Like sex positions and your coffee order, your perfume preference is deeply personal. So is there such a thing as the “best” perfume for women? Likely not. The best fragrance for you might be entirely different than the best one for someone else—and that’s part of the fun.
Whether you nailed down your signature scent at 17 and haven’t strayed, or you’re still figuring out what notes you’re drawn towards, we’ve amassed a list of crowd-pleasing, sophisticated, and surprising picks. But first, a few things to know before you start applying perfume.
What are notes, and all the other perfume lingo?
If you’re new to the world of fragrances and perfumes, you might be overwhelmed by the language. Here’s a quick glossary of common terms.
- Notes: The key scents that make up the perfume. Every perfume has layers of notes: top (or head) notes, the quickly-evaporating scents you detect right after spraying; middle (or heart) notes, which help retain the aroma of the top notes while also introducing new scents; and base notes, the longest-lasting scents that sink into your skin and support the top and middle notes.
- Dry down: The final stage of perfume wear after the top and middle notes have faded and the base notes remain.
- Sillage (pronounced “see-yazh”): The French term that refers to the trail of scent left behind from a perfume.
- Accord: When two or more notes are blended together to create a new scent.
What should you look for in a women’s perfume?
First, you’ll want to look for scents you know—or think—you’re interested in. Your nose knows; you might be drawn towards “feminine-leaning” notes like powdery florals and crisp citruses, or you might have a penchant for “masculine-leaning” notes like leather, tobacco, or incense. Frankly, gendered labeling doesn’t really matter. It’s more about how the notes blend with your pheromones and the chemistry of your skin.
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Spotting a quality perfume can get pretty scientific, but it’s all about wear time and high-quality ingredients. You may also choose to look at the sourcing of the ingredients (brands like Henry Rose are known for transparency), the brand’s commitment to sustainability, and whether or not the perfume is hypoallergenic.
It might take some trial and error to find a scent that feels like “you,” but rest assured that the research is worth the effort. Most brands offer sample vials of its fragrances so you can try before you buy the full size. Many also have quizzes on its site to help match you with a fragrance. To aid in your search, below are delightful fragrances that could each be called the best perfume for women, from heavy musks to deep florals.
All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Source: SELF
