Best Perfumes For Women Of All Time (Ranking) (2024)

Women’s perfume is the ultimate finishing touch for any outfit, mood, and occasion. Some feel naked without it, while others adore a spritz (or three) on a special occasion. Thanks to the masterful work of perfumers across the world, we’re not short of glorious scents to choose from; from playful florals to sensual musks to deep and spicy fragrances, somewhere out there is the best women’s perfume that speaks your language.

So, read on and discover the best luxury perfumes for women in our ultimate guide. From the best-smelling perfume of all time to iconic fragrances that have stood the test of time to more recent classics and cult favorites, we’re about to embark on a scent-sual journey.

Follow our lead: Here are our favorite transportive perfumes for women that will teleport you to another land, era, or simply to your Happy Place. Find your new signature fragrance (or the perfect gift for her) ahead!

The 38 best perfumes for women

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb: Most popular women’s perfume

Shaped like a diamond grenade, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb is a glittering explosion of fresh and sweet sensations and an endlessly sought-after scent. Designed by the talented trio, Olivier Poleg, Carlos Benaim, and Domitille Berthier, this best-smelling perfume for women is like wandering through your own secret flower garden—but after dark.

Discover fresh freesia, heady rose, osmanthus, and Sambac jasmine, set on a sweet-and-spicy stage of patchouli and vanilla. Yes, Flowerbomb is luxuriously feminine and playful while winking to something a little more Dionysiac—daring and decisive, and oh-so-addictive.

Smells like: A petal-covered path under a rising moon.

Tom Ford Black Orchid Gold: Best luxury perfume for women

Stroll back into the world of old Hollywood drama with velvet curtains and a dash of red matte lipstick with the potent Black Orchid Gold. Black Truffle, Ylang Ylang, and its namesake Black Orchid confidently take center stage in this sensual and glamorous fragrance from Tom Ford, with an all-gold Art-Deco inspired bottle that demands attention.

Black Orchid’s dark and oriental notes are the forbidden fruit of the fragrance world: Black Plum, Patchouli, and Rum smell good enough to eat. Hypnotic and seductive, this intensified version of the classic unisex fragrance lasts forever on the skin.

Smells like: Ylang Ylang flowers dipped in golden rum.

Ariana Grande Cloud: Best value perfume for women

The fragrance equivalent of a tired head submerging into a soft pillow, Ariana Grande’s Cloud combines dreamy possibilities with home-comforts and sultry enticements. The distinctive heady rush opens with lulling lavender notes and subtle hints of vanilla orchids. While unassuming pear auras and bold bergamot tangs speak to the tempting and intriguing.

Just like the pop singer herself, the complex scent hits impossibly high notes. At first, it takes us to the garden, surrounded by heavenly florals and forbidden fruits. But after breathing it a second time, we realize that this transportation includes spoonfuls of whipped creme de coconut, decadent pralines, and nothing to cover up but sensual musky cashmere blankets.

Smells like: Giving into temptation—but without the consequences.

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540: Most expensive women’s perfume

Quintessentially French in attitude and opulence, Baccarat Rouge 540 is the fragrant hills of Provence and la vie en rose of Neuilly-sur-Seine. Providing the wearer with a veil of intrigue, this enticing scent oozes sensual, spicy notes like saffron, jasmine, cedarwood, and fir resin, set on a landscape of toasty amber.

Created for the 250th anniversary of Maison Francis Kurkdjian, this luxury fragrance has truly come into its own, developing a sterling reputation of its own. And the name? Of course, there’s a story there: Baccarat Rouge 540 is aptly named for the temperature at which the glassware house attained its famous ruby-red crystal.

Smells like: The scorching wood of a sauna set in a serene forest.

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle: Best women’s perfume as a gift

Give someone you love the gift of scent; no matter the recipient, they’re sure to fall deep in amour with Lancôme La Vie Est Belle.

Discover an autumnal dessert of fruity blackcurrant and zingy pear layered on top of floral jasmine and orange blossom, set on an intriguing base of tonka bean, vanilla, and praline, with just a whisper of patchouli.

