Shopee
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here. You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Read the original article on Purewow.
Perfume is both highly personal and powerful. One whiff of a particular scent and you’re instantly transported back to another time or memory. One spritz and you may feel emboldened to take on the day or reenergized for a night on the town. Each fragrance has a personal story attached to it—which is why when I was considering the best perfumes for women, I decided to go straight to fragrance lovers around me. Here, 25 picks that garnered top notes from their wearers, from fresh fragrances like Clinique Happy Eau de Parfum to skin-hugging scents like Glossier You Eau de Parfum.
The Best Perfumes for Women at a Glance
How to Choose the Best Perfume for Women
There’s no right or wrong answer when choosing the right perfume for you. Let’s face it: They all smell amazing, but everyone’s preference is different. Consider heading to Ulta, Sephora or any retailer that offers in-store samples. Let your nose guide you to finding the notes that work for you. Maybe you love florals, fell in love with a fresh scent or prefer a woody fragrance. Thankfully, I compiled 25 all-time favorites above to get you started.
How I Vetted the Best Perfumes for Women
I tapped fellow PureWow editors to share their favorite perfumes and offer reasons for why you (yes, you, dear reader) should get your own. Listen, we don’t gatekeep here. From there, I did a deep dive into the scent notes, bottle sizes and retailers where you can find them. Keep reading to discover the best perfumes for women.
Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying? Sign up for our shopping newsletter to uncover our favorite finds.
Sephora
“My Parisian friend always wears Coco, so I finally bought a small bottle for myself. This scent projects power—none of that girlish playfulness of Mademoiselle or Chance. Jasmine, ylang-ylang and orange blossom mingle with patchouli, benzoin and tonka for a commanding presence. A woman who means business!” — Marissa Wu, SEO Editor
From $115 at Chanel
$154 at sephora
Ulta
“The 2025 version of Clinique Happy? Me by Snif. This new scent is like nothing I’ve ever tried before. It has similar fruity hints of plum, peach skin and white moss, but is way more interesting and mellow thanks to a musky blend of orris root and sandalwood. To me, it’s reminiscent of skin; like the cool girl in school who always smells good, but you have no idea if it’s perfume or just her own personal essence. It’s simple but mysterious with a smooth, natural finish you can’t quite put your finger on.” — Catrina Yohay, Executive Managing Editor
from $26 At Ulta
from $26 at snif
Sephora
“This is a perfume if you’re really sensitive to scent and just want to smell like you, but better. It’s a slightly musky, clean scent that reacts to your body chemistry (meaning it will smell slightly different on everyone). Unlike traditional perfumes that mix hundreds of different notes to make a scent, Not a Perfume is made from a single ingredient, which is ideal for people who suffer from migraines like myself.” — Pamela Masin, Director of Affiliate Strategy
From $34 At Sephora
From $34 At Amazon
from $115 at revolve
Nordstrom
“This is Parfums de Marly’s latest launch. In addition to florals, I also love citrus—bergamot, neroli, yuzu, you name it. The top notes for this one are three, with heart notes of orange blossom and jasmine. PDM retains its signature musk with base notes of tonka bean, vanilla and amber. of all the perfumes I’ve tried. PDF lasts the longest—sometimes, even after I shower. A 14 hour day has nothing on it, truly.” — Wu
$410 at Norstrom
Sephora
“I was recently strolling through Sephora killing time and spotted a bottle of Marc Jacobs’s Daisy. It was my scent in high school (like many millennial women), so I decided to try a spritz for a trip down memory lane and it immediately reminded me why I loved this scent so much. I ended up buying a mini version and have been getting back into wearing it lately, making my 16-year-old self proud. As someone who is usually pretty scent averse, I love that Daisy is quite delicate. It smells super fresh and vibrant at first, before fading into the sandalwood base, which is divine. And the bottle design is just the right level of kitschy for me—it’s cute and fun, but doesn’t look too juvenile.” — Abby Hepworth, Fashion Editor
From $37 At Sephora
From $37 At amazon
From $37 at ulta
Odele
“They just launched hair perfumes but they double as body mists as well. I think it’s a great option for folks who are sensitive to the power of an EDP. Expect to reapply these throughout the day—they also layer nicely. I like the oakmoss/ylang-ylang and grapefruit scents. They’re delicate, fresh, cool and not overwhelming. Also under $20!” — Wu
