way, you can own four coveted Parfums de Marly fragrances for $320, so you can really nail down which one you love before committing to an eau de parfum. The brand plans to roll out even more home versions of their best-selling elixirs, so rest assured, you’ll have plenty of room to play—and the room will never smell more luxurious.
Shop My Favorite Parfums de Marly Fragrances
Parfums de Marly
Delina Eau De Parfum
Key notes: rhubarb, lychee, bergamot essence, Turkish rose, peony, vanilla, cashmeran, musk, vetiver
I will forever be a Delina girl! While I don’t usually gravitate to floral fragrances, there’s just something about this delicate, musky confection that smells like pure heaven. I reach for it almost daily.
Parfums de Marly
Valaya Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Bergamot, mandarin, white peach, orange flower, nymphea, vetiver, akigalawood, ambrofix musk
Valaya is bright yet intimate, citrus-forward yet soft. I was enamored at first whiff.
Parfums de Marly
Valaya Exclusif
Key notes: Velvety almond, bergamot, mandarin, orange blossom, white flowers, powdery facets, akigalawood, sandalwood, ambroxan, vanilla
Parfums de Marly recently launched Valaya Exclusif with an emphasis on powdery, nutty notes, and—dare I say—I might love it even more than the OG. The almond and vanilla really come to life here, yet it still has those undertones of bright citrus shining through. If you love Valaya, I’m willing to bet you’ll fall head over heels for this Exclusif. I sure did!
Parfums de Marly
Althaïr Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon, boubron vanilla, elemi, guaiacwood, ambrox, praline, musk
Fun fact: My fiancé and I wear Althaïr on repeat. I always love a boozy, bourbon vanilla, and this one blooms on the skin oh so beautifully.
Parfums de Marly
Delina Hair Mist
Delina devotees, might I suggest snagging the accompanying hair mist? There’s nothing quite like tucking into bed smelling like a chic French baroness.
Parfums de Marly
Palatine Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Mandarin, bergamot, pear, violet petal, lavandin, floral bouquet, sandalwood, patchouli, musk, vanilla
This perfume exudes royal energy, and not just because its housed in a rich purple bottle. It’s at once fresh, fruity, and powdery, grounded by velvety musk and sandalwood. It’s gorgeous.
Parfums de Marly
Haltane Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Bergamot, lavender, clary sage, ssaffron, cedarwood, praline, oudwood, patcohouli, vetiver, musk, leather, natural agarwood
Haltane is an earthy fragrance-lover’s dream. Imagine taking a stroll through the chicest forest imaginable—that’s what it smells like.
Parfums de Marly
Cassili Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Red currant, Bulgarian rose, transparent white flowers, plum accord, mimosa absolute, plumeria, petalia, sandalwood, tonka beans, vanilla pod
A fruity floral, this bright blend is pure happiness in a bottle. I especially love the subtle whiffs of sandalwood and tonka bean as it dries down, as it adds a touch of sophistication.