French for ‘life is beautiful’, La Vie Est Belle is exuberant, spirited, and vivacious in the same breath—a deliciously energizing fragrance that is perfect for day-to-day wear.

Smells like: A rich fruit crumble with vanilla custard.

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle: Best classic perfume for women

Iconic, just like its creator, the eponymous Coco Chanel, Coco Mademoiselle brings us all a step closer to the fashion icon within. As timeless as ballet flats and pearl necklaces, Coco Mademoiselle is the mischievous little sister of N°5; and once you’ve tried it, it’s always playtime.

Designed to capture the spirit of a young Coco, this elegant fragrance exudes sweet mandarin, Tunisian curaçao, Haitian vetiver, and white musk; embodying the unstoppable curiosity and cosmopolitanism of 1920s Paris—all in one gorgeous bottle. Luxurious and opulent, Coco Mademoiselle opens up a world of glamor witnessed first-hand by Chanel herself.

Smells like: A Champs-Élysées boutique.

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium: Best night perfume for women

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium’s adrenaline-rich coffee mixed with sweet vanilla, orange blossom, and jasmine will wake you up faster than any espresso ever could. Addictive? We’d say so.

A firm favorite, it’s sexy, feminine, and bold, with a wide-eyed and awake sprinkle of notes gently complemented by a sugary softness. Its sweetness makes this women’s perfume almost edible, with depth, warmth, and longevity adding to its winning combination. Black Opium is well-blended and intoxicating, with floral undertones that stay on the skin hours after the last spritz.

Smells like: Espresso Martini with a dash of sugar.

Gucci Bloom: Best floral perfume for women

There’s a reason many of the top perfumes for women ooze floral notes. Delighting our senses, the natural beauty of flowers has been a muse for artists, designers, and of course, perfumers, since time immemorial. But who does it best? Gucci Bloom wins the medal.

Far from your average, nondescript “floral” perfume, Gucci Bloom boasts meticulously-extracted ingredients like Indian-grown tuberose and exquisite jasmine bud extract, truly bringing out the finest qualities and scents. Delicate, sophisticated, and beautifully feminine, this women’s perfume is a must-have for your scent repertoire.

Smells like: Acres of endless blossoms of the Gardens of Versailles.

Marc Jacobs Daisy: Best perfume for young ladies

Marc Jacobs’ Daisy grabs your hand and swings you towards the maypole, flower crowns and flowy dresses abound. A lazy afternoon in a summer meadow, Daisy is wilderness and mischief at once.

Discover the fresh aroma of wild strawberries, dance under a shower of violet and jasmine petals, and let the zingy grapefruit tease your olfactories. It’s never a dull day with Marc Jacobs, and Daisy is the breath of fresh air we’ve all been seeking. Without a doubt, one of the best perfumes for women in their 20s (and young at heart), Daisy is the fountain of youth.

Smells like: Tripping head-over-heels in a wildflower meadow.

Yves Saint Laurent Libre: Best-rated women’s perfume

A fragrance for the woman who knows who she is, what she wants, and exactly how to get it, Yves Saint Laurent Libre embodies the determination, poise, and inherent grace of the empowered woman.

Living true to its name, YSL Libre is freedom and femininity bottled. Expect white florals like jasmine and orange blossom dancing through lavender, a sprinkling of toasted sugar, and sharp blackcurrant to enliven the olfactories this refined aroma demands respect but doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Smells like: Lavender tea with a spoonful of honey.

Vera Wang Princess: Best fruity floral perfume for women

Apricot, mandarin orange, water lily, dark chocolate, and tuberose make Princess by Vera Wang good enough to eat. This go-to fragrance embraces its wearer with a gentle soft fruitiness that manages to be sweet and sophisticated at the same time.

The “Princess” name might highlight the comforting and delicate hints of this fragrance, but it promises a darker and more complex scent that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Smells like: Your favorite fruity-sweet fragrance from the past, modernized and sassy.

