## The Ultimate Guide to Women’s Perfumes: Finding Your Signature Scent
Navigating the world of women’s perfumes can feel like an overwhelming adventure with so many options available. Whether you’re drawn to the timeless elegance of Chanel, Gaultier, or Dior, or seeking the unique allure of niche brands like Frederic Malle, Ffern, and Parfums De Marly, there’s a fragrance waiting to be discovered for every mood and occasion. But with such a vast selection, how do you choose the perfect perfume for you?
Beyond the practical considerations like intensity, longevity, and office appropriateness, the most special perfumes for women are those that evoke personal memories and emotions. They have the power to transport you back to treasured moments, conjuring up vivid sensations of people, places, and things. This connection between scent and memory is rooted in science. As esteemed perfumer Frederic Malle explains, “A smell is interpreted when an odour passes into the brain’s olfactory bulb, via the upper part of the nose. That information then goes to an area where emotions are processed, after which it is carried to the part of the brain where memory forms.”
To help you navigate this fragrant landscape, Vogue has enlisted experts to answer your burning perfume questions and guide you through the icons and newcomers that deserve a place in your collection.
### The Best Women’s Perfumes at a Glance
Best Fresh Fragrance:
Acne Studios Par Frederic Malle Eau de Parfum (£200)Best Perfume for Travelling:
Maison Francis Kurkdijan 724 Roll On Precious Elixirs (£105)Best Floral Musk Perfume:
Versace Dylan Turquoise Eau De Toilette (£49.33)Best Amber Woody Perfume:
Penhaligon’s Legacy of Petra Eau de Parfum (£215)Best Sophisticated Vanilla Perfume:
Valentino Voce Viva Intensa Eau de Parfum (£100)Best Citrus Perfume:
Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle Eau de Parfum (£108)Best Contemporary Floral Fragrance:
Giorgio Armani My Way Eau De Parfum (£80.75)Best Oud Perfume:
Dior Oud Isaphan Eau de Parfum (£225)### Vogue Editors Share Their Favourite Perfumes
Liberty LBTY Fragrance – Tudor Eau De Parfum
Jessica Diner, European beauty and wellness director, describes Tudor as a fragrance that captures the essence of the iconic Liberty of London store. The scent blends smoky sandalwood, iris, and amber with notes of juniper, ginger, and nutmeg, evoking the store’s historic Tudor facade and the bustling atmosphere of urban London. It’s a fragrance that embodies history and luxury, making it a truly unique experience.
BYREDO Bal D’Afrique Eau de Parfum
Inspired by the vibrant landscapes of Africa, Bal D’Afrique is a floral scent that Hannah Coates, beauty and wellness editor, finds equally perfect for everyday wear and evening events. The combination of African marigold, bergamot, Moroccan cedarwood, and violet creates a fresh and unforgettable aroma. While the scent lasts throughout the day, Hannah likes to refresh it with a spritz around lunch for enhanced staying power.
Prada Paradoxe Intense Eau de Parfum
Tracy Achonwa, contributing beauty writer, believes Prada’s Paradoxe Intense takes the original fragrance to a whole new level of sophistication. The intoxicating blend of florals and amber is elevated with a green twist, adding freshness and complexity. New notes of moss and Ambrofix lend both sophistication and longevity, making this scent truly memorable.
Floral Street London Poppy Eau de Parfum
Ellie Davies, audience growth manager, was immediately captivated by Floral Street’s London Poppy during a visit to their pop-up in Covent Garden. This citrusy and fresh fragrance combines zesty notes of Sicilian lemon and Florida orange with an unexpected twist of salty marine, perfect for a boost of energy. The high concentration of aromatic oils ensures a long-lasting scent that’s guaranteed to turn heads.
Lancôme Idôle Eau de Parfum
Hannah Daly, associate social media manager, discovered the longevity of Lancome’s Idole during a trip to Canada. The fragrance lasted through a four-hour hike and a relaxing soak in the natural hot springs, earning her a compliment for its lasting power. This testament to its staying power makes it a great choice for busy days.
LOEWE Solo Ella Eau de Parfum
Alice Cary, shopping writer, added Loewe Solo Ella to her collection this year, drawn to its refreshing scent and the compliments it consistently receives. Inspired by a sense of balance and harmony, this fragrance boasts depth and strength, ensuring it lasts from day to night.
### The Best New Perfumes
The world of perfumery is constantly evolving, with new technologies and innovative scent combinations emerging regularly. Here are some of the most captivating new releases:
Acne Studios Par Frederic Malle
This new launch from Acne Studios is a fresh, modish fragrance designed for warm summer days. Its sparkling aldehydes evoke the feeling of freshly laundered linen, while a delicate blend of floral notes and musky sandalwood creates a lasting and sophisticated aroma.
Perfumer H Dandelion
Inspired by the great outdoors, Perfumer H’s Dandelion Eau de Parfum captures the essence of a fresh, vibrant green scent. Notes of Sicilian lemon, Tunisian orange flower, and French lavender make it perfect for those who appreciate the natural world.
