27 Beauty Editors, Influencers, and Experts Reveal Their Favorite Scent of the Year

"I discovered this perfume with the same luck that people have when they stumble into a bar while drunk and find their husband. I was early, waiting for a friend and dashed into a Sephora to browse. I randomly picked up one perfume, which was Narciso Rodriguez for her Eau de Toilette ($58), and spritzed it on my wrist. I didn't even bother to smell it before I dashed off to dinner. Then during dinner, I realized something smelled intoxicating — heady and sultry — and it was me. I couldn't stop smelling myself. It was musky but juicy at the same time, with an eye-opening burst of orange blossom. I wore this nonstop from 2008 to 2010 and discovered it again recently, in the back of my beauty cabinet." — Kathleen Hou, beauty director, The Cut

"Anytime I just need to feel cozy and calm, I find myself lighting D.S. & Durga Big Sur After Rain Candle ($65). It highlights eucalyptus in a way that's super relaxing; you get the mind-clearing benefits of the minty scent, but it doesn't come off as medicinal. It also has notes of things like 'wet wood' and 'pacific spray' that truly make you feel like you're out on the coast — even if you're actually stuck in your home office for the 365th day in a row." — Kara McGrath, deputy director, Allure

"All I want to do right now is get away from it all and be in nature, so I've been wearing Bvlgari Patchouli Magnifying Essence ($184) nonstop. It has this smoky, souk-like quality, but it also reminds me of Indonesia, and then, at the same time, it smells like a damp hiking trail in the deep woods, woodsy and dank — in the best way possible. I wear it alone, but it's also great to put on under a citrus or floral scent to add a little earthy sexiness." — Jennifer Sullivan, cohost, Fat Mascara

"Honestly, I first became obsessed with DedCool Milk Layering + Enhancer Eau De Parfum ($90) because it kind of reminded me of one my crush wore in high school, but it's really become something so much more special for me in quarantine. It just smells like good things are happening. I have the laundry detergent, too — big recommendation — and having my quilts, shower curtain, hoodie, etcetera smell like something so familiar and nice makes me smile when I catch it throughout the day. Cheesy, but true." — Madge Maril, beauty writer, The Zoe Report and BAZAAR.com

"In looking back over the past year, one that was filled with so much uncertainty and change, I've been finding myself feeling nostalgic and reaching back to old familiar favorites. One of which is Marc Jacobs Fragrances Daisy ($108) signature scent. Youthful and vibrant, it reminds me of a time full of optimism and joy. A bit sweet, however I'm loving how its sandalwood, jasmine, and wild berry notes are priming my mind for spring ahead. It's been a fixture in my beauty arsenal." — Julie Tong, senior commerce editor, Vogue

"I'm no nose, but I have tried many fragrances in my lifetime, and these three are my ultimate. Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum ($250) is the one fragrance I can wear any time, any season, and get compliments on. I'm big on beachy scents, but I don't like them to be too fruity or even too 'feminine.' Neroli Portofino smells like a bright summer day on the Italian Riviera, with citrus and floral notes that have my wanderlust at an all-time high. I can't wait to travel again." — Kirbie Johnson, beauty writer and cohost of Gloss Angeles

"I love Carolina Herrera Good Girl Perfume ($98) — it's always my go-to because it's so long lasting and has such a beautiful scent that lasts all day long. I remember falling in love with this perfume from the first moment I tried it, and it's been my go-to for special occasions. Like most people, I have barely left my home the past few months but still love wearing this scent, as it reminds me of all the fun occasions I wore it to." — Arshia Moorjani, beauty and lifestyle influencer

"To say it's been a stressful year is, as we're all quite aware, putting it mildly. I've been a fan of The Nue Co. Functional Fragrance ($95) — a genderless earthy, smoky scent with notes of green cardamom, iris, and palo santo that the brand touts as an olfactory 'anti-stress supplement' — since it launched. But I've definitely never spritzed it quite as often as I did over the past 12 months." — Stephanie Saltzman, beauty director, Fashionista

"The fragrance I've been reaching for over and over again is Giorgio Armani My Way Eau de Parfum ($76). It's one of their newer fragrances and a really warm romantic floral with orange blossom, tuberose, vanilla, and bergamot. I was actually wearing this the day I got engaged (it was a surprise!), and I love it even more now because every time I smell it, I'm brought back to that special moment of love. Scent is so closely tied to memories, and I will gladly get a whiff of this everyday." — Kristina Rodulfo, beauty director, Women's Health

