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The 20 Best Perfumes Our Beauty Editor Can’t Live Without

2023 is the year you finally expand your perfume arsenal.

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best perfumes for women including oribe cote d'azur eau de parfum, ellis brooklyn super amber eau de parfum, kayali vanilla 28
Best Products; Courtesy Ellis Brooklyn, Oribe, KAYALI

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Ever since receiving a bottle of Paris Hilton’s eponymous fragrance in the mid-aughts, I’ve been on a 20-year journey to discover the best perfumes money can buy. Luckily, as Best Products beauty editor, part of my job is to test the best new beauty products, such as the Dyson Supersonic and Charlotte Tilbury foundation, to figure out if they’re legit worth your hard-earned money. My dressers are filled with hundreds of perfumes, but only 20 perfumes made the cut.

My top priority was selecting wide-reaching scents to cover all of your fragrance needs. In addition to florals, gourmands, and fruity perfumes, I also discovered a unique take on vanilla perfumes (hi, Kayali Vanilla 28!), enjoyed the woody notes of Maison Margiela REPLICA Autumn Vibes, and felt energized after applying Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne. (All Jo Malone's fragrances are unisex, hence the name cologne, but I promise it smells refreshing on women.)

Beyond their unique olfactory palettes, I considered their potency, longevity, and price. Nineteen of these best perfumes are eau de parfums, which are richer and longer-lasting than lighter eau de toilettes. (Don't worry — the Philosophy Amazing Grace Lavender Twist Eau de Toilette wears nicely and costs under $60.)

There are also plenty of viral TikTok beauty products, such as Glossier You, Parfums de Marly Delina, and Phlur Missing Person. And if you ever wondered what stars like Rihanna and Billie Eilish smell like, then I have you covered. Spoiler alert: Bad Gal Riri dons Kilian Love, Don't Be Shy, while Eilish's namesake perfume is a surprisingly sweet and multilayered vanilla-based concoction.

My top-rated recommendations are available to shop on your most-trusted beauty sites, including Amazon, Sephora, Ulta, and Nordstrom. So get ready to stock up on the best perfumes for yourself and treat your besties, and family members to the best beauty gifts money can buy.

1

Vanilla Era Eau de Parfum

Vanilla Era Eau de Parfum
1

Vanilla Era Eau de Parfum

$98 at Sephora
2
Best Overall

Parfums de Marly Delina (1 fl. oz)

Delina (1 fl. oz)
2
Best Overall

Parfums de Marly Delina (1 fl. oz)

If I could only wear one perfume for the rest of my life, it would be Delina by Parfums de Marly. Sure, the recent TikTok hype is enticing, but I’ve been a loyal fan of this modern rose perfume since the fall of 2019 — and Delina is undoubtedly my best overall perfume recommendation.

Light and pretty, Delina is the ultimate feminine and flirty perfume that smells like it was tailor-made for anyone who prefers Blair over Serena on the OG Gossip Girl. It delights the senses as it opens with notes of lychee, rhubarb, and bergamont, and transitions into a floral dream of Turkish rose, peony, and vanilla, before settling into base notes of cashmere, musk, and vetiver.

More: Meet the 5 Best Foundations, According to Our Beauty Editor

3
Best Tropical

Oribe Cote d'Azur Eau de Parfum (2.5 fl. oz)

Cote d'Azur Eau de Parfum (2.5 fl. oz)
3
Best Tropical

Oribe Cote d'Azur Eau de Parfum (2.5 fl. oz)

This chic Oribe perfume screams beachside vacation in the South of France. It's glamorous yet fun, perfect for gifting — or wearing whenever you want to smell like you just hopped off a plane with an enviable sun-kissed glow.

Cote d'Azur is a citrusy floral with bright notes of bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, and sandalwood inspired by the iconic region favored by well-heeled Hollywood stars, royalty, and socialites.

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4
Best Budget Buy

Good Chemistry Queen Bee Eau de Parfume (1.69 fl. oz)

Queen Bee Eau de Parfume (1.69 fl. oz)
4
Best Budget Buy

Good Chemistry Queen Bee Eau de Parfume (1.69 fl. oz)

Queen Bee is one of Good Chemistry’s signature scents, and it’s easy to see why this affordable perfume is a hit. Thanks to notes of black currant, peony, and warm amber, it’s an excellent perfume for daily wear because the crisp and sweet aroma is noticeable. but not overly sugary.

This cheap perfume also boasts a clean formula and costs less than $30, so it’s definitely easy on your wallet and makes for a fantastic beauty gift.

5
Best of Clean Beauty

Ellis Brooklyn SUPER AMBER Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz.)

SUPER AMBER Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz.)
5
Best of Clean Beauty

Ellis Brooklyn SUPER AMBER Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz.)

Speaking of clean beauty, Ellis Brooklyn consistently kills it with each clean perfume they launch. SUPER AMBER is their current newness, and the warm, compelling scent is made with biodegradable musk and upcycled Virginia cedarwood. It's also infused with vanilla orchid and amber, naturally.

