22 Best Perfumes of All Time
The 22 Best Perfumes of All Time

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The Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche Eau de Toilette ($125) opens with the zesty scent of citron and is balanced by a delicate jasmine and teakwood base for a clean fragrance that smells more like fresh citrus than soap.
Best Woody Perfume: Boy Smells Woodphoria Genderful Fine Fragrance
On the surface, the Boy Smells Woodphoria Genderful Fine Fragrance ($98) has everything that makes that would make for a well-rounded cocktail — fig, coconut water, a little smoke — but it's the woody dry-down and soft musks that make it the spritzer you'll want to wear year-round.
Best Woody Perfume: Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
The hold that the Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum ($198) has on the city of New York is unparalleled, and it's easy to see why. The top notes of violet accord and cardamom settle into soft sandalwood once dry, making this woodsy, unisex fragrance perfect for a day of running errands.
Best Woody Perfume: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum
By now, we're probably all familiar with the infamous Baccarat Rouge 540 perfume by Maison Francis Kurkdjian. However, if you're looking for a similar fragrance with a more prominent woodsy note, try the Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait ($435). The added bitter almond note takes this scent to an entirely different level of cozy while still giving the wearer an edge.
Best Woody Perfume: Byredo Bal D'Afrique Eau de Parfum
The Byredo Bal D'Afrique Eau de Parfum ($196) is the perfect combination of citrusy lemon and woodsy amber, as well as vetiver notes, for a unisex fragrance that wears well regardless of the season.
Best Woody Perfume: Les Deux No 2 Perfume
A sweet unisex fragrance that should be on your radar is the Les Deux No 2 Perfume ($165). Amber, jasmine, saffron, and marigold are a few of the notes that make this fragrance impossible to miss (or resist).
Best Fresh Perfume: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum
If you're like us, you can't just jump on a plane to Portofino, Italy, at the drop of a hat. But you can let the Tunisian neroli, Italian bergamot, and Sicilian lemon notes in the Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum ($163) make you feel like you're there in spirit, which is basically the same thing, right?
Best Fresh Perfume: Maison Margiela Replica Bubble Bath
Want to smell like you just stepped straight out of the shower all day? Try the Maison Margiela Replica Bubble Bath ($144). One spritz of this scent will transport you (and anyone in your immediate vicinity) to the most relaxing bath you can imagine.
Best Fresh Perfume: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette
The Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette ($86) is a staple for a reason. The primary notes of cedar, green apple, and bluebell make for a fresh, clean scent that's perfect for year-round wear.
Best Gourmand Perfume: Kilian Paris Angels Share Eau De Parfum
If you like smelling sweet — borderline edible, even — gourmand fragrances might be your go-to scent family. The Kilian Paris Angels Share Eau De Parfum ($195) is just the right combination of warm cognac and sweet tonka bean to make you feel like a delectable glass of brandy.
Best Gourmand Perfume: Nest Fragrances Madagascar Vanilla Perfume Oil
If you want to ease ever so slightly into fragrances, a fragrance oil may be what you're looking for. The Nest Fragrances Madagascar Vanilla Perfume Oil ($35) is a deep, warm, vanilla scent with subtle hints of coconut, making it perfect to wear by itself or a great layering scent underneath other perfumes.
Best Floral Perfume: Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum
The Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum ($116) is the definition of a cosmopolitan scent. This powdery floral perfume can take you from school to work and even on vacation without ever being cloying or overpowering to others around you.
Best Floral Perfume: Tom Ford Rose Prick Eau de Parfum
If you want to wake up in a bed of roses every day, the Tom Ford Rose Prick Eau de Parfum ($375) is your easiest shortcut. Not only is the bottle extremely chic, but this perfume will also last for days on both your skin and clothes.
Best Floral Perfume: Prada Paradoxe Eau de Parfum
The Prada Paradoxe Eau de Parfum ($142) is a perfect floral-meets-amber scent with hits of neroli bud, white amber, and white musk. One spray instantly fills you with a warm light and makes you feel ready to take on the day.
Best Spicy Perfume: Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum
Some of us drink coffee in the mornings, while some of us like to smell like coffee in the mornings. If you fall within the latter category, the coffee notes in the Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum ($78) would make the fragrance a great addition to your morning routine.
Best Spicy Perfume: Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne Intense
Another standout oud fragrance is the Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne Intense ($196). An inviting floral scent, damask rose, and clove make up some of the mouthwatering notes in this perfume.
Best Spicy Perfume: Tory Burch Essence of Dreams Cosmic Wood Eau de Parfum
If you want a warmer fragrance with a little something extra, try the Tory Burch Essence of Dreams Cosmic Wood Eau de Parfum ($90). It's sexy, spicy, and really freaking cozy, thanks to notes of patchouli, vetiver, and wood.
Best Spicy Perfume: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood Eau de Parfum
Oud fragrances are not for the faint of heart. An easy introduction to the category? The Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood Eau de Parfum ($300). The combination of rose and violet accord tempers the strong oud scent and makes for a sweet, floral, and woody aroma.
Best Fruity Perfume: Versace Bright Crystal Eau de Toilette
For a bright scent that isn't too overpowering, the Versace Bright Crystal Eau de Toilette ($60) will be your new go-to. Notes of yuzu and pomegranate make this perfume smell equally as fruity as it is floral — perfect for someone who may not want to lean too heavily into either category.
Best Fruity Perfume: Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Eau de Parfum
The Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Eau de Parfum ($66) marries notes of juicy, velvet peaches with a vanilla base for a scent that would satisfy any lover of floral, fruity, or gourmand scents.
Best Citrus Perfume: Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche Eau de Toilette
The Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche Eau de Toilette ($125) opens with the zesty scent of citron and is balanced by a delicate jasmine and teakwood base for a clean fragrance that smells more like fresh citrus than soap.
Best Citrus Perfume: Byredo Gypsy Water Eau de Parfum
The Byredo Gypsy Water Eau de Parfum ($196) is a woody, aromatic fragrance with notes of bergamot, lemon, pepper, and juniper berries. This scent is light enough to not be offensive to others but unique enough to smell completely different on every person.
Best Citrus Perfume: Ellis Brooklyn Sun Fruit Eau de Parfum
The electric-green bottle that houses the Ellis Brooklyn Sun Fruit Eau de Parfum ($105) won't be the only thing that captures your attention. The intoxicating combination of fresh fig, handpicked jasmine, and vanilla planifolia will have you feeling like the walking version of your summer mood board.