"Gabrielle Chanel once said, 'A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future.' Now, I don't know about that, but I do know that wearing my signature scent — the Chanel Paris-Riviera Perfume ($80) — makes me feel sexy, confident, and energized to take on whatever the future has in store, even if it's just another day of working from home. This fragrance is bright and citrusy with notes of jasmine, orange, and sandalwood." — Sara Tan, beauty writer and cohost of Gloss Angeles

"St. Rose's Gypsy Cowboy ($165) smells like camping in a field of wild rose bushes, wearing a weather-beaten leather hat coated in desert dust, and watching the sun rise as last night's fire smolders. I spritz it on in the morning and (metaphorically) escape my suburban New Jersey quarantine pod." — Jessica DeFino, freelance beauty reporter, The New York Times, Vogue, Allure, and more

"With the turbulent times we're in, I've been focusing on the little things to spark joy, like deepening into scent therapy and putting on a fancy fragrance just because I feel like it. Science says that scents can profoundly impact our mood. And I'd have to agree that a spritz of Krigler Abrakaadabra 221 Perfume ($515) uplifts my spirit once my nose catches a whiff of the bergamot, sandalwood, and vanilla notes. Whenever I wear this, I'm guaranteed to get a compliment — plus it lasts all day. The perfume was created for hope and healing, which feels fitting right about now. Its warm floral aroma feels like a big hug signaling brighter days ahead." — Maya Allen, beauty director, InStyle

"Once upon a time — when IRL happy hours and get-togethers with family were still totally maskless — I'd spend a solid hour going through my beauty routine. A crucial step in the process of getting ready for a big event: strategic spritzes of Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette ($104) on the back of my neck, wrists, and lengths of my hair. It's a summery scent made up of citrus and floral notes take me back to my fondest (and liveliest) memories, like walking through NYC with my mom (who, BTW, wore the same fragrance), hitting LA beaches with my man's hand in mine, and bopping between Brooklyn rooftops with my lager-loving best friends. Making memories with loved ones doesn't look the same as it once did (for me, it takes place virtually, à la FaceTime or Discord), but spraying the eau de toilette has remained a constant. It's bottled-up sunshine and makes me excited for adventures to come." — Jesa Marie Calaor, beauty editor, Hearst

"I think of this Atelier Cologne Lemon Island Cologne Absolue Pure Perfume ($142) like the liquid version of the sexy Santorini vacation I won't be taking because of the pandemic. It has green lemon, jasmine, and Madagascan vanilla that are equal parts fresh and warm. A generous spritz of this is the closest thing to hot summer vacation I'll get, even if I'm working from my bed, making it a win in my book." — Aimee Simeon, senior beauty writer, Refinery29

"I'm really sensitive to scents, so I'm superpicky with fragrances, but I can't stop wearing Aspen Apothecary Moon Dust CBD Infused Perfume ($79). It has top notes of cedarwood, grapefruit, and jasmine, which is really calming and relaxing. I put it on every night before bed, but I find myself reaching for it more and more during the day — especially when things are more hectic than usual." — Kayla Greaves, senior beauty editor, InStyle.com

"Ex Nihilo Viper Green Eau de Parfum ($225) is a really potent green floral with notes of green mandarin, jasmine, and vetiver. It's both fresh and sexy, and while I used to save it for special occasions, I find myself spritzing it almost daily while working from home in my sweats. It reminds me of early summer nights out, which I've been longing for since last March." — Jenna Igneri, fashion and beauty writer

"Let's take em back y'all. Growing up my mom and I would get dressed for the school and work day together. I remember the last step in her routine was a few spritz of Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum ($108) that would fill the room and rub off on my school uniform. It was a nice reminder throughout the day of her, and now every time I smell Chanel No. 5, I think of my mom. During the pandemic, I'm quarantining with my mom, and the fragrance still fills her bathroom each morning, even if it's just for a Zoom call. Now, when I want to feel a bit of comfort and some sweet memories I reach for my very own Chanel No.5." — Chloe Hall, digital beauty director, Elle

"The irony that this Byredo Eleventh Hour Eau de Parfum ($190) is inspired by the apocalypse isn't lost on me, but it's been my go-to scent for the past couple years because of its unique scent story. Thanks to notes of ban timmur, carrot seed, rum, tonka beans, and cashmere woods, Eleventh Hour is spicy, woodsy, and slightly sweet. Spritzing it on doesn't make me morn the "Before Times," but reminds me of all of the memorable nights I've had with my friends while wearing it. I find comfort in knowing that, eventually, there are more good times to come." — Erin Lukas, beauty editor, InStyle.com

