The 17 Best Perfumes for Women of 2024, According to Testers

Hands holding the All Saints Sunset Riot Eau de Parfum in front of a pink background. — People / Jhett Thompson

Studies show that scent can affect people’s perceptions of each other, whether that’s for better or for worse. Just like platform Ugg slippers and glazed donut manicures, scents follow a circuitous trend cycle. Viral TikToks tout the hottest scent of the hour, but the fragrance is a highly personal experience, and whether you're looking for a scent as a Valentine's Day essential or one for a day at work, what works for one person might not work for the next. To help you pick out the ideal perfume that won’t go out of style, like a 2012 Victoria’s Secret body spray (looking at you, Love Spell), we spoke to fragrance expert and the host of the Smell Ya Later podcast, Tynan Sinks.

“It seems that we’re making our way out of the 'skin scent' era of light, barely perceptible scents and seeing the pendulum swing the other direction to louder, sweeter, more fun fragrances,” Sinks tells PEOPLE.

With so many options lining the shelves of department stores, it can be hard to know which one will hit the right notes (pun intended). That’s why we set out to create a comprehensive list of the best perfumes for women for every preference, including different scent types, formulations, and price points in our research.

Discover your next fragrance based on PEOPLE's picks of the best perfumes for women on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Unisex:

By Rosie Jane Rosie Eau De Parfum at Byrosiejane.com (See Price)

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Best Budget:

Pacifica Dream Moon Spray Perfume at Amazon (See Price)

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Best Light:

& Other Stories Moon Fiction Eau de Toilette at Stories.com (See Price)

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Best Celeb Brand:

Ariana Grande God Is A Woman Eau de Parfum at Target ($26)

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Best Pear:

Bath & Body Works Wild Sand Eau De Parfum at Amazon (See Price)

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Best Natural:

Brown Girl Jane Casablanca Perfume at Amazon (See Price)

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Best Subtle:

Clean Classic Warm Cotton at Amazon ($44)

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Best Mature:

Zara Rose Gourmand Perfume at Zara.com (See Price)

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Best Floral:

Philosophy Amazing Grace Eau de Toilette at Target ($64)

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Best Unique:

Glossier You Parfum at Sephora ($28)

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Best Unisex

By Rosie Jane Rosie Eau De Parfum

By Rosie Jane

View On Byrosiejane.com

Pros

The fragrance is minimalistic, with notes of rose and a slightly musky aroma.
When testing this over time, we found that the fragrance stayed very close to its original aroma when first applied.
Despite being long-lasting, the fragrance doesn’t feel overpowering and is subtle enough for everyday wear.

Cons

If sprayed too closely, it can leave a slight oily residue on the skin.

For a less expensive unisex perfume, consider the Rose Perfume by Rosie Jane. This fragrance has a more minimalistic aroma with notes of rose and a little bit of musk, too.

When testing in the lab, we were immediately impressed by its overall scent for everyday wear and loved that it didn’t feel overpowering on the senses. On top of that, we noticed that the fragrance stayed very close to its original aroma when we first applied it.

While it’s not a deal-breaker for us, it’s worth noting that this formula has a more oily consistency, and when applied too closely to the skin, it can leave behind a little bit of residue that takes some time to fully absorb.

Size: 1.7 oz. | Formulation: Eau de parfum | Key Fragrance Notes: Rose

Best Budget

Pacifica Dream Moon Spray Perfume

Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta $27 View On Pacificabeauty.com

Pros

This budget-friendly perfume costs under $25 and has an invigorating aroma that, when properly applied, can rival some of its more luxe counterparts.
It’s made from natural essential oils, making it a good clean beauty option.
The cute bottle adds a nice pop of color sitting on your bathroom counter.

Cons

To get the desired effect, you need to spray this perfume a couple of times onto the skin.
The packaging doesn’t feel as sophisticated as some of the others on our list.

Perfumes often come with a hefty price tag, but we found that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a high-quality formula. With that said, the Pacifica Beauty Dream Moon Spray Perfume is our top pick for the best budget-friendly perfume. This spray perfume features notes of patchouli, sandalwood, and pink rose and is formulated with natural essential oils, making it one of the best clean fragrances — plus, it costs less than $25.

