Best of Boston

2002 Best Fragrances

Diptyque

Normally, we don’t pay much attention to celebrity endorsements, but this time we’ll take Madonna, J.Lo, and Donatella Versace’s word for it. They, like all self-respecting fragrance freaks, adore Diptyque’s intensely scented candles (rarefied variations like black currant and Bulgarian rose, quince, saffron, and leather), room sprays, and perfumes (wisteria and narcissus). But forget the celebrities: This year, Boston became the first and only American city to boast a freestanding boutique from the Parisian parfumerie, which means that even the unfamous among us can now wax poetic.

123 Newbury St., Boston, 617-351-2430, diptyqueparis.com/