As one of the simplest daily self-care rituals, choosing the right perfume for women can have a major impact on your mood and how people perceive you. That’s why it’s worth putting thought into your signature scent, which should be an expression of who you are in ways that’re unique and memorable to others.
The best perfumes for women don’t only smell great but also speak to a specific moment or memory in your life. Whether that’s a callback to classic literature, the preservation of artisanal techniques, or a poetic ode to natural phenomena, they offer something elevated that’ll set you apart from everyone else in the room.
While you’re shopping for a new fragrance, you should keep in mind the four main fragrance families: floral, fresh, woody, and oriental. These groups can be useful when pairing perfumes together, or deciding which fragrance concentration (eau de parfum, eau de toilette) is right for you.
Floral perfumes are the most popular type of women’s fragrance. These scents range from single flower notes to fragrant bouquets, and often pair well with woody, musk, or oriental aromas.
Whether you’re looking to channel a summer getaway or evoke a feeling of confidence and self-assurance, there’s a perfume for every occasion. Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the most iconic and versatile women perfumes for you to consider as your next signature scent.
With kittenish top notes of peony succumbing to a flutter of rose and bright magnolia, Chloe perfumes a sense of femininity that’s delicate yet alluring. It’s the perfect perfume for your daily rotation and will easily take you from ladies’ lunches to an afternoon at the galleries.
A perfume for the woman who knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. With its youthful blend of zingy grapefruit, violet petals, and jasmine, Daisy is the fragrance for the woman who has her swag on.
Release your inner boho-chic with this free-spirited perfume from Dolce & Gabbana. With notes of mandora—a Mediterranean fruit—and bergamot, this perfume is as energizing as your day-dreaming beach vacation and will keep you going all day long.
A throwback to the early ’80s, this perfume is perfect for the confident and classic woman who knows how to dress with style. Featuring notes of jasmine and Rangoon creeper—a fun south Indian plant—this full-on floral fragrance isn’t a grandma’s perfume. Instead, it’s the feminine and flirty scent that reminds you of the lingering smell of sun-kissed skin as the sun fades into the sea.