17 best perfumes of all time – from sweet to spicy and floral
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As a beauty journalist who tests fragrances for a living, I can tell you for certain that collating a list of the best perfumes is an extremely nuanced process. It's no secret that our taste in fragrance is personal and ever-changing – and can rely on everything from the change of seasons to our mood. So, it's only natural that we all have a different idea of what makes a perfume the best.
Whether you’re a gourmand lover or someone who tends to gravitate towards floral, citrusy or spicy blends, I'm a firm believer that our perfume preferences are also a reflection of our personalities, which is precisely why the world of fragrance never ceases to fascinate me.
At this point, perfume has evolved past simply being a way to, well… smell nice. It is said that smell is one of our most powerful senses, meaning some scents have a unique effect that can trigger nostalgia, calm our nerves, increase our serotonin levels (much like aromatherapy), and may even act as an aphrodisiac. Some eau de parfums that evoke confidence are great to spritz before a job interview, while muskier skin scents are ideal for a self-care evening, to make you feel as though you are wrapped up in a warm, fluffy towel.
Otherwise, fragrances have also become a form of fashion accessory, helping us complete a certain aesthetic – be it themed around quiet luxury or a “clean girl” vibe. Not to mention, some bottles make the chicest decorations for our dressing tables (cough-cough, Delina Parfums De Marly, anyone?).
Whether you want to switch up your signature scent or if you’re shopping for a loved one – we’ve got you covered. Below, our editors have curated a full edit of the best perfumes of all time, including all-time classics (hello, Chanel No5) and the latest trending releases that are fresh off the GLAMOUR’s beauty desk. You’ll find everything from the long-lasting options and those that are great for layering, as well as premium fragrances and the more affordable alternatives. So what are you waiting for? Your fragrance wardrobe awaits…
Best perfumes at a glance – our top picks:
- Best Crowd-Pleaser: YSL Libre Eau De Parfum
- Best Affordable: Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum
- Best Feminine Perfume: Parfums de Marly Delina Exclusif Parfum
- Best Cult-Favourite: Glossier You Eau De Parfum
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Best crowd-pleaser: YSL Libre Eau De Parfum
Tester: Sophie Cockett, GLAMOUR's Senior European Commerce Editor.
Why we love it: The YSL Libre is nothing short of a fragrance phenomenon, offering a chic blend of fruity, floral and musky notes. A true crowd-pleaser, it's a great option to have on your daily perfume rotation and a safe bet for your Christmas gift shopping.
- Top notes: Tangerine, neroli and lavender.
- Middle notes: Jasmine sambac and orange blossom.
- Base notes: White musk and vanilla.
Best feminine perfume: Parfums de Marly Delina Exclusif Parfum
Tester: Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
Why we love it: One for luxury perfume lovers, the Delina Exclusif by Parfums de Marly is an unapologetically feminine scent, and our verdict is simple: it fully deserves all the hype that it gets on #PerfumeTok. “Delina Exclusif is my most complimented fragrance that perfectly captures my aesthetic. It has a fresh floral opening but settles into a stunning musky veil with a touch of vanilla, making it versatile enough to wear on any occasion. It's super long-lasting too,” says Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
- Top notes: Vanilla, lychee, rhubarb, bergamot and nutmeg.
- Middle notes: Turkish rose, lily-of-the-valley and peony.
- Base notes: White musk, cashmeran, cedarwood and incense.
Best affordable perfume for women: Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum
Tester: Lian Brooks, GLAMOUR's Senior Audience Development Manager.
Why we love it: If you're looking for an uplifting and memorable gourmand fragrance that's bound to turn heads, this is it. Not only is the Ariana Grande Cloud incredibly affordable, but it's also surprisingly long-lasting and features an adorable cloud-shaped bottle too. Any sweet perfume lover will love that it genuinely makes you smell like a walking dessert, thanks to a variety of sweet olfactory notes such as praline, whipped cream and vanilla.
- Top notes: Lavender, pear and bergamot.
- Middle notes: Vanilla, créme de coconut and praline.
- Base notes: Whipped cream, woods and musk.
Best luxury perfume: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum
Tester: Rosie Lai, GLAMOUR's Acting Fashion Editor.