Dermalogica Parfums de Marly Delina Exclusif
Delina Exclusif is a sensationally elegant fragrance that’s bound to garner attention. The crisp and fruity notes of Turkish rose, lychee, and grapefruit are subtly balanced with a touch of vetiver, creating a long-lasting and alluring aroma.
Liberty LBTY Fragrance – Tudor Eau De Parfum
This fragrance, inspired by the iconic Tudor facade of the Liberty of London store, is a warm, woody scent that exudes luxury and history. The notes of ginger, juniper berry, and nutmeg create a rich and inviting experience, making it a truly unique and memorable fragrance.
MFK 724 Roll On Elixir
This luxurious fragrance from Maison Francis Kurkdijan is crafted with the finest ingredients, including precious sandalwood and citrus oils. The result is a magnificent and long-lasting fresh scent that’s perfect for travel, thanks to its convenient roll-on format.
Chanel Comète Eau de Parfum
Comète, from the Les Exclusifs de Chanel collection, is a dreamy and alluring scent that embodies Chanel’s signature elegance. The fragrance combines fresh notes of cherry blossom, iris, and heliotrope, creating a truly captivating experience.
Narciso Rodriguez For Her Musc Noir Eau De Parfum
Musc Noir reinterprets the original For Her fragrance, showcasing its darkest and most intense facets. The scent features notes of juicy plum, heliotrope flower, and sensual leather suede, creating a bold and alluring experience.
Ffern Summer 2024 Organic Parfum
Ffern’s Summer 2024 release captures the scents of the Tuscan hills at golden hour, evoking a sense of warmth and tranquility. This limited-edition fragrance is a celebration of organic and sustainable ingredients, offering a truly unique and memorable scent experience.
Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning
Lazy Sunday Morning conjures up the feeling of fresh linen and cozy relaxation. The delicate blend of pear accord, ambrette seeds, rose petals, white wood, and creamy musk evokes the scent of crisp white sheets and soft skin, making it the perfect fragrance for a leisurely weekend morning.
Glossier You Eau de Parfum
Glossier’s You is a unique fragrance designed to enhance your natural skin scent. The warm and spicy notes of black pepper, floral iris, and woody ambrette seeds create a customized scent that’s uniquely yours.
Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle Eau de Parfum
Transport yourself to the Mediterranean with Aerin’s glorious scent. The blend of citrusy floral notes, including bergamot, honeysuckle, grapefruit, and lily of the valley, captures the essence of a Greek island, offering a refreshing and uplifting experience.
Floral Street Sweet Almond Blossom
Floral Street’s Sweet Almond Blossom is a sustainable and enchanting fragrance inspired by Van Gogh’s Almond Blossom painting. This creamy and nutty scent blends vanilla, tonka bean, and crisp green matcha tea, creating a truly captivating and sensual experience.
Whind Néroli Bronzé Fragrance
Inspired by the golden hours in Marrakech, Whind’s Néroli Bronzé is a tantalizing fragrance that evokes warmth and sensuality. The combination of soft brown sugar, fresh pomello, and spiced cardamom captures the essence of the Moroccan sun, leaving a lasting impression.
### The Best Women’s Perfumes: The Classics
Some perfumes achieve legendary status, becoming timeless favorites that transcend generations. These iconic scents are beloved for their lasting power and undeniable allure.
Dior Miss Dior Eau De Parfum
Miss Dior Eau de Parfum is a classic for a reason. Its delicate blend of peony, iris, creamy musks, vanilla, and tonka bean creates a soft and sensual aroma that’s perfect for any occasion.
Jo Malone Engish Pear & Freesia Cologne
Jo Malone’s English Pear & Freesia Cologne is a simple yet elegant fragrance that embodies the brand’s signature style. The combination of juicy pear, fresh freesias, and long-lasting patchouli creates a clean and refreshing scent that’s perfect for everyday wear.
Chanel No 5 Eau De Parfum Spray
Chanel’s No 5 is a legendary fragrance that has remained a fashion icon for over a century. The luxurious blend of clean aldehydes and florals, combined with powdery notes, has captivated generations of women with its timeless elegance.
TOM FORD Vanille Fatale
Vanille Fatale is a bold and sensual fragrance that showcases Tom Ford’s signature style. It balances warm woody notes with ambery tones and a rich vanilla base, creating a truly captivating aroma.
Dior J’adore L’Or Perfume Essence
This modern reimagining of the iconic J’Adore Dior fragrance celebrates the floral notes of its predecessor with orange blossom, jasmine grandiflorum, and centifolia rose. The result is a luxurious and captivating scent that embodies timeless elegance.
Vanilla Skin Eau de Parfum
Vanilla Skin is a smooth and creamy fragrance that combines vanilla with warm spices and a hint of pink pepper. Sandalwood provides a musky backdrop, ensuring this scent lingers on the skin throughout the day.