$17 at Ulta
Blue Mercury
“For years I’ve been searching for the perfect rose perfume and the combo of artichoke and rose in this Diptyque mainstay creates a fresh, fruity scent that reminds me of lychee. I knew I’d picked a winner when I floated past someone on the sidewalk and she was immediately effusive in her compliments. I wear this everywhere— running errands (extra! I know!), to events, on holiday…there’s never a bad time for it.” — Wu
$255 At blue mercury
Sephora
“Figue Érotique is a sultry fragrance centered on fig that’s grounded by smoky woods and musk. It’s a scent that balances citrus with deeper, more sensual undercurrents, making it feel very luxurious. I liken it to a modern interpretation of fig, but with a fun citrus twist.” — Deena Campbell, Fashion and Beauty Director-at-large
From $255 at sephora
From $255 at Nordstrom
Sephora
“Crafted to be undeniably irresistible, it has a nutty characteristic due the pistachio and almond notes, a warm sweetness from the salted caramel, which is all rounded out by the touches of florals and woods. After years of rave reviews, the brand now offers this scent in many forms—a shower gel, an aluminum-free deodorant, this eau de parfum (which I treasure dearly) and more. It’s truly that impressive.” — Courtney Mason, Editorial Assistant
from $28 At sephora
from $28 At amazon
$80 At Revolve
Sephora
“Both of my sisters have worn Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia for years and I adore it on them so much. The top notes are fruity and fresh, without feeling like a literal fruit salad, and the base note is patchouli for a woody finish that mellows the whole thing out in a gorgeous way. It lasts really well without feeling overpowering, too, which is a major bonus. And the packaging is so simple and elegant. No wonder Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are also fans!” — Hepworth
From $36 At Sephora
Nordstrom
“Inspired by perfumer Francis Kurkdjian’s own nickname and nostalgia for youthful wonder, Kurky opens with bright, juicy accents of raspberry and peach before melting into creamy white musk and sandalwood.” — Campbell
From $165 at Nordstrom
$265 at Neiman Marcus
Nordstrom
“J’adore my Diptyque Orpheon, which is inspired by Parisian nightlife in the 1960s. It’s deep, dark and woody with notes of juniper berry, cedar, tonka bean and jasmine—an overall sexy scent that’s perfect for nighttime soirees and romantic date nights. Not to mention, the bottle looks super chic on my vanity.” — Stephanie Maida, Senior Commerce Editor
$255 At nordstrom
Ulta
“I recently fell back in love with Clinique Happy after finding a travel-sized tube buried deep in one of my makeup bags. It was my go-to back in high school, so the nostalgia brings back so many memories, but mostly it reminds me of my mom and the free beauty gifts with purchase she’d snag at our local Macy’s. They always included a vial of this bright, floral, citrusy perfume, and I’d sneak into her room each morning to steal a spritz. Wearing it now just makes me, well, happy.” — Yohay
From $65 At ulta
from $32 at amazon
Sephora
“This Maison Margiela eau de toilette is the best fall/winter scent ever. The notes of tobacco leaf and warm rum transport me to a cozy and sexy place every dang time. Plus, a little goes a long way so no need to overspray this bad boy. And while the scent is technically unisex, I can assure you that it’s not overpowering.” — Destinee Scott, Associate Sales and Deals Editor
from $35 At sephora
from $89 At Amazon
from $85 at nordstrom
Sephora
“Glossier You is another mild-smelling option if strong perfumes trigger migraines. It’s hard to describe as it’s not supposed to smell strongly like one thing or the other. The closest thing I can think of is sunkissed skin mixed with a little bit of a woodsy note. Again, this fragrance is meant to smell different on everybody, but I’ve been around different people wearing it and each time I think ‘wow, this person smells amazing.’ It was the first perfume that I smelled on a friend and immediately bought it the next day (and this was over 5 years ago and I still wear it to this day).” — Masin
from $32 at glossier
from $32 at sephora
Sephora
“Pulpy fruits are leading 2026 fragrance releases, and I’m so here for it. This fig-forward scent from Michelle Pfeiffer’s Henry Rose is one of my favorite perfumes to wear at the moment. With notes of fig, black pepper, musk and soft florals, the fragrance is meant to be worn as a second skin. It’s soft and alluring, but impactful enough to be smelled after hours of wear. I love getting whiffs of it as I’m wearing it during the day.” — Mason
From $35 at sephora
Sephora