Chanel N°5: Best women’s perfume of all time

“A woman’s perfume, with the scent of a woman” is what Chanel herself called this iconic perfume that lingers with an ever-changing subtlety. There are few perfumes quite as classic as Chanel N°5: a long-standing favorite that promises a mysterious yet familiar scent that exudes the very essence of femininity.

This legendary perfume is a cult icon and offers a refined, elegant bouquet that’s softly inviting with underlying and steely power. Amble among the blooming meadows of jasmine, while the honeyed reticence of vanilla enlivens your senses. Wander the rolling hills, and inhale the majesty of the Pyrenees with the grounding base of vetiver and sandalwood.

Smells like: Self-assured, opulent, mature, and revered.

Dior J’adore: Best fragrance for women over 50

Dior J’adore has graced the vanity tables of women around the world since its inception in 1999—and not only by virtue of its elegant bottle. And believe us, it’s as miraculously eternal as Charlize Theron in that perennial campaign, perfectly reflecting the timelessness of this nostalgia perfume.

Deftly shhh-ing any whimsical notes, Dior J’adore is a fragrance of wisdom, flair, and confidence. You’ll find sweet florals and zesty mandarin at the crescendo, with rich orchids, plums, and deep rose emerging from under a current of musk and blackberry, creating harmony and balance.

Smells like: A liqueur fruitcake topped with orange zest and dried petals.

Carine Roitfeld George: Best women’s perfume according to men

Inspired by a fictional London lover, Carine Roitfeld’s George is an aromatic, earthy and woody stranger that you’re dying to get to know.

It was designed to draw influence from both London and Paris, combining vintage leather with smoky Galbanum and tobacco. Its spicy, green top notes of violet leaf absolute and cannabis might suggest one intention but base notes of oakmoss will keep you guessing.

This is a genderless perfume that exudes a classic austere, intriguing mood with a hint of florals as you pass by.

Smells like: A combination between the Sex Pistols and The Royal Family.

Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady: Best sensual perfume for women

We simply adore a fragrance inspired by a novel—and we don’t mean that inexplicably satisfying scent of a freshly-opened book, either.

Portrait of a Lady, inspired by the Henry James’ classic, succeeds in embodying the determination and natural spirit of Isabel Archer, the novel’s heroine. With notes of musk and frankincense set on a backdrop of sandalwood and cinnamon, we’re reminded of Turkish delight and the sweet smoke of hookah within this scent. An adventurous fragrance, Portrait of a Lady will make us heroines of our own stories yet.

Smells like: The irresistible allure of adventure.

Carolina Herrera Good Girl: Sexiest women’s perfume

Every woman needs a fabulous fragrance reserved especially for date night, even if the date’s with yourself. Enter: Carolina Herrera Good Girl, presented in a spiky stiletto and born to break hearts.

With an enduring fragrance that’ll last as long as you, Good Girl is good—when she wants to be. But, under the sweet exterior of charming tuberose, almond, and coffee, lies a powerful empress—revealed in the darker notes of tonka and rich cocoa—and she knows exactly how to play her cards.

Smells like: A luxuriantly creamy espresso martini…with brunch.

Jimmy Choo Signature: Best romantic perfume for women

Tiger orchid and toffee caramel summon an empowering and seductive scent with an effortless click of the finger. Jimmy Choo Signature is charming and vivacious, evoking romanticism and seductive with top green notes that are heady and gourmand.

An energetic boost with a wonderfully juicy appeal, it’s sexy and mystical with a unique bouquet. One spritz will lift it from the body to reveal contrasting sweet Italian orange and pear nectar with underlying hints of Indonesian patchouli.

Smells like: Biting into a chic, sultry, exotic pear.

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue: Best women’s perfume for the summer

Summer breeze does make us feel fine, and you can wear it—thanks to Dolce and Gabbana. Light Blue is the ultimate summer scent; it’s best paired with a white sundress, no shoes or strappy sandals, and a carefree attitude.

Release your inner boho-chic with just a few spritzes of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. With playful, devil-may-care notes of jasmine, orange, and ambergris set on a stage of white musk and tonka, this free-spirited women’s perfume is a clear blue sky and sandy toes.

Smells like: Fresh laundry drying in a summer orchard.

