The good news about shopping for a new fragrance is that there is no shortage of options out there. Florals, spicy scents, woodsy perfumes, fruity fragrances… There’s something for every nose preference. There are the brands that are household names, indie brands, clean and organic lines, and even fragrance companies that keep aromatherapy benefits in mind.
But I suppose when you’ve got a lot of options, it can be bad news in a way, too. How can you possibly choose a signature fragrance when there are hundreds to choose from? Well, it definitely helps to narrow down what kind of vibe and notes you’re going for. Do you want something subtle? Are you looking for a daytime, evening, or anytime fragrance?
You can also turn to some trusted brands. The cool thing about the fragrance world is that a lot of beloved fashion houses are in the perfume game as well. So if you love a brand’s aesthetic, you might also love its scents, too. Valentino is one example. Not only does the iconic fashion house make the most beautiful clothes, shoes, and accessories, but it also has some sophisticated, luxurious, and statement-making scents. And the internet has given them a lot of rave reviews, so you know they’re good.
And you know what? I think it might be the perfect time to discover a new signature fragrance. While we’re not quite out of the pandemic just yet, it’s looking like we might be spending more days outside of our homes now, reconnecting with friends and family (when it’s safe). So why not use this opportunity to debut something new? If you’re thinking the same way, consider these Valentino scents, plus some other highly rated fashion fragrances.
The first thing you might notice about this fragrance’s bottle is the iconic Valentino stud. The scent is an edgy floral with notes of black currant, jasmine, and vanilla bourbon. What a reviewer says: “My absolute favorite of all time. Super sweet and pretty, and not over powering. If you love sweet/vanilla/floral you will love this one. Lasting power is pretty good too.”
This is a citrus twist on the above fragrance—it has notes of Italian lemon, damascan rose, and white musk. All of that just screams summer freshness to me. What a reviewer says: “Smells great. It has a delicate floral smell; kind of citric. I wore it since midday, slept throughout the night, and I could still smell it the next morning. I think you really get your money’s worth for it. I love it.”
You might be familiar with this fragrance if you’re a fan of Lady Gaga, since she’s the face of it. Orange blossom absolute, gardenia, Italian bergamot, mandarin, crystal moss accord, and vanilla are all blended together to create a feminine, citrusy floral scent. What a reviewer says: “The best way I can think of to describe this scent is ‘sophisticated Froot Loops,’ haha! I absolutely love this scent and can’t stop smelling my wrists when I’m wearing it. It smells like sugared citrus fruit on me, sometimes it leans more orange and sometimes it leans more lemon, but definitely very sweet citrus.”
And you can get the Voce Viva scent as a moisturizing body lotion, too.
Burberry’s Her fragrance is inspired by the city of London. The fruity scent has notes of blackcurrant, blueberry, raspberry, jasmine accord, violet accord, musk, and dry amber. What a reviewer says: “This is the first perfume in a while to make me actually go WOW! It is everything I want in a perfume: Sweet, floral, and fruity, and most of all very fresh.”
YSL’s Libre perfume is not your average floral fragrance—it’s got notes of Moroccan orange blossom, lavender essence, and a woodsy musk accord. The bottle is just so chic, too. What a reviewer says: “I was at a wedding and someone smelled amazing! I asked what she was wearing and she showed me this perfume. I instantly bought and every time I wear it I have strangers telling me I smell great. It lasts and it’s a combination of fresh and seductive.”
You’ll find a warm floral scent in this Chanel perfume. It has sensual and vibrant notes of fresh orange, jasmine, Turkish rose, patchouli, and vetiver. What a reviewer says: “I’m 33 years old, yet, this has been one of my signature scents since I was in my early twenties! This is definitely one of the best fragrances of ALL time! IMO. It’s classy, sexy, sophisticated, a BOSS woman fragrance! If you’re in your 20s and up and you’re looking for ‘THAT’ scent, please give her a try, you’ll be SO happy you did!”