Bois Corsé Eau de Parfum
Bois Corsé is a deep and earthy fragrance inspired by the outer layers of a tree. The notes of black coffee absolute, sandalwood, and tonka bean create a rich and calming aroma that’s both sophisticated and grounding.
Barénia Eau de Parfum
Barénia is a complex and sensual chypre fragrance that combines the delicate femininity of butterfly lily with the earthy depth of oakwood and smoky patchouli, creating a truly captivating and alluring scent.
La Vie Est Belle L’Elixir Eau de Parfum
La Vie Est Belle L’Elixir is a velvety and sensual interpretation of the classic La Vie Est Belle fragrance. The combination of juicy raspberry, powdery violet, and creamy cocoa butter creates a comforting and alluring aroma that’s perfect for any occasion.
Big Sur Eucalyptus
Big Sur Eucalyptus is a refreshing and invigorating fragrance that captures the essence of the Californian coast. The blend of wet wood, eucalyptus, and cardamom creates a unique and memorable scent that evokes a sense of nature and tranquility.
Absolu Eau de Parfum
Absolu is a timeless fragrance that unfolds with a captivating blend of cardamom, mandarin, and saffron, followed by the powdery scent of orange blossom absolute. The rich and complex base notes of guaiac wood, cedarwood, and tonka complete this truly enchanting aroma.
Fir and Artemisia Cologne
Fir and Artemisia Cologne is a grounding and comforting fragrance perfect for the colder months. The combination of fresh fir, earthy artemisia, and leather creates a warm and robust aroma, evoking the feeling of a wintry walk in the forest.
### FAQs
What is the difference between eau de cologne, toilette and perfume?
Traditionally, eau de cologne, eau de toilette, and perfume differ in their oil concentration, ranging from two per cent to 20 per cent or higher for perfume. However, there are no strict guidelines for how fragrance houses classify their scents, so the implied oil concentration can vary. For instance, Jo Malone London colognes have a higher fragrance oil concentration than traditional colognes, comparable to eau de toilette and eau de parfum. The name “cologne” was chosen to emphasize their elegant simplicity and transparency, encouraging you to experiment with scent layering.
Resinous and animalic notes like woods, amber, and musk, have a heavier molecular weight and evaporate slower, allowing their fragrance to linger longer. Therefore, perfumes with notes like myrrh, sandalwood, oud, and leather have a natural longevity compared to citrus and herbaceous notes.
What makes a perfume popular?
Popular perfumes not only reflect the cultural zeitgeist but also anticipate and shape it. The scents of the late 1940s, filled with aldehydes, embodied the optimism and freedom of post-war life. The grounding and earthy notes of patchouli, popular in the 1970s, coincided with the rise of the environmental movement. Some of the most popular fragrances of the 1980s echoed the power-dressing trend, while the 1990s saw a shift towards minimalism and clarity.
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a surge in celebrity-endorsed scents, followed by the emergence of artisanal and niche perfumery as a counterpoint. This trend gave rise to brands like Jo Malone London, known for their ingredient-focused and elegant formulas.
How do I choose a perfume?
Finding the right fragrance is a highly personal journey. Consider how you want to make a statement. Do you prefer a bold signature scent that lingers in the air, or a more intimate and subtle aroma?
Another crucial factor is your scent preference. If you like light and fresh fragrances, look for citrus notes like bergamot or mandarin. For sweet scents, try notes of vanilla or almond. And for deeper and more intense scents, explore sandalwood or oud.
How to make perfume last longer
To preserve the longevity of your perfume, store it away from direct light and heat sources, which can accelerate oxidation. Emma South, a fragrance and lifestyle expert at Jo Malone London, suggests storing perfumes in a cool, dark cupboard.
To ensure your perfume lasts throughout the day, start with a moisturized base. Applying a perfumed oil first can enhance the longevity of your scent, adding a layer of depth if you choose one with a different scent profile from your chosen spritz.
Spray your perfume on your pulse points, nape, behind your knees, and even your ankles for an all-encompassing aroma. You can also spray on scarves to allow the fragrance to project as you move.
Avoid rubbing your wrists together after spraying, as this can degrade the top notes of the fragrance quickly.
### The Best Perfume Deals
If you’re looking for a new perfume this season, there’s no better time to take advantage of the best fragrance deals. Some of the most prestigious designer perfumes are available at discounted prices, making it the perfect opportunity to treat yourself or someone special. Vogue’s curated selection of the best present-worthy perfumes and colognes will help you find the perfect fragrance for any occasion.
Gucci Bloom For Her Eau de Parfum:
£95 (Now £75)Marc Jacobs Dot Eau de Parfum:
£75 (Now £41)Gucci Bamboo For Her Eau de Parfum 75ml:
£110 (Now £60)Boss Bottled Night Eau de Toilette:
£119 (Now £50)Giorgio Armani My Way Eau de Parfum:
£95 (Now £80)Now that you have a better understanding of the world of women’s perfumes, it’s time to embark on your own fragrant journey. Discover the perfect scent that reflects your unique personality and inspires unforgettable moments.
