I Don’t Get the Hype Around Glossier “You”—but I’m Obsessed With the Brand’s Other Scents
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Glossier “You” has seemingly become the “cool girl” of the fragrance world. It’s always been a bit of a paradox, promising to smell “like you, but better.” The original EDP was launched in 2017 and blended a unisex musky base of amber with bright pink peppercorn and rooty iris to adapt to your unique body chemistry. The result? A scent that smells a little bit different on everyone, but universally “natural” nonetheless.
Quickly, “You” became the go-to for people who wanted to smell expensive without anyone knowing why. It earned a cult following of clean-girl aesthetes and TikTok perfumistas who swore it was the fragrance equivalent of a cashmere cardigan. But Glossier couldn’t stop there. In October 2024, the brand introduced two new iterations of the beloved scent: “You Doux,” a warm, woodsy musk, and the sweet treat “You Rêve,” which plays with a more gourmand base.
“The Glossier ‘You’ series are scents that are meant to feel like a second skin. They feel intensely personal, like an extension of the wearer’s own chemistry,” says Greta Pagel, fragrance director of Good Chemistry. “It’s about fragrance that is a whisper, not a shout—something that makes people lean in closer, creating a sense of comfort and personal intimacy without feeling performative. The fragrances essentially say, ‘This is you, just slightly enhanced,’—which is an incredibly powerful marketing and olfactive concept.”
And, as of March 2025, there’s a new flower in the Glossier bouquet: “You Fleur,” which is, you guessed it, the floral twist of “You.” It elevates the signature “You” base with a floral pop of ylang ylang, citrusy apricot and osmanthus, and and warm cashmeran.
So, how do the Glossier “You” perfumes stack up IRL? Are they *actually* as good as the TikTok beauty buffs say they are? I tried them all, and because I am nothing if not a willing fragrance guinea pig, I have some thoughts. Find my definitive ranking of every Glossier “You” below.
Glossier “You”: The OG
Please don’t come after me, but I don’t get the hype. It smells… flat. To be completely honest, it almost smells like nothing at all, which, according to fragrance content creator Emelia O’Toole, aka @Professor.Perfume on Instagram, can happen with these types of perfumes.
“Don’t be surprised if you can’t smell some of these skin scents! It’s super common (especially for women) to be anosmic to certain musks and amberwood scents,” she says. ”It’s also common to go noseblind to them very quickly, meaning that you might not be able to smell your perfume anymore, but others around you still can. It’s all trial and error until you find a skin scent that works for you!”
Despite not loving it myself, I did wear it and did get compliments on how I smelled. So maybe it’s just a me problem? Alas, I will leave “You” to the “It girls”; it just doesn’t do it for me.
Glossier “You Fleur”
I am really impressed with “You Fleur”. I’m not a floral girlie at all; I actively avoid anything scented or flavored with rose, lavender, or lily, so when I found out “Fleur” was all about flowers, I braced myself not to like it. But I was so wrong; Glossier keeps the recognizable musk base and layers it with zesty ylang ylang and apricot, so it’s brighter than it is perfume-y. It leans feminine without being too delicate and feels like the first warm day of spring when flowers are just about to blossom.
A note: It’s definitely stronger than the other fragrances in the “You” series; a small spritz goes a long way. I tend to just do one spritz on the inside of my elbow with “Fleur,” and it lasts me the whole day.
Glossier “You Doux”
This is, by far, my favorite in the “You” lineup and actually skews the most skin-like to me. It’s warm, woodsy, and intimate, and it ticks off all the boxes experts say to look for in a complementary skin scent.
“We often refer to skin scents as musky fragrances, which are not necessarily overpowering but possess a beautiful aura that becomes evident when someone is close to the wearer,” explains Olivia Jan, a senior perfumer at the fragrance and flavor house, Givaudan. Pagel agrees: “Notes to look for include—but are not limited to—vanilla, amber, warm, powdery musk and creamy woods.”
Doux is a little creamy, a little smoky, and a lot moody. It’s the epitome of “your skin, but better.”
Glossier “You Rêve”
Like florals, I’m also super sensitive to sweet scents. So when I read “buttercream” as the main top note for “Rêve”, I was hesitant.
Turns out, it’s my second favorite perfume in the lineup (next to “Doux”). Instead of treacly or sweet-tooth inducing, it’s a cozy, skin-hugging scent that’s equal parts comforting and sophisticated. The buttercream is rounded out with a juicy plum butter to give it a bit of tang. There’s also toasted almond to give it a nuttiness, which balances out the sweetness, too. It smells like the kind of dessert you order at a fancy restaurant—indulgent, but not overwhelming. Plus, the musky base keeps it feeling natural, like the scent of your skin after a warm bath.
Final thoughts
After trying all four Glossier “You” fragrances, I get the appeal. While the OG “You” didn’t quite win me over, I can see how it serves as a near-perfect base for the rest of the scents. They’re definitely subtle and personal, and with the new itierations, there’s something for everyone. If you’re into quiet luxury in fragrance form, this collection has something for you—just be ready to lean in close to catch it.