“I’m a fragrance fanatic, and while it’s nearly impossible to choose an all-time favorite, Woodphoria by Boy Smells might just take the cake. It’s gotten me more compliments than any other scent—and I wear fragrance literally every day. As the brand describes it, ‘Sun-kissed notes of fig, coconut and jasmine petals play with the intoxicating textures of sandalwood, cedarwood and musks.’ It’s the perfect combination of woody and floral.” — Sarah Stiefvater, Wellness Director
from $30 At sephora
from $30 at boy smells
Revolve
“Way more people should be talking about DedCool, in my opinion. The LA-based brand’s 05 Spring scent is one of my go-tos, and features top notes of cardamom, star anise and bergamot. This isn’t a scent for the faint of heart—it’s bold and unique—but it’s a game changer for folks (like yours truly) who want their fragrance to make a statement.” — Stiefvater
$90 At revolve
$90 At Amazon
From $6 at dedcool
Sephora
“I am a florals girl and I LOVE jasmine and honeysuckle. They remind me alternatively of both my mom’s front yard and warm Paris nights. Throw in gardenia and I’m instantly transported back to the Plaza Hotel, which pumps a custom gardenia scent through its vents. EB’s Florist is so spot on, floral, feminine, sweet but not syrupy.” — Wu
from $33 At sephora
from $33 At revolve
From $25 at amazon
Ulta
“As a self-proclaimed Fraghead, one of my favorite new fragrances is from the brand NOYZ. The genderless brand creates scent profiles from raw, unfiltered feelings and emotions. Their most recent launch, 12:00, is inspired by stopping time. Whether it’s a.m. or .m., you’re wrapped up in all that comes and goes, but this scent lingers. Full of notes like jasmine petals, raspberry and spun sugar, this floral gourmand perfume is the timeless addition you need to your vanity. It’s bright and poppy while also being grounded and warm. Perfect for any time of day, it’s one that I’ve constantly been reaching for.” — Delia Curtis, Assistant Editor
$85 At ULTA
$85 at noyz
Nordstrom
“If you’re not trying to smell like anyone else, *this* is the fragrance house to try. My favorite of the line is Haunted Rose, which smells like strong wilted rose petals strewn across the forest floor. It’s a spicy floral with woody notes—much sharper edged than most rose perfumes with the addition of black pepper and dark, leathery saffron. It’s also softened by notes of passionfruit and ambroxan. I am nearing my last drop of Haunted Rose and I might just shed a tear.” — Curtis
$83 at Amazon
$98 AT nordstrom
$98 at future society
Merit
“Upon my first sniff, those pear and bergamot notes came in bright and sharp with the soft notes of violet and jasmine revealing themselves as it began to dry—and the dry down is where it’s really at. When it finally settles, you’re left with a powdery aroma of vanilla and musk that lingers on your person for hours. I’ve tried to find the right words to describe the true uniqueness of this fragrance for days now and still have come up short. Its elusiveness is almost reminiscent of the white mystery-flavored Airhead candy I ate as a kid, which I still, to this day, do not know the actual flavor of. Is this perfume a floral? Is it a musk? That’s for your nose to decide.” — Mason
From $34 AT merit
From $34 AT Sephora
Neiman Marcus
“I’m usually a vanilla fragrance kind of gal, so this one took me completely by surprised. The luxury fragrance screams one-way ticket to Italy. With notes of tobacco, saffron and dark woods, I feel so fancy spritzing this on. I’ll admit it’s a big price tag, but it’s so worth it for a night out or even a trip to the office.” — Chelsea Candelario, Beauty & Cultures Editor
$310 AT neiman marcus
$310 AT MACY’S
Ulta
“If I’m not raving about the Fenty fragrance then I’m talking someone’s ear off about this Billie Eilish perfume. Seriously, don’t knock celebrity perfumes—this one has an amazing scent that I’ve been wearing for a couple of years now. It has a nice mix of vanilla, musks and sugared petals. The singer (and her team) knew what they were doing with this gourmand fragrance. Also the bottle is gorgeous and looks fantastic on my dresser.” — Candelario
From $28 AT amazon
From $30 AT Sephora
From $30 AT ulta
Ulta
“Without a doubt, my pick is Burberry Brit. I feel like it’s a classic. My older sister used to wear it and I’d always steal it from her. One year, my mom finally got it for me for Christmas and I’ve had the same bottle for years. I wear it on special occasions and weekend outings.”—Alyson Owens, Director of Social Strategy
$120 At ulta
$120 At sephora
I Tested the $375 Parfums de Marly Palatine for a Week—Here Are My Honest Thoughts
Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow’s editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you’re looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
