Finding your signature scent is like finding the perfect partner: You’re rarely going to know what you’re looking for until you find it. Still, like with any good relationship, you have standards, right? The dealbreakers, your all-or-nothings, etc. When seeking the best perfumes for women, maybe there’s a specific type you’re searching for—either a woodsy and dark winter perfume or a fresh and clean fragrance for spring? Perhaps you even envision a particular situation you’d like your scent to emulate: long walks along the Mediterranean sea, or climbing into an Uber after an eventful evening in New Orleans? All of these aspects can be experienced through fragrance.
“Fragrance is about the way it makes you feel,” says Joan Tanis, national training and events director at Maison Francis Kurkjian. “Wearing a scent that works with your body chemistry can enhance your mood and even change behaviors. Fragrance encourages the release of endorphins, which makes us feel good.”
Thankfully, fragrance masters have made discovering the ideal perfume a little easier than matching you with the perfect date. After scouring the perfume archives for some of the most popular and most interesting perfumes on the market, we found scents with a proven track record for intrigue. Order a few samples to compare and contrast your favorites, or go all-in on a full-size bottle that doubles as décor. This is your perfume love story. Never settle.
Also worth noting: Many of these brands offer some amazing perfume gift sets, so you can treat your loved ones to the magical experience of (hopefully) finding their new favorite scents, too.
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1
Best Daytime Scent
Lancôme
Idôle Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Bergamot, juicy pear, pink peppercorn
Size
0.85-3.4 fl. oz.
2
Best Celeb Scent
Ariana Grande
Cloud Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Lavender blossom, juicy pear, bergamot
Size
1-3.4 fl. oz.
3
Best Sultry Scent
Carolina Herrera
Good Girl Eau de Perfume
Top Notes
Jasmine
Size
2.7 fl. oz.
4
Best Day-to-Night Scent
Yves Saint Laurent
Black Opium Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Coffee
Size
0.33-5 fl. oz.
5
Best Classic Scent
Dior
J’adore Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Ylang-ylang
Size
0.67-5 fl. oz.
6
Best for Gen-Z
Glossier You
Top Notes
Pink pepper
Size
1.7 fl. oz.
7
Best Fresh Scent
Ex Nihilo
Fleur Narcotique Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Bergamot, lychee, peach
Size
1.7-3.3 fl. oz.
8
Best Luxury Buy
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Jasmine, saffron
Size
2.4 fl. oz.
9
Best Soft Scent
Chanel
Chance Eau de Parfum Spray
Top Notes
Jasmine absolute, rose essence
Size
1.7-3.4 fl. oz.
10
Best for Date Night
La Perla
Signature Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Violet leaves
Size
1-3.4 fl. oz.
11
Best Peony Scent
Acqua di Parma
Peonia Nobile Perfume
Top Notes
Black pepper, raspberry accord
Size
0.7-3.4 fl. oz.
12
Best Mature Scent
Diptyque
Eau de Minthe Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Menthe
Size
2.5 fl. oz.
13
Best Floral Scent
Gucci
Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Rangoon creeper
Size
1-3.3 fl. oz.
14
Best Patchouli Scent
Viktor&Rolf
Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Cattleya orchid, freesia, centifolia rose
Size
0.34-5 fl. oz.
15
Best Smoky Scent
Byredo
Mumbai Noise Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Davana
Size
1.7-3.4 fl. oz
16
Best Nighttime Scent
19-69
Purple Haze Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Italian bergamot, corsican cypress, and ravensara
Size
0.25-3.4 fl. oz.
17
Best Unisex Scent
Tom Ford
Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Tobacco Leaf, vanilla
Size
1.7-3.4 fl. oz.
18
Best for Layering
The Harmonist
Yin Transformation Parfum
Top Notes
Bergamot, mandarin, pink peppercorn
Size
1.7 fl. oz.
19
Best Fruity Scent
D.S. & Durga
Grapefruit Generation Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Pomelo skin, elm leaf, silver
Size
1.7-3.4 fl. oz.
20
Best Woodsy Perfume
Initio Parfums Prives
Oud For Greatness Eau de Parfum Spray
Size
3 fl. oz.
Top Notes
Natural oud wood
21
Best New Fragrance
Ash by Ashley Benson
East 12th Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Rose damask
Size
1.7 fl. oz.
22
Best Powdery Scent
Armani Beauty
Si Eau de Parfum
Top Notes
Blackcurrant
Size
0.34-3.4 fl. oz.
What to consider when choosing a perfume
“Very similar to the fashion industry, there can be trends with fragrances as well,” Tanis says. “Choosing fragrance isn’t always easy, but make the right choice by opting for a fragrance that reflects who you are and makes you feel good. My best advice is to let your personality, tastes, and age guide you in your choice.”
“The most important part of finding a fragrance is, of course, trying it on,” Tanis continues, adding that you can have multiple signature scents, rather just one, for variety. “Nowadays, it is all about a collection of fragrances. Much like clothing, modern men and women desire a fragrance wardrobe, allowing them the freedom to choose what fragrance to wear daily.”
What is the difference between an Eau de toilette and Eau de parfum?
Many popular scents fall into these fragrance categories. The difference between the two lies in the concentration of perfume oil each contains, says Tanis. “Eau de toilettes (EDT) have a relatively lighter composition due to their low concentration of perfume oil, between five and 15 percent. On the other hand, Eau de parfums (EDP) have a higher concentration of perfume oils—typically between 12 and 18 percent—meaning they offer a significantly stronger scent that lasts between five and eight hours.” Choosing between the two might come down to the specific occasion you’ll be wearing it for, or the weather (i.e. you may lean towards a lighter scent for work and during the summer months, and a richer scent for night outs and during the winter).
How to apply perfume for women
Tanis suggests spraying fragrance on the pulse points where skin is naturally warm, such as at the wrist, neck, or inside of the elbow. “This will allow the fragrance to warm up and reveal the perfume sillage (trail) over time.”
Are there ways to make your scent last longer?
According to Tanis, there are three key ways to make your scent last longer:
Massage body lotion, cream, or oil on your skin before you spray on perfume. “The more hydrated the skin is, the longer it will retain fragrance,” she says.
Pay attention to the concentration of your fragrance, as this will determine how long the scent will last on your skin.
Spray your fragrance directly on your skin. “You’ll waste the product by spraying it in the air and walking through it.”
Lauren Puckett-Pope Associate Editor Lauren Puckett-Pope is an associate editor at ELLE, where she covers film, TV, books and fashion.
Tatjana Freund Beauty Commerce Writer Tatjana Freund is a Beauty Commerce Writer, covering makeup, skincare, and haircare products and trends.
Nerisha Penrose Beauty Commerce Editor Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music).
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