I love that this AAPI- and woman-owned small business is also eco-friendly. SUPER AMBER is the sole perfume on our list that boasts an impressive EcoScent Compass AAA rating, which focuses on a product's green, social, and environmental impact.

6
Best Floral

Kilian Love, Don't Be Shy (1.7 fl. oz.)

Love, Don't Be Shy (1.7 fl. oz.)
6
Best Floral

Kilian Love, Don't Be Shy (1.7 fl. oz.)

Want to smell intoxicating like pop icon Rihanna? Of course, you do — and so do I! Love, Don't Be Shy is simply legendary in the niche fragrance world, and it's far from basic.

The multilayered perfume combines orange blossom and rose with the dark and captivating intensity of oud for the floral-meets-sensual perfume of your dreams. It also contains marshmallow for a flirty vibe that smells more like something a grown woman who has her shit together would sport rather than the excessively sugary perfumes of our childhood.

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7
TikTok Made Me Buy It

Glossier You (1.7 fl. oz)

You (1.7 fl. oz)
7
TikTok Made Me Buy It

Glossier You (1.7 fl. oz)

Did you know that Glossier You was the third most viral product on TikTok in 2022? Naturally, as a millennial obsessed with TikTok beauty products, I had to get my hands on this perfume.

It combines spicy pink pepper, woodsy and slightly sweet warm ambrox, and fresh iris with your unique body chemistry to create a custom scent as special as you are. On me, the spicy notes are more prominent, while the fresh iris is noticeable on my mom.

Senior editor Eunice Lucero-Lee is also a fan and says whenever she sports this perfume, women always inquire what fragrance she's wearing, and men are drawn to its enticing scent.

8
The Next Big Thing

Billie Eilish Eilish (3.4 fl. oz.)

Eilish (3.4 fl. oz.)
8
The Next Big Thing

Billie Eilish Eilish (3.4 fl. oz.)

Billie Eilish is known for her dark and edgy aesthetic, but at first sniff, her best perfume is surprisingly sweet with notes of sugared petals, red berries, and mandarin orange.

As the opening notes fade away, a blend of vanilla, cacao, and rose takes over. Soon after, you’re greeted with a warm and woody explosion of amber, musk, and tonka beans to round out a beautifully unique perfume. Take a whiff, and you’ll discover why everyone will want this perfume in 2023.

9
Best Winter Fragrance

Phlur Missing Person Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz)

Missing Person Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz)
9
Best Winter Fragrance

Phlur Missing Person Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz)

Since launching in February 2022, Phlur Missing Person has gone completely viral, and rightfully so. Boasting a clean formulation and an enticing blend of bergamot nectar, sheer jasmine, Australian sandalwood, and two types of musk, it smells like winter nights cozied up with a loved one.

Pro tip: Missing Person sold out in just 2 hours thanks to a TikTok, and quickly amassed a waiting list of 200,000 people overnight. It’s finally back in stock, so if you’re interested, I highly suggest ordering from Sephora before it sells out again.

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10
Best Celebrity Fragrance

Henry Rose Char Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz)

Char Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz)
10
Best Celebrity Fragrance

Henry Rose Char Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz)

Michelle Pfieffer’s foray into fragrance is relatively new, but I can safely say her perfume line Henry Rose is one to watch. Not only is Henry Rose EWG Verified and Cradle to Cradle Certified, but the unisex perfumes have all your fragrance needs covered.

You’ve got Flora Carnivora for floral fanatics; Torn, a spicy and floral blend of rich vanilla bean and vetiver roots; and Jake’s House, a light and fresh musk with notes of honeyed neroli.

While they're all impressive, my current go-to is Char, a woody amber that reminds me of crisp fall evenings spent with friends catching up over great food and drinks.

11
Best Citrus

Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne (3.4 fl. oz)

Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne (3.4 fl. oz)
11
Best Citrus

Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne (3.4 fl. oz)

Looking for a sunny perfume that will give you a burst of energy whenever you wear it? Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin perfume has entered the chat.

All Jo Malone fragrances are unisex, but this one leans slightly masculine. Luckily, women who adore fresh citrus scents can totally sport this perfume with confidence. The zesty and vibrant mandarin and lime combine with peppery basil, white thyme, and amberwood for an unexpected take on citrus perfume.

12
Best Vanilla

Kayali Vanilla 28 (1.7 fl. oz)

Vanilla 28 (1.7 fl. oz)
12
Best Vanilla

Kayali Vanilla 28 (1.7 fl. oz)

Old school vanilla perfumes can be quite boring, but leave it to influencers Huda and Mona Kattan, who are known for their daring approach to beauty, to create a playful and inviting vanilla fragrance.

Kayali Vanilla 28 opens up with top notes of vanilla and jasmine, followed by brown sugar and tonka bean. Notes of amber, amberwood, musk, and patchouli round out the base.

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13
Best Gourmand

Burberry Her Elixir de Parfum (3.4 fl. oz)

Her Elixir de Parfum (3.4 fl. oz)
13
Best Gourmand

Burberry Her Elixir de Parfum (3.4 fl. oz)

Burberry’s mouth-watering perfume combines the addictive, almost-edible notes of strawberry and blackberry accord, with a jasmine accord heart, and a warm vanilla, amber, and sandalwood base. Delicious!

