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15 best women's perfumes of all time, from long-lasting scents to the most-complimented fragrances
Whether you're a floral, fruity or musky gal, there's a best-selling fragrance for everyone
Perfume shopping can be a tad overwhelming, we see fragrance after fragrance hit the virtual shelves, all of which have dreamy ad campaigns (I'm looking at you, Jo Malone), cute bottles (hiii, Glossier) and most importantly, in-cred-ible scents.
So, how do you pick the best perfume?
Take notes
Grab your favourite perfumes and spend a little time googling the key notes (hint: if in doubt, check out fragrantica.com for beginner-friendly scent breakdowns). Are there any common occurrences? Got a thing for figs? Love some patchouli? (Us too). Well, these are the notes you want to look out for when hunting down your next perfume purchase.
Discovery kits are key
Tons of brands sell sets featuring mini versions of all their best-selling scents. Pick one up, and you’re guaranteed to find your next favourite (or four).
Find your family
Nope, this isn’t a sneaky plug for Ancestry, I’m talking about your preferred fragrance fam. Yup, most scent ‘families’ are characterised by an overall accord they share. This could be anything from woody to floral and aromatic to sweet. Find your fave, and it’ll help narrow down your search. For example, if you prefer a light, fresh fragrance, it could be worth opting for a citrus or floral family... A perfect example would be Jo Malone London's best-selling English Pear & Freesia Cologne, which has a fresh scent of, yep, you guessed it, pears and patchouli.
If you prefer something a bit sweeter, take a cue from Rihanna and try one of her favourite scents – Kilian's Love Don't Be Shy Eau de Parfum. Loaded up with sweet floral top notes of orange blossom and neroli, combined with a base of creamy musk, vanilla and caramel. Yum, right?
Or, if you want to make more of a statement with your scent, a rich spice-loaded scent could be the way to go. COS's Auburn Eau De Parfum 100ml for women has hints of cardamom, spices and coffee.
A sneak peek at some of our faves
Decide how intense you want it
Listen, perfumes can be confusing, but as soon as you’ve got the facts, you’ll be able to easily navigate them online. In general, fragrances fall into one of two categories: eau de parfum (EDP) or eau de toilette (EDT). EDPs, aka parfums, are made with a higher concentration of perfume oils, and EDTs, aka toilettes, are made with less.
So if you like your perfume to smell as strong on hour 12 as it does at second one, you can opt for an EDP. But if you prefer your fragrance to smell light and subtle and you’re okay with it wearing off after a few hours, go for an EDT.
How to apply your perfume
The best way to apply your perfume is on your skin, which allows the scent to work with your natural body chemistry and create a unique fragrance. Perfumes were created to slowly develop on your skin and bring out different notes at different times, and spraying them on your clothes alone won't produce this same effect. (However, if you like longevity, always do both.)
Experts recommend spritzing onto your pulse points (wrists, chest, and neck, or even inside your elbow), but never rub them together. This can break up the notes and change the scent. Instead, just tap your wrists together to distribute the juice. If you want your perfume to last a bit longer, make sure you're spraying it onto clean, moisturised skin, which gives the scent something to cling to.
Chloé L'Eau de Parfum Lumineuse Eau de Parfum 30ml
This is the ultimate It Girl scent; it's sweet and light but actually stays on your skin all day long. If you’re looking for a floral perfume that leans more pretty and fresh than nose-crinkling garden vibes, this is for you. Plus, the bottle will elevate any bathroom counter in a matter of seconds.
Sizes: 30ml, 50ml, 100ml
Notes: Jasmine, rose, vanilla, amber, balsamic notes
Scent family: Oriental floral
Glowing customer review: "Perfect everyday perfume. It’s clean and flowery but not overbearing. One spritz can really last all day and I got so many compliments while wearing."
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum 30ml
YSL's Black Opium has become one of the world's most-loved perfumes, and it's easy to see why. The creamy notes of coffee and vanilla give a non-sickly sweetness that develops into a dry white floral scent, after which you get the base notes of musk and patchouli. It's unique and oh-so more-ish, this one will 100% become the most-reached-for in your perfume collection.
Sizes: 30ml, 50ml, 90ml, 150ml
Notes: Pear, pink pepper, orange blossom, coffee, jasmine, bitter almond, liquorice, vanilla, patchouli, cashmere wood, cedar
Scent family: Oriental vanilla
Glowing customer review: "since i 1st got this purfume i absolutely loved the smell but this time my daughter robbed some of mine and so i got her a bottle for birthday she loves it now."
Yep, you read that right – Miss Roberts is the face of this sparkling iris fragrance. And not only is it celeb-approved but the layered notes of sensual vanilla make it my personal fave, too.
Sizes: 30ml, 50ml, 75ml
Notes: Black currant, pear, iris, jasmine, orange blossom, praline, vanilla, patchouli, tonka bean
Scent family: Floral, fruity
Glowing customer review: "I got this originally as a sample in the beauty box a while back and absolutely loved it so I decided to treat myself with the 30ml spray and oh my gosh it's amazing. Smells beautiful and lasts all day."
