Cover Smoky, rich and deliberately chosen, these fragrances map out the scent profile Hudson Williams gravitates toward, and how to wear it now (Photo: Maya Dehlin Spach/2026GG/Penske Media/Getty Images)
Smoky, rich and deliberately chosen, these fragrances map out the scent profile Hudson Williams gravitates toward, and how to wear it now (Photo: Maya Dehlin Spach/2026GG/Penske Media/Getty Images)
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Want to smell like Hudson Williams? These rich, smoky fragrances offer a refined starting point
For many who have watched Hudson Williams rise over the past year, his appeal isn’t just his screen presence but a carefully curated personal style that includes fragrance. The 24-year-old actor, best known for Heated Rivalry, recently talked about how he builds his scent identity by layering perfumes with strong character rather than relying on a single bottle. At a pre-Golden Globes brunch, Williams described how he combines Jo Malone London Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense with Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum to create a rich, smoky and warm profile that lasts through evening events. He said he enjoys mixing colognes, and since then, that pairing has fuelled conversations about how to emulate his approach in everyday life.
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Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
Above Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille: warm tobacco, spice and vanilla combine for a rich, enduring scent that anchors any rotation (Photo: Tom Ford/Instagram)
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille: warm tobacco, spice and vanilla combine for a rich, enduring scent that anchors any rotation (Photo: Tom Ford/Instagram)
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Profile: A hallmark in modern fragrance for warmth and depth, Tobacco Vanille centres on tobacco leaf, spice and vanilla. The opening has sharp spice and dried fruit undertones that morph into a cocoa-tinged sweetness grounded in tonka bean and warm woods. Longevity is strong, with a noticeable but refined trail.
Why it works: This is one half of Hudson Williams’s signature layered combination and serves as a foundation for smoky, gourmand warmth in a collection.
Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka
Above Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka: resinous myrrh softens into creamy tonka and vanilla, adding depth and smooth warmth (Photo: Jo Malone London)
Jo Malone Myrrh & Tonka: resinous myrrh softens into creamy tonka and vanilla, adding depth and smooth warmth (Photo: Jo Malone London)
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Profile: From Jo Malone London’s Cologne Intense line, this scent blends resinous myrrh with creamy tonka bean, vanilla and almond. Lavender at the top adds a subtle aromatic edge, but it settles into a resinous, gentle sweetness with a smooth, tactile dry-down.
Why it works: Williams has cited this as the other half of his go-to combo. Its rich base softens and complements the spicier notes in Tobacco Vanille.
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Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace
Above Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace: smoky wood, toasted chestnut and vanilla evoke the comfort of a firelit room (Photo: Maison Margiela Paris)
Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace: smoky wood, toasted chestnut and vanilla evoke the comfort of a firelit room (Photo: Maison Margiela Paris)
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Profile: An interpretation of a hearth in full glow, By the Fireplace combines smoky guaiac wood with clove and chestnut. Vanilla and cashmeran underpin the blend, creating a balance of warmth and smoke that feels both comforting and distinctive.
Why it works: Though not mentioned by Williams, its smoky warmth and sweet undertones make it a natural fit for anyone building on the same sensory territory.
Chanel Coromandel
Above Chanel Coromandel: oriental woods, frankincense and patchouli create a textured, incense‑tinged warmth (Photo: Chanel)
Chanel Coromandel: oriental woods, frankincense and patchouli create a textured, incense‑tinged warmth (Photo: Chanel)
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Profile: Coromandel is an oriental woody fragrance with a strong resinous and patchouli character. Frankincense and dry wood notes lead before settling into a milky vanilla base, giving it a textured warmth that feels substantial without being sweet.
Why it works: Its smoky wood character parallels the depth found in Tobacco Vanille, adding an incense-tinged dimension that broadens a rotation focused on richness and presence.
By Kilian Back to Black
Above Back to Black by Kilian: honeyed tobacco and amber deliver a gourmand richness with lingering depth (Photo: Kilian)
Back to Black by Kilian: honeyed tobacco and amber deliver a gourmand richness with lingering depth (Photo: Kilian)
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Profile: This is a gourmand-leaning blend with honeyed sweetness around tobacco leaf and amber. Spicy and resinous nuances run through the core, with a dense, enveloping finish that feels purposeful and lingering.
Why it works: Back to Black offers another take on rich tobacco within a gourmand context. In a rotation alongside Williams’s referenced pairings, it adds complexity without deviating from the warm, smoky framework.
A scent rotation inspired by Hudson Williams leans into contrasts: heavier, smoky bases balanced with softer, resinous warmth and lighter cologne moments for daytime. Wearing Tobacco Vanille with Myrrh & Tonka in colder months can anchor a signature scent, while By the Fireplace and Back to Black offer seasonal alternatives. Classic Jo Malone colognes provide versatility without undermining the overall theme of depth and richness. Sampling these across occasions allows a deliberate, non-random approach to how you wear fragrance in daily life.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
