Hwang Minhyun, the actor from the top-rated K-drama Alchemy of Souls, a member of Nu’est and a former Wanna One idol, is known for his sleek style and charming personality. But what truly sets him apart is his extensive perfume collection, which he proudly showcased on the variety show “I Live Alone” back in 2019. In addition to his love for fragrances, Minhyun also shares his favorite perfumes and tips on how to use them during his Weverse Lives, offering his fans a closer look at his fragrance preferences. Let’s dive into Minhyun’s extensive perfume collection and explore some of his top recommendations.
Minhyun’s Perfume Collection on “I Live Alone”
During his appearance on I Live Alone, Minhyun displayed an impressive array of perfumes from top luxury brands. His collection included everything from fresh, floral scents to warm, musky notes, reflecting his diverse fragrance tastes.
Here are some of the notable perfumes from his collection:
Jo Malone
Minhyun, who modeled for this brand before, has several fragrances from this British brand. Unfortunately, all the Jo Malone bottles were blurred from the show, and only a few were identified by fans. However, Minhyun mentioned his favorites from other interviews.
- Poppy & Barley: Fresh and vibrant, this fragrance brings out a playful, feminine aura. This is available in Sephora US from $86-185. You can also buy this in Zalora Philippines and Rustans. You can try a decant from Shopee if you don’t want to commit to a full bottle yet.
- Frangipani Flower: A tropical, floral scent that’s perfect for sunny days. You can buy this in Sephora US for $86-185. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find an online store in the Philippines that sells this. But you can try visiting Jo Malone stores in SM Aura, Trinoma, and Greenbelt.
- Dark Amber & Ginger Lily: This exotic blend of warm amber and ginger is ideal for evening wear. This one Minhyun shared in his 210223 Vlive. You can buy this in Net-A-Porter for $160 and in Rustans.
- Wisteria & Lavender: A soft, floral scent that captures the calming essence of wisteria and lavender. I bet this is one of Munhyun’s top favorite perfumes in his collection because he already mentioned it twice in Vogue Korea’s “What’s in my bag?” and 210428 W Korea interview. This was released in 2020 as part of the Lavenderland limited edition.
Le Labo
- Another 13: A minimalist, musky fragrance that’s universally loved for its clean, yet sensual profile. This is one of the most popular Le Labo perfumes, other idols such as Sunhoon of Enhypen, and Doyoung of NCT. Even football star Cho Gue-sung shared that he is using this from his Vogue Korea “What’s in my bag?” interview. You can buy this in Net-A-Porter for $235. In the Philippines, this is available in the Le Labo store in Greenbelt. But you can try a 2ml sample in Shopee.
- Fleur D’Oranger 27: A citrusy floral, this perfume embodies bright, sunny days. This is available in Nordstrom from $107-335. You can also buy a full bottle in Le Labo Philippines and a sample in Shopee.
- Bergamote 22: Sharp and fresh, with a zesty burst of bergamot, this fragrance is perfect for those who enjoy lively scents. Nayeon of Twice is also known to use this perfume. This is available in Saks Fifth Avenue for $107-335. You can also buy a full bottle in Le Labo Philippines and a sample in Shopee.
- Santal 33: The most popular Le Labo perfume, and a signature scent for many, this smoky, woody fragrance is both bold and comforting, I wrote a full review here. Mingyu of Seventeen and Minhyuk of Monsta X are known to use this perfume too. You can buy Le Labo Philippines. You can also buy a decant buy a decant in Shopee. This is also available in Cult Beauty for UKD216 (they ship internationally) and in Nordstrom for $97.
Diptyque
A favorite among celebrities, Diptyque’s unique, artistic fragrances also make a strong showing in Minhyun’s collection.
- Vetyverio: Earthy vetiver is paired with fresh citrus for a sophisticated, unisex scent. Dino of Seventeen is using this perfume too. You can buy this from Zalora and the 2ml sample is available here. Also available in Nordstrom for $175.
- Philosykos: One of the most popular perfumes from this brand, this is a tribute to the fig tree, with woody, fruity notes that evoke Mediterranean summers. Jin of BTS and Mingyu of SEVENTEEN are known to use this perfume. You can buy this in Trunc PH, and Bergdorf Goodman for $130. A 2ml decant is also available in Shopee.
- Fleur de Peau: A delicate musk fragrance that is clean, powdery, and intimate. This is my favorite from this brand while Wooyoung of Ateez, and Jungwoo of NCT are also using this perfume. This is available in Net-A-Porter for $220. You can buy it in Trunc, Rustans and a decant is available in Shopee PH.
- Eau de Minthe: A winner of Allure Magazine’s Best of Beauty 2019, this is a modern twist on a classic mint scent, perfect for a crisp, refreshing spritz. This is available in Bergdorf Goodman for $230. You can also buy this in Rustan’s Philippines.
- Orpheon: A warm, woody fragrance reminiscent of a cozy bar in Paris, Minhyun recommended this in his November 2022 Weverse Live for the autumn weather. This is available in Bergdorf Goodman for $230. You can also buy this in Rustans and a decant in Shopee.
- Tempo: Another one of Minhyun’s November 2022 Weverse Live, rooted in patchouli, this scent feels earthy and hypnotic. You can buy this in Bloomingdale’s for $230. This is also available in Rustan’s and a decant in Shopee.
Maison Margiela Replica
Maison Margiela’s Replica line recreates familiar moments and places through fragrance.
- By The Fireplace: This is my favorite from this brand, it is smoky and warm. This scent evokes the cozy feeling of sitting by a crackling fire in the winter. Besides the I Live Alone episode, Minhyun also showed this in his I Live Alone and 210223 Vlive. You can buy this in Bloomingdale’s for $165. This is also available in Rustan’s and a decant in Shopee.
