The 23 Best Perfumes for Women

Dior perfumes are so iconic, they even inspired a documentary. This modern classic truly has a bit of everything: juicy blood orange and mandarin, fresh lily of the valley, and earthy patchouli.

Rihanna has been name-checked as the best-smelling celeb by just about everyone on the planet, so it was only natural that she create her own signature scent. It instantly sold out, but if you’re lucky enough to snag a bottle of this elevated blend of magnolia, musk, tangerine, blueberry, Bulgarian rose absolute, geranium, and patchouli, know that it’s worth all the hype.

Rangoon creeper, tuberose, and jasmine combine to create this robust and top-rated Gucci floral fragrance, which over 1,300 Sephora customers are raving about.

Chance was introduced in 2002, and it’s been in heavy rotation ever since. Thank the floral base of iris and jasmine, which is rounded out by sweet vanilla and white musk—plus, pink pepper adds an unexpected touch of spice.

Like all things Tom Ford, this scent is undeniably sexy and glamorous. The namesake black orchid is surrounded by ylang-ylang and citrus, black plum, patchouli, and vanilla. It’s deep, dark, and elegant, especially for evening.

Rich coffee and vanilla create a sweet and warm base, while a floral heart lightens things up. It’s excellent during cooler months, but can be worn year-round if you please.

A bouquet of florals—rose, lily of the valley, freesia, magnolia—give way to amber and cedarwood, which lend a sensual, warm air to the overall light scent. Plus, this one is loved equally for the bottle (topped with a hand-tied ribbon) and for what’s inside.

Celebrating its 100th birthday in 2021, Chanel No. 5 is perhaps the most famous fragrance of all time. Heavy with may rose and jasmine, it was the first perfume to be layered with aldehydes, a now-commonplace practice that lends the fragrance an airy quality. Game changing then, iconic now.

As the name suggests, this top-rated fragrance from Viktor & Rolf —which over 10,000 Nordstrom customers love—is a cult favorite thanks to its floral notes of jasmine and rose, plus scents of warm vanilla and patchouli for added depth.

The daisy-adorned bottle became an instant sensation, but what’s inside is pretty fabulous as well. With notes of strawberry, sandalwood, and jasmine, Daisy is a light floral that’s become a rite of passage for teens (and teens at heart).

Not even the fragrance-averse can resist Byredo’s chic, cylindrical bottles, particularly this scent inspired by the Romani, or Gypsy, lifestyle. The woody scent features intoxicating notes of bergamot, lemon, incense, pine needles, and sandalwood.

Kai has earned a devoted following over the years for its clean, tropical, gardenia-based fragrance. For rose lovers, there’s also a spin-off scent, called (you guessed it), kai rose.

You don’t have to live by the beach to appreciate this surf-inspired scent (and one of Jo Malone’s best sellers). With notes of sea salt, sage, and ambrette seeds, it’s simple, sophisticated, and genderless.

Bond No. 9’s luxe fragrances are inspired by New York City, though according to the brand, this lavender bottle is named for, “the greatest neighborhood of them all—peace.” Light and fresh, the mix of fresh grapefruit, lily of the valley, and black currant, is just lovely.

We don’t know what’s more recognizable: the refillable star-shaped bottle or the perfume that’s inside. Mugler’s Angel features a patchouli base and fruity bergamot top notes, and is layered with sweet praline and vanilla—yet somehow never smells too sweet.

Featuring notes of jasmine, linen and musk, this timeless, Spanish-made perfume from Loewe is designed to combine with the brand’s 001 Man Eau de Parfum for a signature fragrance blend.

This sexy fragrance became one of the biggest perfume crazes of the last decade, and for good reason: It’s musky, spicy, and a bit smoky (but not overwhelmingly so), and the genderless quality makes it ideal for sharing.