Sexy Fragrances According to Editors
17 Fragrances That Make Our Editors Feel Sexy as Hell
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You know a sexy fragrance when you smell one: just one spritz of the alluring potion can make you feel empowered or boost your confidence. These warm, sensual types of perfumes also have a way of evoking emotion from both you and those around you, but — like other scents — they are completely subjective. We asked our editors to share their favorite sexy fragrances — the ones make them feel like their most seductive selves, whether they're on a date or just want a means to help them feel fearless in their own skin. Keep reading to find out which scents they would consider the most enticing.
Floral Street Wild Vanilla Orchid
"It's a cliche that guys love a warm vanilla fragrance, but in the case of my husband it's 100 percent true. However, most vanilla fragrances make me feel like I'm posing as a 13 year-old, which is anything but sexy. But Floral Street Wild Vanilla Orchid ($75) is far from juvenile. It's cool and complex and sophisticated in the best way. Bamboo and sandalwood give it lots of depth, and zesty citrus and fresh jasmine balance out the vanilla. It's the kind of scent that makes me feel good — and the fact that my SO happens to love it is simply a bonus." — Dawn Davis, senior editorial director
Clean Reserve Avant Garden Collection White Fig and Bourbon Eau de Parfum
"The Clean Reserve Avant Garden Collection White Fig and Bourbon Eau de Parfum ($150) makes me feel as fearless and powerful as I thought Mariah Carey was in her music video for 'Honey.' You know, the one where she played the sun-kissed spy, Agent M, completing a very intense mission — all while having perfectly wavy hair. This 'spicy aromatic' (yes, that's what the bottle says) is a blend of sultry warm notes and sweet fig that gets sexier with every spritz. It will give you a boost of confidence as you dance around your bedroom to the best of 1990s R&B." — Jesa Marie Calaor, assistant editor, Beauty
Narciso Rodriguez Pure Musc Eau de Parfum
"I have my day scents and my night scents, but Narciso Rodriguez Pure Musc Eau de Parfum ($98) is reserved for those extra, er, special nights on the town. The hint of foral makes it musky without being too manly. Most importantly, it's long-lasting, so even if I don't 'get it on,' at least my doorman will tell me I smell good." — Katelyn Evans, editorial intern
Ariana Grande Thank U, Next Eau de Parfum
"Ariana Grande's 'Thank U Next' track isn't exactly a seductive song, but her fragrance inspired by it is a completely different story. The first thing you'll notice when you spritz on Ariana Grande's long-anticipated fragrance, Ariana Grande Thank U, Next Eau de Parfum ($62), is its sweet, milky, coconut scent. As you wear it throughout your day, the scent gets sexier and sexier, fading into your skin and hair to a musk." — JC
Beyond Romance Eau De Parfum
"The Ralph Lauren Beyond Romance Eau De Parfum ($96) is the most perfect warm floral scent. When I spritz it on, it makes me feel excited for the night ahead. With a blend of raspberry coulis, rose centifolia and black vanilla, it isn't too sweet and has a touch of wildness about it." — Jessica Harrington, assistant editor, Makeup.com
Victoria's Secret Bombshell Eau de Parfum
"Middle school parties, high school football games, and college dates were all defined by one smell. Whatever big event I had, I always wore
Victoria's Secret Bombshell Eau de Parfum ($58) to feel extra confident and sexy. The scent was fruity and floral but not too sweet. I had the small travel size bottle, so I could always have it on hand when I wanted to smell sexy." — Lauren Harano, coordinator, Growth and Strategic Features
Burberry Her Blossom Eau de Toilette
"Burberry succeeded in making bright floral notes sexy with its new Burberry Her Blossom Eau de Toilette ($63). The light pink potion smells like a garden of fresh flowers that ultimately fades into a warm musk." — JC
Acorelle Eau de Parfum Fleur de Vanille
"I snagged the Acorelle Eau de Parfum Fleur de Vanille ($49) from the giveaway table in the office and liked it so much that I bought a second bottle when I ran out. While vanilla is the strongest element, it has a hint of patchouli — something I'm not usually a fan of, but it is subtle enough to complement the rest of the fragrance. It's a comforting scent that makes me feel sexy because it's clean and fresh and isn't overpowering." — Cynthia Puleo, copy editor
