The 26 Best Perfumes of 2026, According to Cosmo’s Team of Scent-Obsessed Editors

“I don’t usually reach for fruity gourmands (I’m a vanilla and cocoa girl at heart), but I love Strawberry Jam. The strawberry is soft, creamy, and bright—a refreshing twist on my usual picks, and it somehow gets more addictive every time I wear it.”
—JESSICA NEISES, SENIOR FASHION EDITOR

“Alto Astral is simply fresh. (Fitting that it won this category, right?) It’s clean and light, thanks to aldehydes and coconut water yet becomes deep and complex with hints of sandalwood and salted amber. If you like to keep things simple, wear it alone. Don’t be afraid to layer with it though! It works with every scent family.”
—JH

“Citrus perfumes notoriously fade quickly, yet Never-Ending Summer lasted much longer than all the perfumes I tried in this category. The fresh citrusy aroma feels unique, probably because the spritz accord and cardamom add a vibrant element. I can’t wait to douse myself in this as the weather heats up.” —DANIELLE COLIN-THOME, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF EDITORIAL OPERATIONS

“This chai-inspired perfume combines spicy, woody, and milky notes for a long-lasting spritz that creates a gorgeously smokey, slightly sweet warmth that lingers on skin for hours.” —JH

“This has slowly become one of my favorite scents of all time. Hints of almond and incense help it strike the perfect balance between airy sweetness and grounding woods. Like all Liis fragrances, it feels effortlessly natural on skin. Bonus: The packaging is so beautiful. I love displaying it on my countertop.”
—JN

“My friend couldn’t stop smelling me the first time I wore this, and now someone says I smell good every single time I spray it. It’s powdery but not like a grandma. Instead, it’s clean and fresh.”
—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

“Imagine walking along the beach at sunrise: Oasis smells just like a gentle sea breeze on a summer morning. This is soft, comforting, and a tad salty with transportive tropical florals. The subtle vanilla-patchouli base also gives it a skin-like essence.” —MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITOR

“Miami Split takes oud and flips it on its head. Banana, caramel, and white oud, are you kidding me?! It reminds me of tropical caramelized bananas with a dirty edge. This is unique and completely spellbinding. I really can’t get enough.” —MH

“I really admire the sophistication of these hair and body mists, especially at less than $20 a bottle. Each scent—there are four in total: Sandalwood Vanille, Wild Nectar Santal, Bergamot Woods, and Blackcurrant Vanille—smells elevated and totally unisex. Everyone can wear them!” —KH

“When I want to smell like a fancy spa (or a rich person who frequents a fancy spa), I immediately spritz myself from head to toe with this woody, herbal mist.” —BG

“I’m normally not a huge vanilla lover, but this really blew me away. The scent is so warm, rich, and creamy without being sickly sweet or smelling artificial. I couldn’t wait to finish testing the other perfume oils on my list so I could go back to using this every day.” —DCT

“Miutine is girlhood in a bottle. It’s like the grown-up version of my favorite fruity perfumes from when I was a teen—sweet but not cloying, with juicy layers perfect for a night out.” —JH

“I hate smelling like everyone else (toxic trait), which is why I’m so head-over-heels for Belnu. Chai Fleur combines spicy, warm chai with powdery florals—the result is a woody, smooth scent that’s great all year round.” —BG

“TBH, I didn’t have high hopes for Summer Fridays’ debut perfume—I find it weird when cosmetics brands venture into fragrance—but Sunlit Vanilla is that girl. This is pure, radiant joy bottled, and it lasts longer than most of my ultra-luxury perfumes for under $100.” —MH

“I wore this perfume at the Grammys (brag) and so many people told me I smelled good. ‘Fruity and fresh but like the expensive fruit rich people buy,’ someone said. Makes sense!” —BG

“Not only are these pocket-sized perfume balms adorable, they also pack a fragrant punch, keeping me smelling like a tropical vacay anytime, anywhere. I keep one in every single purse and a few stashed in my carry-on. (Yep, I refuse to travel without them.)”
—MH

“I can’t fathom how I ever used chemical-y-smelling laundry detergents. One wash, and I was hooked on L’Avant! This one smells like a five-star hotel and leaves my clothes smelling like pure luxury.” —JH

“This is an elevated take on your classic masculine cologne. Yes, it’s got those deep balsam and cedarwood notes, but it also features fresh accords like geranium, lavender, and lemon that give it an unexpected brightness.” —JH