Philosophy Fresh Cream: Best women’s perfume for fall

The comforting and cozy nature of Philosophy Fresh Cream acts as the perfect antidote to crisp evenings and not enough layers. Its sweet, floral, and musky notes are a warm knitted sweater, soft and promising against outside’s cool winds.

Captivating and deliciously sensual hints of creamy vanilla, sweet macadamia, and spun sugar fight for attention as the leaves on the trees turn golden. It warms from the inside with a reassuring depth.

Smells like: Cozy knitwear and whipped cream stirred into hot vanilla.

Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace: Best women’s perfume for winter

Winter fragrances should be warm, spicy, and remind us of the cozy heat of a flickering fire. And, nobody does it better than Maison Margiela Replica and its aptly named By the Fireplace fragrance.

Capturing the comforting aroma of chestnuts roasting on an open fire (literally), this winter-wonderland scent transports the wearer to a cozy chalet in snow-capped Chamonix. A few spritzes of By the Fireplace, a glass of mulled wine, and some excellent conversation, and you’ll truly have it all.

Smells like: The crackling wood of a roaring fire.

Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet: Best women’s perfume for spring

After the depths of winter, signs of spring give everybody a reason to smile. And what symbolizes spring more than fresh blooms? Taking the essence of spring and running with it, Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet is a spray of just-bloomed fresh peonies, a single red rose, and an apricot orchard, all at once.

A gorgeous day-to-day women’s perfume, this youthful fragrance offers a cherub-like exuberance. It’s elegant, fresh, and sings of blooming florals and fragrant petals; just the scent for those newly-possible alfresco brunches and walks in the park.

Smells like: Early blossoms and bare feet tiptoeing on dew-soaked grass.

Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume: Best soft perfume for women

Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume is a provocative yet effortless fragrance disproving the laws of traditional perfume in the best way. It ticks the box on indecisive days; a scent that you can’t put your finger on but will run to with a new type of elegance.

This famous perfume is minimalist and features a single note, called catalo, which is usually used in perfumery as a base note. Its ease and versatility make it a great choice for both women who have hundreds of perfumes and those who only have one or two, but especially for those who value discretion over loud, bold scents.

Smells like: If whispering softly was a fragrance.

Chloé Eau de Parfum: Best daywear perfume for women

Every woman needs a signature daywear perfume—and there’s no better choice than Chloé Eau de Parfum. A classic fragrance that oozes effortless French glamour, Chloé is a quick kiss of red lipstick and a just-tamed-enough bedhead.

With kittenish top notes of peony succumbing to a flutter of rose and bright magnolia, this daywear perfume is alluring without being overwhelming. The best women’s perfume for everyday use—from office days to ladies’ lunches to an afternoon at the galleries—Chloé shines bright, illuminating the room.

Smells like: The powder room in the boudoir of your dreams.

Calvin Klein CK One: Best fresh perfume for women

The ghost of summer past appears every time you pack a suitcase and forget to include Calvin Klein CK One. Along with sunglasses and a bikini or swimsuit (preferably from one of these best swimwear brands), it’s a holiday essential that promises to take you back to footsteps in the sand and sea salt on tanned skin.

Clean and contemporary, its top notes of pineapple, mandarin orange, papaya, bergamot, cardamom and lemon remind you of sunny days at the beach and warm evenings wandering to dinner. CK One is a versatile scent that perfectly complements the best beaches in the world.

Smells like: Feeling the sunshine on your face while sipping co*cktails.

Leaning more towards a minty yet subtle fragrance? Diptyque Minthé is a step into a beautifully gentle menthol world: a fresh and floral energetic burst with notes of geranium and a balanced and woody patchouli base. We’ll call this another favorite minimalist perfume.

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Christian Louboutin Trouble In Heaven: Most sophisticated women’s perfume

Christian Louboutin Trouble In Heaven lights a fire in the air with an intoxicating blend that’s mysterious and sexy. It’s a luxury perfume with a personality that keeps you on your toes, changing moods as time passes.

