19 enchanting fragrances for women: from classics to newcomers to celebrity scents
Our recommendations are dedicated to helping you find the right product at the right price. We may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase. Learn more
Legendary fashion designer and fragrance maven Coco Chanel is said to have once declared that “a woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future.”
While we beg to differ there, one thing we can agree on is that the future certainly feels brighter when accompanied by a spritz of beautiful, mood-boosting fragrance.
Whether you’re after a tried-and-tested scent that’s stood the test of time, a signature, unique fragrance or a celebrity perfume with legions of dedicated fans (Michael Bublé’s By Invitation Signature Eau De Parfum, we’re looking at you), we’ve found something for everyone.
Happy spritzing.
THE CAN’T-GO-WRONG CLASSICS
Giorgio Armani Sì 100ml, Amazon, from $169.95
Fragrance family: Fruity, floral.
A subtle, elegant fragrance, Giorgio Armani Sì ticks all the boxes as a scent you can wear every single day. A fruity, floral and sparkling scent, Sì begins with a pop of blackcurrant before rose of May, patchouli and freesia emerge with base notes of musky blond wood following closely. Of Sì, one reviewer wrote: “This perfume has an amazing scent. It has a very light feminine and flowery scent to it. It’s perfect for every occasion. I recommend this to anyone who wants a perfume with a light scent to it.”
SHOP HERE
Versace Yellow Diamond Eau De Toilette 30ml, The Iconic, $90
Fragrance family: Floral, fruity, woody.
One of the Italian luxury fashion house’s most iconic fragrances, Yellow Diamond has been spritzed the world over since 2011. It’s a vibrant scent that positively sparkles - like a yellow diamond, no less. You’ll be won over by the striking Amalfi lemon, pear, bergamot and neroli top notes, heart notes of mimosa, African orange flower, freesia and water lily and warming base notes of amber, musk and Guaiac wood.
SHOP HERE
Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Intense Eau De Parfum 50ml, Adore Beauty, $114
Fragrance Family: Floral, fruity, woody.
It may have been launched around two decades ago, but time hasn’t dimmed the appeal of the Italian fashion house’s award-winning fragrance, Light Blue. A decidedly sensual and summery fragrance, Light Blue’s refreshing scent will transport you to azure waters and dazzling sunshine. A blend of juicy lemon and apple with succulent marigold, jasmine, musk and amber, this is one fragrance that’s earned its place on any dresser.
SHOP HERE
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum, from $123 – $371
Fragrance family: Oriental, floral, fruity.
An olfactory recreation of the free, innovative and intriguing woman that was Gabrielle Chanel, this iconic fragrance is perfect for anyone coveting a luxurious scent. A fresh and heady mix of rose, jasmine, patchouli, vetiver and bold orange, its sillage will last long after you spray it on. Expect compliments.
SHOP HERE
Christian Dior Miss Dior Eau De Parfum, Sephora, $240
Fragrance family: floral, citrus, fruity.
If you’re after a sweet, juicy fragrance that never ever errs on the sickly, overpowering side, this classic Christian Dior fragrance is perfect. Lovers of rose will be captivated by the heart notes of Grasse and Damascus rose accompanied by top notes of Calabrian bergamot and base notes of rosewood, pink pepper.
SHOP HERE
Calvin Klein Euphoria 100ml, Amazon, $49.99 (down from $120)
Fragrance family: Oriental, floral, fruity.
One of the most enchanting scents by fashion house Calvin Klein, Euphoria is perfect for anyone who prefers their fragrance less subtle, more powerful. A rich blend of exotic florals (orchid, lotus and champaca) and punchy fruits (pomegranate, raspberry and passionfruit) are followed by warm, sensual base notes of mahogany and amber.
SHOP HERE
Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau De Toilette 50ml, Adore Beauty, $90
Fragrance family: Floral, musk, woody.
When Marc Jacobs’ debut fragrance Daisy burst onto the scene in 2007 we initially loved it for that unique floral packaging but it transformed into love at first spray. The epitome of femininity, the heart notes of jasmine and violet are beautifully accompanied by fruity top notes and sandalwood, vanilla and musk base notes. Delicious.
