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22 Best Perfumes for Women of All Time, According to Beauty Pros

We've spent decades trying hundreds of fragrances to find the top scents, from luxury to affordable buys.

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best perfumes for women

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Over two decades as a beauty editor, I have spritzed and sniffed countless perfumes ranging from bargain body splashes to expensive luxury splurges — and have cabinets, counters and drawers filled with fragrances to prove it. With so many perfumes on the market, finding your holy grail (or just your new favorite) can be a challenge. Thankfully, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab team is constantly trying new perfumes as they hit the market to stay on top of the latest launches.

After many whiffs of fragrances both lovely and not-so-lovely, we've found that while perfume is a personal preference, some scents are universally beloved. So before you douse yourself with every sample in the fragrance department, browse our list of the hottest, most popular perfumes of all time, ranging from fresh, clean scents to sweet gourmands like vanilla, warm musks and soft florals such as classic rose.

Whether you're shopping for yourself or searching for a special gift, these are the best-smelling women's perfumes that get the most compliments, including affordable perfumes that won't break the bank.

1
Best Feminine Perfume

Giorgio Armani My Way Eau de Parfum

My Way Eau de Parfum

Category: Floral | Notes: Bergamot, orange blossom, tuberose, jasmine, cedarwood, vanilla, musk | Sizes: 0.34, 1.0, 1.7. 3.4 fl. oz.

A new classic and fresh take on feminine perfume, designer Giorgio Armani's GH Beauty Award-winning fragrance is the perfect blend of floral, fruit, woody, musk and sweet notes. It also makes sustainability strides via a refillable bottle and packaging that’s both made with post-consumer recycled and recyclable materials.

Testers said: GH Beauty Lab pros loved the “sophisticated but slightly sweet fragrance” and the brand’s eco efforts that are a rarity for perfume, also including a commitment to carbon neutrality.

2
Best Light Perfume

Phlur Missing Person Eau de Parfum

Missing Person Eau de Parfum

Category: Floral musk | Notes: Musk, bergamot, jasmine, neroli, sandalwood | Sizes: 0.32, 1.7, 3.3 fl. oz.

Anything but a flash in the pan (or, bottle), this subtle musk, jasmine and woods scent from Phlur, a GH Beauty Award winner, has staying power thanks to its timeless yet fresh appeal.

Tester said:
“This scent feels like an extension of me, rather than a perfume,” a fan enthused. “It’s faintly sweet and comforting, but somehow still airy — like a well-worn sweater you never want to take off.”

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3
Best Fresh-Smelling Perfume

Bulgari Eau Parfumée Thé Vert Eau de Toilette

Eau Parfumée Thé Vert Eau de Toilette
Credit: Bulgari

Category: Fresh | Notes: Green tea, bergamot, neroli, beeswax, tonka bean | Sizes: 2.5, 5.0 fl. oz.

An icon through the decades and GH beauty editor favorite, this Bulgari perfume strikes the perfect balance of uplifting yet soft thanks to notes of herbal green tea and bright citrus mellowed by beeswax.

Tester said: “Light and inviting, this scent is truly universal: It feels natural in any season or time of day and for any age — and still smells modern,” a longtime wearer raved.

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4
Best Minimalist Perfume

Infiniment Coty Paris Entres Genres Parfum

Entres Genres Parfum
Credit: Infiniment Coty Paris

Category: Musk | Notes: Musk, amber, mandarin | Sizes: 2.5, 5.0 fl. oz.

The chic GH Beauty Award-winning Infiniment Coty Paris perfume, a pared-down mix of musk and amber, mimics the aroma of clean, warm skin — but better.

Tester said: “This is the scent equivalent of the perfect pair of jeans: versatile and always in style,” a fan enthused. “Plus, the sculptural bottle is something you want to show off — and is refillable to display for years to come.

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5
Best Fall and Winter Perfume

Ellis Brooklyn Super Amber Eau de Parfum

Super Amber Eau de Parfum
Credit: Ellis Brooklyn

Category: Woody musk | Notes: Amber, vanilla orchid, cedarwood, musk | Sizes: 0.33, 1.7 fl. oz.

Perfect for the chilly months, this GH Beauty Award Winner charmed our Lab experts thanks to its warm aroma of amber, musk and cedarwood. The fragrance smells cozy and soft but offers a subtle sweet aroma that melds seamlessly into skin's natural scent.

Tester said: "This is one of my go-to fragrances once the weather gets cooler thanks to its warm, enveloping notes."

RELATED: Best Fall Perfumes for Women

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6
Best Night Perfume

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum

Black Opium Eau de Parfum

Category: Spicy gourmand | Notes: Vanilla, white flowers, coffee | Sizes: 0.33, 1.0, 1.6, 3.0, 5.0 fl. oz.

Much like your daily cup of joe, this Yves Saint Laurent coffee-scented concoction is addictive and adds a bit of warmth to the palette. Blending swirls of rich coffee and vanilla with white flowers, it's a seductive scent that will wake you up (just in time for date night).

Tester said: "This is definitely sultry and rich and makes an impact."

7
Best Woodsy Perfume

Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum

Santal 33 Eau de Parfum

Category: Woody | Notes: Sandalwood, cedarwood, cardamom, iris, violet | Sizes: 0.5, 1.7, 3.4, 16.9 fl. oz.