In addition to its formula and price point, we found that a couple of spritzes gave us a desired effect that rivals some of the more luxurious formulas on our list. And, although the packaging doesn’t feel as sophisticated as other options on our list, it’s still super cute and adds a nice pop of color to our fragrance lineup.

Size: 1 oz. | Formulation: Spray perfume | Key Fragrance Notes: Patchouli, sandalwood, and pink rose

Best Light

& Other Stories Moon Fiction Eau de Toilette

& Other Stories

View On Stories.com

Pros

When sprayed directly onto fabric, the perfume didn’t stain or leave behind residue.
The formula features a lightweight scent that blends nicely with your natural scent.
The pink peach and sandalwood is a nice sophisticated blend of scents.

Cons

It might be too sweet for some preferences.
Since it’s a lightweight aroma, the scent doesn’t last as long as some of the others on our list (but is expected as a eau de toilette).

If you don’t love an overpowering perfume and want something that feels fresh and light, consider the & Other Stories Moon Fiction Eau de Toilette. This perfume features a lightweight aroma with notes of ambroxan, sandalwood, sugared musks, and ripe peaches, along with ginger, lime, and bergamot that blend nicely with your natural scent. We liked the fact that you can spray this directly on your clothes without leaving behind any type of residue.

Since the formula is so lightweight, we found that its scent doesn’t last as long as some of the others on our list. Additionally, the notes of sugared musks make this a little on the sweet side, which might not be ideal for all preferences. Nonetheless, we love the overall sophistication of its aroma and how subtle yet effective it is.

Size: 1.7 oz. | Formulation: Eau de toilette | Key Fragrance Notes: Bergamot, lime, ginger, peach, ambrosian, sugared musks, sandalwood

Best Celeb Brand

Ariana Grande God Is A Woman Eau de Parfum

Ulta

View On Target $26 View On Ulta $55 View On Ecosmetics.com $47

Pros

Overall, the aroma has a very youthful and playful scent that holds up well on hair, fabric, and skin.
You only need one spritz of this perfume, so a little goes a long way.
The packaging is stunning and would look great on top of a vanity or bathroom shelf.

Cons

The notes of pear are robust and, therefore, not ideal for those who don’t like this aroma.

There is no shortage of celebrity perfume lines, but not all are created equal. For the best celebrity fragrance, we recommend giving the Ariana Grande God Is A Woman Eau de Parfum a spritz. This fragrance features notes of ambrette, juicy pear, orris, Turkish rose petals, Madagascar vanilla, and creamy cedar wood for a youthful and playful scent. The unique packaging is beautiful and would look great sitting on your bathroom vanity.

When testing this formula, we found that it is highly effective on hair, fabric, and skin, and, with just one spritz, it has a long-lasting aroma that deepens with wear. It does have a robust scent of pear, so if you don't like that scent, this perfume may not be for you. The perfume comes in three different sizes at a budget-friendly price.

Size: 1 oz., 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz. | Formulation: Eau de parfum | Key Fragrance Notes: Ambrette, juicy pear, orris, Turkish rose petals, Madagascar vanilla, creamy cedar wood

Best Pear

Bath & Body Works Wild Sand Eau De Parfum

Bath & Body Works

View On Amazon

Pros

The fresh, prickly pear scent has a slightly sweet and floral aroma thanks to notes of cactus flower and agave nectar.
Its formula features a light aroma that isn’t too overpowering to the senses.

Cons

The spray applicator projects a lot of product and can leave skin wet.

It’s not a best perfume list without mentioning Bath & Body Works, and we can always count on the fragrance company to offer the best fruity scents. For a pear aroma, consider the Wild Sand Eau de Parfum, which features notes of prickly pear fruit, cactus flower, and warm agave nectar. This formula is like a cross between a body spray and a perfume, as it features a more elevated bottle with long-lasting aromas but is still lightweight and doesn’t overpower the senses.

During the testing period, we were impressed by how well the Bath & Body Works perfume absorbed into fabric and hair and how its fragrance deepened over time. Although the applicator is a little over the top and can leave the skin wet after spritzing, we also enjoyed this fragrance on our skin and found that it blended nicely with our natural scent, too.

Size: 1.7 oz. | Formulation: Eau de parfum | Key Fragrance Notes: Prickly pear fruit, cactus flower, warm agave nectar.

