Perfume has a long history, but unlike wine—which inspires books and magazine articles, goes on tasting tours, and has its own dedicated drink—it’s not a particularly celebrated scent. That’s probably because perfume is, by nature, invisible. “How could something that is so shapeless and evanescent have a culture?” writes Tania Sanchez in her book Perfumes. It’s a mystery that we’re still trying to solve, because when it’s done right, perfume can be one of the most seductive, feminine beauty products out there.
Fragrance has the power to evoke memories and emotions in those who encounter it, which is why many women are drawn to signature scents that encapsulate their personality. The perfumes that we wear are a reflection of ourselves, so it’s important to choose a fragrance that suits our personalities and can be worn at different points in the day, depending on our moods.
Whether you want to evoke romance, strength or happiness, there’s a perfume for every occasion and mood. To help you find yours, Cosmo Creative Director Mallory Roynon rounded up her favorite perfumes for women that range from a casual everyday perfume to a bold, sensual aroma that will leave an unforgettable impression on those who encounter you.
For those who want to embody a romantic, feminine scent, try this fruity and floral perfume from Jo Malone London, which features a delicate blend of peony and rose topped with red apple notes and suede. It’s a perfect scent for evening wear.
This classic perfume from Yves Saint Laurent is one of the best perfume for women that never fails to receive compliments, thanks to its seductive blend of coffee, vanilla orchid, and black rose. Known for its longevity, it’s the perfect scent to wear to your next date night.
Another option for an alluring perfume is this one from Kilian, which has an orange blossom absolute, spring mimosa and hyacinth infused with marshmallow sugar blend. It’s also one of the first clean perfumes, meaning it contains no parabens or phthalates.
Using a sample from the study, we collected odor molecules from a woman’s skin at various times of her menstrual cycle and then analyzed them to determine if perfume odor intensity varied by phase. We found that the highest average perfume odor intensity was observed on her nose at the end of her cycle, followed by her neck, collarbone, wrists and inner elbows.
A few months ago, we talked to fragrance experts about pheromones, which are naturally secreted chemicals said to transmit olfactive signals between members of the same species and affect arousal. While the research on these molecules is slim, that hasn’t stopped brands from incorporating them into their perfumes. The top-selling female perfume on Amazon, for instance, is a pheromone roll-on called Pure Instinct Crave, which earns about $300,000 in monthly sales. Meanwhile, Cupid’s Original Hypnosis Pheromone Cologne, which carries a significantly higher price tag, brings in nearly $600,000 monthly. These olfactory marketing tactics may be why these perfumes sell well—but we’re not convinced they actually have any effect on arousal.