Best New Fragrances and Perfumes 2021
I Tested Dozens of New Fragrances and Can Confidently Say These Are the Top 5
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
I had big international travel plans for this year, but the longest trip I've taken in the last 12 months was a walk around the block. With my biggest destination these days being the left cushion on my couch, I've found a new way to transport myself to places far, far away: fragrance.
Are you longing to visit the coasts of Italy? No problem. In need of some R&R that only a luxurious bubble bath at a resort can fix? I've got you. You just need the right bottle of perfume. Scent has the ability to elicit an emotion, bring back a memory, and even boost your mood. That's why so many people have been leaning into their favourite fragrances while working from home. "Scent is more than just something we like; it can be tied into our confidence and linked to our ability to self-soothe by reminding us of times when we felt powerful," psychotherapist Daryl Appleton, MD, told POPSUGAR.
There are more than enough new perfumes out there to unlock your own mini-holiday. To help you pick the right destination in a bottle, I tried dozens of brand-new scents and hand-selected my favourite fragrances for 2021. See which ones made the cut ahead, no matter what experience you're after.
Best Perfume to Make You Feel Refreshed: Atelier Cologne Lemon Island Cologne
The Atelier Cologne Lemon Island Cologne Absolue Pure Perfume ($140) is a breath of fresh air wrapped up in a bottle. Its crisp, floral notes of bitter lemon and salty jasmine mimic the summertime breeze you would catch while wandering along a rocky mountainside by the Mediterranean sea.
Best Perfume For Instant Confidence: Christian Louboutin Loubicroc Eau de Parfum
One whiff of the warm, sultry Christian Louboutin Loubicroc Eau de Parfum ($300) and you'll feel like you're lounging at a dimly-lit jazz club in New Orleans with a stiff Manhattan in hand. Like any good cocktail, this commanding scent also delivers an instant boost of confidence — only this blend of heady myrrh, spicy cypriol, and musky sandalwood won't leave your head spinning by morning.
Best Perfume to Melt Stress Away: Maison Margiela Replica Bubble Bath
If your version of a good holiday is a luxurious soak, the Maison Margiela Replica Bubble Bath ($135) is for you. One spritz and you'll instantly feel like you're surrounded by clean, pillowy bubbles in a warm, low-lit room with fresh flowers in the corner. Feeling stressed is nearly impossible with this fragrance, thanks to notes of soap, rose, white musk, and sweet coconut milk.
Best Perfume When You Need a Mood Boost: Bvlgari Allegra Fiori d'Amore Eau de Parfum 41278
The Bvlgari Allegra Fiori d'Amore Eau de Parfum 41278 ($230) smells like a romantic Italian countryside retreat. The floral fragrance will remind you of a fresh bouquet of roses every time you put it on and bring on those same warm and fuzzy feelings you get when you're given flowers or a glass of raspberry-topped Champagne.
Best Perfume For the Spontaneous: Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Eau de Parfum
The Jimmy Choo I Want Choo Eau de Parfum ($90) will take you back to your days of sightseeing in a new city. It has a sweet floral scent with a touch of glamour that is reminiscent of an easy-going, sun-drenched lunch spent with friends. Spraying this perfume on, even if you're just staying home, will instantly put a smile on your face.