Best Natural

Brown Girl Jane Casablanca Perfume

Scentbird

View On Amazon View On Sephora

Pros

The sandalwood aroma feels subtle and not too smoky, so this is a great option for those who love sandalwood but want something light.
It has a long-lasting aroma that blends nicely into the skin.
The perfume is made from sustainably sourced and better-for-you ingredients.

Cons

The scent gets sweeter over time, so it might not be ideal for those who prefer more fruity or floral aromas.

If you don’t love the more potent scents of traditional perfume and want something a little more natural, consider the Brown Girl Jane Casablanca Perfume. This perfume is designed with notes of marshmallow, cardamom, saffron, soft suede, and vanilla orchid and formulated with sustainably sourced and better-for-you ingredients. It features a light yet long-lasting aroma that blends nicely into the skin (and your natural scent) while remaining subtle enough for everyday wear.

Since the formula has hints of marshmallow, it can get a little sweeter over time, so it might not be ideal for those who prefer fragrances with fruity or floral aromas. However, the sweetness is so light that you barely notice it — plus, it doesn’t have that artificial sweetness to it that some other sweet fragrances can have.

Size: 1.69 oz. | Formulation: Eau de parfum | Key Fragrance Notes: Marshmallow, cardamom, saffron, soft suede, vanilla orchid

Best Subtle

Clean Classic Warm Cotton

Amazon

View On Amazon $44 View On Sephora $44 View On Ulta $44

Pros

The formula features a bright and cheerful citrus, amber, and musk blend.
It’s made from sustainably sourced ingredients and features a clean formula.
The aroma is lightweight and subtle enough for those who don’t usually love wearing perfume.

Cons

It can stain satin materials, so be careful when applying to fabrics.

Whether you’re looking for something lightweight enough for everyday wear or you don’t love wearing perfume but want a formula that can slightly elevate your natural scent without overpowering, the Clean Beauty Classic Warm Cotton is for you. This fragrance features notes of fresh citrus, amber, and musk in a blend that is bright and cheerful without being overpowering.

In addition to its lightweight scent, the perfume is made from sustainably sourced ingredients and has an overall 'clean' formula, which is harder to come by in high-quality perfumes. Be aware that this perfume can stain some materials, like satin, so use caution when spraying it on your clothes.

Size: 0.34 oz., 1 oz., 2.11 oz. | Formulation: Eau de parfum | Key Fragrance Notes: Fresh citrus, amber, musk

Best Mature

Zara Rose Gourmand Perfume

ZARA

View On Zara.com

Pros

This formula features a good balance of aromas, so it’s not too sweet, spicy, or musky.
It sprays evenly on the skin and transforms from a dominant vanilla aroma to nutty and spicy, making it a good option for fall and winter.
Although it’s a budget-friendly fragrance, the bottle still feels super luxe and looks beautiful on a vanity.

Cons

We wish the floral scents were a little more noticeable to help balance everything out.

For a sophisticated and mature daily fragrance, consider the Zara Rose Gourmand Perfume. This fragrance features notes of carnation, jasmine, peony, rose, vanilla, musk, and amber. While the vanilla aromas are noticeable at first, we love how the fragrance transforms over time into a nuttier and spicier perfume, making it a good option for cozy fall and winter months (though we do wish the floral scents were a little more noticeable and more versatile to wear).

Although the Zara perfume has a budget-friendly price tag, it feels ultra-luxurious in both scent and packaging. The bottle is sleek and has a nice weight to it, so it looks beautiful paired with more expensive bottles on top of a vanity.

Size: 2.71 oz. | Formulation: Eau de parfum | Key Fragrance Notes: Carnation, jasmine, peony, rose, vanilla, musk, amber

Best Floral

Philosophy Amazing Grace Eau de Toilette

Ulta

View On Target $64 View On Nordstrom $29 View On Ulta $64

Pros

The aroma has a sophisticated feel but isn’t super strong, so it’s a great light floral fragrance.
Despite its light scent, the fragrance is long-lasting on skin, hair, and fabric.
You only need a single spray to get the desired results.

Cons

We wish the packaging were as elevated as the aroma.

After testing many floral fragrances, we found that the Philosophy Grace Perfume is the best for those who love a botanical aroma. Featuring notes of bergamot, lily of the valley, and musk, this perfume has a light scent that applies nicely to the hair, skin, and fabric.

