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Your Guide to Selecting the Right Designer Perfume

Scent-sational!

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best designer perfumes 2019
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Selecting a scent for yourself is a truly unique experience.

The perfume world can seem overwhelming to fragrance newbies, so we chatted with expert Mariya Nurislamova, CEO and cofounder of Scentbird, for her tips on selecting the perfect perfume. Here’s what she had to say:

Q: What are your tips for building a fragrance wardrobe?

A: Try everything! Don’t limit yourself by gender, mainstream versus indie, or any other boundaries in scent. The more you try, the faster you’ll discover what fragrances truly speak to you. Sample at least one fragrance from each fragrance family — gourmands, citrus, florals, chypres, etc. — before you nix any specific category.

Also, have fun researching the history of fragrance! Some of the best perfumes ever made are from the oldest companies, so don’t get locked into “only new stuff is good” type of thinking.

Q: Do you recommend switching your fragrance from daytime to evening?

A: Only if you want to. The variety can definitely be a lot of fun. But it’s also a great idea to have a travel-ready atomizer that’s versatile enough to go from day to night to take one more thing off your list.

Consider fragrances that have a little more texture to them or a combination of fragrance notes such as spice and citrus to make the transition smoother.

Q: Any guidelines for proper fragrance application?

A: YES! Tap — don’t scrub your wrists with perfume! The goal is to have both wrists decorated with your favorite fragrance, not torturing your skin with friction to activate the scent — your body heat will do that just fine on its own.

The main reason we put perfume on our wrists is that our wrists are an excellent pulse point, and your pulse is what will heat up the skin along with the temperature to raise the scent into the air around you.

Now that we have those basics down, read on for more of Nurislamova's fragrance tricks, as well as some info on her (and our editors') absolute favorite designer perfumes!

1

Kat Von D Saint Eau de Parfum

Kat Von D Saint Eau de Parfum
$22 at Sephora

Not only does this smell incredible, but the bottle itself is elegant and interesting, making it perfect for gifting.

And Nurislamova agrees: “I’m really into big jasmine fragrances, and love Kat Von D’s Saint, from her Saint and Sinner set of paired perfumes. Saint is drenched in plum, vanilla, and jasmine, and it smells just like you're giving your 'good girl side' the night off to do whatever she wants." 

More: The Best Perfume Gift Sets

"Jason Wu’s signature scent is also a total favorite at the moment," Nurislamova told us. "It’s loaded with velvety jasmine that’s spiked with pink pepper and plum as well."

Our editors also adore the debut fragrance from the designer, which he created in collaboration with renowned master perfumer Frank Voelkl of Firmenich (who also co-created Glossier You).

3

Maison Margiela Replica Under the Lemon Trees Eau de Toilette

Maison Margiela Replica Under the Lemon Trees Eau de Toilette

Unisex fragrances are having a moment, and we are here for it! This new one from Maison Margiela is a welcome addition to the Replica fragrances family. Each one is inspired by a happy memory or location, making these fun to gift. (We also love Music Festival and Beach Walk!) 

Under the Lemon Trees was inspired by a sunny escape on the countryside, and lets you breathe in the delicious scent of a warm, citrusy breeze.

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4

Mon Guerlain Bloom of Rose Eau de Toilette

Mon Guerlain Bloom of Rose Eau de Toilette

Not only is this bottle super chic, but the fragrance itself was inspired by Angelina Jolie, and we are totally down to smell like a gorgeous (and strong!) woman like her. This floral fragrance was created like a bouquet, with the signature notes of jasmine and lavender combining with neroli and rose to form a radiant fragrance.

5

Oribe Côte d'Azur Eau de Parfum

Oribe Côte d'Azur Eau de Parfum

Do you love Oribe hair products as much as we do? If so, we’re willing to bet that you'll adore this scent, too. This fragrance from the brand captures the signature scent of the products, and will make a luxurious gift.

We love this spicy scent from Yves Saint Laurent! It’s a warm fragrance featuring a blend of coffee, sweet vanilla notes, and hints of soft white flowers.

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7

Badgley Mischka Eau de Parfum

Badgley Mischka Eau de Parfum

Another designer perfume we adore for gifting (or keeping!) is the Badgley Mischka fragrance from fashion duo Mark Badgley and James Mischka. 

They refer to the scent as a “floral Champagne,” perfect for celebrating your favorite person. It opens with a soft blend of magnolias, complimented by notes of amber and musk.

8

Huda Beauty Kayali Elixir 11

Huda Beauty Kayali Elixir 11

Huda Kattan recently launched a collection of mix-and-match perfumes, designed to create your perfect bespoke fragrance. Elixir 11 is the base perfume she recommends starting with, adding on other fragrance layers (like Citrus or Musk) until you discover your signature scent. 

You can buy the whole set, or continue adding to your collection throughout the year!

We can't get enough of Flowerbomb! This spicy floral opens with subtle traces of bergamot and mandarin, leading to a floral explosion comprised of sambac jasmine, freesia, centifolia rose, and osmanthus. Amber, wood, and patchouli notes combine with warm vanilla and praline to round out this unique fragrance. 

We love to wear this one any time of the year, as it features a floral burst appropriate for spring, but is also warm and spicy enough to cozy up with in the winter months.

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10

Chanel Gabrielle Eau de Parfum

Chanel Gabrielle Eau de Parfum

This elegant fragrance is a classic we know you'll adore. Named after the founder of Chanel before she was known as Coco,  the perfume Gabrielle comes in the classic Chanel bottle design, and it smells divine with notes of orange blossom, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and grasse tuberose. 

11

L’Atelier de Givenchy Rose Ardente

L’Atelier de Givenchy Rose Ardente

We live for a peppery rose scent, and one of our faves is this fragrant pick from Givenchy. We're sure a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but there's no denying this scent is superior to the average floral fragrance. It features notes of black caviar, patchouli, and chili pepper for a little kick.

12

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Eau de Parfum

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Eau de Parfum

We love perfumes that not only smell great, but also work as a piece of art for your bathroom or dresser. This Donna Karan New York fragrance doesn't disappoint with its jasmine, vanilla, and cashmere accord notes and its stunning, sculptural bottle.

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13

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best designer perfumes 2019
BestProducts.com
Headshot of Katie McBroom
Katie McBroom
Beauty Editor

Katie McBroom is an award-winning content creator and freelance writer. Prior to contributing to Biography, she served as Content Editor for Google and Beauty Editor for Best Products. Her work has also appeared in publications including CNN, WWD, Business Insider, Forbes, and Men's Health, among others.

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