Best Perfumes for Women of 2025, According to Experts and Vogue Editors

Where does one even begin when narrowing down the best perfumes for women? It’s a daunting task, to say the least. With hundreds of thousands of women’s fragrances flooding the market (and that’s putting it mildly) finding your signature scent can quickly lead to sensory overload.

First, there’s the matter of personality and preference: everyone’s idea of “the best” is deeply personal. Are you drawn to hyper-feminine florals, or do you lean toward moody, spice-forward aromas? What about delicious gourmands, ripe with tonka beans and vanille absolut? Perhaps you prefer a no-fuss minimalist who sticks to subtle skin scents. Are you interested in something long-lasting, or would you consider layering a few popular perfumes to smell like you but better? The choices can feel endless.

Vogue’s Favorite Perfumes for Women:

Featured in this article

Best Moody Floral

Frédéric Malle Portrait Of A Lady Eau de Parfum

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Best Warm & Spicy

Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Eau de Toilette

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Whether you prefer standout blends from legacy houses, or niche scents from innovative alchemists—there’s something for everyone, with picks from experts and Vogue editors alike. Ahead, Vogue’s definitive guide to the best perfumes for women, along with expert tips on finding the perfect scent that feels uniquely yours. Prepare for a sensory journey that perfectly balances tradition and innovation.

Best Classic: Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: It’s hard to think of fragrance’s most significant moments without recalling the shockwaves Chanel No. 5 sent through the world of perfumery when it was introduced in 1921. A year prior, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel was introduced to Russian-born French perfumer Ernest Beaux in Cannes. He shared a series of his favorite creations, the fifth of which Chanel selected. Initially an ultra-exclusive Christmas gift reserved for 100 of Chanel’s best clients, the scent would go on to become the most famous fragrance in the world. Beaux’s blend of rose, jasmine, and synthetic aldehydes, an ingredient No. 5 would popularize, remains iconic 100 years later. Chanel introduced its factory collection to mark the milestone anniversary, a bevy of No. 5 scented products that includes limited-editions of body lotion, oil, bath tablets, and even a water bottle.
• Notes: Rose, jasmine, neroli, synthetic aldehydes, sandalwood
• This Smells Like: A classic floral.

Best Warm & Spicy: Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club

• Why We Love It: Maison Margiela’s Replica line captures moods in a bottle, each scent a time machine to a specific era. Jazz Club whisks you straight to a smoky Harlem speakeasy, where cocktails flow, cigars burn, and jazz legends play. While all fragrances are technically unisex—this pick is decidedly gender neutral and undeniably sexy. Vogue editor Christian Allaire calls it his go-to for nights out—this warm, spicy blend of tobacco leaf, pink pepper, and rum absolute never fails to draw compliments and leave a mysterious trail.
• Notes: Tobacco leaf, pink pepper, rum absolute, vanilla beans
• This Smells Like: Spicy ambiance.

Best Moody Floral: Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady

• Why We Love It: Isabel Archer—the spirited heroine of the Henry James novel this scent is named after—was a passionate free thinker, and it’s easy to imagine her spritzing on a bit of Malle before a night out in the Eternal City. The floral notes here is complex: it can lean sweet or spicy, sultry or refined. In this case, Turkish rose skews moodier—more cool-girl edge than overtly sweet. “One of my personal favorite floral fragrances, this scent announces my presence the moment I enter a room,” perfume expert Eudora Nwasike tells Vogue, describing it as bold, sensual, and impossible to ignore. And did we mention it’s a favorite of Madonna’s?
• Notes: Turkish rose, patchouli, sandalwood, frankincense, blackcurrant, raspberry
• This Smells Like: A rose fragrance for the cool and brooding.

Best Ethereal: Parfums de Marly Valaya Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: While Parfums de Marly’s Delina often steals the spotlight, there’s an unsung hero in the brand’s lineup that deserves its moment: Valaya. Described by fragrance expert Eudora Nwasike as “heaven on earth in a bottle,” this scent is anything but ordinary. Nwasike describes it as a joyful, signature-worthy fragrance that opens with a radiant blend of peach, aldehydes, and bergamot. As it settles, soft white florals and a veil of musk create a clean, almost satin-like finish on the skin—elegant, versatile, and quietly luminous.
• Key Notes: Bergamot, mandarin, white peach, orange flower, nymphaea, vetiver, musk

Best Feminine Fougère: Yves Saint Laurent Libre

• Why We Love It: YSL Libre is one of those scents that have timeless appeal, meaning it serves as a thoughtful addition to any fragrance collection. It’s no surprise the scent quickly became a hit. Originally launched in 2019, Libre was perfected by master perfumers Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaïm, who sought to put a modern, feminine twist on the fougère fragrance family. This feat was achieved by contrasting lavender sourced from France with notes of orange blossom and musk accord to reveal a perfume for those who prefer the unexpected.
• Notes: Lavender, orange blossom, musk
• This Smells Like: A warm lavender.