Overall, it doesn’t feel too overpowering, so it’s a nice option for those who like floral fragrances but want something a little softer. You also don’t need a lot of it to get the desired effect — just one spritz will do.

Size: 0.5 oz., 2 oz. | Formulation: Eau de toilette | Key Fragrance Notes: Bergamot, Lily of the valley, musk

Best Unique

Glossier You Parfum

Sephora

View On Sephora $28 View On Glossier.com $32

Pros

The Glossier perfume comes in two sizes, plus a solid fragrance option for versatility.
It doesn’t stain fabric (even satin) and is quick-drying on the skin.
The fragrance has a long-lasting aroma.

Cons

The bottle doesn’t feel as high-end compared to other options at similar price points.

The Glossier You Parfum is one of our favorite perfumes ever, and it’s our top pick for the most unique fragrance. To be completely honest, it’s hard to nail down what this fragrance smells like since it's supposed to play on each person's natural scents.

After testing it, we found that it essentially includes the best notes of flower without the powdery undertones while also taking the best notes of vanilla without feeling too sweet. Plus, the notes of peppercorn give it a slightly masculine feel. The fragrance was long-lasting, dried quickly on our skin, and didn't stain fabric, including satin.

We did find ourselves wishing the bottle had a more high-end feel, but it wasn't a dealbreaker. Overall, we love the invigorating scent and the formula’s versatility. In addition to two different-sized bottles, the Glossier perfume also comes in a solid formula, which makes for easy application on the go.

Size: 1.69 oz. , 3.38 oz. | Formulation: Eau de parfum | Key Fragrance Notes: Peppercorns, white florals

Best for Sensitive Skin

Lavanila Pure Vanilla

Amazon

View On Amazon $48 View On Lavanila.com

Pros

It smells mostly like pure vanilla, so it’s an excellent option for those who love this aroma.
The fragrance features a clean formula that is safe for sensitive skin types.
The perfume sits well on the skin and doesn’t drastically change over time.

Cons

If you spray too closely, the formula can stain fabrics.

Perfume and sensitive skin types are typically not a good match. However, the Lavanilla Pure Vanilla perfume features a more gentle formula that is safe for sensitive skin. Formulated with notes of Madagascar vanilla, creamy tonka bean, and soft heliotrope, this clean perfume provides skin with a rich hint of warm, calming aromas.

Despite being made from natural ingredients, the perfume is also just as long-lasting as some of its more synthetic counterparts, too. With regular wear, we found that it not only sits well on the skin, but it also keeps its integrity and doesn’t fade too easily. Just be aware that it can stain some fabrics if sprayed too closely.

Size: 1.7 oz. | Formulation: Eau de parfum | Key Fragrance Notes: Madagascar vanilla, creamy tonka bean, soft heliotrope

Best Long-Lasting

Oakcha Sweet Addict

Oakcha

View On Oakcha.com

Pros

The fragrance features a long-lasting aroma that isn’t overpowering but also doesn’t fade easily.
Considering the perfume price, we were impressed by the level of luxury presented in the perfume’s packaging.
It has a bold and feminine aroma with notes of bergamot, neroli, jasmine, honeysuckle, marshmallow, white musk and more.

Cons

The fragrance has an incredibly sweet formula that might feel too potent for some preferences.

For a fragrance with a rich blend of aromas and a long-lasting scent, consider Oakcha Sweet Addict. This top pick features notes of bergamot, neroli, pink pepper, rose, jasmine, honeysuckle, marshmallow, orange blossom, white musk, vanilla, civet, and labdanum for a bold and feminine aroma.

While its super sweet scent isn’t for everyone, we found it to be one of the best long-lasting perfume formulas in our lineup and could still pick up on its invigorating fragrance long after the lab testing was complete. We also appreciated the upscale packaging of the perfume. On top of that, it's inspired by the Killian Love Don’t Be Shy fragrance, which retails for almost $300.

Size: 1 oz., 1.69 oz. | Formulation: Oil parfum | Key Fragrance Notes: Bergamot, neroli, pink pepper, rose, jasmine, honeysuckle, marshmallow, orange blossom, civet, labdanum, vanilla, white musk

Best Mood-Boosting

Ouai Dean St. Eau de Parfum

Sephora

View On Sephora $64 View On Ulta $64 View On Theouai.com

Pros

The fragrance has excellent longevity, especially on the skin.
The floral and fruity aromas mixed with musk give this a mood-boosting aroma.
You only need one spritz of this, so a little goes a long way.

