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Like sex positions and your coffee order, your perfume preference is deeply personal.
Perfume bottles on a silver tray by an antique mirror
So is there such a thing as the best perfume for women?
But first, a few things to know before you startapplying perfume.
What arenotes, and all the other perfume lingo?
If youre new to the world of fragrances and perfumes, you might be overwhelmed by the language.
Heres a quick glossary of common terms.
What should you look for in a womens perfume?
First, youll want to look for scents you knowor thinkyoure interested in.
Frankly, gendered labeling doesnt really matter.
Its more about how the notes blend with your pheromones and the chemistry of your skin.
Spotting a quality perfume can get pretty scientific, but its all about wear time and high-quality ingredients.
Most brands offer sample vials of its fragrances so you could try before you buy the full size.
Many also have quizzes on its site to help match you with a fragrance.
Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau de Parfum
Sephora
This one goes out to all the lavender fans.
YSLs Libre perfume has floral notes that arent powdery, and dry down to a warm vanilla.
Its a crowd-pleasing fragrance that doesnt need to be overthought.
Taunt is sensual and creamy, like if Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar had a glow-up.
What people are saying:I was looking for a vanilla, but gravitate more towards fresh scents.
Taunt is the best of both worlds.
Comforting, clean, and sweet.
What people are saying:This is the sexiest and most elegant cherry fragrance I have EVER purchased.
The aroma is intoxicating and divine, making you feel like a goddess.
Its use of pink pepper gives it more depth than typical sweet, amber fragrances.
It also smells slightly different on everyonehence the name.
What people are saying:Everyone always compliments me when I wear this!
They just think its me, which I guess is the whole You aspect.
Each scent is meant to evoke memories and nostalgia.
Gypsy Water, its most iconic scent, is bright at the top and woodsy as it dries down.
The brands fragrances are thoughtfully formulated and a treat to the senses.
Karst, part of itsOthertopias collection, is reminiscent of the ocean.
What people are saying:I am smitten.
I could smell it all day too.
Honorable Mention is a unisex fragrance that leans floral, but doesnt skimp on woodsy and spicy notes.
& Durga Debaser Eau de Parfum
D.S.
& Durga has an impressive lineup of surprising scents, inspired by art, music, and nature.
It should come as no surprise, then, that each fragrance also has its ownplaylist.
Debaser, named after the 1989 Pixies song, is nostalgic and sweet.
What people are saying:This takes me straight back to the early 90s.
Its clean, androgynous, light, and optimistic.
Its an unfussy, light fragrance for daytime.
What people are saying:I can really pick out the grapefruit notes.
I think its quite pretty and almost flirty in composition.
Its inaugural scent, Worthy, mixes musky and floral notes.
What people are saying:Its a lasting scent that smells like a hug from a luxurious Black woman.
One of those scents where youre asking me what Im wearing before we even pull apart.
It sits well on my sensitive skin, too!
Windows Down is a juicy, summer-ready scent that mixes citrus and musk.
What people are saying:If you could bottle up happiness, this would be it.
One of my absolute favorites!
This scent is bright yet cozy and warm.
What people are saying:I first bought this perfume about five years ago.
I have been wearing it every day since.
I have gone through about 10 bottles, and I will go through many more.
Friends say that they love to walk behind me because I smell good.
People who wear Daisy have been wearing Daisy since their late teens.
The fruity floral is versatile, classic, and freshall of the makings of a signature scent.
What people are saying:Its very light and playful.
I dont think its the kind of fragrance that should be analyzed too deeply.
Ive never had such compliments come so quickly over a fragrance before.
Daisy is a combination of scents that work perfectly together.
My daughter tells me Momma, you smell special and I could smell you for hours.
And can we talk about the bottle?
What people are saying:Super wearable floral, good for day and night!
It has a sweet undertone that lingers and doesnt make it come off powdery, but instead sultry.
It is long-lasting and my new go-to fragrance.
Its an excellent, crowd-pleasing foray into the fragrance world for anyone whos just dipping their toes in.
What people are saying:I absolutely love everything about this.
It smells citrusy but not like you bathed in orange juice or cleaner.
Its light and girly and I get compliments from strangers.
Its a scent that lasts all day for me.
What people are saying:I got this as a sample and didnt expect to like it.
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum
Ah, the iconic Black Opium.
If you dont believe us, check the 5,000+ five-star reviews it has to boot.
Its a comforting, warm fragrance that feels familiar even when youve just met it for the first time.
It smells so sensual and seductive.
I get a lot of compliments when I wear it!
I love the notes of coffee.
What people are saying:This perfume + dry shampoo = I showered today.
Fresh, clean, subtly floral scent.
Malin+Goetz Cannabis Eau de Parfum
Malin+Goetz
This pick from Malin+Goetz leans masculine.
He thought since Ive always loved its namesake I might love the scent.
This is now my favorite perfume ever!
I get so many compliments on how good I smell.
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum
No, its not Chanel No.
5, but Coco Mademoiselle is still a vanity staple.
Reviewers rave about its lingering sillage, not to mention the undoubtedly sexy note composition.
This scent is just so classic and the longest-wearing scent I’ve ever had!
Its androgynous, a little grungy, and heady thanks to ambroxan.
Its sillage is soft enough to not overwhelmI almost forget Im wearing it.
Its fragrances, too, have no labeled gender.
This dark, mysterious cologne de parfum begins with violet and is balanced by spicy tobacco.
What people are saying:Its moody and significant without being overpowering.
It is definitely something you smell and remember.
I am so happy with this purchase.
I absolutely love it morning and night.
What people are saying:Great oud fragranceI love it.
It doesnt smell synthetic, and I pick up the saffron, rose, and animalics.
Sillage is very nice, not enormous like a Montale, but also not wimpy by any means.
What people are saying:It has a fruity floral scent that isnt too overpowering.
Its a very feminine fragrance and would be perfect for any occasion.
It has notes of sparkling raspberry, Turkish roses, and a sensual suede musk base.
What people are saying:If you like orange blossom you are going to love it.
As it dries down there is definitely a slight woody smell that only makes it more interesting.
Perfect for summer and beginning of fall.
Soft, warm, clean and powdery.
Certainly powerful and long-lasting, but also very comforting.
Its giving I am the boss.
Take a seat, the show pony is here.
The scent is grounding, calming, and invigorating all at once.
Its a beauty experience that feels aromatherapeutic too.
What people are saying:I am obsessed with this perfume!
Smells exactly how I imagined it; the description really does it justice.
I have a preference for masculine-leaning unisex perfumes.