Best Boozy Spice: Diptyque Eau Duelle

• Why We Love It: When most people think of a vanilla fragrance, they immediately assume a gourmand. But Diptyque’s Eau Duelle, instead, leans into a smoky, spiciness—pairing Madagascar-derived Bourbon vanilla with calamus, cypriol, and pink pepper. It’s an alluring, cozy kind of perfume that like a warm latte, is both sweet and spicy; it gets better the longer you wear it. Vogue’s Carolina Gonzalez inherited this favorite from her mom, while colleague Molly Barstein considers this fragrance her go-to during the colder months.
• Notes: Vanilla, pink peppercorn, cypriol, calamus
• This Smells Like: Bourbon, spice, and everything nice.

Best Musk Floral: Narciso Rodriguez Musc Noir Rose for Her Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: Narciso Rodriguez’s Musc Noir is a seductive twist on the original For Her fragrance, with a richer, more intensely sensual profile. “It’s a fabulously sexy floral,” Fragrance Foundation president Linda Levy previously told Vogue. The scent opens with the lush sweetness of plum, unfolding into soft heliotrope and finishing with a smooth, suede-like leather note—creating a composition that’s both tender and provocative.
• Notes: Plum, pink pepper, bergamot, musk, rose, tuberose, vanilla
• This Smells Like: Freshly bloomed florals with a hint of spice.

Best Skin-Enhancing: Glossier You

• Why We Love It: Vogue’s Hannah Jackson is a self-proclaimed gourmand skeptic who gravitates toward skin-enhancing scents. “Like everyone else on earth, I love Glossier You for the way that it mingles with my skin without feeling overpowering. Earlier this year I used my Glossier You rollerball until the day it ran dry—and what a sad day it was,” Jackson previously said. The fragrance carries a soft warmth with a subtle kick of spicy pink pepper. But what truly sets it apart is how uniquely it wears on each person. Designed to enhance one’s natural pheromones, it also plays well with others—making it a versatile layering scent in any fragrance wardrobe.
• Notes: Pink pepper, ambrox, iris, ambrette seeds
• This Smells Like: Your skin but better, draped in a luxe cashmere.

Best Jungle-Inspired: Costa Brazil Aroma

• Why We Love It: Sarah Brown, executive director at Violet Lab, describes Violet Grey’s bestselling fragrances as modern classics in the making. Inspired by the Amazon rainforest at dawn, this gender-neutral parfum layers white jungle florals, Brazilian orange oil, pink pepper, and grapefruit zest over grounding notes of bourbon, vetiver, musk, and patchouli. It’s a favorite among Vogue editors: senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden calls it one of her most complimented scents, while senior beauty and wellness editor Margaux Anbouba has been a devoted fan since it was available only as a body oil.
• Notes: White jungle flora, Brazil orange oil, pink pepper, grapefruit zest, bourbon, vetiver, musk, patchouli
• This Smells Like: An earthy zest.

Best Crowd Pleaser: Merit Retrospect L’Extrait de Parfum

• Why We Love It: Soft, clean, and exquisitely concentrated, Merit’s first fragrance, Retrospect, instantly captivates. Launched last October, it quickly won the hearts of many Vogue editors—so we would be remiss not to include, when so many different personalities and tastes agree this is a hit. Strolling through the modern workspace of Vogue HQ at 1 World Trade Center, you’ll spot several bottles displayed on deks, at the ready for a spritz. Retrospect combines delicate white florals with a rich base of musk, vanilla, and moss, offering a second-skin scent that lasts for an impressive 12 hours.
• Key Notes: Bergamot, pear, ambrette, aldehydes, jasmine, rose, rosemary, violet, orris, vanilla, musk, moss
• This Smells Like: Quiet luxury—a skin scent that dries down with light herbaceous notes and subtle white florals.

Best Delicious: Liis Choux Choux

• Why We Love It: If you’re aiming to smell downright delectable, look no further than Choux Choux. Adored by Vogue’s associate shopping director Talia Abbas, it has fans in beauty writers Kiana Murden and Conçetta Ciarla, too. “This is decadent, like a fluffy pastry or freshly flambéd baked Alaska,” says Ciarlo. Fair warning: complete strangers will stop you just to say you smell incredible. Rather than this skewing more as a juvenile gourmand, it reads playful and whimsical.
• Notes: Citrus peel, fresh cream, fleur de sel caramel, sandalwood, cocoa, mocha
• This Smells Like: Utterly yummy—not to be confused with an adolescent, sickeningly sweet gourmand.