Cons

The nozzle is a little wide, so it’s easy to accidentally overspray.

If you want a fragrance that makes you smell good and lifts your mood, the Ouai Dean St. Eau de Parfum is our top pick. This perfume features notes of citrus and floral with an overall musky undertone that really blossoms once in contact with the body. While it’s not a unisex formula, it is a more neutral option, and the combination of aromas helps give you a little pep in your step.

When testing this formula, we were impressed by its overall longevity, especially when applied to the skin, as you only need a small spritz to get this perfume to last all day. Use caution the first time you use it, as the wide nozzle makes it easy to overspray.

Size: 1.7 oz. | Formulation: Eau de parfum | Key Fragrance Notes: Citrus fruits, apricot, rose, magnolia, amber, linden blossom, musk

Best Musky

Phlur Missing Person Eau De Parfum

Phlur

View On Amazon $99 View On Nordstrom $29 View On Sephora $29

Pros

The formula features notes of floral and musk, but the musk is the most noticeable and gives it a more unisex feel.
The aroma lasts all day long, so you don’t need to reapply.
Although it has a long-lasting formula, it’s not super overpowering, so it’s a good option for daily wear, especially at the office or even while traveling.

Cons

You need around three to four spritzes to get the desired effect, so you might go through this fragrance faster than others.

The Phlur Missing Person perfume is our top pick for the best musky category because it features top and bottom notes of musk with the sweet and fresh aromas of jasmine, bergamot nectar, orange flower, and neroli blossom woven in between. Despite its floral fragrances, the musk really shines through and makes this another excellent unisex option, too.

When testing this formula, we were impressed by its overall longevity. While you need a few spritzes to get the desired effect, it lasts all day, so you don’t have to reapply. Plus, it doesn’t have an overpowering aroma, making it a good choice for daily wear, especially in environments where you’re around a lot of people, like the office or while traveling.

Size: 1.69 oz. | Formulation: Eau de parfum | Key Fragrance Notes: Musk, bergamot nectar, sheer jasmine, fresh cyclamen, neroli blossom, orange flower, sandalwood Australia oil, blonde wood, white musk

Best Sweet

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa

Sephora

View On Amazon $38 View On Sephora $24 View On Ulta $38

Pros

The formula features notes of vanilla and salted caramel for a lovely sweet aroma.
It has a potent aroma, so you don’t need a lot to get the desired effect.
It’s light and comfortable on the skin and doesn’t leave behind any residue, so there’s no dry time.

Cons

The fragrance has a strong vanilla scent, so it’s not ideal for those looking for a more neutral sweet scent.

If you’ve ever applied Sol de Janeiro cream and wished you could douse yourself in its incredible aroma, now you can. The Sol de Janeiro Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist is an invigorating perfume spray with notes of pistachio, almond, heliotrope, jasmine petals, vanilla, salted caramel, and sandalwood. Upon application, the vanilla scent is the most noticeable, and the salted caramel mixed with almond gives it a super sweet touch (so, if you don’t love vanilla, this might not be the scent for you).

Aside from its fragrance, we love this perfume because you don’t need a lot to get the desired effect, as it’s potent enough for hours of wear on the skin, hair, and clothing. The fragrance also dries super fast, so you don’t have any downtime after applying it to the skin.

Size: 3.04 oz., 8.11 oz. | Formulation: Perfume mist | Key Fragrance Notes: Pistachio, almond, heliotrope, jasmine petals, vanilla, salted caramel, sandalwood

Best for Summer

"VACATION" by Vacation Eau de Toilette

Ulta

View On Nordstrom $60 View On Ulta $60 View On Ecosmetics.com $60

Pros

With notes of coconut, banana, pineapple, sea salt, pool water, and swimsuit lycra, it smells like summer in a bottle.
It has a rich, long-lasting formula that doesn’t overpower but is still very noticeable due to its nostalgic aromas.
The formula is fast-drying on the skin.

Cons

The formula is reminiscent of the smell of sunscreen, which some might not prefer.

