As fun as it is to match our manicures to our jewellery [2], in our opinion, one of the best accessories we own is our perfume [3]. Fragrance is a powerful tool that is not only pleasant to use every day but can also aid in the exploration of identity [4] and even be a source of comfort [5] during a tough season — like a global pandemic, perhaps.
While not an accessory in the traditional sense, scent can be just as sentimental as a family heirloom or as edgy as your favourite leather jacket — and that's where the fun lies. Experimenting with fragrances offers an unusual freedom: you can mix, match, and layer different notes until you find a scent that is so personal that someone can smell it and recall with vivid clarity one obscure interaction they had with you years ago. However, we can admit, there are a lot of options to choose from. Throw in the many different scent families available, and finding a signature fragrance can feel like a full-time job.
If you're trying to get into fragrances but feeling completely overwhelmed by all of the options, we went ahead and put together the best perfumes to buy to get your collection started. From light florals to deep woodsy notes, find the best perfume for you ahead.
Diptyque Opsis Eau de Parfum
Available exclusively in Harrods, the Diptyque Opsis Eau de Parfum [6] (£185) is the perfect combination of soft musk and smokey incense. With base notes of bergamot and top notes of iris, this unisex fragrance is the kind of scent that wears well on everyone, whatever the occasion.
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Eau de Toilette [7] (£43) is a staple for a reason. The primary notes of cedar, green apple, and bluebell make for a fresh, clean scent that is perfect for year-round wear.
Maison Margiela Replica Bubble Bath
Want to smell like you just stepped straight out of the shower all day? Try Replica Bubble Bath [8] (£49) by Maison Margiela. One spritz of this scent will transport you (and anyone in your immediate vicinity) to the most relaxing bath you can imagine.
Tom Ford Rose Prick Eau de Parfum
If you want to wake up in a bed of roses every day, Tom Ford Rose Prick Eau de Parfum [9] (£240) is your easiest shortcut. Not only is the bottle extremely chic, but this perfume will last for days on both your skin and clothes.
Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Eau de Parfum
The Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Eau de Parfum [10] (£41) marries notes of juicy, velvet peaches with a vanilla base for a scent that would satisfy any lover of floral, fruity, or gourmand scents.
Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum
Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum [11] (£91) is the definition of a cosmopolitan scent. This powdery floral perfume can take you from school to work and even on holiday without ever being cloying or overpowering to others around you.
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 [12] (£109) make you feel like you're there in spirit, which is basically the same thing, right?
Ellis Brooklyn Sun Fruit Eau de Parfum
The electric green bottle that houses Ellis Brooklyn's Sun Fruit Eau de Parfum [13] (£100) fragrance 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.
Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche Eau de Toilette
Chanel's Chance Eau Fraîche Eau de Toilette [14] (£77) 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.
Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
The hold that Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum [15] (£141) has on us 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 in the city.
Byredo Gypsy Water Eau de Parfum
Byredo's Gypsy Water Eau de Parfum [16] (£127) is a woody aromatic fragrance with notes of bergamot, lemon, pepper, and juniper berries. This scent is light enough to not be offencive to others but unique enough to smell completely different on every person.
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 Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait [17] (£320). The added bitter almond note takes this scent to an entirely different level of cosy while still giving the wearer an edge.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood Eau de Parfum
Oud fragrances are not for the faint of heart. An easy introduction to the category? Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood Eau de Parfum [18] (£215). The combination of rose and violet accord temper the strong oud scent and makes for a sweet, floral, and woody, aroma.
Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne Intense
Another outstanding oud fragrance is the Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud Cologne Intense [19] (£135). An inviting floral scent, damask rose and clove make up some of the mouth-watering notes in this perfume.
Byredo Bal D'Afrique Eau de Parfum
The Byredo Bal D'Afrique Eau de Parfum [20] (£127) 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.
Kilian Paris Angels Share Eau De Parfum
If you like smelling sweet — borderline edible, even — gourmand fragrances might be your go-to scent family. Kilian Paris Angels Share Eau De Parfum [21] (£165) is just the right combination of warm cognac and sweet tonka bean to make you feel like a delectable glass of brandy.
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 [22] (£82) would make the fragrance a great addition to your morning routine.