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When it comes to perfumes, everyone has their own preference. There are millions of different scents to choose from and we rounded up some of our favorite picks in all the different fragrances, below! Whether you like strong fragrances or lighter scents, there’s something for everyone included on our list.
Perfume is essential as it can complete your entire look and make you feel comfortable and more confident because you know you smell good. The best part about perfume is that you can choose your own scent that’s personal to you and the scent becomes your own personal brand.
Included in our top picks is a light fragrance with notes of peony, lotus, and magnolia, while another pick has notes of violet leaves and strawberries.
Whether you’re heading to a casual occasion or something more formal, your scent stays the same, and you can choose your new scent from our list below!
Detailing the Leading Perfumes in 2024
Versace Bright Crystal — Best Overall
Perfect for everyday wear, this delicious perfume is lightweight and has floral notes of peony, lotus, and magnolia. It’s not too heavy so you can wear it day or night, no matter the occasion. Not only does it smell delicious, but the bottle looks like a giant crystal, making it pretty enough to showcase on your dresser.
Marc Jacobs Daisy — Runner Up
This perfume is definitely going to be your new favorite. It’s very fresh smelling – not too strong but not too florally – plus, it’s young without being too juvenile. The best part is that it’s not too potent so you will be sure to get compliments. It’s feminine but not too girly, it ages with you, it’s timeless and consistent, and every time you spray it, it brings back memories.
Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker — Honorable Mention
Perfect for nights out, this perfume has notes of lavender, orchid, amber, apple, cedar, and white amber. It comes in a pretty, classic, and simple round bottle and it has a hauntingly fresh smell. It has light hints of fruit and is powerful without being overpowering. This perfume will make you feel like what you truly are – lovely.
Happy By Clinique For Women — Contender
This perfume will instantly put you in a good mood because of its uplifting notes of grapefruit and bergamot. Its citrusy scent instantly gives you a burst of energy and it's bright, bouncy, fun, and playful. The fragrance is reliable and consistent but each time you put it on, it’s like you’re applying it for the first time. Anyone can wear this scent because it’s super universal and smells good for everyone.
Buying Guide: Perfumes
Perfumes reflect one's personality, which is why there are so many types of them. If you're hunting for your ideal signature scent, it's easy to get lost in the endless choices being offered in the market. It's essential to know the factors to consider when picking the one that suits you the most.
Different Fragrance Notes in Perfumes
All fragrances are divided into three notes that develop the overall scent after they all are put together. The smell shifts on your skin as time go by. This occurs in three stages, which signifies the three primary notes of any scent. These are described as:
Top note
This is the initial note exuding from perfume, and it lasts for only 8 to 15 minutes. The majority of top notes represent subtle florals, citrus, or powdery smells.
Heart note
This forms the main component of the perfume and presents a more mature scent, mostly made of concentrated florals like lavender or rose. The heart note develops 30 minutes after the user sprays the scent.
Base note
The last note to develop, this one features bolder smells like musk or leather. These notes linger on for hours.
Where Should You Buy Your First Perfume?
It's always fun to shop for your perfume. Visit any fragrance shop and find out what attracts your senses. Embrace the shop assistant's advice as their suggestions might work in your favor.
While it's possible to strike an ideal bargain online, it's not recommended to buy your first perfume virtually. If you think that your desired scent is priced more reasonably online, smell that perfume at a physical store beforehand.
Trying the Scent
Don't run to purchase a perfume after smelling the first spritz, as that's hardly the actual smell. Invest time to find what you like, and concentrate on three to four perfumes max at one time.
If you test all the ones you prefer, your nose will get confused, and you won't be able to differentiate between them. Allow your nose to take breaks. If you can wait to discover your perfect perfume, take some samples and observe your reactions to them in the next few days.
Pick a Scent That Pairs Well With Your Lifestyle
Your fragrance should be compatible with your lifestyle and should translate. For instance, it's not suitable to wear strong scents in school or the workplace. For such places, light floral smells usually work the best. Similarly, for going on a date, choose a sweet and fragile smell.
Various Categories of Fragrances
Floral
This timeless scent leverages the power of nature to achieve romantic fragrance. These usually include roses or jasmine for women, whereas, for men, floral notes denote orange blossom or jasmine.
Fruity
Fruity perfumes are subtle and fun. They are reminiscent of refreshing fruits and warm spices. It's not a full-on scent.
Musky and woody
This heavy scent reflects warm notes of smoky smells and vanilla. It enhances the glamor of the user and is perfect for wearing at night.
Fresh
This uplifting smell generally comprises citrus fruits and is further coupled with herbal notes. The fresh perfumes are great for summer and spring or a session at the gym.
Oriental
Oriental perfumes are seductive due to their rich scent. They're liked by both genders and are typically made of warm spices like clove, cardamom, musk, etc.
Eau de Perfume vs Eau de Toilette
The perfume categories are made depending on the concentration of the fragrance, as explained below:
Perfume (parfum)
This boasts the highest percentage of fragrance, therefore, lasts for the longest period.
Eau de parfum (EDP)
This is endowed with more stable and long-lasting attributes. If you apply it in the morning, it'll still be on your skin by evening.
Eau de toilette (EDT)
This type mainly consists of top notes, which means you can expect a sharp aroma. It may smell strong at first but usually wears off by noon.
Eau de cologne (EDC)
This includes the lowest amount of fragrance and only lasts for a few hours.
Fragrance Will Smell Differently On You
Feel free on this journey and keep asking people what scent they are wearing in case their choice appeals to you. But, remember that how a perfume will smell on someone depends on the user's body and skin. Depending on the reaction the scent has with the pH of your skin, the resulting scent can be very different.
Tips for Applying Perfume
The hot points on the body or the parts where you can visibly feel the pulse are the ideal places to spray your preferred scent.
For instance, the neck, behind the ears, inner elbows, and wrists are some of the body's hot points. As you go on with your day, these body parts tend to get warmer, which allows the projection of the fragrance.