"I'm actually not a huge fragrance person in terms of perfumes, but I love essential oils more than anything else as a fragrance to wear or just as aromatherapy. I love the smell of eucalyptus in my room or in my scalp or shower. It's such a calming and grounding scent and really opens up my lungs and nasal passages. It helps me breathe deeper, which is great for anxiety. A fragrance I'm currently loving too is Orishas Goddess Rollerball ($54). It combines gentle, fragrant oils for a delicious blend. The scent is all about embodying sensuality and infuses jasmine, orange, and ylang-ylang: three of my very favorite scents. It doesn't break me out, and those scents calm me down so much. I love to roll it on my wrist in the a.m. or before big interviews." — Akili King, beauty assistant, Vogue

"During the pandemic, wearing fragrances every day is one of the ways I've tried to maintain some sense of routine. I first tried KKW Fragrance Kourtney - Ruby Diamond ($40) toward the end of last year, and it quickly became a staple in my WFH fragrance wardrobe. Scents of red ginger, rose, poppy, vanilla bean, and sandalwood blend together to create a rich and enchanting aroma. It's one of those scents that will garner compliments from those around you. At the start of my day, I spritz this all over, and it instantly makes me feel put-together and boosts my mood." — Olivia Hancock, associate editor, Byrdie

"If I've learned anything over the past couple of months it's that every day is precious. So instead of saving my favorite perfume for 'special occasions' or using it as decoration on my bathroom counter, I've been wearing Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum ($300) a couple of times a week as a reminder that every day is celebration-worthy. I know it's quite the splurge, but one spritz is literally enough to last until the next day, and the airy vanilla scent reminds of so many happy memories." — Alexis Bennett, commerce writer, Vogue

"I've been reaching for Dior Miss Dior Rose N'Roses ($39") quite a lot. I watched the documentary Nose about master perfumer François Demachy and fell in love with the process of how each and every flower is carefully chosen to create this beautiful scent. It surrounds me in feelings of romance and nostalgia for world travel. It's a beautiful, all-encompassing fragrance that wears well throughout the day." — Kirin Bhatty, makeup artist

"I don't typically lean toward fruity or sweet fragrances, but Tom Ford Bitter Peach ($350) is the exception. When I want to feel a little bit sophisticated or sexy (especially after working from home in sweats all week), I spritz Bitter Peach. It's not your typical peach smell. Instead, it's a cheekier scent that is spiced up with rum-infused davana oil and patchouli. While this is the perfect fragrance for the colder months, I will definitely be wearing this into spring and summer." — Katie Intner, beauty writer and assistant, Harper's BAZAAR

"Let me start off by saying that I never thought I would fall in love with this $350 Tom Ford Tubéreuse Nue perfume. But my job affords me such a luxury, and here's the deal: I'm not a fragrance connoisseur in the least, but it smells as cozy as lying on top of a freshly laundered comforter, with an added touch of lush (and almost creamy) floral allure that's just right and not too sweet. It helps reset my small NYC bedroom that I've pretty much been confined to for the past year — a priceless pleasure if you will. (And to balance out the $$$ price tag, while it's a more fruity vibe, I'm a longtime fan of the more affordable Tocca Florence.)" — Sarah Han, senior commerce writer, Allure

"Yves Saint Laurent's Libre Eau De Parfum ($106) has a timeless scent that's strong but not overpowering, and truly works for any occasion, from date nights to grocery store runs. All I need are a few spritzes to cover my entire body in its warm, sophisticated scent, which includes cozy notes of lavender, orange blossom, and musk. Plus, the bottle has a unique, angular shape that looks stylish on my bedside table and stands out from the other bottles in my collection (which says a lot since I have around 15)." — Tiffany Dodson, commerce writer, SELF

"I love the Maya Base Perfume ($72) roll-on oil perfume. It's incredibly light but makes an impact, which is perfect since I'm still spending a good amount of time at home with a new baby. It also adjusts to your own body chemistry, making it truly unique to the person wearing it." — Ami Desai, digital content creator

"This is the first year I really put effort into scenting my spaces, not just my body. I'm in love with the visual/olfactory combination of the Cire Trudon L'Oeuf Ernesto Diffuser (it looks like a ceramic objet d'art) and have been filling it with Cire Trudon's Ernesto scent, which piles rich natural elements (leather, moss, tobacco, vanilla, clove), with a bright splash of bergamot, grapefruit, and a shot of rum. On my body, I've been sticking with one of my favorites: Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa '62 ($78). It takes me right back to Rio's beaches, with their hot sweet popcorn and warmth, in an era where I can only dream of traveling internationally" — Jessica Chia, contributing editor, Allure