- Lazy Sunday Morning: Light, fresh, and smells like lychee. I was expecting the scent will be reminiscent of clean sheets, but it smells more like a a lychee fruit. But this fragrance is still perfect for relaxing days. Minhyun showed this in the same 210223 Vlive. Another popular idol, Wonwoo of Seventeen recently revealed in Weverse Live that he is using this perfume too. You can buy this in Sephora from $35 to $165. This is also available in Rustans Philippines and a 2ml decant in Shopee if you don’t want to commit to a full bottle yet.
Byredo
With sleek packaging and artistic scents, Byredo has become a symbol of luxury and exclusivity. 3 Byredo perfumes can be seen in I Live Alone, but only 2 were identified by eagle-eyed fans.
- Mojave Ghost: Inspired by the ghost flower of the Mojave Desert, this scent is floral, woody, and unique. Another famous idol using perfume is Eunwoo of Astro. This is available in Bloomingdale’s for $320. And you can try a decant in Shopee.
- Oud Immortel: A rich and complex fragrance, combining oud with smoky woods and spice. You can buy this in Bergdorf Goodman for $320. Byredo doesn’t have an official store in the Philippines yet, but you can buy it from these resellers.
Creed
Known for their exquisite craftsmanship, Creed perfumes have been worn by royalty and celebrities alike.
- Silver Mountain Water: Fresh, invigorating, and reminiscent of alpine air, this fragrance is a favorite for its clean, aquatic notes. You can buy this in Bergdorf Goodman for $470. This is also available in Rustans and a sample in Shopee.
- Tabarome Millesime: A spicy, tobacco-infused scent that exudes elegance and masculinity. This is available in Saks Fifth Avenue for $470. You can also buy a decant in Shopee.
Frederic Malle
A perfumer’s paradise, Frederic Malle offers luxurious scents that are made with care and attention.
- Musc Ravageur: A powerful, seductive musk fragrance that leaves a lasting impression. You can buy this in Net-A-Poter for $205. You can also buy this in Rustans and a decant in Shopee.
- French Lover: A masculine fragrance that is both spicy and herbal, perfect for evening wear. This was the third perfume Minhyun recommended in his November 2022 Weverse Live. You can buy this in Saks Fifth Avenue for $370.
Other Fragrances in His Collection
Minhyun’s love for perfumes extends beyond these well-known brands. His collection includes:
- Kiehl’s Original Musk Blend No.1: A warm and comforting musk scent. This was spotted in Minhyun’s episode in I Live Alone and his 210223 Vlive. This is available in Bloomingdale’s for $48. You can also buy this in Kiehl’s Philippines.
- L’Artisan Parfumeur Mont De Narcisse: A unique fragrance from a niche brand. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a store that sells this specific perfume. I think this is discontinued.
- Van Cleef & Arpels: Though the exact scent is unknown, this prestigious brand is a staple in his collection.
- Tiffany & Co. Eau de Parfum: Fresh and elegant, this scent mirrors the timeless appeal of the Tiffany brand. You can buy this in Bloomingdale’s for $168. This is also available in Rustans.
- Annick Goutal Duel: A rare and refined scent.
- Santa Maria Novella: They have very distinguishable bottles, however, the exact scent that Minhyun is using is unknown.
- The Body Shop White Musk: An affordable yet iconic scent known for its clean, musky notes. You can buy this in Walmart for $57. In the Philippines, you can buy this in Lazada.
- Penhaligon’s Endymion: A sophisticated and complex fragrance from the British brand. This is available in Bergdorf Goodman for $180.
- Guerlain Imperiale: Minhyun even owns a huge personalized bottle of this classic scent. he showed it in his 210903 Vlive. But you can buy the regular bottle in Bergdorf Goodman for $115.
- Fresh Brown Sugar: A playful and sweet citrus fragrance. Minhyun mentioned this in his 210428 W Korea interview. I used to see this cologne everywhere, but now I can’t even find a single store even Sephora.
- Tom Ford White Suede: Luxurious and seductive, perfect for evening wear. You can buy a full bottle for $455 at Bergdorf Goodman. This is also available in the official Tom Ford Beauty in Lazada and Rustans. If you don’t want to commit to a full bottle, you can buy a 2ml decant in Shopee.
- Loewe 001 Man: A balanced fragrance with a mix of freshness and warmth. Also shown in the 210223 Vlive, this is available in Neiman Marcus for $110. You can also buy a decant in Shopee.
- A’DDICT Blanc De Bloom: A subtle, blooming floral fragrance. Minhyun showed this exact perfume in his Instagram stories, but he also modeled for this Korean perfume brand in the past. This brand has an international website where you can buy this for $52. This is also available in Shopee.
Perfume Tips from Minhyun
In his Weverse live sessions, Minhyun often shares tips and recommendations for wearing perfumes. He emphasizes the importance of selecting a fragrance that suits the occasion and mood. For example, he recommends using fresh, light scents like Jo Malone’s Wisteria & Lavender during the day, and opting for deeper, warmer fragrances like Maison Margiela’s By The Fireplace for evening wear.
Minhyun also suggests applying perfume on pulse points like the wrists and neck, as these areas help release the fragrance throughout the day. Additionally, he mentions that layering scents can create a unique, personalized fragrance experience.
The Final Spritz
Hwang Minhyun’s love for perfumes goes beyond just wearing them – it’s about creating an experience. His collection reflects his tastes and his understanding of how different scents can evoke different emotions. Whether you’re a perfume enthusiast or a casual fragrance lover, Minhyun’s recommendations offer something for everyone. From his favorite picks to his expert tips, Minhyun’s perfume journey is truly one to admire.