21 Best Perfumes to Ever Exist in Our Fragrance Collections
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Every day at Allure HQ, our editors receive the newest and best perfumes from the largest fragrance houses and the smallest indie brands all before they make it to market, so we can get an exclusive look — or sniff — at what the upcoming season will bring to our olfactory senses. If you think walking by a department store's fragrance counters is intimidating, you should get a look at our work-from-home desks.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Viktor & Rolf Good Fortune Eau de Parfum, $142
- Best Rose Fragrance: Ouai Melrose Place Eau de Parfum, $64
- Allure Best of Beauty Winner: Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum, $133
- Best Luxury Fragrance: Chanel No. 5 L'Eau Spray, $135
- Best Powdery Fragrance: Kai Eau de Parfum, $80
- Best Vanilla Fragrance: Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille Eau de Parfum, $380
- Best Body Mist: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Hair & Body Perfume Mist, $38
- Best Classic Floral Fragrance: Oribe Valley of Flowers Eau de Parfum, $125
- Best Warm Floral Fragrance: Kilian Good Girl Gone Bad Eau de Parfum, $290
- Best Tropical Fragrance: Ellis Brooklyn Salt Eau de Parfum, $108
- Best Sweet Floral Fragrance: Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette, $101
- Best Spicy Fragrance: Jo Malone London Myrrh and Tonka Cologne Intense, $160
So, what are the latest and greatest fragrances gracing our scent collection? If you've noticed a transition from ultra-sweet fruity scents to more robust fragrances, we have, too — and it's not just a coincidence. Perfumer Mandy Aftel tells Allure that due to a longing for fresh air and the outdoors in our post-COVID world, there's been a spike in the demand for what she calls "green" notes. These aren't "natural scents," per se, but more so what Aftel describes as fragrances with fresh and herbaceous properties to them — a rather sharp turn from the traditional warmth associated with perfumes for the cooler months. But that doesn't mean we're bidding farewell to our floral fragrances or spicier perfumes for good. There's room for all of them in our collections.
So, whether you're looking to try something zesty and new or stick to a comforting old favorite, now is the perfect time to snag a new addition for your rotation. If you don't know where to start, take a few tips from us: Out of the stockpiles of fragrances we sift through on the regular, these always come out on top. Check out the best perfumes for women, according to Allure staffers, below.
- 1/22
Viktor & Rolf
Viktor & Rolf Good Fortune Eau de Parfum
Why It's Worth It: Every bit as comforting and gorgeous as a big bouquet from a loved one, Victor & Rolf Good Fortune's warm blend of jasmine and bourbon vanilla is a cozy floral you'll want to smell all winter long. This best-seller is inspired by the spirit of its celebrity ambassador, FKA Twigs, so expect an ethereal, unconventionally delightful vibe from every spritz.
Editor Tip: Fragrances last longer on moisturized skin so don't forget to wear an unscented lotion before spraying on this fragrance (or any of your other signature scents).
Key Notes: Fennel, jasmine, bourbon vanilla.
- 2/22
Gucci
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia
Why It's Worth It: Gucci's Flora Gorgeous Gardenia definitely fits the bill if you're in the mood for a sparkly floral fragrance. Fruity notes pop through this eau de parfum's floral base, while notes of brown sugar and patchouli sweet and spice it up, respectively. Given how enchanted we were by this fragrance, it only makes sense that we gave it a 2022 Best of Beauty Award in our Scent category.
Editor Tip: Florals for spring may not be groundbreaking, but florals for winter? Now that’s a pleasant surprise. Your favorite floral fragrances like this one from Gucci can be worn year-round, so feel free to get experimental with them.
Key Notes: Gardenia, jasmine, pear blossom, brown sugar
- 3/22
Chanel
Chanel No. 5 L'Eau Spray
Why It's Worth It: For beauty enthusiasts, owning a bottle of Chanel No. 5 feels almost obligatory. But, let's be real — what if it's not your bag? Enter No. 5 L'Eau. This version has the spirit of the original (cue fancy lady vibes), but it's so much breezier. Like the original, this fragrance has floral base notes of rose and jasmine, but this iteration also provides a juicy bite of lemon, mandarin, and orange.