Tom Ford Mandarino Di Amalfi
"Since the first second I smelled Tom Ford Mandarino Di Amalfi ($145) in a department store years ago, I was hooked. The superpotent scent is the last thing I spray on before a date night or night out. With notes like grapefruit, mint, and jasmine, it has a citrus-like beachy smell that is so bold, I never tire of wearing it." — Krista Jones, assistant editor, Shopping
Kiehl's Since 1851 Original Musk Eau de Toilette Spray
"There is something about Kiehl's Since 1851 Original Musk Eau de Toilette Spray ($43) that I can't get enough of. I've been wearing the scent for years, and it never fails to make me feel sexy. Maybe it's because the fragrance is unisex or because it smells like I've bathed in a tub of citrus and musk for hours after just one spritz, but I'll forever love this scent. Bonus points that it truly lasts throughout the day." — Perri Konecky, associate editor, Trending and Viral Features
Maison Louis Marie No. 4
"I'm not a big fragrance girl, but I randomly came across Maison Louis Marie No. 4 ($57) when I was shopping one day, and it is amazing. I love that it's an oil perfume — in my opinion, that's what helps the scent last longer. I literally get so many compliments on this scent from so many random people. It's a very light sandalwood scent that's perfect all year round." — Tamara Pridgett, assistant editor, Fitness
Michael Kors Eau de Parfum Spray
"The Michael Kors Eau de Parfum Spray ($115) smells like sex on the beach . . . and I don't mean the cocktail. I first discovered it in the form of a (now-discontinued) 'leg shine,' a glossy bronzing product that was supposed to give you a glow worthy of a Jennifer Lopez music video. That particular product didn't work well for me, a chubby English girl with legs the color of milk bottles, but oh my, the scent! It's a heady mix of tuberose, musk, arum lily, Moroccan incense, and about half a dozen other things, and it reminds me of warm skin on a hot Summer night." — Gemma Cartwright, senior editor, UK
Nest Black Tulip Eau de Parfum Spray
"One sniff of the Nest Black Tulip Eau de Parfum Spray ($72) and I was enamored with the intoxicating scent. I keep the mysteriously dark bottle on my desk and spritz the scents of black amber plum, pink pepper, and Japanese violet on my wrists before a postwork drink. I also get told I smell good when I wear this, and the seductive scent makes me feel as badass as Rihanna as I walk into a bar to meet someone on a first date." — Sarah Siegel, assistant editor, Beauty
Atelier Cologne in Clémentine California
"There's something about Atelier Cologne in Clémentine California ($135) that makes me feel confident — I wear it for both day and night. Notes of Italian Mandarin, Juniper berries, and basil join forces with a sandalwood finish that always gets me compliments." — Macy Williams, assistant editor, Shopping
Diptyque Philosykos
"I'm not much of a perfume girl, but when I do spritz a little something on, I turn to Diptyque Philosykos ($95). It's light and alluring, and I love that you can't immediately tell if the fig tree scent is floral or woody or fruity — it's kind of all three, depending on who you ask." — Stephanie Nguyen, editor, Shopping and Native
Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Eau de Toilette Natural Spray
"I love the mix of sandalwood and cedarwood in Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Eau de Toilette Natural Spray ($71), which breathes a sort of subtle, sensual quality into my every day. The top notes of lavender and mint round out the harder edges of the base and inject a sweetness that's energizing and sexy. It's a suave cologne that does the smooth-talking for you, and in a pretty, male bust of a bottle." — Chris Roney, copy editor
Dominique Ropion Carnal Flower
"Dominique Ropion Carnal Flower ($265) is strong, sweet, and delicate all at the same time. I only like floral scents, and this is the only one I feel is appropriate for nights out — one spritz is enough. I always feel more confident and powerful when I wear this scent." — India Yaffe, assistant editor, Shopping
