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Images courtesy of Dior/Nordstrom/Chanel/Ulta

The 23 Best Perfumes of All Time

Discover a new (or old) favorite.

By Lindy Segal and Tiffany Dodson

Finding a signature scent that reflects both your personality and range of favorite notes can be a years-long process. It's no surprise that fragrance is one beauty essential that's well-known for being extremely personal, with each one smelling unique on the wearer themselves. While we understand that it can be tedious to narrow down your top choices, a great place to start is with some of the best-selling and most iconic perfumes, ever.

  • 001 Woman Perfume

    Best Fashion-Inspired Perfume

    Loewe 001 Woman Perfume

    $1 at Loewe
    Read more
  • Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum

    Best Luxury Perfume

    Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum

    Read more
  • Dirty Vanilla Eau de Parfum

    Best Vanilla Perfume

    Heretic Dirty Vanilla Eau de Parfum

    Read more
  • Miss Dior Eau de Parfum

    Best Fruity Perfume

    Dior Miss Dior Eau de Parfum

    Read more
  • Bloom Eau de Parfum For Her

    Most Robust Floral Perfume

    Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum For Her

    Read more


From those that have stood the test of time, like the tried-and-true classic Chanel No. 5 and vanilla-noted YSL Black Opium, to more recent favorites from Glossier and Byredo, the following 23 perfumes have earned a forever space on our vanities until the end of time—or at least until they're discontinued. Whether you prefer floral perfumes, cult-classic celebrity favorites, or something else entirely, we're betting there's a perfect match on this list for you. Keep reading to discover your new (or old) favorite among our list of the best perfumes of all time.

Related: The 17 Sexiest Fragrances of All Time


Best Fashion-Inspired Perfume

Loewe 001 Woman Perfume

001 Woman Perfume
Best Fashion-Inspired Perfume

Loewe 001 Woman Perfume

$1 at Loewe
Credit: Bergdorf Goodman

Featuring notes of jasmine, linen and musk, this timeless, Spanish-made perfume from Loewe is designed to combine with the brand's 001 Man Eau de Parfum for a signature fragrance blend.

Best Luxury Perfume

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum

Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum
Best Luxury Perfume

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum

Credit: Nordstrom

Created as a collaboration between the perfumer and Baccarat to celebrate the crystal manufacturer’s 250th birthday, this popular scent is, frankly, a masterpiece. A combination of woody notes, amber, jasmine and other florals, it's sophisticated and never overpowering.

Best Vanilla Perfume

Heretic Dirty Vanilla Eau de Parfum

On Sale
Dirty Vanilla Eau de Parfum
Best Vanilla Perfume

Heretic Dirty Vanilla Eau de Parfum

Now 30% Off
Credit: Sephora

We count Heretic's Dirty Vanilla Eau de Parfum as one of our top gourmand-inspired picks, since its warm and spicy notes are a clear standout in a sea of overly syrupy scents.

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Best Fruity Perfume

Dior Miss Dior Eau de Parfum

Miss Dior Eau de Parfum
Best Fruity Perfume

Dior Miss Dior Eau de Parfum

Credit: Dior

Dior perfumes are so iconic, they even inspired a documentary. This modern classic truly has a bit of everything: juicy blood orange and mandarin, fresh lily of the valley, and earthy patchouli.

Most Robust Floral Perfume

Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum For Her

Bloom Eau de Parfum For Her
Most Robust Floral Perfume

Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum For Her

Credit: Gucci

Rangoon creeper, tuberose, and jasmine combine to create this robust and top-rated Gucci floral fragrance, which over 1,300 Sephora customers are raving about.

Best Value Perfume

Glossier Glossier You

Glossier You
Best Value Perfume

Glossier Glossier You

Credit: Glossier

Named You as a nod to the fragrance’s ability to smell different on each wearer, this blend of floral iris, spicy pink pepper, and warm ambrette seeds became an instant hit for Glossier, and remains the brand’s one and only fragrance.

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Most Enduring Perfume

Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum Spray

N°5 Eau de Parfum Spray
Most Enduring Perfume

Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum Spray

Credit: Chanel

Celebrating its 100th birthday in 2021, Chanel No. 5 is perhaps the most famous fragrance of all time. Heavy with may rose and jasmine, it was the first perfume to be layered with aldehydes, a now-commonplace practice that lends the fragrance an airy quality. Game changing then, iconic now.

Best Celebrity Perfume

Fenty Beauty Fenty Eau de Parfum

Fenty Eau de Parfum
Best Celebrity Perfume

Fenty Beauty Fenty Eau de Parfum

Credit: Fenty Beauty

Rihanna has been name-checked as the best-smelling celeb by just about everyone on the planet, so it was only natural that she create her own signature scent. It instantly sold out, but if you’re lucky enough to snag a bottle of this elevated blend of magnolia, musk, tangerine, blueberry, Bulgarian rose absolute, geranium, and patchouli, know that it’s worth all the hype.