Editor Tip: Looking for more fragrances embellished with Chanel's ever-iconic C logo? The luxury label's Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum Spray is another Allure editor-loved fragrance for its harmonic balance of orange, jasmine, and roses.
Key Notes: Rose, jasmine, lemon, mandarin, orange.
- 4/22
Oribe
Oribe Valley of Flowers Eau de Parfum
Why It's Worth It: Both McGrath and Gutierrez give this scent a special spot in their fragrance collections — which are enormous, by the way. Oribe's Valley of Flowers Eau de Parfum is taking over our editors' fragrance profiles because of its warmer floral body. It has top notes of rose, jasmine petals, and peony blossoms, which soften into an earthy blend of amber, wood, and musk.
Editor Tip: Just like your winter wardrobe, layering is always encouraged in the world of fragrances. We suggest layering this floral fragrance with a woodsy or spicy scent of your choosing.
Key Notes: Rose, jasmine, peony, amber, wood, musk
- 5/22
Ouai
Ouai Melrose Place Eau de Parfum
Why It's Worth It: Everything’s coming up roses with the Allure editor-favorite Ouai Melrose Place Eau de Parfum. Both our social media manager, Bianca Richards, and our associate manager of special projects, Talia Gutierrez, say this fragrance is one of their favorite scents for its rose-forward blend that's also spiked with bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, and white musk.
Editor Tip: Want to give this fragrance a more floral feel? Layer it with Ouai's Rue St. Honoré, a French-inspired musky-floral scent infused with hints of violet, gardenia, ylang ylang, and white musk.
Key Notes: Rose, bergamot, lychee, cedarwood, white musk.
- 6/22
Kai
Kai Eau de Parfum
Why It's Worth It: So, what does our editor in chief, Jessica Cruel, smell like? Though she's sniffed just about every perfume there is to sniff, she's only sold on one: Kai's Eau de Parfum. She says it's the only fragrance she "can stomach." This light and powdery perfume has a fresh, clean aroma with a touch of gardenia.
Editor Tip: This fragrance is one of the few that's a great addition to your skin-care routine, because it's spiked with antioxidant vitamins C and E to moisturize and brighten skin.
Key Notes: Gardenia, white florals
- 7/22
Guerlain
Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille Eau de Parfum
Why It's Worth It: This smoky vanilla is the spicy, woody, deeper version of your everyday, casual vanilla fragrance that you're looking to elevate without leaving behind altogether. It's like wearing a cable-knit cashmere sweater on a nippy walk through a foreign forest at dusk. A fire is burning in the distance. You're just happy to be there.
Editor Tip: Guerlain makes their perfumes gifting-ready with the option to engrave a loved one's name or initials right onto the bottle.
Key Notes: Vanilla, jasmine, cedar, bergamot, amber, pink pepper, rose, ylang ylang
- 8/22
Sol De Janeiro
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Hair & Body Perfume Mist
Why It's Worth It: One of the best lessons we've learned about fragrances over the years is that you don't have to shell out hundreds of dollars to find a good scent. Case in point: Sol de Janeiro's Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Hair & Body Perfume Mist, which deputy editor Kara McGrath says is one of her go-tos. Inspired by the brand's very own Bum Bum Cream fragrance, this sweet blend of pistachio and salted caramel is airy, subtle, and warm.
Editor Tip: Sol de Janeiro has quite a few gourmand fragrances to indulge in. Another one of our team's favorite fragrances from the brand is Brazilian Crush Cheirosa ’71, which has a sweet mix of caramelized vanilla, tonka bean, and toasted macadamia.
