What separates a good perfume from a great one? Well, the best perfumes for women are those that have the power to evoke treasured memories of people, places and things, and can conjure up a range of emotions as a result. And that comes down to science.
“A smell is interpreted when an odour passes into the brain’s olfactory bulb, via the upper part of the nose,” explains perfumer Frederic Malle. “That information then goes to an area where emotions are processed, after which it is carried to the part of the brain where memory forms.”
There are many things to consider when choosing the ultimate fragrance. Are you someone who likes to announce your presence in a room with a lingering signature scent? Or are you spritzing with a more intimate interaction in mind? Another thing to think about is the notes you prefer. If you know you like your fragrances light and fresh, seek out citrus notes like bergamot or mandarin. If you like them sweet, try notes of vanilla or almond.
You might also want to consider the change of season; as we move into the winter months, why not wrap up in a richer, more sumptuous fragrance? Look, then, to notes of spice, wood and leather, like sandalwood or oud.
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1/23Ex Nihilo Honoré Delights Eau De Parfum
Named after the location of Ex Nihilo’s elegant flagship boutique, Honoré Delights is a beautifully evocative fragrance that combines oriental, floral and woody notes.
£240, available at Harrods.com.
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2/23
Jimmy Choo Eau De Parfum
This Jimmy Choo fragrance is an oriental scent with top notes of pear nectar and sweet Italian orange along with tiger orchid, toffee and Indonisian patchouli – evoking femininity, luxury, and style all in a bottle.
£45, available at Boots.com.
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3/23
Jo Malone London Yellow Hibiscus Cologne
Jo Malone’s Yellow Hibiscus Cologne is a light and crisp fragrance that instantly exudes the balmy, hypnotic energy of a summer afternoon. Along with the yellow hibiscus top note, the scent also includes rose and white musk heart and base notes.
£52, available at Lookfantastic.com.
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4/23
Louis Vuitton Étoile Filante Eau De Parfum
Centred around the osmanthus flower and balanced with fruity peach notes, grasse jasmine and magnolia, Louis Vuitton’s elevated new fragrance Étoile Filante is the perfect lively spring perfume.
£200, available at Louisvuitton.com.
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5/23
Le Labo Petit Grain 21 Home Fragrance
Designed to envelop your cushions, curtains, rugs and furnishings in a veil of sophisticated scent, Le Labo’s Petit Grain 21 Home Fragrance features notes of orange blossom and luscious green undertones.
£80, available at Libertylondon.com.
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6/23
Giorgio Armani Sì Intense Eau De Parfum
A new addition to the Giorgio Armani Sì family, this intense chypre oriental scent has notes of blackcurrant, rose and patchouli, encapsulating the confident energy of an empowered and sophisticated women.
£84, available at Boots.com.
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7/23
Narciso Rodriguez For Her Musc Noir Eau De Parfum
Inspired by the original For Her fragrance, Musc Noir by Narciso Rodriguez reinterprets its core, building on the iconic fragrance’s darkest and most intense facets. Paying homage to the duality of all women, the scent features notes of juicy plum followed by heliotrope flower and sensual leather suede accord.
£83.30, available at Johnlewis.com.
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8/23
Acqua Di Parma Bergamotto di Calabria
Presented in a bold, blue bottle, the latest addition to the Acqua Di Parma Blu Mediterraneo range, Cipresso Di Toscana, is inspired by the Tuscan landscape and classic fougère family of perfumes. With notes of cypress, star anise, sage and lavender, the perfume leaves a warm and refreshing scent.
£82, available at Spacenk.com.
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9/23
Versace Dylan Turquoise Eau De Toilette
If the campaign featuring Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber lying on a beach isn’t enough to tempt you to try Versace’s Dylan Turquoise, then the scent itself surely is. With mandarin essence, lemon, jasmine and musks, it’s a sensual-meets-fresh smell you’re guaranteed to love.
£48, available at Versace.com.