"Vacation" by Vacation Eau de Toilette is what summer dreams are made of. This perfume features notes of petitgrain essence, coconut water, coconut milk, bergamot, solar musk, banana, pineapple, pool water, swimsuit lycra, and sea salt and is reminiscent of a beach day.

Despite having so many nostalgic aromas, the fragrance doesn’t feel too overpowering once it touches the skin, and it keeps an overall subtle scent throughout the day.

Overall, the Vacation perfume is one of the best options for those who love the smell of summer (especially sunscreen, swimsuits, sand, and pool water) and want a fragrance that can transport them to their happy place.

Size: 1 oz. | Formulation: Eau de toilette | Key Fragrance Notes: Petitgrain essence, coconut water, coconut milk, bergamot, solar musk, banana, pineapple, pool water, swimsuit lycra, sea salt

Best for Fall

Kayali Invite Only Amber | 23

Sephora

View On Sephora $100 View On Hudabeauty.com

Pros

The fragrance has a warm aroma with notes of amber resin, benzoin, and ceylon cinnamon, making it a great choice for fall.
While it has a feminine touch, the perfume isn’t super sweet or floral, making it a good unisex option, too.
The perfume has a long-lasting aroma that fills the room and remains noticeable throughout the day, so you don’t need to reapply for a desired effect.

Cons

Since the fragrance is on the bolder side, it’s not ideal for those who want something light and subtle.

Fall requires a warm and cozy fragrance, and we love the Kayali Invite Only Amber perfume. After testing this formula in the lab, we were impressed by its amber resin, benzoin, and Ceylon cinnamon notes, which give it a slight feminine touch but are still neutral enough to pass as a unisex or more neutral fragrance option. The long-lasting fragrance is also bold and fills the room, so it’s a great option for those looking for something slightly strong that doesn’t need to be reapplied.

Size: 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz. | Formulation: Eau de parfum | Key Fragrance Notes: Amber resin, benzoin, ceylon cinnamon

Other Perfumes We Tried

Nest Indigo Eau de Parfum: The Nest Indigo Eau de Parfum is another formula we tested that is worth considering. While it didn’t make our top picks list, we loved this as a generic floral formula for everyday wear. Plus, it has a long-lasting aroma that isn’t too overpowering, so it’s a great choice for those looking for an office or travel-appropriate perfume that won’t feel too loud for those around you.
Dossier Ambery-Saffron: When we first tested the Dossier Ambery-Saffron perfume, we were highly impressed by its sweet and fruity aroma. Featuring notes of orange blossom, saffron, jasmine, plum, cedarwood, oakmoss, fir balsam, and amber, we love the way the perfume formula blends a mix of feminine and masculine aromas for a more unisex fragrance. With that said, the formula has a ton of staying power, and by the end of the day, we noticed that the aroma had shifted into a super sweet scent that was a little too overpowering for our preferences. Nonetheless, we think it’s worth mentioning for those who do love sweet perfumes.

What to Know About Perfumes

Formulation

Everyone looks for slightly different things in a favorite scent, and every scent smells slightly different on each person’s skin. Fragrances are commonly available in sprays, oils, and solids (like the Glossier You Solid Perfume), and which one you choose is all up to preference. Sinks gravitates towards spray-on perfumes. “I think every formulation has its place and its consumer, but I’m a spray person,” he says. “I think they sit on the body the best and give you the most beautiful wear.”

Spray-on fragrances are commonly available in two main formulations: eau de parfum and eau de toilette. Generally speaking, the difference lies in the concentration of the perfume: eau de parfum (such as our top unisex pick, By Rosie Jane's Rosie Eau De Parfum) typically has a higher concentration of scent and gives off a stronger smell, while eau de toilette (like our best light perfume pick, the & Other Stories Moon Fiction Eau de Toilette, and our top pick for summer, the 'Vacation' by Vacation Eau de Toilette) has a lower concentration of scent and often smells lighter and less intense.