Plus, I know a few brides who have made it their signature perfume and say it still feels special enough to wear on their wedding day. What could be better than a beauty editor- and bride-approved perfume?!

14
Best Water-Inspired

Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Eau de Parfum (2.5 fl. oz)

L'Eau d'Issey Eau de Parfum (2.5 fl. oz)
14
Best Water-Inspired

Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Eau de Parfum (2.5 fl. oz)

Now 15% Off

Although Issey Miyake is a renowned brand in the fashion world, I’ve been sleeping on their perfumes until now. L’Eau d’Issey is an aquatic floral fragrance that feels timeless and elegant with an unexpected light woodiness. It blends delicate, powdery lotus rose accord and sun-drenched yellow flowers with sandalwood, amber, cedarwood, and musk for a long-lasting perfume.

If you love this clean water scent, but are on a budget, you can order the eau de toilette version from Amazon, but you get what you pay for since several Amazon reviewers say the eau de toilette fades much quicker than the higher-quality parfum.

15
Best Woody

Maison Margiela REPLICA Autumn Vibes

REPLICA Autumn Vibes
15
Best Woody

Maison Margiela REPLICA Autumn Vibes

One whiff of Autumn Vibes will have you thinking back to your favorite memories sitting by a crackling bonfire or wood fireplace.

Thanks to key notes of pink pepper, cardamom, carrot seeds, nutmeg, and cedarwood, REPLICA Autumn Vibes smells woody and spicy. It’s ideal for a weekend trip to a cottage or apple picking with friends (or to spray whenever you wish you could read a good book by an open fire).

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16
Best Unisex

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity Gold (2.4 fl. oz)

Gentle Fluidity Gold (2.4 fl. oz)
16
Best Unisex

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity Gold (2.4 fl. oz)

Sure, Baccarat Rouge 540 gets all the social media love, but Gentle Fluidity is more under-the-radar and is a hype-worthy unisex perfume. The Gold version is my personal favorite since it's an elevated take on a classic musky amber-vanilla perfume.

If you gravitate to aromatic woody perfumes with dry, spicy notes, Gentle Fluidity Silver is more your girl. Either way, you can't go wrong. Just be sure to hide your new perfume bottle from your man — because after a few sniffs, he'll conveniently forget to place it back on your vanity.

17
Best Aromatic

Philosophy Amazing Grace Lavender Twist Eau de Toilette (2 fl. oz)

Amazing Grace Lavender Twist Eau de Toilette (2 fl. oz)
17
Best Aromatic

Philosophy Amazing Grace Lavender Twist Eau de Toilette (2 fl. oz)

Amazing Grace, how sweet the smell of a soft and peaceful lavender that's perfect for whenever I want to relax. Thanks to a blend of berries, bergamot, and blackcurrant, this tranquil, soft floral perfume has a bit of an edge.

The scent also opens with top notes of grapefruit, followed by cardamom, lily of the valley, and rhubarb. Notes of jasmine and musk round out the base.

18
Best Fruity Scent

Skylar Peach Fields Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz)

Peach Fields Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz)
18
Best Fruity Scent

Skylar Peach Fields Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz)

Skylar Peach Fields is ideal for anyone trying to go beyond the expected with their perfume wardrobe. It opens up with juicy white peach, mandarin, and grapefruit before settling into vanilla and floral middle notes. Warm base notes of cashmere wood, amber, sandalwood, and musk create a unique fruity-woodsy smell that is sure to be a hit.

It is also hypoallergenic, meaning anyone with super-sensitive skin can sport this fruity perfume without worrying about irritation.

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19
Best Bottle Design

Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz)

Very Good Girl Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz)
19
Best Bottle Design

Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl Eau de Parfum (1.7 fl. oz)

Carolina Hererra's red shoe-shaped bottle is by far the most aesthetically pleasing perfume bottle on this list. Not only does the charming bottle look gorgeous on your vanity, I can't get enough of the fragrance itself.

The subtly seductive perfume contains a mix of rose, redcurrant, lychee, vetiver, and vanilla to create a luscious aroma that takes you on a journey from sultry to sweet.

20
Best Splurge

Krigler Good Fir 11 (50 ml aka 1.69 fl. oz)

Good Fir 11 (50 ml aka 1.69 fl. oz)
20
Best Splurge

Krigler Good Fir 11 (50 ml aka 1.69 fl. oz)

When I want my perfume to last from morning to cocktail hour, I spritz on Krigler Good Fir 11, a scent inspired by founder Albert Krigler’s trip from San Francisco to Chicago. He bottled the captivating evergreen landscape into a fresh, woody blend of pink pepper, bitter orange, vetiver, and white musk.

This impressive perfume lingers throughout the day as my body’s warmth enhances the crisp, yet comforting scent making Good Fir 11 (and TBH, all of Krigler’s perfumes) totally worth the princely price tag.

Headshot of Nicole Saunders
Nicole Saunders
Beauty Editor

Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. She takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Beauty Awards package.

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