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  3. All-Time Best Scents of Southern Women

All-Time Best Scents of Southern Women

Mary Shannon Hodes, Associate Digital Editor at Southern Living
By Mary Shannon Wells
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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White Diamonds Elizabeth Taylor Eau de Toilette
Credit: Macy's
Every Southern woman has her all-time favorite perfume, and most of them know the scents their mamas and grandmothers wore every day. We looked back on past beauty icon stories, and rounded up the best fragrances Southern women have worn over the years. Some of these classic perfumes have been around longer than we have, and the oldies show no signs of going extinct. Some of these fragrances are even essential oils or perfume oils. The best scents are the ones that evoke a memory or a feeling, like the comforting smell of Mama's peach cobbler, a salty Gulf breeze or a whiff of the Chanel No. 5 that sat on your grandmother's vanity while you played dress-up in her closet. See if your signature scent made the list of favorite perfumes from our past beauty icons.
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Chanel No. 5 Eau de Parfum Spray

Chanel No. 5 Eau de Parfum Spray
Credit: Neiman Marcus

“Early on, Suga fell in love with Chanel no. 5, and she still wears it today. As a teenager, she used to wander into department stores to sneak a quick spritz before a date.” Heather Chadduck Hillegas, “My Mom, The Beauty Icon” March 2015

“Chanel No. 5 body lotion and perfume were her staples. I’ll never forget having chicken pox and Mom spritzing me with this scent to make me feel pretty.” Candy Devore, “My Mom, The Beauty Icon” February 2017

Buy It: $135 for 3.4 oz; neimanmarcus.com

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Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum Spray

Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum Spray
Credit: Neiman Marcus

“My mom loves this perfume because it’s soft, feminine, and not overpowering. I wore it on my wedding day.” Katie Sparrow Hedrick, “My Mom, The Beauty Icon” September 2015

Buy It: $130 for 3.4 oz.; neimanmarcus.com

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White Diamonds Elizabeth Taylor Eau de Toilette

White Diamonds Elizabeth Taylor Eau de Toilette
Credit: Macy's

“While my mother is too modest to see her likeness to Elizabeth Taylor, she does love the star’s perfume, White Diamonds.” Tippi Polo, “My Mom, The Beauty Icon” September 2015

Buy It: $69 for 3.3 oz.; macys.com

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Lancôme Magie Noire Eau de Toilette Spray

Lancôme Magie Noire Eau de Toilette Spray
Credit: Nordstrom

“Lancôme cosmetics are my grandmother’s go-to, especially their Magie Noire perfume.” Lindsey Reynolds, “My Grandmother, The Beauty Icon” January 2016

Buy It: $68 for 2.5 oz; nordstrom.com

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Vera Wang Eau de Parfum Spray

Vera Wang Eau de Parfum Spray
Credit: Macy's

“Sarah has always loved perfume and had a lot of it—it’s her signature. One of her consistent favorites over the years has been Vera Wang. The soft floral scent always reminds me of her.” Dana Gibson, “My Sister, The Beauty Icon” March 2016

Buy It: $92 for 3.4 oz; macys.com

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Egyptian Musk Perfume Essence

Egyptian Musk Perfume Essence
Credit: Uncommon Scents

“I always loved hearing my grandmother’s tales of life in the South Pacific. This essential oil is one of my favorite scents; it’s exotic and reminds me of her travel stories.” Andi Eaton “My Grandmother, The Beauty Icon” April 2016

Buy It: $29.50; uncommonscents.com

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Aromatics Elixir Perfume

Aromatics Elixir Perfume
Credit: Nordstrom

“A spicy-scented perfume will always remind me of fancy affairs. Mom spritzed this on generously for Mardi Gras balls.” Lauren Lagarde “My Mom, The Beauty Icon” June 2016,

Buy It: $74 for 3.4 oz.; nordstrom.com

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Burberry The Beat Eau de Parfum

Burberry The Beat Eau de Parfum
Credit: Kohl's

“Like Mom, I sample as many perfumes as possible. My current favorite is Burberry The Beat.” Rachel Sewell, “My Mom, The Beauty Icon” July 2016

Buy It: $90 for 2.5 oz; kohls.com

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Halston by Halston Women’s Perfume

Halston by Halston Women’s Perfume
Credit: Kohl's

“Scents are very important to my mom—she has the nose of a sophisticated hound dog. She has tried different ones through the years, but I always loved when she wore Halston.” Morgan Hutchinson, “My Mom, The Beauty Icon” November 2016

Buy It: $26 for 1.7 oz; kohls.com

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Na Nin Perfume Oil

Na Nin Perfume Oil
Credit: NA NIN

“She loved music and Shalimar perfume. I’m a fan of these similarly spicy scents named after songs.” Hannah Hayes, “My Grandmother, The Beauty Icon” November 2016

Buy It: $38; shopnanin.com

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Calvin Klein Eternity Eau de Parfum Spray

Calvin Klein Eternity Eau de Parfum Spray
Credit: Macy's

“This was my aunt’s signature scent. She was drawn to it, I think, because it smells clean and doesn’t overpower.” Valerie Fraser Luesse, “My Aunt, The Beauty Icon” April 2017

Buy It: $88 for 3.4 oz; macys.com

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No. 19 Eau De Toilette Spray

No. 19 Eau De Toilette Spray
Credit: Nordstrom

“We don’t go overboard with perfume, but we do like a light spritz for dressy events. Marsha’s go-to scent is Chanel.” Marion Humphreys, “My Sister, The Beauty Icon” May 2017

Buy It: $102 for 3.4 oz; nordstrom.com

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Aliage Sport Eau de Parfum Spray

Aliage Sport Eau de Parfum Spray
Credit: Bloomingdale's

“This perfume suits her perfectly: It’s energetic, exuberant, and fresh. My parents spent 10 years sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, and she always smelled great.” Alison Miksch, “My Mom, The Beauty Icon” June 2017

Buy It: $53 for 1.7 oz; bloomingdales.com

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Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs L’Original Eau de Parfum

Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs L’Original Eau de Parfum
Credit: Neiman Marcus

“She wore Chantilly, a light musk by Houbigant, which also makes my favorite scent.” Cheri Leavy, “My Grandmother, The Beauty Icon” July 2017

Buy It: $190 for 3.3 oz; neimanmarcus.com

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Guerlain Shalimar Eau de Toilette

Guerlain Shalimar Eau de Toilette
Credit: Sephora

“She is a self-proclaimed perfume junkie. The scent I most associate with her is Shalimar by Guerlain.” Whitney Wise Long, “My Mom, The Beauty Icon” August 2017

Buy It: $82 for 1.7 oz.; sephora.com

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    1 of 15 Chanel No. 5 Eau de Parfum Spray
    2 of 15 Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum Spray
    3 of 15 White Diamonds Elizabeth Taylor Eau de Toilette
    4 of 15 Lancôme Magie Noire Eau de Toilette Spray
    5 of 15 Vera Wang Eau de Parfum Spray
    6 of 15 Egyptian Musk Perfume Essence
    7 of 15 Aromatics Elixir Perfume
    8 of 15 Burberry The Beat Eau de Parfum
    9 of 15 Halston by Halston Women’s Perfume
    10 of 15 Na Nin Perfume Oil
    11 of 15 Calvin Klein Eternity Eau de Parfum Spray
    12 of 15 No. 19 Eau De Toilette Spray
    13 of 15 Aliage Sport Eau de Parfum Spray
    14 of 15 Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs L’Original Eau de Parfum
    15 of 15 Guerlain Shalimar Eau de Toilette

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