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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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