Key Notes: Pistachio, salted caramel, vanilla
- 9/22
Lancôme
Lancôme Idôle Eau de Parfum
Why It's Worth It: This light, floral fragrance is a classic, so it's no wonder that Allure tester Gabi Thorne has been loving it recently. This subtle scent fuses citrus with rose, jasmine, white musk, and vanilla to create a sweet and sultry perfume. Once it dries down, expect to also smell bergamot, pear, and spicy pink pepper.
Editor Tip: This isn't the only best-selling perfume from Lancôme that our team adores. The brand's La Vie Est Belle is another fan-favorite for its earthy and floral notes of iris, patchouli, praline, sambac, jasmine, and orange blossom.
Key Notes: Bergamot, pink pepper, pear, rose, jasmine, vanilla, white musk
- 10/22
Kilian Paris
Kilian Good Girl Gone Bad Eau de Parfum
Why It's Worth It: Kilian's Good Girl Gone Bad Eau de Parfum represents a harmonious balance between light florals and denser fragrances. This perfume, which is another one of Kinonen's favorites, starts off as a sweet and sexy fusion of floral osmanthus absolute, orange blossom, and rose of May absolute. Once it dries down, you'll notice notes of more intense florals like tuberose absolute, jasmine, and narcissus.
Editor Tip: Want to smell exactly like Rihanna? Well, word on the virtual street is that Kilian is one of her favorite fragrance brands, and her usual perfume of choice from the luxury brand is the marshmallow-forward Love, Don’t Be Shy.
Key Notes: orange blossom, osmanthus, tuberose
- 11/22
Byredo
Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum
Why It's Worth It: Kinonen says Byredo Mojave Ghost Eau de Parfum is a staple in her fragrance collection. This modern classic is known for its woody notes inspired by the Mojave Desert, so expect to smell wafts of musk, ambrette, cedarwood, and a touch of powdery violet.
Editor Tip: This is another pretty powerful scent, so make sure to spray lightly.
Key Notes: Musk, ambrette, violet, cedarwood, sandalwood
- 12/22
Yves Saint Laurent
Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris
Why It's Worth It: Like an indulgent French dessert, Mon Paris has just the right amount of sweet. Red berries and pear intermingle with lush, rich ingredients like white musk, patchouli, and — how fabulous does this sound? — crystal moss. The result: a luminous, sexy scent.
Editor Tip: To ensure your fragrance lasts as long as possible, try spritzing your favorite fragrance onto your skin instead of your clothes.
Key Notes: Red berries, pear, white musk, patchouli, crystal moss
- 13/22
Ellis Brooklyn
Ellis Brooklyn Salt Eau de Parfum
Why It's Worth It: This 2020 Best of Beauty winner is still one of our favorite tropical scents. It's meant to evoke a beachy vibe all year long — think salty skin, hazy heat, and exotic florals. Let the notes of ylang-ylang, Tahitian gardenia, and ambergris wash over you like a wave.
Editor Tip: Another tip to make your fragrances last is to spritz your pulse points, which generate more heat on your body and therefore diffuse the fragrance.
Key Notes: Ylang-ylang, gardenia, ambergris
- 14/22
Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs Daisy
Why It's Worth It: Though the name of this scent makes it sound like it was made for the younger crowd, inside the quirky bottle is an artistic feat. The blend of wild strawberry, violet, gardenia, and jasmine somehow always feels light and airy — even after multiple spritzes. A decade on, perfumers are still scratching their heads.
Editor Tip: Fans of this fragrance will love the intense version of it, which is amplified by hints of honey and moss.
Key notes: strawberry, sandalwood, white violets, jasmine
- 15/22
Jo Malone
Jo Malone London Myrrh and Tonka
Why It's Worth It: Cozy without being cloying, this toasty almond and mellow tonka bean blend delivers just enough warm and fuzzy. Trust a British brand to respect the concept of restraint.
Editor Tip: Though this unisex fragrance is layerable, its notes are known to be strong, so spritz lightly.
