Like a great pair of jeans or a classic sneakers, a good perfume is an everyday staple. The right scent can make you feel more confident, powerful, and elegant. Plus, it’s one of the simplest beauty products to buy for yourself or gift to that special someone in your life—fragrance purchases account for 19% of all holiday gifts last year.
The best perfumes for women offer something elevated, whether it’s a callback to a literary classic or an ode to nature’s most awe-inducing natural phenomena. And with more women than ever choosing to wear fragrance in their daily lives, it’s a category that’s full of enticing new releases.
Among the many options available, there are fragrances designed to capture the power of audacious femininity, sensual vanilla aromas, and a range of white floral notes. Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite perfumes for women that will leave you feeling and smelling your best.
Genderless, opulent, and powerful, this perfume from Ralph Lauren is perfect for women who want to project confidence and elegance. Blackcurrant absolute and a hint of pink pepper open the composition, leading into a heart of Sambac jasmine and orange flower absolute. Finished with a touch of rich sandalwood, the fragrance captures the harmony between audacious power and feminine grace.
A classic among the best perfumes for women, this fragrance was created in tribute to Coco Chanel and her effervescent personality. A fruity, floral, and musky eau de parfum, it’s a spritz of happiness for anyone who wears it. Top notes of bergamot, ruby red grapefruit, and spring mimosa combine to create the fruity and floral bouquet. Meanwhile, a base of musk and Rangoon creeper adds a deep, sensual, and mysterious aura.
The most popular fragrance in the world is also the most expensive, and for good reason. The floral, chypre-inspired scent is a timeless choice for women who want to smell like a million bucks. With an opening of blackcurrant and apricot, the fragrance combines a delicate sweetness with a sexy, sophisticated, and bold opulence.
This unisex perfume is like a breath of fresh air—literally. It combines notes of blackcurrant, mandarin orange, and water lily to present an airy and soft fragrance that’s perfect for those who prefer a light, yet elegant scent. Finished with a touch of vanilla, this fragrance is the kind you can just wear alone or layer over a more intense perfume for added impact.
With its ode to the phoenix rising from the ashes, this perfume is all about strength and courage. Featuring an earthy blend of cedar, oris, and cardamom, the genderless scent is designed to be a reminder that you can rise from any situation with a bit of ingenuity, a pinch of grit, and a dash of courage. A perfume to wear on a romantic date or during an intimate dinner party, it’s an ode to your strength and determination.