Suitable for those who love the finer things, it uses its notes of bergamot, cascalone, amber, patchouli, tonka absolute, and labdanum to provoke anyone who comes too close. It’s a perfume that encourages its wearers to express themselves, with a distinct scent that’s powerful, compelling, and seductive.

Smells like: The best first-date perfume.

Jo Loves White Rose & Lemon Leaves: Best rose perfume for women

A delicate rose in the palm of your hand, Jo Loves White Rose & Lemon Leaves blooms on the skin quite unlike anything else.

A beautifully feminine choice, it enlivens the senses with strong rose notes and fresh, clean lemon leaves. It soothes the soul with breezy notes that will immediately cause you to root through your wardrobe for a light summer dress. It’s young, innocent and delicate and will almost definitely win you over.

Smells like: A summer day in full bloom.

Byredo Bal d’Afrique: Best earthy perfume fot women

Feel the dry and spicy heat of the African savanna on your skin with a quick spritz of Byredo Bal d’Afrique. Inspired by 1920’s Paris and the cultures, art, music, and dance from Africa, it’s an unusual combination that’s warm and romantic. With an intoxicating range of notes including neroli, African marigold, and Moroccan cedarwood, it’s one-of-a-kind and vibrant, leaving a trail in its path with a sweet woodiness and a comforting earthiness. It’s subtly feminine with an uplifting vigor. Just spritz, close your eyes, and let this dreamy scent takes you on an adventure…

Smells like: An exotic and captivating outdoor ballroom dance in the heart of Africa.

Diptyque Eau Capitale: Best transportive perfume for women

Picture this: you’re wandering through the streets of Paris, admiring iconic Art Nouveau buildings surrounded by a cloud of soft rose and comforting patchouli. Diptyque Eau Capitale is exactly that: a genderless floral scent that’s young and slightly sweet without being too delicate. Its brightness brings out blue skies on even the cloudiest days, with a potent blend of bergamot, pink peppercorns, rose, ylang ylang, and cinnamon.

Just like the brand’s irresistible scented candles, this Diptyque perfume knows how to ‘keep the flame burning’.

Smells like: The sophisticated Frenchwoman who leaves a waft of airy rose in her path.

Prada Fleur D’oranger: Best citrus perfume for women

Fresh and irreverent, Prada’s irresistible fragrance breathes life and luxury into every room it enters. With ripe mandarins and sweet orange blossoms setting the tone, the delicate infusion is unassumingly sultry. But as warm opoponax undertones are given space to introduce a soft, smokey, luminous sensuality, we can’t help but imagine ourselves sipping on a cool clementine negroni in a steamy, candlelit bath.

Prada’s Fleur D’Oranger is a play on the invigorating juicy tang of citrus, contrasted against its inherent zesty bitterness. And as the conflicting yet complementary notes dance between your senses, they evoke nonchalant confidence, best witnessed on a Milan catwalk.

Smells like: Clementine negronis, candlelit baths, and catwalk confidence.

Tom Ford Soleil Blanc: Best warm perfume for women

Inspired by the endless pursuit of sun and luxury, a spritz of Tom Ford perfume feels like checking into the Ritz in Hawaii. The floral scent mimics that of a fragrant wreath. A refreshing ylang-ylang touch enriches the infusion with notes of jasmine, tropical fruits, and creamy custards. And elevated by cardamom accents, we can see ourselves sipping chai tea on a private balcony overlooking scintillating seas as we breathe in the spicy elixir.

Tom Ford Soleil Blanc provides hope and comfort. Wear it to the office, and you’ll be reminded of the vacations you work so hard for. Or wear it on a date and make him dream of romantic getaways. Whatever the occasion, we’re wearing our hearts on our sleeves (and chests and neck) with this one.

Smells like: Being wrapped in a white robe at a seaside spa retreat.

Le Labo Santal 33: Best musky perfume for women

Musk is synonymous with sensuality, and Le Labo Santal 33 oozes allure like nothing else (this truly intoxicating scent did reach fragrance fame, after all). With the mysterious scent of after-dark, crackling fires, and the haze of smoke, this grown-up perfume is strong, warm, and sweet—and not for the faint-hearted.