SHOP HERE
Chloé Signature Eau De Parfum 50ml, Adore Beauty, $145
Fragrance family: Floral, fruity, woody.
An iconic fragrance for lovers of scents with rose and bursts of fruit, Chloé Signature Eau De Parfum has stood the test of time. With one spray, you’ll be immersed in subtle notes of freesia, lychee and peony that make way to rose heart notes and the rich base notes of cedar and amber.
SHOP HERE
Tom Ford Black Orchid, from $135 – $265
Fragrance family: Floral, woody.
There’s no doubt about it, this is not a fragrance for anyone wanting to fade into the background. An incredibly glamorous and downright seductive scent from lauded designer Tom Ford, Black Orchid is a fragrance for anyone looking to make a bold statement. A heady concoction of black orchid, black plum, black truffle, bergamot, patchouli and noir gourmand accord, expect to be stopped and asked what you’re wearing when you spritz this on.
SHOP HERE
NEW SCENTS ON THE BLOCK
Who Is Elijah Haze 100ml, The Iconic, $145
Fragrance family: Woody, floral, spicy.
Inspired by the glamour of the ‘70s, this fragrance from Sydney-based brand Who Is Elijah oozes warmth and spice like no other. This gender-neutral fragrance is charged with punchy top notes of pink pepper, clove and orange blossom, warming heart notes of juniper, chestnut and Gaiac wood and rounded off with base notes of sweet vanilla, cedarwood and cashmeran.
SHOP HERE
Mihan Aromatics Sienna Brume Oil Parfum 8ml, The Iconic, $75
Fragrance family: Fruity, woody.
Handmade Australian fragrance brand Mihan Aromatics offer decadent parfum oils – a brilliant option for anyone who wants serious staying power from their scent. Sienna Brume is reminiscent of salty, dreamy summer beach days with fresh top notes of white pepper, juniper berry and cucumber, heart notes of green palm and coconut and warm, comforting base notes of greenwood and cedarwood. Plus, the bottle will fit easily in your handbag for applications on-the-go.
SHOP HERE
Juliette Has A Gun Lady Vengeance 50ml, Adore Beauty, $159
Fragrance family: Floral.
An up and coming fragrance brand that aims to modernise and recreate the romance of Shakespeare’s Juliet in a decidedly modern setting, Juliette Has A Gun’s Lady Vengeance is for any woman who likes a powerful edge to their perfume. It may possess heart notes of Moroccan rose and Bulgarian rose but this scent isn’t all sweet femininity, top notes of bergamot and lavender and base notes of ambroxan and white musk add intoxicating oomph and personality.
SHOP HERE
Goldfield & Banks White Sandalwood Perfume Concentrate 100ml, Adore Beauty, $229
Fragrance family: Floral, woody.
An Australian brand that’s burst onto the market gaining a loyal following, Goldfield & Banks’ White Sandalwood is a fragrance to behold. A gender-neutral scent inspired by the heady, fascinating Kununurra region of Western Australia, the scent begins with spicy top notes of Moroccan thyme and pepper before subtle heart notes of Turkish rose and Spanish saffron delight emerge, followed by base notes of Aussie white sandalwood. Decadent? You bet.
SHOP HERE
CELEBRITY FRAGRANCES
Michael Bublé By Invitation Signature Eau De Parfum 100ml, Chemist Warehouse, $39.99
Fragrance family: Fruity, floral.
Mark our words, this fragrance has gained almost as big a cult following as Michael Bublé himself. One reviewer stated: “This perfume is enchanting, strong and captivating and extremely affordable for the 100ml bottle. It smells like a very premium fragrance so I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered the smell and artist. People always compliment me when I wear it.” It’s all down to the light and sparkling mix of bergamot, red fruits, lily of the valley, rose, sandalwood and vanilla.
SHOP HERE
Glow By Jennifer Lopez Eau De Toilette 100ml, Chemist Warehouse, $19.99
Fragrance family: Floral, citrus, woody.
