If you’ve ever wanted to try Byredo or Penhaligon’s before buying a full bottle, you may soon get your chance without leaving the country. Both fragrance brands are opening their first Philippine stores at Greenbelt 5 in Makati.
According to Preview’s announcement, the stores will be beside Dior Beauty and across from Chanel Beauty. There’s no confirmed opening date yet, so hold off on planning a perfume shopping trip just yet.
Still, this is exciting news if, like me, you’ve looked up perfume notes, read reviews, and then wondered, “But what does it actually smell like on me?” Fragrance is personal. A scent that sounds perfect on paper can surprise you once it settles on your skin.
What to Expect From Penhaligon’s
Penhaligon’s has a long history that began with William Penhaligon in London. Its perfumes often come with distinctive names and stories, which makes browsing the collection feel a little like meeting a cast of characters.
If you’re curious about where to start, Halfeti is one of the house’s best-known scents, with rose, spices, woods, and oud. Luna goes in a brighter direction with citrus and florals, while The Favourite features mimosa, violet, and freesia. These descriptions can help you make a shortlist, but your nose gets the final say.
What to Expect From Byredo
Byredo takes a more minimal approach to its packaging, while its fragrances draw on memories and emotions. Their candles and skincare products are also must-haves. The brand has become a favorite among celebrities, including K-pop idols. If you’ve ever wondered what your bias wears, you can browse my K-pop Perfumes Directory.
Some Byredo names may already be familiar if you’ve spent time looking up perfume recommendations. There’s Bal d’Afrique, with bergamot, marigold, vetiver, and woods; Mojave Ghost, with ambrette, magnolia, sandalwood, and cedarwood; and Blanche, which takes inspiration from fresh linen. Gypsy Water combines citrus, incense, pine, and vanilla.
I previously wrote about the top five best-selling Byredo perfumes after chatting with sales associates at a store in Singapore. The list includes Gypsy Water, Mojave Ghost, Bal d’Afrique, Blanche, and Black Saffron. It’s a good place to start making your sniff list before the Makati store opens.
Where Will Byredo and Penhaligon’s Open in Manila?
Both stores are set to open at Greenbelt 5 in Makati City. As of the announcement, neither brand has shared an opening date, Philippine prices, or the full range that each store will carry. I’ll update this guide when those details become available.
For now, I’m glad we’ll soon have another place to explore these fragrances in person. Reading scent notes is fun, but testing a perfume on your skin and seeing how you feel about it a few hours later? That’s the part that helps you decide whether it’s worth the splurge.