Le Labo Santal 33 is a scent to savor, lingering with notes of spicy cardamom, iris, fresh violets, atop earthy depths of cedar and sandalwood. One for date night, intimate gatherings, or sultry post-midnight co*cktails, this unisex perfume is sure to leave an impression, in the very best of ways.

Smells like: A wooden bowl of fresh-cut violet petals.

Byredo Mojave Ghost: Best woody perfume for women

A phoenix rising from the Mojave Desert, this soul-stirring scent draws inspiration from the hauntingly beautiful landscape and the xeric wilderness. Reminiscent of the rare plants that dare to blossom, the genderless fragrance challenges us to defy the odds and dare to dream.

Renowned for its uncanny ability to translate memories and emotions into identifiable aromas, Byredo’s Mojave Ghost is a nod toward the luxury label’s supernatural endowment. The crisp Amber and Cedarwood undertones are reminiscent of carelessly climbing trees. Whilst the fresh Ambrette and Jamaican Newberry infuse a raw elegance into these rugged, childlike characteristics.

Smells like: Gracefully ascending Cedarwoods.

Glossier You: Best minimalist fragrance for women

It doesn’t do Glossier You justice to say that, mostly, it just smells like you but better. The ultimate personal fragrance, it’s uniquely tough to describe because of its ability to change based on each person.

Its unusual combination of warm, creamy base notes reflects differently on each person producing a truly one-of-a-kind scent. The result: a light and natural fragrance that’s neither flowery nor overpowering. It’s subtle and fresh thanks to its top notes of earthy, green iris root and spicy, sparkling pink pepper.

Smells like: The personal scent you’ve been searching for years.

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt: Best vacation perfume for women

Proudly made in England, one sniff of this unisex perfume, and you’re instantly transported to a craggy shoreline where crashing waves beat at rugged cliffs.

The sea salt is unmistakable, awakening your olfactories like a breath of invigorating ocean air. Then, this Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne scent escorts you a little further inland, where you’re met with dewy woodland and the grounding aroma of the forest floor. Indeed, this is a scent to refresh the mind and bring you closer to the wilderness, even if you’re simply at the office.

Bonus: All of the fragrances from Jo Malone can easily be layered to create truly unique signature scents.

Smells like: A palmful of dewy moss and a sprinkle of sea salt.

Giorgio Armani Sì: Most feminine perfume for women

Chic and sultry, Giorgio Armani Sì is the belle of every ball. Modern and elegant yet with the irresistible glamor of Old Hollywood, this sophisticated women’s perfume is the quintessence of feminine charm.

Like women, Sì Eau De Parfum is complex and captivating. Sweet with the blackcurrant nectar and citrusy mandarin oil, yet exuding a subtle determination from warm amber, patchouli, and musk. Finished with a hint of vanilla, this is the ultimate femme fatale fragrance.

Smells like: The drifting smoke after a Marrakech spice market.

Aesop Rozu: Best unisex perfume

We adore a unisex perfume. Blurring the lines between masculinity and femininity, this inclusive fragrance by Aesop, Rozu Eau De Parfum, strikes the perfect balance.

Exuding notes of deep rose, rich and floral guaiacwood—reminding us ever so slightly of Earl Grey—and invigoratingly minty shiso leaf, this unisex perfume is a best friend to all. Pairing just as well with a sharp suit as a chic LBD, Rozu is a scent for the progressive, the daring, and the modern.

Smells like: The freshness of a morning shower.

Anine Bing Pure Noir: Best spicy perfume for women

Aligning softness and strength with spicy undertones, Anine Bing’s fragrance is laced with mystery. Exploring the scent of black baccara rose, it is infused with elegance and femininity. And whilst reminiscent of afternoon tea in the countryside, earthy papyrus, and leathery saffron notes address a soul-stirring strength and distinctive independence.

Inhale again, and you’ll experience moody undertones. Guaiac wood is warm and indulgent with a sweet vanilla twist. Whilst a slightly masculine mahogany scent confidently completes the union between grace and sovereignty. Pair Anine Bing’s Pure Noir with red lips and a satin slip, and your mysterious first date may just turn into a lifetime of fantasy.