Why we love it: Let's face it, this round-up simply wouldn't exist without the iconic Baccarat Rouge 540 from Maison Francis Kurkdjian. While we love the original version, this more intense Extrait de Parfum iteration managed to surprise us in the best way possible, offering a long-lasting effect and a unique blend of notes that screams “luxury."
- Top notes: Grandiflorum and saffron.
- Middle notes: Bitter almond and cedar wood.
- Base notes: Woody musk accord and ambergris.
Best cult-favourite: Glossier You Eau De Parfum
Tester: Sophie Donovan, GLAMOUR's Senior Commerce Writer.
Why we love it: The Glossier You perfume has become practically synonymous with the “clean girl” aesthetic, and with good reason. It has the ability to change with your natural scent and offers a beautiful ensemble of ambery and peppery notes – perfectly suitable for a day in the office or a day out with friends.
- Top notes: Pink pepper.
- Middle notes: Ambrette seeds and ambery ambrox.
- Base notes: Iris.
Best unisex perfume: Le Labo Another 13 Eau de Parfum
Tester: Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
Why we love it: This incredibly sophisticated yet sensual fragrance features notes of earthy moss and sweet jasmine. The result? A perfect unisex fragrance that's bound to attract an array of compliments wherever you go. It's a great confidence booster too, making it a solid option to wear before an important meeting or a job interview.
- Top notes: Jasmine.
- Middle notes: Ambrette seeds and moss.
- Base notes: Ambroxyde.
Best unique perfume: Comète Les Exclusifs de Chanel Eau de Parfum
Tester: Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Associate Beauty Director.
Why we love it: A gentle floral and powdery fragrance from the luxury line of Chanel fragrances and a personal favourite of our Associate Beauty Director Fiona Embleton, this timeless luxury eau de parfum is well-deserving of a permanent spot on your dressing table all year round. Perfect for anyone who wants to channel the “quiet luxury” aesthetic.
- Top notes: Cherry blossom.
- Middle notes: Iris and heliotrope.
- Base notes: Musk.
Best fig perfume: Phlur Father Figure Eau de Parfum
Tester: Elle Turner, GLAMOUR's Senior Beauty Editor.
Why we love it: This fragrance has the “cool girl” vibe written all over it. As per its name, the fig note definitely takes centre stage and it is beautifully complemented by the likes of waterlily, iris, patchouli and musk, this unique refreshing, soft and playful scent can be both a signature scent or a special occasion eau de parfum. Plus, it also has a seal of approval from our very own Senior Beauty Editor Elle Turner.
- Top notes: Fig, cassis and waterlily.
- Middle notes: Orris, iris and jasmine.
- Base notes: Skin musk, vanilla, patchouli and sandalwood.
Best woody perfume: Byredo Bal d'Afrique Eau de Parfum
Tester: Georgia Trodd, GLAMOUR's Senior Commerce Writer.
Why we love it: Ah, Bal d'Afrique – also known as one of the most viral Byredo perfumes around, and it's easy to see why. Made as a celebration of African culture, this sophisticated and alluring fragrance comes with notes of bergamot, jasmine petals, amber and cedarwood. All-in-all, it's an incredibly decadent perfume that evokes the feel of a luxurious holiday.
- Top notes: Bucchu, African marigold, bergamot, lemon and neroli.
- Middle notes: Cyclamen, jasmine petals and violet.
- Base notes: Black amber, Moroccan cedarwood, musk and vetiver.
Best rose perfume: Maison Crivelli Hibiscus Mahajad Extrait de Parfum
Tester: Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
Why we love it: A beautiful floral and fruity perfume that contrasts the warmth of leather, vanilla and cinnamon with the freshness of rose and mint. We'd say it's ideal for anyone who loves rose, particularly if you're after a punchy and long-lasting scent that will linger on your skin for hours on end. In fact, it's a firm favourite of our Beauty Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, who has repeatedly said that it falls into her top 5 of the most complimented perfumes she's worn.
- Top notes: Ruby rose and hibiscus tea.
- Middle notes: Pomegranate, blackcurrant, mint and cinnamon.
- Base notes: Vanilla orchid, amber and leather.
Best oud perfume: Tom Ford Oud Wood Eau de Parfum
Tester: Samantha Reynolds, PA to Acting Executive Editor at GLAMOUR UK.
