Sometimes I really wish I could keep my cool a little bit more when it comes to fragrance. For instance, I FTFO whenever A) a new fragrance is launching, B) someone asks me about my bottle collection, or C) a friend, family member, or reader hasn't experienced a history-altering olfactive masterpiece à la Chanel N°5, CK One, Miss Dior, or perhaps Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. Perfume is a hyperactive passion point for me, especially when it comes to two equally iconic scents I didn't mention above: Thierry Mugler's Angel (which has been causing pandemonium since its birth in 1992) and Alien (which, while equally famous and recognizable, came along a little later on in 2005). To put it bluntly, both are just so, so good at what they do (whether you want something sweet and gourmand like Angel or timelessly classic like Alien) I get physically itchy when I meet someone who's unfamiliar. If you own one perfume in your life, I think it should be one of the above. (But fear not—more on both later on.)
Of course, there's more to this dynamic duo than their arguably perfect scent profiles—they also represent a pivotal facet of Thierry Mugler's legendary footprint in the fashion, art, and beauty industries. For instance, when Angel launched in 1992, nearly 20 years after the fashion label's original establishment, it became instantly famous as the first "gourmand" fragrance in the history of fragrance, no doubt inspiring thousands of perfumes to come. (Fun fact: In 1998, Angel had become so popular that it dethroned Chanel No. 5 from its number one slot in the French fragrance market.) Not surprisingly, Mugler was often referred to as the "The Prophet of Futurism" throughout his career.
Alien, which launched in 2005, made equally exciting waves, as it was the first major fragrance launch since Angel—I love a beauty product with a history, so it's no surprise I go wild for Thierry Mugler's cult-loved creations. To celebrate, and because I've been talking about Thierry Mugler's best fragrances more than ever lately (despite their 20-plus-year heritage), I've rounded up (and ranked) the best perfumes from the label that are still available. Keep scrolling!
Key fragrance notes: fig leaves, fig wood, caviar. As the story goes, Mugler described this best-selling perfume as "music whose notes play on the emotions of the woman who wears it." Think of this scent as the ultimate amalgamation of sweet, spicy, and salty thanks to hints of fig, "sun-drenched fruit," and the unorthodox yet completely ingenious addition of caviar.
Key fragrance notes: Fauve Liana, orange blossom, vanilla. Although the scent itself isn't my all-time Thierry Mugler favorite, the bottle absolutely is. (Perhaps it's the fact that I'm obsessed with all things emerald?) Curb appeal aside, the bottle's olfactive contents are equally stunning. Described by the brand as ambery, floral, and carnal, it's a great pick for anyone who loves fresh, floral fragrances with a semi-dramatic plot twist. It boasts notes like vanilla and orange blossom, but the star player (that's also completely unique to Mugler) is Fauve Liana or "Tiger Liana"—a traditional Chinese medicinal plant that heals heart disease and contributes to balance the body. As far as the plant's scent, however, think supremely rich and smoky.
Key fragrance notes: ginger, cinnamon, tuberose, orange blossom, vanilla, white amber. This spin-off of Mugler's ultra-famous Alien may be lesser known than the original, but its dark and twisty insides of vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, tuberose, orange blossom, and white amber make it a force in its own right. Oh, and that fiery, ruby-red bottle? Inspired by the scorching hot sun, of course.
Key fragrance notes: bergamot essence, jasmine grandiflorum, bourban vanilla. According to its perfumers, Marie Salamagne and Nathalie Lorson, Alien Goddess smells like "an incandescent and generous solar embrace." Alien's iconic gem-inspired bottle encases notes that epitomize three sparkling "revelations" (radiant, miraculous, and mindful) and results in a warm, silky-smooth floral scent.
Key fragrance notes: bergamot essence, jasmine grandiflorum, coconut cream, bourbon vanilla. While I rarely like "intense" iterations of classic fragrances (typically, they're too heady and cloying for my taste), this amplified version of the above is actually superior in my mind. Launched one year after the original, it utililzes the same magnetic notes like vanilla, jasmine, and bergamot but is slightly warmer and milkier thanks to coconut cream and benzoin.
Key fragrance notes: raspberry, super-natural rose, Akigalawood. I'll tell it to you straight. I've been obsessed with Angel Nova ever since its launch in 2020. I'm a sucker for a beautiful, richly orchestrated rose fragrance, and this one is hard to beat. One part fruity, one part floral, it's one of my go-to perfumes when I'm not in the mood for something sweet or woodsy.
Key fragrance notes: jasmine sambac, cashmeran wood, white amber. I won't tell you how long I deliberated on whether Alien should take the number one or number two spot on this list. But as it launched later than Angel (in 2005 versus 1992) and isn't quite so near and dear to my heart on a personal level, it had to come second. That said, it's still one of the most beloved fragrances of all time and one of my most prized possessions in the perfume department. The fragrance and its amethyst-colored bottled are intended as a united talisman, artfully designed to be magical, timeless and precious in its scent. Plus, thanks to the current revival of all things '90s and Y2K, it's having a much-deserved second moment right now.
Key fragrance notes: bergamot, red fruits, praline, patchouli. In addition to the fact that it's *the* gourmand fragrance of all gourmand fragrances, one of the reasons my love for Angel runs so deep is that I quite literally grew up with it. Created in 1992 (one year before I was born), it was a staple on top of my mom's vanity—along with other iconic numbers from Chanel and Guerlain—so the smell and immediately recognizable star-shaped bottle triggers waves of sweet-scented nostalgia. It's addictive and doused with the perfect balance of sweet (from praline) and woodsy (thanks to an unusually high concentration of patchouli). It's one of the most iconic fragrances of all time for a reason, and my favorite within the Thierry Mugler perfume family.