Smoky, spice and everything nice — Le Labo's cult classic scent carries an unmistakably woody aroma that combines musky cedarwood and sandalwood notes, balanced by subtle floral accents.

Tester said: "This rich scent stays on forever."

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8
Best Citrus Perfume

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum Spray

Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum Spray
Credit: Chanel

Category: Fresh floral | Notes: Orange, jasmine, rose, patchouli, vetiver | Sizes: 1.0, 1.7, 3.4, 6.8 fl. oz.

If you grew up admiring your mom's bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume on her vanity, this equally enviable bottle — with more modern and energizing notes of orange, jasmine, rose and patchouli — is an elevated alternative to the classic.

Tester said: "I love that the floral notes in this are combined with vibrant citrus."

9
Best Rose Perfume

Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet Eau de Toilette

Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet Eau de Toilette

Category: Floral | Notes: Bergamot, rose, peony, white musk | Sizes: 1.0, 1.7, 3.4, 5.0 fl. oz.

Picture this: You're lounging in a French garden surrounded by freshly blooming peonies and roses. A few spritzes of this Dior floral fragrance will transport you there.

Tester said: "This is the ultimate feminine perfume, perfect for the flower lover."

RELATED: Best Rose Scented Perfumes

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10
Best Sweet-Smelling Perfume

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Eau De Parfum

La Vie Est Belle Eau De Parfum

Category: Floral gourmand | Notes: Iris, patchouli, vanilla, spun sugar | Sizes: 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 1.7., 2.5, 3.4, 5.0 fl. oz.

An elevated and paradoxical mélange of soft iris, strong patchouli and sweet vanilla, GH Beauty Award winner Lancôme’s standout scent quickly became a beauty editor favorite.

Tester said: “This perfume makes you feel instantly pulled-together, chic and a little mysterious, like a fancy Frenchwoman."

11
Best Sophisticated Perfume

Guerlain Mon Guerlain Eau de Parfum

Mon Guerlain Eau de Parfum

Category: Woody gourmand | Notes: Lavender, jasmine, sandalwood, vanilla | Sizes: 1.01, 1.69, 3.38 fl. oz.

You will feel like a world traveler with this luxurious Guerlain perfume: Notes of lavender from Provence, jasmine from India, sandalwood from Australia and vanilla from Papua New Guinea define this warm, rich fragrance.

Tester said: "I wear this when I want to make a statement; it is decadent yet inviting."

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12
Best Summer Perfume

Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk Eau de Toilette

Beach Walk Eau de Toilette
Credit: Maison Margiela Replica

Category: Fruity floral gourmand | Notes: Bergamot, pink pepper, lemon, ylang ylang, heliotrope, coconut milk, cedarwood, white musk | Sizes: 0.3, 1.5, 3.4 fl. oz.

Conjure up the smell of the salty air and the feel of the warm summer sun with a spritz of this Maison Margiela Replica scent. It swirls notes of lemon, coconut milk and cedarwood to mimic the scents of a seaside afternoon.

Tester said: "Just like the name, a whiff of it totally transports you to those beach days you never want to end."

RELATED: Best Summer Perfumes

13
Best Sparkling Perfume

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette Spray

Daisy Eau de Toilette Spray

Category: Fruity floral | Notes: Violet, strawberry, jasmine, musk, vanilla | Sizes: 1.69, 3.38 fl. oz.

Since 2007, Marc Jacobs's bright mix of strawberry, violet and vanilla has charmed with its approachable, fresh fragrance and playful flower cap.

Tester said: "This is like the smell of youth in a bottle!"

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14
Best Musk Perfume

Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau de Parfum

For Her Eau de Parfum

Category: Woody musk | Notes: Musk, rose, peach, amber, patchouli | Sizes: 1.6, 3.3 fl. oz.

Like designer Narciso Rodriguez's iconic little black dresses, his category-defining fragrance is synonymous with chic simplicity. The spritz is centered around notes of musk, amber and patchouli.

Tester notes: "This is one of those irresistible scents that draws people in and always gets compliments."

15
Best Luxury Perfume

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum

Editor’s Choice
Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum
Credit: Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Category: Woody musk | Notes: Amber, cedar, saffron, jasmine, oakmoss | Sizes: 1.2, 2.4, 6.8 fl. oz.

This sumptuous Maison Francis Kurkdjian creation quickly rose to fragrance fame thanks to its head-turning aroma. It's the most unique mix of amber, cedar and jasmine that’s warm, sensual and strong yet somehow soft — totally addictive and the kind of signature scent people stop and ask about.

Tester said: "This is one of my favorite fragrances of all time — I wore it on my wedding day and for every special occasion since," GH's beauty director says. "The perfume is so universally popular, I often notice people wearing it on the street as I pass by!"

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16
Best Earthy Perfume

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne

Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne

Category: Fresh | Notes: Sea salt, sage, ambrette seeds | Sizes: 0.3, 1.0, 1.7, 3.4 fl. oz.

Not every woman wants to smell like a bouquet of flowers. For an earthier scent, this Jo Malone cologne includes just two simple primary notes: sea salt and sage. Don't be surprised if your partner winds up stealing a spritz or two.

Tester said: "This fragrance whispers instead of yells: It is understated, light and fresh."

Headshot of April Franzino
April Franzino
Senior Beauty & Style Director

April (she/her) is the senior beauty and style director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.

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