Best Spice Scent: Le Labo Santal 33

• Why We Love It: For a scent that leans neither traditionally masculine nor overtly feminine—just undeniably cool—Le Labo’s Santal 33 hits the mark. Often described as the ultimate “it” fragrance, it has earned cult status for its ability to feel both familiar and mysterious, no matter who wears it. At its heart, Santal 33 is anchored in a creamy blend of iris and ambrox, giving it a soft, almost skin-like quality. It’s introduced with bright top notes of violet accord and spicy cardamom, which add lift and intrigue. As it settles, deeper base notes of cedarwood, leather, and sandalwood emerge, like a worn-in suede jacket.
• Notes: Cardamom, iris, violet, sandalwood, cedarwood, smoky wood alloy, leather accord
• This Smells Like: A spicy, woody leather.

Best Long-Lasting: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood Extrait de Parfum

• Why We Love It: If you’re looking for a fragrance with remarkable staying power, Nwasike recommends this one as a top choice. Oud Satin Mood is an Extrait De Parfum (a.k.a. long-lasting, and high projecting)—ideal for those who want something that lingers throughout the day and into the evening. Nwasike has described it as “an elegant, sweet, jammy rose combined with powdery violet and a subtle touch of oud that adds depth and sensuality.” The fragrance’s complex composition makes it suitable for a variety of occasions, whether it’s a formal event or a casual outing. Its rich blend captivates the senses and leaves a lasting impression.
• Key Notes: Violet accord, geranium, rose oil, cinnamon, rose absolute, oud, benzoin, vanilla
• This Smells Like: Velvety and addictive—Tom Ford era Gucci sex appeal.

Best Intense Iris: Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Iris Absolu Eau De Parfum

• Why We Love It: Lancôme’s La Vie Est Belle Iris Absolu is one of those scents that will have people stop you in your tracks to ask what you’re wearing (or, at least that’s what happens to Vogue’s senior beauty shopping writer, Kiana Murden ). It’s intense in the sense that it contains a high concentration of iris, with a lingering of lavender and patchouli. “This has to be my most complimented scent on this list. I often think I’ve worn it so much throughout our busy workdays that my colleagues would get used to it, but no, they continue to delight in its sweet, fruity signature,” Murden previously said.
• Notes: Iris pallida, jasmine sambac, patchouli essence, fig, black currant
• This Smells Like: A powdery floral.

Best Warm Fragrance: Byredo Mojave Ghost

• Why We Love It: Ethereal yet grounded, Mojave Ghost is one of those mysterious fragrances that lingers like a warm breeze. Inspired by the resilient ghost flower of the Mojave desert, it opens with airy ambrette and a whisper of sapodilla before melting into powdery violet, sandalwood, and warm amber. It’s soft, creamy, and somehow skin-like. And it’s a scent that Vogue’s fashion market director, Naomi Elizée, says she will never tire of.
• Notes: Ambrette, Jamaican nesberry, violet, sandalwood, magnolia, chantilly musk, crisp amber, cedarwood
• This Smells Like: Clean skin kissed by the desert sun.

Best Flirty: Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Cologne

• Why We Love It: There’s no denying the ubiquitous allure to Jo Malone London blends—with a handful of perfumes across six fragrance families, there’s certainly an aroma for everyone. Of the most sought-after fragrances for women, the British label delivers Peony & Blush Suede. Though the name might conjure powdery elixirs popular decades ago, this perfume is invigoratingly sweet—and dare we say flirty? All in all, crafted to embody the essence of charm.
• Notes: Red apple, peony, suede, jasmine, rose, gillyflower
• This Smells Like: A flirty floral.

Best Fruity Bourbon: Valentino Voce Viva Intensa

• Why We Love It: Lady Gaga serves as muse and campaign star for Voce Viva, Valentino’s spirited floral, and it’s easy to see the connection between the pop goddess and perfume. Though she’s a boundary-pushing performer, Gaga appreciates tradition much like Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli. In Voce Viva, that contrast between modern artistry and old-school glamour is front and center. It doesn’t get more classic than notes like orange blossom and jasmine absolute, but they’re given a boost by the addition of boozy bourbon vanilla and herbaceous moss. This unexpected combination makes for a compelling experience, amplified in the new Intensa version of the scent, which increases the potency and turns up the volume.
• Notes:
• This Smells Like: A warm floral.

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