Best Viral Perfume

Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum

Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
Best Viral Perfume

Le Labo Santal 33 Eau de Parfum

Credit: Nordstrom

This sexy fragrance became one of the biggest perfume crazes of the last decade, and for good reason: It’s musky, spicy, and a bit smoky (but not overwhelmingly so), and the genderless quality makes it ideal for sharing.

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Best Gourmand Perfume

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum Spray

Black Opium Eau de Parfum Spray
Best Gourmand Perfume

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum Spray

Credit: Ulta

Rich coffee and vanilla create a sweet and warm base, while a floral heart lightens things up. It's excellent during cooler months, but can be worn year-round if you please.

Best Mildly Sweet Perfume

Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum Spray

Chance Eau de Parfum Spray
Best Mildly Sweet Perfume

Chanel Chance Eau de Parfum Spray

Credit: Ulta

Chance was introduced in 2002, and it’s been in heavy rotation ever since. Thank the floral base of iris and jasmine, which is rounded out by sweet vanilla and white musk—plus, pink pepper adds an unexpected touch of spice.

Most Popular Perfume

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum

Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum
Most Popular Perfume

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum

Credit: Nordstrom

As the name suggests, this top-rated fragrance from Viktor & Rolf —which over 10,000 Nordstrom customers love—is a cult favorite thanks to its floral notes of jasmine and rose, plus scents of warm vanilla and patchouli for added depth.

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Best Unisex Perfume

Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne

Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne
Best Unisex Perfume

Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne

Credit: Nordstrom

You don’t have to live by the beach to appreciate this surf-inspired scent (and one of Jo Malone’s best sellers). With notes of sea salt, sage, and ambrette seeds, it’s simple, sophisticated, and genderless.

Best Every Day Perfume

kai Eau de Parfum

Eau de Parfum
Best Every Day Perfume

kai Eau de Parfum

Credit: Nordstrom

Kai has earned a devoted following over the years for its clean, tropical, gardenia-based fragrance. For rose lovers, there’s also a spin-off scent, called (you guessed it), kai rose.

Most Sensual Perfume

Tom Ford Black Orchid Eau de Parfum

Black Orchid Eau de Parfum
Most Sensual Perfume

Tom Ford Black Orchid Eau de Parfum

Credit: Nordstrom

Like all things Tom Ford, this scent is undeniably sexy and glamorous. The namesake black orchid is surrounded by ylang-ylang and citrus, black plum, patchouli, and vanilla. It’s deep, dark, and elegant, especially for evening.

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Best Soft Floral Perfume

Chloé Eau de Parfum Spray

Eau de Parfum Spray
Best Soft Floral Perfume

Chloé Eau de Parfum Spray

Credit: Ulta

A bouquet of florals—rose, lily of the valley, freesia, magnolia—give way to amber and cedarwood, which lend a sensual, warm air to the overall light scent. Plus, this one is loved equally for the bottle (topped with a hand-tied ribbon) and for what’s inside.

Best Clean Perfume

Henry Rose Jake's House

Jake's House
Best Clean Perfume

Henry Rose Jake's House

Credit: Credo Beauty

A gorgeous combination of honeyed neroli, peony, jasmine, and musk, this top seller from Michelle Pfeiffer’s fragrance line smells both crisp and clean, and is made with clean ingredients; in fact, it’s the only fine fragrance line to be verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Best Fragrance for Beginners

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette

Daisy Eau de Toilette
Best Fragrance for Beginners

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette

Credit: Ulta

The daisy-adorned bottle became an instant sensation, but what’s inside is pretty fabulous as well. With notes of strawberry, sandalwood, and jasmine, Daisy is a light floral that’s become a rite of passage for teens (and teens at heart).

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Best Transitional Perfume

Giorgio Armani Sì Eau de Parfum Fragrance

Sì Eau de Parfum Fragrance
Best Transitional Perfume

Giorgio Armani Sì Eau de Parfum Fragrance

Credit: Nordstrom

If you’re looking for a sweet, strong floral scent, you may have found it in the Mediterranean-inspired Sì. It starts out fruity with top notes of black currant nectar, followed by a freesia and Rose of Mai heart, finishing with a musky, vanilla-tinged base.

Best Fresh Perfume

Bond No. 9 New York Scent of Peace Eau de Parfum

Scent of Peace Eau de Parfum
Best Fresh Perfume

Bond No. 9 New York Scent of Peace Eau de Parfum

Credit: Bond No.9

Bond No. 9’s luxe fragrances are inspired by New York City, though according to the brand, this lavender bottle is named for, “the greatest neighborhood of them all—peace.” Light and fresh, the mix of fresh grapefruit, lily of the valley, and black currant, is just lovely.

Lettermark
Lindy Segal


Lindy Segal is a beauty writer and editor. In addition to regularly contributing to BAZAAR.COM, she also writes for Glamour, People, WhoWhatWear, and Fashionista, among other publications. She lives in New York City with her Chihuahua mix, Barney.

Lettermark
Associate Beauty Commerce Editor

Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany's work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she's been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.

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