Why we love it: Let's be real, sometimes, you're just in the mood for something a bit more bold and confidence-boosting. It goes without saying that this unisex Tom Ford fragrance is perfect for exactly that, offering a blend of notes of oud, pepper and sandalwood. Needless to say, this perfume will please any oud lover.
- Top notes: Chinese pepper.
- Middle notes: Rare oud wood.
- Base notes: Sandalwood.
Ahead, more of the best perfumes, reviewed by GLAMOUR.
- 1/6
Best floral perfume: J'adore l'Or
Why we love it: A newer iteration that joined Dior's iconic J'adore line-up, the l'Or fragrance is a great floral perfume that encapsulates confidence and femininity in the most sophisticated way possible. Featuring a redesigned J’adore necklace that reflects the warm nature of the scent, this bottle will make a stunning addition to anyone's fragrance shelf.
Key notes: Orange blossom, jasmine grandiflorum and centifolia rose absolutes.
- 2/6
Best musky perfume: Narciso Rodriguez For Her Musc Noir Rose
Why we love it: Lighthearted, sensual and personal – this fragrance from Narciso Rodriguez is the ideal modern perfume for women. “I find the mix of the pink pepper, tuberose, musk and vanilla intoxicating as it warms on the skin and I receive a compliment pretty much every time I wear this scent. It's bold without being overpowering, it lends the aura of self-assurance without being an in-your-face fragrance. It feels special and personal, so it's a forever favourite I reach for often.”
As recommended by Camilla Kay, GLAMOUR's Deputy Editor and European Beauty Director.
- Top notes: Italian bergamot oil and pink peppercorn.
- Middle notes: Musk and plum.
- Base notes: Oriental vanilla.
- 3/6
Best all-time classic: Chanel N°5
Why we love it: Chanel N°5 is as legendary as it is timeless and needs no introduction. It exudes confidence with a soft, feminine twist, making it a great option regardless of your age, taste or preference. It's an OG for a season.
- Top notes: Ylang-ylang,
- Middle notes: May rose and jasmine.
- Base notes: Vanilla.
- 4/6
Best “clean girl” perfume: Diptyque L'Eau Papier
Why we love it: Yes, this eau de toilette was indeed inspired by ink and paper, which may sound odd to some, but hear us out. It features an opening of white musk and a base of blonde wood, which helps create a multi-faceted clean, musky scent that is truly one of the most unique fragrances around.
- Top notes: White musks and rice steam accord.
- Middle notes: Mimosa.
- Base notes: Blonde wood.
- 5/6
Best fresh perfume: Marc Jacobs Daisy
Why we love it: If you need any indication as to how this perfume will smell, just look at the bottle. Fresh, fruity and floral – a great crowd-pleaser and a great entry-level fragrance for those of us who have just started to dip our toes into the world of perfumery.
- Top notes: Strawberry and pear.
- Middle notes: Honey and rosebud.
- Base notes: Vanilla and green moss.
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- 6/6
Best Jo Malone perfume: Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia Cologne
Why we love it: Loved by beauty editors and perfume obsessives alike, this is undoubtedly one of Jo Malone's most coveted scents. Featuring notes of pear, freesia and patchouli, the English Pear & Freesia is a fresh and uplifting fragrance that's great for everyday wear.
- Top notes: King William pear.
- Middle notes: Freesia.
- Base notes: Patchouli.
How we test the best perfumes:
Throughout the years, the GLAMOUR editors – alongside our trustworthy pool of experts and freelance contributors – have tested hundreds of fragrances, ranging from all-time classics and viral hits to affordable scents (Cloud by Ariana Grande, anyone?) and premium eau de parfums such as Baccarat Rouge 540 by MFK. When testing each perfume, we always keep note of the longevity, value for money and whether the blend is in any way unique compared to other iterations on the market. We've tested everything from gourmand, citrusy, floral, oudy and musky fragrances while out and about – be it during our 9-5 in the office, on a girls' night out or at an important event. Find out more on how we test here.
After more new-in fragrance content? Shop floral fragrances, zesty perfumes, vanilla perfumes and perfume gift sets aplenty.
For more beauty content from Glamour UK Beauty Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Instagram @deniseprimbet.