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10/23
Aerin Ambrette De Noir
Aside from the ultra chic bottle, this new Aerin scent smells mouthwateringly good thanks to notes of vanilla bourbon, tonka absolute and cedarwood. It’s warm, seductive and perfect for the winter months.
£150, available at Selfridges.com.
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11/23
Gucci The Eyes Of The Tiger Eau De Parfum
Inspired by – you guessed it – the eyes of a tiger, this scent is full of woody cistus notes as well as tonka and vanilla to symbolise danger and sensitivity, the two contrasting elements of a tiger’s essence. It smells delicious.
£255, available at Net-a-porter.com.
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12/23
Aesop Rozu Eau De Parfum
Think blooming rose petals paired with floral, green tones for this earthy Aesop scent, which is softly spicy but light enough to wear all year round.
£130, available at Spacenk.com.
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13/23
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle L’Eau Privée
Few can turn down a Chanel scent, and this one is just as glorious as the rest. Soft, sensual and fruity, it’s perfect for evenings and long (cosy) dark days.
£60.30, available at Johnlewis.com.
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14/23
Guerlain Fol Arôme
A show-stopping fragrance in every sense of the word, Guerlain’s Fol Arôme was originally created in Paris in 1912, but was lost over the years. At the time, it was well ahead of the curve, utilising notes like sage and lavender that were traditionally deemed masculine, even though it was intended for women. Now there are fewer than a thousand bottles of the scent worldwide, making it a truly one-of-a-kind gift – and one steeped in olfactive history at that.
£520, available at Guerlain.com.
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15/23
Van Cleef & Arpels Collection Extraordinaire Oud Blanc Eau De Parfum
For the oud lovers, may we suggest Oud Blanc by Van Cleef & Arpels, a lighter, more transparent oud that is housed in an ultra minimal white bottle. As addictive as they come.
£130, available at Johnlewis.com.
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16/23
Serge Lutens Fils De Joie Eau De Parfum
“Fils de joie” translates from French to English as “son of joy”, and this scent was created to smell like a child’s uncontrollable laughter, bottled. Wondering what that smells like? Night-blooming jasmine, musk and civet, of course.
£160, available at Libertylondon.com.
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17/23
Valentino Voce Viva Intensa
Voce Viva Intensa by Valentino mixes crystal moss with bourbon vanilla and jasmine to create a bold and feminine fragrance.
£84, available at Valentino-beauty.co.uk
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18/23
Miss Dior Eau de Parfum
With fresh notes of lily-of-the-valley, peony and iris blended with creamy musks, vanilla, and a hint of tonka bean, the new Miss Dior Eau de Parfum is soft and sensual.
£83, available at Boots.com.
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19/23
Frederic Malle Synthetic Jungle Eau De Parfum
Harking back to the heady scents of the ’70s, Frederic Malle’s Synthetic Jungle Eau De Parfum is an unusual blend of basil, hyacinth, blackcurrant and patchouli.
£195, available at Net-a-porter.com
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20/23
Tom Ford Signature Ombre Leather Eau de Parfum
A hypnotic mix of cool spices and rich leathers makes Tom Ford’s Signature Ombre Leather Eau de Parfum a perfect unisex option.
£89, available at Lookfantastic.com.
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21/23
Carolina Herrera Amethyst Haze Eau De Parfum
With notes of vanilla bourbon, liquorice and pink pepper, Carolina Herrera’s newest fragrance is both heady and hypnotic.
£235, available at Harrods.com
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22/23
Lancôme Idôle Aura Eau De Parfum
Lancôme’s Idôle Aura Eau De Parfum is an alluring blend of salt crystals, white flowers and vanilla. A perfect choice for anyone looking to lift their mood.
£78, available at Lancôme.co.uk.
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23/23
Byredo Young Rose
Blending rose, musk, and Sichuan pepper, Byredo’s gender-neutral Young Rose is inspired by the restlessness of youth.
£178, available at Cultbeauty.co.uk
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