Key Notes: Toasted almond, tonka bean, lavender, myrrh, vanilla
- 16/22
Dior
Dior Miss Dior Eau de Parfum
Why It's Worth It: There are very few perfumes that come close to this iconic scent. Dior's Miss Dior Eau de Parfum has a fresh, flowery trifecta of light lilies, spicy peonies, and powdery irises that will lift anyone's spirits.
Editor Tip: Trying to save a few bucks? Then give the eau de toilette version of this fragrance a try, which features the same notes in a slightly more diluted formulation.
Key Notes: Rose, peony, iris, lily of the valley
- 17/22
Viktor & Rolf
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb
Why It's Worth It: Deploy the pink grenade and release one of the most over-the-top floral fragrances of our lifetimes. After the initial girly-girl explosion, expect a more sensual patchouli drydown. This one is a classic Allure favorite.
Editor Tip: Considering that this fragrance is both an Allure Best of Beauty and Readers' Choice Award-winner, you truly can't go wrong with it.
Key Notes: cattleyas, freesia, sambac jasmine, rose
- 18/22
Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani Sí
Why It's Worth It: Sí is a blockbuster scent that plays more like an indie. A take on the familiar chypre concept — a favorite perfume family known for its mossy, distinctive scent — it introduces brighter, juicy notes like the tangy blackcurrant. The result: a delicious crowd-pleaser that also happens to be a favorite of Allure's associate beauty director, Sarah Kinonen.
Editor Tip: Sprayed too much fragrance on yourself? This tried-and-true tip will help mellow your scent: "Dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and dab it on wherever you have sprayed too much perfume," Glen Anderson, executive director of innovation at Avon, previously told Allure.
Key Notes: Orange blossom, blackcurrant, mandarin, vanilla
- 19/22
Le Labo
Le Labo Bergamote 22
Why It's Worth It: Bergamot, petitgrain, and amber bathe you in this warm, luminous aura — consider this the magic hour of fragrances. It's becoming on everyone, which is why it's one of our favorites from the fan-favorite fragrance brand.
Editor Tip: Le Labo also creates perfumed body oils to smell great as you moisturize your skin. Before you even ask, yes, they do have one in this fragrance.
Key Notes: Orange blossom, grapefruit, petitgrain, amber, bergamot, vetiver, cedar, musk
- 20/22
Maison Margiela
Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk
Why It's Worth It: Desperate for a mental escape? Maison Margiela bottled all the best bits of a day at the shore — coconut, musk, crystal-clear sea spray — and put it all on tap in Beach Walk Eau de Toilette. Spritz as needed.
Editor Tip: If you want your home to smell just as good as you, Maison Margiela is also known for its array of luxe home fragrances.
Key Notes: Begamot, ylang-ylang, coconut milk, white musk, neroli oil
- 21/22
Chloe
Chloé Eau de Parfum
Why It's Worth It: Another one of our 2020 Best of Beauty winners, Chloé's eponymous eau de parfum is as classic as the fashion label's beloved Marcie bags. This sweet and breezy fragrance has a lighter aura for those who like a subtly sugary scent. This powdery perfume also includes notes of peony, rose, honey, and cedarwood.
Editor Tip: Since this fragrance has lighter, airier notes, it does fade away fast. We recommend keeping a travel-size bottle in your bag to reapply throughout the day.
Key Notes: Peony, rose, honey, cedarwood
- 22/22
Tom Ford
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc
Why It's Worth It: No matter what time of year it is, you'll always enjoy the warm, inviting scent of Tom Ford's Soleil Blanc Eau de Parfum. This solar-inspired perfume, which is a favorite of Kinonen's, includes hints of bergamot, pistachio, and tropical fruit coco de mer as an aromatic homage to the haziest days of summer.
Editor Tip: Any luxury fragrance lover knows that Tom Ford pumps out fragrant hit after hit. Another Allure-approved fragrance from the brand is Lost Cherry, an ultra-fruity scent that's popular around our office and the world wide web.
Key Notes: Coco de mer, bergamot, pistachio