There's a running joke on the Grazia beauty desk which revolves around my insatiable obsession with Phlur's Missing Person. Any mention of the fragrance sends instant glares in my direction, as if I have become an unofficial ambassador of the viral skin scent, ever primed to declare my adoration of it. But I'm not alone. The perfume rose to internet stardom quickly after launching in 2022, setting TikTok alight with endless reviews about its alluring juice which conjures intense emotions upon first spritz, so much so it became known as the perfume that makes its wearer cry. Unsurprisingly then, it sold out within five hours of hitting the market, left a waitlist of more than 200,000 fans and has since amassed a cool 65.5M posts on TikTok. And good news for diehard fans of the fragrance (guilty as charged), as it is now available in body oil form.
The buzz around the scent was a lesson in how an online niche fragrance brand (which wasn't yet available on counters or in stores) didn't need its customers to test a fragrance before buying, it just needed PerfumeTok and one heck of a captivating story. That story stems from the real life experience of Chriselle Lim, founder and creative director of Phlur, who bottled up the feeling of heartbreak and longing after separating from her partner.
Watch: TikTok reactions to Phlur's Missing Person
The skin-mimicking notes of musk, sheer jasmine, warm sandalwood and vanilla-like blonde wood are purposefully blended to envelope like a warm embrace, if that embrace means nuzzling your nose into the neck of your favourite person after missing them all day. It is all together soft, sensual and familiar, everything you would want out of a comforting scent. It's somewhat the anti-perfume, too. Unlike the heady, classic perfumes out there, I can't promise it will make heads turn or cause bystanders to chase you down the street once they catch a whiff of you, instead the lightweight, wearable and totally inoffensive cocktail will likely make those around you smile.
Now, this quiet luxury equivalent has been bottled up once more, this time in a body oil and the excitement is about to reach fever pitch. Housed in a frosted glass bottle, this silky oil is blended with ceramide-rich floral oils like rosehip and jojoba, as well as brightening vitamin C and skin-imitating lipids to help nourish and promote a healthy skin barrier, all while coating the skin in the brand's bestselling scent.
As a fan of the brand, I've been using the oil months ahead of launch and can safely say it has taken my fragrance game to new heights. Using a body oil right after a shower, while skin is still damp, has a way of sealing in moisture for longe, keeping skin soft, supple and radiant, but adding fragrance into the mix has meant that my favourite scent now has fully-bodied (literally) longevity, too. While uber-nourishing, it's also lightweight making it a perfect addition to your summer kit. In summary, I'm already eyeing up my next bottle of the stuff.
Shop: Phlur Missing Person Body Oil
www.spacenk.com
The brand describes this scent as 'If nude were a perfume, this is it,' and we can see why. It is comforting, warming and soft like a cashmere blanket, everything you would want from a sensual skin scent. Now encased in a body oil, you can enjoy the same delicate scent all over, with the addition of a skin-barrier strengthening, brightening, nourishing formula.
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia UK's Beauty Writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).