She’s produced many perfumes in her time but Glow by singer and actor Jennifer Lopez has earned the most prolific fan base. The perfect subtle fragrance made for daily use, Glow is an effervescent mix of rose, neroli, sandalwood, musk, jasmine, vanilla, iris and pink grapefruit. Created in 2002, Glow was one of the first ever celebrity fragrances to break sales records, earning its place in pop culture – and beauty – history.
SHOP HERE
Kim Kardashian Eau De Parfum 100ml, Chemist Warehouse, $19.99
Fragrance family: Oriental, floral, woody.
Yes, of course Kim Kardashian has a fragrance and it’s one fans adore. A scent as powerful as the woman herself, Kim Kardashian Eau De Parfum is a spicy burst of honeysuckle, mandarin orange and African orange flower followed by heart notes of gardenia (lots of it) jasmine and spices and finished off with base notes of tonka bean, musk, orchid and sandalwood. No, this fragrance isn’t for shrinking violets.
SHOP HERE
THE BEST FRAGRANCE PACKS
Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Scent Layering Trio, $145
Wood Sage & Sea Salt is one of Jo Malone’s most popular and enduring fragrances and this gift set offers you a golden opportunity to stay loyal to the scent while discovering more of the brand’s gems. Featured together because they can be layered over one another beautifully, the pack includes Wood Sage & Sea Salt 30ml, Peony & Blush Suede Cologne 9ml and Jasmine Sambac & Marigold Cologne Intense 9ml.
SHOP HERE
Estee Lauder Fragrance Treasures, Adore Beauty, $60
With so many beloved and best selling fragrances, you cannot go wrong with Estee Lauder’s Fragrance Treasures pack. Receive four mini, iconic fragrances – Beautiful 4.7ml, Beautiful Belle 4ml, Pleasures 4ml and Bronze Goddess 4ml. One reviewer dubbed the pack “fantastic”. “Great for a present, no wonder they call them treasures,” they continued.
SHOP HERE
Penhaligon’s Scent Library Tin Discovery Set, $65
With a legacy dating back over a hundred years, you can be certain this British perfumery will offer a captivating array of scents. This charming tin contains ten 2ml fragrances for both women and men. With everything from rose-based Empresa to Quercus, a heady blend of lemon, sweet jasmine and woody moss, there’s destined to be a fragrance that pleases everyone. Plus with enough scents to split among your work desk drawer, handbag, evening clutch, car, gym bag and more, it’ll ensure you’ll smell incredible wherever you go.
SHOP HERE
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EAU DE PARFUM AND AN EAU DE TOILETTE?
According to Chloe Walsh, Parfums Christian Dior National Training Manager for Australia and New Zealand, an eau de parfum is a fuller, more intense option as it contains more perfume oil than an eau de toilette. “An eau de toilette is easy to wear every day and offers elegant and impeccable hold, while remaining light and discreet,” Walsh tells news.com.au.
WHAT ARE THE FRAGRANCE NOTES CONSIDERED THE MOST ROMANTIC?
Hardly surprising, fragrances containing florals can exude the most romantic feel. “You cannot go past flowers,” says Walsh. “Roses are a romantic scent. We gift roses to those we love on special occasions - and this has been done for centuries. Roses are a classic smell and instantly bring to mind love. There are many types of roses. At Dior one variety you cannot go past is the Grasse rose, this rose is fresh and sparkling.”
WHAT SHOULD YOU CONSIDER WHEN BUYING FRAGRANCE AS A GIFT FOR SOMEONE?
It’s important to really hone in on the personality traits of the person you’re buying for before diving in and purchasing them a fragrance. “If they are an outgoing person, they will like their scent to be smelt and known,” advises Walsh. “It’s important to take into account what type of style they like as well. Is it sweet, oriental, fresh or floral? You may know this from the types of scents they have worn in the past or simply knowing what drinks or foods they enjoy.”
Looking for more shopping deals, product reviews and gift ideas? Sign up for our weekly Best Of newsletter by heading here.
Discover the best discounts on your favourite brands at news.com.au ’s Coupons page here.