Gourmand lovers, listen up because this perfume is a strawberry ice cream sundae in a bottle. No, I'm not drooling, you are! And while you may think that to be a little cloying on the skin, it's actually a creamy blend of deliciousness that I just cannot get enough of.
But here's the twist: unlike many fruity scents that tend to fade too quickly, Miami Shake evolves into a smooth, sophisticated base of white musk and tonka bean. The result? A refreshing yet luxurious fragrance that doesn’t scream "summer fling" but instead whispers "forever vacation."
Sizes: 7.5ml, 50ml, 100ml
Notes: Strawberry, ice cream, vanilla absolute
Scent family: Floral fruity gourmand
Glowing customer review: "Bought it immediately when I smelled it. I actually layer it with phlurs heavy cream heavy cream and it’s so good!"
If Tom Ford is doing vanilla sex, there's no way it's boring. This creamy fragrance is unmistakably vanilla but also has a touch of sandalwood in the base for a smooth, warm scent. It's one of my favourite vanilla perfumes, especially for layering. Three different variations of vanilla notes, plus bitter almond and sandalwood, make for a ~flirty~ but toned-down scent that gets sweeter the longer it sits on my skin.
Size: 50ml, 250ml
Notes: Bitter almond, vanilla, floral notes, vanilla absolute, sandalwood
Scent family: Oriental vanilla
Glowing customer review: “Sensual and sexy scent I love the sensual vanilla scent of the perfume. I receive so many compliments when I wear it. The scent makes me feel calm and sexy."
Walk in a room wearing Delina and someone is def going to smell ya, because the sillage (or the scent trail the perfume leaves behind) is strong AF. When I have a big event for work and want to make a good impression, I always spritz a lil bit of Delina on my wrists and behind my ears. The powdery, musky, scent—spiked with rose—makes me feel powerful and strong.
Sizes: 30ml, 75ml
Notes: Peony, rhubarb, lychee, Turkish rose, musk, cashmeran, vetiver
Scent family: Oriental
Glowing customer review: "I’m a flight attendant, and I get complimented on this perfume at least 3-4 times a day. It’s soft and clean. One of the nicest perfumes you can own."
IMO, rose can have a bad rep in the perfume world; aka, it often is tarnished with the 'old granny' brush. However, this new PHLUR fragrance is anything but old-fashioned. The rose is vibrant but not overpowering – it's fresh and modern. What's even more enchanting is the way it melts into a creamy, almost decadent base of vanilla and the earthiness of sandalwood, making it feel like the fragrance is hugging your skin.
Sizes: 9.5ml, 50ml
Notes: Pink pepper, rose, nutmeg, amber, musk
Scent family: Oriental floral
Glowing customer review: "what i was looking for I was interested in finding a floral scent but one that had other notes and more depth, this one did just that. It was perfectly floral and I really did smell the rose top note that came through in the perfume. It was quite long-lasting and would be great if layered with other fragrances. The musk and amber was a hint at the end and was not that strong"
Let's all take a moment to appreciate how adorable this pink Glossier fragrance is... The ergonomic bottle has a thumb-print design that allows the fragrance to sit perfectly in your hand. Described by the brand as a 'your skin but better scent', it has subtle notes of Ambrette and Musk, that smell comforting and familiar.
Sizes: 8ml, 50ml, 100ml
Notes: Iris root, pink pepper, ambrette, ambrox, musk
Scent family: Floral, woody
Glowing customer review: "This is the kind of perfume that I want to wear to sleep it smells so good. The description is perfectly accurate, it smells a bit different on everyone's skin, but no matter what' it is warm, fresh, and slightly spicy. The balance of warm and fresh notes makes this my signature scent for all seasons. I am complimented almost daily on how good this perfume smells… I just love it. GET IT."
Jo Malone London English Pear & Freesia Cologne 100ml
Think about those fruity scents you wore in your youth: Sweet, citrusy and, erm, headache-inducing (I'm looking @ you, Nicki Minaj perfumes). Well, you'll be glad to know that while it has fruity notes, this Jo Malone scent is sophisticated AF. Once you spritz it on, you'll be immediately hit with the smell of fresh pears. It's the most elegant scent profile ever. Not sure if this is the Jo Malone perfume for you? Well, head to our fool-proof round-up of the very best scents from the brand, here.
Sizes: 30ml, 50ml, 100ml
Notes: Pear, melon, freesia, rose, musk, patchouli, rhubarb, amber
Scent family: Fruity
Glowing customer review: "I’m really picky with scents as I hate sweet scents but all the fresh ones I can find smell like cleaner or don’t last at all! This one is finally what I was after. It’s clean and feminine and fresh but has lasting power and gets compliments. Of course beautiful packaging etc as expected from Jo Malone."
