Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
1
Best Budget
Le Monde Gourmand Beau Bleu Eau de Parfum
1
Best Budget
Le Monde Gourmand Beau Bleu Eau de Parfum
Pros
Genderless- Well-balanced scent
GenderlessCons
- May not be as long-lasting as some other scents
May not be as long-lasting as some other scentsA little bit spicy, citrusy, and woodsy all in one, this super-affordable fragrance has the depth of a much pricier top-shelf perfume. The scent leans neither too masculine nor feminine, meaning it’s one your BF might just be tempted to use, too.
“I’ve always been a sucker for men’s cologne, but have never actually added any to my routine because I don’t want to smell like a full-on dude. However, this Le Monde Gourmand scent strikes the perfect balance. Described by the brand as evoking the ‘comforting embrace of an oversized hoodie stolen from your crush,’ it has an effortlessly musky scent without being too rich or overpowering. It’s so good, in fact, I love to spritz it on every few hours for a fresh whiff.”— S.P.
| Top notes | Salted Lemon, pink pepper |
|---|---|
| Size | 1 or 2.5 fl. oz. |
2
Best Daytime Scent
Lancôme Idôle Eau de Parfum
2
Best Daytime Scent
Lancôme Idôle Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Bottle may not stand on its own
With ambassador Zendaya as its leading lady, Lancome’s Idole already has a lot going for it. But with its burst of fresh florals—rose and jasmine, in particular—this makes for a fully feminine, but never overpowering, scent.
An Amazon reviewer says:“Beautiful scent of flowers that lasts on your clothes and wherever you spray it on yourself for well over a day! Plus, you only need a little bit, because it most certainly goes a long way.”
| Top Notes | Bergamot, juicy pear, pink peppercorn |
|---|---|
| Size | 0.85-3.4 fl. oz. |
3
Best Sultry Scent
Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau de Perfume
3
Best Sultry Scent
Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau de Perfume
Now 30% Off
Pros
- Elegant scent
Cons
- Pricey
Starting bright and surprising with whiffs of jasmine, this perfume soon turns dark and seductive with traces of coffee and cocoa. A must-have for any wild night in or out.
An Amazon reviewer says: “The bottle is what immediately caught my attention, but after I sampled it, I needed to have it. It goes very well with my natural scent; it’s warm and sweet, yet sexy. It’s perfect for everyday wear as well as special occasions.”
| Top Notes | Jasmine |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.7 fl. oz. |
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4
Best Celeb Scent
Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum
4
Best Celeb Scent
Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Great for teens and young adults
Cons
- May not be as long-lasting as other scents
Even if your name isn’t Ari, you can still smell like the superstar with this flirty, feminine perfume. With sweet floral and fruity scents of lavender blossom, pear, coconut, and vanilla, this is a bright, young fragrance, in the best way.
An Amazon reviewer says: “That’s it. Steamy cotton candy. I smell like a sexy cavity. Ten out of 10.”
| Top Notes | Lavender blossom, juicy pear, bergamot |
|---|---|
| Size | 1-3.4 fl. oz. |
5
Best Floral Scent
Gucci Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum
5
Best Floral Scent
Gucci Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Dynamic Scent
Cons
- Strong
A more modern take on the traditional floral perfume, this inventive fragrance is made all the more dynamic by its inclusion of rangoon creeper, a flowering vine native to tropical Asia. This can be a strong scent, so don’t overdo it, but the whiffs of jasmine and tuberose are simply lovely.
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “I smelled a magazine sample of this, and as an inveterate tuberose lover, I immediately ordered a full bottle. Just this side of vanilla is enough for everyday wear, but sensuous enough for going out. Love her.”
| Top Notes | Rangoon creeper |
|---|---|
| Size | 1-3.3 fl. oz. |
6
Best for Layering
The Harmonist Yin Transformation Parfum
6
Best for Layering
The Harmonist Yin Transformation Parfum
Pros
- Warm and sensual
Cons
- Pricey
Buckle up tight, because this fragrance takes you on a ride. The yin-yang scent composition unfurls a delicate composition of sensual citrus and florals, then comes the dip: warm almond milk, sandalwood, and white musk.
“As someone with over 100 fragrances, my signature scent changes by the day. However, I almost always begin most of my scent layers with Yin Transformation, which bursts with creamy florals that feel like a balmy spring morning.” — Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
| Top Notes | Bergamot, mandarin, pink peppercorn |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.7 fl. oz. |
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7
Best Unusual Floral Perfume
Elorea Inflorescence (송아리) Eau De Parfum
7
Best Unusual Floral Perfume
Elorea Inflorescence (송아리) Eau De Parfum
Credit: Elorea
Pros
- Soft floral & fruity notes
- Long-lasting
- Unisex
Cons
- Some may prefer a muskier blend
Drawing inspiration from the Korean word songari, which means an array of flowers or fruit on a single stem, this enticing fragrance is at once familiar and unexpected. Top notes of mulberry and Korea-native Schisandra berry open up to plum blossom and honeysuckle, followed by subtly grounding base notes of amber and sandalwood.
