Top picks

10 favorite fragrances, by mood

Well-known, widely available perfumes chosen to cover every style. Sample first if you can: fragrance changes on each person's skin.

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Best everyday skin scent

Glossier

You Eau de Parfum

Soft musky skin scent

Key notes: pink pepper, iris, ambrox

A sheer, warm 'your skin but better' scent that's easy to wear every day and to the office.

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Best sweet & cozy

Ariana Grande

Cloud Eau de Parfum

Sweet gourmand

Key notes: lavender, pear, bergamot, coconut, praline, vanilla orchid, musk

Creamy, sweet and cozy. A popular affordable pick for anyone who loves dessert-like scents.

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Best playful gourmand

Sol de Janeiro

Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist

Nutty gourmand

Key notes: pistachio, salted caramel, jasmine, vanilla, sandalwood

The famous pistachio-and-caramel scent of the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, in a light, playful mist.

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Best classic floral

Dior

Miss Dior Eau de Parfum

Floral

Key notes: lily of the valley, rose, musk

A polished rose-forward floral. A classic choice for weddings, milestones and someone who loves flowers.

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Best for evenings

Yves Saint Laurent

Black Opium Eau de Parfum

Warm gourmand

Key notes: coffee, vanilla, white flowers

Coffee and vanilla with a bold, evening-ready personality.

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Best fresh & light

Jo Malone London

English Pear & Freesia Cologne

Fresh fruity floral

Key notes: pear, freesia, patchouli

Crisp pear and soft white freesia: light, elegant and easy to layer.

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Best warm & sweet floral

LancĂ´me

La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum

Sweet floral gourmand

Key notes: iris, patchouli, praline, vanilla

A warm, sweet iris-and-praline scent with lots of presence.

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Best first perfume

Marc Jacobs

Daisy Eau de Toilette

Fresh floral

Key notes: strawberry, violet leaf, jasmine, vanilla, musk

Bright, cheerful and gentle: a classic first 'grown-up' perfume.

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Best statement scent

Mugler

Alien Eau de Parfum

Amber floral

Key notes: jasmine, cashmere wood, white amber

Radiant jasmine over warm amber. Distinctive and confident.

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Best sunny & sweet

Jean Paul Gaultier

Divine Eau de Parfum

Sweet floral

Key notes: salty notes, lily, vanilla

A sweet, sunny lily-and-vanilla scent with a playful salty twist.

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Key notes are summarized from brand and retailer descriptions. Formulations and sizes vary; check the listing.

How we chose

We aimed for a spread of fragrance families, intensities and budgets, focusing on scents that are easy to find and to sample. We don't assign star ratings, because how a perfume smells and lasts depends heavily on your skin and climate. [OPTIONAL: add your own wear-test notes for each scent]

Before you buy a full bottle

  • Try a sample, a mini or a discovery set first.
  • Wear it for a full day; the dry-down after a few hours is what you'll live with.
  • Check the concentration: Eau de Parfum is usually stronger than Eau de Toilette.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.