DedCool Xtra Milk Eau De Parfum 50ml
If you're not yet familiar with DedCool, allow yourself to get acquainted. This brand originated in the US and recently has made its way over onto UK territory, taking up residence in Space NK's brick-and-mortar and online stores. And to say we're excited would be a complete understatement! Arguably, Xtra Milk is the brand's most viral fragrance for its musky, genderless scent that has been crafted with a variety of certified organic extracts. It's perfect for those after a fresh waft of 'your skin but better' and is reminiscent of clean, fluffy, pillowy sheets.
Sizes: 15ml, 50ml
Notes: Bergamot, white musk, amber
Scent family: Fresh
Glowing customer review: "This brand took me by surprise! I bought it because of the hype on tik tok and didn’t expect much. I was completely blown away by the scent. It’s warm, musky, fresh and inoffensive. It smells like a hug from a dear friend or as if you are wrapped in a cashmere sweater. Super long lasting too and gets more intense when sweating. I did not fine it to be oily at all. Just amazing"
Maison Margiela Replica When The Rain Stops Eau de Toilette 30ml
Sharp, punchy greens and aquatic water notes are softened with hints of floral from Turkish Rose and Jasmine. The base notes of Moss, Pine Tree and Patchouli give a warm, earthy, comforting scent to the dry down.
Sizes: 30ml, 100ml
Notes: Green notes, bergamot, pink pepper, Turkish rose, jasmine, pine tree, moss, patchouli
Scent family: Aromatic aquatic
Glowing customer review: "I get compliments every time I wear this. It is such a unique scent and really smells like being out in a field when it's raining. Love it."
The fragrance that needs no introduction, Le Labo's cult Santal 33 is so recognisable, that you'll notice as soon as someone wearing it enters a room. Musky and masculine, it's based on the memory of an old Marlboro advert, which gives it the perfect spicy punch. Cardamom, ambrox, violet and iris bring the whole thing together – it's hands down one of the best things we have ever smelt.
Sizes: 15ml, 50ml, 100ml, 500ml
Notes: Violet accord, cardamom, iris, papyrus, ambrox, cedarwood, leather, sandalwood
Scent family: Woody
Glowing customer review: "You can smell this from a football field and it's one to remember"
If autumn had a signature scent, it would be COS Auburn. With notes of coffee, vanilla and cardamom, it’s smoky, sweet, spicy and undeniably sexy. It clings to the skin for hours after application, and a spritz of it before a night out makes me feel cosy and powerful!
Sizes: 100ml
Notes: Cardamom green pods, clove buds, coffee, vanilla, ylang ylang, sandalwood, amber effect, cistus and smoky labdanum.
Scent family: Warm spicy
Glowing customer review: "COS Auburn is an amazing spicy perfume! And smells sooo expensive. I got the tester a couple of weeks ago and have had people stop me in the street to ask what I'm wearing!"
Kilian Love Don't Be Shy Eau de Parfum 50ml
According to many a media report, Rihanna's scent of choice is Kilian Love, Don't Be Shy. It's loaded up with sweet floral top notes of orange blossom and neroli, combined with and a base of creamy musk, vanilla and caramel. Yum, right?
Sizes: 50ml, 100ml
Notes: Neroli, bergamot, pink pepper, coriander, orange blossom, honeysuckle, jasmine, iris, rose, marshmallow, sugar, vanilla, caramel, musk, civet, labdanum
Scent family: Oriental
Glowing customer review: "I was eyeing this perfume for so long but couldn't convince myself to get the full bottle. Travel size to the rescue - i use it ALL the time and you really only need 1.5 sprays its so powerful so the small bottle will last you ages. Scent wise, it's not for everyone - it reminds me of scented makeup from claires and I LOVE IT. It's not as gourmand as people are saying but it's sweet for sure. GREAT for dates, get loads of compliments."
If you missed the TikTok hype (don't worry, so did I), this is the latest skin scent on the block and it's a comfort blanket you can take with you everywhere. As with most skin-like scents, everyone has a different opinion on this, but to me, the feeling I get is that familiarity with warm clothes. Like when you snuggle into your favourite pyjamas at the end of the day.
Sizes: 9.5ml, 50ml
Notes: Musk, bergamot, jasmine, neroli, cyclamen, orange blossom, white musk, Australian sandalwood, white wood
Scent family: Floral woody musk
Glowing customer review: "I bought the 9ml to test out how this perfume wears on my skin and clothing. Of course perfumes are about personal preference, but I do feel that this perfume is universally attractive for both men and women. I will definitely purchase the 50ml next but I’m also intrigued to try Byredo Gypsy Water as I’ve seen in the reviews that it is supposedly a better quality version of this one."
Why trust 'Cosmopolitan'?
Lia Mappoura is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. With over four years under her belt, over three different roles at Cosmo (intern, assistant and now, writer), as well as a year prior interning at magazines including Grazia, Dazed Beauty and Glamour, she has learned a lot about what makes for a good great beauty product. I mean, she has been a judge in over eight seasonal beauty awards... which, FYI, includes having to test over 100 skin, makeup, hair and body products for each. Someone's gotta do it!
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow, furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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