19 Best Colognes for Men 2021
Some dudes wear the same cologne for years (decades, even) and others switch their scent as often as they change their underwear. Whether you’re a loyalist or an explorer doesn’t matter so much, but actually choosing which one to wear can be a daunting task. Understanding cologne can often feel like trying to learn a foreign language.
Fragrances, specifically the wearable kind, are often divided into categories like fresh (or fugiere), woody, oriental (spicy), and floral. Knowing these categories is helpful, but it’s not the be-all-end-all of the decision making process, because from there you have the actual notes of the fragrance. Top notes are what you smell as soon as you spray and generally dissipate first. Heart notes are what you smell next, while base notes are what linger the longest on your skin. Typically you’ll see lighter notes like botanicals in the top and deeper notes like woods in the base. In addition to all of this, colognes are categorized by how strong they are: eau de cologne is the lightest, eau de toilette will last slightly longer, and eau de parfum is the strongest and longest lasting.
Did we lose you? We hope not, because realistically, you don’t have to know any of this to wear and enjoy cologne, but keeping this knowledge in the back of your mind can help you cut out what you don’t want and make finding what you do want easier. In the world of fragrance, it’s best to always follow your nose (literally). After all, the best cologne for men to wear is one they actually want to wear. And whether you’re looking for a new signature scent or just want something to add to your collection, this list is the best place to start.
The Top 10 Most Complimented Men’s Fragrances
There is no doubt that a good fragrance can leave a remarkable first impression. The fragrance you wear reflects your personal style, just as much as the clothes you wear do. Also, some people prefer to have a signature perfume that gets associated with them anytime it is smelled around; and that’s because in general perfumes are linked to memories of people and places. So, if you want to receive a lot of compliments from women check this brief guide on top 10 men’s fragrances.
TOM FORD NOIR EXTREME
Top Notes: Cardamom, Nutmeg, Saffron, neroli, mandarin orange
Middle Notes: Kulfi, rose, mastic, orange blossom, jasmine
Base Notes: Vanilla, amber, sandalwood, woody notes
CREED AVENTUS
Top Notes: Pineapple, black Currant, bergamot, apple
Middle Notes: Birch, patchouli, Moroccan jasmine, rose
Base Notes: Musk, oak moss, ambergis, vanilla
DIOR SAUVAGE
Top Notes: Bergamot, pepper
Middle Notes: Lavender, geranium, Sichuan pepper, pink pepper, vetiver, patchouli, elemi
Base Notes: Ambroxan, cedar, labdanum
YSL Y EAU DE PARFUM
Top Notes: Bergamot, ginger, apple
Middle Notes: Sage, geranium, juniper berries
Base Notes: Vetiver, cedar, tonka, amber woods, olibanum
BLEU DE CHANEL
Top Notes: Grape fruit, lemon, mint, pink pepper
Middle Notes: Ginger, Nutmeg, Jasmine, Iso E Super
Base Notes: Incense, vetiver, Cedar, sandalwood, patchouli, labdanum, white musk
YSL LA NUIT DE L’HOMME
Top Notes: Cardamom
Middle Notes: Lavender, Virginia Cedar, bergamot
Base Notes: Caraway, vetiver, amber
DIOR HOMME INTENSE
Top Notes: Lavender
Middle Notes: Iris, ambrette, pear
Base Notes: Virginia Cedar, vetiver
VIKTOR & ROLF SPICEBOMB EXTREME
Top Notes: Grapefruit, pimento, black Pepper
Middle Notes: Cinnamon, cumin, saffron
Base Notes: Tobacco, amber, black vanilla, cistus
TERRE D’HERMES
Top Notes: Orange, grapefruit
Middle Notes: Pepper, pelargonium
Base Notes: Vetiver, cedar, patchouli, benzoin
CHANEL ALLURE HOMME SPORT
Top Notes: Orange, sea notes, aldehydes, mandarin, seawater, orange
Middle Notes: Neroli, pepper, cedar
Base Notes: Amber, Musk, tonka bean, vanilla, vetiver