Fragrance Profile

If the abundance of buzzwords surrounding the best perfumes for women feels confusing and you don’t know where to start when picking out a scent, you’re not alone. Here are some helpful definitions:

Sweet: “Often, when people think sweet, they think vanilla, which makes sense,” says Sinks. But there are many other notes that can serve up sweetness in different ways. Take tonka, amber, caramel, praline, honey, and even nutmeg. Even florals can be sweet.
Woody: Think about the different ways that wood can smell: fresh and verdant while it’s alive and growing, or smoky and rich when being burned in a campfire.
Gourmand: This word is often used to describe fragrance notes that resemble things that you can consume — think chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, or rum.
Fresh: Often, fresh is used to describe scents that have citrus elements, like grapefruit or lemon verbena. This scent profile can be found in popular summertime perfumes.
Musk: If you’ve ever smelled a perfume that felt instantly distinct and sensual, its base notes probably include musk, a compound originally extracted from the glandular secretion of deer (that is, deer sweat). But don’t fret — the musk used in fragrance today is synthetically made.

Though some perfumes and colognes use the words “feminine” and “masculine” to describe themselves, we’d like to remind you that scent is genderless — so spritz on whatever smell you most enjoy.

Price

“I think at the end of the day, too cheap or too expensive is all relative to the person and their wallet,” says Sinks. “We are lucky to be in a time where beautiful, quality fragrances have become very affordable and accessible, so there’s no reason to turn your nose up — no pun intended, sorry — at a $30 perfume. And I think that’s great. Beauty should be affordable.”

Behind the Scenes

To find the best perfumes for women, the PEOPLE Tested team researched dozens of formulas before selecting 25 for lab testing. While in the lab, the team conducted five tests: a strip test, paper test, fabric test, hair test, and skin test. We then tested the perfumes on the following criteria:

Scent: We sprayed a smelling strip with the perfume to get an idea of its scent on a more neutral surface. For the fabric test, we sprayed a swatch of material and let it sit for 10 minutes. Next, we moved on to the hair test, where we sprayed a hair extension with a spritz of perfume and made note of how it set, interacted with the strands, and if it lingered over a 10-minute period. Finally, we tested our skin to see how quickly it absorbed into the skin and noted how it interacted with our natural scent.
Formula: We examined how the perfume went on and how it felt on our skin. We made note of whether it dried quickly or took some time to absorb. We also tested how it reacted to fabrics, looking to see if it stained them or if it dried without leaving any residue behind.
Longevity: After 30 minutes of wear, we examined the overall scent on our skin and hair and made note of any faded aromas. We made note of how the perfume interacted with the fabric, if the scent absorbed into the material, and its overall longevity.
Packaging and Value: We used a piece of paper to test the spray range, holding it out 6 inches in front of the nozzle and taking note of the overall distribution. We also considered the packaging and made note of the price ranges and sizes available for versatility and accessibility.

Following our tests, we compiled all our notes and considered each formula’s performance, efficacy, and overall scent. From there, we compared each formula to determine the best perfumes for women.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to apply fragrance?

“In fragrance, it’s important for the juice to make contact directly with the skin,” says Sinks. “So don’t spray it on your clothes; spray it on your body. It needs that contact with your skin to heat up and meld with your body's chemistry to really blossom into what it’s supposed to be on your skin.” Sinks recommends applying scent to the skin rather than clothes and prefers to apply it to his chest and wrists, but warns: “If you spray your wrists or arms, you can tap to distribute the fragrance, but never rub, because you’ll break down the chemical composition of the scent. Honestly, the less contact or friction you can put on a freshly sprayed fragrance, the better.”
How long will my perfume last?

The longevity of your scent is dependent on a few factors. Your body chemistry, the perfume formula, and how you apply perfume all affect how long the scent of your choice lingers. Though you can't really control your body's chemistry, you can control what kind of perfume you use and how you apply it.

Typically, eau de parfum lasts the longest because it has the highest concentration of scent. Some say that applying perfume on top of freshly applied lotion or Vaseline helps it stay on for longer, but the evidence is mostly anecdotal.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. When covering the best perfumes for women, Jessie thoroughly reviewed the PEOPLE Tested team’s experiences with 25 perfumes, carefully considering their scent, performance, efficacy, and packaging to determine which formulations were worthy of our best-of list. She also considered the price ranges and sizes for versatility and accessibility. As a result, she curated this list of the best perfumes for women. Cai Cramer is a PEOPLE shopping writer who originally wrote this article, including several elements that still exist on this page.

Meet Our Expert

Tynan Sinks is a fragrance expert and the co-host of the Smell Ya Later podcast.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.