“Elorea’s genderless perfumes are quickly becoming some of my new favorites. The burgeoning K-beauty brand looks to nature and its founders’ shared heritage to create some undeniably divine scents, like the soft yet not overly sweet Inflorescence. If you’re unsure which Elorea perfumes will best suit you, I also love that the label offers a discovery set, which comes with a voucher of equal value that can be applied to any purchase of a full-sized scent.”—Sam Peters, ELLE.com contributor
| Top notes | Schisandra berry, mulberry |
|---|---|
| Size | 50 or 100 mL |
8
Best Nighttime Scent
19-69 Purple Haze Eau de Parfum
8
Best Nighttime Scent
19-69 Purple Haze Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Spicy-smelling
Cons
- Pricey
Inspired by the ’70s and Jimi Hendrix, this perfume has notes of bergamot, musk, black pepper, and thyme. It’s a rich, full perfume that’s best suited to the coolest, grungiest person you know. As a bonus, the bottle is too gorgeous not to covet.
A Sephora reviewer says:“Spicy, heady, complex…like walking through the crowd at a music festival in all the best ways.”
| Top Notes | Italian bergamot, corsican cypress, and ravensara |
|---|---|
| Size | 0.25-3.4 fl. oz. |
9
Best Beachy Perfume
Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk Eau de Toilette
9
Best Beachy Perfume
Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk Eau de Toilette
Credit: Nordstrom
Pros
- Ocean-inspired
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Scent may not be universally-appealing
Even if you don’t live near the coast, this effervescent summer perfume will instantly transport to warm, sandy shores with notes of bergamot, coconut milk, and aquatic-inspired transluzone. Also, what’s not to love about its striking apothecary-style bottle?
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “Love this scent, takes me to holiday in my head in one spritz. All the best bits—sun cream, salty skin, fruity cocktails, and tropical flowers. Delicious. The scent really lasts well, too. Great for every day!”
| Top notes | Bergamot, pink pepper, primofiore lemon, neroli oil |
|---|---|
| Size | 1 or 3.4 fl. oz |
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10
Best Woodsy Perfume
Initio Parfums Prives Oud For Greatness Eau de Parfum Spray
10
Best Woodsy Perfume
Initio Parfums Prives Oud For Greatness Eau de Parfum Spray
Pros
- Balanced out with fresh notes
Cons
- Pricey
If you’re seeking a rich woodsy yet balanced scent, try Initio Parfums’ Oud For Greatness. Spicy musk, nutmeg, and saffron add to the boldness of this Oud Wood-driven fragrance, while lavender and patchouli offer enticing floral notes for a sophisticated finish.
A Neiman Marcus reviewer says: “Every time I wear this, I get so many compliments from men and women. Last all day and night.”
| Size | 3 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Top Notes | Natural oud wood |
11
Best for Date Night
La Perla Signature Eau de Parfum
11
Best for Date Night
La Perla Signature Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Feminine scent
Cons
- Pricey
Created by the brand that brought us the chicest, most enviable lingerie in the market, the perfumes by La Perla are just as desirable. This scent is citrusy enough to invoke a bold, wide-awake feeling, but countered with dark notes of neroli, too.
A Nordstrom reviewer says:“Very beautiful, fruity violet perfume. This smells like a rich French woman. Oozes elegance, and the bottle is just oh-my-god stunning.”
| Top Notes | Violet leaves |
|---|---|
| Size | 1-3.4 fl. oz. |
12
Best Luxury Buy
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum
12
Best Luxury Buy
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Subtle yet enticing
Cons
- Pricey
Baccarat Rouge 540 is another woodsy scent with a sweeter edge. That first whiff is sweet, then it evolves into spicy, earthy notes of jasmine, cedar, and saffron.
A Neiman Marcus reviewer says: “I’m searching for my perfect wedding day scent. I researched and watched so many YouTube reviews on this perfume, and for me, it definitely lives up to the hype. It first smells unisex, but dries to a sweet and sexy scent. So, so good!”
| Top Notes | Jasmine, saffron |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.4 fl. oz. |
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13
Best Classic Scent
Dior J’adore Eau de Parfum
13
Best Classic Scent
Dior J’adore Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Versatile scent
Cons
- Pricey
There’s a reason you see this iconic bottle in practically every magazine you’ve ever opened. It’s a classic, and the fruity, floral ingredients never weigh down the luscious elegance of the ylang-ylang, jasmine, pear, melon, peach, and lily.
A Sephora reviewer says: “Lovely floral scent, not too warm or heavy but still has good lasting power. Would recommended this to all ages and seems appropriate for both day and night. Gorgeous bottle.”
| Top Notes | Ylang-ylang |
|---|---|
| Size | 0.67-5 fl. oz. |
14
Best Peony Scent
Acqua di Parma Peonia Nobile Perfume
14
Best Peony Scent
Acqua di Parma Peonia Nobile Perfume
Pros
- Balanced scent
Cons
- Pricey
If all you want for your birthday is a bushel of peonies, this perfume should be a runner-up. It’s a beautiful floral fragrance with notes of raspberry, geranium, Turkish rose, and peony. Basically a wearable bouquet.
