I’ve Tried Hundreds Of Fragrances, But I Finally Found My Go-To Scent

In our series Trial Run, TZR editors and writers put the buzziest new beauty products to the test and share their honest reviews. This week, deputy beauty editor Erin Lukas is testing Michael Kors Gorgeous Eau de Parfum.

Finding a signature scent isn’t all that different from online dating. You peruse virtual perfume counters for options that fit your idea of the perfect fragrance, whether it be a decadent gourmand or a soft floral. Then you make a selection based on the notes and price. Once the physical bottle ends up at your door, you spritz it on and immediately fall in love (hopefully).

It’s a simple process in theory, but you do generally go through a number of duds before landing on “The One”. The fragrances that don’t make the cut are those that don’t compliment your body’s natural scent or ones that don’t last all day. As a beauty editor, I have firsthand experience searching high and low for a staple perfume that reflects my ideal scent profile and personal style. After a ton of trial and error (and disappointments), I’ve finally found it. Enter Michael Kors Gorgeous Eau de Parfum.

As someone who loves to keep a bouquet of fresh flowers in their apartment at all times, my love of blooms extends to my fragrances, too, which is what initially drew me to this one. Gorgeous is an aptly named white floral perfume with underlying warm notes, so while it screams spring and summer, it also still feels right to spritz on as we enter the part of the year in which days get cooler and shorter.

Ahead, my honest thoughts on the comforting floral fragrance that’s quickly become the only bottle I reach for on my vanity.

Fast Facts

• Price: $122
• Size: 100 ml/3.4 fl oz
• Best For: Floral fragrance fans; those in the market for a timeless everyday scent
• Ingredient Highlights: Pink pepper, Mandarin orange, tuberose, tobacco, guaiac wood, tonka bean, cedar
• What We Like: Lasts all day; one spritz is enough to make an impact
• What We Don’t Like: Nothing so far!
• Rating: 5/5

How TZR Keeps Score: 1/5: Making a return; 2/5: Keeping as a backup; 3/5: Finishing to the last drop; 4/5: Recommending to my group texts; 5/5: Already on auto-replenish

The Fragrance

The brand describes Gorgeous as a “bold floral woody fragrance that evokes beauty as far as the eye can see”, and that it’s a “modern take” on a white floral bouquet. While the scent opens with light, sweet pink pepper and Mandarin orange notes, it evolves into a warm aroma thanks its middle and base notes, which include tobacco accord, jasmine sambac, tonka bean, and cedar. A whiff of it does instantly transport you to a balmy, sunny beach with a hint of flora in the air, the duality of it also gives off the cozy feeling of those last few weeks of fall when it’s warm enough to go out without layers and the leaves haven’t quite turned colors.

In other words, this fragrance is like your favorite pair of jeans — it’s appropriate to wear year-round, and works in virtually any situation. While heels and a silky top are usually usually needed to dress up denim, you don’t ever need to change how you spritz on Gorgeous, whether you’re heading to brunch or a holiday party.

The versatility of this scent is in line with the brand’s other classic perfumes, Wonderlust, a floral with dashes of spice, and Sexy Amber, a sultry amber base with splashes of white floral and sandalwood. Both are also universally yet distinct.

My Typical Fragrance Routine

Once I find a fragrance I like, I stick with it. While many like to have entire wardrobes of scents that they switch up based on emotion, outfit, or occasion, I’m a creature of habit. I generally have a core bottle I use on daily, but I do keep a few options on-hand should the mood strike to try something new. As such, I tend to gravitate towards classic scents that have an unexpected twist or complexity to them. This way, my go-to perfume will never be out of style and I’ll never get sick of it. These fragrances typically fall in the floral category because while they can be feminine and light, unique middle and base notes add depth and edge. Essentially, I think of fragrance as an extension of my personality. And I like to think I’m not one note.

It’s also important for whatever perfume I’m wearing to last. As someone whose iCal is consistently scheduled down to the hour, I don’t have time for mid-day top-up spritzes, let alone space to lug a fragrance around in my bag.

My Experience Wearing Gorgeous

This scent touts itself as being bold, and it lives up to those claims. One spritz on my wrist makes an impact, but I like to do two to ensure it lingers on my skin for as long as possible. (As I mentioned, a perfume that requires a top-off mid-day has no place on my vanity.) Gorgeous initially smells sweet and fresh, but it dries down warm and creamy on my skin. However, a hint of those light floral top notes linger, and I’m immediately uplifted whenever I catch a whiff of them — especially when the afternoon slump is hitting me at my desk.

To put its staying power to the test, I first applied Gorgeous in the morning on a busy workday. I found myself picking up its scent throughout the day, and even into the evening at a work event. So, to sum it up: It aced my personal perfume test.

Is Michael Kors Gorgeous Worth It?

Whether you’re tired of your fragrances wearing off after an hour or two or you’re in the market for a timeless signature scent that’s also special and unique, Michael Kors Gorgeous is for you. Because my job has me running around New York City for meetings and working in an office a couple of days a week, I need to be confident that my perfume has just as much stamina as I do. This one can keep up the pace.