Smells like: Wearing a suit to a royal afternoon tea.

Anthropologie Beach Trip: Best nostalgia perfume for women

Exaggerated sun hats, cocoa butter sunscreen, and vanilla ice cream dripping down a crispy cone. It’s kind of in the name, but we’ll say it anyway. This nostalgic scent takes us back to the beach. And what better place to reminisce about when the cold sets in or office hours drag on?

Anthropologie Beach Trip captures a lifetime of spontaneous seaside outings and childlike playfulness in a bottle. The warm scent of cardamom is inspired by gently sun-kissed skin and spicy tan lines. The signature ylang-ylang aura exudes an air of indulgence and creamy decadence. Whilst refreshing coconut invites us to meditate on swaying palms and soothing elixirs.

Smells like: Ice cream dripping down your chin.

Buyer’s guide to the best women’s perfumes

Finding a scent that speaks to your distinctive personality is no small feat. Many of us feel frazzled by the endless possibilities and subtle differences. So we default to the most popular perfumes out of fear of getting it wrong. And whilst there’s nothing wrong with smelling like everyone else, if you’d rather discover your signature scent, understanding the four fragrance families and concentration strengths will certainly make the process a lot less overwhelming.

Four main fragrance families

Fragrances are typically classified into four main fragrance families: floral, fresh, woody, and oriental. And made from the same notes and accords, it’s not uncommon that you find yourself partial towards perfumes with similar scent profiles. If you’re looking to spice up your perfume to something less prevalent without changing your fragrance altogether, working with these fragrance families can be incredibly helpful.

Floral fragrances

Unsurprisingly floral fragrances are the most popular for women’s perfumes. It is also the broadest fragrance family, with scents ranging from a single flower’s scent to bouquets. Popular floral notes include rose, jasmine, and peonies. And softer musky florals such as lavender and violet pair well with orientals like vanilla, petitgrain or neroli.

Fresh fragrances

The fresh family is a failsafe crowd pleaser as it lends itself to both feminine and masculine fragrances, as well as all seasons and occasions. Fresh perfumes typically combine fruity, green and water scents—all of which work well with all other fragrance families.

Woody fragrances

Woody fragrances are most common amongst unisex and men’s perfumes and are usually composed of warm, rich and decadent compositions. Reminiscent of dewy forest walks, woody fragrances marry fresh and resinous notes. And when paired with more feminine fragrances, they work well to add an air of modernism and independence to women’s perfumes.

Oriental fragrances

Finally, orientals: the family that has dominated the fragrance market in the 21st century. Pure orientals are also known as Amber fragrances and are usually warm with desert undertones such as chocolate, honey, and praline. Soft orientals are sensual by nature and commonly consist of myrrh or incense paired with cinnamon and cloves. Floral orientals marry zesty citrus notes with spicy vanillas. And woody orientals fuse dry woods with rich masculine spices.

Types of perfumes and concentration strengths

We all know that some perfumes last a lot longer than others. That they vary hugely in price. And that the two are almost certainly inextricably linked. And whilst that remains true, it doesn’t leave us feeling very confident to try out new brands or less affluent labels. However, if you understand how perfumes are categorized according to concentration strength and longevity, you can feel empowered to invest in something that isn’t as famous as Chanel No.5.

Most of us refer to our daily spritz as “perfume” but very few are actually categorized as such. Perfume (or Parfum) has the highest concentration of perfume oils (between 20-40%.) Naturally, it is the most expensive and lasts the longest on the skin—six to eight hours.

Second-best: Eau de Parfum (EDP) has 15-20% perfume oils and should last between four to five hours, making it popular for evening fragrances.

Going into the more affordable types, Eau de Toilette (EDT) comprises 10-15% perfume oils and normally lasts three to four hours. Eau de Cologne only has 2-5% perfume oils and, as a result, often loses its power within two hours. And Eau Fraiche mostly consists of water with only 1-3% perfume oils.

Frequently asked questions about top luxury perfumes for her