If you prefer grounded, woodsy scents, this one from Tom Ford might be the perfect option. It’s inspired by incense-filled temples and has notes of rare oud wood, sandalwood, rosewood, amber, and Chinese pepper. What a reviewer says: “You can’t go wrong with this scent! This is a go-to for any occasion. It will get you compliments and you’ll notice people trying to get a whiff of it. It dries into your skin beautifully!”
When a fragrance is called “By the Fireplace,” you know you’re going to get something earthy and spicy. The warm scent includes notes of clove oil, orange flower, vanilla, and chestnut. What a reviewer says: “Might be my favorite fragrance to date! It’s got this beautiful smokiness as if sitting by a crackling fire. The cloves make this such a cozy, intimate fragrance. Great projection, lasts all day. Worth the money!”
This is basically a garden party in a bottle, with floral notes of rangoon creeper (a plant native to tropical Asia), tuberose, and jasmine bud. What a reviewer says: “The first time I smelled it I fell in love. If you like the scent of Jasmine this is a must. It’s a light powdery, floral. Wonderful for spring and summer. Just spray a little on the pulse points and it lasts all day!”
Feminine, fresh, and chic, this perfume is a classic floral variety, but it’s doesn’t feel too “grandma.” It has notes of peony, lychee, springtime freesia, honey, and cedarwood. What a reviewer says: “Beautiful and light scent that can be worn daily without developing a headache or nausea. Once you spray this on and wait 15 minutes, the scent becomes even more beautiful and delicious.”
You’ll get a little bit of both worlds here: florals and a bit of spice. There are notes of Calabrian bergamot, grasse rose absolute, Guyana rosewood, and pink peppercorn. What a reviewer says: “I love this perfume with a passion! I always get loads of compliments whenever I wear it. It really freshens up my vibe, it’s very clean, floral, and sweet without being overpowering. My go-to everyday perfume”
If you’re judging a fragrance by its bottle, you’ll probably look at this one and think it’s happy and fun. And you’d be correct. It’s an intoxicating scent with a top note of caramel, a middle note of musks, and a base of vanilla and benzoin. What a reviewer says: “This is a lovely fragrance, not too strong, not too light either. It goes on rather sweet and caramel at first, but dries down to a richer scent. Delicious, feminine perfume. Very nice.”
Fruity, floral, and musky all in one, Versace’s Bright Crystal perfume is a nice balance. You’ll notice notes of pomegranate, yuzu iced accord, magnolia, lotus flower, peony, amber, acajou, and musk. What a reviewer says: “I love this perfume. No matter how much you spray, it never feels like too much. It’s light, floral and sweet but not overpowering. Great for day wear!”
A vibrant twist on Marc Jacobs’s original Daisy perfume, this one has bold and warm notes of raspberry, grapefruit, wild rose, warm plum, and cedarwood. What a reviewer says: “I got this a few days ago, and I have been using it every day! This is such an elegant refreshing floral fragrance. It is very clean-smelling as well. The fragrance is very addictive. I can smell it all day long after only applying once in the morning.”
Ralph Lauren’s Romance is a total classic and has been for a long time for so many people. It has traditional and classic floral notes of rose and jasmine mixed with mandarin orange, pink pepper, woody musk, and patchouli. What a reviewer says: “I first started wearing this fragrance many years ago in high school as my signature scent. As time passed, I switched to wearing seasonal scents in my 20s, so reserved this one for spring. I’ve dabbled with other spring scents over the years, but even now in my 30s, I always seem to find my way back to RL Romance. It’s a pleasantly lingering, feminine, ageless, and timeless floral scent that is not overly heady or sneeze-inducing. I still reserve it for spring, but the notes make it wearable for all seasons. Romance will always have a home on my fragrance tray.” Next: Whenever Someone Asks Me What Perfume I’m Wearing, It’s Almost Always This Brand
