30 Best Perfumes For Women in 2023

Quincy Bulin

May 8, 2023 at 5:27 PM·8 min read

The search for the perfect perfume is about so much more than your preferred scent. Each fragrance has top, middle and base notes that define not just what you smell, but when you smell it. The top notes hit first, lasting around 15 minutes. After that the middle notes take over for 20 minutes to an hour. Finally, the base notes linger the longest for up to six hours. Then you need to consider your body's chemistry, which greatly impacts how the scent smells on you (but requires testing to find out how so). While finding your signature scent can involve some trial and error, we put together this list of the best perfumes for women to help narrow down your search. These fan favorites have developed a reputation for being as close to universally enjoyable as fragrances get, and chances are you're going to love them too.

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30 Best Perfumes for Women

1. Philosophy Fresh Cream Perfume, $23 on Amazon

Philosophy is a popular brand for perfume, lotion and shampoo. The company is known for its unique blend of fragrances. The fresh cream scent has a sugary base and smells like vanilla frosting. Philosophy Fresh Cream Perfume, $23 on Amazon

2. Ouai Melrose Place Eau de Parfum, $64 at Sephora

The same scent found in a lot of Ouai's hair care, Melrose Place most prominent notes of champagne, rose, and bergamot are simply intoxicating. Ouai Melrose Place Eau de Parfum, $64 at Sephora

3. Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Cologne, Starting at $20.40 at Nordstrom

Clean and feminine, this bestselling perfume is floral without being flowery, thanks to the dynamic mix of apple, peony and suede. Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Cologne, Starting at $20.40 at Nordstrom

4. Glossier You Eau de Parfum, $64 at Sephora

Why is it named You? Notes of pink pepper, ambrette seeds, ambrox, iris and white floral exist, but much of the scent relies on your body's chemistry to create the final product. Glossier You Eau de Parfum, $64 at Sephora

5. NEST New York Indigo Eau de Parfum, $86 at Sephora

Italian lemon, orange bergamot, Moroccan tea and wild figs.... Every bit of this spicy scent is positively delectable. NEST New York Indigo Eau de Parfum, $86 at Sephora

6. Pacifica Beauty Island Vanilla Spray Clean Fragrance Perfume, $19.57 on Amazon

This price is just as good as the perfume itself, which is a deep and tropical vanilla that smells way more expensive. Pacifica Beauty Island Vanilla Spray Clean Fragrance Perfume, $19.57 on Amazon

7. Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum, Starting at $190 at Nordstrom

This is the most expensive perfume on the list, but a lot of people swear it's their holy grail. To call it sweet, sensual and soft would be true, but they don't do it justice. Delina is the ultimate feminine perfume. Parfums de Marly Delina Eau de Parfum, Starting at $190 Nordstrom

8. Billie Eilish Eilish Eau de Parfum, $72 on Amazon

Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish is far from vanilla, unlike her fragrance. Notes like berries, cocoa and musk elevate the scent further (and the bottle itself is a work of art). Billie Eilish Eilish Eau de Parfum, $72 on Amazon

9. Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle Eau de Parfum Spray, Starting at $145 at Sephora

One spritz of this will have you dreaming of the Mediterranean, even if you've never been. Together the bergamot, honeysuckle and grapefruit make for the most delightful getaway. Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle Eau de Parfum Spray, Starting at $145 at Sephora

10. Bath & Body Works Dream Bright Eau de Parfum, $42.05 on Amazon

Who among us hasn't been captivated by a Bath & Body Works scent? This one features notes of sapphire berries, night blooming orchid and crystallized vanilla. The result is a fragrance that's fruity but not too fruity, floral but not too floral, sweet but not too sweet. Bath & Body Works Dream Bright Eau de Parfum, $42.05 on Amazon

11. Chloe Chloe Eau de Parfum, $82.89 on Amazon

The definition of classic and chic, florals like peony and rose take the lead while honey and cedar wood add an elegant warmth. Chloe Chloe Eau de Parfum, $82.89 on Amazon

12. The Phluid Project Balance Eau de Parfum, Starting at $20 at Sephora

Bright yet calm and woody, the perfume is undeniably refreshing. Bonus: Focused on making gender-free apparel and accessories, the brand also has a foundation that supports the most at risk of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Phluid Project Balance Eau de Parfum, Starting at $20 at Sephora

13. Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum, Starting at $97 at Nordstrom

There's hardly a fragrance with a larger cult following than Le Labo's Santal 33. Unisex in its richness and sensuality, this scent is smoky and leathery with additional notes of violet, iris and cardamom. Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum, Starting at $97 at Nordstrom

14. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa '62 Bum Bum Hair & Body Fragrance Mist, Starting at $24 on Amazon

If you've found yourself intoxicated by the viral Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, this mist has to be your next beauty buy. It smells the exact same, featuring notes of salted caramel, pistachio and vanilla. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa '62 Bum Bum Hair & Body Fragrance Mist, Starting at $24 on Amazon

15. Maison Margiela REPLICA Beach Walk, Starting at $92.95 on Amazon

Scent is a powerful trigger for memories, and this one will immediately take you to your last sojourn by the shore with its notes of ylang-ylang, bergamot, coconut milk and musk. Maison Margiela REPLICA Beach Walk, Starting at $92.95 on Amazon

16. Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum, $61.89 on Amazon

One word to describe this celebrity fragrance? Delicious. Gourmand notes like pear, bergamot, praline, coconut cream and praline create a scent that's absolutely indulgent. Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum, $61.89 on Amazon

17. CLEAN RESERVE Classic - Warm Cotton, $74 at Sephora

If you've ever taken your laundry out of the dryer and wondered how to bottle the distinct scent up, this is the perfect perfume for you. It really does smell like laundry detergent (without smelling like you are literally wearing laundry detergent). CLEAN RESERVE Classic - Warm Cotton, $74 at Sephora

18. Tory Burch Eau de Parfum, $100 at Ulta

Grapefruit, peony, jasmine, sandalwood and vetiver: put them all together and you get a bright, citrusy scent with a dash of soft florals. Tory Burch Eau de Parfum, Starting at $100 at Ulta

19. Vera Wang Eau de Parfum for Women, $26.49 on Amazon

This fragrance by the famed fashion designer is perfect for any woman. It's a long-lasting scent with tones of floral and sandalwood. It has a clean, fresh fragrance. Vera Wang Eau de Parfum for Women, $26.49 on Amazon

20. Coach Floral Eau de Parfum, $75.65 on Amazon

Layered over a base of creamy woods, tea rose and pineapple sorbet (among other delicious notes) create a fragrance that's fresh, floral and fruity. Coach Floral Eau de Parfum, $75.65 on Amazon

21. Snif Sweet Ash Fragrance, $65 on Amazon

A perfect balance of sweet and earthy, anyone can wear this scent that's akin to making s'mores around a campfire. Snif Sweet Ash Fragrance, $65 on Amazon

22. Clinique Happy Eau de Parfum Spray, $87 at Ulta

Aptly named for how it represents joy in a fragrance, Clinique Happy is bright and fresh courtesy of the grapefruit and bergamot. It's also softly floral through the Hawaiian wedding flower and spring mimosa. Clinique Happy Eau de Parfum Spray, $87 at Ulta