A Nordstrom reviewer says:“This is a lovely perfume with so many enticing scents–uplifting citrus, woodiness, and unusual florals. I found this to be really lovely, with good staying power.”
| Top Notes | Black pepper, raspberry accord |
|---|---|
| Size | 0.7-3.4 fl. oz. |
15
Best Patchouli Scent
Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum
15
Best Patchouli Scent
Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Romantic scent
Cons
- Pricey
It’s all in the name, folks: This perfume is like spritzing on the feeling of a sunset soirée in a romantic palace garden. With orchid, patchouli, tea leaf, jasmine and rose, wearing Flowerbomb is the next best thing to carrying a bouquet wherever you go.
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “Flowerbomb, in my opinion, has to be the most beautiful and comforting fragrance ever created. Sweet-soft-romantic-powdery. It’s heaven in a bottle.”
| Top Notes | Cattleya orchid, freesia, centifolia rose |
|---|---|
| Size | 0.34-5 fl. oz. |
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16
Best Mature Scent
Diptyque Eau de Minthe Eau de Parfum
16
Best Mature Scent
Diptyque Eau de Minthe Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Complex scent
Cons
- Not for the faint of heart
For a slightly more masculine, aftershave-inspired perfume, this minty fragrance is fresh and delightful. Along with mint, it has notes of geranium and patchouli for a complicated but delectable fragrance.
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “Praise for this scent with not a single flower petal in sight. It makes me think of a classy wizard who relishes a good gin. It’s mystic and unusual, and I’m here for it.”
| Top Notes | Menthe |
|---|---|
| Size | 2.5 fl. oz. |
17
Best Fresh Scent
Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique Eau de Parfum
17
Best Fresh Scent
Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Unique scent
Cons
- Pricey
This luxurious and fruity perfume is like summer in a bottle. Featuring unique traces of lychee, peony, orange blossom, and peach, with a little musk mixed in for good measure, this is like a well-made cocktail—worth the extra cost.
A Saks Fifth Avenue reviewer says:“As a perfume hoarder, I can say that I have nothing like it in my collection, and it smells amazing! It’s a citrusy floral that settles in very beautifully.”
| Top Notes | Bergamot, lychee, peach |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.7-3.3 fl. oz. |
18
Best Day-to-Night Scent
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum
18
Best Day-to-Night Scent
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Edgy scent
Cons
- May be overpowering
For those who crave a little danger in their dress-up, this sexy concoction smelling of coffee, vanilla, and pear is a feast for the senses. A little smooth, a little edgy, this is a fantastic fragrance for evening wear.
A Sephora reviewer says:“One of my favorite scents. Very mature but not like an old lady scent. It’s sophisticated and warm. I wear this year-round but suggest wearing it in the winter.”
| Top Notes | Coffee |
|---|---|
| Size | 0.33-5 fl. oz. |
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19
Best Fruity Scent
D.S. & Durga Grapefruit Generation Eau de Parfum
19
Best Fruity Scent
D.S. & Durga Grapefruit Generation Eau de Parfum
Pros
- Fresh and citrusy
Cons
- Pricey
For a complex citrus perfume, this one by the cool Brooklyn-based brand D.S. & Durga is top-notch. It smells like the skin of a pomelo, paired with hints of tuberose, musk, and—naturally—grapefruit. What could be better?
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “It’s everything the maker says it is. When I wear this, I feel I have been transported outdoors to a special place. I smell the smoke, the trees, it feels real. This scent is addicting, soothing. The balance is perfect. I love this perfume.”
| Top Notes | Pomelo skin, elm leaf, silver |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.7-3.4 fl. oz. |
20
Best Soft Scent
Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum Spray
20
Best Soft Scent
Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum Spray
Pros
- Classic aroma
Cons
- May be too strong of a scent for some
A fruity, floral fragrance as traditionally feminine as its color, this is a non-fussy pick for day wear.
“Of all the perfumes I’ve tried over the years, Chanel’s Chance has remained a constant in my lineup. It’s lighter and more modern than the brand’s iconic N°5 scent, yet is still just as effortlessly classic and long-lasting. In fact, I’ve found it to be such a universal crowd-pleaser that even an Uber driver once asked me what I was wearing.”—S.P.
| Top Notes | Jasmine absolute, rose essence |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.7-3.4 fl. oz. |
Culture Writer
Lauren Puckett-Pope is a staff culture writer at ELLE, where she primarily covers film, television and books. She was previously an associate editor at ELLE.
Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor
Tatjana Freund is Hearst’s Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She’s a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
Beauty Commerce Editor
Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). She has a penchant for sneakers and nude lip glosses, and spends way too much time re-watching 90s sitcoms.
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